Curo News

Bath flats transformed into homes for the future

Wed, 29 Sep 2021 17:20:31 Z

A £5 million project to bring a new lease of life to three blocks of Curo flats in Foxhill, Bath has been completed by Curo with Mi-space and architects BDP.

48 flats at Bradford Park have been refurbished to create homes fit for the future and have welcomed the first new residents into the properties.

Pictured: Bradford Park resident Samira Hussein with the keys to her new home, with (left) AJ Eaton, Divisional Director at Mi-space and (right) Wayne Ward, Regeneration Programme Manager at Curo.

The extensive Curo project saw Mi-space, part of the Midas Group, install new kitchens, bathrooms and gas boilers as well as completing fire safety improvements and a full electrical re-wire. Mi-space also fitted new flooring, updated plasterwork and joinery and redecorated across the three blocks.

New roofs and windows on all three buildings will offer improved natural lighting and ventilation, as well as better insulation and energy efficiency, leading to reduced costs for residents.

Work also included the reconfiguration of communal areas, improvements to hard and soft landscaped areas, remodelling of bin stores and the installation of new intercom systems.

Local primary teacher Samira Hussein moved into her new two-bedroom home at Bradford Park in September with her newly born twins, Maleek and Alima. Samira said: “I’d been staying with my mum in Midsomer Norton but I knew I couldn’t stay on once my twins were born. The move happened just in time and I’m really happy to have my own place.

“I have never before moved into somewhere with such an amazing finish and in such good condition. I think that’s what I like most about my new home. I hope that people will look after the building and I’m looking forward to meeting my new neighbours as more people move in.”

Wayne Ward, Regeneration Programme Manager at Curo said: “I’m delighted to welcome residents to the newly refurbished Bradford Park flats. At Curo, ensuring our homes are safe, healthy, affordable and warm is a priority and we’re investing more money than ever before in improving our existing homes through refurbishment projects like this.

“In designing and carrying out this work at Bradford Park, we’ve listened carefully to residents’ priorities and worked closely with the local community. The refurbishment has transformed the buildings inside and outside and will make these homes warmer and more energy efficient for residents.”

AJ Eaton, Divisional Director at Mi-space, said: “We have worked hard to ensure that as well as bringing a new lease of life to the properties, we have created a positive impact on the local community by maximising local employment through the project and developing the skills of our workforce on site.

“Despite the restrictions caused by the pandemic, we are proud to have delivered this project safely, having worked closely with residents, the wider community and our customer, Curo Group. The transformation is impressive and we are really pleased to complete the refurbishment work to these buildings that will deliver widespread benefits to residents of Bradford Park for years to come.”

Matthew Mayes, architect director in global design practice BDP’s Bristol studio added: “Bradford Park Flats is an exemplar project showing how dated buildings can be given a new lease of life, to provide safe, heathy, affordable, and sustainable homes and regenerate a thriving community.”

“Bradford Park Flats’ thorough renovation will give residents more natural light with floor to ceiling energy efficient windows, completely remodelled internal layouts designed around modern family life and substantially improved energy efficiency with new heating systems, insulation and brickwork.”

Find out more about the Bradford Park refurbishment project.

Pictured at top of , L-Rpage: Curo Regeneration Programme Manager Wayne Ward, Curo Board member Helen Hyde, Curo resident Samira Hussein, Mi-space Operational Manager Steve Welch, Curo Board member Sonya Chowdhury and Mi-space Director AJ Eaton.

Investing in Foxhill

Fri, 26 Mar 2021 11:32:04 Z

The latest improvements to Bradford Park, Selworthy House and Dunster House are part of our ongoing £14m refurbishment programme across Curo’s homes in Foxhill.

This investment is made possible largely because of the income from the sale of private homes at Mulberry Park.

The exact improvements for each building will vary and will include some of the following: new kitchens, bathrooms, windows and doors plus extensive refurbishment and redecorating of shared areas.

We’ll also continue to carry out any work needed to maintain high fire safety standards across
all our homes as Government guidance and standards develop.

If you're a Curo resident, you can find out when your kitchen or bathroom is due to be replaced on our MyCuro customer portal. We’ll write to you with full details nearer the time so you can be fully involved in the plans.

Supporting the community through the Coronavirus lockdown

Mon, 04 May 2020 10:23:38 Z

Image above: Hub Events Coordinator, Gemma, delivering hot food and groceries with Curo's electric pool car.

Since the start of the Coronavirus lockdown, The Hub at Mulberry Park has had to close its doors to protect public health. But while classes and meetings have been temporarily suspended, the Hub’s team have quickly adapted to the new ‘normal’ and found other ways to support the communities of Mulberry Park, Foxhill and the wider Combe Down.

Exactly one week after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the national lockdown, The Hub was launching its local delivery service of hot food and groceries.

Hub Manager, Lizzie Irvine, says: “We wanted to continue to support local residents and decided to bring our delicious Café products to their doorstep through a no-contact delivery service.

