16 Mar 2007 - PM drops in for a cuppa and a chat
PRIME Minister Tony Blair received a raucous reaction when he visited tenants and residents on a Sheffield council estate yesterday.
Neighbours from Winn Gardens yelled "Aye up love" and "You look better in real life than on TV" as Mr Blair - cuppa in hand - settled down with them for a chat.
He met tenants at the Winn Gardens community centre to hear how they have transformed the estate from a troubled area into a popular neighbourhood.
The estate has suffered from a bad reputation in the past and, only last year, workmen renovating homes walked off the job because of threats, intimidation and equipment thefts.
But residents now say there is a waiting list for some of the estate's 300 homes.
A tight security operation surrounded the PM's visit with police carrying out extensive checks before Mr Blair arrived.
While Mr Blair spoke with residents, his wife Cherie played with youngsters at the Middlewood Winners nursery .
Sheffield Brightside MP David Blunkett, who chaired the meeting, said Mr Blair was the first Prime Minister in history to visit north Sheffield.
And he added that residents were determined to "get something out of the Prime Minister" before he stood down.
Residents are worried about funding coming to an end and urged Mr Blair to make sure community projects receive long-term grants.
Tenant Rose Stevenson told the PM: "It's been a really hard slog for the majority of the time and I want to ask you Tony, before you go, to think of Winn Gardens and all the people you see now, because we are telling you the truth.
"The problem is some of the young people who let us down, as they have nothing to do. We want activities for them but it's going to take money - and you are the only person I can see in this room who may have a bit of extra cash!"
Mr Blair laughed and joked that he dared not say no - but added seriously that the Government was looking at more long-term funding for projects.
He met tenants at the Winn Gardens community centre to hear how they have transformed the estate from a troubled area into a popular neighbourhood.
The estate has suffered from a bad reputation in the past and, only last year, workmen renovating homes walked off the job because of threats, intimidation and equipment thefts.
But residents now say there is a waiting list for some of the estate's 300 homes.
A tight security operation surrounded the PM's visit with police carrying out extensive checks before Mr Blair arrived.
While Mr Blair spoke with residents, his wife Cherie played with youngsters at the Middlewood Winners nursery .
Sheffield Brightside MP David Blunkett, who chaired the meeting, said Mr Blair was the first Prime Minister in history to visit north Sheffield.
And he added that residents were determined to "get something out of the Prime Minister" before he stood down.
Residents are worried about funding coming to an end and urged Mr Blair to make sure community projects receive long-term grants.
Tenant Rose Stevenson told the PM: "It's been a really hard slog for the majority of the time and I want to ask you Tony, before you go, to think of Winn Gardens and all the people you see now, because we are telling you the truth.
"The problem is some of the young people who let us down, as they have nothing to do. We want activities for them but it's going to take money - and you are the only person I can see in this room who may have a bit of extra cash!"
Mr Blair laughed and joked that he dared not say no - but added seriously that the Government was looking at more long-term funding for projects.