"It is with sadness we report the death of Noel Magee, a founder member of Cyron Co-operative back in 1978. At the time Noel was working at Brent Housing Aid Centre in Kilburn and through his job he was able to recruit members for the fledgling co-op. These original members possessed a wide range of skills and abilities which were put to good use in the Co-op. All this, combined with Noel's own knowledge and experience in the field of housing, proved invaluable to Cyron Co-operative in its establishment, and in the early years when Noel organised and chaired meetings before the existence of a Management Committee.

Unfortunately, the latter years of his life were blighted by ill health but even so, his untimely death came as a major shock to longstanding members and Co-op staff. We all, as Co-op members owe him a considerable debt of gratitude for his contribution to Cyron.

Finally, on behalf of the Co-op, I would like to extend my sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Cyron Housing Co-operative was established in 1978 with a handful of members and is based in Kensal Rise, North West London, the borough of Brent. Cyron has been providing affordable housing for people in Kensal Rise and the surrounding areas (Kensal Green, Queen's Park, Willesden, Kilburn and Harlesden) who have perhaps been unable to get on to the property ladder, and as an alternative to the Brent council waiting list.

Cyron now have 100+ member and house predominently single people, but also families as well. We have monthly meetings for the purpose of tenants to get together and discuss any issues and to bring forth ideas on how Cyron could improve its services. We remain small but friendly and dedicated to our members.

Cyron operates a membership policy. Sorry, but we are currently NOT accepting any new members.

In the late 1970's a group of single people got together after they realised that they had very little hope of being housed by the local authority. They looked into the possibility of forming an housing co-operative, as the government at that time were looking kindly on such organisations.

The original members had some experience with housing associations. They managed to work their way through the red tape by forming a friendly society, and also registering with the housing corporation in order to allow them to receive funding for house purchasing and development.

Read more...