“We also knew that some of our community members may not be able to go out during this period and could be struggling to secure a delivery slot with the big supermarkets. That’s how we came up with the idea of adding a range of basic groceries, including fruit and vegetables, to our delivery service.”

Hub Facilities Manager, Richard, is also part of the delivery team during the Coronavirus lockdown.

To keep everyone safe, The Hub’s team are offering this service while strictly observing social distancing guidelines. Payments can only be made by card, over the telephone, and parcels are placed outside customers’ front doors.

There are two teams operating at The Hub on alternative days, to enable physical distancing and ensure deliveries can continue for as long as possible during lockdown.

The service has grown from three deliveries on the first day to more than 20 now, consisting of a mix of hot Café dishes and groceries.

Lizzie says: “The service has been very well received and is appreciated by the community. We’ve served a number of elderly members of the community who buy hot meals and groceries; one gentleman in Foxhill has been ordering something every day. Our most popular items are the hot special of the day, toasties and the groceries – particularly milk, butter, bread and eggs.”

Among customers there are also young families who can’t leave their homes, people self-isolating and key workers ordering lunch specials so they don’t have to cook after long shifts.

In addition, The Hub is now producing and delivering close to 40 hot meals every day to Curo residents in supported housing schemes in Bath.

The Hub is also supporting ‘Scrubs for the NHS’, providing a drop-off point for scrubs produced by members of the community for NHS workers. Volunteers help sort the scrubs in one of the rooms at The Hub, separate from any other people in the building.

Hub Manager Lizzie says they intend to keep these services going for as long as possible during the coronavirus crisis and are always looking for new and safe ways to support the community.

The Hub’s Café and groceries delivery service is available for local residents in Foxhill, Mulberry Park and Combe Down Monday to Friday, from 9am to 3pm. To place an order call 01225 436 869 - £5 minimum order, card payments only.

Ditch the diet! Free course at The Hub

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:03:15 Z

Fed up with diets? Learn how to manage your weight effectively at a free workshop at The Hub on Wednesday 29 January.

Laura Clark will host the session at The Hub, our community building in Mulberry Park.

Laura, a registered dietitian and regular guest on the BBC and ITV, explains: “Diets continue to be very popular and yet all too often they let us down. Despite lots of evidence that they don’t generally work, we are drawn into the promises they make.”

In the free session, Laura will explore:

The dieting cycle – why it happens and how to break free from it.
A different way to approach your weight management which takes care of your mental health and builds your confidence.
How to eat – what does the research (not the celebrities) actually tell us.
Free resources to download.

Laura adds, “Dieting can often have quite an impact on our mental wellbeing with incidences of depression, low self-esteem and anxiety being higher in those that are overweight. On the night we’ll be raising money for Bath Mind who support people to improve and maintain their mental health and wellbeing.”

The Hub are providing the room for free. Please bring a small donation for Bath Mind to cover refreshments.

Get your free ticket

Tickets are available via Eventbrite or by calling The Hub on 01225 436869.

Event details

Wednesday 29 January, 7:30pm - 9pm
The Hub, Mulberry Park, Mulberry Way, Combe Down BA2 5BU

More information

The Hub nominated for prestigious Bath Life award

Mon, 20 Jan 2020 11:15:58 Z

The Hub, Curo’s £10m community building at its Mulberry Park development in Bath, has been nominated for a prestigious Civic Award in Bath Life’s 2020 awards.

The Bath Life Awards celebrate the best of Bath. Their Civic Award highlights the contribution of an organisation or company which has improved Bath or committed to help develop others.

Launched in December 2018, The Hub has already been hailed as a trailblazer for future community buildings. As a Community Benefit Society, The Hub is run in partnership with residents and has been shaped by the community’s original vision of “a warm and beautiful place that the community can feel proud of.”

The Hub’s versatile and ultra-modern facilities are used by independent businesses, charities and health providers to host activities for all ages and interests. There are currently 23 classes every week from musical activities for young children, keep fit for parents and babies to over 50s art classes, gentle exercise for older people and everything in between!

Supporting the community

The small team at The Hub are dedicated to the local community and organise free activities during half-term holidays to support low-income families. As well as free activity days that bring the community together, The Hub also offer regular free taster sessions for residents to try out courses and activities.

The café at The Hub is passionate about providing value for money. It’s also become the main place for families to meet after the school drop-off and pick-up and is used by a variety of local businesses and organisations for work and meetings.

The Hub is also a drop-off and redistribution point for The Hygiene Bank, who collect and redistribute donated toiletries, hygiene, beauty and personal care items. The team are currently working with Bath Food Bank and the Genesis Trust to become a foodbank centre. From the end of January, The Hub will offer a unique Saturday service and will be Bath’s first weekend foodbank centre.

