The Worst Slum in Europe

Natalie Brade and Sir Albert Bore
Natalie Brade and Sir Albert Bore

Programme 12 eavesdrops on a conversation between two people whose relationship began with intense frustration and conflict.   Natalie Brade and Councillor Sir Albert Bore: one a practical active citizen, the other a senior politician, met when Natalie began protesting about housing conditions on what was then the Lee Bank estate in Ladywood.

Now they work together running Optima Community Association.  A little longer than usual, this programme is a rare opportunity to hear a citizen and politician explaining how their relationship unfolded through the battle to regenerate Lee Bank in Birmingham.

Links:
Written version of Natalie’s story as a pdf (dead link)
Optima Community Association (dead link redirects)
ODPM Award for Sustainable Communities (dead link)