The Block: March 2012

Glastonbury House is a council run block of flats on the Priestfields estate here in Middlesbrough. A few years back Middlesbrough council separated the housing part and formed Erimus housing who now run and control this block.

Glastonbury House was build in the latter part of the sixties (1967/8 I think) and since then has undergone many changes. I, for my part, came to this block in 1971 and got married from here. Then the flat where I live now was my mother in laws and, sadly, when she died in 1981, we took over the tenancy. Again, sadly, my wife passed away last month and I now find myself alone in the flat where we spent many happy years...I say alone but you are never alone here in Glastonbury House. The people who live here are from a different age, an age where you banded together in times of strife, hardship and grief. You are never alone in Glastonbury House.

When I came to this block there was a warden residing in the ground floor flat and you never saw him/her. In the early eighties tenants were approached and asked if they would like this block to be warden controlled and part of a 'warden control system'. This happened and not long after a community room and sun lounge was built where we ourselves could organise our own activities, which we do. I'm sure the readers will know how a warden control system works.

I will endeavour, over the weeks, months and even years (hopefully) to bring you news of everything that is happening here, the highs and the lows, the parties and the things that concern us. Meanwhile I will leave you with a few of photographs taken recently of life here in the best block in the area. (Click pictures to enlarge.)