The Hub employs a number of local people, 53 per cent of the team live locally. An apprentice is due to start working in their café which also hosts a local man, with learning difficulties, who volunteers twice a week.

Lizzie Irvine, Hub Centre Manager, said “We’re very pleased that The Hub is up for the Civic Award in the Bath Life awards. The Hub is a true community asset - within a year, we’ve become a beacon for the Mulberry Park, Foxhill and Combe Down communities. It’s really great for our small team to be recognised for their dedication and support to the community.”

The winners of the Bath Life will be announced on 27 February.

What people say about The Hub

Cherie, Foxhill resident and café assistant

Noeline, class leader

Jane, chair of The Hub’s user group

Polly, Bath Dance

Find out more

Foxhill residents benefit from Curo grants

Tue, 14 Jan 2020 15:48:20 Z

Curo has awarded over £33,000 to projects making a positive contribution to Bath’s Foxhill community. We've also got further £3,000 available until the end of March for any community projects or groups in Foxhill that need a helping hand.

Over the last two years we've awarded 20 grants to local projects and initiatives. A variety of projects in Foxhill have benefited from Curo's support. Including play sessions, family theatre shows, exercise and dance classes, craft workshops, over 50s activities, community fetes and holiday camps.

Vanessa Collier, our Community Development Manager, explains: “Our mission at Curo is to make our neighbourhoods great places to live. Our Community Chest grants have supported some fantastic projects that are making a positive and profound contribution to the Foxhill community.”

Supporting the community

Our grants have helped a professional animator living in Foxhill host workshops for young people at The Hub in Mulberry Park. Angela Frankham has worked for Wallace and Gromit filmmakers Aardman Animation and on Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride, Pingu and Bob the Builder.

Our support has allowed Angela to offer work experience to a recent graduate and employ a freelance artist. Angela’s workshops at The Hub have been a great success and are always fully booked. Angela explains, “These are difficult times for people working in arts activities and Curo have really supported me. It’s been really exciting to share my knowledge and experience with local children through the animation workshops.”

Watch Angela talk about her animation workshops

Foxhill Youth Club were given £600 by Curo towards the cost of a sports and craft trip to Devon. Stuart McLachlan, youth minister at the youth club, explains, “the trip allowed our young members to develop a range of skills and make new friends. They got to try new sports activities and have time out from their normal routine. For some of the young people attending this was their first trip away from home and they were able to be able to consider new opportunities in a different setting.”

Stuart talks about Curo's support for the Foxhill Youth Club

Curo have also helped a local football team for young people. Carlos Abreu, team coach with Bath Arsenal Juniors said, “Curo helped us with £720 for new team kit for a trip to Barcelona. The trip was a great success. The players felt a great sense of belonging and a real sense of achievement. They made new friends and had a unique experience they could share with younger players back home.”

Carlos talks about Curo’s support for Bath Arsenal Juniors

£3,000 available for more projects or good ideas

Curo have got a further £3,000 available for any projects or groups based in Foxhill and are calling for residents to contact them if they need any financial support to get a project off the ground.

Vanessa Collier, Community Development Manager at Curo, explains: “We’ve got £3,000 available until the end of March. We want Foxhill residents with ideas to get in touch. If anyone is putting on an event, needs a piece of equipment or just some cash to make something happen – we can help!”

Vanessa added, “It’s really easy to apply for funding. Go to the Curo website for more information on applying for our community grants.”

Find out more about our Community Chest grants.

The Hub at Mulberry Park wins prestigious award

Wed, 05 Jun 2019 10:17:24 Z

Photo: Rebecca Faith

The Hub at Mulberry Park, Bath

The Hub, Curo’s £10m community building at its Mulberry Park development in Bath, was crowned the winner of the South West Community Benefit category at the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Awards 2019.

The award recognises outstanding achievement in providing a facility which directly benefits the local community and can demonstrate its success through local community feedback.

The judges said: “The resulting facilities and designs met and exceeded the vision of Curo in bringing people together and delivering state-of-the-art facilities which include a nursery, café and flexible community and business spaces that can be adapted and evolve as the needs of the community change.”

RICS judges commended the project team – BDP Architects, housing association and house-builder Curo, Rydon Construction and surveyors Ridge & Partners – “for creating an exemplary community hub that is a trailblazer for future community buildings.”

Curo Chief Executive, Victor da Cunha, says: “We’re thrilled and very proud to win this award for The Hub, alongside our partners. It’s a fantastic recognition of the important role it already plays in bringing communities together, less than half a year since it officially opened its doors last December. Its success is firmly based on close collaboration with local residents who have helped us to create these iconic buildings – a place shaped by the community, for the community.

“So many people – not only from the local area, but from all across Bath – enjoy the family-friendly café at The Hub every day. This community building, with its versatile rooms and state-of-the-art facilities, is already a place of choice for business, meetings and events for many local partners, charities, health providers, politicians and local people and businesses offering a wide range of courses and classes.

