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  • Motspur Park Station - February 2024

    Our committee member, Dick Coleman, continues to liaise with Network Rail's team responsible for the accessibility works taking place at the station and can assure our members that some structural erosion noted (which has been flagged by a resident to Merton, via “fix my street”) is being dealt with by the contractors as part of their remit. We are grateful to Dick for keeping his eye on the process and for keeping in touch with Jack Wharton, who has overall responsibility for the project.

  • Local Concerns - February 2023

    These concerns have been recently raised by members:

    1.                Poor lighting in parts of Coombe Lane, safety issues. 

    2.                Inadequate lighting near Motspur Park Station, safety issues. 

    3.                New parking arrangements at the AELTC ground which backs onto Grand Drive. 

    These issues, which have been brought to our attention by concerned residents, will be included for discussion at our next committee meeting. All of these items are serious, but we are particularly concerned about item (3) because, despite assurances made to us by AELTC over 18 months ago, residents in the small strip of “cottages” situated along Grand Drive are having their lives disrupted by dirt, noise and general delay.  We are also puzzled by the new parking arrangements which appear to back directly on to the small back gardens of the cottages.

  • Chairman's Blog - February 2024

    HAPPY NEW YEAR!

    CHRISTMAS THANK-YOU PARTY

    We held our end-of-year party early in December in the Pavilion to thank all our volunteers: our committee and PMG members, all those who help to distribute The Guide,  and others  who support the neighbourhood in countless ways.  We were delighted that some 40 people were able to come and enjoy the excellent refreshments on a chilly Saturday afternoon. We hold these thank-you events twice a year, and they are always very enjoyable occasions. 

    URGENT: A NEW TREASURER REQUIRED 

    We are always keen to hear from more people able to give some time to help the community. If you feel you can assist in any way, please contact Clare, (the secretary) or any committee member. We require a few more people to distribute The Guide and we are also urgently in need of a new treasurer. John Townsend, who has run the Association’s finances so expertly for twelve years is standing down from this role.  

    John steered us through the problems of keeping in touch with residents during the pandemic by setting up a monthly newsletter on his home computer, because the two publishing firms that we previously used had taken on lucrative COVID-related tasks only. He turned the  former black and white Guide into an attractive full colour format, then secured the ever-reliable Prontaprint to photocopy 2,000 copies. 

    John also prioritised keeping the Association solvent when no advertising money was possible, and no Pavilion lettings allowed. As stewards were forbidden  to count money for H&S reasons, he spent countless hours dealing with vast quantities of coins paid in by willing members in hundreds of small envelopes. And thoroughly scrubbing his hands in accordance with pandemic regs afterwards!! 

    John T is not leaving us, because he jointly and efficiently produces The Guide (with Clare), but we require a new treasurer ASAP.  John has set up an easy-to-follow system, so you do NOT need to be a financial whizz to take over! We have a very healthy balance, and the treasurer works in association with helpful committee members such as Dick Coleman, the advertising manager and Otto Hoenig, the distribution manager.

    John would be happy to meet with anyone who feels they may be able to take on this vital role, so please do consider this. You will be well supported by Dick, Otto and by John himself. 

    LESSA  COMPLAINT TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSIONER (THE OMBUDSMAN) 

    Following the approval by the planning committee in September 2022 of building on the LESSA sports field, the Residents’ Association immediately asked the Secretary of State to call in the decision. We did not receive any answer until June 2023 when he declined to do so. We then made a formal complaint to Merton Council stating that there had been maladministration in the conduct of that application. The Council did not respond to that complaint until 24 October 2023 , and the reply refused to deal with the complaint at all.

    We then applied in November 2023 to the Local Government Commissioner asking him to investigate the conduct of the Council and its officers. We sent him the details of the complex history of the ground and all the reasoned objections of the residents.  

    The latest position is that the Ombudsman is still assessing whether to take the complaint up with the Council, and we will not hear whether this will happen or not until February at the earliest. Meanwhile, and very unfortunately, there is nothing to stop Bellway starting initial works to the ground, and they did so on 8 January.

    Our former President, Garry Hunt, has pointed out that Bellway intend to use the access off Greenway, which is next to an electricity sub- station, for heavy machinery and transport, but there are vulnerable cables under the ground which must not be damaged. He has been active in making sure that the electricity company is fully aware of the proposed actions by the developers and will monitor them carefully to avoid damage. If Bellway cannot use this access, it will have to find an alternative route. We will keep you informed of developments.

    John Elvidge

  • Motspur Park Station - December 2023

    Email from Jack Wharton, Senior Public Affairs Manager, Network Rail Southern 

    Subj: Railway Improvement Works – Access for All Scheme at Motspur Park Station 

    Date: 5 December 2023 

    Dear Stakeholders,

     Further to my last update in September,  I would like to update you on the next phase of our work on the Motspur Park Access for All Scheme.  Thank you for your continued cooperation.   

    As part of the next stage of works, we’ll be excavating for the retaining wall and constructing the footbridge foundations as well as other preparation works. 

    Using specialist equipment designed to minimise the noise we create, some of our equipment and machinery may still cause noise disturbance on Sunday 10 December (daytime) and you’ll notice some increased traffic from delivery vehicles. As well as this, up until February, engineers will be working during the evening throughout Monday- Friday. We do appreciate how impactful this night time working will be during this period and every effort will be made to minimise any excessive noise while this work is carried out. We’re sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you. 

    Work will take place as follows alongside our standard day-time working hours: 

    Date                                       Time                    Work to be carried out 

    Sunday 10/12/2023 to        00:00 – 03:00    Footbridge foundation construction, drainage

    Monday 11/12/2023           (27 hours)          installation, retaining wall excavation – noisy

                                                                       Overnight and Daytime work.

     

    Mid-weeknight working      23:00 – 05:00   Facilitating works (transporting materials to

    (Mon-Fri) until                                         island platforms, removal of waste) for safety

    February 2024                                         reasons, needs to be done when trains are not

                                                                    moving. 

    If you have any questions, please do let me know. 

    Kind regards

    Jack Wharton

    Senior Public Affairs Manager 

    Network Rail Southern

    1 Puddle Dock, London, EC4V 3DS 

    networkrail.co.uk/southern

  • Chairman's Blog - December 2023

    GARRY AND WENDY HUNT

    Garry and Wendy Hunt, are both very long serving members of our Residents’ Association.

    For many years they held the offices between them of Secretary, Editor, Chair and President.  There is a bench on Cannon Hill Common, on the path up from Southway, dedicated in appreciation of their work for the community from 1972 to 2002 

    Garry and Wendy continue regularly to walk over the Common and to send us excellent photos of the birds, butterflies and other wildlife there.

    We are therefore pleased to report that Garry was awarded last month with his OBE, presented to him by Princess Anne. It was awarded to him for his services to science.

    We congratulate them warmly on their achievements.

    COMPLAINT TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSIONER

    Our strong view is that there was maladministration in the handling by Merton Council of the third application by Bellway Homes to build flats and houses on the former LESSA sports ground, off Grand Drive. This was granted permission in September 2022, despite an almost identical scheme being refused by the same committee that June.  In June 2022, the Planning Applications Committee had previously decided that no development at all was possible.

    Our complaint is that almost immediately following the June meeting, a planning officer had a meeting with the developers which was not minuted, and the existence of which was not disclosed to the September Planning Meeting. It was only disclosed following a Freedom of Information request.

    Further the lead spokesman for the sporting consortium, who had applied to speak at the September  meeting, was wrongly refused permission to do so. We were not able to make a formal complaint to Merton until June this year, after the Secretary of State had declined to call in the planning decision.  We then submitted a detailed complaint which was not answered, despite reminders, until this October.  The issues we raised were not dealt with at all. Merton simply stated that the Secretary of State had reviewed all the information and found no reason to call it in and that: “as the complaints function cannot challenge planning decisions it was felt continuing with this complaint would not produce the outcome you were seeking”.

    We had already pointed out that the issue was a complaint about the planning process, and not the outcome.  We are therefore now complaining to the Local Government Commissioner (the Ombudsman) to compel Merton to answer properly the very serious issues we have raised. These have materially affected the wellbeing of the many residents who opposed the development.

    PARKING METER SCAM

    The large car park behind Morrisons in Wimbledon has two meters that take both cards and cash. I witnessed two elderly women falling subject to a scam by two men working together at the same time. The women were at separate meters and were each falsely told that the meter was not accepting coins and that they had to use cards. They were then “assisted” to use the cards and encouraged to put in their pin numbers, and then the meter mysteriously “swallowed” the cards. The men had, of course, pocketed them. Sadly, there was no police presence around, and the men disappeared. I told the two ladies to contact their card companies at once before they could be used. I understand this to be a common scam, so beware.

    SEASONS GREETINGS

    We wish of all of you a very happy Christmas and a peaceful and healthy New Year.

    Our members are drawn from diverse communities – we enjoyed the Diwali lights in November, and Hannukah begins on 8th December – we wish enjoyable festivities to everyone!

    John Elvidge

  • Raynes Park Stn - Cattle Arch Works

    Bridge Maintenance at Raynes Park Station (North end of “Cattle Arch”) 

    Network Rail is to carry out work at the station entrance and the pedestrian archway known as the "Cattle Arch".  

    The work should hopefully represent some improvement to the current state of the station entrance - something the Raynes Park Association has been campaigning on for years!
     

    This is the message from Network Rail:

    The work will involve high-pressure jet washing, mechanical preparation, and bridge repainting with the use of a mobile elevating work platform (MEWPS), as well as water tankers.
     
    To carry out these works safely and working with the council, a footpath closure with diversion route will be in place at the bridge for the duration of the works although the footpath diversion will only be in place between 10pm till 6am.
     
    Please kindly note that once our team have cleaned the structure, if any structural issues are identified, this work may be extended which would impact the dates provided below. Safety is our priority and we’re sorry in advance for the inconvenience this work may cause the community, but we will let you know if there are any substantive changes to the programme below. We’re incredibly grateful for your cooperation whilst this essential work is carried out.
     
    The work will take place from Monday 16 October to Saturday 25 November 2023.  During this time, every night from 22.00 to 06.00 there will be no pedestrian access to the arch.  The alternative route is via the road bridge to the east.  Additionally there will be work undertaken overnight and all day on Sunday 22 October.  There will be additional work all day and overnight from 00.01 on Sunday 10 December to 06.00 on Monday 11 December - again with no pedestrian access from 22.00 to 06.00.

    If you are using the station during this time, you can, of course, access the London bound platforms via the ‘country’ bound platforms and to go across the bridge (and vice versa).

    ends.

  • Chairman's Blog - October 2023

    PENALTY CHARGES SURVEY

    In April this year, the Sunday Times carried out a review into the parking ticket fines handed out by local authorities. Councils had handed out 3.3 million penalty charges notices (PCNs) costing £265 million in 2022 and the number of notices was 27% higher than in the previous year.  They are given for offences such as failing to buy a parking ticket, parking on a double yellow line or in permit only zones or driving in a bus lane. 

    Part of the increase is due to the use of apps to replace cash at parking machines, which are difficult to use, or the rare cases when the machine is simply faulty. Many people suspect that councils increase the number of penalties to shore up their budgets. 

    Merton Council charged an average of £117.67 per fine with a total value of over £17,000,000. However, among London councils Merton had one of the highest rates of tickets overturned on appeal, at 6.6%.                                                                   

    London councils are now carrying out a parking charge survey, with a deadline for responses of 23rd October: 

    https://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/LondonParkingChargesConsultation 

    Residents may wish to respond to this by the deadline. The information given with the consultation notes that since 2010 penalty charges in London have been grouped into two bands, Band A and Band B.  Band A charges are higher and are usually in areas with greater parking pressure, such as central London and town centres.  Band B charges are lower and tend to be in outer London areas where there is less pressure on parking. 

    There is a map showing which boroughs apply which bandings. Our eagle- eyed Advertising Manager, Dick Coleman, noticed that Merton, along with Croydon, are the only boroughs in south outer London to levy the higher Band A charges! This may help to explain why Merton makes so much money from their charges. 

    LESSA COMPLAINT

    The Association has made formal complaints to Merton Council over maladministration in its handling of the applications to build on the site of the former LESSA sports ground off Grand Drive. The applications had to be in two stages, Stage One and then Stage Two and both have now been dismissed. 

    The Association is now asking the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman to review these complaints.

    John Elvidge

  • 2023 A-Level and GCSE Successes

     

    Raynes Park High School - Students’ Hard Work Rewarded 

    A” Level Successes 

    Congratulations to the pupils at RPHS for their encouraging A level results.

    The return to pre-pandemic assessments has led to a nation-wide fall in results, so it is a tribute to the work of the pupils, teachers and support staff that, when set alongside to the last comparable assessments, the 2019 results, the pupils achieved more highly in all areas, and a result, students have secured their desired places at universities, colleges, and vocational placements.

     

    Merton’s GCSE Successes 

    Here are some of the highlights from Merton schools:

    • Raynes Park High School – ‘strong’ pass grades at (5-9) in GCSE English and maths are in line with 2019, and the percentage of students achieving the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) has increased.
    • Ricards Lodge High School – the percentage of students achieving ‘strong’ pass grades (5-9) in GCSE English and maths, is significantly above 2019 school outcomes and similar to those in 2022.
    • Rutlish School – the percentage of students achieving ‘strong’ pass grades (5-9) in GCSE English and maths is well above 2019 school outcomes.
    • St Mark’s Academy – the percentage of students achieving the EBacc has increased significantly compared to 2019.
    • The Ursuline High School – the percentage of students achieving ‘strong’ pass grades (5-9) in GCSE English and maths is significantly above provisional national outcomes.
    • Wimbledon College – the percentage of pupils achieving a ‘standard’ pass in GCSE English and maths is 20% higher than the 2023 provisional national outcome.
    • Melbury College, Canterbury Campus – a very significant increase in the percentage of pupils achieving both ‘standard’ and ‘strong’ passes in GCSE English and maths compared with 2022. 

    Congratulations to all the pupils and staff for working so hard to overcome the setbacks encountered during the “Covid Years” – we are proud of you all.

     

  • Motspur Park Stn - Sept 2023

    As can be seen from the photo below, which was taken by Dick Coleman, our Advertising Manager, the accessibility works are progressing apace. 

     It is a difficult time for those living nearby the station, but the end-result should be worth the disruption. 

    However, it is ironic that as we move towards improving the actual station, giving elderly, disabled and other vulnerable residents better access, the threatened closure of ticket offices and planned staff reductions will seriously hamper the effectiveness of this work. Hopefully, the results of the consultation will lead to a re-think.

  • Chairman's Blog - Sept 2023

    RAILWAY TICKET OFFICES

    You will have seen from the Press that rail companies are planning to close ticket offices all over the country. South West Rail is no exception.   They set out details of their proposed changes and closures at Raynes Park and Motspur Park stations, and organised a public consultation, with replies extended to 1 September.

    We sent the following e-mail to: swr.consultation@londontravelwatch.org.uk

    “Our Residents’ Association represents 2000 people living in the areas of Raynes Park and Motspur Park railway stations. Both stations are extremely busy throughout the day and not only in the main commuting hours.

    We wish to comment on and to protest about the proposed plans to close or reduce the manning of ticket offices at these two stations.

    Many of our residents are elderly or disabled and find it difficult or impossible to buy tickets or railcards online, or to operate the ticket machines at the stations. This will prevent their using the railways at all.

    Many journeys from the London suburbs are not simply to the central London stations but to other destinations all over the country.  To many destinations, there are alternative train companies offering differing fares, some usable only at set and limited times, and with tickets which are not usable on their competitors. Ticket machines do not offer these options in a way that people can readily understand, and most people need the advice of an experienced ticket clerk.  

    Even those who are able bodied need advice from time to time about routing and timing of journeys.

    It is clearly not enough to say that there will still be staff on the platforms who can assist. They cannot be expected to make sure that people safely enter and exit from trains at the same time as answering queries, sometimes complicated, on these matters.  If it will be part of their duties to issue tickets, that will detract, perhaps fatally, from their attention in making sure that passengers are safe.

    At both stations, there are wide gaps between the platform edge and the trains, and great care is needed to get on and off, and assistance is needed not only for the elderly and disabled, but for those with luggage or with young children in prams or pushchairs. In the case of Raynes Park this is exacerbated by the pronounced curve which particularly affects platform 1. 

    We would urge you to revise your plans to ensure that there is always a manned ticket office at both stations from early morning until the middle of the evening.”

    ROYAL MAIL POSTBOXES

    John Nicholson, one of our Road Stewards, reports that stickers have appeared on post boxes in Claremont Avenue, Burlington Road/Cavendish Avenue, Seaforth Avenue, and West Barnes Lane next to the GP surgery, and other locations in the KT3 area, revising collection times. These state that “from 4 September the final collection from this post-box will be made no earlier than 9 am Monday to Friday and 7 am on Saturday”. This change is said to be “in order to improve efficiency.” There has been no consultation with users, and, of course, it represents greater inconvenience for customers.  This is yet another instance of organisations reducing services to the public while claiming that they are an improvement!

     John Elvidge

  • Chairman's Blog - August 2023

    SUMMER PARTY

    We held a very enjoyable Summer Party at the Pavilion on Sunday 9th July. This was a thank-you to our volunteers and supporters and we were very pleased to welcome a member, who recently volunteered to be join our team of road stewards. 

    LESSA

    The RPWBRA complaint of maladministration in the handling of the LESSA planning application is to be formally investigated by the Merton Complaints Team. They promise that a full written response will be sent to us within 20 days from the 10thJuly. This will set out whether the complaints are upheld or not, and any action that will be taken as a result of their enquiries. 

    BUSHEY ROAD CROSSING

    We will update you when we receive a response from the Council regarding our request for a pedestrian crossing over this busy dual carriageway. 

    John Elvidge

  • Chairman's Blog - July 2023

    "LESSA", MEADOWVIEW ROAD. LONDON SW20 9AN

    On 22nd September last year the Planning Applications Committee decided by a vote of 6 to 4 to approve the application by Bellway Homes to build 107 flats and houses on the former "LESSA" Sports Ground at Meadowview Road, off Grand Drive. This was despite a fully worked up and costed plan, supported by Sport England, by a consortium of local clubs and a school to use the land intensively for sports, with generous access to the public. 

    The Association, and many other local people, as well as our MP and Sport England, asked the Secretary of State to call it in for his decision, which would have set up a planning enquiry. On 9th June this year we received his letter that he has decided not to call it in. The grounds on which he can do so are, unfortunately, very limited. 

    The Council is now able to put its decision into effect. This will be sad news for the nearby residents, and for all who want to encourage and improve sporting facilities in Merton. Two of the main priorities the Merton Leader Ross Garrod has set out are the development of sport throughout the borough and the protection of green spaces. It is a great shame that his view was apparently not shared by the 6 members who voted for the development, despite the crying need, particularly following Covid, for recreation in open spaces. 

    The Association fully understands the need for housing, and it is our view that there are plenty of brownfield sites in Merton that can and should be built on, and that building should not take place on a sports field.  In addition, as was said at the committee meeting, the Tesco development nearby will provide 456 new homes, of which 143 will be affordable. 

    We have made a formal complaint to the Council as to the process adopted by the Council. We believe that the decision was flawed by gross abuse of process and maladministration. This is a first step to our taking the matter up with the Local Government Commissioner (the Ombudsman). 

    The complaint is detailed and complex and, for further information, click here .

    The Association has fought to protect this land for sports for well over 20 years and was successful in restricting the buildings to those which now constitute Meadowview Road. The Planning Inspector who allowed those buildings did so expressly so that the rest of the land could be maintained for sport. 

    Bellway Homes throughout refused to allow any possibility of this. In June last year their application to build was refused by the PAC. The Council did not discuss with the consortium their plans for sport. Instead within two weeks an officer of the Council held talks with the developers as to how they could get the decision amended. These talks were not minuted. Very shortly after that they made another application which has now been approved, even though it differed little from the one previously refused. 

    The officers’ report to the Committee did not mention the non-minuted meeting which was only revealed following a Freedom of Information request. Further, the leading member of the consortium was refused permission to speak at the meeting, even though he had applied to do so in good time. The Committee was therefore deprived of the chance to hear evidence that the sporting proposals were viable and deliverable, which was the key question that it had to decide on planning grounds. 

    John Elvidge                                                       

     

  • Motspur Park Stn - June 2023

    Access for All’ at Motspur Park Station

    Update from Dick Coleman, RPWBRA

    The extensive improvement programme to provide step-free access has been going for 2 months, but is a long way from completion, in Spring 2024.

    At the time of writing, both entrances are still open. We expect the Station Road access to close very shortly, so if you live on the ‘wrong side of the tracks’ you’ll have to cross the line to use the Claremont Avenue entrance. The ticket office has also closed, in order to facilitate its replacement, although we expect the ticket machine to remain in operation.

    Other preparatory work is in progress. The main visible sign of progress is a scaffolding gantry over the tracks, for wiring looms. However, this is not the location of the new footbridge/lifts, which will ultimately be on a level with West Barnes library.

     

    If you have any questions, residents are invited to contact

    Jack Wharton, Public Affairs Manager, 

    Network Rail Southern

    1 Puddle Dock, London, EC4V 3DS

    Mobile: 07716 095282

    networkrail.co.uk/southern

  • Chairman's Blog - June 2023

    LESSA UPATE 

    We asked Stephen Hammond, our MP, what was happening to the request to the Secretary of State  of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities to call in the Bellway planning application.   

    The reply to him from one of the junior ministers states that: 

    “The application still under consideration and your views expressed in your letter of 27 September 2022, and those received from your constituents, together with all other relevant information, will be considered before the Secretary of State decides whether to call-in the application for determination.” 

    We can only hope that this long delay means that full consideration is being given to all the points that we local residents have made so strongly.

    Recent Update: Please refer to the latest news: Meadowview Road - June 2023

    BANK BRANCH CLOSURES

    I have criticised before in this blog the closures of branches of the NatWest Banks in Morden and Wimbledon Village, and of the Santander Bank, also in Morden.  Many people, and especially those who are more elderly or not otherwise able, and those unwilling to trust internet banking rely on them for their daily transactions. 

    John Nicholson, one of our Road Stewards, points out that in recent years Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, Halifax, and Santander have closed their branches in New Malden, and that NatWest has now announced that their branch in New Malden is to close on the High Street on 13th July this year.  He reminds us that despite government talk of the creation of “banking hubs”,progress has been slow, and in any case New Malden would not qualify since the Nationwide Building Society is still in the area.  Ironically, this has now announced that it will be closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays with effect from 19thJune this year to enable staff to deal with on-line and telephone enquiries, and for pre-arranged interviews.  John also points out that while the Post Office continues to operate, Post Office Counters Limited is keen to dispose of the building in the High Street and to contract out their service to a sub-postmaster/mistress. 

    John Elvidge, Chairman

  • Pavilion Open Afternoon

  • Martin Way Allotments and Gardens - 20 May 2023

  • Invitation to the Pavilion Open Afternoon -

    THE RESIDENTS’ PAVILION AT 129 GRAND DRIVE, SW20 9LY

    AN INVITATION TO ALL MEMBERS

     

     

    Here’s a date for your diary – Sunday, 28 May, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm.

    We invite you to come along to the Open Afternoon at the Residents’ Pavilion. You’ll be able to meet the volunteers who look after the Pavilion and find out about what goes on there. Please do come along and meet us. 

    The Pavilion is used by our Association for many of its meetings throughout the year and is hired privately by members for family get-togethers and children’s parties. Several of our members also meet up to play tennis there. 

    We are also particularly grateful to those of our members who run the regular groups that use the Pavilion: 

    ·            Children’s Story and Rhyme-time Group

    ·            Merton Health and Fitness (Pilates and Exercise Classes)

    ·            The National Childbirth Trust

    ·            The Pavilion Club (for retirees)

    ·            Wimbledon and District Philately Society 

    As we took over the Pavilion and tennis courts in 2013, we’ll also be celebrating our tenth anniversary of providing such a convenient and useful facility for our Association’s members. 

    In order to cover our costs, we charge our members £12 per hour for regular hires and £18 per hour for single private bookings. 

    To find out more, please email Jerry Cuthbert at: 

    pavilionbookings@gmail.com 

    and come along on the afternoon of Sunday, 28 May.

     

  • Notice of AGM - 24 April 2023

    Raynes Park & West Barnes Residents’ Association

    Notice of Annual General Meeting - Monday 24th April 2023 at 7.30pm

    at Raynes Park Library Hall, Aston Road Entrance

     

    Agenda

    1. Welcome, Announcements, Apologies for Absence
    2. Summary: the work of the Association: John Elvidge
    3. Treasurer’s Report: John Townsend
    4. Election of Officers: Jill Truman, Hon President
    5. GUEST SPEAKER: LEONIE COOPER

               London Assembly Member for Merton and Wandsworth

    1. Residents‘ concerns, ideas, queries – please write in or email  rpwbra@outlook.com
    2. AOB followed by LIGHT REFRESHMENTS

     

    We look forward to seeing you!

     

  • Chairman's Blog - April 2023

    COME TO THE AGM

    The Annual General Meeting of the Residents’ Association is being held this year on Monday 24th April at the meeting hall behind Raynes Park Library.  You are all warmly invited.

    It starts at 7.30 pm and our guest speaker is Leonie Cooper, who is the Merton and Wandsworth representative on the London Assembly.  She has the reputation of being well worth hearing, and she will be happy to answer your questions.

    We will also get an update on how to contact the police in various types of emergencies.

    After the formal business of the AGM, which won’t take long, there will be the chance to discuss any other issues that concern you but leaving a good time for the refreshments and drinks!

    Click here for the Agenda.

    We aim to finish by 9.30pm.   Do come. 

    DANGEROUS JUNCTION

    A resident of Elm Walk has contacted the local councillors and us on the dangers of the junction between Cannon Hill Lane and Churston Drive, which is governed by a mini roundabout.  He points out that particularly during the morning and evening rush hours, vehicles coming down Churston Drive do not stop and give way to, as they should, to vehicles coming from their right down Cannon Hill Lane, and do not appear even to notice them.  This is particularly dangerous when there are children on bikes cycling to the three primary schools in the area.

    What needs to happen is an enforceable give way sign and road marking at the end of Churston Drive, since Cannon Hill Lane is the primary road.     

    LESSA

    As we go to press, we have still heard nothing as to  whether the planning committee’s appalling decision to grant permission for the building of multiple flats on the former LESSA sports ground in Meadowview Road is going to be called in for review  by the Secretary of State.  

    The Association made strong representations that this should happen, supported by many local residents, our MP, and Sport England.  We were promised an early decision in January.  Let us hope that no news is good news.   

    UNSUNG HERO

    Throughout the winter months a local resident has been almost daily keeping the footpaths on Cannon Hill Common dry and passable by spreading wood chippings with his wheelbarrow from the pile left for him near the Paddock Allotments.    Now spring has come he has begun planting small bushes and trees by the path leading off the Common towards the coffee stall. This is Edwin, after whom the path has been named Edwin’s Walk.   He has not sought any thanks or recognition for this public service but deserves all our thanks.

    John Elvidge, Chairman

     

     

  • Access for All - Motspur Park Station

    Update - April 2023 

    The ‘Access for All’ upgrade at Motspur Park Station is here! Extensive improvement works to provide step-free access across the station will soon start, making travel easier, not just for those with mobility issues, but for all passengers. 

    Three new lifts, a new enclosed footbridge and a new station building will be built. 

    The work is set to begin in early April 2023, and is due to complete by February 2024. Station Road itself, and the east entrance to the station will be closed for a large part of the programme – access to the platforms will be via the Claremont Road (west) entrance. 

    Inevitably there will be service disruption, inconvenience and noise at times, but we hope the end result will make it worthwhile. More details are available here. 

    Meanwhile, we continue to urge Network Rail to move forward with similar improvements at Raynes Park Station. 

    Dick Coleman

  • Pavilion Open Afternoon - Sunday 28 May 2023

    The Residents’ Pavilion at 129 Grand Drive SW20 9LY 

    This coming May 2023, our Association will have been running the Residents’ Pavilion for ten years. 

    Back in 2013, the Raynes Park Residents’ Lawn Tennis Club moved to its new premises in Meadowview Road and our Association took over the vacated premises at 129 Grand Drive, which is where the Tennis Club first started in 1947. 

    Our Association decided to use some of its accumulated funds, in doing gradual improvements to the pavilion and grounds, making it more suitable for use by its members for parties, meetings, groups and clubs. So, on 1st May 2013, after some initial improvements, the premises at 129 Grand Drive were re-named “The Residents’ Pavilion” and opened for hire by our members. 

    Over the last 10 years, we have made a number of improvements, including new furniture, installing double glazing, improving the heating and renovating the kitchen and toilets. Also, thanks to the National Lottery, we have step-free access and an accessible toilet. 

    All this has been achieved through the efforts of a small group of volunteers, who manage the premises on behalf of our Association. 

    We’re pleased to report that there is something going on at the Pavilion most days, with our regular weekly and monthly groups, covering a wide range of interests and activities. In order to cover our costs, we charge our members £12 per hour for regular hires and £18 per hour for single private bookings. 

    For members wishing to find out more, please follow this link:

    https://www.rpwbresidents.org.uk/pavilion-booking-form

    We’re also planning some 10th Anniversary celebrations for later this year, with an “Open Day” on Sunday 28 May 2023, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please come and see us.

  • Our AGM, Monday 24 April 2023

    Members are invited to our Annual General Meeting on 

    Monday, 24 April 2023 at 7:30 pm in Raynes Park Library Hall (Aston Road entrance) 

    Our Guest Speaker will be Leonie Cooper, the Merton and Wandsworth representative on the London Assembly. 

     Have your questions ready! – ULEZ, SPEED LIMITS, GREEN SPACES  etc., or just come along to listen and socialise with neighbours

  • Chairman's Blog - March 2023

    A PLEA FOR MORE VOLUNTEERS 

    As you know, the RPWBRA is run by volunteers, many of whom have been supporting the Association for over 20 years. Their work has been invaluable. Now it is time to ask if more people can step forward, because we welcome new ideas and energy – and we require assistance in various areas. 

    Delivering Guides

    If you have an hour or so to spare each month then please offer to deliver some Guides. Even if you can only deliver a dozen, it will help to ease the load. It is also a great way to meet neighbours! 

    Helping to run outings or other social or sporting events

    We would love to arrange more activities for both children and adults, but we need your input to achieve this. If you could commit to one-off events during the year, please let us know.                        

     Participating in the Committee or Pavilion Management Group

    You may have specific skills or knowledge e.g., in IT, planning, local issues or other areas which you feel would be useful to the Association. If so, please consider becoming involved on a voluntary but regular basis. 

    Above all, please do join us at open events. The next one, a friendly occasion with refreshments will be held as shown below. All members are welcome, and we also invite local Councillors.

    John Elvidge

     

  • February 2023 - Local Events

    In addition to the numerous events organised by places of worship and local schools, we were spoilt for choice during December and January.

    Mark Nicholson’s promotion of classical guitar performances led to an impressive concert at St Saviour’s in December.

    We were also delighted to learn that Chris Jeanes will be presenting the first in a series of Bach concerts, a little further afield on 8th February at St Anne’s Wandsworth.

    With family and friends, we enjoyed an excellent pantomime at the Lantern Arts Centre, a spirited version of Cinderella, full of music and comedy and appreciated by those of all ages. One of our local NHS practitioners, Marlon Molina, who is based at the Lambton Road Medical Practice, took a leading role and we hope to feature him in the next Guide.

    Good News: Raynes Park Vale FC, our local football club, gained the honour “Club of the Year” - congratulations! Their new advertisement in the Guide can be seen here .

    Old Emanuel Rugby Club has agreed to take over the running of the pavilion at Raynes Park Sports Ground. You may have noticed that work has started rejuvenating the grounds and renovating the pavilion.  The Club now wants to show local residents around the redevelopment work that has been going on and explain its exciting plans to support our local community.

    The Club is holding an Open Morning between 10-12 noon next Saturday 4th February to show local residents around the facility works and answer any questions with free tea and coffee. For more information click here.

  • Preventing Theft of Your Car

    A family living in Parkway, who do not wish to be identified, have sent us an account of no fewer than three car thefts (over the past three years) from outside their house, the latest of which occurred recently. 

    Apparently, whilst the police assured the household that they have not been personally targeted, they have reminded us that many criminals return to crime scenes, confident that they can steal replaced items.  So, despite taking all the precautions advised in the past, such as putting the car keys in a Faraday pouch (in a fridge) at the rear of the house, the family were in despair as to how to deal with the situation. 

    Fortunately, in the latest case, and through the vigilance of the met police, the stolen car has been found in Essex in an Ilford Car Park, well known as a “resting place” for stolen cars prior to illegal re-sale. In this case, a happy ending for the owners, but the local police advise car owners to fit a ghost immobiliser, a full steering lock and a tracking device.

     

  • Chairman's Blog - Feb 2023

    I hope that you all had an enjoyable break. Hopefully, as the warmer weather approaches, widespread worries for residents about excessive energy costs should subside a little. 

    The RPWBRA’s last activity in 2022 was an enjoyable, well-attended thank-you event for the volunteers – the committee members, the PMG, the Area Coordinators and the Road Stewards - who keep the Association going. We deliver 2,000 Guides to households and venues, and we are grateful to all the members who pay their annual fee of £3. 

    ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 

    Meanwhile we have had a busy start to 2023 and we would like to give you early notice of our AGM which will take place on Monday 24th April 2023 at 7.30pm in Raynes Park Library Hall.

    All members will be welcome, so please do note the date. We will print the details in the March edition. 

    LESSA APPLICATION 

    As we go to press, we are still awaiting a decision by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities about whether he will call in the Council's intended planning approval of the Bellway application. A holding direction has been issued to prevent the Council from issuing a decision until that decision is made. This is to allow sufficient time for him to consider the requests made. Both we and Stephen Hammond MP, as well as other residents, strongly urged him to do so. A decision is promised shortly. 

    The grounds on which the decision can be called in are quite limited. But these include a case where planning issues of more than local importance are involved.  We believe that building over sports grounds is one such matter, and in this we are supported by Sport England. 

    208-212 BURLINGTON ROAD 

    There is a new application (22/P3479) to build 16 flats in a 4-6 storey block on this site, with a commercial unit underneath. This would involve the demolition of the present Auto Repair and MOT facility. 

    The RPWBRA has put in an objection to the whole of this application, which can be read on our website. 

    Our grounds for objection, submitted by Jerry Cuthbert may be read here, are that this site is not suitable for residential development, has poor air quality and noise pollution, is not well served by public transport, and is in a flood plain. 

    It is supposed to be used for employment. It is also out of keeping with the local street scene, which is of 2 and 3 storey buildings.  

    The applicants had withdrawn a previous application (20/P1688) for a 7-storey building with 20 flats. 

    THAMES WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN 

    An important consultation is taking place throughout the Thames Water area. It is the largest UK water and wastewater service company, dealing primarily with the south-east region. 

    The information and online survey (which closes on 21st March 2023) can be accessed at https://thames-wrmp.co.uk/ 

    PREVENTING CAR THEFTS 

    Click here to read the article about a resident’s problems with car thefts and the police advice to keep vehicles safe from theft. 

    Wishing you all a happy 2023

    John Elvidge

     

  • 208-212 Burlington Road, 22/P3479

    January 2023   There is a new planning application, 22/P3479, that has been submitted to build a block of flats on the site of the car service and repair premises in Burlington Road, near Shannon Corner. It is very similar to the previous application made in 2020, albeit this time for 6 storeys high, rather than the previous seven. Our Association has submitted an objection, as follows:

    Application reference number: 22/P3479

    My name: Jerry Cuthbert on behalf of the Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents’ Association (RPWBRA)

    RPWBRA address:  Residents’ Pavilion, 129 Grand Drive, SW20 9LY

    Planning application description: 208 - 212 Burlington Road New Malden KT3 4NP

    Demolition of existing buildings and construction of part four and part six storey building to create 16 new homes with ground floor commercial unit (use class e), together with parking, refuse storage, landscaping and associated works.

    Our comments:

    On behalf of the Committee of Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents Association (RPWBRA), I submit this OBJECTION to the above Planning application. 

    OVERVIEW

    At present, the Application Site is an Auto Repair and MOT facility, set back from the Burlington Road frontage. All the buildings on site would be demolished. 

    The basic scheme is to construct a block of flats, stepping from four up to six storeys in height, with a commercial unit, together with interior car parking and other utility spaces at ground floor level.  The location is described by Merton Council as a “scattered employment site” and is mainly a mix of light industrial and some retail use. Whatever the need for more homes, the application site is not one which could be deemed desirable for residential development. 

    The southern end of Burlington Road is NOT a normal residential area. A new six story building would hardly fit the local scene which is mainly of 2 or 3 storeys. The location is well known to have very poor air quality, with heavy traffic crawling along, often queuing all the way to the level crossing at West Barnes Lane. Also, the site is in a Flood Zone and Shannon Corner nearby suffers from flash flooding. 

    The location is not well served by public transport and the two railway stations are well beyond convenient walking distance. 

    The area is supposed to be an employment location. Whilst the applicant has incorporated commercial space at ground floor level, it is not clear what this might be. We observe that, with the decline of the high street, there are many similar spaces in the Merton that are unoccupied. It is highly likely therefore that current employment numbers would be retained. 

    Additionally, there is a large electricity Sub Station next-door and the A3, with its noise and air pollution is close by. 

    Taking into consideration all the above we object to the proposals based on conflict with the relevant Planning Guidance as quoted.

    Merton Sites and Policies Plan, July 2014 (SPP) and

    Merton LDF Core Planning Strategy July 2011 (CPS) 

    DESIGN

    The building would fail to relate positively and appropriately to the scale, density, proportions and height to development in the nearby area and would fail to protect nearby resident (in particular, in Barnard Gardens) from visual intrusion in conflict with Policies DM D 1 and DM D 2

    SPP and Policy 14 CPS. 

    This is illustrated in the Applicant’s Design and Access Statement, on pages 50 and 51. 

    Additionally, some nearby buildings will suffer significant loss of daylight. In particular, the Applicant’s Daylight Report shows that 214 Burlington Road would suffer average loss of 22% in Vertical Sky Component (VSC) and, similarly, 32 Barnard Gardens a 10% loss. (Applicant’s Daylight Report, page 16) 

    FLOODING RISK

    The application site is within the fluvial flood zone and therefore at risk of flooding. The whole of the area around Shannon Corner is one of the lowest points of West Barnes Ward in terms of height above sea level. Shannon Corner suffered flash flooding as recently as 25 July 2021. 

    As a scheme for residential use, under the Planning Guidance regulations, there is a requirement for the applicant to apply a Sequential Test (to find an alternative site NOT in a flood zone) There is no evidence of this having been done. 

    We submit that the site is clearly unsuitable for housing development and, consequently, is in conflict with Policy CS 16 CPS and Policy DM F   SPP. 

    LOCAL EMPLOYMENT

    In terms of land use designation, the site is classified as a Scattered Employment Location.  The applicant has suggested that the ground floor of the block would be a commercial unit. However, there is no evidence of what type of shop this would be or whether (as seems very probable) employment numbers would be protected let alone increased. 

    We submit that the proposal  would conflict with Policy DM E 3 SPP.  

    PUBLIC TRANSPORT ASPECT

    The site is not well served by the local bus network and is beyond reasonable walking distance of both Raynes Park and Motspur Park Railway Stations. In consequence the site is deemed as having a low Public Transport Accessibility Level (PTAL) rating of between 2 and 3, on a scale from 1 the poorest to 6 b at the best. 

    We submit that the scheme would be in conflict with Policy DM D 2 SPP. 

    CLIMATE CHANGE

    The London Borough of Merton has declared a climate change emergency and has published its Climate Strategy and Action Plan. It is therefore very disappointing to note that the applicant is unable to come up with a carbon neutral design. We note that the applicant proposes 30-year carbon emissions totalling 342 tonnes of CO2. This it seeks to offset by means of a £35,302 payment, in recognition of its failure to achieve a carbon neutral design. 

    ENVIRONMENT

    In the light of earlier applications in the area it has been clearly established that the application site has very poor air quality. This arises from the heavy traffic on the A3, around Shannon Corner and along Burlington Road. We submit that this is not a suitable location for families to live and the proposals conflict with the broad aims of Policy DM D 2 of the Sites and Policies Plan. 

    CORE PLANNING STRATEGY POLICY CS 14

    This policy states that “All development s need to be designed in order to respect, reinforce and enhance the local character of  the area in which it is located. 

    We submit this application fails this test. 

    On behalf of the RP&WBRA for all the reasons outlined above I urge the Planning Applications Committee to REFUSE this application. 

    Jerry Cuthbert, Committee Member,

    On behalf of Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents’ Association

     

     

  • 22/P3021 82-86 Bushey Road

    The RPWBRA is not opposed to this development but feel that there are ways in which it could be substantially improved.  

    At the open meeting, residents raised several issues with us:

    i) It was felt that it would be good to have some residential development on the site.  This would be best placed at the rear, facing onto Bodnant Gardens.  

    ii) Several people felt that the proposal would result in increased congestion on Bushey Road (A298), possibly with tailbacks onto the A3.  

    iii) Residents in Bodnant Gardens will be facing large grey monolithic walls so we  have suggested that they could have varied textures, colours or have green walls.  

    The RPWBRA's Letter to the Merton Planning Officer may be read here.

  • Chairman's Blog - Dec 2022

    A SUCCESSFUL OPEN MEETING 

    On 8th November we held a very enjoyable and instructive Open Meeting, with refreshments, in the West Barnes Library.   

    Councillor Natasha Irons and Council Officer Charlie Baker spoke to us about the consultation regarding street cleaning and waste collection, as the Council has given formal notice to Veolia that their present contract will not be renewed after 2025. 

    John Townsend (Treasurer) then gave a helpful update about the state of the RPWBRA’s finances, with both the Pavilion and the Main accounts in a healthy state. This was followed by confirmation from Dick Coleman (Advertising Manager) that the income from adverts was steadily increasing.

    BELLWAY/LESSA/MEADOWVIEW Planning Application: 22/P2351

    As Chair, I then led discussion about the RPWBRA’s continuing efforts to combat the planning committee’s decision to grant permission to build 107 dwellings on the LESSA site in Meadowview Road off Grand Drive. We have now put in an objection to the Secretary of State, Michael Gove, which you can read here,

    DAVID LLOYD                                    Planning App 22/P3054

    Jerry Cuthbert then addressed the issue of an application by David Lloyd for the erection of an Open Sided Cover for Padel Tennis Courts.

    Details of the RPWBRA concerns may be read on this link: here.

    82-86 BUSHEY ROAD                           Planning App 22/P3021 

    Whilst the RPWBRA is not opposing the development, Mary-Jane Jeanes explained that there were aspects of the plan which could be improved.

    Further details click, 22/P3021 82-86 Bushey Road

    REDROW/TESCO

    Work in Progress, 456 apartments

    Michael Marks spoke about the demolition work in progress at the Tesco site. Since the meeting we have heard that Redrow have sold the site to Barratt London. Barratts state that work on the main site will start next February, with the first of the flats being delivered in June 2024 and completion of the whole 456 expected by June 2025.  They are calling the development Wimbledon Reach.

    Last, but very much not least, we heard from RPWBRA member Toby Ewin, who is Chair of the excellent Friends of West Barnes Library and helped to set up the very welcoming meeting.  He spoke briefly about the WB Library and its forthcoming anniversary, then both he and Clare Townsend spoke about factors affecting both Raynes Park and West Barnes libraries.

    PARTY FOR VOLUNTEERS

    In early December we are holding an afternoon Christmas party for our many RPWBRA volunteers as a thank you to them. It will be held in the Residents’ Pavilion. It is the first time that we have been able to hold it, owing to Covid, for 3 years.

    It cannot be repeated often enough that the Association, now over 90 years old, is entirely dependent on the hard work and good will of a large number of volunteers, who give freely of their time and energy to act as our Area Co-Ordinators and Road Stewards, to run the Pavilion, and to serve as our Committee.

    We wish you all a very Happy Christmas, and hope that 2023 will bring you everything that you wish for.             John Elvidge, Chairman  

     

  • Application 22/P3054 - David Lloyd

    Planning Application 22/P3054E for a new ten metres high canopy at the David Lloyd Centre. 

    At our recent Open Meeting of our Association, which took place on 8 November in West Barnes Library, one of the matters discussed was the planning application for a new canopy to cover outside tennis courts at the David Lloyd centre, overlooking Prince George’s Playing Fields (PGPF). Several concerns were expressed by those present, especially as PGPF are categorised both as Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) and as an area of Site of Importance for Nature (SINC).   

    These concerns included, Visual Impact, Light Pollution and Advertising. 

    Also, there are special planning policies that apply to proposals for developments in proximity to MOL and SINCs, Consequently, it was decided that the Association should submit an objection to this planning application. 

    Our objection may be read here. 

    Jerry Cuthbert – Committee Member

  • Merton's Survey - Street Cleaning & Refuse Collection

    As residents may be aware, the council, alongside its partners in the South London Waste Partnership (SLWP)) comprising Croydon, Kingston, Merton & Sutton, will not be renewing its contract with VEOLIA when the current contract ends. There will be no changes yet, but Councillor Natasha Irons, on behalf of the Council, wishes to involve as many residents as possible in a borough-wide survey. Full details may be found here .

    Also, in person meetings are being arranged in various parts of the borough, details to be confirmed. We are hoping that a representative will be able to attend our Open Meeting, 8/11/22 at West Barnes Library, 7.30pm.

     

  • Cost of Living Concerns

    There is no doubt that many residents will be concerned about the spiralling cost of living.

    Most people have already made plans to “cut down” on heating, on various treats, on expensive outings and so on. However, for many families, already finding it hard to cope financially, the future months are a time of great worry.

    Merton Councilhas listed some organisations who provide advice and assistance:

    Merton Growbaby (forfamilies with children under 5 years old) Help with milk formula, wipes, nappies,

    020 8544 0126 or email mertongrowbaby@gmail.com

    Wimbledon Guild, 30/32 Worple Road, SW19 4EF, Mon-Fri, 9.00am – 5.00pm, one-off emergency grants for gas, electricity, school uniforms etc.,to apply: 020 8946 0735 or welfare@wimbledonguild.co.uk

    Age UK (advice re: benefits) 020 8648 5792 or advice@ageukmerton.org.uk

    Dons Local Action Group, emergency food parcels, 020 3301 4511 or email info@donslocalaction.org

    Merton’s Community Fridge, Morden Baptist Church, Crown Lane, SM4 5BL, Open Weds, 4.30 – 6.00pm & Thurs 1.30 – 3.00pm, email: communityfridge@sustainablemerton.org

    All the organisations listed here rely on our support, so we can either help our close neighbours with advice and practical support or we can donate food, household and other essential items, money and/or our time to the local organisations.

    The Merton Community Hubis a focal point for support and advises residents (or those supporting them) to call 020 8066 4086 for advice re: shopping, finance, loneliness, support to remain independent, physical and mental health. It liaises with various centres to ensure the correct support is offered. 

  • Chairman's Blog - Nov 2022

    LESSA DEVELOPMENT: PLANNING COMMITTEE U-TURN ON LESSA

    On 22 September the Council’s planning committee granted permission to Bellway Homes to build 107 units of accommodation on the LESSA sports ground. Bellway made this third application within 2 weeks of the official refusal by the same committee of their second application to build the same number of houses and flats. They lodged it in early August during the school holidays knowing that this would give very limited time for objections. Even so well over 100 residents did object.

    The decision was passed by a vote of 6 to 4. The earlier decision was refused by 6 votes to 4, with a slightly different membership.

    The only differences between the two applications were a small extra area for hard play, which, of course, had the effect of cramming buildings even more, and a promise of paying the council over 1 million pounds to improve other sports grounds. Sport England objected strongly to both applications.

    We residents argued that the application was an abuse of process and illegal, being in effect the same application and designed to wear down our resilience. Unfortunately, the council officers did not agree.  They also recommended approval of the scheme, despite the very recent committee decision to the contrary. We argued that case law required consistent decisions.

    We have made an application to the Council under the Freedom of Information Act asking for sight of any and all correspondence and discussions that may have been held between the developers and council members and/or officials between the dates of the two meetings.

    Sport England and the England and Wales Cricket Board supported the application by a Consortium of adult and junior cricket clubs, as well as a junior school, to build a pavilion and play sport there, with extensive use for the public at large.  The scheme was accepted by them to be financially viable.

    Under the planning designation for the ground, it was for Bellway to prove that the scheme was notfinancially viable, not for the sporting bodies to prove that it was. The developers completely failed to prove this.

    Despite the previous committee decision, the council did not arrange any meetings with the Consortium from June until just before the 22 September. We have formally asked the Chief Executive why not?  In addition, a representative of the Consortium had applied in time to speak at the meeting, but his application was not properly processed by the council, and he was refused permission to speak. We have strongly complained to the Chief Executive.

    The councillors who voted in favour said expressly that they prioritised the need for extra housing, including affordable housing, over the need for sports on a designated sports field. They took no notice of the permission granted on appeal to Redrow to build 456 flats on the Tesco site, of which 143 are “affordable”.  In our view they ignored the established planning designation for the ground, and dismissed the many objections made on flooding, and the extra pressures on local surgeries, schools, and roads.

    We believe that, as Sport England required, and with the help of Stephen Hammond MP, the decision has been called in by the Secretary of State.  We understand that he can make a final decision himself or refer it back to Merton.  He has embargoed any action on the decision until early December. We are urgently enquiring what process is followed by the Secretary of State, what information he will have, and whether residents need to make representations to him.

    John Elvidge

    Additional Information: Following our Open Meeting on 8 November 2022, our Chairman has now sent an email to the Secretary of State, which may be read here

  • Access for All - Motspur Park Stn

    ‘Access for All’ is Network Rail’s terminology for step-free access at many, if not ultimately all, stations in the rail network. Motspur Park Station was identified some while back as a deserving case, so it’s good to report that some progress is being made. Network Rail has now been granted prior approval by Merton Council to carry out extensive improvement works. 

    The plan is to provide 3 new lifts, a new (enclosed) footbridge and a new station building. You can look in detail at the proposals on the Council’s Planning database at https://tinyurl.com/2hyzd3z8. The schematic below shows the basic design from the Station Road entrance. 

    Currently, the timescale is to complete the work by Spring 2024. At some stage, we believe there may be a public exhibition and consultation on the design. When we have more information on this, we will of course let you know. 

    Dick Coleman

  • Flooding Survey 2023 - Pictures

    Flooding Survey Pictures

  • LBM Flooding Survey

    16 September 2022

    The London Borough of Merton is currently conducting an online Flooding Survey. It asks residents and businesses if they have been affected by flooding recently or in the past. This data will then form part of the data analysis for a “Section 19 Flood Investigation”. 

    The survey consists of an online series of questions, mostly with multiple choice responses. 

    It is focussed on individual residents’ and businesses’ experience of flooding events that have occurred at their homes and/or premises and then asks about the extent of the flood and any resulting damage. 

    Our Association is aware that there have been several local flooding events over the last few years, particularly in the West Barnes and Raynes Park wards. 

    One of the key questions the survey asks is for the exact date of a specific event. 

     

     

    The following dates may trigger your memory. 

    • Monday, 12 July 2021
    • Monday, 24 August 2020
    • Thursday, 23 June 2016 (Brexit Referendum Day)

    The final question seeks any further descriptive information in the form of text up to 2,000 characters. We suggest that respondents may wish to consider and draft their response to this final question first, and then copy and paste it into the final response box. 

    At the end of the survey questionnaire, you are also invited to email photos and videos to future.merton@merton.gov.uk .Presumably, you could also use this address to send in any other points you might wish to submit about flooding in your vicinity, without necessarily completing the whole questionnaire.

    We urge local residents and business owners in affected areas to respond to this survey, which is at: 

    https://consult.merton.gov.uk/kms/dmart.aspx?LoggingIn=tempVar&strTab=PublicDMart&noip=1 

    The whole survey takes about 10 minutes to complete. The closing date is 14 October 2022. 

    The RPWBRA is preparing its own response to this survey and would be pleased to receive members’ comments, photos and/or other information about flooding in our area. Please email rpwbra@rpwbresidents.org.uk 

  • [Cancelled] Members' Open Meeting, Monday, 12 Sept 2022

    *** OPEN MEETING CANCELLED ***

    Following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II we have cancelled the RPWBRA Open Meeting on 12 September 2022 at West Barnes Library.  We expect to publish a date soon for an Open Meeting later in the year.

     

     

    West Barnes Library, Station Road, KT3 6JF, from 7.30 to 9.30pm

     

    Do join us, everybody welcome, light refreshments provided 

     

    As our membership stretches from Cannon Hill Common to Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing Fields, (See Map), we are holding our September Open Meeting at the West Barnes Library and we hope that as many members as possible will join us. 

     

    The topics below have already been submitted for discussion: 

    ·         Continuing Lessa/Meadowview problem,
    ·         ULEZ,
    ·         The future of the RP & WB libraries,
    ·         Members’ use of the RPWBRA Pavilion,
    ·         The continuing work at the AELTC site,
    ·         The Grand Drive surface and traffic problems.   

    Please email our Secretary, at rpwbra@rpwbresidents.org.uk, if you would like a topic included.

     

     

     

  • Chairman's Blog - Sept 2022

    A green space, pledged for sport 

    Bellway Homes has made a third application to build 107 dwellings on the LESSA sports ground in Meadowview Road within weeks of the formal refusal by the Council of their second application. 

    This application was registered on 2nd August, with comments due back by the end of August. Obviously, they hoped in this way to minimise the 250 objections made to the second application.  

    This is another example of the breath-taking cynicism of this company, which has always refused to allow the continued use of the ground for sports, as the Planning Inspector decided in 2009/10 should happen. This was the basis on which Bellway bought the ground, and marketed the 44 homes they built.  

    The new application has the same number of proposed buildings, but squeezes in one extra small pitch, on the flood plain.  It does not address the basis of the Planning Committee’s decision, which was that the whole of the ground should be used for sports, and that there was no time limit for this to be done.  It does not overcome Merton’s planning guidance for the site, which is that it must be used for sport. 

    Bellway is still refusing to deal with the sporting consortium comprising an adult and a junior cricket club, and a junior school, which have made a viable proposal, which is supported by the ECB and Sport England. 

    We believe that this hurried application, which takes no account of the Council’s decision, is an abuse of the planning process. It takes up the time and efforts of the planning officers, and is a clear attempt to wear down the resilience of local residents.  

    We will be urging the Council, in our objections, to decline to determine it, on the basis that it is fundamentally the same application which has just been rejected. 

    The company has the right to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate within 6 months of the decision. They could have taken this option – and still can. 

    John Elvidge 

  • Help with Pensioners' Energy Bills

    Merton's Energy Bill Rebate for Pensioners in Council Tax Bands E to H 

    URGENT - Applications will close on 9 September at 5.00pm. 

    Merton Council have allocated approximately £400,000 to share between state pensioners living in households in council tax bands E to H. 

    The council have no easy way to identify state pensioners. So, if you received a state pension and live in a Band E to H home, you might be able to claim a grant to help with your energy bills. You can do this online at:

    https://www.merton.gov.uk/council-tax-benefits-and-housing/council-tax/energy-bill-rebate/discretionary 

    You’ll need to upload documentary evidence of your state pension. 

    If you are unable to apply online, please call Merton’s revenues team on 020 8274 5706 for help. 

    Applications will close on 9 September at 5.00pm

  • Bushey Road - Proposed 30 mph

    We have been notified that the council intends to change the Bushey Road speed limit (from the Martin Way intersection to the Grand Drive traffic lights) to 30mph. The limit was originally 40mph and this was considered too high. Despite a 2019 proposal to reduce it to 30mph, the limit was lowered to 20mph. 

    However, having consulted residents and other organisations – with the statutory consultation period due to end on 5th August - the council intends to impose a 30mph limit on the stretch, as there are no residential houses lining the road and it will join the rest of the  Bushey Road in having a 30mph limit. 

    There are crossings at either end of the stretch, and some residents in the Apostles area would like to see a further crossing installed midway. Safety issues are paramount, and the council has no intention of altering any other 20mph limits. 

    Michael Marks

  • Step Free Access - Raynes Park Stn?

    Report by Michael Marks (August 2022)

     

    A bid is being made to Network Rail and South Western Railway to secure step free access to platforms 3 & 4 at Raynes Park Station. 

     

    Due to the layout of the existing platforms, it is not easy to have a lift in the south entrance to the station up to the platforms. It is proposed to have a level access down the right of the existing ramp past the gate and have a lift which will have a stop on platform 2 and continue up to a new walkway over the railway and a lift down into the waiting room on platforms 3 & 4. 

     

    This idea is a bit cumbersome but for financial and logistical reasons it is the best solution. In common with the other local residents’ associations, we will be supporting this proposition. We will not hear if it is approved until Spring 2023 and it will not be built until 2029. 

     

    Over the years, many residents have contacted us about the difficult situation at Raynes Park and whilst we were delighted to hear that Motspur Park station had been included in the latest plans for improvement, we have shared these concerns about the steep ramps to platforms 1 & 2,  the dangerous gaps between the trains and platforms at certain points, and the “stairs only“ access to platforms 3 & 4.

     

    Residents, send your views to: 

    Railways For All Team,

    Department for Transport

    Great Minster House

    33 Horseferry Road

    SW1P 4DR

  • RPWBRA - Open Meeting 12 Sept 2022

    Our next Open Meeting will be on 12 September 2022 at: 

    West Barnes Library, Station Road, KT3 6JF, 7.30 – 9.30pm 

    Everyone welcome, Light refreshments provided 

    Dear Members, 

    Have Your Say! 

    We were pleased with the attendance at our last Open Meeting, the AGM held on 24th April, which took place in the Library Hall in Raynes Park. 

    As our membership stretches (roughly) from Cannon Hill Common to Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing Fields, we are holding our September Open Meeting at the WB Library and we hope that as many members as possible will join us. 

    After the temporary isolation of the pandemic years, these meetings provide a great opportunity to meet up with one another and to debate matters of local interest. 

    If you have a topic that you would like included, please contact us at rpwbra@rpwbresidents.org.uk

    John Elvidge

     

  • Chairman's Blog - August 2022

    SUMMER SOCIAL

    We were delighted to be able to hold a summer social event at the pavilion and grounds as a thank you to all the volunteers who work together to run the Residents’ Association. 

    Members of the Committee, the pavilion management group, the Area Coordinators and Road Stewards enjoyed a friendly get-together on a sunny Saturday afternoon. 

    The food, catered by Gostofino, was delicious and there was an opportunity for guests to play tennis! 

    It was the first “thank you” gathering we have been able to hold in three years because of the pandemic. 

    Some current and former councillors also attended. 

    Meanwhile, although Jill Truman, honorary President, was unable to join us on this occasion, we were delighted to welcome our honorary Vice-President, George Ferrier. 

    It is therefore, with great sadness, that we have since heard that George died a few weeks later. His funeral will take place on Monday 22nd August at 10.00am in Holy Cross Church. We send George’s family and friends our condolences.

    BELLWAY/MEADOWVIEW ALERT - BELLWAY SUBMIT NEW APPLICATION! 

    Although the Council’s Planning Committee refused the Bellway application to build 107 dwellings on the former LESSA sports ground, the company has the right to appeal to an independent Planning Inspector.   We do not know yet whether it will do so. However, if this happens it will be necessary to put in letters of objection again.  We will keep you informed. 

    Stop Press: Bellway have now submitted a new planning application, which is very similar to the one that was refused. So, we must all resubmit our objections for their new application: 22/P2351. 

    BUSHEY ROAD SPEED LIMIT 

    A speed limit of 20 mph was imposed on the dual carriageway section of Bushey Road, without any extensive public consultation.  This replaced the previous limit of 40 mph, which was probably too high, given that a large number of people cross the road from the Apostles area daily to get into Prince George’s Playing Fields - and children have to cross to reach the local primary schools such as Joseph Hood and St John Fisher. The Council is now trying to decide what the right limit should be, and the likelihood is that it will opt for 30 mph which would seem to be a sensible compromise. 

    Finally, whatever your summer plans, perhaps staying at home or travelling in the UK or abroad, we hope you have a relaxing, happy time!

    John Elvidge

  • RPHS Sports Days - July 2022

    Our Association received the following letter from Raynes Park High School, dated 28th June 2022:

     

    Dear Residents,

     

    Re: Raynes Park High School Sports Day(s) 2022

     

    I am writing to inform you of the upcoming sports days that we will be holding for our different year groups this year. These will be taking place at the Sports Ground on Westway Close. The dates and times for these events are shown below:

     

    Monday 11th July: 9am – 1pm

    Tuesday 12th July: 9am – 1pm

    Friday 15th July: 9am – 1pm

    Tuesday 19th July: 9am – 1pm *

     

    Please be aware that in order to successfully coordinate these events, we will require the use of a PA system during these times. We will ensure that only mandatory announcements are made in order to minimise any noise issues.

     

    These events are a fantastic opportunity for our wonderful students to showcase their hard work, dedication and sporting talents. I would like to take this opportunity to apologise for any disruption that this may cause and to thank you in advance for your understanding and support.

     

    Yours faithfully, 

    Mr J Sanderson

    Head of Physical Education   

    * Please also note that the Association has since been informed that the fourth Sports Day, scheduled for Tuesday, 19 July, has been postponed due to the current heatwave.

  • A Local Street Party - June 2022

    From one of our members ... 

    At the start of the first lockdown, the family who live opposite us made a rainbow and displayed it in their front window. We made a sign in reply, that read “Hey, we love your rainbow! Stay safe!” and were ashamed not to be able to put their names on it. In fact, we only knew the names of those living either side of us - everyone else just had a nickname. 

    Fast forward two years, and I’m pleased to be able to say that I’m on first-name terms with probably half of the 69 properties on the street. To think, it took a pandemic!  

    Our street party (held to celebrate both the Platinum Jubilee and Neighbourhood Watch Week) was attended by nearly 100 enthusiastic residents. I met neighbours I’d never even seen before, in seven years of living here! Many commented on how pleased they were to live on a street where such an event could be a success, and there was a real buzz in the air as people made connections and friendships. 

    I learned how to say hello in Tamil, which kids are learning to cycle without stabilisers, how best to tackle hay fever and aphids, that if you say you need a gazebo you get four, and that if you say you need some tables then a carpenter on your street kindly makes you one that’s 20ft long 

    Community takes effort to build and needs to include everyone. I’m so grateful to the neighbours who: 

    ·         surveyed all residents to get their views about closing the street for a party, 

    ·         arranged an online collection pot to cover necessary expenses (which raised more than £200 in small donations), 

    ·         completed tedious applications and risk assessments, 

    ·         leafleted every property to ensure those not on WhatsApp were included, 

    ·         displayed posters explaining the event, translated into some of the languages spoken on the street, 

    ·         distributed colouring and drawing sheets to all the children, who returned them once complete. Their artwork was then copied and five different designs were distributed to each house in the street. Residents displayed them in their front windows, turning the street into a gallery of artwork for the Jubilee, 

    ·         devised a scavenger hunt for families to do during the party, with things to find, riddles to solve, and questions to ask their neighbours so that we learned a little about each other, 

    ·         brought out their garden furniture, (or even built some specially) put it up and helped clear away, 

    ·         made delicious celebratory dishes from their culture and shared them so generously, 

    ·         uncomplainingly marshalled each end of the street in 45-minute shifts, or longer! 

    We’re going to try to keep the momentum going and neighbours are signing up to take part in the next Merton Garden Streets planting days www.sustainablemerton.org/ gardenstreets 

    Of course, everyone being tipsy on community spirit is the perfect opportunity to encourage neighbours to become members of the Residents’Association! Let’s keep finding ways to make lemonade out of that Pandemic lemon!

  • Raynes Park Water Fountain

    Outside the Coombe Lane entrance to Raynes Park Station, thanks to Thames Water and The Mayor of London one of more than a hundred drinking water fountains has been installed.

    The aim of this is to reduce the number of single-use plastic water bottles used in the capital and provide free access to healthy tap water. Please refill a reusable bottle rather than buying a single-use one.

    The Mayor and Thames Water have covered the cost of the fountains and their installation. They will be owned by Thames Water who will maintain and clean the fountains for at least 25  years. 

    Michael Marks, RPWBRA Secretary

     

     

    .

     

     

     

  • Raynes Park Railway Embankment

    Thanks to the Raynes Park Association, you may have noticed that over the last few years the overpowering advertising hoarding, which was hiding the railway embankment along Coombe Lane, opposite Boots, has been removed. More recently a new railing has now been installed and a lot of the overgrown bank has been cleared. It is their intention to have the terracing repaired and the ground planted with perennial plants, shrubs and spring bulbs, improving the appearance of the area for the enjoyment of the local community.

    Michael Marks, RPWBRA Secretary

     

     

     

     

    Request from Chris Larkman, Chair of the Apostles Residents’ Association 

    CALLING ALL RESIDENTS: WILL YOU HELP US TO IMPROVE THE RAILWAY EMBANKMENT IN RAYNES PARK? 

    We are looking for volunteers to help us create an attractive landscape on the embankment on the north of the railway at Raynes Park – the bit of land opposite Boots.  Network Rail has given permission to the Raynes Park Association to manage this embankment.  So we’re setting up the ‘Friends of Raynes Park’ to help dig over, plant, and look after the embankment.  Our work will make Raynes Park look great!  

  • Bellway application to Build on LESSA Sportsground

    The application by Bellway Homes to build 107 units of accommodation, including flats, on the former LESSA sports ground in Meadowview Road, off Grand Drive, was refused by the Planning Committee on 16th June.

    Previously ...

    Astonishingly, in view of the history of the ground, and all the representations made, the Council’s website states that it will come before the Committee with a recommendation from the Planning Officers that the scheme be approved.

    The vast majority of local residents have been incensed by this application, and will wish to attend the Committee in order to demonstrate to the Committee the need to refuse the application, despite the recommendation.  When the Redrow application to build 456 flats near Tesco’s came before the Committee with a similar recommendation for development, the Committee then was persuaded by the arguments and refused that application.

    We have set out the reasons why this application ought to be refused at length before in The Guide, and in previous leaflets to concerned householders.  In brief Bellway bought the sports ground, and were permitted to build the 44 houses and flats which now make up Meadowview Road, on the clear understanding that the rest of the ground would be used for junior sports. That was in 2009/10. The residents in Meadowview Road bought their properties on this basis.

    Since then, Bellway has cynically refused to entertain any idea of allowing sporting use of the ground, simply fencing it off, and awaiting its opportunity to make more profit from its purchase.

    Merton’s local plan for the site states that: “Sporting or community use of the whole site will have to be demonstrated as undeliverable before any other uses can be considered.”   There is a joint proposal by two local cricket clubs, and a junior school, which are very keen to use the whole ground for sports.  This proposal is fully funded, but has been dismissed out of hand by Bellway.

    Sport England in its comments on 11.3.22 objected to the application in strong terms. It also stated that should the Council be minded to grant planning permission for the development, it had to be referred to the Secretary of State. The England and Wales Cricket Board, and the Rugby Football Union are similarly opposed.

    The comments of Sport England can be read on the Council’s Planning Explorer, under reference number 21/P4063. This also contains the detailed objection to the application put in by our Residents’ Association. Unfortunately, the very many individual letters of objection cannot be viewed on line. Although we have repeatedly asked the Council to arrange for this.

    It is not clear at the moment on what grounds the Planning Officers are recommending approval, given the huge weight of arguments for refusal.  When we know this better, which is not likely to be until just before the date of the meeting, we shall, of course, attempt to let local people know. 

    John Elvidge

  • Chairman's Blog - April 2022

    THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

    We are holding our AGM on Tuesday 26th April at 7.30pm in the hall at Raynes Park Library. Entry is via the side entrance in Aston Road.

    It is the first one we have been able to hold since 3rd April 2019 owing to COVID 19 restrictions, so please make a special effort to come and hear what the Association has been doing and give us your views and comments.

    There will be a short summary from our police team about their work in our area and then our guest speaker Leonie Cooper, the London Assembly member for Merton and Wandsworth, will be leading discussion on a matter of local interest.

    I am pleased to tell you that Jill Truman, our Honorary President, will be present and will oversee the elections of officers for the coming year.

    We always welcome fresh blood to help run the Association, whether this is by becoming a road steward, an area coordinator, a committee member or a volunteer to help plan events and outings.

    BELLWAY APPLICATION TO BUILD ON THE MEADOWVIEW FIELD

    Many objections have been submitted in opposition to Bellway’s plans to build 107 units of accommodation on the former LESSA sports ground.

    Their previous application (which strangely has yet to be withdrawn or determined) was strongly opposed by Sport England and the present application has been referred to Sport England as a statutory committee. They have yet to comment but we are very hopeful that they will oppose this scheme.

    Merton’s planning committee will not be considering the application until the comment is received, and then the officers have to make a recommendation for approval or rejection. We expect that a large number of residents will want to be present for the planning meeting and we will let you know as soon as we can when this is going to be. The indications are that this will be after the local elections in May.

    WARNINGS FROM THE POLICE AND MERTON’S SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD BOARD

    The police are reminding everyone to be vigilant about opportunistic thefts arising from the high metal prices caused by the war in Ukraine. These include the theft of catalytic converters from cars and of metal, plant and equipment from buildings and building sites, street furniture and cabling. I would add that there must be an added danger, if petrol and diesel prices keep rising, of siphoning fuel from vehicles.

    John Elvidge

  • AGM - 26 April 2022

    Raynes Park & West Barnes Residents’ Association

    Annual General Meeting

    to be held on Tuesday 26th April 2022 at 7.30pm

    at Raynes Park Library Hall, SW20 8BA (Aston Road Entrance)

    Agenda

    1.     Welcome, Announcements, Apologies for Absence

    2.     Summary: the work of the Association since March 2019: John Elvidge

    3.     Treasurer’s Report: John Townsend

    4.     Election of Officers: Jill Truman, Hon President

    5.     Representatives from the local police force

    6.     GUEST SPEAKER: LEONIE COOPER, London Assembly Member for Merton and Wandsworth                                                  

    7.     Residents‘ concerns, ideas, queries – please email in advance at  rpwbra@outlook.com

    8.     AOB followed by LIGHT REFRESHMENTS

    We look forward to seeing you!

     

  • Raynes Park Community Forum - 2022

    The Raynes Park Community Forum holds open meetings four times a year, usually in Raynes Park Library. Community Forum meetings are for anyone with an interest in the local area. They are chaired by local councillors. Issues raised are referred to the responsible organisation to follow up and report back on how problems are resolved. The next meetings are planned for: 

    Tuesday 22 March 2022 – On Zoom

    Thursday 30 June 2022;

    Tuesday 20 September 2022;

    Wednesday 7 December 2022;

    Tuesday 25 April 2023 

    All meetings start at 7:15 p.m. 

    The agenda and more information are available by clicking here

  • Treasurer's Update; March 2022

    Thanks to our amazing Area Coordinators and Road Stewards we have achieved almost 90% of our expected subscriptions. Given the difficulties which we have all encountered since the beginning of the pandemic, this is very encouraging. 

    As we are now at the end of the financial year 21/22  I will be sending reminders to residents who have been receiving Guides but have not yet paid their annual membership sub of £3. 

    Many thanks to all the members who have paid – and extra thanks to the generous members who have added donations! The accounts will be audited as always by Brian Lewis Lavender and will be printed in the April Guide. 

    John Townsend, Treasurer RPWBRA

  • Grand Drive - Zoom Meeting with Council Officers

    FACT: A recent survey showed that Grand Drive is used by an average of 11,000 vehicles per day. The details can be accessed on: https://tinyurl.com/yckmy6eu. 

    GD residents have to contend with huge lorries illegally using the road as early as 5am.  The vibrations cause cracks in their properties and damage to pavements and the road surface. Over the past few years the volume of traffic has increased and the pollution levels have risen.  There is also an increased safety factor for pedestrians and cyclists. 

    On the last day of January, theRPWBRA held an extra committee Zoom meeting to raise the issue with council officials. RPWBRA Committee Members John Elvidge, John Townsend, Michael Marks, Clare Townsend, Dick Coleman, Jerry Cuthbert & Mary-Jane Jeanes joined with Grand Drive representatives Demetri Anastasiou, James Bushell, Lucy Bushell, Pepi Ferrari and Mark Nicholson, plus Cllr Hina Bokhari, with the intention of finding solutions through discussion with Chris Lee, Director of Environment and Regeneration and Paul McGarry, Head of Future Merton. 

    Representatives from the traffic police and London Lorry Control Scheme (LLCS) offered useful information but were unable to attend. 

    Demetri Anastasiou has written an expert summary of the GD problems (Click here), so it was no surprise that Paul McGarry’s presentation emphasised the difficulties involved in improving matters. 

    The LLCS rules that vehicles over 18 tonnes are not allowed in the zone Mon-Fri: 9.00pm - 7.00am or from 1.00pm on Saturdays to 7.00am on Mondays.  A map of the scheme can be found at https://lcspermits.com/#schememap 

    However, HGV operators are not obeying the LLCS rules and all types of vehicles are often breaking the 20mph limit. Unfortunately, the LLCS has only 5 Inspectors for the whole of London. However, they have been active in the area, issuing 124 penalty notices on GD, 67 on Martin Way and 768 on Bushey Road. 

    Important: a recent police speed check found that many local residents from the  roads surrounding GD were breaking the 20mph speed limit in Grand Drive. 

    The road surface has been inspected by the council and is currently ranked 135th out of 1167 roads in Merton for defectiveness, so they are not saying that it is in good condition, but that there are 134 roads with priority - and as we know, there is not a lot of money available for repairs. Demetri Anastasiou  pointed out that the sheer volume and weight of traffic on GD meant that it would continue to deteriorate more quickly than other roads. Suggestions from the meeting included more speed signs painted on the road and more electronic flashing signs for speeding cars. Currently, LLCS will only put signage up at the boundaries such as this one at Tolworth,

     

     

    but this should be reconsidered as GD is in the middle of a zone. 

    Chris Lee will also be writing to various companies in the borough reminding them of the restrictions. There is also talk of a zebra crossing near the  GD Surgery. 

    Referring to the traffic volume checks, Paul McGarry explained that the council have sensors measuring pollution and number of vehicles in each class using the road. It also counts cyclists and pedestrians. Details can be found at https://tinyurl.com/yckmy6eu.

    If HGV drivers need to make a journey in the controlled zone they are able to obtain a permit. Common users of these permits are supermarkets delivering daily fresh produce. Those of us in neighbouring roads benefit from essential and non-essential deliveries and we are all part of the problems and the solutions. We need to ensure that we ourselves keep to the speed limits, report worrying incidents and work together for the safety and wellbeing of our community.

    Michael Marks, Secretary RPWBRA

     

  • Chairman's Blog, March 2022

    BELLWAY APPLICATION TO BUILD ON THE LESSA SPORTS FIELD 

    The Association has put in a robust and detailed objection to the plans by Bellway Homes to build 107 dwellings on the former LESSA sports ground in Meadowview Road off Grand Drive.  You can see our objection here .

    We delivered 700 leaflets to the households closest to the ground, urging residents to respond by the revised deadline date of 16 February, with a copy to us, and are pleased to note that very many objections have been submitted. 

    Please note: although the deadline has passed, our experience is that the Council will accept and take later comments fully into account, given that it is highly unlikely that the application can be considered before summer at the earliest and that the statutory agencies have yet to be consulted. 

    The application is numbered 21/P4063, and anyone responding must give their name and address for the objection to be considered, although these will not be seen by the public at large.  We would remind Members to state clearly if they are objecting, and then give the reasons. 

    There was a previous application in 2020, which has not been withdrawn, and it is uncertain whether Bellway intends to proceed with this in some way or not. The previous application was for 89 dwellings and so Bellway is trying to maximise its profits even more by cramming in higher buildings.

    We have set out very clearly that any building on the site would be a breach of the decision by the Planning Inspector in 2010 to retain the field for sports, principally for juniors, when he granted permission for the 44 dwellings now built as an “enabling development”. 

    Any fresh building on the site would be a complete departure from official planning guidance.  

    Ever since it bought the land, Bellway has refused, in our view, to take up any offers by schools or sports clubs to use the ground as the Inspector intended.  There is now a fully costed scheme between two cricket clubs and a junior school, all of impeccable standing, which Bellway has turned down.  

    The previous Bellway planning application was objected to by Sport England and we fully expect that they will object also to the present application.   The previous application was also objected to by the Environmental Agency because of the risk of flooding. 

    The risk of flooding remains and we are aware that flash floods are occurring with ever more frequency in our area, and that the water and sewage drainage system is unable to cope. 

    Grand Drive is already saturated with traffic and we report here on the meeting held on 31 January with the relevant council officers and input from other agencies. Any new dwellings will put still more pressure on our schools and on our local GPs and dental practices which are barely able to cope now. And this application is on top of the permission granted last summer, on appeal from the Council’s refusal, to build 456 flats in 7 tower blocks at Tesco’s site. 

    The pandemic has emphasised how important it is to preserve our open spaces for recreation and sport and drainage. 

    It is absolutely vital that this application be refused.

    John Elvidge, Chairman RPWBRA

     

  • Thames Water - Flooding Roadshow

     The Holiday season is over and on the first working day of 2022 the road through Raynes Park was flooded.   

    As you may have seen on Wednesday 12 January, Thames Water parked a van on the forecourt outside Raynes Park Station for the purpose of discussing the flooding problems in the area.  

     

    A few councillors were in attendance together with the council’s communication officer. The council staff who are responsible for the gullies were not available and very few people had been notified of the event.

     

    Most gullies running along the edge of the road against the kerb in Merton are now cleaned by a small vehicle. This is a start, but they need to be cleared more thoroughly.

     

    The council appear to have stopped removing the leaves and dirt which go into the kerb drains. These drains link the road surface to the sewer below which is Thames Water’s responsibility.  

     

    The sewers were started late in the 19th Century and their capacity was not designed for what we route into them. Just keeping the gullies and drains clear will not solve the problem of the under capacity of the sewer pipes.  The infrastructure below ground needs to be brought in line with what is being built above ground.  

     

    IMPORTANT ADVICE: TELEPHONE CALLS ARE EFFECTIVE

     

    If a road or area floods please first call: 

     

     

    Thames Water 0800 316 9800

     

    to report it. A telephone call is much more effective than an email. Also call Merton Council to keep them informed.  

     

    https://tinyurl.com/5bd2w8rm  

    This link to Merton Council’s website has a useful page describing who to contact and their details.  

     

    https://tinyurl.com/5aw84rsw  

    Above is a link to Thames Water Questionnaire if you want to report flooding. There is a greater effect if you telephone Thames Water 0800 316 9800   

    RPWBRA CONCERNS - A Question for Thames Water 

    Why were only a small number of the local residents informed about the TW roadshow? Only a few roads were leafleted and the RPWBRA was not informed. It was only thanks to Chris Larkman from the Apostles Residents’ Association that we heard about the venture, but this was at very short notice and gave us no time to muster attendance.

    As a result, the photographs taken at the event show very few residents, mainly passing shoppers, whereas a properly advertised event with Council support would have seen a large, interested group of concerned residents who have been affected by the flooding issues for years.    

    The idea was a good one but the lack of publicity rendered it largely ineffective.

    Michael Marks - Secretary

  • Chairman's Blog - Feb 2022

    LOOKING FORWARD TO 2022

    As the days lengthen and green shoots appear in the ground, we can only hope that the worst days of the pandemic are over. We have been forced to close our social centre, the Pavilion, for most of the past two years, but gradually the Management Committee has been able to re-open it in a responsible and socially distanced way. 

    THE PAVILION CLUB AND MEMORIES OF ANDREA

    We are pleased that the very successful Pavilion Club founded by our honorary president Jill Truman and the late, much-missed Andrea Hannan for our older residents, has been able to re-start and will, when it is safe to do so, get back to full numbers for its weekly get-together.  Andrea sadly died, too young, a couple of years ago and a rose bush has been planted, in her daughter’s presence, in her memory. There is a plaque to commemorate her along the pathway to the Pavilion. We all miss her cheerful personality. 

    THANK-YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS

    It is a source of real pride that we have been able to keep in touch with our members by means of newsletters, Guides, the website and Nextdoor throughout the pandemic.

    The many volunteers who deliver The Guide deserve our thanks for carrying on doing so even through the worst days of semi-lockdown. 

    I particularly want to mention and thank those area co-ordinators and road stewards who have retired or moved away since the start of the pandemic: Zahra Hassan & Chris Quinby (Bushey), Marjorie Reynolds (Claremont), Yvonne Sharp (Elm Walk), Carol Hicks (Heath Drive), and Arthur Holden & Chris Hollingshead (Westway). We hope to see you at our next social function to thank you for your years of service. 

    Fortunately, we still have a large force of excellent volunteers – and we always like to hear from members who are able to take on some of the deliveries. 

    GRAND DRIVE TRAFFIC MEETING

    We are due to hold a meeting on 31 January (by Zoom) with Council officers, ward councillors, and residents in the area to try and work out an achievable scheme to control the various and many problems of traffic using Grand Drive.  There are too many lorries, sometimes overweight, and often using the road out of permitted hours. 

    They disturb sleep and cause vibrations and damage to local houses.  The road is clogged with too many vehicles in both rush hours.   Despite warning signs and the imposition of a 20mph limit, traffic often drives far too fast, without any consistent enforcement.

    We will report more on this matter on this website. 

    HOUSING

    The Mayor of London requires all the London boroughs to provide more housing, and Merton is due to complete its local plan, which will try to assimilate the extra numbers required. 

    It seems to me to be obvious that when many town centres are dying owing to the huge increase in internet shopping and shopping malls, that the emphasis should be on converting unused shops into residential accommodation. That, after all, was how town centres developed over many centuries, with shops next door to houses and flats. 

     It would make for more vibrant centres, cut down on traffic, and help to slow down the need to build ghastly high-rise developments such as that proposed on the Tesco site.

    Wishing all our members a happy and healthy 2022.                      John Elvidge

     

  • New Application 21/P4063 for 107 Dwellings at Meadowview Road

    Update 12 February 2022

    Bellway Homes has submitted a new planning application for the sports field at Meadowview Road:

    Application 21/P4063 is now on Merton's Planning Explorer, along with all the supporting documents. The application is for:

    Redevelopment of part of former LESSA sports ground, involving the erection of 107 dwellings, including affordable housing, associated landscaping, equipped children’s play area, multi-use games area, outdoor gym area and associated infrastructure, including flood mitigation, vehicular access and parking, plus the erection of 2 all-weather tennis courts with floodlighting, storage compound and parking.”

    For more details, search for 21/P4063 at:

    https://planning.merton.gov.uk/Northgate/PlanningExplorerAA/GeneralSearch.aspx

    Input the Application Number: 21/P4063 in the top box and then click "Search" at the bottom of the page.

    Then on the next page, click on the Application Number link 21/P4063 on the left

    Then on the next page click "View Related Documents".

    Comments, objections etc should be submitted to LBM Planning Dept. For your objection to be validate, you must state your name and address.

    Please send your comments in writing to:

    LBM Planning Department, Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, SM4 5DX or by email: planning.representations@merton.gov.uk with the application number,21/P4063, for the attention  the Case Officer, Tim Lipscomb and stating your name and address. The official closing date is now 16 February 2022.

    Request from Michael Marks: please send a copy of your comments or objections to rpwbra@outlook.com or marked for his attention care of: The Residents’ Pavilion, 129 Grand Drive, SW20 9LY as it is helpful to have this information.

    A big “thank you” to all our members and fellow residents who have submitted objections so far, especially those who have copied us in at rpwbra@outlook.com  .

    You can read the Association’s own submission here.

  • Thames Water Flooding Roadshow - 12 Jan 2022

     

    Although at very short notice, we have heard that Thames Water will be having a road-show outside Raynes Park Station on Wednesday 12 January 2022.

    You can read more Here

  • The Pavilion Club Returns

    The much-anticipated re-opening of the Pavilion Social Club for over 55s has taken place and is part of a tentative return to the activities, which were enjoyed before the shock of the pandemic. 

    Good company, refreshments and activities, such as Scrabble, are as popular (and competitive!) as ever. Why not come and join the fun every Thursday at the Residents’ Pavilion, 129 Grand Drive, SW20 9LY, from 2.00pm - 4.00pm? 

    The members would also appreciate help with setting up and clearing away – so if you have a little time to spare, do come along! 

    To enquire about joining the Pavilion Club, email rpwbra@outlook.com

    Once the club is fully up and running again there will be a full programme of invited speakers, outings and events.

    A friendly welcome awaits!

  • Grand Drive Traffic - Meeting Planned

    Following a meeting of the RPWBRA Committee on Tuesday 9th November, and in conjunction with a series of meetings held by the Grand Drive Action Group, the Association will be chairing a private meeting in January 2022 with representatives of the police, local government and other public servants involved with local traffic and roads.

    Using the meticulous research undertaken by Demetri Anastasiou as a basis for discussion, Michael Marks has already invited officials with responsibility for the worrying HGV developments, the speeding and the state of the road. James Bushell has also invited a representative of the Traffic Police. 

     

     

    We regret that it will not be able to run this as an open Meeting but would welcome your views (rpwbra@outlook.com) and will be leafleting Grand Drive and the adjoining roads for your views. 

    John Townsend

     

  • What's Happening to our Libraries?

    As a longstanding Library volunteer, I feel well-placed to question the sudden introduction of Card Access Technology at the four small branch libraries including Raynes Park and West Barnes. 

    Having weathered successfully the financial cutbacks imposed by the government upon local councils, Merton could until recently be seriously proud of its library provision. 

    However, the latest developments have taken many aback. On Monday 15th November I arrived at the Raynes Park library to run my regular story session.  A small notice (A4) had been pinned up explaining that the library can only be accessed between 9.30am and 1.00pm by use of a library card and pin number. On Saturdays and from 1.00pm the current rules apply. 

    Obviously, on this occasion the staff were present outside and were as helpful as ever, but I was surprised that neither I nor any other user had been forewarned of the imminent change. I checked the Merton site afterwards and there was no mention at that point of the new entry system.

    Nor had I received any email notice. 

    It makes sense to require members to have their cards with them, just as we need other cards for buses and tubes. It is free to join the library, so the new entrance system, once firmly in place, should not prove a barrier and will free up staff to deal with other matters within the library. 

    However, the change was brought in abruptly and is tied up with other more questionable cost-cutting issues.  The Head of Library Services, Anthony Hopkins,  explained to me that the intention is to save money by reducing the bill for Security Personnel – and that to compensate there will be more CCTV which can be accessed remotely to keep an eye on things. Help! 

    Let’s get this clear: the security officers at the Raynes Park and West Barnes Libraries are outstanding workers, who undertake willingly a range of tasks for which they are not paid. Also, without their presence there will be times when other staff will be on their own. Lone working? Is this the plan? 

    Following the pandemic (when, quite rightly, we were scarcely allowed in), libraries need to recover and move forward. This should be done safely and in cooperation with the community rather than through plans and schemes drawn up and implemented without our input or any consensus. 

    Clare Townsend 

     

  • Our Secretary's Round-Up, Dec 2021

    Usually at this time of the year we all look back and review the last year.

    I like to look forward and look at how events may or may not proceed. 

    The planning applications re: several sites in the area are still ongoing. The field in MeadowviewRoad is still in question, will it be housing or a sports field? There is no date set for the Planning Application Committee to decide so there must be background discussions taking place. 

    Despite objections, permission has been granted for nine units along the south side of Wyke Road but with conditions. We will have to see if the developer is able to meet the various constraints and regulations. 

    The garages at 38 Crossway were originally to be knocked down and eighteen flats built, but after the developer did a local consultation the plans for the site have been changed to a more suitable seven houses. There is no date set for the council decision and local residents will be aware that the Environment Agency is trying to verify the routes the local rivers take around the location.   

    The plans for a house to be built behind 274-320 Cannon Hill Lane has a recommendation to refuse permission but the planning Application Committee has not been given a date to confirm this. 

    In the Chairman’s Blog in December 2021, John Elvidge reminds us that Redrow have won their appeal for the development to go ahead on the Tesco Car Park but there is a glimmer of hope as there have been several articles in the news saying that Redrow are no longer wanting to build high intensity inner city developments as this is not where people want to live after the pandemic.

    If a reduction in the HGV traffic on Grand Drive is made possible, the next move will be to slow the traffic in Westway, especially the one-way section. 

    As we all try and protect the environment, the way we travel is going to change. We will have to find a way e-scooters can use our roads. Electric cars will need charging so more of our street furniture will have to be adapted. We will also have to allow for a recharging stop on long distance journeys. 

    Our working habits have changed and are still changing, which in turn is going to affect the local area. We are going to want more from our parks and open spaces, local commerce will have to adapt. I am sure that in the future new houses will be built with secure boxes to take deliveries while we are out. 2022 has plenty of opportunity for us all. 

    Happy holidays!

    Michael Marks (RPWBRA Secretary)

    rpwbra@outlook.com

  • Chairman's Blog - Dec 2021

    We all hope that this year, for the first time in two years, we will be able to travel and to enjoy Christmas and New Year with our family and friends.

    We are sorry that we are unable, for the second year running, to host our regular thankyou party for our many volunteers who help to keep the Residents’ Association running. The continued threat of Covid infections makes it unwise to invite large groups of people to celebrate in the Pavilion.

    So, instead, a huge thank you to all our Area Co-Ordinators and Road Stewards for your hard work throughout the year, and, of course, to all our Committee members and to the members of the Pavilion Management Group who do so much behind the scenes.

    We do hope that by the summer the threat of major transmission of the disease will have eased, so that we can have a great celebration.

    HIGHS AND LOWS IN A BUSY YEAR

    TESCO/REDROW DEVELOPMENT

    As you know, this time last year we were gearing up for the planning appeal against the Council’s decision to refuse the application by Redrow Homes to build 456 flats in 7 tower blocks up to 15 stories high in Burlington Road.  This was heard by a Planning Inspector remotely over Zoom, and the Association was a full party. She heard 8 days of evidence before Christmas and another 3 in the new year, and it concluded on 13 January. There was then silence until she finally produced her report at the end of June. We were all devastated that she decided to allow the appeal and let the development go forward.

     The reason she gave in her 34 page report was that the provision of new accommodation, some of which was “affordable” outweighed the major concerns of residents as to visual intrusion, inadequate parking, and the lack of public facilities, such as health and school provision.

    RAYNES PARK VALE FOOTBALL CLUB PUBLIC ALCOHOL LICENCE

    We were successful however in opposing, together with many concerned local residents, the application to have a full alcohol licence at Raynes Park Vale FC on Prince George’s Playing Fields.  This was refused by the Council’s licensing committee, again held over Zoom.  The application was to permit the sale of alcohol to the public from morning until very late at night, and would have meant enormous disturbance to the many houses around the site.

    PRINCE GEORGE’S PLAYING FIELDS

    We were also successful, after a number of reminders to the Council, in getting it to enforce the planning conditions on these playing fields, which restrict the number of commercial activities which can take place during the year.

     GRAND DRIVE TRAFFIC

    We are arranging a meeting early in the New Year to try and control the number of over large vehicles that use Grand Drive, disturb the sleep of the residents, and cause structural damage to surrounding properties.    

    Finally, from all of us at the Association, we wish each and every one of you a peaceful and joyful Christmas and a very happy and healthy New Year.

    Best wishes to you all, John Elvidge

  • Floodlights at RPVFC take a dive

     

     

    For many of us living near the Raynes Park Vale FC ground, its floodlights are an ever-present visual fact of life. We are used to them, the lighting is not intrusive and they have appeared well-maintained. 

    However, an alarming event occurred in the night of 26th/27th September, when one of the lighting towers crashed over, coming to rest amazingly on top of a telephone pole. The subsequent “making safe” was a complicated operation involving a group of firefighters using ropes. It does not require much imagination to realise that this dangerous event could have caused a horrifying accident. We have contacted the Club for an update and will hopefully be able to reassure nearby residents and users of the field of the steps being taken to replace or secure the other floodlights.

  • Events at St Saviour's - November 2021

     

     

    Following the success of the Fun Afternoon, three more events are planned for parishioners and the local community this month. 

    Saturday 13th November

    Christmas Fair

    11.30am - 2.30pm 

    Fun, stalls & activities – plus an early visit from Father Christmas!

     

    Sunday 14th November

    Remembrance Sunday 

    Begins at 10.40am in the church followed by wreath laying at 10.55, then 2 minutes silence. Afterwards, named crosses will be planted in the garden around the memorial.

     

    Saturday 20th November

    100 Years On

    Re-dedication of the War Memorial 

    12 noon: doors open and there is an opportunity to look at various displays around the church. 

    2.00pm: the Service of Re-dedication

    will be followed by refreshments served until 4.00pm.

     

  • Design Panel Reviews LESSA Proposals

     

    20/P3237 Bellway's Application for Former LESSA Sports Ground in Meadowview Road 

     

    At short notice, our committee members, Clare Townsend and Michael Marks, managed to connect to Merton's Design Review Panel’s Zoom meeting, which included a section on Bellway's planning application for the Land at Meadowview Road (Former LESSA Sports Ground). 

     

    This was a meeting to discuss the design and layout of the buildings prior to the planning application being considered by the LBM Planning Committee. The developer’s architect put forward his latest version, which was for over 100 units, an increase on the original plan, as Merton Council said that the space should be more intensely filled. 

     

    The outcome from the Review Panel was a clear “NO”. They wanted a better design and layout of buildings, more communal areas, equal access to open spaces and a single road with less parking. 

     

    There was also some concern that the affordable section was of a gloomy design, out of kilter with the other dwellings. The architect will redesign the plans for this site and represent them. 

     

    An important fact was made clear by David Patterson – the land is clay so water will not soak away, so all plans for flood water must be of storage and positive discharge. 

     

    So, is it back to the drawing board for Bellway?

     

     

  • Chairman's Blog - November 2021

    ELECTORAL WARD CHANGES FOR MAY 2022 

    Changes are due to be made in the Raynes Park and West Barnes wards before the next Merton Council elections in May 2022 and these involve the Dundonald ward as well. 

    The current Dundonald Ward which stretches in a long line to Wimbledon  from Raynes Park  will be divided into two and the streets known as “The Apostles”, which are the 12 streets between Kingston Road and Bushey Road, and have some 1000 residents, are coming into Raynes Park Ward, which is a more natural home for them. 

    Our Association already represents part of Raynes Park, but these streets currently have a thriving Residents’ Association of their own, the Apostles Residents’ Association (ARA) chaired by Chris Larkman and this will continue. We intend to build a close relationship with the ARA. 

    We have many shared interests, including the preservation of Prince’s George’s Playing Fields. We were pleased to welcome Chris Larkman to our October committee meeting and will continue to forge links between the two associations.  

    The remaining part of the Dundonald ward will be amalgamated with the ward currently known as Trinity to form a new ward called Wimbledon Town and Dundonald. 

    The changes have by and large met with local approval. 

    PROPOSED CONSTITUENCY CHANGES 

    More contentious are the proposals for constituency changes before the next general election in the two Parliamentary seats of Wimbledon, and of Mitcham and Morden. The Parliamentary boundaries have not yet been decided. The Boundary Commission is still considering objections. The proposals are very unsatisfactory and both the current MPs, Stephen Hammond and Siobhan McDonough are opposing them.  They would mean that Merton residents would be divided between four different constituencies with differing health authorities.  It would undermine the whole point of dividing London into unitary authorities. Merton currently undertakes the whole range of services, including education, social welfare, planning, highways, and rubbish collection. 

    There is further information on our website here.

     BELLWAY AND THE FORMER LESSA SPORTS GROUND 

    Merton planners sent out a questionnaire to the various sports bodies which want to play junior sports on this ground off Meadowview Road in Grand Drive. 

    Their responses show that they have viable, well considered, and fully financed schemes which should be allowed to go ahead.  

    We await any response from Bellway to show why they should not take up these offers. In the meantime their present development application, first lodged in November last year, and which has seen various amendments since, is not going ahead for consideration by the Planning Committee. 

    John Elvidge

  • St Saviour War Memorial Rededication - 20 Nov

    WW1 MEMORIAL REDEDICATION  - 14.00 SATURDAY 20th NOVEMBER 2021 

    In November 2018 the 13th Wimbledon Scout Group was very involved with the development and launch of the Men of Raynes Park Exhibition. This launched an appeal to raise funds to re-carve the names of the 97 men from the Parish who died as a result of the Great War on the memorial in the church grounds. 

    The restoration was completed in November 2019, when the total cost of £23,500 was raised by community donations and pledges, including the Tesco and Waitrose Community Support Schemes. 

    We had planned to have a service of rededication in May 2020, but this was postponed because of Covid 19 lockdowns. Thankfully we are now able to look forward to this celebration in the continuing life of our Parish Church and the Community of Raynes Park. 

    Our War Memorial will be REDEDICATED ON THE CENTENARY OF THE FIRST DEDICATION 20th NOVEMBER 1921. 

    For the rededication event, an outdoor service will be taken around the memorial at 14.00, with the presence of the incoming Mayor of Merton, Stephen Hammond MP, and Ward Councillors. Representatives will be invited from our three large donors Young’s Brewery, Groundwork UK – Tesco Bags of Help team, and Waitrose. We hope to have Uniformed Groups, relatives of the named men, and the community planting the 97 named crosses in the memorial garden. 

    12.00 St Saviour’s Church will be open to view the original Men of Raynes Park Exhibition

    13.00 ‘The Story of the Raynes Park Memorial Restoration’

    13.30 ‘Wing Commander Frank Brock, Vice Admiral Sir Roger Keys and the Unveiling of the Raynes Park Memorial’

    14.00 Rededication Service outside by the War Memorial

  • Grand Drive Action!

    Report by John Townsend 

    A small group of residents met on 20th September 2021 and were joined by Councillor Bokhari and by chartered civil engineer Demetri Anastasiou,  whose comprehensive explanation of the Grand Drive issues may be read here 

    This local group, is seeking solutions to a range of ever worsening traffic problems in Grand Drive. Many of our members who live in other parts of our area will recognise the issues, but the complexity surrounding the Grand Drive problems is compounded by the mixed areas of responsibility - Merton Council, the Police, London Lorry Control, Transport for London - and neighbouring boroughs. 

    Ironically, whilst there appears to be a nationwide dearth of HGV drivers, for a combination of reasons including Brexit, the Grand Drive stretch appears to be accommodating more and more heavy goods vehicles and speeding delivery vans. 

    I have the greatest of respect for these drivers, who have difficult deadlines and who have kept our lives manageable throughout the pandemic with deliveries, waste disposal, essential maintenance etc., but the road, pavements and houses are suffering serious damage.

    ACTION: Our Association, in conjunction with our local councillors intends to hold a meeting bringing all the strands together and seeking a clear step by step solution from the relevant council officers, representatives of other traffic organisations and police. In order to achieve this turnout we may have to be patient! 

    The date and venue for this meeting will be arranged as soon as possible and we will invite members to send in questions.

    One of our members made a pertinent comment about a fine he received recently in Wimbledon. He inadvertently drove into the newly pedestrianised Russell Road, was caught on camera and received an automatic fine. Yet no one seems to have the money or the will to deal with the illegal use of Grand Drive! 

    Meanwhile, we are planning a discussion involving as many of the relevant authorities as possible for January 2022. It will be held under the joint auspices of our Association and the Grand Drive Action Group.

    John Townsend

     

     

     

  • Chairman's Blog - October '21

    METROPOLITAN OPEN LAND AND PRINCE GEORGE’S PLAYING FIELDS 

    Every few years Merton has to update its local plan.  It’s an important document which guides what can be built and where.  Jerry Cuthbert has made detailed responses on behalf of our residents, of which more may be read  here . 

    One of the most important things we have to protect is our open green spaces. We are lucky to have so many of them, and the highest protection we have against their being built over is the designation of Metropolitan Open Land (MOL). Prince George’s Playing Fields, which was such a godsend for people during the lockdowns, is protected in this way. 

    MOL is the London equivalent of the green belt and can only be developed in very exceptional circumstances.  However, part of the Fields was developed to build what is now the David Lloyd Centre under an exception relating to sporting use, and there were plans at one time to develop the rest of the Fields as a training centre for Wimbledon Football Club. 

    We always have to be vigilant to prevent further such suggestions, or else we will lose the open aspect and the right to public access, which the MOL designation aims to protect. That is why we have supported the Residents’ Associations around Wimbledon Park in their opposition to the plans by the All England Lawn Tennis Club to build a large show court and other buildings on the land they have bought from the Golf Club. This land is also MOL and has the added protection of a covenant against building which the Council imposed when it sold the freehold to the AELTC in 1993. 

    We fear that if the Council lifts this covenant and allows the plans of the AELTC to go ahead, it could do the same with Prince George’s.   It would set a really serious precedent. 

    Prince George’s is also protected by planning conditions imposed by the Council which provides that only 14 sales and 14 other events can be held there each year, and that cars are only permitted to use the Bushey Road and not the Grand Drive entrance.  This is to ensure that residents can use the Fields for general recreation for the large part of the time.

    We were concerned earlier this year that cars were being improperly allowed to use the Grand Drive entrance, causing major traffic chaos, and also that advertising hoarding indicated that the permitted number would be greatly exceeded. 

    We made repeated requests to the Council to enforce the conditions strictly.  Despite having no written response from the Council, it does appear though that Council officers have now spoken to the operators of the land to remind them of their responsibilities, and that they will limit the number of sales and other events they hold this year.  This is encouraging news. 

    We were also successful, with the great help of individual residents, in defeating the application for a public alcohol licence at Raynes Park Vale Football Club, which is also situated on Prince George’s. 

    John Elvidge, Chairman

  • Merton's Draft Local Plan

    In July 2021, the London Borough of Merton published its Draft Local Plan (DLP) for review and comment by the public. The various chapters and appendices of Merton’s DLP can be read or downloaded from Merton’s website at: 

    https://www.merton.gov.uk/planning-and-buildings/planning/local-plan/newlocalplan 

    Once adopted, the Local Plan will form the basis upon which future planning applications will be judged by Merton’s Planning Committee and Department. 

    The RPWBRA committee therefore made its own submission to Merton, comprising various comments, observations and recommendations. 

    A significant part of our area lies in a flood plain, as borne out by the flash flooding during the several heavy rain storms we’ve experience in the last two years, most recently in July 2021.

    In our comments to Merton we therefore stressed  that we expect Merton’s Local Plan to robustly promote and defend the following urban planning principles: 

    • Preservation of green spaces,
    • Use of sustainable urban drainage,
    • Proper maintenance of existing drainage, water courses and infrastructure,
    •  Preventing the loss of porous ground surfaces caused by all forms of development, across the complete spectrum, from minor private works to major developments.
    • Control of storm water run-off,
    • Protection of the natural environment,
    • Encouraging the planting of trees and vegetation,
    • The drive to Net-Zero Carbon. 

    Once Merton has finished preparing and consulting on a local plan, it must be submitted to the Secretary of State who will appoint a Planning Inspector to carry out an independent examination. 

    The Inspector will consider the evidence provided by Merton to support the plan and any representations which have been put forward by local people and other interested parties. Usually, the examination will include hearing sessions which are held in public. 

    At the end of the examination the Inspector will send a report to Merton recommending whether or not they can adopt the plan. In most cases the report will recommend some changes that are necessary to allow the plan to be adopted.. 

    This whole process is expected to be completed by Spring 2020.

    This Association's submission may be read here

     

  • Current Issues - Sept 2021

    38 CROSSWAY 

    The application 21/P2668 has been submitted to Merton Council and is on https://tinyurl.com/4cmtjbx2

    The last date for comments was 19th August but as there was no date for the application to be heard. I am sure that if you submitted a representation it will be read. 

    WESTWAY ONE-WAY SECTION 

    I have received complaints about speeding plus damage to cars and street furniture so have asked the councillors to investigate and find a solution.

     FLOODING

    The Raynes Park Forum (which includes councillors from several wards) has asked Thames Water to attend the next meeting on 16th September 2021 to discuss the local flooding. To attend the meeting, register for meeting alerts or find out more click on here

    PAVEMENT CONCERNS IN WEST BARNES LANE 

    A resident has drawn my attention to possible improvements to pavements in this area which may involve tarmac rather than replacement slabs. There are different expert views regarding the “concrete slabs versus tarmac” debate and I am awaiting a response from Merton Council about their intentions. 

    Please let me know of matters in which you feel the RPWBRA may be able to help and also remember to contact the local councillors. 

    Michael Marks,  RPWBRA Secretary

  • Sir Joseph Hood Mem. Playing Fields - Sept 2021

    Raynes Park Little League

    This popular award winning park suffered a temporary setback when an Australian Rules end of season extravaganza caused damage to the football pitches which had already been affected by the torrential downpours experienced by us all.

    There are three interested groups, the Raynes Park Little League (Saturdays), the Motspur Park Football Club (Sundays) and the out-of-season Australian Hawks. Unfortunately, the maintenance  firm Idverde,  had failed to liaise with the Hawks, and the pitches were unusable in the immediate aftermath.

    Fortunately for the eager youngsters preparing to participate in the forthcoming season, we believe that all will be well by the time the Little League season begins. This will be a huge relief to those fundraisers and volunteers who have worked so hard to establish and maintain the facilities.

    Meanwhile, excitingly, we hear that there are some spaces in the Little League teams, so if your sons and daughters would like to participate, do fill in the registration form here as soon as possible.

    There are opportunities for girls and boys aged 8 -13 in three age categories: 

    Bantams: School Years 3 & 4

    Juniors: School Years 5 & 6

    Seniors: School Years 7 & 8

    So do apply if your children are keen!

  • Chairman's Blog - Sept 2021

    LESSA (Meadowview) SPORTS GROUND 

    Bellway submitted a planning application some months ago to build 89 dwellings on the former LESSA sports ground. The developers had previously built houses and flats on the rest of the ground under a permission granted by a Planning Inspector on appeal in 2009. These now make up Meadowview Road, off Grand Drive.

    The Planning Inspector’s decision made clear that the rest of the ground was to be retained for sporting purposes, principally for junior sport. 

    Accordingly, the Council’s local plan states that residential development will only be permitted where sporting or community use has been demonstrated to be undeliverable.

    Bellway has refused for 10 years since this decision to discuss with the Residents’ Association potential sporting users of the site.

    Their application asserted that a sporting use of the site had been thoroughly explored and is undeliverable.  This was despite various sporting organisations having recently contacted them.

    When we learnt of Bellway’s intentions, we discovered that real expressions of interest and firm offers to use the whole ground for sports had been made by a cricket academy, a cricket club, a rugby club, and an established junior school. They were prepared to work together, to share the ground and build a pavilion, so that the ground could be used all the year, including during school holidays.

    We provided Sport England with this evidence, and they formally objected to the application. Since then there has been silence, and no-one knew what was happening to the application.

    We learnt this August that the Council’s Planning Officer is sending a questionnaire to the various sporting bodies which had contacted Bellway. The questionnaire is designed to “assist planning officers in better understanding the offers which may been made for use of the land”. It asks a number of detailed questions, and the answers have to be given within 21 days.

    We hope that the replies will make it clear that viable and long term use of the ground can be shown to be deliverable, so that the planning application can be rejected at the outset, as not being in accordance with the local plan.

    This is clearly the wish of all the local residents who replied to our leaflets a year ago, expressing outrage at the prospect of building on the rest of this ground, contrary to the decision of the Planning Inspector.  We take the view that Bellway have taken their major profit from their development, and should not be allowed to make a further profit at the expense of local sports interests and local people.

    John Elvidge, Chairman

  • Residents' Comments on 21/P2668

    Email from R & A Williams;    Subject: 38 Crossway Planning Application;     Date:18/08/2021

     

    Dear Merton Planning Team, 

    We welcome the opportunity to comment on the planning application in respect of the garages on Crossway to the rear of our house (9 Kingsway) - Planning Application 21/P2668. 

    Broadly we welcome suitable development on the site, and townhouses (albeit less than seven) would be an appropriate use of the site (subject to our comments below). We have a number of broad comments on the application which we believe should require the developer to give the proposal further thought and return with a corrected application. We then have a number of specific comments (particularly around height, overlooking, access and design) that we hope would be reflected in amendments to the design and/or planning conditions should Officers and the Council’s Planning Committee be minded to grant permission. 

    Given our comments we would welcome being kept updated on the progress of the application and, should the current application reach that stage, being able to speak at the Planning Committee. 

    Broad comments:

    • The Planning Application that has been submitted to the Council is incomplete and defective. This has potentially prevented a meaningful statutory consultation.
      • As noted to Planning Officers, the Energy Strategy Report includes materials which relate to a wholly different application (it is therefore unclear what other documents may contain errors). The Preliminary Contamination Risk Assessment (of particular importance given the age of the garages (asbestos?) and previous usage of the site) and Transport Statement listed in the Planning Statement, as far as we could see on Planning Explorer, have not been provided/made available.
      • The missing documentation would broadly reflect a rushed application which results in an inconsistent application – for example plans show, and the associated commentary argues (eg paragraphs 5.74 and 5.7.5 of the Planning Statement), that overlooking is mitigated by boundary trees when the Tree Survey states trees that provide a large proportion of that mitigation would be removed (eg the mature ash tree T022).
      • This is clearest in relation to the location of the Pyl Brook. The correct location appears to have been identified late in the process as part of the Flood Risk Assessment. Numerous parts of the application appear to have therefore been prepared on the basis of the incorrect location (eg paragraphs 2.3.4, 2.3.6 or 5.6.4 in the Planning Statement). Aside from the drainage and flooding management implications noted separately below, this highlights a number of parts of the application that are likely to need revisiting. These include:
        • The proposals for access to the site (both the road widening and pedestrian access) would involve demolishing what has now been identified as a Culvert Headwall for the Pyl Brook.
        • The plans including planting new trees over the culvert at the western end of the site without consideration for the structure of the culvert.
        • Surveys such as the Tree Survey have been carried out without full information – the culvert is merely noted as ‘undulating land’ despite the inherent root related issues.
      • We note that the planning application includes factually inaccurate and potentially misleading information about the location of neighbouring properties. The extension to our property (15/P2637) is not shown on either the site plans or sections. It would also appear that a number of other extensions for other properties have also not been reflected. This means the distances to neighbouring properties are materially understated and the angles used for assessing overlooking incorrect – the views expressed on potential mitigations are therefore based on flawed analysis.
      • We would note that despite the comment in 5.3.1 of the Planning Statement it would appear that a number of the garages are currently used for employment/commercial purposes (possibly a scaffolding firm?).
    • We are very concerned that the late identification of the true course of the Pyl Brook has both prevented meaningful consideration as part of preparing the planning application and means that no meaningful assessment by either Future Merton or the Environment Agency of the flood risk (and possible mitigations) for the site is possible at this stage. As discussed further below, it also highlights the need for the applicant to likely properly engage with the Environment Agency prior to making a revised application.
      • Current local flood risk assessments and the treatment of the land bordering Meadow Close and Kingsway is based on the previously inaccurate understanding of local drainage flows and water infrastructure. This needs proper consideration.
      • There would appear to be a right of access to the site for the Environment Agency. This is (surprisingly) not referenced on page 12 of the Design & Access Statement but is registered on the Title to the site (the April 1961 Deed in respect of drainage pre-dates statutory Local Government reorganisations which means those responsibilities now sit with the Environment Agency). Consideration of those access rights is clearly material to this application.
      • We would note that following a recommendation by Council Officers a previous application for the site was withdrawn for discussions with the Environment Agency (06/P2791). These discussions do not appear to have taken place and therefore we would suggest that Officers take a similar stance, particularly given the new information about the Pyl Brook. We’d note that the Environment Agency despite both their access rights and responsibility for the neighbouring Pyl Brook have not been consulted.
    • There is some uncertainty about the boundaries of the site and the planning application would appear to take advantage of that uncertainty in a manner which is potentially improper (the Design and Access Statement indicates the boundaries have (surprisingly) not been verified). This is likely to be an issue best resolved before the application is formally considered.
      • The site plans may have ‘pushed out’ the site boundary along a number of the edges – eg it appears the plans may go up to 1 metre further out along our nearest boundary than the Land Registry plan (SGL214496) for the site. This has practical implications in that the garden sizes described in paragraph 5.6.9 of the Planning Statement (already below the acceptable level for Units 6 & 7) are likely to in practice be even smaller than suggested.
      • While the vast majority of the site has a single title (SGL214496) the proposals would include (as part of the access) part of the land owned by London Power Networks (SY26227) – some of that land was previously transferred but the substation and (more importantly for this application) part of the roadway were retained. We are unclear how planning conditions for the development might apply across multiple pieces of land with unrelated owners (particularly where one owner is not a party to the application and would appear not to have been consulted).
      • The Tree Survey states that tree T022 would be removed – this tree is not part of the site and is sited on land owned by others (likely the Environment Agency).

    Specific comments:

    • Height and scale. The houses are materially and inappropriately higher than neighbouring properties and out of character with the local area. As per page 16 of the Design & Access Statement they are in fact closer in height to the previously proposed four storey blocks of flats. While recognising the developer’s preference to maximise head height throughout the second floors of the houses, a reduction in the roofline to match that of surrounding properties would be more appropriate. The poor size of the habitable rooms and usable gardens, together with the overall bulk and massing might be more appropriate if there were only two houses sited on the current three house Type B footprint.
    • Overlooking. The previous consultation by the developers was at pains to note that none of the proposed flats would have windows overlooking neighbouring homes and gardens. It is therefore deeply disappointing that the current proposals withdraw that concession and ignore local feedback. As noted above, the defective site plans and proposals in respect of trees make this problem more pronounced than the application would imply. We would be overlooked into both our house and garden, with direct line of sight at first and second floor levels (we would of course also overlook them). If you are not minded to refuse permission and the applicant is not minded to reconsider their proposals, we’d ask for requirements for smaller windows and much wider use of obscured glazing (at both first and second floor levels) for the Type B houses where they overlook Kingsway, including specific Planning Conditions that the glazing cannot subsequently be replaced with non-obscured glazing without Council consent.
    • Design. Strong red brick work, zinc roofs and floor to ceiling windows throughout does not reflect the character and vernacular of the local area (despite the strange suggestion that the design proposed reflects the previous garage use of the site). We would suggest the applicant be required to rethink how they might better reflect the character of the local area (primarily a mix of duller brick, rendering, smaller windows and tiled roofs).
    • Security. The current gated nature of the site provides a significant element of security to rear gardens which border it. Despite the loss of security we recognise that it would inappropriate for the new houses to be a gated development. We’d ask therefore at a minimum, that in addition to new border fencing, the access off the site to the garages at 11 & 15 Kingsway be required to be gated.
    • Trees. As noted above the tree survey work includes removal of at least one tree that is on land owned by someone else that provides significant screening to the site. We ask for further consideration of how the developer will retain the existing screens of trees around the site and replace any trees removed. We also ask that they be required to undertake additional planting on the boundaries of the site and that this be protected through Planning Conditions and TPOs as required (eg the Type B houses be required to have semi-mature trees transplanted to their rear gardens which then are protected from removal).
    • Site access. As noted above the current access proposals are unworkable in the context of the culvert headwall. It is also noted that the Design & Access statement doesn’t consider access to the site from Crossway (it only considered movement within the site). Vehicles larger than a normal car at present have to stop in the middle of Crossway and be reversed onto the site using a banksman. Those leaving have to nose out across the footway. It is unclear how even with possible widening of the access (noting the culvert point) the site would be accessible to waste, emergency and delivery vehicles. The narrow entrance is currently dangerous and the applicant at present has not offered an appropriate, suitable or safe solution.
    • Drainage management. The SuDS Report notes that the site currently slopes toward Crossway which drains surface water away from neighbouring properties. We’d ask that this slope be retained as a planning condition. The SuDs Report (pages 36 to 39) also notes at length that a significant and material regular maintenance programme would be required to ensure appropriate surface water drainage from the site. It is unclear how this would be ensured if the site passed into fragmented ownership. We would request that undertaking suitable maintenance be a planning condition, together with securing suitable insurances or an indemnity being provided should the maintenance work not be carried out as required. Similarly given the importance of the road surfaces on the site for surface water run off and flood risk we would also ask that permeable paving be a planning condition (which therefore relates to the London Power Networks ownership issue noted above).
    • Lighting. The site has previously had bright lighting which was a nuisance to neighbouring properties. The application does not propose to replace this which is welcome.
    • Design of photo-voltaic cells. The applicant proposes to install PV cells in the roofs of the type B houses facing Kingsway. This is a welcome proposal. However given the significant proportion of the roof area that they will cover their design and look should be subject to neighbour consultation and Officer approval as a planning condition.
    • Contamination. In the absence of the Contamination Risk Assessment it is difficult to offer a view but given the age of the garages (and therefore likely use of materials like asbestos) and previous use of the site there are likely to be issues. We’d ask for significant restrictions around this to protect residents.
    • Construction vehicle access. The Air Quality Assessment (page 31) indicates the possible removal of the width restriction to allow construction vehicle access. This would clearly be unacceptable. Given the difficulties in accessing the site noted above, particularly in the morning and evening peak when traffic is often stationary on Crossway and the footways heavily used by children travelling to school (eg St John Fisher), we’d ask for particularly narrow restrictions on the timings for access to the site.

    We apologise for the lengthy response but we trust it is helpful. As noted above this is a suitable site for development should the broad concerns be surmounted and an appropriate proposal be developed. Please do contact us should you have any questions,

     

  • Flash Floods - July 2021

    Mark Allison, the Leader of Merton Council has written to Thames Water demanding urgent action following the severe flooding which made the centre of Raynes Park impassable on Monday 12th July and also badly affected other roads in the neighbourhood. 

    We were first alerted by a local resident who sent photos taken in Grand Drive during the downpour and then a video revealing a half-submerged vehicle stranded under the railway arch. And this was just the beginning! 

    As our Association was founded in 1928 because of flooding issues, perhaps it is time for developers and planning departments to listen to our concerns about building proposals.

    Our thanks to Margaret Nally for these images.

     

     

    At the Raynes Park Community Forum, held on Zoom on 16 September 2021, we heard from representatives of MERTON COUNCIL, the ENVIRONMENT AGENCY and THAMES WATER about what they intend to do to improve the way in which storm water is handled in and around Raynes Park. It is rather perplexing that the responsibilities for surface water drainage are so confusing. However, they explained some of the actions being taken. These includes more frequent removal of silt from gullies and sewers and changing the way in which some of the local sewage pumping stations operate during storms. 

    It’s fair to say that many present at the meeting felt that “More Action” is required by the authorities, not just “Activity”. Nevertheless, residents were very appreciative that the representatives had taken the time and trouble to attend the Forum and had explained what is being planned to improve things. One important point is that Thames Water and the Environment Agency both now have emergency telephone numbers for reporting floods: 

    Thames Water: 0800 316 9800

    Environment Agency: 0800 807 060

  • Raynes Park Station - Steps to Remain

    In the wake of confirmation that Motspur Park Station is scheduled to have lifts installed (although no timescale has been confirmed as yet) campaigners for a similar facility for platforms 3 & 4 at Raynes Park Station had been hoping for a successful outcome. 

    Unfortunately, we have been informed by NETWORK RAIL that because of the atypical design and layout of Raynes Park Station, any attempt to install lifts would far exceed the budget of £3m-£4m which is set aside for such projects. 

    Therefore, because the station is described by NR as “a complex site”, those fighting for its inclusion in the step-free programme of improvements have to begin campaigning again for consideration in the 5 year plan starting in 2024. 

    A disappointing setback which residents will work to overcome.

  • Chairman's Blog - August 2021

    Residents will have been devastated to learn that the Redrow plans to build 7 tower blocks up to 15 stories high on the Tesco Extra car park site have been approved by the Planning Inspector. She was hearing an appeal by Redrow against the Council’s decision to refuse the application. 

    Our view is that it was open to her to dismiss the appeal, on the wealth of evidence provided by the Council’s excellent witnesses, individual residents, and by our Residents’ Association.  However, she decided, following 11 days of intensive evidence, a site visit, and some 6 months of deliberation, to allow Redrow’s appeal. 

    The reasons she gave in her 34 page judgment were to give priority on balance to the need for further accommodation, since the Council could not show that they had a 5 year supply of

     The Inspector took the view, despite our strenuous objections to the contrary, that the views of the buildings both close up and from a distance had only a “minor adverse impact” and would not be “harmful or out of place”. She also decided that the parking provision on site “would be acceptable”.  We did secure a condition that, if a Controlled Parking Zone had to be imposed on local streets because of the lack of parking for new residents, those residents (at least those who were not disabled) would not be able to apply for a permit in those streets. 

    She held that there was a clear distinction between this part of the Tesco site, which she said was ripe for regeneration, and had been an industrial area, and the 2-storey suburban housing on the other side of Burlington Road.  

    Of course, this will not be the end of the building in this area. We fully expect now that the developers will be back with yet further plans to build on the rest of the Tesco site, which will probably include knocking down the present Tesco store and building more towers blocks over and around it. 

    We regret very much that there is no way to challenge this decision. 

     John Elvidge

  • £3 Annual Subscription 2021

    As many of you will already know, the RPWBRA is a voluntary organisation without affiliations to any party political group. It was founded in 1927 to support the local community and has a thriving membership.

    The Association keeps an eye on local issues and planning applications, supporting residents whenever and wherever possible and appropriate.

    More than 60 volunteers distribute the RPWBRA magazine “The Guide” 11

    times a year and information can also be found on our website and RPWBRA next-door site. We are financed by members’ subscriptions and advertising. 

    The subscription for 2021/22 remains at the astonishingly

    low price of £3 per household per annum – an absolute bargain made possible by the work of all the volunteers, i.e. the Committee, the Pavilion Management Group and the Road Stewards. 

    WAYS TO PAY                                                                                 

    1.Directly to your road steward when s/he calls at your door.

      

    2. £3 by cash or cheque payable to RPWBRA in a clearly marked envelope through your steward’s door.

     

    3. BACS: direct bank payment RPWBRA, sort code 30-99-66, account number: 32070068 using your surname & road as reference.

     

    Please Note: we are phasing out Paypal. If you have already paid this way it is fine, but otherwise please pay using the one of the three methods listed. Thank you for your payments.

    John Townsend, Treasurer

  • Grand Drive Traffic - Report

    Report by  our member, Demetri Anastasiou, Chartered Civil Engineer 

    BACKGROUND

    Grand Drive is a designated “B” road. The official classification states: “B-roads are numbered distributor roads, which have lower traffic densities than main trunk roads or “A” roads. This classification has nothing to do with width or quality of the physical road, and “B” roads can range from dual carriageways to single track roads with passing places.” The definitive list of B roads was published on 1st April 1923, following consultations with local authorities. Government funding towards repairs of these roads was set at 60% for the former and 50% for the latter. This is where the problem originates as this classification has its origins in an Act passed nearly 100 years ago where the volume of traffic, the varying traffic mix and the operation requirements of theses B roads have changed dramatically over the years. 

    1.THE GEOMETRIC CHARACTERISTIC OF THE ROAD

    Grand Drive is approximately 1,800m from the traffic lights at Bushey Road (A298) to the roundabout at Tudor Drive. The road varies considerably in width particularly after the introduction of some traffic calming measures a few years ago.  

    Traffic Calming Measures

    These include the area around St John Fisher School, the mini-roundabout at Westway/ Southway and the traffic lights at Crossway and Cannon Hill  Lane. 

    Inclination of the Road & Speeding

    There is a huge inclination North to South of 8-10 metres up to a high point around 120 GD opposite Blenheim Road, with a significant drop of approximately 8 metres to Meadway Road, just after Elm Walk. 

    These characteristics inhibit drivers but also encourage them to accelerate up the hill towards the crest of the road then roll downhill, often exceeding the speed limit. 

    Going south to north, from the Crossway lights to the Bushey Road is a speeding section.

    Traffic Police have confirmed this behaviour. 

    This driving behaviour can only be corrected by appropriate, frequent warning & advisory traffic signs and random policing which is currently rare or non-existent. 

    2. VOLUME & MIX OF TRAFFIC 

     

    Many years ago, residential car traffic proliferated, peaking at certain times. Then, with the development of the Garth Road Amenities (Merton Refuse Centre, Garth Rd Refuse & Recycling Centre, Suez Recycling & Recovery UK facility) a huge number of 6-axle articulated lorries use the road for waste, recycling, dumping or loading and transporting away from the site. Additionally, the rental of Merton land for the B&T Plant hire LTD and similar operations have changed significantly the traffic mix on GD from cars to HGV lorries. 

    This change has been exacerbated by HGV through traffic from the A298 (Bushey Road) to A24 at Stonecot Hill and through Tudor Drive/ Sutton Common Rd to A217. 

    Also a key contributor to the traffic volume and speeding is the excessive use of the road by delivery vans (Amazon, DHL UPS, PDP, et al) 

    At certain hours of the day there is a continuous flow and abuse of the speed limits by workers’ vans and delivery vans. 

    3.  0PERATIONAL/USE/REQUIREMENTS/CHARACTERISTICS  

    There are restrictions in place from London Lorry Control Scheme which bans HGVs over 18 tonnes from using Grand Drive between 9 pm and 7 am on weekdays and 1 pm on Saturdays until the following Monday at 7 am. However, I can assure you categorically that HGV lorries do not adhere to this ban as Grand Drive has no traffic signs to advise/warn the HGV drivers and the road is not policed.  

    4.  TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT DEFICIENCIES 

    Current traffic management deficiencies and key omissions contributing to HGV unauthorised use and speeding are clearly the lack of any comprehensive traffic management in place other than Merton collecting money from offenders in two yellow box locations driving South to North on Grand Drive. There is serious lack of informative and traffic prohibiting signage for HGV usage exclusions and speed limit. There is a flashing speed limit sign on the ‘uphill’ from North to South which, as I explained before, the geomorphology of the ground and the road makes it difficult for the HGVs to speed contrary to the downhill segment where there are a couple of small 20 mph signs on lamp posts. Therefore, the wrong positioning of the electronic sign and small speed limiting signpost require an overall traffic management re-thinking and definite their repositioning. On two occasions recently the Traffic Police Unit checking traffic in both directions positioned at Heath Drive facing North confirmed that the road is inadequately signposted for speeding restrictions and HGV use.  

    5.  CONDITIONS OF THE ROAD SURFACE 

    Some of you might be aware of the efforts of the residents to persuade Merton to resurface Grand Drive. Eventually this was achieved, was accepted but only for a small segment. The road has not been maintained so it has deteriorated further ever since. The deterioration was exacerbated by the gas works when Conway were the BG contractor to reinstate the road. There was little supervision as it can be seen by the current condition of the road surface cracking and subsiding in many places. Clearly a very inferior and cheap work surprisingly accepted by the Roads & Streets Department of Merton Council!!!  

    6.         RECOMMENDATIONS 

    (i)   Firstly there is a need for an Automatic Traffic Measuring Device to be installed halfway along the 1,800m of Grand Drive. There are two cables on the road that include sensors to pick up the traffic volume and mix for a number of working days, identifying the traffic use.  

    (ii)  Large warning signs for HGV lorries prohibiting use of Grand Drive between 9 pm and 7 am on weekdays and from 1 pm on Saturdays until the following Monday at 7 am. These signs like those at the A3, warning about emission control zones, must be placed just after the A3/A298 flyover at the traffic lights between Bushey Road and Grand Drive on junction and equally approaching on A298 from the East.  Signage like this must be placed on the A24 and A217 junctions both ways with B279 at Stonecot Hill and Oldfield Road junctions.  

    (iii)   Merton Council (and possibly Traffic Police) to notify the main offenders of HGV use after hours and of speeding, which include  Veolia, Garth Road Reuse & Recycling Centre, SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK facility, B & T Plant Hire Ltd plus other smaller operations in the Garth Road area using HGV lorries and , unidentified skip lorries driving without load cover and the security chains free to sway and make noise hitting the skip container. 

    (iv)     Notify the following offenders (speeding) about the speed restrictions in the area: TfL for Bus route 163, Amazon, DPD, TNT, DHL delivery vans plus all grocery delivery vans.  

    (v)    Efficient and effective speed limit signposting: There is an urgent need to add more 20 mph sigh posts on the lamp posts in both North and South traffic flow directions.  

    (vi) Policing the road. The three days in the last year that a Met Police Road Traffic Unit was in the area significantly reduced the speeding of all traffic. Therefore, frequent spot checks will enhance the awareness of drivers. Again, this needs to be planned as twice the Police carried out the checks during or near peak times where congestion was evidence. The best time is during working mid-day and/or after evening rush hour. 

    (vii)      Improvement to the condition of the road surface of Grand Drive for its full length. It is worth pointing out that 4.3% of all the Tax collected in central Government by all taxpayers, including pensioners, goes for Transport improvements. A significant amount of the Council Tax in Merton should go to road maintenance and improvement. This is not evidenced anywhere in the Borough and with road, street and pavement works unsupervised so the Utilities - Water, Gas, Power Networks and Openreach have had a free hand..   Therefore, going forward, close supervision from the ‘Municipal Engineer’ of Merton Council is needed for all works remedial, improvements or new at Grand Drive. 

    A simplified guide about lorry weights and sizes may be read at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/211948/simplified-guide-to-lorry-types-and-weights.pdf

     

     

  • Opinions about E-Scooters

    Some of our members are very concerned about the dangers to pedestrians with reduced mobility - also those with buggies or in charge of toddlers - caused by adults and teenagers using the pavements on e-scooters and bikes. This is a serious and frightening issue for some residents and one which we must discuss with the Local Safer Neighbourhood Team. 

    Other residents, both motorists and cyclists, have expressed concerns about e-scooters emerging at speed from side roads or driveways, causing drivers and riders to brake suddenly or swerve. 

    However, other members also make the case for the greening effect of such forms of transportation, highlighting the potential benefits of e-scooters. 

    At present e-scooters are illegal to use, except on private land with permission, unless they are hired from approved rental companies in several trial areas of the country, including London, but NOT including Merton or its neighbouring boroughs. 

    On one hand we want people to stop using cars so much, for the sake of the planet, but on the other hand e-scooters are not deemed safe to use on the pavements and only on the roads as part of a controlled experiment. 

    Perhaps we need to let the advantages of this technology come into our lives? The more people who use them, the fewer will use cars or public transport. 

    Now, without speed limiters they would be a danger to pedestrians, but with speed limiters they could cause problems on the roads.  Should they  share the road with bicycles? Do we need rules, like NO passengers, NO pavement use and helmets should be worn? 

    Hopefully, some sensible rules will enable these scooters to be used legally and safely, leading towards a less-polluted future.

    What are your views?

     

  • Our Green Spaces

    As an association we fight constantly to ensure that residents have access within easy walk to pleasant green spaces. 

    At present we are working to ensure that the Lessa/Meadowview site is retained for sport, that the Prince George’s/Raynes Park Vale FC site is not compromised by “pub” conditions and that the land behind the houses 274 – 318 Cannon Hill Lane remains both a peaceful habitat for wildlife and a visual delight for those nearby. 

    We are all responsible for our surroundings and there are simple ways to contribute to the environment. 

    Litter

    Always take litter home and encourage youngsters to do so. 

    Fly tipping

    NEVER dispose of unwanted items carelessly and NEVER allow unlicensed operatives to remove your rubbish because you do not know where they will leave it. 

    Please email us your photos of our amazing parks and fields, to rpwbra@rpwbresidents.org.uk

    Clare Townsend

  • 21/P2668 - Proposals for 38 Crossway

    Update September 2021

    This proposed development is now the subject of Planning Application 21/P2668.

    Two residents have submitted comments on the application and copied them to our Association, as follows: 

    Email from R & A Williams;    Subject: 38 Crossway Planning Application;     Date:18/08/2021 

    Dear Merton Planning Team, 

    We welcome the opportunity to comment on the planning application in respect of the garages on Crossway to the rear of our house (9 Kingsway) - Planning Application 21/P2668. 

    Broadly we welcome suitable development on the site, and townhouses (albeit less than seven) would be an appropriate use of the site (subject to our comments below). We have a number of broad comments on the application which we believe should require the developer to give the proposal further thought and return with a corrected application. We then have a number of specific comments (particularly around height, overlooking, access and design) that we hope would be reflected in amendments to the design and/or planning conditions should Officers and the Council’s Planning Committee be minded to grant permission. 

    Given our comments we would welcome being kept updated on the progress of the application and, should the current application reach that stage, being able to speak at the Planning Committee. 

    Broad comments:

    • The Planning Application that has been submitted to the Council is incomplete and defective. This has potentially prevented a meaningful statutory consultation.
      • As noted to Planning Officers, the Energy Strategy Report includes materials which relate to a wholly different application (it is therefore unclear what other documents may contain errors). The Preliminary Contamination Risk Assessment (of particular importance given the age of the garages (asbestos?) and previous usage of the site) and Transport Statement listed in the Planning Statement, as far as we could see on Planning Explorer, have not been provided/made available.
      • The missing documentation would broadly reflect a rushed application which results in an inconsistent application – for example plans show, and the associated commentary argues (eg paragraphs 5.74 and 5.7.5 of the Planning Statement), that overlooking is mitigated by boundary trees when the Tree Survey states trees that provide a large proportion of that mitigation would be removed (eg the mature ash tree T022).
      • This is clearest in relation to the location of the Pyl Brook. The correct location appears to have been identified late in the process as part of the Flood Risk Assessment. Numerous parts of the application appear to have therefore been prepared on the basis of the incorrect location (eg paragraphs 2.3.4, 2.3.6 or 5.6.4 in the Planning Statement). Aside from the drainage and flooding management implications noted separately below, this highlights a number of parts of the application that are likely to need revisiting. These include:
        • The proposals for access to the site (both the road widening and pedestrian access) would involve demolishing what has now been identified as a Culvert Headwall for the Pyl Brook.
        • The plans including planting new trees over the culvert at the western end of the site without consideration for the structure of the culvert.
        • Surveys such as the Tree Survey have been carried out without full information – the culvert is merely noted as ‘undulating land’ despite the inherent root related issues.
      • We note that the planning application includes factually inaccurate and potentially misleading information about the location of neighbouring properties. The extension to our property (15/P2637) is not shown on either the site plans or sections. It would also appear that a number of other extensions for other properties have also not been reflected. This means the distances to neighbouring properties are materially understated and the angles used for assessing overlooking incorrect – the views expressed on potential mitigations are therefore based on flawed analysis.
      • We would note that despite the comment in 5.3.1 of the Planning Statement it would appear that a number of the garages are currently used for employment/commercial purposes (possibly a scaffolding firm?).
    • We are very concerned that the late identification of the true course of the Pyl Brook has both prevented meaningful consideration as part of preparing the planning application and means that no meaningful assessment by either Future Merton or the Environment Agency of the flood risk (and possible mitigations) for the site is possible at this stage. As discussed further below, it also highlights the need for the applicant to likely properly engage with the Environment Agency prior to making a revised application.
      • Current local flood risk assessments and the treatment of the land bordering Meadow Close and Kingsway is based on the previously inaccurate understanding of local drainage flows and water infrastructure. This needs proper consideration.
      • There would appear to be a right of access to the site for the Environment Agency. This is (surprisingly) not referenced on page 12 of the Design & Access Statement but is registered on the Title to the site (the April 1961 Deed in respect of drainage pre-dates statutory Local Government reorganisations which means those responsibilities now sit with the Environment Agency). Consideration of those access rights is clearly material to this application.
      • We would note that following a recommendation by Council Officers a previous application for the site was withdrawn for discussions with the Environment Agency (06/P2791). These discussions do not appear to have taken place and therefore we would suggest that Officers take a similar stance, particularly given the new information about the Pyl Brook. We’d note that the Environment Agency despite both their access rights and responsibility for the neighbouring Pyl Brook have not been consulted.
    • There is some uncertainty about the boundaries of the site and the planning application would appear to take advantage of that uncertainty in a manner which is potentially improper (the Design and Access Statement indicates the boundaries have (surprisingly) not been verified). This is likely to be an issue best resolved before the application is formally considered.
      • The site plans may have ‘pushed out’ the site boundary along a number of the edges – eg it appears the plans may go up to 1 metre further out along our nearest boundary than the Land Registry plan (SGL214496) for the site. This has practical implications in that the garden sizes described in paragraph 5.6.9 of the Planning Statement (already below the acceptable level for Units 6 & 7) are likely to in practice be even smaller than suggested.
      • While the vast majority of the site has a single title (SGL214496) the proposals would include (as part of the access) part of the land owned by London Power Networks (SY26227) – some of that land was previously transferred but the substation and (more importantly for this application) part of the roadway were retained. We are unclear how planning conditions for the development might apply across multiple pieces of land with unrelated owners (particularly where one owner is not a party to the application and would appear not to have been consulted).
      • The Tree Survey states that tree T022 would be removed – this tree is not part of the site and is sited on land owned by others (likely the Environment Agency).

    Specific comments:

    • Height and scale. The houses are materially and inappropriately higher than neighbouring properties and out of character with the local area. As per page 16 of the Design & Access Statement they are in fact closer in height to the previously proposed four storey blocks of flats. While recognising the developer’s preference to maximise head height throughout the second floors of the houses, a reduction in the roofline to match that of surrounding properties would be more appropriate. The poor size of the habitable rooms and usable gardens, together with the overall bulk and massing might be more appropriate if there were only two houses sited on the current three house Type B footprint.
    • Overlooking. The previous consultation by the developers was at pains to note that none of the proposed flats would have windows overlooking neighbouring homes and gardens. It is therefore deeply disappointing that the current proposals withdraw that concession and ignore local feedback. As noted above, the defective site plans and proposals in respect of trees make this problem more pronounced than the application would imply. We would be overlooked into both our house and garden, with direct line of sight at first and second floor levels (we would of course also overlook them). If you are not minded to refuse permission and the applicant is not minded to reconsider their proposals, we’d ask for requirements for smaller windows and much wider use of obscured glazing (at both first and second floor levels) for the Type B houses where they overlook Kingsway, including specific Planning Conditions that the glazing cannot subsequently be replaced with non-obscured glazing without Council consent.
    • Design. Strong red brick work, zinc roofs and floor to ceiling windows throughout does not reflect the character and vernacular of the local area (despite the strange suggestion that the design proposed reflects the previous garage use of the site). We would suggest the applicant be required to rethink how they might better reflect the character of the local area (primarily a mix of duller brick, rendering, smaller windows and tiled roofs).
    • Security. The current gated nature of the site provides a significant element of security to rear gardens which border it. Despite the loss of security we recognise that it would inappropriate for the new houses to be a gated development. We’d ask therefore at a minimum, that in addition to new border fencing, the access off the site to the garages at 11 & 15 Kingsway be required to be gated.
    • Trees. As noted above the tree survey work includes removal of at least one tree that is on land owned by someone else that provides significant screening to the site. We ask for further consideration of how the developer will retain the existing screens of trees around the site and replace any trees removed. We also ask that they be required to undertake additional planting on the boundaries of the site and that this be protected through Planning Conditions and TPOs as required (eg the Type B houses be required to have semi-mature trees transplanted to their rear gardens which then are protected from removal).
    • Site access. As noted above the current access proposals are unworkable in the context of the culvert headwall. It is also noted that the Design & Access statement doesn’t consider access to the site from Crossway (it only considered movement within the site). Vehicles larger than a normal car at present have to stop in the middle of Crossway and be reversed onto the site using a banksman. Those leaving have to nose out across the footway. It is unclear how even with possible widening of the access (noting the culvert point) the site would be accessible to waste, emergency and delivery vehicles. The narrow entrance is currently dangerous and the applicant at present has not offered an appropriate, suitable or safe solution.
    • Drainage management. The SuDS Report notes that the site currently slopes toward Crossway which drains surface water away from neighbouring properties. We’d ask that this slope be retained as a planning condition. The SuDs Report (pages 36 to 39) also notes at length that a significant and material regular maintenance programme would be required to ensure appropriate surface water drainage from the site. It is unclear how this would be ensured if the site passed into fragmented ownership. We would request that undertaking suitable maintenance be a planning condition, together with securing suitable insurances or an indemnity being provided should the maintenance work not be carried out as required. Similarly given the importance of the road surfaces on the site for surface water run off and flood risk we would also ask that permeable paving be a planning condition (which therefore relates to the London Power Networks ownership issue noted above).
    • Lighting. The site has previously had bright lighting which was a nuisance to neighbouring properties. The application does not propose to replace this which is welcome.
    • Design of photo-voltaic cells. The applicant proposes to install PV cells in the roofs of the type B houses facing Kingsway. This is a welcome proposal. However given the significant proportion of the roof area that they will cover their design and look should be subject to neighbour consultation and Officer approval as a planning condition.
    • Contamination. In the absence of the Contamination Risk Assessment it is difficult to offer a view but given the age of the garages (and therefore likely use of materials like asbestos) and previous use of the site there are likely to be issues. We’d ask for significant restrictions around this to protect residents.
    • Construction vehicle access. The Air Quality Assessment (page 31) indicates the possible removal of the width restriction to allow construction vehicle access. This would clearly be unacceptable. Given the difficulties in accessing the site noted above, particularly in the morning and evening peak when traffic is often stationary on Crossway and the footways heavily used by children travelling to school (eg St John Fisher), we’d ask for particularly narrow restrictions on the timings for access to the site.

    We apologise for the lengthy response but we trust it is helpful. As noted above this is a suitable site for development should the broad concerns be surmounted and an appropriate proposal be developed. Please do contact us should you have any questions,

     

    Previously ...

    On 9 July 2021, we received the following email and attachment from the planning consultant working on the proposals for 38 Crossway.

     

     The planning application will be submitted on Monday. I’ve attached the site layout plan showing 7 residential houses which would be three storeys in height, with the top storey being within a pitched roof.

     

    I’m under no illusions that everyone who raised objections will consider that this addresses every one of their concerns. However, we consider this a good proposal at the Site, and it is reduced in extent from what was previously shown to neighbours.

    Regards

    Chris Heather, Senior Consultant, Axis

     

  • Chairman's Blog - July 2021

    Merton’s Licensing Committee held a 2 hour hearing on 17th June to determine the application to have a pub alcohol licence at the Raynes Park Vale Football Club. It heard evidence from the applicant, Justin Whitehead, and from a number of residents who strongly opposed the application. These included Mary-Jane Jeanes on behalf of the Friends of Cannon Hill Common and me, on behalf of our RPWBRA members. 

    This Association was pleased to assist in the amazing campaign to oppose the granting of the application for a public alcohol licence which would have disrupted the lives of so many residents living near the Raynes Park Vale Football Club. The club of course already has a perfectly adequate licence for its own events and we wish it well in its sporting endeavours. 

    As Chair of the Residents’ Association (which has no political party affiliations and seeks to support all residents) I was pleased to speak in your support at the council licensing sub-committee meeting on 17th June.

    There were a very large number of residents who wrote to oppose the licence, far more than those who supported it.

    I was impressed by the imaginative campaign conducted by residents and by their appointment of such an accomplished barrister. 

    The Committee was due to give its decision within 5 days.  Our case was that our Association has members in all the roads that will be affected badly by this application The site is totally unsuitable for what would be in effect a public house.  It is in the middle of Prince George’s Playing Fields, which have the protected status of Metropolitan Open Land and where building is only permitted for sporting purposes.

    The Fields are also subject to controls imposed by Merton Council in 2009 restricting the use of commercial activities to 28 occasions in a calendar year, which number is always taken up on the major part of the Fields, with car boot sales, antiques fairs, and a circus, and other events.

    The site is some 300 metres from Grand Drive, which has the only vehicular access, and there is no lighting at all along the track to the Football Clubhouse.  While the Fields are used for recreation in the daytime, they are deserted during the house of darkness. Nor have the pedestrian routes to the site from Whatley Avenue and Meadow Close got any kind of lighting.

    The site has no police patrols. There is limited parking. While the site is isolated geographically, it is on high ground, and noise and light pollution would be audible and visible over a very large area, including in particular in Berrylands, Cannon Close, Grand Drive, Meadow Close and Parkway.

    The Clubhouse has a current alcohol licence which has major and detailed controls to protect local residents from noise pollution and unruly and antisocial behaviour.  Noise must be contained within the clubhouse building, and stewards appointed.   Alcohol can only be served to members and their guests, and not to the public at large.

    The present proposals do not include the building of any new premises.  Instead decking is being built, and tables and chairs provided outside, which would carry noise over a very wide area.  It had been proposed that music of various kinds and films would be shown on the decking during the day and the evening. This was amended at the hearing to limit it to inside the Clubhouse, but even this would be audible for many hundreds of yards. 

    An Artisans Market has grown up on both days at weekends, with a number of market stalls. The number of events being held here is already in excess of the numbers permitted by the Council’s by-law limiting events to 28 days a year. 

    The proposals are the provision of alcohol to the public for very extensive periods of time, from mid-morning to very late at night, and on a 365 days basis.  

    This inevitably will result in huge public disturbances of all kinds, and the noisy coming and going of cars at all hours. Cars used to be prevented from coming onto the site at night and when football was not being played, to prevent antisocial behaviour including the torching of cars. Children play on the Fields, and in the Lycee grounds opposite, and might have been exposed to intoxicated behaviour.

    We urged the Committee to reject the scheme in its entirety.

    The RPWBRA was therefore delighted to receive the recent news that the Licencing Committee refused the application.

    John Elvidge - Chairman

     

  • Vote for a Mural!

