Gone with a Bang
A LUCKY schoolgirl had her finger on the button to demolish two unpopular tower blocks in Middlesbrough.
Joanna Gray, from Longlands in the town, was the lucky winner of Erimus Housing’s charity raffle to start the demolition of Glentworth House and Fulbeck House in Netherfields.
The 11-year-old was a VIP for the massive event, along with dad John, 45, and mum Tracey, 47.
The 1960s-built blocks, which had around 180 flats between them, were demolished in a controlled explosion at noon on Sunday 16th August.
Erimus Housing used the occasion to raise cash for Zoe’s Place baby hospice in the town by offering the chance to set off the explosives that demolished the two blocks.
The company, Middlesbrough’s largest landlord, raised £600 after selling tickets for £1 each at a range of outlets, which went into a massive draw that took place on Monday 10th August. The winning ticket was drawn by a youngster from Zoe’s Place.
The decision to demolish Glentworth House and Fulbeck House was made by the Erimus Housing Board following months of extensive consultation with residents, which showed the blocks were unpopular and a magnet for anti-social behaviour.
It was part of a £5m regeneration scheme which also saw the complete revamp of the nearby Welton House tower block.
A 400 yard exclusion zone was imposed around the two buildings as part of stringent health and safety controls on the day of the big event.
Residents from 398 properties were moved out on the Sunday morning while the demolition took place.