“We’re looking for even more partners to bring much-needed services and activities to The Hub for the local communities of Combe Down, Foxhill and Mulberry Park. As a Community Benefits Society, The Hub is run in partnership with local residents and once in full operation, our vision is to transfer this fantastic building to the community to be run by and for the local people.”

One of the people using The Hub for her business is Noeline Beesley, who’s been running kindergarten music classes at The Hub since the first week it was open. She says: “The facilities are excellent, the room we use is lovely and big with lots of light, there’s an integrated music system and plenty of space for the children to sing, dance and express themselves. I love the fact that the staff are very accommodating, they can’t do enough for you - and the coffee is great too! It’s an amazing facility, there’s lots of space here for quality activities to go on and I’m thrilled to be able to say that I’m offering my classes here in Combe Down in such a fantastic building.”

Nick Fairham, Architect Director in international architectural firm BDP’s Bristol office, said: “It has been a real honour to work on a building, and with a team, that truly has the local community at its heart.

“It was clear at the outset that flexibility and adaptability would be crucial – so that over time, as the community changes, and what they want out of the building alters, the Hub can be adapted to suit that changing need. And the determination to create something really special that acts as a focal point and unites the neighbourhood was really inspiring. We hope the Hub’s unusual composition of cantilevered, overlapping ‘boxes,’ inspired by the site’s Ministry of Defence heritage, will do exactly that.”

Winners from all regions of the country will meet in London in October to find out who’ll take home the National RICS Awards trophies.

More than 200 people turn out to see plans for new Bath park

Fri, 26 Apr 2019 09:00:12 Z

More than 200 people visited an exhibition held by Curo last week to see the detailed proposals for the open space at Mulberry Park, which will be delivered as part of the housing development.

The open space will feature areas for events that are accessible for all, play and picnic spaces, sensory and edible planting and connections to other places like Springfield Park and the popular National Trust Skyline Walk.

Curo Chief Executive, Victor da Cunha, says: “This was a fantastic turnout and it shows that local residents are interested in the new open space and the facilities it will offer. Thanks to everyone who visited and gave us their feedback.

“We’ve designed the open space together with the local community as an opportunity to encourage and promote health and wellbeing. Our ambition for the park is to bring together existing, new and future communities and to connect our development at Mulberry Park with Foxhill, the wider Combe Down area and Bath. It will be an inclusive space, for everyone to enjoy.”

As well as viewing and commenting on the design for the new park, local residents also had the chance to trial some of the classes available at The Hub for free and enter a prize draw to win one of two £50 Love2Shop vouchers.

The lucky winners were Foxhill resident Kathryn Sinclair and John Brown, who lives at Mulberry Park. In her feedback form, Kathryn wrote: “I am very excited about a new play space being available on our doorstep.”

This is what John had to say: “We believe that the new park is being planned taking account of future changes in our society: cycle path, walking and enjoyment in imaginative plantings. It will be integral with the new development and allow people of all ages to enjoy and be enthralled by nature.”

Curo will submit a planning application for the open space to Bath & North East Somerset Council next month. Subject to planning permission, the new park will open to the public in 2022.

Proposals for new Bath park on display at The Hub

Tue, 09 Apr 2019 11:02:48 Z

Image above: Illustrative masterplan of the Mulberry Park public open space

On Tuesday 16 April, Curo will be hosting a public information exhibition to showcase the developed proposals for a new park in Bath.

At the exhibition, visitors will be able to see the detailed design for the main area of public open space and the woodland walk which will be delivered by Curo at Mulberry Park, alongside proposed improvements to Pope’s Walk bridleway.

Curo Chief Executive, Victor da Cunha, says: “We’d like to thank our stakeholders and residents in Foxhill, Mulberry Park and Combe Down who’ve taken the time to attend our previous workshops and exhibitions and helped us shape the plans for the new public open spaces at Mulberry Park.

“Alongside well-designed areas for events that are accessible for all, the park will also have play and picnic spaces, sensory and edible planting and connections to other places – for example, Springfield Park and the popular National Trust Skyline Walk.

“Together with The Hub, the park will be a focal point for the community to meet up, play sports, attend events and spend time together.”

It’s all about the community

The exhibition will take place at The Hub at Mulberry Park from 3pm until 7pm on Tuesday 16 April and will also offer residents the chance to trial free activities currently on offer at the community centre.

Manager of The Hub, Lizzie Irvine, says: “This event is all about the community, from getting involved in the plans for their new park to joining one of the free 30-minute taster classes offered by the fantastic instructors at The Hub.

“We’re offering something for everyone, from fitness to line dancing and Tai Chi and we look forward to welcoming as many residents as possible on the day.”

Revised activities table updated Tuesday 16 April

Curo will submit the developed proposals for the park to Bath & North East Somerset Council for approval in May. Subject to planning permission, the anticipated completion for the new park is 2022.

What?

