Following a hiatus due to COVID, the West Windsor Residents Association (WWRA) is stepping up activities with a new Chair, a new Committee and string of initiatives to support the residents of West Windsor and the wider community.
At a meeting of the WWRA’s Committee on 29 November 2022. Frankie Theobalds was unanimously voted in as Chair replacing Richard Endacott who had recently resigned. Our thanks to Richard for holing things together during the constrained COVID period despite his personal circumstances.
More about our new Chair
Frankie trained as a journalist and has spent 10 years on the Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead Express, and the Reading Chronicle. He is currently a content creator for a national media company
Frankie grew up in Slough where he attended Slough Grammar School and has lived in Windsor since 1998 and is married and has a son and a daughter.
Frankie was attracted to the WWRA as an organisation that was very much involved with supporting the community in the Clewer and Dedworth areas in Windsor.
Frankie plans to get active
Frankie has some great plans to help people in Windsor, working with the Committee & our Councillors.
We have started on a new program of activities for residents in 2023 and, Frankie’s key objectives for residents will include;
- Cleaner, Safer streets
- Arranging more community litter pickers (Next community litter pick on 21 February 23) watch our Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/westwindsorresidents
- Getting more bins in green spaces to combat litter and improve our local environment
- Push for improved lighting as our lighting is failing residents especially vulnerable citizens. He wants to make sure that lighting is fit for purpose and up to standard in terms of security and safety
- Reduced poverty in Windsor
- Engaging with local agencies and signposting residents to help available via our new website and channels
- Publishing money-saving ideas with a local accountancy company
- Supporting local groups who are at the front line of poverty alleviation such as the West Windsor Hubwho with other partners are helping to distribute the Household Fund on behalf of RBWM
- Better support for our children
- Working with local NHS GPs, Council, and other organisations to signpost children to help available e.g. mental health programs from the new integrated care systems (ICS) that replaced the CCGs in 2022
- Create a WWRA Youth Award for young people (multiple) who demonstrate good citizenship and community – residents should send in nominations to office@westwindsorresidentsassociation.org.uk . We will aims to make awards twice a year in March and September starting with March 2023.
- Building community to build a closer community with new events and support for existing events
- The WWRA will organise a Coronation Barbeque with NWCA for the weekend of 6 May 2023. Be ready for some fun in the sun together people.
- Work with local community groups
- Empowering residents to respond effectively to key issues e.g. Budget 2023/24, a Planning application for upto 600 houses on land between former Windsor Garden Centres to the West of Windsor.
- This will commence with a series of articles from Cllr. Wisdom Da Costa on how to influence the Council’s 2023/34 Budget
- Relaunch of the WWRA website on a new domain name, www.westwindworresidentsassociation.org.uk
- Email: office@westwindsorresidentsassociation.org.uk
- Supporting our WWRA Councillors, Carole da Costa & Wisdom Da Costa who continue to serve residents, try to improve the Council, and support the Association mainly unseen and unheralded. They have a substantial workload and, we need such Councillors re-elected in May 2023, in May 2027 and on into the future.
Comments from senior members of the WWRA
New WWRA Chair Frankie Theobalds commented, “The cost-of-living crisis, soaring energy bills and environmental concerns are at the forefront of people’s minds like never before and the WWRA is focused on helping the community in any way it can navigate these issues effectively.
“Come and join us and, together, let’s make 2023 a great year for Windsor residents”
“Visit us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/westwindsorresidents for the latest information and useful signposts for help and information”
Former WWRA Chair, and new Vice-Chair, Kevin Chapman, who led the London Borough of Hounslow’s powerful Direct Service Organisation said,
“The periods of lockdown under Covid restrictions resulted in being unable to hold our AGM’s “
“Hopefully now with all restrictions off we will be able to re-establish communication with our membership.”
“We now have a chairman in place and now need to re-establish the committee and build the membership.”
Local Charity CEO, and Clewer & Dedworth East Councillor, Cllr. Carole Da Costa welcomed Frankie’s appointment saying,
“I am pleased to see Frankie taking on the chairmanship of the WWRA. “
“I look forward to seeing what his fresh view on how the WWRA can work with the community, especially over the coronation bank holiday weekend will bring.”
“Frankie has a heart to engage and encourage resident to be involved in building an even better place to live.”
Former WWRA Chair, and Clewer & Dedworth West Councillor, Cllr. Wisdom Da Costa said,
“We welcome Frankie’s arrival and the help he has provided behind the scenes since 2022.”
“His energy and community focus auger well for Windsor residents.”
“Don’t be strangers to the WWRA people, reach out and join us. Sign up and together let’s make 2023 the start of great things for Windsorians like you and I.”