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A Tale of Two Partnerships

For over 5 years now, DAMHA have been working in a successful development partnership with Nomad Housing Group. Before we formalised this partnership, we had worked alongside another one of Nomad’s partners in the Isos Group, Enterprise 5 Housing Association to develop new homes at Consett. In 2001, DAMHA built 25 bungalows at Harvey Court on the site of St Patrick’s Junior School football field, providing the school with a brand new pitch as part of the contract. At the same time, Enterprise 5 Housing Association built Ferndale Court, a block of 35 sheltered flats, on part of Sherburn Park, and the two new developments became the setting of another, more romantic union.

Billy and Jean and a fateful cup of coffee

The residents of Ferndale Court held weekly coffee mornings, and it was here where Billy and Jean White met. Billy lived in the flats in Ferndale Court and so did Jean’s Dad. “We just got cracking”, said Billy, “and we took it from there”.

“I used to go across to the flats to do my Dad’s work for him, and stayed on for the coffee morning”, said Jean. Although she did confess that she and Billy had seen each other before. “The first week I moved into my flat, I saw Billy running in the street in his shorts and said to myself “he looks a bit of alright”, said Jean, “and I know that he noticed me too”.

The couple were married at the registry office in Stanley in January 2008, where the registrar expressed surprise at the youthful appearance of the 72-year-old Jean and 77-year-old Billy. Obviously young at heart, the pair also lead very active lives. Billy is a keep fit enthusiast who enjoys running, swimming and working out at the gym and Jean is a keen sequence dancer. So, it’s no surprise that they both look so fit and well.

They held their reception at the Kings Restaurant at Shotley Bridge with family and close friends. Jean has a son and daughter and 2 grandchildren. Billy has a family of four children and 9 grandchildren.

Getting ready - before the wedding

Celebrating - after the wedding

The special day was completed with a Karaoke night at the Steel Club in Consett –with over 200 guests, including some of Billy’s relatives who had travelled from all over the country. “We just kept inviting people and before we knew it there were 200 guests”, said Jean.

Billy worked in the mines for 39 years in the North East and Yorkshire. He also served in the Parachute Regiment in the Korean War where he was shot in the neck.

Jean previously worked as a domestic at Shotley Bridge Hospital.

Our best wishes to the happy couple.

Partnership in action

DAMHA work in a development partnership with Nomad Housing Group to build new bungalows for older people who, for various reasons, can no longer manage in their current home.

Nomad are now part of a much larger organisation called Isos which incorporates Enterprise 5 Housing Association, Milecastle Housing and Castle Morpeth Housing. Although we at DAMHA have decided to remain totally independent, there are many mergers and group structures forming in the housing world.

3&4 Bungalows at Harvey Court, Consett.