Information exhibition of the developed plans for the new public open space at Mulberry Park
Afternoon of free activities at The Hub

When?

Tuesday 16 April

3pm to 7pm, drop in anytime

Where?

The Hub at Mulberry Park

Mulberry Way, Combe Down

Bath BA2 5BU

Free exercise classes for older people at The Hub

Tue, 02 Apr 2019 16:40:58 Z

The Hub is currently hosting Extend Exercise, an gentle upbeat class designed for older people or those with restricted mobility.

The free classes are funded by Curo through our Community Chest Grant scheme. The Community Chest provides grants to support initiatives that make a positive contribution to Curo neighbourhoods.

The classes are every Monday and run by Ketyn Jepson who explains “There's recently been a surge of interest in exercise sessions for over 60s. I’m very passionate about helping individuals to stay as fit, active and healthy as they can be for as long as possible.”

“The classes are for men and women over 60 or those with restricted mobility. You will spend an enjoyable hour with like-minded people and have fun exercising every part of your body from your fingers to your toes. We play familiar music from the 60s and 70s right up to modern day which will have you moving in no time!”

“We start with standing exercises and movement to music. At least 20 minutes of the class will be seated but you can use a chair for support for the whole class. We focus on balance and use resistance bands, light hand weights, squishy balls and scarves for strengthening exercises.”

What people say about the classes

“The session gives me a good stretch and wakes my whole body. It is really good for someone my age who has reasonable ability but needs pushing a bit. The exercises for balance are really important and helpful.” Marion, Bath

“It keeps me in touch with life in general. In other words – physically, mentally and emotionally fit.” Ann, Bath

“The exercises are well designed and thorough, although not vigorous. The teaching is gentle and careful. If I am not smiling it is because I am laughing.” Bill, Chew Magna

Book your place

To book your place visit the Hub, call 01225 436869 or email extendyourhealth@yahoo.com.

Foxhill refurbishment events

Mon, 31 Dec 2018 12:32:40 Z

We’ve got four events in January for Foxhill residents where you can find out about our plans to improve your home.

Over the summer and autumn we asked you how your homes, communal areas and surrounding grounds could be improved. We’ve listened and have developed refurbishment options based on your priorities and our SHAW (Safe, Healthy, Affordable, Warm) standards.

We’ll be presenting our refurbishment ideas to you at three drop-in events. Come to the event for your street to find out our plans to improve your home.

Monday 14 January: St Andrews Church, 3pm to 7pm
For residents of Bradford Park, Bradford Road, Down Avenue, Foxhill House, Hawthorn Grove, Quantocks and 102-124 Queens Drive

Tuesday 22 January: The Hub, 3pm to 7pm
For residents of Kewstoke Road, Sedgemoor Road and 1-100, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109 & 111 Queens Drive

Thursday 24 January: Foxhill Point, Dunster House, 3pm to 7pm
For residents of Dunster House and Selworthy House

Tuesday 29 January: Mulberry Park Visitors Centre, 3pm to 7pm
We’re going to submit a planning application for improvements to Bradford Park flats.

We’re improving the roof, windows, ventilation and walls to make the flats warm and dry. We’re also improving the communal areas and parking. Find out more about our final plans for Bradford Park at this drop-in event.

Free refreshments are provided at all of our drop-in events.

The Hub is now open!

Thu, 13 Dec 2018 15:21:21 Z

Our brand new £10m community building in Combe Down opened on Saturday 8 December with a day of free activities that included an all-ages Bath Rugby coaching session.

The Hub is at the heart of the Foxhill, Mulberry Park and Combe Down community and was delivered by us as part of our 700 homes development at Mulberry Park. Our mission is to provide great homes, support communities and improve lives and The Hub is part of our ongoing investment in the local area.

Manager of The Hub, Lizzie Irvine said: “We’re really pleased so many people joined us to celebrate the opening of The Hub. We had more than 875 people through our doors on the day!”

Lizzie added: “The Hub is a new community space where people come together to have fun and try new things – and our open day reflected that. We had lots of activities, from interactive theatre to dance and storytelling. Bath Rugby held an all-ages coaching session and we also showcased some amazing art projects created by Made In Foxhill and local residents.”

BA1 Radio, a local volunteer-led radio station, were at The Hub all day and gave people the opportunity to try their hand at being a radio presenter.

Councillor Paul Myers, Cabinet Member for Economic and Community Regeneration, was given a tour of The Hub and said: “It was fantastic to see so many residents using the building and taking part in all the different activities. The Hub, with its state of the art facilities, is going to be a real asset for the Foxhill, Mulberry Park and Combe Down communities.”

Jane Hill, local resident and chairperson of the Hub user group, said: “It was a wonderful event that brought the community together, everyone had a happy and relaxing time. For many it was their first visit to The Hub and all who took part were so very impressed by the building, its design and the facilities it has to offer.”

