Sighthill residents in the Pink after towerblocks reprieve

Jun 4 2009 By Ben Spencer

Pinkston

THE FACES of Pinkston residents lit up when they learned their campaign to save their tower block flats had finally been successful.

Among those cheering was Elaine Ellis, 43, secretary of the Pinkston Tenants Association, of 3/5, in Sighthill, who helped organise the campaign.

She told how the sense of community and location made living in Pinkston (pictured) special.

Elaine, an actor, said: "There's a great community here. People very much look out for each other.

"People who visit are usually surprised that it is such a nice environment here.

"There is a good park area that you would not get anywhere else in the city and it is only 15 minutes walk from town. A lot of people like living in high rise flats. Nobody is going to come to your window and you don't get people gathering outside your home causing trouble."

Elaine said the mix of people from countries across the world also contributed to the sense of community spirit.

She added: "There are African people, Chinese people, Polish people and others who have come more recently.

"I think that's a good thing because it stops the area from getting stagnant and people do get along."

Elaine also praised the large number of pensioners who had helped the campaign to save the two tower blocks.

Great-gran Agnes Mcdonald, 82, has lived in Pinkston since 1967 and spoke fondly of the friend-shipshe has enjoyed. She said: "We are all neighbourly and a lot of us go away on holiday together. There is also a school here that has social events once a week too.

"The area itself is good too. It is handy to go to the shops and also for getting into town.

"I like my birds and there is a nice tree here where I can watch the birds fly in and out.

"It has been a real struggle fighting this but I'm so happy now. My neighbour was saying as soon as we found out we had won she would start putting flags up!" Mum and daughter Hannah and Sarah Hutcheson, singled out the community spirit.

Hannah, 70, a retired nurse, said: "People think that we are crazy wanting to stay here but we really like it."

Sarah, 41, added: "We thought we would have to look for a new house but now we can stay.

"When they brought some of the other flats down there were people crying."