Lord Speaker marks Newham Renewal Programme’s 40th Anniversary
1 July 2011 (updated on 1 July 2011)
The Lord Speaker, Baroness Hayman, addressed an event marking 40 years of service for the Renewal Programme in Newham, East London, and surrounding boroughs on Thursday 30 June
The event celebrated the Renewal Programme’s continuing achievement of its mission – ‘to stand alongside people who are disadvantaged and to enable them to take their rightful place in our society’ – and paid tribute to people who have helped and supported the Programme over the years.
Reverend Canon Ann Easter, CEO of Newham’s Renewal Programme, opened the event. The audience of around 130 guests, included Reverend Paul Regan, who was involved with the Programme from its inception and was the Director for 17 years, as well as selected local dignitaries, and Renewal Programme volunteers and employees – the majority members of the local communities.
Commenting on the visit Baroness Hayman said:
“I am delighted to have been invited along to celebrate an outstanding project that has done so much good work for the people of Newham over the past 40 years.
“Through my own experiences of working in the charity and voluntary sector – and the experiences of many other Members in the House of Lords – I know just how important this kind of work is and the difference it can make in people’s lives. That this project is thriving is a testament to the dedication and commitment of not just Ann Easter and her predecessors, but all the volunteers and employees who care and do so much for the people of Newham.”
Further information
Newham Renewal Programme
The Renewal Programme is a community development organisation, based in Forest Gate in London and founded in 1971 on Christian principles.
The Lord Speaker
The Speaker of the House of Lords – the Lord Speaker – chairs daily business in the Chamber and is an ambassador for the work of the House. The current Lord Speaker, Baroness Hayman, was elected as the first Lord Speaker in July 2006. Baroness Hayman announced her intention not to seek re-election on 9 May 2011.