     

    At the Raynes Park Community Forum, held on Zoom on 10 June 2021, Chris Larkman of the Raynes Park Association explained that Network Rail has agreed to fund a mural for the south side of the Skew Arch in Raynes Park (the pedestrian/cycle arch under the railway to the east of the road bridge).   

    The project is being managed by local people and they are seeking opinions on the preferred option from the two short-listed designs. 

    As this is Network Rail property, it will have the final say but everyone local is invited to vote for their preferred design by following this link:  https://forms.gle/bGj6uxxb2sJCmbjd6

     

  • Changes to Constituency Boundaries - Update March 2022

    Do you live in Parkway, specifically from No 22 or above that number?

    Or, perhaps in Elm Walk in an odd number from 49 or above?

    Or in Elm Walk, in an even number from 80 or above?

    Or Meadow Close (even numbers 66 and above)? 

    If so, then the Boundary Commission proposes moving you from the “Wimbledon” constituency (MP: Stephen Hammond) to “Mitcham and Morden” (MP: Siobhain McDonagh) .

    The Boundary Commission's proposals are now out for a second stage public consultation. 

    We think these streets have been reallocated simply to even up the numbers between the two constituencies. However, most residents in these streets do, we are sure, logically feel part of the Wimbledon constituency, which encompasses most of the Raynes Park and West Barnes areas, as against being in either Morden and Mitcham, which are both much further away. 

    The proposals are now in their final public consultation stage, with a closing date of 4 April 2022. So there is still time to make a submission. To find out more and how to submit your views, visit https://www.bcereviews.org.uk/

    Jerry Cuthbert, March 2022

  • Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing Fields

    The Friends of Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing Fields works hand in hand with Merton Council and other organisations to help maintain and enhance our park. Funding has previously been obtained to improve the facilities e.g. tennis courts, exercise equipment, paddling pool, to provide a summer cafe and also to enhance the look and natural feel of the surroundings, such as tree / bulb planting and the meadow sections.

    There is also lesser known activity that takes place within the park boundary. Every month a small group of volunteers from The Friends gather by the Beverley Brook and participate in a significant Citizen Science research project. Riverfly Monitoring is an initiative spearheaded by the Riverfly Partnership which ensures that groups can take action to conserve the river environment by monitoring water quality.

    The South East Rivers Trust is a brilliant conservation organisation and their coordinator Jess has helped to set up Riverfly Monitoring in the Beverley Brook.

    The team working in our park is one of four along the Brook, which flows from Worcester Park into the Thames near Barnes. The process is effectively pond dipping, but in a slightly more scientific way. The waders are donned, we climb into the water and then the riverbed is  gently ‘kicked’ or ‘swept’ to allow the riverflies to rise into the water flow and are captured in a special net.

    Thereafter it is a matter of placing the contents into viewing trays followed by intense spotting and counting of species. Each of the targeted invertebrate types scores points, with the total score providing a good estimate of the river quality at that time. Our monitoring point generally produces dozens of Caseless Caddis and Gammarus (freshwater shrimp).

    We hope one day to find more Cased Caddis, Olives and Mayfly larvae, which would be great indicators of improving water quality in a London river. So, if you happen to see a strange group of people carrying buckets and nets across the park on a Saturday morning then you know that science is about to take place.

    For more information click Friends of Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing Field

    Jane Pritchard

     

  • Raynes Park Station - Poor accessibility to Platforms 3 & 4

    We have had an email from one of our members who uses a wheelchair if they have any distance to travel. They are asking for a lift to be installed at Raynes Park to give access to platforms 3 & 4. It is all very well having the ramp to access trains going to London but what about the return journey? To get back to Raynes Park awheelchair user must leave the train at Wimbledon Station, go up to ground floor in the lift and then cross the busy road to get on a bus. Network Rail has been asked about this many times, but no progress has been made. If the stairs at the station are causing you problems, let us know ( rpwbra@rpwbresidents.org.uk ) and we shall see if we can use a petition or some other method to achieve an elevator.

  • £15,000 Available for West Barnes and Raynes Park

    Would you like to have new benches or play equipment in the park? 

    What about planting bulbs on our verges? 

    Merton Council is making £15,000 available for small-scale public space projects in every ward. 

    Projects must meet Government criteria, for example bulb planting; benches, playground equipment or bins for parks; grants to community groups for clean ups or fence painting; footway and street structures (decluttering, renewal, vegetation. 

    All three ward councillors must approve any application to spend the money for each ward, so please send them your ideas as soon as possible. 

    In West Barnes our councillors are:

    Eloise Bailey, eloise.bailey@merton.gov.uk

    Hina Bokhari, hina.bokhari@merton.gov.uk

    Carl Quilliamcarl.quilliam@merton.gov.uk

     

    In Raynes Park, our councillors are:

    Adam Bushadam.bush@merton.gov.uk

    Omar Bushomar.bush@merton.gov.uk 

    Stephen Crowe, stephen.crowe@merton.gov.uk 

    Please let the RPWBRA know your ideas too.   rpwbra@rpwbresidents.org.uk

    The council has to assess all projects and it takes time to get things ordered and delivered. Please don’t delay – send in your ideas now. The money has to be spent by 31st March 2022. 

     

  • Plans to Re-Open the Pavilion

    Following the move to “Step 4” in the government’s road map, some of our regular groups are returning to the Pavilion. We are looking forward, therefore, to welcoming back Najat Stefka, who has been running her Merton Health and Fitness groups at the Pavilion since 2015. 

    At the beginning of this summer term, as the lockdown rules have been eased, Najat re-started both her outside FitClub  and indoor Pilates classes at the Pavilion. 

    We all still need follow the “hands, face, space” guidance, such as special signage, one-way systems, hand sanitizer and correct hygiene procedures.

    Back in March 2020, all our regular hirers and the RPWBRA Premises Management Group jointly decided to close down the Pavilion just ahead of the government announcing the first lockdown. Since then, Najat has successfully been running her Pilates and exercise groups online. Nevertheless, re-opening the Pavilion is an important step, both for Najat and our Association. 

    You can contact Najat Stefka at: https://www.mertonhealthfitness.co.uk/ 

    Jerry Cuthbert (Chair, Premises Management Group)

  • Chairman's Blog - June 2021

    Tesco/Redrow 

    As of 1st June 2021, the Association is still waiting to hear the Inspector’s decision in respect of the above matter. As you know, we are in favour of housing development on the site but TOTALLY OPPOSED to the prospect of high-rise (14/15 storey) blocks.  I gave evidence, assisted by David Freeman and Jerry Cuthbert, in a very intensive appeal hearing spread out over 11 days in December and January and we are all anxious to know the outcome. 

    Update 29 June 2021 - The Planning Inspectorate has upheld Redrow's Appeal and therefore Planning Permission is granted. (Click here for more information.)

     

    Bellway/Lessa 

    All has gone very quiet in respect of plans to build on this sports field in Meadowview Road. The would-be developers have consistently blocked or disregarded plans put forward by sports clubs and schools to use the land for its intended sporting purpose. We continue to press for information from the Planning Department.

    Raynes Park Vale Football Club

    The Association is pleased that a government grant of £10,000 has enabled the club to lay a new pitch, thus furthering their football ambitions. 

    However, we do not support the current application for a change of alcohol licence.

    Follow these links for more information:

    Raynes Park Vales FC re-applies for Late Night Licence

    Objection to RPVFC License Application 

    The club already has a members’ licence which enables it to serve drinks and hold functions, under strict conditions to protect local residents. 

    The new proposed licence, which would include the sale of alcohol to the general public from morning until very late at night, would disturb and cause stress to residents in the roads surrounding the club and would be inappropriate in an area (Prince George’s Playing Fields) where children play freely.

     Our AGM 

    Finally, it has been over a year now since we were able to have a general meeting. We had to cancel our AGM, our socials, our outings, clubs and Open Meetings, so as we move into the Summer, let’s hope we can begin to make plans again! 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    John Elvidge (Chairman)

  • Objection to RPVFC License Application

    Letter to the Licensing Team at Merton Council from RPWBRA 

    18 May 2021 

    Licensing Application: WK/202103135 

    Dear Sir/Madam, 

    We write to object in the strongest terms to the above application.   

    We are the Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents’ Association, which was founded in 1928, and has some 1800 household members.  Our area includes the whole of Prince George’s Playing Fields, on part of which sits the Raynes Park Vale Football Club (RPVFC), as well as Cannon Hill Common.  

    Many of our members live in the streets nearest to the application site, which are Berrylands, Cannon Close, Heath Drive, Parkway, Cannon Hill Lane, and Grand Drive, as well as all the roads off Grand Drive.  If the application were to be granted, the whole area will be very seriously affected from morning until very late at night on every day of the week throughout the year. 

    Prince George’s Playing Fields is designated as Metropolitan Open Land and as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation, Grade 2. 

    It is extensively used for public recreation and has been invaluable as such during the lockdowns.  It is used at weekends for football matches.  The whole site is subject to planning controls imposed by the Council in 2009 which restrict the use of the Fields to 14 sales events and 14 other events in the year. Vehicular access to the site for these purposes is off Bushey Road. 

    The Football Club is situated on the south side of the footpath that leads from Grand Drive to Whatley Avenue.  Vehicular access to this is from Grand Drive along the footpath.  This also provides access to the extensive playing fields of the French Lycee, whose grounds and changing rooms are not open to the public.  The Lycee has both female and male pupils of all ages. Their grounds are opposite the clubhouse of RPVFC and are heavily used. 

    The clubhouse of RPVFC is very close to the houses in Berrylands and Grand Drive.  This is currently being extended to allow for groups of 150 people at wedding parties and other gatherings.  The Club is also building an extensive decking area which it intends to use for outdoor entertainment, including music and films.   

    RPVFC has already a club licence to provide alcohol for its Members and their guests from 11 am to 11 pm with music allowed during the same times.  This licence is subject to stringent conditions to prevent the disturbance of local residents.  

    These include that when regulated entertainment is being provided, all doors and windows should be kept shut. At the same time, patrols should take place on an hourly basis at the perimeter of the property to ensure that there is no sound escape. If there is such an escape, action should be taken immediately to reduce the noise to a level that is not audible at the nearest residential property. After 11pm patrols should also address noisy patrons outside their premises. A logbook is to be kept to record such patrols and should be made available for inspection by Council officers. 

    The Club also has to put up clear signs at the exit points stating: “This is a residential area, please leave quietly”. 

    Quite clearly, the provision of decking outside the clubhouse, where people can take food and drinks, and listen to music, and watch films, would be totally inconsistent with the present conditions that are designed to protect residents. The “regulated entertainment” is also intended under the present application to continue to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and until 1.30 am on New Year’s Eve.      

    The present application goes very much further than the provision of alcohol for Members and their guests.  The intention is to sell food and alcohol on a commercial basis to the public generally.

    IT WOULD BECOME A PUB.

    The application is being made by a catering company which has run local pubs as licensees for the past 25 years. We understand that a portion of the profits it hopes to make will be shared with the Club.  In their post on the social media site Nextdoor on 17.4.21 the proprietors say that: 

             “The club already has a licence for its members and we just want to open up a bit to the    locals… The vision is to have a nice area for locals to stop off and socialise. The outside area however will only be open till 10pm. May I point out that there will be no amplified music on the decking just nice acoustic individuals and duets. There will be some nice craft beers available as well as a nice wine list and a few simple cocktails (as in Pimms on the deck). There will also be a fresh food offering … Our opening hours will be 12.00 midday till 11 pm Mon to Sun. We have applied for longer licenses to allow some flexibility with our weddings etc”. 

    However, despite these public assurances from the proprietors, this is NOT what has been applied for. The application, were it to be granted, would allow for more latitude, including the holding of noisy outdoor events late into the night. 

    We object under the following four grounds:

     

    A. The prevention of crime and disorder 

    The site is isolated being up a footpath and is in the middle of open land.  At night it is completely dark except for any lighting from the Club. There are no street lights and there is no lighting on the footpath. In the winter it is dark by 4pm. 

    It would be inappropriate to install outdoor lighting leading to and from the Clubhouse because it would disturb local residents.   And have a negative impact on wildlife (foraging bats and owls). Further, all development on Metropolitan Open Land has to be “essential” in support of the permitted use of outdoor sport unless “very special circumstances” can be demonstrated otherwise. Lighting and decking would almost certainly be in conflict with the MOL designation of the whole site. 

     The proposal is to have unregulated drinking by members of the public. It is hard to see how members of RPVFC could easily control excess drinking or disturbances.  There will be times when there are over 150 people on the site. Women would be at particular risk in such a situation.  Licensed public houses are accessible from the public highway. This is not. There are no police patrols in the area. The risk is self- evident, and high.

    B. Public safety. 

    The same points as above apply. 

    C. The prevention of public nuisance 

    The Fields are designated for the quiet enjoyment of open space.  Residents and their families use the Fields for informal games, exercise, dog-walking, and to de-stress (access to green spaces being good for mental and physical health). Having a pub there is totally outside the purpose of the designation of the Fields as Metropolitan Open Land. 

    There is very limited car parking at the site, and most people will come by car.  If the cars are parked on the rest of Prince’s George’s field it will damage the surface and disturb the wildlife.  Cars would be coming in and out of the Grand Drive entrance very late into the night.  There is limited parking also on Grand Drive and the surrounding streets. Residents would be disturbed nightly by car doors slamming, and people talking, often over loudly. There would be the potential for car theft and damage.  There would some likelihood of an increase in drink driving in the area. 

    If people came by taxi or minicab there would be further disturbance. 

    Noise from the decking, and other outdoor drinking will be heard over a very wide area, in a totally residential area. Light pollution would also be seen until very late.

    Many of our residents work long hours and do not wish to be disturbed in their evening hours or their sleep. They wish to enjoy the quiet of their gardens at the weekends or on summer evenings. 

    Many of our residents have families and will not want their children exposed to the noise from a “Pub”, nor have their sleep disturbed. 

    In the past the gates to the access to the Fields off Grand Drive were locked at night to prevent the stealing/dumping and torching of cars. They could no longer be locked during the hours of darkness if this application was approved. 

    In recent months a coffee stall has been placed next to the clubhouse and an Artisans’ Market has grown up at weekends.  The result has been a great increase in littering in the surrounding area and on Cannon Hill Common, which the bins do not fully cater for. This can only increase if food and drink can be served outdoors to the public.   

    D. The protection of children from harm. 

    The decking is opposite the playing fields of the French Lycee.  The children would be in close proximity to people drinking alcohol on the outside decking. 

    Girls and Boys sports teams also practise and play on the main field area of Prince George’s so it is not just a problem for the Lycee. Children also play freely there. 

    They should not be in close proximity to adults who may become intoxicated. The best-regulated football clubs and pubs in the country have problems with alcohol and poor behaviour but do not have young unaccompanied children to worry about. 

    Under age drinking already occurs on the Fields and Cannon Hill Common, with empty cans and bottles and nitrous oxide capsules being found. Having overage drinking there could increase this. 

    WE URGE THE LICENSING SUB-COMMITTEE TO GIVE FULL WEIGHT TO THE VIEWS OF RESIDENTS, AND TO REJECT THE APPLICATION OUTRIGHT. 

    ANY NEW LICENCE SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE SAME CONDITIONS AND CONTROLS AS EXIST ON THE PRESENT CLUB LICENCE. ANY LICENCE SHOULD BE FOR INDOORS ONLY AS AT PRESENT. 

    IN PARTICULAR THERE SHOULD BE NO SALE OF ALCOHOL PERMITTED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. 

    John Elvidge, Chair of the RPWBRA 

    18 May 2021

     

  • Chairman's Blog - May 2021

    RAYNES PARK VALE FOOTBALL CLUB 

    The Club has operated an airstream van on their premises since last autumn, selling drinks and snacks. This is to generate funds to improve their ground and facilities.  

    This spring it grew into an Artisans’ Market open at weekends, with stalls selling such things as pizza, bread, fish, and honey. This is operated by a local commercial enterprise.

    The Club is currently refurbishing its clubroom to make it “more appealing to small wedding parties and club diners” and building a decked area outside. They say that the outside area will “only be open until 10pm” and that there will be no amplified music, just “nice individuals and duets”.  They plan to make an additional application for a licence to sell alcohol, with very extensive opening hours being proposed, for every day of the week.  Although the club already has a members’ licence, it appears that they intend to sell alcohol to the public as well.

     There is no doubt, judging from the number of people now clutching coffee mugs as they walk over Cannon Hill Common, that the coffee bar has been a welcome innovation. 

    Also, the weekend Artisans’ Market has attracted some 50 people at a time. But many residents will be anxious at the new proposals on what has been a quiet playing field until now, and the possibility of noise, and cars parking late into the night. 

    The Club is on Prince George’s Playing Fields, which is Metropolitan Open Land. Planning Controls are in force restricting the number of boot sales and other commercial events, in order to maintain the open character of the land.  It would appear that the maximum number of permitted uses is being reached, and we will be asking the planning department to enforce the existing controls, which were issued in 2009. 

    While we would encourage the Club to extend its clubroom and provide food and drinks for its own members and their guests, we would want the opening hours to be carefully limited, and we will be opposing any licence to sell alcohol to the general public.

    Update 18 May 2021: The Football Club has now re-applied for a late night licence to sell alcohol on and off the premises, provide refreshment and have live music, seven days a week, until late at night, open to the general public. 

    More information is hereOur Association has submitted an objection to the application, Our objection can be read here 

    The deadline for objections is 26 May 2021. 

    CAR THEFTS

    One of the most prevalent crimes locally for a number of years has been the theft of catalytic converters. These contain valuable minerals worth many hundreds of pounds.  The police tell us that these can be removed within a few minutes but will be not be stolen if the converter has been marked, and a sticker to this effect is visible. The vehicles that have been identified as most at risk are: Toyota Prius (2004-15), Honda Jazz, Toyota Auris (2006-18), Lexus RX, and Honda CRV (except, my garage tells me, for the most recent model).

    REDROW/TESCO APPEAL

    No news yet regarding the Planning Inspector’s report! Please remember to keep checking this website and our Nextdoor Group for latest information.

    John Elvidge

  • Raynes Park Vale FC is refused Licence

    Update 25 June 2021 - Licence Application Refused

    We were pleased to hear that this licence application has been refused. Our Association was delighted to participate in the amazing campaign to oppose the granting of the application for a public alcohol licence which would have disrupted the lives of so many residents living near the Raynes Park Vale Football Club. The club of course already has a perfectly adequate licence for its own events and we wish it well in its sporting endeavours.

    As Chair of the Residents’ Association (which has no political party affiliations and seeks to support all residents) I was pleased to speak in your support at the council licensing sub-committee meeting on 17th June.

     I was impressed by the imaginative campaign and by the residents’ appointment of such an accomplished barrister. 

    John Elvidge, Chairman, RPWBRA

     

    To read our Association's objection to the application for a license click Objection to RPVFC License Application 

     

    Previously ...

    The Raynes Park Vale Football Club has re-applied for a licence to sell alcohol, show films, have live and recorded music and serve Late Night Refreshment, seven days a week and up to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and to stay open until half-past-midnight on Friday nights/Saturday mornings and Saturday nights/Sunday mornings.

    The full application details may be seen at

    https://www.merton.gov.uk/Documents/current%20licensing%20applications%2029042021.pdf on pages 11 & 12.

    This application is effectively to operate a "pub" open to all. selling alcohol off and on the premises, with extended late-night hours at weekends into the early hours of Saturday and Sunday mornings, with live music and other forms of entertainment. 

    The closing date for representations is 26 May 2021.

    REPRESENTATIONS SHOULD BE MADE IN WRITING TO: 

    Licencing Section, London Borough of Merton, 14th Floor, Civic

    Centre, London Road, Morden, Surrey, SM4 5DX or by email to: 

    licensing@merton.gov.uk

    The Application Reference is WK/202103135

     

  • A letter from our Life President - April 2021

    No-one could have known - least of all me - what was ahead of us fourteen months ago and just how much our lives and perspectives would change. 

    Many people have suffered great sadness and loss and those of us that have been spared the worst of what the pandemic was to bring have learned to appreciate things that perhaps we took for granted. Meeting up with friends and family; enjoying a professional haircut; being able to travel and revisit the seaside, country houses and parks; having a meal out at our favourite restaurant; the reopening of our clubs and societies, retail therapy and simply having fun. 

    Hopefully, in time, we can all look forward to kicking Covid into the long grass and, like smallpox and the bubonic plague, into the annals of history. But this has been a much needed wake up call for us all. We must never forget the lessons we have learned: the importance of friends, the kindness of strangers, and last but not least, to look after our environment and our wonderful planet.

     Jill Truman

  • From Our Secretary - April 2021

    PLANS: CROSSWAY GARAGES

    This month’s Inbox has contained several emails about a letter received by many residents about proposals for garages accessed from Crossway.   

    Axis and Mohsin Cooper Architects are planning to demolish the existing garages and build three blocks of flats four storeys in height, providing 18 residential units. The proposals can be seen at https://tinyurl.com/n34p5pzu  

    if you want to comment on this proposal, email Axis at consultations@axisped.co.uk with the subject ;

    Garages Accessed from Crossway, Raynes Park”. 

    Please copy in our Residents’ Association (here) so that we are aware of your thoughts. 

    RP&WB Residents’ Association have arranged to extend the consultation date to 6pm 12th April.  

    GARTH ROAD HOUSEHOLD REUSE AND RECYCLING CENTRE

    Our inbox has been alive with concerns about the Garth Road facility so, in common with many local organisations and councillors, we have been in touch with Merton Council to find a way forward. The adoption of a booking system during the pandemic was initially unpopular, but as residents became familiar with the process, it appeared to be working quite well.

     Then, in March, the Centre reverted to its open system but, at times, there were alarmingly long queues.Councillor Hina Bokhari kindly forwarded an email to us from Charles Baker, Merton Strategy and Commissioning Officer, who has explained that when the booking system was ended, there was a surge of cars arriving at the facility. 

    We have since heard that the online booking system has now been re-instated.

    Charles Baker is also examining ways of allowing non-vehicular use which would require careful arrangements for safety reasons.

     Michael Marks, RPWBRA Secretary

  • Traffic Problems in Grand Drive

    Please give us your views 

    Several of our members who live in Grand Drive have raised concerns over the excessive traffic speeds in Grand Drive.  HGVs are reported as being a particular problem due to the noise and vibration and the damage this causes to health and property alike. Our Association is keen to hear the views of our members about these problems. 

    We expect that members in other roads may also be suffering similar problems but the situation is made more complicated in Grand Drive than for most other roads because it is part of TfL’s London Distributor Road network. TfL are therefore responsible for traffic lights and other safety features (speed cameras, raised junctions, chicanes and the like) and Merton has to get agreement from TfL to add these sorts of measures. 

    There is also the associated issue of pollution, both due to Nitrogen Oxide (NOX) and also particulate emissions. Merton does monitor NO2 levels at some fixed points along Grand Drive and elsewhere in the borough.

    The sensors in Grand Drive show annual average NO2 levels are in excess of the national objective of

    40 mg m-3. 

    This link takes you to Merton's most recent Air Quality Annual Status Report:

     https://www.merton.gov.uk/Documents/Annual%20Status%20Report%202020.pdf 

    There is also the matter of enforcing the new 20 mph speed limit and the existing London Lorry Control Scheme, which bans HGVs over 18 tonnes from using Grand Drive between 9.00pm and 7.00am on weekdays. At the weekend they are banned from 1.00pm on Saturdays until the following Monday i.e. no HGVs on Saturday afternoon or all day Sunday. 

    Those are the rules, but regrettably they are frequently ignored. 

    Grand Drive residents are seeking solutions! We all understand that delivery drivers must get from A to B and we value their hard work. They have supported the country throughout the pandemic, keeping essential work and maintenance going and delivering food and goods to those locked down or restricted. 

    However, the welfare of residents is being affected by the constant thundering of huge vehicles from 5.30am, and there is danger to the young, the elderly and the infirm from speeding vehicles in general. The stress for the residents, damage to the roads and pavements (and in some cases to houses) and the worrying aspects such as air pollution are all everyday concerns for those in living along Grand Drive and other streets in our area. 

    Please let us know of your concerns, either by email to our Association at here or by posting on our Nextdoor Group, either privately or publically, at nextdoor.co.uk/g/84vfly7fh/

    Clare Townsend

  • Chairman's Blog - April 2021

    REDROW/TESCO ENQUIRY

    The Planning Inspector has, we believe, made her inspection of the site where Redrow plan to build flats in 7 towers blocks up to 15 storeys high. We asked her at the Inquiry to visit a large number of other roads which we named, so that she could see the full impact of the buildings, and she agreed to do so. She also agreed that her visit would take in the evening rush hour, so that she could see the effect of school traffic and the impact of the level crossing at West Barnes Lane.

    We expect the Report in April. We will, of course, summarise her conclusions at once on our website, and on Nextdoor, then cover it fully in The Guide.

    MERTON PARKING FEES

    The local free newspaper reports that Merton Council intends to drive up the costs of permits in controlled parking zones, to what may be the highest fees in the UK.  Charges could go up to as much as £690 a year, to park on the street near your home. It held a public consultation on the increased charges, which showed that only a quarter of respondents believed that the costs should be linked to reducing pollution. It hopes to disincentivise car ownership and encourage lower emission vehicles.

    It argued that 96 % of those who responded were car owners, but only 68% of residents own a vehicle so the increased fees could potentially be reinvested directly into measures to support complementary sustainable transport measures. The Council estimates that the higher charges will add as much as £1 million a year to its coffers.

    Many residents in our area rely upon having a car, since their homes are outside reasonable walking distance of reliable public transport.  Some will have diesel vehicles, which will be charged more than petrol or electric cars, and be unable to afford to change their cars. Many need to park on the streets.

    You have to wonder what is the point of public consultation if Councillors simply ignore the views of these who take the trouble to respond, and instead impose their own ideas.

    MEADOWVIEW PLANS

    Michael Marks is continuing to liaise with residents in Meadowview regarding their experiences of water-logged gardens and related issues and Mary-Jane is scrutinizing the details on the planning website.

    We are pressing the council planners for information about the planning application made by Bellway Homes last November to build on the former LESSA sports ground. Fortunately, Sport England has now formally objected to the proposals, having been informed by the RPWBRA of the high level of interest by sports groups and schools to use the ground for its intended purpose of sport.

     

     I hope you enjoy this picture of blossom in Joseph Hood Recreation Ground.

     

    John Elvidge

  • Proposals for 38 Crossway

     

    Update 18 May 2021.     We have been advised by the developer that the plans for this site have been changed. It now plans to submit a planning application shortly, for seven houses. This information may be read here.

    Previously ...

    Some of our members will already be aware that, Axis, a planning consultancy company, has announced a proposal to redevelop the premises at 38 Crossway to create 18 residential units in 3 blocks of 3 and 4 storeys in height. This site is currently comprised of various garages and workshops.

    This is a speculative planning enquiry, in advance of a full planning application to the Council. Details of the proposal are at https://www.axisped.co.uk/proposals-for-garages-accessed-from-crossway-raynes-park-sw20/

    Apart from access to the site, and potential visual intrusion to adjoining homes in Westway, Kingsway & Meadowsweet Close, Pyl Brook runs in a culvert at this location, so the risk of flooding will also be of concern. Axis has invited residents to submit comments. Following a request from our Residents' Association, the deadline has been extended to Monday 12 April, so we encourage you to examine the proposals and make your views known. Please copy in the Residents’ Association on rpwbra@outlook.com, so that we are aware of your thoughts.

    Our thanks to those members that have already copied in on their responses.

    Members are also reminded that these proposals are still at an early stage, as no planning application has yet been made.  There will still be the opportunity to submit comments to Merton Council, if and when a formal planning application is made.

     

     

     

     

  • Approach Road - 8 March 2021 for 3 weeks

    We have just learnt that Thames Water will be operating a lane closure and contra-flow system in Approach Road, Raynes Park (the south side of Raynes Park Station) from 8th March 2021 for approximately 3 weeks. This is essential work to enable them to make repairs to a sewer pipe.

    DELAYS WILL BE INEVITABLE                        

  • Chairman's Blog - March 2021

    REDROW PLANNING INQUIRY

    We are still awaiting the Inspector’s report on the planning appeal brought by Redrow against the Council’s refusal of its plans to build 456 flats in 7 tower blocks in Burlington Road.

    The delay is being caused by the pandemic, which has so far delayed the Inspector from undertaking her own visit to the site. This is a fundamental part of her decision. However, the Planning Inspectorate is exercising caution with its site visits at the moment..

    We will let you know on our website as soon as we hear anything further.

    (For previous reports, click here.

    BELLWAY PLANNING APPLICATION ON THE LESSA SITE

    Bellway has put a planning application to build a large number of houses and flats on the sports ground at Meadowview Road, off Grand Drive.    Over 200 strong letters of objection have been made, including those by the Residents’ Association.

    The 44 houses which now comprise Meadowview Road were allowed by a planning inspector in 2009 as an enabling development on the clear basis that the whole of the rest of the area should be retained for sporting purposes. We are urging the planning officers not to recommend approval, given the clear need expressed by local sports clubs and a junior school for continued use of the ground for football and cricket.

    You can read more here .

    COVID VACCINATION

    Many members of the Association will already have been given their first dose of vaccine, and all those over 65 should have been offered the jab by the end of March.  

    Locally this has largely taken place at the Nelson and the Wilson Hospitals, as well as at Kingston, St George’s & Epsom and various smaller venues.

    People say how efficiently and carefully the whole process has been organised, with volunteers assisting with guidance, and with no long waiting times.

    It’s an enormous task, and all the staff of the NHS deserve our warmest thanks and congratulations.

    WEATHER

    After the wettest January for many years, we had to endure one of our coldest and snowiest Februarys.  At least the children could escape lockdown for a bit and make snowmen and snowballs.

    Let’s hope that March brings a heatwave!

    Kind regards to all          John Elvidge

  • Email from Sport England to Merton 20/P3237

    Email from Sport England to Tim Lipscomb (Merton Planning Officer)

    Subject:  App Ref: 20/P3237 -  Land South of Meadowview Rd (LESSA) - Sport England Ref: PA/20/L/MR/57140

    Date: 23 February 2021

     

    Dear Tim, 

    Further to my previous response, Sport England has been provided with significant further information regarding sporting demand for this site. I immediately forwarded this to the relevant NGB colleagues and asked them to investigate it, which they have now done and revised their responses accordingly. As such, Sport England wishes to update its response to this planning application. Please consider that this response supersedes any previous responses. 

    Sport England –Statutory Role and Policy 

    It is understood that the proposal prejudices the use, or leads to the loss of use, of land being used as a playing field or has been used as a playing field in the last five years, as defined in The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 (Statutory Instrument 2015 No. 595). The consultation with Sport England is therefore a statutory requirement. 

    Sport England has considered the application in light of the National Planning Policy Framework (in particular Para. 97), and against its own playing fields policy, which states: 

    ‘Sport England will oppose the granting of planning permission for any development which would lead to the loss of, or would prejudice the use of: 

    • all or any part of a playing field, or
    • land which has been used as a playing field and remains undeveloped, or
    • land allocated for use as a playing field 

    unless, in the judgement of Sport England, the development as a whole meets with one or more of five specific exceptions.’ 

    Sport England’s Playing Fields Policy and Guidance document can be viewed via the below link:

    https://www.sportengland.org/how-we-can-help/facilities-and-planning/planning-for-sport#playing_fields_policy 

    The Proposal and Impact on Playing Field 

    The proposal is for 89 dwellings and associated infrastructure, plus 2 tennis courts with associated floodlighting, storage and car parking. This will involve the loss of the entire existing playing field. 

    Assessment against Sport England Policy 

    This application relates to the loss of existing playing fields. I understand that the applicant has suggested it mitigate this loss by contributing towards playing fields in the area in order to significantly increase their use, and that the Merton Playing Pitch Strategy would be supportive of this. It therefore needs to be considered against exception 4 of the above policy, which states: 

    ‘The area of playing field to be lost as a result of the proposed development will be replaced, prior to the commencement of development, by a new area of playing field: 

    • of equivalent or better quality, and
    • of equivalent or greater quantity, and
    • in a suitable location, and
    • subject to equivalent or better accessibility and management arrangements.’ 

    I therefore assessed the existing and proposed playing fields against the above policy to determine whether the proposals meet exception 4. 

    The element of the proposal which includes the tennis courts was assessed against exception 5, as these have the potential to be considered an alternative sports facility of sufficient benefit to the community so as to outweigh the loss of playing field. 

    Assessment of Existing Playing Fields 

    The existing playing field (also known as the LESSA playing field) comprises 2.27 hectares. A quantity of playing field to the north was lost some years ago when a portion of the field was redeveloped for housing. Historic aerial photography shows that in previous years it has been used for both cricket and football. I understand that in recent years the site has been closed and unavailable for sport. 

    Merton has a Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS) which states that this site should be bought back into use (if viable) to meet current sporting needs and future demands. These sites should be subject to thorough investigation by the steering group and the landowners, to understand whether a club or community group would be able to purchase and viably deliver part, or all of the site, for sporting use. This investigation is subject to a time limit of no more than six months from the date this PPS is adopted by the council. Should the site not be delivered for sporting use, a Section 106 financial contribution will need to be agreed as part of any development on the sites, to reinvest in other sport facilities in the Borough. 

    Following Sport England’s previous assessment of this application, it has since been in receipt of a letter dated 11th February from the West Barnes & Raynes Park Residents. This letter contained further information which highlights that there remain parties that are interested in using the site for cricket and have the resources to redevelop it. I understand that these parties attempted to contact the applicant’s agent and the local authority to make them aware of this. While these parties were referenced in the Sports Needs and Viability Report originally submitted as part of the application, this document ultimately concluded that neither of them had ‘viable bids’, however it would appear the situation has moved on since the submission of this report. 

    Following receipt of the above letter, I requested that NGB colleagues investigate this. The ECB and Surrey Cricket Foundation have confirmed to Sport England that they last week undertook meetings with the following two groups this week to explore their interest further and summarise these conversations as follows; 

    Consortium - Willington School, AJ Academy & Wimbledon United CC 

    • The school currently rents Drax Playing Field and would like to secure their own “home” playing field
    • They have previously explored other playing field sites in the borough such as Raynes Park but haven’t been able to secure them for the school’s use.
    • The school aspires to access the site during weekday, daytime hours.
    • The school wrote directly to Merton Council to express their interest in the site
    • The school has stated that it has the resources available to invest in and redevelop the site for cricket activity.
    • AJ Academy also wrote to Bellway and their Agent in August/September 2020 to express interest in their site, which was acknowledged. They also wrote to Merton Planning officers.
    • The Academy would be seeking to utilize the site on evenings/weekends for junior activity, which would complement the school’s requirements in terms of access.
    • Wimbledon United CC plays Sunday friendly fixtures, currently at Cottenham Park and LESSA would be an ideal home for their club.
    • They also wrote to Bellway to express their interest, which was acknowledged, although they’ve had no further response.
    • The consortium would be keen to work collectively to redevelop and access the site, with their intended hours of use lending themselves to a collaborative approach. 

    The Wimbledon Club (parent organization of Wimbledon CC) 

    • As a large cricket club, Wimbledon CC hire a number of pitches across the borough. They are at capacity and have been actively seeking a second site.
    • They have identified LESSA as an ideal opportunity to develop for lower XI cricket and junior academy use.
    • They’d be happy to make the playing field available to other sporting use outside of their access for senior and junior cricket activity, such as junior football.
    • They notified Stephen Hammond MP of their interest in the site. He has contacted Bellway directly on the club’s behalf to express their interest.
    • The club has stated that it has the resources available to invest in and redevelop the site for cricket activity. 

    On receipt of this new information, the ECB would therefore like to amend its position to object to the proposed loss of the playing field, since there is clearly local cricket interest in accessing and redeveloping the site for the benefit of the local community. 

    It also notes that both groups have contacted both Bellway and Merton Council to express their interest. Had the ECB been aware of the continuing interest of these groups, would certainly have objected to the redevelopment of the playing fields in the first instance. 

    The RFU have also confirmed, that, following receipt of the letter highlighting their engagement with Old Emanuel RFC (OERFC) and the rugby club’s potential use of the site, the RFU has conducted further consultation with the club. In addition to its previous comments, the RFU has commented that the site was identified as not historically having been used for Rugby Union and, as such if new cricket demand has been identified, the RFU would support an amended position to object to the disposal of the site. The communication from the West Barnes & Raynes Park Residents Association makes specific reference to the needs of OERFC. It also highlights that the LESSA site would not provide a total solution to the OERFC requirements with the forthcoming vacation of their current base at Blagdon’s. The current priority for OERFC is to identify a site that can ideally accommodate all or the majority of their requirements i.e. Raynes Park, Taunton Avenue. This is a discussion that is underway with the council. The RFU position is that LESSA may provide additional pitch capacity should it be needed, once negotiations are concluded with LB Merton as to the Raynes Park site (and the capacity thereon) and subject to the needs of cricket as a priority. The RFU would also take the opportunity to re-iterate its original request for an holistic approach to understand the opportunities to address the shortfalls identified within the LB Merton PPS. 

    Sport England’s previous position was predicated on full NGB agreement that there was no demand for this playing field. This further information, in particular with regard to cricket, makes it clear that there is in fact demand for this site for sport; furthermore at least one of the above parties state that it has the resources to bring forward the site for sport in a viable manner (as per the PPS requirements and the Viability Report submitted as part of the planning application). This being the case, it is therefore no longer considered that a financial contribution is an acceptable alternative in this instance, as protecting the existing playing field is a priority where there is clear demand. As there now appears to be viable and clear demand for this playing field, this application does not meet Exception 4. Sport England would expect to see the landowner work with these parties in order to ensure that the sites are brought back into use for sport. 

    The tennis court element of the application continues to meet Exception 5 as it provides a new sport facility and I understand the LTA are supportive of this element and the additional funds proposed towards investing in the adjoining tennis club. However, considering that demand for the existing playing field has now been confirmed, this element alone is not considered sufficient to mitigate the loss of the remainder of the playing field. 

    In light of the above, Sport England objects to the application because overall it is not considered to accord with any of the exceptions to Sport England's playing fields policy or with Paragraph 97 of the NPPF. 

    Should your Council be minded to grant planning permission for the development then in accordance with The Town and Country Planning (Consultation) (England) Direction 2009, the application should be referred to the Secretary of State, via the Planning Casework Unit. 

    In addition, the application is also considered to prejudice the use of a playing field of more than 2 hectares of land and is therefore development of 'potential strategic importance' (PSI) as defined by The Town and Country Planning (Mayor of London) Order 2008. As such, a copy of this application must be sent to the Mayor of London for consideration. 

    If this application is to be presented to a Planning Committee, we would like to be notified in advance of the publication of any committee agendas, report(s) and committee date(s). We would be grateful if you would advise us of the outcome of the application by sending us a copy of the decision notice.  

    If you would like any further information or advice please contact the undersigned at the address below. 

    Yours sincerely, Laura Hutson, Planning Manager

  • Wyke Road, Application 20/P0945

     

     

    Residents and members may already be aware that planning approval has recently been granted for two blocks of flats on the narrow strip of land next to the railway embankment, in Wyke Road, opposite Langham Court. This is despite the fact that this area of Wyke Road has designation as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC).

    However, Network Rail has a general covenant over all land within 1.5m of the boundary with its railway land. This prevents buildings being erected in this strip and gives Network Rail rights of access over it. 

    There is concern locally that the footprint of the proposed buildings in Wyke Road would breach this covenant. Following some correspondence between various parties concerned over this potential breach, James Sachon of Network Rail emailed Stephen Hammond MP and Councillor Adam Bush, as follows:

     

    Date:      9 February 2021

    Subject: Re: Wyke Road Planning Application 20/P0945             

    Further to my email on Monday, I wanted to provide you with an update on our position. 

    We have today written to the developer to formally refuse their request to amend or release the restrictive covenants. If the developer chooses to build to the existing planning permission, then it will be in breach of the restrictive covenant and they will be exposed to legal remedies. 

    We are still happy to have a meeting tomorrow if you feel appropriate, but our position on this remains very clear that we will not allow the developer to amend the restrictive covenants which the current planning permission breaches. 

    I look forward to hearing from you. 

    Kind regards, 

    James

  • The RPWBRA Nextdoor Group

    Our Committee Member, Dick Coleman, is keen to improve communications, both with and between members, so is encouraging members to join the Association’s official RPWBRA members’ group on Nextdoor,

    In the past few months, we’ve set up a members’ group on Nextdoor, a social networking service for you and your neighbours, as a means of providing up-to-date news on local issues.

    We’ve particularly focused recently on the big planning proposals, such as at Tesco, and the Meadowview Road playing fields, where it’s important to keep abreast of developments. The RPWBRA Group works both ways, and we hope our members will also find it an easier way to give us feedback, raise issues we might be able to help with, and help each other.

    Nextdoor is a free service, all you need to do to join the Group is visit: https://nextdoor.co.uk/g/84vfly7fh/

  • Local Issues - Updates Feb 20021

    Drainage Problems in Motspur Park 

    Reported concerns around the Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing fields area with drainage ditches blocked causing flooding to footpaths and gardens appear to be under control. We investigated the situation as did the local West Barnes Councillors. 

    Cottenham Park LTN proposal 

    There is concern around a proposed Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme affecting access to and from Cottenham Park Road. As always, there is concern that some roads will benefit from traffic reduction but others will suffer as a result. The aim – to reduce pollution – is admirable but all aspects need consideration. 

    Continuing Grand Drive traffic issues 

    Although there has been a meeting of the Scrutiny committee which our committee members followed on the Merton Council You tube, there was no clear way forwards for residents’ concerns. It has been suggested that residents worried about damage from vibrations should get in touch with their Insurance companies.

    Secondly, the speed limit should be enforced and thirdly, air pollution levels MUST be monitored.

  • New Committee Member: Mary-Jane Jeanes

    We are pleased to welcome Mary-Jane Jeanes onto our Committee. Mary-Jane has been a keen member of our Association for many years and has helped considerably on planning matters. Her help has been crucial with the plethora of controversial applications currently in the pipeline. 

    Mary-Jane is also the Chair of the Friends of Cannon Hill Common. She writes, 

    Now that we are again asked to limit ourselves to essential travel only, more local people are visiting, and appreciating Cannon Hill Common.  I am sure our members will want to join me in thanking the many volunteers who help with regular litter-picking. 

    “A number of people have also asked the Friends of Cannon Hill Common about tree identification. The Friends plan to have a “Tree Trail”, with notices identifying different tree species on the Common, during Love Parks Week (12th to 20th July, 2021). 

    “In the meantime, the Friends’ website (https://www.friendsofcannonhillcommon.co.uk/) has a link to Tree Talk https://tinyurl.com/y4dzp6x2 which has maps showing many of the most important trees in London.  The Tree Talk map also identifies street trees and you can create your own “tree walks”.

    The Woodland Trust has a free app, to help identify trees: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/. 

    “Once the pandemic is over, the Friends will resume regular events, such as Bat Walks, plus butterfly, bird and flower identification events.” 

    Mary-Jane Jeanes

    FriendsofCHCommon@gmail.com

  • Chairman's Blog - Feb 2021

    REDROW PLANNING INQUIRY 

    Residents will recall that Redrow Homes applied for permission to build 456 flats at 265 Burlington Road, in 7 tower blocks up to 15 storeys high.  At the public meeting we held, which over 200 people attended, there was universal opposition to the scheme. Over 500 letters of objection were made, and the Council’s planning committee refused the application in February last year. 

    Redrow then appealed against the Council’s decision to the Planning Inspectorate.

    The Inquiry took place over a mammoth 11 days, with 8 days of evidence heard before Christmas, and another 3 in the new year. It concluded on 13 January.  It was held remotely over Microsoft Teams, owing to the pandemic. 

    Jerry Cuthbert and I represented the Association. You can read Jerry’s report here.

    The Inspector read all the objections previously submitted, and had numerous written proofs of evidence to consider as well as live testimony from witnesses. On behalf of the Association we put in our own written evidence and submissions.  

    Councillor Bokhari spoke against the scheme on behalf of herself and Councillor Bailey. Two other local residents also gave evidence, as did the Deputy Head of Raynes Park High School, and a representative of Champions, the timber merchants. The Inquiry also heard expert evidence on both sides on highways and parking, on urban design, and on planning, flooding, and CO2 reduction.  There was a lot of evidence as to how much further housing was needed, and it is likely that the decision will turn on the weight to be given to this, when set against the clear overdevelopment of the site.

    We do not expect to receive the Inspector’s report for at least another month.  We will publish it straightaway on our website. 

    John Elvidge

  • Report from our Treasurer

    December 2020

    It is almost eight months since we were required to cancel our AGM as a result of the pandemic.

    I hope that you are all keeping well and I look forward to meeting up again when we can safely do so.

    As we are a non-profit making organisation, I had some serious  concerns initially about our ability to afford printing and incidental costs without dipping into the last of our reserves.

    Fortunately, and thanks to our tireless road stewards and brilliant  members, we have over half of our annual subscriptions banked already. This is very encouraging and I would be grateful if those of you who have not yet renewed this year could do so in one of the following Covid-safe ways:

     

    £3 in cash or cheque put in an envelope with your name and address clearly marked. This envelope can then be put through your road steward’s door or mine.

     

    £3 by direct bank payment (BACS) to RPWBRA, Sort Code: 30-99-66, Account no: 32070068, adding your name as reference.

  • Morden Cemetery - Locked Gate

    (North East Surrey Crematorium) 

    We are pleased to learn from one of our tireless road stewards that the pedestrian gate into the cemetery has now been reopened indefinitely, re-establishing this peaceful, accessible route for local people to visit the cemetery and avoid the unnecessary and lengthy journey via the main gate in Garth Road.

    Our Road Steward is grateful for the support she received from the RPWBRA and we, for our part thank her for drawing our attention to this serious issue, which is now, hopefully, resolved.

  • Chairman's Blog, Dec 2020

    2020: A CHALLENGING YEAR

    This year has been, as the Queen memorably described 1992, an “annus horribilis”. For all of us it has meant lockdowns, an inability to meet relatives and friends including those in care homes, to worship, to travel and to go on holiday as we wished. For many people it has been very much worse, with the loss of loved ones through Covid or otherwise and, made worse by attendance at funerals being very limited. Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected. 

    THE WORK OF THE RPWBRA

    Although we were unable to hold the AGM in April, the committee members have continued to liaise by email, Zoom meetings and shared reports. We have also held two socially distanced meetings, an outdoor one held at the Paddock allotments and an indoor one at St. Saviour’s Church. 

    NEWSLETTERS AND THE GUIDE

    The firm that that had previously printed our Guides closed its doors in April, so we had to find another means of communication. We produced Newsletters in May, June, July and August followed by a return to The Guide in September. We now have our Guides printed by Prontaprint which means it is necessary to have them ready for immediate photocopying and printing. The bonus is that we can afford to have full colour copies, a very positive outcome! 

    ROAD STEWARDS

    The RPWBRA worked hard to keep in touch with members but we did not wish to expose our volunteer road stewards to the virus. However, we are very grateful to those stewards who were not shielding and were able to deliver copies to residents in a COVID-safe way

     

    SUMMARY OF PLANNING ISSUES 

    Redrow/Tesco Public Inquiry; Tesco site, 265 Burlington Road.

    The RWBPRA is a full party to the Inquiry. Read more Tesco/Redrow Appeal Update - 10 December2020

     

    208-212 Burlington Road - Planning App:20/1688

    The RPWBRA has already lodged a comprehensive objection to this plan for an inappropriate seven storey development overlooking Barnard Gardens. Read More: 208-212 Burlington Road (20/P1688)

     

    Bellway/Meadowview  Playing Field (Former LESSA) – App:20/P3237

    Bellway homes has now made a planning application to build 89 properties on the sports ground at Meadowview Road. Read More: Bellway Plans to build houses on Meadowview Sports Ground

    The company bought the land knowing that the Planning Inspectorate had decided that a maximum of 44 houses and flats could be built there, on the strict basis that the rest of the land should be retained as a sports ground. All offers from local schools and sports organisations are being dismissed by Bellway, as not viable.

     

    Proposed Wyke Road Development - App:20/PO945

    An unsuitable plan to build dwellings along the length of Wyke Road is of great concern and we are examining the details. Our new Committee Member, Mary-Jane Jeanes, has already submitted a comprehensive formal objection. 

     

    A full set of planning apps to keep us busy! However, looking on the bright side, and in Shelley’s words: 

    “If winter comes, can spring be far behind?” 

    My very best wishes to you all!

    John Elvidge, Chairman

  • Vice-Chairman's Objection to Bellway's Application 20/P3237

    On Behalf of Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents Association I submit this Objection to Application 20/P3237.

    We submit that the P/A is in conflict with Policy DM 01 Open Space of Merton 's Sites and Policies Plan July 2014 and Policy  CS 13 of the Core Strategy  July 2011 and also the Merton Open Space Study of 2010/11, on the grounds that no assessment has been made which shows that the application site is surplus to the sporting provision needs of the Borough of Merton. 

    We submit that the proposals are also in conflict with the requirements of the National Policy Planning Framework and also Policy 7.18 of the GLA adopted London Plan, as well as the proposed site uses set out in LBM 's Consultation Local Plan October 2018 for the Former LESSA Sportsfield Site RP6. 

    We submit that this application cannot be considered only by reference to the proposals submitted on this occasion but needs to take fully into consideration the history and outcome of the previous planning application, P/A 08/P1869 . 

    That application was for 44 Dwelling Units, which was submitted by Doram ( who subsequently sold the land to Bellway ) in Feb 2009 . That was Refused by the Planning Application Committee (PAC) for Merton but the Appeal was Upheld in October 2009. 

    The key point to note is that this application was deemed to be an ' enabling ' application taking 16 % only of the original LESSA site for residential development to enable the remainder of the site ( apart from 5 tennis courts for RPLTC ) to be used for sports’ needs. It was anticipated at the time that the field would be used by a junior school for football, cricket or rugby. This was set out in detail in the Officer’s Report for the PAC meeting held on 15 Jan 2009. The extent of the land expected to be made available was defined in a drawing submitted with the Section 106 Agreement, very late in the day - 3 June 2009. 

    This drawing boldly describes the land as the SPORTS FIELD LAND. 

    It is worth repeating what Anthony Lyman, the Inspector, said in his Decision letter dated 1 October 2009 , in upholding the Appeal. I quote para 15 : 

    " the proposal would provide public open access to and through the site for the first time , substantially upgraded sport and recreation facilities to which an element of community use would be guaranteed and wider use of the landscaped amenity area and the children's playground . I consider that the improved recreational provision with increased public access would satisfy the requirements of PolicyL.7 ( ii ) " 

    The latter was Merton’s'prevailing Policy at the time. 

    It should be noted that the so-called " landscaped amenity area " was sealed off some years ago with a locked gate and there is no longer "public access" to it !  

    Merton Council has a housing target currently set at a perfectly reasonable level for the delivery of new homes each year . The target is set by the GLA, whish has a draft New London Plan. This would impose on Merton an increase in the target of about 200% ! 

    Even the well informed Future Merton team at the Council regard this proposed hike as undeliverable . However, the New London Plan is not  adopted  and the suggested housing targets remain under consideration. The Borough of Merton has been able to ' deliver ' a  little more than the target in recent years without the need to permit building on greenfield sites . 

    Conclusion  

    There are a number of problems with this application, not least the potential for flooding for the residents in the Greenway / Westway corner backing the application site. However the primary issue is, notwithstanding the need for more housing , whether 89 housing units along with the new access roadway should be permitted on the SPORTS FIELD LAND  . 

    We have no doubt that in drafting his Decision Letter, Anthony Lyman not just assumed that the sportsfield would be used for sporting needs by a school or sports club ( without any time frame limit being set) but in a de facto sense , in upholding the appeal , made this CONDITIONAL. 

    Ten years later on it appears that Bellway Homes have , aside from one half-hearted attempt recently, opted to ignore the Inspectors conditional approval. 

    We therefore urge the Planning Applications Committee to treat these proposals with what they deserve - REFUSAL. Thank you for your time. 

    David Freeman  Committee Member RP&WBRA 

  • Chairman's Objection to Bellway's Application 20/P3237

    OBJECTION TO PLANNING APPLICATION 20/P3237

    LAND AT THE FORMER LESSA SPORTS FIELD GROUND, MEADOWVIEW ROAD, RAYNES PARK, SW209EB

    ON BEHALF OF THE RAYNES PARK AND WEST BARNES RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

     

    We are a Residents’ Association with 1800 household members in our area. 

    We make this objection further to the objection submitted by us by e-mail on 29 November 2020.   

    We have fought to keep the LESSA sports ground in use for sport for over 20 years. 

    LESSA closed the sports ground in September 2000.  It contained two full sized cricket pitches, and an overlapping cricket pitch, four tarmac tennis courts, a pavilion, and a children’s play area, with parking for between 70 and 80 cars. 

    In 2002-3 we opposed a plan by Barratt Homes Limited to build 111 apartments in 2,3, and 4 story blocks on this land.  The Council refused the application for outline planning permission on 17 October 2002, and a Planning Inspector refused the appeal entirely on 19 June 2003. We gave evidence to the Inquiry. 

    The land was then sold to a company called Doram Properties Limited. That company applied for planning permission on 4 July 2008 to build 44 units of accommodation. But, importantly, the application was for the retention and re-use of 4.07 hectares of playing fields, providing two rugby/football pitches, a cricket ground and tennis courts for community use, and the erection of two sports pavilions. The Planning Applications Committee refused the application formally on 20 February 2009, and Doram appealed. 

    A different Planning Inspector upheld the appeal and so granted approval on 1 October 2009. It is very important to note the Inspector fully expected that the plan should be completed as a whole, and that the permission to build the housing was dependent on the rest of the ground being made available for community use.  These requirements were set out in a section 106 Unilateral Undertaking. 

    The evidence before the Inspector was that King’s College School wanted to use the ground for their juniors and that it would be made available to other community users for a minimum of 500 hours per annum. A tennis club and pavilion would be provided on part of the land at the owner’s expense.  If KCS did not want to take up this opportunity, the Council could do so itself. It was, in his words, “an enabling development”. He ruled that: “The proposal would provide high quality playing fields, tennis courts and pavilions which, unlike the original facilities, would be available for use by local people”.  

    The Inspector concluded that “the community, sporting and recreational benefits arising from the proposed development significantly outweigh the loss of a relatively small part of this disused and derelict sports ground”. 

    Doram sold the entire site to Bellway on 24 May 2010, on this basis. They build the 44 units of accommodation which is now called Meadowview Road, and provided tennis courts and a pavilion for the Raynes Park Tennis Club.  They also provided a small play area for the children of residents.  

    However, King’s College School decided not to take up the option of a lease of the land, which was secured by the Unilateral Undertaking, and the Council did not take up its option under the same Undertaking to do so either. 

    When the properties were bought privately, the new owners, we have been told, received assurances from Bellway that the large balance of the land would be retained for sport. 

    Since that time, Bellway has done nothing more than maintain the hedges, and mow the grass. Latterly, the play area has been left unkempt and unusable.  

    As an Association we have since asked Bellway on a number of occasions to meet sporting bodies and schools who wanted to use the land for sport. 

    As early as 16 May 2014 Bellway’s Chief Executive wrote to Stephen Hammond MP that: 

    “There are no further planning obligations on Bellway as owner to enter into arrangements with other organisations for the use of the Sports Fields. I can confirm that Bellway has fulfilled the obligations set down in the Planning Approval and Unilateral Undertaking and that the London Borough of Merton chose not to take up the Option of taking a lease for the Sports Fields. In the circumstances I have asked the Regional Managing Director to contact the Headmaster of a particular school to discuss the situation”. 

    On 12 December 2016 the Regional Director of Bellway Homes Ltd (South London Division) wrote to us that: “we are under no further obligation to bring forward land for use as a sports field. We are fully aware of the interest in the sports field from other organisations who are willing to take over the management of the sports field. However, our intention is to seek a further release of the Sports Field Allocation for enabling development, in order to provide delivery of a high quality recreational/community use for the benefit of the local community.  It is recognised that the Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents Association is a key stakeholder to any development of the site and will be contacted directly in early 2017 to ensure that the ideas of the Residents Association can be discussed and included in any early proposals for the site”. 

    We heard nothing from Bellway after that, and the Association was only made aware of their current proposals in August through a member of the Tennis Club. 

    They have totally failed to consult us. They did not inform us of either of the marketing schemes they held this year, at the Council’s behest.   They submitted to the Council that “there is no interest in the site being used solely as sports fields” which was palpably untrue, as we shall show. 

    We are pleased that the local plan for the site RP6 states that “Sporting or community use of the whole site will have to be demonstrated as undeliverable before any other uses can be considered”. And under “Opportunities” states that: “The site may have opportunities for whole site sports use. Use of the site for sports use or other uses compatible with the designated open space should be actively demonstrated prior to any alternatives being taken forward”. 

    In the short period since early August we have identified a number of sporting associations and schools which are keen to use the ground, some of which to our knowledge have contacted Bellway already. They are all local to Merton.  Had Bellway consulted us earlier, as they promised to do, and, we assume, deliberately decided not to do, we could have identified sporting partners much earlier.  

    A Cricket Academy has offered to take a lease for at least 10 years at £20,000 per annum, and to build a pavilion. It coaches 180 boys and girls each year. The offer was made to Haslams Surveyors LLP by letter dated 14 September 2020, following a letter of interest dated 7 September 2020. The Academy stated that Paragraph 113 of Bellway’s Sports Needs and Viability Report, October 2002, is untrue in its claim that: “They have therefore been contacted” since to assess the viability of the scheme.  No such contact was made. 

    Also, a Cricket Club made a detailed offer, setting out that they would finance the pavilion and re-lay the cricket pitch utilising lottery funding and providing the 50% balance of the costs from their own finances and sponsors.   Paragraph 114 of the same report dismisses this offer off hand as not “a compliant viable bid” when it has not been discussed with them. 

    These two cricket clubs may probably ground share. 

    A junior school in Wimbledon has expressed an interest in buying the ground, for junior sports in the week, and has instructed a surveyor, and would ground share with the Cricket Academy and the Cricket Club at weekends and in the school holidays.  The School first registered an interest with the surveyors on 16 September 2020. 

    Paragraph 122 of the same report is also inaccurate in stating that “There were no viable, compliant bids from commercial operators, clubs, schools or other bodies to purchase, develop and operate the site as a whole”. The footnote to that paragraph is also wrong in stating that Haslams had receive no reply as at 4.10.20 of any kind from these organisations. 

    We note that Haslams decided not to place a marketing (for sale/to let) board at the site (paragraph 10.9 of their report) which would immediately have resulted in many expressions and much earlier expressions of interest. 

    All these approaches need to be explored fully by Bellway and found to be “undeliverable” before they can properly lodge a planning application. 

    Bellway has lodged with the application a report which claims that the offers made were either out of time, or not “viable”. Both of these claims are palpably untrue. 

    Bellway should not have been allowed to lodge this application until they had shown clearly that no viable sporting offers had been received. This they have failed to do. 

    THE PLANNING APPLICATIONS COMMITTEE SHOULD TURN THIS APPLICATION DOWN SINCE BELLWAY HAS NOT PROVED THAT SPORT CANNOT CONTINUE TO BE PLAYED THERE, AS THE PLANNING INSPECTOR INTENDED.    

    The plan now proposes that a small part of the sports ground is used for tennis, on site play, an outdoor gym, a trim trail and jogging and walking routes. Given that Bellway similarly promised to maintain a play area for the children of residents, which has not been maintained or is open, we doubt their commitment to maintain these facilities, when they have made their further profit from the site and left. 

     

    We also doubt their commitment to provide suitable flood prevention measures at the site. The existing provisions provided by them are clearly not sufficient, as surface water from the existing development leads to flooding in heavy rain pouring down the footpath from Meadowview Road to Westway and Greenway. Building on the major portion of the rest of the ground will clearly exacerbate the problem. 

    The size of the proposed private maisonettes is less than the Government’s technical housing standards. Bellway are obviously trying to cram too much housing on the site to maximise their profits. 

    As residents we are outraged that having bought the ground under a clear planning decision that only 44 units of housing were permitted, and on the clear basis that the rest of the ground should be used for sports,  Bellway has since refused to contemplate any sporting user for the ground, but waited 10 years until they thought that the need for more housing would result in a planning decision in their favour. 

    While the community does need more housing, it also requires the continued provision of sports grounds, and housing should not be built on such grounds.   The clear need for these has been demonstrated during this pandemic. 

    The Planning Applications Committee should refuse this application. 

    John Elvidge

     

    Chairman of the Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents’ Association

    30 November 2020

  • 208-212 Burlington Road (20/P1688) - Withdrawn

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     Update - 26 January 2021

    We are pleased to report that this inappropriate application has been withdrawn. In mid-January 2021, we noticed that this application had mysteriously disappeared from Merton's online Planning Explorer. After making enquiries with the Planning Department, we have now been told that this application has been withdrawn. Why this application was removed from Planning Explorer rather than having its status recorded as "Withdrawn", we do not know.

    Previously ...

    A planning application (20/P1688) has been submitted to build a 7 storey block of flats at 208-212 Burlington Road. This location is currently occupied by Shannon Corner car service centre, opposite Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Local residents are rightly very concerned about the plans for this far too large and inappropriate development, The RPWBRA has submitted an objection to this planning application, which may be read here .

  • Tesco/Redrow Appeal Upheld - 29 June 2021

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Update August 2021 - Planning Permission Granted

     

    Redrow Wins Its Planning Appeal for 456 Flats in Tesco’s Car Park 

    It is with much disappointment that, on the 29 June, we received the decision from the Planning Inspectorate. The Inspectorate has decided in favour of Redrow’s Planning Appeal. 

    This decision reverses Merton’s original Planning Committee decision to refuse planning and now means that Redrow has been granted planning permission to build 456 flats in Tesco’s carpark, in blocks up to 15 storeys high. 

    We understand that Redrow does not intend to carry out the development itself but plans to sell the site on to another party but, of course the planning permission, which has now been granted, will pass on to the new owner. 

    The London Borough of Merton, our Association and many local people and organisations went to a huge effort to prevent this development going ahead but sadly we’ll all now have to live with the adverse consequences for our community.

    We would like to thank the 500+ local people who submitted letters of objection and especially Councillors Eloise Bailey and Hina Bokhari, the directors of Champion’s Timber, Andrew Hogarth who is the Deputy Head of Raynes Park High School and local residents, Nick West and Matt Wingrove, all of whom went the extra mile by speaking at the public inquiry.

     

    The Planning Inspector's decision may be read here. 

    Previously in January 2021

    The online public inquiry was concluded on Wednesday, 13th January. Members will probably be aware that Redrow launched an appeal against Merton’s decision to refuse planning permission for its proposed development in Tesco’s car park to build 456 flats in towers up to 15 storeys high. 

    Our Association was a “Rule 6 Party” at the inquiry, which meant our team was present throughout and able to participate in the proceedings.The public inquiry was organised by the Planning Inspectorate and took place online, running for a total of 11 days, starting on 8 December 2020 and concluding on 13 January 2021, with a break over the Christmas and New Year holiday period. 

    John Elvidge, our Chairman, took on the role as our advocate, putting his legal experience to good use, with Jerry Cuthbert looking after all the day-to-day administration and documentation that being a Rule 6 Party entails. They were ably supported by David Freeman who has a wealth of experience in planning matters. The Planning Inspector has yet to make her site visit, write her report and make her decision; so it’s still a case of “watch this space”. 

    It’s been a very intense experience for those involved and has consumed large amounts of their time. Fortunately, as we’ve been through several periods of lockdown since the appeal started, our team has had the free time available! 

    Throughout the planning process for this development, your Association has worked hard in representing the views of its members and giving its support to local residents, schools and businesses in our joint endeavours to achieve what is best for our community. 

    During the inquiry we have reminded the Inspector that we’re not against new homes being built in Tesco’s car park but that any development should be architecturally integrated with the local townscape, contribute positively to the public realm and should include public facilities, such as a health centre, for example. Let us hope for a positive outcome from the inquiry and that the appeal is refused.

    The sessions were live streamed on YouTube and recorded by the Planning Inspectorate.

    All the inquiry documents are available on Merton's website at https://www.merton.gov.uk/planning-and-buildings/planning/planning-permission/burlington-road-public-inquiry

    As our Association is a "Rule 6" party to the inquiry, you may read our Proof of Evidence here .

     

    Daily Reports on the Inquiry (8 December 2020 - 13 January 2021)

    On the first day (8 December 2020), we had the opening statements from representatives for Redrow and London Borough of Merton, with John Elvidge speaking for our Association.  Also Councillor Hina Bokhari, Steve Lister (Champion’s Chairman), Andrew Hogarth (Deputy-Head RPHS), Matt Wingrove (resident) and Nick West (resident) all spoke eloquently urging refusal.

    On Day 2 (9 December 2020), we heard the highways evidence submitted by Merton’s expert witness. This centred around an assessment of the degree to which the site is served by public transport, the accessibility of Motspur Park Station, whether 220 car parking spaces would be adequate for 456 flats and the possibility of increased street parking in the vicinity.

    Day 3 (10 December 2020). Today, we heard further from Redrow's expert witness on transport. Much of his evidence today concerned his methodology for predicting the likely level of car ownership within the proposed development. Our members are obviously concerned over the possibility of overspill car parking into the residential streets of West Barnes. If this did happen, the solution being mooted would be the imposition of a new CPZ on residents in West Barnes.

    So there is the possibility that residents near to the Tesco site might have to bear all the costs and inconvenience of a CPZ in their streets, so that Redrow only have to provide 48% parking capacity per dwelling for the new residents.

    Day 4 (11 December 2020). The first session was to allow third parties to raise any matters that might be added to the Planning Conditions. These Conditions are to be agreed in principle between Merton and LBM in advance, on the basis that, IF the appeal were to be granted, they would be already agreed.

    After this, our chairman, John Elvidge, then cross-examined Redrow's expert transport witness about the evidence he gave the day before.

    In the afternoon, we started the "Character and Appearance" debate, with LBM's expert witness presenting his evidence.

    Later, the Inspector chaired the concluding discussion on Conditions and the S106 Agreement.

    Day 5 (15 December 2020) Today, Merton's expert witness for urban design and townscape matters, explained the reasons behind the Planning Committee's reasons for refusal. He was then cross-examined by Redrow's counsel. Later in the day, Redrow's expert witness presented the reasons why Redrow is appealing against Merton's refusal on these matters.

    The balance between the pros and cons of Redrow's proposed architectural and urban designs and their impact on Merton's townscape and the local area are likely to be a key issues in the Inspector making her decision. 

    Day 6 (16 December). The day started with Redrow's expert witness being cross-examination by Merton's advocate. Despite Merton's policy paper that says that tall buildings are "Inappropriate" at this location, much of the debate centred around whether breaching this policy is justified in order to meet housing need. There were also questions raised over the quality of the architectural design, including the criticisms raised by Merton's Design Review Panel at the pre-application stage.

    In the afternoon, the witness was further cross-examined by John Elvidge, particularly about why the Design Review Panel had not been asked to reconsider Redrow's revised design, after its first "Red" assessment.

    Day 7 (17 December) started with Redrow's expert witness completing his evidence. This was followed by a round-table discussion on flooding and carbon footprint. Both these concerns had been specifically raised by the Association. The rest of the day was taken up with Merton's expert witness explaining how the council developed its housing policy and planning within the framework of national and London policies and guidance.

    Day 8 (18 December). The debate over the planning of homes in the borough, continued with Redrow's expert witness. The question of how Merton's plans and targets mesh in with those set for it by the GLA was considered in detail. He reviewed the timings of when various GLA plans are revised, updated, approved and reissued and considered how and when Merton's own planning should be updated to incorporate the changes that GLA's revisions cause.

    Day 9 (11 January 2021). The Inquiry recommenced, after the break over the holiday period, with a review of the evidence of Merton's plan for the delivery of new homes for the next 10 years or so. The GLA's target for Merton has been to deliver 411 new homes each year. However, this is expected to be raised to a new average of 918 new homes each year, as and when the new London Plan is formally issued in 2021. Currently this revised plan is expected to be approved by the government in the next few months. Accordingly, Merton will need to ramp up its delivery at some point. The day's arguments centred around the reviewing the future "pipeline" of forthcoming developments, in order to gauge the effectiveness of Merton's plans to continue to provide new homes in the borough to meet GLA targets. It seems that whether or not Merton is deemed to have a robust plan for the future provision of new homes is likely to be an important aspect in the outcome of this inquiry.

    Day 10 (12 January 2021). The day commenced with a round table discussion on when and how Merton will develop a revised plan to increase the supply of new homes, to meet the new GLA targets when they are approved and finalised. Merton's revised plan will need to mesh in with the GLA's new targets. The legal positions on whether all these various plans may be considered as still valid or "out of date" seem to be contested matters. At the moment, the GLA targets are in transition, as the new targets are not yet official but nevertheless anticipated soon. This is all to be judged with reference to the guidance set out in the National Planning Policy Framework

    Later, the expert witnesses on town planning matters for Redrow and Merton presented their evidence and were cross-examined by the parties' advocates, including John Elvidge representing our Association. The appearance, height and massing of the proposed development were reviewed, including the concerns expressed by local people.

    Day 11 (13 January 2021) This was the last day of the inquiry, with the advocates presenting their final submissions:

    • John Elvidge, our Chairman for RPWBRA. His Closing Submission may be read here.
    • Annabel Graham Paul, representing the London Borough of Merton
    • Paul Tucker QC and Constanze Bell, representing Redrow (the Appellant)

    The Planning Inspector has yet to make her site inspection and, of course, prepare her conclusions and decision.

    We do not yet know when this will all be concluded.

     

    Previously on 7 November ...

    We have now been advised by the Planning Inspectorate that the public inquiry for Redrow’s appeal against refusal of its planning application (Original Ref: 19/P2387) to build 456 flats in tower blocks up to 15 storeys high in Tesco’s car park at 265 Burlington Road will be a “virtual” inquiry to be held on-line. It is planned to start on, Tuesday, 8 December 2020 and take between 4 and 6 working days. 

    If you were one of the 500+ people and organisations that made written representations to Merton Council at the time of the original planning application, which was refused by Merton’s Planning Committee, back in February 2020, then your representations will have already copied by Merton and issued to the Inspector, who be making the final decision for the appeal inquiry. 

    As our Association is a "Rule 6" party to the inquiry our Proof of Evidence is here .

     

    Previous Articles about this site and the proposed development:

    265 Burlington Rd - Date Set for Public Inquiry Sept 20

    20/P1253 - 265 Burlington Road

    19/P2387 - 265 Burlington Road April 2020

    Tesco Site - 265 Burlington Road April 2020

    Tesco Site Development - Public Meeting

     

     

  • Chairman's Blog - Nov 2020

    PLANNING MATTERS

    We are dealing with no fewer than 4 major planned developments at the moment. We are or will be objecting to all of them strenuously. 

    1. REDROW/TESCO plans to build 5 blocks of flats on Burlington Road.

    The public inquiry is still fixed for 4-6 days starting on 8 December.  It is unclear where or how it will be held. It is also uncertain whether it will go ahead on this date, since the pre-hearing case conference has twice been postponed, and is now due to take place by Zoom on 5th November. The Association is a full party to the inquiry, and will be submitting detailed evidence in support of the Council’s decision to refuse the application. 

    2. 202-208 BURLINGTON ROAD

    There is a new planning application on the opposite side of Burlington Road from Tesco’s.  This is 20/P1688.  The plan is to demolish the auto repair shop and build a 7 storey block of 20 flats.

    The building would be next to Shannon Corner and directly opposite the Krispy Crème outlet and Champions. This area is prone to flooding. It would severely overlook and impact several properties in Barnard Gardens, and the upstairs flat above the shop at 214 Burlington Road. They would suffer severe loss of light. Only 9 parking spaces would be provided, which would inevitably result in further parking in Barnard Gardens which is in the Cavendish parking zone. 

    3. BELLWAY PLANS TO BUILD ON THE FIELD AT MEADOWVIEW ROAD

    With regard to the proposed BELLWAY plans to build 90 houses and flats on the sports ground at Meadowview Road, off Grand Drive, a number of clubs and schools have written to their agents informing them of their wish to take a long term lease of the land for sporting purposes. This is what two planning inspectors have recommended and is the current planning designation. The planning officers have been informed. We await to see what Bellway now intend to do and will challenge any attempt to ignore the wishes of the local residents. 

    4. WYKE ROAD / LANGHAM COURT

    There is a planning application 20/P2583 for the land between

    Pepys Road and 284 Worple Road, but this is actually a fire route for the residents of Langham Court. 

    Established trees would have to be cut down and residents’ safety would be put at risk.

    There is also a proposal to add an entire floor to the entire block at Langham Court. Worrying times for the residents of this fine old establishment.

     

    SEASONAL WALKS

    Once again I would like to share a photo taken on my daily walk on the beautiful Cannon Hill Common.

     

    COMMITTEE CHANGES 

    For over ten years Andrew Barwick has overseen membership of the RA and has also been responsible for the  distribution of The Guide.

    Additionally, Andrew has coordinated the Bushey Road Area and both he and Mette have distributed The Guide to various households in Grand Drive and the adjoining roads. 

    However he would now like to stand down from his various roles and I would like to pay tribute to his hard work over the years. He will retain his position as the Company Secretary and Chairman for the Pavilion holding company. 

    Meanwhile Andrew and Mette will continue to distribute The Guide to their “patch” and when the time comes that we can socialize again he and Mette will be pleased to attend RA functions. 

    Kind Regards, John Elvidge

  • Chairman's Blog - Sept 2020

    I hope that you are all well. I am delighted to report that the first edition of our new all-colour Guide was distributed to all our members in September 2020. The lockdown in March meant the abrupt closure of most services and shops. Sadly, our April Guide was thus full of cancelled events and activities. For the last four months we as a community have relied on our amazing NHS and care workers, our diligent postal workers, waste management teams, transport sector employees plus essential shop and distribution staff who remained at work throughout the pandemic. We are grateful to them all. 

    There are also countless stories of residents supporting others by helping vulnerable neighbours with shopping or obtaining medical supplies, by contributing to food banks and providing PPE, all on a voluntary basis. We thank everyone who offered and gave support to others. 

    Keeping in touch with our members

    We have relied for years on our hardworking Area Coordinators and Road Stewards to distribute The Guide and this is a brilliant system overseen by Andrew Barwick. However, the downside is that without an email contact system it was exceptionally hard to keep in touch with our members during the lockdown. The REDROW and BELLWAY issues (see further on) highlighted the problem. David Freeman is, as ever, scrutinising and monitoring the planning developments. Fortunately, Clare and John Townsend, Dick Coleman and Michael Marks worked together (by email!) to produce newsletters which were then uploaded by Charles Briscoe-Smith to our website. Jerry Cuthbert continued to update the website with important updates as required. Gradually, more and more stewards participated in delivery (coordinated temporarily by Clare and John), with the result that by August we were able to get back in touch with all our members. 

    To ensure that we can contact our members in future emergencies, we would be grateful if members would allow us to build up a bank of email contact details for RPWBRA use only. Michael Marks will be overseeing this. Meanwhile, Dick Coleman has been developing links through the Nextdoor Social Network. 

    REDROW PLANNING APPEAL

    The Public Inquiry is scheduled to start on Tuesday 8t h December at 10.00am and run for 4 days.

     265 Burlington Rd - Date Set for Public Inquiry

    The venue for the Redrow public inquiry into the appeal in respect of their application to build 456 homes in 5 tower block near Tesco's on Burlington Road has still to be decided. Although it is to be hoped that it will be held physically, this will be subject to the government rules and the Inspectorate's own guidance as to Covid-19 at that time. 

    It may be necessary to hold the proceedings remotely over the internet or by telephone link for those who wish to participate.We will update you through The Guide, this website, via emails and through the RPWBRA Association User Group app on Nextdoor. 

    Plans to build on the former LESSA ground in Meadowview Road, off Grand Drive 

    Bellway Plans to build houses on Meadowview Sports Ground

    The RPWBRA and local residents have fought hard over the past 20 years to retain open land in Meadowview Road. The land, which until September 2000 was a sports field boasting 2 full-sized football pitches, an overlapping cricket pitch, 4 tarmac tennis courts, a children's play area and a pavilion, was acquired by Barratts who attempted to build 111 flats on the site in 2002. Merton council refused the application and Barratt's appeal, in an inquiry held over 3 days was dismissed. The Inspector stated in a detailed judgement that the land should remain available as a sports field. Barratts then sold the land to Doram which submitted its own planning application for housing in July 2008 and this was turned down in 2009. Doram appealed and signed a section 106 agreement guaranteeing to provide some sporting facilities at the ground. On this occasion, in October 2009, the appeal was successful and was allowed as a single scheme which permitted the development of homes on open space if it funded sports facilities. 

    Doram then sold the entire site to Bellway in May 2010 as a result of which the present 44 homes on the site were built, starting in October 2010. The remainder of the sports field was fenced off and a small area of play facilities for younger children of residents on the site was installed. Five tennis courts and a pavilion were provided for and leased to the Raynes Park Residents Lawn Tennis Club in 2013, enabling it to move from its former home at 129 Grand Drive. This was in line with the section 106 agreement. The decision letter from the Inspectorate approves the continued use of the field for sports, making reference to the laying out of pitches and a pavilion. However, these provisions were not made part of a requirement under the section 106 agreement. 

    The inspectorate appears to have been swayed by a proposal from Kings College School that they wished to use the sports field for its junior pupils, but in the event KCS did not take up the option of a lease being granted to them. BelIway simply had to maintain the ground by cutting the grass and clipping the hedges BUT the land had to be made available to any other school or sports club. The RPWBRA suggested to Bellway on several occasions that another junior school, as well as a sports club, might be interested in taking up a lease but nothing resulted from our approaches. 

    We believe that notwithstanding the passage of time and in the light of clear views from the Inspectorate it will be for Bellway to demonstrate WHY the field should not be used for sports purposes rather than for additional housing. 

    John Elvidge

  • Bellway's Plans to build houses on Meadowview Sports Ground

    Updated 5 March 2021

    Planning Application 20/P3237 to build 89 homes on the former LESSA Sports Ground in Meadowview Road.

    The application was formally registered 16th November 2020. Before the 9th December 2020 deadline, our Residents Association, together with 203 residents filed 200 objections to the Planning Department; only 3 representations were in favour.  The Residents’ Association explained why the field should be kept for sport; 83% of residents agreed.  The other main concerns are increased traffic congestion (74%) and flooding (72%). 

    Both the Environment Agency and the borough’s Flood Risk Officer have objected because of flooding concerns, although Thames Water has not. 

    As well as objections to the development, there have also been several clubs showing interest in using the field for its original sporting purpose. Bellway Homes have not made it easy for clubs to rent this land and it has only been the planning application which has drawn attention to the site.

    We are now awaiting a Planning Application Committee date to see if permission will be refused or granted. 

    As an association, we are continuing to press for all the relevant and latest information concerning this major planning proposal which will affect so many residents. We will update you via our website and the Nextdoor app.   Michael Marks

    Previously on 23 February 2021 - Sport England decides to Object to Bellway's Planning Application

    This Association has now received a copy of an email from Sport England sent to Merton's Planning Dept, setting out its reasons for making a formal objection to this planning application (ref: 20/P3237). We sincerely hope this is this first step towards securing a new future for this playing field. Sport England's email may be read by clicking on this link  Email from Sport England to Merton 20/P3237

    Previously on 12 February 2021 - Application 20/P3237 - Sport England

    Bellway has now submitted its planning application, Ref 20/P3237, which can be seen on Merton's Planning Explorer.

    We have been very concerned recently because Merton Council has stopped publishing on its Planning Explorer most letters of objection to applications submitted by members of the public. However, we have now obtained copies of all the objections (formally called "Representations").

    Our new committee member, Mary-Jane Jeanes, has been reading them all and discovered that Sport England, a statutory consultee for this application, had raised no objection to the loss of this sports field. 

    We  therefore wrote to Sport England reminding them of all the details. Our letter may be read here. We urged Sport England to reconsider its position. As reported above, Sport England has now submitted a formal objection to this planning application. 

     

    Previously: November 2020

    Both our Chairman, John Elvidge, and Vice-Chairman, David Freeman have submitted letters of objection, which may be read by following these links:

    Chairman's Objection to Bellway's Application 20/P3237

    Vice-Chairman's Objection to Bellway's Application 20/P3237

    Our MP, Stephen Hammond has also submitted an objection.

     

    We urge our members to also submit objections to Merton's Planning Department, which can be done by email. The deadline is 9 December 2020

     

     

    Previously ...( 24 August 2020)

    We have just learned that Bellway Homes have indicated that they intend to deliver a letter to local residents on Tuesday 25th August setting out their intention to build some 90 units of accommodation on the Sports Ground in Meadowview Road, Grand Drive (Formerly the "LESSA" Sports Ground).

    More details of Bellway's plans can be seen here and here . 

    Nowhere in their letter do they explain that they have owned this land since 2010, having bought it following a public inquiry, in which the Planning Inspector held that there should be permission only to build the 44 homes now on the site, and on the clear basis that the rest of the land should be retained for sporting use. Five tennis courts were also provided for the Raynes Park Tennis Club.

    Nowhere in the letter do Bellway set out the Council’s planning policy for the site. The proposed policy is that “Sporting or community use of the whole site will have to be demonstrated as undeliverable before any other use can be considered”.  It is designated as Open Space. It is officially noted that “the site may have opportunities for whole site sports use. Use of the site for sports use or other uses compatible with the designated open space should be actively demonstrated prior to any alternatives being taken forward”.  

    The decision letter from the Inspectorate approved the continued use of the sports field for football and rugby. The decision also makes reference to the laying out of pitches and a pavilion. The Inspector appears to have swayed by a proposal by King’s College School that they wished to use the sports field for its junior pupils.  In the event, KCS did not take up this option.

    However, the decision stated that, in that case, the ground had to be made available to any other School or a Sports Club. The Residents’ Association suggested to Bellway on a number of occasions another junior school which would be interested in taking up a lease, as well as a sports club, but nothing resulted from our approaches. 

    So far as we are aware, they have not attempted in any way in the past ten years to bring the ground to the attention of other schools or sports clubs.  They ought to demonstrate this very clearly before planning permission for housing should even be considered.

    We would normally have called a public meeting to discuss these proposals, but, sadly, Covid 19 prevents this.

    We hope that if residents are contacted by Bellway, they will say to them firmly that the site should be used for sports, and particularly for junior sports.  It is so important that this message gets through to Merton’s planners now. 

    If a planning application is made, then we would urge individual residents to oppose it in the strongest terms, and hold Bellway to the conditions on which they bought the land.

    And, if anyone reading this knows of a School or sporting club which needs a good sports ground of 2.8 hectares, do, please, get in touch with us urgently at rpwbra@rpwbresidents.org.uk

    John Elvidge, Chairman, 24th August 2020

  • Bonfires and Smoke Nuisance

    There are now so many restrictions on the way we used to live our lives and one of these is that it’s much more complicated to take rubbish to the Garth Road Recycling Centre. This has resulted in some residents having bonfires in their back gardens. This can be very unneighbourly, particularly when many of us are stuck at home  and want to enjoy the summer weather in our own gardens, without breathing in the smells, fumes and smoke from bonfires. We remind residents that there are regulations concerning bonfires, which that may be read here. This link also covers how to report a nuisance.

  • "Replacement" Card Fraud

    Your “bank” unexpectedly phones to tell you that your new credit/debit cards will be delivered to your home later today but, in reality, it is a fraudster trying to steal your bank or credit cards, and also your PIN. 

    Later, a courier turns up on your doorstep ready to give you your “new cards” but then also asks you to hand over your old cards. He may even ask you to tell him the PINs. This is a “con trick” to get access to your cards. Even without the PIN, the fraudsters can still use your cards to spend £45 each time they swipe it in a shop, garage, etc, before you realise you’ve been the victim of fraud. 

    If you receive a phone call like this, it’s not from the bank, it’s a fraudster. Just hang up!

  • 265 Burlington Rd - Date Set for Public Inquiry

    1st September 2020 - Update

       

     

    Back in 2019, Redrow Homes Limited submitted a planning application (Merton ref: 19/P2387) to build 456 new flats (in blocks between 7 and 15 stories high) on the Tesco car park site at 265 Burlington Road. 

    On 13 February 2020, Merton’s Planning Applications Committee (PAC) resolved to refuse the application. The Council Chamber was packed with many residents who came to show their disapproval of the scheme on the grounds of density, height, and lack of amenities to cater for such a high influx of people. 

    Our Association had already organised a public meeting last autumn, attended by over 200 local residents at which there was universal opposition to the scheme. 

    As reported previously on this website, many of our members will already be aware that Redrow has now launched an appeal for its planning application. This appeal will be handled by the Planning Inspectorate and will be heard as a Public Inquiry.

    The Inquiry is now scheduled to start on Tuesday, 8 December 2020, and take four days.

    Our Association plans to participate in the Inquiry and has been granted "Rule 6 Status". This means we are involved in the preparations and can submit our grounds and reasoning,  urging that the appeal be refused.

    For more information, click here .

    Jerry Cuthbert

  • Grand Drive - Road Closure

    We have recently been forwarded a copy of the following email, received at 15:40 on Monday 4 May 2020 from SGN. This concerns

    a planned road closure along the northern end of Grand Drive, between Bushey Road and Raynes Park Station.

    It is planned to start on Monday 11 May and run for two weeks. 

     

    The most important road diversion for us all, is that northbound traffic on Grand Drive will only be able to turn left at the traffic lights onto Bushey Road in a westbound direction towards Shannon Corner and the A3. Therefore, traffic on Grand Drive wishing to access Raynes Park Station and town centre, West Wimbledon, the Apostles, Wimbledon Chase, etc should divert along Cannon Hill Lane and Martin Way.

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Good afternoon,

    We know that during the coronavirus outbreak, our communities will rely on us now more than ever to keep them safe and warm.

    The safety of our communities and our employees will remain our number one priority in the weeks and months ahead. 

    We need to carry out safety-critical work to upgrade the gas network in your area. This needs to go ahead now,

    rather than wait until the pandemic passes, to ensure your local community continues to receive a safe and reliable gas supply. 

    We shouldn’t need to interrupt gas supplies to homes or businesses, and our engineers won’t be calling at residents’ home. 

    We will start work in Grand Drive Raynes Park on 11 May 2020. 

    In close consultation with Merton Council, we have agreed to complete the following work, which includes

    traffic management in place to ensure the safety of everyone around the site: 

    ·                  On 11 May 2020 for approximately 2 weeks, we will be working on Grand Drive near the junction with Bushey Road (A298)

    ·                 To ensure safe flow of traffic around site, we will be implementing a lane closure on Grand Drive at the junction.  Vehicles will not be able to turn north into Grand Drive from Bushey Road.

    Ve              A diversion Westbound will be in place via Beverley Way, Kingston Bypass (A3), Coombe Lane, Lambton Road, Worple Road and Pepys Road

    ·                  A diversion Eastbound will be in place via Kingston Road

    ·                  Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout 

    We’re working closely with UK Government and public health bodies to make sure we work safely and in line with expert advice during the coronavirus outbreak. We have extra safety precautions in place to protect our colleagues and our customers from catching or spreading the virus as we carry out our safety-critical project. 

    There’s more information about our coronavirus preparations on our website: sgn.co.uk/coronavirus 

    Thank you for your understanding and support during these challenging times.  

    To be clear, the lane closure is on Grand Drive towards Raynes Park Railway Station only. 

    Kind regards, 

    Nicole

     

     

        

     

  • The Residents' Pavilion

    In line with the Government's lifting of Covid restrictions in England, things at the Pavilion are beginning to return to normal.

    We're pleased that, since last year, many of our regular groups have returned to the Pavilion for 2022. Nevertheless, we still require organisers and visitors to continue to exercise caution with regard to the potential for Covid-19 transmission, whilst at the Pavilion.

    Taking into consideration the public health implications for our volunteers, we are not yet open for individual bookings.

  • 20/P1253 - 265 Burlington Road

    NEW PLANNING APPLICATION FROM TESCO 

    APPLICATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER PRIOR APPROVAL IS REQUIRED FOR THE PROPOSED CHANGE OF USE OF OFFICE SPACE (USE CLASS B1a) TO RESIDENTIAL (USE CLASS C3), CREATING 38 x NEW RESIDENTIAL UNITS 

    On 22nd April 2020, agents acting on behalf of Tesco submitted a new planning application for redevelopment of the redundant two storey office block at 265 Burlington Road, KT3 4NE. This application is a proposal, under the “Prior Approval” regulations, to covert the existing building into 38 flats. It would also incorporate the part of the existing car park currently used for “Click and Collect”, so that 100 car parking spaces would be for use by the occupants. 

    “Prior Approval” is a procedure whereby owners of office buildings may convert them to residential use without the requirement to obtain full planning approval. Nevertheless, under “Prior Approval” there are still three matters that do need to be submitted to the Planning Authority. These are: 

    ·          Design and external appearance;

    ·         The transport impacts of the development;

    ·         Flooding information. 

    More information can be found on the Merton Planning Explorer. 

    The closing date for representations is 13 May 2020.

  • Chairman's Blog - April 2020

    AGM and Subscription Collection both Postponed! 

    Please note that we have had to POSTPONE the Annual General Meeting of the Residents’ Association as a result the government restrictions of meetings during the outbreak of Coronavirus.  It was due to be held on Tuesday 14th April. 

    This is a pity because we were due to hear from Leonie Cooper, the Merton and Wandsworth London Assembly Member, and also from the local police. 

    We are postponing the AGM until a date in October, when we hope that the pandemic will be well and truly over.  We will let our members know of the new date and the venue when it is finalised, through the Guide and on our website.  

    In the meantime, we can confirm that the annual subscription for the Association will continue to be held at £3 for the year 2020/2021. However, the usual collection of members’ subscriptions by our Road Stewards at this time of year is also postponed. 

    Planning Brief Needed for the Tesco Site. 

    Redrow put in their planning application to build 456 flats on the Tesco Extra car park and Burlington Road after extensive discussions with Merton’s planning officers. We, as the local community, were not included! 

    Despite huge local opposition to the scheme, Merton’s planning officers recommended it for approval. Fortunately, the Planning Applications Committee (PAC) refused the application for the good reasons put forward by residents. 

    At the time of writing, we are still waiting to hear whether the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, will override Merton’s PAC and - notwithstanding the enormous local opposition to the scheme - decide to allow the development to go ahead. 

    The Residents’ Association believes that this is entirely the wrong way to deal with such massive development proposals, and that it should be for the Council, through its Councillors, who by listening to their voters, decide what should happen to any site that needs redevelopment.  Each Council draws up its own local plan and this should be what determines what interested developers can build, thus ensuring that no major changes can be go ahead by default. 

    It is obvious that the area in Burlington Road needs to be redeveloped. There can be no objection to some housing on the site, providing it is relatively low rise, and includes some play facilities, and greenery. We would suggest that the housing should be a mixture of 1, 2, and 3-bedroom flats with the emphasis on the latter, given the need for family accommodation.  The number of new residents should be such that the local schools and GP services can cope. Ideally there should be a medical practice included in the plans. 

    Under the current Merton Plan, the whole of the Tesco site could be redeveloped, with flats built over a new Tesco store, like those above Waitrose store in Raynes Park. 

    These are our thoughts, but what are YOURS? Please let us know what YOU would like to see included on the “Tesco site”, by contacting either the Residents’ Association at rpwbra@rpwbresidents.org.uk  or to any of our three West Barnes Ward Councillors: 

    Cllr Eloise Bailey           eloise.bailey@merton.gov.uk

    Cllr Hina Bokhari            hina.bokhari@merton.gov.uk 

    Cllr Carl Quilliam            carl.quilliam@merton.gov.uk 

    Local Hospital Provision 

    The NHS has set out its preferred option for future hospital provision in this area. The aim is to bring together specialist services for seriously ill patients in a new hospital, to be built in Sutton - next to the Marsden - including A & E services and critical surgery.   This would also be the maternity hospital and have overnight services for children. 

    The intention is to remove these facilities from both St Helier and Epsom hospitals, but to retain 24-hour urgent Treatment Centres there.  There is, naturally, concern over whether this will mean delays in ambulances getting to a single more central site.   However, these proposals mean that 85% of the services we all use would remain at St Helier, and the promise is to spend at least £80 million on improving the buildings at both St. Helier and in Epsom Hospitals. 

    John Elvidge, Chairman

  • AELTC - Grand Drive - Drop In

    AELTC received planning permission (Council Ref: 18/P1024) from the London Borough of Merton in October 2018 for the further development of the grounds, which included approval for a new Clubhouse.  They are holding a public consultation to present the design for the Clubhouse and to provide an update on the construction activity taking place at the grounds.  

    This Drop-In Session will take place on Wednesday 18 March 2019, 4.00pm-7.00pm, here at the Community Sports Ground, 216 Grand Drive, at which our team will be available to answer any questions about the forthcoming construction works and the plans for the approved Clubhouse. 

    For security reasons, if you would like to attend the Drop-In session we would be grateful if you could email; 

    consultation@rolfe-judd.co.uk with your name and address. 

  • Townswomen's Guild - March 2020

      Raynes Park (Afternoon)Townswomen’s Guild. 

    At our January meeting, Beryl Smith from the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance gave a most interesting talk about their work, and details of the new Air Ambulance which can be transformed into an operating theatre. She illustrated her talk with informative slides. 

    At the time of writing, we are busy preparing for our February meeting, which will be our AGM. Annual subscriptions will be paid, and the new officers and committee for the coming year will be elected by the members. This will be followed by a Bring and Buy Sale and a Dutch Auction of unsold items - to boost our funds. 

    Our programme of speakers will resume in March, when Mike Grimshaw will be giving a talk entitled “Shetland”. Some of you may recognise his name as he was booked to give us this talk in October but had to cancel at the last minute for personal reasons. He has assured us that nothing will prevent him this time. 

    The meeting will take place in St. Saviour’s Church Hall on Thursday 19th March at 1.30 pm.  As usual, all are welcome to come along to the meeting.

  • Notice of AGM - 14/04/2020

    NOTICE OF MEETING THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 

    of the Raynes Park & West Barnes Residents’ Association 

    will be held at 

    Raynes Park Library Meeting Rooms (via side entrance, in Aston Road, SW20 8BE) 

    On Tuesday, 14th April at 7.30 p.m.

     

    AGENDA 

    1,    Apologies for Absence

    2.    Chairman’s Report on the Work of the Association during 2019/20

    3.    Treasurer’s Report

    4.    Election of Officers and Committee

     

    Break for Refreshments

     

    5.    Guest Speakers

    6.    Updates on current Planning Matters

    7.    Residents’ Forum and Any Other Business

     

    Please bring a copy of ‘The Guide’ with you to verify membership 

    The association invites any member who wishes to join the committee or nominate another member(s) as a candidate for consideration, to contact our Hons Secretary, Clare Townsend, by email to rpwbra@rpwbresidents.org.uk by 31st March 2020.

  • Chairman's Blog - March 2020

    REFUSAL OF REDROW PLANNING APPLICATION 

    We are delighted to tell you that the application by Redrow to build 456 flats in tower blocks up to 15 stories high was REFUSED by Merton Planning Committee on 13th February. 

    The proposal was to build these on the Tesco Extra Car Park site, and at 265 Burlington Road. The refusal was despite the recommendation of the Planning Officer that the scheme should be approved. The decision was by a majority vote of the Committee and after a debate of 90 minutes. 

    The Council Chamber was packed with some 150 residents who all opposed the scheme. The Residents’ Association had urgently hand delivered notice of the meeting to 600 of the nearest properties.  

    Three individual objectors spoke in opposition for 3 minutes each, as did three of our Councillors, two from the West Barnes Ward, and one from the Raynes Park Ward. The representative from Redrow was allowed 9 minutes to reply. 

    The Residents’ Association had also e-mailed all the members of the Committee our extensive and detailed planning objections, -as set out in the February edition of The Guide - in advance of the meeting.  These were picked up by the various speakers in opposition. 

    Grounds of Refusal

    The grounds of the refusal were on strict planning criteria and cited the various sections of Merton’s design policies, principally the excessive massing and an imbalance in the housing mix. The proposed accommodation was mainly in one and two- bedroom apartments, whereas Merton’s housing needs were for up to a third of three- bedroom units for families in new developments. 

    Much of the debate centred on concerns that the proposed development was too high, being in tower blocks 7 to 15 stories tall, and that this was totally out of keeping with the suburban housing around it. Such tall buildings should only be placed in town centres. 

    The Design Review Panel

    This Panel, (which is an independent body mostly composed of architects and town planners who provide advice and comments on planning  applications to the Council} rejected the design at the pre-application stage, on grounds of height, design, and density. The design would create wind tunnels, and there was a lack of play space and greenery. .We understand some changes to the design were made but that the full application (as presented to the Planning Applications Committee) was NOT referred back to the Panel . We wonder why particularly in view of the adverse comments made by the Panel about the Pre- application proposals! 

    Public transport from the area was inadequate, and only 220 car parking spaces were provided. Burlington Road was already at a standstill for much of the day, given the proximity of the West Barnes level crossing. This volume of new cars would have meant the introduction of CPZ’s in the surrounding streets. The proposals should have included the widening of West Barnes Lane for pedestrians and traffic. 

    The money provided for schools, and medical services, was totally inadequate for the number of new residents proposed, particularly given that 40% of the flats were designated as “affordable” accommodation. 

    The proposals were contrary to the recently adopted climate change policy of the Council. We calculated that the offset needed to make them carbon neutral would have meant planting a million new trees! 

    There was much relief on the night at the decision, but it is still open to Redrow to appeal it to the Planning Inspectorate. If they do, then, of course, we will oppose it vigorously. 

    We have always stated that we are not opposed to housing on this site, given the housing needs of Merton.  We are not opposed to smaller flatted developments there up to 4 or 5 stories in a better design. 

    We told Redrow 18 months ago that this is what they should be proposing, and it is a great pity that they did not listen then. We hope that they will not waste further time in appealing, but instead talk to the local residents, and discuss what is acceptable on this site. 

    Ideally, we would hope that the site, including the Tesco store, should be developed, with a new store being incorporated into the housing design. This should include greenery and play facilities, and more provision for local schools as well facilities for say a new GP Surgery. 

    John Elvidge

  • Wimbledon Chase - High-Rise Development Proposed

    Another application for a ‘high rise’ block in a residential area.  This time it’s Wimbledon Chase.station. 

    Plans to build a seven-storey block of flats at Wimbledon Chase Station and remodel the entrance have been lodged. 

    Just before Christmas The Newbridge Group - the company behind the proposal - held an exhibition which detailed its plans for the site. 

    These include 62 new homes divided between two buildings, shops on the ground floor and a "rejuvenated station entrance." but something it doesn't include is step-free access. 

    Proposed scheme

    This has annoyed Dundonald Ward councillor Anthony Fairclough who met with representatives from the developers and their agents on January 16th. 

    Following the meeting, Cllr Fairclough said: "I can't see how this development can go ahead without doing everything possible to also make the station accessible for everyone. 

    "I'm shocked that the developers aren't planning to make the station entrance 'step free' – it affects so many people's lives."   "Step-free is simply a 'must have' in 2020."  

    Wimbledon MP Stephen Hammond agrees. 

    Existing station entrance 

    Stephen Hammond met with developers this week and said the key issues are accessibility and the height of the proposed building.  "The developer has asserted that the cost of a Network Rail compliant scheme could make the development unviable and Network Rail has stated there is not the demand," he said.  "I believe this would be a huge missed opportunity not to make Wimbledon Chase step free and I will be pursuing this. "A number of residents have also told me that they approve development on this site in principle, but that they are opposed to the design, height and look of this scheme." 

    There will be a further consultation in mid-February, with a planning application expected to be submitted at the end of that month. 

    If that gets approved, then construction would begin during the summer of 2020 with an expected completion three years later. 

    Cllr Fairclough added that he will be meeting with Network Rail and Merton Council to come up with a "workable plan." 

    "The developers say they want to create a 'landmark' building for the area," he said. 

    "Residents tell me that the imposition of a bock of flats, nine storeys high – four higher than anything nearby – will certainly create a 'landmark'; but for all the wrong reasons. 

    "We need new housing that is sympathetic to the area – so hopefully the developers will respond positively to the feedback they're getting.

    "Otherwise there will strong objections from the public when this matter comes to the Planning Applications Committee."

    No parking spaces will be built as part of the development, apart from a few spaces for the disabled. 

  • A Big Thank You to all our Volunteers

     

    Throughout the year our committee members, pavilion management group, area coordinators and road stewards work together to:

     

    • Listen to residents' views,
    • Act upon local concerns, (e.g. The Tesco/Redrow development)
    • Keep residents informed about local activities and organisations
    • Publish and distribute the Guide throughout the year
    • Run and take care of the Residents' Pavilion on a daily basis
    • Run this website

     

    All this unpaid work enables us to keep the Residents’ Association subscription fees to an astonishingly low £3 per year! 

    Our Chairman, John Elvidge, thanked volunteers and their families at an enjoyable Christmas Social held at the Pavilion on Saturday 7th December. During the afternoon he presented Linda Fitch (who is standing down from her role within the pavilion management group) with a beautiful plant.

     

     AFTER THE PARTY - Andrew Barwick and David Freeman wield the vacuum cleaner!

  • Townswomen's Guild - Feb 2020

    Our Christmas celebrations in December now seem but a memory. 

    At the beginning of the month, 20 members enjoyed a two-course Christmas Lunch at Morden Brook, where we were joined by our National Chairman – Penny Ryan. For those who always have work to do at our meetings, it was a pleasure to be able to sit and chat over the meal which had been prepared and served by others.

    Our Christmas Party was held in the hall a couple of weeks later – a fun afternoon with a couple of light-hearted Christmas Quizzes, a Christmas tea prepared and served by the committee, and a bumper raffle in which everybody went home with a prize.

    At the time of writing, we are all looking forward to our January meeting, when a lady from the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance will be coming to tell us about their work. We understand that her talk will be illustrated with slides. 

    January 31st sees the end of the Townswomen’s Guild year, so our February meeting will be our AGM, at which the members elect new officers and committee members for the coming year. There is also an opportunity to discuss ideas and other points that may be raised. Once the formal business has concluded, we have a Bring and Buy Sale – and possibly a Dutch Auction of unsold items - to boost our funds.

    Our AGM will take place in St. Saviour’s Church Hall on Thursday 16th February at 1.30 pm.  As usual, all are welcome to come along to the meeting.

  • Chairman's Blog - Feb 2020

    MRS JILL TRUMAN 

    We are delighted to report that Mrs Jill Truman, who is the current Editor of The Guide, and our Joint Secretary, has been awarded the British Empire Medal in the New Year’s Honours. 

    This has been granted to her “in recognition of her services to the community in Merton”. 

    Jill has been working for the Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents’ Association ever since 1968 and has held every office over the years(except Treasurer  {she says money burns a hole in her pocket) including that of Chairman and Advertising Manager. and Secretary.  She has been tireless in her efforts to improve the well-being of residents. 

    In March 2014 she co-founded, and continues to run, the highly successful Pavilion Social Club. This organises weekly get -togethers for men and women in The Pavilion in Grand Drive and other programmes of activities.

    Jill also served for many years as a Councillor for the London Borough of Merton and was its Deputy Mayor.    

    We offer her our many congratulations on this well - deserved award. 

    RECENT RAINFALL

    In the weeks leading up to Christmas we suffered by far the heaviest rainfall ever recorded in these parts. The lower part of Prince George’s Playing Field was under water for weeks.

    On the All England Playing Field off Grand Drive a huge lake built up behind the houses in Elm Walk and Southway. This had to be buttressed by earth works piled up around. You can see the size of the lake from the attached photo.   

    Fortunately, this lake should become a thing of the past, as the current works include the construction of huge underground holding tanks, which will allow any future floods to drain away gradually into the sewers. 

     John Elvidge

  • Good News for St Helier

     

    The Government’s recent announcement  (www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-49867376)  of further capital investment in the NHS has provided good news for Epsom & St. Helier NHS Trust which will be one of the beneficiaries. Chief Executive Daniel Elkeles says “I am delighted to say that our Trust is named and means that the hundreds of millions of pounds of funding we need to both improve St Helier and Epsom hospitals, and build a new major acute hospital will be made available.

    This multi-million-pound investment will transform patient care for the 500,000 people who use the Trust’s services, greatly improve the experience of the 6,000 committed staff working in the hospitals and secure a long term and sustainable future for hospital services in our area. It will allow us to create a state-of-the-art hospital facilities for the sickest patients, invest in and refurbish the older parts of all our hospital buildings (which are currently not fit for modern healthcare), and support the medical workforce to improve staffing levels and patient care”.

     

     

  • Tennis Club News - Dec 2019

    I am very pleased to be able to report that our club continues to thrive and grow. New members continue to be very welcome, and we have reached a new height of 150 senior members, 144 juniors and 24 parent/guardian members who love to get out on court with their juniors. Over the summer we were delighted to host 20 teenagers from the Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative, who normally receive coaching at the Community Ground on Grand Drive, to see why a tennis club offers so much more than just some courts and tuition. Our adult and student members also enjoy ongoing singles box leagues, biannual doubles knockout tournaments, and of course our regular turn-up & play club social sessions. 

    The coaching programme continues to expand under our fabulous Head Coach, José. If you watched any of the ATP Finals at the O2, then the ball boys and girls there were once again trained by José. In addition to beginners and intermediate adult group sessions, Coach Frances has just started a new cardio tennis session from 10-11am on a Sunday morning, a fun way to get fit and improve your tennis at the same time! There are still a few places available so do get in touch with her at frances@rprltc.co.uk if you would like to join in, non-members welcome. 

    Despite the cold weather, tennis continues throughout the winter and we have two upcoming events in December. First on 7th December at 1:30pm, José will be leading the club social, getting us warmed up with some fun mini games before pairing people up for a few sets of convivial doubles. On the weekend after Christmas we will be running what is known as an “American” tournament, a fun and friendly competition for all playing standards. Please check our website: 

    https://www.rprltc.co.uk, for exact date and start time. 

    Nathan Dimmock

  • Townswomen's Guild - Dec 2019

     

    In December, our thoughts turn to Christmas. On December 5th, most of our members will be coming to our Christmas Lunch. As we had to find a venue which is fairly local and easily accessible by public transport, we have booked to have it at Morden Brook this year. On this occasion we will be joined by our National Chairman, Penny Ryan. She is no stranger to us as she came to our 85th Birthday Party in June 2018 – but at that time she was the National Treasurer. 

    Our December meeting, on Thursday 19th December, will be a Christmas Party - another annual celebration! 

    Although December is the last month of the year, the Townswomen’s Guild year starts in February – which will be our AGM. 

    So the final meeting of our year will be in January, when (subject to confirmation after Christmas) someone from the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance will be coming to tell us about their work.  This will be on Thursday 16th January 2020, 1.30 for 1.45 pm, in St. Saviour’s Church Hall.  As usual, all are welcome to come along to the meeting. 

    All that remains is to wish you a very Happy Christmas from the Raynes Park Townswomen’s Guild – and every good wish for 2020.

  • Chairmans Blog Dec 2019

    REDROW PLANNING APPLICATION 

    The latest information we have is that it’s Merton Council’s intention to decide the planning application for the massive Redrow development at Burlington Road and on the Tesco extra site on Thursday 16 January 2020.  But we have real doubts that the planners will be able to keep to this date, given that we understand that the Greater London Authority and Transport for London still have issues that they want to be satisfied about; and there will be little working time to sort these out owing to the extended holiday period. 

    If the application does go ahead on this date, we will try and let as many local residents know as possible, given the intense opposition to the proposals, as witnessed by the 250 or so people who came to the public meeting that we organised, and the fact that over 350 individual objections were sent in. 

    We believe many residents will want to attend at the public meeting in the Civic Chamber to see what the planning committee decide.

    If the planning officers recommend acceptance of the scheme in any form, the rules provide that objectors can speak in opposition but only for a TOTAL of 6 minutes in all, with the developers allowed a similar time to respond.   In that event, we will have to sort out speakers who can make their points shortly but very clearly.   The names of the speakers must be notified in advance. 

    SHOPPING AT WATERLOO? 

    By April 2021 developers hope to transform the three levels under the four platforms of the former Eurostar terminal at Waterloo into an upmarket shopping and restaurant mall, equivalent to those at the major airports.  The platforms were built in 1994 but have been largely unused since 2007 when the terminal was moved to St Pancras International.  There will be also be a new pedestrian street to be called the Waterloo Curve.  This would certainly enhance the South Bank Centre, which is packed with millions of visitors each year. 

    Meantime, let us hope that the high street retail stores can fight back against the closures forced on them by the advent of home delivery services.  One of the tasks of the new government must be relieve these stores of the excessive burdens of rents and business rates, in some way and to recoup the money in taxation from firms which sell here but have moved their taxation regime overseas. 

    John Elvidge

     

     

  • Correspondence with Tesco

    The following Letters are reproduced with the permission of Dr. Garry Hunt, past Chairman

     

    To:       Mr. Dave Lewis, Group CEO, Tesco plc

    From:    Dr. Garry Hunt

    Date:    7th October 2019

     

    Development on the site of Tesco Extra, New Malden KT3 4PJ

    Failure of Tesco to Interact with local residents 

    The attached letter was sent to you on the 16 September 2019 by post and by email and expressed the many concerns of local residents with regard to possible activities on the site of Tesco Extra, New Malden KT3 4PJ. On behalf of the many thousand of residents who are also your customers, I expressed the need for a meeting between appropriate senior Tesco staff and the local community for mutual benefit, which the Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents’ Association (RPWBRA) will convene. The report of the recent public meeting organised by the Association ( see October Guide, www.rpwbresidents.org.uk) already shows the concerns of residents to possible activities on Tesco’s site. 

    After four weeks I have not received any response from you or any member of Tesco’s staff, beyond the automatic email acknowledgement given below. This is very disappointing. You should be aware that my letter has already been published in the October edition of the Guide; the monthly community magazine of RPWBRA so many thousands of people, your customers, are aware of this correspondence. Many are asking for details of your reply.  

    I am again sending this letter to you by both mail and email to make sure it is received.  This letter will be published in the RPWBRA Guide so it will be read by local residents, people in neighbouring communities and past members now living in other parts of the country. I hope this time I will receive a reply. When received it will be passed immediately to the RPWBRA for their action. 

    The Association has interacted vigorously with countless companies and organisations for the benefit of the local community during the past ninety years. As a past Chairman, I have considerable first hand experience of such activities over several decades. Never before have we been ignored.  

    I have once more copied this letter widely to local Councillors, MP and Chairman of the RPWBRA and also the Chairman,Tesco plc. In addition, the letter has been sent to the editor of the RPBWRA Guide. 

    cc Cllrs Hina Bokhari, Eloise Bailey, Carl Quilliam, Cllrs David Dean, Daniel Holden, Nick McLean, Stephen Hammond MP, John Elvidge (Chairman RPWBRA), John Allan, Chairman, Tesco plc

     

    The Reply:

     

    To:       Dr. G. Hunt

    From:    Lesley Anne Logan, Customer Service Specialist, On behalf of the Executive’s Office. Tel: 0800 072 6685

     

    Date:    7th October, 2019

     

    Case Reference: 3631249 

     

    Thank you for your letter addressed to Dave Lewis, our Chief Executive. As work commitments are currently keeping Dave away from the office, I am writing on his behalf. Please be assured he is kept informed of all contact received into this office.  

    I was sorry to hear that some buildings we own have fallen into disrepair. I appreciate your concern about this and that you have taken the time to get in touch with us about this matter.  

     

    I have reached out to Mark, our Property Manager who is in charge of this area. He has advised that we try to keep on top of external maintenance and undertake regular inspections of these buildings. Despite the security we have in place, sadly these buildings have attracted unwanted visitors.  

    We are trying to come up with a permanent solution to ensure this area is more astatically pleasing and as soon as we can provide more information we will do so to the local community.  

     

    I have asked for Tom, our local Community and Communications Manager who covers your area to get in touch with you so that he can arrange a meeting with you about this area.  

    I hope that this is resolved quickly for yourself and our other local residents.  

     

    If I can be of any further help please do not hesitate to get back in touch with us via post, email (ceo.customerservice@tesco.com) or call (0800 072 6685 – Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 8am-6pm).  

  • A Visit to AELTC Grand Drive

    A visit to the ALL ENGLAND CLUB COMMUNITY SPORTS CENTRE

     On one of the glorious days of mid- September, I was invited along to the AELTC Community Sports Ground in Grand Drive to see for myself the progress that has been made on this amazing All England Club venture.

     From the moment I walked through the main entrance gates I was impressed at the amount thought that has gone into - not only the sports facilities themselves - but the whole ambience of the place, which is delightful.  The immediate feel is one of familiarity - a special extension of the All England Club itself – but with the specific purpose of working with young people, local schools and clubs, and with able and disabled alike.  There are significant landscaped areas planted out with a profusion of flowers - hydrangeas everywhere - and on the land bordering the properties in Cannon Hill Lane an amazing wildflower garden.  

     I was met by Catherine Edser, Duty Manager, Andrew Ambrose, and Ruth Edwards who after entertaining me to an excellent cup of coffee in the temporary club facilities took me around the site.

     Although only about halfway through the project, some of the facilities are already in use and the porous acrylic outdoor courts - all painted in the Wimbledon colours of purple and green - are being used by local schools, for special coaching. and I believe even Raynes Park Tennis Club members have been taking advantage of the first of two ‘bubbles’ - the huge inflatable air-conditioned, and beautifully lit structures – in which the indoor courts will be housed.

     Health & Safety is of paramount importance to Careys the Civil Engineering firm that is contracted to undertake all the groundworks and so we all had to don boots, hard hats, high viz jackets and special gloves before we could examine the ongoing and very extensive groundworks.

     The current focus is on completing the preparations for the second indoor facility; and excavating and then building the grass courts which will cover a significant proportion of the site.   Once finally prepared and seeded, these won’t be ready for use until the season of 2022, as it takes about two years for them to mature.  

     High in priority is good on-site drainage and the excavation of a sustainable drainage basin is currently underway. 

    No doubt residents living around the grounds have suffered from the hustle, bustle  and inconvenience of  the development, but once finished, the benefits of overlooking a green and tranquil world class sports facility will be a reward in itself.

    Jill Truman

    Find out more, follow: https://communitytennis.aeltc.com/About

  • Babylon NHS GP Practice

    New Free digital-first NHS GP Practice opens in Lambton Road 

    Babylon GP at Hand - London’s digital-first NHS GP practice - opened a dedicated face-to-face clinic in Raynes Park on 1st October. 

    The new clinic is located on the top floor of the Raynes Park Medical Centre on Lambton road. It will mean that Babylon GP at Hand patients can see a GP or nurse face-to-face usually within one working day. This is in addition to having access to a GP via video call within minutes, 24/7.

     

    Seeing a GP through a video call means Babylon GP at Hand patients can speak to a doctor at any time and place convenient for them. 90% of all our appointments can be taken care of over a video consultation. And every session is free, no matter how long it lasts. 

     

    What is Babylon GP at Hand?

    Babylon GP at Hand is an NHS GP practice like any other. However, patients registered with Babylon GP at Hand can also: 

    ·       Video call a GP in minutes, 24/7

    ·       See a GP face-to-face in Raynes       Park within 24h, or choose from 5 other clinics across London

    ·       Have prescriptions delivered to any local pharmacy

    ·       Use Babylon’s instant AI symptom checker

    ·       Book and manage appointments through the Babylon app

    ·       Access notes and replay video appointments 


    Download the Babylon app, or visit 
    www.gpathand.nhs.uk to register with Babylon.

  • Townswomen's Guild - Nov 2019

    Raynes Park Afternoon TWG

    In September we resumed our regular meetings, with an interesting talk by Jane Muddle about “Bags and Hats from Madagascar”. She arrived with a large number of hats and bags, which made an attractive display on the table and some were used as ‘visual aids’, passed round during her talk. Jane transported us to Madagascar, a large island in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Mozambique, and took us on a round tour as she introduced us to the bags and hats which were all ethically sourced – made from raffia, and hand dyed using the roots of plants found in Madagascar. The baskets were doubled skinned, with drawstring lining – able to carry considerable weight if required - and the wide brimmed hats could be squashed in a suitcase yet come out looking ‘good as new’. At the end of the talk, she asked for a couple of members to act as models – although only one volunteer was forthcoming. 

    On 1st October, the Luncheon Club arranged to meet at The Watchman in New Malden. Around a dozen members went along, enjoying the opportunity to chat with friends over a leisurely lunch.  At the time of writing, our October meeting is almost upon us: a talk by Mike Grimshaw about an island much nearer home - ‘Shetland.’ 

    At our monthly meeting in November, we look forward to a return visit from the Handbell ringers – which will no doubt include much ‘audience participation’.  This will be on Thursday 21st November, 1.30 for 1.45 pm, in St. Saviour’s Church Hall*. 

    As usual, all are welcome to come along to the meeting. 

    (* That is – providing we don’t have a snap election’ called for that day. As the hall is used as a polling station, it would be unavailable so our meeting would have to be cancelled.) 

  • St Saviour's War Memorial - Update Nov 2020

    I thought Association members might like an update on where we are at with respect to the Raynes Park War Memorial restoration.  I know many of them attended either our Men of Raynes Park 1914-18 Exhibition or last year’s Remembrance Day at St Saviour’s, or both, and we were grateful for their support. 

    We had hoped to be well on the way to re-carving the names by now.  However, the whole process has been dogged by delays.  

    We had originally hoped to have final approval and a grant from the War Memorials Trust early in 2019.  However, they suspended consideration of applications submitted for the December 2018 deadline until the end of March 2019, and then finally made a grant offer at the end of May.  Unfortunately, the offer included several conditions and exclusions, which affected the validity of the contractor's quotation that we had accepted, and would almost certainly have driven up the price.  Moreover, the exclusions raised doubts that we could achieve clear name inscriptions that would remain legible for the next 100 years. 

    To avoid any more delays, and with Listed Building Consent, we have decided to proceed on the original basis and forgo the War Memorials Trust grant (which we reckon would have been taken up with the additional work they would require anyway).  On that basis, we have decided to proceed with the restoration though it is very unlikely it will be completed by the forthcoming Remembrance Sunday.  

    The good news is that we have been reasonably successful at raising funds, both at the time of the launch and subsequently.  Our target is £23,000 and, so far, we have either received contributions or pledges for around £19,900.  Without the War Memorials Trust grant, though, it does mean we are still looking to raise just over another £3,000. 

    It seems extraordinary now that we originally thought we might have all the work completed by last year’s Remembrance Day, but have learnt the lesson that, in this field, however much time you think a project will take, multiply it by at least three! 

    Although we are not in a position to invite RPWBRA Members to the unveiling of the restored memorial this Remembrance Sunday, it would still be very nice to see them there. The Scouts and Guides will again be in attendance and do their best to remember those who died in the Great War, and subsequently, in protection of our freedoms.

    With very best regards 

    Peter Hutton

    Memorial Research and Exhibition Co-ordinator 

     

    UPDATE NOVEMBER 2020

    The Rev’d Peter Kelley tells our members that there were originally thought to be 97 names on the war memorial, but during the careful re-engraving by the Master Letter Cutter, the name of Cecil was discovered (but with no discernible other name), in between the family names of Thomas and Wilfred. 

    William Roy Penfold (possibly from a travelling family) was also added, out of alphabetical sequence. 

     

    From what would have been a small population in 1914-18, the number killed in this tragic war must have had a shocking impact on the community. It is thanks to the amazing work by St Saviour’s Church  leaders and parishioners that the memorial is harboured in such a peaceful, tended  place in which to contemplate the brave actions of an earlier generation.

     

  • Chairman's Blog - Nov 2019

    NEW DESIGN GUIDE FOR HOUSING 

    The Government’s housing minister is to issue next month a national standard for Council planners to adhere to, which will give them more power to reject unattractive developments.  He said that he wants new homes to be in harmony with the local area and rooted in communities. New housing must enhance its surroundings, have a distinctive identity that will delight occupants, have a walkable form with “recognisable streets”, prioritise nature, and have tree lined public spaces. 

    Developments should include a mix of housing types.  They should inspire a “sense of delight” and “lift our spirits”. This is in an effort to boost house building and overcome local opposition. There will be “ten characteristics of beautiful places” that it expects planners to follow. Ministers accept that more homes must not come “at the expense of beauty, quality and design”. 

    The Redrow proposals for Burlington Road and the Tesco extra car park site are so massive and ugly that they have already attracted almost universal local opposition.  It will be interesting to see if Merton’s planners give full weight to the new official guidance and reject the schemes. 

    It is unlikely that the applications will come before Merton’s planning committee any time soon. 

    DRAINAGE PROBLEMS 

    The heavy rainfall over the past few weeks has again highlighted the fact that this area has always suffered from drainage problems and flooding.  This was why the Residents’ Association was originally formed back in 1928. 

    There is a particular problem with the water that falls on Cannon Hill Common, when the natural aquifer is saturated, so that flooding arises above ground level.  We believe that the ditches on the Common were originally constructed to take water away towards Prince George’s Playing Fields and Bushey Road, and that these are no longer maintained properly. 

    The result is that some of the ground water runs down the natural slope towards Parkway and Elm Walk, streaming under some of the houses, and then pools onto the All England Club ground that is bounded by Cannon Hill Lane, Grand Drive, Southway, and Elm Walk.  The ground, at the time of writing, is currently covered with water.

    The All England Club is now constructing a number of new tennis courts on their ground, and they are building a land-drain network in accordance with the planning consent. Residents can see the extensive number of pipes that have been brought onto the site.  There will be perimeter drains for each of the hard courts and buildings.  These will all drain into a large “retention basin” to be excavated to the rear of the gardens of the houses at the junction of Elm Walk and Southway.  As and when the flow from this basin gets too high, there are also two underground buffer tanks to store the excessive water from storm surges, before gradually releasing it into the surface water sewer under Grand Drive, near the entrance to the site. If this design works, there should be no runoff from the AELTC ground onto neighbouring property, as happened in the past. 

    This does not solve the problem of the ground water that runs off the Common under Parkway and Elm Walk and onto the AELTC ground, since the Common is higher. That is why we have asked the Council, which owns the Common, to maintain their ditches, as they have a responsibility to do. 

    NEW KITCHEN AT THE RESIDENTS’ PAVILION

    We have taken the opportunity over the summer break to refurbish the kitchen facilities at the Pavilion in Grand Drive.  We think that this will improve its usefulness for hirers. 

    The Pavilion is available for hire to residents and groups, at very reasonable rates.  The details of how to enquire about hiring the Pavilion are here. 

    John Elvidge

     

  • The Raynes Park Association - Blog, October 2019

    Our Residents’ Association is a member of the Raynes Park Association (RPA), an umbrella group of local residents’ associations and business representatives, in an around Raynes Park. As our residents’ association has a large membership compared to some others, we have two representatives within the RPA. Its aim is to enhance the environment of the centre of Raynes Park in the interests of people who live and/or work there. It provides a focal point for enhancing the Raynes Park environment, by addressing issues relating to the centre of Raynes Park, and other significant matters in the surrounding area which will affect people beyond the confines of a particular residents association’s boundary. 

     

    Its secretary, Chris Larkman, has written a blog about some of the RPA’s activities, which may be read  here .

  • Wimbledon Light Opera - October 2019

    Wimbledon Light Opera Society, which as its name suggests is a local group, is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. As part of the celebration it is performing The Wizard of Oz (itself 80 years old this year) at Wimbledon Theatre this October during half-term week, from Wednesday 22nd – Saturday 26th Oct with matinees on Thursday and Saturday. A number of local residents and children are taking part, including long term members in Greenway and Heath Drive. Come and enjoy this fun family show suitable for all ages.

     Tickets can be obtained from ATG tickets 0844 871 7646 www.atgtickets.com/wimbledon

  • Townswomen's Guild - October 2019

    On August 15th we went on our coach outing to Brighton. Unfortunately, this year we were unable to fill enough seats to break even, but after initial uncertainty we decided that our summer outing should go ahead regardless.  We were very pleased to welcome members from other local organisations who were able to join us. Thank you to those who came. After the wet outing of 2018, this year we had glorious sunshine, and an enjoyable day was had by all. 

    The following Thursday, Margaret held a Garden Party Lunch at her house. This has become annual event – and is always an enjoyable occasion. In the past, the weather has not been kind to us, and we have end up staying indoors and admiring her garden through the window. But things were different this year. The sky was blue, and it was another warm, sunny day. Everyone chose to sit outside, but it soon became rather hot in the sun, so we were pleased to benefit from the shade provided by two garden umbrellas. 

    In September we resume our regular meetings, and at the time of writing we are looking forward to welcoming Jane Muddle, who will be giving us a talk entitled “Bags and Hats from Madagascar”. 

    Our monthly meeting in October will be on Thursday 17th October, 1.30 for 1.45 pm, in St. Saviour’s Church Hall, when Mike Grimshaw will be giving a talk entitled ‘Shetland.’ As usual, all are welcome to come along to the meeting.

     

  • St Saviour's War Memorial - Update

    ST SAVIOUR’S CHURCH WW1 MEMORIAL RESTORATION UPDATE 

    Most of you will be aware that the Scout Group was very involved last year with the development and launch of the “Men of Raynes Park” exhibition. This launched an appeal to raise funds to re-carve the names of the 97 men from the Parish who died as a result of the Great War on the memorial in the church grounds.  

    The budget for the project is around £23,000.  To date the money raised or pledged, amounts to around £21,000, which is a tremendous achievement.  

    Many parents and supporters of the Uniformed Groups, as well as members of the public, made contributions or pledges towards the appeal, for which the organisers at St Saviours are most grateful.  

    St Saviour’s would like to thank everyone who voted for the project in the Tesco and Waitrose Community Support schemes.  Together these raised £2,281. 

    The project, though, has been moving forward very slowly, though not through lack of effort or commitment from the St Saviour’s team. The current hold-up is with the War Memorial Trust who have placed restrictions on the agreed work, which we hope will shortly be resolved. 

    As soon as we have a date for the commencement of work St Saviour’s team will be in touch to call in pledges.

  • Chairman's Blog - October 2019

    Public Meeting about "Tesco Site" Development

     The public meeting we held on 10th September at the Holy Cross Church Hall was packed. Over 200 residents came, all very concerned about the effect of the Redrow planning applications at 265 Burlington Road, and the Tesco Extra car park site.

    This is a proposal for a truly massive development.

    The points of objection made at the meeting were numerous, and we stressed that it was not too late for individual objections to be made. These carry great weight with the planning committee which make the decisions.  The objections could be on a single basis, or for multiple reasons, can be in layman’s terms, and do not have to cite planning guidance. But objectors needed to give their names and addresses, with the post code.  

    We were told that some 350 such objections have been made so far. 

    You can read the objection made by this Residents’ Association, here, which is just one of many objections submitted. 

    Everyone is objecting to the height of the tower blocks, one of 15 storeys, which are utterly out of keeping with the surrounding housing and would dominate the landscape.

    At our meeting it was explained that there was the real possibility that, if this application is approved, even higher and more blocks could be built on the site of the Tesco store itself, which would be knocked down.  

     The 456 units of accommodation would swamp the local health services and schools, with woefully inadequate funding being given in the area to cope with the sudden influx of new residents of all ages.  

    Only 220 car parking spaces are to be provided, which is bound to lead to more cars being parked on the surrounding roads, and the inevitably of paid-for car parking zones being introduced.  

    There was concern about renewed flooding in the area.

    The proposals would markedly increase the carbon footprint of the borough, which the Council has promised to reduce by 2030.

    The tower blocks would lead to a wind tunnel effect, given the increase in high winds in recent years, such as is evident if you try and go walk past the Civic Centre in a wind. This is 14 stories high. 

    There would be traffic chaos in Burlington Road, and at the West Barnes level crossing, where there is already gridlock for much of the day.

    We do not expect an early decision, since the Mayor of London must examine the applications  owing to the number of units of accommodation being proposed.

     

    Car Parking Charges in Raynes Park

    The Council has been forced to review its decision to impose swingeing parking charges in Raynes Park of £3 an hour from this autumn. This will prevent its resurgence as a local shopping centre. Over 3,000 residents protested during the consultation, and, for once, the Council was compelled to reconsider.   

    However, despite having another consultation, the Council has decided to ignore the views of  local residents and  APPROVE the car parking charges in full. 

    The strong suspicion remains that this is simply a tax raising measure.  The Council’s case is that the income from parking charges will  only be spent on parking and transport projects, including mending potholes, resurfacing borough roads, and new cycling schemes; but we believe that it is being done simply to boost the Council’s coffers for their general spending. The proposed charges were highest in Wimbledon Town Centre, where they will rise to £4. 50 an hour.    The Council also claims that the decision was taken in the interests of cutting down car use and so improving air quality. But they have produced no evidence that this is so.  

    John Elvidge

     

  • 19/P2387 - 265 Burlington Road

    OBJECTIONS ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION 

    Our committee member, David Freeman, has submitted the following on behalf of our Association.

     

    Attention Case Officer . On behalf of Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents Association I submit the following comments. 

    A ) Although not part of the Application I need to point out that the Newsletter distributed widely by Redrow Homes was highly misleading . This drew from the New London Plan ( a GLA document ) which sets out a target delivery in future years of 1,328 home pa. The Newsletter stated that Merton was “ expected to deliver “ this number of homes each year .

    However the New London Plan is still in draft form and NOT an Adopted GLA Plan.

    Merton’s housing target remains at 411 homes pa which derives from the existing London Plan of April 2016.

     

    B ) SITE PROPOSAL

    Site Proposal RP3 in Merton’s draft Local Plan October 2018, sets out LBM proposals for a comprehensive redevelopment of the WHOLE   of the Tesco site including the Store and Petrol Station. The Application in question is for a development on approx. one third of the site .

    There is clear conflict here between Merton’ s Local Plan and the proposals in the Application.

     

    C ) DESIGN

    Planning Guidance : Policy 14 LDF Core Planning Strategy and Policy DM D 1 and DM D2 Sites and Policies Plan July 2014.

    I submit that there is clear conflict with the guidance set out in the above Policies by failure of the proposals to “ relate positively and appropriately to the scale ,density,proportions, massing and height of the surrounding street patterns and by failure to protect existing development ( in nearby streets ) from visual intrusion .

     

    D ) TALL BUILDINGS

    Merton’s draft Local Plan provides a useful definition of a Tall Building . I quote .” a tall building is a building which is substantially taller than their surroundings “. 

    The proposals submitted are for seven blocks of flats ( but NO houses !  ) ranging in height from 6 to 15 storey.

    Starting from Merton’s LDF Tall Buildings Background Paper 2010 and Design Policy CS 14 Core Planning Strategy July 2011, reinforced by Strategic Policy LP D 5.1 Placemaking and Design in the draft Local Plan October 2018 from which I quote :

    “ Proposals for tall buildings will be permitted only in Town Centres in Colliers Wood,Morden and Wimbledon.”

    The Tesco car park site is not even close to Raynes Park which is a  LOCAL Centre and nowhere near Wimbledon Town Centre.

    The proposal for “ tall buildings “ on the application Site is in FLAGRANT CONFLICT with the Planning Guidance quoted above .

    Perhaps I should add - going back to the definition - that there can sometimes be doubt as to what “ substantially taller “ means . BUT NOT IN THIS CASE . The highest residential building ( under construction ) in the surrounding area is 5 storey.

    A 15 STOREY BUILDING IS SUBSTANTIALY TALLER THAN A 5 STOREY BUILDING . Fact!

     

    E ) HOUSING MIX

    Planning Guidance : Sites and Policies Plan July 2014 Policy DM H 2 and draft Local Plan Policy H 4.3.

    The proposal is to build 456 flats made up as follows ;

    114 x one bed units =  25 %

    290 x two bed units =  63.5 %

    52  x  three bed units = 11.5 % 

    The target mix set out in Merton’s Sites and Policy Plan is 33%, 32% and 35% but these have been slightly modified in the draft Local Plan to 33%, 33% and 34%.

    The proposal to build almost two thirds of the flats as two bed units is way out of alignment with the policy . There would be too high a proportion of two bed flats and not enough ‘  family ‘ units. The proposals are in clear conflict with planning guidance.

     

    F ) PUBLIC TRANSPORT ACCESIBILITY LEVEL ( PTAL ) AND TRANSPORT IMPACTS 

    The Tesco car park site is beyond reasonable walking distance of both Raynes Park and Motspur Park Railway Stations and has limited bus service connections. In consequence it has a rather low PTAL rating between 2 and 3 ( out of 6 ).With an influx of probably more than 1,000 people and 220 car parking spaces it is obvious that the proposals would lead to a serious increase in traffic congestion in Burlington Road even greater than currently exists . 

    The proposals are in conflict with Policy DM D 2 of the Sites and Policies Plan July 2014 in that there would be significant adverse impact on the existing transport infrastructure and local environment.

     

    G ) FLOOD RISK

    The Application Site is within fluvial ( river ) flood zones 2 and 3 and therefore at risk of surface water flooding. Such a location would be suitable for SOME types of development but not I suggest for high-density residential use.

     

    And Finally let me say that Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents Association ( RP&WBRA ) is NOT opposed to any new housing in the Borough . We are supportive of Merton ‘delivering 400 plus new homes pa hopefully a MIX of houses and flats . A high proportion of these schemes are in ‘ backland ‘ areas on so called ‘ windfall ‘ sites.

    We support this type of development where - in terms of numbers - the new residents can be assimilated into the local network without causing strains , on the local social services, for BOTH them AND the existing populace.

     

    However let me indulge in a Compare and Contrast exercise.

    I suggest Redrow Homes proposals could well be a ‘ natural fit ‘in the centre of a New Town  like Milton Keynes for example. There are in fact large blocks of flats in MK within the Town Centre and within a short walk to the main Transport Hub. The residents look down on to a wide shopping parade with housing development only in the very far distance. Many of the residents are either single or couples and many do not have a car - very limited on site parking. They use the Car Club. 

    Would this type of development be a ‘ natural fit ‘ on the Tesco car park in West Barns .Hardly . 

    The site is NOT a Town Centre location.

    It is nowhere near a main Transport Hub.

    Most of the new residents would insist of having a car but only about half of them would have a nearby parking space. And where would they find school places for their children, a GP Surgery, a NHS Dentist a Local Park . The list could go on.

    They would be locked in between the A3 and the Railway lines breathing in the fumes from vehicles standing still for 15 minutes or more in Burlington Road waiting to get over the level crossing .

    WHAT SORT OF QUALITYOF LIFE WOULD THAT BE FOR ANYBODY?

     Also in terms of Design the tower blocks would - by contrast with the local scene - stand out like huge monoliths bearing down on the residents of Seaforth Avenue and the roads beyond. Should they have to live with that sort of intrusion. 

    I pose this question . Would these proposals meet the requirements of a key piece of Merton Planning Guidance - Core Planning Strategy  Policy CS 14 ? I quote :

    “All development needs to be designed in order to respect, reinforce and enhance the local character of the area in which it is located “.Think about each of the three components.

    I submit that set against this test alone the Redrow scheme would be a total failure.

     

    On behalf of the RP&WBRA for all the reasons outlined above I urge the Planning Applications Committee to REFUSE this application . Thank you for your time. 

    David Freeman

  • West Barnes Litter Picks - 2019

    Local councillors have been organising litter pick-ups in West Barnes.  The next one is scheduled for 21st September 1 - 3 pm.  Please contact Hina Bokhari):

    (hina.bokhari@merton.gov.uk for the meet up location, or look out on twitter or mumsnet. 

    Previously litter pickers have met at Linkway and Claremont Avenue.  Hina can provide the ‘pick-up’ tools and bags.  The more volunteers the better if It means keeping West Barnes clean and sweet! Even though it’s is beyond the call of nature, it’s worth it.

     

     

  • Morden Rotary Club - Sept 2019

    As ever it's been a busy first half of the year for your local Rotary team.

    In January and February we were able to host a very successful "Young Chef of the Year" again, which is now a recognized national event.

    Huge thanks to Merton College and their staff for most generously letting us use their superb facilities, and for introducing international chefs as judges.

    We've also raised more funds at the Rotary Fair in Cheam Park in May, and in July at Morden Fun Day. Many thanks to Aldi Stores for their sponsorship and support that made 
    these events successful.

    In June we arranged for over 100 young special needs children from Merton Schools to have a great "Kids Out" day at Chessington World of Adventure. Sincere thanks to The Leivers Trust for making it possible, and the team at Merton Council Transport Pool for their practical support too.

    Besides these very enjoyable events we've been able to give financial support to
    St.Raphaels Hospice, Morden Little League Footballers, The Wimbledon Guild, ShelterBox, Perseid School, Wimbledon Park Sailing Club, The Tadworth Trust, Children With Cancer UK, Haig Homes and 16th Morden Scouts.

    None of this would have been possible without the great support of you, the residents of Morden, Raynes Park, Motspur Park and Wimbledon!


    Still to come in the next months are
    The Rotary Regatta in Wimbledon Park, presentations of Dictionaries For Life" to Year 6 children in the the Borough, and a number of other projects which are in the planning stage.

    On your behalf we're connecting with a number of other local good causes and offering practical and financial support.   One of these is Faith in Action, which host lunches twice weekly for the homeless of Merton. FIA has been chosen by Jane Howard, Mayor of Merton, for her fundraising support during her year of office.

    FIA is based at the Salvation Army HQ in South Wimbledon, where besides meals, they also offer laundry facilities, hairdressing and many more practical services to street people.

    Again Aldi Stores generously make available fresh fruit, bread, cereals and other items at "sell-by" dates or in broken packaging to support this project.

    In between the hard work, your community team is organising a day trip to the Tate Gallery, a skittles competition and enjoying the excellent team togetherness we call "fellowship".

    As ever we'd love to have more volunteers join the team for any event, and particularly the Christmas collection. We're all in the community service team, but we do have smaller teams working on international projects, youth work, sports and special charity work.

    Whatever you can offer, we'll guarantee you'll find your effort will be rewarded when you see the visible benefits. You can make a difference!

    You'll find Morden Rotary on Facebook: we hold regular open evenings to show what we do, or just get in touch anytime to find out more.
    Best wishes from your Community Service Team at Morden Rotary.
     

    Joss Ollett

  • Townswomen's Guild - Sept 2019

    August is always a quiet month, as many of our members go away, and we do not have the regular monthly meeting with a speaker in St. Saviour’s Church Hall. 

    At the time of writing, we are looking forward to the outing to Brighton on 15th August, and to a Garden Party Lunch at Margaret’s house the following Thursday. Her annual

    Garden Party is always an enjoyable occasion – not simply an opportunity to raise much needed funds. However, the weather is not always kind to us, and we often end up staying indoors and admiring her garden through the window! Perhaps the weather this year will be better – here’s hoping!

     Our regular monthly meetings resume in September. At this meeting, which will be on Thursday 19th September, Jane Muddle will be giving us a talk entitled “Bags and Hats from Madagascar”.

     

     

  • Chairman's Blog - Sept 2019

    PUBLIC MEETING ON TESCO SITE DEVELOPMENT 

    We are holding a PUBLIC MEETING to discuss the development applications at 265 Burlington Road and the Tesco Extra car park site, made by Redrow.   

    This will be held at 7.30 pm at Holy Cross Church Hall, Adela Avenue, Motspur Park, KT3 6HT

    • on Tuesday 10 September 2019 and will be a meeting for local residents only, Redrow have not been invited.

     Please note that this REPLACES the Open Meeting planned for the Pavilion on that date.

     

    Although the address of the development may seem far away from many of our residents, the visual effect of overlooking on roads such as Westway and Linkway will be overwhelming, since the proposal includes seven tower blocks of flats up to 15 storeys high. 

    We have been alerted to these proposals previously. However, since January we have not heard anymore from the developers until they recently lodged their planning application.  Therefore, this is the first opportunity we have had to place the actual applications before our Members.  

    The developers may have hoped - by choosing this date - to minimize the number of objections that are bound to be made, as many people will have been away on holiday during this period. 

    Planning Applications 

    The statutory 21-day period for objecting to their first planning application, P/A 19/P2387 officially runs out on 24th August.  (The Council's Planning Website now states 30 August ) However, we have been assured by the planning officers that representations made after this date will be taken fully into account by the planning committee when it comes to consider the applications.  

    Given the size and scale of the development, this is not likely to be, until September or October at the earliest. In addition, the application is so large that it will have to be considered by the Mayor of London, who can approve or refuse it, or leave the determination entirely to Merton. 

    It is worth repeating that the planning committee of the Council is required to be fully independent of any political pressures and must judge proposals only on their planning merits. 

    We are calling this public meeting so that all residents can understand what is being proposed, and to express their views to the Council.  

    Members are encouraged to make their own individual representations. We are also preparing an objection on behalf of the Residents’ Association. 

    We have hand delivered a colour flyer to all residents in the roads most affected in the West Barnes area, showing the visual impact.  

    We should stress that the planning committee tends to pay much more attention to individual letters of objection from residents, which do not simply repeat the words of others. These should therefore contain the name and address of the person objecting, and the effect on them personally. 

    A SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSALS AND WHY THEY SHOULD BE OBJECTED TO 

    The plans are to build no less than 456 new flats, in blocks between 7 and 15 storeys high. They will be a mix of 1,2, and 3-bedroom flats but mainly 2-bedroom flats.  The lower blocks will front Burlington Road. This is completely out of keeping with the character of local housing, which is mostly inter-war two storey suburban housing.  It is noteworthy that at the first public exhibition of the plans last September, the highest storey was 11, but, despite public objections, this was increased to 14 storeys by last November, and is now 15. This is also despite the pre-application discussions that Redrow have been having with the Council’s planning department.   

    Some 35% of these flats will be “affordable” housing, but these are to be contained in separate blocks, managed by a housing association, from those that will be available to buy outright or under a shared ownership scheme.  This is a practice that is known to lead to increased social problems.  

    There are only 220 vehicle spaces provided, which will inevitably mean that residents of the new development and their visitors will try to park in the surrounding streets. This will again, inevitably, mean that residents’ parking permits will in time be called for in these streets.

    The plans would reduce the number of car spaces for those shopping at Tesco’s, since it will take up almost a quarter of their site, and perhaps reduce the viability of this store. 

    The access to the development will be off Burlington Road, and there is no clear idea how this will impact the already confused traffic movement at the West Barnes level crossing. 

    Although the developers are bound to pay a community levy charge to the Council, there is no guarantee that this will be used in the immediate local area.  It is very doubtful that there will be a sufficient increase in the number of local school spaces, GP practices, and hospital care to cope with such many new residents.  The community levy charge does not begin to pay for the infrastructure needed, and so the cost will mean an increase in the rates. 

    There is a separate but linked planning application: P/A 19/P2578. This proposes to demolish the building at 247 Burlington Road and construct a temporary road for the Tesco car park for a 2-year period, providing both vehicle, pedestrian, and cycle access. Access by vehicles, particularly by those turning right, would interrupt the traffic flow from West Barnes level crossing to Shannon Corner, and would be opposite the entrance to Cavendish Avenue.

    We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at our meeting. We urge all of you to consider the proposals very carefully, and, if you object, to send in your objections as soon as possible.  You could do so by letter or by e-mail to planning.representations@merton.gov.uk quoting the application number and your name and address. 

    John Elvidge

  • TESCO SITE DEVELOPMENT

    Link to further information - Tesco Site - 265 Burlington Road

  • Tesco Site Development - Public Meeting

  • Images for 19/P2387

    IMAGES OF BELWAY'S PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AT 265 BURLINGTON ROAD (19/P2387)

     

  • Trees by Beverley Brook

    Trees alongside Beverley Brook at Motspur Park

    One of our members, Clare Green, contacted us and the Environment Agency after an oak tree fell onto a Mini. She was very concerned about this and other trees alongside the Brook at Motspur Park.   She has sent us the response she has received from the Agency, who write as follows: 

    “The Environment Agency has already been out on site with tree surgeons to look at the remaining trees. We will be taking action to reduce the height of the mature oak trees and removing dead branches etc. from those that we are responsible for on the left bank at the end of the year. There was nothing that the professionals felt was “dangerous” warranting immediate removal. My advice is that the latter part of the year is best for the proposed type of work.

    I hope that this satisfies your concerns – do feel free to call me if you have any further queries regarding this issue. 

    Mary Seabourne, Technical Advisor, APT (Mole and South London) Environment Agency | Medway House, Powdermill Lane, Leigh, Tonbridge, Kent TN11 9AS”.

  • Wheelie Bins

    Keeping thieves at bay?

    It was suggested at the last Raynes Park Community Forum that (if they are not at home) householders should consider returning their neighbours’ wheelie bins and recycling boxes, back to where they belong once they have been emptied. Such neighbourly acts can hide the fact that people are not at home, especially in the holiday season.

  • Townswomen's Guild - August 2019

    Raynes Park (Afternoon) Townswomen’s Guild 

    At our June meeting, we celebrated our 86th Birthday with a tea and a musical entertainment from ‘Fool Circle’. Two in number, they entertained us for almost an hour with a variety of well-known songs, which was much enjoyed by all. 

