I wouldn't move anywhere else

Bishops Green had a bad reputation before we started our £20m regeneration of the estate near Newbury. Yet it's home for three generations of the Wherry family, and they wouldn't move anywhere else.

Sat around the table in their new two bedroom apartment, Gill and Reg Wherry chat with daughter Tina about the demolition of the last few old houses on the estate, improvements to the village shop, and an emerging campaign to get the buses back.

How did you end up at Bishops Green?

Gill: We were living with my mum up the road in Burghclere, and we didn't even know all this was here until we got offered a house here 32 years ago. The estate had a bad name and friends said 'you don't want to go there', but we've never had any trouble here."

When you heard about the regeneration, how did you feel?

Reg: "There'd been rumours around for years, and we couldn't believe it when the demolition started.

Gill: "There was no doubt we'd stay, and it was the best decision we've made. We were in a three bed house, and were looking at other houses in the new bit when Stacey* suggested we look at a flat. We took it, and then it took just a week for us to get the keys and move in. Hills (our developer) were brilliant, and they even fitted the cooker for us."

And you've stayed together as a family?

Gill: "My children and grandchildren all live here, and my sister Rose lives around the corner. I've a nephew here too, so there's quite a few of us!"

Tina: We're a very close family so it works well. Mum helps out with the girls (Honey 3 and Tasha 18 months) quite a lot."

So has the community settled in now?

Gill: "We've started up an over 50s group, where the older ones can have a coffee and catch up in the village hall.

Reg: "There's a fantastic youth room, and Ian (Green, youth worker) does a brilliant job.

Tina: "There's a positive vibe now definitely."

Gill: "But one thing we've still got to sort is the buses. I'm on the Bishops Green Community Association, and we're looking at this. I've just finished chemotherapy treatment, and my doctor is in Kingsclere. But it's a good 10 minute walk up the hill to the bus stop, and the buses used to stop on the estate. We need that service back."

And finally, what's the best bit of your new home?

Reg: The bathroom. Compared to the last one, this is brilliant, with a shower and bath. And we have our own little garden which is just right."

* Stacey Eveleigh is our regeneration liaison officer who sorts out moving homes for people affected by regeneration projects.