I think the 'Strange' bug has returned and appears to be once again targeting members of the committee, in case anyone is not up to speed on the previous episode you can catch up here.  It's a little early in the year for this particular bug to strike again, last year it was in May, still lets blame it on global warning like everything else these days.

Anyway back to the most recent rather disturbing 'happening', this morning I was walking towards the undercroft on my way over to the other side of the estate and noticed one of our committee members messing around with the bins.  As I approached I said 'Good Morning D...', this is the way I usually treat anyone I meet on the estate if I happen to see them, he responded with a lot of arm and hand gestures stating:

Who knew when the website was first launched  just a year ago this month that it would prove so successful and dare I say - popular.  There are a number of people who deserve a mention and thanks - the regular resident contributors who have done a wonderful job in voicing their opinions on matters which either affect them or on which they hold strong views, and to all the regular visitors to the site - my thanks to you all.

Your continued support is very much appreciated and hope you continue to visit the website on a regular basis and perhaps even contribute at some point - all views will be published whether they be positive or negative.

26/6/18 comment from the site owner regarding the solicitors letters.

It's a bit disconcerting that the company solicitor had not carried out some basic research into who he was addressing his letters to - all correspondence - letters and emails, have been addressed to a Ms not Mrs - perhaps this makes all of them invalid - these details are important!

None of the letters are actually signed by the solicitor - rather someone has signed the company's name instead - this is not usual practice for a business letter - does this mean he wasn't responsible for authoring the letter or is he distancing himself from them?

There is a reason why the letter dated 12/6/18 was not acknowledged - after his letter in December 2017 I asked him to clarify the grounds on which the director and committee were considering taking legal action and he ignored the message, see here.

Another milestone passed on the website yesterday, after only 10 months since it's launch it has reached an amazing 30,000 hits and it's still in it's infancy. Who knew it would prove so popular but sadly the original reason for it's existence still remains.

Thank you all for the support you've shown by visiting the site on a regular basis - it couldn't have gotten this far without you, and a special thanks to our director and committee who continue to be a source of inspiration for it's content.

Following my strange interaction with a committee member the other week, I’ve watched with interest as the behaviour of some folks on the estate appears to have become even less civilised, and I must admit, my concern is growing about what appears to be a culture of bullying (which includes ostracizing) on the estate by those in positions of responsibility who should know better. This all sounds very serious I know – and it is – but in an effort to draw the public’s attention to some of the craziness I’m now aware of, as well as, I hope – to make a few folks laugh at the absurdity and sheer wrongness of it all, I’ve made a short video parody which I hope will be entertaining.  Click here for further information prior to viewing.

Whoever you are on the estate, please don’t take offence as really, none is intended: but if this little piece of comedy helps folks reflect on whether they really are behaving well to each or not, then it may do some good.

Finally, despite the sometimes offensive behaviour doled out to my mother because of the website (to those who’ve done this – how dare you!) – I remain astonished that in this day and age, all intelligent people don’t question unfair practices such as lack of accounting transparency, nepotism and abuse – and I hope that as time goes on, more residents will realize that things would be so much better if there was a zero tolerance approach to bullying, and if the estate was run transparently, with goodwill for everyone. 

Best Regards,

Mike (Lucy’s son)

Thursday, around 2pm I was just leaving my mother’s house on the Sycamores Estate, we stood for a moment in the sun outside her front door, and she waved at a couple of her neighbours who were stood chatting in the car park at the time.  The female neighbour who facing towards us, and saw my mother’s greeting – did not respond at all until my mother went back inside, and I started walking towards my car, which was in the car park…

“ She wasn’t  waving at me” said the neighbour as I approached the car park. “She wasn’t waving at me”,  the neighbour repeated as I got closer.

I said - “ I think she was waving at you”.

The woman, who was standing as if rooted to the spot and staring straight ahead – repeated “No, she wasn’t waving at me” and as I approached to get to my car, I said again – “I think she was waving at you”…

“She wasn’t waving at me…” the woman said – and then said, rather loudly – “I’m on the committee”

I said – “er…and what’s that got to do with anything?”

She said – “ because of the website”

By this time I felt like I’d stepped into some psychological horror film, or a parallel universe, and it seemed that I was conversing with someone with considerable anger management, as well as logic issues – where a simple wave from someone could elicit a completely illogical and disturbing response. All I could think of to say was…

“….right…..hmmm. some very strange people around here…’

To which she responded – “ very strange people round here”

I said “ very strange” as she continued to stare straight ahead of her, still rooted to the spot – upon which she turned and walked away, repeating the mantra “very strange”.

I couldn’t help myself – I simply said ‘Wow!” and, feeling genuinely disturbed by this interaction – got into my car and drove off.

Another Milestone for the Website

1) The actual quarterly committee meeting was held on on Monday 5/3/18 and minutes issued.

• Residents informed of this on 17/4/18, HPM Ltd or the committee should have notified the residents prior to the handover.
• Invoice dated 6/4/18 was not delivered to the residents until15/4/19 - no mention of bank details staying the same - this has caused confusion and distress to some residents.