    Our July meeting also had a musical theme with the return of the ‘Nonsuch Handbell Ringers’. No doubt they will again be encouraging some of us to ‘have a go’ at ringing the bells. 

    This month we have our annual outing, which is on Thursday 15th August.  This year we are going to Brighton, and we would welcome others who would like to join us. The cost will be £16. There is still plenty of room on the coach – so if you are interested in booking please contact us. 

  • New Cycle and Foot Path

    Cycle and footpath from New Malden to Raynes Park 

     

    The new walking and cycling route was opened on 13 July 2019.  It is like a delightful  a country path and will be useful for many people!   Try it out!  You can always walk one way and get the train back.  From Raynes Park the path is accessed via Taunton Avenue which is off West Barnes Lane, (nearly opposite Waitrose Carpark).

     

  • ACTION FRAUD - NEWS

    In the financial year 2018-2019 there were 1153 reports were made to Action Fraud with total losses purporting to be £3,615,778 (an average of £3,136 per report) by residents of Merton Borough. 

    The top 5 by volume (number of reports) type of fraud is as follows; 

    ·       Advance Fee 213 Reports, £158,961 lost

    ·       Online Shopping Fraud 201 reports, £585,896 lost

    ·       Banking Fraud, 70 reports, £334,589 lost

    ·       Computer Service Fraud, 52 reports, £81,346 lost

    ·       None of the Above (Misc.), 247 reports, £1,001,584 lost 

    Online Shopping

    Victims are convinced to pay money for items that don’t exist or are counterfeit when shopping online. E.g. fake adverts on eBay.

    Never pay via direct bank transfers, always use the websites recommended payment method. Please see our animation for more details;

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-_wPFXK2m4 

    Advance Fee

    Victims are encouraged to pay an advance fee with promise of a larger amount back in return. E.g. a scam email from the “Tax Office” stating that the victim is owed a refundfor overpayment of tax but requesting an admin fee first.

    Never give your bank details or personal information following an unsolicited email. Confirm with the company via a pre-established contact method. (i.e. the phone number on the company’s website) 

    Investment / Share sales Fraud

    Victims are pressured in to making “investments” or buying shares that don’t actually exist or have no chance of the financial return suggested.

    Genuine investment/shares companies do NOT cold call people. Contact Financial Conduct Authority for advice.

    www.fca.org.uk or 0800 111 6768 

    Computer Software Service Fraud

    Where fraudsters phone the victims claiming that they are internet providers, (e.g. TalkTalk, BT, EE) Microsoft or similar, and state there is an issue with their computer/internet/router and either demand money to prevent their internet being shut off, or offer to help the victim “fix” the problem by getting the him/her to install “team viewer” (or similar) a program which gives the fraudster remote access to the victim’s computer. Once the fraudster has access to the victim’s computer, they will see what they can find or steal to defraud the victim or demand payment for their services. This is a scam so remember:

    ·       Your service provider will never contact you out of the blue because of unusual activity on your computer.

    ·       Never give someone remote access to your computer.

    ·       Your provider will not threaten to cut off your internet.

    Please watch our video for more information:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJA-eyVtOW4

     Payment Fraud

    Payment or Mandate Fraud is when fraudsters get a victim to change a direct debit, standing order or bank transfer mandate, by purporting to be an organisation they make regular payments to, for example a subscription, membership or a business supplier. Normally this is done via email where one of the email accounts is hacked and emails containing “new” bank account details are sent. Always verify changes to financial arrangements with the organisation (or person) directly, using established contact details, i.e. call them using a number from their website or a phone book. Watch our animation for more details:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1tktyF0-Tg 

    The top two frauds in “None of the above” are “Courier Fraud and “Push Payment Fraud” (these don’t officially have their own classification. Victims are called by fraudsters pretending to be police, Tax office or from the victim’s bank and convince them to give their card details over the phone. Or in some cases, transfer money to a “safe account,” buy gift vouchers or to go and withdraw money as part of an “investigation.” The fraudsters arrange for a courier to pick up the victim’s card or cash to take it away for “evidence”.

    Your bank, the police, or tax office will never ask you to attend your bank, withdraw, transfer or pay money over the phone or send couriers to collect your card or cash. Nor would they ask you to buy goods or vouchers. This is a scam.

    1.     Hang up (Never give details or money following a cold call)

    2.     Take 5  (Seek a second opinion, tell someone what has happened)

    3.     Verify (if concerned, contact the company via a pre-confirmed method)

    All of our videos and electronic leaflets can be found on the following link; www.met.police.uk/littlemedia

    Always report, Scams fraud and cybercrime to Action Fraud, either online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by telephone on 0300 123 2040.

     

  • Fake Driving and Parking Fines

    Action Fraud have received an increase in reports and intelligence where elderly victims are being targeted by individuals purporting to be police officers or traffic wardens. The victims are being approached whilst parked in a car park and are told by the suspect that they have parked illegally or broken a speed limit and a photo has been taken of their car for ‘evidence’.

    Victims are advised that they will face a substantial penalty fine unless they pay a smaller upfront fee immediately. Victims, who opt for paying the smaller penalty, will be directed to a parking meter and asked to enter their card and PIN. These parking meters have been tampered with by the suspect in order to retain the card. Once the victim inserts their card and are asked for their PIN, the victims are shoulder surfed for their PIN by the suspect. Once victims input their PIN, the card is retained by the machine and victims are told by the suspect to seek help from the company who operates the parking meter or their bank.

  • Visit to Clandon and Hatchlands

    Out & About With the Pavilion Club, 129 Grand Drive, Raynes Park 

    Do join us on our SUMMER COACH OUTING to CLANDON PARK & HATCHLANDS PARK 

    On Tuesday 13th August

    Cost: £20.50 per person to include entrance fees and coach, but only £8.50 if you are a National Trust Member 

    Pick up points

    Motspur Park (Earl Beatty) 9.00 a.m.

    Raynes Park (Approach Road south side) 9.15 a.m.

    Grand Drive (Greenway bus stop) 9.30 a.m. 

    Please be at your chosen pick up point at least 5 minutes before given time. 

    To Book contact Jill West at rpwbra@rpwbresidents.org.uk.

  • Chairman's Blog - August 2019

    FURTHER HEATHROW CONSULTATION

    Heathrow Airport has now published further proposals for its expansion with a third runway. This is due to open in 2026.

    It is fair to say that the effect on the whole area will be massive, with the M25 diverted under the new runway. There will be two extra car parks, one for 24,000 vehicles built on existing playing fields, and another for 22,000. The total parking will increase to 53,000. This is despite their claim that there will be no increase in airport related traffic.  761 homes will be demolished.  It will cost 14 billion pounds, but this is only for the first phase of expansion.  It is believed that the end cost will be 30 billion.  The intention is to increase the yearly numbers of flights to 756,000. 

    There is a local consultation being held in Wimbledon on Saturday 17 August from 10 am to 4 pm. This is at Everyday Church, 30 Queen’s Road, SW19 8LR. The consultation documents are also at Merton Civic Centre or at heathrowconsultation.com. The deadline for replying is midnight on 13 September. You can reply by e-mail to: feedback@heathrowconsultation.com 

    Of particular interest to this area will be the direction of flights, night flights, noise, and air quality and climate change. 

    While the demand for passenger and freight flights continues to grow every year, so does the need for a severe reduction in carbon emissions, to which the Government is committed.  I will only express the hope that the Government and Parliament will scrutinize these proposals most carefully.   

    SUMMER PARTY

    Some 60 of our volunteers enjoyed a summer party at The Pavilion on the middle Saturday of Wimbledon, in glorious weather. This was held as a thank you for all the hard work and dedication of our Area Co-Ordinators and Road Stewards, the Premises Management Group, and the Committee. 

    We took the opportunity to ask Pamela Robinson’s nephew, Roger and his wife Donna, to unveil a plaque on the tree we planted in memory of Pamela, who sadly died last year.  Pamela was a long serving and much - loved member of the Committee, as well as being a talented artist who designed the front cover of The Guide. 

    Roger kindly gave the Association another watercolour that Pamela had made of Raynes Park station, and this will hang in the Pavilion.  You can see in this edition a photo of Roger by the tree holding this painting. The tree is a flowering hawthorn, with pink and white stems in the spring, and berries loved by the birds in the autumn. It has been planted so that it can be seen from the entrance at the end of the path.   

    THE GUIDE

    The Guide has been published ever since 1926, and for many years has been brought to you every month. It is still highly valued by our members. 

    The Committee has decided that it would be better to have a copy of the Guide for December and January that covers both Christmas and the New Year.  This is partly because of the difficulty of meeting deadlines for printing in the run up to Christmas, but also since it is a period of the year when everyone takes a break from day to day life.

    The intention is to have a larger edition coming out in December to cover December and January, with the hope of increasing advertisement income over the Christmas and New Year period. 

    The effect would be that in future we will produce 11 editions of the Guide in all.

    We will ensure that our existing loyal advertisers are not prejudiced in any way.  

    John Elvidge

     

  • Pavilion Club Visit to Whitstable - 24 JULY 2019

    Out & About with the Pavilion Club - 129 Grand Drive, Raynes Park 

    Do join us on our SUMMER COACH OUTING TO: 

    WHITSTABLE, KENT on 24th JULY 2019

    Cost £15.00 

    Pick up points 

    Motspur Park (Earl Beatty)                       9.00 a.m.

    Raynes Park (Approach Road south side)   9.15  a.m.

    Grand Drive (Greenway bus stop)              9.30 a.m.

     Please be at pick up point at least 5 minutes before given time.

     To Book telephone:  Jill West 020 8286 9809

  • Townswomen's Guild - July 2019

    Raynes Park (Afternoon) Townswomen's Guild

    At our May meeting, Bob Sinfield came to give us a talk which he entitled “The Great Unwatched”. His informative talk was both entertaining and amusing. We had no idea that a talk about Radio Broadcasting would be so interesting.Townswomen’s Guild.

     Also in May, 10 members attended a TG Federation Lunch held in St. Bede’s Conference Centre, (which is behind St. Raphael’s Hospice) to mark the 90th Birthday of the Townswomen’s Guild. It was a very good meal, and a most enjoyable occasion. 

    At the time off writing, we are looking forward to our June meeting, when we will be celebrating our 86th Birthday with a tea and a musical entertainment from ‘Fool Circle’. (Formed only 4 years after TG began, we believe we are one of the oldest Guilds in the London area.) 

    Our July meeting also has a musical theme with the return of the ‘Nonsuch Handbell Ringers’. No doubt they will again be encouraging some of us to ‘have a go’ at ringing the bells. 

    The following month we have our annual outing, which is on Thursday 15th August. This year we are going to Brighton, and we would welcome others who would like to join us. The cost will be £16.

    We are hoping to leave around 9.30 am with pick-ups at Motspur Park, Raynes Park Station and Greenway - but this awaits confirmation. We would appreciate bookings and payment by the last week in July. 

    For further details of our meetings, and of our social activities please get in touch. 

    Dorothy Raymond. Tel: 0208 395 9489

  • Action Fraud

    What you need to know 

    ·       Action Fraud has experienced an increase in the reporting of malicious calls and voicemails, to members of the public purporting to be from Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC). 

    ·       Fraudsters are spoofing genuine HMRC telephone numbers to deceive their victims over the phone. The fraudsters state that as a result of the victim’s non-payment of tax or other duty, the victim is liable for prosecution or other legal proceedings in order to settle the balance. The fraudsters suggest victims can avoid this, by arranging payment to be made immediately by methods such as bank transfer or by purchasing iTunes gift cards. 

    ·       If the victim is hesitant or refuses to comply, the suspect makes a threat such as immediate arrest, sending bailiffs to the victim’s address or, in some cases, deportation. 

    ·       Often, the period for which the tax is allegedly due is distant enough to guarantee the victim will have little, if any, paperwork or ability to verify the claims. Once the money is paid the suspects sever all contact with the victim. 

    ·       In genuine cases, HMRC will initially make direct contact with you via post/letter and potentially follow up that letter with a phone call later. 

    ·       If HMRC contact you via telephone they will quote the reference number on the initial letter you should have received. HMRC will not discuss something you are not already aware of, like a tax investigation, and will NOT demand immediate payment. 

    It is vital that the public exercise caution when receiving messages or telephone calls of this nature. 

    What you need to do

    • Always question unsolicited requests for your personal or financial information. Just because someone knows your basic details (such as your name and contact details), it doesn’t mean they are genuine. Instead, contact the company directly using trusted methods such as a known email address or phone number. 
    • Legitimate organisations wouldn’t ask you to pay taxes, bills or fees using an iTunes gift card, or any other type of voucher. If you’re contacted by anyone that asks you to do this, you’re likely the target of a scam 
    • Don’t be rushed or pressured into making a decision. Under no circumstances would a genuine bank or some other trusted organisation force you to make a financial transaction on the spot.

    ·       Report Phishing attempts. If you receive a call, text or email of this nature and have not lost money, you can report this as phishing to Action Fraud.

    National Fraud & Cyber Crime Reporting Centre, 0300 1232040

  • Parking Permits - Latest

    EXTORTIONATE HIKE IN PARKING CHARGES AND FEES FOR PARKING PERMITS 

    Following the receipt of more than 3000 letters of objection from residents, Merton has deferred its decision on the introduction of the new charges.  They are ‘re-consulting’ so you still have time to protest loudly if you want to add your objections to the other 3,000.   Write to: 

    Cllr.Stephen Alambritis, Merton Civic Centre, London Road,  Morden, Surrey SM4 5DX

  • Chairman's Blog - July 2019

    YET ANOTHER BANK BRANCH CLOSING

    Notices are up in Lloyds Bank in Raynes Park stating that the branch is due to close on 22 August.  This will mean that there will be no longer any bank branches in Raynes Park. This must impact on the continued improvement of Raynes Park as a local shopping and business centre. 

    We have asked Stephen Hammond MP to do what he can to change their minds, but it seems that all the clearing banks are determined to cut their costs in this way. 

    We have said before that many people, and particularly the more elderly, do want to see someone in person to discuss their financial needs. Many people, rightly in my view (as one who has been defrauded by an incompetent bank) still distrust on- line banking. 

    This closure follows that of the branch of Barclays in Raynes Park, the closure of the branches of NatWest in Morden and Wimbledon Village, and of Santander in Morden.    NatWest has been left with the main branch in Wimbledon Town Centre, which always has a long queue of people waiting to see the tellers, because of the inadequate number provided of these.  The need for branches is still there, but the banks are not responding to the wishes of their customers. 

    MORE NEW HOMES IN RAYNES PARK

    In October last year the Council granted planning permission for the demolition of the Manuplastics site at 579-589 Kingston Road, and for the building of 99 flats.   Now the owners want to add to their number in a new application. These will be studio flats, and one and two bedroom units, but none of three bedrooms. All of them will be flats for rental only, and there will be no “affordable” units.  The proposals are to tier the flats in 2 to 7 storeys. It remains to be seen whether such a large development on a relatively limited site will be granted permission. 

    265 BURLINGTON ROAD

    We reported in the February Guide on the proposal by Redrow to build a massive 446 flats at 265 Burlington Road, taking in part of the Tesco car park.  The flats were to be built in 7 blocks, with the tallest of them rising to 14 storeys, another of 13, and another of 10, all facing the Tesco store, and reducing to 7 fronting Burlington Road.   The intention of the developers at that time was to proceed with a formal planning application as soon as possible. 

    Since then it has gone deathly quiet, and it may be that the developers are having second thoughts about whether to proceed.    We will keep you informed and will hold a public meeting if a planning application is made, as there are bound to be major concerns as to the height and size of the development, and its effect on community provision for health and schools. 

    BOUNDARY COMMISSION REVIEW

    The Boundary Commission and Merton Council are considering proposals to reduce the number of Councillors on Merton Council from 60 to 57, which would, of course, reduce the cost of council services to some degree.   This would bring the number of Councillors back to its previous level. The aim is to have this in place in time for the next council elections. 

    This would entail some changes to the existing ward boundaries, and perhaps some wards having two Councillors rather than three. 

    An initial analysis seems to show that the wards which this Residents’ Association represents, of West Barnes, Raynes Park, Cannon Hill, and Lower Morden, are unlikely to be greatly affected, since the number of residents here has overall increased, rather than lessened. 

    John Elvidge

  • Paddock Coach Trip - 18 July 2019

    Paddock Allotments’ Coach Trip

    The Paddock Allotments Society has  arranged a coach trip to The Weald and Downland Living Museum and West Dean Gardens in Sussex.  They  will be going (hopefully if they have enough takers) on Thursday 18th July leaving Grand Drive at 9 a.m. returning at approx 6pm.  The cost is £30 which includes entrance to both venues, the coach fare and the drivers tip.
    Anyone wishing to join Paddock members is more than welcome. 

    Contact Ruth Whitehead on 8286-9362 where she has an answer phone, leaving your name and phone number. Ruth will call back, answer any questions and  you’re your booking.

  • St Saviour's Organ Recital - 13 July 2019

    St Saviour's Church - UK Sibelius Society sponsor an organ recital by Theodore Frazer

    The organ is a superb liturgical instrument, being originally built in 1907 by William Hill. In 1998 it was completed as a two-manual instrument by F.H. Browne & Sons, of Canterbury. A unique selling point for this concert is The Improvisation on a Theme that Sibelius was asked to supply to the Organ Music Society of London in 1933. 

    The UK Sibelius Society checked the records and asked permission from the family, so to their knowledge this is the first time this 9-bar fragment has been improvised on since 1933. 

    The recital will be held at St Saviour's Church, Raynes Park SW20 9DL on Saturday 13th July – (7.00 for 7.30 p.m.)  Tickets cost £10.00 on the door, or just £1 if you are under 18. 

  • St Saviour's War Memorial

    St. Saviour’s WW1 Memorial Restoration Project….Your Vote Counts at Waitrose Raynes Park!

    The Memorial Group is hoping for a cash boost from the Waitrose Community Matters initiative and needs your vote..

    The WWI memorial was erected in 1921 to honour the 97 men who gave their lives in the First World War. Over the years the names on the memorial have gradually been eroded and are no longer legible, the project team are working to raise funds for it to be restored and the names re-carved. 

    As part of the fund-raising campaign The Restoration Group has been chosen as one of three charities to receive a share of the cash award from Waitrose Community Matters. Voting for the WWI Memorial restoration project runs in the Raynes Park Waitrose Store throughout June, you can cast your vote by asking for a token every time you shop. Do please help!

  • Canon Hill Common- Summer 2019

    Friends of Cannon Hill Common - Calendar of Events

     

    BOTANICAL/FLOWERWALK

    Irene Kettle, one of our long-standing members has agreed to lead another Botanical/Flower Walk for us on the Common on the evening of  FRIDAY 28TH JUNE 2019. Meet at 6.30 p.m. by the South Meadow on the corner of Cannon Hill Lane and Parkway

     

    BUTTERFLY WALK

    Neville Squires has agreed to lead a Butterfly Walk on the Common on SATURDAY 20TH JULY 2019. Please meet on the bridge by the lake on Cannon Hill Lane at 2 p.m. 

     

    TREE WALK

    Dave Lofthouse will lead our annual Tree Walk on FRIDAY 26TH JULY 2019 as part of Love Parks Week commencing at 7.15 p.m.  It is suggested that participants should bring insect repellent, some sort of head covering to keep off the midges and possibly a torch as it may be getting dark before the walk finishes. Please meet on the bridge by the lake on Cannon Hill Lane.

     

    BAT WALK

    Alison Fure has agreed to lead a Bat Walk for the Friends of Cannon Hill Common on   FRIDAY 20th SEPTEMBER 2019.    Please meet at 7.00 p.m. on the bridge by the lake on Cannon Hill Lane. The walk will last approximately two hours and we suggest you bring a torch with you as it will be dark when the walk finishes. Insect repellent or some sort of head covering to keep off the midges is also advisable. 

    Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. 

     

    ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

    TUESDAY 16TH JULY 2019 from 7.30 p.m. – 9.00 p.m.

    Paddock Allotment Garden Clubhouse, 51 Heath Drive, SW20 9BE.

  • Raynes Park Townswomen's Guild - June 2019

    As it was close to Easter, our April meeting was a “do-it-yourself” with a Beetle Drive, which had an Easter theme. Everyone received an Easter Egg, and the winner received an orchid plant. 

    At the time of writing, we are looking forward to our May meeting, when Bob Sinfield will be coming to tell us about “The Great Unwatched”. This talk is about Radio Broadcasting. 

    Our June meeting will be our 86th Birthday Party, which includes a musical entertainment. 

    Later in the year we have our annual outing, which is on Thursday 15th August. We are going to Brighton, and we would welcome others who would like to join us. The cost will be £16. 

    We are hoping to leave around 9.30 am with pick-ups at Motspur Park, Raynes Park Station and Greenway - but this awaits confirmation. We would appreciate bookings and payment by the last week in July. 

    For further details of our meetings, and of our social activities please get in touch. 

    Dorothy Raymond

  • RPA Objection to Revised Parking Charges

    RAYNES PARK ASSOCIATION LETTER TO MERTON COUNCIL

    Letter of Objection to proposed revised parking charges 

    I am writing you on behalf of the Raynes Park Association to register our objections to the proposed rises in parking charges.  To remind you the Raynes Park Association is an umbrella organisation comprising local residents’ associations, businesses and other local organisations within the Raynes Park area, cutting across several Wards.  

    i.   Town Centre Parking Charges

     While parking charges in town centres such as Raynes Park may be necessary to ensure efficient use of available spaces, we believe these charges should be kept as low as is reasonably possible to encourage the use of the services offered in our local town centre.  We are therefore totally opposed to the proposal to double these charges which, we believe, will cause damage to our high street at a time when they can least afford it.  

    ·       LaToya Harding (The Daily Telegraph 10th April 2019) said “The number of high street shops closing remained at record highs last year as rising business rates, declining customer footfall and a shift to online shopping took their toll.”    So regardless how you class the north side of Raynes Park, unless we do more to help small shopping streets the impact will continue until it is full of Charity shops and large national chains. 

    ·       The Retail Gazette Jan 2019 said “Over 175,000 jobs are set to be shed from the UK’s retail industry, while retail property values will slide amid the continuing increase in online shopping.  A further 23,000 shops are expected to close this year, according to research conducted by real estate advisers Altus Group.” 

    ·       Thomas Heatherwick, the award-winning designer has remarked when it comes to retail “feeling is function”.  Shopping should be a pleasant experience without unjustified financial obstacles. Why would a shopper drive to a retail area, spend time trying to find a parking place, and pay a large parking charge when they can sit comfortably at home and order supplies from a lap top.  

    What is Merton actually doing to enhance the public realm experience in Raynes Park?  It is clearly not using the parking charge or CIL funding for environmental improvements. It is just another form of local taxation with the money going in one direction whilst failing to address the fundamental retail issues. 

    You will be aware that we have formally requested the setting up of a free 20-minute parking period in the part of Raynes Park on the north of the railway to match what is already provided on the south of the railway.  Officers have indicated that the north is classed as a “Town Centre” whilst the south is not; we would suggest this is illogical.    Some local businesses believe they need more than 20 minutes, but at least it is a start; businesses also need longer term parking for their own vehicles without the punitive business parking permits. 

    Whether or not you decide to introduce the increases, we ask you now urgently to review our request and to consider it favourably. 

    ii.                Residents’ Parking Permits 

    We are appalled at the concept of the massive proposed increases in the charges for residents to obtain permits to park in the CPZ areas.  When the London Borough of Merton consulted local residents on the setting up of CPZs it was understood that the charges would reflect the cost to the Council in managing the service.  It seems to us wrong that the Council should unilaterally decide to increase the charge as a ‘tax’ against local people owning a car.  This was never part of the consultation and we therefore question the Council’s authority to initiate this additional charge.  

    In any event, the increased charges are totally unfair as it is only applicable to people living within a CPZ.  If you are lucky enough to have your own driveway or indeed live in a road with no controls, you will not be charged.  Your vehicle will equally cause pollution, which appears to be the rationale behind this ‘tax’, yet having your own driveway makes you exempt.  Furthermore, there is no equality across the whole of Merton, why should residents in the Mitcham not receive the same increase as in Wimbledon and Raynes Park, especially when one of the key planks in the argument for the increases are to reduce pollution; pollution does not suddenly stop in Mitcham surely?  We suggest that the rationale has indeed been drawn up in what can only be seen a 'planned way' to increase taxes in areas where the ruling majority is not represented which might well be considered as maladministration. 

    We suggest that Resident’s Parking Permits: 

    i.   In the interests of fairness be the same cost regardless of which part of the borough one lives.

    ii.   Increase proportionately with inflation and the actual cost of managing the service.

    iii.   Should be automatically renewed via direct debit to save staff time dealing with the complicated existing process requesting a pin then re-submitting and having to remember the renewal date.

    iv.   No longer require a paper notice, but rather linked to the vehicle registration and Parking Attendants be given devices that can scan the registration number and link to the Council’s database to confirm it can park in Zone situated.  No doubt DVLC would be pleased if the Council were also able to catch unlicensed vehicles at the same time.  

    We trust you will consider all our suggestions favourably.

    Chris Edge

    Chairman RPA

     

     

  • Chairman's Blog June 2019

    ALL ENGLAND CLUB GROUND, GRAND DRIVE

    This sports ground, which is bounded by Grand Drive, Cannon Hill Lane, Elm Walk, and Southway is being used by the All England Club for its Junior Tennis Initiative, and for general Community use.

    The ground already has a bubble housing indoor courts, and also has grass and hard courts, all of which the public can use when they are not required for training or the Wimbledon Fortnight.

    In October last year the Club received planning permission to provide another air dome (housing 3 acrylic courts) situated behind the present one, 16 new grass courts, and a new pavilion and a maintenance building. 

    The Club is now about to start the construction works, and held a drop in session for local residents to discuss their proposals in April.  

    We were told that the work will commence with the delivery of the specialised soil (loam) for the 16 grass courts, which will be of Championship standard. The first delivery for 4 courts was due in May, and others will be phased in between October 2019 and January 2020. The lorries will use the existing northern access point off Grand Drive.

    In June work is expected to start on drainage improvements, the acrylic courts in the new air dome, and the seeding of the grass courts.

    The planning permission so far granted did not extend to the details of the maintenance building, which was treated as a reserved matter.  The intention is to submit a further application setting out its appearance, maximum footprint, height, and access.

    One of our residents in Grand Drive has already expressed concern about extended parking behind her house, and what appears to be a vehicular exit near the end of Southway.

    Any queries about what is happening can be directed to the Community Manager of the Ground at communitytennis@aeltc.com 

    OPEN MEETING

    We are holding an Open Meeting at 7.30pm on Wednesday 12th June at Blossom House School in Motspur Park.  Do come and meet other members, as well as members of the Committee, and we can discuss any local issues that are concerning you.

    There will be light refreshments afterwards.  Do come.

    ADVERTISING IN THE GUIDE

    As you are probably aware, apart from membership subscriptions (which have been held at £3 for many years), and apart also from the revenue that hire of the Residents’ Pavilion brings in, the Association is funded from advertisements in The Guide.

    Dick Coleman, our Advertising Manager, is keen to increase our advertising revenue by attracting potential clients, and would like your help in doing so.

    For example, if you, or one of your neighbours, is having work done at home by a local tradesman, why not suggest that they advertise in The Guide? Or perhaps one of your neighbours runs a local business and might be interested?  Members and non-members are equally welcome! If you can, try and get a contact number & an e-mail address, and let Dick know - advertising@rpwbresidents.org.uk

    We currently distribute some 2000 copies of The Guide each month, and our range of adverts stretches from economical “small ads” to more effective display spaces. And we don’t even charge VAT!  Full details are on our website at www.rpwbresidents.org.uk/advertising

    John Elvidge

  • St Saviour's May Fair - Monday, 6 May

     

    St. Saviours May Fair

    St. Saviour’s May Fair will be held this year on Bank Holiday Monday 6th May from 12.00 noon to 3pm.  This annual event gives the Church the opportunity to welcome local residents - as well as those from further afield -  to the church in Grand Drive. 

    As usual there will be many attractions including the crowning of the May Queen, Maypole Dancing, a demonstration of hand-bell ringing and the greatly enjoyed BBQ. There will also be the usual wide variety of games and side shows plus numerous other stalls and a grand draw. 

    Do make sure to take this marvellous bank holiday opportunity to join St. Saviours for this happy family occasion! 

    Admission is FREE.

  • Lambton Road PPG

    Lambton Road Medical Practice

    The Patient Participation Group of the Lambton Road Medical Practice will be held at 3.00 p.m. on Saturday 11th May at the Lambton Road Practice. Peter West, Chair of the Lambton Road PPG, suggests that patients should go along and hear about ."service developments at Lambton Road and wider NHS plans for Primary Care in Merton, under the heading “You and your primary care”.

  • Townswomen's Guild - April 2019

     

    RAYNES PARK (afternoon) TOWNSWOMENS’ GUILD 

    In March, Miss A Hoyland with her talk ‘Never judge a book by its cover’ was a delight.  A professional musician (woodwind) in West End theatre orchestras, she decided to add another string to her bow (sorry), by training as an Image Consultant, to advise people how to always be polished and well dressed.  Armed with a colour wheel and specially made demonstration garments she enlisted the help of a member, and herself, to showcase her techniques and theories.  Topics covered were complexion colouring, curved and straight body shapes, long and short lengths to the waist, accessories, pattern sizes on materials and tricks to improve body line generally.  This was a fun talk which we all enjoyed. 

    On Wednesday 3rd April ten members attended the Townswomen’s Guild 90th Thanksgiving Celebration Service at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square conducted by Revd Jonathan Evens.  Area Federation Banners were paraded, the Trustees made an interesting presentation featuring the development and achievements of the Guild, and we finished with the TWG song.  However, a special mention must go to the Chamber Choir of Burntwood School (an academy school for girls in L B Wandsworth) who sang an eclectic mix of pieces throughout, making a truly excellent contribution, which complimented the passage of the service, hymns, and readings, perfectly. 

    Our May meeting features a talk by Bob Sinfield entitled ‘The great unwatched’.  This will be held on Thursday, 16th May at 1.30 for 1.45 pm in St Saviour’s Church Hall, Grand Drive.  Visitors or new members are always welcome. 

    Dorothy Raymond, Vice Chairman

  • Chairman's Report 2017/18

    CHAIRMAN’S REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE ASSOCIATION 2017/2018

    The recent heavy rains remind me that it was local flooding that led to the forming of the Association in 1928. We have continued ever since - even through the war years - so this year we are reaching our 90th Anniversary.

    We intend to hold a dinner in celebration at Merton College, prepared by the catering students. We did this very successfully for our 75th Anniversary, and some of you were present then. It will be held in November, and we will send out invitations when we have a firm date.

    We also intend to hold a summer party on the middle Saturday of Wimbledon fortnight, 7th July, as a thank you to all those who give their time and effort to keep the Association running. These are our Area-Co-Ordinators, our Road Stewards, our Committee, and the Management Group of the Residents’ Pavilion. I would like to pay tribute to all these unpaid volunteers, who contribute so much to maintaining the local environment and the well-being of residents.

    We will be producing a special Anniversary edition of The Guide in the Autumn.  This will be in colour.  We experimented with some colour in The Guide last Christmas with favourable comments.  I anticipate that the Anniversary edition will contain items of interest from each of or 9 decades, as well as the usual up to the minute news.

     I would like to single out for special thanks tonight one member whose contribution has been wholly exceptional. This is Jill Truman who has been working for the Association for 50 years starting in 1968.

    She has held nearly every office in that time (other than Treasurer

    since she claims she isn’t safe looking after money) Starting with Advertisement Manager, then Association Secretary, ultimately being voted in as Chairman both before and after standing for Council. She doubled up as both Editor &advertisement Manager for a couple of hears, until Dick Coleman stepped into the breach. 

    You may have seen from this month’s Guide that she was recently in hospital with a serious condition. 

    I am sure Jill would also want to join me in paying public tribute to the other members of the Committee. Clare Townsend is our Minutes Secretary who with her husband our very exemplary Treasurer John, also organises our social events and much else.  Together they form a double team and a joint whirlwind of energy. 

    As Treasurer, John Townsend manages to keep on top of a multitude of financial transactions and make them understandable. He will be presenting the accounts later in his usual enjoyable manner and I also want to thank Brian Lewis-Lavender for again auditing them.  

    Dick Coleman has brought huge enthusiasm to his role as Advertising Manager and has canvassed local businesses for new advertisements with great success, thus increasing the revenue that is vital if we are to continue to produce The Guide monthly. We know of no other residents’ association that so regularly communicates with its members. 

    This is a huge achievement by a great team of people. Andrew Barwick continues to be, as he has been for over ten years, our Distribution Manager, which is an onerous monthly task. In this he is assisted, again, by Dick, and by George Holder who looks after the postal members. They deserve an enormous thank you for their continued service.  A relative newcomer to this team is Rosemary Wright, who is now assisting Andrew Barwick as our dedicated Membership Secretary.

    Jerry Cuthbert is the Chair of the Residents’ Pavilion Management Group and has overseen the transformation of a semi-derelict tennis pavilion into a warm and welcoming community hall and continues to manage the bookings and lettings. It is now used on a very regular basis by a large variety of community groups, and this now increasingly contributes to the overall income of the Association.  Jerry also keeps our website up to date with news and information about local matters, whilst our Webmaster Charles Briscoe-Smith, keeps our website up and running.  This is now increasingly used as a point of reference for new entrants to the area, and for enquiries. 

    Jerry Cuthbert is also one of our representatives on the Raynes Park Association and Raynes Park Forum.

     Where he is relied on to provide very professional insight into Crossrail 2 and other environmental issues.  David Freeman continues, as he has done for many years, to be our adviser on planning matters.  He is extremely knowledgeable and advises the Secretariat and Members on the complex local planning laws which help us and them fight ill-advised planning applications; keeps us informed of applications in the pipeline and attends the planning committee when necessary to put across our point of view when we oppose a scheme. He also gives Jerry great assistance in running the Pavilion along with the Management Group who look after the                                     grounds, non-keyholding hirers, and so on.

    We have had very great help, as usual, from our local councillors, of all political persuasions, who attend our committee meetings.  I won’t mention any of those standing again by name tonight, given the imminence of the local elections, but they know who they are, and we thank them and wish them well.    I can however, mention Mary-Jane Jeanes, who is not standing for re-election, but who has been an excellent councillor, and a very strong supporter of the Association.  We hope that we can persuade her to continue to join the Committee and help us in future.

    I feel I must mention two of our affiliated social activities. The Pavilion Social Club meets most Thursday afternoons and is much enjoyed by between 35 to 40 residents each week, with an overall membership of 45. They love the opportunity for social interaction, each other, and the expert and warm way in which it is run by Andrea Hannan and Jill Truman.  The Pavilion Club runs coach outings that are open to non-members (this year it will be to Losely House, Eastbourne and Brighton and to the Annual Wisley Open Day, so well run up until now by Margaret Barratt, who has at last had to retire from this role. We thank her very much and wish her and her husband John all the best for the future. 

    I am also particularly pleased to welcome tonight Ruth Whitehead who will be speaking to us on the work of the Paddock Horticultural Society, which has many allotments on Cannon Hill Common, The Paddock also runs a tremendous social calendar, including regular Sunday Brunches, all delivered in a lovely friendly atmosphere. 

    At last year’s summer party for the volunteers, Gordon Stratford unveiled the plaque for the flowering bird cherry tree we had planted in honour of Jan Bailey, his partner and our former Secretary. It was a moving occasion.  It will be lovely to see it in bloom for the first time this year.

    One highlight of our year was when 30 members were treated to an extended tour of the All England Lawn Tennis Club just before the Championships, led by the Chief Coach, Dan Bloxham, who lives in Raynes Park. We went around the show courts, and saw young people training as part of the Club’s Junior Tennis Initiative, which goes to all schools in Merton.   Later in the year we were also invited to their impressive ground off Grand Drive, where large numbers of pupils from a very young age were playing.

    Another happy event was the retirement after 45 years of unbroken service to the community of our milkman John Braden MBE.  We organised a collection for him to which a huge number of people contributed, and we intend to present him with a cheque and the cards and messages after this meeting. 

    We had an Open Meeting in June at Blossom House School in Motspur Park, which has specialist therapeutic facilities for children with difficulties in speech and communication and were given an inspiring talk from its founder and Principal Joey Burgess OBE.

    At our Open Meeting in September we had a presentation from the officers of the St Helier and Epsom Hospital Trust on the future for local hospitals and were given the assurance that no major changes would be made in the next few years, and after that not without extensive public consultation.

    We have made representations on the proposed introduction of wheelie bins from next October and on the introduction of fortnightly collections, which we think is a mistake.

    Additionally, we have made representations on several individual planning applications; on street cleaning; on problems with flooding; as well as on the parking restrictions in the Sir Joseph hood Memorial Playing Fields. 

    We have kept people up to date with the latest news as to the closure of the tracks into Waterloo in August, and the plans for Crossrail 2 and Heathrow.

    So, we look forward to another busy year to come!

    John Elvidge - 11 April 2018. 

  • Martin Way Allotments

     Martin Way Allotments Association 

    MAGA tell us that they are having a mega plant sale on Saturday 21st May 2022 from 10.00am to 3.00 pm.  This is a marvellous opportunity to acquire reasonably priced locally produced plants, whilst at the same time supporting a great Allotment Association. 

     

  • Telecoms Mast - Somerset Ave

    Proposed Telecoms Mast – Raynes Park Sports Grounds, Somerset Avenue 

    Last month saw Residents in the vicinity of Raynes Park Sports Ground at Somerset Avenue, being concerned about a proposal to install a Telecoms mast in these sports grounds. This was part of a pre-planning consultation and at the time, the actual application had not been submitted. 

    One cannot comment or object to a planning application until it is listed for a decision (probably by the Planning Officers - unless it is called in by a local Councillor) – but having said that, from the plans we have seen, the siting of the proposed mast fairly unobtrusive. 

    It is simply a pole situated in the farthest corner of the playing fields and far away from most housing.   There will also be three associated cabinets for various technical uses.   These are generally quite compact and painted green.  

  • Tudor Williams to Close

    New Malden shoppers are very sad to see the announcement in early March of the closure of their department store, Tudor Williams on 4th March.  This store has traded from its site at 53-59 High Street for over a century. 

    A spokesman for Tudor Williams said: "One of the areas’ most loved family-run department stores, Tudor Williams, is greatly saddened to announce its intention to close after over 100 years of trading in New Malden and shall embark on a Great £1,000,000 Store Closing Sale, beginning Friday May 17, with a final closure date of Saturday June 29." 

    Managing Group Director John Morris has blamed the spiralling costs and the wider difficulties faced by high street retailers in recent years as having influenced the decision. 

    Mr Morris said that  "despite the tremendous effort put in by our New Malden management and staff -  and the extensive refurbishment of the store - unfortunately it has not seen the necessary improvement in sales.” 

    He went on to say that neither their Dorking store and Tudor Williams’ sister store, Elphicks of Farnham, (which recently has also undergone major) refurbishment will be affected by this decision and will continue to trade as normal. 

    Tudor Williams intends to sell all stock ahead of the closure, while any "special orders" will be handled by Elphicks at Farnham. 

    According to Tudor Williams website, the store began life in 1913 as a small corner shop Mr.. Tudor Williams having come to New Malden from Wales in 1913, and purchased a small corner shop. Initially the business concentrated on Millinery and Haberdashery and over the years this was developed by Mr Williams and his wife, ith the business acquiring adjacent properties as the range of stock began to develop.

  • Townswomen's Guild

    The Raynes Park Afternoon TOWNSWOMENS GUILD   

    In July last year I told you about the mixed fortunes of our 85th birthday celebration lunch. 

    We are one of the oldest TWG branches nationally and this year is the 90th anniversary of the setting up of the national movement.  Accordingly, in April we plan to attend a national Thanksgiving Service at St Martin’s in the Fields, Trafalgar Square; and in May a lunch is being arranged by the Federation of branches in North-East Surrey to be held at St Bede’s Hall (behind St Raphael’s) in Cheam Road.  

    At our Raynes Park AGM in February,  the retiring officers and committee were reappointed for another year. 

    In March the popular lunch club dined at the Morden Brook and on Monday 11th, a rather disappointing turnout of members visited the All Saints Church in Kingston for the regular Monday lunchtime concert, this time given by the Alianor Piano Trio (Piano, Violin, Cello), a very competent group whose programme of music was well received by a an appreciative audience.  Also, of interest was a small art display by Pauline Creed. 

    The April meeting which is to be held on Thursday 18th will be a social occasion featuring a beetle drive.  May’s scheduled speaker is Bob Sinfield,  whose talk is entitled ‘The great unwatched’. 

    We welcome visitors or others interested in our activities.  Our meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of each month at St Saviour’s Church Hall, 1.30 for 1.45 pm, 

    Dorothy Raymond

    Vice Chairman

  • Residents' Tennis Club

     Upcoming Events at the Raynes Park Lawn Tennis Club  

    Now the weather is warmer, and the evenings are longer, there are lots of activities taking place at your friendly and welcoming local tennis club in Meadowview Road. On Wednesday 3rd April in place of our regular Wednesday evening club night we have a fun and social tournament to celebrate the arrival of the longer evenings. Our members are also enjoying a fun variation on our usual club-sessions on the first Saturday of every month as Head Coach José devises games and exercises to improve your skills before grouping people up for a convivial set of doubles (or three, if you are so inclined)!  

    For 5-16-year olds, there are Easter holiday camps running 8-12th April. Tuesday and Thursday morning club sessions have been rescheduled that week, please check the website for details. Summer holiday camps will also be announced in due course. Recognising that it can be difficult to make the jump from junior coaching to adult match play, we would be pleased to welcome those older junior players (14+) who are ready to start playing with adults at Club Sessions on weekend afternoons, as well as Wednesday evenings.  

    Our next Open Day is Saturday 11th May but prospective members are always welcome to come along to a Club Session for a free trial, no need to wait until the Open Day. At just £140 for a year’s adult membership we are one of the cheapest and best value clubs in the area. Our three men’s and two ladies’ teams are also in fine form and moving up the divisions in the Surrey League, so we are pleased to offer a huge range of tennis opportunities for all.  

    For more information about any of the events mentioned here, please visit our website at https://www.rprltc.co.uk 

    Nathan - RPRLTC Chair

  • Morden Rotary - March 2019

     

    Young Chef of the Year 

     On Saturday 2nd March, a dozen young aspiring chefs competed in the "Young Chef of The Year" district final at South Thames College in Morden. They came from a wide area, from South London, Surrey and Sussex. Aged 11- 16, all the entrants had won through first round competitions.


    The judges were noteworthy professionals - Master Chefs Omera Gallucci, Franco Fontebasso, Soukias Tchilingirian and Master Baker, Tom Cromwell.

    They were led by internationally renowned chef Giovanni Fontebasso, and Morden Rotary Club was delighted to have such a distinguished judging panel.

    After briefing, the competitors had two hours to produce their meals, and present them in a table setting.

    The judges found all the results were extremely high quality - commenting that they felt each one was exceptional.

    The winner was
    Florence Pattendenfrom Fleet, and second place went to Oliver Trowell of Banstead. Both will go on to the regional final in Orpington in March - and if 
    successful, to the National final, taking place at Leeds City College in April.

    Trophies and certificates of merit were awarded to the contestants by Merton Mayor Mary Curtin, and Rotary District Governor David Easton and afterwards all the entrants had a very special time, as each was given personal feedback and guidance by the judges to help them improve even further.

    Giovanni Fontebasso, who has seen "Young Chef of The Year" develop into a nationally recognized award, was very enthusiastic, and commented he's seen hundreds of youngsters benefit from this competition. He was very impressed with the improving standard of entrants every year.

    "Young Chef of the Year", was hosted by Morden Rotary Club, and sponsored by Fillppo Berio Olive Oil.

    President Margaret Sinclair was supported by club members Jim Sinclair, William Rhind, Stan Earl, Peter & Margaret Redway, Tony Hunn, Phil Watson, Barry Bramley and Joss Ollett.  

    The club is very grateful to Rotarian Syd Mair and the catering tutors and staff of South Thames College at Merton for their great organization and enthusiasm for this event. 

    If you would like more information, or if you know someone who would like to take part, Please contact:- 

    Morden Rotary Club: - http://www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs/homepage.php/ClubID=8 

    Joss Ollett

  • Merton Bowling Club - 110 Anniversary

    Merton Bowling Club is celebrating 110 years of bowling in the community. 

    They have tried to trace the meaning of their Club badge, but details are sketchy. The top part of the badge is the 'Royal Navy Crown'. This is seen on the badges of  most of those for individual ships. It is associated with the Merchant Navy as well. 

    The fouled anchor part of the badge is the insignia worn by  Leading Ratings of the Royal Navy on their dress uniform.  The Club would welcome any more information about this from readers of The Guide’s  to add to the club history. 

    According to the Club's honours board, and as the name of the Club’s venue indicates, one of the members was Sir Joseph Hood. He was President of Merton Bowling Club from 1920 – 1931. Sir Joseph  was a businessman and a Conservative MP. 

    At the 1918 General Election  Sir Joseph was elected as  a Coalition  Member of Parliament  for Wimbledon. He  went on to hold the seat at the next two general elections, and in 1922 was created a “Baronet of Wimbledon in the County of Surrey”. 

    Sir Joseph Hood was known as a generous benefactor to the area he represented in Parliament.  On his death the lands he  bequeathed to the community were named after him in honour of his generosity. 

    Since then Merton Bowling Club playing at the Joseph Hood Recreation Ground, has had a constant flow of members -  ranging from ten years of age to 94 – and the Club looks to provide a friendly and social environment where people can bowl at their leisure, or more competitively,  pursue places in the  Wimbledon & District Bowling Association and Kingston District League.  

    The Club’s 110-year celebrations will continue until its Open Day on the afternoon of Sunday 28th April 2019 from 12.00 till 15.00 hours. 

    Visitors will be  very welcome, so the Club hopes everyone will come along and have a free bowling taster session; a cup of tea and a chat.

    If you are interested, but are unable to make this date, do please check the Club’s website and consider booking  a session, with or without, coaching at:

    www,mertonbowlsclub.com

     

  • Chairman's Blog - April 2019

    SCAMS

    Beware of scam calls and messages.

    The number of scam phones calls I get has increased no end. In addition, I am now getting scam texts on my mobile phone and very doubtful e-mails. There doesn’t seem to be any way to stop them.  

    The phone calls typically say that your broadband has been “compromised” and you need to dial a number to speak to a technician. Or that you need to speak to someone about your gas bill.

    A recent text message stated that my (named) bank account had been suspended for security reasons, and I should visit a web link to restore access. Another purported to come from DVLA and said that they had “identified that you still have an outstanding vehicle tax refund from an overpayment” and that I should follow the process to get it on another web page. 

    It is often difficult to distinguish a genuine message from a false one, which is why they so often succeed.  When in any doubt do not open an attachment to an e-mail, and never answer a call, or try a suggested website.

     YET ANOTHER HIGH STREET BANK BRANCH CLOSES

     Some time ago I deplored in these comments that the NatWest bank had closed its branches in Morden and Wimbledon Village, leaving customers who needed personal service to join the every lengthening queue at the branch in central Wimbledon, where they typically have only two members of staff manning the desks. 

    Now the Santander branch in Morden is closing on 9 May, leaving customers to get to the Wimbledon or Sutton branches, or use the Post Office.  They are cutting a fifth of their high street network. Which?, the consumer group, calculates that nearly two thirds of the UK’s branch network has been lost in the past 30 years, the numbers of branches having fallen from over 20,583 in 1988 to 7,586.     

    While I fully understand that many people now prefer to do their banking online or through mobiles, there are still a large number of people, many of them elderly, who cannot access these systems or prefer not to for security reasons.  I also understand that banks are commercial organisations, which are set up to make a profit.  

    However, what particularly riles me is that these closures are dressed up as improvements to the service, when they are nothing of the kind. 

    HEATHROW THIRD RUNWAY 

    The public consultation as to the future flight paths into and out of Heathrow has closed. We have, along with all other local replies, stressed that the flight paths should not come over this area, which has been largely free of noise to date.  However, we fear that if the proposed third runway is built, some increase in noise will be inevitable, given the huge increase of 250,000 extra flights being planned, up to 740,000 flights a year from the current 475,000. The noise maps reveal that some areas that are currently free of noise will suffer 47 flights an hour overhead. The noise levels from inbound planes, flying at 5,000 feet and below, will be up to 65 decibels.  

    5 councils, including Wandsworth, are seeking a judicial review of the Heathrow expansion. 

    What is really needed is for MP’s to look again at the necessity for a third runway at Heathrow, at a cost of £14 billion. It is surrounded by dense housing, and building would mean major alterations to the road structure. 

    The Airports Commission report, which led to the Government’s adoption of the scheme, was largely based on the need to maintain Heathrow as a global “hub” airport, where passengers would wait to be connected to a smaller plane. The Times business commentary pointed out the concept of a “hub” airport was in real doubt, given that the Airbus A380, which contained anywhere between 544 and 853 passengers, was now being replaced by smaller and cheaper aircraft which went direct to the final destinations.  

    The build up in flights is in part due to the increase in holiday traffic. The sensible policy must be to allow more local airports to expand, building in time a second runway at Gatwick and Stansted, and with more flights from regional airports. 

    John Elvidge

  • Raynes Park Forum - 26 March 2019

    The next Raynes Park Forum will be held on 26th March in the Library Meeting Room.  It will be chaired by Cllr. Omar Bush, and amongst the items to be discussed are the proposed hike in parking charges; street cleaning, rubbish and recycling; Town Centre developments and the Railway.  As  as well as the opportunity for residents to raise any other matters of concern.

     

  • Motspur Park Post Office

     

     

    Finally, things are happening regarding the re-establishment of a PO branch in Motspur Park village. The new location is Sima Brothers Newsagents, 347 West Barnes Lane - next door to the previous location, at Ecklee. We are told the target date for opening is 20th March.

  • Morden Rotary Club - March 2019

    Time to say thanks again to Santa, the elves and the support team who helped make our Christmas collection very successful just a few weeks ago. Despite a couple of wet evenings, your Rotary Club raised an excellent total to put into good causes in our local community. A special word of thanks to everyone who generously contributed as Santa did his sleigh rounds.

    Also, we thank many more from further afield who visited us at the Lower Morden Lane illuminations. Great work again by the residents there, who've created a wonderful attraction to celebrate Christmas.  Funds have already been allocated to St .Raphael's Hospice, and we'll publish a list of other beneficiaries soon.

    Volunteers Needed

    May we ask any of our readers if they might be able to volunteer a few hours to help us from time to time?

    This year's Christmas rounds and collections is way off - but that's always a fun time to join in -  and enjoy what we do. Much closer, the Summer Fairs’ season is on our planning board right now. Is there anyone who can lend a sturdy gazebo for the day please? and help put it up! work part of the day?

    Also, a new pilot scheme that Morden Rotary is operating would welcome your support.  Aldi (Ewell by-pass branch) is donating fresh food and vegetables at "sell-by date" to us. A wonderful bonus!  We collect two evenings a week from there and deliver to Faith in Action at The Salvation Army in South Wimbledon.

    This organisation provides hot meals (and much more) to the homeless street people of Merton. Anyone who could help from time to time with the pick-up and delivery would be most welcome. 

    Or, have you any serviceable warm clothing, a sleeping bag, backpack etc you can donate please? (contact details for collection below).

    Be our Guest

    Would you like to be a Rotary Club guest one evening at The Morden Brook, Lower Morden Lane, SM4 4SS?  Visiting speakers in the coming weeks are Wimbledon Guild Feb 28th, Wimbledon Sailing Club March 28th and Child Cancer Care April 28th.

    These are all on Thursday evenings and we meet in the back room (where else!) at 6:30 pm. Please contact me if you would like to join President Margaret Sinclair and the dozen other Rotary volunteers on one of these dates,  or any other Thursday evening.

    Pennies from Heaven

    Finally, we still operate "Pennies from Heaven" - should you have a pile of small change or old coins or foreign currency, we can collect. It all goes to support St. Raphael’s Hospice - over £6000 raised so far; AND every penny donated to us is spent on good causes WITHOUT any deductions or paid staff.

    Thanks again for your support, and hopefully you may be able give us a helping hand in the future.

    Best wishes to you all for a happy and healthy 2019.

    Joss Ollett.

  • Gully Cleaning 2019-2020

    The Wimbledon Times of 7th December 2018 carried a Public Notice from the London Borough of Merton (LBM)  about gully cleaning across a wide area of the Borough including West Barnes and Raynes Park. This was due to start on 10 December and continue for up to 18 months. 

    The Notice says that work will be carried out on a "rolling basis” with warning signs being posted 3 days before work is expected to take place and cones being put in place the day before. 

    Under the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984 (as amended) the Council has a Statutory duty to publish these sorts of Notices. That they have done, but I question whether the way it is being done is either adequate or as useful and constructive as it could be . 

    Gully cleaning is necessary not just to make the roads look cleaner but hopefully to ensure that rainwater is able to drain away and, if possible, prevent 'flash' flooding which is a potential problem in low lying parts of the Borough such as West Barnes. 

    Clearly this type of work can only be completed in a meaningful way if most of the vehicles, normally parked in a road, are parked elsewhere on the day concerned . But is three days’ notice enough time to warn of what is about to happen? I doubt it. 

    Come Spring and Summer many car owners (who cannot park 'off-road’) will be on holiday for a couple of weeks (without their cars!)  and  - under the existing system - will be totally unaware of what is about to happen. 

    The Schedule to the Public Notice contains a long list of roads - at a guess 250 to 300 - in alphabetical order, but of course the roads will not be cleaned in that order. Surely it should be possible - without too much additional effort - for the Department concerned at Merton to publish, say each month, a list of the of the roads to be cleaned during the following 2 months with INDICATIVE DATES of when EACH road will be dealt with. 

    I assume the Council MUST have this information on their files as part of their rolling work programme. Why not share it month by month with  those who are likely to be affected? 

    Many of the roads listed are in the area covered by our Association. If the Council was willing to do so (and our Editor agreed) the Guide could carry an item giving a working guide to when roads were to be done .For example the April Guide would provide the indicative programme for the month of May and so on. It is hardly rocket science. Moreover, it might well help to ensure that more roads can be cleaned than I suspect is the case currently.

    David Freeman, March 2019

     

     

     

  • Chairman's Blog - March 2019

    NEW CONCERT HALL IN WIMBLEDON? 

    The Times reports that a new 1,250 seat concert hall is being proposed for the car park behind Morrisons supermarket in central Wimbledon.  Early designs have been prepared by the world famous architect, Frank Gehry, who designed the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. 

    To go ahead, the project requires a massive £100 million, made up of £65 million for the building with the balance needed to provide an endowment for running costs. This would have to come from private funding.  This is now being sought.

    While Merton Council owns the land, it would not provide any public funding, but might lease the site on a long term basis. 

     The Council is currently consulting on a plan for the future of the area.  It has been earmarked for many years as a site for a replacement for the Civic Hall, which was demolished in 1987 to make way for the Centre Court shopping centre.    

    NOTICES TO PREVENT TRESPASSING ON LOCAL PARKS 

    The Council has obtained orders in the High Court to prevent trespassing on parkland, including Cannon Hill Common. These are addressed, as they must, to Persons Unknown, but contain a power of arrest. The hope is that these further powers will prevent the incursions that have taken place in recent years and make removal quicker and easier if they do occur. 

    The Home Secretary is also proposing further measures, which would make the setting up of unauthorised camps a criminal offence, given the difficulty of enforcing aggravated trespass notices. These would give police new powers of eviction. 

    WARNING NOTICES ABOUT THE RISK OF POISONING TO ANIMALS 

    There is also a notice on Cannon Hill Common asking people not to leave out pieces of chicken. These will decay and can cause poisoning to dogs, and other animals.   We understand that these notices were made necessary since some cases of poisoning did occur. 

    RUBBISH COLLECTION 

    The Council’s Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel will be meeting at the end of February to discuss waste, recycling, and street cleaning under the new contract. We have put forward some suggestions for improvements to the present system. 

    One of the major problems, in my view, is that the recycling boxes for plastic and bottles are collected only every fortnight, and often have lots of small items in them.  They have no lids and tend to be left out overnight.  The result is that whenever it is windy, the streets and gardens around are full of blown rubbish. Also, on a very windy day, the boxes themselves can be blown into the street. 

    PAUL ELECTRICAL 

    Paul Electrical has been a fixture among the shops in Grand Drive for the past 60 years. Very sadly, it has now closed.  

    The shop contained a vast array of electrical goods and supplies of all kinds, at prices which more than matched those of the High Street retailers. But we have lost the expertise of the staff, their friendliness, and their willingness to give expert and unbiased advice; you could buy the product one day, have it delivered and fitted within a day, and have the old item taken away, all without fuss.

    It’s a great shame that in this internet age, this kind of personal service is disappearing. 

    John Elvidge

  • Minutes of RPWBRA AGM, 2018

    MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE RAYNES PARK AND WEST BARNES RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION HELD ON WEDNESDAY 11TH APRIL 2018 AT RAYNES PARK LIBRARY       

    WELCOME AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

    The Chairman welcomed twenty-five residents to the meeting.

    Apologies for absence were received from Avril and Jerry Cuthbert. 

    MINUTES OF THE LAST AGM HELD ON 5THAPRIL 2017

    These were published in the April 2017 issue of the guide and were approved by those present. 

    CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL REPORT

    John Elvidge spoke of his pride in the work and achievements of the Association since its inception in 1928. He reminded those present that the RPWBRA had been formed 90 years ago mainly because of local concerns regarding flooding but also to engender community activities and awareness. He felt that the original reasons for its existence were as relevant as ever and he thanked all those who helped to keep the association running. 

    He announced that a special 90th anniversary dinner at “Taste” (Merton College) would be held in November and that full details would be published once details had been confirmed.

    The Chairman recognized the dedicated, conscientious band of road stewards and area coordinators who, once again, had given freely of their time and energy throughout the year to ensure that residents received the association’s monthly Guide.  He hoped that they would join him and the rest of the committee for a summer celebration on Saturday 7th July. 

    Before highlighting other areas of endeavour the Chairman singled out the joint secretary and editor Jill Truman for special praise. Amazingly, Jill has worked as a volunteer for the association for 50 years! During this time she has held every office apart from that of treasurer. Prior to the AGM Jill had been very ill in hospital, yet she insisted upon participating in the meeting and assured members she would be busy during the coming months researching and collating a special 90th anniversary edition of the Guide. 

    The Chairman then extended his gratitude to the other members of the committee. He thanked John Townsend for his exemplary work as treasurer and was particularly appreciative of the clarity with which he regularly summarised a multitude of complicated financial transactions. He also expressed his appreciation for the audit support provided by Brian Lewis-Lavender. 

    The Chairman also thanked both Dick Coleman for the huge enthusiasm he has brought to the role of Advertising Manager and Andrew Barwick for his ever-efficient work as Distribution Manager for the Guide. Excellent support for Andrew’s task was also provided by Dick, by George Holder (postal members), by Charles Briscoe-Smith (webmaster) and by our newly appointed membership secretary Rosemary Wright. 

    John Elvidge then drew attention to Jerry Cuthbert’s tireless work as Chairman of the Pavilion sub-committee and thanked him for overseeing its development. He appreciated the involvement of David Freeman and he felt that the Thursday Social Club run by Jill and Andrea Hannon was a great resource for local people. 

    The Chairman noted the huge amount of work done by Jerry and David respectively regarding information about environmental matters such as Crossrail2, Heathrow expansion and local planning issues.  

    There was appreciation of the work done by the local councillors, Gilli and Brian Lewis-Lavender and Mary-Jane Jeanes.

    Mary-Jane had informed us she was standing down and was presented with a beautiful garden plant in recognition of her work.

    The chairman also thanked Margaret Barratt for her painstaking organisation of the annual RPWBRA horticultural outing to Wisley. 

    Please note: unfortunately Margaret could not attend the AGM so the Treasurer visited her the next day with the bouquet she should have received at the AGM. She was very grateful for the gift and sent a letter of appreciation. 

    Amongst the events which had taken place since the previous AGM were

    (i) A beautiful outdoor social occasion during which a flowering cherry tree was dedicated to the late, much missed Jan Bailey, which was much appreciated by her partner Gordon Stratford, plus family and friends.

    (ii) An excellent guided visit “behind the scenes” to the All England Lawn Tennis Association Club attended by over 30 road stewards and committee members

    (iii) A lively Christmas party at the pavilion enjoyed by over thirty volunteers and friends 

    (iv) An enjoyable open meeting at Blossom House where those who attended were most impressed by a fascinating talk from Joey Burgess, the Principal of the establishment

    (v) A well-organised Wisley trip (mentioned earlier) plus various well-attended outings organised by Andrea and Jill.

     

    TREASURER’S REPORT

    John Townsend gave a clear, comprehensive report of the Association’s finances. He emphasised that they were in a healthy state thanks to Dick Coleman’s success in managing to increase revenue, Andrew Barwick’s volunteer teams ensuring steady membership levels plus a regular income garnered by Jerry Cuthbert and the Pavilion Management Group. He thanked Brian for auditing the accounts.

    The treasurer then spoke of the excellent response to Tom Deveson’s article regarding the retirement of local milkman John Braden. Over £600 had been received from residents. Clare had arranged the accompanying cards and letters into an attractive booklet to be presented with the money. 

    Please note: the publicity-shy milkman did not attend the meeting so John Townsend took the booklet and money to John Braden’s home where, as you might imagine, the gifts were received with much gratitude! 

    ELECTION OF OFFICERS 

    John Elvidge vacated the Chair which was taken by Jill Truman.

    There were no new nominations and in response to Jill’s proposal, seconded by Gilli, John Elvidge agreed to continue as Chairman for the coming year.

    The remaining members of the committee were then re-elected by general approval.

    The Chairman thanked members for his re-election and urged any residents who wished to become involved in the general organisation to put themselves forward for consideration as committee members. 

    INVITED SPEAKER – RUTH WHITEHEAD 

    The Chairman was pleased to introduce the Secretary of the Paddock Allotments to the meeting.

    He described the allotments as a “true local success story” and was intrigued to learn more about its development from a run-down underused council facility to its present vibrant existence. 

    Ruth thanked the association members for inviting her to the meeting and then proceeded to give a fascinating account of the Paddock’s history and current situation. 

    Pre-dating the formation of the RPWBRA by two years, the lands covering five and a half acres were originally earmarked for allotment use in 1926. Then in 1946 the Paddock Horticultural Society was formed to enable Cannon Hill residents to buy and sell stock. 

    Gradually the brief widened to include neighbouring areas and a strong community and social spirit emerged centred around the allotments. 

    Merton Council eventually asked members if they wished to take over the management, encouraging them to do so by improving basic aspects such as the water supply and fencing and providing a simple hut.   

    By 1991 the paddock members had established the beginnings of today’s thriving set-up. Whilst still answerable to the council, the Paddock Committee is in charge of tenancy, security and maintenance and has overseen amazing improvements to the site. 

    It is a truly community facility – anyone can become a garden member for only £4 per annum, enabling them to participate in social activities and to use the shop – and those wishing to have their own plots can apply to Ruth for cost details as there is a waiting list. 

    Ruth was particularly proud to emphasise the multi-cultural nature of the plots, adding that anything could be grown as long as it was legal! 

    Ruth outlined the range of social activities: Sunday breakfasts provided at a reasonable price by four teams of volunteers, a weekly hobby club run by Cynthia Hatcher, quiz nights, seasonal events such as the Christmas dinner and Summer bbq, “yellow book” open days and the unmissable annual Horticultural Show. 

    Yvonne Sharp also organises short holidays at reasonable cost and there are a number of popular day trips throughout the year. 

    Ruth pointed out that the whole enterprise was made possible by an amazing team of volunteers who open up and lock the facilities, clean, cook, stock and run the shop and generally commit to the shared feeling of mutual endeavour. 

    The Paddock Committee members listen to plot-holders and garden members, meeting regularly to review matters and plan improvements thus ensuring that all runs smoothly. 

    Following her talk, Ruth was applauded by those present and presented with - what else? -  a beautiful bouquet of her favourite flowers! 

    ANY OTHER BUSINESS

    Although there was no single overriding issue, there was discussion and concern about impending waste management changes, the loss of local post office and banking facilities and the never-ending traffic and parking concerns. 

    Garry and Wendy Hunt spoke from personal experience about the need for vigilance regarding postal and identity theft and this concern was echoed by many present. 

    The meeting finished at 9.50pm. The Chairman thanked Clare and John for arranging the refreshments and was grateful to everyone for their contributions to an informative and friendly meeting.

  • Agenda for AGM on 3 April 2019

    NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

    Raynes Park & West Barnes Residents’ Association

    will be held at the Raynes Park Library Meeting Rooms (Aston Road Entrance), Approach Road, SW20 8BA

    on WEDNESDAY 3rd APRIL 2019 at 7.30 p.m.

     

    AGENDA 

    1.         Apologies for Absence

    2.         Chairman’s Report on the Work of the Association during 2018/19

    3.         Treasurer’s Report

    4.         Election of Officers and Committee

    5.         Guest Speaker  

     Break for Refreshments 

    6.         Updates on current Planning Matters

    7.         Residents’ Forum and Any Other Business

     

    Click here for the minutes of last year's AGM.

     

     

     

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townswomen's Guild - Feb 2019

     

     

    At the end of 2018, as well as the usual Christmas features (Christmas lunch and Party) a  minibus was taken by a large group of members to visit the Guildford Cathedral where the National Committee had organized a Carol Concert for the southern counties.  The trip was enjoyed by all.  Members are now looking forward to the annual January Music Hall at Wimbledon Theatre. 

    At our January meeting Mr Norman Beauchamp from Co-op Bank Legal Services talked about Wills, Probate, Trusts, and Powers of Attorney, reminding us of the most important points to consider, including with inflation, the increasing importance of a funeral plan, and the advisability of reading your will every 5 years approximately to check all is still as currently wanted. 

    Our February meeting will be the Annual General Meeting.  For further details of this meeting or of our many social activities please get in touch. 

    Dorothy Raymond , Tel: 0208 395 9489

  • St Saviours War Memorial - News

    To mark the centenary of the WW1 Armistice, St. Saviour’s church in Grand Drive held a two-week exhibition, “The Men of Raynes Park, 1914-18”, to remember and honour the 97 men who lost their lives in the Great War.  Their names are recorded on a community memorial that stands in the church’s grounds, erected in 1921 with public subscriptions. 

    This exhibition was publicised in The Guide in the autumn and the team at St. Saviour’s was delighted that so many people from the surrounding community came to see it, in particular at the opening day on Saturday 26th October and on Remembrance Day itself, on each of which more than 200 people attended. 

    The names on the WW1 memorial are now no longer legible and we have embarked on a project to restore it so that the men and the sacrifices they made are always remembered. We have now obtained formal tenders from contractors to carry out the work and are seeking approval from the Diocese of Southwark and the War Memorials Trust. However, we face a funding shortfall of around £10,000.  The total cost of the work is likely to be over £22,000 and the donations and pledges from the community raised to date are around £12,000. This includes the many wonderful contributions made through the exhibition. 

    While we await the necessary approvals, we are pursuing further fund raising, with applications also to the Heritage Lottery Fund and to local businesses and we intend to contact all those who have already pledged support to provide details of when the funds will be needed.  But, given the funding gap, it seems likely that we will need still more support from the community.  

    Any contribution would be much appreciated. If you wish to pledge or donate an amount, please see contact details below.

    With grateful thanks for your support. 

    The Administrator,

    Parish Office, St Saviour’s Church, Grand Drive, London SW20 9DL

    stsavioursofficesw20@gmail.com

    0208 540 9406

     

  • SGN Works - West Barnes Lane

     

    Southern Gas Networks – Works to West Barnes Lane, SW20

    [Based on the text of a notification by Southern Gas Networks recently posted on their website.]"  

    SGN are working to upgrade the gas network in the West Barnes Lane area of Raynes Park.   In consultation with the London Borough of Merton Council, the work started on 7th of January and will last for approximately 33 weeks. 

    The Company is investing £300,000 to replace the old gas mains and services with new plastic pipe to ensure a continued safe and reliable gas supply to the local area.  SGN’s engineers will be carrying out investigation work in the footpath outside Cranleigh House, West Barnes Lane and will be working there for approximately two weeks. 

    All being well with their investigations they will need to install temporary two-way traffic lights in West Barnes Lane at the start of February, to ensure everyone’s safety around their work area. SGN will need to return to complete their upgrade work at the Coombe Lane junction and they will install temporary four-way traffic lights for safety They are planning to carry this out during the Easter school holidays. To help minimise disruption, SGN have also agreed to carry out our further investigations to their network outside West Wimbledon Primary School. For approximately two weeks from Monday 21 January, they will be working in the West Barnes Lane carriageway, but two-way traffic and on-street parking will be maintained. However, they will need to close the cycle lane while they work  there. 

    Pending their investigation work, SGN will install temporary three-way traffic lights at West Barnes Lane’s junction with Bodnant Gardens to complete their upgrade work here during the February school half-term.

    They will need to suspend a bus stop on West Barnes Lane heading southbound during the work. An alternative stop will be signed. SGN also need to suspend some parking bays outside Trafalgar Court, West Barnes Lane to safely store their equipment. 

    The company are continuing to plan further phases of their work in consultation with London Borough of Merton Council. They will be working in Coombe Lane and will provide details of their plans once confirmed. All our works will be suspended over the Wimbledon Championships during the summer. 

    SGN understand that people can get frustrated by roadworks. However, the new plastic pipe has a minimum lifespan of 80 years. This means that when the work is complete, Raynes Park residents will continue to enjoy the benefits of a safe and reliable gas supply for years to come. 

    A link to SGN’s website about these works can be found on the Association’s website or as below.

    https://www.sgn.co.uk/Roadworks/southern-projects/Raynes-park-west-barnes-lane/

  • Scam Awareness - 2 Feb

    Merton to hold Scam Awareness Conference

    Merton Council’s Safer Neighbourhood Board have partnered with the Met Police Cyber Crime Unit and Trading Standards to host a free community ‘How to avoid scams’ conference for residents. Age UK, Financial Services, Trading Standards, MASCOT, Victim Support, Citizens Advice, Neighbourhood Watch and Neighbourhood Police will be on hand to give expert advice.

     

    The session will be held on Saturday 2 February, between at 10am until 1pm (doors open 9.30 at The Everyday Church, Queens Road, SW19 8LR (adjacent to Centre Court shopping centre in Wimbledon).

     

    Sadly, a Merton resident was recently scammed over the phone and lost £1,200. The resident received a voicemail from someone claiming to be from the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). The message stated that the resident had an outstanding debt and that an arrest warrant had been issued. On calling the number left on the voicemail, the resident was advised that they could avoid court and settle the debt, by paying it off in high street vouchers by 3pm that day.

     

    The scammers convinced the resident to stay on the phone while they purchased vouchers from different stores. In this case, the resident lost £1,200.

     

    At the conference Merton residents will be able to learn more about how they can protect themselves. Scammers are professional hoaxers, who at times appear to be friendly and can be well spoken. They can use fictitious charities and distressing photographs and may refer you to what seems to be a legitimate website. They may provide false testimonial and give themselves important sounding titles.

     

    Merton Council cabinet member for Community Safety, Engagement and Equalities, Edith Macauley said: “I look forward to seeing you all at the conference where our experts will tell you all the ways that you can protect yourself, family and community from scammers. We thank all the partners who have come together to provide our residents with this excellent session that will be very helpful.”

     

    For more information visit 

    Merton trading standards  or Contact saferneighbourhoodboard@merton.gov.uk

  • Chairman's Blog - Feb 2019

    265 BURLINGTON ROAD 

    The developers, Redrow, of the very large residential development proposed for 265 Burlington Road and part of Tesco car park, presented their ideas to the Committee and the West Barnes Councillors at a meeting in early January. A formal planning application is likely.  

    The plans are for a massive 446 flats built in 7 blocks with the tallest of them rising to 14 storeys, one of 13 storeys, and another of 10, all facing the Tesco store, and reducing to 7 storeys fronting Burlington Road. There would be 226 car parking spaces.

    25% of the flats would be one- bedroom, 65% would be of two- bedrooms, and 10% of three- bedrooms.  While most would be privately owned, 35% of them would be “affordable housing”, which would be managed by a housing association, or of shared ownership. 

    While £7 million would be given to Merton under the Community Levy scheme, there is no guarantee that the Council would spend any of this sum locally on proving for the extra schooling and health provision that would be required for such a large number of new residents. 

    The Association will be making its response to the formal application when it is lodged. We did point out to the developers that our initial view was that the height of the taller flats was likely to be strongly opposed as out of keeping with the surrounding housing in the area.  As we have stated before, it is important that local residents who will be affected make their own objections as well. 

    HEATHROW AIRSPACE CONSULTATION 

    Heathrow Airport is having a consultation on the flight paths it will use for its present two runways, and its proposed third runway.  The consultation runs until March 4th. At present there are 480,000 flights a year, and this would increase to 740,000 flights a year if a third runway is built in 2026.  Even before a third runway is built, they hope to have an additional 25,000 flights a year, a 5% increase overall, by allowing planes to land on both runways at the same time. 

    Heathrow pledges to ban night flights for six-and-a-half hours, with no arrivals or take offs before 5.30 a.m. The plans include flight paths being alternated to give residential areas a longer break from aircraft noise.  You can see the details at www.heathrowconsultation.com   and you can comment online. Or you can comment by e-mail to feedback@heathrowconsultation.com There will be a manned consultation team to speak to in Wimbledon on Tuesday 12 February between 2pm to 8 pm at the Antoinette Hotel in The Broadway.  

    At present this area escapes most of the routing of planes into Heathrow, as the flight paths go further north.    This could well change if the airport is even more intensively used than at present. 

    WIMBLEDON GUILD 

    The Wimbledon Guild, a long- established charity based in 30 Worple Road near the Town Centre, provides a large number of activities, talks, and trips, as well as counselling, bereavement support, and befriending. You could pick up a leaflet, or book on activities@wimbledonguild.co.uk. The phone number for further information is 0208 946 0735. 

    ANDREA HANNAN 

    St Saviour’s Church was packed for the funeral of Andrea Hannan who died in early December. She will be remembered by many local residents for establishing in March 2014, with Jill Truman,and for running together since, the highly successful Pavilion Social Club on Thursday afternoons for men and women. She will be much missed. R.I.P. 

    John Elvidge

  • Gas Main Works - West Barnes Lane

     

     

    SGN plan to start gasmain replacement works in West Barnes Lane, Raynes Park. These are expect to start on 7 January 2019 and run for 33 weeks. There will be temporary traffic lights, which will are expected to be moved to various locations during the works, including the junction with Coombe Lane. 

    You can read more at SGN's website here.

  • Wimbledon Guild - Merton Live

     

    Wimbledon Guild and New Wimbledon Theatre

    Present:

    MERTON LIVE

    SATURDAY 26TH JANUARY 2019

     

    Wimbledon Guild, the local charity that supports people across Merton, and New Wimbledon Theatre are holding a brand-new community event on Saturday 26 January from 10am-5pm to celebrate local talent in Merton.

     

    Merton Live! will showcase a plethora of local bands, dance, drama and gymnastics groups with performances throughout the day at one of London’s biggest theatres. In addition, the theatre will be throwing open its doors for ticket-holders to explore this historic building with backstage tours and a host of theatre related activities for all the family including: workshops; dressing up in theatre costumes; face painting; insight to technical side of the theatre; arts and crafts; treasure hunt; food and drink, plus lots more.

     

    Already confirmed to perform on the day are: DanceMode Mitcham; Merton Gymnastics Club; Rock Choir; RR6 Band; Rutlish School; The Study Wimbledon; Urban Dance City; Wimbledon High School; ; Wimbledon Stagecoach and Wimbledon Village School of Dance.

     

    This family day out will help to raise money to aid the vital work Wimbledon Guild does to support local people in Merton who are experiencing social isolation and loneliness.

     

    Tickets for the event offer superb value at just £4.50 adults, £2.50 child and under 3’s go free.

     

    Merton Live! will be one of the charity’s main fundraising events of 2019 and comes at a time when the charity is seeing an increase in the number of people seeking their support, as Wendy Pridmore, chief executive, explains:

     

    We are delighted that through Merton Live! we will be able to showcase local talent and provide a feel-good winter warmer event on a cold and rainy January weekend.

     

    However, New Wimbledon Theatre and Wimbledon Guild have also developed this event for a more serious reason. A recent Arts Council survey highlighted that over 76% of older people felt that cultural and creative activities were key to making them feel happy

     

    Wendy Pridmore concludes: “I am sure Merton Live! will be a wonderful day out for all ages and I look forward to welcoming people from across the borough who will be entertained and impressed by the young talent we have on our doorstep.”

     

    Find out more  here 

  • Tesco Site - 265 Burlington Road

    UPDATE APRIL 2020

    At the Planning Application Committee in February 2020, the Planning Committee resolved to "Refuse" this application (19/P2387). However, as at April 2020, this decision is still subject to a final review by the Mayor of London. 

     

     

    Previous update in July 2019 - The Planning Application for this development has now been submitted (19/P2387)

    Anyone who wishes to raise objections or make comments (called "representations") to the Planning Authority about this proposed development, is advised to do so by the revised date of 30 August 2019. This can be done using Merton's Planning Portal at:

    https://planning.merton.gov.uk/Northgate/PlanningExplorerAA/GeneralSearch.aspx

    The application number is 19/P2387

    For our members to have an idea how large this development will be when viewed from our local roads, we are preparing some images, which may be viewed on this link: Images for 19/P2387

    The application details may be downloaded from the Planning Explorer website.

    Please note that the deadline for comments from the public (called "representations") has been extended to 30 August 2019

    However, even if you miss the 30 August deadline, please still make your submissions.

    Due to the very tight timescale for representations, Councillor Eloise Bailey has sought some clarification about dates from the Planning Dept, with the following response;

     “Dear Councillor Bailey, 

     

    Thank you for your email. The statutory time period for notification for a planning application is 21 days. Therefore, for this application the representation date is currently shown as 14th August 2019. To unilaterally alter this statutory period would be seen as unreasonable behaviour on behalf of the Local Planning Authority and would not be consistent with how planning applications are processed. 

    That being said, whilst the formal representation period could not reasonably be altered, representations will continue to be taken into account until such time as the application is determined. Therefore, comments received after the 14th August [This has since been revised to 30 August - Ed] will still be considered, up until the point of the committee meeting, which is likely to be September or even October. 

    In addition, I note that the newspaper advert for this application has not yet been published, it is due to be published today, which would mean that the representation date would need to be 16th august at the very earliest. [This has since been revised to 30 August - Ed]

    I hope that provides some assurance that comments will be taken into account throughout the process. Merton has carried out a wide ranging consultation exercise on this application, well in excess of the statutory requirements (i.e. we have consulted a wide area around the site). 

    In terms of a change of date on the website, I am not aware of this and I can’t think why it would have said 24thAugust, as that is well over 21 days away. I will ask the leader of the admin team, Matthew Davidson, if he can provide any insight into this matter. 

     

    Please do not hesitate to contact me should you wish to discuss the matter further or any other aspect of the application.”

     

    FURTHER BACKGROUND INFORMATION

    Redevelopment of 265 Burlington Road and Tesco Extra car park  

    In the October 2018, we set out the basic details of a proposed large residential development scheme on a part of the Tesco car park site alongside Burlington Road. This was based on information provided at a Consultation Exhibition on 18th September mounted by BECG (Built Environment Communications Group) who are acting as agents for the housebuilder Redrow Homes PLC. (Follow this link to see Redrow's summary of their proposals https://burlingtonroad.com/proposals/ ) 

    BECG held a second consultation, again at the Holy Cross Church hall, Motspur Park, on 13th November last year but this time with slightly amended proposals.  

    The Scheme 

    As at early December 2018, the outline proposals envisage using the Eastern side of the Tesco car park (1.21 Hectares) which would be just under one quarter of the whole Tesco site area.  

    We therefore anticipate that the Planning Application from Redrow, when submitted, will aim to provide 446 flats in seven blocks ranging from 14 storey on the side furthest from Burlington Road down to 7 storey on the side closer to Burlington Road.  

    • The units would be made up as follows:
    • 90 one bed flats (approx. 20% of the total);
    • 290 two bed flats (64 %); and 66 three bed flats (16 %)  

    "Affordable " Housing  

    Taken overall it is claimed that 35% of the flats would pass the test of being regarded as "affordable" i.e. they would be social or subsidised housing either for sale or rental at no more than 80% of the prevailing market-rate costs and prices.  

    It is quite often the case that developers tend (for obvious reasons) to offer the cheaper (mainly one bed) units to meet the social proportion. Currently, we are not aware how this will work out in practice, but the Planning Application will probably clarify this point.  

    Car Parking  

    The proposals include up to 220 car parking spaces and the current thinking is that these would be at the base of the flats i.e. as an ' undercroft ' scheme. It is claimed that 575 car spaces will remain available for the Tesco store shoppers.  

    Site Access  

    One change to the original proposals is to provide up to 475 sq. meters. of commercial space at ground floor level in the blocks fronting Burlington Road.  What type of business would be housed in these units is not known at present, but presumably Tesco would NOT want any competition quite so near their store!  

    Also, the earlier proposal was that the existing short access road leading from Burlington Road to the Tesco store would become THE vehicular access road for the residents of the new flats, but no longer for vehicle access to the Tesco store, although pedestrian access from Burlington Road was to be maintained.  

    This idea appears to have changed so that vehicle access from Burlington Road would be available for BOTH the new residents and shoppers going to Tesco. In short for Tesco shoppers no change to the present (unofficial) arrangement. At first sight this strikes us as far from being an ideal arrangement, given the single proposed vehicle access, the volume of traffic in Burlington Road even now, and the proximity of the level crossing, Surely the congestion would become even worse? However, it is still ‘early days.  

    High Rise Development  

    Anybody familiar with this part of West Barnes will know that it is characterised by inter-war mostly two-storey suburban housing, apart from Raynes Park High School to the North. We leave you to contemplate what it would be like for those residents having to live in the shadow of blocks of flats up to 14-storeys in height.  

    There is currently great concern about possible flats at this sort of height along Wimbledon Broadway; but is at least that area has a Town Centre designation. Tesco car park certainly has not!  

    The Local Plan 

     Merton Council now has a New Local Plan out for consultation. This may be seen here.  At present, this document is only a draft, and it is hoped that this will replace two other Planning Guidance documents sometime during 2020. Within this bulky document are Site Proposals for many areas of the borough including several for Raynes Park.  

    One of these is site RP3 (page 158) named as Burlington Road -Tesco. The map provided (which is intended to show the area potentially suitable for development) shows the ENTIRE Tesco site, store, car parking, petrol station, redundant offices in the NE corner: all 5.2 hectares of it.  However, the proposals from Redrow relate only to a quarter of the site alongside Burlington Road.  

    On the face of it, there is an anomaly here. The Council preference appears to be redevelopment of the whole of the site. but the proposals from Redrow - so far – are for only a part of it.  

    Greater London Authority - Office of the Mayor 

    We should just mention that because of the large number of housing units involved, the Planning Application - when it is submitted - will have to be considered by the Mayor of London in the first instance. The Mayor and his planning staff have the option either to a) approve or refuse the application or b) leave the determination process entirely to Merton Council. This added layer can sometimes hold up the process of considering the application.  

    The Local Press 

     It is possible - but not certain - that by early January a Planning Application will have been submitted. At that stage there is a strong chance Redrow will seek some publicity in the local press, quite apart from a notice in a local newspaper, under a heading, such as, “Merton Council Town and Country Planning Act.”  Once the application has been formally submitted to Merton’s Planners, the Association, and most importantly, individual members of the community can make their comments to the Planning Officers and Ward Councillors regarding these proposals.  

    DAVID FREEMAN, December 2018

     

  • Chairman's Blog - January 2019

    Planning Issues 

    Merton Council is updating its Local Plan which is in Draft form and is now out for public comment. Responses are meant to be in by 6 January 2019. The details can be found here . 

    There are two sites of particular interest to local residents. 

    The Former LESSA Site

    The first is the former “LESSA” private sports field bordered by Greenway, Westway, and Grand Drive.   The Association fought a long battle to preserve this ground for sporting purposes, defeating a proposal by Barratts to build over 100 flats there. After that the land was eventually sold to Bellway Homes. Bellway succeeded, after a planning appeal, in getting permission to build the houses now known as Meadowview Road.  A new tennis pavilion and courts were also constructed for the Raynes Park Residents’ Lawn Tennis Club.

    The remainder of the land was designated as Open Space and is protected as such.  The planning Inspector’s report made clear that he expected this land to be used for sport, and the intention was that a pavilion would be built to facilitate this. It has remained unused since that time, and Bellway have not taken up invitations from the Association to discuss their future plans.  Nor have they taken up several approaches from schools and sporting bodies who would like to use the site for outdoor sport. 

    Bellway has suggested to the planning officers that this site, now known as RP6, is potentially classifiable as suitable for a “Residential development of between 71 and 83 dwellings and sporting facilities”.  It is hard to escape the conclusion that this was always their aim in leaving the land vacant.

     Fortunately, the Council appears to be sticking to the existing designation. Its proposed site allocation states that “Sporting or community use of the whole site will have to be demonstrated as undeliverable before any other uses can be considered”.

     This should open the door for schools and sports clubs who can make use of the land for outdoor sport, as the Inspector decided, to come forward with proposals, which Bellway will need to consider seriously.

     265 Burlington Road and Tesco Extra car park site

     The second site fronts onto Burlington Road and proposes utilising that part of Tesco’s Car Park adjacent to it, and the current office building at No. 265 Burlington Road. 

    Redrow Homes Plc have held public consultations on their proposals to develop this site for a very large number of flats in seven blocks up to a height of 14 storeys.  You can read further details on this website by clicking this link - 265 Burlington Road. 

    A formal planning application is expected in early January, and we will be consulting widely.   If the plans remain unchanged it is inevitable that the Residents’ Association will be strenuously opposing them on many grounds, including massive over- development.  

    It is important to stress is that the many residents who will be badly affected by overlooking, extra traffic, and lack of community amenities for the new proposed occupiers, need to write and send in their own objections as well.  

    A reflection on the turn of the year 

    In our December 90th Anniversary Edition, we printed two excellent articles by John Tarling entitled Building a Suburb and Rebuilding a Suburb. The second one set out the damage done locally during the Second World War.  It mentions the V1 flying bombs which fell on Merton, and one that fell on Elm Walk on the night of 22nd/23rd July 1944. 

    My parents lived in Elm Walk during the war, and my mother’s sister and her two children lived further along Elm Walk and were killed by this bomb. It must have been devastating for my mother, but she never mentioned it, apart from when she visited the Gap Road cemetery where they are buried. She simply got on with bringing up her own four children. 

    Her generation seemed able to cope with the most enormous grief at the wholesale destruction and death all around them.  I cannot help but contrast this with the anxiety now being expressed at something so trivial by comparison as to whether and how we leave the European Union, and at the so- called difficulties of modern life. 

    HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

    We wish all our members a very happy and peaceful New Year. 

    John Elvidge

  • Epsom & St Helier - Podcast

    News from Epsom & St. Helier NHS Trust 

    From the lifesaving to the routine, and featuring staff working behind the scenes and on the frontline of our NHS services – Epsom and St Helier have launched a new podcast (thought to be the first of its kind in the country), to help provide more of an insight into the experiences of patients and the diverse and specialised roles that our staff carry out. 

    The first podcast was released on 30th November and will be available on a monthly basis via the Trust’s website at:

    www.epsom-sthelier.nhs.uk/podcast and for download from your usual podcast provider – simply search for ‘Your Epsom and St Helier. 

    The ‘Your Epsom and St Helier’ podcast is being produced by the Trust’s Communications and Engagement Team and aims to provide a new platform for both patients and staff to share their stories with a wide audience. 

    The very first episode covers the story of Rob Glanville – a professional inline skater who suffered a life-changing brain injury while out skating and was subsequently cared for by the neuro-rehab team at St Helier. Rob is joined by one of the speech therapists who treated him – Sally Tan. 

    Rob gives his account of the very serious accident that he had in Hammersmith, which resulted in him suffering a sub-duralhaematoma (bleed on the brain), while Sally tells us what it was like to treat Rob and how she and her team helped him to talk, swallow and walk again. 

    Director of Communications and Patient Experience, Lisa Thomson, said: “Our Trust is committed to showing members of the public what really happens in our hospitals – people’s lives are being saved and changed for the better every single day in our hospitals, but sometimes those stories go unheard. This podcast aims to get these unheard stories out and available to a worldwide audience. This is a pioneering project within the NHS – we can’t wait to have more people come on and share their stories with us – and we are very excited about its potential”. 

    “While the focus of the podcast will be NHS services, staff and the patients we care for, the conversations – as with any good podcast – can be slightly unpredictable. So, while in this first episode you might learn a little about what it’s like to suffer a brain injury and how NHS experts can help, you’ll also hear why we think helmets are so important and why Lewis Hamilton is the best Formula One driver of the moment. 

  • 265 Burlington Road & Tescos

    Proposed Redevelopment of 265 Burlington Road and Tesco Extra car park 

    In the October 2018, we set out the basic details of a proposed large residential development scheme on a part of the Tesco car park site alongside Burlington Road. This was based on information provided at a Consultation Exhibition on 18th September mounted by BECG (Built Environment Communications Group) who are acting as agents for the housebuilder Redrow Homes PLC. 

    BECG held a second consultation, again at the Holy Cross Church hall, Motspur Park, on 13th November last year but this time with slightly amended proposals. 

    The Scheme 

    As at early December 2018, the outline proposals envisage using the Eastern side of the Tesco car park (1.21 Hectares) which would be just under one quarter of the whole Tesco site area. 

    We therefore anticipate that the Planning Application from Redrow, when submitted, will aim to provide 446 flats in seven blocks ranging from 14 storey on the side furthest from Burlington Road down to 7 storey on the side closer to Burlington Road. 

    • The units would be made up as follows:
    • 90 one bed flats (approx. 20% of the total);
    • 290 two bed flats (64 %); and 66 three bed flats (16 %) 

    " Affordable " Housing 

    Taken overall it is claimed that 35% of the flats would pass the test of being regarded as "affordable" i.e. they would be social or subsidised housing either for sale or rental at no more than 80% of the prevailing market-rate costs and prices. 

    It is quite often the case that developers tend (for obvious reasons) to offer the cheaper (mainly one bed) units to meet the social proportion. Currently, we are not aware how this will work out in practice, but the Planning Application will probably clarify this point. 

    Car Parking 

    The proposals include up to 220 car parking spaces and the current thinking is that these would be at the base of the flats i.e. as an ' undercroft ' scheme. It is claimed that 575 car spaces will remain available for the Tesco store shoppers. 

    Site Access 

    One change to the original proposals is to provide up to 475 sq. meters. of commercial space at ground floor level in the blocks fronting Burlington Road.  What type of business would be housed in these units is not known at present, but presumably Tesco would NOT want any competition quite so near their store! 

    Also, the earlier proposal was that the existing short access road leading from Burlington Road to the Tesco store would become THE vehicular access road for the residents of the new flats, but no longer for vehicle access to the Tesco store, although pedestrian access from Burlington Road was to be maintained. 

    This idea appears to have changed so that vehicle access from Burlington Road would be available for BOTH the new residents and shoppers going to Tesco. In short for Tesco shoppers no change to the present (unofficial) arrangement. At first sight this strikes us as far from being an ideal arrangement, given the single proposed vehicle access, the volume of traffic in Burlington Road even now, and the proximity of the level crossing, Surely the congestion would become even worse? However, it is still ‘early days. 

    High Rise Development 

    Anybody familiar with this part of West Barnes will know that it is characterised by inter-war mostly two-storey suburban housing, apart from Raynes Park High School to the North. We leave you to contemplate what it would be like for those residents having to live in the shadow of blocks of flats up to 14-storeys in height. 

    There is currently great concern about possible flats at this sort of height along Wimbledon Broadway; but is at least that area has a Town Centre designation. Tesco car park certainly has not! 

    The Local Plan 

    Merton Council now has a New Local Plan out for consultation. This may be seen here.  At present, this document is only a draft, and it is hoped that this will replace two other Planning Guidance documents sometime during 2020. Within this bulky document are Site Proposals for many areas of the borough including several for Raynes Park. 

    One of these is site RP3 (page 158) named as Burlington Road -Tesco. The map provided (which is intended to show the area potentially suitable for development) shows the ENTIRE Tesco site, store, car parking, petrol station, redundant offices in the NE corner: all 5.2 hectares of it.  However, the proposals from Redrow relate only to a quarter of the site alongside Burlington Road. 

    On the face of it, there is an anomaly here. The Council preference appears to be redevelopment of the whole of the site. but the proposals from Redrow - so far – are for only a part of it. 

    Greater London Authority - Office of the Mayor 

    We should just mention that because of the large number of housing units involved, the Planning Application - when it is submitted - will have to be considered by the Mayor of London in the first instance. The Mayor and his planning staff have the option either to a) approve or refuse the application or b) leave the determination process entirely to Merton Council. This added layer can sometimes hold up the process of considering the application. 

    The Local Press 

    It is possible - but not certain - that by early January a Planning Application will have been submitted. At that stage there is a strong chance Redrow will seek some publicity in the local press, quite apart from a notice in a local newspaper, under a heading, such as,

    “Merton Council Town and Country Planning Act.”  Once the application has been formally submitted to Merton’s Planners, the Association, and most importantly, individual members of the community can make their comments to the Planning Officers and Ward Councillors regarding these proposals. 

    DAVID FREEMAN December 2018

     

  • Cold Callers and Rogue Traders

    Useful information from Merton and Richmond’s Trading Standards Department 

    Over recent months Trading Standards and the Police have dealt with several instances in Raynes Park and West Barnes of residents falling victim to being cold called by rogue traders. One householder lost over £49,000 whilst attempts were made to defraud other residents of £45000 and £26000. 

    Such stories have been highlighted on TV and in the Press many times and you may well think it will never happen to you, but it is so easy to get caught out before realising just what has happened.   

    Typically, the rogue appears at the front door saying he is working locally and has noticed a roof tile or similar needs attention. If the resident shows any interest the job suddenly gets bigger. Mostly unnecessary work will be priced far above the market rate. Money is requested up front, usually in cash. The job will be left incomplete and work undertaken is of poor quality. If the householder makes a claim they find names and addresses not traceable. 

    Thus, Merton and Richmond Trading Standards wish to highlight the following: 

    ·      Don’t buy at the door. This is the most important and effective way to avoid falling victim to traders calling at your door. Trading Standards recommend residents always say no to cold callers.  Door Stickers stating “We don’t buy at the door from uninvited sales people “ are available free of charge from Trading Standards. If you receive a visit you can simply point to the sticker and close the door.

    ·      Finding a reputable trader. Personal recommendations can be useful, so too can some trader approval schemes. The better schemes undertake detailed checks on the traders and provide useful customer feedback along with a route to complain. Schemes we recommend are:

     “Buy with Confidence” (https://www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk/ ) , “Which? Trusted Traders”  http://trustedtraders.which.co.uk/ ) and “Checkatrade” (http://www.checkatrade.com/ ). 

    When older residents have smaller jobs, we also recommend asking Wimbledon or Merton Guild of Social Services for their advice about people they can recommend who will take on small tasks such as household repairs, decorating, putting up curtains and much more. Further information can be found at http://www.mandmguild.wixsite.com/mandmguild 

    ·      Cancellation rights.  A written notice giving you 14 days to cancel should be provided if you agree a contract when a trader is in your home (with a few exceptions). It is an offence not to provide this.  

    ·      Contract information.  The trader must also supply other information in writing before the householder agrees the contract. This includes a description of the work to be carried out, the total price to pay inclusive of VAT, the name and address of the business and any phone numbers. 

    Starting work without permission is a popular tactic employed by doorstep traders and an offence.  The rogue may use vague language, so the consumer feels that maybe they inadvertently agreed; even though they didn’t. They may also start removing roof tiles and even walls, so the house is no longer secure or watertight, giving the householder little option but to proceed with the work.

    The Trader refuses to leave when asked. If you ask a trader to leave your home and they refuse, then this is also an offence.   

    Claims made by the trader. Doorstep traders often make false claims such as being a member of trade associations. They may also make statements that could have some element of truth but are nevertheless prohibited. For example, a salesman cannot imply they will lose their job if they cannot close the sale. 

    Bogus official. Many victims of doorstep crime are targeted a second time by the rogue traders or their associates, this time claiming they are Trading Standards Officers, Police or other officials. These bogus officials say they can recover money paid to the original rogue trader, often claiming this is part of a court process. The bogus official always requires some form of payment to be made by the victim before any compensation can be paid. Unfortunately, several homeowners in Merton have lost large amounts of money to this scam.

    Look out for neighbours. The way that we find out about many of these incidents is by concerned neighbours letting us know. Victims may not be capable of contacting us or not even realise they are being defrauded. If you are concerned about unusual building work, particularly at the home of a neighbour who may be vulnerable, then let us know. We are happy to visit and check if the trader is genuine and if the householder needs assistance.

    Trading Standards can be contacted on tel. 020 8545 4018 or email trading.standards@merton.gov.uk

     

     

  • Crossrail 2 - Update December 2018

    The Independent Affordability Review has reported to the Government. However, uncertainty continues ...

    Various lobby groups are now trying to influence the outcome (businesses, LAs), but one should take the various recent statements in the press with a pinch of salt. 

    Against this background, Crossrail (The Elizabeth Line) has run into a 9 month delay, has needed a £350 Million bail out and the CEO has resigned. 

    Some say the three objective of Crossrail 2, 

    o    Inter-connections at Euston for HS2

    o    Alleviate pressure on Waterloo

    o    Meeting the anticipated growth in demand for transport, caused by population growth in the London suburbs 

    can be met more cost-effectively in other ways. It may be that the central London section is completed first, with later phases being deferred almost indefinitely. 

    Some say that the cost of CR2 could be met by increasing local domestic and business rates of, say 1%, a bit like the Olympic Games levy. Another suggestion is for a rates surcharge on properties likely to benefit from being close to the line. 

    After the Brexit deadline in 2019, it may be that the Government refocuses on infrastructure projects, perhaps with a new “Spending Review”. 

    TfL is currently struggling with a fall in passenger numbers and is expecting a £1bn deficit this year. 

    At the same time, the controversy over the cost of rail fares rumble on. 

    Also Network rail continues to struggle with delivering the electrification of the national rail network, with massive cost overruns and whole swathes of its original plans cancelled. 

    The rationale behind HS2 also continues to be questioned, despite the promises made for the Northern Power House. 

    Jerry Cuthbert

  • Neighbourhood Watch - December 2018

     

    Thefof and from Motor Vehicles   

    Over the last few months there has been an increase in the number of 'theft from' and 'theft of' motor vehicles. Many of these crimes have been reported where there has been no sign of forced entry to the vehicle or the vehicle has been stolen with the lawful owner still in possession of the keys. 

    There are two main locking systems for vehicles, these are Key Fob and Key less. Both can leave your vehicle vulnerable to crime if certain precautions are not taken. 

    • Key Fob entry

    The system works by sending random combinations of code to the vehicle each time the fob is pressed. As copying the code is therefore useless the thieves have come up with another way to prevent you from locking your vehicle. 

    Thieves are jamming the signal from your key fob to your vehicle by using a number of different devices. These devices can be purchased from as little as £2 from the internet and come in many forms such as garage door openers and house light controllers/dimmers. Many of these devices act to block your key fobs when you attempt to lock your vehicle. 

    Thieves can block signals in whole areas such as car parks or streets by hiding these devices in bushes with a clothes peg activating the device for long periods of time and without the need for them to be in the vicinity. 

    There is a solution. Once you have activated your key fob, YOU MUST ensure the lights have flashed indicating the car has received the signal, and then check the vehicle is locked by lifting a door handle. 

    • Keyless Car entry

    The signal for a vehicle with keyless entry cannot be jammed. However, the signal used for vehicles with this form of security system is unchanging and broadcasts continuously between the fob and the vehicle. IT CAN BE COPIED. 

    Fobs made by different manufacturers use different ranges and the signal can vary in terms of strength and useable distance. This is the distance between the vehicle and the range in which the vehicle will be unlocked. This can be up to 30 feet from the vehicle. For many people this could be less than the distance between your vehicle and where you leave your keys once inside your home. YOUR VEHICLE MIGHT NOT BE LOCKED. Alternatively, if your fob is transmitting continuously, the distance between where the device is in your home and the pavement, driveway etc. may be enough for a potential thief to copy the signal. Once copied the thief can not only enter your car but also steal it or any property within it.

     The advice from Thatcham is as follows:

    If you have a vehicle with a keyless entry system, keep the key in a 'Faraday Cage' where the signal cannot escape (or you can line a Tupperware pot with foil and get the same effect). This is the same advice as given to us in relation to tap credit and debit cards. You can now purchase small metal credit card cases at an affordable price. You can then remove the plastic card holders and keep your key fob in there. Search for an RFID blocking case/wallet. 

    Lee Roberts

    Neighbourhood Watch Manager

    Tel: 020 8649 3213

    Email: lee.roberts@met.police.uk

     

     

  • Chairman's Blog - December 2018

     Our Ninetieth Anniversary 

    This month we are celebrating our Association’s 90th anniversary.  The first meeting of the Association was held on 8th March 1928. 

    In celebration, our monthly magazine, The Guide, which is distributed to all our members, is a special anniversary edition. 

    I would like to thank all our contributors, and, make special mention of our Editor Jill Truman who has worked so hard to gather it all together.  Jill has been an active member of the Association for over 50 years and has held most of its offices. She was first appointed as Advertising Manager as long ago as 27 March 1968!  

    The Association was founded by residents concerned with flooding in the area, a major problem that has continued to cause difficulties many times since. At that time there was a large programme of inter-war building, with new family houses being built up Grand Drive and into the surrounding streets. 

    We have the Minute Books of the Association since November 1934, and they show that there were quarterly meetings, open to all members, that were well attended.  Many of the issues discussed were those still being debated today, such as planning and road traffic, parking at Raynes Park station, grass verges, refuse collection, and postal facilities in Coombe Lane. 

    There was concern at the danger of the junction between Bushey Road and Grand Drive, which was originally a roundabout, and the Association successfully pressed for the introduction of traffic lights in 1940. 

    There was a proposal in the late 30’s by the railway authorities to rename Raynes Park station as West Wimbledon, and the Association fought and won a campaign to prevent this.  

    The Association put up its own non-party, independent candidates to the Merton and Morden Urban District Council, until it was merged into Merton Council.  

    But the Association also rapidly developed social activities of all kinds. There was an active horticultural society, which held an annual show with prizes. There was a children’s party, for the young families that moved into the area. There were dinner dances for their parents. There were whist drives for the more elderly people.  There was a photographic society. There were outings to Brighton and Southend, and visits to the ballet and the Palladium. 

    A tennis club was founded with 3 courts and was originally serviced by an “iron shed”. This was replaced after WWII by a dedicated Pavilion. 

    Our membership has fluctuated over time, reaching a maximum of some 2,500 households, and there has always been a small subscription to join.  This was 2/6p (or half a crown) in 1937. This helped to pay for the costs of The Guide, which has from the outset been the main channel of communication with the members. 

    The Guide was originally published every two months, and, astonishingly, was continued through the years of the second World War.  It has been published every month since, a major achievement for a residents’ association, and, so far as we know, unique. 

    The Guide has always been delivered through the help of Area Co-Ordinators and Road Stewards, very willing volunteers who give freely of their time to help their local neighbours. We thank them all. 

    The Chairman of the Association in 1937 reported that he hoped that the sometime remark “What do I get out of the Association?” would be less frequent - it should be “What do I put into it!”. 

    The Guide is now also available via post or e-mail, and we have developed a website that is much used by members and non-members.  We are actively considering how best we can reach other, perhaps younger, people who use newer forms of social communication, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We are conscious that the previous pattern of residents moving into this area and staying is now being increasingly replaced by a more mobile population. 

    We always try to look ahead. In recent years we have converted the tennis Pavilion into a new home for the Association, after the Tennis Club moved down Grand Drive to new premises. 

    The Association runs a well-attended and successful Social Club on Thursday afternoons. There are weekly lettings for a range of activities, including yoga, ladies keep fit, Pilates, philately and religious groups. It is much used at weekends for children’s parties. 

    In ten years’, time we will celebrate our Centenary. We all hope to be still around! 

    Dinner held in Celebration 

    50 members and their guests, including the Mayor of Merton, came to a dinner on 8th November to celebrate the 90th anniversary. It was held at the Taste Restaurant in Merton College, which is a training academy for catering and front of house students. 

    It was a great success and enjoyed by all present. The food was superb, and the service was impeccable, and reflected so well on the training the students had already received within a month of starting their courses. 

    For more information about “Taste”, the menus on offer and to make a booking, visit https://www.tastemerton.co.uk/  

    John Elvidge

  • Raynes Park Festival - 7 December 2018

     

    Raynes Park Festival Welcomes Christmas

    Friday 7 December 2018 from 3.30pm to 7.00pm 

    On Friday 7th December from 3.30pm - 7.00pm Raynes Park will come alive with the Christmas spirit with a range of entertainment for the whole family. 

    Once again there will be a larger stage for live performances provided by Clownfish Events and located in the car park outside Waitrose. 

    The Mayor of Merton, Councillor Mary Curtin, will speak from the stage at 5.00pm to open the festival. 

    There will be live animals in a petting enclosure, entertainment by a brass band and local primary school choirs and children can pay a visit to Santa’s Grotto to receive a gift from Father Christmas himself. 

    The festival is made possible thanks to the generous support of local businesses whose advertising banners may be seen on the fence Coombe Lane from 1 December.  

    With a range of trade stalls, Friday 7 December promises a great afternoon of Christmas spirit, seasonal live music, drama, entertainment and fun for all. 

    For more information, visit:

    myraynespark.co.uk, follow us on Twitter at @myraynespark or on Facebook at /myraynespark

     

  • Sacred Heart School - Christmas Fare

    Holy Cross Christmas Fair

    Church Hall, Adela Avenue, Motspur Park on Saturday 24th November from 2.00 to 4.00 p.m.  .  Home made cakes, books,

     

    Sacred Heart RC Primary School Christmas Fair

    Burlington Road, New Malden, KT3 4ND

    Saturday 24th November, 12-3pm

    An afternoon of fun including an ice rink, plenty of games, a gourmet BBQ and bar, and more...

    Book your ice-skating tickets now at https://bit.ly/2pSkzSx

    All welcome!

  • Raynes Park Association News

    Raynes Park Station - Update

    Discussions between Network Rail (NR) and the Raynes Park Association (RPA) – September 2018 

    Responses from Connie Banda NR 28 September 2018 with responses from Chris Larkman RPA in italics

    Matters discussed, Enchroaching Shrubs, The state of the Footbridge, Wooden Fencing, Embankment Planting, Japanese Knotweed, Kiss & Ride, Land Transfer

  • Raynes Park Towns Women's Guild - Oct 2018

    Julia Jones was the speaker for our October meeting giving an enthusiastic talk entitled ‘Travels in Iceland’.  

    Julia has been travelling to Iceland for many years, originally for a holiday break but as her love and knowledge of the landscape and the hardy, resilient and hardworking people grew, eventually becoming a travel adviser and exploratory holiday break adviser.  

    Obviously cold and dark in the winter, during the long light summer days the average temperature approaches 20C.  Certainly, she described a lot to see, with geysers and thermal hot springs, evidence of the periodic volcanic activity (I think we all remember the volcanic dust cloud affecting aircraft flights), waterfalls and lakes, interesting walks, pretty, small towns and villages; trolls, a herring fishing museum, and glaciers - one leading to a lake with floating icebergs.  With a very small resident population, there are far more visitors and casual workers than locals during the holiday season.  The fishing industry has contracted.  Never the- less. the sheep have kept on producing a very fine wool which the ladies make into superb warm garments. 

    At our November meeting on November 15th  (1.30 pm at St Saviour’s Church Hall), Michael Grimshaw’s topic is ‘Wildlife in Zimbabwe’. 

    For further details of this meeting or of our many social activities please get in touch. 

    Dorothy Raymond  Tel: 0208 395 9489 

  • The Fountain Pub - New Malden

    The Fountain, at the top of New Malden High Street, has been a local landmark in our neighbouring area for many years, but is alas, at least temporarily, no more. 

    It closed in June for a major redevelopment of the site, which will see three 5-storey blocks containing 43 apartments and a shop or café being built. 

    The Pub will be reduced to half its size within the original Georgian building, but will lose its extension, garden and car park, as well as its first and second floors, previously used as a kitchen, meeting rooms and staff accommodation. 

    The loss of garden and car park space will also impact on the annual New Malden Fortnight event, the Korean Food Festival and a regular Farmers’ Market. 

    Construction work is now in progress, behind a barrier of Berlin Wall proportions. At least, for Pub goers, half a pub is better than none! 

    Dick Coleman

  • Film Merton 2018 - 2019

    Coming Soon

     Film Merton is an exciting initiative funded by the London Mayor's Cultural Impact Award and the local council to increase engagement in the arts amongst socially excluded members of the community. Film was the overwhelming art form of choice of local people and there is a longer-term objective of having a cinema in Mitcham.  During 2019-2020, curated seasons of films chosen by the community and high-profile guests, together with a film festival showing original short films made locally with an emphasis on new technology, will be delivered.

  • Chairman's Blog - November 2018

    NEW MORDEN LEISURE CENTRE 

    The Council has announced that the new Morden Leisure Centre will soon be open to the public. 

    This is in Morden Park. It replaces the Morden Park Pool which was said to be energy inefficient and expensive to maintain. 

    Once the new Centre opens, the old building will be demolished, and the land restored to open space and landscaped with trees. 

    The new Centre has a 25m x 13m main pool and a smaller secondary pool with a movable floor, so that it can be used for everything from shallow toddler sessions to diving. 

    There will be a studio and fitness suite, and a café with outside seating for dog- walkers. There are also facilities for disabled people. 

    It will be run by the same company that already manages the Wimbledon Leisure Centre and Canons Leisure Centre in Mitcham. 

    MASCOT TELECARE

     For elderly and vulnerable people living at home, the Mascot telecare service is an enormous comfort. It ought to be better known. 

    It was introduced by Merton Council some 28 years ago and provides a pendant that can be hung around the neck or on the arm, which clients can press to contact the Mascot office 24 hours a day, should they have a fall or accident at home. The telecare service will then contact a nominated relation or friend - or send a staff member to help. They will contact the emergency services if needed.

    The office is locally based. 

    My own mother was given a pendant when she got into her eighties and found it very reassuring when she had to be left alone in the house. On occasion she pressed the pendant by accident, and they were very good in telling her not to worry about this. 

    Since the scheme originally started, they have added a handyman service which means that someone can come and do the small jobs that need to be done, such as changing light bulbs or fitting tap washers or setting up a bedroom for someone who has just come out of hospital. 

    Mascot also offers other technologies that are designed to help people to live independently. These include door sensors to alert family members if a person with dementia leaves the home, and flood sensors to prevent people letting sinks or baths overrun.

     There is a small weekly charge for the monitoring-only service, and a slightly larger one for the response service, including the handyman. Mascot can be contacted for more information on:

    www.mascot-telecare.org.uk.

     

    TRAVELLERS ON CANNON HILL COMMON

    There were in fact two incursions last month by travellers camping on Cannon Hill Common. We understand that the Council is taking up the suggestion of obtaining a permanent injunction in the High Court to prevent further illegal incidents. This won’t stop the problem altogether but should assist in making their removal quicker and easier. 

    John Elvidge

  • Sacred Heart - Outdoor Space

    SACRED HEART PRIMARY SCHOOL HOPES YOUR VOTES  WILL WIN IT
    £25,000 GRANT FROM THE AVIVA COMMUNITY FUND

     Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, New Malden,  has entered the Aviva Community Fund Initiative and looked for the support of the local community to win a grant of £25,000 for the school.

    Serving nearly 400 children from the areas of Wimbledon, Raynes Park, Motspur Park, Worcester Park and New Malden, the school, situated on Burlington Road, only benefits from two concrete playgrounds and sadly lacks green space.

    Sacred Heart’s active Parent Staff Association (PSA) submitted an application to the Aviva Community Fund in the hope of winning £25,000 to invest in transforming the school's outdoor spaces. Instead of plain concrete there would be nature spaces, fun seating areas, a sensory corner, and lots of opportunities for physical activities including a climbing wall, basketball nets, new play apparatus and sports equipment, and more.

    Sacred Heart staff, parents and children are very excited about this potential project and are working hard to make it happen. Lending your support is simple and only takes a few minutes. You can vote for Sacred Heart Primary School’s project at:

    https://community-fund.aviva.co.uk/voting/project/view/4-1877  

    Like all state schools, Sacred Heart faces ongoing funding cuts. Winning the £25,000 grant could have a really positive impact on the children and the local area. The PSA is hoping to supplement the grant with a crowdfunding page enabling the public to contribute directly to the project.(http://crowdfunder.co.uk/sacred-heart-school-playground-makeover).

     Voting and crowd funding close on Tuesday 20th November.

  • The Men of Raynes Park, 1914-18

    The Men of Raynes Park, 1914-18 Armistice Exhibition 

    To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the WWI Armistice, an exhibition about the lives of the men from Raynes Park who fought and died in the Great War of 1914-18 will be launched at St Saviour's Church on October 27th. 

    Ninety-seven men from the Parish are named on the war memorial in the church grounds next to Grand Drive.   The exhibition will explore the history of Raynes Park and the Parish of St Saviour's, how the memorial came into being, and who the 97 men were, where they lived, where they died, the battles they fought and some of their remarkable stories. A poem has also been specially written for the occasion. 

    The exhibition launch event will be at 2.15 pm on Saturday October 27th.  

    The aim is to create an understanding and appreciation of the lives of the men commemorated on the memorial and the sacrifices they made.   A number of guest speakers will provide context and background stories to the exhibition.  These include Sarah Gould, Head of Merton Heritage, and representatives of the families of Thomas Mewburn Crook, the original sculptor of the memorial, and Wing Commander Frank Brock, a director of the Brock Firework Company, who died in a daring raid on Zeebrugge in April 1918. 

    All residents of Raynes Park, and others who have an interest, are warmly invited to this occasion.  Visitors are advised to arrive early and either walk or use public transport as parking space is limited and there will still be disruption along Grand Drive. 

    Over the last 100 years, the names on the memorial have been gradually eroded.  The St Saviour's Parochial Church Council plans to restore the memorial subject to the necessary permissions being granted and hopes to achieve this in the Spring of 2019.  St Saviour's priest-in-charge, Reverend Peter Kelley, will outline progress on this at the exhibition launch.  If anyone would like to make a contribution towards the costs of the Memorial Project, or a pledge to support the restoration should funds be required, please contact the St Saviour's church wardens at: stsavioursofficesw20@gmail.com .

    Following the launch, the exhibition will be open until Remembrance Day at various times.  Please check. 

    Peter Hutton

  • 265 Burlington Road - 400+ Flats Proposed

    Huge development Proposals for 265 Burlington Road

    (and part of the Tesco Supermarket Car Park) 

    We have recently learned - following an exhibition at the Holy Cross Church Hall on 18th September - that Redrow Homes are working up proposals for a Planning Application for a large housing scheme at 265 Burlington Road and that part of Tesco’s car park adjacent to Burlington Road 

    The scheme as currently planned would be to construct more than 400 flats in several blocks - some very much higher than any other building in the locality. 

    As we understand the situation the proposals are still being refined and are being discussed with the Planners at Merton Council. 

    Currently it is proposed that there would be a mix of units 1, 2, and 3-bedroom flats, a large proportion of which would be 2-bed units, but no houses. 

    In the main these flats would be for sale, but some would be part sale/part rental (under a shared ownership scheme). The current aim is to provide 35% of the development for “affordable” housing (meaning social or subsidized units). 

    The plans, at present, suggest provision of over 200 car parking spaces for the new residents, who would have vehicle access to the new development from the existing short road leading from Tesco’s car park into Burlington road. Pedestrian access to Tesco itself from the Burlington Road side would be maintained. 

    We are in contact with the agents acting for Redrow and hope to arrange a public meeting with them later in the year. We will try to provide more detail about this proposal as and when available. 

    David Freeman and Jill Truman

  • Raynes Park Townswomen's Guild

     Well.  It’s just as well to have a sense of humour. 

    After the long, hot, dry June, July and early August, for the TWG coach trip to Worthing the rain began as we left Raynes Park, continuing steadily until about 3.00 pm in Worthing.  Surprisingly, or because they did at least have one dry hour, ladies returned to the coach reporting they had enjoyed the day.   The respite did enable them to walk on the pier to admire the stained-glass display screens exhibited there. 

    Our summer garden party also turned out to have been scheduled on a wet day.  Nevertheless, our hostess and helper provided a magnificent summer meal which was fully appreciated by all.  With the ladies spread about the dining room and conservatory this friendly social afternoon was well attended and a great success. 

    The October meeting will be on Thursday, 18th October at 1.30 pm in St Saviour’s Church Hall.  Our speaker is Julia Jones whose talk is entitled ‘Travels in Iceland’. 

    If interested, please check us out.  We normally discuss our planned social activities first, with the speaker starting at about 2.30 pm after a tea break.  

    Dorothy Raymond, Tel: 020 8395 9489

     

  • Rememberance Sunday, 11/11/2018

    London Borough of Merton -  2018 Services of Remembrance

    The following arrangements are proposed: 

    Sunday 11 November 2018 - Services of Remembrance

    Nelson Health Centre

    Kingston Road, SW20 8DA

    The Service of Remembrance will commence at 9.00am and will be

    attended by the Mayor of Merton, Councillor Mary Curtin, civic representatives, and the Royal British Legion.

     

    Mitcham War Memorial

    Lower Green West, Mitcham

    The Service of Remembrance will commence at 10.40am. 

    Attended by the Mayor of Merton, Councillor Mary Curtin, Ms Clare Whelan OBE, Deputy Lieutenant, civic representatives and members of organisations in the borough. Members of the Mitcham branch of the Royal British Legion will be in attendance. 

    Following the service the Deputy Lieutenant together with the Mayor will take the salute.

    Please note: For the Mitcham Service, the Parade assembles outside the British Legion Hall, Mitcham.

     

    Wimbledon War Memorial

    Wimbledon Village, SW19

    The Service of Remembrance will commence at 10.40am. 

    Attended by the Deputy Mayor of Merton, Councillor Geraldine Stanford, civic representatives and members of organisations in the borough. Members of the Wimbledon Branch of the Royal British Legion and the 210 Transport Squadron will be in attendance. 

    Following the service the Deputy Mayor will take the salute. 

     

    Monday 12 November 2018 - Armistice Day

    Civic Centre, London Road, Morden to commence at 10.50am

    The Mayor and civic representatives

     

    Mitcham War Memorial to commence at 10.50am

    The Deputy Mayor and civic representatives,

  • Chairman's Blog - Oct 2018

    90TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER

    The Residents’ Association was founded in 1928 and we are celebrating our 90th anniversary with a Dinner. All members are warmly invited, and it will be held on Thursday 8th November. Do please come and join us if you can.   Numbers will be limited so tickets will be provided on a ‘first come’ basis.

    The Dinner is at the Taste Restaurant at Merton College, London Road, Morden. The College is well renowned for its catering and hotel courses for students; and the food and service will be provided by them.  We held our 75th Anniversary dinner in the same venue, and it was excellent. The cost is only £25 for a three-course meal, with a cocktail on arrival.

    Click here for more information on how to make a booking.

    RUBBISH COLLECTION

    As you will be aware, the Council is entirely changing its system for collecting household waste from October. We are now switching to alternate weekly collections for most refuse and recycling. This means collections will only be every two weeks. Paper and card will be collected every two weeks, as will non-recyclable matter (landfill) This means that storage must be found for two wheelie bins; Three, if you also pay for garden waste. Many will find this difficult to cope with. 

    Paper and cardboard are to be placed in a new wheelie bin provided by Merton, and household (landfill) waste in another.  The rest of the re-cycliable products: glass, tins, plastic bottles and food-trays, cans and cartons will still be collected from our green boxes, but these, too, will only be once a fortnight. 

    The Council has promised that those who cannot physically manage a wheelie bin (they are quite heavy) will be assisted, but, obviously, this will take time to work through.  We also understand that smaller wheelie bins can be supplied for single households – but you must apply for these directly via the Council’s website, or by a telephone call to the refuse department.

    Blue and Black plastic bags will be supplied to flatted housing estates so that they can fill these and put them into the relevant bins for collection.

    Collection days will also change in around threequarters of properties.  

    The aim is to increase amount of re-cycling and to prevent waste from being strewn over into the streets due to foxes and other animals tearing at plastic sacks that have not been placed in a lidded dustbin. It is also claimed that in the long run the new system will save costs.  

    Everyone will have their own views about all this and there are almost are bound to be major problems at the outset, so please let your Councillors know of any issues affecting you. They are the best people to take these matters up with the service provider.

    TRAVELLERS ON CANNON HILL COMMON

    Once again, a group of Travellers managed to evade the huge logs placed around Cannon Hill Common to prevent incursions and parked their caravans and vehicles near the former Pavilion.

    As before, it was left to the Council to clear up the mess after they were removed.  

    There have been many such incidents on this site, but it is hard to put up sufficiently immovable barriers to prevent these, without taking away the visual beauty of the Common itself.   

    A possible permanent solution has been suggested by one of the Cannon Hill Councillors. He notes that where there is an ongoing problem, other councils have obtained an interim or permanent blanket injunction in the High Court banning illegal traveller incursion. Such an injunction cannot stop the problem altogether but makes removal very much easier and quicker.

    He asked a question at Council to find whether the Council was willing to look at this as a solution. We will let you know whether they take up this suggestion.

    John Elvidge

  • 265 Burlington Road

    The Association has been contacted by Sarah Wardle of BECG, who specialise in community engagement. They are currently working with Redrow Homes, who recently acquired an interest in Land at Tesco, New Malden.  

    Sarah Wardle explains, “The site comprises 265 Burlington Road, a 1980s office building, and part of Tesco car park. Redrow is in the early stages of formulating plans to deliver new homes and commercial space on the site and has started to engage with planning officers. To complement these discussions, we would welcome the opportunity to meet with the local community, to discuss our initial plans for the site and gain your feedback. 

    We would also like to invite you to our public consultation the details of which are as follows: 

    Venue: Holy Cross Church, Douglas Ave, Motspur Park KT3 6HT

    Date: 11th September

    Time: 4- 8pm”

     

  • Community Forum 18 Sept 2018

    YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND

    THE RAYNES PARK COMMUNITY FORUM

    AT 7.15 PM ON TUESDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2018

    IN RAYNES PARK LIBRARY MEETING ROOM

     

    In the Chair:  Cllr Stephen Crowe

     

    1)     Introduction by Chairman of the Raynes Park Association

     

    2)     Open Forum – an opportunity to raise any other issue of local interest not covered elsewhere on the agenda.    Kindly email your request in advance of the meeting to:chris.edge@ccedge.comand stephen.crowe@merton.gov.uk.

     

    3)     Leader of the Council, Stephen Alambritis, will provide an update on key issues with the Council and take questions

     

    4)     Abbas Mirza, from Merton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) will provide an update on local services and commissioning intentions. 

     

    5)     Town Centre Developments & Railway.  Tony Edwards

    ·         Seating on south side of Skew Arch    

    ·         Possible Removal of Bins on North of Skew Arch

    ·         West Barnes Lane Community Infrastructure Levy [CIL]

    ·         Land purchase corner on South side of Station entrance

     

    6)     Raynes Park Matters.  Neil Milligan, Raynes Park Champion, LB Merton

    ·         New Malden to RP Pedestrian and Cycle Link

    ·         Advertising hoarding between station and Waitrose

    ·         Planning Matters

     

    7)     Feedback, Reminders & Updates

    ·         Citizens UK – Merton Branch Peter Brierley

    ·         Prevention of Flooding – update on planned cleaning of gullies. 

    ·         Feedback from Ride London Sunday 29 July 2018

    ·         Feedback from Raynes Park Summer Festival 29 June until 8 July 2018

    ·         Reminder Christmas Festival 7 December 2018 

    Close at 9 p.m. 

    Future date for the Raynes Park Community Forum:

    Thursday 6 December 2018, Tuesday 26 March 2019

    The Raynes Park Community Forum is managed by the Raynes Park Association and chaired by a Councillor from one of the local wards by rotation. 

  • St Saviour's Concert - 6 October 2018

    A reminder about the up-coming concert at St Saviour's Church in Grand Drive when Mark Eden and Chris Stell - internationally recognised as one of the world’s leading classical guitar ensembles - will be playing works by Johannes Brahms, Mauro Giuliani, Domenico Scarlatti, Francis Poulenc,  Federico Mompou and Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco. 

    The Concert is on Saturday 6th October 2018. Reception 7.00 for 7.30pm. and tickets are available at £12 from Wendy Cannon (in advance), or at the door.

  • Holy Cross Church - Cafe

    A new Pop-up Café at Holy Cross Church 

    Holy Cross Church is opening a pop- up cafe on October 6th and from then onwards it will be held on the first Saturday of the month.  The Café will be open from 10.00am to 12.00pm and will be serving tea, coffee, cake and soft drinks. It’s so good to meet and chat we hope you will come.  All are welcome.  For more details contact Sally Pusey, Parish Administrator.

  • Mobile Credit Card Reader and other Scams

    Our members are warned about new scams, including one involving what looks like a mobile credit card machine. However, it is really a device for stealing your credit card number and PIN code.

    Click this link for the YouTube video posted by the Metropolitan Police- https://youtu.be/pJhaYPxt9mw

  • Cold Callers selling Insulating Foam

    Beware of Cold Callers on the telephone or at the door 

    We are told by one of our active Members that he received a telephone call on 20th August 2018 inviting him to arrange an appointment to hear all about the advantages of an insulating foam which is applied to the underside of roofing slates/tiles.   

    The caller suggested it was a new product from Canada.  However, great caution is advised, as much foam insulation is highly inflamable and gives off toxic fumes went burning.

  • Open Day - 29 September 2018

    We are pleased to invite all our members to an 

    AFTERNOON SOCIAL EVENT 

    On 

    Saturday 29th September 2018 

    Between 3.30pm and 5.30pm

    Members of the Committee and the Pavilion Management Group will be on hand to show you our “headquarters”, answer any questions you may have for us and generally treat you to an array of light refreshments. 

    This is a free drop-in session, and we would be delighted to meet as many local people as possible. 

    No need to RSVP, just keep a note of the date and come along!

  • Chairman's Blog - Sept 2018

    RAYNES PARK VALE FOOTBALL CLUB 

    It may not be generally known that Raynes Park has its own football club, with a dedicated and well-maintained ground, complete with stands. This is next to Prince George’s Playing Fields which itself regularly hosts football matches at the weekend. 

    On Saturday 11th August fans flocked to the ground to see the Club compete in the first Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup.   This was against Lingfield. The score was 3 -0 in favour of Raynes Park. Many congratulations!  They have now reached the Preliminary Round. The next step on the way to Wembley, as I write, is their match against Peacehaven on Saturday 25th August. Fingers crossed! 

    AFC WIMBLEDON 

    While I am writing about football, who can forget when Wimbledon FC won the FA Cup in 1988?  After that, the team was “franchised” up to Milton Keynes, and out of the ashes AFC Wimbledon was re-born, entirely created by fans.  This must be one of the most extraordinary and heartwarming stories ever of local endeavour.

    The Club has been promoted many times and has managed to retain its place in the First Division of the Football League. I saw them play Coventry in their first home fixture of the season, and the team looks good.  They aim to move back to Plough Lane next season, and the ground has already been cleared of the former Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium.  The new stadium will seat 11,000 in the first instance.  The site will also eventually have 604 new homes and retail space.  

    EASTERN ELECTRICS FESTIVAL 

    A music festival held in Morden Park over the weekend of 4 and 5 August was so loud that residents as far away as this area were prevented from enjoying their leisure time due to the loud volume of the music.  The Wimbledon Guardian reported that a resident of Raynes Park said that a relaxing weekend in his garden was spoilt by a “thumping bass” that went on until 10 pm on both days.

    The event was authorized by Merton Council and it apparently complied with all the required conditions. 

    It looks as if this is an annual event. Morden Park is in an area surrounded by residential housing. The Council should require in future that the sound levels are moderated, and that the event finishes earlier in the evening.

    THE JUNCTION TAVERN IN RAYNES PARK 

    Older residents will remember when the Junction Tavern, near the station in Kingston Road, was a pub. When the pub closed, it was turned for a while into The Railhouse, but that venture ceased in 2011. Since then, there have been planning applications to turn the site into a hotel, but these have not been implemented. 

    Now a planning application has been lodged to build nine flats there, but preserving the lower section of the building, which has architectural features that are worthy of retention. 

    HARRIS ACADEMY WIMBLEDON 

    The new Harris Academy Wimbledon will open its doors this September at its temporary site in Whatley Avenue, off Martin Way. This is to cope with the extra 260 children who left primary school in Merton this year.

    The permanent home for the School will be a new school building in High Path in South Wimbledon. This is due for completion by September 2020.

     John Elvidge

  • 90th Anniversary Dinner - 8 November

    Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents’ Association

    90th Anniversary Dinner

    Thursday 8th November 2018 

    Taste Restaurant

     Merton College, London Road, Morden, SM4 5QX 

    7.00pm for 7.30pm 

     

    Starter

    Roast pumpkin velouté, toasted pumpkin seeds and chilli (v)

    or

    Smoked haddock ravioli, soft poached egg, parsley sauce, pancetta crumb 

    Main

    Sautéed chicken, dauphinoise potatoes, spinach, sauce forestiere

    or

    Caramelised onion risotto, rocket, balsamic glaze, shallot rings (v) 

    Dessert

    Bread and butter pudding, vanilla custard

    or

    Shortbread Mille feuille, seasonal fruit and vanilla cream, fruit coulis 

    Freshly brewed tea and coffee 

    Please make your server aware of any allergies or dietary requirements Information about allergens in our dishes is kept onsite and is available on request

    Cost per person, including a drink on arrival, will be £25 

    Members wishing to attend should make contact via the details published in September’s Guide.

     

  • Changes to our Refuse and Recycling Collections

    Members may have now received Merton's leaflet about the controversial changes the council are going to make to our refuse and recycling collections. 

    To find out more about the new service, residents are invited to visit one of Merton’s roadshow events to speak face-to-face with Merton Council officers and representatives from Veolia, the waste collection contractor. Click here for further information.

  • Raynes Park TWG - July 2018

    RAYNES PARK TOWNSWOMEN’S (AFTERNOON) GUILD

    Making women’s lives better since 1929 

    85TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION 

     

    Broken down delivery trucks and heroines! 

    On Thursday, 28th June 2018 Raynes Park Branch of the Townswomen’s Guild celebrated its 85th birthday party.  This makes our branch one of the oldest groups (someone said the 3rd oldest) in being today.  However, our party was characterised by what could have been a disaster and a series of rescuing heroines.  In short, the food ordered from a reputable supplier did not arrive and was not available for collection until well after the Mayor and other guests had been welcomed and seated. 

    The first heroine was Mary of our long-suffering catering help team who made three trips (in hope) to collect the food, two abortive and one where it was finally suggested she should help herself to what was ordered, or similar, from the shelves in the store! 

    The second was Penny Ryan, deputising for the National TWG Chairman – in fact the National Treasurer and our national trustee representing southern England on the national council.  After we had welcomed the lady Mayor of Merton who spoke for a few minutes to congratulate us on this birthday, Penny took to the floor to cover quite a long wait with an off-the-cuff, comprehensive, talk on the formation and history of the Townswomen’s Guild. 

    We had booked a group from the Nonsuch Handbell Ringers to entertain us after the meal but in the event, they hastily set up their equipment to play to us while we collected and ate our food, which was displayed speedily by John and Mary.  They played a very enjoyable selection of tunes in a variety of styles, all with a surprisingly mellow sound.  Later they invited members to come to examine the bells.  At least one member had a go!  The ladies of the handbbell ringers, too, deserve special thanks! 

    Our monthly lunch outing took us to The Haywain in Epsom for another very pleasant meal.  We were surprised when another group of ladies arrived a little later, some of whom we recognised.  This was a party from the Morden Park (eve) TWG!  Obviously The Haywain is a general favourite for TWG ladies! 

     

     

    Worthing Trip – Thursday, 16th August - £15 

    There are still seats available.  Please telephone 8395 4989 if you are interested in joining us. 

    I am in discussion with our coach company who wish to wait until road works scheduled to cause one-way traffic south along Grand Drive start towards the end of July to see how the traffic flow in the area ‘beds down’ before confirming pick-up points and times.  Please make sure I have your telephone number or contact address so that I can keep everyone informed in August. 

    Next Meeting 

    In September 2018 the monthly meeting will be on Thursday, 20th at 1.30 for 1.45 at St Saviour’s Church Hall.  A speaker – Miss A Hoyland – will give us a talk entitled

     ‘Never judge a book by its cover’.   Do join us. 

    Dorothy Raymond,  Tel: 020 8395 9489 

  • Grand Drive Road Closures - Latest

    VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE ABOUT WORKS TO GRAND DRIVE - FROM SGN

    Notification of major gas works: Grand Drive, Morden UPDATE 20/07/18 

    You may recall I wrote to you in May to make you aware of our upgrade of our gas network in Grand Drive, Morden. 

    Our project is on course to start as planned on 23 July and last approximately 20 weeks as previously stated. However, following feedback from our stakeholders and the local community we have worked with London Borough of Merton to agree a new phased plan of work to minimise disruption. We will now be working in three overlapping phases as follows. 

    To ensure everyone’s safety Grand Drive will be made one-way southbound for the duration of our works. A signed diversion will be in place for northbound traffic. Access will be maintained for residents by following the diversion routes. 

    Phase one – Grand Drive, between Church Walk and Bushey Road 

    We will start our project with two teams both working in Grand Drive from its junction with Church Walk towards Bushey Road. As this phase progresses, one of our teams will move to begin work on phase two. 

    Phase two – Grand Drive, between Blenheim Road and Church Walk 

    During this phase, one of our teams will begin working in Grand Drive at its junction with Blenheim Road and work towards the junction with Church Walk. 

    Grand Drive will remain one-way southbound to ensure everyone’s safety. However, as our work progresses during this phase, we are hoping to be able to re-open some small sections of Grand Drive for northbound traffic to allow residents on Grand Drive to exit their homes and travel north. Grand Drive will remain closed for northbound through traffic and motorists should still follow our signed diversion. 

    Phase three – Grand Drive, between Heath Drive and Westway 

    Both teams will be working in conjunction on Grand Drive, starting at its junction with Heath Drive and heading south towards its junction with Westway. 

    Grand Drive will remain one-way southbound to ensure everyone’s safety. Some small sections of Grand Drive may now be open for northbound traffic to allow residents on Grand Drive to exit their homes and travel north. However, Grand Drive will remain closed for northbound through traffic and motorists should still follow our signed diversion. 

    You can find more information about our work on our dedicated project page at: 

    https://www.sgn.co.uk/Roadworks/Southern-projects/Morden-Approach-Road-and-Grand-Drive/ 

    Dan Edwards

    Southern Gas Networks

  • Paddock - Flower & Vegetable Show

    Don’t Miss the

    PADDOCK ALLOTMENTS’ FLOWER & VEGETABLE SHOW

    2.30 pm; Saturday 8th August 2018

  • Chairman's Blog - Aug 2018

     NAT WEST CLOSES TWO BRANCHES 

    We reported a few months ago that Nat West intended to close their branches in Wimbledon Village and in Morden.  They have now gone through with this, and the buildings are firmly shuttered.  Their branch in Raynes Park closed many years ago.  What an appalling disregard they have shown for the convenience of their customers. 

    These branches were heavily used.   Customers will now have to go to the only remaining local branch in Wimbledon Town Centre, which always has long queues of people waiting to be served, and limited numbers of staff.  They try to make you use machines for depositing funds, but these are so difficult to understand that one member of staff, instead of acting as a cashier, has to be on hand. 

    The bank will argue that much banking is now done on-line, but many customers, like me, who have been the subject of bank fraud, refuse to transact financial details on the internet which can be readily hacked. Some people cannot afford the internet or do not know how to use it.   

    What is particularly galling is the pretence that this is somehow improving the service it gives to customers. When will large companies realise that many people prefer to transact their business with real people? When will they understand that putting the needs of customers before increasing profits actually increases their profits by increasing their customer share? 

    We see the same stupid trend in supermarkets when you have to scan your own purchases, and there remain only a token number of check out tills. 

    ANNIVERSARIES 

    On a lighter note, I was invited by the Raynes Park Townwomen’s Guild to their lovely 85th birthday buffet luncheon at St Saviour’s Church Hall. You will have seen their articles which we publish in The Guide each month.   The Mayor was the guest of honour, and we had a delightful cabaret performed by a group of hand bell ringers. We were told that the Guild grew out of the movement for women’s rights started by the suffragettes.  I was made very welcome despite being the only man present, apart from the Mayor’s attendant.

    We congratulate them for keeping going for so long, including through the war years. 

    Our Association is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, and we intend to publish an Anniversary issue of The Guide in the autumn. We also hope to hold a dinner at Merton College. Details of this will follow as soon as the arrangements are finalised. 

    CROSSRAIL 2 

    Cross Rail 2 is the proposal for a new rail system that is intended to run from surrey and south west London through a tunnel north of Wimbledon up to north London. This is intended to cope with the vast increase in the number of rail passengers.  It will, obviously, be an enormous expensive project, and so the Government has set up an “Independent Affordabilty  Review”  to advise on whether it is actually financially  feasible.  The scheme is not planned to come into operation until at least 2028 in any event.  The team running this will be conducting another public consultation in due course. 

    NEW TENNIS EQUIPMENT AT THE PAVILION  

    We are very pleased that the All England Lawn Tennis Club has provided us with new posts and nets for the tennis courts at our Pavilion in Grand Drive. We have set up two courts for members to use and we have kept the third for short tennis and other ball games. 

    The Club has provided these free of charge as part of its Community Outreach Programme, and we are very grateful to them for the time and effort they have given to us. Any member can use these courts, for a very small hourly charge, on application by e-mail to:  

    pavilionbookings@gmail.com 

    John Elvidge

  • Raynes Park Townwomen's Guild - July 2018

    Lyn Chalcroft’s talk to the Guild on 17th May entitled ‘Dem Dry Bones’ turned out to e about osteoporosis, ow to avoid it and ow to keep your bones strong during the aging process.   Apart from a good diet with milk for calcium, exercise is very important.   Lyn demonstrated a number of useful exercises.   Producing silk scarves, she got the whole company trying these out, and having a great deal of fun! 

    On 19th July our speaker will be Heidi Gomes giving a talk entitled ‘World of the lunchbox network’. 

    Details of our annual coastal coach trip are given below.  I am liaising with the coach company about timings and exact pickup points because of the proposed gas road works in Grand Drive due to commence at the end of July and will keep those reserving a place informed as well as putting any update in The Guide. 

    The Raynes Park Townswomen’s Guild meet in St. Saviour’s Church Hall monthly, on the third Thursday of each month (excluding August) at 1.45 pm.  A visit and a lunch together are also arranged each month as well as some social functions in local homes.   New Members are always welcome. 

    Dorothy Raymond

     

    WORTHING

    Thursday 16th August 2018 

    £15.00 per seat

    Leaving approx. 9.00 am (times to be confirmed) 

    Pick-up points at Motspur Park, Raynes Park Station and in the Grand Drive Greenway area (to be confirmed)

    Return at 4.30 pm 

    Tel 0208 395 9489

  • St Saviour's War Memorial - Grand Drive

    St Saviour's project to restore the memorial and remember the fallen 

    A task group has been set up to restore St Saviour's war memorial and research its history and stories of those who are named on it. An exhibition is planned to open in the church two weeks before Armistice Day so local people can appreciate what the Great War meant for the community and the sacrifices it made. It is unlikely that all work on the restoration will completed before then, though it is hoped that it will have begun.  

    A restoration team will start raising funds once all the required permissions have been obtained. It is hoped that much of it will be covered by grants though there is likely to be a gap. If you would like to contribute towards it, and pledges have already been made, please contact St Saviour's Priest-in-Charge, Peter Kelley.    

    Another team of local volunteers has been researching archives, press coverage and other leads to build up a picture of what went on and the individuals involved.  It is keen to hear from anyone who might be able to provide relevant information. Perhaps members of your family, or the families of people you know, lived in this area and were involved in the Great War and may have been commemorated on the St Saviour's memorial.  You may have stories, anecdotes, press cuttings, photographs and other memorabilia relating to those times and the men who gave their lives that you could make available to us.  If so, or if you have any leads you think it would be worth following, please email: stsavioursofficesw20@gmail.com, or ring the parish office (02085409406) or talk to anyone you know at St Saviour's.

  • Network Rail Performance - Briefing Note

    Wessex Route Briefing Note – Performance – As of May 2018

    Summary

    Network Rail’s Wessex route is one of the busiest and most congested parts of the railway network. The number of passenger journeys on the route has more than doubled in the last 20 years, to around 234 million per year, and is expected to increase by a further 40% by 2043.

    We appreciate our service has not been good enough overall following the completion of major upgrade work at Waterloo in August last year. Our passengers deserve, and rightly expect, a high performing train service.

    A number of significant incidents have impacted the service in recent months, including infrastructure issues at Waterloo (see page 2 on ‘Waterloo’), a fire in the throat of Waterloo in December (which caused severe disruption), bad and extreme weather conditions and points failures and track issues at some of the busiest parts of our network. The congested nature of our network means that delays can have a severe knock on effect.

    Train performance on the Wessex route in April 2018 was recorded as 89.5%, using the public performance measure (PPM)1. We will continue to try to provide the best service possible for our passengers. Independent review on performance

    The Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling MP, recently commissioned an independent review into operational performance on the South Western Railway network to ‘ensure all possible steps are being taken to improve performance and passenger experience’.

    We welcome the review and are working with its chair, Sir Michael Holden. It is expected to be completed in summer 2018.

    Responding to incidents

    When an incident happens on the railway network we respond as quickly as possible to limit disruption and get people on the move again. Our joint Network Rail and South Western Railway control centre, at our state of the art Basingstoke railway operating centre, has improved interventions leading to a 1.4% improvement in performance between the morning and evening peaks. We have appointed seven senior incident officer roles working 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to lead on incident responses affecting Network Rail and South Western Railway.

    The public performance measure (PPM) shows the percentage of trains which arrive at their terminating station within 5 minutes (for London & South East and regional services) or 10 minutes (for long distance services) - https://www.networkrail.co.uk/who-we-are/how-we-work/performance/public-performance-measure/

    Preventing incidents

    We are making every effort to stop incidents before they happen, through increasing resources on this part of the network and using ‘intelligent technology’.

    We are increasing our asset inspection regime in the Waterloo area and have appointed a new track section manager to prevent incidents occurring.

    We have provided some additional teams and resources for maintenance and incident response between Waterloo and Basingstoke.

    Using ‘intelligent technology’, we monitor the efficiency of our infrastructure, which has allowed us to intervene early on around 500 occasions in 2017/18 which could have all resulted in infrastructure failures delaying passengers.

    There has been a 6% improvement in service affecting failures in the past year, with a 27% improvement since 2014. o We are introducing new safer isolations to turn off electricity to the track remotely. This keeps our staff off the track, improving safety, with less disruption to passengers and means we can deal with incidents more quickly. Waterloo upgrade programme

    Disruption after upgrade work at Waterloo last August was due to signalling equipment faults and snagging issues. Newly installed infrastructure did not perform as we expected in day-to-day operating conditions. All issues relating to the upgrade were resolved in autumn last year.

    The ongoing £800m Waterloo and South West Upgrade will be completed by the end of this year with the reopening of the former Waterloo International Terminal. o This will increase peak time capacity at Waterloo by 30% - space for an extra 45,000 passengers every morning and evening.

    The five additional platforms in the former International Terminal will also give us more flexibility during disruption, which should improve our ability to recover from delays.

    Please direct any questions to the Wessex route public affairs lead, Aeneas Tole, on aeneas.tole@networkrail.co.uk

  • Chairman's Blog - July 2018

    PARTIAL CLOSURE OF GRAND DRIVE 

    We remind everyone that traffic will not be able to come down Grand Drive northbound from July 23rd until December. This is because of work to replace the gas mains, which is being done in two phases. 

    Two exhibitions were held by SGN (formerly Southern Gas Network) to set out the diversions that are being proposed. We urged them to set out diversion signs from miles around, since this will be absolutely necessary.

    We fear that despite the advance publicity most motorists will be taken by surprise, and that there will be traffic chaos for weeks to come. It seems certain that Hillcross Avenue, Cannon Hill Lane, Martin Way and Bushey Road will bear the brunt of carrying the extra traffic, and that these roads will be clogged up for the whole day. 

    The plans did not include the new routing needed for the 163 bus, but we have now heard from Transport for London, which may be read here. More about SGN's plans may be read here.

