Dear Ed.

I would like to thank all the Officers and Committee for all their hard work in keeping us up to date with all the changes and Legislation that is constantly being thrust at us, although how you find time to fit it all in is beyond me.

I have been Warden here for 21 years this year, since it was built in fact. The changes since I first started are enormous, one of the biggest being that the tenants seem to be getting younger, or is it just me getting older? I can remember coming to work and being the youngest in the building and the fittest, now I have tenants who visit the gym every day - do charity walks - go to Rock and Roll weekends in Blackpool and various other activities. That is not to say that I'm out of shape! I swim once a week, sing with a choir and do a lot of photography when time allows. I raise money for various charities and if I have any energy left, I do exercise to DVDs, you'll notice that the exercise is last on my list!

I always thought up until recently that I would be happy to work until I was 65yrs old but as the Supporting People work increases so my enthusiasm decreases. The help, support, chatting and socialising I used to do is dwindling because I have to now prove that I'm doing my job and that means a lot more office work so something has to give. I know that it is a worth while keeping records of tenants and info but I'm sure, like me, there are those of you out there who can't (because of time restraints) give as much as we would like to the tenants socially any more. I have battled to get to grips with my computer which has recently landed on my desk and in its turn brings its own problems, as now I have to also attend computer courses.

I have loved my years being a warden and my involvement with the tenants, I count myself as blessed that I have only ever had a very few people that thought they should cause problems both for me and other tenants. I could not fault the support of my Line Manager and Housing Department colleges who have been with me through thick and thin not to mention Chris and Mary our other 2 wardens. We call ourselves "The Three Musketeers", all for one etc. Our boss calls us "The Three Fairies"!

Anyway, what was it I started to tell you? Oh yes! Thanks once again for all you do to support us wardens out here and I think we should all be issued with Gold Medals for Bravery in the front line of battle. Keep sending the Voice I look forward to reading it. I hope to be in touch again, that is if I haven't gone AWOL before then.

Jean Silcock - Birkenhead

Dear Ed.,

Sorry my membership renewal is so late. My daughter surprised me with an airline ticket to Tenerife - I needed every spare penny for spending money. I did debate giving up my membership but I do enjoy receiving the Voice which has such a lot of interesting and relevant articles. So I enclose my cheque for membership and Guest Room List

Penny Jones - Stockport