Pictured: Liane Ralley
A working mum has returned to her roots to help return a once
thriving West Bromwich estate to its former glory.
The appointment of Liane Ralley as part-time administration
officer marks a milestone for Lyng Community Association (LCA) as
she is the organisation's first member of staff.
LCA is working with Sandwell Council and Barratt West Midlands
to redevelop the estate with 364 new homes, public open space and a
children's playground. There is also a purpose-built office for
LCA, a registered provider of social housing which provides quality
homes for affordable rent, which is due to open this month in Moor
Street.
Mother-of-one Liane, of Halesowen, said her family had strong
connections to the area and it held many fond memories for her.
"My maternal grandparents moved onto the Lyng twice, my mother
and aunt were raised there and my granddad worked in a factory in
the centre of the estate at the time. My paternal grandparents
lived in Bromford Lane, so my father was also raised
locally.
"As children my brother, cousins and I played in the area. My
granddad had an allotment and we spent hours with him on it.
Everyone knew everyone and it was a safe place for us to be."
The estate is fast being transformed with the first new homes
already completed and residents settling in. LCA will own 114 of
the new properties and the remaining 250 will be for private sale
by house builder Barratt.
The Lyng is at the epicentre of several multi-million pound
regeneration schemes that promise to put the town firmly back on
the map. Among the nearby developments is Sandwell College's new
campus, West Midlands Police regional headquarters and a Tesco
superstore.
Liane, a former Leasowes High School pupil, said it was an
exciting time to be in West Bromwich. "LCA Board is committed to
delivering the best in affordable housing and making the Lyng a
great place to live. Residents I have met are very keen to make
this a proper community, which is enviable in an age where most of
us don't even know our next door neighbours.
"I'm very excited to work here and hope to play my part in this
large-scale regeneration project and make this the thriving,
community-spirited, safe and bustling place I remember from
childhood."
Liane, who has previously worked at Birmingham City University
and Forensic Science Service, said her duties ranged from producing
letters and office documents to liaising with contractors over new
builds.
"I enjoy the variety and the fast pace. No two days are the same
and priorities can change at a moment's notice," she added.
LCA Chairman Wendy Bodenham said Liane had quickly proved her
worth. "She's enthusiastic, a hard worker and thinks on her feet,
all great qualities. We were pleased to be able to create a job to
contribute to the local economy and it was the icing on the cake
when it emerged that Liane had such strong personal ties to the
Lyng. "