     FURTHER ROAD CLOSURES FOR THE C YCLE RACE 

    On top of this, there will be a weekend of further road closures for the now annual cycle race around London. This will be on the weekend of 28th and 29th July. The cycle route is from Kingston Hill, along Coombe Lane and Worple Road, up Wimbledon Hill, and along Parkside. There will only be very limited crossing points, yet to be announced, for cars and pedestrians. More details may be read here, 

    LAND BEHIND THE MAISONETTES IN CANNON HILL LANE 

    There is a strip of woodland of about half an acre that runs behind the maisonettes in Cannon Hill Lane and next to the All England Club tennis ground in Grand Drive. It is an enclosed site, with no vehicular access.  It was bought some years ago and the new owner proceeded to knock down a number of trees protected by tree preservation orders, until he was stopped by the council, and then prosecuted. There still remain on the site 11 trees with such orders. 

    The owner decided to sell the land by auction, with a guide price of £20,000-£25,000, and obtained the price of £51,000. It appears that the then would be buyer did not complete, and so it has been put up for auction again through a different set of auctioneers.  

    What was unknown to us until we saw the legal pack with the first auction is that the land is not only land locked, but also has a covenant over it restricting its use to a plant nursery. It appears unlikely that this covenant can be broken without a very difficult application to the Lands Tribunal. So probably it will remain as open space, incapable of development for house building. 

    We await to see if anyone buys the land, and for what purpose. 

    John Elvidge

  • Diversion of North-Bound 163 Bus

    From Transport for London - 21 June 2018


    Dear Mr Cuthbert

    Thank you for contacting us on 6 June, about a forthcoming diversion to route 163 in Raynes Park while gas mains replacement takes place. Firstly I apologise for the slight delay in replying.

    I can confirm the diversion, which will be in place from Monday 23 July to late December, was only recently finalised. It was therefore unavailable to SGN for their drop-in sessions. Buses towards Morden will continue to serve the whole of Grand Drive, as the southbound carriageway will remain open. 

    Buses towards Wimbledon will be diverted along Cannon Hill Lane, Martin Way and Bushey Road to re-join the normal route. Raynes Park Station will continue to be served in both directions. The nearest open stops on the normal route will be St John Fisher School (GP) and Raynes Park Station (P).

    We’ll make more information available on our website nearer the time. We did this for the closure of Approach Road at tfl.gov.uk/tempbuschanges. Our local bus operations manager has requested publicity to be produced for affected stops. This will show the nearest open stops. Drivers will also call at any fixed stop, when requested, while on diversion.

    Thank you once again for contacting us. Please contact us again if you need assistance with TfL services in the future. We can also be reached by phone on 0343 222 1234.

    Kind regards 

    Dave Finlow
    Customer Service Adviser, 
    Transport for London

     

  • Raynes Park Townswomen's Guild - June 2018

    When Claire Nethersole from Age Concern, Merton, visited us last month, she reminded us that they are an independent charitable trust although working closely with Age UK.  With a base in Mitcham, they raise their own funds experiencing the same difficulties in the current economic climate as other small charities, and like Merton & Morden Guild of Social Service operating in Morden to provide many similar services.   Mrs Eileen Brewer gave the vote of thanks. 

    The Pavilion Club reported that they always enjoy a visit to the Earth to Table eatery in Raynes Park.  TWG ladies agree, this month arranging a lunch together there. 

    The following week on a beautiful day a group visited the Millennium Embroidery and Garden, Sunbury.  A bonus discovered on arrival – the local Bead Group was there.  Before looking at the main exhibit we were able to admire their completed items (key rings, bookmarks, necklaces, bracelets and brooches) as well as wandering round to watch them at work, asking questions as we went and examining the equipment and the tiny beads!   We admired their patience and dexterity! 

    A credit to them and the local community spirit, the embroidery itself is a collaborative effort of all the ladies and supporters from local organisations in Sunbury showing the principal features of the area at 2000.  Also shown are the logos of these local organisations carefully embroidered. 

    Seat bookings for our summer coach outing to Worthing are now being taken.  Details below.  Please telephone if you are interested. 

    WORTHING - Thursday, 16th August 2018

    £15 per seat

    Leaving approx. 9.00 am (times to be confirmed)

    Pick-up points at:

    Motspur Park, Raynes Park Station and Grand Drive – Greenway 

    Return at 4.30 pm

    Tel: 0208 395 9489

  • Summer Coach Trips

     

    THE PAVILION SOCIAL CLUB - SUMMER COACH TRIP

     RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION - WISLEY FLOWER SHOW

    The Annual trip to Wisley Flower show will be on

     FRIDAY 7th SEPTEMBER 

    with pickup points at: 

    Motspur Park, Opposite the Earl Beatty @ 9.15 a.m. approx. 

    Station Approach, Raynes Park @ 9.25 a.m. 

    Greenway bus stop, Grand Drive @ 9.35 a.m. 

    PLEASE NOTE THESE TIMES MAY HAVE TO BE CHANGED DUE TO ROADWORKS IN GRAND DRIVE 

    The Coach will leave Wisley at 4.00 p.m. 

    The fare is £10.00 which includes entrance and driver’s tip.

    Money to be paid with the booking please, giving your name, contact information and preferred pick-up point.

    Cash or Cheques made payable to RPWBRA should be given to:

    John Townsend, 128 Grand Drive, SW20 9DZ, Telephone: 07714 705976

  • Rainbow Ind Est - June 2018

    Members may recall that a few years ago Workspace 12 Ltd. the owners of the greater part of the Rainbow site – which sits just to the south of Raynes Park Station – submitted two planning applications. 

    The first of these 14/P4287 was for the demolition of the existing industrial buildings and the construction of more than 200 flats and 9 terraced houses.  

    The other application, 14/P4288, was to provide a so-called ‘Kiss and Ride’ facility, incorporating a roundabout, near the entrance.   In simple words, this is an arrangement for cars to come off Approach Road and either drop off or collect people from the station.  It was never intended to provide actual parking spaces within the entrance, only a very short-term waiting bay. 

    Given that Rainbow has been in industrial use for some decades, it is almost certain that there will be some – quite possibly quite a lot – of contamination in the soil.   Consequently, approval of the first application was accompanied by two important Conditions amongst quite a long list of others. 

    These were, in short, to investigate the degree of contamination and submit an ‘action plan’ for dealing with this problem. 

    Conditions

    I should explain that Conditions, which in the main are of two types, are normally attached to large applications in order either to take whatever action is required to bring the ‘application site’ up to a condition suitable for development (highly relevant in this case), or to ‘mitigate’ (reduce the severity) of the downside consequences of the new development.  For example, if a housing development resulted in the total loss of a piece of land (whether open space or whatever) which had been in regular use as a play area for local children, there would probably be a Condition which required the developer to provide a suitable replacement within the new housing scheme. 

    Rolfe Judd, the Agent acting for Workspace has submitted an application 18/P0997 with a proposed ‘Outline Remediation Strategy’ for dealing with the contamination issue.  In the main, this appears to be reports prepared by two specialist companies (Cundalls and Entec UK Ltd.) in November 2016.  To be frank, this is hardly a leap forward to redevelopment of this site, but it is a start.   Merton Council’s Planning Department will consider whether they can ‘Discharge’ Conditions 13 and 14, meaning whether the requirements of the Condition have been adequately satisfied. 

    David Freeman

  • Motspur Park Post Office

    Motspur Park Post Office - 345 West Barnes Lane, New Malden 

    The Association raised the closure, on 28th April, of the above Post Office with our MP, Stephen Hammond, being particularly concerned at reports that an application had been made by a local Newsagent to take over this service was not likely to come to fruition until the Autumn – far too long to wait.  Stephen Hammond has forwarded to us the following correspondence he has received on the subject. 

    Dear Mr Hammond 

    We’re planning to make some changes to the above Post Office

    For further information please see attached letter. Customer information materials will also be available in branch.

    Should you have any questions regarding the branch, please do not hesitate to contact your local External Affairs Manager, Ken Penton, by e-mail on ken.penton@postoffice.co.uk, or by telephone on 07970 396 440. 

    Yours sincerely

    Audra Mirjah-Clarke
    Post Office Ltd
     

    A letter dated 16th April 2018, attached, states: 

    “Temporary Closure

    I am writing to inform you that, regrettably, following the resignation of the Postmaster and the withdrawal of the premises for Post Office use, the above branch will be closing temporarily. 

    The provision of a Post Office service to our customers in the local community is important to us, and we will continue to work hard to restore services in the area as soon as possible. We would welcome any applications from potential retail partners interested in running a branch locally on our behalf. The vacancy is currently being advertised on our website: www.runapostoffice.co.uk and applications will be carefully considered. 

    If you are aware of any interested parties, please do share the link with them. I would like to assure you that we are currently investigating the options available which will enable us to reinstate a Post Office service to the local community. In exploring this, it is important that any future service is sustainable for the person operating the service, and for Post Office Limited. Future provision will reflect customer numbers and usage and we may take the opportunity to establish an alternative type of service. This may be a new style branch known as a Post Office local. 

    Post Office locals run alongside an established local shop and create a more modern and convenient retail experience for customers in newly refurbished premises. If you have any questions you would like to raise about this matter, please write to me via the National Consultation Team at the address shown below. Please note that your comments will not be kept confidential unless you expressly ask us to do so by clearly marking them “In Confidence”. Any future changes to service provision would be handled in line with our Code of Practice which sets out how we communicate and explain changes to the Post Office network. You can find more information about the Code at the end of this letter. If others in your organisation are interested in the proposal, please feel free to let them know about it. I would like to apologise for the inconvenience the temporary closure may cause. We hope that our customers will continue to use the Post Office and full details of alternative Post Office services in the area are shown at the end of this letter. I will write to you again once I have any news about our plans for future service provision. 

    Deepak Valani, Area Network Change Manager

     

  • Chairman's Blog - June 2018

    Local Elections

    Our Association is strictly non-party political, and we look forward to working with all the new councillors elected for our local wards, which are West Barnes, Cannon Hill, and Raynes Park.  When we hold our Open meetings and committee meetings we invite a councillor from each of the wards to help us in our decisions.

    At the AGM we paid tribute to the hard work of Mary-Jane Jeanes who was not standing for re-election.  We would also like to pay tribute to the dedication of Gilli Lewis-Lavender, a former Mayor, and Brian Lewis-Lavender. 

    All three former councillors have been assiduous in bringing issues to our notice, in getting council officers to act, and in representing the people they were elected to serve. We wish them well.

    Chaos in Grand Drive

    Residents will be well aware of the traffic chaos caused by the closure of the bottom part of Grand Drive for four weeks while gas mains were repaired. We were not consulted about these works, and so could not advise the gas network and the highways authorities of the warning notices that were necessary to avoid some of the worse effects of the jams.  What was required was notices put in place a long distance away, particularly on the A3, in Tudor Drive and further up Grand Drive, and in Kingston Road so that drivers could find alternative routes earlier. Some warnings were belatedly put up, but not enough.  Even with the notices, a steady stream of motorists came past the road closed notice, and then had to do a U-turn, to the anger and irritation of those living there.

    Worse to Come?

    Two exhibitions are being held about the even worse closures of half of Grand Drive planned to start on 23rd July which will last until December.   Grand Drive will be made one way southbound for the duration of the work. A signed diversion is being proposed for northbound traffic.  Further information is available here. These closures will be worse, as there will literally be nowhere else that traffic can easily be diverted to.  We fear that Cannon Hill Lane and Martin Way will be clogged solid for much of the day. 

    The gas network company, SGN, state that the old metal gas mains are being replaced with new plastic pipe, with a minimum life of 80 years, to ensure a continued safe and reliable supply into the future. This will cost £973,000. 

    Motspur Park Post Office

    The recently relocated post office counter, currently situated in Ecklee International Grocery, is to close. This leaves residents in Motspur Park with nowhere at hand to collect their pensions or for the other myriad things they need to do. The nearest post offices are either in New Malden High Street or Raynes Park, both of which are difficult to get to without a car, and with heavy parking charges for those who drive. We understand that Sima Brothers newsagents, nextdoor to Ecklee, has applied to take over the agency, but that the PO is being rather slow to process the application.

    Open Meeting

    We are having an Open Meeting for residents in Blossom House School, Motspur Park, on Wednesday 13th June, starting at 7.30 pm, with some light refreshments afterwards. Do come and discuss this issue, and any others of concern to you. You will be made very welcome. 

    John Elvidge 

  • Raynes Park Townswomen's Guild

    In May the Raynes Park Townswomen’s Guild ladies are continuing their usual pattern of lunches, visits, social events and monthly meeting.  This will be held at St Saviour’s Church Hall from 1.30 pm on Thursday, 17th May.  The speaker will be Lyn Chalcroft, whose talk is entitled “Dem dry bones”.  The sales table will be ‘Good as New’. 

    Planning for the 85th birthday of the Raynes Park Guild in June is now in full swing.  Our Guild is one of the oldest in the Townswomen’s Guild movement. 

    We are also planning our summer outing to the south coast, this year. As previously, this outing is open to all Residents Ass, Rendezvous Club, Pavilion Club, Friends, Relatives and local couples who would like to join us.  Hope to hear from you. 

    Dorothy Raymond 020 8395 9489

  • Chairman's Report - 2016/2017

    In reviewing the events of the past year, I have to begin on a very sad note. 

    In May Jan Bailey, who had been our Joint Secretary and Minutes Secretary for some 30 years, died very suddenly in her garden. This was totally unexpected, since she was always so full of energy, lively, and extrovert. She knew everything that was happening in our area about planning issues, traffic schemes, and flooding, drains and watercourses, and, if she didn’t know, she knew who to contact to find out. We miss her immensely. 

    Jan also ensured that the developers of the land at Meadowsweet Ditch maintained the free flow of water, and many times cleared it herself to prevent flooding on the properties in Grand Drive. We thank David Rush for taking over from Jan in this essential work. 

    Jan loved trees, and her partner, Gordie, had the excellent idea of planting a tree in her memory in the grounds of our Pavilion in Grand Drive. We published last month the photos of the team who braved the cold to plant it in February. It is a flowering bird cherry. We will be holding a tea party in the spring when the tree will be formally dedicated, and we hope that many of our volunteers will be able to come and join us. 

    We should also remember tonight our members Jim White, who was an Area Co-ordinator and Road Steward for almost 50 years, and Margaret Pye who worked on environmental matters with Jan, and was a regular contributor to our meetings, whose funeral was today. 

    I am very grateful to Jill Truman who took over as our sole Secretary. In addition, she continues to edit The Guide which goes from strength to strength, and is still published 12 times a year.  Her dedication and commitment to the Residents’ Association goes back very many years, and demands all our thanks and congratulations.  

    She was at that time also our Advertising Manager, itself a demanding role, but I want to thank Dick Coleman for taking over that responsibility, and for joining our committee.  He has been very active and imaginative in helping us find new advertisers, as well as retaining the old ones, which is vital if we are to keep The Guide paying for itself, and so keeping our subscriptions to the lowest possible level. 

    To replace Jan as Minutes Secretary we were fortunate to find the ideal person in Clare Townsend, who has thrown herself into the task with great enthusiasm and has brought fresh ideas to our meetings. I would like to thank her for coming forward and for her contributions. 

    Her husband, John Townsend, continues as our Treasurer, and manages our finances with great aplomb and good humour, as well as huge attention to detail.  He will be able to tell us later that we are doing really well financially, despite having taken on the massive demands for a small Association of the building and running of the Pavilion social centre for local residents. I should also like to thank Brian Lewis-Lavender for continuing to audit our accounts. 

    Distributing The Guide each month to our members is itself a major undertaking. Andrew Barwick has been our Distribution Manager for many years, ably assisted by Dick Coleman and George Holder, and I want to thank them for all the hours of work they put into this.  But they and we are dependent on all our Area-Co-Ordinators and Road Stewards, many of whom have delivered The Guide for years. We were very pleased to be able to hold a thank you party for them all, both in the summer during the celebrations for the Queen’s 90th birthday, and at our Christmas Party. This was our best ever, thanks to the initiatives of Clare and John Townsend.   

    We also communicate with a wider public through our website, which grows in importance every year, with an ever-increasing number of enquiries coming in that way. It is kept up to date in content by Jerry Cuthbert and our webmaster is Charles Briscoe-Smith. We would like to thank them both. 

    A large part of the work of the Association continues to be focused on matters of planning and traffic.  We continue to rely heavily on the day to day expertise of David Freeman, Jerry Cuthbert, and Rachel Skinner, and I want to thank them for all the time and energy they bring to this work. We simply could not cope without them. 

    In the past year they have advised us, among other things, on the issues arising from the CrossRail2 proposals.  These will entail over the next few years major changes in this area, including the three stations of Raynes Park, Motspur Park and Wimbledon. We believe that it is likely that Raynes Park station will be moved along the track towards Wimbledon. The proposals may well suggest the closure of the West Barnes and Motspur Park level crossings to allow for the greater frequency of trains. Obviously, this would cause even greater traffic congestion, and probably standstill for much of the day unless alternative provisions are made.  The expectation is that more detailed proposals for this area will be put out for further consultation later this year, and we will ensure that we are well represented at whatever public meetings are called so that we can put our point of view. 

    We have made detailed objections this year to the Council’s proposed introduction of fortnightly rubbish collections and the compulsory use of wheelie bins; and made representations on the plans for a greater housing density on the Atkinson Morley site on Copse Hill, which will bring even more traffic to that area. 

    We have objected strongly to the introduction of a “diesel levy” of an extra £90 this April on residents with diesel cars living in Parking Controlled Zones, which will increase to £150 over three years and raise Merton an extra £861,000.  This gives no opportunity for people to have time to change their cars, which may, in fact, do little mileage. 

    We have also presented detailed objections to the initial proposals of the Boundary Commission to divide up the Parliamentary seat of Wimbledon, which would mean that the London Borough of Merton had no less than 5 MP’s to represent them. 

    We also commented strongly that the Council needed to make further provision for the ever-increasing cost of social care for the elderly and the disabled. 

    But it is fair to say that the major day to day work of the Association is now focused on the Pavilion in Grand Drive, which has been an enormous success since it was re-furbished and opened.  It is a success both in terms of the number of groups now using it, which include yoga and faith meetings, as well as children’s and family parties, and the satisfaction of those users.  It is also a success in the growing income it is bringing into the Association funds. 

    Foremost among these groups is the Pavilion Social Club which was founded in March 2014, and meets every Thursday afternoon with 30 - 40 people attending every week.  It has had some excellent speakers, including the Trading Standards Officer, legal advice on setting up Powers of Attorney, how to keep fit, and manicure and pedicure demonstrations. It also organises some outside visits, and has raised over £150 for charity.  Its success is due to the driving commitment and energy of its two founding organisers, Andrea Hannan and Jill Truman, who create an enveloping warmth and excitement for all. 

    The Pavilion itself is managed by a small group of people who look after the building and its grounds, take the bookings, and open and close the building. The Chair of this group is Jerry Cuthbert, and all of the members of this group deserve a mention and our huge thanks tonight. They are David Freeman, John Townsend, Linda Fitch, Moira Deveson, Howard Phillips, and Tina and Chris Lorimer. 

    We continue to play a full part in the wider meetings of the Raynes Park Association and of the Raynes Park Forum, and I would like to thank our representatives on these bodies, Jerry Cuthbert and Jill Truman for their contribution to these community discussions. 

    I should also mention the valuable help given by all our local councillors, but particularly those from the West Barnes Ward, who attend all our committee meetings.  

    Next year it looks likely that we will be busy not only with sending out our views on the CrossRail 2 proposals, but also on the plans for local hospital provision in this area, about which we are hearing at this meeting. 

    The next calendar year will be 2018. As we were founded as an Association in 1928 we will be 90 years old. We will have to think of some way of celebrating this long tradition of service to the local community.    

    John Elvidge , 5th April 2017

     

  • Chairman's Blog - April 2018

    HOUSEBUILDING TARGETS IN MERTON

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has set new annual housebuilding targets for Merton, which are one of the largest increases in London. He expects the number of new homes to be built every year in the borough to increase from 411 to 1,328,  i.e. 13,280 over the next ten years. 65 per cent of these will need to be “affordable”. 

    He states that London needs to build 66,000 new homes every year to meet the growing need.

    Merton Council’s local plan wants more land to be released for new housing, with more blocks of flats, and increased density.

    In my view, we have done more than our fair share in this area in the last ten years to increase the number of homes.  We have had major developments of flats on the site of St Catherine’s School off Grand Drive. Further down Grand Drive  more flats and townhouses were built on the former sports fields of LESSA and Sun Alliance.  More flats were built in the Waitrose development in the heart of Raynes Park.

    These hundreds of new dwellings were built with minimal contributions by the developers to the cost of the infrastructure necessary to serve these new residents, despite the increased demand on future population growth,  on the health service, schooling, and road traffic. 

     More were due to be built on the Rainbow Industrial site next to Raynes Park station, but this area now appears to be earmarked as a necessary part of the CrossRail II proposals.

    While everyone can agree on the need for more starter homes for younger people, what is depressing is that all the emphasis from the authorities is on building on green areas ( which is much easier and more profitable for the developers)  and not in identifying and using the many brownfield sites that exist everywhere. Nor is any housing authority putting emphasis on converting vacant properties over shops, or turning redundant shops into housing.

     STREET CLEANING

    A resident of Cannon Hill Lane complained to me that her road has not been swept, she believes, since Veolia took over the contract of street cleaning and rubbish collection last April. She also pointed to a large pile of rubbish on the verge which has not been removed despite complaints from her to the Council, and complaints by the local councillors.  Everywhere one sees uncollected litter and rubbish bins that are overflowing.

    It is for the Council to specify to the contractors the frequency with which they must sweep the streets, and empty the bins, and to ensure that this happens. It is clear that they have failed to do so. 

    The Council’s present intention is to move in October this year from weekly to fortnightly collections of landfill rubbish and recycling. The problem of littering will be bound to get even worse. 

     Residents can themselves help by ensuring that items in the recycling bins are weighted down with bottles or heavier items, so that they cannot blow into the street.

    AGM

    The Annual General Meeting of the Association is being held at Raynes Park Library on Wednesday 11th April starting at 7.30. Do come along and have your say on the area and how you think we can help improve it. 

    We will also have the opportunity to hear from Ruth Whitehead on the work of the Paddock Horticultural Society, on the edge of Cannon Hill Common, which is one of the great success stories in the Borough.

    There’s also the chance to chat over a glass or two of wine, and some nibbles. Do come along. You will be made very welcome. 

    John Elvidge 

  • GRAND DRIVE MAJOR CLOSURES FOR 2018

    GRAND DRIVE CLOSED TO NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC FOR 2018 (updated 26/06/2018)

    3 APRIL 2018 – MID MAY 2018 (Completed - Road Re-opened)

    23 JULY 2018 – MID DECEMBER 2018

     

    More Details:

    To enable replacement of gas mains, by SGN (formerly Southern Gas Networks), parts of Grand Drive will be closed completely to north-bound traffic in stages, starting on 3 April 2018 and lasting until December 2018. 

    Stage 1 – Northern end, from Bushey Road up to the railway bridge in Raynes Park. - Work Now Complete.

    Stage 2 – From the Beverley Roundabout northwards to Bushey Road

                     Open for southbound traffic only from 23 July to December 2018. 

                     Thus, Grand Drive will be closed to northbound traffic along its length from 23 July to December 2018. 

    Latest Information 6 June 2018

    As a result of the drop-in sessions that SGN have provided, we now have a better understanding of the proposed road closure for Grand Drive. 

    From 23 July 2018, Grand Drive will be closed to northbound traffic from the Beverley Roundabout all the way to the junction with Bushey Road. This closure will run for 20 weeks. 

    However, southbound traffic from the junction with Bushey Road to the Beverley Roundabout, will continue to be able to use Grand Drive. 

    Access to local streets 

    All the side turnings along Grand Drive will continue to be open but traffic entering Grand Drive from the side streets will have to turn south. Similarly, access into the side streets from Grand Drive will only be possible for southbound traffic. 

    Diverted Traffic 

    A diversion for local traffic wanting to travel north along Grand Drive from the Beverley roundabout to Bushey Road will be signposted, via Hillcross Avenue, Martin Way and Bushey Road. Traffic from further south will be diverted along the A24 (London Road), via Morden and then Martin Way. (See Drawing 1086.05-1A, below). 

    163 Bus 

    However, the northbound 163 bus will continue along Grand Drive to the traffic lights outside John Fisher School, before being diverted along Cannon Hill Lane, Martin Way and Bushey Road. 

    We have now received further information from TfL, which may be read here.

    Diverted HGV Traffic 

    For HGV traffic from further afield, which normally passes northbound along Grand Drive, a diversion will be in place to encourage HGVs away from local roads. This diversion will be signposted via the A24 (London Road), A240 (Ewell Bypass) and A3, passing through North Cheam, Stoneleigh and Tolworth. (See drawing 1086.05-2, below)

    SGN’s leaflet about this project may be found here.

     

    Drawing 1086.05-1A – Diversion for Local Northbound Traffic

     

     

    Drawing 1086.05-2 – Diversion for Northbound HGVs.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Heathrow Third Runway - March 2018

    Heathrow Airport Third Runway - Public Consultation 

    There has been a Heathrow Extension road-show travelling around London and the home counties, promoting the recent public consultation. There have been two concurrent consultations, both triggered by the planned third runway, “Airport Expansion” and “Airspace Principles”. Whilst our members are likely to hold a range of opinions about the third runway and its impacts, this article is limited to considering whether any potential changes to the existing flight paths, in and out of Heathrow may affect Raynes Park. Hence, the following focuses on the information concerning the Airspace Principles consultation. 

    Much information is available at https://www.heathrowconsultation.com/ . The consultation closed on 28 March 2018. 

    The public opinions being sought are to do with establishing airspace design principles. For example, 

    • ·         How take-off routes might be modified (e.g. over green space or urban areas)
    • ·         Options for the resulting noise impact being spread or concentrated.
    • ·         The effect alternative routes might have on emissions
    • ·         Making use of new aircraft and traffic control technology
    • ·         Night flights

    Because these are “design principles” rather than “design development”, it seems premature at this stage to expect information to be available about how flight paths might be affected  by the third runway. 

    However, the information states that Heathrow Air Traffic Control takes over from NATS (formerly National Air Traffic Services) at 11,000 ft. So Heathrow is responsible for take-offs and landings and NATS for the incoming “stacks”. 

    There is information available on the Heathrow website on existing flight paths. This is summarised below, together with conclusions on the how third runway might affect Raynes Park. 

    Arrivals stacks.

             There are four arrivals stacks which are the responsibility of NATS, two to the north of London and two to the south.  These have remained in the same locations since they were first started in the 1960’s. Although Heathrow controls the arrivals routes from the bottom of each stack, the landing routes into Heathrow are therefore determined by the location of the NATS stacks. 

              RPWBRA members have probably observed planes travelling in a northerly direction to the east of Raynes Park, before turning for their final approach to Heathrow. This is because Raynes Park is located just to the west of the point where the landing routes converge from the bottoms of the two southern stacks, located over Ockham and Biggin. 

    Westwards take-off routes.

              The take-off corridors towards the west from Heathrow do not affect Raynes Park. 

    Eastwards take-off routes.

              Raynes Park is on the southern edge of the eastward take-off corridor for planes heading towards destinations to the southeast. Wimbledon Village and Wimbledon Common are thus closer to this route than Raynes Park. 

              Heathrow publishes a calendar of when the Eastwards and Westwards corridors are scheduled to be used. 

    Conclusions

    With the advent of the third runway, the impact of aircraft noise on Raynes Park might not change significantly, unless either: 

    ·           The locations of the NATS stacks were to be altered in some way. (However, this is not the subject of the current consultation), or 

    ·           The Southeast take-off corridor was to be altered significantly. 

    Jerry Cuthbert  19/03/2018

     

  • Raynes Park Townswomen's Guild - April 2018

    A large group of  members met to enjoy lunch at the Lime and Thyme Restaurant in Raynes Park, and the following week a group of 9 ladies visited Bourne Hall in Ewell.  The upstairs museum documenting local history and development, featuring well known Epsom and Ewell historic personalities and, of course, the Race Course and Derby, proved fascinating.  As a bonus, downstairs was an equally fascinating temporary display featuring pictures of the 1953 Coronation Celebrations.  After this, we welcomed tea, light lunch and a sit outside in the sun in the gardens!

     At our monthly meeting in St Saviour’s Church Hall our speaker was Peter Smith whose talk was entitled ‘Living in a Lighthouse’.  Peter told us that practically every male member of the family for generations had been lighthouse keepers.  If not they were lifeboat crew members or strongly connected to the lifeboat organisation.  Peter himself spent his childhood in various lighthouses, a short while at Whitby, but mainly on the many Cornish lights.  With pictures of the periodic delivery of supplies, fishing off the rocks, and the lighthouse completely enveloped in spray and water in rough weather, our Chairman asked how they were constructed.  Apparently, it takes many years – a survey of the rock into which granite foundation stones, hewn by stonemasons to fit exactly are placed.  Similarly, each of the walls is hewn by stonemasons with stones to fit exactly.  No mortar is used.  The last piece added at the top locks the construction solid.

     Our next meeting at St Saviour’s Church Hall at 1.30 for 1.45 pm will be on Thursday, 19th April.  The speaker will be Claire Nethersole from Merton Age Concern.  Visitors or new members are always welcome to our small but friendly group. 

    Dorothy Raymond

  • St Saviour's May Fair - 7 May 2018

    St Saviour’s May Fair will be held on Bank Holiday Monday, 7th May 2018, from 12 noon to 3pm. This annual event gives St Saviour’s the opportunity to welcome local residents, as well as those from further afield, to the church in Grand Drive. As usual there will be a BBQ and other refreshments plus the crowning of the May Queen, Maypole Dancing and a Balloon Race. A wide variety of games and side shows will be there plus numerous other stalls and a grand draw. Admission is FREE.

  • 18/P0183 - Beverley Meads Playing Fields

    Artificial Grass Pitches on Beverley Meads Playing Fields? 

    A planning application has been lodged by Wimbledon Rugby Club to install artificial grass pitches on the public open space and Metropolitan Open land that currently form the sports grounds of Beverley Meads and Drax that adjoin Fishpond Woods and Wimbledon Common.  

    The application which includes a concrete base for the grass, asphalt hard standing for spectators, a two-metre high bund around the application area, a 1.5 metre white picket fence, as well as more floodlighting has outraged many residents living in the adjoining, mostly privately maintained roads. 

    Objectors point out that apart from the blot on the landscape that this proposal implies, the increased usage (10.00-21.00 hrs on weekdays and 10.00-20.00 at the weekends) will put intolerable pressure on the surrounding roads, as there is insufficient parking provision already; as well as considerable intrusion into their own right to some peaceful enjoyment of their surroundings. 

    It will be interesting to see how the Council will react to the pressures from significant bodies such as the RFU and Sports England for approval.  To residents, it simply smacks of over-commercialisation and despoilment of public open space. 

    Details of the application and associated documents can be found on Planning Explorer by going to www.merton.gov.uk/Planning, inputting planning application number 18/P0183 and clicking on that number again, when the details come up.

  • Improved services for Mental Health

    Hannah Pearson, from Merton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), updated the Raynes Park Forum on future Commissioning Group intentions. The slides from her presentation can be found here 

    In response to questions from residents Hannah said Mental Health policy is a high priority for the CCG and there have been a number of recent improvements to local mental health services including:

    • Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service – provides support for anxiety, depression and other conditions
    • Merton Rapid Intervention service – a multi-disciplinary team that includes Mental Health professionals - and aims to prevent hospital admissions
    • Crisis Cafés – informal, drop-in support services.
  • Raynes Park Townswomen's Guild - March 2018

    Once again, the Magnificent Music Hall at Wimbledon Theatre at the end of January gave us a varied, professional and entertaining matinee show enjoyed by the Townswomen’s Guild and groups from several clubs in the Raynes Park area and surrounding districts.  This company’s annual visit to Wimbledon is always popular. 

    The principal activity in February has been socialising over lunch.  First, we visited the busy Morden Brook Pub at Lower Morden roundabout.  A delay in service was forecast by bar staff, but in the event the food arrived in a reasonable time and was judged to be good. 

    Our second visit was to Merton & Morden Guild of Social Service at Morden to join them for their St Valentine’s Lunch.  With a party of 9 TWG ladies boosting their normal numbers, the Guild had to work hard to squeeze everyone in.  The food for a three-course lunch was very good.  Our ladies were very appreciative of the pianist who tinkled the ivories while we ate, and the volunteers who worked smoothly to serve the food and clear tables.  Many thanks to Merton & Morden Guild for this friendly and pleasant lunchtime visit. 

    The following afternoon our monthly meeting at St Saviour’s Church Hall was the AGM.  The committee were returned to office unanimously.  Then, we were very pleased two members volunteered to join the Committee.  Later the Merton & Morden Guild of Social Service was adopted as our charity for the year.  It was agreed the August outing will be on Thursday, 16th to WORTHING.   As usual this outing will be open to all to join us to make a successful coach trip.  Cost and details will follow. 

    March activities include Lunch at the Lime & Thyme, Raynes Park on Wednesday, 7th and a visit to the Museum at Bourne Hall, Ewell on Tuesday, 13th.  Our next meeting at St Savour’s Church Hall will be at 1.30 for 1.45 on Thursday, 15th March. 

    Dorothy Raymond  020 8395 9489

  • Our AGM - 11 April 2018

    NOTICE OF MEETING - THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

    of the Raynes Park & West Barnes Residents’ Association

    will be held at the Raynes Park Library Meeting Rooms (Aston Road entrance) 

    ON WEDNESDAY 11th APRIL 2018 at 7.30 p.m.

    AGENDA

    1,         Apologies for Absence

    2.         Chairman’s Report on the Work of the Association during 2017/18

    3.         Treasurer’s Report

    4.         Election of Officers and Committee 

    Break for Refreshments

     

    5.         Speaker:  Ruth Whitehead, Paddock Horticultural Society

    6.         Updates on current Planning Matters

    7.         Residents’ Forum and Any Other Business 

    Please bring a copy of ‘The Guide’ with you to verify your membership

  • Chairman's Blog - March 2018

    NEW SECONDARY SCHOOL 

    The council reports that hundreds more parents are applying for school places this year, due to the rise in population and the improvement in local school results.   The council has received 2,296 admission applications for September 2018, which is 268 more than last year. They say that there is an urgent need to build a new secondary school. 

     A new Harris Academy Wimbledon is due to open on a temporary site in September this year at Whatley Avenue (off Martin Way).  This will be a non-selective state school for both girls and boys. The school is due to move to a permanent new school building in High Path, South Wimbledon, in September 2020. 

    Official figures from the government show that all the borough’s secondary schools continue to be judged good or outstanding by Ofsted; and Department of Education results show that the progress pupils locally have made between the end of Key Stage 2 and the end of Key Stage 4 in eight subject qualifications, with maths and English given extra weight, is among the best in the country. 

    ROAD TRAFFIC CRASHES AT THE JUNCTION OF CROSSWAY AND WESTWAY 

    The local Guardian reports that a resident of Westway has seen six crashes at the junction of his road with Crossway within the last two years, and that he has had to replace his fence three times due to cars crashing into it. He is demanding that the council narrow the road or that CCTV measures are put in place to prevent a serious injury at this junction. 

    It is a very busy junction, particularly in the rush hour, and used by vehicles going to and from the two level crossings. Many pedestrians, including children, need to cross it.

    The council states that it will carry out a further investigation into road safety in the area and will ask for police reports. 

    BUILDERS CHURNING UP GRASS VERGES 

    The trend for people to improve their homes by building extensions, including loft extensions, means that a number of local roads now have large builders’ and scaffolding lorries parked near them for much of the day. These roads are often narrow and were not designed for vehicular use. The result is that the lorries park on grass verges, leaving wheel ruts and destroying the grass, or else on the pavement or asphalt verge, damaging that.  Prime examples of this can be seen in Heath Drive, off Grand Drive. 

    I understand that it is a requirement of planning permission that builders reinstate public property that has been damaged, but it is not always possible to find out which builder has caused which damage.  

    The problems in Heath Drive have been reported to the council by the Councillors.  Building inspectors, when they certify the extensions, need also to make a note of the damage done to the local infrastructure, and ensure that this is re-instated at the builders’ cost.

     

    AGM

    Our AGM will be held on the 11 April 2018. Click here for further details.

    John Elvidge

  • Crossrail 2 - Update February 2018

    Whilst the Crossrail 2 project team continue to liaise with our Raynes Park community, in reality, not much new information has been forthcoming since the last round of consultation in 2015/16. As yet, we still have no real detail about how Raynes Park might be affected, apart from what might be implied from the broad brush information from over two years ago. 

    In 2017, Crossrail 2 prepared its strategic business case and submitted it to the Transport Secretary. While this showed that London could pay for half of the scheme over its life, ‎the Mayor for London and Transport Secretary agreed to see how London might fund half of the scheme during construction. This would seem to imply that London’s 50% share of the funding was partly predicated on income streams generated by the new railway and associated developments along its route.

     

    In February 2018, it was announced that the government has called for an independent financial review to look at the project’s overall financial viability and whether or not the costs might be reduced. What the outcome will be remains to be seen. However, it may affect the overall scope and its phasing.

     

    Therefore, no further formal public consultation is anticipated until this new assessment has been completed and reviewed by the Department for Transport. This whole process is expected to take another year, putting back any further public consultation at least until early 2019.

     

    Whilst this is news, in reality, it heralds further delays and continued uncertainty for the project. How the Gordian Knot of funding the construction of Crossrail 2 might be untangled, remains to be seen. 

     

    Jerry Cuthbert 22/02/2018

  • Proposed Development at Barnes End

    Proposed Development at Barnes End, KT3 6PB

    17/P3991 & 17/P3989 

    Letters have been flooding into Merton Council’s Planning Department in objection to a proposal to knock down some admittedly unsightly garages and replacing them with three houses.  

    Objections centre on the loss of the garages themselves, which are let out mainly for storage purposes, loss of light and privacy. The proposal appears to involve the knocking down of an existing wall separating the two sites and the resultant loss of security as well as additional traffic and parking in an already very congested area.

  • Best Wishes to John Braden

    JOHN BRADEN, MBE – LOCAL MILKMAN AND FRIEND 

    In this month's blog, our chairman, John Elvidge, tells us about the retirement of John Braden, a cherished and admired member of our community for nearly 50 years. 

    This is why: one neighbour who ‘inherited’ John on moving here in 1992 speaks of his ‘reassuring presence’ and undemonstrative but spontaneous kindness to another neighbour, a widower who was living alone with very few visitors. John would deliver the milk into his kitchen with a friendly word. 

    Another customer speaks of the posters that used to be on her classroom wall when she was five years old, back in the early 1950s. They were called People Who Help Us and there were three: The Policeman, the Postman and The Milkman. 'Nowadays we rarely see The Policeman who is busy elsewhere, the Postman seems to change every few months, but - luckily for us - The Milkman remains the same affable presence that we knew sixty years ago. What was once true for us has still been true for our grandchildren.' 

    Another fan writes:  

    John, who has been driving his ‘Milk & More’ van and timely serving his customers, is a jolly face to look forward to every morning. We have been his customers over a couple of decades. Our friendly experience – he is always cracking jokes - is pleasant to remember. We send best wishes for his retirement, a well-earned time of his life. 

    Many people mention John's conversations on the doorstep, referring especially to his holidays - the animated anticipation and then the relaxed retrospect. But I can think at once of so many more topics that have arisen spontaneously: backache, stolen cars, computers, researching family trees, the state of the dairy business (no surprise there), the foibles of education, mental arithmetic and its superiority over calculators…has anyone known John get a bill wrong?  And the changes that forty years have brought to Raynes Park. 

    We might go on getting the milk, but after February we'll surely miss the warm and generous chat that comes with it.
     

    Tom

     

     

  • West Barnes Library - Feb 2018

    News from West Barnes Library... 

    About our Volunteers

    There are currently 36 volunteers at West Barnes Library, who perform a range of duties that assist the permanent staff and allow the library to maintain its opening hours.  (The spur for the present Monday volunteering,  in particular, and the formation of the Friends of West Barnes Library, was when, in 2011, it seemed possible that the library might have to close on Mondays. The support offered by the Friends and those who volunteered to cover Mondays meant the library could remain open five days a week.)

    Volunteers' work include 'meeting and greeting' those using the library; assisting library users with the computers and printing; shelving books and ensuring that books are in the right order (so they can be found!); locating books required by other libraries; setting out (and putting away) furniture and equipment for events (such as local history talks and the Rendezvous Group).  Many volunteers are also involved in activities organised by the Friends of the library. 

    Ever since the Friends of West Barnes Library was formed in 2011, there has been a close connection between them and the volunteers.  Most of those involved in organising the Friends are, or have been, library volunteers.  The Friends organise Quiz Nights, fairs, Board Games evenings, local history talks and talks by authors, and from time to time buy items for the library--such as the tables and a sandwich board given during the past year.  

    Toby Ewin

  • Parking Charges - Kingston Hospital

    A Letter Received about KINGSTON HOSPITAL’S PROPOSAL TO CHARGE PARKING FEES FOR BLUE BADGE HOLDERS 

    "I write to you as somebody whom I believe to be involved in a Residents' Association in [the] Kingston [area]. For those of you who do not know me, I'm James Giles, a community activist in New Malden and I am involved in a number of community organisations here.

    "You may [not] be aware that, from 22nd January, Kingston Hospital is set to introduce parking fees for those with blue badges, i.e. disabled people. Until this point, parking has been free.

    "The Kingston Independent Residents Group (KIRG) has launched a campaign to reinstate free parking at Kingston Hospital for blue badge holders, branding proposed changes by the NHS Trust a ‘disgrace’

    "I ask you if you would please be so kind as to distribute the link to this very urgent petition to your members and residents. It is so important that we demonstrate to the hospital the damage that this will cause to the most vulnerable in Kingston.

    http://kingstonindependents.org.uk.gridhosted.co.uk/news-and-updates/urgent-petition-to-save-free-parking-at-kingston-hospital-for-disabled-people/

    "If you are not on-line you can write to:  Cllr. M. Clark, at 135c South Lane, New Malden, Surrey KT3 5HQ.  Cllr. Clark is the Kingston Councillor who will be addressing this matter on the Health Scrutiny Committee.

    "Thank you in advance for your support.

    "James Giles"

  • Chairman's Blog - Feb 2018

    Our Milkman

    The milkman whose round has covered the whole of the West Barnes area every week for almost 50 years is retiring at the end of February.   He is John Braden MBE who is a familiar figure to very many of our Members. We wish him and his family all the best for a long and well-deserved retirement.

    John began working or United Dairies in August 1968 (now Milk & More) and has had to start 5 or 6 days a week, winter and summer and in all weathers, by 3.30 am, for a round that is not completed until the afternoon.

    John’s round covers such roads as Cannon Hill Lane, Parkway, Elm Walk, Southway, Westway, Oakway, Linkway, Grand Drive, and all the roads off.

    One of our Members has rightly described him as a “very reliable, conscientious, and kind-hearted man, who is thoughtful, cheerful, sociable, and has made a huge contribution to his neighbourhood and its sense of community”. 

    John was awarded the MBE for his actions in noticing that an elderly lady in Southway had not collected her milk from the previous day, and saw through the letter box that she had fallen in the hall.  This saved her life. Her neighbours in Southway asked for his public-spirited action and his general community service to be rewarded, and he was presented with the MBE.

    If you would like to mark your appreciation of John’s service, we are making a collection to present to him. Contributions can be sent or taken to John Townsend, our Treasurer at 128 Grand Drive, and clearly marked “Donation – John Braden”, or given to the person nominated to collect for your road.  

    Wimbledon Police Station

    We reported previously that the Mayor of London is to close and sell off Wimbledon Police Station, among many others, claiming that the savings are needed to protect the jobs of front line staff. The Times reported before Christmas that the university lecturer who lives in Wimbledon and who suffered horrific injuries during a raid by four thugs on his family home hopes to prevent this closure by bringing a judicial review in the High Court. He believes that his life was only saved because officers from the police station arrived within 8 minutes of receiving the 999 call from his daughter who was hiding upstairs.

    The Consultation Institute, a not for profit organisation, has stated that the formal public consultation “falls significantly short in best practice standards”.  He hopes to raise £5,000 to pursue the legal challenge.   We can only wish him all the best.

    Thames Water Leak

    As I write there is a major water leak in Firstway which was first reported before Christmas, but which has got steadily worse since. Nothing was done to repair it till 9pm on 12 January when emergency work had to begin, since the road surface was breaking up and a pothole appeared, deep enough to damage vehicles, 12” x 12” x 3”.  The sudden increase in the leak meant that the residents in Firstway had no notice of their water being cut off. We are indebted to our Road Steward Chris Quinby for keeping us up to date with information. 

    Plans had been made to repair the water main over a two-week period which would have necessitated one way working up Grand Drive and major traffic disruption over the whole area. Fortunately, the repairs were eventually carried out quite quickly and without the anticipated traffic disruption  .

    London’s Polluted Air

    The Mayor of London is consulting on plans to help tackle London’s toxic air pollution, which contributes to thousands of early deaths each year. These include proposals to extend tighter emission standards for diesel vehicles to the whole of London for lorries, buses, and other heavy goods vehicles in 2020, and for all vehicles within the North and South Circular roads in 2021.

    If you want to comment, visit https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/environment/air-quality-consultation-phase-3b  or write to FREEPOST, TFL CONSULTATIONS by 28th February. 

    John Elvidge

     

     

     

  • Leaking Water Main in Grand Drive

    Expect Traffic Disruption in Raynes Park - Jan 2018

    Thames Water is currently working out a strategy for the temporary traffic lights necessary for them to repair the leaking water main under Grand Drive, at the junction with Firstway.  They are not sure what they’ll find until they start digging! 

    It’ll probably be quite a long job; first excavation, then investigation, followed by repairing the pipes and re-instatement of the holes and road surface. 

    Temporary traffic lights are anticipated to be necessary, to allow working on one side of the road first and then perhaps switching to the other. Whether this can be co-ordinated with the lights at the junctions of Bushey Road and Approach Road by the bridge, remains to be seen.  

    Whatever happens, it’s likely to cause traffic jams for several weeks.

  • Raynes Park Association - Jan 2018

    Raynes Park Enhancement Plan

    Railway News

    A meeting was held between Paul McGarry LBM, Neil Milligan LBM, Tony Edwards, Chris Edge & Chris Larkman.  The purpose of the meeting had been to discuss how to respond to a recent unhelpful email from Kirsty Scott (Network Rail) regarding improvements to Raynes Park Station.  It was agreed that Chris Larkman would raise the issues with Stephen Hammond who has subsequently agreed to call a meeting at Westminster with Network Rail and key RPA members.

    Advertising Hoardings

    The RPA has also askedLBM to take enforcement action against the owners of the property on Coombe Lane at the junction of Durham Road for removal of the advertising hoardings.  Chris Larkman has alsomet with Shay Brown, Station Manager, who has agreed to note the matters which are specifically South West Rail to see how she can assist. 

    Bins to the North of the Skew Arch.  Stephen Crowe agreed that these bins should be removed, and he is going to follow up on this.

     

    Local Business Issues

    It was reported that cars continue to travel the wrong way on the one-way system, and there have been ‘several accidents’ including one serious one which was witnessed by Julie Donabie from her shop.  Julie also said there has been several ‘smash and grab’ robberies including one opposite her shop when someone on a scooter smashed a car window to steal a bag.  She claimed there are still problems with flooding and illegal parking e.g. on pavements.  

     

    It was noted that Thames Water had made it clear at the last Community Forum that issues of flooding relating to the public sewer should be reported directly to them on 0800 807 060 or 0800 316 9800 rather than LBM.  Blocked drains remain LBM’s responsibility.

     

    New Malden – Raynes Park Pedestrian & Cycle Route

    This has now been formally approved.  Details of the route through Raynes Park to be consulted on soon.

     

    CrossRail2

    Jerry Cuthbert noted that the project was not given the formal go-ahead in the budget, though it had received a brief mention.  

     Chris Larkman

  • Townswomen's Guild - Jan 2018

    Alice in Winterland – the Christmas show at the Rose Theatre, Kingston – was enjoyed by a small party from the TWG.  Loosely based on the Alice in Wonderland tale it proved to be a delightful well produced play with a big cast, incorporating music and dance, and large creatures animated by teams of the cast.  For those looking for something a little different from the usual pantomime this was perfect. 

    The Christmas Lunch was very well attended, arranged at The Leather Bottle, Merton.  Members had a choice of menu, all variations being well received by members. 

    Our first meeting in the New Year will be on Thursday, 18th January at 1.30 at St Saviour’s Church Hall.  Mel Rees will give a talk entitled ‘My family and other setbacks’.  As always, visitors will be welcome. 

    Best wishes from the Townswomen’s Guild for a healthy and happy 2018. 

    Dorothy Raymond

     

     

  • Chairman's Blog - Jan 2018

    ALL ENGLAND CLUB SPORTS GROUND IN GRAND DRIVE 

    As we reported in the December edition of The Guide, the All England Club is proposing to provide additional tennis facilities at their ground off Grand Drive. 

    These include an additional air dome over three acrylic courts, which will be situated behind the present air dome, i.e. on the opposite side from the houses in Cannon Hill Lane. They also want to build 16 new international standard grass courts which will be used by the players competing in the Wimbledon Championship.  In keeping with their wish to work with the local community, these grass courts will be available to use by local people, after registration and booking, for a nominal sum after the end of the Tournament and until the end of September. There is an all-year-round Community Tennis Programme on the acrylic courts. A new clubhouse is also being built. 

    The Club hosted two consultation meetings and sent out invitations to the 300 surrounding residents in Cannon Hill Lane, Elm Walk, Southway, and Grand Drive.  I attended one of these, and there was a steady flow of residents in attendance. 

    As part of their proposals they intend to deal with the remaining flooding issues at the ground that have caused major problems over the years to some of the surrounding properties. These include the blockages that often occur to the Meadowsweet Ditch which prevents storm water running off.  The residents were particularly interested in these. 

    The Ground is the home of the Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative and over 350 children from local schools now visit the site for coaching every weekend. The Club’s coaching team visits 69 schools in Merton and Wandsworth, giving taster sessions and selecting pupils to receive coaching at the Ground.

    It also is the training base for the Wimbledon ball boys and ball girls, all of whom are drawn from local schools.   

    A sports pitch will be retained for community use on the eastern section of the site. 

    One suggested proposal which may cause controversy is for maintenance vehicles to be able to access the ground off Cannon Hill Lane. Given the outcry this caused when this was proposed as a main access for residential use, we hope that this will not be proceeded with in the formal application.  

    The Club intends to lodge this by the end of January, and, of course, anyone affected by the proposals can object at that stage.  In the meantime, comments can be sent via e-mail to consulation@rolfe-judd.co.uk or by post to: Raynes Park Phase 2 Proposals, c/o Rolfe Judd Planning, Old Church Court, Claylands Road, London, SW18 1NZ. 

    CLOSURE OF TWO NATWEST BANK BRANCHES 

    The Royal Bank of Scotland has announced that it intends to close 197 NatWest branches by June 2018. These include the branch in Morden and that in Wimbledon Village. Of course, the branch In Raynes Park was closed some years ago. That will only leave the branch in the town centre of Wimbledon open for local customers. 

    The Bank, which is still largely owned by the taxpayer, justifies this on the grounds that the number of customers using branches has fallen by 40% in recent years in favour of customers using online and mobile transactions.  That still leaves 60% of customers who want to access a branch. 

    I have to say that this is a totally retrograde decision.  People have many reasons why they to want to talk to a cashier in person. There are often queues of people at the Morden branch. As a customer of NatWest, I regularly use the branches that are to close in preference to that in the Town Centre, since every time I go there, there is a long queue of people waiting to see the cashiers. The queue is made worse since in each branch there are now only two over worked cashiers available to see people. 

    I suppose that it is useless to protest, but it is a woeful example of a state run organisation putting its own wish to maximise profits against the wishes and needs of the people it is supposed to serve. 

    HAPPY NEW YEAR 

    This year we will achieve 90 years of existence as a Residents’ Association, a major achievement.  We will be letting you know how we are proposing to celebrate this anniversary year. 

    Meanwhile, a Happy New Year to all our Members and readers. 

     

    John Elvidge 

  • The "HMRC" Scam

    Watch Out – the HMRC Scam is back

    Residents are reporting that they are once again receiving scam telephone calls purporting to be from HMRC, and informing them that due to their failure to pay the correct tax they are being taken to Court.  The perpetrators then leave a number to call back on.  To many of us this is an obvious scam, but to some this could give rise to anxiety and the urge to call back to find out what it’s all about. 

     

    Just ignore the call. HMRC would not contact you in this way, and who knows what calling back might cost you!

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townswomen's Guild - Dec 2017

    During her talk “40 years of Quilting” Mrs Gillian Harris covered a table with an amazing array of quilted items which she produced from a seemingly bottomless case.  These illustrated different styles and designs, using hand and machine stitching techniques.  After questions ladies were intrigued to examine in detail the various items set out over the table.  We all admired the artistry and patience shown in effectively mastering this time consuming, but very worth-while, skill. 

    A repeat visit to Charterhouse.  A second small group of ladies visited this historic building in Charterhouse Square, close to The Barbican.  In summary, this building began as a monastery, became a Tudor Palace and dwelling, then the original home of the Charterhouse School (with many well- known old boys – e.g. Thackeray, Baden- Powell) and currently it’s an almshouse, under the Trust, for ‘brothers’. 

    The local area federation of Townswomen’s Guilds’ autumn lunch was held at South Thames College, Merton, on 15th November.  Eleven ladies, spread over two tables, enjoyed an extremely good meal, with well prepared and presented tasty food which was ably prepared and served by College students.  We hope this venue is selected by the federation committee on a future occasion. 

    Our regular meeting on 16th November featured a talk entitled ‘Gardens of Japan’ by Colin Jones, who is Chairman of Sanderstead Horticultural Society.  It is amazing how many of our favourite garden plants originated in Japan – hostas, hydrangeas, Japanese anemone, wisteria, azaleas and rhododendrons and, of course, maples.  Japanese gardens are designed to be ‘islands of serenity’ often with a limited palette of colours and featuring water, a tea house, lanterns, pines and maples.  Mr Jones illustrated his talk with beautiful slides, also showing intriguing examples of moss and gravel gardens.  I loved the idea of constructing a rope framework in autumn to protect the shaped pines from being damaged in the snow!  He ended of course with pretty shots of the cherry blossom.  Japanese people have such an interest in this ornamental cherry blossom they monitor and report its opening progress from south to north on television.  Spread over several latitudes, it moves at a rate of 4 miles a day up the Japanese islands. 

    Raynes Park TWG Christmas Lunch is to be held at The Leather Bottle on Tuesday, 7 December; we will attend Alice in Winterland at The Rose on Tuesday, 12 December and finally our Christmas Party is at St Saviours at 1.30 pm on Thursday, 21st December 2017. 

    We would love you to come and join us. 

    Dorothy Raymond, 020 8395 9489

     

     

  • Wimbledon Police Station - Closure

    Planned Closure of Wimbledon Police Station

    As many of you will have had by now, on the 1st November, the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime announced the result of their engagement consultation regarding the closure of several police stations across the MET, including Wimbledon police Station.

    For us in Merton the impact is relatively significant. They have announced the planned sale of Wimbledon Police Stationto release £7m and save £444k pa running costs. However, an important caveat is that this may take up to two years to go through.

    The report also announces that the 24/7 front counter provision for Merton will move to Mitcham Police Station.

    MOPAC said “While opposition to these proposals was significant, there was no specific proposal set out by respondents which would allow us to revise our plans whilst also meeting the requirements to make significant savings across the MPS estate, and ensure capital receipts are as high as possible.” 

    Borough Commander Steve Wallace made these points:

    ·                     We currently respond effectively to emergency and non-emergency Borough calls from Wimbledon – we are confident this would be maintained at Mitcham Station

    ·                     Having the 24/7 front office at Wimbledon does work well now – but could also work at Mitcham and logically follows the 24/7 location 

    Some other important points:

    ·                     Mitcham front counter will be refurbished and upgraded

    ·                     Actively looking for “DWO hubs” in Wimbledon for officers to work from

    ·                     The ‘One ‘O’ Clock Club’ site in Wimbledon park is being retained as a DWO hub. 

    Neighbourhood Watch committee

    The neighbourhood Watch committee, who are made up of local neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators, are really keen to hear from anyone who can spare some time to help improve and expand the work we do to help keep Merton safe. You do not need any prior experience, just a keen interest in community safety and the ability to get stuck in and work as part of a team.  

    Lee Roberts, Neighbourhood Watch Manager

  • Merton's New Local Plan

    Have Your Say (until 8th January 2018) 

    Merton ise starting to ask for everybody’s views on Merton’s borough-wide Local Plan. If you are interested, please follow the link below to some short questionnaires:

     www.merton.gov.uk/newlocalplan 

    This is the very first stage of a new Local Plan that by 2019 will replace Merton’s Core Planning Strategy and the Sites and Policies Plan. It will not replace Merton’s Estates Local Plan. 

    Call for policy ideas and sites for allocation 

    At this first stage, Merton is looking for people’s ideas that may help shape future planning policies. The London Borough of Merton would also like to hear from you if you know of any potential development sites for allocation:

     www.merton.gov.uk/newlocalplan 

    Merton’s Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy 

    Merton is also asking residents and others to submit projects for the neighbourhood proportion (15%) of the Community Infrastructure Levy. The questionnaire is available via the same link.

    www.merton.gov.uk/newlocalplan  

    The Council saya it is happy to receive responses via email or letter to this email address or the postal address below. However, if you would like to respond by email or letter for the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy fund, please take a look at the questionnaire (either within the survey or in the MS Word document uploaded on the same page of the website) as it sets out the council’s criteria for considering projects. 

    Also, don’t hesitate to contact the Future Merton Team, at Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden SM4 5DX; Tel: 020 8545 3837; Email: future.merton@merton.gov.uk ,if you have any comments or questions.

     

  • Chairman's Blog - December 2017

    ALL ENGLAND CLUB SPORTS GROUND IN GRAND DRIVE

    We have received late notice of a public consultation at the end of November and in early December about the proposed expansion of the All England Lawn Tennis Club in Grand Drive. This is the sports ground bounded by Southway, Elm Walk, and Cannon Hill Lane.

    It has a large indoor tennis court, changing rooms, as well as many outdoor courts.  Members of the Committee were invited to see the facilities in the summer, and they have been built to the highest possible standards. The grounds are used by the Club for the tennis and fitness training of local children, as part of their community outreach programme, and all local schools are invited to send pupils. On the Saturday we were there, it was full of children of all ages, with enthusiastic coaches.

    The Club now wants to expand the facilities, which may include building a further indoor court, and will probably need planning permission to do so.  There were objections from residents to the present indoor court. We hope that the Club will hold a further public consultation in the New Year, but this time with an extended notice period.

    WIMBLEDON POLICE STATION

    The Mayor of London’s policing and crime office announced on November 1st that Wimbledon Police Station, on Queen’s Road, is to close.   This is despite the representations made by all local politicians that the station is needed, particularly because of the high profile of the Wimbledon fortnight and the night time economy, which brings anti-social problems, in the town centre. The 24/7 front counter will instead be Mitcham police station.

    Sadiq Khan confirmed that more than half of London’s 73 remaining police stations are to close, with many of the buildings sold off to help raise £165 million.  The sale of the station in Wimbledon could raise up to £10 million and save a further £500,000 in running costs.  This may take two years to happen.

    The Merton Police Borough Commander has promised to keep residents informed about proposals also to merge police teams in the boroughs of Merton, Wandworth, Richmond, and Kingston into one large south west borough commander unit. The intention is to increase the number of neighbourhood police based at ward level “hubs”.  There will be more focus on reporting crimes over the phone and online.    

    WHY CHANGE THE CLOCKS?

    Once again the clocks have gone back an hour, and it is dark by mid-afternoon.  Why is it that Parliament, which seems, at the moment, to have little to do in legislative terms, can’t do what the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has wanted for years, and see the clocks moved permanently forward during the winter. It is accepted that more people are killed and injured on the roads during the dark evenings than would be in the dark mornings. There would also be considerable savings in energy costs. It would make the most of the shorter daylight hours.

    The reason for not legislating is always said to be that the Scots would not support it. But they now have their own Parliament and could easily opt out if they wanted to.

    Season’s greetings and a happy Christmas to one and all.

     

    John Elvidge

  • Notes - RPWBRA Open Meeting - 12/09/2017

    In attendance: 

    Cllrs. Mary Jane Jeanes, Brian and Gilli Lewis Lavender; The Committee; Association Members; Guests, Rev Peter Kelly, Dr Ruth Charlton, Dr James March and Clare Prodlock.

    John Elvidge opened the meeting by welcoming all present, and introducing the Guest speakers. 

    Firstly, he invited the Rev. Peter Kelly, of St. Saviour’s Church, to speak.   He had come along to introduce himself to the Association, and explain what had been happening at St. Saviour’s during the last nine months since he took over his role as priest in charge. He had to get to another meeting by 8.00 p.m. which is why he took first place.  The Chairman’s Comment in the October issue of the Guide referred to this impromptu and welcome visit. 

    We had also invited representatives from the Epsom & St. Helier NHS Trust.   We were delighted to meet the joint Deputy Chief Executives Dr. Ruth Charlton and Dr. James March. As well as the Trust’s communications Director, Claire Proudlock.   The very interesting video that they brought along, and the information about how the Trust had progressed since we last heard from them a year ago, was well received and covered by the Chairman’s comment last month.  Perhaps the most surprising fact to many of us was to learn that the Trust had kept inbudget, unlike so many others. 

    Proposed Telecoms Mast – Combe Lane/Cambridge Road. 

    A Coombe Lane resident, Mr. Otto Hoenig, spoke of his concerns over the proposals for a telephone mast in Coombe Lane. He had attended the meeting on behalf of his neighbours to seek the Association’s advice and support in objecting to a proposed re-siting of a telecoms mast from the Rainbow Estate to the corner of Coombe Lane with Cambridge Road. 

    It was agreed that there were much more suitable sites in the vicinity than one so close to residential accommodation and so visually intrusive.   Residents’ were advised to object to the proposal in the strongest terms and by individual letters including suggestions of more appropriate sites nearby.   It was agreed that the Association would support residents’ views. 

    Editor’s Note:

     

    Mr. Hoenig has since advised that Merton had turned down the prior approval application by Messrs Walden for the re-siting of the mast contrary to policies DM D1; DM D2; DM D6 of the Merton Sites and Policies Plan (July 2014), policy CS.14 of the Merton LDF Core Planning Strategy and policy 7.4 and 7.5 of the London Plan (March 2015).

  • Townswomen's Guild - Oct/Nov 2017

    RAYNES PARK TOWNSWOMEN’S GUILD

     

     The September meeting was, overall, a relaxed social occasion to begin the autumn season, although there was some reviewing of forthcoming events.  Two contrasting quizzes were prepared, but in the event only one was required.  Members were happy to catch up with one another over tea and cakes! 

    A group met at Superfish, Morden for another regular lunch club fixture.  However, on the same day two Committee Members were sad to attend the funeral of Mrs Elizabeth Fleming who had been a loyal member of the Raynes Park Guild for many years.  We will miss her. 

    On 15th November the local area Federation of TWGs have arranged their Christmas Lunch – this year at Merton College.   With such a local venue a large group from our Guild will be attending this event.  

    To avoid everything happening in one week, the visit has been brought forward to Tuesday 7th November.  We will go to The Millennium Embroidery Gallery and walled garden in Sunbury.  

    The monthly meeting on Thursday, 16h November (at 1.00 pm in St Saviour’s Church Hall) will feature a talk by Colin Jones entitled ‘Gardens of Japan’. 

    Please join us at our meeting if you would like to attend, or telephone for more information about any of our activities.  Visitors are always welcome. 

    Dorothy Raymond,  020 8395 9489

  • Notes - Community Forum - September 2017

    NOTES FROM THE RAYNES PARK COMMUNITY FORUM – THURSDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER 2017

     

    Open Forum

    A local resident asked when the hoardings on Durham Road will be removed as they attract fly posters. Neil Milligan, Development Control Section Manager, explained that the hoardings are technically legal; however, the council is investigating whether to act.

     

    Statistics on the number of Fixed Penalty Notices issued since April 2017 were provided: 2,683 for littering; 0 for dog fouling. Merton Council employs five members of staff from contractors Kingdom Security.

     

    Asked about whether road markings can be painted at the junction at the bottom of Lambton Road, Neil Milligan said that this has been raised with Chris Chowns, the Council’s transport planner, but the response is that currently there is no budget to do the work. Neil agreed to raise the matter again.

     

    Residents voiced concerns about the white line outside Waitrose, which has been moved, making it difficult for cars to get past one another and leading to traffic jams. Neil Milligan agreed to speak to Highways engineers about the matter.

     

    Concerns were expressed about litter outside the library and in the Apostles. It was noted that the drains are also covered in litter.

    Councillor Bull acknowledged the problem.

     

    Flooding in Raynes Park Area

     

  • Chairman's Blog - Nov 2017

    RUBBISH COLLECTION

     

    So far as we know, the present administration on Merton Council - if re-elected next May - intend to press ahead with fortnightly collection of household rubbish only, and the introduction of wheelie bins.  This is despite what I believe to be the almost universal local opposition to the ending of the weekly service which has operated successfully for many years.

     

    It is also even though in 2011 the Government’s Communities Secretary pledged to restore the “fundamental right” to weekly bin rounds and provided £250million to local authorities to help them supply them!

     

    But, according to a recent report in The Times, too few councils took up the offer, with many saying that it was too expensive to maintain weekly collections, or that doing so would undermine their efforts to reach an EU target of recycling 50 per cent of waste by 2020.

     

    The theory behind this is that fortnightly collections will aid the collection of goods that can be re-cycled. However, Merton is well behind its own target, and nationally the rate of re-cycling had gone down in 2015 from the figure of 44.9 per cent in 2014. 

     

    Speaking personally, I see no connection between reducing the frequency of general rubbish collection, and increasing the rate of re-cycling. On the contrary, I foresee that reducing the frequency of collections will encourage overflowing bins and so vermin, and cause foul smells.  I see the reduction in weekly collections as simply being cost cutting in a service that every household requires and depends upon.

     

    However, this may be a battle that is already lost nationwide. Nationally non-recyclable waste is collected once every week in only 24 per cent of local authorities and six councils only collect it once every three weeks. 

     

    MORDEN PARK SWIMMING POOL

     

    Morden Park swimming pool was opened in 1967. It is now being replaced with a Leisure Centre which will have a 25-metre, six lane main pool plus a second pool, and with a fitness suite and cafe. Work has already started on the construction, and the new building is scheduled to open in the autumn of 2018.   It is said that it will cost less to maintain than the former pool, which will be demolished, and the site returned to green space. The present pool and all its facilities will remain open until the new leisure complex is complete.

     

     

    John Elvidge (Chairman)

  • Views from our Advertisers

    Views from our Advertisers

    Locally-based glazing company 1st Call Glazing is a regular advertiser in The Guide. Proprietor Dave Richardson says: 

    “I have quite a large number of customers that use The Guide, so it works very well recommending local businesses. Some customers quite often lose my number, but always go back to this booklet to find it again, as they know I always advertise in it. 

    “Local people trust the Guide and trust the trades advertising in it. Most of my customers tell me that the first place they look when needing a trade is The Guide.” 

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Howell Jones Solicitors, whose local office is in Kingston Road, Raynes Park also advertises each month in The Guide. The firm’s marketing director Tony Sutton says: 

    As solicitors it’s really important to us to be in touch with our local community; in fact our partner and property lawyer Jan Bolden has been supporting the community for 37 years.” 

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Alison Easton offers an osteopathy service from her home in Raynes Park, and advertises regularly in The Guide. Alison tells us:

     

    “I enjoy being able to help people in my community and advertising in The Guide has enabled me to reach more people locally. It is great to feel a small part of the community that RPWBRA does such a wonderful job to coordinate and keep informed through The Guide”

     

     

    For any enquiries, or to place your advert, just email your text and/or artwork, in a standard file format, to our Advertising Manager along with your preferred page size. Your order must be received by the 16th of the month to ensure inclusion in the following month’s issue.

     

    Back to Advertise with us.

  • Raynes Park Christmas - Friday 1 December

    Raynes Park Christmas Festival,

    3.30pm – 7.00pm

    Friday 1 December 2017

     

    Merton Council have this year selected Raynes Park

    as the Borough’s Christmas Town.

     

     

    The Mayor of Merton, Councillor Marsie Skeet,

    will join the celebrations at 5.00pm.

     

    There will be a stage in the Waitrose car park, with

    children’s and adult choirs, dancers, live animals and

    nativity acting combining to create a lively event.

     

    This will be an ideal opportunity ideal for local people to sell craftware. 

    The charge for running a stall inside covered tents, with lighting, is just £30 with

     two chairs and a trestle table (1.8m x 0.6m) included. 

    To book a stall or for more information, please contact David Hurst,

    dthurst52@gmail.com , 07716 284287

     

     

     

     

  • Contraversial Telephone Mast

    Residents in Coombe Lane close to the junction of Cambridge Road and others close by, are concerned at a proposal to site a telecoms mast and associated box on the corner and close to residential property.  

    The mast is being relocated from the Rainbow Estate  and objections are being made on the grounds that it will be obtrusive and unsightly in this position and that it could be better accommodated along the slip road from the A3 to Coombe lane, without being in such close proximity to people’s homes. 

    We hope the Planning Officers and the Telecoms company concerned will consider any alternative sites suggested.

  • Looking After Drains and Ditches

    One of our Members, David Rush has kindly been keeping an eye on the ditch at Meadowsweet Close that the late Jane Bailey kept an eagle eye on, and was often to be seen cleaning out accumulated rubbish herself.   In response to a letter on our behalf from David to Tom Sly, Flood Risk Management Engineer at the London Borough of Merton, we received the following response. 

    I have made contact with L&Q directly and have requested that they raise a purchase order for their contractors, groundscapes, to undertake this work which is done annually at the end of the growing season. Following completion, I will undertake a site inspection to ensure it has been done appropriately” 

     

    However, Tom also urged us as an Association to remind residents both in Meadowsweet Close and importantly from 167 Grand Drive to 11 Westway, whose properties back onto the ditch that they must keep their back boundary fencing in good order and not put grass cuttings/litter over this fence as this may block the flow and cause a flood risk to properties.

  • Pavilion Club - September 2017

    Pavilion Club Members raised £320.42 at a tea party for the Macmillan Cancer Fund held on Thursday 21st September 2017.  This was over double the amount they made last year, and reflected the huge effort that was put in by everyone. 

     

    The organizers would like to extend their warmest thanks to all who came for tea and bought raffle tickets and cakes in support of this very worthwhile charity.

  • Community Forum - 14 Sept 2017

    Flooding in Raynes Park Area 

    Carly Mason and Patrick Maher from Thames Water attended the forum to discuss residents’ concerns about flooding. 

    Chris Edge informed Thames Water that there are lots of issues with flooding in the area. He noted that there is a problem under the railway bridge, where the council has cleared gullies, which suggests that the pipe is not big enough to handle the flow of water. Patrick Maher explained that Thames Water have investigated and not found any issues; the pipe is large enough. The problem is that when there is heavy rain, it collects because of the land being basin shaped. It was agreed the problem would nonetheless be taken back to Thames Water for further consideration. 

    Chris Edge suggested that if major building works take place for Crossrail 2, perhaps Thames Water could undertake major sewer works at the same time, including perhaps implementing a soak-away if the sewers cannot handle all the rainwater. Thames Water agreed that such works would take place in conjunction with Crossrail 2 construction.

    Thames Water is aware of flooding at PAG Ltd and Dundonald Church and are carrying out investigations into the problem. 

    Residents were reminded that flooding incidents should be reported every time they occur, so that Thames Water have a record of the problems.

    A resident pointed out that the pump stations have failed and asked why Thames Water are not more proactive in such instances. Carly Mason agreed that the situation is unacceptable and apologized on behalf of Thames Water. Thames Water is adopting private pumping stations and is in the process of investigating and upgrading them: on Abbott Avenue the equipment is being upgraded; and Approach Road is under investigation. 

    Compensation can only be offered if there has been a failure in the service Thames Water provides, not for flooding from foul sewers. In such instances, Thames Water would provide a clean-up service. 

    A resident explained that drains along Clifton Park Avenue are blocked, but when this was reported to Thames Water, the response was that Thames Water would not clear the drains until flooding had occurred. Carly Mason apologized and undertook to report the issue so that it can be fixed. 

    Thames Water agreed to investigate regular flooding of the shops by Raynes Park Bridge. 

    Thames Water is holding discussions with the council to look at inlet gullies.

    Edna Road is being investigated and further works are planned. A CCTV survey of Abbott Avenue was carried out after flooding occurred on 30th July. No structural issues were found. Worple Road, which is linked to the same problem, is being investigated. 

    Carly Mason reported that Dupont Road was heavily filled with silt this was cleared by 23rd June 2017.

    Residents noted that Burlington Road is still flooding, despite works to rectify it.

     

     

  • Townswomen's Guild - October 2017

    Kicking off again in September with Townswomen’s Guild activities, on Tuesday, 5 September 2017, a group enjoyed lunch at The Rocket at Putney and the following week a small group made a local visit to The Kingston Museum in Wheatfield Way.   

    In October we have invited Gillian Harris to give us a talk entitled ’40 years of Quilting’, at our monthly meeting on Thursday, 19th October in St Saviour’s Church Hall, Grand Drive.  Visitors welcome to this meeting.  Also planned for October is a social event – a Hallowe’en Lunch. 

     

    Please join us at our meeting if you are interested, or telephone for more information.

     

    Dorothy Raymond   020 8395 9489

  • Chairman's Blog - October 2017

    EPSOM AND ST HELIER NHS

    At our Open Meeting on 12th September we were given a presentation on the future of the local hospitals. 

    It was led by the Joint Medical Directors of the Epsom & St Helier NHS Trust. They are Dr. Ruth Charlton, who is also the Deputy Chief Executive, and Dr. James Marsh. They job share so that they can keep up their clinical practices, Ruth being a pediatrician, and James a renal physician. They were assisted by their colleague Claire Proudlock, who showed us a 10-minute video setting out the issues.  

    They are speaking to a number of local organisations to gain the view of residents on the future of the hospital service in this area, in the period from 2020 to 2030. This is an informal consultation at the moment, but the views expressed will be taken into account when they start their formal public consultation. They have guaranteed to continue the level of present service until 2020. 

    What came over strongly was the pressing need to build new hospital facilities on a single site for those who are most acutely ill. That hospital would have Specialist Consultants and nursing staff on duty 24 hours a day, and be able to cope with the widest range of conditions.  They have come to no decision as to where this hospital would be situated. The options are to build it at St Helier, or at Epsom Hospital, or at Sutton Hospital (which is currently closed but has the advantage of extra vacant land) near to the Royal Marsden Hospital. 

    They said that most of those coming to A & E for in or out patient treatment or for operations do not need such acute services, and what they stress is that these patients (the vast majority) will still be treated at St Helier and Epsom, which would be retained as fully equipped hospitals treating a full range of local services. 

    They are pleased that in recent years the service to local people has improved, with much reduced waiting times for people coming to the A & E departments, and a huge reduction in mortality rates. They have also rapidly reduced the expensive reliance on agency nursing staff by employing more full-time nurses. 

    St Helier Hospital was built in the 20’s and 30’s and much of it no longer meets modern standards of medicine. It has shared wards, long corridors, and needs major structural work. Most of it is classed as functionally unsuitable.  However, they stressed that this is not being ruled out as the site of the new acute facility. If that is built elsewhere, they intend that St Helier will remain as a local hospital serving the needs of the majority of less acutely ill patients, and will still provide maternity services for non-acute patients. 

    Their website at:

    www.epsom-sthelier.nhs.uk contains their detailed document. If you want to contribute to the discussion, you can e-mail them on: esth2020-2030@nhs.net 

    ST SAVIOURS CHURCH 

    We also welcomed to the Open Meeting the new priest in charge at St Saviour’s Church. He is the Reverend Peter Kelley. He is not yet the incumbent Vicar, and for the moment lives in New Malden and is unpaid!  He intends to have a weekly Sunday service at St Saviour’s, and he especially pointed out that he will revive the former practice of having a special service on 2nd November for All Souls Day to which people may wish to come to remember those who have passed on. 

    We said that we would be happy to have occasional articles from him and to carry notices of church services. The same is true of any other churches or those serving other faiths. 

    John Elvidge

     

     

     

  • Crossrail 2 - Update September 2017

    As our members may have noticed, very little new information has been forthcoming since the end of 2015.

    This is because, following the public consultation, which finished in January 2016, and the subsequent official report on the results, Crossrail 2 was tasked by the Government and the National Infrastructure Commission to prepare a Business Case. 

    The business case, which is confidential, was completed and submitted to the government by March 2017. 

    There was not much news after that as our politicians were then focussed on June’s snap general election. 

    Following the election, Liz Truss, in her new role as chief secretary to the Treasury, announced that she is responsible for public expenditure on infrastructure, housing, planning, roads, HS2 and Crossrail 2. So it would seem the project is still on the cards. 

    Chris Grayling, the Transport Secretary, then had a meeting with Sadiq Kahn, the Mayor for London, at which CR2 was discussed. The Transport Secretary agreed that London needs new infrastructure, to ensure it continues as the UK’s economic powerhouse. However, it would appear that, whilst the business case indicated that London could fund half of the scheme over its life, this is not the same as funding half of the up-front costs during construction. 

    The Mayor for London and the Transport Secretary have agreed to work together to see how Crossrail 2 might be affordable for the UK taxpayer. It seems that if there were a successful outcome from this exercise, a new public consultation would be launched and the safeguarding of land in our area would be clarified. 

    Reading between the lines, it seems likely that the crux of the Business Case was that government money would fund the major part of the capital expenditure, followed by income streams being generated from development along the route, which would then form London’s contribution. 

    Some financial engineering may be feasible, for example by using private finance, with the prospect of future income streams being the payback. However, one can’t help but be concerned that the focus on achieving a lower capital cost may result in the scheme being pared back, both in terms of extent and quality. 

    This could have major implications in dictating the choice of options for Wimbledon, what happens in Raynes Park and Motspur Park and further along the branches to Epsom, Chessington South, Shepperton and Hampton Court. 

    In the meantime, representatives from the Crossrail 2 team have been making contact with various groups in our area, including the Raynes Park Association and the Friends of West Barnes Library. The purpose of these meetings is to establish contact with our community ahead of the next public consultation. When this is likely to be, we do not yet know. Maybe the next Budget, planned for November, will trigger something. 

    However, we have been told that the main proposals for Motspur Park Station would involve providing step-free access to the platforms. At Raynes Park, the station is intended to be an interchange between Crossrail 2 and South West Railway services, so improvements there may be more extensive. 

    The implications for the two level-crossings along West Barnes Lane and the impact this might have on our local road network remain to be seen. 

     

    Jerry Cuthbert

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townswomen's Guild - August 2017

    August is a month with no formal meeting when members concentrate on social activities and the annual coach outing. 

    On the social scene Margaret’s Picnic Lunch was a resounding relaxed and very tasty success.  Her garden is always full of flowers which we all viewed and admired from the outside table and the conservatory chairs.  The selection of food was amazing and quite delicious.  Thank you, Margaret, and able helper Jenny, for working so hard to make this friendly get-together also a culinary triumph. 

    A coach without a single spare seat set out on 17th August to Eastbourne.  The summer outing is always open to friends in the Rendezvous Club, Pavilion Club and Residents Association as well our Townswomen’s Guild Members.  Accordingly, we picked up at Motspur Park, Raynes Park and Grand Drive Greenway, promptly, as everyone was on time, getting away by 9.30 am.  The traffic was heavy both ways, the journey taking about two- and-a-half hours, but overall the day proved a great success, the weather improving as we arrived.   

    Eastbourne was full of surprises.   The first was reports of power cuts at various locations, affecting lighting (and the tills!) not to mention their ability to make tea in many of the shops and cafes.  Mercifully they seemed to be intermittent and not too long lasting.  The bonus was on the sea front. We found that by accident we had arranged our outing on the first day of Eastbourne’s air show.  To be able to sit in the sun watching the aircraft manoeuvres and/or wander along the lower deck looking at all the colourful stalls set up there for the occasion, was very pleasant and a distinct bonus.   The various aircraft were amazing with formation flying and aerobatics included in several set pieces.  Early on there was also a wing walker.  Everyone enjoyed watching parts of these displays.  Our driver was first class and after a smooth return we arrived back in Raynes Park at about 7.00 pm.  Many thanks to all the friends who joined us making this trip a success. 

    In October, on Thursday, 19th at 1.30 for 1.45 in St Saviours Church Hall.  Gillian Harry’s talk is entitled ’40 years of Quilting’.  Please join us if you are interested. 

    Dorothy Raymond  020 8395 9489

     

     

     

  • Neighbourhood Watch - Sept 2017

    The MET are working hard to keep the public safe and make the streets a hostile territory for criminals who use scooters, mopeds, motorbikes and bicycles to snatch valuables from members of the public.

    Operations Officers are conducting targeted operations throughout London and through intelligence-led investigations and operations to prevent and detect moped theft. This includes, among other things, raids on individuals suspected of stealing motorcycles and using them to commit crimes, high visibility patrols in key areas and increased street searches for stolen motorcycles.

    Reducing opportunities

    Officers are reducing the opportunities for theft to take place in the first place through a combination of approaches -  such as making owners aware of what they can do about reducing the thefts - and working with industry and councils to protect, or design the theft options out of the vehicles, reducing the ability of the offenders to use the vehicles in crime; Improving public awareness and protection; and removing markets for offenders to dispose of goods.

    There have been concentrated media campaigns for public awareness focusing on distinct victim groups. There has been engagement with Secondhand phone shops, markets, scooter dealers and garages, to improve intelligence and remove locations that will buy the stolen property.

    Bringing offenders to justice

    The police use intelligence and CCTV to identify linked offences and bring offenders to justice. There is a proactive stance with sting vehicles, targeted operations and a focus on criminal cohort, to reduce high volume offenders. Also working in partnership with Youth Services and third sector groups to discuss diversion opportunities.

    How can riders prevent their bikes being stolen?

    · Parking: Choose designated parking with a stand and security loop, or if this is not available try areas with lots of people, good lighting and CCTV

    · Locks: Use more than one lock, focusing on disc locks and chain locks, fitted tight to the bike and through difficult to remove parts

    · Time: When leaving your bike for a long period or overnight, lock it to something secure and use a motorbike cover. At home consider using fitted anchors to secure your bike

    · Attention: Use audible alarms where possible to draw unwanted attention to the thieves

    · Marking: Choose to mark your bike parts with the vehicle identification number (VIN) number, your postcode or registration number using an ultraviolet marker pen or property marking kit

    · Insurance: Some companies will offer discounts on your insurance if you invest in certain security measures, so ask before you make your purchase Personal Crime prevention advice

    · Be aware of your surroundings at all times and keep your personal property secure

    · Don't text while you're walking - you won't notice potential thieves approaching

    · Use the security features on your phone

    · Try going hands free or stand away from the roadside close to a wall so no one can come up behind you

    · Your phone comes with a range of security features, such as keypad locks and remote data wiping. Make sure they are all activated to stop thieves from accessing your phone and personal data

    · Know how to identify your phone if it's stolen

    · Find your IMEI number by dialling *#06# from your phone and keep a written note of it. If the phone is stolen, report it to the police and your mobile provider to stop it being used · Register your phone on www.immobilise.com to help police return recovered stolen property and combat the sale of stolen goods. Police recover more than 2500 items registered to the website on average every month. Never confront a thief or risk your own safety for the sake of your mobile device

    Pursuit guidelines

    The MPS can and will undertake pursuits in any situation where it is necessary and proportionate to do so. Any pursuit carries risk, and additional safeguards are in place for pursuit of two wheeled vehicles. Only specially trained officers are authorised to engage in pursuit activity and they are supported by a tactical advisor, and a senior officer in our Command and Control centre has oversight.

    A driver or pillion removing their crash helmet does not automatically require a pursuit to be terminated and the police will review the risk posed, balanced against the type of criminality under consideration and the additional risk posed to other road users.,

     Lee Roberts, Neighbourhood Watch Manager

  • Epsom and St Helier Hospitals NHS Trust

    RPWBRA - 12 September 2017 - Open Meeting at the Residents' Pavilion, 129 Grand Drive, SW20 9LY

    Over the last few weeks the Epsom & St. Helier NHT has been actively promoting and encouraging local people to have their say on the future of Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust. 

    We have called this Epsom and St Helier 2020-2030 and already we have received lots of feedback.    We wrote to you at the outset of our engagement exercise and want to hear from as many different individuals and groups as we can before we end the engagement at the beginning of October.   It would be helpful if you could enable us to discuss our plans with some of your Members so that we can reach as wide a range of people as possible.

     

    In summary, we are looking to keep at least 85% of services locally, which will mean that for the majority of patients they will continue to be seen and treated in their local hospital as they are now:  and then we are looking to attract £300-400 million to build a much-needed new acute facility on one of our three sites.

     

    We believe that talking to local people about local services and involving them in the future of their hospitals is key. This is not a formal consultation as we are initially wanting to seek local people's views on making local hospital services sustainable for the long term.  

     

    We do not have preferred option at this stage and want to hear what you think, and over 15 weeks are seeking as many views as possible.  We recognise that funding for NHS investment is difficult -  but we believe that we have a case which if supported by local people will enable us to put a strong case for keeping services local for the future. 

     

    The information we receive from local people will be used to inform the next stage which will be to develop an outline case which will be put forward to the wider NHS.   Any formal consultation will take place later but we wanted to make sure we have the views of local people well in advance of this process.

     

    We would like to hear the views of Raynes Park and West Barnes residents and would welcome the opportunity to come and discuss this at a meeting.   

     

    Lisa Thomson,

    Epsom and St Helier Hospitals NHS Trust

  • Avoiding Burglary

    Top tips from the Safer Neighbourhood Teams to help residents avoid being burgled whilst away on holiday. 

    ·       Mark or etch your property with your postcode, house or flat number or the first three letters of your house name.

    ·       Register items with a serial number at: www.immobilise.com

    ·       Do not leave your car keys or ID documents near doors, letterbox or windows. Lock them away safely.

    ·       Close and lock all your doors and windows, even if you are only going out for a few minutes.

    ·       Keep your valuables out of sight through windows.

    ·       Leave some lights on & ask a neighbour to pop in and open/close curtains if it will be dark before you get home or you are away for a few days.

    ·       Install a visible burglar alarm &/or CCTV & don’t forget to set it!

    ·       Always keep sheds and outbuildings securely locked. 

    ·       Lock away any ladders safely out of view.

    ·       Cancel milk or other deliveries if you will be away for days or weeks at a time.

    Don’t advertise your holidays on Social Media! and If you see anyone acting suspiciously in your area, call 999 immediately.
     

    YOU CAN HELP!

    If you suspect that someone in your area has committed a crime, or you’ve seen something suspicious, call 999 or 101. 

    WHAT TO TELL TO POLICE

    The date and time of any suspicious activity

    Vehicles

    ·                     Registration number

    ·                     Type make and model

    ·                     Colour

    ·                     Any distinguishing features, et damage, logo stickers 

    Suspicious people 

    ·           Gender

    ·           Age

    ·           What they look like (hair colour)

    ·           Facial features etc.

    ·            Clothing.

     

    Making it harder for burglars

    Secure your home and improve the safety of your local neighbourhood by: 

    Ø    Keeping your home locked if you are athome or out

    Ø    Marking your property (speak to your local officer) 

    Ø    Recording serial numbers of your possessions 

    Ø    Taking photos of jewellery, or high value items 

    Ø    Register items with unique serial numbers at www.immobilise.com 

    Ø    Installing quality deadlocks fitted to all doors and windows 

    Ø    Installing quality security lighting and alarms 

    Ø    Joining or setting up a local Neighbourhood Watch Scheme.

     

     

  • Counter Terrorism

    IT’S COMMUNITIES THAT BEAT TERRORISM!

    It’s probably nothing, but…

    Matt Bryan of the Police’s Counter Terrorism unit recently spoke to members of the Pavilion Club.  We were told that it’s communities that defeat terrorism and that each one of us can help police to keep our community safe by reporting our concerns about any suspicious activity on: 0800 789 321.

    Such calls can and have saved lives.   We were told that we should NOT worry about ‘wasting Police time’ or ‘getting someone into trouble’ but let the Anti-Terrorist police decide if the information is important.  What is told to the Police is treated in the strictest confidence and is thoroughly researched by experienced officers before, and if, any Police action is taken.  No call or click will be ignored. 

    We must be aware of what is going on around us – or anything that strikes us a different or unusual, or anyone that we feel is acting suspiciously – it could be someone we know, or even someone or something you notice when you are out and about that doesn’t feel quite right.

    Examples of suspicious activity could include someone who, for example:

    ·                     appears to be carrying out surveillance; taking photos of security arrangements;

    ·                     has illegal firearms or other weapons or has shown an interest in obtaining them;

    ·                     is visiting the dark web, or ordering unusual items online;

    ·                     Has bought or hired a vehicle in suspicious circumstances;

    ·                     has bought or stored large amounts of chemicals, fertiliser, or gas cylinders for no obvious reasons, or is researching acquiring these items;

    ·                     has undergone an extreme and unexplained change in their behaviour;

    ·                     is carrying out suspicious transactions on their bank account;

     

    ·                     holds passports or other documents in different names for no obvious reason;

    ·                     Travels for long periods of time, but is vague about where they are going.   

     

    Remember – in an emergency always dial 999.  If you see something that concerns you, ACT.  Action Counters Terrorism.

     

     

  • Chairman's Blog - September 2017

    THE FUTURE OF THE LOCAL HOSPITALS 

    Our next meeting on Tuesday 12th September will have a speaker from the Epsom and St Helier Hospitals NHS Trusts which is anxious to hear the views of local residents on the future of the local hospitals.  The meeting is being held at the Pavilion at 129 Grand Drive at 7.30 pm.

    The Chief Executive of the Trusts says that this is not a formal consultation, but is designed to feed into planning for the decade from 2020 to 2030. Their hope is to get permission to spend between £300,000 and £400,000 on a much-needed new specialist facility on one site for acutely sick patients and in accident and emergency cases, particularly for complex emergency surgery. It would also provide inpatient beds for children, and maternity services. Their aim is to keep 85% of services locally. They say that they have no preferred option as to the site. 

    Under the plans £80 million would also be spent on the maintenance of both hospitals. Most of St Helier Hospital was built in the 1920’s and 1930’s, and is badly designed for modern clinical treatment, being assessed as being “functionally unsuitable”. 

    Do come along and contribute to the discussion that the Trusts are having. We had a similar meeting a couple of years ago which was extremely interesting and worthwhile. 

    CROSSRAIL 2

    The Transport Secretary has announced that Crossrail 2 is likely to go ahead, even though it will cost some 30 billion pounds. He said that there was “no doubt” that London needed new infrastructure to ease pressure on its overcrowded transport system. The line would run north -south, and come through Motspur Park, Raynes Park, and Wimbledon after which it would run largely in tunnels to Tottenham Hale and Southgate.

    The intention is to start work in the early 2020’s and the railway could open in 2033. A public consultation has been promised soon to help “gather views to improve the scheme and clarify the position”.

    The draft plans previously published would have destroyed much of Wimbledon Town Centre, and said almost nothing about how the extra tracks required and the increased frequency of trains would affect this area.  It is obvious that both Motspur Park and Raynes Park stations would require major alterations, and there would be the almost inevitable closure of the Motspur Park and West Barnes level crossings, causing major impacts on local traffic. 

    A further consultation had been promised by this autumn, but this is likely to be further delayed. We will, of course, let everyone know when public consultations on the revised plans take place. 

    FLOODING 

    The day and night long deluge of rain on 9th August has again caused flooding in parts of Raynes Park. This Association was founded in 1928 precisely because of the amount of flooding in the area. With climate change, the chances of such heavy and prolonged rain are likely to be get worse. 

    We reported in the August edition of The Guide the discussion on this at the Community Forum meeting in June. This is worth repeating here.  The meeting was attended by an engineer at Merton Council, and a representative of Veolia. Raynes Park is a known flood risk area and Merton has increased its gully cleansing programme each winter and is formulating a flood prevention plan.

    Residents are encouraged to report each incident of flooding to Thames Water. A resident at the meeting from Dupont Road said that flooding there had been reported to Thames Water last year, but they still had not dealt with the infrastructure. He was talking to them as to how they could be more pro-active when it was known that heavy rain was due. Likewise, there were ongoing discussions about Edna Road where Thames Water had put in a new sewer lining which had blocked some of the road gully outlets into the sewers. Some of this had been repaired by the council but it was the responsibility of Thames Water to ensure sufficient working of the sewer system. 

    Shannon Corner, as an ‘A’ road, was the responsibility of Transport for London, and the council had met on site to discuss flooding there. Blocked gullies, cement in drains, or blockages from leaves should be reported, in the first instance online via the council’s “Report It” tool, or via an app called “Love my streets”.  For those not online, they can call the council.   

    WEIL’S DISEASE 

    A neighbour had an incredibly distressing experience this month when she found a dying fox on her patio. The RSPCA were called and immediately diagnosed that the cause was leptospirosis, more commonly known as Weil’s disease, which is a bacterial infection. This was probably picked up from rat’s urine or infected water.  They took the animal away.

    The disease is incredibly rare in humans but can be contracted from cuts and scrapes. The advice must be to always wear gloves when gardening. 

     

    John Elvidge

  • Morden Rotary - August 2017

    Morden Rotary Club invited local fund-raiser Claire Nethersole to talk to us recently about the role of Age UK in our local community.

    We learned that this national charity has over 150 branches in England, each one of which operates independently to meet the needs of the particular area they serve. Their general aim is to provide services and information to the over 50s age group, and to enable and support the quality of life for the growing number of our older generation.

    Claire explained to us the particular kind of help on offer. These include "at home" visits, providing cleaning, cooking or handyman services, all done by the staff team employed by Age UK. Practical household work done regularly and reliably can be a major benefit for many older people. There is a charge for these services, but this is always competitive, and of course the quality is assured.

    Social activities are another very important element provided. The Mitcham Activity Centre offers a programme of social gatherings and regular weekly clubs such as craft, yoga, scrabble, tea dances
    and lots more.  This is run by a friendly support staff and volunteer team.

    Also on offer is an "Out & About" programme organising walks, outings, theatre trips and coach trips. These take place locally, in London or further afield.

    You can find out the full details of what Age UK Merton does locally on their website - 
    http://www.ageuk.org.uk/merton/about-age-uk-merton/

    The Elmwood Centre is at 277 London Road, Mitcham, CR4 3NT, phone 020 8648 5792.

    Morden Rotary was pleased to present Claire with a donation to a very worthwhile cause supporting older members of our local community.
     

     

    Joss Ollett

  • Association News - August 2017

    Will we lose our local Police Station?

    Apparently, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan wants to close Wimbledon Police Station.  He has just launched a consultation on closing half of all police front counters in London, and Wimbledon is amongst them.   It has been suggested that “response policing” is then likely to be based from Mitcham. 

    This closure seems extremely short-sighted bearing in mind the Town Centre’s huge night-time economy.  Wimbledon is also a large transport hub which needs policing, not to mention the surge of visitors from all over the world who need to be kept safe when they come to watch the Tennis Championships. Wimbledon Police Station also has a great central location and is easy to get to. 

    Because we are constantly being reminded by some politicians about the need to improve security, increase police numbers and so on, I had forgotten that in fact Mayor Khan has already cut £38 million from the metropolitan police staffing budget.  The closure of half London’s Police Stations can only add to any existing problems.   It is to be hoped that residents will let Sadiq Khan know, in no uncertain terms, that they wish to keep Wimbledon Police Station for the reasons stated. 

    Mayor’s Transport Strategy

    The Mayor of London has also just published his Transport Strategy.   He wants Londoners’ views on this to and suggests we all complete his on-line survey.   We can send in our responses as individuals, or as a group or organisation.   Here is the link:

    https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/policy/mayors-transport-strategy/ 

    Overhanging Trees, and Street planting

    At the June Raynes Park Forum, a resident expressed concerns about overhanging vegetation from people’s gardens which impedes footpaths -  especially for the partially sighted. She pointed out that residents are responsible for cutting vegetation back to their own boundary lines, and if they don’t do it, the council has to but at residents’ expense. It was suggested that advice about the matter could be included in the Guide to increase awareness. Residents were also asked to water newly-planted trees if they live close to any.  

    No Wheelies Please – Merton

    Merton Residents propose that weekly dustbin waste collections are maintained and that two 80 litre, lidded recycling bins be supplied to contain two weeks’ worth of separated recycling; both brown, to match the food waste bin.  

     A great deal of careful thought has gone into Merton residents’ proposal and the campaign was launched this spring to propose to the Council and Veoilia Waste Management what seems to be a much more sensible alternative to their own proposal of fortnightly collections enabled by simply supplying two large wheelie bins to every household. 

    The Campaign’s Five Point Proposal, makes sound common sense and from the point of view of most householders is more practical and unobtrusive.  The organizers aim is to reach over 1000 signatures to their petition by the next Council meeting in September (they’ve reached more than 900 votes already) and ultimately 2000 votes by the time of the next elections in the spring of 2018. 

    To learn more about their proposals and to help the campaign to achieve its objectives visit their website at:

    www.nowheeliesplease-merton.org.uk

    or contact them at: nowwheeliesplease@gmail.com

  • 16/P3135 - Parkgate House

    PLANNING INSPECTOR REFUSES DEVELOPER’S APPEAL ON PARKGATE HOUSE, MOTSPUR PARK! 

    The first application (16/P 0233) - which was approved -  was to convert this office building into 19 flats. 

    The second application (16/P3135) was to add a mansard-type roof providing an additional 6 flats. This application was Refused by the Planning Committee and the applicant submitted an Appeal. The Inspectorate decided to deal with this by an 'Exchange of Letters' which nevertheless requires a Site Visit. 

    The Inspector agreed with the Planning Committee and Refused the Appeal. It is clear to me from reading her decision letter that she took her time over the site visit and gave the matter very careful consideration. 

    Main Concerns

    The main concerns of the Inspector’s decision were the effect of the proposed addition on the character and appearance of the surrounding area, and the effect on the living conditions of nearby residents in particular the relevance to privacy and outlook'. 

    The Inspector found there was conflict with Section 7 of the National Policy Planning Framework which seeks to ensure that new development should add to the visual quality of the area; to Section 7.4 and 7.6 of the GLA London Plan and Policy CS 14 of Merton’s Core Strategy. These policies require that new development should aim to reinforce local distinctiveness and respect and enhance the character of the wider area. 

    The Inspector noted that the existing office building appears bulky and at odds with the local shopping parade. The building appears to have an "uneasy relationship" with the local street scene and also struck her as having a "visually jarring" impact in the local context.  She concluded that the proposed addition would appear as a bulky, overly dominant and overbearing form that would fail to have respect for the scale of the (mainly two storey) local shopping parade. She felt this would result in material harm to the character and appearance of the local area. 

    Living Conditions

    The Inspector noted that the proposed addition would introduce additional windows at the third-floor level which she felt called for a greater 'separation distance' from facing buildings than would be the normal 25m requirement. She felt there would be a "perception of overlooking" into the gardens of Marina Avenue and therefore concluded that the proposed addition to provide 6 extra flats would have an overbearing impact on nearby residents resulting in material harm to the living conditions of nearby residents in terms of "loss of privacy and visual impact “. 

    David Freeman

  • Advice from Trading Standards Officer

    ADVICE FROM MERTON’S TRADING STANDARDS DEPARTMENT AND HOW IT CAN HELP YOU 

    Over recent months Trading Standards and the Police have dealt with several instances in Raynes Park and West Barnes of residents falling victim to being cold called by rogue traders. One householder lost over £49,000 whilst attempts were made to defraud other residents of £45000 and £26000. 

    Such stories have been highlighted on TV and in the Press many times and you may well think it will never happen to you, but it is so easy to get caught out before realising just what has happened.  

    Typically, the rogue appears at the front door saying he is working locally and has noticed a roof tile or similar needs attention. If the resident shows any interest the job suddenly gets bigger. Mostly unnecessary work will be priced far above the market rate. Money is requested up front, usually in cash. The job will be left incomplete and work undertaken is of poor quality. If the householder makes a claim they find names and addresses not traceable. 

    In light of this Merton and Richmond Trading Standards wishes to highlight the following:

    Don’t buy at the door. This is the most important and effective way to avoid falling victim to traders calling at your door. Trading Standards recommend residents always say no to cold callers. 

    Door Stickers stating “We don’t buy at the door from uninvited sales people” are available free of charge from Trading Standards. If you receive a visit you can simply point to the sticker and close the door.

    Finding a reputable trader. Personal recommendations can be useful, so too can some trader approval schemes. The better schemes undertake detailed checks on the traders and provide useful customer feedback along with a route to complain. Schemes we recommend are “Buy with Confidence” (https://www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk/ ) , “Which? Trusted Traders” (http://trustedtraders.which.co.uk/ ) and “Checkatrade” (http://www.checkatrade.com/ ). 

    When older residents have smaller jobs we also recommend using the Merton Age Concern Handyperson scheme. Tasks they can do include household repairs, decorating, putting up curtains and much more. Further information can be found at http://www.ageuk.org.uk/merton/our-services/handyperson-service/ and tel. 020 8648 5792.  

    Cancellation rights.  A written notice giving you 14 days to cancel should be provided if you agree a contract when a trader is in your home (with a few exceptions). It is an offence not to provide this. 

    Contract information.  The trader must also supply other information in writing before the householder agrees the contract. This includes a description of the work to be carried out, the total price to pay inclusive of VAT, the name and address of the business and any phone numbers. 

    Starting work without permission is a popular tactic employed by doorstep traders and an offence.  The rogue may use vague language so the consumer feels that maybe they inadvertently agreed; even though they didn’t. They may also start removing roof tiles and even walls so the house is no longer secure or watertight, giving the householder little option but to proceed with the work. 

    Trader refuses to leave when asked. If you ask a trader to leave your home and they refuse then this is also an offence.   

    Claims made by the trader. Doorstep traders often make false claims such as being a member of trade associations. They may also make statements that could have some element of truth but are nevertheless prohibited. For example, a salesman cannot imply they will lose their job if they cannot close the sale. 

    Bogus official. Many victims of doorstep crime are targeted a second time by the rogue traders or their associates, this time claiming they are Trading Standards Officers, Police or other officials. These bogus officials say they are able to recover money paid to the original rogue trader, often claiming this is part of a court process. The bogusofficial always requires some form of payment to be made by the victim before any compensation can be paid. Unfortunately, several homeowners in Merton have lost large amounts of money to this scam. 

    Look out for neighbours. The way that we find out about many of these incidents is by concerned neighbours letting us know. Victims may not be capable of contacting us or not even realise they are being defrauded. 

    If you are concerned about unusual building work, particularly at the home of a neighbour who may be vulnerable, then let us know. We are happy to visit and check if the trader is genuine and if the householder needs assistance. 

    Trading Standards can be contacted on tel. 020 8545 4018 or email trading.standards@merton.gov.uk 

    Mike O’Hare, Senior Trading Standards Officer, London Borough of Merton

  • Chairman's Blog - August 2017

    SUMMER PARTY

    We held a very successful summer party to which we had invited all the volunteers who run the Association and look after the Pavilion. It took place on the middle Saturday of the Wimbledon fortnight, and was blessed by weather. In keeping with the spirit of

    Wimbledon, we enjoyed prosecco, and strawberries and cream, as well as lots of savouries. 

    There was a more serious side to the occasion too. In the early spring, we had planted a Bird Cherry tree in memory of Jan Bailey, who was our Secretary for very many years, and who died suddenly last year to our great loss. During the party, her partner, Gordon, unveiled a plaque at the tree commemorating her, and made a lovely speech in her honour. It was very moving. 

    WATERLOO TRAINS

    Another reminder that four platforms at Waterloo are being extended this month to take longer trains and new track is being laid. This will cause major disruption to services during the expected work schedule from August 5 to 28, and half the services will not run. The advice is to travel only outside rush hours, if possible, or to find alternative means of getting to London.

     CYCLE RACE IN LONDON AND SURREY

    The annual cycle race took place on Sunday 30th July, which required the closure of many major local roads for the whole day. The organisers now build in some crossing points where local people can try and get through, both on foot and by car. Let us know if there were any difficulties that you found, and we will pass these onto the organisers to build in for next year.

     A GOOD PLACE TO LIVE

    When people ask me why I have never moved, I always say it is because this is the best place to live in London. It has more open space and greenery than anywhere else in the capital, with Wimbledon Common, Wimbledon Park, and Cannon Hill Common, among many other parks, to enjoy. It has

    good transport links by train, tube, tram, bus, and road in all directions. It has accessible major hospitals. It has a variety of housing. It has many sports clubs, including the tennis championships and AFC Wimbledon. 

    It has good schools, both local authority and private. It is also, as the local police officers told us at our AGM, about the safest place in London in terms of crime. Our task, as an Association, is to help keep it this way. 

    HOLIDAYS

    We all wish you a very happy and enjoyable holiday, whether you stay at home or go away. 

     

    John Elvidge

  • Morden Rotary - July 2017

    Here's a mid-year up-date for you to see where donations to the Rotary Club of Morden have been put to work locally.

    St. Raphael’s Hospice received he largest donation. At Christmas, a significant amount of funds are raised by our week-end collections in Lower Morden Lane.
    Local residents are famous for their Christmas Lights and garden displays which draw visitors from a wide area.
    With their endorsement, our buckets of money are set aside to support St. Raphael's, and we aim to continue this in the future too.

    Other local good causes that received support were:  

    • Age UK Merton, Arthritis Care Dictionaries for Schools
    • Friends of King George's Playing Fields
    • Friends of Lower Morden
    • Merton and Morden Guild Polio Plus,
    • Wimbledon Youth Sailing Club, and
    • Young Chef of the Year.
    Also, with the joint help of The Leivers Trust, the Rotary Club supported Merton's children with special needs.

    Students at the Perseid School Cricket Green, and West Wimbledon Primary were recipients of funds, enjoyed Xmas parties, and Santa's visits, and also joined in Rotary's Kids Out Day.

    We also supported several individual appeals that were directed to our Rotary Club.  These helped one family to obtain a specially adapted wheelchair, another family to replace a vehicle essential for the school run, and also provided a specially designed spa bath for a severely disabled baby's benefit.

    We were also privileged to meet and support several young people in Merton who were going abroad to work with charitable projects in Africa.

    Do you know that EVERY SINGLE PENNY you give to Rotary is directed to
    good causes?  We are one of very few charitable organisations that can say this, and that's why some notable people have sponsored and joined us.

    For example, Bill and Melinda Gates have given The Rotary Foundation a
    $100 million grant for polio eradication, and then increased that to $355 million. Rotary agreed to raise $200 million in matching funds but Rotarians worldwide in fact raised $228.7 million!  Going forward, the Gates Foundation will match two-to-one, up to US$35 million per year, every dollar Rotary commits for polio eradication up to 2018.  Although on a more modest your local Rotary Club discusses fully and carefully every funding appeal that is made to us.

    We'd like to thank all of you who have contributed to our fund-raising in past years. Also, we are very grateful to all of you - particularly to the RP&WBRA Pavilion Club members who gave unused spectacles to our project in the schools and villages around Moshi, in Tanzania.

    The spectacles were distributed at local churches, and you'll be pleased to know that those congregations would like to pass their thanks back to the thoughtful and generous people of Raynes Park and Morden.
     

    Like most voluntary organisations we'd very much like more people to join us to help continue our efforts, and you are welcome to join our weekly meetings on a Thursday evening at The Morden Brook. Why not look up Morden Rotary on Facebook?  Or our website which is also easy to fin.


    Phil Watson, President, Rotary Club of Morden and Joss Ollett, PR , Rotary Club of Morden.


     



     

  • Parking Charges - Sir Joseph Hood

    Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing Fields

    It is doubtful that the many Friends and users of Sir Joseph Hood’s Playing Fields at Motspur Park will welcome the proposal by the London Borough of Merton to introduce parking controls in the car park there.

    According to the consultation notice the charges would be applicable between 8,.00am and 4.00pm on Mondays to Fridays at the rate of 10p per 20 minutes up to £2.40 for 8 hours.  The purpose being to deter commuters. 

    Residents are being given until 7th July to send in their objections or comments to The Environment and Regeneration Department, Merton Civic Centre. London Road, Morden Surrey SM4 5DX or by email to trafficandhighways@merton.gov.uk quoting reference ES/OFFSTREET. 

  • July 2017

    Sir Joe’s Party in the Park

    There will be fun and games on 8th July in the Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing Fields at Motspur Park when The Friends put on a great Party in the Park to raise funds for its upkeep.  Between 12.00 and 3.00 p.m. there will be boot camps and trainers; nature walks; football; tennis and a kids and adults yoga class.  There will also be a BBQ, bouncy castles, face painting stalls and refreshments and much more – even sports massages for those in need.  Go along and have lots of fun.  

    Meanwhile, how long have you known and used the Playing fields?

    The Friends of Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing Field are looking to put together a history of our park. We are particularly looking for memories and photographs from the 1930s onwards including:

    • Sports Activities
    • The Pavilion
    • Changes after WWII
    • The Bowls Club

    If you have any contributions please send them to: sjhhistory@yahoo.co.uk 

    We can make a digital copy of any printed photographs and return them to you.  

    The Great Get Together and Big Lunch picnic organised by the Friends of Cannon Hill Common

    This annual event was organised by The Friends on a sizzling Father’s Day, Sunday 18th June.  Held on the meadow by the lake everyone enjoyed a bring and share picnic to celebrate not only the annual get-together for Neighbours but also in celebration of the late Jo Cox, MP. A lovely idea. 

     

  • Raynes park Residents' Lawn Tennis Club - July 2017

    We are running two summer camps at the club during the school holidays. The first is for juniors up to the age of about 9, running from the 24th - 28th July, 9.30 am – 12.30 p.m. 

    The second for 10 years and over also at 9.30 am is being run from July 31st – August 4th.  The cost will be £20 per day for junior members and £25 per day for non-members. 

    For any queries relating to the camps, or coaching generally, please contact the head coach José Marquez on 07941 231829. Junior membership is £5 per year. For membership enquiries, please contact membership@rprltc.co.uk

    There will be another Open Day on the middle Sunday of Wimbledon, July 9th, between 1.00 and 4.00 in the afternoon. Everyone is welcome, though due to the exceptional demand for our junior coaching we are not able to offer much capacity in our junior coaching programme. 

    The scheduled sessions are for senior players of any ability from complete beginners, through ‘rusty racquets’ and intermediate to advanced. We hope to see you there. You can register in advance through the website: www.clubspark.lta.org.uk scrolling down to and clicking on Open Days and searching using the postcode at the bottom of this item. 

    Paul Sadler

    rprltc.co.uk, Meadowview Road, SW20 9AN

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townswomen's Guild - June 2017

    Silver Bells’ was the title given to our May meeting.  This proved to be a musical group consisting of two ladies playing mandolins, one lady playing a guitar, and a dapper male singer.  They entertained us with well-known songs from around the world.  Handing out word sheets they encouraged us to sing along.  A vote of thanks for this happy afternoon was given by Mrs Janina Craske. 

    Lunch club changed the date and venue for their June expedition, ending up at The Watchman in New Malden.  They will visit the Haywain in Epsom in July! 

    Stawberry Hill House, Horace Walpole’s Gothic Castle, is a delight.  Over the last few years it has been slowly and painstakingly renovated.  With an army of volunteers explaining all about the house and renovations, it is a credit to them.  They were at pains to answer any questions our small group put to them.  The House stands, very white, with turrets and tessellations overlooking a very pleasant lawn and gardens.  When built it would have had a view of the river, but no more.  

    On 15th June, we celebrated our 84th birthday at St Saviour’s Church Hall with a tea party, a picture riddle quiz, birthday cake, and a lot of chat!  We are looking forward to anothersocial event on 22nd June entitled ‘Mid-summer Lunch’ at our Chairman’s House. 

    On 20th July, the next monthly meeting at St Saviour’s Church Hall at 1.30 for 1.45 is a talk entitled ‘You-the-Jury’ by Peter Thompson.  Visitors are very welcome to this meeting. 

    There are still a few spaces on the coach to Eastbourne on Thursday, 17 August 2017.  We pick up in Motspur Park, by Raynes Park Station and in Grand Drive at the Greenway Bus Stop.  The cost if £14.  Please telephone for more details or to reserve a place. 

    Dorothy Raymond 020 8395 9489

  • Chairman's Blog - July 2017

    RUTLISH SCHOOL 

    Rutlish School has been ranked “outstanding” by Ofsted. We congratulate the Head Teacher, the staff, and the pupils on this excellent achievement. 

    The school, which is all boys, remains a local authority comprehensive, and has a higher proportion of pupils from ethnic minorities than the national average.  The inspectors were full of praise for its “knowledge and understanding of tolerance

    and democracy” which makes the pupils “exceptionally well prepared for the challenges of life in modern Britain”. They found that their progress far outperforms boys’ schools nationally. They praised staff for their “high performance” culture and outstanding subject knowledge as well as for their high expectations for their pupils, and pupils for their very positive attitudes and commitment to learn. 

    WIMBLEDON JUNIOR TENNIS INITATIVE 

    The Junior Tennis Initiative was started by the All England Lawn Tennis Club (better known as Wimbledon) some 15 years ago as part of their commitment to the local community and with the desire to bring tennis to local schools. Since that time the hard-working coaches of the Club have been to visit every primary and secondary school in Merton, in order to enthuse both pupils and staff with their desire to give every child the chance to play tennis, and to keep active and fit. Those children who show aptitude for tennis are then given the opportunity to train in squads run by the Club’s coaches.  Literally thousands of children have been helped in this way. 

    The training used to be given only at the main premises in Church Road,

    Wimbledon, but the building of the new roof on the Number One Court forced them to look elsewhere. This is now carried out at the Raynes Park Playing Field, the entrance to which is on Grand Drive, and which is bounded by Cannon Hill Lane, Elm Walk, and Southway. 

    Members of the Committee were given the chance to see the tennis training at the ground on a recent Saturday. It’s a hub of activity. There is training for an hour for each child, arranged in age groups from as young as 4. This starts early in the morning and goes on through the afternoon. 

    The training is led by Dan Bloxham, who is the Head Coach at the All England Club, and his wife Lizzie. They live in our area, and are totally committed and dedicated to their work. 

    The ground itself has been transformed with grass courts, in season, acrylic hard courts, and a state of the art bubble containing indoor courts for inclement weather.

    The building work is exceptionally well done. 

    TOUR OF THE ALL ENGLAND CLUB 

    As we noted in the last edition of The Guide, some 30 Association volunteers and members of the Pavilion Club were given the chance to have a 2-hour tour of Wimbledon, led enthusiastically by the indefatigable Dan Bloxham. 

    The tour began in their indoor courts, where we met some of the senior pupils on the Junior Tennis Initiative, who were practising. They were full of praise for the opportunities given to them. 

    OPEN MEETING IN BLOSSOM HOUSE SCHOOL 

    Every year we hold an Open Meeting in the Motspur Park area, so that we can discuss with residents there any issues that concern them. This year we were very fortunate to be given the chance to hold it in Blossom House School, which is a specialist therapeutic school for children with a wide range of learning and communication difficulties. The School was re-located in Motspur Park in 2015, and children come to the school from all over London and Surrey. 

    The Principal is Joey Burgess, OBE, who founded the school elsewhere some 20 years ago with just 4 pupils and has gradually increased it in size so that it now educates some 200 pupils, with a pupil teacher ratio that is second to none. She gave us an inspiring address as to the joy that she and her staff feel when they can bring out the best in children that other schools found difficult to teach. We hope to bring you a detailed account of her remarks at some point. 

    DISRUPTION TO TRAINS THIS AUGUST 

    It is worth repeating that, as we mentioned in the last edition of The Guide, there will be major disruption for trains from this area to Waterloo Station, where four platforms are being extended to take longer trains, and new track laid on the approach to the station. The work is meant to run from August 5 to 28, and half the normal train service will be cancelled. If past performance is any guide, we may expect the work to overrun, and the number of cancelled trains to increase. Trains are likely to be queuing right down the line to get into Waterloo, and there is bound to be massive crowding at Waterloo for those trying to get home. 

    The best advice seems to be either to go away or else to find other routes into London. The Thameslink service from Wimbledon to Blackfriars and stations over the river would seem an obvious alternative choice. 

     

    John Elvidge

  • Cottenham Park Primary School - 150 Years Gala

    Did you attend Cottenham Park Primary School

    (now St Matthew's C of E Primary School)? 

    We would like to hear about your achievements/stories for a special exhibition being collated for the 150th year Anniversary. 

    We would also like to invite you to attend our

     

    Gala Evening on Friday 7th July 2017.

     

    To send in your information and to purchase tickets please email stm150tickets@gmail.com.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Coach Trip to Portsmouth - 8 August 2017

    THE PAVILION CLUB - Raynes Park

     Coach Outing to PORTSMOUTH

     on TUESDAY 8th AUGUST 2017 

    Price:  £11.00 (to include Driver’s Tip) 

    Pick Up Times

    Motspur Park:                                    9.00 am

    Raynes Park (Approach Road):             9.15 am

    Grand Drive (Greenway stop):              9.30 am

    To Book telephone: Jill:  020 8286 9809 or Andrea:   020 8540 0164

  • Coach Trip to Brighton, 14 July 2017

    Pavilion Club - SUMMER OUTING - Brighton 

    TUESDAY 4TH JULY

    Price £11.00

    Including Driver’s Tip

    To Book, telephone: Jill West 020 8286 9809 or Andrea Hannan 020 8540 0164

     Pick up Times 

    Motspur Park (Opp. Earl Beatty)               9.00  am

    Raynes Park (Approach Road)                  9.15 am

    Grand Drive (Greenway Bus Stop)             9.30 am 

    EVERYONE WELCOME!

  • Coach Trip to Wisley - 6 September 2017

    WISLEY FLOWER SHOW

    The Annual trip to Wisley Flower Show will be on 

     FRIDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER 2017 

    With pickup points at: 

    Greenway bus stop, Grand Drive @ 9.15 a.m.

    Approach Road, Raynes Park @ 9.20 a.m. 

    Motspur Park, Opposite the Earl Beatty @ 9.30 a.m. approx.

     The Coach will leave Wisley at 4.00 p.m. 

    The fare will be £10.00 which includes entrance and driver’s tip. Money to be paid within a week of booking, please.

     Seats may be booked with Margaret Barratt (8949 4304) and Jill Truman (8879 3525)

     

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townswomen's Guild - May 2017

    Resplendent is his Farnham Town Crier’s uniform, Jonathan Jones visited our meeting to tell us about his duties.  The uniform is colourful and magnificent consisting of a green coat, decorated with red and gold braid and gold buttons worn over a scarlet thigh length waistcoat similarly decorated with braid. Completing the effect Johnathan wore white stockings and black breeches and of course his bell, in this instance, made by the well-l known bell makers at Whitechapel.  

    The chief requirement for the job of Town Crier is a stentorian voice.  With a naturally loud speaking voice, Jonathan made us jump in our seats when he finished his talk with an example final ‘shout’.  With a naturally echoing hall at St Saviour’s, he set all the rafters reverberating.  Unbelievable! 

    In May, the lunch club enjoyed another successful lunch, this time overlooking the river at Putney.  

    For the visit, a group travelled via The Bank and DLR to West India Quay to visit The London Museum DOCKLANDS.   A long journey with plenty of walking, plus a rather extensive museum, meant that we all ran out of energy before we had investigated all the interesting and well displayed exhibits!  We felt there was enough on the top floor alone to last several hours. 

    The Glen Miller Orchestra provided a pleasant afternoon concert at the Royal Festival Hall which a group enjoyed, (although we were left wondering if the Royal Festival Hall should warn people about the access difficulties to level 6, not to mention the steep stairs and lack of hand rails once there). 

    Our monthly meeting at 1.30 pm at St Saviour’s Church Hall on Thursday, 15th June will feature our 84th birthday party.  The Lunch Club will travel to The Haywain in Epsom and the visit will be to Strawberry Hill House.  There are a few places still available on the Eastbourne Trip on 17th August, £14.  Visitors and friends are welcome to any of our meetings, social events and outings.  Please telephone for more information. 

    Dorothy Raymond

    020 8395 9489

     

     

     

  • Raynes Park Residents' Lawn Tennis Club - June 2017

    The club is holding another Open Day on the middle Sunday of Wimbledon, July 9th, between 1:00 and 4:00 in the afternoon. Everyone is welcome, though due to the exceptional demand for our junior coaching we are not able to offer much capacity in our junior coaching programme. The scheduled sessions are for senior players of any ability from complete beginners, through ‘rusty racquets’ and intermediate to advanced. We hope to see you there. You can register in advance through the website clubspark.lta.org.uk, scrolling down to and clicking on Open Days and searching using the postcode at the bottom of this item. 

    Two new initiatives have started: Cardio Tennis on Monday evenings, 7:15-8pm, £5/session for members with a free trial available. It is £7 for non-members. We are also taking part in the LTA’s Tennis Tuesday initiative with sessions for ladies from 9:30-10:30 am.  Both these are run by Frances Allberry on 07931 703134who can give additional information and would appreciate prior notice if you intend to attend. 

    Don’t forget our head coach José Marquez (07941 231829) is running summer camps for children during the holidays. For information and booking please contact him directly. 

    Paul Sadler 

    rprltc.co.uk

    Meadowview Road

    SW20 9AN

     

     

  • Neighbourhood Watch - June 2017

    Change in counting rules in burglary 

    As reported last month, from April 2017 residential burglary will now include all buildings or parts of buildings that are within the boundary of, or form a part of, a dwelling and includes the dwelling itself, vacant dwellings, sheds, garages, outhouses, summer houses and any other structure that meets the definition of a building. 

    The impact on the change will vary across boroughs but is likely to show close to a 12% increase on the current burglary dwelling figures. You may notice the change in weekly and month crime figures. 

    Smart Water kits 

    All except four cheques have been cashed and codes have been sent to over 100 residents.  There were many more who expressed an interest in a Smart Water kit but did not send a cheque.  If you want to know more about smart water or have any questions please visit the smart water website https://www.smartwater.com/ 

    Carnival Help 

    Thank you to those who have volunteered to help at the carnival. It is very much appreciated. If you are about on the 10th June please do come and say hello. 12-5pm Mitcham at Mitcham Fair Green http://www.merton.gov.uk/news-events/events/mitchamcarnival.htm 

    Lee Roberts (Miss)

    Neighbourhood Watch Manager

    Mitcham Police Station’ 58 Cricket Green

    Mitcham, Surrey, CR4 4LA,  

    Telephone: 020 8649 3213

    Email: lee.roberts@met.police.uk

     

     

  • Chairman's Blog - June 2017

    OPEN MEETING AT BLOSSOM HOUSE SCHOOL

     Once a year we hold an open meeting in Motspur Park so that residents there can bring to our attention any issues that need addressing in their immediate area.

     This year we have been invited to hold it in Blossom House School, which opened in April 2015 in the heart of Motspur Park.  The School is a specialist, independent day school, which provides a highly supportive curriculum for children with speech, language, and communication difficulties. It draws in children from all over south London. We meet there by kind permission of the Principal, Joanna Burgess, who was recently awarded the OBE for her work, and we are delighted that she has agreed to speak to us during the meeting about the facilities that the School provides.  We will also be welcoming Daniel Elkeles CEO of the Epsom and St. Helier NHS Trust, who will update us on all that is going on at St. Helier and Epsom Hospitals. 

    We are starting at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 14th June, to finish soon after 9pm, and we hope to see as many members as possible there. 

    SUBSCRIPTIONS 

    Our hard-working team of volunteer road stewards will be calling on you shortly if they haven’t already done so, to collect this year’s subscriptions for continued membership of the Association. The cost is again £3 for the year, and it hasn’t increased for many years.  We hope that you will want to join again, so that we can continue to protect the pleasant environment which we have chosen and been fortunate to live in. Next year we will celebrate 90 years of existence, since our foundation in 1928. 

    VOLUNTEERS‘  PARTY 

    This year we are again holding a summer party for our Area-Co-coordinators, Road Stewards, and other volunteers. This will be held in our Pavilion off Grand Drive on Saturday 8th July from 3pm to 5pm. This date is the middle Saturday of Wimbledon fortnight, and so we will be providing strawberries and cream, and prosecco as a thank you for everyone who helps keep the Association going. We look forward to meeting up again with all of you. 

    During the party, we have the formal dedication of the tree we planted in February in memory of Jan Bailey, who worked so tirelessly for 20 years for the interests of local residents. A plaque will be unveiled in her memory in the presence of her partner, Gordon.   As she loved the natural world so much, this will be a fitting tribute to her. 

    If anyone wishes to help us by becoming a volunteer in any capacity, please contact any member of the Committee. Our names and contact details are at the back of each copy of the Guide. You will be welcomed with open arms. 

    OAK TREES 

    Some huge oaks trees came down in Cannon Hill Lane during the storms this winter.  They were immediately cut into large segments by the Council’s tree surgeons.  It is well known that the age of trees can be accurately established by examining the rings of the tree, which show its annual growth. 

    Someone unknown to us has done precisely that with the largest specimen. He or she has dated the tree all the way back to 1816 in this way. 

    It is amazing to think that the tree has stood there since before the reign of Queen Victoria, when this area was open country, and survived all the changes since till this year.   I have a self-seeded oak sapling in my garden. It is a sobering, and yet a comforting, thought that, left to itself, it will still be here and thriving 200 years from now. 

    MALDEN GOLF CLUB

    I had the good fortune to play at Malden Golf Club this month. It is worth repeating that this Club was originally based in Raynes Park, and that the entrance to the Club House was marked by the pillars still to be seen at the junction of Grand Drive and Bushey Road.  The roads around were named for the Club, e.g. Fairway, Linkway, Firstway, and Grand Drive. 

    The Club decided it had to move when the course became too wet to play on each winter - as we still see - with the flooding in Prince George’s Playing Field and under the railway bridge.  

    The problem of flooding was also the reason this Association was established, back in 1928. This was one of the matters on which Jan Bailey was a true expert, and why we miss her so much. 

    John Elvidge

     

     

  • 14 June 2017 - Meeting at Blossom House

    14 June Open Meeting - 7:30 pm  

    We hope we will have a good attendance at our June Open meeting.  This is usually held somewhere in Motspur Park, and we are delighted to announce that this year it will be in Blossom House School.   We hope that we will have a good attendance from Motspur Park residents (we are sometimes accused of being too Grand Drive Centric) who will not only hear from the amazing Head of the School, but also from the Chief Executive of the Epsom and St. Helier Hospital NHS Trust about some of the great improvements that have been introduced, and plans for the future. 

  • RPWBRA Visit to AELTC

    Visit to the All England Lawn Tennis Club 

    The Association was invited to take a party of residents for a tour of the AELTC.  A group of about 30 residents and members of the Pavilion Club met on 19th May and were accompanied on the tour by the charming and enthusiastic Dan Bloxham (the Master of Ceremonies at the Wimbledon championships) who is very much involved in the Club’s work with the community and in encouraging young people.    

    The visiting group had an extensive tour of the grounds, Centre Court and Court No. 1, and the opportunity to watch Pat Cash and Tim Henman warming up for the opening of the grass courts – an annual event.   The courts certainly looked amazing like velvet carpets, with as yet, not a sign of wear and tear.   

     

    It was a most enjoyable tour. Thank you to AELTC for inviting us.

  • Planning News - May 2017

    16/P3135 - Parkgate House (in Motspur Park). The applicant has approval already to convert the offices to 19 Flats, but has submitted an application to remove the Mansard roof and construct 6 additional flats. This has been refused by the Planning Applications as being overbearing and inappropriate to the local street scene. The applicant has however submitted an Appeal which is to be considered by an Exchange of letters. The Inspector appointed will have to make a ‘site visit’.  It is worth remembering that because the building is very close to the railway lines and the Station, full development is unlikely (even if the Appeal is upheld) until the proposals for Crossrail 2 are much clearer.

     17/P 0609 Wyke Road (a stretch of land alongside the railway tracks). The application is to develop 10 one bedroom flats. This is still under consideration but Crossrail 2 Ltd has commented that the ‘application site is in close proximity to the safeguarding limits ‘of land required for the development of CR2 if it goes ahead. 

    A very robust Objection has been submitted by the Wimbledon Society. It is worth noting that there have been several applications over the years on this site (mostly for Office space) and all have either been Refused or withdrawn. 

    17/P 0833 - 240 Burlington Road This is a purpose-built block for Students of Kingston university. The application is for ‘Change of Use‘ only into a Hostel. No structural changes to the building or its appearance are being proposed. The applicant claims that because more suitable accommodation has been built for the students much closer to the University in recent years the building is only half full and uneconomic to run. The aim is to provide accommodation for rental in the wider market.

    The Association has written to the Planners requesting strict conditions be imposed if the Officers are mindful to approve this application. 

    17/P 0036 -  63 Grand Drive The application is to demolish the bungalow and double garage at the end of a long drive and construct 5 three-bedroom houses. The driveway leading to the site is very close to the last bus stop in Grand Drive going North which might involve traffic problems if, and when, approved. 

    16/P 4741    641 Kingston Road   The Public House known as The Junction Tavern. The applicant (The Olive Garden) plans to convert the building into a 21 bed Hotel. The application has been approved but just like Parkgate House and Wyke Road, this building is very close to the railway lines and one wonders whether anything is likely to develop until Crossrail 2 proposals are firmed up. 

     

    At the meeting of the Planning Applications Committee on 16th March it was agreed to restrict the time permitted by Objectors speaking at meetings to a total of 6 minutes instead of 9. The rule that the Applicant has the same amount of time to speak (as ALL the Objectors together) has been maintained. This is likely to be a problem with large applications where several people have requested to speak. They will have to consider who can make the best case in the limited time available.

  • Disruption to Trains - August 2017

    From 5 to 28 August 2017, Network Rail will be reconfiguring the track and platforms at Waterloo Station. This will mean a temporary timetable for trains to and from Raynes Park, with significant reductions in frequency of services and the loss of connections to other stations. To find out more go to networkrail.co.uk/wswupgrade and southwesttrains.co.uk/wswupgrade.

    Southwest Trains say that, as a result:

    • You may be asked to queue outside Raynes Park station
    • The train you usually catch may not be running
    • Services will be much busier than usual
    • Your journey may take longer
    • You may not be able to board the first train when you arrive

    If you are travelling from this station between the 5 and 28 August, please keep these tips in mind: 

    • Check the advice for other stations nearby. They might have more frequent or less crowded trains
    • Travel slightly earlier or later than normal. The busiest trains arrive into London between 8 and 9am and leave London between 5.30 and 6.30pm. To help you travel outside of these times we will provide longer trains for extended periods
    • Not travelling. If you are able to do so, you might want to consider working from home or planning a summer holiday for some or all of this time.

    As regards loss of connections to other stations, Network Rail says that the following stations will be closed during this period:

    Chessington North, Chessington South, Earlesfield, Norbiton, Malden Manor, Queenstown Road and Tolworth.

    It would also seem that trains to and from Raynes Park will not be stopping at Vauxhall.

    There may also be other impacts at other stations, on buses, on tubes and on local roads due to displaced travellers resorting to other routes.

    Due to superb planning by somebody (who probably wishes to remain anonymous) the Government has decided that that a joint venture between First Group and Hong Kong-based MTR, will take over the train franchise from Southwest Trains on 20 August in the midst of all this!

    Good Luck!

     

     

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townswomen's Guild - Apr 2017

    Mrs Stephanie Bruggerman, a NHS Physiotherapist, and Falls Co-ordinator for Merton, came to speak to us about Falls Prevention at our March meeting.  

    Following a wide-ranging discussion, she summarised with a four-point checklist of positive things we can do to avoid falls.  

     

    1.  Work at keeping strong and active

    2.  Check round your home for clutter and other hazards

    3.  Regularly check medications taken – requirement and dosage

    4.  Look after your eyesight 

    Also discussed were Personal Alarms and the Message in a Bottle scheme (which involves a summary of personal information being stored in an emergency canister in the fridge) This was a serious topic but the advice was well received by members.

    The meeting closed with a collection towards the famine in Sudan appeal. 

    Taking advantage of the spring sunshine, at the beginning of April, a large group enjoyed a lunch at The Watchman, New Malden.  The following week a small group enjoyed a guided tour of Charterhouse situated at one corner of Charterhouse Square which is close to The Barbican.  This historic building dates from the 1348.  It has served as a monastery, private mansion, boys school and an alms-house which it is today. Our tour took in the Great Hall where the Brothers sit together to eat their meals, the Great Chamber where Queen Elizabeth I held court during the first days of her reign, Wash-house Court associated with the medieval monks of the Charterhouse, and Master’s Court which reveals the opulence of Lord North’s Tudor mansion.  Personally, I liked the cloisters where you could plainly see the big grey stones supporting the small red Tudor bricks halfway up the wall.  There also remained an interesting doorway which would have led to a monk’s cell, with half of the original thick and heavy door on display.  Recently Charterhouse was a school which is now situated in the Godalming area.  The present Brothers are needy gentlemen (along the lines of the Chelsea Pensioners). 

    We are inviting local Residents and friends in the Rendezvous and Pavilion Clubs to join us for a Coach Trip to Eastbourne (Tickets £14).   Please telephone Dorothy Raymond to reserve a place.

     

    Coach Trip to EASTBOURNE 

    Date:  Thursday, 17th August 2017 

    Transport: 50 seater Edward Thomas coach 

    Pick Up Points:  

    Motspur Park – 9.00 am, 

    Raynes Park Station (Approach Rd side) – 9.10 am, 

    Grand Drive (Greenway bus stop Sth side) – 9.20 am. 

    Return: 4.30 pm. 

    Cost: £14 per seat (including tip)

     

    Our next meeting is on Thursday, 18th May at St Saviour’s Church Hall at 1.30 pm when Jonathan Jones will give a talk entitled ‘Town Crier’.  Visitors are always welcome at our meetings and other activities.    

    Dorothy Raymond  020 8395 9489

  • Pets at Risk

    We have heard from a local resident who volunteers for a small animal protection charity based in South Norwood, warning us of cats and other animals going missing, being injured, and even killed in the Greater London area. The Charity is currently working with the Police and the RSPCA to identify the culprits. 

    Although these unpleasant incidents appear to have started in the Croydon area, attacks have now widened to include the SW19 and SW20 areas, with one of the most recent occurrences in West Barnes Lane.   Residents (cat owners in particular) are being warned to keep their pets in after dark. A leaflet is currently being distributed asking people to call 999 to report anyone seen behaving suspiciously with a cat.   Similarly, if you see any domestic or wild animals who have been injured or found dead with knife wounds, to contact 07961 030 064 or 07957 830 940 immediately.

  • Local Transport - Have Your Say

    Tell Merton how you think its public transport could be improved.

    The Public Transport Liaison Committee meeting to be held at the Civic Centre from 7.15 p.m. on Wednesday 10th May 2017, is your chance to learn about how transport is changing and to put questions to Transport for London and other providers. 

    This public meeting is led by the Sustainable Communities Scrutiny Panel councillors and is organized primarily to give residents an opportunity to ask questions on transport topics of local interest.  

    There will be presentations on the Mayor’s Draft Transport Strategy, buses, trams, electric vehicle charging infrastructure and Mitcham town centre update, followed by question and answer sessions.  Following the meeting the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel will make recommendations for improvements to the Council’s Cabinet and to relevant transport providers to ensure that any issues raised at the meeting are fully considered.  

     

    For more information or special requirements call 020 8545 3837 or email: future.merton@merton.gov.uk

  • Wyke Road 17/P0609 and other matters.

    A Planning Application in Wyke Road (17/P 0609) to provide 10 one bed flats built as part 3 and part 4 storeys, has been refused but the applicant has submitted an appeal. Over the years there have been several applications for this site, mostly for office space. since it’s very close to the railway tracks and is probably regarded as unsuitable for residential use. 

    We were informed at the Raynes Park Community Forum on 8th March that Workspace Ltd.  were holding discussions with the Council about "further development " on the Rainbow Industrial Estate close to Raynes Park Station which would require planning approval. The nature of the proposals is unknown to us but if planning approval is required it suggests that they are considering a material amendment to the approved residential scheme.  Any proposals for additional or new light industrial or storage uses would probably not need planning approval. 

    A Planning Application for the site of the Dundonald Church in Kingston Road has been submitted (17/P0763) with a proposal to demolish the existing building and replace with a new Church at ground floor level with 15 flats above in a development which would be part 3 and part 5 storey. 

    We were also informed at the Forum meeting that an application is expected to be submitted soon for the Railway Tavern 641 Kingston Road to convert the building into a hotel. No further details are available at present.

    It was pointed out that all these proposals (apart from Dundonald Church) are on sites very close to the railway tracks and it is possible that the motivation for the proposals in some cases is to seek compensation if the ' application site in question proves to be partly or fully 'safeguarded’ (i.e. required for construction) by TfL for the development of Crossrail 2. 

  • Chairman's Annual Report 2014-15

    This year has, as ever, been a busy one for the Association. 

    It has been the first full year of operation for our own Residents’ Pavilion, and I want to begin by thanking everyone involved in its conversion, and in its continuing success. 

    The work to turn the tennis pavilion into a warm and welcoming centre is now complete.  We could not have done this without the expertise and enthusiasm of the Chairman of the Management Group, Jerry Cuthbert. He also continues the time consuming task of managing the site on a day to day basis. The Association owes him a great debt of gratitude.  He has been ably assisted in this work by David Freeman and I also want to thank him for this. 

    We were able to make the centre fully usable for less able people with £9000 from the Lottery Grant. This was secured for us by Christine Rowe.  While she has now left the committee to pursue other interests, I want to acknowledge her great contribution in obtaining this vital extra money. 

    I want to thank Linda Fitch, as well as David, for their work in transforming the overgrown grounds into a pleasant garden, and in maintaining them. 

    Overseeing the complex accounting for this project has been our Treasurer, John Townsend.  He has set up a separate account for the Pavilion so that we can ensure that it pays its way and is not a drain on the general resources of the Association.

    I am delighted to be able to say that the Pavilion is meeting its costs and, even at this early stage, has come into surplus. 

    The bookings for the Pavilion continue to be buoyant and I want to thank the Pavilion Management team for their work in showing people over the building, taking the bookings, and for opening and closing the pavilion on the day. It is heavily booked as weekends as a venue for family parties. 

    I must single out among the regular bookings the Social Club run for our own residents. This takes place every Thursday for two hours in the afternoon, and has been a tremendous success. It clearly is enjoyed and valued by everyone who attends. This is due to the warmth and enthusiasm of its co-hosts, Jill Truman and Andrea Hannan, and I congratulate them. 

    All this has been in addition to the usual work of the Association is trying to preserve the benefits of living in this area. 

    The range of work we cover can seen be seen from the detailed and valuable notes set out in the Guide each month by our joint secretaries, Jill Truman and Jan Bailey.  I want to thank them both for the enormous amount of hard work they put in to keep abreast of what is happening in our area, and for alerting us of matters that we need to comment on and, if necessary, oppose. 

    One successful example of this is that, with others, we managed to persuade the Post Office to retain full counter facilities in the centre of Raynes Park. 

    Planning issues continue to take up a lot of our time. The focus of attention for this coming year is going to be the proposed redevelopment of the Rainbow Estate off Grand Drive, which is the subject of two current planning applications. We have set out our objections at length in responses to these, and I want to thank Jerry Cuthbert and David Freeman for the excellent and expert way they have done so. 

    To summarise, we oppose any housing on this site, which is designed for light industrial and business use. It continues to be needed as such to provide essential local employment. The site is land locked, and is simply unsuitable for housing. This area has more than met its quota for housing, with all the new developments up Grand Drive.  All the schools and surgeries in this area are overflowing, and the developers want to add to the numbers of people living in our community, so as to enhance their own profits, without providing any of the infrastructure needed. 

    What we need in Raynes Park are facilities to drop off and pick people up at the station, and the proposed schemes cannot provide for this. 

    Where a development enhances the community, we support it. We welcome the proposal to build a new library in West Barnes, paid for by residential accommodation, as was the case in the successful redevelopment of the Raynes Park Library. 

    We also welcome the proposal to bring CrossRail 2 to this area, with proposed stops at Motspur Park and Raynes Park. This will enable much easier access for our residents across London. 

    Our planning team is highly experienced, and their contribution to our work is invaluable. They are David Freeman, Jerry Cuthbert, Pamela Robinson, and Jan Bailey. Jan is also an expert on our water courses and drains. Rachel Skinner is professionally engaged in transport matters, and gives freely of her time on issues such as parking, vehicular access to developments, and Cross Rail 2. We thank them all. 

    Communicating what we do, and getting feedback from our members, is vital. We remain, by far, the largest Residents’ Association in Merton, so this is a major task.   We use both traditional and new means to do so. The Guide has been published since 1928, and Jill Truman is carrying on the long tradition of continuously improving it, as our Editor. 

    To get it to our members each month requires the dedicated service of a team of area co-ordinators and road stewards, all voluntary members. They do a sterling job, and we can’t thank them enough. 

    They are all organised by our distribution manager Andrew Barwick and his deputy, Dick Coleman, to whom thanks. 

    The Guide is virtually self funding through the advertisements that it carries. Our advertising manager for the last few years has been Linda Fitch, and I want to thank her for taking on this post and for carrying it through so effectively. She now wants to step down from this role, and we are looking to find someone to carry it on. We welcome any volunteers for this essential task. Linda has agreed to brief anyone fully on the job.   

    We are also modern in our methods of communication, through our web site, which is increasingly well used.   Thanks continue to be due to our Web Master, Charles Briscoe-Smith, for his technical skill, and to Rachel Skinner and Jerry Cuthbert for keeping the content up to date. 

    Our finances continue to be buoyant, and it is extraordinary that we have been able to fund the conversion of the Pavilion while retaining enough funds for everyday and emergency use. John Townsend, whose report will be next, continues to manage these with great aplomb, secure us the best available rates of interest, and has a fine eye to detail. We thank him. I also want to thank our Honorary Auditor, Brian Lewis-Lavender. 

    Brian has now been elected as a Councillor for West Barnes Ward, together with Gilli, his wife, and Mary-Jane Jeanes.  All three of them are assiduous in their attendance at our Committee meetings, and in following issues that our residents raise. 

    We continue to be represented at meetings of the Raynes Park Forum and the Raynes Park Association, which covers the town centre. I would thank Pamela Robinson, Jan Bailey, and Jerry Cuthbert for attending on our behalf, and for their reports back. 

    Of course, we cover also the areas of Coombe Lane, and of Shannon Corner, and we thank Jill Truman and Peter Connellan for keeping us appraised of issues in these areas. We hold an Open Meeting each year in Motspur Park to make it easier for residents there to meet us. 

    Finally, I would repeat my pleas from last year. We are very busy and do an awful lot. But we can always do with fresh blood at all levels. None of us is getting any younger.  We would welcome any new assistance, in any capacity. Just get in touch. Thank you.     

    John Elvidge

     

    18 March 2015 

  • Ride London again; 28-29 July 2018

    Image result for ride london

     

     

     

    The 2018 Prudential Ride London cycling event will take place over the weekend of 28 -29 July 2018. The final route has yet to be published but we expect it will be coming through Raynes Park again on Sunday 29 July, following a route along Coombe Lane, Worple Road and up Wimbledon Hill. This will mean significant access restrictions to all properties in West Wimbledon, in the Coombe Lane / Copse Hill / Ridgeway areas and north and south of Worple Road. Click on https://www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk for, what seems to be, mostly last year's information. 

    If you live near Raynes Park or in West Wimbledon area and are planning an event at your home, have travel plans, expect visitors or have similar commitments on Sunday 29 July 2018, you are strongly advised find out in advance how this will affect you.

    As yet, road closure information for 2018 is not available but click here for last year's. It'll probably be similar this year. However, for 2018, the  closure of Grand Drive to northbound traffic for the gas main replacement works will have just started (GRAND DRIVE MAJOR CLOSURES FOR 2018). This will surely add to the confusion.

    Whilst the TfL website currently has no information, this is expect to change at some point.

     

     

  • No Wheelies Please

    From the No Wheelies Please - Merton Group 

    The results of two surveys (one borough wide, and the other by the Apostles Residents' Association) have indicated that over 90% of the respondents reject the Council's proposals for fortnightly waste collections (from October 2018) and the introduction of 68,000 wheelie bins across the borough. 

    The NO WHEELIES PLEASE - MERTON group, have instigated a non-party-political RESIDENTS' REFERENDUM to enable residents to make known their preferences for the frequency of dustbin waste collections, and for 80 litre, lidded, recycling bins in a uniform colour, instead of wheelies and open topped boxes. Thephotos on the website say it all! (but there's loads more info at- www.nowheeliesplease-merton.org.uk. 

    Having gathered the first thousand signatures, the group will be trying to secure face to face negotiations with the Council and Veolia Waste Management (who are taking over Merton's waste collection service this month).

