Community hopes to fight back opinion that 'only bad things happen in Woodhouse' as projects restore spirit
“This is what Woodhouse looks like having fun”
A councillor has argued their ward has an unfair reputation as people celebrate the “community spirit” of the area.
“We’re trying to counteract the the opinion that a lot of people have that only bad things happen in Woodhouse - which they don’t,” councillor Mick Rooney said at a community fun day at Stradbroke Road Recreation Ground.
“This is what Woodhouse looks like having fun, organised by local councillors and local organisations, with a lot of volunteers giving up their own time so that people can enjoy a sunny day in Woodhouse.”
The sun was shining on the community event, as children took part in sporting activities and police showed off how their cars’ sirens work.
Free food was being offered to families, while a Punch and Judy puppet show echoed across the field.
Another mother celebrated the event, saying that her kids have “enjoyed their time here” despite initial worries about crowds.
The two local Labour councillors were in attendance with help from Woodhouse and District Community Forum and Steel City Arcade, who brought a van with video games inside.
It is understood that the ward’s third councillor, Nathaniel Menday - who was recently suspended from Reform UK but is continuing to serve as an independent - was invited but did not attend.
Beyond fun days like this, and local fairs and markets, work is also being done to restore Woodhouse Trinity Methodist Church and convert the Grade-II listed building into a community theatre.
“We’ve had people say this is how Woodhouse used to be,” coun Alison Norris said.
She went on to congratulate the ongoing projects, adding: “There’s an exciting community theatre project going on to take back Trinity Methodist Church and turn it back into a community asset.
“One of the things I love about that is the amount of positive responses there’s been already and the partnership - lots of different people in Woodhouse have lots of different skills and expertise and they’re all chipping in to build something that’s succesful for everybody.”