Westlea Housing residents had the chance to question the chief executive, management board chair and other senior staff, as part of a special conference event held at Rudloe community centre.

The 'question time' session formed the first part of a varied programme for the Westlea Housing tenants' day 2006 that also included an afternoon tea dance and evening talent contest. "We wanted to try and include something for everyone," said Alison Cross-Jones, chair of the Westlea Housing tenants' district forum, which helped to organise the event and also held its annual general meeting during the day. Discussions focused on how to encourage more residents to get involved and make their voice heard.

Alison Cross-Jones paid tribute to the members of the 'question time' panel: "They were brilliant and made sure all the questions they had were answered - including the difficult ones! It was really nice to see staff out meeting tenants on a Saturday morning and it was appreciated." She also thanked all at the Rudloe community centre "who had made everyone so welcome" and all those who had worked hard to make the day a success.

The talent show held in the evening was supported by Abbey Taxis of Malmesbury and Cricklade who had sponsored a shield and cup trophy; it is intended the shield will be used for an annual residents' competition to be held each Autumn.

During the day names were pulled from a hat for a prize draw organised to celebrate Westlea's tenth anniversary as a housing association. Tenants in 6000 homes across the area had previously been sent an card for free entry into the draw, with ten prizes offered of vouchers worth between £500 and £50. The winners were: M Nickson of Chippenham; E Gray of Wootton Bassett; I Kent of Oaksey; G K Freegard of Chippenham; D G Haines of Ford; D G Green of Calne; G F O Thicke of Calne; C Andrew of Chippenham; R Crewe of Corsham; and P Akerman of Swindon.