     

  • Margaret Pye - Funeral Arrangements

    Sadly Margaret Pye, who was a redoubtable worker on behalf of the Environment for our Association for many years, and worked with Jan Bailey, teaching her a lot, has recently died.  The last few years were unkind to Margaret who had a stroke and was lovingly cared for by Michael.  The funeral will be on 5th April, at 2.00 p.m. at Holy Cross Church Hall, and 3.20 at the Crematorium. There will be light refreshments at the Church Hall following the Cremation.

  • Merton's Scrapped Weekly Collections

    Merton Scrapped Weekly Collection - FAQs

    As you know Merton's council’s current administration is planning to scrap the weekly rubbish collection.  Over 3500 people replied to the opposition parties’ survey, with 95% against the administration’s plans.  Many of you asked for more detail, so here is an FAQ which prepared by opposition Councillors to help you understand more about these plans.

     

     

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townwomen's Guild - April 2017

    A small group enjoyed their visit to Chiswick at the end of February.  Chiswick House Park is a delight at any time of year but even in daylight seems magical when, all around the grounds, there are large, imaginative and extremely well-made soldiers, Disney characters, and fairy tale tableaux, as well as representations of well known world-wide landscapes.   After a restorative lunch-time snack the group examined and admired the camellias in the conservatory, before walking round to Hogarth House.  Partly closed for restoration, there are nevertheless computers in the dining room which give an overview of the house and historic information.  The kitchen area currently holds an exhibition of items not normally on view, including interesting satirical etchings with full explanations.  Incidentally, one of these is acknowledged (and recognisable) as the inspiration for one of the exhibits at the current Hockney exhibition at Tate Britain.

    Lunch Club members found themselves in a Lloyds Bar full of musicians and miscellaneous large musical instruments.  Pushed out of their favourite spot! They nevertheless found a table and enjoyed their lunch. 

    At our meeting on April 20th (at 1.30 at St Saviour’s Church Hall) Jonathan Jones’ talk is entitled ‘Town Crier’.  The next visit is to Charterhouse (Tour on Wed 12th April) and the lunch club will visit The Watchman at New Malden Fountain (Thurs, 6th). 

    Visitors are always welcome to our meetings and other activities.  For more information please telephone. 

    Dorothy Raymond  020 8395 9489

     

  • Raynes Park Tennis Club

    Raynes Park Residents Lawn Tennis Club News - April 2017 

    The club is holding an Open Day on Saturday 22nd April between 1pm and 4pm. This is primarily aimed at adults including -beginners, those whose skills are a little rusty - and experienced players who might have recently moved to the area. 

    This doesn’t mean that we aren’t interested in helping juniors who will be welcome on the day, it’s just that the enormous success we have had under our head coach, José Marquez, has led to all our courses for juniors being fully subscribed, despite us putting on an additional days coaching. 

    José is proposing to run summer camps in the school holidays with under-9s between the 24th and 28th July, and older children up to 16 in the following week 

     Please contact the club for further details and confirmation.  You can turn up for the Open Day on the day, but if you want more details of the events taking place and the chance to register in advance, you can access the Information through the LTA at: Clubspark.lta.org.uk where you click on Open Days and search on SW20 andthen click on Raynes Park Residents LTC. 

    Paul Sadler

     

     

  • Raynes Park & West Barnes Libraries

    APRIL 2017 - ALL CHANGE AT RAYNES PARK and WEST BARNES LIBRARIES! 

    There are exciting developments afoot regarding our two local, much-valued libraries.

    In this month’s Guide we celebrate the input and achievements of Paul McDermott, the outgoing manager of the Raynes Park branch who is taking charge the borough’s largest library in Wimbledon from next month.

    Whilst still a sixth-former at Wimbledon College, Paul was employed on Saturdays at Morden Library and this gave him great insight into the work and activities involved in the development of successful library provision.

    Following completion of an Arts Foundation Course at Croydon College, Paul continued his studies at the Surrey Institute of Art and Design where he obtained his degree. This led to an enjoyable spell working in Wandsworth -first as a teaching assistant - and then as a fully qualified teacher.  For four years he enjoyed the busy, daily life of primary school teaching before deciding to return to his library “roots” in order to pursue the challenges involved in all-age provision.

    In 2011 Paul became Customer Services Officer at Morden Library and undertook the responsibility of developing the Summer Reading Challenge across the borough.  This was a hugely satisfying task and cemented his desire to involve himself in library development

    In November 2014 Paul was appointed as Manager of Raynes Park where he was pleased to inherit a flourishing, well-organised establishment from his predecessor, Hannah. 

    During his two and a half years at Raynes Park Paul has developed a strong volunteer base of over seventy people involved in a huge range of tasks and activities; he has built close ties with local schools and nurseries and consolidated a timetable of daily activities for both pre-school and school-aged children; he is also very proud to have established a huge variety of free activities for adults.

     Visitor numbers for the last month showed an increase of 8% compared to the same month last year – averaging 10,000 visits at Raynes Park library per month!

    Paul’s calm, encouraging and friendly presence will be missed and we offer him our best wishes for the next phase of his career.

    What next for Raynes Park?      

    Kevin, the helpful, knowledgeable security officer will be remaining as will many volunteers.  However, we wish Cathy, our senior librarian who has given 36 years of devoted service, a happy early retirement.  We also wish every success to Marija (Deputy Manager) who will be transferring to Wimbledon and to Fuad who will continue his valuable work at Mitcham.  

    In a challenging but exciting development, Karren, the highly talented manager of West Barnes library will have the task of combining both our excellent libraries!

     

    There will be more about Karren shortly.

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townswomen's Guild - Mar 17

     

    Our January meeting featured an illustrated talk by a representative of the Air Ambulance Service.  This organisation is a charity set up in the Kent, Surrey & Sussex area in 1989 - the third area service set up - the first and second being London and Cornwall.  The team on board the helicopter includes a Doctor and paramedic, the Doctor commencing immediate emergency care and assessing the appropriate hospital for the patient.  Road traffic accidents make up 40% of call-outs, 40% are to other accidental traumas, the remaining 20% being medical emergencies. It takes 4 minutes for the helicopter to get off the ground but IT can reach any area in the region in 20 minutes. They can land anywhere the pilot decides suitable.  The service has been 24-hour since 2013.  The night-time helicopter is larger taking 9 minutes to take off, but with more space can take patients on board quickly.  This was a fascinating and informative talk from an amazing charity. 

    I think all the local clubs had groups at the Sunday afternoon Magnificent Music Hall at Wimbledon Theatre including a small party of ladies and one husband from the Towns Women’s Guild It was a generously long and varied show, everyone enjoyed this annual event. 

    At our Annual General Meeting held at the February meeting, the current committee was re-elected unchanged.  The secretary then outlined the programme of speakers she had obtained for the year 2017/18 which was well received, following which was a discussion about places of interest to visit. 

    The lunch club dines at the Lloyds Bar, Fulham early in March, on Wednesday 1st, and the next visit has been moved even further forward to Wednesday, 22nd February.  This is to allow members to examine the Festival of Lanterns installations around Chiswick House Grounds before they are taken down on 26th February as well as visiting the Camelia Conservatory, open at this time.  After lunch in the café we will visit the neighbouring Hogarth House. 

    Our next meeting on Thursday, 16th March is at 1.30 for 1.45 at St Saviour’s Church Hall.  At approximately 2.30 pm Mrs S. Bruggeman will give a talk about ‘Falls Prevention’.   Anyone interested in this topic is invited to join us.  

    Dorothy Raymond  020 8395 9489

     

     

  • P16/4853 - Former Wolfson Centre, SW20

    To:       Planning Representations

                London Borough of Merton

    From:   RP&WBRA

    Date:   13th February 2017 

    Re:  Planning Application 16/4853 – Former Wolfson Centre, Copse Hill, SW20 

    We write to object to the above application which represents a significant departure from the established design principles with resultant negative impact on the Copse Hill Conservation Area.   We would suggest that the design approach does not preserve or enhance the character of the conservation area and indeed has a negative impact on the neighbouring MOL (see 5.5 of the Merton Core Planning Strategy). 

    Most significantly, we object to the excessive increase in density proposed. The proposed density is  close to 200 habitable rooms per hectare, which for this site, we believe, should be no more than 150 to 200.   In a Conservation area such as this, we consider that the density should be very much at the lower end of this range.  Also seeking to build 5 and 6 stories in a Conservation Area is unacceptable. The height should be restricted to that of the surrounding buildings.                                                                                                                      

    Additionally, there is no compelling case for this revised P/A in terms of the number of proposed housing units.

    (Figures sourced from Merton Annual Monitoring Report 2014/2015).  The GLA London Plan target for Merton was 320 Dwelling Units per annum, which was well exceeded for 5 years in a row, but for the 5 years from 2016 to 2021 this target (set by GLA) has been increased to 411 dwelling units per annum. For years 2014/15 the number of housing completions was 459 well above not just the old target but also the new target. 

    Moreover Merton projected housing provision for the next 5 years safely exceeds not only the new target but also the figure if the 5% safety 'buffer' is added on. 

    The neighbouring site is a SINC – home to nocturnal bats and wildlife, we would suggest that there will be a detrimental impact of light pollution from the proposed large blocks. 

    According to Transport for London, this site has low public transport accessibility with a rating of 1b, i.e. only one bus and a 20 minute walk to the nearest station.  The Application is proposing a total of 96 car parking spaces.  These two factors suggest a potential for very many additional cars onto Copse Hill with a resultant deleterious effect on traffic congestion in the area and pollution. 

    Policy CS8 of the Merton Core Strategy sets a target of 40% affordable housing on sites providing 10 or more homes (subject to viability) and London Plan Policy 3.11 seeks to maximise affordable housing.   This proposal allows for only 25 units (30%) which is inadequate. 

    In summary, the proposals are in conflict with Policy DM D2 (Design Considerations) of the Sites and Policies Plan July 2014 by failure to relate appropriately to the siting, scale, density and height of the surrounding buildings, the local context and the local landscape. Also the potential increase in traffic density is very likely to result in adverse impact on the lives of nearby residents and have adverse impact on road safety.  

     

    We urge the Planning Applications Committee to refuse this application.

  • Chairman's Blog - March 2017

    RATE RISE TO PAY FOR SOCIAL CARE 

    It looks as though Merton Council will increase council tax at the annual budget meeting by 3% in order to provide extra funding for adult social care. The Labour administration has been forced into this position despite having previously pledged to keep the levy frozen until 2018. 

    The government has given all local authorities permission to increase local taxation by 3% next year, to help alleviate the obvious shortfall in provision for the increasing numbers of elderly and disabled people. 

    It is reported that the Council was forced into this decision by pressure from Merton’s Clinical Commissioning Group which warned in October that the extra funding which they provided to the Council would be withdrawn unless it raised the precept. It is thought that this extra money will be ring-fenced. 

    The Government also gave local authorities permission to increase rates by a further 3% in the following year, but no decision has been made on this so far.    

    The Government has, in fact, given permission to all local authorities to raise taxation by up to 4.99% next year. They can only go above this figure if they hold a local referendum, but no authority has decided to do so, Surrey County Council having thought better of their intention to hold one to raise their impost by 15%.  It seems doubtful that Merton will increase the tax by more than the 3% next year. 

    PARKING IN GARDENS

     There are more and more house owners who are paving over their front gardens to park their vehicles. The proposed impost on diesel vehicles for those householders who need parking permits, which we reported on in the last edition of The Guide, is likely to increase this trend. Other people concrete over their front gardens as somewhere to store wheelie bins, which is again likely to increase if the Council change the rubbish collection provision in 2018.  

    Much of this area is prone to flooding. It is always worth repeating that this Association was founded in 1928 precisely because of this problem. In recent years we have had repeated flooding in certain areas, particularly when there are flash floods.  As the climate grows warmer, the rate of such downpours has increased. 

    Ordinary domestic gardens soak up rainwater, but every piece of concrete we build increases water run-off, and the drains are unable to cope. 

    The Times weatherman reports that some 5 million gardens are now paved, which is one in four of the total. There has been a three-fold increase in the past ten years.   

    Most front gardens need access from a crossover from a dropped kerb, which the Council has to agree. Councils ought to insist as a condition of granting permission for a crossover that the surface of the front garden is not concrete or tarmac, but something permeable which will allow water to soak away gradually. There are many such surfaces on the market. 

    DIESEL LEVY 

    We wrote to the Council protesting at the proposed introduction in April of the diesel levy.  My letter and the reply from the Council member responsible for the introduction of the scheme may be read here.

     GRAND DRIVE/BUSHEY ROAD TRAFFIC LIGHTS 

    We also wrote to Transport for London about the sequencing of the traffic lights turning right into Grand Drive. You can see the reply we received here.

     

    John Elvidge

  • Diesel Levy

    From:    John Elvidge (RP&WBRA)] 
    To:         Councillor Stephen Alambritis 

    Date:     27th January 2017 

    Re:  Diesel Levy

    I write as Chairman of the Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents' Association. I understand that the Council is proposing to bring in a levy on diesel vehicles as early as this April, with a surcharge for parking permits and business permits, that is likely to increase in future years.   Please take this e-mail into account in reply to the public consultation that you are (belatedly) undertaking. 

    While I understand that modern research shows that such vehicles bring health issues, there does need to be a period of time for public education and during which people are able to change vehicles, otherwise the costs to them will be inordinate. Most people change their vehicles only every three years or so, and those who have recently bought such a vehicle will be heavily penalised, given the depreciation in value.  If the proposal has merit, it should be introduced over a number of years.  The proposal will also hit hardest those who are less well off, as they can ill afford to change their vehicle, simply to avoid extra costs. 

    Further, there seems little evidence of such bad air pollution in Merton that it is vital to introduce this scheme at such speed. 

    I trust that the Council will defer the introduction of the scheme at this time. 

    Please acknowledge receipt.

     

     From:     Cllr. Ross Garrod (LBM)

    To:         John Elvidge (RP&WBRA)

    Cc:         Cllr. Stephen Alambritis

    Date:      27th January 2017 

    Re:  Diesel Levy 

    Thank you for your email that has been passed to me as Cabinet Member responsible for the diesel levy. I have passed your response to the consultation to the Traffic and Highways team so that it can be considered. However, I must advise that it will be considered as an individual response and I would urge you to speak to members of your association to email the traffic and highways department directly should they wish to raise individual concerns about the levy. Please be reminded that the consultation concludes on 3rd February.  

    Just as a note of background - the proposed introduction of the Diesel Levy is to tackle the issue of air pollution in which the emissions from diesel cars contribute disproportionately. It is estimated that air pollution kills over 9,000 Londoners and will also have a significant impact on the health of many others. I am sure you would agree that this is alarming especially as those exposed to the pollutants would be unsuspecting residents. The issue of air pollution is a top priority for the Mayor of London as the air in particular parts of London is often in breach of regulated levels. This is line with the air quality tests we have undertaken in the borough.  

    As I am sure you will agree, there is a need to act to tackle this issue and as an authority we have a duty to our residents. The powers open to local authorities to dissuade the use of diesel cars are limited. In fact I would have much rather the Government bring in a scheme to incentivise the scrappage of such vehicles. However, they have consistently demonstrated a lack of willingness to act and in their absence I think as an authority we should do what we can to limit the impact and exposure of these poisonous substances impacting on the health of residents in the borough.  

    I appreciate the concerns you raise about the introduction being introduced over a number of years and this was raised at a scrutiny meeting by Councillors and as result we have proposed that the levy be introduced over a three year period. The first year will be set at the reduced amount of £90 and by year three it will be £150. This will afford residents two years to prepare before the full priced levy be applicable.  

    I hope that you have found my email to be helpful and once the consultation closes you will receive further communication from the Traffic and Highways team. 

  • TfL letter - Bushey Rd - Feb 2017

    To:       John Elvidge

    From:   Leon Daniels, Managing

    Director, Surface Transport, Transport for London 

    Re:   Bushey Road and Lower Downs Bridge 

    Thank you for your letter of 11 January. I have addressed the issues you raise individually. 

    The junction of Bushey Road and Grand Drive 

    This junction experiences heavy traffic throughout the day, with long queues on both Grand Drive and Bushey Road. Our primary aim here has always been to strike a fair balance for all and we have tried to make improvements to both of these approaches in response to customer enquiries about the junction. 

    There are four bus services that pass through this junction, including routes 152, 163, 655 and K5, and we need to maintain a smooth journey and minimise delays for each bus. The A298 is also designated as a stretch of the 'Strategic Road Network', which we must prioritise where possible, as it carries a large Volume of traffic. 

    To aid us in reaching a fair balance, this junction was upgraded to operate a newer form of traffic signal control that uses vehicle detection embedded in the road surface to measure demand on each approach. This information allows our computer system to calculate the required length of signal 'green time' to allocate. The new signal timings have been in operation for approximately six months, and we are pleased to say that we have received no negative feedback in that time. 

    However, following your enquiry, we have investigated the operation of the junction in line with your observations, and have confirmed that the right turning movement from Bushey Road into Grand Drive southbound is receiving a shorter signal green time when compared to other approaches, particularly in the morning. To help address the issue with this movement, we have changed the traffic signal timings in the morning to provide a slightly longer signal green time, on average, without significantly impacting upon other traffic movement. 

    We will continue to monitor the junction over the coming months to ensure that our changes are effective, and would welcome any further feedback from you. 

    Lower Downs Bridge 

    This bridge is not part of our road network and any works would need to be carried out by the asset owner and the local borough, the London Borough of Merton.   I would suggest contacting the LB Merton directly about the issue of high vehicles getting stuck. 

     

    I hope this response is helpful to you.

  • Crossrail 2 - Update February 2017

    What the RPWBRA is doing? 

    Through its membership of the Raynes Park Association (RPA), our association is joining forces with other local residents’ and business associations, in anticipation of another round of public consultation on Crossrail 2 in Spring 2017. 

    Crossrail 2 coming to our area 

    Crossrail 2 is a new railway line, which is planned to come through Raynes Park and Wimbledon stations, providing a completely new link from our area to central London and northwards into Hertfordshire. 

    The Crossrail 2 trains are planned to provide a direct service from Raynes Park to new destinations in central London. After calling at Wimbledon, the trains will run in tunnels all the way to Tottenham Hale. There are expected to be several below-ground stations in central London, including inter-connections at Victoria, Tottenham Court Road and Euston/St Pancras. 

    It will thus make many destinations easier to reach, without the need to travel via Waterloo. For example, it should be easier to reach the City and Docklands by taking Crossrail 2 to Tottenham Court Road and changing onto the soon-to-open Elizabeth Line, rather than going via either the Waterloo & City or Jubilee tube lines, as at present. 

    In the opposite direction, the Crossrail 2 trains are planned to serve the existing Network Rail branches all the way to Shepperton, Hampton Court, Chessington South and Epsom. These branches will also continue to carry national rail services to and from Waterloo. These branches, of course, converge on Raynes Park. 

    Public Consultation in Spring 2017 

    Whilst Crossrail 2 in not programmed to be completed until 2032, we are likely to have several years of construction work in our neighbourhood. Despite this seeming far in the future, the opportunity for us to have our say is likely to be very soon, because once the key decisions are taken, it will be much harder to change things later. 

    Currently, the Crossrail 2 team is considering the recommendations of the National Infrastructure Commission and the Government on the business case for the scheme. They have been tasked with finding £4bn savings from a budget of around £27bn, which is quite a challenge. 

    As a consequence, the next phase of public consultation, which was originally scheduled for the end of last year is now postponed until this spring. 

    What the results of the cost saving exercise may be and when the public consultation may re-start, we have no idea. Stephen Hammond, our MP, has asked for a meeting with Crossrail 2 to find out what we might expect and when. 

    Impact on Wimbledon Town Centre 

    In the winter of 2015/2016 there was an initial public consultation concerning the underground section through central London, which included the area to be taken up by an expanded Wimbledon Station and the land required above ground immediately to the west of Wimbledon Station for sidings to allow trains to reverse direction. 

    Whilst these proposals were very much an initial outline and broad-brush in nature, they proved highly controversial, as they implied that the Centre Court shopping mall would be demolished, together with many other buildings (both old and new) around the station. 

    Due to the largely adverse public reaction, Crossrail 2 went away to reconsider their plans for Wimbledon Station. Whilst we know that several other ideas about how the extra platforms may be accommodated were under consideration during 2016, nothing more has been made public for the reasons explained above. 

    Safeguarding 

    As part of the 2015/2016 consultation process, Crossrail 2 issued “Safeguarding” plans. These delineate the boundaries of the land likely to be required, both during construction and for the permanent works. These plans have a statutory significance, insofar that (a) any planning applications within the safeguarded areas must be referred by the planning authority to Crossrail 2, in case they might have an impact of the scheme and (b) that landowners within the safeguarded areas may apply for compensation from blight, if they consider they have materially suffered as a result. 

    However, the safeguarding plans published so far for our area only relate to the public consultation that has taken place over the proposals for Wimbledon and the associated sidings. 

    Nothing has been published about any proposals west of Lower Downs Road. 

    Likely Changes in Raynes Park and Motspur Park 

    However, we know that it is planned to run something like double the number of trains through Raynes Park and onto the four branches to Shepperton, Hampton Court, Chessington South and Epsom. The initial proposals indicate that this will necessitate two extra railway lines running between New Malden and Wimbledon, through Raynes Park. (one in each direction). This would thus increase the existing four lines to six along this stretch of track. 

    However, we know that Network Rail have been busy working with Crossrail 2 on the design details and we expect that new information will be forthcoming fairly soon. 

    Suffice it to say that these additional lines will be a tight fit through Raynes Park town centre, particularly at the station, where there is very little spare railway land. 

    Ideally, if Raynes Park Station is to be significantly modified, we like to see straighter platforms (without the dangerous gaps we have at the moment) and step-free access from street to trains on all platforms. Whilst, of course, the devil will be in the detail, the RPA is keen to get the best outcome for Raynes Park. 

    We are also concerned about what is planned for the two level-crossings along West Barnes Lane (i.e. at the junction with Burlington Road and at Motspur Park), as it seems inevitable that these level crossings would cease to be practical with the planned increase in trains. It is also anticipated that improvements will also need to be made to Motspur Park Station. 

    We consider it important that any changes to the station in Raynes Park incorporate improvements to the connectivity with pedestrian, cycle, bus and road routes. We also would like to see the plans incorporate improvements to the public realm around the station. 

    Find Out More 

    You can find out more and subscribe for email bulletins on the Crossrail2 website, http://crossrail2.co.uk/ . You can also find out more on our MP’s website, https://www.stephenhammond.net/campaigns/crossrail-2 . 

    In the meantime, we urge local residents and businesses to participate in the next public consultation, when the time comes. 

     

    Jerry Cuthbert, 2 February 2017

  • What's on at Raynes Park Library?

     

     

    Click here for the events Calendar at Raynes Park Library.

     

     

     

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townswomen's Guild - Feb 2017

    Activities in the New Year seemed to start slowly for the ladies of our Guild, with the lunch club not meeting until 31st.  Nevertheless a number of ladies went to this year’s pantomime Dick Whittington at Wimbledon Theatre, a production which they thoroughly enjoyed, commenting on the costumes and stage sets as well as the professionalism and competence of the cast.  

    A small group also took themselves to the Rose Theatre café for the advertised lunch-time Wednesday Variety Club performance.  This proved to be a disappointment because, regrettably, the entertainment had been cancelled.  Nevertheless, all enjoyed the café’s beautifully presented toasted sandwich lunch-time platter. 

    At the time of writing we are looking forward to our talk by the Surrey Ambulance on 19th January and the Magnificent Music Hall at Wimbledon Theatre on Sunday 22nd. January. 

    Our February meeting will be held on Thursday, 16th February at 1.30 pm in St Saviour’s Church Hall.  This will be our Annual General Meeting with a Bring & Buy sale. 

    Visitors are always welcome to our meetings and other activities.  For more information please telephone. 

    Dorothy Raymond  020 8395 9489

  • Safer Neighbourhoods - Top Tips

    Top tips from the Safer Neighbourhood Teams to help residents avoid being burgled. 

    ·                Mark or etch your property with your postcode, house or flat number or the first three letters of your house name.

    ·                Register items with a serial number at: www.immobilise.com

    ·                Do not leave your car keys or ID documents near doors, letterbox or windows. Lock them away safely.

    ·                Close and lock all your doors and windows, even if you are only going out for a few minutes.

    ·                Keep your valuables out of sight through windows.

    ·                Leave some lights on & ask a neighbour to pop in and open/close curtains if it will be dark before you get home or you are away for a few days.

    ·                Install a visible burglar alarm &/or CCTV & don’t forget to set it!

    ·                Always keep sheds and outbuildings securely locked.

    ·                Lock away any ladders safely out of view.

    ·                Cancel milk or other deliveries if you will be away for days or weeks at a time. 

    Don’t advertise your holiday on Social Media

    If you see anyone acting suspiciously in your area, call 999 immediately.

     

  • Chairman's Blog - Feb 2017

    Council Proposal to surcharge diesel vehicles 

    It will not be generally known that Merton Council is proposing to impose a surcharge on diesel vehicles for the cost of parking permits in controlled parking zones and business permits.  The suggestion was made in a report last autumn, and, if approved at a full Council meeting, could come into effect as soon as April this year. 

    The surcharge, which has already been brought into operation in some other London boroughs, will target only diesel vehicles, which scientists say produce more hazardous nitrogen dioxides and small particulates than petrol or electric vehicles. These get into the lung and bring on long term illnesses.   

    Local authorities are not allowed to bring in such measures for the purpose of raising income, but Merton’s proposals have been calculated to raise a staggering figure of extra income of £516,000 in the first year and over £900,000 by 2019/20. This extra income can only be used on transport measures, but will, obviously, be used to defray other council costs. It is hard to avoid the conclusion that the proposal is driven by the desire to make money, rather than on grounds of health.  

    There have been major published objections to this proposal. 

    The first is that people do not change their cars every year, but only after a period of years, often three. Those who have recently bought a diesel as opposed to a petrol or petrol/electric car will be heavily penalised, given the depreciation in the value of any purchased car.   If the proposal has merit, it should be introduced over a number of years, as the Mayor of London is proposing for a surcharge/ban on diesel vehicles coming within the congestion zone, by 2020. 

    The second is that the surcharge will unfairly hit the less well off, who can ill afford to change their vehicle, simply to avoid extra costs. 

    The third is that most CPZ’s and parking permits are in the west of the Borough, where there is no objective evidence of bad air pollution, indeed the contrary.  

    The fourth, and perhaps major one, is that the Council has not undertaken any public consultation on the scheme, and indeed has had no information campaign to inform the public of it.   This is another example, together with that on wheelie bins, of the majority party on the Council going ahead with an ill thought out policy without full public consultation and approval. 

    TRAIN SERVICES INTO WATERLOO 

    Network Rail and South West Trains have warned of major impacts to services into Waterloo Station next August, between August 5 and 28.  For once, this is nothing to do with strikes or union disputes, but is for a good reason. Waterloo is due to have an £800 million upgrade, which will see the five platforms originally used for Eurostar, and which have been long disused, brought back into use. Platforms 1-4, which are used for the suburban trains from Motspur Park and Raynes Park, are being extended to accommodate 10 car trains.   According to Network Rail, the number of journeys into Waterloo has more than doubled to 234 million in 20 years.

    LETTER TO TRANSPORT FOR LONDON 

    The letter I have written to Transport for London about the traffic light sequencing at the Grand Drive/Bushey Road junction, and about Lower Downs Bridge is below:

     1. The junction of Bushey Road and Grand Drive, SW20, is saturated with traffic for much of the day. We understand that TFL are undertaking a review of this junction. Please let us know whether this is correct, and when we may expect to see the result of that review. In the meantime, the sequencing of the traffic lights has been changed, so that vehicles coming along the slip road from the A3 and wanting to turn right onto Grand Drive are held back far more than other traffic. My observations are that only some 5 cars at a time can get through before the lights change. The result is that traffic is now piled back onto the slip road and as far as the A3, causing obvious danger. To avoid the extended hold up, some vehicles now continue down Bushey Road and then do a U turn, which causes more danger.   I imagine that the purpose of this change was to ease congestion on the other routes, but this goes too far.

     

    2. There continues to be a problem of high vehicles getting stuck under Lower Downs Bridge, SW20. This is despite the new notices warning on both sides that it is a low bridge, height indicators, and electronic warnings. The problem here is that the entrance to the bridge on both sides is higher than the arch in the middle, and this is not apparent to those unfamiliar with the structure. What is needed is a clear warning that the central arch of the bridge is much lower than the entrance. It would help greatly to have large metal rods (to the height of the central arch) hanging from both sides, which would give a visual and aural warning. 

    I look forward to your reply. With thanks. JE

    CARERS 

    I have reported previously about the Council considering whether or not to increase the amount that it pays for social care in the community, on which so many elderly and disabled people depend for their day to day living. 

    A resident contacted me, who herself cares for a neighbour who is disabled. She asked me to make the important point that most elderly and disabled people are enabled to stay in their own homes, and not have to go into care, because of the assistance given by members of their own family or strangers. The charity which supports carers, Carers UK, calculates that across the UK there are 6.5 million people who are unpaid carers supporting a loved one who is older, disabled or serious ill.  That is 1 in 8 of adults. Every day, another 6,000 people become carers. They make an enormous contribution to society and save the economy billions of pounds. 

    The Government does pay a Carer’s Allowance if you spend more than 35 hours a week caring for a relative or friend who is ill or disabled.  You don’t have to live with them or be related to them.  This is currently about £62 a week. You can take up to four weeks break a year from caring and still receive the benefit. But you can only get this allowance if you earn less than £110 per week after tax, and other benefits you receive are taken into account also. 

    Anyone already caring in this way, or thinking of doing so, should consult the local CAB services for details of the Carer‘s Allowance, particularly if they are already pensioners themselves where the arrangements are complex.  Or there is a form on line to complete to obtain this. 

    John Elvidge  

     

     

  • Chairman's Blog - Dec 2016

    WHEELIE BINS 

    By the time you read this, we expect that the Council will have committed the expenditure of 7 million pounds of your money for the purchase of wheelie bins. This is to further the introduction of a new system of waste collection sometime in 2018. 

    This is being introduced presumably to save money, but they have produced no evidence to show any cost savings. 

    They have conducted no survey to show that this is wanted by the majority of residents, and most people who have contacted us are very opposed to the proposed changes. This is because they think that the present system works well, and they support the continuation of a weekly collection service both for waste that goes to landfill and waste that can be recycled. 

    The Council is only proposing to collect general household rubbish from the wheelie bins every fortnight, and not every week. A second wheelie bin will be used to collect paper, newspapers and cardboard on the same fortnightly cycle. Very confusingly, glass bottles, tins and plastic will be put in a green or purple box and collected on the alternative week.  This is a recipe for disaster, and will result in even less rubbish being recycled, and more going to landfill. 

    The Council points to what they call “the successful 2015 wheelie bin project in Lavender Fields ward which saw an increase in resident satisfaction with 89% residents saying they were satisfied with the introduction of wheelie bins”.  However, we understand that these residents were not told that the wheelie bin waste would, under their proposals, only be collected on a fortnightly basis, and not weekly. We are not told either of the mix of houses surveyed, and whether any of the residents suffered from disabilities of any kind. 

    Wheelie bins are large and unsightly, and will need to be stored somewhere. If they are emptied only every other week, they will rapidly be filled up, and spill over, spraying rubbish over the streets.  People in terraced homes will have to take them through the house to get them to a point of collection. People who are infirm will not be able to manage them. They will have to be emptied one by one into the dustcart, which will take further time to process.  

    They say that “Prior to rolling out any agreed wheeled bin scheme, the council will “…address any concerns with the implementation of a wheeled bin collection service”. Many residents have already pointed out that they will not be able to manage to get a wheelie bin to the front of their property.  We doubt very much that the new operators will have the time, or be paid the resources, to help householders on an individual basis to collect the bins from inside their home or from the back or side of it.  

    One local resident wrote a hand written leader to the Council leader asking him specifically how he and his wife were going to cope, given that he has heart problems, and his wife has dementia. He received a standard letter from Councillor Alambritis which did not answer either question. Insultingly, it started by thanking him for his email, which indicates that he did not himself see the letter. 

    This is simply not good enough. One of the main duties of a Council is to collect waste. A system that operates well enough should not be changed without strong evidence that its replacement will be better, and not in this cavalier manner. 

    ADULT SOCIAL CARE 

    Councils have been given permission by the government to increase council tax by 2 per cent to fund extra social care, which is much needed to cope with the increasing numbers of elderly and disabled people. Merton Council has not increased its council tax for some years, but the Council is conducting a survey of residents to see whether people wish to see no increase in tax, or 2%, which would raise an additional £1.5 million, or 3.99%, which would raise an additional £3 million. The intention is that any extra money raised would be ring fenced for social care use only.   

    Very unfortunately, the consultation was conducted through the pages of the autumn edition of My Merton, and this publication failed to get delivered at all to many residents in our area. The Councillors have written to the Chief Executive to ask how this came about.  

    Social care provision is a very important matter: if you wish to express a view, please write to the Chief Executive of Merton Council with your views. The official consultation promises that your views will be kept anonymous and data protected. 

    BOUNDARY COMMISSION PROPOSALS 

    The last edition of the Guide contained our response to the proposals of the Boundary Commission in regard to the local Parliamentary constituencies. Our MP, Stephen Hammond, informs us that all responses will be published next spring, followed by a secondary consultation. New proposals will not be published until the end of 2017, and there will then be an 8 week consultation. 

    DAYLIGHT SAVING 

    Once again the clocks have gone back, so that we are now in darkness by 4 pm.  I have said before that the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has found that more accidents happen in the dark evenings than happen in dark mornings. They want the system changed, but when will Parliament do this?  The argument is always that the present system suits the needs of Scotland, but they now have a separate parliament, and do not need to be on the same time as the rest of us. 

    John Elvidge

     

     

     

     

  • Friends of Sir Joseph Hood Playing Fields

    FRIENDS OF SIR JOSEPH HOOD MEMORIAL PLAYING FIELD UPDATE

    ‘The Friends’ was set up in 2003 in response to the threat of paddling pool closure and a decline in the park. Park users felt intimidated by drug users and underage drinkers and reported increased vandalism, graffiti and littering following a decrease in security. 

    Since its formation, the Friends has benefitted from the tireless work of Caroline Ventom, Sophie Cabral, Dianne Walker and Lucy Hill who in 2004 successfully campaigned to overturn the decision to close the paddling pool and have fought hard to raise funding and work with the council and the community to improve the park’s facilities.  Among their achievements was the installation of new playground equipment, a basketball/multi sports area, resurfacing of the tennis courts, installation of the crazy golf and fitness equipment and the formation of a Friends Cafe. In addition the Friends were intrinsic to the Park successfully securing the prestigious Green Flag status from 2008 - 2014. 

    The park is now a true family friendly hub of the community frequented and appreciated by many. However, further cuts have meant that for a number of years the park no longer has a full time park keeper and the facility management is shared between a number of parks which means more emphasis on the Friends and community groups to keep a diligent eye out to ensure it does not yet again decline. Further to this, cuts in funding have meant that in 2015 the council has again tabled the closure of the park’s paddling pool and the Green Flag was also lost. This prompted a resurgence in local interest and an increased membership in the Friends and some new initiatives. 

    On 5th November the Friends held their annual AGM to review the activities to date and to discuss a new committee structure. A summary of the AGM follows. 

    Events from 2015/16 include a Dog walking community day, a Bat walking expedition, a Family Fun run and Splash Dance event (both to raise awareness for the proposed closure of the paddling pool) a Crazy Golf clean up session (in partnership with the Wimbledon 22nd Scout group) and several litter picking events. 

    A  marketing campaign was set up to lobby against the closure of the paddling pool, seeking to replace it instead with a Splash Pad. The campaign included a manual and online petition, liaison with the local media and a social media presence was created with the creation of a Friends Facebook Group and a twitter account. 

    The Friends logo was rebranded and a newsletter was produced. Local businesses, schools and community engagement was engendered and local sponsors endorsed the campaigns sponsoring publicity. Publicity from the local paper and a short film was put together presenting the case for the Splash Pad.  As a result of this, the paddling pool was opened for the Summer of 2106 and a verified anonymous pledge of £50,000 was received towards the building of a Splash Pad in 2017/18. Additionally, the Friends assisted the council in their bid to regain Green Flag Status for 206/17 and were successful in doing so.  

    Ahead of the pool’s opening, the Friends took the decision to move the Friends Cafe into the Golf Hut and sought to establish support amongst the public. They organised and set up a rota opening the cafe on a regular basis throughout the summer. They took on the running of the Crazy Golf on behalf of the council and as a result took profits of £7,000 over the summer period. During the AGM it was agreed that the Friends would pledge this in addition to £3,000 raised previously by the Friends to Merton Council towards a Splash Pad Fund for Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing Field. The Friends continue to run the Cafe, Crazy Golf on a rota basis on Sunday mornings. 9 - 12. 

    As the current fundraising aim for the Friends is for a Splash Pad the Friends are investigating moving the committee to charity status going forwards. Attendees at the AGM were asked to vote upon taking this process forward and all voted in favour of doing so. In the face of the new proposed structure for the Friends, new roles were voted on for the committee. 

    The current chair and vice chair, Caroline Venom and Sophie Cabral outlined their wish to step down in these roles and the following roles were voted upon and agreed:

    ·       Interim Chair - Jane Pritchard

    ·                                    Executive Committee - Sophie Cabral, Caroline Venom, Kate North and Dianne Walker

    ·       Secretary/membership - Sarah Thorne 

    ·       Treasurer - Damian Kiernan

     

    The friends are seeking anyone with knowledge or expertise in the following areas: 

     

    ·           Setting up a charity

    ·           Fundraising/Marketing

    ·           Website development

     

    Please do get in touch if you think you can help in anyway or would like to become a lifetime member for £5. We welcome your support!

    Sarah Thorne 

    07841289990   

    If you have not already joined, please do join our Facebook group: Friends of Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing Field. 

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townswomen's Guild - Nov 2016

    What an amazing local resource Morden Hall Park is!  It is a credit to the National Trust and their many volunteers.   A member who lives locally in Morden and knows the park well met our November Autumn walkers and was able to act as an unofficial guide.  She took us to the wet area especially to investigate the new board walk through the reeds.  Well designed and strongly made this was opened recently by the lady Mayor.  Our member had attended this opening ceremony and showed us a photograph she had taken.  With its magnificent trees and woods, rivulets, hay meadows, rose garden and children’s area – there is something for everyone here.  Needless to say we ended with a drink in the café. 

    The previous week’s meal in the popular Morden Superfish was also well received by the lunch club. 

    The Last Tango – the show at the Phoenix Theatre, starring previous Strictly Come Dancing professionals Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace – proved to be a delight.  Flavia and Vincent are fabulous dancers, their final dance, their speciality, the Argentine Tango, brought the whole audience to their feet.  The quality of the show made up for the group’s horrendous journey there involving torrential rain, traffic light to traffic light solid vehicles, a bus terminated prematurely because of conditions and an emergency taxi.  Ironically the journey back was exceptionally slick! 

    We are looking forward to the usual jollifications during December and would like to wish everyone a joyous Christmas and a great 2017. 

     

    Dorothy Raymond

  • Display Advertising

     

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    Size of advert

    Typical dimension (h x w)

    Rate

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    Quarter page

    92mm x 65mm

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    Half page

    92mm x 135mm

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    Full Page Back Cover

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    £140.00

     

    If you’re looking for another size or configuration, please contact our Advertising Managerwho will try to help.

     

    We try to be flexible – if you want to alter the size or content of your advert from one month to another, just let us know.

     

    We offer a discount of 5% for a 6 month booking, and 10% for a 12 month booking.

     

     

    Our prices are competitive and do not attract VAT.

     

    All requests or enquiries regarding advertisements in "The Guide" should be emailed to our volunteer Advertising Manager, Dick Coleman..

     

    Ordering and Payment

     

    To place your advert, just email your text and/or artwork, in any standard file format, in as high resolution as possible, to our Advertising Manager, along with your preferred page size. Your order must be received by the 16th of the month to ensure insertion in the following month’s issue.

     

     

    If any changes are needed, we will confirm by emailing you a proof image of your advert, in Adobe pdf format. Once the price and content of your booking have been agreed, we will invoice you by email. Methods of payment are cash, cheque or bank transfer – the invoice will confirm the details. Please ensure that you settle the account prior to publication of your advert.

     

    Back to Advertise with us

     

  • Raynes Park Christmas 2016

     

     

     

     

  • Proposed Boundary Commission Changes

    Association’s response to initial proposals for local Constituency changes

     

    Dear Sirs, 

    I write on behalf of the Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents’ Association. This was founded in 1928 and is one of the two largest Residents’ Associations in the London Borough of Merton, and has some 2000 household members. Our members live in the Council wards of Raynes Park, West Barnes, Cannon Hill, and Lower Morden.  

    We are in receipt of the Boundary Commission for England’s initial proposals to reduce the number of MP’s from 650 to 600, and to average out the number of voters in each Parliamentary seat.  The proposals, as they presently stand, would have major effects on the London Borough of Merton, which would be split into five different constituencies, and result in Councillors and Council officers having to deal with five different MP’s in order to get action on matters that affected local people. We understand that they, as well as both local MP‘s, are very concerned at this prospect, as are we. 

    We believe that these proposals are misconceived, and that, so far as possible, constituencies should remain co-terminus with the boundaries of London boroughs (which are not about to be altered). There are also natural boundaries which should be respected, such as the A3, Wimbledon Common, and Morden Hall Park.  

    We believe that it is very important to keep communities together, so that shopping centres, leisure outlets, recreational areas, and transport hubs are not divorced from the areas that they serve.  In our own area, residents have always regarded as their centres Wimbledon, and Merton and Morden, and this should be retained.  

    The Commission is proposing that the Council wards of Wimbledon Park and Wimbledon Village are taken out of the present Wimbledon constituency to join the current Putney constituency. These wards are integral to the history of Wimbledon, and cover both Wimbledon Common and Wimbledon tennis. Hardly any inhabitants in Wimbledon have an affinity for Putney, since Wimbledon Common is a natural boundary separating two distinctively different communities. 

    The proposal is to replace them with four wards from Mitcham, being Colliers Wood, Lavender Fields, Ravensbury, and Cricket Green.  These wards have historically looked to Mitcham as their centre of gravity, and not Wimbledon. The rest of Merton would be hived off to three other constituencies.  Lower Morden ward, for example, would become part of the Sutton and Cheam constituency.  

    Our view is that the best solution to maintain the cohesiveness of our area would be to keep the existing Wimbledon constituency and to add on those parts of the Mitcham constituency that are very close to it, being Colliers Wood and Lavender Fields. That would meet the voting registration criteria. Cricket Green and Ravensbury are further away. 

    An example of a major issue where it is important to have a unified view across the whole of our area is that of Crossrail 2, where land will needed to be safeguarded for ten years or more in Wimbledon, Raynes Park and Motspur Park while decisions are taken as to the re-siting of stations, possible tunnelling and bridges to remove the level crossings, and the number of tracks required.  

    The present suggestions would, in our view, result in a cohesive community being irreparably divided, with real consequences for the effective performance of local government. 

    These proposals are for consultation, and we welcome the opportunity to comment upon them.  Having received these consultations, the Commission will, we understand, publish revised recommendations with a view to making final ones in 2018. The Government has said that it is committed to acting on these before the next fixed election. 

    There are four factors which we understand that the Commission must take into account when making a constituency with the correct number of voters (which is around 70,000- 76,000).  These are 

    1. Special geographical considerations, including size, shape and accessibility;

    2. Local government boundaries;

    3. Boundaries of existing constituencies;

    4. Any local ties that would be broken. 

    We believe that these objectives can best be met by retaining in a Wimbledon and Merton constituency the four wards we represent together with those in the central Wimbledon area, as well as Wimbledon Park and Wimbledon Village, but together with Colliers Wood and Ravensbury.   

    We hope that the next round of consultations will put this forward as your preferred option. Please acknowledge receipt of these representations. We would add that Merton Council have not publicised these very important proposals in their newsletter My Merton or otherwise. This means that the information has not been widely disseminated.   

    Yours faithfully,

     

    John Elvidge, Chairman

  • Merton Refuse Collections

    Are you happy with the new proposals? 

    Very many people have expressed concerns about the Council’s proposals to instigate fortnightly collections of household rubbish and waste for recycling.     Below is the Association’s formal objection.

    The final decision is due to be ratified at the Council Meeting on 23rd November.   If you share our concerns, ­ do please write your own letter of objection as this may help to persuade the Council to think again. 

    To: Mr. Chris Lee

    Director, Environment & Regeneration,London Borough of Merton, Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, Surrey SM4 5DX                                             

    18th October 2017

     

    Dear Sir, 

    Merton’s Waste Management Proposals 

    I write on behalf of the Association and its members to express our grave concerns over the waste management proposal to introduce fortnightly collections for household rubbish and recycling, which apparently necessitates the provision of two wheelie bins per household as well as additional recycling containers.   We understand that the ‘raison d’être’ for this is an assumed reduction in costs and an improvement in recycling.   We are not convinced that either of these assumptions will be realized in the long-term, nor are we persuaded that the proposed capital expenditure (which we believe to be around £7 million) can be justified at the present time.  Since the present system appears to be working well, why change it when it will inevitably have a deleterious effect on the street scene?  As for the anticipated improvement to recycling in the borough, we find it hard to believe that residents who don’t currently recycle, will be persuaded to do so (and to do so correctly) simply because they have been supplied with more and/or larger containers for these materials. 

    ·                     We would point out that not every household requires a large bin for their household rubbish even if it is only collected once a fortnight.     It would be reassuring to be informed as to whether single households, for example, are to be offered smaller bins. 

    ·                     Terraced properties, particularly those with little or no amenity space to the front, or properties with no side access, will be forced to fill their frontages with a plethora of unsightly receptacles.  No thought at all appears to have been given to the detrimental visual impact of this. 

    ·                     What consideration has been given to those who may need assistance with their collections – the very elderly, the disabled or infirm?  

    This considerable change in a local authority service that affects every ratepayer has not been consulted upon. Indeed we believe ratepayers have been told that the Council does not need to consult on such matters.  This may be true, but it doesn’t make it right, when the majority party is currently seeking our views as to whether we would prefer a 2% or 3.99% rise in the rates. 

    We understand the final ratification of these proposed changes will be made at the Council Meeting on November 23rd.  We would urge that no decisions are taken until the concerns of Merton residents and ratepayers have been seriously addressed. 

    Yours faithfully,

    Jill Truman

    RP&WBRA

     

     

  • Pavilion User Manual

     

    RAYNES PARK AND WEST BARNES RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

    THE RESIDENTS’ PAVILION, 

    129 GRAND DRIVE, LONDON, SW20 9LY

    USER MANUAL 

    CONTENTS

     1.         General description of premises

    2.         Access and Security

    3.         Emergency, Fire and Evacuation Procedures

    4.         Outdoor Space

    5.         Main Room

    6.         Kitchen

    7.         Toilets

    8.         Furniture

    9.         Lighting

    10.       Heating

    11.       Electrical Power

    12.       Rubbish & Cleaning

    13.       Terms and Conditions

    14.       Queries

    15.       Key-Holders opening and closing the premises for themselves 

     

    1.         General description of premises 

                The premises comprise a wooden single storey pavilion, three tennis courts and outdoor space. There is an outdoor picnic area with three picnic tables. All areas are accessible via step-free access. The pavilion includes an entrance lobby, main room, kitchen, toilets and storage areas.

     

    2.         Access and Security 

                At the start of the hire period, the Hirer shall be shown around the premises by the volunteer allocated for the Hirer’s booking.The Hirer will be shown the key features of the premises and the location of the fire extinguishers and emergency exits. 

                The volunteer shall also return to close the premises at the end of the hire period. 

                The Pavilion only has pedestrian access. Access is via the shared driveway at 129 Grand Drive, SW20 9LY, and the front pedestrian gate. Inside the front gate, there is a 45m pedestrian route, via a second pedestrian gate, to the front-door to the Pavilion. 

                It is recommended that the second pedestrian gate is kept closed when children are present. 

                Car parking is not permitted on the shared drive. The occupants of 131 Grand Drive have a right of vehicle access along the shared drive to their garage at all times. Their access shall not be obstructed. 

                A maximum of 40 people are allowed on the premises. 

    3.         Emergency, Fire and Evacuation Procedures 

                The emergency, fire and evacuation procedures are included in the Pavilion Fire Safety Assessment Plan which may be read at http://www.rpwbresidents.org.uk/issues-and-campaigns/local-news/702-pavilion-fire-safety-assessment-plan . 

                A hard copy is also kept in the Pavilion. 

    Hirers should take the time to familiarise themselves with the Fire Safety Assessment Plan prior to their booking. 

    4.         Outdoor Space 

                The outdoor space is available to hirers. The double courts (Nos 1 & 2) shall only be used for the playing of tennis. Court No 3 may be used for outdoor children’s games. The playing of football is not allowed on the premises. 

                The floodlighting system to Courts 1 & 2 may only be used by prior arrangement. 

    5.         Main Room 

                The main room is 7.3m x 7.3m. 

                All windows shall be closed before leaving. 

    6.         Kitchen 

    For reasons of safety, children are not permitted in the kitchen. A maximum of three adults is permitted at any one time. The sliding door shall be closed when the cooker is in use. 

    The kitchen is not suitable for food preparation. 

    Cleaning materials are provided in the basket at the far end of the left-hand kitchen window. These shall be kept out of reach of babies and children.

     6.1       Cooker 

                The electric cooker may be used for heating pre-prepared food. The cooker must be switched on by the isolation switch to the right of the cooker. Immediately after use, all cooker controls shall be switched off and the isolation switch switched off. 

    6.2       Fridge Freezer 

                The fridge/freezer may be used for temporary storage of food. Please ensure you remove any of your food/drinks left at the end. 

                Please do not take any other food that may be there. 

                Please do not adjust the controls. 

    6.3       Tea Urn 

                The tea urn may be used for heating water. Fill it with the required quantity of water, using a jug. Plug it in and set the switch to “On”. It will heat the water close to boiling and maintain this temperature until it is switched “Off”. 

                Hot water shall only be drawn from the urn using its tap. 

                After use, please switch it off, unplug it and ensure it is empty. 

    6.4       Kettle 

                An electric kettle is provided. This should be unplugged after use. 

    6.5       Crockery, Cutlery & Utensils 

                Whilst some crockery is available, neither cutlery nor utensils are provided. Hirers are strongly advised to bring their own. Disposable plates and cutlery may be preferable. 

    6.6       Washing Up 

                Washing up facilities are limited to hot and cold water and a washing-up bowl. Hirers are strongly advised to take their dirty dishes etc away with them. 

    7.         Toilets 

    There are two separate unisex WC’s. One is Disabled Discrimination Act (DDA) Compliant. A baby change table, a child’s step-up and toilet seat insert are provided. Non-flushable waste, such as nappies, shall be taken away by the hirer. 

    The DDA Compliant Toilet has an alarm. Should this be activated, instructions are displayed to the left of the door to the WC. 

    Please ensure the toilets are flushed after each use. 

    All used nappies and sanitary products shall be removed from the premises. 

    8.         Furniture 

                There are 7 folding tables, approximately 40 chairs and 2 high chairs available for use. Please return them to where you found them. 

    9.         Lighting 

    9.1       Entrance 

                The front pedestrian gate is illuminated by a PIR light, activated by movement, with timed automatic switch-off. 

    9.2       Walkway 

                The walkway lights are switched by waterproof two-way external switches, one by the front-gate and the other by double doors to the main room. The lights are also on a timer that prevents them being used during daylight hours or accidentally left on at night, after 11:00 pm. 

    9.3       Lobby 

                The rotary switch to the Conservatory/Lobby lights is by the double doors to the main room. 

    9.4       Main Room 

                The switches are below the window, to the right of the main doors, when viewed from inside the room. 

    9.5       Kitchen 

                The switches are to the left of the emergency exit, when viewed from inside the room. 

    9.6       Toilets 

                There are pull-string switches in each toilet. 

    9.7       Toilet Lobbies and Walk-In Cupboards 

                Each of the two toilet lobbies and associated walk-in storage cupboards have light switches. 

                The left-hand walk-in cupboard next to the DDA Toilet is for the storage of furniture and cleaning tools. 

                The walk-in cupboard in the right-hand toilet lobby is for private use. 

                Coathooks are provided in both lobbies for use by visitors. 

    9.8       External lights are rear. 

    The outside lights that illuminate the step-free access at the rear are switched by waterproof external two-way switches, one located by the emergency exit and the other at the corner of the Pavilion, by Court No 3.

     10.       Heating 

                Heating is by electric convector panel heaters located in the main room and toilets. 

                Switching is controlled by timers and should not be adjusted by hirers, as the timers are pre-set for subsequent periods of occupancy. 

                Users may adjust the heat output by only adjusting the thermostat knobs, but please do not switch the heaters off. 

                The water heaters and hand driers are on automatic controls. 

    11.       Electrical Power 

    11.1     Socket Outlets 

                The 13 amp power outlets may be used. Please ensure that the child-proof covers are reinserted after use. 

    11.2     Under certain conditions, a circuit breaker may trip out, cutting off power to some or all of the premises. Under normal operations, a routine lamp failure may cause this. It can also be caused by an abnormal electrical fault. 

                The circuit breakers are located in the consumer unit, which is located in the DDA Toilet lobby, to the left of the toilet door. Power can usually be restored by returning the circuit breaker to the “On” position. It the fault persists, the hirer shall inform the allocated volunteer. 

    12.       Rubbish & Cleaning 

                Hirers shall put away all furniture as found, remove all rubbish and ensure that general cleanliness is kept as found. 

    13.       Terms and Conditions 

                This User Manual shall be read in conjunction with the Association’s terms and conditions, which may be read at http://www.rpwbresidents.org.uk/issues-and-campaigns/archive/336-pavilion-hire-terms-and-conditions . 

    14.       Queries 

                Any queries about these instructions, the Pavilion and its facilities shall be address to pavilionbookings@gmail.com . 

    15.       Key-Holders and opening and closing the premises for themselves 

                Key Holders are responsible for open the premises at the beginning their own hire periods. 

                Key Holders shall be responsible for the safety and conduct of those they have invited to the premises. 

                Key holders shall follow the additional checklist for opening and closing the premises, which has already been issued to them.

     

  • Christmas Lights - 6 December 2016

     

     

    LONDON CHRISTMAS LIGHTS COACH TOUR

    TUESDAY 6TH DECEMBER

    From 3.30 pm - Returning about 7.30 pm

    Pick-up Points: 

    Grand Drive (Greenway Bus Stop) 3.30 pm approx 

    Raynes Park (Approach Road)      3.35 pm approx 

    Motspur Park  (Triangle at top of Claremont Ave)  3.40 pm approx 

    COST:  £8.50 (INCLUDES TIP FOR THE DRIVER)

     There will be a short comfort stop in London before the tour of the lights begins. 

    Tables have been booked at the EDWARD RAYNE if you wish to join us for Supper (extra cost).   Please inform us when you book.

     Contact:  Jill Truman at rpwbra@rpwbresidents.org.uk

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townswomen's Guild - October 2016

    A tour of The Vintners Hall in Upper Thames Street was arranged as the visit for October.  A small group travelled on the District Line to Mansion House, walking down to Upper Thames Street for a tour of this ancient Guild’s Hall.  With its fine panelling, banister carvings, historic paintings, silver items and wine related artifacts, this was an interesting visit.  The surprise was the Vintner’s connection to the queen’s annual swan-upping in which they participate along with members from the Draper’s Guild and the Queen’s representatives.  We left the dining hall with staff just beginning to set up for an evening dinner function. 

    Our speaker at the October meeting was Julie Chandler who gave a talk entitled ‘The Great Stink’.  Her talk was a history of sanitation and the sewers of London.  Although sounding a rather dry topic, this turned out to be a most interesting talk.  With us seated in an intimate semi-circle, Julie illustrated her talk (from right to left) with pictures shown on her laptop computer.  She ended by saying her favourite engineer is Sir Joseph Bazalgette who built the sewer system at the end of the 1800’s, having the foresight to give them twice the capacity needed at the time.  Born in Morden and later living in Wimbledon, he is her local hero.  We are of course still using this sewer system, although she confirmed Thames Water is currently building a further conduit.  She has whetted our appetite to investigate whether a visit can be arranged to the Victorian pumping station at Crossness.  Mrs. Eileen Brewer gave the vote of thanks.  

    The activity for November will be an exploration of Morden Hall Park in autumn on the 8th.  Morden also features for the Lunch Club who will be going to Superfish on 1st November.  In between, on 3rdNovember, a Bonfire Lunch is planned at a member’s house.  At our next regular meeting at 1.45 on 17th November, Sarah McAlister will give a talk entitled ‘Hats for all Occasions’. 

    Visitors are always welcome to our meetings and other activities.  Our monthly meeting is held at St Saviour’s Church Hall at 1.45pm on the third Thursday of each month.  For more information please telephone. 

    Dorothy Raymond

     

     

  • Merton Neighbourhood Watch

    September 2016 

    Operation Bumblebee 

    Operation Bumblebee is an anti-burglary campaign undertaken by the Met. Police, which aims to crack down on burglary in the capital and raise the public's awareness of measures they can take to protect their homes. At this time of year, when the nights start to draw in, there is a seasonal rise in burglary. The police will be carrying out a number of initiatives to help address this. 

    Operation Neptune 

    Pawn shops will be visited to check stock for any stolen goods. Officers will also take photos of known burglars to see if staff recognise them. 

    Street-a-week 

    Prevention work is being carried out in areas where there have been a number of burglaries. This involves delivering leaflets that provide crime prevention advice with the aim of reducing your chances of becoming victim of burglary. There are many instances of burglary that can be avoided by carrying out some simple steps, such as double locking doors and windows. For a free crime

    prevention survey please contact your local team directly. Their contact details can be found on the police website: http://content.met.police.uk/Borough/Merton 

    NO MORE campaign 

    The London Borough of Merton is supporting the NO MORE campaign to raise awareness of domestic & sexual abuse amongst residents. The launch of the NO MORE campaign took place on the 12th September and was attended by

    Borough Commander Steve Wallace and Mayor of Merton, - Councillor Brenda Fraser - who raised the NO MORE flag. 

    There are number of services available in Merton for those affected by domestic, sexual violence and abuse. Further information can be found at: www.merton.gov.uk/domesticviolence or www.nomore.org 

    NO MORE began in America in March 2013.  and was launched in the UK in May this year as a unifying symbol to end Domestic Violence and Sexual Assaults.   It campaigns to engage communities in taking a stand against these crimes. The campaign is overseen by Hestia, one of the leading third-sector organisations working within these fields. 

    Useful Numbers to Note 

    Emergencies                           999 or 911

    Crimestoppers                        0800 555 111

    NHW Office                           020 8649 3213

    Police Non-Emergency             101

     

     

  • Film "Battle of the Somme" 11/11/2016 at 7:30 pm

    Film Screening: The Battle of the Somme (1916)

    Friday, 11 November, 7.30 – 9.30pm

    Merton Art Space, Wimbledon Library, Wimbledon Hill Road, SW19 7NB 

    On Friday 11 November, as part of Remembrance Day commemorations and to mark the centenary of the end of the Battle of the Somme (18 November 1916), we will be hosting a second screening of this important documentary. 

    Shot and screened in 1916, it was the first feature length documentary about war and changed the way both cinema and film was perceived by the public. In the year of its release around 20 million people, almost half the population of Britain at the time, watched The Battle of the Somme, many hoping to see the image of a loved-one or friend captured on film. These momentous audience numbers make The Battle of the Somme one of the most popular films in British Cinema history. 

    The silent film will be accompanied by Laura Rossi's orchestral score which, screened in Merton's new Art Space, will no doubt be a moving experience. 

    In addition to the screening, there will be exhibitions displaying research on the life stories of Merton men who fought and died in the battle and how Merton newspapers reported on this momentous battle. 

    The screening will take place on 11 November, from 7.30 to 9.30pm at the new Merton Art Space, Wimbledon Library. 

    To book for this event:

    Telephone 020 8545 3239/4038 or Email: local.studies@merton.gov.uk

    Link: http://cis.photoarchive.merton.gov.uk/news/2016/09/the-battle-of-the-somme-1916

     

     

  • Chairman's Blog - November 2016

    BOUNDARY COMMISSION PROPOSALS FOR MERTON 

    The Boundary Commission for England has published its initial proposals to reduce the number of MP’s from 650 to 600, and to average out the number of voters in each Parliamentary seat.  The proposals, as they presently stand, would have major effects on the London Borough of Merton, which would be split into five different constituencies, and result in Councillors and Council officers having to deal with five different MP’s in order to get action on matters that affect local people. We understand that they, as well as both local MP‘s, are very concerned at this prospect, as are we. 

    We believe that these proposals are misconceived, and that, so far as possible, constituencies should remain co-terminus with the boundaries of London boroughs (which are not about to be altered). There are also natural boundaries which should be respected, such as the A3, and Morden Hall Park.  

    It is very important to keep communities together, so that shopping centres, leisure outlets, and transport hubs, for example, are not divorced from the areas that they serve.  In our own area of Raynes Park and West Barnes, residents have always regarded as their centres Wimbledon and the historic areas of Merton and Morden, and this should be retained.   

    The Commission is proposing that the Council wards of Wimbledon Park and Wimbledon Village are taken out of the present Wimbledon constituency to join the current Putney constituency. These wards are integral to the history of Wimbledon, and cover both Wimbledon Common and Wimbledon tennis. They have always looked to Wimbledon as their centre, being divided from Putney by the Common. 

    The proposal is to replace them with four wards from Mitcham, being Colliers Wood, Lavender Fields, Ravensbury, and Cricket Green.  These wards have historically looked to Mitcham as their centre of gravity, and not Wimbledon. The rest of Merton would be hived off to three other constituencies.  Lower Morden ward, for example, part of which is covered by our Association, would become part of the Sutton and Cheam constituency.   

    Our view is that the best solution to keep the cohesiveness of our area would be to keep the existing Wimbledon constituency and to add on parts of the Mitcham constituency that are in Lower Morden. 

    An example of a major issue where it is important to have a unified view across the whole of our area is that of Crossrail 2, where land will need to be safeguarded for ten years or more in Wimbledon, Raynes Park and Motspur Park while decisions are taken as to the re-siting of stations, possible tunnelling and bridges to remove the level crossings, and the number of tracks required.  

    The present suggestions would, in our view, result in a cohesive community being irreparably divided, with real consequences for the effective performance of local government. 

    These proposals are for consultation, and the Boundary Commission will welcome the views of as many people as possible. You can write to them by 5th December at the Boundary Commission for England, 35, Great Smith Street, London, SW1P 3BQ or e-mail them to information@boundarycommissionengland.gov.uk. You can see the proposals in detail for your area online at www.bce2018.org.uk by putting in your postcode, and clicking on “have your say.” 

    Having received these consultations, the Commission will, we understand, publish revised recommendations with a view to making final ones in 2018. The Government has said that it is committed to acting on these before the next fixed election. 

    There are four factors which the Commission must take into account when making a constituency with the correct number of voters (which is around 70,000 - 76,000). 

    Representations are much stronger when referring to one or more of these. These are:- 

    1  Special geographical considerations, including size, shape and accessibility;

    2.  Local government boundaries;

    3.  Boundaries of existing constituencies;

    4.  Any local ties that would be broken. 

    No local public meetings are planned. But one failure in this process is that Merton Council has done little to bring such important changes to the attention of local residents. We hope that this outline will help to bring these to the attention of our members, so that the response is as wide as possible.    

     

    John Elvidge

  • Crossrail 2 - November 2016

    What the RPWBRA is doing. 

    Through its membership of the Raynes Park Association (RPA), the RPWBRA is joining forces with the other residents’ and business associations in and around Raynes Park, in anticipation of another round of public consultation for Crossrail 2 this autumn. 

    Crossrail 2 coming to our area 

    Crossrail 2 is a new railway line, which is planned to come through Raynes Park and Wimbledon stations, providing a completely new link from our area to central London and northwards into Hertfordshire. 

    The Crossrail 2 trains are planned to provide a direct service from Raynes Park to new destinations in central London. After calling at Wimbledon, the trains will run in tunnels all the way to Tottenham Hale. There will be stations in central London, including Victoria, Tottenham Court Road and Euston/St Pancras. 

    It will thus make many destinations easier to reach, without the need to travel via Waterloo. For example, it should be easier to reach the City and Docklands by taking Crossrail 2 to Tottenham Court Road and changing onto the soon-to-open Elizabeth Line, rather than going via either the Waterloo & City or Jubilee tube lines, as at present. 

    In the opposite direction, the Crossrail 2 trains are planned to serve the existing Network Rail branches all the way to Shepperton, Hampton Court, Chessington South and Epsom. These branches will also continue to carry services to and from Waterloo. These lines, of course, converge on Raynes Park. 

    Likely Changes in Raynes Park and Motspur Park 

    As it is planned to run something like double the number of trains on these branches, it is planned to have two extra railway lines running from New Malden, through Raynes Park to Wimbledon, to carry the Crossrail 2 trains. This would thus increase the existing four lines to six along this stretch of track. 

    Whilst the changes planned in Wimbledon to accommodate Crossrail 2 were the subject of a public consultation last year and there is still an ongoing debate, we have yet to see any details of what is planned for Raynes Park. However, we know that Network Rail are now busy working on the details and we expect that new information will be forthcoming fairly soon. 

    Whilst, of course, the devil will be in the detail, the RPA is keen to get the best outcome for Raynes Park that we can; particularly if Raynes Park Station is to be modified. We are also concerned about what is planned for the two level-crossings along West Barnes Lane (i.e. at the junction with Burlington Road and at Motspur Park), as it seems inevitable that these level crossings would cease to be practical with the planned increase in trains. It is also anticipated that improvements will also need to be made to Motspur Park Station. 

    We consider it important that any changes to the station in Raynes Park incorporate improvements to the connectivity with pedestrian, cycle, bus and road routes. We also would like to see the plans incorporate improvements to the public realm around the station. We are hopeful that step-free access will be provided to all the platforms and that the dangerous gaps between the trains and the platform edge are done away with. 

    Public Consultation Postponed 

    Whilst Crossrail 2 in not programmed to be completed until 2032, we are likely to have several years of construction work in our neighbourhood. Despite this seeming far in the future, the opportunity for us to have our say is likely to be in 2017. After that, the key decisions will have been taken, it will be much harder to change things later. 

    Currently, the Crossrail 2 team are considering the recommendations from the National Infrastructure Commission and Government on the business case for the scheme. As a consequence, the public consultation that was originally planned for this autumn has now been postponed.

     

    You can find out more and subscribe for email bulletins on the Crossrail2 website, http://crossrail2.co.uk/ . You can also find out more on our MP’s website, https://www.stephenhammond.net/campaigns/crossrail-2 . 

    In the meantime, RPWBRA members are reminded to participate in the public consultation when the time comes.

     

     

  • Carved in Stone - 29 October 2016

    Fighting far from Home: First World War Collection Day

    Saturday, 29 October, 11am – 4pm

    Morden Library, Merton Civic Centre, London Road, SM4 5DX 

    As part of the Carved in Stone project, Merton Heritage Service is keen to talk to current Merton residents whose ancestors fought in the First World War, or contributed to the war effort – whether through industry, charitable work, or as medical staff. On Saturday 29 October, the Heritage team and members of Age Exchange will be staging a special collection day at Morden Library. If you have family war stories, photographs or memorabilia that you would like to share, they would love to hear from you. Staff are particularly keen to hear from local residents whose ancestors travelled from overseas to fight for the Allied cause.

    Thousands of servicemen and volunteers from Africa, India, the Caribbean, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Newfoundland fought alongside British troops during the war. They travelled half way across the world to fight for King and Empire; many made the ultimate sacrifice and lie buried in military cemeteries far from their family and homeland. To broaden our knowledge of wartime history, Heritage staff would like to hear from residents, whose relatives fought on either side of the conflict.

    The collection day will run from 11am to 4pm and will also feature a range of activities from talks and displays, to archive film and the chance to handle genuine wartime objects.

    If you would be interested in this event, or have family stories that you would like to record for posterity, please contact Merton Heritage Centre. Tel. 020 8545 3239/4038  or email local.studies@merton.gov.uk

  • Lambton Road Medical Practice - October 2016

    Newsletter - Written by patients for patients 

    PPG Members: Judith Brodie (Chair), Elsa Browne, Marilyn Frampton, Clare Gummett, Clare Pickard, Ian Ritchie, Marie Robertson, Elizabeth Savidge and Peter West 

    CARE QUALITY COMMISSION REPORT

    We mentioned in our last bulletin (April 2016, no 17) that the Practice was having an inspection visit from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Their report, which has been published, commented very well on the care given by LRMP. We send our warm congratulations to the Practice. If you have internet access you can find the report here: http://www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-555730049 

    PRACTICE NEWSLETTER

    Edition 2 (June 2016) of the Practice Newsletter is now available online and in Reception in the racks on the wall. It contains excellent information for patients including details of the mobile app:

     http://merton.healthhelpnow-nhs.net relating specifically to Merton. The Practice plans to produce a Newsletter every three/four months, and we will continue with our PPG Newsletter, as appropriate, in between publication of the Practice edition. The Practice newsletter will cover staff changes, and has plans well in hand to replace staff leaving. In a future edition it will explain how the Lambton Road Practice is part of Grafton Medical Partners. 

    PRACTICE WEBSITE

    Full information on how to make appointments and request repeat prescriptions online, if you so wish, can be found on the Practice website. This website has some good links and the Practice is keen to ensure this page is relevant to patients and to useful organisations. Do you have any suggestions for inclusion?

    http://www.lambtonroadmedical.nhs.uk/useful-links.55575.htm

    STAFF MOVEMENTS

    Dr Ruth Goldsmith has left the Practice. On behalf of patients we would like to thank her for her excellent attention to us. Her caring nature at all times was much appreciated by many patients, and we wish her well for the future.

    We welcome Nurse Tippy who has joined the Practice as one of the lead nurses replacing Nurse Louise who had been with us (both at LRMP and the previous Pepys Road surgery) for many years. We also thank Louise on behalf of patients for her care,much appreciated, over a long time. 

    Patient Participation Group 

    Each year the PPG has a focus and this year we are concentrating our attention, in conjunction with the Practice, on self-care – better ways in which we might take health initiatives on behalf of ourselves - though not as a replacement to seeing a doctor face to face. Online facilities The PPG is planning how best to support patients to use the online facility – if they wish - to make appointments and request repeat prescriptions online. If you can think of any further ways we might be of help we would love to hear from you either at lambtonroadppg@hotmail.co.uk or by a note left for us at Reception. We will keep you in touch.

     

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townswomen's Guild - September 2016

    On that record breaking September Tuesday, an understandably rather small  group of ladies braved the heat to visit the Salvation Army Heritage Centre and Museum at Denmark Hill.  Although quite small, this is a well presented history of the Salvation Army from its formation and work in the 1800s right through to its activities worldwide today.  Returning to Clapham Junction on the Overground Railway (air conditioned!) we investigated the numerous food outlets and kiosks set up on the overhead pedestrian bridge.  We even found a corner to sit for a drink and a sandwich before the return on SW trains! 

    On another hot day, two visitors joined our September Open Social, a relaxed affair, at which we worked through two quiz sheets as well as enjoying savouries, cake and tea. 

    In September the lunch club visited central Sutton, and plan to visit The Plough on Sutton Common Road in October.  The visit will be to The Vintners Hall on Upper Thames Street. 

    On Thursday, October 20th our speaker will be Julie Chandler whose subject is ‘History of the Sewers of London’.  This meeting will be held at 1.45 at St Saviour’s Church Hall, Grand Drive. 

    Visitors are always welcome to our meetings or other activities.  For more information please telephone. 

    Dorothy Raymond 020 8395 9489

  • Chairman's Blog - October 2016

    RUBBISH COLLECTION 

    In the July edition of the Guide I criticised the proposals of Merton Council to reduce the collection of rubbish from every week to every fortnight. The Council also proposes to introduce wheelie bins to contain all the extra rubbish that would inevitably be built up, at a huge initial cost.

    At the same time, the Council proposes to reduce the frequency of collection of rubbish that can be re-cycled from weekly to every other week. Paper and card will have to be put in one wheelie bin to be collected one week, and plastic, glass, and cans in an open container to be collected the following week. All Councils have to meet targets for the proportion of rubbish re-cycled, or pay financial penalties: these are imposed so as to reduce landfill as much as possible. Merton falls short of meeting these targets at the moment, and reducing the frequency of collecting re-cyclable rubbish will mean that the targets become even harder to reach.

    As we said previously, wheelie bins are not suitable for many smaller houses and flats which have nowhere to store them. They will be left on the streets to become eyesores, will overflow, and will attract foxes and rats.

    Elderly and disabled people will find it difficult, and impossible in many cases, to manoeuvre them through the house and out the front door.

    We find it difficult to understand the thinking behind these proposals. It is

    unlikely to provide any cost saving. The present system works well enough, and the Council has provided no good reason to change it.  If enough residents write in to protest, maybe the Council will change its mind. 

    RUBBISH COLLECTION FROM BINS 

    An example of a change in rubbish collection that has not worked is the decision to remove almost all the dog waste bins, and to require dog waste instead to be put into the ordinary waste bins in our streets and parks. This can only work if the bins are emptied on a very regular basis and before they become full to overflowing. All too often this does not happen. When bins overflow, the results are inevitably disgusting. 

    Removing waste should be the number one priority of any Council, since, while ratepayers may not have children to educate or elderly relatives to care for, we all produce waste. The Council must ensure that enough resources are provided to keep the Borough free of overflowing filth. 

    NUISANCE CALLS 

    Like everybody else, I am plagued by nuisance telephone calls almost every day. When you try to find out who has phoned, the call is not traceable. Many of these calls originate abroad, but some are from the UK. The call companies now use smooth sounding staff to allay your initial suspicion. Often they claim merely to be conducting a survey in your area. What is particularly disturbing is when the caller asks for you by name and knows the area you live in. More elderly and confused people can be very upset by such unwanted calls. Even more disturbing, in a sense, are the silent calls when the phone rings, and no-one is there when you answer it. 

    It should be made a criminal offence, punishable with unlimited fines, to make any single such call. It should be made a criminal offence to make a call from a number that cannot be traced. We should not have to pay for a call barring system on our phones, which in any case does not screen out all of these persistent rogues. 

    WATERSTONES AND W.H. SMITHS 

    These much valued shops in the town centre of Wimbledon were pushed out of their sites on Wimbledon Bridge by the new Metro Bank now being built.  Residents will have been pleased to see that both are now due to come back, 

    Waterstones to the Broadway, and W.H.Smiths to Centre Court. 

    WORKS AT SHANNON CORNER 

    For weeks past, it has taken a good half an hour to move from the traffic lights at Grand Drive, or from the slip road leading from the southbound A3, to get past the gas and road works at Shannon Corner. The traffic crawls along Bushey Road, and, more dangerously, is stationary on the A3 out of London. 

    There is no explanation of what is happening, or as to how long the work will take. Often no work seems to be going on. I thought that utility companies were now contractually committed to get on with such work once it started, and to continue till it finished. This needs to be enforced more rigorously.  

    John Elvidge 

  • Public Meeting - Crossrail 2 - 8 September 2016

    Local Councillors, The Wimbledon Society and Wimbledon East Hillside Residents' Association are to hold a public meeting on Tuesday 8th September  2016 at St Andrew's Church, Herbert Road, Wimbledon, SW19 3SH, on the corner of Graham Road, SW19 from 7 pm to 9 pm. 

    The subject will be Crossrail 2 and the effects on Wimbledon town centre and Raynes Park/ Motspur Park centres too.

    To find out more contact Councillor David Dean david.dean@merton.gov.uk 

    All local residents are invited to attend. 

  • All About Jan

    The loss of Jan Bailey as Secretary was a great blow to the Association, with whom she had been involved for around an unbelievable 30 years.    Jan was a great character, and we thought that many readers would enjoy reading something about her background, and some of the reasons for her great interest in engineering, underground waterways, and flood relief.

    Jan came from mixed stock.  Her father was a Russian-Jewish, Welsh Cockney, and her mother was a Saxon with a bit of Welsh blood.    Jan was very close to both her parents,   Her father was General Manager of a factory, and when she was 8 years old he started taking Jan to work with him” to see how things were done” He was also a complete DIY man as well as a frustrated farmer, and by and by the age of four Jan was her Dad’s best mate!   Jan described her mother as a brilliant couture dressmaker/designer.   Both her parents had beautiful singing and speaking voices and musically were great sight-readers.   By the age of five, Jan knew “the Children of the New Forest” – her father’s favourite book) by heart.  

    Another of Jan’s mentors at an early age was her Uncle, - Birmingham's Regional Head of Sewers and Rivers who took her around with him to inspect underground waterways and sewers and taught her the importance of the whole water conservancy industry. 

     Jan’s brother was ten years her senior.  But, despite the age difference, like all brothers and sisters, they fought - with dangerous bows and arrows;  an air pistol; and with every kind of unarmed combat nature (rather than training) could devise. All Jan’s cousins were boys too, and, except for one for whom Jan babysat, the same age as her brother.   Jan also played and fought with them, something of a Tomboy it would seem. 

    When her brother was 18 he began studying Civil Engineering. Jan says she remembers sitting at his elbow and learning from his textbooks alongside him, and at 14 she designed a boat and when years later her brother found the design he built it as his first boat - no modifications needed.  

    Jan was a keen swimmer and only stopped when she easily beat her father in the Brighton Two Piers race, which Jan said “made him feel old”.  She didn’t swim again until she was living in Plymouth, then she did half a mile a day in Plymouth Sound each evening from March to October.   She also played tennis, took ballet and piano lessons. 

    At nine years old, Jan started serious voice and drama classes, taking all the Associated Board Exams and eventually gained a place at RADA.   She also took the LAMDA extra mural exams and won Honours in the final Gold Medal exam. Jan started serious singing classes at the age of 18. 

    One of Jan’s first jobs was to work within the Theatrical empire of Impresarios Emile and Prince Littler.  She describes this as a “gift” – very hard work but fascinating – where she learned about design, planning, costume and fashion.  Physhe Littler Wright (pronounced Fish) ran a couture business on the side).  At that time Physhe was also designing and building the interior of Westward TV Studios in Plymouth for Enile and Peter Cadbury, so Jan also had the opportunity of learning about interior design as well.   She also learned something else as a Buyer – “never spend a halfpenny if someone else will supply the same thing for a farthing - and hunt fast”! 

    At 19, Jan was one of the 30 girls and boys picked from 1,000 auditioning from all over the world for the September intake to RADA.   The next two years of ‘psychological bashing’ as Jan puts it, was lots of fund but terrifying. During the holidays Jan worked for Manpower for John Tydeman at the BBC; for various solicitors, and during her second year for Trevor Donaldson’s a Property Management company in Jermyn Street. 

    Jan’s career spanned many different.  After gaining a diploma from RADA, she spent five years as an Actress, Singer and Dancer in Repertory, Musicals, Pantomime, Revue and Cabaret. Then, after retiring and settling in Plymouth, she spent time in management; as a Demonstrator; worked for Save and Prosper; and finally ran the white goods operation for Bosch through Dingles (Plymouth’s House of Fraser store).  She was then spotted by Jenny Winters – an ex-Hartnell model who arranged fashion shows in the West Country and needed a lively assistant who understood the rag trade.   She would arrange the shows for Wednesdays (Jan’s day off) and evenings, and together they worked the West Country also undertaking TV advertisements and voice-overs. 

    However, in 1978 Jan’s favourite drama Tutor from RADA appeared at Dingles.   Knowing Jan as a successful performer, she was cross with her for leaving the business, and persuaded Jan to help tutor her ex-students - now with the newly formed Plymouth Rep - whose Director Jan knew to be a great Production Manager but a somewhat less able Artistic Director. 

    In August 1980 that same Tutor arranged for Jan to be interviewed by Gordon Stratford, the new General Manager of the hole in the ground that was to become the Theatre Royal - with an opening date of May 1982 – the job was to become his Personal Assistant.   He was having difficulty in finding someone with all the right skills and background.  Jan was  captivated by Gordon from the outset and remained so as life partners  she said,  her untimely death last may. 

    Together from April 1981 they built and staffed the new Theatre against all the odds of daft delays and massive interference from the Board of 17.  This was made up of City Councillors and other City worthies, only one of whom knew anything about the business and was very supportive, but who was continually outvoted by the rest. 

    Eventually, when Gordon resigned in October 1983, it took the Board nine months to persuade a new person that he would be given a free reign.  Meanwhile Jan stayed to help the Theatre’s wonderful House Manager (who became Acting General Manager) to continue running the show. 

    After a brief rest, Jan joined Plymouth Manpower again undertaking various roles as required,  and in October returned to the bright lights of London, where she stayed, working for Manpower during the week and returning to the West Country for weekends.  

    In 1985 Gordon sold his flat in Plymouth and moved to London to be with Jan.   They chose to live in Raynes Park because by then Jan was working full time in the West End for the Advertising Agency Ogilvy Mather, and Gordon was a Theatre Management Consultant to theatres in the South East, including Wimbledon and Leatherhead.  Raynes Park was, therefore, a halfway house. 

    Gordon and Jan lived a very full life, enjoying visiting art galleries, exhibitions,  and theatres,  cooking and gardening, and also going to Hampstead Parish Church for Evensong, which in Jan’s view encompassed all the need for live,  beautiful and serious music along with spiritual experience, all at the same time. 

    Despite their busy lifestyle, at home, and with visiting family and friends, Jan still found time and energy to start working for the Association around this time.   “Giving something back to the Community” as she might say, which she did for the next 30 years.   She was a truly indomitably woman and we loved her and she is so very greatly missed. 

    Taken from Jan’s notes about her life and edited by Jill Truman

     

     

  • Sepsis Awareness - 6:30 pm,8 September 2016

    SEPTEMBER 2016 IS SEPSIS MONTH 

    DO YOU KNOW ABOUT SEPSIS? 

    Public Sepsis Awareness Event 

    PREVENT RECOGNISE ESCALATE 

    What is sepsis?

    ¨ Sepsis has been previously known as septicaemia or blood poisoning.

    ¨ Early recognition and prompt treatment are critically important

    ¨ Knowing the signs of sepsis can be life saving. To find out more: If you are a member of the public or a patient and would like to learn more about sepsis please join us on: 

    Thursday 8th September, 20166:30 to 7:30 pm. (Please note that the doors will open at 6pm) 

    Speakers:Dr Ram Kumar , ITU Consultant and Lead Clinician for Sepsis 

    Venue: Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Education Centre, 5th Floor Surgical Wing

    Seminar Room, 1 Galsworthy Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT2 7QB. 

    Everyone is welcome to attend. For more information call 0208 934 3614 or email: ftmembership@kingstonhospital.nhs.uk

     

    SEPSIS IS A SERIOUS CONDITION THAT CAN INITIALLY LOOK LIKE FLU, GASTRO-ENTERITIS OR A CHEST INFECTION 

    Seek medical help immediately if you develop any one of the following symptoms: 

    • SLURRED SPEECH
    • EXTREME SHIVERING OR MUSCLE PAIN
    • PASSING NO URINE IN A DAY
    • SEVERE BREATHLESSNESS
    • “I FEEL I MIGHT DIE”
    • SKIN MOTTLED OR DISCOLOURED

     

     

     

     

     

  • Project Griffin - Counter-terrorism

    Project Griffin is the national counter terrorism awareness initiative for business produced by NaCTSO to protect our cities and communities from the threat of terrorism. 

    The aim of Project Griffin is to  help understand the threat from terrorism to the UK,   to guide individuals on what to do if they find themselves involved in a terrorist incident or event that leads up to a planned attack and to enable people to recognise and report suspicious activity.

    Project Griffin currently holds briefing events to increase public and staff awareness of how best to reduce and respond to the most likely types of terrorist activities. The events are presented by trained police advisors delivering a range of CT awareness modules. 

    Events are free and can last between one and six hours depending on the time available and number of modules covered. The modules are reviewed and updated regularly and currently cover the following topics: 

    • Current Threat Firearms & Weapons attacks Hostile Reconnaissance 
    • Document Awareness Response to Suspicious Items Drones (U.A.V) 
    • Bombs (I.E.D) Postal threat Social Networking 
    • Cyber Domestic Extremism Insider Threat 

     

     NaCTSO also launched a new Griffin initiative, Project Griffin - Industry Self Delivery, on 20th April 2016. 

    Specialist officers around the country are now briefing around 100,000 workers every year. However the new self-delivery programme aims to reach ten times that number. 

    Companies wishing to deliver Project Griffin to their employees are invited to apply to register with NaCTSO. 

    NaCTSO will register approved companies and provide them with the NaCTSO Project Griffin package relevant to their sector, plus regular future updates. 

    To ensure that a company is a ‘fit and proper body’ to deliver Project Griffin, the following essential criteria for registration will be applied.  A company must:  

    a)      be a PLC 

    b)      Have an existing corporate training structure using accredited trainers 

    c)      Operate in the ‘Crowded lace’ environment 

    d)      Deliver all and any part of the NaCTSO Project Griffin product free of charge 

    e)      Sign a formal contract agreeing to abide by NaCTSO (MPS) Crown Copyright terms & conditions of use  

    Further details can be found on the NaCTSO website, www.nactso.gov.uk, and clicking to register will take you

    to Eventbrite, the registration mechanism and quite a simple process to follow. 

    Once registered - and assuming that all the above criteria are met - companies will then be registered on the NaCTSO website and allocated a unique registration number. These details will be included on a NaCTSO Project Griffin Certificate of Attendance when employees have completed a module(s). The certificates will include the NaCTSO and company logo’s, the name of the deliverer and their companies unique NaCTSO Reg. No.  NaCTSO will contact registered companies to offer assistance to their trainers through a Product Familiarisation programme, which will enable them to deliver the product to their employees. (Attendance would not be compulsory but may incur an attendance charge to recover costs). 

    If you have any questions then please email: NCTPHQMailbox-projectGriffin@met.police.uk    Or Visit www.nactso.gov.uk for further details and to register.

     

     

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townswomen's Guild - August 2016

    Our summer social events went with a swing.  The weather was warm and fair for both the Barbecue in late July and the Garden Party in August.  For the barbecue members were able to sit in the garden to enjoy their barbecue lunch while for the garden party they were able to admire the magnificent display of flowers in the garden of their hostess, have a good chat, and enjoy delicious sandwiches, trifle, cake and afternoon tea. 

    In mid-August our coach trip was to Worthing.  Once again we wish to thank members of local clubs and the residents’ association for supporting us.  As a relatively small group we would be unable to organise such a trip by ourselves, and definitely not in a 53-seater, which proved to be very smooth and comfortable.  The day was fair for this event too – pleasantly warm with very little sea breeze – and with light traffic flows, this was an enjoyable day out. 

    After the August break our September meeting on 15th September is a social - an open event - when, once again, friends and anyone interested is welcome to join us.  It will take place from 1.30 pm at St Saviour’s Church Hall.  Please come along. 

    Dorothy Raymond

     

     

     

  • Guide Editor's Blog - September 2016

    This month, the Chairman's Blog is taken over by the Editor of The Guide, our monthly magazine, which is distributed to all members.

    Motspur Park Post Office 

    Following local consultation, the relocation of the Post Office branch at Motspur Park has been confirmed, a few yards along the road to Ecklee (not Eckle as the PO insists!) convenience store, 345 West Barnes Lane. The new location is currently planned to open for business at 1.00pm on Friday 2 Sept. 

    Among the claimed benefits will be improved disabled access and significantly longer opening hours, although a small number of types of transaction will not be available ay the branch. Full details are available at: 

    https://www.postofficeviews.co.uk/images/pdf/motspur_park_kt36nb_decision_letter.pdf  

    Merton Walk 4 life

    Free health walks in Merton’s parks and open spaces.  Walking in the fresh air is good for you, lowering blood pressure and helping other health issues such as diabetes, and building strong bones and flexibility.  Plus you can make new friends too.  Walk in safety with our led walks which last around 1 hour but you can walk for less and at your own pace.  Details of walk venue’s, dates and times on our web site www.merton.gov.uk/walk4life  

    Abundance Wimbledon 

    Abundance volunteers pick fruit in gardens around Wimbledon, and use it for jam, baking or freezing.   Some of it is donated to the Wimbledon Guild and other groups providing food for the needy, and they have lots of fun doing this. 

    Do you have a fruit tree in the garden and can’t use all the fruit?

    Please give excess fruit to Abundance – we may be able to help you pick it. 

    Would you like to help us pick fruit in the summer? We’d really appreciate your help, even just or an hour or two.  Or we can lend you a fruit-picking pole so you can pick your own. 

    Which other good causes would like free fruit?  Suggest other local non-commercial groups. 

    Please get in touch if you can help in any way.  CONTACT:

    abundancewimbledon@gmail.com  For more information, see www.abundancewimbledon.com .

    The Editor for The Guide

     

     

     

  • Pavilion Fire Safety Assessment Plan

    RAYNES PARK AND WEST BARNES RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION 

    129 GRAND DRIVE, LONDON SW20 9LY 

    FIRE SAFETY ASSESSMENT AND PLAN 

     

    CONTENTS 

    1          Premises particulars

    2          General statement of policy

    3          Management systems

    4.         Duties of Persons Presiding

    5          General description of the premises

    6          Fire safety systems

    7          Plan drawing

    8          Fire hazards

    9          Evaluate, remove or reduce and protect from the risk

    10         Fire prevention, opening and closing the building.

    11         Fire safety signs and notices

    12.        Fire warning systems and Emergency Lighting

    13         Fire fighting equipment

    14         Maintenance

    15         Method of calling the fire service. Method of calling the Fire Service

    16         Emergency Action Plan (EAP)

    17         Training

    18         Rectification of fire safety deficiencies 

     

    1          Premises particulars 

                Name and address of premises: 129 Grand Drive, London SW20 9LY 

                Use of Premises: Private Club House 

                Owner in control of the workplace: Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents’ Association and its tenants, where the tenant is using the Pavilion. 

                Telephone number: The Pavilion has no telephone. 

                Date of Risk Assessment: 01 January 2023

                Date of review: to be reviewed on or before: 01 January 2024

                Name & relevant details of the person carrying out the Fire Risk Assessment (“The Plan”): 

                Jeremy Cuthbert, Committee Member 

    2          General statement of policy 

    It is the policy of the Association that all persons, including tenants and contractors to ensure the Pavilion is a safe place to visit. 

    3          Management systems 

    OrganisationThe Chairman of the Association shall appoint a volunteer to review this Plan on an annual basis. 

    Responsibility – Either in the case of tenants hiring the Pavilion for whatever purpose or, where the Association is using the Pavilion itself, the person presiding over the meeting or event shall be responsible for the health and safety of all occupants during each period of use. In this Plan, this person is called, “the Person Presiding”. 

    Duties - The Person Presiding shall ensure he/she is familiar with this plan and shall fulfil and comply with the duties in Section 4 below. 

    MonitoringIn the event of an accident, the Person Presiding shall complete an entry in the accident book.

    Review – The accident book shall be reviewed regularly by the Chairman of the Association or a member of the Association nominated by the Chairman for such purpose. 

    4.         Duties of Persons Presiding 

    The Person Presiding shall ensure that: 

    4.1       At the start of every event: 

    ·                     Take responsibility for the safety of occupants whilst they are on the premises.

    ·                     Ensure all occupants are aware of the non-smoking policy and are reminded of the location of fire exits.

    ·                     Ensure safe use of the cooker and other appliances.

    ·                     Check that the main doors and fire exits are not locked or obstructed.

    ·                     Ensure a mobile phone is available at all times for calling the emergency services.

    ·                     Ensure the occupants know that the alarm is raised by shouting “fire, fire, fire” and to immediately evacuate the building. 

    4.2       At the end of every event, check that: 

    ·                     All combustible materials are away from potential ignition sources

    ·                     The electrical appliances are switched off (with the exception of the wall-mounted space heaters, which are on timers and shall be left, switched "on")

    ·                     The cooker is off.

    ·                     The toilets are unoccupied. 

    4.3       In the event of an accident, the Person Presiding shall complete an entry in the accident book. 

    4.4       In the event of a fire evacuation or drill: 

    ·                     Check that both toilets are unoccupied

    ·                     Ensure all occupants are safely evacuated and present in the assembly point. 

    4.5       In the event of a fire being discovered, raise the alarm by shouting “fire, fire, fire” and that the building is immediately evacuated. 

    4.6       Read this Plan and understand it, at least annually. 

    4.7       If presiding on more than 50 separate days in any consecutive twelve months, hold a fire drill. 

    4.8       Advise the Chairman of the Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents Association of any deficiencies in this plan. 

    5          General description of the premises 

    Construction detail of the premises: The Pavilion is a single storey prefabricated building, principally of timber construction. 

    Approximate age of premises    approximately 60 Years

     Times in use: Occasional, both daytimes and evenings. 

    Size of the premises: 105 Sq metres 

    6          Fire safety systems 

    The Pavilion is principally comprised of one large room, with a separate kitchen area which is fully visible from the main room, due to a large service hatch and counter which has no shutters. 

    Only the two toilets (one suitable for disabled persons) are not visible from the main room. However, these are each directly accessible from the main room. 

    Access to the outside is either via steps through the main doors/lobby or through the Fire Exit, which is located immediately between the doorway giving access to the kitchen area and the door to the disabled toilet. The Fire Exit has step-free access. 

    Water Fire extinguishers are provided at two locations around the main room and a CO2 extinguisher in the kitchen. 

    There are no fire alarms or emergency lighting installed. 

    The Association has a No-Smoking policy, anywhere on the premises, both internally and externally. 

    7          Plan drawing

     

    8          Fire hazards 

    Ignition sources: Cooker/oven, Space Heaters, Electrical appliances, Portable electrical appliances, Lighting, Arson.

    Fuel sources: The building and furniture, Papers and documents, Curtains and tea towels, Display materials, Waste.

    Policy: The Association’s policy is that none of the above fuel sources will be left in proximity to ignition sources.

     Structural features: The building has two large inaccessible cavities, the roof void, (between the ceiling and roof) and the underfloor void. The most likely cause of fire within these voids would be from an electrical fault. Such a fire would probably burn for some time before it would become noticeable. 

    9          Evaluate, remove or reduce and protect from the risk 

    The main risk of fire is from the cooker, an electrical fault or space heater. 

    Fire risk could also arise from contractors’ works e.g.blow-lamp. 

    Either in the case of tenants, hiring the Pavilion for whatever purpose or, where the Association is using the Pavilion itself, the Person Presiding shall ensure that: 

    ·                     He/she takes responsibility for the safety of occupants whilst they are on the premises.

    ·                     All occupants are aware of the non-smoking policy and are reminded of the location of fire exits.

    ·                     Disabled persons are shown the Fire Exit, which has step-free access.

    ·                     Safe use of the cooker and other appliances.

    ·                     In the event of a fire evacuation, check that both toilets are unoccupied. 

    10         Fire prevention, opening and closing the building. 

    It is important to take all necessary precautions to keep flammable materials away from ignition sources. Due to the construction of the building, once a fire becomes established it would be very difficult to control. 

    Both the main doors and the fire exit lead directly to external open space from which evacuation is easy, so the whole building could be evacuated in under two minutes. 

    The Person Presiding at each and every event shall, at the start, check that the main doors and fire exit are not locked or obstructed.

    The only exit from the toilet cubicles is via the main room from which both the fire exit and main doors are accessible. Therefore, in the event of a fire evacuation, the Person Presiding shall check that both toilets are unoccupied. 

    At the end of every event, the Person Presiding shall check that:

    ·                     All combustible materials are away from potential ignition sources

    ·                     Electrical appliances are switched off (with the exception of the wall-mounted space heaters, which are on timers and shall be left, switched "on")

    ·                     The cooker is off

    ·                     The toilets are unoccupied. 

    11         Fire safety signs and notices 

    The main doors and fire exit shall be appropriately signed. The signs shall be visible and not be obscured. 

    The fire exit shall be appropriately signed on the outside. 

    The fire extinguishers shall be indicated. 

    12.        Fire warning systems and Emergency Lighting 

    • There is no automatic fire warning or emergency lighting system. 

    13         Fire fighting equipment      

    Three fire extinguishers are provided. These shall be subject to an annual maintenance regime. 

    14         Maintenance

     All persons presiding shall read this Plan, at least annually. 

    All exits, signage, extinguishes shall be visually checked once a month. 

    15         Method of calling the fire service 

    The Person Presiding shall ensure a mobile phone is available at all times for calling the emergency services. 

    16         Emergency Action Plan 

    In the event of a fire being discovered, the occupants shall raise the alarm by shouting “fire, fire, fire” and the Person Presiding shall ensure the building is immediately evacuated.

     Disabled persons must leave via the Fire Exit.

    The fire extinguishers shall only be used to aid evacuation. 

    The fire brigade shall be called using 999 on the mobile phone. 

    The assembly point is marked by a sign and is located in No 3 Tennis Court, adjacent to the gate from that court into the main pedestrian access path. 

    The Person Presiding shall check all occupants are safely evacuated and present in the assembly point. 

    17         Training 

    All Persons Presiding shall read this Plan at least every 12 months. 

    Any Person Presiding on more than 50 separate days in any consecutive twelve months shall hold a fire drill. 

    18         Rectification of fire safety deficiencies 

    All Persons Presiding shall advise the Chairman of the Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents Association of any deficiencies in this plan.

     

  • Morley Park - Update August 2016

    Works to complete the park and drainage issues

    Those of you who live in close proximity to the park might already be aware of a serious issue with drainage on Morley Park.  This has brought work to prepare the playing fields to a halt.  The south west corner of the playing field area was under water for much of the winter and the problem has continued despite the installation of soakaways and other works to implement the required playing field drainage scheme.  

    During the recent exceptionally wet weather the scout site and buildings (which are just below the playing field area) were flooded, and water flowed down onto Cottenham Park Road.  The public right of way between Lindisfarne Road and the scout hut has been regularly flooded even during more modest rainfall. 

     At a meeting on 20th June Berkeley Homes were still claiming that they expect to seed the fields in 4 weeks time and that the playing fields could be ready by January 2017.  The specification for the works Berkeley Homes are required to do on the playing fields before the handover of the park to the Council requires 2 seasons growth for the new grass but handover by January 2017 could only allow for less than 1 seasons growth.

    Under the terms of the planning consent Berkeley Homes are obliged to complete works to the park prior to first occupation of the new homes on the hospital site.

    Future Management

    The Council is preparing to grant a 99 year lease for the playing fields and pavilion to the Ursuline High School (UHS) when Morley Park is eventually transferred to the Council. 
     

    Discussions between LUNG, the Council and the Ursuline School on the management of the rest of the park are now on the assumption that the Council will retain responsibility for the management but with an ‘advisory group’ which would include representatives from the local community and the UHS i.e. the council will not grant a lease to a community trust. 

    Negotiations for a tripartite lease for the rest of the park ended after LUNG proposed an alternative model which did not include UHS as a lessee.  This would have been a simpler model avoiding conflict of interest with the school’s role as both sole lessee of the sports facilities and a lessee with shared responsibility for the rest of the park. 

    Jane Barnes
    (Residents Association of West Wimbledon’s representative on LUNG)


  • Memory Lane Club

    The Memory Lane Club is wondering whether there are any local 16-18 year olds out there who might be able to spare some time on Wednesday mornings during the summer holidays. 

    They wouldn't be committing themselves to every Wednesday morning necessarily as we understand things like holidays and social lives, but we would really appreciate any help you could give.

    The Club, which is a drop-in for people with dementia and their Carers, meets on Wednesdays between 10.30 and 12.30 in the Parish Lounge, Edge Hill.

    We would love some help from about 10.00 am with setting up; and we would then hope that any young volunteers would spend the Club time chatting with our members, helping them with the games and entertainments, such as seated Zumba, snooker, dominos, crafts, and afterwards helping to clear everything away.

    We have a huge amount of fun and really hope there are some of you who might want to join us over the holiday.  It looks pretty good on your CV and personal statement too!
      

    If anyone would like to learn more, please contact Jill Truman here , who will pass your details on to the organizers. Please mark your email "Memory Lane Club".


  • Motor Vehicle Crime - August 2016

    A Message from Lee Roberts,  Neighbourhood Watch Manager 

    Theft of motor vehicles has spiked recently and is currently up 35% on last 12 month rolling period. It is currently the police's number one concern and the borough has a plan to reduce this. 

    Part of this is a Met-wide problem with the theft of luxury high value cars during the night. Our officers are aware of this and actively stop and engage with occupants of such vehicles during the night. 

    If residents see anything or anyone acting suspiciously by such cars on drives and at night in particular, ring 999. 

    In Merton, theft of Scooters/mopeds is part of the overall increase in this crime. If you own one make sure it’s locked and attached to something that cannot be removed as well. Although there is no particular method, many are lifted into vans during the night. We would like all owners to ensure they are properly alarmed and secure; preferably parked up away from view in the street.

     

     

     

  • Chairman's Blog - August 2016

    CROSSRAIL2 PROPOSALS 

    Crossrail2 is to be the new line, which the government has committed to fund, and which will probably be routed from several places in Surrey, including Chessington and Epsom to north London. Building this line, part of which will be in tunnels, will be a huge feat of engineering, and will cause major disruption to the whole of our area for ten years or more. There will then be additional trains running through Motspur Park, Raynes Park and Wimbledon into central London and beyond. 

    There was a preliminary public consultation over the Christmas holidays which the promoters are now considering.  You can read an account of their conclusions on the consultation in the our article Crossrail 2 - July 2016. 

    What seems to be clear is that both the level crossings at Motspur Park and West Barnes would probably have to be closed. Whether either or both would be replaced by a tunnel or bridge has been hardly considered. Nor have the traffic flow implications. The stations at Motspur Park and Raynes Park might have to be altered or re-located. There would be major works needed in the centre of Wimbledon to accommodate new tracks, and the commercial centre would be decimated for the period of the works. 

    We will ensure that there will be the fullest public consultation for local residents before major and irreparable decisions are taken, including public meetings if required.  The next stage for consultations is likely to be later in the autumn. 

    FLOODING 

    Since the last edition of The Guide, there have been further deluges of rain and consequent flooding.  It was pointed out to me that one of the reasons that the flood water could not escape was that the Council has not maintained the regular clearance of the road gullies. Also I mentioned in the last edition that the grass verges had not been cut for weeks, and were very high.  Ironically, they were finally cut the day before one of these rain storms, but the grass was left to blow into the gutters which further blocked the flow of water.  The grass should have been picked up and bagged as it was cut. 

    Another contributing factor is that the building control inspectors no longer seem to ensure when houses are converted to provide extra space by way of back or loft extensions, that the guttering connects to therain water sewers or to a dedicated soak away tank, rather than to the foul sewer system. The result is when there is flooding, sewage comes back into neighbouring houses. 

    The Association has a complete record of the rivers and streams in this area, as well as the whereabouts of the Thames Water and sewage pipes. This was collected over many years by our expert, Jan Bailey, who sadly died earlier this year. Many times she had to point out to Merton officers, and even to the Environment Agency, that a proposed development would impact on a water or sewer pipe, since the Council did not have the information on record. We intend to keep this invaluable information for the sake of future generations, but to give a copy to the Council for their records. 

    The Times weather correspondent pointed out that London is especially vulnerable to flash flooding as it is so heavily built up. Heavy rains run off roofs, roads and other hard services, quickly setting off floods. He notes that in the past ten years the number of front gardens that are paved over across the UK has risen from 28 to 48 per cent, and that a study in Leeds has shown that the paving of gardens over a period of 33 years has led to an increase of 12% in run off.  It is a pity that as street parking becomes more difficult and paid for parking zones become more extensive, more front gardens are disappearing under concrete. 

    AUTOMATIC NUMBER PLATE RECOGNITION 

    Residents will have noticed Merton’s yellow billboards proclaiming that cameras are being installed that will automatically record bus lanes, box junctions, and banned turns. There’ll be a penalty notice of £130 for offenders, reduced to £65 if the fine is paid within 14 days.  While the principle of trying to keep traffic moving can be applauded, I hope that the Council will be sensible in its enforcement policy. Many motorists, from time to time end up in a bus lane, or find that their exit from a hatched area is unexpectedly blocked by other traffic.  I also hope that no penalty will be enforced if the signage is not absolutely clear. 

    OUR NEW PRIME MINISTER 

    Residents may not be aware that our new Prime Minister, Theresa May, began her political career as a Councillor in Merton, becoming its Deputy Leader and its Chairman of Education. Party Politics aside, we should mark it as a great personal achievement. 

     John Elvidge

  • Crossrail 2 - July 2016

    The Raynes Park Association (RPA) is an umbrella grouping of local residents’ and business associations, of which our Association is a member. The RPA has set up a Crossrail 2 sub-committee to try to achieve the best for Raynes Park. 

    Unfortunately, there is currently a paucity of information about the impact of Crossrail 2 on our part of the existing Southwest branches, down the line beyond Wimbledon.  This is where the Crossrail 2 trains are intended to run on the tracks already owned by Network Rail. 

    In contrast, the current proposals for Crossrail 2 from Wimbledon into London have been so far prepared by TfL, who are leading the design effort for this completely new central section. The project is very much in the development phase and so much is uncertain. However, there may be another public consultation on new proposals sometime soon. It is therefore very important that the community is ready to respond. 

    Currently there seem to be a number of threats and opportunities:- 

    Threat of land take for extra tracks/station improvement.

    This is likely to be of potential concern to those with properties close to the existing main line between Wimbledon and Raynes Park, as it would seem additional tracks may be contemplated. Additionally, Raynes Park town centre may be affected by improvements to the station. However, this is all speculation and there is no certainty as to how the project may proceed in this regard. 

    Changes to service patterns

    Not much information is available but it seems there would be changes to the service patterns to accommodate Crossrail 2 trains. There may be an extra four trains per hour on each of the four branch lines beyond Raynes Park, which would flow into Crossrail 2, going to new destinations in London.  There has so far been no confirmation that these trains will stop at Raynes Park. However, if Crossrail 2 trains were to stop in Raynes Park, there would be additional connections through the Crossrail option. There will inevitably be many years of disruption from construction work. 

    Raynes Park Station

    There may be a requirement to realign the platforms to accommodate longer trains. This would give the opportunity to provide step free access, straighter platforms and to remove the ugly footbridge, amongst other things. 

    Two level crossings in West Barnes Lane

    Increased services may render these level crossings impractical. It is important that they are not simply closed but bridges are provided to keep these much used routes open. 

     

    As and when public consultations take place, it will be important that residents participate, as Crossrail 2 may have a big impact on Raynes Park.  

    In the meantime, if members have any points they wish to share, please contact Jerry Cuthbert, via rpwbra@rpwbresidents.org.uk , marking your email for his attention.

    We would also recommend that you contact Crossrail 2 directly at http://crossrail2.co.uk/contact/

     

  • Don't Give Out Bank Details

    Merton council is warning residents not to give bank account details to a company claiming to reduce council tax payments. 

    A company has been calling residents offering to save them money by assessing which council tax band they should be in. 

    Calling from the number 0844 800 9426, is it understood the caller asks for bank account details, so an administration charge can be paid up front, to cover investigation costs. 

    Anyone wishing to check their council tax band can visit the Government Evaluation Service  which offers the same service for free.

  • Curly Hair Project

    The Curly Hair Project (CHP) is a social enterprise  dedicated to supportingfemales with Asperger’s syndrome & other autism spectrum disorders. It aims to improve understanding & communication between women & girls on the autism spectrum & their neurotypical loved ones. Although the CHP was set up with females in mind, most of their work is also relevant to males with autism or Aspergers Syndrome.  

    Dee  McAlinden is a trainer with the CHP & has Asperger’s Syndrome. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge, strategies & experience about her condition. Her presentation about the CHP plus a little bit about Dee, herself is designed for Parents and carers of children and adults with Aspergers.Syndrome, and is being held on Wednesday 6 July, 10am to 12pm, at Chaucer Centre, Room L, Canterbury Road, Morden, SM4 6PX

  • Memory Lane Club - Happy Birthday

    This popular club has gone from strength to strength since it first opened its doors in March 2015. The friendly club operates a drop-in for people with dementia and their carers every Wednesday morning from 10.30am to 12.30pm. 

    Recommended by GPs, right from its opening it has been well supported – news quickly spread across the area that Sacred Heart Parish Lounge on Edge Hill was the place to be each Wednesday morning. 

    Run by volunteers, the purpose of the club is to provide a welcoming space where there can be chat, some fun, laughs and a range of activity for those with dementia and their carers. An additional benefit is the opportunity provided for carers to meet and share experiences with other carers and volunteers, many of whom themselves have had personal experience of looking after a loved one with dementia. 

    A lively party to celebrate one year of successfully serving the local community took place in mid-March. Balloons, birthday cake – and candles - accompanied by the customary singing of ‘Happy Birthday’ were the order of the day. Party games followed – and accompanying laughter as we all competed for mini-prizes. In particular the party provided the opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the new friendships that have been made during the past year. 

    As the Club moves into its second year, we want to encourage any carers of those with dementia that we are a local resource for them. Please do drop in any Wednesday morning along with your loved one. You will receive a warm welcome, will meet new people and it’s all free of charge.  Give it a go! 

    Contact: edgehillmemorylaneclub@gmail.com

    Venue: Sacred Heart Parish Lounge, Edge Hill, SW19 4LU

    Day and time : Every Wednesday morning, 10.30 onwards to 12.30

     

     

  • 41 New Traffic ANPR Cameras

    Merton Council is introducing 41 new state-of-the-art cameras  to monitor the area’s roads and keep people safe.  

    Cameras using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology will monitor bus lanes, box junctions, no entry points and banned turns. 

    Cameras, which will go live in July, are portable, and can be moved to where they are most needed.

    The cameras will record short clips of vehicles that break the rules at 41 specially chosen locations across the borough. 

    These clips will then be sent to a team of reviewing officers who decide whether to issue penalty notices. The footage will be made available online for recipients to view. 

    Cabinet Member for Street Cleanliness and Parking, Councillor Ross Garrod, said: “We have listened to residents who have told us that congestion is one of their top concerns again and again. ANPR will keep Merton moving; making it easier for us all to get to work, pick up the kids from school or do the shopping. It will allow us to free up officer time to tackle other areas of enforcement such as badly parked vehicles. Enforcement is one way of encouraging people to obey the law of the road.” 

    For more information, visit www.merton.gov.uk/parking

     

     

  • Raynes Park Bereavement Service - First Annual Report

    REPORT FROM START OF SERVICE IN DECEMBER 2014 TO APRIL 2016

    The Service, managed by Christ Church, West Wimbledon, was launched in December 2014 and in that time has received 49 referrals. 34 of these referrals were from people given the information by their GP and the remaining 15 from other sources e.g. Age UK Merton, local newspaper, Women’s Refuge. Of the 34 referrals originating from GPs, 28 of these were from the Lambton Road practice and only 6 from other practices. 

    All befrienders and our supervisor are volunteers. We have received a grant from the diocese to cover training and admin costs. 

    ‘Befrienders’ 

    We have recruited and trained a total of 12 ‘befrienders’, currently we have 6 people regularly seeing those bereaved. (Some of the volunteers have dropped out, discovering this was not for them, others for personal reasons.) We have held two full days training sessions, the second of which was joint-training with the RC Bereavement Service based at the Sacred Heart Parish in Edge Hill, SW19. The first day was led by a trained counsellor and the second day by the director of training at St. Christopher’s Hospice. 

    Supervision 

    Our service is fortunate to have Breeda Fitzpatrick as our counsellor adviser. Breeda worked until recently as a counsellor at Wimbledon Guild. The group of befrienders meets regularly (about every 6 weeks) with Breeda. The sessions provide ongoing training and support. Indeed since we started, all the befrienders have grown in their ability thanks to the shared experiences of the group. Breeda also provides one to one telephone support to befrienders when requested. Two members of the group attended a training session at St Christopher’s Hospice on the particular needs of older people at times of bereavement. 

    Sacred Heart RC Parish, Wimbledon 

    We have worked closely with the Bereavement Service offered by the local RC church, as already indicated in terms of joint-training. Whilst they operate on a slightly different basis than ourselves, we find that we work together collaboratively. For example, on one occasion we took on someone referred to them whom they thought we could assist more effectively,

    because of the person’s close ties to their parish. Their service additionally offers a monthly drop-in group session. We’ve agreed that people referred to our service are also welcome to join this group. Our working relationship with our ‘sister’ group has given us a further dimension to our learning about bereavement. 

    Referrals to the Service 

    Befrienders meet bereaved people mainly at Lambton Road practice – the practice gives us one of the doctor’s rooms to use on Wednesday afternoons. (A room at Christ Church is also used on occasions.) People are offered a session of up to one hour. For some people one session is enough and for others several sessions have been given. (The decision on the number of sessions is largely the choice of the bereaved person.) Some people have had up to 6 to 10 sessions. 

    Whilst we are based at Christ Church and most of the volunteers are members of that church, our service is offered without reference to anyone’s personal belief. 

    The initial referral to the service is made either by phone or email. The phone is held by Chris Larkman (Service Co-ordinator) who takes responsibility for answering it or checking for messages. (Lucy Christie deputises for Chris when he is away.)

    The spectrum of situations befrienders have been confronted with has been vast:

       - People who have died recently. People who have died some years ago Partners, parents, siblings, sons or daughters, friends

       - Suicides

       - Cot death

       - People of all ages in terms both of those who have died and those bereaved (though we have not and probably would not undertake befriending a child.

       - Parents of a suicide – we met separately.

       - We have also ‘filled a gap’ when someone who contacted us was waiting for another service ‘holding’ them through difficult weeks.

    Feedback

    Although we do not request feedback from the people we meet, we have received many complimentary remarks, 

    Are we ‘Befrienders’ or ‘Counsellors’? 

    The simple answer is that we are not ‘counsellors’ – we could not use that term because we have neither the qualification nor the training to claim such a title. On the other hand we are more than the term ‘befrienders’ implies. Precisely because our training and shared experiences, we’re able to ask some relevant questions and at times to offer reassurances. 

    Conclusion and the Future 

    The project has proved our original assumption of the need for a bereavement service. We have learned that a majority of our referrals have come via GPs. The usual scenario appears to be: a patient speaks to their GP about a bereavement.

    GPs recognize they can only give a short time to the patient. They are then able to reach for one of our cards and offer it to their patient in the knowledge that we will be able a) to give time to listen and b) respond quickly to their request. 

    Chris Larkman (Co-ordinator)

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townwomen's Guild - July 2016

    Once again, the engaging harpist Margaret Watson gave us an excellent and entertaining performance when she came to our May meeting.  With pieces ranging from part of a Beethoven Harp Concerto to folk tunes, there was something for everyone in her thoroughly enjoyable programme. 

    Eileen’s Coffee Morning at the end of May was a well received occasion, and then - success at last!  This year the lunch club managed to choose a fine day for their annual trip to The Rocket in Putney, so the first time members were able to sit outside to benefit fully from this Pub’s riverside location! 

    The following week, a small group braved the changeable weather and the rather awkward journey to visit Kenwood House, Hampstead on 14th June.  The house proved to be a bit of a treasure with renovated original décor, interesting furniture pieces and fine collections of paintings.  After a slow examination of all the rooms we were ready to repair to the café for sandwiches, but disappointed that it was raining again when we emerged.  This stopped us finding the dairy and touring the extensive garden to admire the views, but with things still to see we may visit again in May 2016 to catch the rhododendrons in full flower. 

    The June meeting was a red, white and blue themed social to celebrate our 83rdbirthday party and the Queen’s 90th.   A friendly, relaxed afternoon, we enjoyed tea together followed by a piece of cake and a toast to the Queen. 

    With a Midsummer Lunch at Eileen’s house on 30th June, the lunch club off to The Woodman on 5th July, a visit planned for The London Wetland Centre, Barnes on 12thJuly and a Barbecue at Dorothy’s scheduled for 28th July, there are plenty of other activities over the next few weeks to keep members busy. 

    Our next regular monthly meeting (held on the third Thursday of each month) will be on Thursday, 21st July at 1.30 for 1.45 pm at St Saviour’s Church Hall when Peter Rainey will tell us all about ‘Wiltshire Farm Foods’.  Visitors are always welcome to our meetings or other activities. 

    For more information please telephone. 

    Dorothy Raymond   Tel: 020 8395 9489

     

     

     

  • Chaiman's Blog - July 2016

    ST HELIER AND EPSOM HOSPITALS 

    At our Open Meeting in June we had a presentation from Daniel Elkeles, who is the Chief Executive of the Epsom and St Helier NHS Trust, and Tim Hamilton, its Communications Director. They are in the process of meeting a number of residents’ associations in order to discuss the hospitals’ future. 

    Residents will remember the furore a couple of years back when suggestions were made that St Helier should close, with the loss, inter alia, of its accident and emergency department, and its maternity services. The decision was eventually taken to keep both hospitals open, and to maintain all existing services until 2020, while a review was undertaken to discuss all the options. 

    Mr. Elkeles has been in post for only 18 months, and it is his remit to oversee that review. We were impressed by the daunting scale of the problems that the Trust faces, and the obvious care with which he and his team are trying to resolve them. For example, they have managed to reduce the use of expensive agency nursing staff by 70% in the last twelve months by recruiting more extra full time nurses, and also reduced the vacancy rate. But the Trust is in deficit every year by millions of pounds, and the deficit is increasing. 

    A major part of the problem with St Helier is simply its age, dating as it does from the 1930’s, and an astonishing 43% of its occupied floor area has been defined as “functionally unsuitable” for modern health care delivery, and not even fit for purpose. The layout of the rooms is too small to prevent and control infection effectively, and results in over a million of pounds extra a year being spent on cleaning. The wards are situated well apart so that time and money is wasted on taking patients between them. Only 21% of the bedrooms are single occupancy, as opposed to having 4 or 6 beds, and the structure of the buildings means that more single rooms cannot be easily added. 

    It is clear that if St Helier is to remain open, a large part of the building has to be demolished, and rebuilt, although there is enough green space to allow this to happen. That would depend on funding being provided by the Treasury, and planning permission being granted by Sutton Council. 

    The Trust is now developing what is called a Strategic Outline Case which they aim tocomplete by the end of this October. That will then go out for formal public consultation to the Treasury, the two local authorities, and to the public at large. So the process of deciding what to do is still at an early stage, and there will be plenty of opportunity to comment later. 

    One measure of the problem they face is that last week, each hospital had 500 people a day coming into their A and E departments. The officers

    calculate that only 100 of these needed urgent and specialised hospital treatment, and the others could have been treated by other community facilities, including GP’s. They know that the population is getting older and they need more hospital based capacity. They also accept that they need to provide seven day working, with consultants available at all times. 

    The officers of the Trust have promised to come back and discuss this further with us as the plans develop. 

    RUBBISH COLLECTION 

    The Council is set to reduce the rubbish collection from every week to every fortnight, and to introduce wheelie bins. A scrutiny panel voted on June 9 to support a recommendation for Veolia to take over waste collection and street cleaning services in Merton, as part of the South London Waste Partnership. 

    This means that, if Veolia wins the contract, wheelie bins would be brought in across Merton from October 2018. We understand that each household would be provided with 3 smallish wheelie bins, as a cost to the ratepayers of £7 million. 

    The recycling collections for paper and card and for plastic, glass and cans would be divided, and would be collected only on alternate weeks. We regard the decision to move away from weekly collections as utterly misguided, and this will simply contribute to the fundamentally dirty state of Merton’s streets. 

    Public rubbish bins are overflowing in the streets and parks, since they are not regularly emptied, and now have dog waste added to them as well. The results are disgusting. 

    Wheelie bins are not suitable for many smaller houses and flats which have nowhere to store them. They will left on the streets to provide an eyesore and overflow with rubbish, and will attract foxes andrats. Elderly and disabled people will not been able to manhandle them. There is no sustainable evidence of any savings in these proposals. We cannot believe that any sensible and responsible Council could vote to bring in such a scheme. 

    GRASS CUTTING ON VERGES 

    Residents will have noticed that the grass verges, which used to be trimmed regularly, have been left uncut for weeks, and are growing wild. This is the result of another attempt by the Council to save money, which has backfired. 

    The Council thought it could save money on grass cutting by putting it out to tender, but the result has been a gross failure in the provision of services which residents have a right to expect. 

    FLOODING 

    Flash floods reduced the centre of Raynes Park to a standstill when two cars got marooned under the bridge. The surrounding area was awash and roads blocked all around. This is a reminder that this Association was founded in 1928 because of flooding in the area, which resulted, among other things, in the Raynes Park Golf Club having to re-locate to the Malden Golf Club. 

    It remains vital that any planning application should be carefully considered to see whether there are suitable run-offs for water, and that we retain as much open space as possible to allow for adequate drainage. 

    PRUDENTIAL BIKE RIDE 

    Don’t forget that much of Coombe Lane and Wimbledon Hill will be closed to traffic all day for the annual bike road on 31 July, and that pedestrian access will also be severely restricted. (See below for more information.)

    SOME GOOD NEWS 

    We thought that we had lost Waterstones and W H Smith for good from Wimbledon when their leases ran out, and Metro Bank took over. However both firms are coming back to Wimbledon with opening dates promised for the autumn. We don’t yet know where they are going to be located. 

     

    John Elvidge

  • Spectacles Needed Urgently


     

    Have you got some old specs that you no longer use, but haven’t yet made the decision to part with?

     

    MORDEN ROTARY CLUB collects used glasses for villagers in Africa who desperately need them but can’t afford to buy even the cheapest pair.

     

     

    The Post Office in Mospur Park collects donations of spectacles for the Rotary Club to forward on. Please think of them when you are having a clear out.

  • Lambton Road Medical Practice - June 2016

    Longer days 

    As we move into British Summer Time with longer days, we also seem to have an increasingly earlier hayfever season.  Please be aware that you can obtain hayfever remedies from the local pharmacists (free-of-charge if you do not ordinarily pay for escriptions) under the Minor Ailments Scheme. 

    If you are buying medication over the counter, we recommend a once-daily non-sedating antihistamine such as Cetirizine 10mg or Loratadine 10mg. Anasal spray such as Beclometasone (Aqueous Beconase) needs to be taken regularly from the onset of symptoms, as do eye drops such as Sodium Cromoglycate (Opticrom) or Otrivine-Antistin. 

    Longer days also mean more sunshine. Vitamin D deficiency is extremely common and current guidelines advise 1 to 11⁄2 hours daily midday sunshine for all of us. This is, of course, not always possible and we recommend certain groups continue to take a daily 1000 unit supplement throughout the year. 

    We are currently having a catch-up campaign for the pneumococcal vaccine at the surgery. This protects against bacterial pneumonia and it is highly recommended for elderly patients and others in high-risk groups. We will be contacting patients who are eligible over the next couple of months and would highly recommend this vaccine which gives lifelong protection in most people. 

    Shingles 

    The shingles vaccine is a relatively new vaccine for over 70s and the eligibility can seem quite complicated. Ultimately, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation advised that all 70 year olds should be vaccinated as this is felt to be the most at-risk group and the age group for which we know the vaccine to be most effective. 

    The protection is thought to last eight years so vaccinating a 70 year old takes them through most of their 70s. We know vaccinating those over 80 becomes less effective so those in this age group will not be offered the jab on the NHS. 

    The ‘rules’ we must abide by are quite cryptic. The jab is currently being offered to all people who are aged 70 and 78 between October 1st 2015 and before August 31st 2016. In addition, anyone who was eligible for immunisation in the first two years of the programme but has not yet been vaccinated against shingles remains eligible until their 80th birthday.

    This includes people aged 71 and 72 on September 1st 2015 and people aged 79. If you are eligible, we will be writing to you. 

    Online services

     As of April 1st 2016, it is possible to request access to view some of your medical record online. To ensure this is safe, and that records are only accessible to the patient they relate to, it is necessary to apply for this facility providing photographic ID. 

    Online services are developing. We are offering increasing numbers of online bookable appointments – including on-the-day slots which open at 7am – and we are pleased that more local pharmacists are signing up to the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) which enables you to request repeat medication from the surgery online. 

    These requests can then be authorised and sent to an eligible nominated pharmacy of your choice, removing the need for a paper slip or a trip to the surgery to pick your issued prescription up. Please ask at reception for further information. 

    Booking online also offers you the ability to cancel scheduled appointments online. We have developed an annotated guide which gives clear details as to how to download Patient Access, our online booking app, onto your smartphone. Please ask at reception or take a copy from our leaflet rack. 

    Every day we still waste huge numbers of  appointments. Please keep a note of our cancellation line (020 3668 1946) and let us know if you cannot make your scheduled appointment. Extraordinarily, we continue to have patients who make on-the-day appointments and then fail to turn up and do not even attempt to cancel them. We will be sending letters to our frequent offenders this year and are trying to reduce our Did Not Attend (DNA) rate as it impacts on all of us. Please ensure your contact details, particularly mobile numbers, are up-to-date in our records. This ensures that you receive text reminders of booked appointments and allows you to cancel conveniently by return text. Rising workload, increasing amounts of work transferred from struggling local hospitals, an ageing population and diminishing resources are affecting all GPs. 

    We are not any different. We continue to try and maintain and improve our services but we need you to work with us to do this. 

    Please realise that free NHS appointments are a precious resource and cancel if you cannot attend. Please treat our staff courteously and appreciate that they can have a difficult task at times. 

    Resources for our older patients 

    A recent study led by academics from the University of York was an analysis of data from over 20 studies involving over 180,000 subjects. This suggests that loneliness may be as substantial a killer as obesity and smoking. 

    Our Patient Participation Group (PPG) remains a dynamic ‘critical’ friend. We thank them for their ongoing support and input and for such a detailed analysis of their listening week responses. The practice is working through these and feels confident this will help us to develop better services. 

    Finally, a request. We have two disabled parking spaces at the front of the building. To use these, you need a Blue Badge. Every day, we are very sad to see cars parked there who should not be there, which hugely inconveniences and stresses those who should be able to park there. If it is you, please reconsider. 

    Dr Penelope Smith (Senior Partner) - Lambton Road Medical Practice

  • Lambton Road PPG - June 2016

    Lambton Road Medical Practice - Patients Participation Group 

    PPG Members: Jan Bailey, Judith Brodie (Chair), Elsa Browne, Marilyn Frampton, Clare Gummett, Clare Pickard, Ian Ritchie, Marie Robertson, Elizabeth Savidge and Peter West

     

     

    Annual General Meeting 12 March 2016 

    Thanks to all patients who attended our third AGM. Full Minutes, Chair’s remarks and appendices are being sent to patients on our e-mail list, and are also available to view in our folder in Reception. 

    The main focus of the Meeting was the Listening Week and its findings, see our special March Newsletter, no 16. Lisa Manara expanded on the results, and a full copy of her presentation is contained within the appendices to the Minutes of the Meeting. 

    Naturally, as with the country generally, the availability of appointments featured highly in remarks by those attending the AGM, but a final comment from the floor drew attention to the immense challenges faced nationally by primary care, namely funding, capacity and increasing demands. It was nevertheless clear that we are fortunate to have a Practice that successfully provides and delivers high quality clinical treatment to a large population. 

    HOT NEWS FROM LAMBTON ROAD MEDICAL PRACTICE

     By the time you read this the Practice will have had an inspection visit on Tuesday 12 April from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The Practice receives a verbal report on the day, with a formal printed report available some weeks later. 

    The Practice has now issued a Practice Newsletter on their website www.lambtonroadmedical.nhs.uk Printed copies will shortly be available in the surgery. Additionally, the Practice has produced an excellent updated booklet that new patients receive when they join, and which can be obtained from doctors by existing patients when they attend appointments. 

    Patients aged over 75 have a special telephone line (available from 10-12 Mon to Fri) but it now has a new title- the Blue Star Patient Line. If you have mislaid the telephone number this may be obtained via Reception. 

    The Practice has also agreed an action plan from the PPG Listening Week including on the Appointments system. 

    Comings and Goings within the Practice 

    Dr. Conor Molony

    Most of you will have heard that Dr Molony has left the Lambton Road Medical Practice. The PPG wishes to say thank you to him on behalf of all patients for the excellent professional care received over 13 years’ service (between Pepys Road and LRMP). In addition, he attended PPG meetings and was a valuable linchpin between the Practice and the PPG so a very special thank you to Conor, from us. All good wishes for the future. 

    Dr. Elisabeth Wood

    Dr Wood who has joined the Practice graduated from Southampton University in 2008. She has worked in a variety of locations including Bournemouth, Bristol and New Zealand prior to arriving at LRMP. Dr Wood has just returned to work having enjoyed maternity leave with her baby daughter. Her interests include Elderly Care and Children’s Health. 

    The Practice will also be recruiting additional GPs to the Team, albeit they are in short supply nationally. 

    Cancellation of appointments 

    Even with the direct telephone cancellation line and text messaging service, there are still “no shows” by some patients – sometimes for good reason and unavoidable. A wasted appointment deprives another patient of its use. The cancellation number is 020 3668 1946. If you wish to be included in the text reminder service, just leave your mobile tell no with Reception and this will automatically happen. 

    Smoking Cessation Service 

    Are you thinking of making a decision to stop smoking? If so, get some help at Lambton Road. The Practice is offering a free smoking cessation service in conjunction with Live Well Sutton & Merton. You can see an advisor in the Practice.  

    PPG Membership 

    As mentioned at the AGM, four members of the PPG have stood down - Charlotte Bennett and Dennis Railey - (both had been with the Group since the inception of LRMP), Janice Cameron and Lisa Manara. We would like to thank them all for the extremely valuable contributions they have made to the work of the Group, and wish them well for the future.  Clare Pickard and Peter West have joined as the new members of the Group.

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townwomen's Guild - June 2016

    At the April meeting Mr. Colin James gave us an excellent talk entitled ‘Secret Gardens of London’.   Screened photographs illustrated his descriptions of their origins and character.  We came away with a list of ideas for future trips! 

    At the beginning of May a new lunchtime venue was tried at West Ewell - another Superfish, run on the same lines as the one at Morden.  A group enjoyed a nice bus trip out for a very good meal.   

    A backstage tour of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, was the visit in May.  The tour guide was excellent taking us first up to the upper tier of the blacked out auditorium to look down at the pool of light on the stage, where a technical rehearsal for the ballet Ondine was in progress.   We also looked into a studio where male dancers were walking through a new dance, the area where the sets were stored, and through the sewing room and costume department, with everything carefully bagged up and labelled.  An hour and a half later we were more than ready for a sandwich and cup of tea in a small café near The Strand. 

    In June the TWG will be celebrating our 83rd birthday with a ‘Birthday Party with Royal Elements’ on Thursday, 16th at 1.30 pm at St. Saviour’s Church Hall.  Everyone welcome to this social. 

    June’s luncheon will be taken at The Rocket at Putney and the visit will be to Kenwood House by Hampstead Heath.

    For more information about any of our activities please telephone. 

    Dorothy Raymond  Tel: 020 8395 9489

  • Trip to Hever Castle - 28 July 2016

    Pavilion Social Club - Trip to Hever Castle

    Tuesday 28th July

     Cost:  £21 including entry to the castle and gardens, the coach and the driver’s tip.

     Pick up points:

    9.00a.m. The Green at the bottom of Claremont Avenue, Motspur Park. 

    9.15a.m. Raynes Park Station (The bus stop adjacent to ‘Whistle Stop’). 

    9.30a.m. Greenway bus stop, Grand Drive. 

    Money to be paid by cash or cheque within one week of booking please.   (All seats allocated on receipt of payment). 

     To Book contact Jill Truman, here.

  • Association Open Meeting - 15 June 2016

    We are holding the June meeting  open to all members of the Association,  at West Barnes Library in Motspur Park on 15th June.  It will start at 7.30 pm and will finish at the latest by 9.30pm. 

    We will begin the meeting with and important discussion from the Chief Executive and the Communications Manager of the Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust. 

    They are conducting a review into the long- term future of the hospitals and want to talk to as many local people as possible about the future of these buildings, and the consequences for healthcare locally. This is very important, so do come along. 

     

    Alternatively, if you want to raise an issue or problem with us, or if you just want to hear what’s going on in the locality, our Open Meetings will provide you with the opportunity to do so; for instance, you may want to talk about the new policy on parking on pavements, or residents’ parking problems in your roads. We always have local Councillors in attendance, so your concerns will certainly be taken up and or advised upon.

  • Prudential Ride London - 2016

    Image result for ride london logoPrudential Ride London comes again to Raynes Park on Sunday 31 July 2016.

    Come to Raynes Park and enjoy the atmosphere, as the cyclists pass through.

    However, be prepared for road closures for virtually the whole day. These will, once again, mean that a large part of West Wimbledon north of Worple Road and Coombe Lane will be almost totally cut off for the whole of the day, with very restricted access in or out. People with plans for travel, social events, holiday arrangements and needing visits from carers and the like are strongly advised to plan ahead.

    The official leaflet on road closures, crossing points for residents etc can be downloaded here. See pages 8 & 9 of 12 for Raynes Park and Wimbledon.

  • Raynes Park Community Forum - 22 June 2016

    The next Community Forum will be held in the Library Hall (Aston Road Entrance), Approach Road, SW20 8BA, from 7:15 - 9:15 pm. on 22 June 2016. For more information click here.RAYNES PARK FORUM MEETINGS – 2016/17 

    Future Forum Meetings will be on

    Wednesday 22 June 2016

    Thursday 29 September 2016

    Wednesday 3 November 2016

    Wednesday 8 March 2017

  • Tragic News about Jan Bailey

    It is with great sadness that we report to our members that Jan Bailey died suddenly on 3rd May 2016.

    Jan had been our Joint Secretary and Minutes Secretary for the past 15 years.  She was was full of physical energy, and thought nothing, for example, of regularly clearing out the Meadowstreet Ditch off Grand Drive collecting rubbish with her bare hands, in order to prevent flooding of the surrounding properties. Jan was bubbly, lively and extrovert, and great fun to be with. 

    Jan was also a mine of information about everything that was happening in the area and whomsoever on the Council to approach to get things done. She kept an eye on all the proposed planning applications, and the stage that each one had reached. She could remember exactly what had happened on a traffic scheme proposal in particular, 

    Jan knew more about the drains and watercourses in the area (a special concern in Raynes Park and West Barnes because of frequent flooding) than anyone on the Council; and worked closely with the Environment Agency, keeping meticulous records of everything that occurred, and so was able to turn up vital information that would otherwise have been lost to posterity. 

    We had twice nominated her for Merton's Sir Cyril Black Award that goes each year to the person who has done most for the community, but without success. 

    Jan trained as a professional actress, who could sing and dance, and it was while performing as Cinderella at the Theatre Royal Nottingham (with Mike and Bernie Winters in the cast as a comedy duo), that Jan met her partner, Gordon Stratford, when he was General Manager of Theatre Royal in Plymouth. 

    He needed a PA, and she applied for the job, got it, and stayed! 

    We shall miss her immensely. She leaves her husband, Gordon, and their family. Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.

    Latest News about the Funeral Arrangements – Updated 15 May

    Jan Bailey's funeral has been scheduled for Thursday 26th May. The service will be held at St. Matthews Church (Durham Road) at 11.00 a.m, with a small reception afterwards probably at the Olive Garden, to be confirmed, followed by a family and close friends only woodland burial at Clandon Woods.  

    The RP&WBRA will be supplying flowers for the top of the coffin, and donations can be made of bulbs for the plot, or money to Headway; the brain injury association;  the Child Brain Injury Trust; and/or the Dog's Trust, and sent to: Truelove, 254 Martin Way, Morden SM4 4AW, Phone:020 8540 6667.

  • Heritage Discovery Day - 28 May 2016

     Carved in stone

     

     

    Explore Merton’s fascinating history. Morden Library, 28 May. 12.30 – 4.30pm. ADMISSION IS FREE. For information: Tel 020 8545 3239 or click here.

     

    The day’s programme includes:

    12.30 – 4.00: Open Air Cinema. Screenings of archive film from Merton and beyond; and on

     Morden Library’s: Ground floor:

    12.30 – 4.30: London’s Open Spaces. A display by the Royal Photographic Society.

    12.30 – 4.00: Kids Archaeology: A mini excavation for children aged 6+. Discover a range of historic finds.

    1.30 – 3.30: Children’s crafts: – Stained glass colouring and dressing up

    First Floor and Merton Council Chamber:

    12.30 – 1.15: Captured on Film. A screening of archive films from the First World War.

    12.30 – 4.00: War Stories. Your chance to watch a fascinating series of filmed interviews with the descendants of Merton’s First World War combatants.

    12.30 – 2.30: Web demonstrations. Your chance to view the new Carved in Stone website about Merton during World War 1.

    Second floor:

    12.30 – 4.30: Exhibition. Discover the story of the St. Helier Estate.

    12.30 – 4.30: The Heritage Marketplace. Stalls and displays from Merton’s many museums,

     

    Local History Talks:

    1.15 – 1.45: Conservation in action ( Ann-Marie Miller, Codex Conservation )

    2.00 – 2.20: Capability Brown and Wimbledon Park ( Dave Dawson, Friends of Wimbledon Park )

    2.30 – 2.50: Rutlish Combatants in World War One ( Cynthia Clift & Peter Moulin, Rutlish School )

    3.00 – 3.20: Merton Military Tribunals in World War One ( Keith Penny, Merton Historical Society )

    3.30 – 3.50: The Canons and Mitcham Cricket Green ( Tony Burton, MCGC&H )

    4.00 – 4.30: The Merton at War Alphabet ( Sarah Gould, Merton Heritage Centre )

     

     

    Historic find: Merton during World War One. local history societies and community groups.

  • Motspur Park Post Office - May 2016

    The PO has started a public consultation regarding a proposal to relocate Motspur Park PO 85 metres from its current premises (334 West Barnes Lane) to Ecklee convenience store at 345 WBL. The consultation began on 22 Mar & runs for 6 weeks up to 5 May. The relocation itself is planned for July/August. 

    Services at the proposed location ‘will be offered from a till on the retail counter’, there will be ‘longer opening hours’ & ‘the majority of Post Office products & services will still be available’. It is reported that disabled access will be better than currently at No 334.

    Full details in a document available at the PO and also here. 

     

  • Raynes Park Residents' Lawn Tennis Club - May 2016

    The club’s next Open Day is on Sunday 15th May from 10am in conjunction with the LTA’s Great British Tennis Weekends at which there will be special introductory offers, free coaching and refreshments. 

    Prospective members are encouraged book in advance through the LTA website here and enter sw20 9 in ‘Find and Book’ or just turn up on the day. 

     

    Paul Sadler, rprltc.co.uk, Meadowview Road, SW20 9AN

  • Annual Visit to RHS Wisley Flower Show - 9 September 2016

    The RPWBRA Annual trip to Wisley Flower Show will be on FRIDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER 

    With pickup points at: 

    Greenway bus stop, Grand Drive @ 9.15 a.m. 

    Approach Road, Raynes Park @ 9.20 a.m. 

    Motspur Park, Opposite the Earl Beatty @ 9.30 a.m. approx. 

    The Coach will leave Wisley at 4.00 p.m. 

    The fare will be £10.00 which includes entrance and driver’s tip. 

    Money to be paid within a week of booking, please. 

    Seats may be booked with Margaret Barratt (8949 4304), Edna Gumbrell (8542 5811) and Jill Truman (8859 3525)

     

     

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townwomen's Guild - May 2016

    ‘Collective Legal Solutions’ was the title of the talk given by Mr. Trevor French from the Co-op Group at our meeting on 17th March.  Touching on such matters as Inheritance Tax Planning, Long-term Care Costs, Trusts, Insurances, Funeral Plans, Wills, Powers of Attorney and the term ‘Tenants in Common’, this talk held the groups full attention.  Questions followed.  Mrs. Eileen Brewer gave the vote of thanks. 

    Caught by showers for the journey both to and from The Haywain, Epsom, the group of ladies taking a leisurely lunch on 7th April still enjoyed their visit to this favourite venue, where all meals were of the usual high standard and were accompanied by good conversation! 

    On Tuesday, 12th April a group of ten visited the Dickens Museum set in a typical 3 storey Victorian house, also with basement, which he rented for a time in Doughty Street, Holborn.  It was interesting exploring this house and examining the pictures, letters, furniture and other personal items on display.

    Afterwards a cup of coffee and slice of cake in the ‘Garden Café’ was very welcome. 

    The popular Harpist, Mary Watson, is rebooked to play to us at our May meeting on Thursday, 19th May at St Saviour’s Church Hall.  Visitors, friends and family are invited to join us for this recital.  Please join us for a cup of tea beforehand between 2 or 2.15 pm.  You will be very welcome. 

    As a preliminary notice - friends and family, Residents, Rendezvous Club Members and Pavilion Club Members are also invited to join us on our summer outing to Worthing.  This will be on Thursday, 18th August, Tickets £16, picking up in the area from 9.30 and returning at 4.30 p.m. 

    Dorothy Raymond

    Tel: 020 8395 9489

  • TfL News - A3 Improvements for Cycling and Walking

    Between 17th August and 27th September 2015, we consulted on proposals to make improvements for pedestrians and cyclists at six locations along the A3. After considering all the responses, we intend to proceed with the scheme as set out in the consultation documents. We plan to start work in autumn 2016. 

    Descriptions of the proposals 

    ·         Allowing cyclists to formally use existing pedestrian subways without having to dismount at Ely Close, Bushey Road, Keswick Avenue, Southwood Drive, and Warren Drive South. The subways would be designated as shared use, with signage positioned on approaches to clearly identify areas of shared use

    ·     Improving pedestrian and cyclist safety in these newly created shared use areas by installing cycle barriers at carefully selected locations, guiding cyclists into pedestrian sightlines to be more visible, and reducing the risk of conflict.

    ·    Resurfacing of footways and new tactile paving at Keswick Avenue connection to subway, and improved ease of access  for cyclists with the installation of a dropped kerb.

     ·    Introducing raised tables across the roadway, bollards along the footway edge and tactile paving to assist visually impaired pedestrians at the junctions of Malden Way(Southbound) with Consfield Avenue, Byron Avenue, Stanley Avenue and Woodfield Gardens. The raised tables would have the effect of slowing approaching vehicles and making it safer for cyclists to cross the junction.

    ·   Extending the pavement and formalising shared use for pedestrians and cyclists at the junction of Elmbridge Avenue with Tolworth Rise North, making it safe for cyclists to ride on the footway at the end of the eastbound slip road to continue across Elmbridge Avenue without dismounting

    ·   Widening the shared use path on Beverley Way beneath the Coombe Way Flyover, installing new tactile paving at crossing points and resurfacing the shared path.

     

     

  • The Rotary Club of Morden - May 2016


    Rotary - changing people’s lives for the better -Come and join us.

    Your local Rotarians would like to thank everyone who supported our Christmas collection.  It was by some distance our best ever total. The weather was relatively kind, so all Santa's sleigh tours went well, plus we had a very good response with our collection in Lower Morden Lane aka "Electric Avenue". 

    Most of the funds have already been distributed to these local good causes:

    St.Raphael’s Hospice tops the list. Regular readers will know it receives 25% of its costs from the NHS, and each year depends on over £3 million from local fund-raising.  The Hospice assists over 1000 patients and their families annually, and your Rotary Club will continue to give as much support as possible to its essential service to our community. 

    Other organisations we have supported with donations are as follows. 

    Arthritis Care Merton; Merton Guild of Social Welfare; 16th Morden Scouts Morden; Little League Football.Friends in St.Helier and Friends in Lower Morden.  (These Friends are local clubs to prevent loneliness, isolation and to keep people independent and living in their own homes);
    Priory School Wimbledon. (Special gift of books for Year 6 students); ABCDreams (Rotary supports self-help projects in Lyamungo Sinde Village in Tanzania). 

    Also, as I write, the Club is aiming to help a severely disabled local nine year old child with individual transport needs to and from his special needs school in Kingston. 

    We have another two current projects we'd like to ask you to help us with. Firstly, we're collecting your unwanted spectacles again! Any strength and style in serviceable condition please. 

    The first batch of over 100 pairs of specs that were sent out to Tanzania was all taken up by very happy kids and parents straightaway. If we can send the same amount again we now know that there are many more people who would be thrilled to have them! 

    You can take them to the Mace Store / Post Office counter at 340 Grand Drive, and our thanks to Mr. Ashwin for his support. Also you may take to the Millennium Stores / Post Office at 334 West Barnes Lane, and thanks also to Mr. Surej for his help. 

    Secondly, we do collect for
    St.Raphael's all year round.  If you have loose change in a jar / box, ring us if you'd like to donate this to the Hospice, and we'll collect. Your donations are boosted by the charitable giving" tax benefit this way. We've raised over £5000 in loose change, and have a number of "regulars" 
    we'd like to thank. 

    If you'd like us to pick up some change, or specs if the Post office is not convenient, we're happy to oblige. 

    Once again, our sincere thanks for your support, 
    Morden Rotarians. 
     

     

    Contact 0208 404 6451 Joss Ollett, for any collection requests. 

  • Chairman's Annual Report 2015/2016

    At this time last year, we were all concerned at the proposals to build a huge number of flats and houses on the Rainbow Estate off Grand Drive. This is a landlocked site, which is surrounded by railway lines, and is designated for mainly industrial and business use. There was also meant to be a facility to park and ride at Raynes Park station, but this was not fully worked through.  Despite our reasoned objections, the proposals were approved by the Planning Committee and not called in by the Mayor of London. 