Once again our director has really dropped another bollock.  Why she let Vicky Maddison take over the running of our accounts?  People on this estate are old and poorly and what did they get in their letter box?  A letter asking how they are going pay a maintenance lump sum, this is a large amount and people think the full amount is due.  Why couldn’t this be sorted before they (the agent) took over, is it too simple for people who don’t know how to treat old people?  I cannot believe this director is still doing her job, I think we should have a residents meeting to talk this over with the residents.

Mrs. Patricia Brown.

I just want to keep you all up to date with clothes line saga, it was definitely a deliberate act of vandalism what they done to my clothes line.  My grandson has now put a new one up - touch this one and see what happens.  Here is a photo of the bracket of old one, whoever is responsible man (or mouse)  twisted it anti clock wise to bend it - why don’t you man up and come to me, we could talk about it and sort the problem out - someone must have a major problem to stoop to these tactics. 

Mrs. Patricia Brown

I hope when Vicki takes over I get a better deal from her regards my repairs, the water is still running off my porch, the person who did the tile pulled something off the front of the porch and it drips all over since then. 

f we are still keeping a director do we really need committee members now or are they the ones still going round looking at the estate. Thanks Pat Brown

The new agent specialised in Lettings, Sales and Refurbishments – how does this relate to the Sycamores as we are a private estate, run by a private company where all of the owners of the properties actually own the private company, the properties are never let, and all properties are sold privately?  Perhaps HPM believe that obtaining this kind of appointment would enhance their profile and their reputation.

Will the new agent have complete autonomy over the running of the estate, handling all financial matters, and making all decisions?

What role will the committee now play as it would appear they no longer have any function and it is questionable if the SRA actually need a committee at all?

Your updates make very interesting reading.

Has there been no solicitor involved in this take over? How have they done bank account? Just told bank to change names etc? I now definitely think someone on the committee knows this company personally for them to be chosen do you think this?  As committee had a meeting with someone else before meeting Vicky Maddison.   I know she advertises on Facebook as I have seen her page.

Do you know 4 properties here have had lead strips stolen from above our porch roofs? Will this be insurance claim? Will it be dealt with by our present management? I am waiting to see what happens as one of the committee is dealing with it as a neighbour of mine said she phoned her about it.

I had a chat to fireman who were going round estate yesterday afternoon checking smoke alarms but they don't seem to know much about survey work.  It comes under building dept.  I have found a committee meeting notes dated Monday 17th August 2015  under Bank Account it says the Accountant confirmed that the letter had been sent I wonder what this was for to change account???  I don't have a previous one to tell me but a person who was on committee then maybe he could help?

I am going to email committee as it says on minutes from last week's meeting lights have been sorted well mine not coming on at night that 1 near another resident is still not working properly.

The website has reached a milestone in its short existence – it has passed the 20,000 mark which far exceeds the expectation when first launched in August 2017 and it is all down to you - the visitors to the site. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their continued support, the site will continue to inform, raise issues, and challenge practices which are not in the interest of all Residents who are looking for more accountability and transparency on how the estate is run, how their monies are spent, and fairness when it comes to obtaining permissions for their own personal projects.

The resident involved re the  damage to her washing line casing firstly needs to report this matter to the Police, given damage to her property is a criminal offence. 

The resident should then inform the Committee.

Will the offender please take note (you know who you are) – this is an absoluitely disgusting habit and would have thought even old men have a sense of decorum, you do yourself no favours and show your self up no end - so give your head a shake and think on before you repeat this behaviour– there are such things of tissues!

She spoke to the managing agent who said that he was very busy at the moment due to pressure of work  and that he was still going through the minutes, he was unable to say when they would be issued.

Weekly Stats Report: Nov 13 - Nov 19 2017
Summary

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support to date and hope you find the information contained within useful and informative and at times amusing.

The Sycamores website is a necessity for people to obtain information on everything that goes on here on the estate.  I wish this had been available to me when I took up residence as the information given to me before I bought my property did not cover much.

Where is the community spirit - the coffee morning is on a Wednesday morning for one hour a week which is the only time new residents get to meet their neighbours.  The quiz is on once a month but that is not suitable for everyone.  Why no other activities?   I’ve been told that in the ‘good old days’ all sorts were organised – why did they stop?

The committee who have been voted in by residents  should deal with everyone the same and especially where repairs are concerned,  after all the Service Charges is is paid by all of us.

As I reside on the far side of the estate I am treated quite differently to people who live on the other side, this has also been told to me by other residents when problems arise.

A little while later resident 'A' decided to come back to continue where she left off stating how she wished that things on the estate were like they used to be because in her opinion, things had changed, this statement was obviously her sole purpose to her stopping and chatting and she appeared determined to get her point across.   Resident 'B' asked resident 'A' to elaborate on her statement about how things had changed and what she meant as all of the group were really interested, this unfortunately did not go down too well with resident 'A' and ended up as a heated argument accompanied by a lot of finger pointing, hand gestures and raised voices.

Congratulations Ron and Marion, You've set the bar high for todays generation and what a wonderful achievement.