The café at The Hub is open from Mondays to Saturdays from 9am until 4pm. In the new year the café will be open every day and from 8am on week days. To find out what’s on at The Hub or to book a room please call 01225 436869.

The Hub open fun day: Saturday 8 December

Thu, 06 Dec 2018 13:18:50 Z

Our brand new £10m community building in Mulberry Park opens on Saturday. The day is packed full of free exciting activities for all ages, so come along and join the fun.

The Hub is at the heart of the Foxhill, Mulberry Park and Combe Down communities and was delivered as part of our 700 homes development at Mulberry Park.

Our open day runs from 10am until 4pm and reflects our ethos of The Hub as a new community space where people come together to have fun and try new things. We’re also showcasing the amazing art projects that Made In Foxhill and the local community have produced over the last year.

At midday Bath Rugby are giving an all-ages coaching session. We’ll also have interactive theatre, dance and animation workshops, a bouncy castle and face painting. The Bath Rugby all-ages coaching session starts at midday.

There’s also a very special walking performance that promises to reveal the strange secrets and hidden histories of Foxhill and Mulberry Park.

We’ll be rounding off the day at 3.30pm with a Christmas carol sing-along, complete with hot chocolate and mince pies!

Find out more about the day's Made In Foxhill activities.

Topping out ceremony marks key milestone in development of £10M community hub

Thu, 14 Dec 2017 15:58:38 Z

On Thursday 14 December, Curo marked the latest milestone in the development of a new £10M community hub, primary school and nursery at Mulberry Park, Bath. A topping out ceremony celebrated the completion of the landmark building’s main structure.

Topping out ceremonies date back to pagan times. Traditionally to celebrate the building reaching its highest point, this ceremony is said to bring good luck and prosperity to all those who use the new building. An evergreen tree is hoisted over the building, which is said to ward off evil spirits.

At Mulberry Park, a Christmas tree was raised to the highest point of the building by the Mayor of Bath, Ian Gilchrist. Visitors were then given a guided tour of the new building, using virtual reality headsets to experience the completed rooms as they moved through the building.

The ceremony was attended by local residents and people from local groups and businesses who will use the new building when it opens in 2018.

Victor da Cunha, Chief Executive of Curo said: “It’s great to see the new community hub taking shape at Mulberry Park, underlining Curo’s ongoing investment in the local area. We’re really looking forward to seeing the building buzzing with activity when it opens in 2018.”

The community hub is being built by Rydon for Curo. Paul Barber, Rydon Construction’s South West Regional Director said: “The topping out ceremony is an exciting milestone to celebrate with our partner Curo for the Mulberry Park community hub. Our experienced team look forward to completing this project that will be a focal point – a place for local people to come together and enjoy a range of high quality public services and education facilities.”

Commissioned by Curo and designed by internationally renowned architects BDP, the community hub is ten times larger than that required under planning and will sit at the heart of Mulberry Park fronting onto a new public square, within easy reach for residents of Combe Down and Foxhill.

Named The Hub, it has been designed as a beacon for the local community and will include a café, meeting rooms, multifunctional spaces and an enterprise area with lettable space for a range of businesses. Curo is currently working with local agents, Carter Jonas to recruit partner organisations to run the café and enterprise space.

The celebration was also attended by Council leader, Tim Warren, Combe Down ward councillors, Cherry Beath and Bob Goodman and local residents who have worked with Curo to develop plans for the community hub.

The hub, primary school (run by Educate Together) and 70-place children’s nursery (run by Happy Days) will open at Mulberry Park in September 2018.

Paving the way to honour Combe Down’s fallen

Mon, 06 Nov 2017 14:28:39 Z

On Monday 6th November the first paving stones were unveiled at Mulberry Park, Bath to honour those from Combe Down who served in World War I.

Mulberry Park is Curo’s new development of 700 homes, community facilities and open spaces in southern Bath. Local group Combe Down Heritage Society suggested that the streets within the new development were named after the young men of Combe Down who served in World War I. Each street will be marked with a commemorative paving stone.

The first paving stones to be unveiled honour Henry John ‘Harry’ Patch, William George Chivers and Herbert Charles Windell. Harry Patch, "the Last Fighting Tommy", was the last surviving combat soldier of the First World War from any country. All three men grew up in Combe Down village.

Relatives of William George Chivers attended to see the stone which honours him. Jonathan Cope, who grew up in Combe Down said: “We’re really touched that our relative is being honoured in this way. Our family has a strong connection with Combe Down – my mother even worked on the former MOD Foxhill site. It is really important that future generations remember the sacrifices of those who fought in the world wars.”

Liz Potter, Chair of housing association and house builder Curo, said: “It’s a real privilege to work with the local community to honour these men. As Mulberry Park develops, we will continue to celebrate the history of the local area while looking forward to an exciting future for new and existing residents.”