    The anxiety we felt about these proposals remains, but the chances of any major development being progressed in the near or medium term have been much reduced by the impact of the even more devastating possibilities connected with the proposed CrossRail 2. This is the new cross London railway which will pass through Raynes Park and Wimbledon on its way to north London, and for which the Government has pledged funding. 

    Many of the proposals for enhancing the rail links in this area will cause planning blight for 10 years or more and would seem to prevent any work being carried out on the Rainbow site. 

    We have set out in The Guide our concern at the weakness of the consultation held so far for what is being proposed, and our horror at the suggestions being made. I know that our MP Stephen Hammond is deeply concerned and has held a recent meeting at the House of Commons to find a way forward that does not result in the wholesale destruction of the town centre of Wimbledon. As he will be speaking to us tonight, I will not repeat his views now. The best solution for this area would appear to be a tunnel from Berrylands under Raynes Park and Wimbledon, which would obviate the need to close the two level crossings at Motspur Park and West Barnes. Any other solution would result in traffic being gridlocked on Grand Drive for the whole day and not just at rush hours. 

    Speaking of Grand Drive brings me to the lively debate we have been having as to finding a way to ease the movement of traffic. Coming south from the station, approaching the junction with Bushey Road, the junction is controlled by Transport for London, but Merton Council traffic officers are able to have a real input into proposed solutions. 

    We will continue to put pressure on the authorities to find a permanent solution to this long term problem. 

    One good piece of news is that the gas works intended to be carried out on the bottom part of Grand Drive will not happen this year. Instead, we have been promised a full consultation before the works starts next year. We will hold a public meeting as part of that consultation to try and find a way to keep traffic moving from the Beverley roundabout, without making life intolerable for people living along Cannon Hill Lane, along which the traffic is likely to be diverted.  

    I would like to thank the members of the Committee most involved in planning and transport matters for their hard work and expertise. They are David Freeman, Jerry Cuthbert, and Jan Bailey. I particularly tonight want to single out Rachel Skinner, who works as an expert in the field of transport management, for her enormous contribution, but who is moving away from the area. We’re very glad that she promises to keep in touch. 

    The focus of attention for the Association has continued to move from being principally concerned with matters of planning and traffic to that of its historic role of being a social organisation. 

    Last year was the first full year of operation of the Pavilion which is the centre of the many activities now open to members of the Association and local residents generally. It continues to go from strength to strength, and the Treasurer will shortly be able to confirm this when he reviews our accounts. It houses regular weekly sessions run by various activity and interest groups and bookings are also solid for family parties over the weekends.  

    The Pavilion is managed by a dedicated group of members who take the bookings, open and close the building and keep up the improvements. This voluntary work is time consuming and onerous, and I want to thank again Jerry Cuthbert and David Freeman, as well as our Treasurer John Townsend. Linda Fitch has also been a great help in taking care of and improving the gardens.  

    We would welcome some more assistance in managing the Pavilion which is now such an important part of our activity. We are grateful that Mrs. Deveson has come forward during the year to assist us, and hope that more members can be found to do the same. 

    The Association established the Pavilion Social Club two years ago and is very successful, with growing numbers of men and women at its weekly get-togethers on Thursday afternoons, which have occasional guest speakers. It also organises visits out to places of interest. It has been run from the outset by Jill Truman and Andrea Hannan, and I have seen for myself their extraordinary rapport with the members and the enthusiasm they bring. We thank them. 

    We intend to hold a summer party to thank another much larger group of people without whom the Association could not begin to function. These are our dedicated Area Co-Ordinators and Road Stewards who deliver the Guides to all our members in all weathers. The party will be held at the Pavilion on the afternoon of Saturday 11th June during the weekend of celebrations to mark the 90th Birthday of The Queen. The invitations will be going out soon, and we hope that as many of them as possible will come and join us.  I want to thank also Andrew Barwick and Dick Coleman, our Distribution Managers, for their skilful organisation of such a large group of people. 

    Our web site is much visited, and is always kept fully up to date with matters of both general and immediate interest. We get an increasing numbers of enquiries in this way. The technical work is managed by our Web Master, Charles Briscoe-Smith and on a day to day basis mainly by Jerry Cuthbert. We thank all those involved. 

    The backbone of the Association continues to be the work put in by our Joint Secretaries, Jill Truman and Jan Bailey. They are simply invaluable and are human dynamos.  Jill not only finds time to edit the Guide, but also to act as our Advertising Manager, and we can only continue to afford to publish The Guide if we can obtain ongoing advertising revenue. Jan continues to amaze everyone with her encyclopaedic knowledge of everything that happens here and whom on the Council to approach to get things done she also prepares meticulous minutes of our meetings.   I thank them both. 

    We continue to play our full part in the wider Raynes Park Association and on the Raynes Park Forum. We are proud that Raynes Park is now widely heralded to be one of the finest small high street shopping areas in the whole country. I would thank Jerry Cuthbert, Jill Truman, and particularly tonight Pamela Robinson for their contribution to these community discussions. 

    I must mention also the vital role that our West Barnes and Raynes Park Councillors play in coming to our meetings, in acting on our concerns and in bringing them to the attention of the powers that be in Merton. 

    As our Treasurer will tell you, we are financially in good heart, and John Townsend is that rare person, who is not only excellent with numbers, but can make an explanation of them interesting.  I want to thank him, and would also thank our Honorary Auditor Brian Lewis-Lavender. 

    We are sorry that our of our Committee stalwarts, Peter Connellan, passed away recently. He was a perfect gentleman and looked after the Shannon Corner area of the Association for very many years, as well as serving on local schools and in many other voluntary roles. We will miss him. 

    Finally, as I said last year, we do need fresh blood at all levels both to manage our affairs, and especially to help with advertising, and with running the Pavilion. If you can spare any time or energy to help, we will welcome you with open arms. Thank you. 

    John Elvidge, Chairman

    13th April 2016

  • West Barnes Library - April 2016

    West Barnes Library urgently needs more volunteers to assist staff at a range of levels.  You could be helping to keep the library open for the people of Motspur Park! Don’t hold back - training will be given – and you might find it fun.  For more details and to apply, please ask at the library counter. 

    And the good news is…

    Anthony Hopkins, Merton's Head of Library and Heritage Service has told the Friends of West Barnes Library that the London Borough of Merton remains committed to developing the West Barnes Library site so that first class library services are enjoyed for generations to come. Council officers have been working to explore what will provide the best value and best quality approach for the site and are expected to publish further news regarding the proposed approach soon. As part of the work into starting the development some interesting new options are being explored including the formation of a council run development company to realise the new library and residential property. Due to the detailed work undertaken in looking at the different options there may be a slight delay to the new development starting and we will continue to update you when there is further news.

  • Morden Rotary Club - April 2016

    Rotary - changing people’s lives for the better -Come and join us. 

    Your local Rotarians would like to thank everyone who supported our Christmas collection.  It was by some distance our best ever total. The weather was relatively kind, so all Santa's sleigh tours went well, plus we had a very good response with our collection in Lower Morden Lane aka "Electric Avenue". 

    Most of the funds have already been distributed to these local good causes:

    St.Raphael’s Hospice tops the list. Regular readers will know it receives 25% of its costs from the NHS, and each year depends on over £3 million from local fund-raising.  The Hospice assists over 1000 patients and their families annually, and your Rotary Club will continue to give as much support as possible to its essential service to our community. 

    Other organisations we have supported with donations are as follows. 

    Arthritis Care Merton; Merton Guild of Social Welfare; 16th Morden Scouts Morden; Little League Football.Friends in St.Helier,  and Friends in Lower Morden.  (These Friends are local clubs to prevent loneliness, isolation and to keep people independent and living in their own homes);
    Priory School Wimbledon. (Special gift of books for Year 6 students); ABCDreams (Rotary supports self-help projects in Lyamungo Sinde Village in Tanzania). 

    Also, as I write, the Club is aiming to help a severely disabled local nine year old child with individual transport needs to and from his special needs school in Kingston. 

    We have another two current projects we'd like to ask you to help us with. Firstly, we're collecting your unwanted spectacles again! Any strength and style in serviceable condition please. 

    The first batch of over 100 pairs of specs that were sent out to Tanzania was all taken up by very happy kids and parents straightaway. If we can send the same amount again we now know that there are many more people who would be thrilled to have them! 

    You can take them to the Mace Store / Post Office counter at 340 Grand Drive, and our thanks to Mr. Ashwin for his support. Also you may take to the Millennium Stores / Post Office at 334 West Barnes Lane, and thanks also to Mr. Surej for his help. 

    Secondly, we do collect for
    St.Raphael's all year round.  If you have loose change in a jar / box, ring us if you'd like to donate this to the Hospice, and we'll collect. Your donations are boosted by the charitable giving" tax benefit this way. We've raised over £5000 in loose change, and have a number of "regulars" 
    we'd like to thank. 

    If you'd like us to pick up some change, or specs if the Post office is not convenient, we're happy to oblige. 

    Once again, our sincere thanks for your support, 

    Morden Rotarians.  

     

    Contact 0208 404 6451 Joss Ollett, for any collection requests. 


  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townwomen's Guild - April 2016

    At the well attended AGM on 18th February the existing Committee of four was re-elected for another year.  The Chairman thanked all those members who help out in various ways at monthly meetings to support this small group, but encouraged members to consider joining the team.  The Bring & Buy table made £35. 

    A large group went to Wimbledon Theatre for Chicago.  Black fishnets, skimpy clothing and tight fitting hipster trousers matched the suggestive movements of the dancers and the sleazy All That Jazz music.  This was played by excellent musicians visible at the back of the stage.   A nicely ironic production which surprisingly had me laughing out loud at some tongue in cheek moments. 

    Following the successful lunch in Fulham on 2nd March, a group tried in vain to get to the Dickens Museum on the 8th.  However, after a long wait for the bus, followed by the investigation of an alternative bus route and another wait, we went to the pleasant  Natural Kitchen at Waterloo Station for a coffee and to warm up.  Here we decided to take the tube to Trafalgar Square, where the party split, some continuing last month’s exploration of the Portrait Gallery and others taking on the National Gallery. 

    We will try again for the Dickens Museum on Tuesday 12th April! 

    The lunch club will go to the Haywain, Epsom on Thursday, 7th. 

    Our monthly meeting is at 1.30 pm at St Saviour’s Church Hall on the 3rd Thursday of the month.  In April Colin James will give an illustrated talk entitled ‘Secret Gardens of London’.  Visitors are always welcome at our meetings. 

    Dorothy Raymond; 020 8395 9489 

  • Raynes Park Residents' Lawn Tennis Club - April/May 2016

    We are pleased that our head coach José Marquez has been appointed to take over the supervision of the Saturday morning junior coaching sessions following the departure of our previous coach Michele Shanley. He already runs the coaching sessions on Tuesday and Friday so this should assist in our aim of increasing the number of junior tournaments and competitions. 

    We will be holding an Open Day on Sunday 15th May in conjunction with the LTA’s Great British Tennis Weekends at which there will be special introductory offers, free coaching and refreshments. Prospective members can book in advance through the LTA website or just turn up on the day. 

    Paul Sadler, rprltc.co.uk

    Meadowview Road, SW20 9AN

     

     

  • Chairman's Blog - April 2016

    AGM 

    The Annual General Meeting of the Association will be held in the meeting room behind the Raynes Park Library on Wednesday 13th April, starting at 7.30 pm. 

    Do come along. We’ve invited our local MP, Stephen Hammond, and he will be discussing the latest proposals for CrossRail 2, and other local issues. He’s always keen to answer questions from members present. 

    There’s also going to be a break from the formal business with some wine, soft drinks, and nibbles.   It’s a relaxed and informative way to spend the evening. 

    MERTON BOWLING CLUB 

    In the February edition of The Guide I mentioned that the Council was thinking of ceasing to maintain the lawn of the bowling club in the Joseph Hood recreation ground, as it cost too much to keep it in a first class condition. The result would have been that the Club would have had to close.  

    I’m very glad to report that the Council has relented after a massive effort by the Club, the community, and local Councillors.  The majority party was impressed by its level of support, as shown by a petition attracting 1000 signatures, with a further 1000 people protesting on-line. The Club had also found an experienced contractor who was able to halve the yearly cost of maintenance. The Club has been given a year’s grace to see if it all works out, but the signs are good. We are told that the publicity has helped the Club to bring in another 20 members so far. 

    As we said before, this kind of sporting facility can be used by people of all ages, and helps greatly to keep the more elderly among us in good health. It would be very short sighted to lose it. 

    GRAND DRIVE/BUSHEY ROAD TRAFFIC LIGHTS 

    We’ve had a good number of comments about our suggestion that a right hand filter be added at these lights to assist traffic coming from the direction of the station up Grand Drive and wanting to turn right to clear the junction. It would mean that traffic coming down Grand Drive or along Bushey Road  would have to be held up for longer. Most of the comments have been supportive of the idea. 

    The problem is that while there’s enough room for two cars coming from the station to stand alongside each other, there isn’t enough room for a car and  a lorry, bus, or a large 4 x4. So if one of these wants to turn right, it clogs up the whole road, often right back to the tunnel under the railway.  

    It is not possible to widen the road at that point. 

    Our Councillors have taken this up with the Council’s transport officer. The lights are actually controlled by Transport for London, whose decision it would be. It is recognised that this junction, during the rush hours, is heavily congested, but the solution is not easy. The Council says that a re-modelling exercise will be undertaken of the sequencing of the lights, to see if anything can be done. We will keep a close eye on its progress.  

    CARE IN THE COMMUNITY 

    Each year the Council carries out a detailed review of issues and services that affect local people, through a scrutiny panel.  We have suggested that this year they look at the whole issue of care in the community, given the increasing age of the local population.  This would cover such things as day to day physical help and meals for those who are house bound, access, and the inability of hospitals to discharge in - patients back to their homes because of the lack of care for them ( “Bed blocking”) . 

    HELP NEEDED!

     While we continue to have a marvellous team of hard working area co-ordinators and road stewards, we do urgently need some fresh blood to help us manage the Association.  We have been looking for an honorary advertising manager for some time, since we can only continue to publish The Guide each month if we get revenue from the advertisements placed in it. 

    Also, the Pavilion continues to go from strength to strength, with large numbers of new bookings. It is run by a dedicated team, but they need extra help with opening and closing the premises. 

    We would be very grateful for anyone who can volunteer their help in any way they can. 

    John Elvidge 

     

     

  • Sir Joseph Wood - Litter Pick - 12 March 2016

    The Friends of Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing Fields are organizing a Litter Pick on 12th March, meeting in the Car Park at 2.00 p.m.  

     

    The Friends would be grateful for as many volunteers as possible.  You will be warmly welcomed if you can join them.  Bin bags and Grabbers will be provided.

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townswomen's Guild - February 2016

    Oh dear! Oh dear!  What a disappointment in January – so our apologies to visitors who came along to the meeting hoping to hear our lady harpist.  Regrettably a hiccup in her diary meant she missed the booking with us.  She is devastated about this and has promised to come to our meeting in May. 

    The Lunch Club visit to The George on 2nd February was a welcome social gathering with a large group filling up one corner of the pub.  The following week a group of five visited the National Portrait Gallery.  With so many interesting contemporary and historic faces to examine, despite breaking for a bite in the basement café, and lingering, we did not get round all the displays in this surprisingly extensive and enjoyable Gallery. 

    Next month the lunch club will visit the Lloyds No. 1 Bar in Fulham on Wednesday 2nd March.  The visit will be on Tuesday, 8th March to the Dickens Museum in Holborn.  Our next monthly meeting will be on Thursday, 17thMarch at 1.30 for 1.45 start at St Saviour’s Church Hall and will feature a speaker. Visitors are always welcome. 

     

    For more information please telephone Dorothy Raymond on 020 8395 9489.      

  • Lambton Road PPG - AGM 12 March 2016

    Lambton Road GP Practice – Patient Participation Group (PPG) 

    Annual Meeting - 2016 

    Listening Week – the results! 

     

     

    §  Come and hear your feedback about the practice

    §  What are your ideas for improving the appointments system?

    §  Meet the PPG, and have your say 

    Saturday 12th March 2016; 2 p.m. - 3.30 p.m.

    Raynes Park Health Centre

    Please note that this meeting will include the PPG AGM 

     

    No need to RSVP – We look forward to seeing you.

  • Kids First - March 2016

    "Helping your child sleep"

     with Gail Wagstaff, Parent Advisor, Contact a Family 

    Understanding sleep issues, the importance of sleep, top tips & practical solutions.

    Plus sources of help, advice & support 

    Thursday 10 March - 10am to 12.30pm

    Chaucer Centre, Room L, Canterbury Road, Morden, SM4 6PX 

    Places are limited so please book ahead for all events to guarantee your place 

    Tracy Blackwell; Kids First/Talk Autism Administrator

    Merton Mencap

     T:    020 8687 4644

    E:    kids.first@swlondonmencap.nhs.uk

     

    visit us at www.mertonmencap.org.uk

  • Peter Connellan - December 2015

    Earlier this year we received the sad news that Peter Connellan, who had been an active member of the Association, had died on 17 January 2016. Until his recent retirement, Peter was for many years our Area Co-ordinator for the Association’s Claremont Avenue area. 

    The following article about Peter is taken from the article by David Hurst in the December 2015 issues of “Edgeways”, The Sacred Heart’s Parish Magazine.

     

    The list of Peter’s roles and activities shows that both he (and his wife Mary) worked tirelessly for others, both within their local Parish of Sacred Heart and in the wider community. 

    Indeed they were both awarded the Pope’s Benemerenti Medal for long and exceptional services to the Catholic Church and, in their case, to Scouting and Guiding as well. 

    Married in 1951 at the Church of the Good Shepherd near Bromley (by Fr Rourke SJ), Peter knew his wife since childhood. In fact, it has been said that he was very nearly born in Mary’s parents’ house!   We are also told that before becoming engaged Peter used to visit Mary regularly ‘travelling by 604 trolley, four trams and the 54 bus - and it cost just one shilling and sixpence’! Since then both of their lives have been ridiculously full and fulfilling. 

    Peter worked for BT (formerly the GPO) for 42 years,  and in his spare time - amongst other activities - he was a Governor of two local  schools, Treasurer of the Scientific Society, Secretary of the local Civic Society, Group Scout Leader of 19th Wimbledon Scouts, formerly 5th and 15th Wimbledon Scouts, as well as running the Sacred Heart Mass Centre. 

    Peter’s connection with the Raynes Park & West Barnes Residents’ Association spanned many years – indeed, as long as any of us can remember - as both Area Co-Ordinator for the Claremont Avenue area, and a Committee Member, retiring only very recently, when his health and that of Mary’s, forced him to do so. 

    Mary was equally dedicated.  She was a founder member and vice chair of the National Federation of Credit Unions, treasurer for the local Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme, chair of the Women’s Sodality Group and secretary for the Wimbledon Scout District for which she received a Medal of Merit for Services to Scouting. Mary also received the Mayor of Merton’s Community Award in 1994. 

    Just last July Mary and Peter were honoured at a school leaver’s mass and handed a special icon of the Sacred Heart with Peter’s name on the Heart of Jesus to thank him for running the school’s Mass Centre for so many years 

    We offer Mary and the couple’s family of seven children, our heartfelt condolences on their loss, and our grateful thanks for Peter’s life and all he has done for the local community.

     

  • Telephone Scam - February 2016

    A member advised us that he felt that he had just avoided being scammed by a telephone sales call offering him an additional or improved version of the Telephone Preference Service to which he belonged. (Many of us have signed up via our telephone provider for this service, but unfortunately it still allows international and unlisted numbers to be put through).

    Shortly afterwards there was a warning on a BBC advice programme that people were being asked to enter into an “improved” scheme - paying £80.00  by debit or credit card  for the service - but actually getting nothing in return.

    As usual, the advice is NEVER accept services or quotes from unsolicited callers however smooth tongued and believable – whether on the telephone or at the front door!

    However, if you believe you have been scammed, or wish to report a suspected scam via email, telephone, or caller, please contact the Action Fraud Line on 0300 123 2040 or go on line to:

     

     

     www.actionfraud.police.uk/support_for_you

  • Notice of AGM 2016 - 13 April

    THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

    of the

    Raynes Park & West Barnes Residents’ Association

    Will be held at the Raynes Park Library Meeting Rooms

    (Via side entrance in Aston Road) 

    ON WEDNESDAY 13th APRIL 2016 at 7.30 p.m. 

    AGENDA

     

    1.         Apologies for Absence

    2.         Chairman’s Report on the Work of the Association during 2015/16

    3.         Treasurer’s Report

    4.         Election of Officers and Committee

     

    Break for Refreshments

     

    5.         Speaker:       Stephen Hammond M.P.

     

    HH

     

     

    6.         Updates on current Planning Matters

    7.         Residents’ Forum and Any Other Business 

     

    Please bring a copy of ‘The Guide’with you to verify membership

     

  • TfL News - February 2016

    Image result for tfl logoNew Film to help make London’s Roads Safer 

    We recently launched a hard-hitting film showing the dangers of taking risks on the road. The film is part of our latest road safety campaign to address the five main sources of road danger that contribute to casualties and collisionon London’s roads:

    • Travelling too fast
    • Becoming distracted
    • Undertaking risky manoeuvres
    • Driving under the influence of alcohol
     or drugs

    • Failing to comply with the laws of the roads


    To watch the film, visit 
    our YouTube page

     

     

    Cracking Down on Congestion 

    A new team of 40 TfL Road and Transport Enforcement Officers is being deployed to key traffic routes across London to tackle illegal road behaviour. The team, which will be 80-strong by spring, will deal with problems such as illegal stopping and delays to road users caused by the unloading of deliveries. 

    Funding Secured for New Stations 

    We have secured €4m from the European Commission to progress plans for two new London Overground stations located at Old Oak Common. We will match this funding to develop the various options for possible stations at Old Oak Common Lane and Hythe Road. 

    Temporary Closure of Holland Park Tube Station 

    Holland Park Tube Station will be closed until August 16th for lift replacement work. 

    Bakerloo Line Extension

    We are starting detailed technical work to build a case for extending the line from Elephant and Castle to Lewisham via Old Kent Road, after a thorough assessment of possible routes. We published a summary of our findings which shows this route has the strongest case, and the potential to support around 25,000 homes. By terminating at Lewisham, the link could be operational by 2030. We have not ruled out a second phase extension beyond Lewisham in the future. 

  • Holiday Top Tips

    Top tips from the Safer Neighbourhood Teams to help you avoid being burgled whilst away on holiday 

    • Mark or etch your property with your postcode, house or flat number or the first three letters of your house name.
    • Register items with a serial number at: www.immobilise.com
    • Do not leave your car keys or ID documents near doors, letterbox or windows. Lock them away safely.
    • Close and lock all your doors and windows, even if you are only going out for a few minutes.
    • Keep your valuables out of sight through windows.
    • Leave some lights on & ask a neighbour to pop in and open/close curtains if it will be dark before you get home or you are away for a few days.
    • Install a visible burglar alarm &/or CCTV & don’t forget to set it!
    • Always keep sheds and outbuildings securely locked.
    • Lock away any ladders safely out of view.
    • Cancel milk or other deliveries if you will be away for days or weeks at a time.

    Don’t advertise your holiday on Social Media!!!
    If you see anyone acting suspiciously in your area, call 999 immediately.

  • Peter Connellan

    It was with great sadness that the Association learned of the death of a dear friend and long-standing Member, Peter Connellan, on Sunday 17th January 2016.  Until his recent retirement, Peter was for many years Area Co-ordinator for the Association’s Claremont Avenue area.  We offer our heartfelt condolences to Peter’s wife and family.

     

     

  • The Memory Lane Club

    The Memory Lane Club celebrated nine months of opening with a Christmas Party for all its members in mid-December. Thanks to the generosity of local shops, the members enjoyed wonderful food and mince pies, in a hall filled with balloons, crackers and gifts, followed with dancing to suitably festive music. Everyone was in good voice for a selection of rousing Christmas carols before going home.

    The Memory Lane Club is a free drop-in meeting place for people with dementia and their carers, enabling them to socialise in a supportive environment. It is run by a group of volunteers and meets every Wednesday from 10:30am to 12:30pm in the Parish Lounge, Edge Hill, Wimbledon, SW19 4LU. 

    In addition to fun and friendship, the Club offers a range of games and activities which include dominoes, bingo, snooker, singing and Zumba Gold.  Refreshments are served. The Parish Lounge is a welcoming, comfortable space with disabled access, a kitchen and toilet facilities.  

     

    Enquiries:  edgehillmemorylaneclub@gmail.com. 

  • Lambton Road Medical Practice - January 2016

    Written by patients for patients 

    Listening Week – 2

    Many thanks to all those who participated at the Practice or online by filling in the survey form and comments leaflet. We had a great response – a total of 400 survey replies and, additionally, over 100 comments card responses. These are now being analysed and we will let you have further information in due course. We particularly appreciated the time given by patients who talked to us on a one-to-one basis. 

    Local Services for Older People – 2015 edition

    This booklet, which gives details of services that are available for older patients in our area, has been updated by the PPG. After their 75th birthday the Practice will write to patients with details of their dedicated doctor and will include a copy of this booklet. Patients who recently attained the age of 75 will also be sent a copy. 

    We did make a formal application to NHS England for a grant towards its production. Our application, although unsuccessful, was highly commended. Our thanks to the Practice, therefore, for meeting the cost of printing this updated version. 

    The booklet is on the Practice website under Our Documents or a copy may be obtained via Reception. We hope you will find it useful, and if you spot any services that we’ve missed please let us have details (either by email to Lambtonroadppg@hotmail.co.uk or by leaving a note with Reception for passing on to us) for inclusion in any future edition. 

    Revised guide to healthy ageing

    NHS England, in partnership with Age UK, has published a revised version of A Practical Guide to Healthy Ageing (mentioned in our April Newsletter). The guide is particularly relevant for people aged around 70 years who may be suffering from mild frailty. It covers key areas including preventing falls, staying well in winter, eye and foot care and mental social isolation, with suggestions on when to seek medical advice and support. Free copies of the guide can be ordered by calling 0300 123 1002 quoting reference HA2, or online via www.orderline.dh.gov.uk 

    Brief Profile of Doctor Johns who recently joined our Practice

    Melloney Johns studied medicine on the graduate entry program at St George’s Hospital Medical School, qualifying in 2009. She completed her GP training at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals and worked in an inner city practice in Lambeth until moving to join Lambton Road in September this year. Her particular interests include nutrition, health promotion and preventative medicine. She enjoys running and travel. 

    We are thinking about the possibility of a new look News letter in the New Year, but meanwhile we send Seasons Greetings to all our fellow patients and best wishes for a healthy 2016. 

    Contact: Lambtonroadppg@hotmail.co.uk or leave a note with Reception 

     

    Patient Participation Group (PPG) Members: Jan Bailey, Charlotte Bennett, Judith Brodie (Chair), Elsa Browne, Janice Cameron, Marilyn Frampton, Lisa Manara, Ian Ritchie, Marie Robertson, Elizabeth Savidge

  • Chairman's Blog - February 2016

    MERTON BOWLING CLUB 

    Merton Bowling Club is a Council owned bowling green situated in the Joseph Hood recreation ground off Cannon Hill Lane. 

    The bowling lawn has always been maintained by the Council to the highest standards, and the Club is greatly valued as a local sporting facility. It has suitable premises, changing rooms and a bar.  A large number of local residents, particularly of the older generation, use it for 5 months every summer. Matches are played against other Clubs both home and away. 

    It is an affiliated social activity of the Residents’ Association, and the details of its honorary secretary can be found here and in The Guide

    In 2001 the Council’s Open Spaces Strategy undertook to maintain the facilities until 2026, recognising the social pleasure and recreation it offered.  

    Unfortunately the members have been told that the Council will not maintain the green after the end of this financial year in April.  This is to save the relatively small amount this costs. The amount, however, is more than the members can undertake to meet from their own resources. 

    They have circulated a petition protesting at this decision, and hope to get 1,000 signatures. This is to emphasise to the Council majority members that this is a valuable resource, largely used by more elderly people. It is stupid to take away this facility when our population is aging, and all the emphasis is on keeping people alert and fit as they grow older. 

    We urge everyone to write to the Council, asking for an urgent re-think of this regressive policy. 

    CROSSRAIL 2 

    The promoters of CrossRail2 held a series of public meetings in December to consult on the impact of the building work necessary to implement the new proposed cross London railway. These included two days in the Piazza in the town centre of Wimbledon. 

    We have to say that the meetings were not well publicised, and were obviously held at the wrong time of the year, when everyone was focused on Christmas.  Further, the responses had to be received by the very early date after Christmas of 8th January. 

    A small group of the committee of the Residents’ Association worked hard to give in our official response by 8th January, and we are very grateful for their expertise and efforts. This may be read here and in The Guide, so that residents can fully understand the major impact this may well have on ourlocal community. 

    If the suggested proposals go ahead, it is likely that the town centre of Wimbledon will be blighted as a shopping centre foryears tocome. The proposals include the demolition of the Prince of Wales pub; the grade II listed fire station from 1904, and the deconsecrated church next door. Part of Centre Court will go. 

    This is on top of the unconnected closure this January of Waterstones and W.H. Smith’s.  There appear to be no plans to re-locate these valuable stores elsewhere in Wimbledon. Waterstones announces in its window that the nearest shops will be in Putney and Wandsworth, while Smith’s give no indications whatever of any new location.  We understand that their moves are the result of a new large bank, the Metrobank, taking over the premises. 

    The proposals do not yet cover the centres of Raynes Park and Motspur Park but we can expect similar disruption here for years to come. 

    The scheme at present would also worsen road access via the West Barnes and Motspur Park level crossings, given the number of extra trains on the lines.  That would mean gridlock on the whole local road system. There have been vague suggestions as to bridges at these points. Local tunnels at these points would not appear to be practical. 

    The suggestion was made at one of the public meetings that to alleviate the wholesale destruction of our local centres, and the problems of crossing the railway, that there should be a much larger tunnel built starting from the Berrylands area, as was done on the new high speed line from Ebbsfleet in Kent to St Pancras.  

    GRAND DRIVE TRAFFIC LIGHTS 

    The traffic coming from Raynes Park station to the Bushey Road traffic lights is held up for much of the day as the junction is too narrow to allow for cars going ahead, as well as for lorries and buses wanting to turn right. 

    We wonder whether a right hand filter should be installed at the end of the green sequence for traffic coming from the station up Grand Drive.  While there would be some loss of movement for traffic coming down Grand Drive, the overall flow of the traffic would be improved. Let us know what you think. 

     

    John Elvidge 

  • Crossrail 2 - The Association's Response

    We submitted the following response to the Crossrail 2 Public Consultation, which closed on 8 January 2016

    The Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents’ Association (RBWBRA) was formed in 1928 to protect the interests of residents living in the communities of Raynes Park and West Barnes. It now represents around 5000 local residents, via a formal household membership that is renewed annually. 

    1.            Overview

    RPWBRA is supportive, in principle, of Crossrail 2 and its promise of improved connectivity for the areas around both Raynes Park and  Motspur Park stations. That said, it is crucial that the scheme details as they affect both areas are given careful thought in order to minimise (a) construction impacts and (b) longer-term adverse impacts on existing and future residents, businesses and visitors. At this time, RPWBRA does not have sufficient detail to form a definitive view about whether this is likely to be fulfilled for our own area or Wimbledon, our closest major retail and commercial centre. 

    Despite our overall support for the scheme, it is worth noting that many of our residents remain very concerned about the Crossrail 2 proposals, as there is very little official information in the public domain and the public consultation exercise was not well advertised in the local area, given the number of local residents who have an interest in the proposals. As a result, speculation is rife and many inaccurate ‘facts’ are in circulation. 

    RPWBRA and our residents would welcome further detail as it becomes available and would also ask for discussions with the team about local opportunities and constraints as they relate to the Crossrail 2 proposals. 

    2.            West Barnes & Motspur Park level crossings

    There are two existing level crossings within the RPWBRA boundary, both of which cross the branch line to Epsom and Chessington South. The first is at West Barnes Lane / Burlington Road, just south of Raynes Park station, while the second is in West Barnes and adjacent to Motspur Park station. 

    Both level crossings are well used and it is essential that high quality rail crossings are maintained once Crossrail 2 is operational. Specifically: 

    •  Leaving the two level crossings unchanged, with an uplift in service, would not be acceptable. The level crossing barriers are already closed for a significant proportion of the day, giving rise to delays, safety concerns and poor journey time reliability by car.
    • Closing the level crossing points is not a viable solution, given current levels of demand. Existing traffic congestion in the area is already high, particularly during peak hours, and closure of the level crossings would divert thousands of vehicles, adding pressure to key local routes such as the A3, Grand Drive and Bushey Road as well as local residential roads.
    • Permanent access across the railway must be maintained, ideally via grade separated crossings in similar locations near to the existing level crossings.  We recognise that the installation of bridges or similar is unlikely to be possible in the exact locations of the two level crossings. We see, however, that it may be possible to provide a new bridge across the railway at West Barnes Lane/Burlington Road, perhaps using land from the Tesco Extra car park and the office building located at the Tesco exit onto West Barnes Lane. We can also see potential to bring land to the south of Motspur Park station into new use (e.g. the former BBC site and/or the former gasworks), perhaps via a southward relocation of the station and the provision of a new bridge across the railway to replace the level crossing. We have not undertaken any formal investigation of these options but would ask that they are considered.

    ·         Care must be taken to balance the end solution in the wider network, to avoid pulling additional through traffic into the local area on distributor and local roads.

    ·         Such designs would also need to take into account the proximity major drainage watercourses in the vicinity that come under the Environment Agency’s authority. 

    3.            Line between Wimbledon and Raynes Park

    Given that the railway is on embankment close to Raynes Park, it is not clear whether a feasible design solution exists to add two new tracks without significant residential land-take. We are also aware of other significant constraints that exist alongside the rail line that would be costly to amend or divert. 

    RPWBRA can see the potential benefit, although not formally mentioned in the consultation material, of an alternative tunnel alignment for the two future ‘fast’ tracks running between Surbiton and London Waterloo, with a possibility for tunnel portals close to Berrylands and Earlsfield. This would then allow the existing four tracks between Raynes Park and Wimbledon (and beyond) to be converted for use by the increased numbers of stopping services, adding route flexibility and alternative routes when incidents occur. 

    4.            Raynes Park and Motspur Park stations

    RPWBRA would welcome the opportunity to share ideas about the future potential for improvement at both stations as part of the Crossrail 2 proposals. We understand that further design work and consultation is planned for 2016 on this section of the route and would ask that we are formally included in this process at the earliest stage.  One key requirement is that both future station layouts allow for full step-free access. 

    To form a more detailed view, we need full detail about the proposed totality of future rail services that will serve Raynes Park and Motspur Park, once Crossrail 2 is operational. 

    RPWBRA recognises that one of the next steps will be to safeguard land at both Raynes Park and Motspur Park stations. In our view, given the single access point to the southern side of Raynes Park station and other known constraints, it will be essential to safeguard land to the south of the station to offer flexibility and maximise long run benefit. 

    5.            Wimbledon station options

    We have reviewed the available information for the proposed Crossrail 2 changes at Wimbledon and we are keen to ensure that disruption is minimised. Specifically:

    ·         We do not have sufficient detail to be able to comment in full at this stage.

    ·         The option shared for consultation, even taking into account the latest construction phasing proposals, would appear to result in very significant and long-term disruption to Wimbledon’s retail and commercial centre.  This will directly impact Raynes Park and West Barnes residents.

    ·         The earlier proposals for a tunnel portal at Dundonald Road would appear to offer a far less disruptive (and possible less costly) alternative. The turning point for trains terminating at Wimbledon could be moved further down the line if necessary, perhaps past Raynes Park. We would ask that alternative options for the tunnel portal and Wimbledon station layouts are considered in full, and that we are involved with any onward consultation.

     

    We trust that the above is useful and look forward to receiving more detail very soon, and to engaging far more fully during 2016 and 2017.

     

     

    Click here to find our previous article on Crossrail 2. 

     

    Click here to link to Crossrail 2's own website.

  • Rainbow Industrial Estate - Planning Approval Granted

    Many of you will be aware that planning approval was granted by Merton Council last September for redevelopment of this site. In fact there were two applications, one to provide 215 flats and 9 houses plus a small number of office and small business units. The other was to provide, what is known as, a ‘Kiss and Ride‘facility at the entrance. This, in brief, is a drop-off and pick-up arrangement incorporating a roundabout.

     

     

     

     

    Office of the Mayor - The Greater London Authority (GLA ) 

    The approval by Merton Council was, to be precise, only in draft form. The reason for this is that with applications on large sites and where the proposals are for more than 150 residential units the GLA holds responsibility for the final approval (unless the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government intervenes). As I write this aspect is unknown but is probably unlikely. 

    At City Hall - GLA HQ - planning matters are delegated to a Deputy Mayor, Sir Edward Lister. He informed Merton Council on 24 November last year that the GLA were content to leave the ‘determination’ of the applications to Merton and therefore did not wish to direct refusal. All of this was notwithstanding a robust Objection to both applications by this Association and by many other people. The grounds for our Objection were fully set out in the Guide in the February edition last year.   So the applicant - Workspace 12 Ltd - would now be free to proceed with their proposals. This does not mean however that demolition of the present buildings and redevelopment is likely to start in the near future   for several reasons. 

    Change of Use 

    As with all large scheme applications approval is granted subject to a number of formal ‘Conditions‘and in this case it is quite a long list. In large part the reason for this is the very significant ‘Change of Use‘being contemplated - in short the conversion of what is currently an Industrial site into a largely residential development. Workspace Ltd. or more likely specialist companies acting for them, will be required to submit reports to Merton Council covering a wide range of issues, When these reports are considered they will  (hopefully from the  point of view of the applicant) be ‘discharged‘ meaning the Condition has been satisfied or the proposals are acceptable. 

    Conditions 

    It might help if I give a couple of examples. Bearing in mind that Rainbow has been an active Industrial site for many years it is probable that there is at least some contamination of the land. There will be a Condition that the extent of this will have to be investigated and suitable measures set out to deal with the problem. I should add that this particular task - on a site like this - could take several months. There have been instances where it has taken years to clean up serious contamination. 

    Secondly there will be a Condition that proposals for ‘Soft Landscaping ‘should be provided: trees, shrubs and green spaces. As you might imagine there is not much greenery on site at present!  In this case the Council will assess whether the programme of work looks acceptable and if so will ‘Discharge‘the Condition. 

    Most of these Conditions have to be dealt with before any actual construction work starts but some come into play later on e.g. a programme for the maintenance and upkeep of the site for a specified period of time.    

    Land Ownership 

    The Rainbow site is a bit unusual in terms of land ownership. Workspace hold title to a large part of the site beyond the railway bridge but the entrance roadway, up to the bridge, is owned by Network Rail who also own land and a large building close to the railway lines. These NR facilities were excluded from the proposals in the planning applications. You can see from this that redevelopment of the Estate is far from straightforward but there are one or two further complications. 

    The ‘Kiss and Ride ‘Proposal 

    It would appear that right up to the time when Merton Council gave draft approval to the applications last September there was no clear evidence that Workspace and Network Rail had agreement over use and therefore redevelopment of the entrance roadway. This does seem odd bearing in mind Workspace have been working on their plans for some 5 years and given that there is only the one entrance with no scope for an alternative. In short the entrance is critical to ANY redevelopment of the site. It does make one wonder whether the Kiss and Ride will be delivered and this is supposed to be THE aspect of the proposals of benefit to the wider public.

    That said there is another tricky issue waiting in the wings. 

    Crossrail 2 (CR 2) 

    Many of you will have heard about this huge scheme still very much in the planning phase. For us locally the main focus of the proposals is the intention to provide rail links from Shepperton, Chessington South and Epsom to Victoria and Euston all routed through Raynes Park Station. The CR 2 proposals are being worked up - it would appear - on a Station by Station approach and are subject to revision all the time depending on, for example, ground surveying and the feedback from consultations. 

    The CR 2 Team, including representatives of Network Rail and Traffic for London wisely point out and I quote “We still cannot guarantee that a railway will be built“. The current plan is for two additional tracks running south from Wimbledon Station into Raynes Park Station which would have new, much longer platforms and new signalling. Raynes Park Local Centre would be facing a huge building programme if, .of course, it all goes ahead. To give you a flavour of what might be to come - one of the published documents says - “Raynes Park will become a Major Interchange Station with up to 20 CR 2 trains per hour into, and across, central London“. Perhaps our Station will become Raynes Park Junction.  Perhaps! 

    ‘Safeguarding‘the Land 

    As you can imagine huge building works at local Stations and alongside the tracks will require additional land either permanently or (relatively speaking) on a short term basis. So the CR 2 Team are ‘safeguarding‘ land either side of the existing tracks and Stations, but as far as we are concerned, this process of setting the boundaries of land needed has only reached just North of Wimbledon Station. 

    The ‘safeguarded‘areas would be needed for storage of materials and heavy plant and of course the construction of additional tracks and platforms etc. As we understand it, when all the construction is finished, a lot of the land previously ‘safeguarded‘ in the wider areas will be returned to the previous use. But there will be inevitable loss of land and probably some buildings for the new tracks and rebuilt Stations. 

    Impact on the Rainbow Estate 

    We still wait to see the proposals for ‘safeguarding‘ the land around Raynes Park Station the details of which may not be available until well into next year but it is worth looking at what has happened at another site similar in some ways to Rainbow. 

    The CR 2 proposals include a 20 mile tunnel under Central London which was originally intended to emerge SOUTH of Wimbledon Station at the Dundonald Road Industrial site. However this was changed and the tunnel ‘Portal‘, as it is called, would now be NORTH of Wimbledon Station on the Gap Road Industrial site. 

    It so happens that a Planning Application was submitted on this site in late 2014 for a mix of residential and business use not very long before the Crossrail team were setting out the boundary of the land which would need to be ‘safeguarded‘ in order to build the ‘Portal‘. In the event the whole of the Application Site (for the residential/business application has been ‘enveloped‘by the safeguarding process. As you might guess in consequence Merton Council has refused the Gap Road Planning Application. Is it possible, I wonder, whether the same fate awaits the Rainbow site only with a different sequence of events? 

    What Happens Now?

    Well, planning approval for the residential/business redevelopment of the Rainbow site sits on the table but there are a string of Conditions which need to be worked through and presumably some sort of working arrangement will be needed between Network Rail and the developers over redevelopment at the entrance roadway if we are ever to see the long-awaited Kiss and Ride;  but then sometime during the second half of next year the CR 2 Team will define the boundary of land to be ‘safeguarded‘ around Raynes Park Station. 

    In the light of what has happened at Gap Road and the extent of the ‘safeguarding’ we can expect around Wimbledon Station you have to wonder how much of the Rainbow site will still be available for residential/business redevelopment  once the CR 2 Team get to grips in our area. Remember there is only the one entrance to Rainbow which I assume would HAVE to be safeguarded but more than that surely it would be critical to be retained as the entrance for plant and materials for the re-building of Raynes Park Station perhaps for the whole of the construction period - up to 10 years! 

    This sounds like a muddle. If the Greater London Authority and the Government are serious about CR 2, and remember it has been known for ages that Raynes Park Station is crucial for the proposed extension of CR 2 services out to Kingston, Surbiton and beyond, would it not have made more sense for either the Mayor or the Secretary of State to have ‘directed‘that the Planning Application considered last September be put ON HOLD until the availability of the Rainbow site was much clearer? Sadly there does not seem to be any process for this sort of joined-up thinking.

    Click the following link for our previous article about the Rainbow Estate - Rainbow Estate Planning Application - September 2015.

     

     

  • Raynes Park Library - January 2016

    Coffee morning—Tuesday 12th January 11.45-1pmJohn Potter will be speaking about Josiah Wedgwood who was an English potter who founded the Wedgewood company and is credited with the industrialisation of the manufacture of pottery. 

    Children’s author event—Monday 11th JanuaryNew author OA Clement talks about how children can become anything in life and how success is about the state of your mind and desiring to reach your goals. 

    Free blood pressure checks—Thursday 21st January 4-5.30pm.

     

    Everybody is very welcome at our regular events

     

    Monday

    Chess Club 11-1pm—brush up on your chess tactics or learn to play .

    Jewellery making 2-4pm—there is a small charge for materials

    Falun dafa 5-6.30pm—this is a traditional Chinese practice which improves mind and body. 

    Tuesday

    Story time 11-11.30—this is suitable for 0-4 year olds

    Write Afresh 1-3pm—aspiring authors and poets would you like to freshen up your writing, if so come and strengthen your skills and discuss your work at this friendly drop in group.

    Thursday

    Story time 3.45-4.15pm – this is suitable for 0-4 year olds

    Yoga 5.30-6.30pm—this is hatha yoga which is suitable for beginners to help you relax and manage stress. 

    Friday

    Arty Social 2-3pm—lead by students from Kings College get creative learn new techniques and share ideas

    Homework Club 4.30-6pm – for 4-14 year olds. This is run by library volunteers. Children benefit having a space to study, access to a wide selection of books and supervised internet access. 

    Saturday

    Knitting Club 12-1pm—share your ideas, swap tips and tricks and enjoy a good old knit and natter. 

    Cathy Field, Customer Service Supervisor

    Raynes Park Library

    Contact number 020 8274 5718 
    cathy.field@merton.gov.uk

     

    www.merton.gov.uk

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townwomen's Guild - January 2016

    At our monthly meeting in November our speaker was Christopher Bishop from Bishop & Sons, a removal company established in 1854.   A member of the British Association of Removers, the company logo is a bishop chess piece.  The first vans were horse-drawn with the company breeding horses to pull them, although in the 1800s the company also made use of the railways.  To illustrate vehicles used over the years, Mr. Bishop brought a number of charming Corgi and models of yesteryear toys.  The company’s best publicity came from a Kit Kat advert with the men with van having a break!  Today, the company can provide cartons for books, wardrobe cartons and small boxes for miscellaneous items to pack into a  pantechnicon with a sleeping area for two drivers.  However, I cannot agree with Mr. Bishop’s assertion that we should all move every three years! 

    On 24th November a large group travelled to Chessington Garden Centre  to examine the amazing choice of Christmas decorations and gift ideas which put us all in the mood for our Christmas Lunch on 3rd December.  This year we booked into The Woodman in South Wimbledon to thoroughly enjoy an excellent meal served in their spacious and airy extension at the rear. 

    In January a group will go to Peter Pan at Wimbledon Theatre (6th) and the following week to the Music Hall (13th) and then on Thursday, 21st,  a favourite with members, the harpist Margaret Watson, is returning to St Saviour’s Church Hall to entertain us again at our meeting at 1.30 pm.  You are invited to join us if you would like to hear her play.  Visitors are always welcome.

     Dorothy Raymond   020 8395 9489        

  • Bogus Trader Knocks on Doors

    One of our most elderly members was caught by a bogus trader just before Christmas 2015.

    Someone rang his bell, he answered the door to be told that he had some roof tiles missing. The guys wanted £700 to fix it. He went to the bank and drew the £700 and paid them in cash up front. They disappeared.

    Never pay "door knockers" up front for any job. Better still, just say no and have someone you know to quote to do the job for you. Always obtain a quote on paper up front and never pay until the job has been completed to your satisfaction.

    If you do have a visit from one of these criminals, ring 999 as soon as you’ve closed the door. Write down all the details you can remember including the registration number of any vehicle they use and contact Stewart Fletcher in Merton's Trading Standards Dept. Tel: 020 8545 54098, email stewart.fletcher@merton.gov.uk

  • Crossrail 2 - Public Consultation - Benefit or Burden?

    Will Crossrail 2 be a Benefit or a Burden on our Area? (Updated April 2016)

    Members may be aware that there are plans to construct a new railway line through London. This is currently in its early planning and feasibility stages. More information may be found at http://crossrail2.co.uk/ .

    The new railway line is planned to come through Wimbledon, Raynes Park and Motspur Park, amongst other places, linking the suburbs in the Southwest of London, via a new underground section in Central London and on to the Northwest suburbs.

    Some of the objectives of Crossrail 2 are to increase the railway capacity serving our area and to provide a direct route to more destinations in Central London and beyond, thereby taking pressure off Waterloo Station.

    There has been an initial public consultation excercise, which closed on 8 January 2016. This Association submitted its response as part of this consiltation, which can be read here .

    You can also access the original public consultation leaflets at https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/crossrail2/october2015/ , however the period during which one could submit comments and observations is now closed.

    The report published by Crossrail 2 on this consultation can now be accessed at http://crossrail2.co.uk/consultation/

     

    Two of the major threats to our locality is the proposal to

    Demolish almost the entire commercial centre of Wimbledon Town, including the Centre Court shopping centre and

    the possibility that the two level crossings on West Barnes Lane might be permanently closed to road traffic.

    If you are concerned about these or any other proposals, you are urged to make your views known to Crossrail 2, your local councillors and MP.

     

  • WLO's "Radio Times" - 25 to 27 November 2015

    Wimbledon Light Opera Company’s production of Radio Times, the Musical

    will take place at Wimbledon Village Hall, 26 Lingfield Road, SW19 4QD, on the evenings of Wednesday 25th November to Friday 27th November at 7.45 and 6.00 p.m. on Saturday 28th November. 

    In the heart of London’s blitz-torn West End the cast of the BBC’s light entertainment radio show Variety Bandwagon are doing their bit for the war effort;  but with bombs falling outside can star of the show Sammy Shaw hang on to his leading lady and broadcast live to America for the very first time?  Full of quick-fire gags, dance routines and classic songs by Noel Gay (Me and my Girl) Radio Times features a host of forties musical favourites. 

    Tickets costing £14.00 each for premium seats and £12.00 for general seating may be obtained on line at: www.wlos.org.uk; by telephone on: 07951 652953 or by email: boxoffice@wlos.org.uk  

  • Rotary Club Charity Concert

  • Planning Update - November 2015

    St Catherine’s Field PA 15/P3633

    This is a most peculiar application – not in what it is for – a 2 metre high chain-link fence with 6 metre high ball-catching fence above to surround the boundary of the field – but in the heading which is Wimbledon College Campion Centre (not St. Catherine’s field) and incorrect information given to certain clauses in the application form. As young people have become taller and more powerful, fences of this kind are needed around all playing fields but the implication of the fence being on the boundary might mean removal of the hedge on the Grand Drive boundary. The flood protection ‘safe access’ which runs from St. Catherine’s Square to the field Car Park is not mentioned or shown on the site plan. This must remain with access at both ends so that the fence parallel with Grand Drive must be on the far side of the ‘safe access’, thus safeguarding the hedge. The Association has  objected to the detail of the planning application but it’s most important that individual members send their own objections to Jock Farrow (email jock.farrow@merton.gov.uk) if they want to preserve the hedge (professionally pruned as requested on 15th September but yet to be done).

     

     

    Raynes Park Playing Field PA 15/P3360:

    The All England Lawn Tennis Club wants to change start play on Sundays and Bank Holidays from Condition 8 of the permission for PA 14/P3466 which states 9.00 a.m. to 8.00 a.m. This will cause noise in the car park behind Grand Drive residents' houses from approx 7.30 a.m. on any Sunday or Bank Holiday during the next 10 years. The Association has objected, suggesting that they wait for – say 12 months of use – before changing any of the conditions to allow adjacent residents and planners time to consider any implications based on experience. Again – our objection would carry more weight if adjacent residents wrote individual objections to the Planning Officer, Catherine Bryant (email catherine.bryant@merton.gov.uk) even though now it’s theoretically too late to respond.

     

     

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townswomen's Guild - November 2015

    In September, at our first monthly meeting after the summer break, the annual Open Social Meeting under the Celebration of Age Programme was well received.  We were pleased to welcome six visitors who joined Guild Members for a friendly, relaxed social afternoon which included quizzes and afternoon tea.

    More food was consumed at St Saviour’s Church Hall on 1st October when the Committee provided a Harvest Lunch.  The Committee’s efforts were appreciated by the group of 16 members who attended.  This was closely followed on 7th October by the lunch club monthly meet which this time took 10 members to The Woodman in South Wimbledon, where a lively discussion took place about what we should arrange for the Guild Christmas Dinner.  I think it can be concluded the Raynes Park TWG enjoy socialising together over a meal! 

    We do have other interests.  At the end of September a small group went to Wimbledon Theatre for a production of the intense musical Jesus Christ Superstar.  Then, on 6th October another mixed and matched group of 10 members visited The Geffrye Museum of the Home in Shoreditch.  We took a very worthwhile stop-start 35 minute bus journey from Waterloo to reach the front entrance to this Museum for a most enjoyable day.  Members liked this museum with its interesting series of rooms giving a broad view of the changing decorative trends in urban middle-class homes in London from 1600 to the present day.  The light and airy café overlooks the garden which similarly features a series of ‘rooms’ showing typical gardens for different periods.  Despite the lateness of the season these gardens were still in good shape and colourful.  To reach them visitors pass through an extremely interesting herb garden, with areas dedicated to medicinal, cosmetic, and culinary plants.  On examination this walled garden proved to have a very wide range of fascinating herbs all extremely well labelled.

    Looking to November, the monthly meeting will be on Thursday, 19th at 1.45 pm in St Saviour’s Church Hall when the speaker will be Christopher Bishop who will give a talk entitled ‘Moving is Fun’. 

    On November 5th the Committee is arranging another meal, appropriately entitled ‘Bonfire Night Luncheon’, (£5) also at St Saviour's Church Hall, 12.45 for 1.00 pm.  (Numbers required in advance, please)  

    Other activities include a trip to Wimbledon Theatre (12th)  for the production of Annie, a trip to Elmcroft Hall, Cheam for a Comedy Afternoon arranged by the North Surrey Federation of Townswomen’s Guilds (18th), and a trip to Chessington Garden Centre (to check on Father Christmas!) on 24th. 

    Please telephone if you would like further information about any of our activities. 

     

    Mrs. Dorothy Raymond (020 8395 9489)

  • Raynes Park Library - November 2015

    All events are drop in:

    COFFEE MORNING -Tuesday 10th November 11.15-1pm

    Norman Smith leads you on a virtual tour of the homes of noble personalities in the area with anecdotes and quotations to entertain and inform.

    CHESS CLUB - Mondays 11-1pm

    Improve your chess tactics or learn to play from scratch.

    JEWELLERY CLASS - Mondays 2-4pm. Learn how to make jewels. (There is a small charge for materials)

    FALUN DAFA - Mondays 5-6.30pm. This is a traditional Chinese practice that improves mind and body. 

    WRITE AFRESH - Tuesday 1-3pm

    An opportunity for aspiring writers and poets to freshen up their writing skills and discuss their work. 

    ARTY SOCIAL - Fridays 2-3pm

    Join our friendly art club led by students from King’s College School. This is a chance to get creative, learn new techniques and share ideas. 

    KNITTING CLUB - Saturdays 12-1pm. Join our new and friendly knitting club. Swap ideas and tips. Beginners are welcome. Please bring with you needles and wool. 

    Cathy Field, Customer Service Supervisor

    Contact number 020 8274 5718 
    cathy.field@merton.gov.uk

    www.merton.gov.uk

     

     

  • Merton's Fireworks - 5 & 7 November 2015

    Sparkling show lined up for Merton fireworks displays

     

    Tickets for two of London’s most popular fireworks and bonfire displays, put on by Merton Council, are on sale now. The displays this year take place at Wimbledon Park on Thursday 5 November and Morden Park on Saturday 7 November. Like last year, tickets can be bought online ahead of the event and at a cheaper price. A limited number will be available on the night, but people are encouraged to book in advance to avoid possible disappointment at the gates. Children aged four and under get in free.

     

    Two fantastic performances are lined up this year with the themes The wonderful music of Disney, for the early performance more suitable for younger children, and Through the decades at the later show. Gates will open at 5.15pm for the first show and 7.15pm for the second. People are encouraged to arrive early for the show they are seeing to avoid queues. Fairground rides, stalls and refreshments will be open until 10pm.

     

    Merton’s cabinet member for community and culture, Councillor Nick Draper, said: “You won’t find a fireworks and bonfire display like Merton’s anywhere else in London. Each show will have great fireworks, music, fun and attractions – and as Morden Park, with its natural bowl setting, and Wimbledon Park, with its classical Capability Brown-designed openness, are very different venues, you have the choice of either (or both!). Come and share the experience- and make sure to book your tickets online to save money. I look forward to seeing you all there.”

     

    For more information or to buy tickets, visit merton.gov.uk/fireworks.

  • Paddling Pool - Sir Joseph Hood

    The Friends of Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing Field are looking to fund a replacement to the paddling pool through a heritage lottery fund application. They need people's memories of the playing fields and in particular using the paddling pool.  

     

    They are also interested in any old photographs of the playground, paddling pool, playing sport in the park or the pavilion.  Please could you email them to: contactus@friendsofsjh.org or drop copies of them in an envelope to 27 Marina Avenue, New Malden, Surrey KT3 6NE http://www.friendsofsjh.org

  • St Saviour's Christmas Fair - 2015

    Saturday, 14 November 2015,  12:00 noon - 2:00pm

    The Christmas Fair season is upon us and St. Saviour’s Christmas extravaganza will be held this year on Saturday 14th November from 12 noon to 2pm. This annual event gives St. Saviour’s an opportunity to welcome local residents as well as those from further afield to the church in Grand Drive where they will find a large selection of stalls for Christmas gifts, opportunities to play games and win prizes as well as sample the delicious refreshments on offer. There will also be representatives of the local libraries and the Neighbourhood Police team present.  

    Do please go along and join them for this happy family occasion.

  • Chairman's Blog - November 2015

    MEDICAL CENTRE FOR MOTSPUR PARK? 

    The successful merger of two local GP’s practices into the Nelson Medical Centre brings into focus the lack of a similar centre in Motspur Park. While the existing West Barnes Practice is highly regarded by its patients, it cannot have the range of facilities now on offer in a dedicated medical centre, such as is provided at the Nelson Hospital. 

    Of course, there would be a major cost for such a provision, and it would take years in the planning, but do local residents think that steps should be taken now to see if one can be provided? Please let us know the extent of public interest in such an idea.  The suggestion has been made that it could be placed on the Tesco site where the store already has a pharmacy, and might be welcomed by them as providing further customers as well as supplying an imaginative community  facility! 

    THE RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION ROLE IN SOCIAL ACTIVITIES 

    When the Residents’ Association was formed in 1928, its major purpose was to prove social activities of all kinds for the people leaving inner London in the housing boom of the late 20’s and the 30’s.  You can see the range of social activities that are still affiliated to the RA on the inside cover of The Guide. 

    The Association used to run parties and dances for local residents, but this ended sometime in the 70’s. 

    The conversion of the former tennis pavilion into a warm and accessible centre, that can hold events of all kinds, has been highly successful, and has led to the resurrection of the Association’s role in social activities. 

    The Pavilion Club, which meets on Thursday afternoons, is thriving, and is much enjoyed by our more senior citizens. Its members are adventurous, and the Club has organised successful trips recently to Blenheim Palace and to Bletchley Park.  These outings were also offered to the Raynes Park Town Women’s Guild and the Tuesday Rendezvous Rendezvous Members, as well as to the wider Resident’s Association community.

     Separately there is an annual trip to the gardens at Wisley, which is always a highlight of the horticultural year.   More trips and outings are being planned for next year, and in addition Pavilion Club Members meet for lunch about once a month, and are currently planning their Christmas celebration.   So do look out for invitations to these events in The Guide each month.

     When I was a child, the Association used to organise a children’s party each Christmas, which was held at St Saviour’s Church, but this too fell into abeyance. Is there anyone out there who would like to organise a similar party, perhaps to celebrate the Queen’s official 90th birthday in June?

     The Committee has already taken the decision to have a social event on a Saturday afternoon around that time for our loyal band of area-co-ordinators and road stewards, given the success of the ‘Thank you’ party we held for them when the Pavilion was officially opened.

     HONORARY ADVERTISING MANAGER

     The Guide pays for itself through the advertisements it carries for local businesses. Many of these are “repeats” carried in each monthly edition, but we are also on the lookout for new advertisers.  This is co-ordinated by an honorary Advertisement Manager, and, at the moment, we need an enthusiastic volunteer to undertake this role. It is not too time consuming, but is vital if we are to continue being able to send out the Guide in its current form each month.   If you are at all interested, please contact Jill Truman here, who is combining this position at the moment with her duties as Editor, and who will be very happy to explain what is involved.

     THE RAINBOW DEVELOPMENT

    At the moment, we await to hear whether the London Mayor’s office has called in the development proposals for this site, which we set out at length in the October edition. We very much hope that they are, given the over intensity of flats on the site at the expense of business and light industrial user.

     It has been reported to this Association that the debate in Merton’s Planning Applications Committee was perfunctory and unsatisfactory.

     PARK BINS COLLECTION

     It may not be generally realised that there are now no specific bins in our parks in which to put dog mess. Instead, the Council has decreed that this be placed in the general litter bins.  This is hardly a hygienic option and since the bins have no tightly fitting lid, they will become very smelling in warm weather.  This makes it even more imperative that the bins are emptied on a regular basis and as soon as they are full. The ones on the Sir Joseph Hood and Joseph Hood Playing Fields and on Cannon Hill Common are frequently overloaded and spilling over with mess at weekends. They are not collected until the Monday. The same problem afflicts the Prince George’s Playing Field and Morden Park. While we appreciate the financial constraints that the Council operates under, this does seem to be something worth high priority as it is a complete eyesore.

    John Elvidge

  • Lost Your Wedding Photo Album and Briefcase?

    Email Received by:           Jan Bailey

    From:      Name & Address supplied

    Date:       6th October 2015 

    I live in Westway and subscribe [as a member of the Association].   I recently found a leather brief case by the side of my house.  In the brief case is a very expensive wedding album with photos of someone's wedding.  I thought it maybe had been stolen and then dumped. 

    It looks like it means a lot to someone but I don't know how to go about finding the owner

     

    If you know who this belongs to, please contact Jan Bailey here.

     

     

     

  • Raynes Park Playing Fields - Oct 2015

    Copy of email from RPWBRA to Merton Planning Dept; 05/10/2015  

    Planning Application 15/P3360 Raynes Park Playing Field Alteration to Condition 8
    to Planning Permission for application 14/P3466

    Please accept this email as Raynes Park & West Barnes Residents Association's official objection to PA 15/P3360 re change in start of playing time from 9.00 a.m. to 8.00 a.m. on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

    I note from Planning Explorer that this application was dated 14th September and the closing date as 2nd September. Even if this is a misprint for 2nd October, the usual 21 days would expire today, 5th October. In practice the application was not in the public domain until the Weekly Planning list for 18th September appeared on Merton's website late on 21st so I hope you will accept our objection as being lodged within the time allowed.

    In Condition 8 of the permission for PA 14/P3466 the timing is given as 9.00 - 21.30 for Sundays and Bank Holidays. The reason stated is to safeguard amenities of the surrounding area. 

    Planners may recall that local residents were seriously concerned  about the noise factor and it would seem that this Condition was imposed precisely to deal with with noise early on Sunday and Bank Holiday mornings.

    We therefore object to PA 15/P3360's change to an 8.00 a.m. start as Grand Drive residents adjacent to the car park behind their properties would be likely to suffer noise from 7.30 a.m. as young people, staff, parents and friends arrive on any Sundays and Bank Holidays during the next 10 years.

    We would suggest that the All England Lawn Tennis Club waits to see how their establishment works before pressing for alterations to planning consent. We would suggest allowing a 12 month delay which would give local residents and planners time to consider any implications based on experience.

    Jan Bailey, Co-Hon Secretary, Raynes Park & West Barnes Residents Association

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townwomen's Guild - Oct 2015

    On August 20th we went on our coach outing to Hastings. We were very pleased to welcome the residents from various local organisations who joined us. It was good to be able to take a full coach. Thank you to all who came. Despite a doubtful forecast, the weather remained fine, and an enjoyable day was had by all. 

    August is always a quieter month, as many of our members are away or entertaining grandchildren, but our Social activities resumed in September with a boat trip to Hampton Court on September 3rd.  Seven members met at Wimbledon, and travelled to Westminster for the 11.00 a.m. boat. Due to an ebbing tide, the trip took well over three hours, leaving us plenty of time to relax and enjoy the scenery. An interesting commentary on some of the landmarks we passed was given by a member of the crew, and going through two locks added to the excitement. At Hampton Court, we were fortunate in catching a train back to Raynes Park fairly quickly. The wind was getting up towards the end, but (despite the forecast) the rain kept off. All agreed it had been a most enjoyable day. 

    The following week, a smaller group went to the Haywain at Epsom for a leisurely lunch – another enjoyable social occasion.

    Our regular monthly meetings resumed in September with an Open Social Meeting under the Celebration of Age Programme. At the time of writing, this will be our next event. 

    Our monthly meeting in October will be on Thursday 15th October, 1.30 for 1.45 pm in St. Saviour’s Church Hall, when Mrs. Woolfe Skinner will be giving a talk entitled “Exit of Children from Germany” (a personal story of Kinder Transport.) we understand she is an entertaining speaker – and, as usual, all are welcome to come along to the meeting. 

    There will be two Social activities during October. On Thursday 1st October we are organising a ‘Harvest Lunch’ in St. Saviour’s Church Hall – 12.30 for 1.00 pm. (For catering purposes, numbers are needed in advance for this.) Then on Wednesday 7th October, we will be meeting at the Woodman, in Wimbledon Park, for lunch. 

    Our October visit will be on Tuesday 6th October (brought forward a week as some members will be going on the outing to Bletchley Park on Wednesday 14th) when we will be meeting at Waterloo to go to the Geffrye Museum in Shoreditch. The garden will also be open, so we are hoping the weather will be fine. 

     

    If you would like further information about any of our activities, please contact Mrs. Dorothy Raymond on 020 8395 9489.

  • Rotary Club News - October 2015

    The local Club continues working in the community and would like to update its many supporters in the Residents' Association.

    Just a reminder that the Rotary Club raised most of its funds by its Christmas collection, so the sleigh will be out again this year, and the elves have been checking that it will be running well. One major change that you may have noticed last year is that Santa now runs to keep up with it!  This is not a new fitness thing - although Mrs. Claus thinks the old chap could lose a few pounds - no, it’s the rule now that Santa must wear seat belts - and what Santa thinks - is, well, different!

    In December you'll also see Rotarians alongside local residents collecting in Lower Morden Lane - or "Electric Avenue" as it's better known.

    These funds support a number of local good causes, including:- St.Raphael's Hospice; The Children’s Trust, Tadworth; Princess Alice Hospice; The Spinal Muscular Atrophy Trust; Kids Out; Special Needs Projects at Perseid; West Wimbledon and Cricket Green Schools; Sponsorship for Maddy Stone, a local student, who climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, in aid of Hope For Children.

    In recent years charitable causes have become an industry, and certain aspects have been in the head-lines. Without commenting further, the simple rule with Rotary is not a single penny is taken for expenses. Everything you donate is directed to causes that our members discuss and approve.

    One of the things Rotary offers of great value is help for the individual person, or little known charity. For example you've probably not heard of Spinal Muscular Atrophy mentioned above. This is a genetic disease that affects muscle structure. It affects several thousand people in the UK, and can be fatal. Recently our club acquired a special therapy bath for a local family whose baby was diagnosed as a severe case.  The Club was able to consider their request and provide funds within a week. Neighbouring Clubs at New Malden and Kingston joined in to meet the full cost.

    Also the Club was so impressed by a talk and film by Canine Partners that a visit to their training HQ at Midhurst was aranged. Subsequently the Rotary Club presented them with a cheque to cover the full cost of training a dog to be a live-in help for a disabled Merton resident.

    Besides the charitable side, Rotarians are very active supporting community projects. The Club initiated and sponsors "Rotary Young Chef of The Year" which has become a national competition in less than ten years. Likewise Morden Rotary was the originator of "Little League Football" in
    the 1960s, and that has become internationally recognised.


    At Wimbledon Park the Club helped to provide sailing dinghies for special needs children.
    It has liaised with local scouts groups who've helped with the collections, and Rotarians have supported their projects in turn. Thanks to 4th Worcester Park and 3rd Cheam Groups.

    Also, two current appeals should be mentioned. Firstly the "Pennies from Heaven" collection for St.Raphael's Hospice goes on throughout the year. If you collect loose change in a jar contact the Rotary Club and they'lll call and gather funds together to donate to the Hospice. Thanks again to all the regular collectors who've together contributed over £5000 in the past few years.

    Secondly those old spectacles in a drawer that never sees the light of day!  These can be put these to very good use in Tanzania, which a Rotarian visit
    s several months a year.  John is involved in educational programmes in rural areas, and spectacles are a very much needed resource.  If you can collect several pairs of specs together please call to arrange a pick-up. Or take your specs to Raksons Supermarket at 340 Grand Drive (The Post Office) where Mr. Ashwin has kindly agreed to accept them on our behalf. 

    Lastly there is a permanent invitation awaiting anyone who'd like to suggest or help with the Club's projects. Initially you may be a "Friend of Rotary" - that's no commitment other than to help when you can. Please be re-assured it's really worthwhile, and better still it's definitely good fun. 

    Once again the Rotary Club thanks all of you for your support and encouragement.  

    Joss Ollett. Rotary Club of Morden.

     

    https://www.facebook.com/mordenrotary

  • Litter Pick - Sir Joseph Hood Memorial PF

    Sunday 17 October 2015 - 2:30 pm 

     

    The Friends of Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing fields at Motspur Park have arranged a Litter Pick for Saturday 17th October, meeting at 2.30 p.m. in the Car Park.   If you can help, do please go along.

  • Kids First - October 2015

    Nutrition with Deborah Norman, Consultant Dietition 

    Practical advice on nutrition & diet which could improve your child’s behaviour, concentration, sleep & more… 

    If you have a specific issue you wish to discuss please advise when booking your place. 

    Thursday 8 October, 10am to 2pm (lunch included) 

    Chaucer Centre, Room G, Canterbury Road, Morden, SM4 6PX

    Places are limited so please book ahead for all events to guarantee your place. 

    THIS SESSION IS FOR PARENTS/CARERS ONLY 

     

    For more information or to register with Kids First and receive news of all our events, email: kids.first@swlondonmencap.nhs.uk

  • St Saviour's Christmas Fair

    Saturday 14 November 2015 

    St Saviour’s Christmas Fair will be held this year on Saturday 14th November from 12 noon to 2pm. This annual event welcomes local residents, as well as those from further afield, to the church in Grand Drive where they will find a large selection of stalls for Christmas gifts, opportunities to play games and win prizes as well as sample the delicious refreshments on offer. There will also be representatives of the local libraries and the Neighbourhood Police team present.  

    Do please come along and join us for this happy family occasion.

  • Vote Now for Raynes Park High Street

    Raynes Park High Street shortlisted for Great British High Street Award – one of three in London 

    Raynes Park High Street has been named as one of the country’s best high streets by being shortlisted in the annual Great British High Street competition. It has been named as one of the top three in the London High Streets category.  

    To win the award Raynes Park High Street needs local people’s votes. 

    This year’s competition saw a record 230 applicants and now, for the first time, the public can vote for their best-loved high street online at:  www.thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk until mid-November. 

    If Raynes Park High Street wins, not only will it get a share of the £80,000 prize, but it’ll get expert training and tailor-made tips from Google’s training taskforce – the Digital Garage on Tour – for many of its shops, bars and restaurants. 

     

     Voting closes in mid-November 2015.  

    To cast your vote visit 

    www.thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk 

    You can follow @TheGBHighSt on Twitter and using the hash tag #GBHighSt.  Please tell all your friends and family and ask them to vote too - We MUST win!

     

  • Chairman's Blog - October 2015

    RAINBOW INDUSTRIAL ESTATE 

    The Planning Applications Committee gave approval on 17th September to the proposed development of the Rainbow Industrial Estate.  This is the site whose entrance is off Grand Drive and Approach Road, and whose only access is under a railway bridge. 

    The approval was given by a narrow majority, ignoring the reasons given for rejection by many local objectors, including at the meeting a representative from this Residents’ Association, a resident of Grand Drive, and Councillors from both Raynes Park and West Barnes Wards. 

    The site is still designated for light industrial and storage use, and, despite its run down appearance, provides employment for up to 200 staff at present. The proposal is to demolish all the buildings on the site, so that these businesses will need relocation.  This is a very significant change of use. The planning brief adopted by the Council, as approved by the Planning Inspector, insisted that any re-development on this site should be employment led. However, the plan proposes that only 13% of the buildings would be for employment and 87% for new housing. The number of jobs being provided would also be far less than at present.  

    This alone would provide justifiable reasons for opposing the development. 

    When coupled with the other problems of putting housing on the site, the arguments against are overwhelming. 

    What is proposed are 224 units of accommodation, consisting of 79 one- bedroom flats, 100  two-bedroom flats, and 36 three-bedroom flats, all in six blocks of flats, 5-7 storeys high.  In addition there would be a terrace of nine town houses, four storeys high. 

    Despite the Council’s target that 40% of all housing developments should be for “affordable” housing, only 15.2% of these will be. The Council has accepted the developer’s argument that the scheme would not be financially viable otherwise. 

    Anyone who has been there knows that the site is landlocked, surrounded on three sides by busy railway lines on high embankments, and has only the one entrance. A grimmer place to live is hard to conceive. 

    Parking will be provided only for 126 cars, the hope being that people will not need cars as the station is so near. The price of a 1 bedroom flat in Raynes Park is in excess of £200,000. Most of these flats will be bought by youngish people who can afford a mortgage, and will want to buy a car. Where are these people going to park other than in the surrounding streets, which are already subject to residents’ parking permits owing to the lack of parking provision? 

    One of the complaints we have raised time and again about the planning process is that each application has to be considered, by law, “on its own merits”.  This means that the effect of this new development cannot be considered in the context of the cumulative effects of other nearby developments, in terms of traffic, schooling needs, and health provision. 

    In the past ten years, new flats and houses have been built in three major developments in Grand Drive;  on the site of St Catherine’s school; on the former LESSA  sports grounds;  and on the former RSA sports ground. 

    These have had a major impact on traffic. Everyone knows that traffic is at a standstill for much of the day up and down Grand Drive. This can only get worse, particularly since there will be cars coming in and out of the site, and having to stop to avoid the many people crossing on foot to get to the station.  

    The money that the developers have to pay by way of Community Levy does not begin to pay for the extra school places, and health care needed. 

    The Council’s approval has still to be referred to the Mayor of London for any direction, and we hope that he will see fit to reject it. 

    KISS AND RISE SCHEME 

    The second linked application considered by the Planning Committee and also approved was for the provision of a “Kiss and Ride” scheme at Raynes Park station to enable cars to drop off and pick up passengers. The scheme has not yet been fully worked up, and, indeed we understand that much of the land needed for the scheme is owned by Network Rail and not by the developers. Some six temporary stopping places are being proposed. 

    The scheme envisages a widening of the entrance, and a mini roundabout for turning, with signals to control the use of traffic in and out of the site. 

    We do welcome this proposal, which is long overdue, and cannot be provided on the Coombe Lane side of the station. 

    We also welcome the decision that the use of the major Rainbow development is conditional on the actual provision of this set down and pick up scheme. 

    WEST BARNES LEVEL CROSSING 

    To add to the local traffic standstill, the Council has issued an order so that track repair work can take place at West Barnes level crossing. They are closing a length of West Barnes Lane between its junctions with Burlington Road and Linkway. Traffic diversions will be in operation. The order came into force on 21st September and will remain in force for three weeks, even though the work should be completed over four unspecified but consecutive nights between 11.30 pm and 5.30 am. 

     

    John Elvidge

  • TfL Public Consultation - A3 Walking/Cycle Routes

    TfL Proposed walking and cycling improvements along the A3

    Subways at Ely Close and Bushey Road

    TfL are proposing to formally allow cyclists to use these subways without having to dismount.

     

    These proposals are in response to a request from the London Cycling Campaign and letters from residents regarding pedestrian safety in subways. They are in line with the Mayor’s Transport Strategy to facilitate an increase in walking and cycling.

     

    By implementing cycle barriers at carefully selected locations in the subway entrance, cyclists will be guided into pedestrian sightlines to be more visible, reducing the risk of conflict. Due to the low flow of cyclists, the area within the subway will not be divided exclusively for use by either pedestrians or cyclists.

     

    Malden Slip Roads: Consfield Avenue, Byron Avenue, Stanley Avenue, Woodfield Gardens

     

    TfL are proposing to install raised tables across the roadway, bollards along the footway edge and tactile paving to assist visually impaired pedestrians at:

    ·         Consfield Avenue

    ·         Byron Avenue

    ·         Stanley Avenue

    ·         Woodfield Gardens (both junctions)
     

    A raised table brings the roadway up to the level of the pavement to make the crossing easier for pedestrians. By slowing vehicles, raised tables also make it safer for cyclists as they cross the junction. 

    Business activity at Cobham Avenue does not make it practical to install a raised table at this junction, although a new surface treatment will be applied.

    Please see the plans below for more detail on the proposed changes.

     

    Beverley Way beneath the Coombe Lane Flyover

     

    TfL are planning to provide better facilities for people that cycle and walk along the A3 by widening the existing shared use path running along Beverley Way beneath the Coombe Lane Flyover. The shared use path is already available for both pedestrians and cyclists.

     

    TfL are planning to widen the shared use path by removing strips of grass and vegetation. The path will be widened from two to three metres, wherever this is possible.

     

    TfL will lay new asphalt along this section and plant new, easy to maintain vegetation.

     

    New tactile paving will be provided at crossing points along the shared path.

    We intend to start the works in early 2016. However, this will depend, in part, on other works in the area.

     

     

    For further information click here

  • Abundance Wimbledon - 19 September 2015

    Abundance volunteers pick fruit in and around Wimbledon and use it for jam, baking or freezing.  Some of it is donated to the Wimbledon Guild and other groups providing food for the needy. 

    Abundance Fruit Day is on 19th September, when between 11.00 am and 2.00 p.m. in St. Mark’s Church Garden (behind Wimbledon Library) you can see the fruit press in action; buy jams, chutneys, cakes, and local honey; watch a pie-making demonstration or take part in the ‘longest peel’ and other games for children and adults; enjoy the International Ukelele Orchestra and lots, lots more.  For more information about this special day and how you can help in the future, see www.abundancewimbledon.com .

  • Table Surfing and Unexpected Callers - August 2015

    Table Surfing – a message from your Safer Neighbourhood Teams 

    Residents need to be aware of recent personal thefts in the Village and Town Centre areas known as table surfing.

    Whilst in Cafes, victims have been distracted by two females asking questions. Whilst chatting, a map or paper is placed over any mobile phones on the table. When females have left, the victim's mobile phone has disappeared with them. 

    Please be aware…..keep valuables safe in a closed bag and never leave your mobile/laptops unattended on tables in public places.

     

    Unexpected callers touting for work  

    We are also warned to beware of strangers door knocking and suggesting work needs to be done on our premises or in our gardens.  These may well be ‘chancers’ whose claims are unfounded, and even if they are right, will not necessarily do a good job and are likely to overcharge.   Better to wait and if necessary, get a quote from a business or tradesperson known to you.

  • Free Mother and Baby Seminar

    Thursday 3rd September 2015

    6.15 to 7.30 pm

     

    RAYNES PARK HEALTH CENTRE,

    LAMBTON ROAD, RAYNES PARK, SW20 OLW

    There will be a mother & baby seminar for new mums, pregnant women and their partners at Raynes Park Health Centre. It is a free seminar providing a chance to speak to a midwife and physiotherapist and we will be providing refreshments. 

    Places are limited. Register your place now:

     

    Balvinder.chohanai@kingstonhospital.nhs.uk

  • Favourite Tree Competition

    NOMINATE YOUR FAVOURITE TREE IN MERTON 

    We know that trees are essential to our health and well-being and can be beautiful and interesting, as is the fine False Acacia Robinia pseudoacacia in Dorset Rd SW19. Do you know of a tree or group of trees in the borough that you really like for whatever reason? If so, why not nominate it for the Favourite Tree in Merton competition and have a chance of winning a prize? It can be growing anywhere – a street, park, railway line or garden but must be visible from the public realm. It can be old or young, large or small and to nominate it you don't need to know the species - we will.  The Tree Warden Group Merton will inspect all nominations and the winner, which might be worthy of the protection of a Tree Preservation Order, will be decided by the borough’s Tree Officers.  

    Whoever nominates the winner will receive a tree (12/14cm girth), planted by the council in a park or vacant tree pit of a street nearby. The aim is to help people take more notice of their environment with special emphasis on trees. We have more trees in Merton than most London boroughs but we need to care for them to sustain our future. 

    REASON FOR YOUR CHOICE

    Historical and cultural value – we have trees in Merton possibly 1000 years old. What a story they could tell!

    Wildlife value – not just birds and animals but bats, insects and other plants and fungi depend on trees for their very existence. 'Townscape’ or visual value – how they contribute to our streets and how that varies with each season. This competition is organised by the Merton Tree Warden Group and LBM Tree Officers. 

    Please email your Nomination to favourite-trees@treewardensmerton.org.uk, with the following information: 

    ·                     Species of tree (if known)

    ·                     Location (As exact as possible, so it can be found)

    ·                     Description and approx. size

    ·                     Reason for Choice

    ·                     Your Contact details 

     

    Closing date 15 September 2015

  • Coach Outings - Blenheim & Bletchley Park

    There are still places available on two outings as follows: 

    BLENHEIM PALACE

    FRIDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER and 

    BLETCHLEY PARK 

    WEDNESDAY 14TH OCTOBER 

    Tickets cost £25.00 each and this includes entry, coach fare and Driver’s tip. 

    CONTACT ANDREA

    on 020 8540 0164 for more details

    Read More : Pavilion Social Club - Trips

     

     

  • Raynes Park Forum - 30 June 2015

    Notes from the Raynes Park Community Forum held on Tuesday 30 June 2015 

    The meeting was chaired by Councillor Michael Bull, assisted by Tony Edwards from the local business Place, Design & Planning. 

    Local Issues covered: School Places, Planning Applications, Cycle Route, Best High Street, Health Services, Future Meetings.

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townwomen's Guild - September 2015

     In July the Guild welcomed Mr. David Roe who gave a talk entitled ‘Pub Signs and their Stories’.  With screen illustrations this proved to be an extremely interesting and entertaining talk.  Margaret Wright gave the vote of thanks. 

    I am glad to report that our social activities during July and August have gone with a swing.  Miraculously, sandwiched between a Wednesday when the skies opened in the afternoon and a Friday when it rained steadily all day, once again the sun shone on the Thursday of Dorothy’s annual Barbecue.  Members were able to enjoy a pleasant afternoon socializing and eating a barbecue lunch together in the garden. 

    Another pleasant afternoon was spent at Margaret’s Garden Party.  The weather was not quite so kind but during the afternoon it brightened and (always a treat) members were able to go into the garden to admire Margaret’s colourful display of flowers.  Afternoon tea was delicious! 

    At the time of writing the August Hastings coach outing is the next event when we look forward to welcoming many residents from the various local organisations. The September monthly meeting at 1.30 for 1.45 on Thursday, 17th September at St Saviour’s Church Hall is an Open Social Meeting under the Celebrating Age programme.  Featuring a quiz and afternoon tea, all are particularly welcome to this meeting. 

    For more information about any of our activities, please contact Mrs. Dorothy Raymond on 020 8395 9489.

  • The Pavilion Club - September 2015

    Apart from a delightful coach trip to Chartwell, probably the highlight for Pavilion Club Members in August was a talk from our local Milliner, Sarah McAlister about hat making. 

    Sarah brought with her a selection of different hats from her collection, together with the blocks used to make them and samples of the various materials employed. She described in detail all the processes involved – from damping, steaming and pulling - to get the basic shape required,  to the intricate hand sewing involved in a creation.  Straws hats, for example come in various types of ‘straw’ including man-made varieties, all of which are produced in rolls of single strands, which then have to be stitched together to form the crowns and then the brims before joining the two. 

    The fun part, for a milliner is probably choosing the fabrics and trims for decoration once the hard work of creating the basic shape has been completed. 

    After Sarah’s very informative talk, we were given the opportunity of trying on some of her ‘historical’ creations which was great fun, and all of us understood why made-to-order hats and caps are expensive – designing and making them doesn’t just involve great skill but it is also time consuming, and the materials themselves are costly too. 

    Jill T.

     

     

     

     

  • Sir Joseph Hood Playing Fields - September 2015

    Demise of the paddling pool - interactive water play as a replacement? 

    We believe that this is the last year the paddling pool in Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing Field (off Marina Avenue) will be opened by the Council, due to increasing financial pressures. This would be a great loss to our community as well as having a big impact on the park itself.  However, the Council have funding to put an interactive water play area (like the one in Wimbledon Park) into another one of their parks, which is simpler and cheaper to run.  The Friends would like them to build this in our park but we need to show how much we would really miss our pool and how much we want this as a replacement.   

    Petition

    If you haven't already done so, please sign the petition in Sima Brothers Newsagent on West Barnes Lane, the park cafe or sign the petition online ** on our website (www.friendsofsjh.org). 

    Awareness - Fun Run 

    In order to raise awareness of the Friends and its role in the community as well as demonstrating to the Council how well used our park is, we are organising a Family Fun Run in the park on 5 September. 

    The program for the day is: 

    10:30 - Warm up

    10:40 - 500m Toddler Walk 

    11:00 - 3km Fun Run 

    11:30 - Picnic 

    The toddler walk is aimed at younger children (non-walking toddlers and babies can ride in their buggies!) The warm up and start will be at the gate to the horses. The 3km fun run is for older children and adults and will start outside the Pavilion, near the crazy golf and Rascals softplay.  We’d be grateful for any donations and suggest £1 per participant. There will be certificates for finishers.

    Even if you don't fancy either a walk or run please come and join us to find out more information about the Friends as an organisation, the park and its facilities as well as meet other families. 

    Picnic and Raffle
    We are hoping for a sunny day so please bring a picnic to enjoy after the run. There will also be a raffle on the day for some great prizes which include a voucher for a hypnotherapy session, Forever Living products, handmade girls ballet tutu, artwork, vouchers for ballet and many more.
      

    Contactus@friendsofsjh.org

  • News from Raynes Park Lawn Tennis Club

    We had a highly successful Open Day on the middle Sunday of Wimbledon during which nearly 40 new members, adults and seniors joined. Many of them are now starting their 6 coaching sessions  with our popular LTA Level 4 head coach José Marquez. These sessions are being subsidized by the club, which is part of an offer specific to the Open Day of which the new members are availing themselves. We have already welcomed some of them to our social sessions at weekends and Wednesday evenings. 

    On the 18th July we were fortunate to have perfect conditions for the Finals Day.       The results were as follows: 

    Men’s SinglesNick Wood beat Arunan

    Ladies’ Singles: Saidhanya beat Nicky

    Junior Exhibition: Sebastian & Amber beat Ruben & Caitlin

    Ladies’ Doubles: Saidhanya & Angela beat Nicky & Martine

    Men’s DoublesArunan & Keith beat Sean & Neville

    Mixed Doubles: Mike & Nicky beat Nigel and Handan 

    All the matches were of high quality and several were very close. 

    Refreshments were available throughout and the day concluded with a barbecue. 

     

    Paul Sadler

    http://www.rprltc.co.uk

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townwomen's Guild - August 2015

    Two visits featuring cultural heritage and history at the end of June and beginning of July, both thoroughly enjoyed by those attending.  The first was to the Houses of Parliament and the Jewel Tower in Westminster and the second to Hampton Court Palace, currently celebrating 500 years.  Personally, I was quite unprepared for how beautifully decorated the Palace of Westminster is, the artwork and other treasures.  We had an excellent full tour including both Houses, culminating in the House of Commons, shortly on the point of being prepared for the afternoon session, which meant we were able to watch the security officers and a sniffer dog entering the Strangers’ Gallery!

    At Hampton Court, on arrival, all saw the ‘Tudor Welcome’ Timeplay but then split up so members could explore the Palace by different routes and at their own pace.  Most managed a full tour and short exploration of the formal gardens.  The Timeplays throughout the day were a feature of the 500 years celebration, setting the scene and bringing history to life, in appropriate parts of the Palace.  One enterprising member organised her tour to catch most of these, including the ‘500 Years in a day Finale’, when she enjoyed a 500 year toast, and lively dance! with cast members.

    Our June meeting was our 82nd birthday party, an enjoyable social event featuring two quiz sheets to tease the brains a little, followed by a well received afternoon tea.  We forgot the matches to light the candles on the birthday cake.  Luckily a church member in the building took pity and gave us a lighted candle from the church!

    August activities include a Garden Party (13th) and the coach outing to Hasting (Sept 20th) tickets £15, Pickup 9.30 Motspur Park/Claremont Avenue Junction, and 9.45 am at Raynes Park Station Approach Road side, when many local residents will be joining us.

     In September on Thursday 3rd, a River Trip is planned from Westminster to Hampton Court.  On Tuesday, 8th, the Lunch Club will go to The Haywain, Epsom. 

     The next monthly meeting at 1.30 for 1.45 at St Saviour’s Church Hall is an Open Social Meeting under the Celebrating Age programme.  All are particularly welcome to this meeting.  For more information about any of our activities, please contact Mrs. Dorothy Raymond on 020 8395 9489

     

  • TfL News - August 2015

    More Stations to become Step-Free

    We are now aiming for more than half of the stations on our network to be step-free by 2018. Brent Cross Tube Station will be the next station to gain a lift and benefit from our step-free programme. We met the previous target of 45 per cent of our stations being step-free ahead of schedule. 

    Victoria Line Summer Closures

    As part of work to increase capacity, services on the Victoria line will be closed between Seven Sisters and Walthamstow Central from Saturday 8 August to Sunday 30 August. Services between Seven Sisters and Brixton will run less frequently. 

    New Bus Technology to make London’s Roads Safer.

    New Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA) technology is being trialled on 47 buses. ISA recognizes speed limits on the route using our Digital Speed Limit Map of London and ensures buses cannot exceed it.

    Safer Lorries Scheme launches in September

    The first of 600 Safer Lorry Scheme signs were installed across the Capital last month. The scheme, starting in September, ensures only lorries with vital safety mirrors and sideguards will be allowed on London's roads.

     

  • Pavilion Social Club - Trips

    Following on from the theme of World War II and the commemorations, we are offering three day trips.  All are welcome to bring friends or family members

    There will be three coach pick up points:  The Earl Beatty (9.00a.m.), Grand Drive/Greenway (9.15a.m.) and Raynes Park Station - Grand Drive side (9.30a.m.).  We aim to depart at 4.00p.m.  

    Blenheim         Friday 4th September

    Price £25 to cover the cost of the coach and driver’s tip, entry to the Palace, the gardens including the Memorial Walk, and a visit to the graveyard of St. Martin’s Church in Bladon where Churchill was laid to rest.

     

     

     

     

    Bletchley Park - Wednesday 14th October

    Price £25 to cover the cost of the coach and driver’s tip, entry to the mansion house, the gardens and the huts of Bletchley Park, in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, which was the central site of the United Kingdom's Government Code andCypher School. 

    Guidebooks for Bletchley Park cost £3.50 when pre-ordered or £5.00 on the day. 

    Please let Andrea know if you require further information. 

    Tel. Andrea on: 020 8540 0164 , 07941 561936 or Jill on 020 8879 3525

  • Tree Wardens Group - Friends Workdays

    All tasks run from 10am to 1pm. We recommend you wear strong shoes or boots. Tools and refreshments will be supplied. 

    Sun - Sep 13th, 4th Oct, 1st Nov:

    Workdays at Ravensbury Park, Morden. Meet at the central bridge on the River Wandle to help the Friends group with various tasks dependent on season e.g. pruning, litter picking, sycamore felling.  Contact Jane 07773 406 105

    Sun - Sep 20th, 18th Oct, 15th Nov:

    Workdays at the Canons, Madeira Rd, Mitcham. To help the Friends' group with various tasks dependent on season e.g. trimming hedges, maintaining the fruit hedge and managing Bellamy’s Copse. Contact John 07739 513 948 (Treasurer)

  • Tree Wardens' News - August 2015

    Outsourcing of Greenspaces Services 

    Despite being threatened by an increasing number of new pests and diseases, our trees and woodlands offer the ability to mitigate climate change. We consider that the management and expansion of tree cover in the borough should be a high priority to ensure a sustainable future and that the proposal to outsource responsibility for the maintenance of trees and woodlands within our green spaces to be a grave error. It is to be hoped that officers and Councillors alike will re-consider the wisdom of the proposed outsourcing. 

    As the proposed outsourcing of parks maintenance may happen, the Tree Warden Group Merton's has sought to input into the specification for tenders, so the following was sent to Doug Napier and copied to Cllr. Judge.

     

    “This document has been produced by the Tree Warden Group Merton (TWGM), in response to the request from Chris Lee and Andrew Judge for information to inform the LBM’s specification, which is being prepared before the intended outsourcing of maintenance of green spaces in the borough. 

    At the meeting we had with Doug Napier, Andrew Judge and James McGinley, we were surprised they were not able or prepared to confirm that the management and maintenance of trees and woodlands in the borough would remain in-house. The following is worded in relation to this uncertainty. 

    We are aware that contractors are employed by the arboricultural section of Greenspaces to carry out tree surgery, planting and maintenance works. We believe, it is essential that this continues to be the case, irrespective of how other green spaces’ maintenance is dealt with. We also believe that advice to other council departments should remain the responsibility of the Greenspaces arboricultural officers. This is necessary in order to:

    - Retain in-house knowledge of the borough’s tree stock

    - Protect against risk of unskilled works or inappropriate maintenance, aimed at making a contractor's life easier

    - Protect and conserve the original landscape design of parks

    - Protect and conserve old trees

    - Protect the trees and woodland when future changes are considered

    - Ensure a succession of tree planting for future generations

    - Ensure adequate watering and management of new trees

    - Ensure direction of management of tree canopy remains with the council, in conjunction with their ecological consultant and other interested parties, to ensure optimum habitat protection for wildlife (bats/birds/fish/invertebrates etc), for sustainability and to combat climate change

    - Ensure that the council’s statutory responsibility of monitoring the condition of trees in the public realm, to ensure the health and safety of the public, is properly discharged and council officers and councillors are fully aware of their responsibilities in this regard

    - Ensure any fallen tree is reported to the arboricultural officer for a decision on whether and who should cut and stack the arisings

    Advise anyone it may concern against mowing under trees to protect the Root Protection Area (RPA) as described in BS 5837:2012 from compaction

    - Arrange for trees to be protected when events are held in parks, to prevent cars parking under trees and compacting the RPA

    - Ensure the continuation of use of local arboricultural contractors of known abilities to carry out work as they have local knowledge, retain skills and jobs within the borough and are likely to be more cost effective than an arboricultural service through a large maintenance contractor with greater overheads. 

    TWGM has been involved by the arboricultural section, and also at its own direction, with much tree and fruit hedge planting around the borough. These community led projects should be included in the specification to ensure they are protected and managed to aid their establishment, to increase visual interest, biodiversity and canopy cover.

     Since 2010, TWGM has obtained trees, at no cost to the council, for all the projects listed, and the hours given by our volunteers has been calculated as 1,330 hrs in 2013. This funding and time should be included in the  outsourcing calculation, as the continuation of voluntary support cannot be guaranteed if/when the management of trees and woodlands of the borough is outsourced. 

    We are concerned at the disruption to the ground staff service and the potential loss of staff who are skilled in their jobs and have extensive knowledge of the borough’s green spaces but we would be further alarmed if that were to include the arboricultural section, who provide the expert knowledge on tree matters within the council. 

    As a minimum, we expect that the general condition, safety and level of maintenance of trees and green spaces should not fall below current standards. Despite the lack of certainty, we expect that the contractor should be contracted to liaise/meet with our group on a regular basis, whether through the council’s arboricultural officers or directly, to agree future maintenance plans and their delivery.  In the meantime, we will look forward to commenting on the draft specification before it goes out to tender”.

     

    The Tree Wardens Group has yet to receive a response. 

    Now with other Friends and environment volunteer groups, we are considering forming a “Merton Greenspace Forum”, independent from Merton council, to better engage with the council.

    An inaugural meeting showed concern that a contractor will notcontinue the existing level of service, despite the promise made by the council. We have asked for early sight of the draft specification that preferred bidders are to tender against, in the hope of amending it to benefit the future of our well loved parks and green spaces.

  • Chairman's Blog - August 2015

    GAS WORKS IN GRAND DRIVE 

    We reported last month that major works were to be carried out to replace the gas pipes along Grand Drive, right down from Heath Drive to the lights at Bushey Road, and then from those lights to Raynes Park station. This would necessitate one way traffic routing in the whole of this area. 

    The work was scheduled for July and would have caused wide spread traffic chaos, for which no warning had been given. 

    It turned out that the gas engineers are well behind schedule, perhaps because of the difficulties of water seepage in this area. 

    The work will still take place, and confusingly the websites stated that the work was being re-scheduled for September, although this date was not agreed or finalised. 

    The latest information from Merton Council (that had to be prised out of Merton Council by our Joint Secretary, Jan Bailey) is that it will now be done in two sections. 

    The first work is to replace the gas mains between Bushey Road and Approach Road.  This will result in one way working from August 10. Traffic coming under the railway will be diverted along Kingston Road and then onto Bushey Road where it can turn left up Grand Drive.  This work is due for completion before the end of the summer holidays. 

    Work on Grand Drive itself has been postponed till next year in order to seek wider consultation and better planning of the diversionary routes. 

    We repeat our hope that before the work is finally scheduled, there be wide consultation as to where the traffic will go, and that adequate warning signs and traffic diversions are put in placefor miles around, not least from the A3. 

    RAYNES PARK PLAYING FIELDS- AELTC DEVELOPMENT 

    The All England Lawn Tennis Club was granted planning permission in December 2014 to build new tennis courts, covered by an air dome, on the Raynes Park Playing Fields, which they own. These are needed for their Junior Tennis Initiative, which gives the chance to pupils in Merton and Wandsworth to learn to play tennis. The JTI is currently held at Church Road, SW19, and a move is necessary so that a roof can be put on Court 1 at the Championships, which will take the next four years to build. 

    The sports ground are surrounded by Cannon Hill Lane, Elm Walk, Southway, and Grand Drive. 

    The Club has now informed local residents that the work will start immediately and that the main construction should be completed by December. Construction of the new car park and landscaping will then continue until March 2016. The working period will be from 8 am until 6 pm Monday to Friday and until 1 pm (if required) on Saturday. 

    BARCLAYS BANK CLOSURE IN RAYNES PARK CENTRE 

    We understand that the branch of Barclays in the centre of Raynes Park is due to close on 25September.  We regard this as a serious blow to the economic viability of this growing local centre. Although we will protest to Barclays about this, there seems little that we can effectively do to prevent it, since it is line with their policy, as with other high street banks, of closing local branches, and forcing people into on-line banking. 

    The nearest alternative Barclays branch is in the centre of Wimbledon. Even this major branch has reduced the number of counters to one, and instead forces customers to use machines for deposits and withdrawals, or else makes you wait until a “customer adviser” is free. Of course, the system is so frustrating and time consuming to use that the bank has to employ people to help customers use the machines. 

    All this has nothing to do with customer service, but everything to do with reducing staffing costs and maximising profit. 

    WHATLEY AVENUE ADULT EDUCATION CENTRE 

    No decision has yet been made on the future use of the site currently occupied by the Whatley Avenue Adult Training Centre. It appears that the site is too small for the proposed new secondary school, which is needed to cater for the extra 2000 secondary school spaces caused by the rising birth rate. We hope that any decision made will not affect the Joseph Hood Primary School, adjacent to the Centre, and which is itself oversubscribed. 

    The need for extra spaces is particularly acute in the Wimbledon area. 

    The council has been in talks with the charity, the Harris Federation, to provide a new state funded school somewhere in Merton, in addition to the academies that it already runs in the borough. The government’s Education and Funding Agency is responsible for finding the site for the new school.  

     

    John Elvidge

  • Garmin Marathon - 11 October 2015

    2015 Garmin Kingston Run Challenge.

    This year it will include a full marathon distance and raise money for dementia care at Kingston Hospital.

    A marathon distance will be on offer when the Garmin Kingston Run Challenge returns on Sunday 11 October 2015. The 26.2 mile test of body and mind endurance will join the returning 8 and 16 mile courses which will start from the traditional point of ancient market square in Kingston-Upon-Thames. High demand for the new marathon distance has seen entries surpass the combined total of the other routes.

    Each of the three distances will follow a picturesque riverside route alongside the Thames and pass by the world famous Hampton Court Palace. The course also touches the edge of Esher and goes through charismatic Thames Ditton. The Garmin Kingston Run Challenge course has gained a reputation in the running community for being particularly flat, making it appeal to amateurs who don’t wish to take on tough inclines, and also to regulars who see it as an ideal opportunity to score a personal best time.

    Plenty of help will be on hand to assist runners of all abilities in achieving their goals. The Garmin Pace Team will be running at 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 minutes per mile with flags to clearly identify them amongst the packs of participants. The idea behind the team is to help runners achieve a steady pace and reach their target finish time. Those who would prefer to track their own pace can hire a state-of-the-art GPS watch completely free of charge thanks to Garmin.

    “We have been organising running events in Kingston for 25 years” said Nick Rusling from organisers Human Race Events. “We have been keen to bring this marathon to Kingston for a while but did not want to compromise the 8 and 16 mile runs that people know and love. We are delighted that after a lot of hard work by our planning team we can offer all three great running events on 11 October as part of the Garmin Kingston Run Challenge”.

    Members of the surrounding community will have extra motivation to take part this year as Kingston Hospital Charity will become an official partner of the Garmin Kingston Run Challenge. Did you know that Kingston has one of the highest rates of Dementia in the country? Nearly 50% of the hospitals patients over 75 have Dementia so Kingston Hospital Charity is aiming to raise £750,000 over the next 12 months to make their elderly care wards dementia friendly. If you are interested in running for the Dementia Appeal please contact the fundraising team on: 020 8934 2470 or email:

    fundraising@kingstonhospital.nhs.uk 

    Places in the 2015 Garmin Kingston Run Challenge can be secured by visiting www.humanrace.co.uk/running, where you are also able to pre-book your Garmin hire. 

    www.humanrace.co.uk

    Office: +44 (0) 208 391 3913

    Address: The Typhoon Business Centre, Unit 6 Oakcroft Road, Chessington KT9 1RH

     

     

  • Early Morning Running Group - Prework Run - Motspur Park

    PRE WORK RUN IN MOTSPUR PARK

    Every Tuesday and Thursday at 6.30 am – all year round the Early Morning Pre-Work Run takes place at Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing Fields, Motspur Park. This fitness group is      FREE and open to anyone who has the desire to get fit, fitter, or faster, and enjoy early morning exercise.  The group meets in all weathers, even on dark snowy mornings, but whilst training is taken very seriously there is also a strong social side to these sessions. 

    The Early Morning Exercise Group is organised by Olwen Seear, a UKA Level 3 Performance Coach; YMCA/RSA Exercise to Music Teacher; Indoor Cycling Instructor; and Sports Massage Therapist. 

    Serious training is no exaggeration,  for on Tuesdays the group undertakes speed work  as follows: using the tarmac area (1000m full circuit); around the wildlife circuit (400m); cones to mark out 400m on the grass; a straight run on Green Lane (350m). They do something different every week. Total mileage is approximately 6-8 miles, including a warm up and a warm down. 

    On Thursdays it’s hill training on The Hamptons. From the clock house, one hill is 305m long, another 205m. They use these hills for repetitions. They also use the perimeter to run an undulating 10k distance as part of marathon training. Total mileage each session is 6-8 miles including a warm up and a warm down.   Phew!!  

    Finishing back at the gates in Marina Avenue for a good stretch, some group members will dash to catch the train to Waterloo, others will drive on to work and shower there, or work from home, or maybe have a day off. All  ages and abilities are invited to join in and because the Group exercises in a circuit it makes it easier for people to be able to train as hard as they can, or as easily as they want, without feeling left behind or intimidated. A friendly, sociable group, why not give it a try! Contact: olwenseear@gmail.com for more information, or just turn up.

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townswomen's Guild - July 2015

    At the June meeting, the Guild was visited by Graham and Rosemary Legge, from Chessington Evangelical Church, where the principal charity is Hope for Children in Riga, Latvia.  Rosemary set up an amazing (and very popular) display of the “37 varieties” of homemade goodies which she makes and sells in aid of the charity, while Graham set up computer and screen.  This was to show us a well produced video, made by young people that the charity had helped, illustrating the charity’s work.

    As a Baltic state, Latvia was until 1991 behind the iron curtain and struggled with poverty on independence.  Now in the EU, it remains one of the poorest members with 10% of the working population going abroad leaving many poor families and street children.  Helen Vipass MBE is founder and director of this charity which provides caring, loving and secure day centres for children, family support centres and works with foster families.  A Christian charity, it provides food, meals, clean clothing, showers and warmth in winter.  As education is also vital for the future of the children and the country as a whole, the charity also ensures that children are able to go to school, providing equipment were necessary and somewhere to do homework with computer access.

    Following the talk, video and members’ questions, Mrs. Janina Craske gave the vote of thanks to this delightful, hard working couple.

    The Lunch Club travelled to The Rocket in Putney on the river front, hoping that this year it would be warm enough to each outside, but once again it was too cold and windy.  Nevertheless our group enjoyed this trip.

     Next month, on Thursday, 2nd the Lunch Club will travel as a group to The Plough on Sutton Common Road.  The following week, on Tuesday, 7th July, because Hampton Court Palace is currently celebrating its 500th anniversary, the next group visit will be a re-exploration of the Palace and grounds.  The next regular meeting at St Saviour’s Church Hall at 1.30 pm on Thursday, 16th July features a talk by David Roe ‘Pub Signs and their Stories’.  Finally, a week later on Thursday, 23rd July, Dorothy’s annual Barbecue will be held.

     For the August Hastings Trip on Thursday, 20th, during July Mrs. Raymond will be collecting any outstanding balances of fare (£15 or £10 if a £5 deposit has been paid).  There are still one or two places available if any friend or relative would like to come along.  We leave Raynes Park Station (Approach Road side) at 9.45 am and there will be a pick up at Motspur Park, at the junction of Claremont Avenue and Motspur Park at 9.30 am.  Please ensure we know if you are joining the coach at Motspur  Park.

    For more information about any of our activities, please contact Mrs. D Raymond on 020 8395 9489.  Visitors are always welcome to join us.

     

     

     

  • Chairman's Blog - July 2015

    GRAND DRIVE TRAFFIC 

    The Association opposed the installation of traffic lights at the junction of Cannon Hill Lane and Grand Drive. We took the view that they held up the cars unnecessarily trying to get from Cannon Hill Lane, and were not needed for safety reasons. 

    For the past weeks they have been wrongly calibrated, so that traffic on Grand Drive is held up in both directions, with the result that for large parts of the day, and not only in rush hour, the traffic is virtually stationary from one end of the road to the other. 

    The Council department dealing with this has been understaffed for years, and, despite our complaints, and those of our Councillors, nothing seems to get done. 

    We were promised a review of the safety measures installed along the road, six months after the installation, but the lead officer retired, and this has never happened.  

    The latest news, as discovered by our joint Secretary, Jan Bailey, and not publicised, is that, for the whole of July, Grand Drive will be dug up so that  replacement gas pipes can be installed. It will be closed to two way traffic from Blenheim Road to the lights at the Grand Drive/Bushey Road junction, and from the lights to the Station.  This will necessitate a one way system northbound along Martin Way and Cannon Hill Lane. 

    The result will be absolute chaos, and standstill traffic for miles around. The traffic will be held back under the two railway bridges, and tail back along the slip road from the A3 and onto the A3 itself. 

    It is disgraceful that no warning has been given of these proposed closures, which affect not only cars but bus routes.  

    THE GUIDE 

    In collecting the subscriptions for this year in my area, I have been heartened by the many people who have spontaneously said how much they value our monthly A5 sized magazine, the Guide, and how useful they find it. It has, of course, been published in this form ever since the Association was founded in 1928, and funds itself through the advertisements it carries. 

    The Guide has a different mix of articles, only some of which appear on this website. If you're not a member of our Association, click here, to make contact to join and receive The Guide monthly. 

    BAT WALK 

    The Friends of Cannon Hill Common organised a walk at twilight in early June to look at the bats on the Common. It was led by an expert, who armed the 20 people who turned up with detectors that can measure the different echo frequencies that bats make, and so identify them. It was fortunately a lovely evening, and these tiny creatures, once detected, could be seen swooping for insects around the hedgerows and trees. We learned that there are three species of bat on the Common. We saw the Common Pipistrelle and the Soprano Pipistrelle, but were unable to find the third kind - the Daubenton’s - which prefers the habitat over the Lake.    It was a lovely way to spend an hour on a summer’s night. 

     

    John Elvidge

  • Raynes Park Pavilion Tennis

    Children's Tennis Lessons start again - 14 September 2015

    Raynes Park Pavilion Tennis will be running children's tennis lessons again at the Residents’ Pavilion, 129 Grand Drive, Raynes Park, SW20 9LY.  This course aims to provide children with tennis coaching in a fun and educational environment. 

     Mondays          9:00 – 10:15 am

                            3:45 – 5:30 pm

     

    Wednesdays     1:15 – 2:00 pm

                            3:45 – 5:30 pm

    Tiny Tots (ages 3-4)  Cost £40

    Mini Red (ages 5-8)  Cost £90 

    ·         Run by LTA qualified and licensed coaches from The All England Lawn Tennis Club

    ·         All equipment provided

    ·         This is an outdoor event, however, we have a small indoor area for other activities in the case of bad weather

    ·         Free on street parking 

    Sibling and multi booking discounts available! Please contact RPPT at info@rpptennis.com for further information. 

    Registration can be completed online at www.rpptennis.com

    ............................................................................................................................................................................. 

    All information provided will be held in strict confidence.

     

  • Raynes Park Forum - 30 June 2015

    Local people are invited to 

    THE RAYNES PARK COMMUNITY FORUM 

    AT 7.15 PM ON WEDNESDAY 30 JUNE 2015 

    IN RAYNES PARK LIBRARY MEETING ROOM 

    Chair:  Cllr Michael Bull 

    AGENDA

    1) School Places.  Tom Procter (Service Manager, Contracts & School Organisation, LB Merton) 

    2) Current & Anticipated Planning Applications.  Neil Milligan (LBM). 

    • Rainbow Estate
    • Travelodge
    • Proposed New Malden to Raynes Park to Wimbledon Cycle Route.
    • Area to the South of the Skew Arch.
    • 14-16 Coombe Lane – 24 hour gym. 

    3) Offending Advertising Hoardings in West Barnes Lane.  Tony Edwards. 

    4) Application for Best High Street Award.  Tony Edwards (Place, Design & Planning) 

    5) Local Health Issues.  ‘Merton on the Move’ Project.  Clare Gummett, Lay Member on Merton Clinical Commissioning Group.  

    6) Open Forum – an opportunity to raise any other issue of local interest.  

    Future dates for the Raynes Park Community Forum: I October, I December,3 March 2016. 

    The Raynes Park Community Forum is managed by the Raynes Park Association and chaired by a Councillor from one of the local wards

  • Morley Park - 13 June 2015

    A Morley Park Wildlife Walk is being planned by LUNG for Saturday 13th June in the afternoon. Tony Drakeford, author of the Morley Park Wildlife Guide, will be leading this walk and showing you some of the amazing variety of wildlife he has found on this site. There will also be an opportunity to see the new scout building and hear about plans to improve their woodland area. Everyone is welcome.  No need to book but please let Jane Barnes at enquiries@amhlung.org.uk know if you think you might join the Group, so they can get some idea of numbers to help them plan the event.

  • Prudential Ride London - 2 August 2015

    Prudential Ride London comes to Raymes Park again this year.

     
    Please make a note of the date.  The route is the same as before so the local areas of the North West Wimbledon Residents’ Association, the West Wimbledon Residents’ Association and parts of the Raynes Park & West Barnes Residents’ Association, will be surrounded by closed roads.  We have been assured that the vehicle crossing points in Raynes Park and the Village will be operating more efficiently this year but it will still be slow and it is recommended that residents only use them when essential.  There will be a leaflet delivered to all affected households with details of the arrangements.

  • Merton Sensory Services Team

    The council supports people who are hard of hearing, profoundly deaf, visually impaired or who have lost both sight and hearing senses. 

    Its sensory services team visits people who need support, providing them with information and advice on accessing council services and making day-to-day tasks easier. They are also able to demonstrate and provide special equipment including personal amplifiers, which help people who are hard of hearing to hear the TV, doorbell or alarm clock and hear more clearly when they are out and about. 

    Merton Council’s Director of Community and Housing, Simon Williams, said: “We offer a range of products that can help people keep safe in the home and when they’re out and about. It’s a great service and equipment is free for people who live in Merton. We like to offer our residents a holistic service, so when people with hearing or sight impairments come to see us and they have a physical disability and we think they would benefit from a particular care package we can refer them to the right people so all their needs are catered for. Our team does a lot of good work and they’re here to help those who need it.”

    Merton Council’s sensory services team is available every week as follows:

     

    Wednesdays, 2pm – 4pm

    British Sign Language support for profoundly deaf people.

     

    Fridays, 1pm – 3pm
    The Hard of Hearing Assessment Centre is in the Resource Room on the ground floor of the civic centre. Residents who are hard of hearing can come in to be assessed and to see the equipment available to them.

     

     

    Editor’s Note: Whilst this press release provides scant information on how to access these services, if you are interested or need to contact somebody, you may need to explore Merton's Website further.

     

    http://news.merton.gov.uk/2015/04/28/council-to-showcase-sensory-services-this-deaf-awareness-week/

     

  • Raynes Park Townswomen's (Afternoon) Guild - June 2015

    A gardening theme to our April meeting, when Garden Designer Janet Brown gave us a talk entitled ‘Spring Gardens’.  Our sales table also featured plants.  Cuttings of ‘background’ shrubs or framework plants with interesting foliage were passed round for us to examine before Mrs. Brown talked about the various types of spring plants for sunny and ‘woodland’ conditions.  We were also given tips on colour combinations and how to achieve a harmonious or contrasting planting scheme.  Finally she touched on how pots could be designed to be altered from a spring to a summer display with the change of one plant.  Miss Margaret Wright gave the vote of thanks for this enjoyable, colourful talk which matched the spring sunshine outside.

    On a very blustery 5th May a small group enjoyed a leisurely lunch, coffee and friendly chat at The Haywain, Epsom before planning another trip out to the riverside in Putney for  lunch in June.

    The trip on 12th May to the BBC for a tour of Broadcasting House was thoroughly enjoyed by a group of 15, which included two husbands.  It was fascinating to look down on the newsroom, to look into The One Show studio, and hear about the history of the BBC and buildings and the internal playhouse theatre.  Then some fun in two other studios.  Congratulations to Janina Craske for her skill in reading the news from the autocue!  Congratulations, too, to Mr. Patrick Browne for his competent handling of a number of sound effects (champagne cork, gong, running footsteps etc) for the group’s radio play recording, and Janina again for her contribution as a member of the cast.  Lunch was taken in the Media Café in new Broadcasting House following which a small group took the opportunity for a brief look inside All Souls Church before returning home.

    The next visit is a tour of the House of Commons (Monday, 29th June) and The Jewel Tower in St Margaret Street (fully booked).

    Not quite fully booked, the Hastings Coach Trip on Thursday, 20th August - £15 a seat.  Leaving Raynes Park Station (Approach Road side) at 9.45 am.  £5 deposit now payable, balances due in July.  All welcome to join us.

    The monthly meeting in June is on Thursday, 18th June, 1.30 for 1.45 at St Saviour’s Church Hall, when we will be celebrating our 82nd birthday.  As ever, visitors are welcome to join us at this social event.

     

    All are welcome to our events.  For further information about activities or the Raynes Park Townswomen’s Guild, please telephone Mrs. D Raymond (020 8395 9489).

  • Raynes Park High School Newsletters

    Follow this link for the latest Raynes Park High School newsletter

     

     

  • West Wimbledon Primary School - Newsletters

     

    Follow this link for the latest West Wimbledon Primary School newsletter.

     

     

     

  • Lambton Road PPG - June 2015

    Lambton Road Medical Practice - Patient Participation Group (PPG)

    NEWSLETTER April 2015 No.12Written by patients for patients 

    Annual General Meeting - 14 March 2015 

    We thank all patients who attended our second Annual General Meeting. Full Minutes and appendices have been sent to patients on our mailing list and are also available to view in our Minutes Book in Reception. 

    The outgoing Chair (Jenny Cairns) reported on the achievements of the PPG over the past year, and that our focus for the coming year will be “Measuring and Enhancing the Quality of Patient Experience”. 

    Clare Gummett of Merton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) gave a very interesting presentation on “Changes to the NHS in Merton”. The incoming Chair (Judith Brodie) and Dr Conor Molony thanked retiring members, Jenny Cairns, Clare Gummett and Jacques Lee, for their much valued contributions to the work of the PPG. Appendices to the Minutes include more details. Participation from the floor covered a range of questions including appointments, buggy park, positioning of PPG Notice Board and parking facilities. Full details of the questions and answers can be seen in the Minutes Book in Reception. 

    At the end of Questions and Answers it was good to hear the view expressed that we have an excellent Practice with excellent clinical skills. Why not, if you are on email, send us your email address via lambtonroadppg@hotmail.co.uk to ensure you get future Newsletters and AGM Minutes sent to you directly? It is also a way of contacting us with any feedback about the Practice – we always want to hear it either by email or by leaving us a note at Reception. 

    Nelson Health Centre

    The Nelson Health Centre (built on the site of the old Nelson Hospital opened last month. It brings a wide range of health and care services to our local community, including diagnostic and outpatient facilities covering x-rays, physiotherapy, diabetes, phlebotomy, cardiology, gastroenterology, endoscopy, and other clinical services. It also houses the new Nelson Medical Practice, an amalgamation of two local GP practices (Cannon Hill Lane and Church Lane). Fuller details are available on the Merton CCG website: www.mertonccg.nhs.uk 

    Cancelling appointments

    If you wish to cancel an appointment, please telephone the cancellation line 020 3668 1946; this will enable the slot to be made available to another patient. No other services are available on this number. 

    Information for older patients 

    The new national programme gives everyone at age 75 a named GP who will be responsible for co-ordinating their care. The Practice writes to patients around the time of their 75th birthday informing them of the GP who will be  responsible for them, and giving details of the dedicated telephone line number which can be used by the over 75s between 10 am and 12 noon Mon-Fri for non-urgent enquiries/ making appointments.  

    AT OTHER TIMES THE NORMAL SURGERY NUMBER 020 3668 1999 SHOULD BE USED. 

    Additionally, Nurse Marlon Molina has taken responsibility for elderly care, and he can help to liaise with your named GP to maintain your good health and independence.

    The Practice is constantly trying to improve the care for all groups, and trusts these measures will help care for our older generation at a challenging time for general practice. 

    A Practical Guide to Healthy Ageing” prepared by NHS England and Age UK may be of  interest.   It is a clear, well laid-out document

    containing helpful general information - but it should not be used as a substitute for seeking specific advice from a GP. Copies may be ordered free either online at www.orderline.dh.gov.uk, or by calling 0300 123 1002 quoting reference HA1. 

    Dementia Care and Support 

    (1)        Kingston Hospital is launching an appeal to raise £750,000 to transform Dementia Care. A leaflet/information can be obtained here or by phoning 020 8934 2470. Most hospitals have their own charities. For example, details of St George’s can be found at http://www.stgeorgeshospitalcharity.org.uk/ 

    (2)        The Memory Lane Club, a meeting place for people with dementia and their carers, is now open every Wednesday morning, in the Sacred Heart Parish Lounge, Edge Hill, SW19 4LU. chat and games, all in an atmosphere of warmth and friendship.   For more information contact: edgehillmemorylaneclub@gmail.com. 

    For more information about the Patient Participation Group, Contact: Lambtonroadppg@hotmail.co.uk or leave a note with Reception.

  • Carved in Stone - WW1 Project

    Share your family's stories of World War One.  

    Did any of your relatives live in Merton during the First World War? 

    As part of the Carved in Stone project two War Story Day events are being hosted across Merton in the months of June and August. We hope that they will be interesting and engaging days where members of the public will be able to learn about Merton during the First World War. Additionally, we hope to contribute to the known heritage of Merton through the filming of short video interviews with residents whose relatives fought in the First World War, and/or who supported the local war effort. 

    If you have family stories that you would like to share, or wartime memorabilia that we can record for posterity, we would be delighted to hear from you. 

    The War Story events will also feature a range of talks, photographic displays, children's crafts and access to wartime documents and objects. 

    War Story Day 2:  is on June 20th, 10am - 4pm. Acacia Centre, Grove Road, Mitcham. 

    War Story Day 3: will be on August 1st, 11am - 5pm. Wimbledon Studio Theatre, The Broadway, Wimbledon. 

    If you would like to be interviewed, or want more information about the events, please contact:

    Kelvin Shewry or Sarah Gould, Tel. 020 8545 4038 / 3239

    Email: local.studies@merton.gov.uk

     Link to Carved in Stone

     

  • Merton's Parks - Have Your Say

    Future of Merton’s parks & green spaces 

    There is widespread concern among Friends groups and others about the implications of Merton Council’s proposed outsourcing of park and green space maintenance.  We hope it is helpful to have an update on some of what is going on and a reminder of the opportunity we all have to input to the Council’s plans. 

    We understand six contractors have shown interest in the parks and green spaces maintenance contract for Merton and Sutton and detailed conversations will begin next month once the specification for the maintenance work required has been prepared.  

    We all have an important opportunity to input to this specification so it addresses the specific needs of the different parks and green spaces across Merton. 

    You may recall that Chris Lee, Merton Council’s Director of Environment and Regeneration, invited Friends groups to input into the specification.  This was at a meeting called by Cabinet Member Andrew Judge on 2 April at Morden Assembly Hall. 

    Only a small number of responses have been made and it is important that everyone takes the opportunity to help define what will be required of the successful contractor.  

    We are advised by Andrew Judge that the specification will be ‘amended through the dialogue process’, so your input is urgently required if it is to be included.  

    We suggest you need to submit your views on the maintenance work which is essential in your area and to identify any specific issues or unusual aspects which need to be covered. 

    Andrew Judge has been clear that there should be no decline in current standards as a result of the changes and this is your chance to define what these are.  

    Your views should be sent to Merton’s Greenspaces Manager Doug Napier (doug.napier@merton.gov.uk) as soon as possible. 

    We would ask that you copy us in so we can keep an overview of what is being submitted.  

    Looking ahead it is clear that Friends groups and others who care for Merton’s parks and green spaces will benefit from closer collaboration. 

    There is a growing number of people calling for a Merton Greenspaces Forum to be established independent of Merton Council with a view to sharing information and practical experience as well as presenting a more united front in future discussions about the borough’s parks and green spaces.  This would build on the discussions last year led by Tony Leach from the London Parks and Green Spaces Forum.  

    We would be interested in your views on this suggestion. 

    Tony Burton – Mitcham Cricket Green Community & Heritage and Chair, Wandle Valley Forum

    Jane Plant – Friends of Ravensbury Park, Friends of the Canons and Volunteer Coordinator, Tree Warden Group Merton

     

  • Adults First - June 2015

    Click here for Merton Adults First news and events 

     

     

     

  • Annual Outing to Wisley - 11/09/2015

    ANNUAL OUTING TO RHS GARDENS, WISLEY 

    Friday 11 September 2015 

    There will be coach pick-ups at: 

    • Greenway Bus Stop, Grand Drive, at 9.15 a.m.
    • Raynes Park Approach Road, at 9:20 a.m
    • Motspur Park, opposite the Earl Beatty Pub at 9.30 a.m. 

    We shall leave Wisley at 4.00 p.m. 

    The fare will be £10.00 which includes entrance and driver’s tip.  Please can the money be paid within a week of booking to secure a seat. 

    To book, please contact: 

    Margaret Barrett on 8949 4304

    Edna Gumbrell on 8542584 & 

    Jill Truman on 8879 3525

  • Raynes Park Residents' Lawn Tennis Club - 5 July 2015

    It’s at this time of the year that people start thinking about the Wimbledon Championships and assessing the prospects of the British players. Typically, inspired by the sight of players on television and the warmer weather, people will think about where they last saw their racquets, and they may even get them out for a quick knock in the park. 

    To capture the mood, we are holding an Open Day in Meadowview Road on the middle Sunday of Wimbledon, the 5th of July, with free coaching and refreshments. All levels of ability are welcome from beginners to advanced. Balls will be provided and racquets are available. There will be a barbecue from mid-afternoon onwards. For those who can’t get there in the afternoon, there will be some people at the club in the morning. Discounted membership will be available on the day. 

    Jose Marquez, our popular LTA level 4 coach, already runs successful group coaching sessions on Tuesday and Friday afternoons and evenings. He is looking for feedback from members as to whether they require additional types of coaching and he is also looking to expand the programme. 

    Paul Sadler

    Click this link for more information: rprltc.co.uk 

  • "The Light House"

    Quality care in a family home 

    In April, we were invited to an Open Day at The Lighthouse,  Raynes Park, a newly opened registered children’s home that offers accommodation for up to five children and young people (girls and boys) aged from 8 – 18.

    This is the second Lighthouse project to be opened, the first one having been set up in Surbiton. 

    The Lighthouse project specialises in working with children with autistic spectrum disorder and/or learning difficulties who may have a variety of needs, including those who display associated challenging behaviour.  It offers a stimulating yet calming environment for children with sensory and social impairments, with a needs-led range of therapeutic support, such as intensive interaction, play therapy, and PAT “Pets at home Therapy”. 

     The home itself has been thoughtfully designed to provide four bedrooms upstairs, with a bathroom and shower room, as well as one downstairs suitable for a wheelchair user with an ensuite wet-room.  All the bedrooms are light, airy, welcoming, homely, and beautifully furnished and decorated in styles appropriate for young people.  Downstairs there is a sitting room, a kitchen/dining room and a purpose built multi-sensory room.   The latter has many benefits for children with special needs providing place of  peace and calm, where amongst other things it can also help to encourage learning, motor development, cognitive development, language and social interaction skills. 

    The project believes in the principle of gentle teaching, reinforcement and use reward, praise and recognition to promote positive behaviour.  All children have an individual behavior support plan that is followed by all staff. 

    From the Kitchen/Dining room there are patio doors to the garden, which as yet is simply laid to grass.   However, there is room to play, relax and do some planting of flowers and vegetables so the youngsters can see them flourish as the months go by. 

    It seems that everything has been thought of. At the end of the garden is another small building which houses the Office, where staff can have meetings with parents and others, so that the homely atmosphere of the house is not disturbed.   There is also a laundry room where the household washing is done and which the children can also learn to use. 

    The Lighthouse encourages participation in leisure interests within the local community and participation in activities at the home that engender and build self-esteem and confidence.  The children are offered opportunities to go out and about – such as swimming, visits to the cinema, shopping and eating out, and trips to places of interest such as Richmond Park and Kew Gardens. 

    All this, including a high staffing level comes at a cost.  Basic fees are £2,800 per week, per child, with additional support priced at £22.00 per hour.   Fees for short breaks are £375.00 per night.  Children are generally referred by their Local Authority.    The costs may seem steep, but for the families and children who need the help that The Lighthouse offers, the project is a Godsend, and we wish them well. 

     Jill Truman 

    “The Lighthouse“ Grand Drive is run by Ream Care www.reamcare.co.uk 


    .

  • West Barnes Library - May 2015

    DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 

    Garden Party - Friends of West Barnes Library Saturday 20 June (1.30pm- 4.00pm) 

    Following the success of the recent FoWBL Photography Competition we will be holding another competition later in the year.  Look out for the details in the library in the next couple of months.    

    Check out the updated Friends of West Barnes Library website at www.friendsowbl.org.uk. 

    Volunteers needed

    Can you spare a couple of hours occasionally? West Barnes Library urgently needs more volunteers to help at a range of levels to assist staff. You could be helping keep the library open for the people of Motspur Park. Training will be given. For details and to apply, please ask at the counter. 

    The FoWBL Events team is looking for volunteers to organise events and to come up with some new ideas.   If you are interested in helping please contact the Friends at mail@friendsowbl.org.uk or friendsowbl.org.uk 

    What’s on?

    Coming up at West Barnes Library

    To reserve a place where required, talk to staff, call 020 8274 5789 or email westbarnes.library@merton.gov.uk. 

    NEW Kiddirama Tots – Storytelling and drama classes for the Under 5’s (1st and 2nd Monday of the Month, 10am-11am). Term time only. £2 per child.  For more information visit www.kiddirama.com; email kiddirama@mail.com or text 07542 170604.

    Kiddirama Tots – Storytelling and drama classes for the Under 5’s. (Tuesdays, 10am-11am, except every third Tuesday of the month 9.30am-10.30am). Term time only . £2 per child. For more information visit www.kiddirama.com; email kiddirama@mail.com or text 07542 170604.

    Computer Classes For Beginners (Tuesdays, noon-1.30pm, and Thursdays, 1.30pm-3pm).  Booking essential.

    Rendezvous Club (Tuesdays, 1.30pm-3.30pm). Weekly drop-in for over 55s. £2. For more information call Gilli on 020 8543 1781.

    Kiddirama Juniors. Storytelling and drama classes for children aged 7-11 years. (Tuesdays, 4pm-5pm) Term time only performance and s. £2 per child. For more information visit www.kiddirama.com; email kiddirama@mail.com or text 07542 170604.

    Knit & Natter (Thursdays, 11am-1pm) Bring your own knitting or crochet.  We also knit items for various charities or for sale to raise funds for them. This year we have made blankets for the Cats Protection League and for the Premature Baby Unit.  We have also made hats, gloves and scarfs for the homeless as well as poppies for the British Legion.  Free tea or coffee provided.

    Toddlers’ Rhyme Time (Fridays, 10.30am-11am). Rhymes and musical activities for 0 to 5 year-olds followed by Story Time (11am-11.30am).

    The Sparkle Club (Saturdays, 2.30pm-4pm). Eight-week story-writing course for children. To book call 020 8274 5789 or ask in the library.

    Family Craft to celebrate Children’s Book Week Saturday, 9 May (2pm-4pm).  Come along dressed as a character from a children’s book.  This is a family activity for children and their adult to get creative together.  No need to book.

    Knit & Natter Saturday 9 May (1.00pm-3.00pm). Bring your own knitting or crochet. 

    Microsoft Excel Workshop Monday 11 May (2.30-3pm)

    Booking essential.

    Local History Coffee Morning – Tuesday 19 May (10.30-12pm) please contact West Barnes library for further information.  Tea and Coffee Provided

    Police Surgery Friday 15 May (2-3pm).  Drop in and speak to your local PC about any issues you may have.

    Explore Learning Workshop - Horrid Henry – Thursday 28 May (1-2pm). This Explore Learning workshop is a must for Horrid Henry fans!

    Help Henry to plan a fantastic food fight and get to know healthy foods yourself. Suitable for 5-7 year olds.  Booking essential.

    Indian Cookery Workshop - Saturday 30 May (1-3pm).  Roll up your sleeves and join award-winning local caterer Shermin A Ali of Najma’s Catering & Events for a hands-on Indian Cookery Workshop.  Learn how to make healthy, oven-baked North Indian Samosas with an accompanying dip!  Suitable for the whole family.  Booking essential

    Adults’ Book Club New members are warmly welcomed.  Please contact the library for date and time. 

    To receive a monthly eNewsletter of events at West Barnes Library, write to mail@friendsowbl.org.uk or sign up at www.friendsowbl.org.uk. 

    Karen McCarthy, Team Manager

  • Raynes Park High School - May 2015

    Inspiring the next generation of medical practitioners 

    On20th March a group of six Year 12 students attended a clinical skills taster day at St George’s Hospital London. During the morning the students attended a talk on medical ethics, applying to medical school and gaining work experience which were designed to support students in making future educational and career choices. In the afternoon the students participated in some clinical skills interactive workshops and practical hands-on sessions that medical students also use in training. They measured blood pressure, lung capacity and listened to the valves of the heart with a stethoscope. The students also took part in a clinical course of involuntary reflexes, diagnosing pregnancy and learning the steps of emergency resuscitation. Medical students from different subject areas were on hand to offer guidance on applying for medical university courses. Overall the students gained a range of valuable skills and really enjoyed the day. 

    'The St. Georges Trip was a really good insight into my future path, it provided me with a lot of knowledge and information on how to get the best work experience for the medical field. The clinical skills practice was really fun and gave a really good idea of what university life will be like for students wanting to work in healthcare.'  Said Yr. 12 student. 

    Music Students do Gamelan 

    In 1987 the Southbank Centre was privileged to receive a beautiful Javanese percussion orchestra called gamelan. This was a remarkable gift from the Government of the Republic of Indonesia to the people of the UK as a gesture of friendship. As is the case with many important gamelan ensembles, it was given a name ‘Kyai Lebdha Jiwa’ or ‘The Venerable Spirit of Perfection’.

    No previous musical experience is necessary to play the gamelan and enjoy its wonderful sounds; it is a rewarding musical and social activity. Playing gamelan can: inspire self-confidence; improve co-ordination; encourage team-building; enhance listening skills; be a great chance to try something new and develop your playing experience in a relaxed and friendly environment. 

    Royal Festival Hall 

    On the 24th March a group of Year 10X and Year 9 music students went on a trip to play some gamelan music at the Royal Festival Hall. 

    “I expected it to be boring and that all we would be doing would be hitting some kitchen pots! However, there were many interesting instruments such as a Kempui and a Rebab (not a kebab). They sounded beautiful when played together. Music Teacher Mr. White joined in too. I would recommend playing gamelan to anyone; it was a fun and educational experience.” 

    Resounding Success for Raynes Park Footballers 

    Tuesday 7th April was the start of the first RPHS football tour since 2009. 40 pupils and four members of staff departed for a five-day tour to Valkenburg in Holland which included: 3 back to back matches, 2 training sessions, swimming, bowling and a stadium tour of FC Koln, a top Bundesliga team. 

    Day 1: Mr. Hayes, Miss McGullion and Mr. Skinner took the Year 10 boys, Year 8/9 Boys and Girls teams through their paces at a mid-morning training session and began to formulate their strategies for the evening fixtures. RPHS won 6 - 2, 2 - 0 and 2 - 1, exactly the start needed to set us up for a brilliant week 

    Day 2: We played 3 evening matches, the Year 10 boys won 7 - 0, the girls won a thrilling game that went back and forth ending 4 - 3 and the Year 8/9 boys drew 1 - 1 with some heroic defending. After the game we discovered they had actually played a Year 10 team so a draw was a brilliant result.

    Day 3: It was an early start as we headed across the border to Germany to visit the impressive FC Koln stadium. 

    Later that day the girls experienced their first loss to a very powerful de Stein team, despite scoring another 4 goals thanks largely to the top goal scorer of the week, Chloe Osborn.

    The Year 8/9 boys won comfortably 11 - 1 and the Year 10 boys finished the tour unbeaten, winning 3 - 1 in a very physical game. 

     

    After 4 days and lots of hard work, RPHS Played 9, Won 7, Drew 1 and Lost 1

  • West Wimbledon Primary School - May 2015

    Anyone for Tennis? 

    The Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative team visited West Wimbledon Primary School on Wednesday 11th March. All nursery, reception and Year One classes enjoyed tennis sessions led by the head coaches of the Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative programme. 

    They had fun learning and practising some agility, balance and co-ordination games that support the development of tennis skills. The programme is funded by the Wimbledon All England Lawn Tennis Club to support tennis in the local area and to maybe even find the next Andy Murray from a local school. 

    National Gallery Artists’ Trip 

    Six talented artists from Key Stage 2 enjoyed a trip to the National Gallery in London. The children loved exploring the history and techniques behind various works - from grand medieval paintings (painted for palaces and churches) to the breakaway 19th century impressionism. Sketch books were out and at the ready when looking at Monet's 'The Water Lily Pond' and Van Gogh's 'The Sunflowers' (two famous works that were instantly recognisable to all!)

    Gallery staff not only commented on the superb level of skill that went into the children's sketches, but also their excellent behaviour. "I loved every moment of the day," said Saranjan. "Can I ask Mr. Harris if we can go to another art gallery?" Watch this space... 

    Easter Egg-stravagansa 

    Reception classes getting ready for Easter. Here are some of Dove class painting Easter eggs and making Easter baskets. 

     

    Simon Harris, Headteacher

  • Grace McCormack, 1927 - 2015

    Born in North Wales, Grace moved to London in 1948 from her home town of Rhos On Sea North Wales with her husband Arthur and settled into her home in Berrylands in 1966. Before retiring in 1991, she worked for many years at the government laboratories in Waterloo and Teddington. 

    Grace was a very active member of the local community over the years, taking on several roles including Neighbourhood Watch warden, and road steward for the Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents Association and The Guide. 

    Many people will recall her public spiritedness and acts of kindness, which would make too long a list to include here. You may have enjoyed one of the apples she picked from her tree and put on her front wall for passers-by, along with bowls of water for thirsty dogs. Grace was the kind of neighbour everyone would want to have, with her door always open, ready to help and with a cheerful smile.

    Grace leaves a son, Ian, and will be sadly missed by her many friends and neighbours.

     

     

  • Mable Cluer, 1912 - 2015

    We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Mabel Cluer who passed away recently just one month short of her 104th birthday. Right up to the end of her life – if the weather was kind enough – Mabel could be seen taking a daily stroll up and down Elm Walk, guided by Edwin, as her sight had by then almost gone. 

    For many years Mabel, together with her husband, who died in his nineties, ran a Health Food shop in Wimbledon Village.   Both Mabel and her husband, as well as the children Edwin and Dilys were strict vegans. 

    Mabel was a very keen gardener and had an allotment at The Paddock for many years.  She also developed an extensive knowledge of the botany of plants and herbs and was even consulted by BBC Gardening programmers from time to time.   She was also very interested in poetry and had a book of her own poems published some years ago. 

    Mabel may have been a little lady, but she had a big heart and a sharp mind, she will be much missed.

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townwomen's Guild - May 2015

    At our March meeting, before handing the floor to his wife, Mr. Reynolds, who was due to give a talk entitled ‘Painting Canal Barges’ explained that although he had accompanied his wife to our meeting he was not fit enough to address us himself as he had only been discharged from hospital the day before.  Mrs. Reynolds stepped into the breach to entertain us with an amusing recollection of what happened when she took her elderly mother for a trip on Concorde.  In the circumstances, Mr. & Mrs. Reynolds decided to divide the fee between RNLI and Air Ambulance.  Mrs. Eileen Brewer gave a special vote of thanks to Mrs. Reynolds for the enjoyable anecdotes, and thanked them both for their generosity.

    In early April the group lunching at The Lloyds Bar, Fulham enjoyed their visit to this venue once again.  The following week a small group travelled to the Imperial War Museum – an attraction which always seems to be busy with tourists and students.  In this interesting and thought provoking museum, we particularly enjoyed the special exhibition ‘Fashion on the Ration: 1940s street style’ before spending a little time in the John Singer Sargent gallery, in particular examining the large, poignant canvas of the aftermath of a mustard gas attack.  A beautiful April day so sandwiches were taken on the terrace before finishing our tour with a quick look at the gallery of ‘Extraordinary Heroes’ stories, of VCs and other medals.

    In May lunch will be taken at The Haywain, Epsom and a guided tour is booked of the BBC’s Broadcasting House.

    The May meeting will be on Thursday, 21st at St Saviour’s Church Hall at 1.30 pm when Mr. & Mrs. Legg will give a talk entitled ‘Hope for Children in Latvia’.

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Coach trip to HASTINGS – Thursday, 20th August 2015

    £15 per seat including driver’s tip  £5 deposit now payable

    There are still places available for friends on this coach outing, although in April numbers have jumped up dramatically.  To secure your place please contact me as soon as possible with a £5 deposit.  We will leave Raynes Park Station area at 9.45 am (or 9.30 am in the Motspur Park area) returning at 4.30 pm.  

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        All are welcome to our events.  For further details, please telephone Mrs. D. Raymond (020 8395 9489).

     

     

  • Chairman's Blog - May 2015

    NEW HEALTH CENTRE AT NELSON HOSPITAL 

    The NHS has converted the Nelson Hospital in Kingston Road into a major health centre at a cost of £12 million.  Members of the Association were invited to its opening last month and given a tour of the extensive new facilities. They are very impressive. 

    The aim is to have as many of the primary health and community services that people need under one roof, so as to provide integrated health care.   Two of the local GP’s practices, the ones at Cannon Hill Lane and at Church Lane in Merton Park, re-located there at Easter, and will, in essence, merge. The new practice contact details are:

    The Nelson Medical Practice, Kingston Road, London SW20 8DB, telephone number:  020 3668 3400.Website:

    www.nelsonmedicalpractice.co.uk  

    You can now book appointments, request prescriptions, and access your medical records online. 

    Other services will also be provided at the building, which will assist in speedy diagnosis of illnesses.  These include x-rays, ultrasound, blood tests, and endoscopy. There will be physiotherapy and outpatient clinics.  Minor surgery will be undertaken. Community mental health services are also going to be provided.  

    There is some parking available at a fee, although this is limited. 

    The design of the building has been carefully and lovingly done, so as to incorporate the original Nelson Hospital, which dates back 100 years. This is an example of NHS planning at its best. 

    REPLACEMENT OF ST HELIER HOSPITAL? 

    An example of NHS planning at its worst is seen in the long running saga on the future of St Helier Hospital. The Times reported last month that secret plans to close St Helier and Epsom Hospitals were revealed when management consultants were heard discussing the plans on a conference call on their mobile phones while on a commuter train into Waterloo. A BBC London reporter recorded the conversation on his mobile phone.     

    Of course, none of these plans had been discussed in any public forum. The public had been assured last time these plans were put forward, and which were then widely opposed and withdrawn, that there would be full consultations before they would be re-considered. 

    It now appears that the hospital trust has commissioned the consultants to consider the closure of both hospitals, and to replace them with a new “super hospital” on the site of the former Sutton Hospital as the preferred option. The two other options being considered are for the hospital to be built on the site of one of the existing hospitals. 

    Assurances have been given that existing services at both hospitals, including A & E, and maternity, are safe for the next 5 years, and that there will be extensive consultations in due course on the proposals.

    We pointed out in our Members' Monthly magazine, The Guide, during discussion of the previous plans, that A&E and maternity services are increasingly under pressure, and indeed overwhelmed, that the population of this area - and particularly of older people and children - is growing, and that the transport available in Merton does not allow for quick access in an emergency or at all to the then proposed alternatives of Croydon, Guildford, The same would be true of Sutton.  

    We share the outrage of all those who have so far commented at the underhand and secret way these unwelcome proposals have been pursued, at public expense, and without any prior consultation. 

    BULB PLANTING ON CANNON HILL COMMON 

    Our affiliated organisation, The Friends of Cannon Hill Common, report that they managed to obtain and plant about 1000 free spring bulbs over the New Year. These were daffodils and narcissus which have been planted along the borders of  Parkway and Cannon Hill Lane, and alliums planted on the site of the former pavilion. Some of these have already emerged in the recent warm weather, and do much to delight the spirit. 

    We urge everyone who loves the Common to join the Friends. They do a great  deal to preserve and enhance its beauty. The annual membership fees are small.  Read more here. 

    SUBSCRIPTIONS 

    The mention of fees reminds me that subscriptions  are now due for this year for continued membership of the Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents’ Association.  The subscription remains at £3 and we hope that you will continue to think that this is very good value for an organisation that tries to preserve our local environment and has done so since 1928, as well as providing the Guide every month.  Our road stewards will be calling to collect the subs over the next month or so. Please assist them. They are all volunteers, and we thank them very much for their time and service to the community. 

     

    John Elvidge

    Chairman

  • Merton Ladies' Fitclub

    CLASSES ON TUESDAY AND THURSDAYS

    The Residents' Pavilion, 129 Grand Drive, SW209LY 

    mornings every week on Tuesdays and Thursdays

    Pay as you go! 

    Join Najat for this fun, affordable, effective fitness class! 

    NEW - from February 2017 - PILATES CLASSES

    Najat is a mother of 3 young children and has over 15 years experience teaching exercise classes and personal training.

    Member of The Register of Exercise Professionals.

    Specialist in Ante & Postnatal exercise! (Babies in buggies very welcome to the morning classes).

    To help you feel Firm, Fit and Fabulous in 2015!

    Workout with like minded ladies in a fun, outdoor, social environment. 

    Call or text  07779591558 to reserve your space or email me at Najatstefka@hotmail.co.uk

    Follow on Facebook Merton Ladies Fitclub for lots of tops tips, motivation and event details.

