Tower block residents are
ESTATE DWELLERS REVEAL WHAT FLATS ARE LIKE
THEY’RE often derided as eyesores – and after the Grenfell fire attention is on them like never before
But while a high-rise flat may not be everybody’s idea of the perfect home, for many people they’re ideal.
We spoke to residents on Rochdale’s landmark Seven Sisters estate – large parts of which are earmarked for demolition – and asked: ‘What’s life in a tower block really like?’
Donald Farrer, 55, is a member of the estate residents’ association. He has lived in a 10th-floor flat for 25 years.
“I don’t want to live in Manchester or Monte Carlo or Dubai – I want to live here. I have lived here for 25 years and I love it. Even if I won the lottery I wouldn’t move, I’d just buy my flat and do it up.
“This isn’t a run-down area, it’s a community. We very rarely see any crime. People here let you do your own thing and we’ve got the town centre and Lidl right on our doorstep. There’s lots of stuff going on. It’s brilliant.”
Alex Whatmough, 67, and wife Marian, 71, live in a two-bedroom flat. The couple moved in in 1982 and raised their two children there. Alex worked as the estate’s head caretaker before retiring.
“I was offered the job of caretaker in 1988. In those days the caretaker was residential so you were on call 24 hours a day. People would knock on your door at two and three in the morning, but I absolutely loved it. I loved getting to know everyone who lived here.
“There are a lot of good things about living here. It’s very peaceful, depending on your neighbours. The rent is reasonable. If we moved to a private flat we wouldn’t get anything as big as this.
“The flats do have a bad reputation, but I think that’s the same for most estates wherever you go.
“Some people have mental health problems, drink problems, drug problems, but they are not bad people – they’re victims.
“But the community spirit is not good really. I know a lot of people because of the job I did but I’m not sure that’s the same for everybody.
“There are not really any communal areas and people don’t tend to know their neighbours.
“There are no play areas and you have to get away from here to do anything like going to the park. But our children liked it here, they didn’t know any different.
“From the roof the views are spectacular. The best time is about 6pm on a summer’s day. If it’s clear you can see all the way to the airport.”
Couple Amanda Roberts, 31, and Robert Wilkinson, 29, moved into their bedsit on the 18th floor in January.
Amanda said: “It took us four months to get a flat here. I was homeless sleeping on my mum’s floor.
“It’s lovely. It’s really quiet and we’re just starting to get to know our neighbours.
“We were very surprised by how peaceful it was because when you walk around you can see junkies and alcoholics, but they don’t cause us any trouble.”
Robert added: “We’ve decorated now and it’s great. It’s like our little palace. It’s just perfect for us.”
Jean Lumapak, 75, has lived in College Bank for 20 years. She runs a charity stall on Rochdale market three days a week. “I live in a bedsit and I’m happy here. “We do have homeless people occasionally sleeping in the rubbish chute, but the council respond to problems quickly.
“I can walk across the road and I’m in the town centre or I’m at work on the market. It’s just ideal for me.
“There’s lots of things going, but unfortunately I don’t have time to get involved with a lot of stuff.
“I don’t go out at night much – there are a lot of drugs addicts living in the flats – but I walk through the subway to the market at 7.30am and feel safe.”
Retired teacher Audrey Middlehurst, 82, has lived in the Seven Sisters for 29 years.
“My late mother-in-law moved here in 1970, We moved in in 1988.
“At the time they were built the design was really quite go-ahead and they are very well built. There were built to be executive flats. You had to pay a month’s rent in advance and provide two referees.
“I always speak to people on the landings, I have friends on the other floors
“I like the view because I am not overlooked. We are surrounded by trees with lovely blossoms. I put bird feed out on the balcony and get little birds like blue tits coming to feed.
“I feel as though I am living in a lit-