Curo has worked with Combe Down Heritage Society and stone carving students from Bath College to create the commemorative paving stones that will mark each street. The paving stones were kindly donated by Forest of Dean Stone Firms. Stone carving student Jonny Stoker said: “It’s my way of paying respect to those who fought in the First World War, especially coming up to Armistice Day. I’m looking forward to visiting the site and seeing all the stones laid together in situ. I think that will give me a massive sense of achievement. Volunteering for projects like this gives me the chance to test what I’ve learnt at college.”

A ceremony to unveil the first paving stones was held on Monday 6th November and was attended by representatives of Combe Down Heritage Society, Bath College, the Royal British Legion and B&NES Council.

Photo (L-R): B&NES Council Chair, Cherry Beath, Curo Chair, Liz Potter, Bath College stone-carving student, Mo and Combe Down Heritage Society's Jacqueline Burrows.

Minister sees skills boost at Mulberry Park

Fri, 03 Mar 2017 00:00:00 Z

Housing Minister Gavin Barwell saw how local people are benefitting from skills and employment opportunities at Mulberry Park today. Housing association Curo is working with local partners to deliver training and jobs alongside new much-needed homes at its landmark development in Bath.

The Housing Minister visited the Mulberry Park site with local MP Ben Howlett and Council leader Tim Warren.

On the visit, Gavin Barwell MP met several local people who are completing work placements and apprenticeships at Mulberry Park. Nick Hoskins has just successfully secured an apprenticeship with carpentry contractor ProCarpentry and Bradley Bush is on Curo’s graduate programme. Curo is also providing accredited work placements through an innovative partnership with Bath College and local construction firms that gives participants the opportunity to get work experience while gaining an accredited qualification.

Curo is also creating apprenticeship opportunities at Mulberry Park and across its housing and support organisation. By 2020, Curo aims to deliver 100 work and educational placements, 70 jobs with training and 15 apprenticeships at Mulberry Park.

Construction skills

Construction is a growth sector for the West of England, with major projects including Hinkley Point nuclear station and the newly announced Dyson research and development centre in Wiltshire in the pipeline. A skilled local workforce is key to delivery of these major projects, and to B&NES Council’s target to build more than 12,000 new homes across the Bath area by 2029.

Housing and Planning Minister Gavin Barwell said: “It’s been great to visit the Mulberry Park development – it reflects the ambitious vision set out in our Housing White Paper.

“Our lasting reforms will help to get more of the right homes built in the right places. This challenge cannot be met by government alone, so we want to work together with developers to deliver innovative housing developments. It’s all part of our plan to help make sure the housing market works for everyone.”

Curo Chief Executive, Victor da Cunha said: “We’re proud to be delivering on our social mission here at Mulberry Park. Alongside the beautiful new homes, this development is making such a vital contribution to the local economy - with outstanding community facilities and beautiful open spaces and fantastic training and employment for residents.”

Local MP Ben Howlett added: ““I am delighted at the speed of progress in building new homes at Mulberry Park. We urgently need more houses here in Bath and I have been most impressed by Curo’s ability to bring this project forward.

I was also delighted to meet the apprentices on site, and commend Curo on their investment in constructions skills which are again needed to ensure further infrastructure projects such as this can proceed here and elsewhere in the South West.”

Delivering new homes

Mulberry Park is a major scheme, being built by housing association Curo. The development of the brownfield site will deliver 700 high quality, energy efficient homes – of which 30% will be affordable housing - a new primary school and nursery, a community hub, a park and public open spaces. During the development, the local economy will benefit from construction jobs, apprenticeships and training opportunities.

The development at Mulberry Park has received support from central government’s Housing Zone initiative, designed to accelerate house building.

Construction progress

On site, Gavin Barwell MP saw the progress towards completing the first new homes at Mulberry Park, just 24 months after Curo secured full planning consent. Built using traditional construction methods and local materials including Bath stone, the first homes will be ready for residents to move into in Spring 2017.

National status

Mulberry Park, alongside the proposed regeneration of the Foxhill estate, was designated as a Housing Zone by central government in 2015. In October 2016, B&NES Council approved a Charter setting out its shared ambitions for the Housing Zone with Curo and the local community.

Victor da Cunha said “The Foxhill Housing Zone is a scheme of national and local significance. The support we are receiving from the government and the council has been invaluable to create new homes and a long term sustainable future for Foxhill.”

Pictured, l-r: Bradley Bush (Curo Graduate), Gavin Barwell MP (Housing Minister) and Nick Hoskins (carpentry Apprentice).

Foxhill Heritage Project starts to uncover Mulberry Park's past

Wed, 17 Sep 2014 17:30:00 Z

Pictured: Map of Foxhill from May 1949, Bath Record Office

As the plans for Mulberry Park progress, I have been seeking to uncover just what did happen inside those unassuming MOD huts at Foxhill?