     

     

  • Exhibition of Latest Equipment to Keep Residents Safe

    The free exhibition will be open to all, at South Thames College in London Road, Morden on Tuesday 14 April from 10.30am to 3pm .It will feature a range of new technology products from telecare services that provide help for older people and people with disabilities in their own home including a new range of alarm pendants. Follow this link for more info http://news.merton.gov.uk/2015/04/09/free-exhibition-to-showcase-the-latest-equipment-to-keep-residents-safe-at-home/

  • Raynes Park High School - April 2015

    INAUGURAL DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY - SUMMER SHOW 

    We have a very exciting date in the school calendar fast approaching. No, I’m not talking about the end of the summer term; I am in fact referring to the inaugural Design and Technology Summer Show. In what we hope will be an annual event, we will be showcasing the best work from across all the years, in a spectacular week long show. We will kick the week off with an evening Private View of the work, where we will have a live fashion show, music and food and drink, all provided by the students themselves. The exhibition will then remain up for the following week in the Design and Technology department. The exhibition will feature work from all disciplines in Design and Technology, including Graphic Design, Fashion and Textiles, and Product Design. Food will also be prepared and provided by some of our Catering students. We will be showcasing GCSE and A Level coursework, alongside the best work from Years 7, 8 and 9. We will also be displaying teacher led work, and the work of our triumphant Robotics teams.

    The Private View will take place on Wednesday 6th May from 5-7pm in the workshops in the Design and Technology building. The exhibition will then continue until Wednesday 13th May. 

    Head of Design and Technology - Mr. Pull

     

    YEAR 10 EXPLORE THE WORLD OF WORK 

    It was a real treat to visit Rebeka Raffai and Tahir Ali on work experience at West Barnes Library. Staff told me they were very pleased with both students and it was clear on my visit that both Rebeka and Tahir were making the most of the opportunity to experience day to day life in the workplace. I was given a guided tour of the library and was shown the excellent World Book Day display and poster that the students had created. Both students were really enjoying the placement (Tahir is now a huge fan of the Dewey Decimal System) and are considering volunteering at the library at weekends! I returned confident in the knowledge that students who really get 'stuck in' to their placement get a fantastic experience that stays with them long after the week is over.

    Media English Teacher - Mr. Hebden

     

    STUDENTS GO WILD IN WALES 

    On 22nd of February, a selection of "Highly Achieving Highly Skilled" students from Years 10 and 11 were taken on an incredible three day trip to the Snowdonia National Park in Wales. I was lucky enough to be invited on this trip, and I can honestly say it was one of the best and most rewarding experiences of my life. 

    On arrival and after a very short rest, we found ourselves covered in waterproof clothing with wellies and hiking boots on, ready for our first challenge. We were going to build shelters which we hoped would shelter us from the rain. 

    The next day, the real challenge began. Originally, we were hoping we would be hiking up Mount Snowdon, however, we were told the conditions on the mountain were too dangerous for us to climb. Not wanting to spoil our day, we made a quick decision with our guides and decided to hike around the mountains surrounding a beautiful lake. Although this may sound less exciting than climbing up Mount Snowdon, actually hiking around rather than up the mountain may have created a much more enjoyable experience. 

    The trip took much of the day and was hard work. Our legs were aching and sore by the time we arrived back at the coach, however, the beautiful scenery and quiet that surrounded us was a blissfully beautiful occurrence, which was worth the hike.

    On our final day, we completed a morning of orienteering, using maps to help us find our points. The woodland was beautiful, and helped myself, as well as many of the other students who attended the trip, appreciate the nature around us. It also challenged some of the students who previously said that they did not enjoy the outdoors and didn't think that they would do very well to realise their own capabilities, and challenge themselves. 

    Overall, the trip to Wales was a complete success, and helped to teach some very valuable lessons about perseverance, challenging ourselves, and overcoming our fears. I'm sure many of the students, and even some of the teachers, will benefit from the skills and attitudes that were developed as they look towards the future with college applications and the changes to come.

     

    Young Reporter—Paige Chappell

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townswomen's Guild - April 2015

    In April, our meeting on Thursday, 16th at 1.30 pm at St Saviour’s Church Hall, will be a talk by Janet Bacon entitled ‘Spring Gardens’.  Appropriately, the sales table features plants.  All interested residents are invited to attend and will be made very welcome. 

    The lunch club will visit The Lloyds Bar at Fulham Broadway on Thursday, 2nd April and the visit on Tuesday, 14th April will be to the Imperial War Museum.  There is free entry to the main museum but for the special Exhibition ‘Fashion on the Ration: 1940s Street Style’, which is of interest to some of our members, there is a £7 concession ticket price. 

    Finally at the end of the month on Thursday 30th April at the church hall a belated St George’s Day bangers and mash celebration (£5) is being organised by the committee. 

    All are welcome to our events.  For further details, please telephone Mrs. D Raymond (020 8395 9489) or Mrs. E Brewer (020 8542 6491). 

    Early March activities included a leisurely and friendly lunch enjoyed at The Woodman, South Wimbledon by a group of 8 on the 4th 

    Then on Tuesday, 10th a group of 15, 13 ladies accompanied by 2 husbands, journeyed by train, underground train and bus to the magnificent Baps Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, the Hindu Temple at Neasden, currently celebrating 20 years since it was opened.  We were shown a video about how it was built on a big screen in part of the prayer hall in the adjacent Haveli Cultural Complex before being whisked up to the Mandir where an eight minute service had just begun.  This temple is a masterpiece of traditional Hindu design with exquisite Indian workmanship throughout.  Made from Italian and Indian Marble and Bulgarian Limestone, the dome, the pillars and every available surface is smothered in beautiful, intricate carvings as are the seven ornate and colourful shrines housing murtis (sacred images) of the Deities.  Returning to the ground floor we took in the Understanding Hinduism Exhibition before making our way back to the Haveli to admire the equally amazing carvings on every surface here too, this time in Burmese wood. 

    To complete our cultural experience, the whole group took lunch at the Shayona Restaurant, a delightful vegetarian restaurant with traditional Indian décor and serving mouth watering authentic tastes.  We all agreed such an architectural gem and interesting cultural experience fully justified the travelling time to Neasden. 

    Coach trip to HASTINGS – Thursday, 20th August 2015.  £15 per seat including driver’s tip. 

    Because of the interest being expressed in this trip I have now booked a larger coach (49 seater) and will be discussing a Motspur Park pick up with the coach company.  Husbands, family members, residents and friends in local organisations are all booking.  Please contact Mrs. D Raymond or Mrs. E Brewer (see above) to reserve your place.  

  • Sir Joseph Hood Memorial PF

     Friends of Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing Field 

    Representatives of the Friends Group recently attended a meeting with Councillor Andrew Judge and Council Officers in charge of Greenspaces. We were told about the arrangements for outsourcing Parks Maintenance which is due to come into effect within two years.

    This is a money saving decision by the Council, in the current climate of funding cuts. The plan is that the current Parks maintenance teams will be re-employed with the new contractors, but should hopefully mean that local knowledge isn’t lost and that Friends Groups maintain a relationship with the staff they know. 

    We have been invited to make a list of maintenance jobs we feel are important that are specific to our park and we have been also told that standards should be maintained at current levels. 

    The important thing is that there are plans to revamp the council website so if people notice things are not done this needs to be relayed to the council. This is how they will hear if the contractors are not working effectively. The onus will be on the public to draw their attention to any concerns.

    We are pleased to know that there are no current plans to remove the paddling pool and the Friends will continue to open the summer café this year in the park. 

     

    Mark Ventom

  • Wast Barnes Surgery PPG

    Patients' Participation Group - Open Evening 

    Thursday 23rd April 2015 

    West Barnes Library, Station Road, Motspur Park 

    7.15 until 9pm 

    Come to hear talks on:- 

    Diabetes - Does this affect you or a family member?

    Dr Matthew Oldfield, Consultant diabetologist, Kingston Hospital, will give us all a fascinating insight into this all too common condition 

    Appointment options at the surgery - One of the GP's will talk about the appointment booking system and what services they can offer us as patients 

     

    ALL WELCOME

  • Wesr Barnes Library - April 2015

    DATES FOR YOUR DIARY - Saturday 20 June (1.30pm- 4.00pm) - Garden Party – 

    Following the success of the recent FoWBL Photography Competition we will be holding another competition later in the year.  Look out for the details in the library in the next couple of months.    

    Check out the updated Friends of West Barnes Library website at www.friendsowbl.org.uk 

    Volunteers needed

    Can you spare a couple of hours occasionally? West Barnes Library urgently needs more volunteers to help at a range of levels to assist staff. You could be helping keep the library open for the people of Motspur Park. Training will be given. For details and to apply, please ask at the counter. 

    The FoWBL Events team are looking for volunteers to organise events and to come up with some new ideas.   If you are interested in helping please contact the Friends at mail@friendsowbl.org.uk or friendsowbl.org.uk 

    What’s on?

    Coming up at West Barnes Library

    To reserve a place where required, talk to staff, call 020 8274 5789 or emailwestbarnes.library@merton.gov.uk 

    NEW Kiddirama Tots – Storyelling and drama classes for the Under 5’s (1st and 2nd Monday of the Month, 10am-11am). Term time only. £2 per child.  For more information visit www.kiddirama.com; email kiddirama@mail.com or text 07542 170604.

    Kiddirama Tots – Storyelling and drama classes for the under 5’s. (Tuesdays, 10am-11am, except every third Tuesday of the month 9.30am-10.30am). Term time only. £2 per child. For more information visit www.kiddirama.com; email kiddirama@mail.com or text 07542 170604.

    Computer Classes For Beginners (Tuesdays, noon-1.30pm, and Thursdays, 1.30pm-3pm).  Booking essential.

    Rendezvous Club (Tuesdays, 1.30pm-3.30pm). Weekly drop-in for over 55s. £2. For more information call Gilli on 020 8543 1781. 

    Kiddirama Juniors. Storytelling and drama classes for children aged 7-11 years. (Tuesdays, 4pm-5pm) Term time only performance and s. £2 per child. For more information visit www.kiddirama.com; email kiddirama@mail.com or text 07542 170604.

    Knit & Natter (Thursdays, 11am-1pm) Bring your own knitting or crochet.  We also knit items for various charities or for sale to raise funds for them. This year we have made blankets for the Cats Protection League and for the Premature Baby Unit.  We have also made hats, gloves and scarves for the homeless as well as poppies for the British Legion.  Free tea or coffee provided.

    Toddlers’ Rhyme Time (Fridays, 10.30am-11am). Rhymes and musical activities for 0 to 5 year-olds followed by Story Time (11am-11.30am).

    The Sparkle Club (Saturdays, 2.30pm-4pm). Eight-week story-writing course for children. To book call 020 8274 5789 or ask in the library.

    Local History Coffee Morning - Celebrating 50 years of Merton 1965-2015.  Tuesday, 21 April (10.30-12pm).  Tea and Coffee Provided

    Children’s Art Saturday, 11 April (2pm-4pm).  Easter Art with Arnold.  Booking required.

    Knit & Natter Saturday 11th April (1.00pm-3.00pm). Bring your own knitting or crochet. 

    Children’s Craft Saturday, 18 April (2pm-4pm).  Bring the children for fun activities. Easter activities.  No need to book.

    Craft and Chat Saturday 25April (3pm-4pm).  Kate North will give a hands-on demo of Artists Trading Cards.   Booking is essential as places are limited. 

    Adults’ Book Club Tuesday 28 April (5.45-6.45).  New members are warmly welcomed.  Please contact the library for further details.

    Police Surgery. Drop in and speak to your local PC about any issues you may have.

    Contact the library for date and time. 

     

    To receive a monthly eNewsletter of events at West Barnes Library, write to mail@friendsowbl.org.uk or sign up at www.friendsowbl.org.uk.

  • West Wimbledon Primary School - Spring Term 2015

    Chess Champions 

    On Sunday 1st March, six children from West Wimbledon participated in the Surrey West Champion's League chess tournament at Wimbledon Park primary school. What a remarkable achievement for the West Wimbledon team! 

    Artur Imykshenov, Mostafa Ahmed (captain), Isaac Moore and Noah Moore achieved gold medals from amongst the nine schools which took part. To put icing on this achievement, Noah Moore won all the five games and got a cash prize. In the individual events, Samuel, Year 4, and Timothy, Year 2, won joint second place. 

    Congratulations to the players who qualified for the finals to be held in May. 

    Trip to Gatton Park 

    Year 1 enjoyed a trip to Gatton in beautiful sunshine. The children took part in lots of Activities; creating their own mini Japanese gardens and giant mini-beast sculptures using natural materials. We spent the afternoon using different measuring equipment to measure the circumference of trees and the distance between trees. 

    We finished the afternoon with a game of stuck in the mud in the beautiful grounds. 

    Fancy Joining a Choir? 

    At the end of February, Reverend Richard Lane and the Musical Director of Christ Church, Richard Hall, came to visit the children in their weekly singing assembly. The children had fun taking part in some unusual voice and body warm ups and learnt a beautiful song with signed actions. 

    The church is currently recruiting for members of their children’s choir and a warm invitation is extended to all at West Wimbledon Primary School. Children and their families do not need to be regular church goers to attend or even need to be able to read music. Rehearsals take place during term time on Fridays at 6.30pm at Christ Church, Copse Hill, West Wimbledon.

     

     

  • Chairman's Report for 2013/2014

    CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2013-2014 

    This year has been a remarkable one in the history of the Association. It has seen the fulfilment of our long held dream to have a meeting place of our own. We have used the opportunity created by the vacation of the tennis club from the pavilion in Grand Drive to create a warm and comfortable venue, which can be used for a variety of social events and parties. 

    We were able to celebrate its opening by inviting all our hard working area co-ordinators and road stewards to a tea and Bucks Fizz party in September, and over 60 people came. I would like to repeat the thanks I gave to them all then, since they are our backbone, and we could not exist without them.  

    I am glad to be able to report that the bookings for the Residents’ Pavilion are strong and increasing, and that, as the Treasurer will report, it is paying its way. There are discounted rates for members of the Association, and we hope that it will become a vibrant and essential venue for all kinds of local events. 

    The management group who lead and the success of the project is down to run it, and we owe them a great debt of gratitude. They have worked tirelessly. Foremost among them is Jerry Cuthbert who has organised and overseen the complex building work necessary to bring the pavilion up to modern standards. Then I must mention David Freeman for his day to day management of the site. We did the work in two phases, and the second phase was to make the building suitable for access for disabled people. We were only able to afford this since Christine Rowe used her expertise to obtain a large grant for us from the Lottery Fund. Our Treasurer, John Townsend, made sure that we remained within budget, and devised an accounting system that shows clearly the capital and running costs. Linda Fitch has taken on the role of overseeing the garden improvement and maintenance. Finally, and very much not least, Clary Hughes who took on the exacting job of bookings manager. 

    We thank them all very much for turning the dream into a reality. 

    All this has been on top of the usual work the Association has been undertaking ever since 1928. 

    There has been one signal success. We successfully opposed, with others, the two proposals by the All England Lawn Tennis Club to build housing on the Raynes Park Playing Fields, off Grand Drive. The Club has decided, instead, to bring its junior tennis academy to the ground, and to create 6 new tennis courts there. Although 3 of these will be covered, the impact on the residents will be far less than any kind of housing development. 

    There remain planning problems for the future. We continue to oppose the building of any housing on the Rainbow Industrial Estate next to Raynes Park Station. The site is landlocked, has railway lines on two sides, and has only the one access.  It continues to be needed to provide local employment. However, the Council has already drawn up a planning brief that allows for some 250 dwellings, so all we can is to try and bring this number down by pointing to the access problems and the lack of any realistic funding for the extra schools and health care facilities that these new residents will need. 

    The 12 year planning saga on the LESSA site is not yet complete, since there is still no conclusion as to who will be taking over the sports field, which the Inspector stated should be used principally for junior sports. We constantly remind the planning department to keep up the pressure on the developers to bring this about. 

    The saga of parking in Raynes Park town centre is also long running and won’t now be resolved until the autumn. We have repeatedly pressed for clarity in the parking controls levied, and a scheme that keeps out commuters while allowing a period of free parking sufficient to allow people to do essential things like getting to the post office, or to the chemist or the new health centre. 

    We continue to press for the retention of a post office in the Centre, particularly as we were promised that this would be maintained when the very useful one in Coombe Lane was closed. 

    We are currently seeking from the Council the long promised review of the traffic calming measures in Grand Drive. We are urging the police to do more to monitor the problem of vehicles speeding through the rat runs in rush hours and to bring a few prosecutions.  There is no point in having 20 or 30 mph limits if they are never enforced. 

    I would like to thank our planning and transport experts for their constant vigilance on our behalf. These are David Freeman, Rachel Skinner, Jan Bailey, Pamela Robinson, and Jerry Cuthbert. 

    We continue to make what representations we can to make sure that all vital services are maintained at St Helier Hospital, given the difficulty in getting from this area to St George’s, Kingston, Epsom or Croydon. 

    As ever, Jill Truman and Jan Bailey have continued to be key members of our team, as our joint secretaries. Jill is also the Editor of the Guide, which goes from strength to strength, and she keeps a close eye on what is happening in the Coombe Lane area.

    Jan is not only our minutes secretary, but knows who to contact about anything. Despite the very heavy rain over the winter, we have suffered no serious flooding, which must be at least in part to her expertise as to local rivers and drains, and her continuing to press the authorities to maintain them properly. 

    I would like to thank also Andrew Barwick, who is our distribution manager, and who organised our party last September, and Dick Coleman, his deputy. They have also been of great assistance, together with our Web Master Charles Briscoe-Smith, and Jerry Cuthbert and Rachel Skinner who are keeping our web site up to date.  Peter Connellan continues to keep us up to date on events around Shannon Corner. 

    The financing for the Guide comes largely from advertising, and Linda Fitch has continued to act as our Advertising Manager, and we thank her for this. 

    John Townsend is our Treasurer and his job entails keeping control over a myriad of separate transactions.  He does this in exemplary fashion. We also thank our Honorary Auditor, Brian Lewis-Lavender. 

    Our area covers the three Council wards of Raynes Park, West Barnes, and Cannon Hill. All 9 of our Councillors have helped us over the year, and we wish them well. 

    Finally, I would emphasise that, like all voluntary organisations, we need a constant inflow of fresh blood, talent, and enthusiasm, if we are to continue to our 100th anniversary in 2028.   If anyone can help, either tonight or reading this later, we would be delighted to welcome you on board. Just get in touch here 

    John Elvidge, Chairman 

    26 March 2014

     

     

  • Chairman's Annual Report 2015/2016

    At this time last year, we were all concerned at the proposals to build a huge number of flats and houses on the Rainbow Estate off Grand Drive. This is a landlocked site, which is surrounded by railway lines, and is designated for mainly industrial and business use. There was also meant to be a facility to park and ride at Raynes Park station, but this was not fully worked through.  Despite our reasoned objections, the proposals were approved by the Planning Committee and not called in by the Mayor of London. 

    The anxiety we felt about these proposals remains, but the chances of any major development being progressed in the near or medium term have been much reduced by the impact of the even more devastating possibilities connected with the proposed CrossRail 2. This is the new cross London railway which will pass through Raynes Park and Wimbledon on its way to north London, and for which the Government has pledged funding. 

    Many of the proposals for enhancing the rail links in this area will cause planning blight for 10 years or more and would seem to prevent any work being carried out on the Rainbow site.  

    We have set out in The Guide our concern at the weakness of the consultation held so far for what is being proposed, and our horror at the suggestions being made. I know that our MP Stephen Hammond is deeply concerned and has held a recent meeting at the House of Commons to find a way forward that does not result in the wholesale destruction of the town centre of Wimbledon. As he will be speaking to us tonight, I will not repeat his views now. The best solution for this area would appear to be a tunnel from Berrylands under Raynes Park and Wimbledon, which would obviate the need to close the two level crossings at Motspur Park and West Barnes. Any other solution would result in traffic being gridlocked on Grand Drive for the whole day and not just at rush hours. 

    Speaking of Grand Drive brings me to the lively debate we have been having as to finding a way to ease the movement of traffic. Coming south from the station, approaching the junction with Bushey Road, the junction is controlled by Transport for London, but Merton Council traffic officers are able to have a real input into proposed solutions. 

    We will continue to put pressure on the authorities to find a permanent solution to this long term problem. 

    One good piece of news is that the gas works intended to be carried out on the bottom part of Grand Drive will not happen this year. Instead, we have been promised a full consultation before the works starts next year. We will hold a public meeting as part of that consultation to try and find a way to keep traffic moving from the Beverley roundabout, without making life intolerable for people living along Cannon Hill Lane, along which the traffic is likely to be diverted.  

    I would like to thank the members of the Committee most involved in planning and transport matters for their hard work and expertise. They are David Freeman, Jerry Cuthbert, and Jan Bailey. I particularly tonight want to single out Rachel Skinner, who works as an expert in the field of transport management, for her enormous contribution, but who is moving away from the area. We’re very glad that she promises to keep in touch. 

    The focus of attention for the Association has continued to move from being principally concerned with matters of planning and traffic to that of its historic role of being a social organisation. 

    Last year was the first full year of operation of the Pavilion which is the centre of the many activities now open to members of the Association and local residents generally. It continues to go from strength to strength, and the Treasurer will shortly be able to confirm this when he reviews our accounts. It houses regular weekly sessions run by local activity and interest groups and bookings are also solid for family parties over the weekends.  

    The Pavilion is managed by a dedicated group of members who take the bookings, open and close the building and keep up the improvements. This voluntary work is time consuming and onerous, and I want to thank again Jerry Cuthbert and David Freeman, as well as our Treasurer John Townsend. Linda Fitch has also been a great help in taking care of and improving the gardens.  

    We would welcome some more assistance in managing the Pavilion which is now such an important part of our activity. We are grateful that Mrs. Deveson has come forward during the year to assist us, and hope that more members can be found to do the same.

    The Association established the Pavilion Social Club two years ago and is very successful, with growing numbers of men and women at its weekly get-togethers on Thursday afternoons, which have occasional guest speakers. It also organises visits out to places of interest. It has been run from the outset by Jill Truman and Andrea Hannan, and I have seen for myself their extraordinary rapport with the members and the enthusiasm they bring. We thank them. 

    We intend to hold a summer party to thank another much larger group of people without whom the Association could not begin to function. These are our dedicated Area Co-Ordinators and Road Stewards who deliver the Guides to all our members in all weathers. The party will be held at the Pavilion on the afternoon of Saturday 11th June during the weekend of celebrations to mark the 90th Birthday of The Queen. The invitations will be going out soon, and we hope that as many of them as possible will come and join us.  I want to thank also Andrew Barwick and Dick Coleman, our Distribution Managers, for their skilful organisation of such a large group of people. 

    Our web site is much visited, and is always kept fully up to date with matters of both general and immediate interest. We get an increasing numbers of enquiries in this way. The technical work is managed by our Web Master, Charles Briscoe-Smith and on a day to day basis mainly by Jerry Cuthbert. We thank all those involved. 

    The backbone of the Association continues to be the work put in by our Joint Secretaries, Jill Truman and Jan Bailey. They are simply invaluable and are human dynamos.  Jill not only finds time to edit the Guide, but also to act as our Advertising Manager, and we can only continue to afford to publish The Guide if we can obtain ongoing advertising revenue. Jan continues to amaze everyone with her encyclopaedic knowledge of everything that happens here and whom on the Council to approach to get things done she also prepares meticulous minutes of our meetings.   I thank them both. 

    We continue to play our full part in the wider Raynes Park Association and on the Raynes Park Forum. We are proud that Raynes Park is now widely heralded to be one of the finest small high street shopping areas in the whole country. I would thank Jerry Cuthbert, Jill Truman, and particularly tonight Pamela Robinson for their contribution to these community discussions.

    I must mention also the vital role that our West Barnes and Raynes Park Councillors play in coming to our meetings, in acting on our concerns and in bringing them to the attention of the powers that be in Merton. 

    As our Treasurer will tell you, we are financially in good heart, and John Townsend is that rare person, who is not only excellent with numbers, but can make an explanation of them interesting.  I want to thank him, and would also thank our Honorary Auditor Brian Lewis-Lavender. 

    We are sorry that our of our Committee stalwarts, Peter Connellan, passed away recently. He was a perfect gentleman and looked after the Shannon Corner area of the Association for very many years, as well as serving on local schools and in many other voluntary roles. We will miss him. 

    Finally, as I said last year, we do need fresh blood at all levels both to manage our affairs, and especially to help with advertising, and with running the Pavilion. If you can spare any time or energy to help, we will welcome you with open arms. Thank you. 

    John Elvidge (Chairman)

     

    13th April 2016

  • Chairman's Annual Report 2015

    This year has, as ever, been a busy one for the Association. 

    It has been the first full year of operation for our own Residents’ Pavilion, and I want to begin by thanking everyone involved in its conversion, and in its continuing success. 

    The work to turn the tennis pavilion into a warm and welcoming centre is now complete.  We could not have done this without the expertise and enthusiasm of the Chairman of the Management Group, Jerry Cuthbert. He also continues the time consuming task of managing the site on a day to day basis. The Association owes him a great debt of gratitude.  He has been ably assisted in this work by David Freeman and I also want to thank him for this. 

    We were able to make the centre fully usable for less able people with £9000 from the Lottery Grant. This was secured for us by Christine Rowe.  While she has now left the committee to pursue other interests, I want to acknowledge her great contribution in obtaining this vital extra money. 

    I want to thank Linda Fitch, as well as David, for their work in transforming the overgrown grounds into a pleasant garden, and in maintaining them. 

    Overseeing the complex accounting for this project has been our Treasurer, John Townsend.  He has set up a separate account for the Pavilion so that we can ensure that it pays its way and is not a drain on the general resources of the Association.

    I am delighted to be able to say that the Pavilion is meeting its costs and, even at this early stage, has come into surplus. 

    The bookings for the Pavilion continue to be buoyant and I want to thank the Pavilion Management team for their work in showing people over the building, taking the bookings, and for opening and closing the pavilion on the day. It is heavily booked as weekends as a venue for family parties. 

    I must single out among the regular bookings the Social Club run for our own residents. This takes place every Thursday for two hours in the afternoon, and has been a tremendous success. It clearly is enjoyed and valued by everyone who attends. This is due to the warmth and enthusiasm of its co-hosts, Jill Truman and Andrea Hannan, and I congratulate them.  

    All this has been in addition to the usual work of the Association is trying to preserve the benefits of living in this area. 

    The range of work we cover can seen be seen from the detailed and valuable notes set out in the Guide each month by our joint secretaries, Jill Truman and Jan Bailey.  I want to thank them both for the enormous amount of hard work they put in to keep abreast of what is happening in our area, and for alerting us of matters that we need to comment on and, if necessary, oppose. 

    One successful example of this is that, with others, we managed to persuade the Post Office to retain full counter facilities in the centre of Raynes Park. 

    Planning issues continue to take up a lot of our time. The focus of attention for this coming year is going to be the proposed redevelopment of the Rainbow Estate off Grand Drive, which is the subject of two current planning applications. We have set out our objections at length in responses to these, and I want to thank Jerry Cuthbert and David Freeman for the excellent and expert way they have done so. 

    To summarise, we oppose any housing on this site, which is designed for light industrial and business use. It continues to be needed as such to provide essential local employment. The site is land locked, and is simply unsuitable for housing. This area has more than met its quota for housing, with all the new developments up Grand Drive.  All the schools and surgeries in this area are overflowing, and the developers want to add to the numbers of people living in our community, so as to enhance their own profits, without providing any of the infrastructure needed. 

    What we need in Raynes Park are facilities to drop off and pick people up at the station, and the proposed schemes cannot provide for this. 

    Where a development enhances the community, we support it. We welcome the proposal to build a new library in West Barnes, paid for by residential accommodation, as was the case in the successful redevelopment of the Raynes Park Library. 

    We also welcome the proposal to bring CrossRail 2 to this area, with proposed stops at Motspur Park and Raynes Park. This will enable much easier access for our residents across London. 

    Our planning team is highly experienced, and their contribution to our work is invaluable. They are David Freeman, Jerry Cuthbert, Pamela Robinson, and Jan Bailey. Jan is also an expert on our water courses and drains. Rachel Skinner is professionally engaged in transport matters, and gives freely of her time on issues such as parking, vehicular access to developments, and Cross Rail 2. We thank them all. 

    Communicating what we do, and getting feedback from our members, is vital. We remain, by far, the largest Residents’ Association in Merton, so this is a major task.   We use both traditional and new means to do so. The Guide has been published since 1928, and Jill Truman is carrying on the long tradition of continuously improving it, as our Editor. 

    To get it to our members each month requires the dedicated service of a team of area co-ordinators and road stewards, all voluntary members. They do a sterling job, and we can’t thank them enough. 

    They are all organised by our distribution manager Andrew Barwick and his deputy, Dick Coleman, to whom thanks. 

    The Guide is virtually self funding through the advertisements that it carries. Our advertising manager for the last few years has been Linda Fitch, and I want to thank her for taking on this post and for carrying it through so effectively. She now wants to step down from this role, and we are looking to find someone to carry it on. We welcome any volunteers for this essential task. Linda has agreed to brief anyone fully on the job.    

    We are also modern in our methods of communication, through our web site, which is increasingly well used.   Thanks continue to be due to our Web Master, Charles Briscoe-Smith, for his technical skill, and to Rachel Skinner and Jerry Cuthbert for keeping the content up to date. 

    Our finances continue to be buoyant, and it is extraordinary that we have been able to fund the conversion of the Pavilion while retaining enough funds for everyday and emergency use. John Townsend, whose report will be next, continues to manage these with great aplomb, secure us the best available rates of interest, and has a fine eye to detail. We thank him. I also want to thank our Honorary Auditor, Brian Lewis-Lavender. 

    Brian has now been elected as a Councillor for West Barnes Ward, together with Gilli, his wife, and Mary-Jane Jeanes.  All three of them are assiduous in their attendance at our Committee meetings, and in following issues that our residents raise. 

    We continue to be represented at meetings of the Raynes Park Forum and the Raynes Park Association, which covers the town centre. I would thank Pamela Robinson, Jan Bailey, and Jerry Cuthbert for attending on our behalf, and for their reports back. 

    Of course, we cover also the areas of Coombe Lane, and of Shannon Corner, and we thank Jill Truman and Peter Connellan for keeping us appraised of issues in these areas. We hold an Open Meeting each year in Motspur Park to make it easier for residents there to meet us. 

    Finally, I would repeat my pleas from last year. We are very busy and do an awful lot. But we can always do with fresh blood at all levels. None of us is getting any younger.  We would welcome any new assistance, in any capacity. Just get in touch. Thank you.     

    John Elvidge

    18 March 2015

  • Wimbledon Stables - Charity Ball

    Wimbledon Village Stables Annual Charity Ball is on Saturday 7th March at the Cannizaro House Hotel. Everyone is welcome to come and join us for an enjoyable evening raising funds for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and World Horse Welfare. Tickets £95 each please e-mail admin@wvstables.com for further information.

    Wimbledon Village Stables
    24 a/b High Street
    Wimbledon

  • Holly Lodge, Richmond Park - March 2015

    Holly Lodge Centre

     

    The Holly Lodge Centre provides an opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy and learn from a series of hands-on experiences focusing on the rich natural environment in the unique setting of Richmond Park. These activities range from art, gardening and photography to environmental and historical interpretation programmes that are linked to the National Curriculum for schools. All kinds of groups are catered for and have included special schools, day centres, mainstream schools, holiday clubs, hospitals and many other kinds of organisations. Activities are adapted to help visitors gain maximum benefit and enjoyment from the Park.

     

    In addition to outdoor activities, groups can also experience and learn about life and society in Victorian times by visiting 'Mrs. Sawyer's Kitchen' - an old farm building that has been transformed to provide an authentic glimpse of the Victorian age. There is also a kitchen garden planted with old varieties of vegetables, and our replica Victorian Pharmacy.


    The Centre is located at Holly Lodge, the Park's administrative headquarters and base for the Metropolitan Police. This is a secure site. It is run as a charity (charity no 1076741) in collaboration with the Royal Parks.
     

    Spring lunch to feature “Calendar Girls” Creator, Tricia Stewart Mark 

    On Wednesday, 18 March, the Centre’s annual spring lunch will feature Tricia Stewart, creator of the fabulously successful “Calendar Girls” calendars. Tricia will speak about how her “crazy idea” for an alternative calendar for the Women’s Institute has, over 15 years, become a phenomenon, inspiring the blockbuster film, “Calendar Girls”, the long-running West End stage version of the story and Tricia’s own book, “The Calendar Girl”.

    The luncheon will be in the Belvedere at Pembroke Lodge in Richmond Park. 12:30 for 1:00.

    Doors will open at 11:30 giving everyone the opportunity to browse the fashion stalls.

    In addition to Tricia’s talk which promises to be amusing and inspirational, guests will receive a welcome drink and a three course lunch with half a bottle of wine per person. There will be a raffle with a variety of prizes.

    Tricia is a much sought after speaker with in excess of 100 speaking engagements each year. And the calendars themselves continue to be a huge world-wide success that has raised £4 million for Leukemia and Lymphoma Research.

    One person who recently heard Tricia speak said that she “told the story of the Calendar Girls with so much humour, honesty and energy she well deserved the standing ovation she received. She made us realise that with some out-of-the-box thinking, you can achieve great things if you just go ahead and do it.”

    Tickets: £45

    Telephone: 020 8940 8730 

    E-mail hlcevents@thehollylodgecentre.co.uk

  • Notes from Raynes Park Forum - 9 December 2014

    Management of Parks and Other Local Issues

    Councillor Andrew Judge, Cabinet Member for Environmental Sustainability and Regeneration, gave an overview of proposals for the future management of Merton’s parks (a summary note is available here )

    In response to questions on the management of Merton’s parks, Councillor Judge explained that outsourcing the management contract will be done on approximately a 25-year basis, to encourage bidding companies to invest in parks; however, break clauses will be included to allow early termination of the contract if the contractor underperforms. In addition to parks, any bidder will need expertise in sports grounds and grounds maintenance. 

    The Parks contract will be a single one, between both Sutton and Merton; however, each borough will have its own team managing the parks in its area. Current Parks' staff will be transferred over via TUPE to the successful bidder. Consultation on the subject continues, including with Friends of Parks groups. 

    Councillor David Dean is working on a social enterprise bid with unions, parks staff and Friends of Parks for the contract. 

    Other local issues

     following the sale of 28 maisonettes, at "Raynesfield", Grand Drive, that were police properties, Councillor Judge led a petition which has resulted in a change to policy on the sale of police properties. Any such properties with sitting tenants will now have to be sold to social landlords, giving tenants security of tenure. 

    A decision has been made to implement a residents’ Controlled Parking Zone in the Cambridge Road area of Raynes Park. 

    Health

    Dr Sion Gibby said the St George’s Hospital had been appointed as the provider of services at the Nelson, which is on schedule to open on 1st April 2015. All 25 GP practices in Merton are forming a federation of practices, which will allow patients to access various services from different practices; they are bidding for government money to provide more services in the borough. 

    Kingston Hospital’s car park is no longer pay and display, but pay on exit. Customers can also now pay by credit card and there are more spaces. The hospital’s Audiology service has been accredited; and audiology will also be provided at Raynes Park. 

    A tour of the day unit at Kingston Hospital  is being held on 11th  February and is open to all. 

    Ride London

    Ride London 2015 will take place, passing through Merton on Sunday 2 August. The format will be the same as Ride London 2014, with hand-cycling, the mass participation event, and the professionals’ race, which the BBC will televise. The proposed route will be the same, with the same road closures. 

    James Taylor from Ride London and Christine Parsloe, Merton Council’s Leisure and Culture Development Manager explained that they are meeting with community groups in Merton to look at how management of the event can be improved and to fix the problems that occurred during Ride London 2014. This included using a new stewarding company in 2015 and looking at improving access and egress around the route for residents. Communications around the event will commence in the New Year. Leaflets will be distributed to the whole area in the summer, highlighting where access points will be. 

    The Ride London team is also happy to work in advance with anyone who may need access arranged for specific reasons such as health concerns, a wedding or holidays. There is a dedicated telephone number and email address on Ride London’s website for this. 

    Current and Anticipated Planning Applications, including the Rainbow Estate

    Neil Milligan, the Development Control Section Manager at Merton Council, provided an update on planning applications: 

    An application has been submitted for the Rainbow Estate.  A five-week consultation will be carried out on the application, which is likely to go to committee around April 2015. The council is investigating unauthorised advertising hoardings going up on roads. 

    Raynes Park Bereavement Service Launch

    A free bereavement service has been launched, run by trained volunteers across Raynes Park.

    Click here for further details, contact 07914 263420 or raynesparkbereavement@gmail.com

  • Raynes Park High School - March 2015

    Drama – The Dog and the Elephant 

    On 5th February, Yr 12 and Yr 13 Performing Arts students visited the disused tunnel underneath Waterloo Station for an exciting and unconventional piece of live theatre. 'The Dog and The Elephant' explored the story of Bare Knuckle Boxer Bendigo Barlow, and his friendship with an elephant. The play charted his struggles with OCD and Tourette's syndrome at a time before these were understood, alongside exploring his tempestuous relationship with the Romany Gypsies. 

    It was a hard-hitting account of the ugliness of isolation and the need for acceptance and, as such, was a hugely relevant and rewarding experience. 'The Dog and the Elephant' demonstrated to our aspiring young actors the power and impact that a one man performance can have on an audience.

    Feeding in to the method acting processes explored in their lessons, students recognised the influence of widely studied practitioners such as Berkoff, Brecht, Frantic Assembly and Kneehigh. 

    Head of Drama - Ms Valmarana 

     

    Ms Ford, Ultimate Frisby Champion - What is Ultimate Frisbee?

    It is a fast-paced, non contact team sport where two teams of seven players compete to score goals by catching the disc in the end zone. It is one of the fastest-growing sports in the UK and around the world with over 3500 competing players in the UK alone. 

    Law Teacher, Ms Ford says,

    "I have been playing Ultimate Frisbee for around 8 years now and yes, it is a real sport! It is a game that is played on a pitch similar to a football pitch and on grass; there are 7 players on each team. Games last for 90 minutes and at a weekend tournament you play around 7 games. It is high intensity and involves a lot of running, jumping, throwing, catching and diving. I represented Great Britain in 2011 winning a Silver Medal at the European Championships and I am off to Dubai to represent GB again at the start of March. My other successes include 3 National Titles and 3 European Titles with my club team Iceni. Ultimate has taken me all over Europe and also to the US and I hope to see many other parts of the world this way in the future."

  • Morden Park and Playing Fields Assoc'n.

    Users of the Park and Playing Fields Association carry out regular litter picking sessions that you might care to join. 

    Weekday litter picks take place on the 3rd Tuesday of the month  starting  12.30pm to 3pm.  Pickers  meet on the London Rd footpath below the Travelodge.  

    Weekend Litter picks/workdays are held on the 3rd Saturday of the month from 10am to 2.p.m. 

    As the meeting points can change. Please contact Liz Sherwood Secretary to the Association by mobile:

    07891 889 389 or email:  liz.sherwood@talktalk.net  

  • Equity Release - Get Advice First

    Do you know someone who is looking at an equity release scheme to release capital? If so, tell them to make sure they don't go into it without first consulting the professionals. 

    This note of caution follows an important ruling handed down from the Supreme Court concerning a woman who sold her home to a nominee purchaser appointed by a company specialising in Equity Release. She was promised she could remain in the property indefinitely at a discounted rent and was further tempted by the prospect of being able to obtain additional capital sums after 10 years. 

    The woman was granted a two-year tenancy of her home. However, the purchaser mortgaged the property to a lender who was unaware of the tenancy. It was three years later that the woman discovered a possession order had been granted in respect of her home due to the purchaser's defaults on the mortgage. An issue arose as to whether she had any right to remain in the property. A judge's ruling that she had no such right was subsequently upheld by the Court of Appeal. 

    This is an example of an old and very bad Equity Release scheme. "Current schemes are much safer and the industry has cleaned up its act, thank goodness. The real down-side to Equity Release these days is how expensive it is in terms of the interest paid on the loan. You should always seek financial and then legal advice before signing up. 

    Hatice Mustafa,

    Pearson Hards

     
  • Tennis Club - Open Day 18 April 2015

    The Raynes Park Residents' Lawn Tennis Club is participating in the LTA inspired Highland Spring Mini Tennis Month on Saturday morning 18th April from 9 am. The aim of the event is to promote tennis as a family sport by showing parents how easy and what fun it is to play tennis with their children. Free expert coaching is provided for the whole family, so just turn up at the club. In the afternoon from midday there will be an Open Day for adults of all abilities, again with coaching available. There will be refreshments provided, and if the weather is fine the day, may well conclude with a barbecue. 

    Paul Sadler  rprltc.co.uk

     

  • West Barnes Library - March 2015

    News from the Friends of West Barnes Library (next to Motspur Park Station) 

    DATES FOR YOUR DIARY - Friends of West Barnes Library 

    ·                     Friday 27 March (7.30pm) - Quiz Night 

    ·                     Saturday 20 June (1.30pm- 4.00pm)  - Garden Party – 

    Following the success of the recent FoWBL Photography Competition we will be holding another competition later in the year.  Look out for the details in the library in the next couple of months.   

    Check out the updated Friends of West Barnes Library website at www.friendsowbl.org.uk. 

    Volunteers needed - Can you spare a couple of hours occasionally? West Barnes Library urgently needs more volunteers to help at a range of levels to assist staff. You could be helping keep the library open for the people of Motspur Park. Training will be given. For details and to apply, please ask at the counter. 

    The FoWBL Events team is looking for volunteers to organise events and to come up with some new ideas.   If you are interested in helping please contact the Friends at mail@friendsowbl.org.uk or friendsowbl.org.uk 

    What’s on?

    Coming up at West Barnes Library - To reserve a place where required, talk to staff, call 020 8274 5789 or email westbarnes.library@merton.gov.uk

    Kiddirama Under 5s (Tuesdays, 10am-11am, except every third Tuesday of the month 9.30am-10.30am). Term time only (Commences 13/1/2015).  An interactive, fun story, song and sensory class. £2 per child. To book, email kiddirama@mail.com or phone 07542 170604

    Computer Classes for Beginners (Tuesdays, noon-1.30pm, and Thursdays, 1.30pm-3pm).  Booking essential.

    Rendezvous Club (Tuesdays, 1.30pm-3.30pm). Weekly drop-in for over 55s. £2. For more information call Gilli on 020 8543 1781.

    Kiddirama Juniors (Tuesdays, 4pm-5pm) Term time only (commences 13/1/2015). Interactive sessions for 7-12 year-olds focusing on team building, confidence boosting, performance and s. £2 per child. To book, email kiddirama@mail.com or phone 07542 170604.

    Knit & Natter (Thursdays, 11am-1pm) Bring your own knitting or crochet.  We also knit items for various charities or for sale to raise funds for them. This year we have made blankets for the Cats Protection League and for the Premature Baby Unit.  We have also made hats, gloves and scarves for the homeless as well as poppies for the British Legion.  Free tea or coffee provided.

    Toddlers’ Rhyme Time (Fridays, 10.30am-11am).Rhymes and musical activities for 0 to 5 year-olds followed by Story Time (11am-11.30am).

    The Sparkle Club (Saturdays, 2.30pm-4pm). Eight-week story-writing course for children. Booking required.

    Adults’ Book Club. Thursday 5 March (5.45-6.45). This month’s book is Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch as part of the Cityread scheme.   New members are warmly welcomed.

     Craft and Chat Saturday, 7 March (3pm-4pm).  Easter Flower Arranging

    Join the Friends for an interactive workshop and take home your own floral masterpiece. £5.00 charge – payable in advance.   Booking is essential as places are limited.

    Police Surgery Tuesday 24 March (3-4). Drop in and speak to your local PC about any issues you may have.

    Quiz Night Friday 27th March (7.30pm)    Sign up as a team (maximum 6 people) or join with other on the night.  FoWBL members £3 / non-members £4.  Booking essential.  Call 020 8274 5789 or email westbarnes.library@merton.gov.uk.

    Children’s Craft Saturday, 28 March (2pm-4pm).  Bring the children for fun activities. Easter activities.  No need to book. 

    To receive a monthly eNewsletter of events at West Barnes Library, write to mail@friendsowbl.org.uk or sign up atwww.friendsowbl.org.uk

  • The Prevalent "Cold" Phone Call Scam

    Neighbourhood Watch: How best to avoid this continuing scam 

    The scam illustrated below has been around for several years and those who read the Borough Commander's emails will be aware that Merton residents have had their share of cold calls from miscreants pretending to be either Bank Staff or Policemen attempting to ‘con’ them into giving bank account or credit card details. The 'con' is very plausible and some people have had their Bank Accounts drained.

    Recently, one our local members had a call on his land-line purporting to be from Inspector Michael Thomas of Charing Cross Police Station, and that his credit card had been cloned.
     

    The caller asked for details of his card. Our member said it wasn't on him and he would have to find it. He then asked how he could prove that the caller was who he said he was. It was suggested he phone the Station to check.

    As requested he hung up but Instead of calling the number from his land-line, he phoned 999 from his mobile and gave the police the name and number of the caller. Several times he checked his land-line and it was still open but by the time the police arrived the miscreant caller had hung up.

    This is a good way to avoid being scammed and help the police catch these evil people.
     

     

    Remember: no Bank or Police Officer will ask for bank or card details over the telephone.   The same can be said for scam emails from National Companies such as BT suggesting that there is a problem with your account.

  • Operation Endeavour

    This is an MPS operation into the keyless theft of cars and vans. 

    Currently 28% of all vehicles stolen in London relate to instances where the victim still has the original key(s).

     

     

     

    Your motor vehicle could be at risk if it is controlled with an electronic key.

    • Organised criminals are able to steal some of these vehicles in less than 30 seconds.

    • They do this by using specialist equipment to programme a blank key that is compatible with the vehicle.

    • They do not need the original key. This means that they do not need to steal your key in order to steal your motor vehicle. 

     

    To reduce the chances of becoming a victim of keyless vehicle theft, please consider additional security measures such as an approved car alarm, steering wheel lock or gearstick lock in addition to your vehicle’s own security.

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townswomen's Guild - March 2015

    The weather has restricted our New Year activities a little.  Nevertheless on 2nd February two members did travel to Kingston to the refurbished All Saints Church for the Monday lunch time concert.   These weekly concerts are obviously popular.  Catherine Leonard’s piano recital with music by Liszt, Schubert and Chopin was very well received by the audience of between 50 and 100 people.   Their coffee shop is also welcome!   Then on 3rd February a group of seven ladies dodged the snow flurries to enjoy lunch together at a favourite venue – Superfish in Morden.

    A larger group of 11 visited Twickenham on 10 February.  Arriving via a scenic and circuitous bus route from Kingston we made our way down to the riverside to walk along the river embankment, past the bridge over to Eel Pie Island, to the quaint building of the Twickenham Museum.   Of all the local memorabilia displayed the item that sticks in my mind is a home made ‘tin can’ diving suit made by a local character who in the early days of diving apparently gave demonstrations from Eel Pie Island Bridge.  Air was pumped to him by a boy paid 6d a session later increased to 1/- when he went on strike mid dive!   Amazingly, when tested recently by a diving club, it was realised, the apparatus still works.

    From the Museum we proceeded next door to the welcoming atmosphere and roaring open fire of The Barmy Army Pub.  After an enjoyable leisurely lunch our host suggested we should look at the naked lady statues, close by in York House Gardens.  These proved to be part of an enormous, ornate Italian Fountain around a large pond, tucked at one end of these delightful gardens on the riverside.

    Our next meeting is on 19th March when Mr. & Mrs. Reynolds will give us a talk entitled ‘Painting Canal Barges’.  Anyone who would like to join us at 1.30 pm at St Saviour’s Church Hall will be very welcome.

    As mentioned before it is open house to all local friends for our summer coach outing on Thursday, 20th August to Hastings for which bookings are now being taken.  The fare is £15 including the driver’s tip.  The main pick up will be at 9.45 am at Raynes Park Station (Approach Road/Grand Drive side).  Return from Hastings 4.30 pm.  Further details to follow.

    For more information about any of our activities, or if you would like to join us on a visit or lunch outing, please contact Mrs. D Raymond (020 8395 9489) or Mrs. Eileen Brewer (020 8542 6491).

     

    Dorothy Raymond

  • Works at A3 Hook and Local Bus Stops

    Announcement from TFL - March 2015 - Works at the A3 Hook and Local Bus Stops

    The A3 Hook Roundabout is a grade separated junction where the A3 Kingston Bypass runs under the A243 Hook Road. The grade separated roundabout is sustained by two road bridges and pedestrian access is provided by a separate adjacent footbridge. A map attached illustrates the location.

    In 2011, an HGV collided with the footbridge and road bridges at the Hook Underpass and caused damage to all the structures which require repair. The proposed works involve concrete repairs to the damaged road bridges and replacement of the existing footbridge with a new, wider footbridge that can be used by cyclists and pedestrians safely.

     Footbridge Replacement - Pedestrian and Traffic Management during the works

     The footbridge and immediate surrounding footways will be temporarily closed for approximately 11 weeks whilst the works are taking place and there will be pedestrian diversions in place to ensure safe crossing of the A3. The details of the pedestrian diversions are being reviewed following engagement with stakeholders including the local Borough council officers, the works contractor for TfL, the Metropolitan Police, Southborough High School and Tolworth Girls School. In principle, the pedestrian diversion routes proposed for crossing the A3 are as follows:  

    1.    Using the zebra crossing points and footways on the west side of the Hook Road roundabout

    2.    Along Hook Rise (North & South) slip road footways and the Fullers Way subway.

    Early feedback from Southborough High School and Tolworth Girls School suggests that they are supportive of the project and agree that the works will be of benefit to the local community. Currently, we are planning for this work to be carried out during the coming Spring / Summer 2015. The exact dates will be confirmed once all the necessary arrangements for the works are finalised.  

    Whilst the old footbridge is being lifted and removed from the site, the A3 carriageway will be temporarily closed in both directions for the safety of road users. This operation will be carried out overnight (one night only) and will be scheduled to take place during a weekend.  

    Once the footbridge is removed, only lane closures and slip road closures will be required to carry out the other highway and bridge support modifications required for the new footbridge. On completion of the modification works, a full road closure on the A3 will be repeated again to install the new footbridge. Traffic diversions will be put in place to manage traffic on the A3 during each of the road closures.  

    Pre-scheme BT Service diversion works (enabling works)  

    Prior to the footbridge works, BT will need to carry out some work to reposition their cables in the footway alongside the A3 Hook Rise southbound off slip road, in preparation for the footbridge replacement works. These works are planned to take place from 14 February 2015 for up to 3 days. During this time, it will be necessary to close one lane of the A3 Hook Rise South Slip Road for the duration of the works.

      A3 Hook Underpass Road Bridge - Concrete Repairs  

    We are planning to carry out some initial concrete repair works to the damaged road bridges at Hook Roundabout towards the end of March, with the remainder of the works programmed together with the footbridge replacement works. These initial works will be carried out during night time over two weekends and will involve a road closure for southbound traffic only.

      A3 Elmcroft Drive - Road Safety works

      I would also like to advise you of another scheme taking place at the junction of the A3 Hook Rise South and Elmcroft Drive. This is unrelated to the Footbridge work and consists of installing a vehicle crash barrier at the northern end of Elmcroft Drive. This is planned to complete prior to the main footbridge works.  

    The Hook Footbridge programme is being finalised and I will keep you updated regarding any further developments. We will be delivering letters to local addresses giving information of the works, for your information a copy of the letter is attached to the email.

    Please contact  Gary Murphy, Consultation Specialist,  Consultation Team Transport for London (STEngagement@tfl.gov.uk) directly if you for further information

    Changes to Bus Stops – 200 Copse Hill

    Working together, Transport for London (TfL) and London Borough of Merton will be making some changes to the bus stops in the Copse Hill area during March 2015. The changes are necessary to improve the safety and the accessibility of the bus stops. All the affected stops are served by bus route 200 which runs between Mitcham and Raynes Park via Wimbledon.

    Here is what we will be doing at each bus stop:

    a)             Stop outside 35a Cottenham Park Road – Bus stop extended

    We will extend the bus stop ‘cage’ and clearway marking by approximately 8 metres east (outside Holland Gardens). This will help deter parking and allow buses safe and easy access to the kerb. 

    b)            Stop outside 18 Cottenham Park Road –  Bus stop removed

    We will remove this stop. It is located on a left hand bend, meaning bus drivers have a restricted view of traffic behind as they pull away from the stop. It is also very close to the next stop. Unfortunately there is no suitable alternative site available but the next stop is only a short distance away (approximately 120 metres) near the Church Hall. 

    c)              Stop outside Church Hall, Cottenham Par Road – Bus stop moved south slightly and shelter removed

    We will move this stop to a new location approximately 15 metres south, outside nos. 4 & 6 Cottenham Park Road. The existing stop does not meet accessibility standards due to the length of the raised kerb, and it is not possible to extend it due to the vehicle crossovers at either end. Also, buses stopping at the existing stop can reduce visibility for the nearby zebra crossing. The new location will allow a longer raised kerb, meeting accessibility standards, and will improve pedestrian and driver sightlines for the zebra crossing. 

    The new location is not suitable for a bus shelter due to the presence of tree roots and the need to maintain clear pedestrian access to the stop. We will remove the existing shelter as it will be in the wrong place. However, most people waiting for buses towards Mitcham prefer to use the bus stop in Copse Hill outside the tennis club, which does have a shelter, as the journey is shorter. 

    d)              Stop outside 3 & 5 Cottenham Park Road – Bus stop and shelter removed

    We will remove this bus stop and shelter. This stop is located almost directly opposite the new location for stop c) described above. This means that if both stops are occupied by buses there would not be enough room for traffic in both directions to pass. Unfortunately there is no suitable alternative site available but the previous stop is only a short distance away (approximately 160 metres) in Copse Hill outside the tennis club. 

    e)             Stop outside 5 Copse Hill – Bus stop moved to west of High Cedar Drive with shelter provided

    We will move this bus stop approximately 150 metres west to outside Cedarland Terrace and nos. 19 & 21 Copse Hill. We will also provide a bus shelter at this new location. We will need to relocate an existing sign post at the new bus stop location – the new location for the post is to be confirmed. 

    The existing stop is located on a busy road nearly opposite another bus stop. When both stops are occupied by buses there is limited space for other vehicles to pass, causing traffic to build up and leading to some vehicle drivers making dangerous manoeuvres. This also makes it difficult for pedestrians to cross the road. This area is particularly busy at school start and finish times. 

    Also, the existing stop is very close to the previous stops for both directions and a long way from the next stop at Atkinson Close, leaving some bus users from the area to the north of Copse Hill with a long walk.

    The new location will be more suitable, will ensure the bus stops are more evenly spaced, and will reduce the walking distance for some bus users. 

    f)              Stop outside tennis club, Copse Hill – Bus stop extended 

    We will extend the bus stop ‘cage’ and clearway marking by approximately 11 metres west (outside no. 16 Copse Hill). This will help deter parking and allow buses safe and easy access to the kerb. 

    g)            Stop in Durham Road near Cottenham Park Road – No change to bus stop


    h)    Stop outside 162 & 164 Durham Road –  No    change to bus stop


    i)      Stop outside Roskeen Court, Ridgway – No change to bus stop

     

    j)    Stop in Atkinson Close – No change to bus   stop 

    Impact on bus service and parking

    There will be no change to the way bus route 200 serves this area. It will still serve the two stops in Copse Hill in both directions, turning at the stop in Atkinson Close as now. 

    All bus stops will have ‘no stopping except buses’ restrictions, as now. Although there will be some changes to where parking is available, with some parking space removed and some parking space released, we expect that the overall impact on the availability of parking space will be limited. 

  • Merton AGE UK - Walks in March 2015

    Walks and Outings by public transport 

    Walks organized for the March are: 

    ·                     Wednesday 4 March – British Museum Outing

    ·                     Tuesday 10 March – Back Stage Tour of Wimbledon Theatre

    ·                     Wednesday 11 March – Shakespeare’s London Walk  

    To book your Place on the many social activities organized by Age Concern for Merton Residents can and to find out more about any of their services:  visit 277 London Rd, Mitcham, call 020 8648 5792 or email info@ageukmerton.org.uk

  • Chairman's Blog - March 2015

    This month, our Blog is by Jill Truman, Editior of "The Guide", our monthly magazine for members.

    Public Meetings about the Proposed redevelopment of Plough Lane

    Merton Council organised a public meeting on 11th February to give Merton residents the opportunity to hear directly from applicants, AFC Wimbledon and Galliard Homes, about their proposals for a new 11,000-2,000-seat football stadium, retail and residential development. 

    The meeting was chaired by Merton Councils’ head of sustainable communities James McGinlay.  Wandsworth Council  held a similar meeting for their residents.

     

    Merton Council took the decision to host these meetings given the huge public interest in such a major development in the borough.

     

    The planning application and associated documents are available on Merton’s website. (Reference 14/P4361).

     

    New Neighbourhood Watch Group – a chance to save money on your home insurance! 

    Association Member and Cannon Hill Resident, Lizzy Ewer, has started a Neighbourhood Watch group for that part of Cannon Hill Lane that stretches from Grand Drive to the mini roundabout. To join, residents in that area should email Lizzy on lizzy.ewer@hotmail.com. Members can then receive the weekly crime reports from the police. It is worth taking part in the scheme because some insurance companies will offer a reduced premium to NHW members.

     

    Morden Park and Playing Fields Association  

    Residents who enjoy using Morden Park will be interested to note that there is an Association dedicated to looking after the Park.  Elsewhere in this issue, we carry details of their monthly litter picking and work sessions.    You might wish to join them for some exercise whilst gaining a ‘feel good’ factor by helping to keep the Park pristine.  

    It’s worth also mentioning that litter blowing into the East Pyl Brook, flowing through the park, winds up in the Pyl Brook and can create blockages in the culvert with inevitable results!

    Jill Truman

  • Health Poverty Action

    One of the volunteers  of this Charity is organizing a ‘hot’ Caribbean evening on Wednesday 25th February 2015

    Can you handle the heat?”if so why not join them to sample some of the hottest food in SW19. 

    Where: Ting n Ting, Unit 2, The Pavilion, Merton Abbey Mills,

    Watermill Way, London, SW19 2RD.

    When: Wednesday 25th February 5pm-9pm.

    Menu: £12.50 (with a percentage donated to Health Poverty Action)

    ·           Spicy Beef with potatoes, Rice N Peas and Cucumber Salad.

    ·           Jerk Chicken Wings, Sweet Potato Wedges and Coleslaw. 

    ·           Mutton Curry, Plain Rice and Salad or Coleslaw

  • Talk Autism - 24 February 2015

    Volunteer Centre Merton with Sharon Clark

     

    Come & find out about the Supported Volunteering Programme for people with learning & sensory difficulties.

    Volunteering is a very effective way of helping people to engage, through socialising, overcoming isolation, building self esteem & confidence, & using, or learning new skills.

     

    For parents/carers of young people & adultsaged 16 plus 

    Tuesday 24 February,10am to 12pm

    Chaucer Centre, Room B, Canterbury Road, Morden, SM4 6PX

    Please book ahead for all events where possible 

    Contact:                       Tracy Blackwell, Kids First/Talk Autism Administrator , Merton Mencap 

    T:    020 8687 4644

    Visit us at www.mertonmencap.org.uk

     

     

  • Lambton Road PPG Annual Meeting

    Lambton Road GP Practice Patient Participation Group (PPG) announces its Annual Meeting – 2015. 

    ·   Come and hear what's happening

    ·      Find out about recent changes in Merton NHS from your local representative

    ·      Meet the PPG, and have your say

     

     

    Saturday 14th March 2015

    2:00 - 3.30pm

    Raynes Park Health Centre 

    This meeting will include the PPG AGM 

    No need to RSVP. 

  • Raynes Park High School - February 2015

    This is an exciting and busy time for the Sixth Form.

    Year 12 and 13 AS / A Level students are eagerly awaiting results from their Pre Public Exams (Mock exams).

    The Results Assembly on Wednesday 21st January included a ‘target setting’ session to help students focus on the months ahead.  The 21st January was also the second of our Sixth Form drop down days covering study skills, interview techniques and careers, along with reviewing students’ progress to date. 

    Sixth Form Parents Evening -Thursday 12th February 5-8pm

    All Year 13 Students who applied to universities for September 2015 have had offers and are working hard to achieve their required grades. They have applied for courses ranging from Engineering, Mathematics, Media, to Psychology, Sport and Social Work, to name just a few. 

    Our Year 12 Level 3 students will be visiting the annual UCAS Fair in March. All the universities are represented along with organisations providing information and guidance on choices after Sixth Form including apprenticeships, the Armed Forces and volunteer work. We will be following this up with a University Information evening for parents and students after Easter. 

    Don’t Miss this year’sAwards Assembly - Organised and produced by the students, which House will take the 2015 trophy? 

    Our Sixth Form students’ hard work and achievement was celebrated at their own end of term assembly. 

    Ms Lawner presented awards for key subjects and Mr. Castle gave a tablet to SMX student Priyanka Shrestha who was one of the students who achieved 100% attendance and positive added value. Once again it was a fitting end to what had been a long and busy term. 

    Ms Lawner, Director Sixth Form 

    Digital Rangers Graduate with Flying Colours

    Raynes Park High School had a graduation ceremony with a difference on Tuesday 13th January. Members of the Rendezvous and The Pavilion Clubs in West Barnes were presented with certificates having successfully completed their six week ‘Digital Rangers’ computing course in the school’s Sixth Form. Thirteen ‘silver surfer’ students took part in the BT Internet Rangers programme which partners schools with local senior citizen groups to teach computer skills. 

    The project led by teachers Ms Derrington, KS3 Maths Coordinator and Mr. Priddle, Head of ICT and Computing, involved students giving one-on-one support to the senior citizens on diverse topics such as, how to find supermarket deals, internet safety tips, and what to look out for when Internet shopping. They also sent Tweets, set up Facebook pages and learnt how to email, use Word, PowerPoint and Excel. 

    “The programme opened up a whole new world to me”, Joan Fennell, said. “I was so scared of all computers, the subjects and the content were exactly the right level, especially for the ‘oldies’.” 

    RPHS student Shahmir Khan (11NZ) said, “Seeing the group’s progress every week and knowing our support has helped them achieve what they couldn’t at the beginning of the programme has given us a lot of pleasure”.  

    Mr. Wheatley said “Judging by the buzz in the classroom every week, students young and old were thoroughly enjoying the practical lesson.”  

    RPHS is planning another five week Digital Ranger Course in the spring term. Anyone over the age of 65 interested in learning how to use computers, tablets, smart phones or social media should contact Ms MacEwen

  • Association's Representations for the "Kiss & Ride"

     “Kiss & Ride” at Rainbow Industrial Estate, Approach Road, Grand Drive, SW20 OJY (14/P4288) 

    It is noted that the proposed “Kiss and Ride” facility on the south side of Raynes Park Station (14/P4288) has been submitted as a separate application from that for the Rainbow Industrial Estate (14/P4287). The RPWBRA supports this methodology, on the basis that the “Rainbow Estate Application” (14/P4287) may not be approved or may be subject to subsequent amendments or delays. It is important that the “Kiss and Ride” facility is delivered for the local community, irrespective of the outcome of the “Rainbow Application”. 

    We therefore support in principle the need for improving the current unsatisfactory arrangements for setting down and picking up train passengers on the south side of Raynes Park Station but have serious concerns about the design and safety factors:, as follows:

     

    1.         SAFETY CONCERNS WITH THE PROPOSED DESIGN 

    We consider that current design for the “Kiss and Ride” has several short comings that need to be addressed. 

    We understand that the minimum requirement for a mini-roundabout in normal road circumstances would be 12m Inscribed Circle Diameter (ICD). However, we do not believe that this would work safely in such a confined Kiss &Ride (K&R) scheme, even if it was slightly enlarged so as to incorporate the whole of the rear garden of No 9 Grand Drive.  

    This is because of: 

    ·                    The close proximity of property boundaries on two sides (south and west), with which drivers are likely to avoid contact.

    ·                    The close proximity of the footpath on north side, which narrows to a 1.2m pinch-point, right by the mini-roundabout. 

    It is likely, therefore, that many vehicles will have to execute a three-point turn. 

    There are also likely to be conflicts between: 

    ·                    Traffic doing “U” turns,

    ·                    Traffic doing three-point turns,

    ·                    Traffic crossing directly over the mini-roundabout, as it enters the Rainbow Estate,

    ·                    Parked vehicles, due to there being in sufficient space for dropping off and/or collecting passengers

    ·                    Pedestrians crossing the access road.

     

    2.         SAFEGUARDING THE “KISS AND RIDE” FOR THE COMMUNITY. 

    Notwithstanding the above, we note that the Planning Brief for the Rainbow Industrial Estate, Site Proposals, Section 6.4, states that the Kiss and Ride is a requirement. It is thus implicit that the “Kiss and Ride” facility is a crucial part of the Brief and thus enabled by the “Rainbow Estate Application” (14/P4287). 

    Therefore, assuming that redevelopment of the Rainbow Industrial Estate may eventually be approved in whatever form, the delivery of the “Kiss and Ride” facility (14/P4288) should be made the subject of a S106 Agreement or similar Condition attached to the main application. 

    This would guarantee the provision of this key requirement of the Planning Brief for the community. Additionally, the S106 Agreement or condition should fix a suitable point for completion of the “Kiss & Ride” within the construction programme for the re-development of the Rainbow Industrial Estate. 

    Neglecting to incorporate this safeguard could result in the delay or non-delivery of the “Kiss and Ride”, particularly in view of the complexities of ownership of this part of the site close to the railway station. The potential for failure of this part of Merton’s LDF is significant and should not be overlooked. 

    Regards

    J R Cuthbert

    on behalf of the Committee for the Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents’ Association.

     

     

  • West Barnes Library - February 2015

    WEST BARNES LIBRARY OPEN DAY / NATIONAL LIBRARIES DAY

    SATURDAY 7TH FBRUARY 2015 

    Come along and find out what events take place in your local library.  There will also be information on Ebooks, National Numeracy Challenge and lots more…

     

    Programme of events

    Children’s Craft 11am-12pm

    Book Club 12 noon-1pm

    Drop in IT session 1pm-2pm

    Knit and Natter 1pm-2pm

    African Story Time with Suzanne from  Kiddirama 2pm-3pm

    Sparkle Club – creative writing group 2.30-3.30pm

    Craft and Chat - Talk and demonstration on weaving with Madeline Jude – 3pm-4pm   please book 

    Volunteers needed

    Can you spare a couple of hours occasionally? West Barnes Library urgently needs more volunteers to help at a range of levels to assist staff. You could be helping keep the library open for the people of Motspur Park. Training will be given. For details and to apply, please ask at the counter. 

    The FoWBL also need volunteers to help with their website, publicity and events.  If you would like to know more please visit the library or contact the Friends at mail@friendsowbl.org.uk or friendsowbl.org.uk 

    What’s on?

    Coming up at West Barnes Library

    To reserve a place where required, talk to staff, call 020 8274 5789 or email westbarnes.library@merton.gov.uk. 

    Kiddirama Under 5s (Tuesdays, 10am-11am, except every third Tuesday of the month 9.30am-10.30am). Term time only (Commences 13/1/2015).  An interactive, fun story, song and sensory class. £2 per child. To book, email kiddirama@mail.com or phone 07542 170604. 

    Computer Classes For Beginners (Tuesdays, noon-1.30pm, and Thursdays, 1.30pm-3pm).  Booking essential.

    Rendezvous Club (Tuesdays, 1.30pm-3.30pm). Weekly drop-in for over 55s. £2. For more information call Gilli on

    020 8543 1781.

    Kiddirama Juniors (Tuesdays, 4pm-5pm) Term time only (commences 13/1/2015). Interactive sessions for 7-12 year-olds focusing on team building, confidence boosting, performance and s. £2 per child. To book, email: kiddirama@mail.com or phone 07542 170604.

    Knit & Natter (Thursdays, 11am-1pm) Bring your own knitting or crochet.  We also knit items for various charities or for sale to raise funds for them. This year we have made blankets for the Cats Protection League and for the Premature Baby Unit.  We have also made hats, gloves and scarfs for the homeless as well as poppies for the British Legion.  Free tea or coffee provided.

    Toddlers’ Rhyme Time (Fridays, 10.30am-11am). Rhymes and musical activities for 0 to 5 year-olds followed by Story Time (11am-11.30am).

    The Sparkle Club (Saturdays, 2.30pm-4pm). Eight-week story-writing course for children. Booking required.

    Open Day Saturday, 7 February (11.00am-4.00pm).  Come along and celebrate National Libraries Day.  Ask in the library for a programme of events or call 020 8274 5789

    Adults’ Book Club.  Saturday, 7 February (12noon-1.00pm).We will be reviewing The Go-Between by LP Hartley and The Terracotta Dog by Andrea Camilleri. New members are warmly welcome.

    Craft and Chat Saturday, 7 February (3pm-4pm).  Weaving talk and demonstration by Madeleine Jude. Booking required.

    Microsoft Excel Workshop Monday, 16 February (2pm-3pm).  Booking essential.

    The story of Nian – Chinese New Year stories and activities for the under 11s Tuesday, 17 February (3.30pm).

    Microsoft Excel Workshop Thursday, 19 February (10.30pm-11.30pm).  Booking essential.

    Children’s Craft Saturday, 21 February (2pm-4pm).  Bring the children for fun activities. No need to book. 

    Police Surgery – Chat to a PC about any local topics. .  Please contact the library for the date and time  

    To receive a monthly eNewsletter of events at West Barnes Library, write to mail@friendsowbl.org.uk or sign up at www.friendsowbl.org.uk.

  • Kids First - March 2015

    Monday 2 March, 10am to 2pm (lunch included)

    Behaviour Management Workshop

    with Duncan Fennemore, a specialist in the management of behaviour in children with SEN

    Is your son or daughter’s behaviour difficult to handle, unpredictable & tiring?

    Learn strategies to deal with challenging behaviour & underlying anxieties

    Chaucer Centre, Room B, Canterbury Road, Morden, SM4 6PX

     

    Thursday 12 March, 11am to 1.30pm (lunch included)

    Education, Disability and the Law with Anna Kennedy OBE & Austin Hughes from Ann Kennedy Online& Sean Kennedy, a qualified solicitor advocate

    Discrimination, information on advocacy & more . . .

    Plus legal advice on care & education issues.

    Come along & put your questions to our panel of experts.

    Chaucer Centre, Room B, Canterbury Road, Morden, SM4 6PX

     

    Tuesday 24 March, 10am to 12pm

    Family Footings with Yvonne Linton, Family Footings Facilitator

    Family Footings is a project funded by the Department of Education to support parents to cope with the pressures they experience navigating the SEN system.

    Find out how Family Footings can help train parents to think & plan for their children by providing free training in Person Centred Approaches (PCA) which can help improve a child’s outcomes

    Chaucer Centre, Room B, Canterbury Road, Morden, SM4 6PX

     

    For catering reasons, please BOOK ahead for all events. Just email us or leave a message on the answerphone with your name, contact details and the event you wish to attend

    Tel: 020 8687 4644

     

    website: www.mertonmencap.org.uk/kidsfirst.htm 

     

    Merton Mencap. Registered Office Address: The Wilson Hospital, Cranmer Road, Mitcham, Surrey CR4 4TP

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townswomen's Guild - February 2015

    The last of the many events arranged for December was the Christmas Party.  The Committee worked hard to provide a suitable tea and nonsense entertainment, but throughout the afternoon was ably supported by many other members who helped in various ways to make this social a happy, friendly occasion.  The party continued with each member choosing a ‘raffle’ prize from the fine selection offered and finished when we all joined hands to sing We wish you a Merry Christmas.

    Following this enjoyable event, members have been quieter in January although a small group did venture to The George, Morden to lunch together.

    Our regular meeting on 15th January featured Mr. Dennis Sexton who gave us an instructive and entertaining talk entitled Trumpet Fanfare having first placed a fascinating collection of instruments on a large table beside him.  Starting with a Cow Horn, Mr. Sexton explained the features of each instrument before demonstrating with a tune.   Instruments included a Hunting Horn, Bugle, Fanfare (or Flag) Trumpet, Brass Band Cornet, Echo Trumpet, Pocket Trumpet, Fugle Horn, ‘C’ Trumpet, E Flat & D Trumpet as well as several regular brass trumpets with different finishes.  Personally I loved Teddy Bears Picnic on the Pocket Trumpet, Cossack Patrol on the Echo Trumpet and Kenny Ball’s Midnight in Moscow on his favourite instrument.

    In early February we will be lunching at Superfish, Morden, and the following week visiting Twickenham Museum.  Our regular meeting at 1.30 pm at St. Saviour's Church Hall is on Thursday, 19th February (third Thursday of the month).

    The cold weather has made us think forward to the summer outing.  We will be organising a coach trip to Hastings on Thursday, 20th August! last year we would like to invite any Residents and members of the Rendezvous and Pavilion Clubs to join us on this trip.  For now, if the idea is appealing, please make a note of the date.  Arrangements and price will be confirmed later.

    We look forward to seeing you.  Friends and visitors and new members are always welcome.

    Please telephone if you would like more information about Raynes Park Townswomen’s Guild. 

    Dorothy RaymondTel: 020 8395 9489

     
  • Raynes Park Residents' Lawn Tennis Club - February 2015

    An end of year ‘American’ tournament was held on a bright Sunday afternoon and was well attended. It was a great opportunity to shake off the cobwebs after Christmas. Players have different partners and opponents in each of the 6 or 7 short sets they play. Three courts were in continuous use. Congratulations are due to the winner, Tina Fuselli.  The day concluded with a convivial refreshments and drinks. 

    We welcome our new Head Coach Jose Marquez. His group sessions take place on Tuesday and Friday afternoons and evenings.  

    Paul Sadler

  • Notice of AGM - 18 March 2015

    THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

    of the

    Raynes Park & West Barnes Residents’ Association

    Will be held at the Raynes Park Library Meeting Rooms, Aston Road, SW20 8BA.

    (via side entrance) 

    ON WEDNESDAY 18th MARCH 2015 at 7.30 p.m. 

    AGENDA 

    1,         Apologies for Absence

    2.         Chairman’s Report on the Work of the Association during 2014/15

    3.         Treasurer’s Report

    4.         Election of Officers and Committee 

    Break for Refreshments 

    5.         Speaker:       Cllr. Stephen Alambritis, Leader of Merton Council has been invited to speak

    6.         Updates on current Planning Matters

    7.         Residents’ Forum and Any Other Business 

     

    Please bring a copy of ‘The Guidewith you to verify membership.

  • Avoid becoming a victim of Burlgary

     – advice from the Borough Commander

    • Fit key operated locks on doors and windows and remember to use them. 
    • Remember that multi-point UPVC doors are not properly locked unless you have locked them with the key. In most cases, you also have to lift the handle before locking it to correctly deploy the multi-point locking mechanism.
    • Use a 'spy hole' or a window to see who is outside prior to opening your door.
    • Stop letter box burglaries by storing keys away from the front door and ensure they are out of sight from outside the property.
    • Install timers which switch lights or radios on and off automatically while you are out.
    • If you are going out after dark, draw the curtains and leave some lights on.
    • If you live in a flat, don’t let strangers in via the entry system or by allowing them to follow you in through the communal door. Always ensure the communal door is locked properly when you enter or leave the building.
    • Don't leave tools lying around that can be used to force windows or doors.
    • Keep a photographic library of your jewellery by photographing each piece on a flat surface next to a ruler to give an indication of its size. If you are unfortunate enough to become a victim, this will help you with your insurance claim and will also help us to try to recover your property for you.
    • Mark your possessions, including jewellery, using a UV property marking liquid.

    Det Chief Supt Stuart Macleod
    Merton Borough Commander
     

     

     

     

  • Chairman's Blog - February 2015

    PLANNING APPLICATION FOR THE RAINBOW INDUSTRIAL ESTATE 

    The Application 

    As expected, a planning application has been made for the complete re-development of the Rainbow Industrial Estate.  This is the large stretch of land that is accessed by a single road that starts in front of the Grand Drive entrance to Raynes Park station. 

    For many years it has provided a number of useful small businesses, which provided lots of local employment, and that was its planning status. 

    The site became run down, and the owners have decided not to improve it for business use, but, instead, to maximise the value of the land by applying to demolish the existing buildings, and to build no less than 229 residential units. 

    The proposal is to erect 6 blocks of flats of 5-7 storeys and a terrace of 9 houses.  

    There will be some limited space reserved for commercial and professional use, and a restaurant or café. 

    There will be parking for only 126 cars, and 10 light goods vehicles, largely in basement areas. 

    The developers say that the entrance to the road will be widened to provide a “Kiss & Ride” facility near the station entrance, to allow for dropping off and picking up passengers. 

    Our Response 

    This scheme has been suggested for some years, and we, as a Residents’ Association, have always supported the maintenance of the area for business use, since it provided much needed local employment.  Very unfortunately, Merton Council totally failed in its duty to uphold the wishes of local people, and has already endorsed an outline planning brief which permits housing on the site. This is doubtless because of their policy to increase even further the number of housing units in the Borough, which it has recently re-endorsed.

    We opposed any housing for many good reasons. 

    Aside from the need to maintain as much local employment as possible, Raynes Park has become saturated with new housing developments, largely consisting of flats,  over the last ten years. 

    The former site of St. Catherine’s School’s building and playground is now entirely flats. A significant part of the former LESSA sports ground (now Meadowview Road) is a mixture of flats and houses.  A chunk of the former Royal and Sun Alliance sports ground (off Linkway) is also a development of flats and in addition there are a large number of flats built over Waitrose. 

    The Council has a target to deliver 4,800 residential units over a 15 year period running from 2011 to 2026.   Out of this total the number of units aimed to be delivered in the Raynes Park sub area is set at between 500 and 600.   We calculate that more than 300 units of housing have already been developed in West Barnes and Raynes Park wards.   You can see from these figures that Raynes Park and West Barnes are well on target to meet their share of the overall housing target WITHOUT the need to build flats on the Rainbow Estate. 

    What is particularly difficult about this sudden influx of new residents is that the developers have no duty to provide the infrastructure necessary to provide for their needs.  The amount of money developers have to pay to the local authority in this regard is seldom more than a small fraction of what would be needed to cover the essential supporting infrastructure, such as schools, medical facilities, nurseries, libraries, community centres and so on. 

    The Site's Deficiencies for Housing 

    In any event, the site itself is totally unsuitable for housing. It is landlocked and surrounded by railway embankments on three sides.  

    It can be accessed only by the single road, and the volume of extra vehicular traffic created will put at real risk the thousands of pedestrians who use the station daily.  The result will be to make even worse the tailback of traffic coming down Grand Drive or off the A3, or from Coombe Lane under the railway arch.  

    It is hard to see how there will be space for a meaningful Kiss and Rise scheme. One is necessary to cater for the many people who need it because of infirmity or in bad weather; and it cannot beprovided on theCoombe Lane side of the station. 

    The number of car spaces proposed is entirely inadequate. The result will be that anyone living in the flats that does not have a designated space will simply park on surrounding roads. This will in turn necessitate the introduction of more paid for car parking zones.  

    Opposition

     We would urge all our members to oppose the proposed re-development. The substantial change of use from industrial to residential is simply unacceptable. The height and massing of the flats is inappropriate for the area. The access road cannot cope with the additional traffic, will cause major delays in the whole area, and will endanger the many pedestrians who use the station daily. 

    The site should be largely maintained for business use, and a proper Kiss and Road scheme proposed within a revised scheme. 

    This is further information on our website here.

    John Elvidge 

    Chairman

  • Rainbow Estate (14/P4287) - The Association's Representations

    Arising from the discussions held at our most recent Open Meeting in Decmber 2014, the following email has been submitted to Merton's Planning Department on 20/01/2015:

    This email is submitted on behalf of the Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents’ Association (RPWBRA)

    by Jerry Cuthbert, Committee Member, as follows: 

    Application reference numbers:  14/P4287 and 14/P4288.

    Name:                                         Jerry Cuthbert for the Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents’ Association.

    Address:                                     address supplied

    Planning application description:

                Redevelopment of the Rainbow Industrial Estate, Approach Road Grand Drive, SW20 OJY (14/P4287)

    and

                “Kiss & Ride” at Rainbow Industrial Estate, Approach Road, Grand Drive, SW20 OJY (14/P4288)

     

    The Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents’ Association objects to the Planning Application for Redevelopment of the Rainbow Industrial Estate (14/P4287) on the following grounds: 

    Note: This document refers to Merton’s Local Development Framework (LDF), its supporting documents, including its Core Strategies (CS), its planning policies and its “Planning Brief for the Rainbow Industrial Estate” (the Planning Brief).

     

    1.         EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

    Background 

    The origins of the proposals stem from the decisions reached at the Examination-in-Public ( EIP ) for the Core Planning Strategy, in March 2011. At these hearings, the Inspector noted that the designation for the site was - and still remains – as a Locally Significant Industrial Site; the permitted uses of which are mainly Industry and Storage. At the hearing, Workspace Group’s representatives made the claim that, in order to redevelop the site, they were seeking a broader range of uses. The Inspector accepted that a wider range of uses "may be considered " for the site " where these uses contributed to the site delivering the aims of Policy CS12 ( Economic Development in the Core Strategy ) and meet the terms of other Policies in Merton s Development Plan".  The Inspector specified that a Planning Brief would need to be Adopted which set out proposals for the whole site and she specified that the proposals " must be employment led and may incorporate a greater mix of uses " other than Industry and Storage. The Inspector did NOT indicate what the "greater mix " could include. 

    Conflict with Planning Policies 

    We submit that the proposals fail to meet the requirements of Policy CS 12 and other Policies in Merton ' s Sites and Policies DPD for reasons set out below but in particular we believe the proposals are NOT "employment led ". The huge quantum of proposed residential development in comparison to the very modest amount of additional business-type development clearly demonstrates that in overall terms the proposals are in reality residential led and therefore in significant conflict with adopted Planning Guidance, including the conditions imposed by the Inspectorate. 

    Unsuitable Location for Residential Development 

    We further submit that the proposals are in conflict with Policies in the Sites and Policies DPD in that the site is a highly unsuitable LOCATION for any residential use due to the proximity to the Railway Station and Railway lines due to noise, dust, vibration, station announcements, etc and equally unsuitable due to the limitations and potential risk factors of the single entrance with no prospect of securing a second means of access. 

    Long Term Considerations

    We further believe that if longer term considerations were taken into consideration, the site should be retained for its current restricted uses, in case the site was deemed essential to provide more important uses; possibly in connection with the proposals for Crossrail 2. If the proposals were implemented it would render it almost impossible to use the site for such needs and in that sense we submit that the proposals fail to represent Sustainable Development and are therefore in conflct with the National Policy Planning Framework. 

    Conclusion 

    The following paragraphs set out our concerns in greater detail: 

    ·         The need to safeguard the Kiss & Ride facility,
    ·         Loss of employment land.
    ·         Overbearing massing.
    ·         Noise, pollution and vibration from the railway
    ·         Lack of affordable housing.
    ·         Omission of sustainable urban drainage
    ·         Severe access limitations

     We therefore urge Refusal of this Application.

     

     2.         THE NEED FOR SAFEGUARDING THE “KISS AND RIDE” FOR THE COMMUNITY. 

    It is noted that the proposed “Kiss and Ride” facility on the south side of Raynes Park Station has been submitted as a separate application (14/P4288). The RPWBRA supports this methodology, on the basis that the “Rainbow Application” (14/P4287) may not be approved or may be subject to subsequent amendments or delays. It is important that the “Kiss and Ride” facility is delivered for the local community, irrespective of the outcome of the “Rainbow Application”. 

    The Planning Brief, Site Proposals, Section 6.4, states that the Kiss and Ride is a requirement. It is thus implicit in the Site Planning Brief that the “Kiss and Ride” facility is a crucial part of the Brief and thus enabled by the “Rainbow Application” (14/P4287).

     Therefore, assuming that redevelopment of the Rainbow Estate may eventually be approved in whatever form, the delivery of the “Kiss and Ride” facility (14/P4288) should be made the subject of a S106 Agreement or similar Condition attached to the main application (14/P4287). This would guarantee the provision of this key requirement of the Planning Brief for the community. Additionally, the S106 Agreement or condition should fix a suitable point for completion of the “Kiss & Ride” within the construction programme for the re-development of the Rainbow Industrial Estate.

     Neglecting to incorporate this safeguard could result in the delay or non-delivery of the “Kiss and Ride”, particularly in view of the complexities of ownership of this part of the site close to the railway station. The potential for failure of this part of Merton’s LDF is significant and should not be overlooked.

     

    3.         THE APPLICATION IS NOT EMPLOYMENT LED AND REPRESENTS A LOSS OF LAND AVAILABLE FOR EMPLOYMENT, CONTRARY TO THE PLANNING BRIEF AND LDF.

     The Planning Brief, states:

     ·         in the Objectives, Section 5.4 (b), that Merton will resist the loss of employment uses within Raynes Park.
    ·         in the Site Proposals, Section 6.1, that the site delivers employment-led regeneration, and
    ·         in Section 6.2, that there will be a minimum 3,400 or more of employment floor space.·          

    Merton’s LDF, Core planning Strategy, Policy CS12, Economic Development, includes: 

    • Item a, the requirement for increased provision in jobs in the Borough;
    • Item c, the protection of the supply of sites for employment use.
    • Section 20.12 requires an increase in employment opportunities,
    • Section 20.13 sets a restrictive approach to the transfer of industrial sites to non-employment uses, and
    • Section. 20.16 specifically requires that the Rainbow Industrial Estate must be employment led and meet the terms of Policy CS12. 

    The applicant states that the Commercial Gross External Floor Area (GEA) will be 3,758 m2,. This is very similar to the current amount of enclosed commercial available on the site. By concentrating this into only part of the site, the application proposes to convert 2/3 of the site to residential use, thereby leaving only one third of the land currently remaining available for employment uses. 

    Additionally, the application states that the Residential GEA will be a massive 24,336 m2. Thus only 13% of the developable space will be given to employment uses and that 87% of the floor space would be allocated to residential use. 

    Effectively, the application removes any opportunity for increasing employment opportunities on the site and represents the loss of approximately 13,000m2(1.3 hectares) of land designated for employment use. 

    The application therefore fails to deliver the requirements of the Brief: 

    • It represents a loss of employment uses within Raynes Park.
    • It is not employment-led regeneration. 

    The application also fails to comply with the LDF, Policy CS12, for the following reasons: 

    ·      It does not provide an increased provision of jobs.

    • It represents the loss of land available for employment.

    ·      It does not deliver an increase in employment opportunities.

    ·      It transfers land from employment to residential use.

    ·      It is not an employment led development.

     

    4.         THE OVERBEARING MASSING OF THE BUILDINGS IS CONTRARY TO THE PLANNING BRIEF AND LDF. 

    The Planning Brief, Site Proposals, Section 3.43, Design Principle, requires that the development be limited to 4-5 storeys in height, with the upper storeys set back. 

    Merton’s Sites and Policies, DM D2, Design,. Policy a) i) , “requires that new developments relate positively to the … height … massing of surrounding buildings” 

    Additionally, the LDF Policy CS14, Design, Item c, states that tall buildings may only be appropriate in certain specified locations. These locations do not include Raynes Park. 

    However, in this application the following building heights are proposed:

    Block A           6 Storeys plus plantroom

    Block B           7 Storeys (no stepping back of upper floors)

    Block C           6 Storeys (no stepping back of upper floors)

    Block D           5 Storeys

    Block E           6 Storeys (with extra height top storey and no stepping back of upper floors)

    Block F            6 Storeys (no stepping back of upper floors) 

    The massing is therefore overbearing and out of keeping with the urban landscape in Raynes Park, which is principally comprised of 2 storey houses. The design is even several storeys higher than other blocks in the vicinity such a “Waitrose” and “Bushey Court”. 

    This visual impact of the overbearing massing can be seen in the applicant’s Design and Access Statement, Section 3.5, Views of the Site. 

    The applicant has therefore failed to meet the requirements of the Planning Brief and LDF Design Policies, in that:

    • The development is not limited to 4-5 storeys, with the upper storeys stepped back.
    • The massing does not relate to the height and massing of the surrounding buildings.
    • It introduces tall buildings into Raynes Park. 

     

    5.         THE APPLICATION HARDLY PROVIDES FOR ANY AFFORDABLE HOUSING 

    The Planning Brief, Policy Context, Development Plan Policies, Housing, refers to the requirement for 40% affordable housing. This is now incorporated into Merton’s Core Planning Strategy policy CS8, Housing Choice, section (d)..

    The applicant’s Planning Statement says that 16 affordable homes will be provided out of a total of 229 (i.e. a mere 7%). 

    This is woefully short of Merton’s Core Strategy CS8 and the Planning Brief. 

     

    6.         THE RESIDENTS WILL BE EXPOSED TO NOISE, VIBRATION AND POLLUTION FROM THE RAILWAY 

    The RPWBRA Association avers that the Rainbow Industrial Estate is completely unsuitable for residential development. One reason, as many, is that the site is completely surrounded by busy railway lines and is close to Raynes Park Station. 

    There is a significant amount of noise associated with proximity to the railway; 

    ·         Noise from passing trains.

    ·         Wheel squeal as the trains passing through tight bends in the track.

    ·         Brake noise from stopping trains.

    ·         Platform announcements on the public address system.

    ·         Night-time engineering works. 

    There is also vibration from passing trains and pollution caused by brake dust. 

    Merton’s Sites and Policies, D2, Design, Policy a) vi), requires that developments are protected from “… noise, vibration and pollution.” 

    The applicant’s Design & Access Statement and Noise and Vibration Statement correctly identify the railway lines that surround the site as being a source of noise, and vibration. 

    Whilst some mitigation measures are proposed for noise, it is noted that no measures are propose to combat vibration. Also, the applicant’s documents put emphasis on the outdoor amenities to be provided, for children and adults, but completely overlook the proximity of busy railway lines, with the concomitant noise and vibration. 

    The application is therefore only partially addresses the requirements of Merton’s Sites and Policies, D2, Design. 

     

    7.         OMISSION OF SUSTAINABLE URBAN DRAINAGE (SUDS) 

    The Planning Brief, Policy Contact, Flooding, requires the development to utilise sustainable urban drainage unless there are practical reasons for not doing so. 

    Merton’s Sites and Policies, DM F2, Flooding and Drainage, incorporates the following requirements for new developments: 

    Item i               - A sustainable design approach to drainage,

    Item iii - A demonstration of maintenance and long term management,

    Item vi             - Demonstrate the local network has adequate capacity. 

    The applicant’s Below Ground Drainage Statement proposes that surface water drainage is collected into underground storage facilities, before being discharged into an existing culvert. Additionally, it is proposed that pumps will be necessary due to the lack of sufficient slopes. 

    Whilst the Statement explores the possibility SUDS at some length, the proposed solution is NOT a SUDS scheme. The Statement fails to consider: 

    a)         Whether, if the development were less dense, that there would be less run-off and also more space and opportunity to incorporate SUDS.

    b)         Any proposals for maintenance and long term management

    c)         Whether the local network has adequate capacity. 

    Therefore, by proposing an inappropriately dense development, the applicant claims that SUDS are not viable, contrary to the Planning Brief. 

    The application also fails to meet requirements of Policy DM F2 on the several matters as listed above under Items i, iii & vi. 

     

    8.           THE SEVERELY LIMITED ACCESS IN INAPPROPRIATE FOR THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT. 

    The RPWBRA avers that the applicant’s Transport Assessment shows many symptoms of the site being inappropriate for a dense residential development, as follows: 

    a.         Applicant’s Appendix L

    In order to provide safe pedestrian access under the railway bridge, the access road will be reduced to a single lane at this pinch-point, controlled by traffic lights. However, no consideration is given to the likelihood of queues backing up into the K&R area. 

    b.         Applicant’s Appendix M

    It is proposed that there will only be a single lane access road to blocks D, E and F, with a small single vehicle turning area at the end. This is likely to lead to queuing and traffic conflicts and grid-lock, as soon as more than one vehicle needs access to these blocks. Attendance by the emergency services and refuse collection are all likely to experience problems. 

    c.         Single Point of Access

    The only access to the whole site is through the railway arch. The RPWBRA avers that, in an emergency, this is an unsafe arrangement, as it totally depends on the railway arch not being blocked; for example, by a broken down vehicle, a vehicle fire in the K&R area or traffic congestion on the south side of Raynes Park Station. In such circumstances, all the residents would be trapped on the site.   

    We therefore urge Refusal of this Application. 

    J R Cuthbert

    on behalf of the Committee for the Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents’ Association.

     

     

     

     

  • West Barnes Library - January 2015

    DON’T MISS

    The FoWBL Photography Competition.    Rules and entry forms are now available from West Barnes Library.   Entries need to be submitted to West Barnes Library by the 5January 2015 so get your cameras out and start taking some winning photographs.  A prize will be awarded to the winner of each category as well as one for the overall winner. 

    Volunteers needed

    Can you spare a couple of hours occasionally? West Barnes Library urgently needs more volunteers to help at a range of levels to assist staff. You could be helping keep the library open for the people of Motspur Park. Training will be given. For details and to apply, please ask at the counter. 

    The FoWBL also need volunteers to help with their website, publicity and events.  If you would like to know more please visit the library or contact the Friends at mail@friendsowbl.org.uk or friendsowbl.org.uk 

    What’s on?

    Coming up at West Barnes Library

    To reserve a place where required, talk to staff, call 020 8274 5789 or email westbarnes.library@merton.gov.uk. 

    Read Aloud (Mondays, 10.30-11 am). Join Jennifer as she reads stories to toddlers.  No need to book.

    Kiddirama Under 5s (Tuesdays, 10am-11am, except every third Tuesday of the month 9.30am-10.30am). Term time only (Commences 13/1/2015).  An interactive, fun story, song and sensory class. £2 per child. To book, email kiddirama@mail.com or phone 07542 170604. 

    Computer Classes For Beginners (Tuesdays, noon-1.30pm, and Thursdays, 1.30pm-3pm).  Booking essential.

    Rendezvous Club (Tuesdays, 1.30pm-3.30pm). Weekly drop-in for over 55s. £2. For more information call Gilli on 020 8543 1781.

    Kiddirama Juniors (Tuesdays, 4pm-5pm) Term time only (commences 13/1/2015). Interactive sessions for 7-12 year-olds focusing on team building, confidence boosting, performance. £2 per child. To book, email kiddirama@mail.com or phone 07542 170604.

    Knit & Natter (Thursdays, 11am-1pm) Bring your own knitting or crochet.  We also knit items for various charities or for sale to raise funds for them. This year we have made blankets for the Cats Protection League and for the Premature Baby Unit.  We have also made hats, gloves and scarfs for the homeless as well as poppies for the British Legion.  Free tea or coffee provided.

    Toddlers’ Rhyme Time (Fridays, 10.30am-11am). Rhymes and musical activities for 0 to 5 year-olds followed by Story Time (11am-11.30am).

    The Sparkle Club (Saturdays, 2.30pm-4pm). Eight-week story-writing course for children. Booking required.

    Craft and Chat Saturday, 10 January (3pm-4pm).  Patchwork and quilting talk and demonstration by Kate North.  Booking is essential as there are limited places.

    Photography Competition Social EveningFriday, 16 January (7.30pm).  Join us for the opening of viewing and voting.  There will also be a short talk about photography by a member of the Mitcham Camera Club. There will be a small charge of £2 to cover refreshments.

    Microsoft Excel Workshop Monday, 19 January (2pm-3pm).  Booking essential.

    Local History Coffee Morning (Topic to be confirmed) Tuesday, 20 January (10.30am-noon). All welcome. Please contact the library for further information.

    Children’s Craft Saturday, 17January (2pm-4pm).  Bring the children for fun activities. No need to book.

    Sophrology Relaxation Techniques Thursday, 22January (5pm-6.30pm).  Booking required.

    Photography Competition Awards Saturday, 31 January (3pm-4pm).  The winners of the competition will be announced and prizes presented.

    Adults’ Book Club.  Please contact the library for the date, time and chosen book. New members are warmly welcomed.

    Police Surgery  –  Chat to a PC about any local topics. .  Please contact the library for the date and time 

    To receive a monthly eNewsletter of events at West Barnes Library, write to mail@friendsowbl.org.uk or sign up at www.friendsowbl.org.uk 

  • Raynes Park High School - January 2015

    UpStArt Competition - Charlotte Hendry wins Judges’ prize

    Former Student Charlotte Hendry, has been awarded the Judges’ Prize in the UpStArt competition launched this year to give Sixth Formers in Greater London a chance to show their work beyond the classroom. A panel of almost 40 expert judges from across the world selected thirty finalists from over 1000 entries and Art Dealer Jeff Salmon (and presenter of Channel 4’s Four Rooms) chose Charlotte’s entry as the Judges’ overall winner for her work titled ‘Mournful Man’. 

    Charlotte won a cash prize of £500 and an internship at UK Greetings and MBA Advertising. A private view of the work was held on Tuesday 25th November and the art department was proud to join Charlotte for the evening to celebrate her success. The students’ work is currently being auctioned to raise money for Anne Frank Trust. All entries can be viewed on the UpStart Art website. https://up-start.co.uk

    Head of Creative and Performing Arts - Ms Curtis

     

    RPHS -Young Reporter 

    Inside the Head of a Female Politician

    In the news I often hear about the lack of female representatives in parliament. This issue does give me cause for concern as I, a young female with aspirations to pursue a political career, would not be taken seriously as a voice for their country. So this made me think about my local Labour MP, Siobhain McDonagh, whose surgery is just moments away from where I live. 

    Within modern society there is still prejudice against gender in various jobs, so by discussing this with an experienced politician it enabled me to get a wider insight of what working in such a male-dominated job is like. 

    Ms McDonagh who has been the local Mitcham and Morden MP since 1997, was delighted to hear about my interest in the topic and we arranged to meet for a short interview the following Thursday. The weather was horrendous as I approached her compact yet friendly office in the centre of Morden; she greeted me, robed in a vivid post-box red overcoat, proudly reflecting the colour of her political party. 

    In the casual setting of her surgery, we were sat over a table discussing the importance of equality in politics. Ms McDonagh stated that she believes “lots of people do get discriminated against (in politics), anybody who’s not out of the norm mainstream”. She then later told me “politics has to be both about men and women, young and old, black and white… this is the 21st Century!” 

    I asked Ms McDonagh what she thought of women not necessarily being the best person for a job in politics due to family and personal commitments, she said that “being an MP is for everybody, really – there’s not only one way of living your life”. The Labour MP stressed the idea that “life is hard for working women irrespective of the job they’re doing. The thing about being an MP is that you have levels of flexibility that ordinary jobs don’t have”.

    Interestingly, upon being put forth the question what her advice would be for aspiring female politicians, she concluded “I don’t really know what a female politician is, my only advice is you need a strong belief in activism and working with a range of different people”. 

    What I have discovered from speaking to a dedicated Labour party member is that what is initially portrayed in the media is not necessarily experienced in everyday life, and perhaps this issue isn’t a cause for concern. Should I, as a young person still be? 

    Katie Fegan 11 MZ

     

    Former Pupils Can you Help? 

    We were delighted to welcome former pupil Trevor Clark (left RPHS in 1987) and now a partner with global law firm Linklaters to a Career’s Academy event. Trevor’s talk was inspiring for our students who are considering a career in law. 

    Raynes Park High School is one of nearly 400 state schools and colleges across Britain which have registered with the charity Future First to set up networks of former students or alumni. 

    More than 90,000 former students have already signed up to stay connected with their old school. They are inspiring young people in a number of ways; as career and education role models, mentors or e-mentors, work experience providers, governors, donors or fundraisers. “More than 39 per cent of state school students don’t know anyone in a job they’d like to do,” said Alex Shapland-Howes, Managing Director of Future First. “If they see that someone who went to the same school, grew up in the same community, has achieved a fulfilling and satisfying job, it helps them see it’s possible for them too. It’s really important for all students to be motivated to succeed in the working world and hearing first hand from relatable people in interesting jobs can make a huge difference.”  

    Becky Brake, Head of Personal Development and Careers, is waiting to hear from former students on bbrake@raynespark.merton.sch.uk. Former students can also sign up to Future First’s alumni scheme by clicking on the “Former Students” link on the website www.futurefirst.org.uk.

  • Kids First - Spring Term 2015

    Thursday 15 January, 7.30pm to 10.30pm

    Kids First “New Year” Line Dancing evening!with Janice from HotShots Line Dance Club. Come along, have fun & meet other parents. Free buffet & refreshments. Morden Assembly Hall, Tudor Drive/Lower Morden Lane, Morden, SM4 4PJ

     

    Friday 23 January, 10am to 12pm

    Working Families “Waving not Drowning” project with Janet Mearns, Disability Advisor. Working Families is a national charity dedicated to improving the work-life balance for anyone caring for a disabled child.

    Information & advice about combining caring for your child & doing paid work, including childcare, finding work, flexible working, your right to time off, benefits & more…. at the Chaucer Centre, Room B, Canterbury Road, Morden, SM4 6PX

     

    Tuesday 3 February, 10.30am to 1pm (lunch included)

    Mental Capacity & Powers of Attorney explained with Philip Warford, Managing Director of Renaissance Legal.

    If a person lacks the ability to make a decision then their mental capacity is questioned.

    Philip will explain the principles around mental capacity &what you need to consider.

    He will also talk about Powers of Attorney, the appointment of someone to make a decision on behalf of a person with a learning disability & how they can be used.

    Chaucer Centre, Room B, Canterbury Road, Morden, SM4 6PX

     

    Wednesday 25 February, 10am to 2pm (lunch included)

    Need help with your child’s special educational needs? with Wendy Jenkins, Core Assets (Independent Supporters Service) & Chris Wilson, Merton’s SEN Information, Advice & Support Service (formerly Parent Partnership Service)

    If you have problems with your child’s SEN, a statement, a transfer to a new EHC Plan, or requesting an assessment, come & find out how Wendy & Chris’s services can help. Plus meet some Independent Supporters who will be there to offer advice & support to parents. Come along & ask your questions.

    Chaucer Centre, Room D, Canterbury Road, Morden, SM4 6PX

     

     Merton Mencap. Registered Office Address: The Wilson Hospital, Cranmer Road, Mitcham, Surrey CR4 4TP

  • West Barnes Surgery - January 2015

    A message from the West Barnes Surgery.

    Winter pressure clinics

    Extra weekend GP clinics are available for patients registered with practices in Kingston , New Malden, Chessington and Surbiton. 

    These clinics are for URGENT care only and are NOT to be used for routine appointments, medication review or to discuss blood tests and other investigations.

    If you require an urgent GP appointment over the weekend please book on the day (Saturday/Sunday) by calling:  0203 021 5404.

    The clinics will be available Saturdays, Sundays and Bank holidays (excluding Christmas Day) from 1st November 2014 to 31st March 2015 and will open in four different locations : 

    NEW MALDEN : THE GROVES MEDICAL CENTRE, 171 Clarence Ave, KT3 3TX

    KINGSTON : CHURCHILL MEDICAL CENTRE, Clifton Road, KT2 6PG

    SURBITON: SURBITON HEALTH CENTRE, Ewell Road, KT6 6EZ

    CHESSINGTON: MERRITT MEDICAL CENTRE, Merritt Gardens , KT9 2GY

    Once you have called 0203 021 5404 you will be booked and informed which site to attend. Please note  your full medical records will not be available to the GPs providing these clinics.

     About Shingles

     Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is an infection of a nerve and the skin around it. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox.

    Shingles usually affects a specific area on one side of the body and does not cross over the midline of the body (an imaginary line running from between your eyes down past the belly button).

    The main symptom is a painful rash that develops into itchy blisters that contain particles of the virus.

    An episode of shingles typically lasts around two to four weeks, although around one in five people go on to develop nerve pain called postherpetic neuralgia in the affected area of skin. 

    When to seek medical advice

    Shingles is not usually serious, but you should see your GP as soon as possible if you recognize the symptoms. Early treatment may help reduce the severity of your symptoms and the risk of developing complications.

    You should also see your GP if you are pregnant or have a weakened immune system and you think you have been exposed to someone with chicken pox or shingles and haven't had chickenpox before. 

    Who is affected?

    Around 9 in every 10 adults in the UK have had chickenpox previously and are potentially at risk of developing shingles. Shingles can occur at any age, but is most common in people who are over the age of 70. It is much less common in children.

    It's estimated that around one in every four people will have at least one episode of shingles during their life. It is possible to have shingles more than once, but it's very rare to get it more than twice. 

    How shingles is treated

    There is no cure for shingles, but treatment is available to relieve the symptoms until the condition resolves. Most cases of shingles last around two to four weeks.

    Treatment for shingles can include:

    ·         covering the rash with clothing or a non-adherent (non-stick) dressing to reduce the risk of other people becoming infected with chickenpox, as it is very difficult to pass the virus on to someone else if the rash is covered.

    ·         painkilling medication, such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or codeine

    ·         antiviral medication to stop the virus multiplying, although not everyone will need this 

    Can shingles be prevented?

    It's not always possible to prevent shingles, but a vaccine called Zostavax can reduce your chances of developing the condition. If you still develop shingles after having this vaccine, the condition may be milder and last for a shorter time than usual. 

    This vaccine is now routinely offered to older people on the NHS. It is given as a single injection to anyone aged 70. There is also a catch-up programme for those aged 79 and, from September 2014, 78 and 79-year-olds. You will only need to have this vaccine once.

    If you wish to have the shingles vaccine and you are not eligible for the NHS vaccination programme, you will usually need to visit a private clinic. Private vaccination is likely to cost £100-200. 

    West Barnes Surgery PPG contacts are - Sara White ppg@wbms.co.uk   and the practice manager, Sam Uddin 020 8336 1773.

     

     

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townswomen's Guild - January 2015

    Did you know that a harp has two pedals – one on each side?  Not only that, but each pedal has three settings, for a flat, natural or sharp note!  Following her talk members and visitors were able to examine Mrs. Margaret Watson‘s harp in detail at our meeting in November.   I think next time we watch a full orchestra with a delicately tinkling harpist in evening dress, instead of admiring her neck, shoulders and cleavage we may well  be wondering about the activity under the long skirt!  Mrs. Watson’s  programme included a wide range of musical styles to show us how versatile (and loud) the harp can be as a solo instrument – classical, folk  and a rollicking arrangement of Glen Miller’s Chattanoogo Choo Choo, when she put the long bass strings through their paces.  Great fun.

    Eleven members enjoyed more rousing bass notes as we waited to file out of St Martin’s-in-the-Fields following the Townswomen’s Guild National Carol Service on Saturday, 6th December, when the organist played the Toccata from Symphony No. 5 in F major.  Eventually, when encouraged, reluctantly and bashfully a young man called Richard Moore appeared from behind the large organ screen and the ladies remaining in the church showed their appreciation.  He was in fact the only man taking part in this service, the Reverend Katherine Hedderly officiating, with readings by TWG national trustees, the National Chairman and other executive committee members and with the TWG North Middlesex Federation Choir singing many anthems.  The Church was absolutely full and we agreed it was good to share this experience with so many other TWG members.

    Twenty-four members joined together to enjoy a Christmas lunch at The Watchman in New Malden on 4th December.  Spread over three large and one small table which just fitted into the small room by the entrance, this was another relaxed and friendly occasion.

     Returning to the musical theme the two members who investigated the free lunchtime concert at St Mary le Bow in Cheapside were impressed by the small choir of 4 ladies who sang beautifully, filling the church with the sound of traditional carols and more modern pieces for about 45 minutes.  The acoustic in the church appears to be particularly good so it is felt we should monitor the lunchtime concert programme for future events of interest.

     And finally on the evening of Thursday, 11th  December a group of 16 braved the cold wind for a return visit to the Lovekyn Chapel, Kingston, this time  for ‘A Georgian Christmas’.  In this intimate space the Lovekyn Consort – a chamber quartet consisting of Harpsichord with Baroque Flute, Violin and Cello and Elin Harries (Soprano) – gave us a polished, varied and educational programme of Georgian winter and Christmas music.

    The next monthly meeting will be held at 1.30 pm at St Saviour’s Church Hall on Thursday, 15th January 2015.   Visitors and new members are always welcome.  Please telephone if you would like more information about what we do.  We look forward to seeing you.

     Dorothy Raymond

    Tel: 020 8395 9489

     

     

  • Your River Needs You!

    Pollution is a major problem for urban rivers, but you can help make a difference! 

    We are looking for local volunteers to join our Pollution Monitoring scheme on the Wandle, Hogsmill and Beverley Brook. 

    Pollution comes in many different forms, all of which can have devastating consequences for riverine species. 

    Misconnected drains from houses and businesses can result in contaminated water being discharged into the local river. These problem outfalls often go unnoticed and become a chronic source of pollution. 

    The South East Rivers Trust is working with the Environment Agency to monitor pollution incidents on the Wandle, Hogsmill and Beverley Brook.

    Volunteers will be trained to attend Category 3 pollution incidents and report back vital information to the South East Rivers Trust and Environment Agency. Problematic outfalls, such as misconnected drains, will also be monitored by volunteers on a regular basis. Together it is hoped that we can improve the health of these rivers for wildlife and the local community. 

    Want to get involved?

    If you live near the Wandle, Hogsmill or Beverley Brook and want to help reduce pollution, why not join our Pollution Patrol, and get trained on how to identify and assess pollution incidents? To find out more or sign up, email us at: 

    pollution@wandletrust.org  

    South East Rivers Trust

  • Change of Use - 14-16 Coombe Lane

     

    Planning Application 14/P3046,  14 - 16 Coombe Lane, Raynes Park, London SW20 8ND (Next door to Wetherspoon’s Pub)

     

    14 January 2015 - Recent News - This application has been Refused.

    [This article is drawn from information available in the public domain but does not necessarily represent the views of the Association nor its members.]

     

     

     

    One40 is one of the country's leading specialists in addiction and disorder therapy, with many years experience in both the public and private sectors. It has both day treatment and residential facilities right across the UK. They plan to move their “Thames Clinic”, currently located in Kingston-upon-Thames, to Raynes Park and have applied for change of useof the Ground Floor and Basement of the new development at 14-16 Coombe Lane from Retail to a Short-Stay Residential Health Treatment Centre. 

    Dr. Jeremy N. Harris of The Groves Medical Centre, New Malden, has written in support of this application, saying: 

    “This is a letter of commendation from the Groves Medical Centre and the partners here regarding the service and provision of care that Thames Clinic has been providing in Kingston, with which we have been involved since August 2012. 

    “Incredibly having been a G.P. for twenty five years in the area, I did not know of its existence until we took over the contract, and it would be very difficult to know from the simple sign outside the building and the lack of activity thereabout that the adult detox vacation for drugs and alcohol was taking place. 

    “Having taken over the clinical care and the clinical supervision of detox the quality of care provided by both the administrators but more importantly by the CPNs means that these patients receive a very calm and high quality of care that allows them to detox in comfort without very many side effects. The vast majority of patients see it through to the end of the detox vacation, and although, as is the habit of the beast, we do see people coming back, patient satisfaction with the centre is very high. The only problem we have currently is that the number of beds does not meet demand and hence the application to move to Raynes Park. 

    “The locality of the station makes this a very good site as patients are received from all over London and the South East either privately or through referrals from the N.H.S. through the Commissioning Boards. 

    “I have no hesitation in recommending that planning permission be given for this site, and can reassure both the neighbours and the locality that they would not know that the Thames Clinic was actually on location.”

  • Raynes Park Bereavement Service

    The Raynes Park Bereavement Service was launched on Monday 24 November 2014.   

    The service provides free and confidential one to one support to people who have had a bereavement, recently or in the past.  

    This service is provided by volunteers who have been vetted, trainedand are supported by professional counsellors.  It is being provided primarily for people living in the Raynes Park area, but it is open to requests from elsewhere.  The service is managed by Christ Church, Raynes Park, and is open to people of all faiths and none.   

    The service is accessed by calling 07914 263420 or emailing raynesparkbereavement@gmail.com.   The volunteer will then arrange a meeting at Lambton Road Medical Practice for as many times as needed.  (If someone is housebound arrangements will be made to see them in their own home.) 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Raynes Park High School - December 2014

    Experiencing the World of Work - can you help? 

    Our Year 10 students are seeking companies that can offer a week of work experience from 2nd - 6th March 2015.  

    If you can offer a student the opportunity for valuable work place experience please contact Ms Brake, Head of Personal Development and Careers on 020 8946 4112 ext. 1117.  

     

    The school has been celebrating Black History Month with a wide-ranging programme of lessons, competitions and a school Assembly when students learnt about Steve Biko a great civil rights leader. 

    Raynes Park High SchoolBlack History Month was launched in UK in 1987 its aims are to: 

     

    • ·          Promote knowledge of Black history, culture and heritage
    • ·         Disseminate information on positive Black contributions to British Society
    • ·         Heighten the confidence and awareness of Black people to their cultural heritage 

     

    Now in its 24th  year, the Black History Month includes over 6,000 events and celebrations. 

    Trip to WW1 Battlefields in Belgium 

    Over the first weekend of the half term holiday a group of thirty students from Years 9 – 11 were in Belgium to visit some of the key sites of the World War One Battlefields.

     

  • West Barnes Library - December 2014

    DON’T MISS

    The FoWBL Photography Competition.    Rules and entry forms are now available from West Barnes Library.

    The Rendezvous Christmas Fair  Saturday 6 December 1.00-4.00pm.    All Welcome. 

    What’s on?

    Coming up at West Barnes Library

    To reserve a place where required, talk to staff, call 020 8274 5789 or email westbarnes.library@merton.gov.uk. 

    Read Aloud (Mondays, 10.30-11 am). Join Jennifer as she reads stories to toddlers.

    Kiddirama, Under 5s (Tuesdays, 10am-11am, except every third Tuesday of the month 9.30am-10.30am). An interactive, fun story, song and sensory class. £2 per child. To book, email kiddirama@mail.com or phone 07542 170604.

    Kiddirama Juniors, The Secret Book Club (Tuesdays, 4pm-5pm). Interactive sessions for 7-12 year-olds focusing on team building, confidence boosting, performance and s. £2 per child. To book, email kiddirama@mail.com or phone 07542 170604.

    Computer Classes For Beginners (Tuesdays, noon-1.30pm, and Thursdays, 1.30pm-3pm). Booking essential.

    Rendezvous Club (Tuesdays, 1.30pm-3.30pm). Weekly drop-in for over 55s. £2. For details talk to library staff or call Gilli on 020 8543 1781.

    Knit & Natter (Thursdays, 11am-1pm) Bring your own knitting or crochet.  We also knit items for various charities or for sale to raise funds for them. This year we have made blankets for the Cats Protection League and for the Premature Baby Unit.  We have also made hats, gloves and scarfs for the homeless as well as poppies for the British Legion.  Free tea or coffee provided.

    Toddlers’ Rhyme Time (Fridays, 10.30am-11am). Rhymes and musical activities for 0 to 5 year-olds followed by Story Time (11am-11.30am).

    The Sparkle Club (Saturdays, 2.30pm-4pm). Eight-week story-writing course for children. Booking required.

    Adults’ Book Club Tuesday 16 December (5.45pm-6.45pm). Please contact the library for the November book choice.  New members are warmly welcomed.

    Children’s Craft Saturday, 13 December (2pm-4pm).  Bring the children for fun activities. No need to book.

    Kiddirama Family Christmas Special Saturday 20 December (1.00-2.00pm). All welcome

    Children’s Art Club Saturday, 20 December (2pm-4pm). Booking required. For more information please contact the library.

    Police Surgery –Tuesday 16 December (5.00-6.00pm). Chat to a PC about any local topics. 

    Volunteers needed 

    Can you spare a couple of hours occasionally? West Barnes Library urgently needs more volunteers to help at a range of levels to assist staff. You could be helping keep the library open for the people of Motspur Park. Training will be given. For details and to apply, please ask at the counter. 

    The FoWBL also need volunteers to help with their website, publicity and events.  If you would like to know more please visit the library or contact the Friends at: mail@friendsowbl.org.uk or friendsowbl.org.uk 

     

    To receive a monthly eNewsletter of events at West Barnes Library, write to mail@friendsowbl.org.uk

  • West Barnes Library - December 2014

    DON’T MISS

    The FoWBL Photography Competition.    Rules and entry forms are now available from West Barnes Library.

    The Rendezvous Christmas Fair - Saturday 6 December 1.00-4.00pm.    All Welcome. 

    What’s on?

    Coming up at West Barnes Library

    To reserve a place where required, talk to staff, call 020 8274 5789 or email westbarnes.library@merton.gov.uk. 

    Read Aloud (Mondays, 10.30-11 am). Join Jennifer as she reads stories to toddlers.

    Kiddirama, Under 5s (Tuesdays, 10am-11am, except every third Tuesday of the month 9.30am-10.30am). An interactive, fun story, song and sensory class. £2 per child. To book, email kiddirama@mail.com or phone 07542 170604.

    Kiddirama Juniors, The Secret Book Club (Tuesdays, 4pm-5pm). Interactive sessions for 7-12 year-olds focusing on team building, confidence boosting, performance and s. £2 per child. To book, email kiddirama@mail.com or phone 07542 170604.

    Computer Classes For Beginners (Tuesdays, noon-1.30pm, and Thursdays, 1.30pm-3pm). Booking essential.

    Rendezvous Club (Tuesdays, 1.30pm-3.30pm). Weekly drop-in for over 55s. £2. For details talk to library staff or call Gilli on 020 8543 1781.

    Knit & Natter (Thursdays, 11am-1pm) Bring your own knitting or crochet.  We also knit items for various charities or for sale to raise funds for them. This year we have made blankets for the Cats Protection League and for the Premature Baby Unit.  We have also made hats, gloves and scarfs for the homeless as well as poppies for the British Legion.  Free tea or coffee provided.

    Toddlers’ Rhyme Time (Fridays, 10.30am-11am). Rhymes and musical activities for 0 to 5 year-olds followed by Story Time (11am-11.30am).

    The Sparkle Club (Saturdays, 2.30pm-4pm). Eight-week story-writing course for children. Booking required.

    Adults’ Book Club Tuesday 16 December (5.45pm-6.45pm). Please contact the library for the November book choice.  New members are warmly welcomed.

    Children’s Craft Saturday, 13 December (2pm-4pm).  Bring the children for fun activities. No need to book.

    Kiddirama Family Christmas Special Saturday 20 December (1.00-2.00pm). All welcome

    Children’s Art Club Saturday, 20 December (2pm-4pm). Booking required. For more information please contact the library.

    Police Surgery –Tuesday 16 December (5.00-6.00pm). Chat to a PC about any local topics. 

    Volunteers needed 

    Can you spare a couple of hours occasionally? West Barnes Library urgently needs more volunteers to help at a range of levels to assist staff. You could be helping keep the library open for the people of Motspur Park. Training will be given. For details and to apply, please ask at the counter. 

    The FoWBL also need volunteers to help with their website, publicity and events.  If you would like to know more please visit the library or contact the Friends at: mail@friendsowbl.org.uk or friendsowbl.org.uk 

     

    To receive a monthly eNewsletter of events at West Barnes Library, write to mail@friendsowbl.org.uk

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townswomen's Guild - December 2014

    At very short notice Mrs. Shirley Cornish agreed to come to St Saviour’s Church Hall to our October meeting, when regrettably the arranged speaker had had to withdraw for health reasons.  She spoke to us about her passion and hobby – Dolls Houses, giving us a brief history.  She particularly mentioned Queen Mary’s dolls house at Windsor, Dutch glass fronted houses, and perhaps the earliest, from 1577, commissioned by a German, a replica of his house.  

    She brought with her an assortment of rooms and models which were examined closely by members following her talk.  We all admired the detail in the Victorian Christmas Dining Room, the family of dolls, and the fixtures and fittings in the kitchen and scullery.  Particularly fine was the Chinese Room with beautiful inlaid furniture.

    Mrs. Eileen Brewer gave a special vote of thanks.

    During the Autumn we have enjoyed a programme of other activities.  Many of the residents from this area took the opportunity to visit the marvellous display of poppies at the Tower of London.  Our group travelled by underground train from Wimbledon to The Tower in mid October when the crowds were not too great.  This enabled us to split into groups to walk round The Tower at our own pace to admire the installation, before meeting again at Tower Pier to take the River Bus back to The London Eye and Waterloo. 

  • Tree Warden Group - Merton - December 2014

    PROPOSED PRIVATISATION OF GREENSPACES SERVICES

    Merton’s Budget Proposals contain huge issues for Merton and its citizens, yet Merton Cabinet Members appear to be taking big decisions behind closed doors instead of consulting the constituency that they serve. Even when they do consult, they don’t abide by the outcome. 

    Privatisation of the management of Green Spaces will mean another layer of management, a further cost centre, and ultimately fewer staff and less cash to pay for physically tending our precious green spaces. 

    The Leader of the Council is urged to think carefully of the consequences of his actions. Thousands of volunteers that work tirelessly — and for no payment whatsoever — may not be so keen to ‘volunteer’ their precious time for a distant, profit-making company'. 

    VACANT TREE PITS

    It’s not too late to report vacant tree pits via the council website Street Scene Enquiry Form on:

    http://www.merton.gov.uk/environment/trees.htm. Do suggest an appropriate species that will fit in with other trees in the street. 

    MINOR WORKS TO STREET TREES BY TWs

    If you want to carry out minor works to street trees on your patch contact Jane to arrange training and collect a high viz vest. Tools from our store can be borrowed. 

    UPDATE ON i-TREE TRAINING

    The programme of surveying has been completed by five TWs led by Dan Sitch and Dave Lofthouse. Jim Smith of the Forestry Commission organised the London-wide survey. 

    UPDATE ON THE CANONS

    The Friends group at the Canons (FROC) has surveyed the planting in the walled Peace Garden and will carry out pruning works before next spring. If you want to be involved with this or other tasks, ring John and arrange to come to a Friends workday (3rd Sunday of the month). 

  • Lampton Road PPG - Newsletter

     

    Lambton Road Medical Practice Patient Participation Group (PPG)

    Written by patients for patients 

    Full complement of GPs

    We're delighted to report that from September LRMP has had a full complement of permanently appointed doctors. This should now greatly reduce the waiting time for an appointment. Below are brief profiles of the new members:

     Dr Sat Phadnis - graduated from Sheffield University in 2007 and undertook his GP training in Sutton, Surrey. He enjoys all aspects of general practice and is committed to providing high quality, patient centred care. He also performs joint and soft tissue injections for patients with musculoskeletal conditions. As a new member of the team, Dr Phadnis is ‘looking forward to getting to know the practice population’.

     Dr Susie Earle - was a biologist from Hampshire who decided that being a doctor was a more Rewarding career. She studied medicine at the University of London, having commenced GP training in 2009, with early training at St Thomas’s Hospital. She worked at an Elephant and Castle practice before joining LRMP. Susie is particularly interested in chronic disease management and family planning. In her spare time, she enjoys getting out into the country and attempting to improve her cookery skills,’ 

    Flu and shingles jabs

    The Flu Campaign has now started for this year.

     

  • Merton Clinical Commissioning Group - Workshops

    Merton’s Community Services   Planning Workshops

    2 December 10am - 1pm

    3 December 2pm - 5pm 

    We are at the first stage of deciding what future community services we want to put in place when our current contract finishes in March 2016. 

    We want to talk with the public, patients, carers and health and social care professionals to help shape our plans.

    Community services include: community nursing and adult therapies; rapid response to support older people out of hospital; children’s services including health visitors; school nursing and support for children with complex needs. 

    For more information or to register your interest in attending one of the events, call Clare Lowrie-Kanaka:

    Telephone: 020 82510588,

    email: clare.lowrie-kanaka@mertonccg.nhs.uk.

     

     

  • Chairman's Blog - December 2014

    BASEMENT DEVELOPMENTS 

    We were alerted by a resident in Elm Walk to a planning application for a basement extension to a house in her road.  This is a particularly sensitive area in view of the flooding that happens on Raynes Park Playing Field, which one side of the road  backs on to. 

    We know that other such extensions have been given approval in Merton, particularly in Wimbledon Village, but there is another example locally in the neighbouring street in Parkway. We also understand that such applications are rife in central London, and cause great concern to other householders, who face months of building chaos and road blockages, and have real fears for the structure of their own properties. 

    We decided that we ought to investigate the extent to which the Council control and monitor such developments.  

    It turns out that the planning department has a short policy which covers basement and subterranean developments. Among other things, there is a requirement that they have to be wholly confined within the curtilage of the application property, and be designed to maintain and safeguard the structural stability of the house in question and its neighbours. It cannot exceed 50% of either the front, rear, or side garden or result in the garden that is left not being a usable single area. There must be no damage or threat of damage to trees of amenity value.  Anything that is visible externally must be designed so as to avoid any harmful visual impact on a neighbour. 

    The Council also requires an assessment of the impacts of the scheme on flooding from all sources, groundwater conditions, drainage, and ground stability. 

    We assume that the responsibility for checking these matters,  as the building progresses, rests with the building control section of the Council, which also checks that the general building regulations are complied with.  

    Further, we assume that any such application would have to be approved in advance by neighbours under the Party Wall act. 

    We believe that a general principle arises in this case, given the relatively small size of the property, and have asked the planning officers to look at it most carefully. We have put in a formal objection, and we understand that it may be called in for decision by the whole planning committee. If it were to be approved, then conditions should be set on the schedule of works, given that Elm Walk is a narrow street, with parking on both sides, and is used as a rat run for traffic escaping from Grand Drive.

     ADULT EDUCATION 

    The Council has stated that they need to make £32 million savings over the next four years.  One of the areas they are looking at is that of adult education. This is because the funding is not statutory, i.e. funding which they are bound to provide, but discretionary.  

    Merton has had a very good record of providing adult education, which has been maintained by successive councils. It would be a great pity if this were now to be eroded in any major way.  The Council has started a consultation which continues until 4 January 2015, which asks for views on how best to deliver “a successful and financially sustainable” adult education service. It can be filled in on line and there are paper copies in the libraries and adult education sites. 

    The Council says that it has ruled out stopping the service altogether but that the cabinet wants to become a commissioner of adult education services, agreeing a contract with other education providers to deliver adult learning on the council’s behalf.  It will not make a final decision until the consultation has been considered. 

    As the main centre is in Whatley Avenue, just off Martin Way, this is of real concern to local residents, many of whom over the years have enjoyed and benefited from the courses and the companionship of those taking them. We hope that as many people as possible will express to the Council the importance of continuing as wide a range of courses as possible. 

    At the moment Merton Adult Education has over 5,000 students, and 487 courses. 

    The idea of commissioning services is one that the Council is suggesting in other areas also, such as the running of parks and refuse collection. The idea is, obviously, that money can be saved by running operations over a wider area than in just one borough.   However, my own experience is that the suggested management savings are often illusory or non- existent, and that the service provision always suffers markedly. Let’s hope the Council has another think.  

    CHRISTMAS OPEN MEETING AND PARTY 

    We hope to see as many people as possible as our Christmas Party which will be held in the Residents’ Pavilion at 129 Grand Drive on Tuesday 16th December. There’s a short open meeting, which starts at 8 pm, but the party will be in full swing from 9. There’s be wine and mulled wine, mince pies and other Christmas niceties. Do come - you’ll be very welcome. 

    John Elvidge, Chairman.

  • REPRIEVE FOR RAYNES PARK POST OFFICE

    This is a copy of an email to Stephen Hammond MP, dated 11 November 2014. 

    Dear Stephen, 

    You will be aware that Raynes Park branch was previously earmarked as one that could potentially be franchised and run in partnership with a suitable retail partner. Despite interest from several potential partners, the Post Office has not reached an agreement with a suitable partner to secure the long-term viability of the branch.

    The Post Office has decided to retain and invest in Raynes Park Post Office as part of the organisation’s on going modernisation programme, building a modern, profitable and sustainable network. 

    This means that this branch will remain under Post Office management. Our plan now is to invest in the branch to modernise it as part of our on-going transformation programme, designed to ensure our Post Office branches are sustainable and profitable, reducing reliance on Government funding. 

    Our colleagues at Raynes Park Post Office have provided an excellent service to customers throughout our search for a partner. I believe that with their help and the investment we have planned we will be able to meet customer needs. 

    I will keep you updated on timescales for investment and modernisation in Raynes Park branch.  In the meantime please do not hesitate to contact me if you need any further information. 

    Best Wishes 

    Simon 

    Simon Burman, Senior Stakeholder Manager

    Ground Floor 148 Old St, London, EC1V 9HQ

    simon.burman@postoffice.co.uk

  • Raynes Park Christmas Festival

    Friday 05 December | 3.30pm – 7pm 

    This Christmas, following the success of last year’s inaugural event, another “Raynes Park Christmas Festival” is being organised for the local community. On Friday 05 December, from 3.30pm – 7pm there will be live music around the Christmas tree, a Santa’s Grotto, a kid’s Advent Calendar, a live nativity, and a children’s tombola. The big moment will be at 5pm when the Christmas tree lights get switched on. Key partners include “MyRaynesPark”, Merton Council, the Raynes Park Association, plus local businesses, churches and schools. 

    This will be a great event for people of all ages to come together and celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season in Raynes Park. Children will enjoy the opportunity to visit Santa, and the live nativity (complete with real farm animals that can be petted). Adults will be able to do late night shopping at many stores, and will appreciate the free mince pies, mulled wine and assorted other refreshments being put on by local businesses. 

    Main venues will include the Christmas tree and live music outside the train station, Santa’s Grotto at the Tavern, a nativity near Waitrose, and carol singing outside Absolute Abode and St Anthony’s at the Raynes Park Health Centre. 

    Two other events will also celebrate Christmas this December:

    ·                     ‘Twas the Week before Christmas: Tues 16 December, 7.15pm – 9.15pm, the Library. An open evening of Christmas stories, poems, readings… anything spoken word.

    ·                     Carols in the Tavern: Thurs 18 December, 8pm – 10pm, Raynes Park Tavern.   A live band will lead a Christmas sing-a-long of yuletide songs and fun. 

    For more information visit: Website: www.myraynespark.co.uk; Facebook: www.facebook.com/myraynesparkTwitter: www.twitter.com/myraynespark

  • December Open Meeting & Party

    December Open Meeting & Christmas Party

    8:00pm Tuesday 16 December 2014

    All Members Welcome

     

    Our next Open Meeting, followed by seasonal drinks and nibbles,

    will be at the Residents’ Pavilion, 129 Grand Drive,

    at 8pm on Tuesday, 16 December 2014

  • Christmas 2014 Refuse Collections

    Follow this link for Merton's Refuse Collection dates over the

    Christmas and New Year period.        Click Here

  • Public Meeting – Parks and Open Spaces

    There is currently a debate raging over a decision by the Cabinet of Merton’s Council to enter into a joint procurement exercise with neighbouring London Boroughs, with view to outsourcing the maintenance and upkeep of Merton's parks and green spaces. A public meeting has been organised by Cllr David Dean that will take place in 

    The Council Chamber, Merton Civic Centre,

    on Tuesday 25 November 2014, 

    from 7:15 pm to 9:15 pm

  • Tree Planting in Raynes Park - Volunteers Welcome

    Raynes Park Sports Ground SW20 0BH

    Jan Tue 27th, Thu 29th, Sat 31st10am-2pm 

    We will be planting along the A3 roadside boundary near the hard courts.

    Access from West Barnes Lane at junction with Camberley Ave (near Raynes Park) which leads into Taunton Ave and to sports ground car park. 

    For details of the event or to check for cancellation in case of poor weather,

    call Jane 07773 406 105 or janeplant@pj464.co.uk 

    ALL TREES ARE FUNDED BY THE BIG TREE PLANT

  • Najma's Supper Club - 29 November 2014

    Coming to the Residents'Pavilion on 29 November 2014

    Click for www.najmas.co.uk

     

  • Blood Doning Session - 16 December 2014

    National Blood Transfusion Service 

    Another session is coming up in Raynes Park, at Dundonald Church, 577 Kingston Road, Raynes Park, SW20 8SA on 

    Tuesday 16th December, between 14:00 - 16:30 & 17:30 - 20:00.

  • Raynes Park High School - November 2014

    Following the real improvement in examination results in August, the start of the new academic year here at Raynes Park High School has been focussed on every student doing their absolute best from the first day, knowing that excellent progress is the expectation. I have been personally impressed by the dedication and determination shown by my own classes and this very positive attitude is being echoed throughout the school – the best results in the school’s history are only the best until August 2015! 

    On Thursday evening we had our annual Open Evening and it was a real pleasure to open our doors to prospective students and parents along with the local community and let them experience just what our school is like. We had more students than ever acting as ambassadors and the obvious pride they have in their school and the very courteous and thoughtful way that they showed visitors around made me once more realise how privileged I am to be the Deputy Headteacher here. I am sure everyone had a fantastic evening and enjoyed trying to solve a mystery in English, the cookies and catapult in DT, ice cream and dissection in Science and realising how much we have to learn about the origin of our food in Geography to name just a few of the things happening. I look forward to welcoming many of those young visitors as students in the future and I thank the ambassadors for making their first experience of Raynes Park High School so very positive. 

    Every morning last week the school opened for tours where prospective students and their families saw us on a normal school day, enjoying the high quality learning that is such an integral part of our day to day life. It is a pleasure to be able to show families and members of our local community how hard our students work and how much they achieve in lessons. 

    We have all made a really positive start to the new academic year and there is much to look forward to with House play casting and sports fixtures under way now, educational visits in the pipeline, the addition of Dance and Netball Academies to the already existing programme involving Basketball and Rugby and the many other events that ensure Raynes Park High School remains a vibrant, exciting place to study. 

    Among all of that, the aim of “Inspiring learning; achieving excellence” remains and I encourage all of our students to push themselves to the maximum in every lesson so that the Interim Reports issued at key points throughout the year are an opportunity to celebrate achievement.  

    I look forward to an exciting and successful year.

    Ms Bailey - Deputy Headteacher

     

    Anyone for Dance? 

    Following their success in the UK schools Street Dance Championships earlier this year ‘Make it Rayne’ the street dance crew (Years 10,11,12 and 13) are hoping to retain their title at next year’s final. Taking their competitive streak to the next level, they are also entering the UK Street Dance Championships on the 15th November this year. The Dance Department is also in the process of developing a new Junior Crew and a Contemporary Competition team. These groups will be set to compete in 2015. Watch this space for lots more titles. 

    In addition to our competition teams, we have also launched The Dance Academy.  With 85 students already enrolled, these students are relishing the opportunity to attend Street Dance and Ballet lessons provided by specialist Dance teachers from the Royal Academy of Dance and Evokearts Company. They are working towards the Performing Arts Evening in December, followed closely by the RPHS Dance Show on the 15th January 2015.

    Our annual House Dance competition is in April and is sure to be a close run fight, with Newsoms hoping to remain champions!

    New for 2014/15 - Ballet after school. Friday at 15.30! 

    It’s official, Raynes Park High School launches its Dance Academy

    The opportunity to get fit and have fun in the process has just been made easier with the creation of The Dance Academy. 

     

    With the excellent facilities at the school and our reputation for dance growing, Ms McGullion welcomes boys and girls to come and try the different genres of dance now on offer.

  • Raynes Park Library - November 2014

    Extraordinary General Meeting for Friends of Raynes Park Library

    Tuesday 4 November, 7.15pm- 9.00pm

    The Friends group will be holding a meeting to determine the future of the Friends group. Come along to have your say!

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     

    Art Tea – Join our new art and creativity workshops run by Art Tea!  Every Saturday 10.30am- 12.30pm (First session Sat 1st November)

    Art Tea aims to welcome people with little to no painting experience and inspire them to complete an iconic painting in 2 hours. Sessions range from pen drawings to brush artworks to experimental mark-makings. Students are asked to bring their own supplies (pref. A3 sketchpad and any medium of their choice: graphite, pencils, charcoal, chalk, oil pastels or watercolours.) Spaces are limited so please book a session on 020 8274 5718

    Coffee afternoon: Introduction to Indian cookery - Tuesday 25 November, 2.00pm- 3.20pm

    Join Shermin and learn about traditional Indian cookery: take a brief look at the variations in regional cooking, the essential spices used and techniques adapted to create the colourful & aromatic dishes served during a traditional Indian meal. Refreshments available. 

     Other events include: 

    Jewellery making session: Every Monday 2-4pm (costs for materials).

    Falun Dafa (Chinese meditation): Every Monday 5pm-6.30pm.

    Write Afresh (Creative discussion and writing group): Every Tuesday 10.30- 12.30pm. 

    Storytimes:Amy and Harriet’s Monday storytime - Booking required on the day.

    Nicola’s Weekly Tuesday storytime- 11am-11.30am.

    Mollie’s Weekly Thursday storytime - 3.45pm- 4.15pm.

    Spanish for beginners: Every Thursday, 11am- 12pm.

    Art Group for adults: Every Friday, 2.00pm-3.00pm- Basic art and drawing social group run by local college volunteers.

    Homework club for ages 4 -14 years: Every Friday 4.30pm- 6.00pm (term time only)

    Craft session for kids (Fortnightly Saturdays, 2pm- 4pm)

    1-1 Reading session for children aged 5+: Available weekdays after school and on Saturday mornings. Contact the library for further details.

     IT Support Session: Have you got questions about computers, want to know more about your handheld device or IT security come along to our free session every Friday, 10.30am- 12pm. For more basic queries, come Mondays 10am-12pm and Tuesdays 10am-11am or 5.45pm-6.45pm. 

    Library contact details: Raynes Park Library, Approach Road, London SW20 8BA. Telephone: 020 8274 5718. Email: raynespark.library@merton.gov.uk  (Library Manager: Hannah Basing)  

  • The Future for Adult Education in Merton?

    ADULT EDUCATION IN MERTON UNDER SCRUTINY AS A POSSIBLE AREA FOR BUDGET CUTS

    Latest news from Merton Council: 

    Merton’s Adult Education is one of the first services to come under review as the council kicks off budget discussions ahead of next year. With funding for local councils reduced again this year, the council needs to find £32m of savings over the next four years.  In order to find these savings a full review of all services is taking place. While the council is fully committed to adult education and a continued service in the borough, reductions in government funding means the council will now need to look at alternative options to deliver the service.

     

    All council services will be affected to some degree, driven by the overall need to find savings, but as in previous years the Cabinet have decided that children’s services and social care for older people will have a lower level of cuts, compared to other services. The final budget will be agreed by all Councillors at the annual budget meeting in March 2015. 


    It would seem that the Adult Education Centre in Watley Avenue may be under threat. Staff there have recently received a letter. Our Ward Councillor, Mary-Jane Jeanes, tells us that she's seen the letter
    .  The council is carrying out a review of of Merton Adult Education: http://news.merton.gov.uk/2014/10/16/council-kicks-off-budget-with-difficult-decisions/

    Six options are being considered:

    "1. MAE continues as it currently is, with some cahnges in the service sturcture ir order to meet budget reductions.
    2. MAE forms a shared service otherwise known as a soft federation with South Thames College sharing back office and management functions.
    3. MAE forms a shared service otherwise known as a soft federation with SCOLA sharing back office and management functions. (SCOLA is the Sutton College of Learning for Adults)
    4. Merton closes the college and becomes a commissioner of adult education services.
    5. Merton closes the college and becomes a commissioner of adult education services with Wandsworth.
    6. Merton ceases delivering adult education returning trhe funding to the Skills Funding Agency."

    A final decision is due in January 2015.  Proposed changes, if any, will not implemented until the new academic year (August 2015).

  • Mrs Margaret Watson and her Harp

    Thurs, 20th November 2014

    At St Saviour’s Church Hall

    2.15 for 2.30 pm

    Mrs Watson is an accomplished harpist (playing all kinds of music) as well as an interesting, amusing and enjoyable speaker

    Visitors welcome to this special event - Entry for visitors £2

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townwomen's Guild - November 2014

    Are you free during the afternoonand at other times during the day? 

    We are a friendly bunch looking for more lively members.  The Raynes Park Townswomen’s Guild has a formal meeting monthly on the third Thursday of the month at St Saviour’s Church Hall from 1.30 to 3.30pm and a varied programme of visits, outings, theatre trips, lunches and social activities arranged on other days and at other times as appropriate.  

    In November, as well as the special afternoon entertainment detailed above and arranged for the second part of our monthly meeting, a group will lunch on Thursday, 6th at the Morden Brook and on Wednesday, 12th November a group will meet to journey to the Jewish Museum in Camden.  Later, on Thursday, 28 November a trip is planned to St Mary Le Bow Church, Cheapside for the lunchtime concert of choral music.

    Please telephone if you would like more information about any of our activities or come to hear Mrs. Margaret Watson and her harp.  We look forward to seeing you.

     Dorothy Raymond

     

    Tel: 020 8395 9489 

  • Chairman's Blog - November 2014

    RAINBOW ESTATE 

    A major development is being planned for the Rainbow Estate, which runs off the road leading from Raynes Park station on the Grand Drive side. 

    The Council has already approved a planning brief for the site, which is currently run down and semi derelict.  It is surrounded by railway embankments on all sides. The land had been designated for light business use only, and we in the Association and many others have fought hard to retain this status, given the need for such employment locally. However, it appears that we have lost this battle, given the pressure on all local authorities to build more housing.  

    The owners held an exhibition of their plans, at Raynes Park Library in September and a planning application can be expected shortly.  We shall scrutinise this very carefully to try and oppose it where necessary, and to ensure the best possible outcome for all local residents, given the size and complexity of the scheme. 

    The main difficulty remains that the only access is along the single road that runs under the railway arch, and which is crossed on foot, thousands of time a day, by people coming to and from the station. The hazard of drivers coming into and out of the site and meeting pedestrians are obvious. 

    Coupled with this hazard is the fact that car drivers need to drop off and pick up people using the station who are disabled or have heavy suitcases, or just to meet relations and friends: so called “Kiss and Ride”. This is not possible on the other side of the station due to the bus stands. 

    The plans displayed intend to secure this by a small roundabout. However this would not appear to be practical, and allows little or no possibility to stop and wait. 

    The plans propose some 220 units of housing, with two blocks of flats to be passed to a housing association for “affordable” housing. There will be some town houses, behind Firstway, and other 4 and 5 storey blocks for public purchase behind the Bushey Court flats.  All the blocks will have underground parking for a total of 135 cars. 

    There will be some blocks for light industrial use at the beginning and the end of the site. 

    It is proposed that the site be landscaped, with some green areas. 

    TRAVELLERS ON CANNON HILL COMMON 

    In early October some 22 vehicles forced their way onto Cannon Hill Common, by removing some of the logs that had been placed there to prevent this happening, following previous such incursions. Fortunately the Council moved very quickly to apply for powers to remove them, and they were removed, moving off instead to Morden Park. Council officers then had to clear up the rubbish and detritus left, and did take away most of it. 

    The idea of placing logs alongside Cannon Hill Lane was the outcome of a public meeting organised by the then Councillors for Cannon Hill ward. We understand that the present Councillors are proposing to hold a similar meeting. The main suggestion is to have larger logs, which could be sunk and imbedded into the ground and held down by immovable chains. This could be coupled with a small ditch.  Concreting the logs has also been suggested, but this may be unsightly. 

    The problem of travellers moving at will from venue to venue is clearly not going to go away. 

    LONGER TRAINS 

    South West Trains are proposing to ease congestion at rush hours by increasing the length of trains from 8 carriages to 10. This was agreed at a recent meeting held between the train operators, Network Rail, the MP for Wimbledon, and local representatives. This should come into operation sometime next year. 

    The delay in implementation is that there are no platforms at Waterloo at the moment which can take longer trains! The redundant Eurostar platforms have first to be brought back into service, and, presumably, the track and signalling altered. 

    EARLY NOTICE OF CHRISTMAS PARTY 

    In December we always have a meeting to which all members of the Association are warmly invited to come. It is followed by a convivial party at which lots of food and drink (including wine and mulled wine) is served.  This year the meeting and party is being held at the Residents’ Pavilion, 129 Grand Drive, on Tuesday 16th December, starting at 8 pm. Do come - all our members will be made very welcome. 

    John Elvidge  

     

     

  • Hatha Yoga Classes

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Build strength and flexibility, calm the mind, relax deeply, improve energy levels. 

    All abilities welcome 

    Monday evenings at the Residents’ Pavilion, 129 Grand Drive, SW20 9LY, Map

    8:00-9.30pm

    Autumn term: 01/09/2014 - 15/12/2014

    (Except half-term w/c 27/10/2014 - no class) 

    £12 or £10(volume discount) per 1½ hr session. 

    Introductory offer: 1st session £6. 

    "I feel relaxed and re-energised after the class and always have an amazing sleep that night” - P Alder, SW20 

    Bespoke 121 tuition also available. 

    For more info phone 07885-998140 or email sathy@nurtureyourworld.com

  • Travellers in Morden Park

    On the 6 October 2014, the Wimbledon Guardian reported, "Travellers kicked off Cannon Hill Common by police and council officers last weekend have now set up camp in Morden Park". Read more here.

  • Upcoming Events - Oct 2014

    WEST BARNES SINGERS

     

    Members will be interested to note that  The West Barnes Singers will be joined (much to their delight) by the Choristers of St. Mary’s Wimbledon at their Christmas Carol Concert on Saturday 6th December 2014 starting at 6.30 p.m.

