Bunny bunny bunny, must be funny …
Mamma Mia!
A big Thank You for the Music to the NHF for the sumptuous event it laid on last Saturday at the board members’ conference in Birmingham. Delegates enjoyed a gala dinner with plenty of liquid refreshment – even Social Animal got a doggy bag.

The highlight of the evening, though, was a rare glimpse of the dancing queen behind the ordinarily impeccably poised exterior of NHF deputy chief exec James Tickell. As the “Songs from the Shows” cabaret climaxed with Abba’s Waterloo, the Fed’s very own super trouper was spotted t-t-taking a chance on the dance floor with a mystery chiquitita – and later generously joined with other delegates to entertain hotel bar staff with a rendition of the classic Gimme Gimme Gimme a Drink After Midnight.

Ring Ring
It seems the Chartered Institute of Housing’s own in-house institution can’t wait to get away from it all and jet off to Nicaragua. John Perry began the first stage of easing himself out of the loop last week when he “forgot” his mobile phone on the train down to London from the CIH’s Coventry HQ. Strange, then, that the chap who answered the other day when I mistakenly called the old number sounded remarkably familiar …

One of Us
Junior housing minister Tony McNulty was in charming mode at the NHF’s board members conference in Birmingham last weekend. Describing how he would regularly help his father repairing roofs for Notting Hill Housing Trust, he said he had appreciated for some time the valuable contribution made by housing associations: “You are the Heineken of social housing, you refresh the parts others cannot reach.”

Evidently the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does give a XXXX, after all.

SOS
Housing officers at Medina HA on the Isle of Wight have had to be on the ball over recent weeks as they drive around their estates – they are under attack. However, the trouble comes not from badly behaved gangs of teenagers, but a 79-year-old pensioner. The lady – who shall remain anonymous in case she finds out where I live – has a history of aggressive behaviour towards Medina staff. The problem became so bad that harassed staff resorted to attempting to bring an antisocial behaviour order against the old dear. They failed and have since been accosted by the lady at every opportunity. The latest incident came when she leaped in front of one housing officer’s car, forcing it to screech to a halt. She then flashed the v-sign at the shocked driver and ambled away. I’m sure the area’s young tykes would have been proud.

Supper troopers

Guests at Baily Garner’s charity fundraiser were made to sing for their supper – literally – at the professional services firm’s (somewhat belated) Christmas party earlier this month. Departing from the traditional buffet, the firm decided to add some spice to the occasion by asking their guests to perform on stage. With the help of the company’s band, the audience was treated to a variety of top tunes including a spirited rendition of Elvis Presley’s Suspicious Minds from Kevin Hazelwood, head of technical services at Springboard Housing Association. But the highlight of the evening was Baily Garner’s performance of The Time Warp from the Rocky Horror Picture Show, complete with high heels, basque and feather boa. Who says social housing has an image problem?

Source

Housing Today