The search has taken me to museums and archives in Bath and London, such as The Museum of Bath at Work, The Imperial War Museum and the National Archives. Keen to learn from people’s memories, I have spoken with people who worked at Foxhill to build a picture of what life at the Admiralty and MOD site was like. Visiting community groups such as Knit & Natter and Foxhill Art Group has helped to highlight the impact the MOD has had on Bath today.

Foxhill, or ‘Whisky Foxtrot’ to its security team, has been home to thousands of staff since it was built in the 1940s. The Admiralty arrived in Bath in 1939 following the announcement of war on 3 September, in fear that London would be a target for German bombing. By 24 September, over 3,000 Admiralty staff had arrived in Bath on trains from London. With little warning, Admiralty workers found themselves staying in spare rooms in an alien city at the start of the Second World War.

Hotels and schools became offices, with Foxhill providing much needed office space in the early 1940s. Originally, the site was surrounded by farmland, with sheep and cattle for neighbours. Staff at Foxhill were involved in the design of warships and submarines, drawing plans and producing wooden models of the nation’s fleet.

One of the most important accomplishments of the Admiralty’s time in Bath was its involvement in designing Mulberry Harbours. These floating harbours were crucial to the defeat of Germany following D-Day in 1944, providing calm water to unload materials to troops. The Civil Engineer-in-Chief created plans for the project from an office in Kingswood School. This achievement is now celebrated in the naming of ‘Mulberry Park’.

After the Second World War, Foxhill continued to thrive as a base for work of national importance. From Foxhill, engineers continued to design submarines and underwater nuclear weapons during the Cold War as part of the Trident and Polaris programmes. Work at this time was top secret, with messages taken by car from Foxhill to London sometimes the safest form of communication.

From speaking with previous employees at Foxhill, it was an enjoyable place to work with staff parties and a fondness for The Foresters pub – otherwise known as ‘H block’. It is clear that the MOD had a large impact on Bath, with many people knowing someone who worked at either Foxhill, Ensleigh, Warminster Road or the Empire Hotel.

I have been working for Curo as a placement from Bath Spa University, where I am studying for a Masters in Heritage Management. Curo approached the leaders of the Heritage course to help uncover more about the history of Foxhill. This project has given me the opportunity to engage with a range of museums and archives and enhance my skills in historical research and community consultation.

If reading this blog post has triggered any memories of working or living around the MOD at Foxhill, please get in touch. We would like to add your memories to our Foxhill archive.

If you have any photographs or objects that you would be willing to share with us then even better. Please email mulberrypark@curo-group.co.uk for more information about how you can be involved.

Find out more about Curo's plans for Mulberry Park.

Welcome to Mulberry Park

Thu, 10 Jul 2014 01:00:00 Z

Mulberry Park is today revealed as the new name for Curo’s proposed development of 700 new homes, community facilities and open spaces on the former MoD site at Foxhill.

The name was suggested by Bath resident, Ken Cookes, following a campaign by Curo to find a new identity for the development. They received over 100 ideas by email, Twitter and in person from local people, ranging from the impressively intellectual to the quirky and comical.

After considering all the suggestions, Curo chose ‘Mulberry Park’ as a fresh, distinctive new name for the area, and one that reflects the city’s long military history and the site’s beautiful natural surroundings.

‘Mulberry’ refers to Mulberry Harbours, temporary harbours designed in Bath by the Admiralty, which were used for the D-Day landings and which many view as one of the greatest engineering achievements of World War II.

Ken Cookes, who lives in Bear Flat, has been a resident of Bath for over 40 years. He says:

“I am so pleased that Curo chose the name I suggested for the new development at Foxhill. I couldn't help thinking about how influential our Mulberry Harbours had been towards the success of D-Day and indeed our history. Bath should feel proud of its legacy and this development could be a fitting memorial.”

Ken is currently on holiday in the States and is pictured on the deck of the USS North Carolina, a US Navy battleship which carried a crew of 2,300 men during World War II.

Curo Chief Executive, Victor da Cunha, added “We’ve had a fantastic response and we’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who sent us a suggestion. It’s been great to see so much interest in our plans for the area and to find out about the local history that inspired many of the suggestions.”

“We think Mulberry Park is an inspiring and authentic name that will help create an exciting new future for the area currently referred to as ‘the Former MOD site at Foxhill’. It really reflects our aspirations for the development and will help create a new neighbourhood at the heart of Combe Down.”

The ‘Park’ in the new name acknowledges the site’s position adjacent to an area of outstanding natural beauty, and the plan to incorporate natural landscaping into the development. Mulberry trees, with their distinctive berries have been planted in England since Tudor times and Curo is looking into whether these could be incorporated into the planting scheme.

Suggestions for the name drew on the city’s roman history (Minerva Hill), prominent Bathonians (Ralph Allen Park) and the stunning local countryside (Shepherd’s Hill). Someone even suggested that the area should be renamed after The League of Gentlemen’s fictional town of Royston Vasey.

Find out more at mulberryparkbath.co.uk.