Villagers are getting the chance to organise community life in the Rowntree model village of New Earswick, after complaints about the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust's handling of affairs.

Residents claimed too many decisions affecting the village, near York, were being made without their knowledge and without consultation.

Now the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust is setting up a community association to promote and manage initiatives within New Earswick.

Phil Bixby, of the Trust, called for residents to join the association to ensure it is as representative as possible.

"It is in response to feeling within the village," said Mr Bixby. "It is very much led by local need and local associations."

And he pledged that when the association is up and running in October, it will involve a wide range of local interests including as many groups and organisations operating in New Earswick as possible.

He also encouraged residents to join the association in their own right. They will be trained if they lack previous experience with voluntary organisations.

He is particularly keen for young people to get involved and arrange the kind of events they want.

Any organisation or individual wishing to join the association when it starts operating in October should contact members of the shadow body or community development officer Jackie Dale on 769527.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.