FOR most of his life 65-year-old John Corble has been communicating with others using sign language and writing. But the grandfather, who is both mute and deaf, has not let it get in the way of being able to help others.

Mr Corble has been sprucing up his block of flats in Iffley Road with flower baskets since April and is now appealing for volunteers to help him continue his project and be able to help more neighbours.

He has spent about £200 of his own money on plants, seeds and compost for hanging baskets and window boxes displayed outside his flat and for half a dozen of his neighbours’ flats.

But he now needs funding help from residents to continue the project he says will help improve the “dull” look of the area, including flats at Townsend Square and further along Donnington Bridge Road.

In a written message to the Oxford Mail he said: “I would like to see more flowers in bloom around the place and I will try to find the best plants to last for the longest time.”

Mr Corble, originally from York, became deaf after contracting meningitis when he was just a month old. His parents, Tony and Anne, did not realise he was mute until he was three.

Mr Corble was a self-employed painter and decorator in the Bicester area for 21 years.

He retired due to ill health in 1987 and moved into his flat in Iffley Road in February 2000. One of the people to benefit from his efforts is Cecily Kirtland, 70, from nearby Swinburne Road, who has been given hanging baskets for her garden.

She said: “John has very kindly taken it on himself to help improve the look of the area. He is a real star and works hard for the benefit of the community in a quiet and unobtrusive way.”

The flats on the corner of Donnington Bridge Road and Iffley Road were built as Oxford City Council housing in the 1960s and currently house council tenants and private owners.

Mrs Kirtland is a member of Donnington Tenants and Residents’ Association (DTRA) and has approached tenant involvement and development officer Simon Warde at Oxford City Council to seek a grant on behalf of Mr Corble.

No funding has been secured but Oxford city councillor Elise Benjamin and Oxfordshire county councillor David Williams have expressed interest in supporting Mr Corble.

Ms Benjamin said: “We would both like to put £200 of our community grant towards John’s project because it’s a fantastic opportunity to bring residents together.”

About £1,000 is needed for Mr Corble to carry out his project, which would enable him to buy hanging baskets, flowers and equipment for the next stage of planting.

s Anyone interested in helping Mr Corble is asked to attend the next DTRA meeting tonight at 7.30pm at the Donnington Community Centre in Freelands Road.

COUNCILLOR'S WARD FUNDS

Each councillor at Oxford City Council receives an annual ward fund of £1,500 which is used to support projects that benefit residents. Residents are encourged to contact their local councillor if they would like to be considered for a grant and an application form can be submitted.
Responses to requests are usually given within six weeks of an application.