     

    The programme will consist of seasonal music, carols and readings, followed by complimentary mulled wine & mince pies will be on offer at St. Savour’s Church, Grand Drive, Raynes Park SW20 9DG.  Tickets will cost £10, but Children are free.   For more information why not visit their website at www.westbarnessingers.co.uk; and don’t forget their concert on Saturday 1st November 2014 at St. Paul’s Church, Augustus Road, Wimbledon Park, SW19, when they will be performing Gabriel Faure’s Requiem and French Romantic Motets.  Again tickets will cost £10, with children free.

    FRIENDS OF RAYNES PARK LIBRARY

    There will be an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Friends of Raynes Park Library in the Library Hall on TUESDAY, 4TH NOVEMBER 2014 7pm for 7.15pm start.  This meeting is to determine the future of The Friends. The importance of an enthusiastic ‘Friends’ organization has been borne out by the tremendous success of the Friends of West Barnes Library who were able to forestall a proposed closure and have done much to help in improving the services on offer there. 

    THE PAVILION CLUB

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    There’s plenty of fun and laughter 

    This social club has now been running for six months and has 50 signed-up members who meet each Thursday, for talks, fun and games, and trips out.  Many members enjoyed the trip to Wisley Flower show, organized by Margaret Barratt for the Residents’ Association – a wonderful day out in gorgeous weather -  and along with Tuesday Rendezvous members  the theatre trips to Top Hat, Annie Get Your Gun and Barnham at Wimbledon Theatre.  

    Club Members also joined the TWG for a very pleasant if windy Coach trip to Worthing, and also took themselves off to the Tower of London to see the wonderful porcelain poppies planted in the moat in commemoration of World War 1, as well as getting re-acquainting with the Tower(s) and some of the stories connected with them, and gazing once again with wonder at the Crown Jewels, simulated but staggering nevertheless, and displayed far more attractively than in the ‘old’ days, when we took our children or went on a school trip! 

     

    Jill Truman

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townswomen's Guild - Oct 2014

    Helped by good weather and the support of friends from the Residents Association, The Pavilion Social Club and the Rendezvous Club, the Raynes Park Townswomen’s Guild trip to Worthing proved to be a success.  There was an on-shore breeze, but in the sunshine this was not a worry.  Worthing caterers also should be mentioned.  Whatever their other activities, everyone I spoke to had enjoyed their food and praised the restaurant, café or tea room they had used.  An enjoyable day!

     At the beginning of September a group took the trip to The Haywain at Epsom for a lunch social.  A favourite venue, the group again enjoyed both the bus ride and the meal.

    The following week a small group visited the Bank of England Museum.  Despite the rather dry subject – the history of the bank and currency, the bank rate, inflation control and the economy – the curators succeeded in making it fun with a number of interactive screens, games and short videos.  To mention one, a film about gold, the gold standard and the vaults was humorously narrated by a gold bar, Stephen Fry providing the voice-over.  One of our party also managed to lift the gold bar (securely!) displayed for visitors to try their strength!

    Leaving the museum, the extensive rabbit warren of underground passageways at The Bank station proved an exploratory challenge as the group sought a café used once before.  It was eventually found at the end of a long passageway by Gate 9! 

    Once refreshed, two members went on to the Tower of London to view the display of ceramic poppies.  This add-on was felt to have been worthwhile, so the next visit on Tuesday, 7th October will be to the Tower of London to the WW1 commemorative centenary display of poppies.  As our river trip in July was aborted by some members because of an unfortunate cancellation on the day, for the return, we will take a short trip on the river bus from Tower Pier to The London Eye. 

    The lunch club will go to The Woodman on Wednesday, 1 October and theatre trips are proposed to Barnum at Wimbledon Theatre (15th October) and Black Coffee at The Rose, Kingston (18th October). 

    Our monthly meeting will be on Thursday, 16th October at 1.30 pm at St Saviour’s Church Hall when our speaker will be Faith Powell.  Her talk is entitled ‘TV Quizzes’.

    Please telephone if you would like more information about any of our activities or come to our meeting at the church hall.  Visitors are always welcome.

     Dorothy Raymond

    Tel: 020 8395 9489

  • West Barnes Library - October 2014

    What’s on?

    Coming up at West Barnes Library

    To reserve a place where required, talk to staff, call 020 8274 5789 or email westbarnes.library@merton.gov.uk.

    Read Aloud (Mondays, 10.30am). Join Jennifer as she reads stories to toddlers.

    Kiddirama, Under 5s (Tuesdays, 10am-11am, except every third Tuesday of the month 9.30am-10.30am). An interactive, fun story, song and sensory class. £2 per child. To book, email kiddirama@mail.com or phone 07542 170604.

    Kiddirama Juniors, The Secret Book Club (Tuesdays, 4pm-5pm). Interactive sessions for 7-12 year-olds focusing on team building, confidence boosting, performance and s. £2 per child. To book, email kiddirama@mail.com or phone 07542 170604.

    Computer Classes For Beginners (Tuesdays, noon-1.30pm, and Thursdays, 1.30pm-3pm). Need to book.

    Rendezvous Club (Tuesdays, 1.30pm-3.30pm). Weekly drop-in for over 55s. £2. For details talk to library staff or call Gilli on 020 8543 1781.

    Knit & Natter (Thursdays, 11am-1pm). Bring your knitting project or a favourite piece you want to finish.

    Toddlers’ Rhyme Time (Fridays, 10.30am-11am). Rhymes and musical activities for 0 to 5 year-olds followed by Story Time (11am-11.30am).

    The Sparkle Club (Saturdays, 2.30pm-4pm). Eight-week story-writing course for children. Booking required.

    Craft and Chat Saturday 4 October (3pm-4pm) Free activity but booking is required. There is usually a small charge for materials.

    Flower Arranging Monday, 6 October (11.00am-12noon). Join the Friends for an interactive workshop and take home your own floral masterpiece. Small fee for materials. 

    Adults’ Book Club Tuesday 7 October (5.45pm-6.45pm). October’s book is The Other Hand by Chris Cleave. New members are warmly welcomed.

    Children’s Craft Saturday, 18 October (2pm-4pm). Bring the children for fun activities. No need to book.

    Local History Coffee Morning: Bookmarks – Merton’s Links to the World of Literature Tuesday, 21 October (10.30am-noon). All welcome. Please contact the library for further information.

    Children’s Art Club Saturday, 25 (2.00-4.00pm). Booking required. For more information please contact the library.

    African Story Telling Monday 27 (10.30-11.15)   Join us for African Story Telling told in traditional dress.   No need to book just come along and join in the fun.

    Police Surgery – 5.00pm-6.00pm (Contact library for date and time). Chat to a PC about any local topics.

    Other Diary Dates for your Diary

    Saturday 8 November (2.30-4.30)   Afternoon Tea with Local Authors Zillah Bates and Gordon Thomas
    Saturday 22nd November (Time TBC)  Friends of West Barnes Library Craft Sale  
    Friday  28 November (7.30 pm)    Not Quite Christmas Quiz Night


    Watch out for details of the FoWBL Photography Competition coming at the end of the Year 

    To receive a monthly eNewsletter of events at West Barnes Library, write to mail@friendsowbl.org.uk or sign up at www.friendsowbl.org.uk

  • Raynes Park Library - October 2014

    Coffee Afternoon- Tuesday 28 October, 1pm- 2.30pm (Please note time change)

    Professional photographer Alex Radley talks about her wonderful world travels through her photos and also her quest to complete the ‘7 Summits Challenge’ (to climb the seven highest mountains on each continent in the world in 1 year). 

    Half term Halloween craft - Friday 31 October, 10.30am- 12.00pm

    Join us for a fun family Halloween craft event, get spooky at the library! Book now on 020 8274 5718. 

    Black History Month takes place every October across the UK. Celebrating and bringing to the fore the positive contribution that Black and Ethnic Minorities (BME) have played in shaping our communities. Your local libraries also hold many books by Asian, African and African Caribbean writers so why not pick up a book today and get involved.  

    Regular activities: 

    Jewellery making session: Every Monday 2-4pm (costs for materials)

    Falun Dafa (Chinese meditation): Every Monday 5pm-6.30pm

    Write Afresh (Creative discussion and writing group): Every Tuesday 10.30- 12.30pm

    Storytimes: Amy and Harriet’s Monday storytime 10am-10.30am - Booking required on the day.  Nicola’s Weekly Tuesday storytime - 11am-11.30am Mollie’s Weekly Thursday storytime - 3.45pm- 4.15pm

    Learn Spanish! Every Thursday 11am-12pm Weekly Beginners Spanish class with native tutor Paula. Fun and interactive class. Come along and say Hola! To a new language.

    Craft session for kids (Fortnightly Saturdays, 2pm- 4pm)

    IT Support Session: Have you got questions about computers, want to know more about your handheld device or IT security come along to our free session every Monday 10am- 12pm and Friday, 10.30am- 12pm. 

    For more information or to see additional events please view the library events pages located on the Merton Council website www.merton.gov.uk/libraries

    Raynes Park Library Telephone: 020 8274 5718

     

  • Raynes Park High School - October 2014

    2014 Higher Aspirations Programme launches at RPHS 

    The launch of the 2014 Merton Sixth Form Partnership’ Higher Education Aspirations Programme’ took place at Raynes Park High School, with over 200 Year 12 students from across the borough in attendance. 

    The Merton Sixth Form Partnership Programme brings together all of Merton’s Sixth Forms; Ricards Lodge High School, Rutlish School, St Mark’s Church of England Academy, Ursuline High School, Wimbledon College and Raynes Park Sixth Form to offer students an introduction to a range of Higher and Further education possibilities. 

    The Programme was introduced by Jane Lawner, Director of Sixth Form at Raynes Park High School, after which students broke into groups for presentations across five different sessions including; the Creative Industries, Apprenticeships, Medicine, Oxbridge and the Russell Group of Universities. Speakers at the event included representatives from University of Oxford, Roehampton University, St George’s University and King’s College London. 

    Ms Lawner said “This is a fantastic opportunity for students to find out about Higher Education and particularly the opportunities for our most able students across the borough. The programme continues throughout the year with up to six sessions led by the participating schools, ensuring students receive appropriate information and guidance on how to apply and secure a place at a top university or apprenticeship scheme.”

     

    Honour for Kazoo as FGM Video shown to World Leaders 

    As the summer holidays began we waited to hear the result of the Department of International Development’s ‘Shape the Future’ competition. Announced at the Department’s Youth for Change summit on Saturday 19th July, the contest challenged UK schoolchildren to submit their best ideas on how to improve the life chances of girls and women in developing countries.

    RPHS team ‘Kazoo’ were in the final of this prestigious, competition and when the news came that they were ‘Highly Commended’ runners up, everyone at RPHS was delighted.

    Justine Greening, International Development Secretary, said: "The excellent entries to this year’s Shape the Future competition show that British schoolchildren understand the challenges facing girls and boys in developing countries. Young people are the change -makers of tomorrow and Raynes Park High School’s entry shows that they want to be part of the solution for a better future."

     

    There was an even greater honour for the Raynes Park High School team as their video promoting gender equality was broadcast to political leaders, celebrities and campaigners from around the world as they gathered at the UK's Girl Summit on 22nd July. 

    Asking challenging questions about girls' education, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM) in their video entry, the team filmed teachers' and pupils' responses before asking: "If you agree that our journey towards all girls realising their rights is not over, what are you doing to change it?" 

    The group of eight Year 9 and 10 students also created a website and forum kazoointernational.weebly.com linked to a Twitter account, to provoke a global discussion about gender equality.

    Natasha, 15, a member of the team, said: "I have been shocked by the response to our ideas on our website, as well as the response to some questions we asked.” 

    "Almost no-one knew what FGM was, including myself until a few weeks ago. Our video proves the message needs to be spread wider, not just about FGM but many things, like women's education." Raynes Park High School was highly commended by a panel of young people and development experts as one of the top three competition entries at the YouthForChange on 19th July. 

  • Raynes Park Resident's Lawn Tennis Club - October 2014

    The coaching term has started under the new coach Josh Harvey in association with our partners Premier Tennis, and the immediate feedback has been excellent. All ages and abilities are catered for from red, orange, green and yellow ball juniors from 4+ to adult beginners, intermediate and advanced. There are still vacancies on some courses. Please see the coaching section of the website for details or ring the number below. 

    Premier supplied free coaching for a day early in the September and the courts were full of people profiting from the expertise of former Davis Cup and county players. 

    Paul Sadler   

     

    rprltc.co.uk   07743 226500

  • Lambton Road Medical Practice - PPG Oct 2014

    More doctors and nurses

    This practice will have three new doctors and a nurse by the time you read this Newsletter.  They are: Drs Rashmi Pattekar, Sat Phadnis and Susie Earl plus nurse Stephen Ward.  Dr Pattekar graduated from Guy’s and St Thomas’s Medical School in 2002 and worked in hospital-based general medicine before qualifying as a GP in 2008. She has since worked in various practices in Newcastle and in London, gaining valuable experience. 

    Profiles of the others will appear in our next Newsletter.  We’re sure all patients would like to join the PPG in wishing them a long, happy and successful posting to Raynes Park. 

    No shows – please help

    Lambton Road Medical Practice is doing everything possible to provide patients with the highest levels of access to appointments. In this connection, however, your cooperation can make a difference. 

    In the month of July there were 355 missed GP appointments where patients failed to attend an appointment. This means that as many as 355 appointments were wasted and could not be offered to anyone else – in just one month!  The PPG would like to encourage all patients to cancel their appointment if they cannot make it or no longer need it.  Just one phone call will result in another sick person getting an appointment. 

    Have you noticed the ‘pod’?

    It’s to be found in the corner to the right of the reception desk. This is not another toy for children waiting to see a doctor but a useful piece of health equipment. Use it to take your own blood pressure and pulse.  Whilst you’re at it, why not measure your height and weight and update your records on your smoking status and alcohol consumption?  The ‘pod’ is very user friendly and it only takes a few minutes.  If you’d like some assistance to use it, please ask at reception. 

    Flu and meningitis jabs - the Flu Campaign is starting from mid-September this year; more details when we know them, and in the next Newsletter. 

    (        Please inform the Practice as soon as you know you will not be able to keep an appointment,and don’t forget to update Reception with your new contact details if you have moved.

    &       Did you know that our Minutes Book may be consulted at Reception? 

     *    Please email us with your views. Your email  address will not be disclosed to other parties.

    Contact: Lambtonroadppg@hotmail.co.uk      or leave a note with Reception. 

     

    PPG Members: Jan Bailey, Charlotte Bennett, Judith Brodie, Jenny Cairns (Chair), Marilyn Frampton, Clare Gummett, Jacques Lee, Dennis Railey, Marie Robertson

  • Kids First - October 2014

    Children & Families Bill 2014

    Autumn Update for parents on either

    Thursday 2 October, 1pm to 2.30pm or

    Tuesday 7 October, 6pm to 7.30pm

    at Chaucer Centre, Main Hall, Morden, SM4 6PX

    Organised and presented by officers from the London Borough of Merton

    Merton is organising two presentations to provide parents of children with SEN or disabilities an update on the Children and Families Bill & its implications for services in Merton. Updates & communications material will be provided for the following areas:

    Local Offer

    Feedback on Pilots

    Assessment Framework &   EHC Plan

    Transfer plan

    Preparation for Adulthood

    Personal Budgets

    Both presentations are the same so you only need to attend one.

    To book a place, please contact Tracy Blackwell on the contact details below, specifying which presentation you would like to attend, or just turn up on the day 

    Tel: 0208 687 4644

     

    Email: kids.first@swlondonmencap.nhs.uk

  • Police Commander's Report

    Merton Borough Commander’s Message 5th September 2014 

    This week has proved a challenging one for the Metropolitan Police. While NATO leaders meet in Wales, national threat levels have been raised, Islamist State have claimed the beheading of a second American hostage and most recently we have seen the tragic murder of an 82 year-old lady in Edmonton as well as a fatal firearms incident in Islington.   While these incidents are a long way from Merton’s borders, I am sure that many of you will have concerns.   Please let me reassure you that as a police service we have a strong operational plan to deal with all contingencies and we are well supported by specialist resources. We have enhanced policing levels locally and across London and this will continue for the foreseeable future.  These extra officers will work to provide reassurance to our communities, provide security advice to businesses and partners and deliver security measures to safeguard Londoners. London remains one of the safest major cities in the world and Merton one of the safest boroughs within it. However, while the risk locally is low, we cannot be complacent. I urge you all to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police. If any communities and families are concerned that anyone they know may be vulnerable or is in danger of escalating towards terrorism, we need this information brought to our attention. This can be done by ringing the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789321. 

    Meanwhile, day to day policing across Merton continues unabated as we work assiduously to bring offenders to justice, reduce the numbers of victims of crime in Merton and work to tackle anti-social behaviour. Our recent drive to increase our policing presence across Mitcham in particular is starting to pay real dividends. On Monday this week two of our newly posted PCSOs spotted a drugs deal taking place in Mitcham Town Centre. Their excellent work led to the arrest of both the dealer and buyer. You may have also seen pictures of our new probationary constables in the Wimbledon Guardian this week proudly parading the many cans and bottles of alcohol they have seized from drinkers causing a nuisance in Mitcham. Learning their trade in Mitcham over the last three weeks our new officers have used the powers provided by the Controlled Drinking Zone on over thirty occasions.   On Wednesday good work from response team officers from E Team in reacting to suspicious males loitering by a cash machine in Mitcham, saw two males arrested and a car seized containing a skimming device used to commit fraud.  And lastly this week, our Neighbourhood Teams continued their fight against drugs supply in Merton, executing four more drugs warrants in Mitcham resulting in arrests for intent to supply drugs, burglary and money laundering.   

    Looking forward, MPS Commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe will be coming to Merton at 6.30 p.m. on 22nd October for an audience with residents and communities from Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth. This will be your chance to hear the Commissioner talk about the challenges facing the MPS and for you to ask questions about policing in Merton and across London. Sir Bernard will be joined by the Borough Commander and the event will be chaired by London Assembly Member for Merton and Wandsworth, Richard Tracey. The event will be held at Wimbledon High School. Watch this space for further detail.  We hope to see as many of you there as we can. 

    This week’s crime prevention advice is simple. You can help us prevent crime by giving us information that will help us take criminals off the street. If you have any information about criminal behaviour in your area, whether it relates to drugs, burglary, theft, violence or other crime, we would love to hear from you. 

    Help us stop crime by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 1111

     

    Mark Lawrence, Chief Inspector 

  • Chairman's Blog - October 2014

    WEST BARNES LIBRARY 

    At our Open Meeting in September we were very pleased to hear from Merton’s Head of Library and Heritage Services about the Council’s proposals for rebuilding West Barnes Library. Mr. Anthony Hopkins has been with Merton Libraries for many years and was instrumental in the successful redesign of Raynes Park Library.  

    The plans are ambitious and include a larger library space, a community hall, and toilets open to the public.  They have been progressed following initial positive feedback from local residents, and have now gone out to further consultation until 24th October.  Residents can give their feedback on the council website or by filling out a questionnaire available at any local library. To find out more, visit www. merton.gov.uk/consultation.  The results of the consultation will be available in November/December. 

    Mr. Hopkins said that the hoped for time scale would be to approach potential developers by the autumn of 2015, and the development would then take 12-18 months.  The library would re-open in the autumn of 2017. 

    A shop in Motspur Park would be used as a temporary library while the development was going on. 

    The funding for the project would largely come from allowing the developer to build housing over the library premises, as was done at Raynes Park.  40% of this would be affordable.  Money could also come from community levies on development elsewhere. 

    We reminded him that, if at all possible, a lift should be included in the design, so as to enable easier access for disabled people to Motspur Park station. This would be all the more important when the station is used for the proposed Crossrail services. 

    It is well worth remembering that it was only a few years ago that the Council was proposing to close West Barnes Library altogether as a cost cutting exercise.  It was only saved through local residents volunteering to run the Library themselves, and through the setting up of the very successful Friends of West Barnes Library. We carry in the Guide each month the very many activities now taking place in the Library. Many congratulations to all those involved. 

    RECYCLING 

    We were also delighted to hear at our Open Meeting from Miss Jane Alexander who is the Recycling Encouragement Manager for Merton. As is well known, all councils face financial penalties for the waste which goes to landfill, and it is imperative to increase the amount of refuse that households recycle. 

    It should be possible to recycle almost everything we use, but, as in most areas, we are only recycling some 39% of our waste at present. 

    To help galvanise everyone to improve this figure, the council has leafleted every home with information on recycling, has competitions to encourage this, and goes out to schools to pass on the message.  

    TRAMLINK EXTENSION 

    Transport for London is looking into plans to extend the Tramlink from Wimbledon to Sutton, via Morden and St. Helier Hospital. Merton and Sutton Councils were asked to gauge public opinion, and 84 % of the high response rate were in favour. 

    The proposal is also strongly supported on all sides by Councillors, London assembly members, and the MP’s for both boroughs, since it would bring major economic and social benefits. It is thought that some 10,000 permanent jobs would be created as well as the temporary work during the construction. It would reduce car usage, and provide much easier access to the hospital, and to education facilities, shops and leisure activities in our area. 

    Writing personally, I hope that the scheme does progress. The success of the Tramlink from Wimbledon to Croydon and beyond has been astonishing, when one considers that the previous track had a 2 carriage train which hardly anyone used. 

    GET WELL WISHES

     

    Our "Get well" wishes go to Grace McCormack - road steward for Berrylands (off Heath Drive), who is recovering from a broken hip and thanks to Anne-Marie Geraghty who has volunteered to deliver Grace's round until she is back on her feet. 

     

    John Elvidge

  • Tramlink Consultation

    Merton Council reports that people in Merton and Sutton have strongly backed proposals to extend the tramlink from Wimbledon to Sutton town centre. 

    Transport for London (TfL) is looking into plans to extend the Tramlink via Morden and had asked Merton and Sutton Council to gauge public opinion.  

    Over the summer, the councils ran a joint public consultation in partnership with TfL which attracted a high response rate with 9,846 people taking part. Out of those, 84 per cent said they either strongly supported or supported the proposal to extend the Tramlink from Wimbledon to Sutton town centre via Morden. Read more here

    (Sept 2014)

  • Macmillan Coffee Morning - 26 September 2014

    There will be a Macmillan Coffee morning on Friday 26th September at St Johns Church in New Malden. As well as being able to come along and eat as much cake as you like, caregivers and clients from Home Instead will be busy baking cakes the days leading up to the coffee morning and there will be judging of which one tastes the best. If you fancy getting out your rolling pins and baking powder then please come along for 11am. 

     

    All proceeds from the day will go to Macmillan cancer care.

  • Blossom House School - Motspur Park

    One of our members attended the Blossom House School’s (BHS) event at Abbott Court, (formerly “Saipem House”), Station Rd, Motspur Park, in September 2014. The planned conversion of a redundant office building into new premises for this independent specialist day school, is permitted under recent government planning regulations.

    Our member reports the event that it was very much a ‘meet & greet’ session, with quite a few of their staff present. He met with the principal Joey Burgess, and James Stavert, who is leading the relocation project. 

    Timescales: building alterations, etc currently in progress, the aim is to move a limited number of pupils (20) with 5 teachers at the end of October (half-term). The remainder of the 180 or so pupils & 120 staff will relocate at Easter 2015. Abbott Court gives BHS space for future expansion, which could see numbers rise to 300 pupils + 180 staff over a 6-7 year timeframe. 

    The school travel & parking plans, covered in detail in the planning application documentation, purport to minimise traffic disruption in the area,. However, the opportunity was taken by our member to caution that road traffic in West Barnes Lane, at the mercy of the Motspur Pk level crossing, can be very ‘peaky’ and liable to gridlock on occasions, whatever their traffic data may suggest!  

    The building alterations includes the creation of a ‘multi-purpose hall/performance space’ involving the removal of an internal floor to create a double-height space. It is intended that this facility would be made available out of school hours for community use. Merton has just issued a questionnaire relating to the redevelopment of West Barnes Library, proposing creation of a community hall – so potentially there could be 2 community halls next door to each other!

    Link to previous article: Blossom House School - Proposed Relocation

  • Children's Tennis Summer Lessons start on 27 July 2015

    RAYNES PARK PAVILION TENNIS 

    Term time tennis lessons and holiday camps with

    LTA qualified coaches for 3-8 year olds. 

    CURRENT - Summer Term Starting 13 April 2015 * 

    *Sessions can be joined after the specified start date, subject to availability. 

     NEW TO BOOK NOW- Summer Holiday morning sessions Mon-Fri: 

    w/c 27 July 2015

    w/c 3 August 2015

    w/c 10 August 2015

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Further information can be found online at: 

    www.rpptennis.com 

    Tel:         07960626907

    Email:     info@rpptennis.com

    Venue:    Resident’s Pavilion, 129 Grand Drive

                   Raynes Park, SW20 9LY



  • Proposed Redevelopment of West Barnes Library

    Merton Council is planning to redevelop West Barnes Library (Motspur Park). Having considered how such a development would fit into the Borough’s Development Plan, the Library Service is shortly to begin seeking ideas on what facilities you would like to see in a new library. This will lead to a Development Brief that will be used to seek a developer to undertake the project. 

    The Council currently envisages a development similar to the one at Raynes Park Library; incorporating some form of residential space on several floors above the ground floor. The ground floor would contain the new library, plus a meeting room and toilets. 

    The site’s close proximity to Motspur Park Station and the opportunity to incorporate step-free access to the station, should not be overlooked.  

    More information can be found at  here . Later this month (September 2014) the public consultation will begin and you will be able put forward your own views, via the council's website.

    During the development works, the Council plans to operate a temporary library somewhere else within Motspur Park.

    .

  • Rainbow Estate Planning Application - September 2015

    Update 24 September 2015

    At the Planning Committee on the 17 September 2015 the two planning applications (Refs: 14/P4287 and 14/P4288) were approved. 

    Several local councillors and a representative of this Residents' Association spoke against the application, urging the Committee to refuse the applications. However, these representation went unheeded by the Committee.

    It now remains to be seen whether "Workspace", the promoter of the application, is able to deliver the "Kiss and Ride" facility on the south side of Raynes Park Station, which would be of some benefit local residents, or not. Most of the area of land, which would be taken up by the "kiss and Ride", belongs to Network Rail and it is currently unclear as to whether NR would want its land developed in this way.

    These two planning applications were submitted in December 2014; one being for the redevelopment of the Rainbow Industrial Estate (Ref 14/P4287) and the other for the access on the southern side of the Station, the "Kiss and Ride". (Ref: 14/P4288). These applications can be viewed in Merton Planning Explorer.

    Click here and input the reference numbers 14/P4287 and/or 14/P4288. Click "Search". When the search result appear, click on the reference number in the "Application Number" box. Next select "View Related Documents", further down that page. This step make take some time, as there is a lot of them.

    This Association is concerned about a number of issues, including:

    • Whether such a high density of Residential units on this site is appropriate.
    • Whether the existing railway arch is suitable as the only access to so many dwellings.
    • The massing of the blocks of flats (up to 7 storeys) at the southern end of the site and the visual intrusion in West Barnes Lane and over Bushey Court.

     

    Impression of view from

    West Barnes Lane,

    near Bodnant Gardens,

    Carters Estate

     

     

     

     

    This Association's detailed response to 14/P4287 to Merton's Planning Dept may be read here.

    The response to 14/P4288 (The Kiss & Ride) may be read here.

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townswomen's Guild - September 2014

    On 17th July the Guild welcomed Eileen Reynolds from Canine Partners, with her delightful dog Icarus.  This very brave lady with an enormous charismatic personality explained that Icarus, as well as being an amazing companion, also helps her everyday as she suffers from breathing difficulties, fetching her medical bag should she require it and doing many other little jobs.

    Canine Partners training centres are at Midhurst and Birmingham.  Dogs are bred especially with a view to training for 20 weeks for this work.  A recent collaboration with the Guide Dogs charity produced a litter of special Labrador golden retriever crosses.  The dogs are trained to help people who are wheelchair bound, have MS or other health or mobility problems, with tasks such as loading and unloading the washing machine, stripping the bed, dressing and undressing, as well as picking up dropped items, fetching handbags or the remote control.   Once a dog is allocated as a partner, they are trained with their new master or mistress so that they can meet that person’s specific needs. 

     

     

    On a very hot afternoon, Eileen then put  a Canine Partner coat on the dog’s back, and Icarus gave us a comprehensive demonstration of what he could do.  Guild members were completely charmed by both Eileen and Icarus, our Eileen Brewer giving the vote of thanks.

     

    Eileen Reynolds mentioned a number of ways in which we could support Canine Partners, but notable was the suggestion that we could collect used postage stamps, and that periodically they would be willing to come and collect them from us.   If anyone would like to assist TWG collecting used stamps, either Dorothy Raymond or Eileen Brewer will advise how to get any stamps to us.

     

    There is no formal TWG meeting in August, late July and August being the time for fund raising social events and an outing to the coast.  At the time of writing we are still looking forward to our Wimbledon Theatre trip to see TOP HAT  and the Worthing outing, when we will be pleased to welcome those who are supporting us from the Rendezvous Club, Pavilion Club and Residents Association.  However, for both the barbecue at the end of July and the Tea Party in early August, the weather was sunny and hot.  Chasing the shade, a good friendly crowd of members at the barbecue made this a successful afternoon, and those attending the tea party enjoyed a splendid tea – a sumptuous feast in fact - whilst chatting together and admiring their host’s colourful garden. 

     

     

    Looking forward, on 2nd September the Lunch Club will go to The Haywain, Epsom and on the 9th the visit will be to The Bank of England Museum.

     

    In September the meeting on Thursday, 18th September will be an Open Meeting under the Celebrating Age programme.  Held at 1.30 pm at St Saviour’s Church Hall, all are welcome.  The meeting will feature a quiz and afternoon tea.  Do come and join us. 

     

     

    For more information about any of our activities please contact Mrs D Raymond (020 8395 9489) or Mrs Eileen Brewer (020 8542 6491).

     

     

  • TAXICARD Scheme - Changes

    Important Information regarding the TAXICARD SCHEME

    Changes are being made to the Taxicard scheme database. 

    The Taxicard scheme is paid for by the London boroughs and TfL and is managed by London Councils on the boroughs’ behalf. The scheme provides subsidised transport in taxis and private hire vehicles for people who have serious mobility impairments and difficulty in using public transport.

    To ensure only active users are kept on the Taxicard database, we have identified Taxicard holders who have not used their card in the last two years (April 2012 – June 2014). Those members who have not used their account in that time will have their membership cancelled on or around 29 July 2014. 

    The purpose of the review is to ensure that the Taxicard database is kept up to date and to remove records of members who no longer use the scheme. This will ensure that our data handling is more efficient and will prevent us from sending unnecessary information to members who no longer use the scheme. In addition, the exercise will ensure that boroughs are able to forecast their budgets more accurately. 

    If a Taxicard holder wishes to reapply for the scheme they can contact London Councils’ Taxicard team who will be able to advise on the process they need to follow. 

    An FAQs document is also available.

    Should you or a Taxicard holder have any further queries, please do not hesitate to email taxicard@londoncouncils.gov.uk or contact the Taxicard helpline on 020 7934 9791. 

    Spencer Palmer, Director, Transport and Mobility

     

    londoncouncils.gov.uk/taxicard

  • Raynes Park High School - September 2014

    Craig is Surrey Schools’ Golf Champion

    Craig Horsford, has had an extremely busy few weeks, not only was he in our Wimbledon Ball Boy Team, but he has just won the Surrey Schools Golf Championship at Surrey Downs Golf Club on 8th July. Craig, a member at Wimbledon Park Golf Club has been playing golf for 6 years. With a 13 handicap he was the overall winner in the Medal competition and was 3rd  in the Scratch competition partnered with his brother Gregory. Golf is just one of many sports Craig plays at school with rugby, basketball, tennis and athletics amongst his many sporting interests. 

    Success in the Community

    Raynes Park High School is proud of its long association with the All England Lawn Tennis Club and once again our students were in action throughout the Championships. The rigorous selection process starts in September when our Head of PE Mr. Hayes organizes school training sessions. He then selects his best students to go forward to The All England Lawn Tennis Club training programme for further selection tests. The AELTC training runs from January through to the championships and is extremely demanding. Only about 50% of the boys and girls make it through the training process to actually becoming a Wimbledon Ball Boy or Girl. Mr. Hayes says “it is a great experience for our students who show exceptional qualities including dedication, concentration and teamwork. 

    The Raynes Park High boys participated in many of this year’s high profile matches with Gregory playing his part in the thrilling five set final between Federer and Djokovic. 

    Ethan Wood enjoys the Wimbledon Quarter Finals

    Ethan Wood, 8NZ enjoyed a day at the Quarter Finals of Wimbledon with the blessing of his Head of House Ms Daly. Ethan, a keen tennis player didn’t want to miss out when his uncle secured front row seats for Centre Court on Mens’ quarter final day. Knowing that it was likely he would have been spotted on TV, he asked permission to use the occasion to further his tennis knowledge. Ethan said, “being at Wimbledon has taught me to play tennis differently. I know how to hit the forehand harder and lower to the net. I saw the different single and two-handed back hand techniques and how when serving there are different body positions from leaning back to throwing the ball higher. I am now enjoying putting what I learnt into practice at Cranleigh Tennis Club. 

    Educational fun for Years 4 & 5

    Raynes Park High School was bursting at the seams on three days last week when a fleet of Route Master Buses brought 1300 Year 4 and Year 5 pupils from 14 local primary schools to enjoy a taste of secondary school life. 

    The Transition Days were the culmination of a year-long programme unique to Raynes Park High that aims to make the transition from primary to secondary school less daunting. It also showcases the different subjects students will be taught in secondary School. 

    The children participated in a range of classes including Business Enterprise, Product Design, Science, Catering, ICT, Drama and Media which were a great hit with the primary pupils. Feedback from teachers was extremely positive: 

    “the students loved it all, but possibly cooking the best”

    full of value and interest for our pupils, they have had a great taste of secondary school!” 

    Mr Wheatley said, “We had a large team involved with the organisation of the three activity days including our own Year 7 students. It was extremely rewarding for us all to see such high levels of enthusiasm, especially when the primary pupils were enjoying subjects for the first time. We look forward to welcoming even more primary pupils next year for a taste of life at Raynes Park High School” 

    School Report from the Governors

    It has been a good year for the Governors and for RPHS. We are here to set a strategic vision for the school and to provide challenge and support to the Headteacher and the Senior Leadership Team.  Improved results are key to RPHS’s future and the Governors have a relentless drive for excellence. We continue to demand the best for and from our students and we have been very impressed over the last twelve months with the way staff, students and parents have worked together to make the school a better place to be. 

    The year got off to a lively start with the OFSTED inspection, which said many good things about the school’s direction of travel and endorsed the changes that are under way.We think the school’s programme of work, which takes into account the OFSTED findings, is bearing fruit. 

    Student attendance is now at national average levels and there is real progress towards the academic targets we have set the school. 

    As Governors, we have been keen to endorse and support new measures like the summer and Saturday schools which we believe make RPHS a very special place. We also believe that some of the initiatives taken this year like the Basketball and Rugby Academies are making the school very attractive to new groups of students. 

    We are conscious too of the extraordinary hard work and commitment of RPHS staff. We demand the best of them and they consistently give us no less than that.

    As ever, it has been a pleasure for Governors to carry out their half-termly Strategic Visits this year to see the school in action. It has been a particular pleasure to meet groups of students and to discuss with them their hopes, aspirations and experiences. 

    During the forthcoming year the Government requires us to review the constitution of the governing body with a focus on the complementary skills that members can bring to the challenges of governance. Undoubtedly there will be opportunities to recruit new members, both parents and from the community. 

    Institutions like RPHS must constantly change to improve and the school is managing to do that while preserving its caring heritage. As Governors, we are very grateful to everyone at the school – students, teachers, managers and support staff – for everything they have done over the past year.

    Neil Jordan & Michael Ross

    Chair and Vice-Chair of Governors

  • Raynes Park Residents' Lawn Tennis Club - September 2014

    We had a gorgeous sunny day for our Finals Day on the 19th July and enjoyed several hard fought matches. In the Ladies’ Singles Nicky beat Saidhanya in a tie break and in the  Men’s Nick beat Neville. In the Ladies’ Doubles Saidhanya and Liz beat Louise and Martine; in the Men’s Nick and Nigel beat Neville and Keith, and in the Mixed Saidhanya and Keith beat Nicky and Graham. In the Junior event Ruben and Noe beat Elizabeth and Adithijan.  The day concluded with a successful barbecue. 

    We have said goodbye to our long-standing coach Eddie Mahmud who served the club loyally for over 10 years. The great news is that he is being succeeded by a talented dynamic young coach, Josh Harvey, a county player for Kent and qualified coach, who is going to help expand our coaching programme for juniors and adults. He has experience of the tennis outreach programme into schools which we have started at Hatfeild and intend to spread more widely within the local area. 

    Paul Sadler;   rprltc.co.uk   07732 695977

  • Raynes Park Forum - 30 September 2014

    MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE RAYNES PARK COMMUNITY FORUM

    AT 7.15 PM ON TUESDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2014, IN RAYNES PARK LIBRARY MEETING ROOM

    Chair:  Cllr Mary-Jane Jeanes 

    Agenda:

    1) GLA Funds for Borough Cycle Improvements.  Andrew Judge, Cabinet Member for Environmental Sustainability and Regeneration, will talk about the Borough’s Cycling Proposals for Raynes Park. 

    2) The Rainbow Estate.  Representatives from Workspace will present their updated plans for the Rainbow Estate.  

    3) The Community Infrastructure Levy.  Tara Butler, LBM will speak on the implications for Raynes Park for the levy on new buildings.  What is in it for us locally? 

    4) The Great Raynes Park Christmas Event.  On Tuesday 9 December 3pm – 7pm there is a celebration planned to mark the switching on of the Christmas tree lights.  Chris Larkman, Raynes Park Association. 

    5) Health.  Nelson Health Centre – a new dawn!  Dr Sion Gibby.  Bal Chohan will provide updates on services being offered by Kingston Hospital at the Lambton Road Medical Centre.  

    6) The Station.  Current developments and the planted embankments.  Chris Larkman (Raynes Park Association)

    7) Current and Anticipated Planning Applications.  Neil Milligan & Paul McGarry (LBM) 

    8) Open Forum – an opportunity to raise any other issue of local interest.

     

    Future dates for the Raynes Park Community Forum:  9 December 2014 & 25 March 2015

     

     

    The Raynes Park Community Forum is managed by the Raynes Park Association (chrislarkman@gmail.com) and chaired by a Councillor from one of the local wards.  

  • Raynes Park Library - September 2014

     Free Health for Life taster session

    Saturday 6 September 10.30am – 11.30am

    Can we reduce our risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease and dementia? Disover why we fall ill, in which countries do people live longer and why, and ten things we can do to make a difference. Health for Life is an Age Watch Project. It aims to help people improve their chances of living a longer and healthier life. The earlier you start the better- but better late than never! Open to all ages. Book now on 020 8274 5718.

    Special Author Visit!

    PP Wong- The Life of a Banana

    Tuesday 9 September, 7.15pm- 8.30pm

    Join us for a talk by author PP Wong; the first British born Chinese novelist to be published in the UK. Her debut novel, ‘The Life of a Banana’ deals with issues of isolation and prejudice of a Chinese girl growing up in London. Please book a place on 020 8274 5718.

    Learn Spanish!

    Every Thursday 11am-12pm

    Weekly Beginners Spanish class with native tutor Paula. Fun and interactive class. Come along and say Hola! to a new language.

    Celebrating Age Festival Events

     3000 years of history in 30 minutes!

    Friday 12 September, 10.30- 12pm

    A speaker from the Museum of Wimbledon gives an illustrated talk showing the history and development of Wimbledon from the Iron Age to times within living memory! Come and see what you can recognise, with time for questions and discussion. Refreshments available. Book on 020 8274 5718.

     ‘Forget me nots’- A tribute to the unsung heroes of World War 1.

    Saturday 13 September, 11am-1pm

    A tribute to those who took park and those who kept the home fires burning. The words and feelings generated by their experiences led to a multitude of poetry, fiction and drama. A century on, we salute our ancestors in literature. Come along to our ‘Not forgotten heroes’ exhibition and a showcase directed by Michael Norman-Smith to mark the Centenary of WW1. Book now on 020 8274 5718. 

    Integrating Body and Mind through Movement - Saturday 20 September, 2 sessions- 10am-11am and 11.30am- 12.30pm

    The session will begin with gentle physical exercises concentrating on the breathing and then move towards the voice and rhythm in the body. This is a wonderful hour to learn and try new gentle movements, which will stimulate the mind too. The aim is also to have fun and a few laughs along the way! Call 020 8274 5718 to book. 

    Other events include: 

    Coffee Afternoon- Tuesday 30 September, 1pm - 2:30 pm(Please note time change) - Merton Historical Society gives a fascinating insight into Heraldry.

     Jewellery making session: Every Monday 2-4pm (costs for materials)

    Falun Dafa (Chinese meditation): Every Monday 5pm-6.30pm

    Write Afresh (Creative discussion and writing group): Every Tuesday 10.30- 12.30pm

    Storytimes: Amy and Harriet’s Monday storytime restarts on Monday 8 September- Booking required on the day.

    Nicola’s Weekly Tuesday storytime - 11am-11.30am

    Mollie’s Weekly Thursday storytime - 3.45pm- 4.15pm

    Craft session for kids (Fortnightly Saturdays, 2pm- 4pm) 

    IT Support Session: Have you got questions about computers, want to know more about your handheld device or IT security come along to our free session every Friday, 10.30am- 12pm 

     Raynes Park Library, Community and Housing, Merton Council, Tel:  020 8274 5718, Fax: 020 8542 1893

    www.merton.gov.uk

     

     

  • West Barnes Library - September 2014

     Volunteers needed

    Can you spare a couple of hours occasionally? West Barnes Library urgently needs more volunteers to help at a range of levels to assist staff. You could be helping keep the library open for the people of Motspur Park. Training will be given. For details and to apply, please ask at the counter. 

    What’s on

    Coming up at West Barnes Library - To reserve a place where required, talk to staff, call 020 8274 5789 or email westbarnes.library@merton.gov.uk.

    Read Aloud (Mondays, 10.30am). Join Jennifer as she reads stories to toddlers. 

    Kiddirama, Under 5s (Tuesdays, 10am-11am, except every third Tuesday of the month 9.30am-10.30am). An interactive, fun story, song and sensory class. £2 per child. To book, email kiddirama@mail.com or phone 07542 170604. 

    Kiddirama Juniors, The Secret Book Club (Tuesdays, 4pm-5pm). Interactive sessions for 7-12 year-olds focusing on team building, confidence boosting, performance and s. £2 per child. To book, email kiddirama@mail.com or phone 07542 170604. 

    Computer Classes For Beginners (Tuesdays, noon-1.30pm, and Thursdays, 1.30pm-3pm). Need to book. 

    Rendezvous Club (Tuesdays, 1.30pm-3.30pm). Weekly drop-in for over 55s. £2. For details talk to library staff or call Gilli on 020 8543 1781. 

    Knit & Natter (Thursdays, 11am-1pm). Bring your knitting project. 

    Toddlers’ Rhyme Time (Fridays, 10.30am-11am). Rhymes and musical activities for 0 to 5 year-olds followed by Story Time (11am-11.30am). 

    The Sparkle Club (Saturdays, 2.30pm-4pm). Eight-week story-writing course for children. Booking required. 

    Adults’ Book Club (Monday, 1 September, 6pm-7pm). September’s book is Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain. New members welcomed. 

    Flower Arranging (Thursday, 11 September, 1.30pm-2.30pm). Join the Friends for an interactive workshop and take home your own floral masterpiece. Small fee for materials. 

    Local History Coffee Morning: Bookmarks – Merton’s Links to the World of Literature (Tuesday, 16 September, 10.30am-noon). All welcome. 

    Children’s Craft (Saturday, 20 September, 2pm-4pm). Bring the children for fun activities. No need to book. 

    Computer Class for Beginners (Monday, 22 September, 1.30pm-3pm). Learn to use the internet. Booking is essential. 

    Computer Class for Beginners (Friday, 26 September, 1.30pm-3pm). Learn to use the internet. Booking is essential. 

    Children’s Art Club (Saturday, 27 September). Booking required. 

    Police Surgery (Contact library for date and time). Chat to a PC about any local topics.  

    To receive a monthly eNewsletter of events at West Barnes Library, write to mail@friendsowbl.org.uk or sign up at www.friendsowbl.org.uk

  • Lambton Road Medical Practice - September 2014

    Steven Hunt – new PM

    Not prime minister, practice manager! The Lambton Road Medical Practice was without one for quite some time until Steven joined us in May. He has had management roles in practices inLambeth & Southwark, one of which was awarded the Royal College of General Practitioners’ Quality Practice award – twice. 

    Steven has worked in NHS Primary Care since 2001 and has been involved in the setting up of a brand new GP-led health centre. He left a large practice in Kennington, where he was PM, to join LRMP.  Married with one daughter, he lives in SE London. Having worked closely with several PPGs, he says: ‘I believe they are vital in the improvement and development of services for our patients, particularly during a time of significant reorganisation for the NHS.’ 

    Dr Kathryn Goldsmith

    The Practice now has two Dr Goldsmiths since the second doctor - at least her first name is different! - joined us in June. She is originally from Manchester and now lives in Merton Park with her husband and two small children. Dr Goldsmith studied medicine at Sheffield University and qualified in 2002. She worked in that city for the next three years before moving down to London to complete her training at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital. She has since been working as a GP in an Inner City practice in Southwark. Her particular interests are: children’s health, women’s health and palliative care. ‘I’m so pleased to have the opportunity to work more locally with the team at Lambton Road and to be serving my local community,’ she tells the Newsletter. 

    Sue Johnson – new Health Care Assistant

    Sue is the latest recruit to join LRMP. Sue has worked in various care settings, from hospitals – both private and NHS – to care homes and in the community. She left a Worcester Park surgery after 10 years as Health Care Assistant, to join us. A mother of two grown up children, Sue’s interests include travel, theatre, walking and socialising. Patients attending the Practice will be grateful for Sue’s attention as her role here involves doing wound care, blood pressure, some vaccinations, new patient checks, NHS checks and various other clinical duties. She tells the PPG: ‘I’m looking forward to finding my feet here and becoming a team member they have made me very welcome. I look forward to meeting some of the patients.’  We extend a warm welcome to all three and every success in their new careers at LRMP. 

    Patients will be pleased to learn of these appointments which should go a long way towards improving the Practice’s services as a whole. NEWSFLASH: Yet another new doctor will be joining LRMP in September. 

    Electronic prescription service

    If you don’t want to collect a repeat prescription yourself at your surgery, your GP can now send it electronically to a place you choose. You don’t need a computer. Just contact your local pharmacy or a dispensing appliance contractor. You may change or cancel this arrangement at any time. For more information ask your pharmacist or GP. 

    Are you over 75?

    If so, you should by now have received a letter from the Practice notifying you of your named GP and of the dedicated phone line. This special number is manned by dedicated members of the team and you may use it for routine matters during the hours and days specified in the letter. This national programme is designed to help patients aged over 75 with continuity of their care. However, it does not prevent you or restrict you from seeing any other GP or nurse. You may also request a different named GP to the one suggested if, for example, you feel another doctor knows you better. 

    You should also have been sent the booklet Local Services for older People. This was produced by the PPG in conjunction with LRMP and contains information about a wide variety of groups/services in the SW19/SW20 area. Copies are also available at Reception. 

    Dr Howard Freeman, MBE

    We would like to congratulate Dr Freeman, who was honoured in the Queen’s Birthday List. The former senior partner of Durham Road surgery was instrumental in the merging of his surgery with that of Pepys Road to form the LRMP.  Dr Freeman is now the chairman of the Merton Clinical Commissioning Group and the London Clinical 

  • Merton's All Saints Centre

    All Saints helps residents to become more active. 

    Merton Council’s All Saints Centre is spearheading a new physiotherapy project to help residents with neurological conditions become more active and independent. 

    Set up by staff at All Saints and volunteer-physiotherapists from the community neurotherapy team at Sutton and Merton Community Services, the new project focuses on providing individual exercise and physiotherapy plans for people at the centre. 

    As well as providing individual plans tailored to the need of each person, there are group activities set up as part of the project. Taking place every week at All Saints, the activities include a balance group, seated exercise group and a high support standing group to help build coordination and flexibility. 

    Merton Council’s cabinet member for adult social care and health, Councillor Caroline Cooper-Marbiah said: “This project is a great way to help our residents with neurological conditions become more physically independent and active. I commend All Saints for always striving to find ways to improve the lifestyles of its users in a way that focuses on the needs of each individual person. I’d also like to thank the physiotherapists who are generously volunteering their time to improve the lifestyle of our clients at All Saints.” 

    To find out more about the project or how to get involved, go to: 

    http://www.merton.gov.uk/health-social-care/adult-social-care/help-at-home/daycentres/allsaints.htm

  • Chairman's Blog - September 2014

    This month's blog is from our Editor of The Guide.

    The West Barnes Singers

    Our affiliated social Group the West Barnes Singers (originally formed under the auspices of the Association in the 1970s) will be presenting their Autumn Concert on Saturday 1st November 2014 at 7.30pm, at  St Paul’s Church, Augustus Road, Wimbledon Park SW19 6EW 

    This time they will be performing Faure’s Requiem which is loved the world over and are delighted to be including with it a selection of French Romantic Motets.

    Tickets for this concert will cost £10 each, but Children go free!  

    If you are interested in the Choir or want to go along to the West Barnes Singers’ concerts, please call Penelope Prendergast on 020 8648 3987 or visit their website at www.westbarnessingers.co.uk 

    Farewell to Bob and Tom 

    The local community owes a big debt to Bob Forsberg and Tom Moor; Bob for having taken over publicity for the Friends of West Barnes Library, and Tom as a Road Steward for Marina Avenue, delivering our Guides and collecting Subscriptions. 

    However, Bob and Tom left Motspur Park in August to start a new enterprise in Dorset. They have taken over a licensed guest house – lock stock and barrel – that has been running successfully for over quarter of a century. It’s called Glenlee Guest House and the address is 6 Cauldon Avenue, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 1PQ. (Yes, that is right, it IS Cauldon and not Cauldron!). Amongst its virtues, Glenlee has its own car park, is in a quiet road opposite a park, and is only five minutes’ walk from Swanage’s award-winning sandy beach. The town centre with its many shops, pubs, restaurants and cafes is just a ten-minute stroll away along the promenade. 

    The phone number of the guest house is 01929 425794. It is on the Web at www.glenleeswanage.co.uk, as well as on Facebook and Twitter(@DreamySwanage). 

    Bob and Tom say they’ll be happy to offer a discount to our Members who ring up to say they’re from West Barnes or Raynes Park! 

    Whilst it is sad to say ‘adieu’, we do wish them well in their new venture, and would like to thank them once again for their contribution to the locality. They will be missed. 

    Can you give some Blood?

    The Blood Transfusion Service has a session coming up on Tuesday 9th September and there are still a large number of appointments to fill. Over the summer the service sees a drop in the number of people booking appointments as they jet off on their well-deserved holidays.  If you are able to donate some blood on 9th September, details of the session are as follows: 

    Tuesday 9th September

    14:00 - 16:30 &  17:30 - 20:00

    Dundonald Church,

    577 Kingston Road,

    Raynes Park.

    SW20 8SA

     Your contribution will be very gratefully received. 

    Kingston Post Office 

    The Post Office says it is changing to meet the needs  of its customers and so the branch at Kingston Upon Thames

    (2-26 Eden Street, KT1 1BL) will be open from 09:00 to 22:30 on Sundays. All the key services will be available including:

     Vehicle Tax, (Vehicle Tax - Duplicates), Travel (Foreign Currency; Travel InsuranceTravel Money;  Card Plus;

    SIA Licence Application, Driving (DVLA Applications), Your Finances, (Current Account - Servicing

    Savings application forms; ATM - 24hr, Mail (Drop & Go, Parcelforce Express Services)

    Identity & Licences (Passport Check & Send Lotto prize payments,Lotto ticket sales)

    They continue :“We want to make our unrivalled network of more than 11,500 branches better than  ever. So keep your eyes open.  This is just the start.”

     

  • Cooking Your Spanish

    Cooking Your Spanish™
    At last, a different way to learn a language

    We all have always found difficult learning another language: the grammar, the pronunciation, vocabulary...and what about understanding the native speakers?

    Forget about those days, Cooking Your Spanish™ teaches you Spanish at the same time you prepare tapas - learn and practise Spanish meanwhile you are having fun! As simple as that...we focus on conversation and you learn
    how to preparenew delicious tapas every time. You have such fun that you don't feel stressed about learning the language and by feeling good in a relaxed atmosphere, you will remember what you are learning week by week.

    We are offering a course this Autumn in Raynes Park:

    For more information, please visit: cookingyourspanish.com 

    Learn, eat ,enjoy

  • The Next Blood Donor Session - 9 September 2014

    The next blood donor session will be on Tuesday 9th September

    14:00 - 16:30 &  17:30 - 20:00

    Dundonald Church,

    577 Kingston Road,

    Raynes Park.

    SW20 8SA

     

  • Nelson Local Care Centre Tops Out

     A ceremony to mark the topping out of the Nelson took place on Tuesday 8 July. The centre had its final roof slab laid by Dr Howard Freeman MBE, Chair of Merton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), and Eleanor Brown, Merton CCG Chief Officer, to mark the completion of the external build. They were joined by members of Merton CCG Governing Body and Member practices, and representatives from the Merton community and project partners (pictured below).

     

    The centre opens in spring 2015. Next stages include finalising the healthcare service providers who will operate in the facility and finishing interior construction. More details on www.mertonccg.nhs.uk

     

  • Raynes Park High School - August 2014

    A Day of Adventure & Fun 

    Every year The Access Centre is fortunate enough to be invited to Chessington World of Adventure by the Morden Rotary Club. Community chairman Tony Hunn, contacts schools in the Merton area inviting SEN students to take part. This specially organised 'Kids Out' event is specifically for children with a range of special educational needs and people come from far and wide to enjoy it. Morden Rotary kindly supply sweatshirts and baseball caps as a memento of the day. 

    This day is very much appreciated by staff and students of the Access Centre. It is an invaluable opportunity for our students to build on their social and emotional skills and social understanding of the world around them in a really fun way. 

    Every year the students are full of excitement about what they have seen or what they heard during their time at Chessington - we cannot express our sincere gratitude enough to Tony Hunn and Morden Rotary Club.

    Ms Divine - Head of the Access Centre and Becky Kern (Key Support Worker) 

    And the Winner is... 

    MediaManiacs across the country gathered yesterday for an evening of gold, glamour and glory. The red carpet was rolled out to welcome A-list celebrities from all over RollyWood. The paparazzi were out in force to capture the most anticipated event of the year. Last month saw the 2nd Annual RPHS Oscars Awards Ceremony, a celebration showcasing work produced throughout the academic year by Media and Film students. The evening also celebrated the Visual Arts, acknowledging outstanding work in Art and Photography. 

    The star studded event was well attended, with staff and students presented with an exhibition of creativity. The competition was fierce, as Rollywood’s elite fought for the coveted prize: the RPHS Oscar. There were tears of joy and bitter disappointment, although all students were magnanimous in both victory and near The Media department would like to thank everyone who attended the evening and made it such a special occasion. A special shout out to all the Media and Film students who have worked incredibly hard this year. 

    Mr Mba - Head of Media Studies

    We are the Champions! - UDO National Schools Street Dance Champions -  ‘Make it Rayne’.

     A 10 strong team from Raynes Park High School took the UDO National Schools Street Dancing Competition by storm on Saturday 14th June, at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. 

    Following regional heats, the team beat 14 schools in the Year 10 to Year 13 age group to pick up the coveted trophy. PE and BTEC dance teacher Emma Bartle said “The students all worked so hard they were an absolute credit to our school, they beat some really tough crews. One student said it was the best day of his life and for another, it confirmed that dance was the career they wanted to pursue. 

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townswomen's Guild - August 2014

    At our meeting on 19th June the Guild celebrated its 81st birthday with a friendly, well attended social gathering.  After a few minutes to allow members to note activities planned for July and August, we all enjoyed a special afternoon tea with savouries, strawberries and cake.  Later, Claire Moulden entertained members by reading some of her collection of comic verses and then the pretty table flowers were raffled.

    In September the meeting will be on Thursday, 18th at 1.30 in St Saviour’s Church Hall.  This is a taster open meeting included in the Celebrating Age Programme.  Come and see what we do.

    The River Trip on 1st June was almost the visit that got away!  On arriving at Westminster Pier we were told that the 12 noon boat to Hampton Court would not be sailing because of a suspected unexploded bomb at Battersea.  The River was temporarily closed. 

    In the beautiful sunshine we took up residence on benches as they became available to await developments, while we ate our packed lunches and enjoyed the view of the London Eye and movements on the river.  Eventually we were told a boat would leave at 2 pm but only travel to Kew.  This was a disappointment and some members left feeling the wait was too long.  However the remainder of the party eventually thoroughly enjoyed their shortened trip.  The boat crew was attentive and the commentary was excellent.  It was suggested that in the circumstances perhaps we could try the trip in reverse another time, starting at Hampton Court.

    For our monthly lunch trip on 8th June, 10 members took the 465 bus from Kingston to Dorking High Street.  After refreshing ourselves in a pleasant café/restaurant, we set out to explore the town.  Many of the shops are in historic buildings which have been adapted but keep their original façade andfeatures, often with a plaque outside giving previous names and uses of the buildings in thearea. Intriguingly in Robert Dyas sections of decorativepaintwork from medieval walls uncovered, restored and protected are on display.  Also of note is St. Martin’s, the church is in the centre of this busy market town.  A church space since Saxon times, it has been rebuilt and remodelled many times, the current rebuild dating from 1866-1874.  Finally, the 210 ft tower and lofty spire were completed in 1877.  The building has many fine features but we particularly noted the quality stained glass windows, the beautiful decorated chancel arch and wall panels, the delicate Lady Chapel and the highly decorated organ pipes.

     

    Following these two longer trips out in the better weather, in August there will be a Garden Party on the afternoon of 7th August organised by our Secretary, and on 14th a group will attend the matinee of TOP HAT at Wimbledon Theatre. 

     

     

    Our August coach trip is to Worthing on Thursday, 21st, tickets £15.  Some members of the Pavilion and Rendezvous Groups are joining us but there are still places available.  Any local residents are invited to join us.  We would love to welcome you.  We will be departing from Raynes Park Library area at 10.00 am, (and possibly from The Earl Beatty at about 10.10 am) the return journey at 4.30pm. 

     

    For more information about any of our activities, or to book a place for Worthing, please telephone Dorothy Raymond, 020 8395 9489.

  • Tree Warden Group - Merton - August 2014

     NEW TASK FOR TREE WARDENS 

    We have an opportunity to improve our local streets by carrying out minor works to established street trees. The task involves removing ties and stakes where no longer needed and cutting suckers and low side branches that may impede the footpath.

    Training will be needed, so if you want to try this on your own patch, contact Jane to arrange an hour of training. A high viz vest (labelled Tree Warden Volunteer) and a loan of tools from our store will be on offer.

    Tree problems too major to tackle, should be reported as usual to Lew Block in Street Management on 020 8545 3826 or better still via the council website Street Scene Enquiry Form on: http://www.merton.gov.uk/environment/trees.htm

    i-TREE TRAINING 

    Several local TWs have trained for the i-Tree survey work, which Jim Smith of the Forestry Commission is organising for Greater London. The programme of surveying will commence when training of the many volunteers from other boroughs is complete. 

    THE CANONS 

    The Friends group at the Canons (FROC), which is led by TW John Davis, is planning to survey the walled Peace Garden behind the house in order that the planting can be rationalised in the autumn to better effect. If this is something you would like to be involved with come along to one of the Friends workdays (3rd Sunday of the month). The active group also manages the nearby fruit hedge, the surrounds to the pond, Bellamy Copse and other tasks. 

    BIG TREE PLANTING IN MORDEN PARK 

    The latest woodland planting along London Rd at Morden Park playing fields is also establishing well but needs weeding because we were unable to mulch last winter. We will arrange another date with the Friends of Morden Park Playing Fields to weed the latest planting but leave spreading of mulch until cooler weather in autumn. 

    NEW STREET TREES 

    The contract for planting and watering of new street trees continues to be controlled by Arboricultural Manager of Greenspaces, Dave Lofthouse. The contractor waters every fortnight in the summer. 

    VACANT TREE PITS 

    Replacement street trees will be planted by the council’s contractor in tree pits where trees are missing or have died if the council is advised. By alerting the council more streets will have their full complement of trees, so do report vacant tree pits via the council website Street Scene Enquiry Form on: http://www.merton.gov.uk/environment/trees.htm 

    TREE WARDEN GROUP / FRIENDS WORKDAYS 

    All tasks run from 10am to 1pm. We recommend wearing strong shoes or boots. 

    Sunday July 6th, Sept 7th, Sept 14th, Oct 5th - Workday at Ravensbury Park

    Meet at central bridge over river to help Friends group with various tasks e.g. pruning, litterpicking, pennywort removal, sycamore felling. We also hold month mid-week gardening days. Contact Jane 07773 406 105 

    Sunday July 20th, Aug 17th, Sep 21th, Oct 19th - Workday at The Canons, Madeira Rd

    To help Friends' group with various tasks e.g. surveying walled Peace Garden, trimming hedges, maintaining fruit hedge, managing Bellamy’s Copse. Contact John 07739 513 948 

    LWT MERTON CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS' TASKS 

    Sunday 10th August - Workday Bennett’s Hole

    General Maintenance. Meet entrance Willow Lane. Leader: Alan Gray 07903  157118. 

    Sunday 17th August - Workday Fishpond Wood & Beverley Meads

    Maintenance work. Meet Beverley Meads Car Park, Barham  Rd  SW20 at  9.30am. Leader: Paul Pickering paul.pickering5@btopenworld.com 

    Sunday 7th September - Workday Myrna Close

    Meet at bridge IN middle of Reserve (between Myrna Close and Victoria Rd). Leader Fiona Sydney fpsydney4@gmail.com 

    Sunday 14th September - Workday on Bennett’s Hole

    See 10th August for details. 

    Sunday 21st September - Workday Fishpond Wood & Beverley Meads

    See 17th August for details.

     

    Volunteer Co-ordinator: Jane Plant

    464 Kingston Road London SW20 8DX 

    020 8543 0790 or 07773 406 105

     

    janeplant@pj464.co.uk

  • From our MP - August 2014

    Ever since I was first elected as MP for Wimbledon in 2005 I have tried to ensure I communicate regularly with everyone in the Wimbledon constituency. 

    I have produced numerous leaflets and surveys, knocked on thousands of doors, set up a website (www.stephenhammondmp.com), a Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/SHammondMP) and a Twitter account (@SHammondMP). Additionally, every year I have also sent out at least one “Report Back” newsletter to every home in the constituency. 

    However, many local people have requested a quick regular update of what I am doing and what is going on in Wimbledon. Therefore I have decided I will also start to write a short regular email. So, welcome to this one, the very first! 

    Forces and Fetes

    On 28th June I was proud to be part of our local celebrations for Armed Forces Day. After taking the salute, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant, the Mayor and I took part in a short service at St Lawrence church in Morden. Armed Forces Day celebrates the great work of our Armed Forces in protecting our country and our interests. I was delighted to see so many young people who were Army, Air Force or Police Cadets attending the parade. Whilst Remembrance Sunday is rightly about commemorating the contribution of those who have died, yesterday was about saying thank you to the living. It also recognises that we will require Armed Forces in the future and those smartly turned out cadets represent that future. 

    Later I opened the Holy Trinity School fete in South Park Gardens, which was a wonderful community occasion. There were lots of stalls and music playing, and I saw many local people pop in, not just parents and pupils. I also visited the Priory School fete on Queens Road. 

    This weekend I opened St Joseph Hood fete and attended the Hollymount School fete. I always enjoy visiting these fetes and other local community events and Wimbledon is lucky that we have so many people prepared to give some of their time to volunteer for all manner of local community groups. 

    If you are arranging or know of an event in your area, please do let me know by sending me an email to stephen.hammond.mp@parliament.uk

     Crossrail 2 - Status Update 

    Last year there was an extensive consultation on Crossrail 2. This is a possible new line which would link south west London to north east London and has the potential to deliver huge benefits to Wimbledon, Raynes Park and Motspur Park. The idea of additional Crossrail 2 railway stops at Motspur Park and Raynes Park were embraced in the first consultation on regional options in 2013 when Conservatives put them forward. So I am very keen to see this plan progress and look forward to the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, coming up with a possible financing plan. 

    Given the positive steps being made with Crossrail 2, you can imagine my surprise to receive a copy of an email about a botched consultation from the Liberal Democrats. Apparently we aren’t being consulted on various options. Luckily this is nonsense. The 2014 consultation is a supplementary one to deal with questions north of the Thames of a stop in Chelsea and also in north east London. I have worked with local Conservatives to ensure that our area’s interests were protected. Unfortunately, yet again, one gets the impression from their messages that some Members were asleep on the first consultation and are now trying to catch up with what my colleagues and I have done. 

    Keeping in touch 

    As I mentioned at the start of this email, this will be the first of a new regular email update newsletter. I hope you have found it to be of interest, but please do let me know if there are any particular issues which you would like to know more about in future bulletins. 

    Please do also get in touch with me about any local issues which you have where I can assist. I can be contacted by email

     

    (stephen.hammond.mp@parliament.uk) and also by phone (020 8944 2905).  

  • The Pavilion Club - August 2014

    WHY NOT JOIN US AT THE PAVILION 

    On Thursday 7th August 2014 

    at the The Great War Tea Party from 2.00 p.m. 

     and 

    on Thursday 28th July 2014

    at the Summer Barbecue from 2.00 p.m. 

    Telephone Jill on 020 8879 3525 to book a place at either event 

    Cost:  £2.00 per head for members of the Pavilion Club, £3.00 for everyone else.

     PAVILION CLUB

     

     

    Activities planned for August are as follows:

     

    7th August – Great War Tea Party

    2.00 to 4.00 p.m.  at the Pavilion, 129 Grand Drive

    Please let Jill know if you are coming.  (Club Members £2,

    Association Members&  Friends £3 to cover costs)

    Other events:

    14th August – Trip to Ham House. Please book with Jill or Andrea on 020 8879 3525 on 020 8540 0164

    21st August – Trip to Worthing with the TWG (details from Dorothy Raymond)

     

  • Latest Social Activities - August 2014

    ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE! 

    The RP&WBRA is looking to beef up its social section in the coming months. 

    The Pavilion Club 

    These get-togethers for people with time on their hands have gone from strength to strength since the Pavilion Club started at the end of March.    We now have some 40 signed up members, with around 15 to 20 attending regularly each week. 

    We have been learning as we go along, but the last two months has seen us visit and talk to the Chelsea Pensioners; take lunch together at the Olive Branch and enjoy speakers such as Andrea Hipwood from St. John’s Ambulance, Don Miller of Wimbledon National Trust; Jim Sinclair on his life as a vet, and Christine and Eric Matthews who gave a very interesting talk on their days as Games Makers for the 2012 Paralympics; as well as the memories and experiences of our very own members. 

    We have held an 80th birthday party for long-term Association Committee member Pamela Robinson, with a special cake and Asti Spumanti (and better than usual biscuits to go with our tea, coffee and soft drinks). 

    We have enjoyed two debates, started a book lending scheme (free) and bent our brains on a quiz each week:  and with great amusement, we have even played Bingo! 

    We are now looking forward to a trip to Ham House; a Great War Tea Party; a trip to Worthing with the Townswomens Guild and a Summer Barbecue in conjunction with the Motspur Park Tuesday Rendezvous Group.  In September we are organizing a visit to the Tower of London to see the magnificent display of porcelain poppies that will be filling the moat in celebration of the centenary of the outbreak of WWI as well as all the other attractions: and in the New Year, we hope to arrange a tour of the House of Commons, courtesy of Stephen Hammond M.P.  We all also hope to enjoy visits to the cinema, theatre and restaurants together too. 

    Other Social Activities

    We have re-instated our annual outing to Wisley Gardens on September 5th thanks to the efforts of Margaret Barratt, and she and I are hoping to sit down in January and arrange about four outings to favourite places in 2015.  With a view to offering some additional ‘attractions’ we are happy for Association members family and friends as to join in the fun with Pavilion Club members on 7th and 28th August. 

     

    Jill Truman

  • Florence Mahoney's invitation to Buckingham Palace

    A DAY IN THE LIFE OF MRS. FLORENCE MAHONEY 

    Veteran Motspur Park Resident Mrs. Florence Mahoney had the day of her life on Thursday 26th June when she was invited to present flowers to The Queen at the Not Forgotten Association Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.  Florence was in the WAAF (Women’s Auxiliary Airforce), during WW2. 

    Nonagenarian Florence who has lived in Motspur Park for nearly 50 years and is a great personality in the Community spent a lovely day at the Buckingham Palace Garden Party, accompanied by her daughter Elaine McCormack 

    Florence regaled her friends at The Pavilion Club with the story of this momentous moment – one of her most exciting experiences – by telling us that she had resisted the temptation to go out and buy an expensive new outfit for the event.  “I bought my hat in a Charity Shop, and a new top for my skirt at BHS” she giggles.   True to form, however, Florence certainly looked the business as these pictures show.   

    Florence was escorted to her presentation by Iain McQueen, a young officer wounded in Afghanistan, and the bouquet was of one of Her Majesty’s favourite flowers – Sweet Peas.

  • Raynes Park Community Forum - 18 June 2014

    Notes from the Raynes Park Community Forum - 18 June 2014 

    The meeting was chaired by Councillor David Dean assisted by Chris Larkman, of the Raynes Park Association. 

    Priorities for Merton Council

    The Leader of Merton Council, Councillor Stephen Alambritis set out the priorities for the Council over the next four years. These include:

    •  A continuing freeze of Council Tax
    • Continuing to increase school places – a further 2000 primary school places will be added and a strategy for increasing secondary school places will be put in place
    • Regeneration of our town centres and working with the private sector
    • Engaging with our residents and supporting community events 

    Questions and Answers arising from the statement 

    Dog Control Orders Councillor Andrew Judge said that a consultation in 2012 had not shown any clear consensus on how to deal with the small minority of dog owners spoiling our parks and open spaces. Councillor Judge said a decision on the Orders would be taken shortly. 

    Litter Councillor Alambritis confirmed that all residential streets are cleaned weekly or more frequently if needed. Fly tips should be cleared within 24 hours of being reported. The council has moved to a more responsive approach, made it easier for residents to report issues and is trialling increased enforcement action. Councillor David Dean suggested that residents should report on going litter issues to their ward councillors. 

    Future Plans for Raynes Park

    Councillor Andrew Judge, Cabinet Member for Environmental Sustainability and Regeneration, and Paul McGarry, from the Future Merton team, provided a presentation on the future plans for Raynes Park. Councillor Judge emphasised the success of Raynes Park was down to the joint work of local residents, businesses and the Council to identify the improvements needed and then follow up on them. A series of relatively small improvements have had a substantial accumulative effect, transforming the public space into inviting, attractive areas. Councillor Judge also highlighted progress in improving Morley Park. Working in conjunction with LUNG, Ursuline School and Berkley Homes will result in reinstated playing fields and a new pavilion likely to open in 2015/2016. 

    The Council is also ambitious to see an increase in cycling and expects to receive between £10-20million from Transport for London to invest in local infrastructure. This work is likely to include separation of cyclists on main roads and ‘home zone’ approaches on residential roads to reduce traffic speeds. 

    Paul McGarry updated the meeting on some of the local developments and planning applications. Paul also explained that under the new Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) 15% of the funds received would be available to spend on improvements suggested by local communities, like the Enhancement Plan. Further suggestions for improvement will be considered with the Raynes Park Association and brought to the next meeting. The presentation can be found at http://www.merton.gov.uk/community-living/communityforums/raynesparkcommunityforum.htm 

    Councillor Judge confirmed that all opportunities to fund resources to complete works on the south side of the railway would be explored. This would include the development on the Rainbow estate, the CIL and other sources. 

    Crossrail 2

    Councillor Judge encouraged residents to get involved in the current consultation. TfL now prefer the regional approach, which would benefit Raynes Park, but are consulting on other aspects of the route. The consultation can be found at http://crossrail2.co.uk/ and is open until 25 July. 

    Health

    Dr Gibby said that the work on the Nelson site was still on schedule for a spring 2015 opening. External works are nearing completion and work has begun on internal fittings. The process for commissioning services is underway and four short listed providers are preparing their final bids. A final decision will be made in September. In response to questions Dr Gibby added that the Nelson would include two GP practices, some walk-in service, 63 car park spaces and cycle parking. Merton Clinical Commissioning Group is now working to develop a business case for a similar facility in the east of the borough. 

    Dr Gibby also updated the forum on the integrated care project taking place under the Better Care Fund. This involves improving links between Health and Social Care services. Dr Gibby explained that the Better Care Fund is a national programme that Merton has bid too and is different from the South West London Collaborative Commissioning project. This project brings together six CCGs to plan for the future of specialist and primary care. 

    The 25 GP practices have been given a share of around £1million to invest in improved services for over 75s. This includes services like extra ‘MOTs’ and a Dementia Strategy. 

    Bal Chohan-Rai reported that Kingston Hospital will be bidding to take on the services at the Nelson. They want to incorporate the views of local residents into their bid so would be holding a listening event on 25 June at the Raynes Park Health Centre. Alternatively residents were welcome to send their views directly to

    Bal via Balvinder.chohan-rai@kingstonhospital.nhs.uk 

    Open Forum 

    Travelodge have submitted a planning application for several large illuminated signs. To have your say on these plans please go to the Councils planning explorer and search for application number 14/P1750 http://www.merton.gov.uk/environment/planning.htm 

    A resident asked about the town centre parking scheme that was previously consulted upon. In response Councillor Judge said that there was no clear consensus on the scheme the council had put forward so it would not go to the next stage of consultation. Instead local businesses will be approached in the autumn to see if a consensus could be found. Without a clear consensus no changes are likely to put forward. 

    Dates of future meetingsall at 7.15pm, in the Library Hall:

    Tuesday 30 September 2014

    Tuesday 9 December 2014

     

    Wednesday 25 March 2015

  • Road Steward Marjorie Retires

    Marjorie moved to Raynes Park in November 1975, on exactly the same day as her neighbours Sue and Alan, and has been a road Steward for about 20 years. 

    In the photo Marjorie is flanked by Sue (left), who is also a Road Steward and Ann (right), one of our Area Co-Ordinators. 

    After her husband died, Marjorie thought it might be a good idea to get “out and about” more, so volunteered as a road steward, she has enjoyed the role delivering guides and collecting members subscriptions ever since. She recalls occasions when the subscription money was tipped straight from the family piggy bank and seeing members’ children grow from tots to teenagers. 

    Now, at 87 years young, Marjorie has decided to retire.  

    Her “round” has been taken over by Sarah, who lives nearby.

  • Blog - August 2014

    This month our blog is from Jill Truman, the editor of 'The Guide', our monthly magazine, distributed free to all our members.

    As is usual during the summer months, there are few local issues that need addressing.   We are still waiting for the revised proposals to come forward regarding the Rainbow Estate, and Planners at Merton remain unable to address the situation with regard to the leasing of the playing fields at Meadowview Close – which were very much part of the original planning approval.   It seems utterly ridiculous that our Planning Officers are unable to untangle this mess, and that Bellway is able to prevaricate over recent enquiries from potential users. We know for a fact that there is at least one junior school that made enquiries, but Bellway management are intransigent.   This is a matter that needs to be taken up at Government level, and we shall be doing our best to ensure that it is! 

    Ride London 2014 is with us again on 10th August, click here to find out more.   Many will take the opportunity of organising informal street parties to make the event an even more memorable occasion locally.   Hopefully the sun will shine down upon us as it has so often this summer. 

    There will be road closures in the area on Sunday 10th August – the roads on the route into Raynes Park (Coombe Lane) will close at 07:30.   Local access IS permitted along the event route until 09:00 between the following points:

    • Coombe Lane from Beverley Avenue to Durham Road (to exit/enter at West Barnes Lane.
    • Worple Road from Crescent Road to Raymond Road/Francis Grove – to exit/enter at Lower Downs Road. 

    AND Vehicle crossing points will be located at the following places and will operate throughout the day:  vehicles will be enabled to cross the event route by stewards whenever it is safe:

    • Approach Road to Lambton Road (northbound), Pepys Road to Approach Road (southbound)
    • Ridgway to Belevedere Grove, access in both directions. 

     

    Road Closures will be removed by 19:00 and emergencies will be treated as a priority in the usual way. 

    The A3 will be open, although the exit slips at Esher Common, Coombe Lane and Tibbet’s Corner will be closed. 

    Association’s Horticultural and Social Section 

    After a pause for deliberation and rest following the death of John Hughes, the Association’s Horticultural and Social Section is once again rising like a Phoenix from the Ashes. We started with the opening of The Pavilion Club – a weekly get-together for people with time on their hands, which is held at the Pavilion on Thursday afternoons between 14:00 and 16:00 (unless we are out for a visit somewhere). 

     

    Now the trip to the Wisley Gardens Flower Show has been organised, thanks to Margaret Barratt, and there are other fun occasions. More information is here.

    Jill Truman

    'The Guide' Editor

  • Merton Opens Paddling Pools

    Young kids will be making a splash this week as Merton Council opens its paddling pools for the summer.

     

    The pools, opening on 19 July in parks across the borough give families and children the chance to cool off in the hot weather.

     

    Merton’s paddling pools will open from 10am to 5pm every day in the summer holidays until 31 August. Wimbledon Park’s interactive water play area has been open since May and will also remain in use until 31 August.

     

    Read more on Merton's website here.

  • Sewer Collapse - Worple Road Closed

    WORPLE ROAD - JULY - AUGUST 2014

    There are major roadworks at the junction of Pepys Rd and Worple Road . The cause is a collapsed sewer. Traffic to Wimbledon cannot proceed east towards Wimbledon. However, the Raynes Park gyratory system is operational. A diversion is in place sending all eastbound traffic via the bridge under the railway, along Kingston Road and onwards to Wimbledon. Thames Water reckons repairs will take two weeks.  Allow extra time, particularly if travelling by bus.

    Read more about this on Merton's website, here.

  • The Pavilion Club

    WHY NOT JOIN US AT THE PAVILION 

    On Thursday 7th August 2014 

    at the The Great War Tea Party 

    from 2.00 p.m. 

    or

     

    on Thursday 28th July 2014

    at the Summer Barbecue 

    from 2.00 p.m.

     

    Telephone Jill on 020 8879 3525 to book a place at either event  

    Cost:  £2.00 per head for members of the Pavilion Club, £3.00 for everyone else.

  • Association Social Activities - June & July 2014

    ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE! 

    The RP&WBRA is looking to beef up its social section in the coming months. 

    The Pavilion Club 

    These get-togethers for people with time on their hands have gone from strength to strength since the Pavilion Club started at the end of March.    We now have some 40 signed up members, with around 15 to 20 attending regularly each week. 

    We have been learning as we go along, but the last two months has seen us visit and talk to the Chelsea Pensioners; take lunch together at the Olive Branch and enjoy speakers such as Andrea Hipwood from St. John’s Ambulance, Don Miller of Wimbledon National Trust; Jim Sinclair on his life as a vet, and Christine and Eric Matthews who gave a very interesting talk on their days as Games Makers for the 2012 Paralympics; as well as the memories and experiences of our very own members. 

    We have held an 80th birthday party for long-term Association Committee member Pamela Robinson, with a special cake and Asti Spumanti (and better than usual biscuits to go with our tea, coffee and soft drinks). 

    We have enjoyed two debates, started a book lending scheme (free) and bent our brains on a quiz each week:  and with great amusement, we have even played Bingo! 

    We are now looking forward to a trip to Ham House; a Great War Tea Party; a trip to Worthing with the Townswomens Guild and a Summer Barbecue in conjunction with the Motspur Park Tuesday Rendezvous Group.  In September we are organizing a visit to the Tower of London to see the magnificent display of porcelain poppies that will be filling the moat in celebration of the centenary of the outbreak of WWI as well as all the other attractions: and in the New Year, we hope to arrange a tour of the House of Commons, courtesy of Stephen Hammond M.P.  We all also hope to enjoy visits to the cinema, theatre and restaurants together too. 

    Other Social Activities 

    You will have read in the July Guide that the Association has re-instated its annual outing to Wisley Gardens on September 5th thanks to the efforts of Margaret Barratt, and she and I are hoping to sit down in January and arrange about four outings to favourite places in 2015.  With a view to offering some additional ‘attractions’ we are happy for Association members family and friends as to join in the fun with Pavilion Club members on 7th and 28th August. 

     

    Jill Truman

  • Holiday Tennis Camps July-August 2014

    Week 1: Monday 14th – Friday 18th July 2014

    Week 2: Monday 28th July – Friday 1st August

    Week 3: Monday 4th – Friday 8th August 

    Elizabeth Nyenwe and Alisha Thompson will be running a holiday tennis camp at Residents’ Pavilion, 129 Grand Drive, Raynes Park, SW20 9LY.  This course aims to provide children with tennis coaching in a fun and educational environment.

     

     

    Tiny Tots (ages 3-4) 9.30am – 10.15 am Cost £40

    Mini Red (ages 5-8) 10.30am – 12.30pm Cost £90

     

    v  Camps are run by LTA qualified and licensed coaches from The All England Lawn Tennis Club

    v  All equipment provided

    v  This is an outdoor event, however, we have an indoor area for other activities in the case of bad weather

    v  Free on street parking 

    Sibling and multi booking discounts also available! 

    Please contact Elizabeth on 07867314719 or email  e.nyenwe@hotmail.com   for further information.

  • Raynes Park Library - July 2014

    Join the annual Summer Reading Challenge!

    This year's Summer Reading Challenge theme is Mythical Maze and will be launching on Saturday 12 July. Children read 6 books over the summer holidays and can collect rewards such as stickers and bookmarks along the way and also a certificate and medal on completion. Tell your family and friends and get ready for some reading fun!

     

    Raynes Park Library will also be offering a number of activities over the holidays, including:

    Saturday 12 July, 2pm-4pm: Jenny’s myth-tastic craft session.

    Thursday 24 July, 10am- 12pm: Create your favourite Greek hero from myth and legend

    Saturday 26 July, 2pm-4pm: Jenny’s Crafty session

    Monday 28 July- all week: Mythical maze mural: draw or colour favourite character and add to our amazing maze mural.

    Chatterbooks: Saturday 5 July, 2-3pm. Join our friendly junior reading group and have some fun with books!

    Brand New Storytime: Tuesdays 11am- 11.30am. Suitable for ages 2+. No booking required.

    Coffee Afternoon - Tuesday 29 July, 2.00- 3.30pm Local author Martie De Villiers will be speaking about her crime novel City of Blood and the process of writing her second novel. Refreshments are provided.

     

     

    Regular events include:

     

    Family History - Saturday 19 July, 2.00-4.00pm. If you want to find out how to trace your family tree or have begun to trace your family tree but need some help in moving on to the next stage, our friendly, informal sessions may help you.

    Jewellery making - Every Monday, 2.00pm- 4.00pm (Drop-in session). Costs for materials used.

    Falun Dafa - Every Monday, 5.00pm- 6.30pm (Traditional Chinese practice to improve mind and body. This is a drop-in session)

    Write Afresh - Every Tuesday, 10.30- 12noon. Friendly creative discussion and writing group. All welcome! This is a drop-in session.

    Computer Classes and Support

    The library holds free basic computer classes throughout the week, please contact the library (020 8274 5718) for more information.

     

    Library contact details: Raynes Park Library, Approach Road, London SW20 8BA. Telephone: 020 8274 5718. Email: raynespark.library@merton.gov.uk  (Library Manager: Hannah Basing)

     

    Friends of Raynes Park Library (FORPL) assists the library in various ways, through volunteering, raising money for library equipment and running activities and events. If you would like to become a Friend, contact:

     friendsraynespklib@blueyonder.co.uk for more information.

     

     

  • Raynes Park High School - July 2014

    MR. DODD RETIRES 

    This is going to be an emotional half-term for me, as it is my final contribution to the school newsletter. 

    I have been a member of staff at Raynes Park High School for thirty-six years but now it is time to take my leave of the place that has been my second home for all that time. My association with the school actually goes back to 1966 – perhaps an omen for that is the last time England won the football World Cup. Who knows, perhaps it will happen again! 1966 was the year I arrived as a nervous eleven year old making the change from a small primary school called Old Central to the ‘Big School’ named Raynes Park Grammar School. The school was a lot smaller then of course, but nevertheless the nerves were no different to those experienced by all the current students when they made that change. Now, as then, it didn’t take long for me to settle down and I soon realised that the decision I made to come here to continue my education was the right one, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time here. 

    I returned in 1974 to teach history and have taught here ever since, despite the pleas of senior management and students to teach somewhere else! Raynes Park High School is a fantastic place to be. I have seen both sides, as a student and as a teacher, and nothing has ever changed my mind about that. Even in my schoolboy days it was obvious that the teachers deeply cared about the students in their care, and that belief remains true to this day. Whether you are reading this as a student or as a parent/carer, the decision to be at RPHS was one of the best decisions you have ever made.

    It is with genuine sadness that I leave here. 

    I have decided to retire, but it was not an easy decision to make. The school has been part of my life for nearly fifty years and I know I will never forget the years I have spent here. As the Tremeloes once sang, ‘Even The Bad Times Are Good’, (for you younger readers, the Tremeloes were a pop group when Mr. Hoban was in his twenties). Normally this slot in the Newsletter is reserved for singing the praises of Newsoms X but I want to make this an open letter to all Houses, all students and all staff. I know the school is in safe hands and will continue to flourish even when I’m pushing up the daisies. 

    I want to thank all the students, all the staff, both past and present, for giving me thirty-six wonderful years here, and I wish you all every possible future happiness and success.

    Mr. Dodd - Head of Newsoms

    DANCE SHOW 

    The evening of the 8th May saw the second RPHS Dance Show. It was clear that this show was highly anticipated as the main hall was full to the brim with students, families and teachers who had come to watch the dancers in another fantastic and exciting show. 

    There was a lot of pressure on this year’s cast as the previous 3 dance show competitions set a high standard and there were many nervous students waiting to hit the stage but every single one of them was professional and brilliant in all performances. 

    The evening provided fun and entertainment through a variety of different dance styles as well as through our host, the increasingly popular Mr. Mba and the students proved they could be versatile in their performances, ranging from cheeky ballroom to serious and eerie contemporary.

    It was fantastic to see so many students who have been involved in previous dance shows gracing the stage again and showing how much they have progressed in the last year but it is equally as pleasing to welcome all the new students who have been inspired to participate in dance. 

    Miss McGullion and I would like to say a huge thank you to all the staff and students who were involved in the show.  We are incredibly proud of every single dancer and are looking forward to next term already. We do not know how we are going to top this year, particularly the teachers’ dance! 

     

    The Raynes Park High School Street Dance Team will be competing in Blackpool in a few weeks’ time in the UDO National Schools Street Dance Championships.

     

    Miss Bartle - PE and Dance Teacher

  • West Barnes Singers - Summer Concert

    We are celebrating the 450th birthday of William Shakespeare with George Shearing’s Songs & Sonnets, a choral medley from Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story, and a selection of traditional English songs and madrigals.  This concert also introduces our new Musical Director, Max Barley.

     Please join us at New Malden Methodist Church, 49 High Street, New Malden KT3 4BY

    Saturday, 5th July 2014 at 7.30 pm 

    Tickets £10, Children £3, available from choir members and on the door.

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townwomen's Guild - July 2014

    On Thursday 17th April, at a well attended meeting, Carol Harris talked to us about wartime fashions.  Dressed in an authentic 1940s outfit comprising a two piece utility ensemble and a perky little hat, Mrs Harris illustrated her talk with items of clothing which she had brought with her in a large suitcase.  These included a complete Land Army Girls Uniform, which although not glamorous was probably very practical and hard wearing.  With the references to uniforms, shortages of materials, ration books, coupons, make and mend, and utility fabrics and designs, the talk occasioned some interesting interjections and recollections from the floor from some of our older members, which fascinated our speaker as much as we enjoyed the talk.  Mrs M Wright gave the vote of thanks.

    Two groups went to Wimbledon Theatre at the beginning of May, to enjoy matinee productions of Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical CATS.  Meanwhile another group took lunch at the ‘Kiss Me Hardy’ commenting on the surprisingly spacious interior and a good value meal. 

    On Wednesday 14th May, the visit was to Southside House in Wimbledon.  Arriving when the house gate was opened on Wednesday at 1.40, the members explored the gardens in the sunlight before being called back to the house by Mr Pat Donald, the Tour Guide.   An excellent orator and raconteur with an amazing knowledge of the house and Pennington/Mellor/Munthe family history, as well as pointing out the most interesting of the numerous valuable art works, Mr Donald told us many stories to bring this rather eccentric, charmingly quirky and atmospheric house to life.  As many rooms have been deliberately left in a more or less original state, the house is often used by film companies for period dramas.  We enjoyed this visit, taking refreshments afterwards in the ‘Hand in Hand’ Pub opposite! before catching the 200 bus home. 

    At our regular meeting on Thursday, 15th May, Andrea Cameron, a Freeman of the City of London gave a talk about how she became a Freeman and later Liveryman of the City of London and a Freeman of the Stationers & Newspaper Printers Livery Company, one of the 109 livery companies of the City of London.   She illustrated her talk with personal slides, with some interesting interior and exterior shots of the Stationers Company L shaped building.  Freemen of the City of London are permitted to drive their sheep over London Bridge.  We were amused by shots of Andrea and the Lord Mayor (dressed as shepherds) leading their sheep over the bridge, as part of a Sheep over London Bridge Relay to raise £40,000 for Barnados. 

    Two successful trips out were arranged in the warmer weather at the beginning of June.  The first took us to the Cap in Hand at Hook for lunch and the second up to town to visit The Globe Theatre for the Exhibition and Theatre Tour.  Obviously an actor himself, our amusing guide painted a colourful picture of what it would have been like to attend a production at the original theatre and life in Southwark at the time.  In the theatre, we briefly watched a rehearsal of The Last Days of Troy which was opening the next day, a production which has transferred from another theatre.  They were checking the timing of exits and entrances and prop movements on the different stage.  The Exhibition is extensive and comprehensive covering many aspects of the theatre like costume, printing and language, as well as the history of the area and the reconstruction itself.  Returning to the sunlight, we then took a leisurely walk over the Millennium Bridge to St. Paul’s before returning to Raynes Park.  

    To continue enjoying the better weather, on 1st July we propose to take a River Trip from Westminster Pier to Hampton Court, and the following week on the 8th a trip to Dorking by bus.

    The monthly meeting on Thursday, 17th July at St Saviour’s Church Hall at 1.30 will feature a talk entitled Canine Partners.  

    Looking further ahead, we are planning a coach trip to WORTHING on Thursday, 21st August. The coach fare will be £15 including the driver’s tip, leaving Raynes Park Library at 10 am and returning from Worthing at 4.30 pm.   To fill the coach, as well as husbands, friends and family, the TWG is inviting members of the Rendezvous Club and the Pavilion Social Club and any other local persons who would like to join us on this trip to get in touch.   Should there be enough people living on the Motspur Park side wishing to come along, a second pick up can be arranged opposite The Earl Beatty.    I look forward to hearing from you. 

     

    For more information about any of our activities, or to book a place for Worthing, please telephone Dorothy Raymond, 020 8395 9489.

  • Our Local Councillors - May 2014

    As a result of the local elections in May 2014, our ward councillors are now:

     

    RAYNES PARK WARD 

    Adam Bush

    c/o  Merton Civic Centre

    020 8545 3425 (Civic Centre)

     

    Stephen Crowe

    c/o  Merton Civic Centre

    020 8545 3425 (Civic Centre)

     

    Jill West

    c/o  Merton Civic Centre

    020 8545 3425 (Civic Centre)

     

    WEST BARNES WARD

     

    Gilli Lewis-Lavender

    17A Blenheim Road SW20

    020 8543 1781

     

    Brian Lewis-Lavender

    17a Blenheim Road, SW20

    020 8543 1781

     

    Mary-Jane Jeanes

    35 Linkway SW20 9AT

    020 8542 9411

     

    CANNON HILL WARD

     

    Tobin Byers

    c/o  Merton Civic Centre

    020 8545 3425 (Civic Centre)

     

    Pauline Cowper

    c/o  Merton Civic Centre

    020 8545 3425 (Civic Centre)

     

    Fidelis Gadzama

    c/o  Merton Civic Centre 

    020 8545 3425 (Civic Centre) 

     

    Alternatively, you may contact your councillors using this link http://democracy.merton.gov.uk/mgCommitteeMailingList.aspx?ID=0

  • Area Co-ordinator needed for Elm Walk area

    Sadly we are losing Ruth Deveson as our Grand Drive Area Co-ordinator.  We need to recruit a local successor urgently, so that members in the area can continue to receive ‘The Guide’.  

    The main role of the Area Co-ordinator is to distribute ‘The Guide’ to the 12 volunteer Road Stewards in and around Elm Walk (Berrylands, Parkway, Meadow Close, Southway, Woodlands, Meadway & Oakway). It takes about an hour each month. Additionally, once a year, there are the annual subscriptions to be collected from the Road Stewards and delivered to our Treasurer who lives in Grand Drive. 

    Our Area Co-ordinators are a vital link, working on behalf of the Raynes Park & West Barnes membership as a whole. As Area Co-ordinator, you will be supporting your community as well as touring around the area once a month, keeping in touch with local affairs.  

    If you have time to take on this role, please get in touch with Hon. Distribution Manager, Andrew Barwick on 8543 0978 or click hereThank you,

  • Meadowview Road ("LESSA") - June 2014

    Residents are probably aware that the playing-field in Meadowview Road is not in use. When the then developers of the site gained planning permission for the new houses and flats in what is now Meadowview Road (formerly the LESSA Sports and Social Club), the planning inspector required that the remaining playing-field should be used for children's field sports. However, the current owners have rejected several approaches from local organisations expressing interests in using the playing-field for this purpose.

     

    We are concerned that local children are being denied the use of this facility, which was one of the justifications for the planning permission. Our Chairman raised our concerns with Merton Council Planning Department.

     

    The response is below. 

     

    To:       John Elvidge,Chairman

    From:    Neil Milligan, Building & Development

    Control Manager, LBM

    Date:    11th June 2014

     

    Re:       LESSA 

    We have no powers to force the developer to allow the land to be used for field sports.  We only have powers to prevent them from using the land for alternative purposes.  Currently with the land being fenced off, they are preventing the land from being used for anything.  We can’t stop them from doing this.  We have reminded them of their requirement to maintain the field, in its current state, in accordance with the condition.  

    Of course I appreciate local residents are concerned about the future of the site and officers have met Bellway to try and negotiate a solution. However, they are not being particularly cooperative and you will no doubt be aware local Councillors have also tried.

    For a previous article on this development click here.

     

  • Chairman's Blog - July 2014

    OPEN MEETING AT WEST BARNES LIBRARY 

    We had an interesting meeting in June, which was open to all members, at West Barnes Library.  Residents local to Motspur Park were able to raise a number of concerns, and the West Barnes Councillors, all of whom were in attendance, agreed to take them up with the Council officers. 

    The Library itself is due to be re-developed, in the same way as was the Library at Raynes Park, with the provision of flats for the elderly built over an improved layout below. The enhanced services at Raynes Park Library have been widely welcomed. The Head of Merton’s Library Services, Anthony Hopkins, who had oversight of those improvements, has agreed to speak to our next open meeting about the proposals for West Barnes Library in detail. This will be held at the Residents’ Pavilion at 129 Grand Drive on Tuesday 9th September, starting at 7.30 pm.  We hope you’ll note the date in your diary now. 

    MOTSPUR PARK STATION 

    We also had an update on Motspur Park station.  This has at present no lift and so access for the disabled is difficult.  It has already been suggested that the new Library should be so designed so as to include some form of lift provision for the station. 

    There are also at the moment no toilet facilities at the station, the one toilet apparently having been permanently locked.  The need for these will be taken up at the regular meetings which are held between Network Rail’s station managers and local representatives, including the MP. Toilets are now provided at Raynes Park and are kept in good condition. There seems to be no reason why the same can’t be provided at Motspur Park. 

    CROSS RAIL 2 CONSULTATION 

    Residents will remember that there are long term plans to build extra railway lines across London from south to north. This will mean that it should be possible in future to travel from Motspur Park and Raynes Park direct to Liverpool Street, Victoria and other stations north of London, using a tunnel that will be built north of us.   

    The first phase of the consultation was in 2013, and has now ended, and the proposals have been overwhelmingly welcomed in this area. You can see the results of the consultation at https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/crossrail/2  

    Wimbledon, Raynes Park and Motspur Park will be included as stations for the new service. There are, however, a lot of details to be worked through. These include changes to the frequency of trains from local stations, the question of whether Motspur Park and West Barnes level crossings will have to be down to vehicular traffic for even longer, and the question of extra noise if there are more trains using the route. 

    A second phase of the consultation is now under way, but this does not concern the approval of the proposals in principle for this area. 

    LESSA 

    You can read here the latest reply received from the Council officers about the sports field at the former LESSA ground. Both we and the local Councillors will continue to press Bellway to grant a lease over the sports ground to a school or junior sports club, as the Inspector - who granted in the appeal the planning permission for housing - intended and stated should happen.   

     

    John Elvidge

  • Prudential Ride London comes to Raynes Park - 10 August 2014

    Prudential RideLondonOnce again, the route of the Prudential Ride London will be taking the 100 mile cycle challenge through Raynes Park. This will mean road closures, bus diversions and parking restrictions in our area on the day. Whilst the official information (follow this link) says that roads will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so on the day, as we're on the return leg of the route, coming back from deepest Surrey, don't expect things to return to normal until late afternoon.

    You may have already received a leaflet about this event. This gives a contact number to call, 0845 8949773 (Mon - Fri; 09:00 - 17:00), if you have a specific access question. This will be particularly important if you are planning a wedding or similar event in our area. Also, you may wish to find out more if you are planning to use a taxi for an airport run and the like. Some limitations on access will apply, even if you plan simply to walk to or from Raynes Park station on the day.

    Your plans for the day could also be affected in other ways. For example, carers of people living near the route may also wish to check things out.

    If you live north of Coombe Lane or Worple Road, you'll be inside the loop of the route. So this will affect you, no matter which route you might wish to take for access or egress.

     The official website also has another telephone number, email address etc under "Contact Us".

  • Lambton Road Medical Practice - PPG June 2014

    Local directory for older patients

    The PPG, with the Lambton Road Medical Practice (LRMP), will soon publish a booklet of services that are available for older patients in our locality. Its aim is to improve health locally and we plan to update it as and when necessary. The booklet has some forty entries, so far, listed under different groupings such as activities and networks, social welfare, black and minority ethnic groups, specific conditions, transport, faith groups, residents’ associations. Get your copy and share it with your friends. If you spot any services that we’ve missed, please let us have your suggestions for future editions. We hope you’ll find the booklet useful. 

    Contact the Elderly

    Raynes Park has its fair share of people over the age of 75 who live alone. Research has shown that they are most affected by loneliness on Sundays. Contact the Elderlyis a charity formed specifically to help lonely and isolated people. This charity organises tea parties in people’s homes. Volunteers host small groups of 5-10 people, who are taken there by volunteer drivers. The charity’s latest group in this area is currently being formed and it would like to hear from anyone interested in attending/ volunteering.www.contact-theelderly.org.uk.

    The Practice and the PGG have identified Contact the Elderly as a charity that provides positive benefits for older people in our community. We will be promoting it and are looking into the possibility of hosting such events at LRMP. 

    Our first AGM

    The PPG came into existence a year ago when the Durham Road and Pepys Road surgeries merged to form the LRMP. We thank all the patients who attended our first annual general meeting on 15 March. They were welcomed by our chair, Jenny Cairns, who outlined the purpose of the meeting, and members introduced themselves. The Chair asked the attending patients to ratify the membership of the Group, the appointment of Officers and to agree the Constitution. All were agreed unanimously. The Officers for the next year are: Chair, Jenny Cairns; Vice Chair, Judith Brodie; Secretary, Charlotte Bennett. Dr Conor Molony, for the Practice, gave a presentation entitled Primary Care in Raynes Park – the new GP Practice (the text of which is available on the website or at Reception). This was followed by another presentation by the Chair, The PPG – Progress so far and the next steps. Mr Nigel Davis was the lucky winner of our draw and was presented with a plant and a gift voucher. 

    Some of the points raised during the AGM Questions & Answers session, and action being taken, include:

    1. Room numbers of the consulting rooms are very confusing and the signage too small =>The signage is being changed.

    2. Will the Practice operate a chronic illness clinic? => As part of a Merton-wide plan to improve patient care both medically and socially, the Practice regularly reviews its patients who have two or more chronic conditions, including dementia. At-risk patients are invited to attend for review and appropriate support.

    3. In view of the current difficulties experienced by patients in making appointments, why is the Practice still accepting new patients? => The practice is actively recruiting doctors, nurses, and health care assistants to complement the existing team. Dr Julia Foley (see below) will be joined by Dr Katie Goldsmith in June and the post for another doctor has been advertised.

    4. Members of the PPG are all of a certain age and not representative of the community in terms of age, ethnicity and disability => Vispi Jamooji has since joined the PPG, thus reducing considerably the average age of the committee. Ideally we’d now like to have a younger mum as another member: if you are that person who showed an interest during our Open Week, please get in touch – soon!

    As you can see, the LRMP and the PPG have listened to your concerns, in particular the very clear message regarding the appointment system. We’re exploring with the Practice if there can be better communication about it. We are aware that the appointment problem is not unique to us but a national one. Advance appointments can now be made up to 4 weeks ahead and there will be late appointments for people who work. A new practice manager has been recruited, Stephen Hunt, who will start work soon. 

    Dr Julia Foley

    We welcome Dr Foley to the LRMP, a resident of Raynes Park. Originally from the West Midlands, she studied medicine in Sheffield before moving to St Thomas’s hospital for her GP training. She has worked at an inner city practice in Lambeth for nearly nine years with particular interests in diabetes and women’s health, including the fitting of contraceptive implants. Married with two young children, Dr Foley enjoys aerobics and cycling. She told the Newsletter: ‘I’m really pleased to be joining a great team here at Lambton Road.’ 

    Blood tests

    These can now be taken in the walk-in phlebotomy department of Kingston Hospital on the ground floor as follows: Mon-Thurs 8am -4.30pm and Friday 8am-3.30pm. Contact the Practice if you need a domiciliary service. 

    Citizens Advice Bureau

    An adviser from Merton Advice will be at LRMP every Tuesday between 1-4pm to help patients with any problem. Ring 020 8715 0678 for appointments.

     PPG Members: Jan Bailey, Charlotte Bennett, Judith Brodie, Jenny Cairns (Chair), Marilyn Frampton, Clare Gummett, Vispi Jamooji, Jacques Lee, Dennis Railey, Marie Robertson

  • Raynes Park High School - June 2014

    Student Flies High in Pilot Aptitude Challenge 

    Year 10 student Aaron Price will be taking to the Wiltshire sky following his success in a Pilot Aptitude Test, which he completed at the recent Royal Aeronautical Society’s annual careers event. The event, which was attended by over 150 students aged 14 -18, provided inspirational careers information and advice about opportunities and pathways in aerospace and aviation.

    Aaron, one of 13 Raynes Park High School students who attended the event on 23rd April, achieved joint top score in an aptitude test for budding pilots and is being rewarded with a flight in a vintage plane to be flown by a BA pilot with 30 years’ experience. 

    The test involved four elements: Computer simulation, compass and altimeter, tailgating and shape recognition.

    Aaron said: “It was amazing to get top marks in the pilot aptitude test. I really enjoyed the day which opened my eyes to the different technologies and the range of careers within the aviation industry. It was fascinating to learn about the essential work of engineers and the technologies used in the planes built to defend our country”.

     

  • In Memorium - Ted Warrilow

    We have to report the sad news of the passing of Ted Warrilow, (19 Greenway) who was always the eyes and ears of the area, particularly with regard to the development of the LESSA site and the ongoing problems with the developers, Bellway.  Until recently, Ted was always present at the Association meetings. He was very active in fundraising for St Raphel's Hospice through the use of his classic car, a wonderful Morris Minor to which he devoted a great deal of TLC especially after the passing of his dear wife a few years ago.  

    Past President and Past Chairman of the Association, Prof. Garry Hunt said “Ted was a wonderful neighbour. He will be missed greatly by everyone”.

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townswomen's Guild - June 2014

    On Thursday 17th April, at a well attended meeting, Carol Harris talked to us about wartime fashions.  Dressed in an authentic 1940s outfit comprising a two piece utility ensemble and a perky little hat, Mrs Harris illustrated her talk with items of clothing which she had brought with her in a large suitcase.  These included a complete Land Army Girls Uniform, which although not glamorous was probably very practical and hard wearing.  With the references to uniforms, shortages of materials, ration books, coupons, make and mend, and utility fabrics and designs, the talk occasioned some interesting interjections and recollections from the floor from some of our older members, which fascinated our speaker as much as we enjoyed the talk.  Mrs M Wright gave the vote of thanks. 

    Two groups went to Wimbledon Theatre at the beginning of May, to enjoy matinee productions of Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical CATS.  Meanwhile another group took lunch at the ‘Kiss Me Hardy’ commenting on the surprisingly spacious interior and a good value meal. 

    The following Wednesday the visit was to Southside House in Wimbledon.  Arriving when the house gate was opened on Wednesday at 1.40, the members explored the gardens in the sunlight before being called back to the house by Mr Pat Donald, the Tour Guide.   An excellent orator and raconteur with an amazing knowledge of the house and Pennington/Mellor/Munthe family history, as well as pointing out the most interesting of the numerous valuable art works, Mr Donald told us many stories to bring this rather eccentric, charmingly quirky and atmospheric house to life.  As many rooms have been deliberately left in a more or less original state, the house is often used by film companies for period dramas.  We enjoyed this visit, taking refreshments afterwards in the ‘Hand in Hand’ Pub opposite! before catching the 200 bus home. 

    In June on the 5th, the Lunch Club will visit the Cap in Hand Pub at Hook, and on Monday 9th June a group will visit The Globe Theatre for the Exhibition and Tour and then take a walk over  the Millenium Bridge  to St Paul’s Cathedral to enjoy the view. 

    Our next monthly meeting at 1.30 pm at St Saviour’s Church Hall is a social occasion, a party to celebrate our Guild’s 81st birthday. 

    In August we are planning a coach trip to WORTHING on Thursday, 21st. The coach fare will be £15 including the driver’s tip, leaving Raynes Park Library at 10 am and returning from Worthing at 4.30 pm.   As well as husbands, friends and family, the TWG is inviting any local persons who would like to join us on this trip to get in touch.   Should there be enough people living on the Motpur Park side wishing to come along, a second pick up can be arranged opposite The Earl Beatty.  As we cannot fill a larger coach by ourselves, we hope some members from other local groups might find it helpful to join us.  I look forward to hearing from you. 

    For more information about any of our activities, please telephone Dorothy Raymond, 020 8395 9489.

  • Raynes Park Library - June 2014

    Celebrate National Bookstart Week with us from the week beginning Monday 9 June, come and collect a free Bookstart bag packed with goodies (for kids under 18 months). These will also be available at our storytimes on Monday 9 June, 10am and Thursday 12 June, 3.45pm. 

    RNIB: Make a Noise in Libraries: Tuesday 10 June, 11am- 12pm  To support the MANIL fortnight, we will be offering an introduction to the services and equipment available at your local library and beyond to support blind and partially sighted library users. 

    Adult Learners Week:

    Free British Sign Language and Makaton taster for families:

    Monday 16 June, 4.00- 5.00pm  Join Merton Adult Education for a special free taster session aimed at families with children aged 5+ years. Booking is required on 020 8274 5718 

    Free Cake Decorating taster

    Thursday 19 June, 3.30pm- 5.30pm   Have fun decorating cupcakes, from sugar roses to children’s themes. Families can attend together. Please book now on 020 8274 5222 quoting the Reference TAMBH1N 

    Free Applying Make-up taster

    Friday 20 June, 11.30am- 1.30pm   Join Merton Adult Education and look at some basic make up application techniques and what products to use and why. Watch a demonstration by the tutor and then practice what you have learnt. Give it a try and improve your make up skills!

     Please book now on 020 8274 5222 quoting the reference TAMB16N 

    Coffee afternoon: AgeUk

    Tuesday 24 June, 2.00pm- 3.30pm.  Join our speaker from AgeUk and learn about this organisation and how they can help you in money matters, health and wellbeing, travel, home care and employment. Drop-in, no need to book. Refreshments provided. 

    Regular Children's activities: 

    Story time for the under 5s. Come along with your children, friends and families and have a wonderful time full of fun stories and rhymes. NB: Term time only. 

    -Monday mornings 10.00- 10.30am (This is a popular session- arrive early to avoid disappointment) 

    -Thursday afternoons 3.45pm- 4.15pm (suitable for 2+ years)

    1:1 Reading Aloud Support for children. The library offers 1-1 read aloud support for children aged 5+. These are free sessions that encourage enjoyment of reading and offer additional support. Sessions are run by DBS-checked volunteers. Please contact the library to book a place on 020 8274 5718.

    BRAND NEW: Homework Club

    Fridays 4.00- 6.00pm – Needs some help with your homework or just a quiet place to study? Come and join our weekly homework club.

    Craft sessions for kids
    Fortnightly Saturdays, 2.00- 4.00pm, join Jenny for fun and interactive craft sessions. Contact the library for dates

    Chatterbooks Junior Reading Group

    Saturday 7 June, 2.00pm- 3.00pm   Suitable for 8+, this monthly group uses specially designed themes and activities to encourage an enjoyment of books and reading. Come along and make some new friends! Register your interest at the library on 020 8274 5718 

    Regular Adult activities: 

    Mondays, 2.00-4.00pm: Simple Jewellery making- Some costs for materials incurred

    Mondays 5.00-6.30pm: Falun Dafa- Chinese qigong exercise and meditation, if you like Tai Chi, why not try Falun Dafa- Free session, drop in.

    Tuesdays 10.30- 12.30pm: Write Afresh- This is the library's creative discussion and writing group. All welcome, come along and get your creative juices flowing!

    Tuesdays 2.00- 4.00pm: Crochet and chat- This fortnightly session has a lively leader who will take you through crochet and knitting tips in an informal session. Fortnightly sessions, please ask the library for dates.

    Fridays 10.30- 12.00pm: IT Support- Come and ask Pascale your computer queries! Do you have an IT issue or just need a bit of help getting on the computer, come along.

    Saturdays, 10am-11am: Italian for beginners. This is a weekly beginners language class with Federica. Contact the library for dates. 

    Keep an eye out for our other special taster sessions and events on Merton Libraries Facebook page or on Raynes Park Library Events page of the Merton Libraries website www.merton.gov.uk/libraries 

    Friends of Raynes Park Library (FORPL) assists the library in various ways, through volunteering, raising money for library equipment and running activities and events. Friend Membership entitles you to 3 free reservations and 3 free audio visual loans (incl. DVDs, Audiobooks) per year. Annual membership is £6 or £3 for concessions (under 16, over 60 or unwaged). If you would like to become a Friend, contact friendsraynespklib@blueyonder.co.uk for more information. 

    Raynes Park Library, Community and Housing

    Merton Council, Tel:  020 8274 5718

    Fax: 020 8542 1893, www.merton.gov.uk

     

     

     

  • West Barnes Library - June 2014

    What's on this month 

    Read Aloud Mondays (10.30am) Bring your youngsters along to join Jennifer as she reads stories to the toddlers. Having a book read to them helps children develop with better concentration and listening skills. It engages their imagination and so much more. 

    Computer Classes For Beginners Tuesdays (noon-1.30pm) and Thursdays (1.30pm-3.00pm) Learn to use the internet. Six-week courses, free. For details, speak to a member of staff. Book at the library or by email or call 020 8274 5789. 

    Kiddirama, For Under 5s Tuesdays (10am-11am) Interactive fun, play, story, song and sensory class. £2 per child. To book, email kiddirama@mail.com or phone 07542 170604.

    Kiddirama Juniors, The Secret Book Club for 7-12’s year-olds (4pm-5pm) interactive sessions focusing on team building, confidence boosting, performance and so much more.  £2 per child. To book, email: kiddirama@mail.com or phone 07542170604. 

    Tuesday Rendezvous Tuesdays (1.30pm-3.30pm) Weekly drop-in for over 55s. Get together for tea, cake, quiz, talks, trips out and much more. £2 a week to cover costs. For details talk to library staff or call Gilli on 020 8543 1781. 

    Knit & Natter Thursdays (11.30am-1pm) Bring along your knitting project or a favourite piece you’ve finished. Not a knitter? Come for a natter and see what other crafty people in Motspur Park are making. No need to book. 

    Toddlers’ Rhyme Time Fridays (10.30am-11am) Rhymes and musical activities for youngsters up to five years old, followed by Story Time (11am-11.30am). 

    The Sparkle Club Saturdays (2.30pm-4pm) Interactive support workshop for young writers aged 6-plus. Is there anyone waiting to be discovered? Could your youngster be the next JK Rowling or Charles Dickens? Talk to staff to put your child’s name on the waiting list for this popular and fun eight-week course, run by local children’s author Ian Cavill.

  • Chairman's Blog - June 2014

    OPEN MEETING IN JUNE 

    We will be having an Open Meeting in the West Barnes Library on 10th June starting at 7.30 pm. Everyone is very welcome to come, and raise any issues of concern to them. 

    We have this meeting once a year nearer to Motspur Park. It helps, particularly, those members who find it difficult to get to our normal meeting place at the Residents’ Pavilion in Grand Drive. 

    We hope that as many as possible of the newly elected (or re-elected) Councillors will be able to come, so that they can hear for themselves the issues that concern you, as local residents. Our area covers the West Barnes ward, and parts of the Raynes Park, Cannon Hill, and Lower Morden wards. (Click here for map).

    THE PARK COMMUNITY SCHOOL 

    We are told that this new free school intends to open its doors for 60 primary age pupils this September, using the former Trinitarian Bible Society buildings at the junction of Dorset Road and Morden Road, SW19. 

    We think the time scale is ambitious, given the need for planning consent, but perhaps the Council will rush it through, given the urgent need for extra primary school places in this area. 

    The siting of the school is a matter for the government agency to determine. It will be a disappointment to the many parents who wanted it closer to the areas of greatest need in Motspur Park, Raynes Park, and West Wimbledon. 

    However, we are unclear as we go to press whether the proposed site is intended only as a temporary measure, or is to be its permanent home. 

    RAYNES PARK PLAYING FIELDS 

    The application by the All England Lawn Tennis Club to install all weather courts on these fields off Grand Drive has been rejected by the planning committee. The Club’s intention was to use the new courts, which included a covered dome on some of them, for their charitable tennis scheme for juniors in the boroughs of Merton and Wandsworth. 

    We had welcomed this scheme as a vast improvement on the previous schemes proposed for the grounds, which involved extensive housing, and which local residents and we had successfully opposed. 

    The rejection was something of a surprise, and it may be connected to the recent amendment to the proposal to extend the “temporary” use of the domes from 5 years to 10. 

    The AELTC may well appeal, given their urgent need to start on the 5 year programme to put a roof on No 1 court, as soon as the Championships end this July. Click here for more details.

    THE FORMER LESSA SITE ( MEADOWVIEW CLOSE)

    We have put in the letters section the correspondence we have been having with the Council’s officers over the failure to proceed with the provision of a sports ground on the LESSA site, off Grand Drive This was a condition set by the planning inspector when he permitted the development of part of the site for housing. 

    As you will see, we found the response of the officers, as well as that of the developers, Bellway, to be highly unsatisfactory.  We will continue to pursue this until the fields are used as intended for junior sport, whether in a school or a club, with public access. 

    FLOWER PLANTING ON CANNON HILL COMMON 

    Our affiliated organisation, the Friends of Cannon Hill Common, has again organised and planted flower bulbs on the Common, together with the Council.  Residents will remember the wonderful display last year near Cannon Hill Lane. This year over 1600 bulbs have been planted, both near Cannon Hill Lane, and also fronting Parkway. 

    They have also been planted on the site of the old pavilion, with the help of the 5th Morden cub scouts from St John Fisher Church. The scouts had asked for poppies to be included to pay tribute to all those involved in World War 1, which is a lovely idea. 

    Anyone who walks on the Common should join the Friends. The annual fee is minimal. Details of how to join them can be obtained from the Secretary. Her details are given on the inside cover of The Guide. 

    The Friends also organise walks led by experts to look at the trees on the Common and the bats that live there. There are also Open afternoons in the Nature Reserve.

    John Elvidge 

  • Confidence Trickster Warning - May 2014

    The Neighbourhood Watch Manager at Mitcham Police Station warns us: 

    "It came to our attention that there appears to be a team of people around the borough approaching vulnerable people in the street with an elaborate story which results in the victim being taken home to collect their bank card and passport and being brought to the bank to make a withdrawal of thousands of pounds (in the case of our complainant £15,000).

    The elaborate story in this reported case started with being asked for help to find a solicitors urgently, to the perpetrator winning the lottery and needing help to cash it. The victim went along with a request to go to the victim’s home in a taxi, collect her bank card and passport and head to her bank, so that the victim could signal for help in the bank as she couldn’t think of another way to shake the perpetrators off. The bank read the victim’s signal, refused to hand over the £15,000 and called the Police, but unfortunately the scammers got away before the Police arrived. 

    Apparently there have been a few incidents like this across the borough."

  • Second World War Reminiscences Project

    WHEN: Friday 6th June 2014 from 10:30am-4pm

    WHERE:

    ·         New Wimbledon Theatre Studio, The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1QG

    ·         Morden Baptist Church, Crown Lane, Morden, SM4 5BL 

    Did you or a family member fight in the Second World War, serve as a nurse, Home Guard warden or experience the War as a child? Have you kept pictures, letters, postcards or souvenirs relating to World War Two? If so, we want to hear from you! On Friday June 6 (the 70th anniversary of D Day), Merton Music Foundation is inviting people from across the borough to share their family stories from World War Two onwards, as part of ‘Backstories’, an ambitious intergenerational project, involving the whole Merton community throughout 2014-15. 

    Age Exchange, London’s leading Reminiscence Arts organisation, will lead this memory gathering project on family memories of the Second World War. Age Exchange will be recording, photographing and digitising any memories and memorabilia that you may have and want to share with the community. 

    You can book a 30 minute slot (including photographing and scanning material) in advance. 

    ·         For appointments at NWT Studio, contact Andrew Alty: 0208 545 7909 andrewalty@theambassadors.com 

    ·         For appointments at Morden Baptist Church, contact Elisabeth Wigley: 020 8640 5446 elisabeth.wigley@mmf.org.uk 

    Alternatively just come along to one of the venues with your memorabilia. The day will include live and recorded music from the 1940’s era, a photographic exhibition of Merton memories along with plenty of free tea, coffee and cakes. 

    No story is too small. Please join us and help make sure your stories live on!

  • Borde Hill Sculpture Exhibition 2014

    1st May -30th September 2014

    During May to September, Borde Hill Garden, Haywards Heath, is transformed into an outdoor gallery. The Garden is no stranger to celebrating this exciting and dynamic art form, as it has hosted art & sculpture shows for the past fifteen years. Thirteen artists are taking part in the 2014 exhibition, and contributing over 60 pieces. There is an eclectic mix of local and national sculptors, including Veda Hallowes, a Raynes Park resident.

    This not only offers glorious backdrops including the unique ‘garden rooms’ & Elizabethan House, but entices visitors to appreciate this extraordinary mix of art whilst exploring the unique plant collection

    Exhibition runs from 1st May to 30th September 2014 and admission is included in the standard entry price. All works in the exhibition are available for sale.

    Entry, (which includes the Sculpture Trail), is £8.00 per adult (£8.80 gift aid), £7.50 concession and £5.00 per child. A Day Family ticket is £22 (2 + 2) or £25 (2+3).

    http://www.bordehill.co.uk/press-sculpture-exhibition-2

     

     

  • Raynes Park High School - May 2014

    BBC School Report 

    On Thursday 27th March, ten Year 8 students joined with thousands of other students across the UK and Europe to take part in the BBC School Report News Day. Our RPHS journalists reported on everything from fundraising for Sports Relief to why body image should be taught as part of the curriculum. We had an actual BBC journalist helping us on the day and she commended our students for their professionalism and enthusiasm. The Raynes Park High School reporters worked incredibly hard, both in preparation for and on the day, to represent our school with excellence. 

    The full BBC School Report news bulletin is available on the school website under the student section. Look out for special BBC School Reports during the summer term. 

    Mr. Mba - Head of Media Studies 

    U15 Football  Success 

    On Monday 17th March Raynes Park High School played Harris Academy Merton on the new Sports Field. Our U15 team, (sponsored by the Panthera Group Ltd) proudly wore their new football kit for the first time. The Raynes Park High School team started off strong and got on the score sheet very quickly. When they realised they were the stronger team on the pitch, they took their foot off the pedal and relaxed against the Harris team. By half time it was 2-0 and Raynes Park High was cruising, although we gave away too many chances for my liking! 

    Raynes Park High scored again twice in the second half and ran out 4-0 winners with goals from Nathan Molema x 2, Sebastiao Miguel and Phillip Kandeh.

    A good result if not a great performance. Well done U15s. 

    Mr. Hayes - Head of PE

  • Friends of West Barnes Library - May 2014

    Quiz night

    Places are filling up fast for the next Friends Quiz Night on Friday, 16 May (£3 including wine, soft drinks and nibbles, or just £2 for Friends members). To join the popular fun evening, contact the library to book your place ASAP. You can come alone or with friends, but teams are limited to six people this time. 

    Can you help?

    The Friends are looking for someone to take on some of the publicity roles for the group’s events. If you have some spare time, are organised, good at communication, tech savvy and have a flair for designing posters, social media or running a website, please write to mail@friendsowbl.org.uk. 

    Social evening / AGM

    Friends members are invited to its third annual general meeting on Friday, 6 June, starting at 7.15pm in the library. Members are invited to write to the group’s chairman, Brian Lewis-Lavender, c/o West Barnes Library, with nominations for Officers and Members of the committee. There will be refreshments and nibbles for a social evening following the AGM. 

    What’s on 

    Coming up at West Barnes Library

    To reserve a place where required, talk to staff, call 020 8274 5789 or email westbarnes.library@merton.gov.uk. 

    Read Aloud (Mondays, 10.30am). Join Jennifer as she reads stories to the toddlers. The little ones will really enjoy this new fun session.

    Kiddirama, For Under 5s (Tuesdays, 10am-11am). Interactive fun, play, story, song and sensory class. £2 per child. To book, email kiddirama@mail.com or phone 07542 170604. 

    Computer Classes for Beginners (Tuesdays, noon-1.30pm, and Thursdays, 1.30pm-3pm). Need to book. 

    Tuesday Rendezvous (Tuesdays, 1.30pm-3.30pm). Weekly drop-in for over 55s. £2. Get together for tea, cake, quiz, talks, trips out, card making and much more. For details talk to library staff or call Gilli on 020 8543 1781.

    Knit & Natter (Thursdays, 11.30am-1pm). Bring your knitting project or a favourite piece you’ve finished.

    Toddlers’ Rhyme Time (Fridays, 10.30am-11am). For 0 to 5-year-olds,thenStory Time (11am-11.30am).

    Sparkle Club (Saturdays, 2.30pm-4pm). Local children’s author Ian Cavill coaches and inspires youngsters in story writing. Talk to library staff to put your child’s name on the waiting list for this popular eight-week course.

    Craft & Chat (Saturday, 10 May, 3pm-4pm). These sessions are always popular and creative; past crafts include flower decorations, ice cake toppers, and so much more. Free activity but booking is required.

    Children’s Craft (Saturday, 17 May, 2pm-4pm). Bring the children along for fun activities. No need to book.

    Local History Coffee Morning: A Walk Round West Barnes – An illustrated talk based on the writing of John Wallace (Tuesday, 20 May, 10.30am-noon). All are welcome, just come along.

    Police Surgery (Tuesday, 20 May, 6pm-7pm).Chat to a PC about any local topics.

    Adults’ Book Club (Thursday, 29 May, 6pm-7pm). The latest read is My Dear, I Wanted To Tell You by Louisa Young. New members warmly welcomed.

    Children’s Art Club (Saturday, 31 May, 2pm-4pm). Need to book. 

    ------------------------------------------------- 

    To receive a monthly email of news and events at West Barnes Library, write to mail@friendsowbl.org.uk or sign up for the Friends’ eNewsletter at www.friendsowbl.org.uk.

     

     

  • Talk Autism - May 2014

    Merton’s Forum for parents of children young people and adults with Autism 

    South ThamesCrossroads Care with Barbera Boatang & Avril Doyle 

    Crossroads Care is a provider of support for carers & people with care needs.Find out about the services Crossroads Care can offer to families of children & adults on the autistic spectrum. 

    Thursday 22 May,10am to 12pm

    (Chaucer Centre, Room M, Canterbury Road, Morden, SM4 6PX) 

    Please book ahead for all events where possible 

    ü    Refreshments provided 

    ü    For more information or to register with Talk Autism and receive news of all our events, just ring Tracy Blackwell on 020 8687 4644 

    Tel: 0208 687 4644            Email: kids.first@swlondonmencap.nhs.uk

     

    Website :http://www.mertonmencap.org.uk/talkautism.htm

  • Raynes Park Library - May 2014

    Special Events 

    Chatterbooks - Children’s Reading Group
    Saturday 10 May, 2.00pm- 3.00pm

    Suitable for 8+, this monthly group uses specially designed themes and activities to encourage an enjoyment of books and reading. Come along and make some new friends! Register your interest at the library on 020 8274 5718

     

    Meena Bazaar- Asian Cultural market 

    Saturday 24 May, 12pm- 4.45pm

    A market with an Asian flair, including tasty food, clothes, arts and crafts, textiles, jewellery and more. Fun for all the family!

    Half term – Spring inspired Craft activity

    Tuesday 27 May, 10am- 11.30am

    Suitable for all ages, join our fun and fabulous family craft session. Please book a space on 020 8274 5718.

    Coffee Afternoon- Safer Merton

    Tuesday 27 May, 2.00pm- 3.30pm

    Join our speaker from Safer Merton team and learn about this Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership.  Safer Merton is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to reduce crime, anti-social behaviour and substance misuse in your local area, bringing together the London Fire Brigade, London Probation Service, Metropolitan Police Authority and Sutton and Merton Primary Care Trust. Drop in session. Refreshments provided.

    Join us at the library for a special event for MyRaynesPark Festival:  David Wood’s Storytime: The Gingerbread Man

    Saturday 31 May, 2.30- 3.30pm

    With magic, music and audience participation, David Wood, actor, author and playwright- best remembered from BBC’s Jackanory- presents a storytelling version of this much loved book.

    The Gingerbread Man Craft Session

    Saturday 31 May, 3.30pm- 4.30pm

    To tie in with our special event, we will be doing a Gingerbread Man related craft session directly after the story. No need to book, just come along! 

    Regular Children's activities: 

    Story time for the under 5s
    Come along with your children, friends and families and have a wonderful time full of fun stories and rhymes. NB: Term time only.

    -Monday mornings 10.00- 10.30am (This is a popular session- arrive early to avoid disappointment)

    -Thursday afternoons 3.45pm- 4.15pm (suitable for 2+ years)

    1:1 Reading Aloud Support for children
    The library offers 1-1 read aloud support for children aged 5+. These are free sessions that encourage enjoyment of reading and offer additional support. Sessions are run by DBS-checked volunteers. Please contact the library to book a place on 020 8274 5718.

    BRAND NEW: Homework Club

    Fridays 4.00- 6.00pm – Needs some help with your homework or just a quiet place to study? Come and join our weekly homework club.

    Craft sessions for kids
    Fortnightly Saturdays, 2.00- 4.00pm, join Jenny for fun and interactive craft sessions. Contact the library for dates 

    Regular Adult activities: 

    Mondays, 2.00-4.00pm: Simple Jewellery making- Some costs for materials incurred

    Mondays 5.00-6.30pm: Falun Dafa- Chinese qigong exercise and meditation, if you like Tai Chi, why not try Falun Dafa- Free session, drop in.

    Tuesdays 10.30- 12.30pm: Write Afresh- This is the library's creative discussion and writing group. All welcome, come along and get your creative juices flowing!

    Tuesdays 2.00- 4.00pm: Crochet and chat- This fortnightly session has a lively leader who will take you through crochet and knitting tips in an informal session. Fortnightly sessions, please ask the library for dates.

    Fridays 10.30- 12.00pm: IT Support- Come and ask Pascale your computer queries! Do you have an IT issue or just need a bit of help getting on the computer, come along.

    Saturdays, 10am-11am: Italian for beginners. This is a weekly beginners language class with Federica. Contact the library for dates. 

    Keep an eye out for our other special taster sessions and events on Merton Libraries Facebook page or on Raynes Park Library Events page of the Merton Libraries website www.merton.gov.uk/libraries 

    HAVE YOU GOT A BIRTHDAY PARTY ?You can now book the library hall for your children’s party! Our hall can accommodate 60 people; tables/chairs and separate kitchen facilities are included in the price. Standard charge is £20p/h. For more information or to book contact Library Admin on 020 8545 3783. 

    Friends of Raynes Park Library (FORPL) assists the library in various ways, through volunteering, raising money for library equipment and running activities and events. Friend Membership entitles you to 3 free reservations and 3 free audio visual loans (incl. DVDs, Audiobooks) per year. Annual membership is £6 or £3 for concessions (under 16, over 60 or unwaged). If you would like to become a Friend, contact friendsraynespklib@blueyonder.co.uk for more information. 

    Hannah, Raynes Park Library, Community and Housing, Merton Council. Tel:  020 8274 5718

    Fax: 020 8542 1893

     

     

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townswomen's Guild - May 2014

    Our March gathering was our Annual General Meeting and Bring & Buy Sale.  This relaxed and friendly meeting was well attended and we welcomed the North East Surrey Federation Chairman and a colleague.  During the formal business there was a slight change in personnel on the Committee, Mrs Eileen Brewer being elected Chairman and Miss Margaret Wright moving to Hon Secretary.  The Hon Treasurer, Miss Jenny Hardy’s report and summary of accounts were accepted.  Other re-elected committee members were pleased to welcome Mrs Marion Clancy who volunteered to join the committee.  There was a vote of thanks for all her hard work to Mrs Florence Mahoney, resigning as Hon Secretary. 

    It was a drizzly day when 16 members boarded the minibus for our outing to Petworth Park, but it did not dampen our spirits.  There is a lot to see in Petworth House.  We all enjoyed exploring all the rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and other nooks and crannies as well as admiring the sculptures and paintings.  Once again we were delighted to see a visiting party of children in period costume – a small group variously dressed as the lady of the house, the butler, the housekeeper, lady’s maid, scullery maid etc.   The Park was damp but nevertheless most of us ventured out to see the glorious display of daffodils in the rising contours of the garden area. 

    By contrast the day was sunny and warm when a group of 12 ladies met in Superfish, Morden for a pleasant rendezvous and lunch on 1st April.  Also that week on the 3rd  a small group went to Wimbledon Theatre reporting how much they enjoyed this particular production of Fiddler on the Roof. 

    The following week on 8th April 10 members travelled to the ancient priory church St Bartholomew the Great, West Smithfield.  A place of worship since 1123, this is the oldest church building – still in its original state – in London.  Over the years the building has seen many changes visible in what remains.  Given a guided tour by the verger, we loved the high plain grey stone walls with two tiers of Norman arches, with a third layer of Gothic arched windows above.    As its ancient features are authentic the church is often used by film companies for location work.   The entrance under an archway under a narrow medieval house is also picturesque.   As it leads off West Smithfield the group detoured on the return to take in a short walk through the Victorian Meat Market building.

    In May the lunch club will visit the “Kiss me Hardy” pub on Wednesday 7th and the visit will be to Southside House, Wimbledon on Wednesday 14th.   The monthly meeting will be on Thursday, 15th May at 1.30 pm at St Saviour’s Church Hall when Andrea Cameron will give a talk entitled ‘City of London Freeman’. 

    Following the relaxed and friendly social occasion of the Bangers & Mash Lunch on 27th March prepared by the committee, we are planning a PLOUGHMAN’S LUNCH ON THURSDAY, 29TH MAY AT 12.15 FOR 12.30 IN ST SAVIOUR’S CHURCH HALL.  Featuring a cheese platter with salad, wine or fruit juice, a desert, followed by coffee or tea for a cost of £5 we wish to invite visitors to join us. 

    Please telephone if you would like to share a Ploughman’s Lunch with us or if you would like more information about any other activity. 

    Dorothy Raymond

    020 8395 9489  

     

     

  • Richard Evans Leaves to Cycle The World

    RICHARD EVANS CYCLES THE WORLD FOR ROAD PEACE! 

    Well known local cycling campaigner and Association Member Richard Evans, set off from Somerset Avenue on 5th April to cycle around the world on a recumbent bicycle.  

    His route will take him overland from Holland to Singapore, then via Australia, NZ, Canada, USA, and back to UK through Portugal, Spain and France.  He plans to complete the 25,000km circumnavigation by the end of September and will be tweeting from  @laid_back_rich .     There is also a blog at  http://laidbackaroundtheworld.blogspot.co.uk/ 

    Richard is raising money for RoadPeace, a small charity that looks after the bereaved families of road crash victims and campaigns for safer streets.  

    For those who would like to support Richard’s amazing effort, the fund-raising page is at:

    https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/laidbackrich

  • Morden Fun Day - Sunday 20 July 2014

    Here's a date for your diary! 

    The Morden Fun Day Sponsored by James O'Neill Solicitors and Merton Council, and organised by Morden Rotary Club is taking place at Morden Sports Playing Fields, (opposite the Mosque on London Road)  Morden on 20 th July. 

    There are three arenas that will feature: 

    Little League Football Tournament, Martial Art Displays, Funfair, Miniature Train Ride, Companion Dog Show Held under Kennel club rules/ regulations, Balloon Race, Radio Jackie, Deen City Farm, BMX Display, Zumba, Pimms Tent, Dog fly-ball racing, Car and Motorcycle Display. 

    PLUS over eighty stalls for local charities, sports clubs and traders. If you are involved with any local club or organisation that would like to join in with Morden's biggest annual event, we'd like to hear from you.

    If you're a trader and want a pitch at this event, now's the time to book. 

    We'd also like to hear from people prepared to give a few hours to helpon the day as stewards. 

    PLEASE NOTE ALL PROCEEDS GO TO LOCAL CHARITIES.

    CONTACT help@mordenfunday.org 

    WEBSITE www.mordenfunday.org

    Or Phone John 0207 998 6364 (9.00 to 5.30 Monday to Friday).

  • Chairman's Blog - May 2014

    LOCAL ELECTIONS 

    Merton goes to the polls again on 22nd May to elect Councillors for the next four years. London Borough Councils cover the whole range of public services, including education, social services, and housing, as well as transport, planning, and rubbish collection. So it’s very important that we get people who are genuinely interested in representing the wishes and needs of local residents 

    Back in the 1950’s our Residents’ Association used to put up candidates for the Council, and we had our own distinct rosettes and election colour. These days are long gone. We are now strictly a non- party political organisation, and will not endorse any particular candidate. 

    All we would say is that you should vote, since it’s important; and you should choose the people who will, you think, best represent your interests as a local resident.  

    THE FORMER LESSA GROUND AT GRAND DRIVE 

    We have written to the Chief Executive and the Director of Planning in Merton protesting at the continued delay by Bellway to find a tenant for the sports ground at the former LESSA ground, and urging them to take action.  The planning inspector only gave permission for housing to be built on this land, which had been laid out and used for sporting purposes for very many years, on the basis that the rest of the ground should be retainedfor use for football, cricket, and rugby for children under 14.  If the land were leased by a private school or club, it was to be made available to the general public for certain periods. 

    The housing has been completed and occupied for some years now, and the tennis club has relocated there since last year. 

    We understand that Bellway have turned down expressions of interest from suitable schools and clubs, and they have given no explanation as to why they have not proceeded to let the land, as was always intended.   

    The land only has planning permission for this purpose. 

    We deplore the fact that the public has been deprived of the benefit of using the ground, when there is such a shortage of pitches available locally. We regard the failure to complete a lease as a blatant failure to observe the terms of the planning consent. 

    MERTON ARCHIVE 

    You can now access thousands of photographs covering 150 years of Merton’s history through a project launched by the Library Service, and supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The photos belong to the Merton Library and Heritage Service, and have been scanned and catalogued by a number of voluntary groups so that they are freelyavailable on the internet. To find out more, go to merton.gov.uk/mertonmemories. 

    SUBSCRIPTIONS 

    Yes, it’s that time of year again when our hard working team of road stewards will be asking for you to renew your subscriptions as Members of the Association for the coming year. The price has been retained at £3 a household, which enables us to pay for the costs involved in carrying on the work of the Association, and to produce the Guide each month. 

    Everyone who works for the Association is a volunteer, and none of us receives any funds out of your subscriptions. 

    We hope you agree that the cost is well spent, and that you will rejoin again. Thank you for your support. 

    John Elvidge 

  • My Raynes Park - Happy List

  • My Raynes Park - Art Competition

  • Raynes Park High School - April 2014

    Mornings are lighter, days longer and we have already passed the half year mark of academic year 2013/14. 

    Years 7 and 8 students continue to make positive contributions to the school and display a real focus on their learning and progress, which is illustrated in the levels they are achieving. A fantastic Year 7 subject evening took place with attendance of 90% and we look forward to equalising this with our Year 8 Subject Evening. 

    Saturday school has increased in numbers with more students asking to participate and Raynes Park High School is now ‘open’ six days a week. One student even came in on her birthday to do some work before she went off to celebrate with her friends and family. 

    Currently the school is preparing to welcome the lucky Year 6 students who have been offered a place to attend Raynes Park High School in September 2014. There is a buzz of excitement as ‘student ambassadors’ are trained to support our newcomers during this important time. Year 7s are enthusiastic as this is their first opportunity to represent their school in this lead role and are best placed to know the emotions Year 6 students are feeling leading up to their move to high school. 

    House leaders are now a prominent fixture in and around school working with younger tutor groups and helping out at all key events in the school calendar. By selling Christmas wrapping paper and decorations at these events £220 was raised for a local Children’s Heart Charity CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young). House charity functions have also been started with the introduction of the House Charity Fund. This was instigated by Halliwells Z House which raised £78.15 for their chosen charity, WaterAid. 

    Students are looking forward to the Year 7 Kingswood residential trip in May when the majority of the year group will be setting off for a weekend of fun activities and challenges which will help them form new friendships with others in the year group. We are hoping for good weather which will allow us more time outdoors team building and developing skills. 

    Attendance has improved but still remains a focus for us as a school. Absent students find it difficult to make their potential progress. The school has three Senior Learning Mentors, Mrs Dillon, Ms Wilson David and Mrs Milton, who monitor and record attendance. They are the voices at the end of the phone offering support and encouragement for getting your child into school. All students’ attendance should be 100% and processes will be put into place if this falls to 95%. 

    We continue to strengthen our relationships with parents and families through the Parent Forum and our newly revamped PTSA. We have a wealth of ideas on ways to raise money which will be directed towards enhancing your child’s school experience. It is also an excellent way for you to meet up with other parents and carers from the school in an informal setting. 

    Ms Finan - Assistant Headteacher

    Google at RPHS! 

    To  celebrate National Careers Week students experienced some exciting activities taking place over the course of this week. Activities included workshops on Apprenticeships, Further Education, Higher Education, Work Experience and a ‘What staff did before working in an education setting’ quiz which was great fun for everyone involved. 

    One of the most exciting parts of this week was a fantastic talk from Phil Christer, Head of Google Product Development in Europe. 

    Mr.Christer delivered a talk to Year 11 and Sixth Form students. Students who were put through a mock interview by Mr Christer rose to the challenge and were creative in their responses. He shared interview tips with the group detailing what big organisations like Google look for in applicants including the best entry routes into Google. 

    Students were given valuable advice about how to stand out from others and informed about different career options such as internships. Students are aware how extremely privileged they were to witness the new ‘Google Glass’ in action. Google Glass is still currently in testing and the students who were able to try it out realise how lucky they are to have had this experience. This was a wonderful opportunity for students to engage and ask questions to prepare themselves for their future pathways. I would like to extend a huge thank you to Phil Christer for such an inspirational visit. 

    Ms Honor - Careers Support and Work Related Learning LeadS

    Swimming Trophy 

    Athena Lewis Gkogka (SMX) won the Senior Girls Trophy for Raynes Park High School at the Surrey Schools Individual Swimming Championships at Guildford last Saturday. To win the trophy Athena won the 100m Breaststroke event. Her brother, Spiros Gkogkas,(9MX) also took part and came 7th in the Junior Boys 100m Freestyle event. Athena’s trophy will have pride of place in the school’s trophy cabinet. All keen swimmers should make a note of 11th May 2014 in their diaries. Swimming trials for the London Youth Games are being held at Morden Pool on that date.To take part in the trials for swimming or any other sport it is necessary to pre-register using the council’s e-form  at:

    https://webforms.merton.gov.uk/default.aspx/RenderForm/?F.Name=nEwR32Kksfu&HideAll=1. 

    For further information about the London Youth Games visit their website at: http://www.londonyouthgames.org/  

    Mr Hayes - Head of PE

  • Raynes Park Residents' Lawn Tennis Club - April 2014

    Raynes Park Residents LTC moved venue almost a year ago to the new premises in Meadow View Road, and what a year it has been! 

    The move was a great success, improving court playing times and permitting more coaching and also allowed us to recruit more members now that we have 5 courts, including two floodlit courts for year-round play.  Despite our Name membership is open to all, not just if you happen to be a resident, and we welcome any potential new member young or old! 

    At the Open Day last April we managed to sign up over 50 new members, of all ages and abilities. Along with current members they were then invited to join in the Tennis Circus on the Launch Day on 1st June, when Mayor Councillor Krystal Miller officially opened our new premises and MP Stephen Hammond joined in the fun to try out the new courts!

    TENNIS CIRCUS  

    Following on from the Open Day and Launch we have since run another Tennis Circus with ex Davis Cup player Danny Sapsford. The Tennis Circus is quite a new initiative to bring master classes and exhibition matches by current and former Davis Cup and Fed Cup stars to local clubs in Surrey and London.  Danny is the driving force and since starting has been fortunate to secure funding which has benefited clubs like ours.                                                   

    Together with Danny we have been able to offer fantastic coaching days and at the same time make some money for the club to improve other coaching areas. With the funds raised from the Tennis Circus the club set up Cardio Tennis sessions for members which have proved to be very popular on a Sunday lunch time and we are working with two local schools to introduce tennis to a wider, younger audience -  all for FREE! 

     

    Another Tennis Circus day is planned for Sunday 27th April 2014 and coaching from the professionals will be on offer to members and prospective members for a small fee. If you are interested in joining the club or taking part in the next Tennis Circus and would like more information contact Nicky Hudson 07791 094870 or email: thehbs@thehbs.plus.com

  • Friends of West Barnes Library - April 2014

    Quiz night

    The next Friends Quiz Night will be on Friday, 16 May (£3, or £2 for Friends members, including wine, soft drinks and nibbles). Places are limited so to be sure of a fun evening, book your place ASAP.You can come on your own or with friends, but teams are limited to six people this time. 

    New library manager

    Karren McCarthy has now taken over as manager following Carole Bundy’s retirement after five years at West Barnes Library. The Friends are sorry to see Carole leave but wish her all the best for the future, and urge residents to pop in and welcome Karren to her new job in Motspur Park. 

    Easter closure

    West Barnes Library will be closed from Friday, April 18, until Monday, 21 April, and will reopen on the Tuesday.

    What’s on

    Coming up at West Barnes Library

    To reserve a place where required, talk to staff, call 020 8274 5789 or email westbarnes.library@merton.gov.uk.

    Read Aloud (Mondays, 10.30am). Join Jennifer as she reads stories to the toddlers. The little ones will really enjoy this new fun session. 

    Kiddirama, For Under 5s (Tuesdays, 10am-11am). Interactive fun, play, story, song and sensory class. £2 per child. To book, email kiddirama@mail.com or phone 07542 170604.

    Computer Classes For Beginners (Tuesdays, noon-1.30pm, and Thursdays, 1.30pm-3pm). Need to book.

    Tuesday Rendezvous (Tuesdays, 1.30pm-3.30pm). Weekly drop-in for over 55s. £2. For details talk to library staff or call Gilli on 020 8543 1781.

    Knit & Natter (Thursdays, 11.30am-1pm). Bring your knitting project or a favourite piece you’ve finished.

    Toddlers’ Rhyme Time (Fridays, 10.30am-11am). For 0 to 5-year-olds, then Story Time (11am-11.30am).

    Sparkle Club (Saturdays, 2.30pm-4pm). Local children’s author Ian Cavill coaches and inspires youngsters in story writing. Talk to library staff to put your child’s name on the waiting list for this popular eight-week course.

    Craft & Chat (Saturday, 5 April, 3pm-4pm). Flowers for Easter. In this session, led by Alison Honor, you’ll create a beautiful seasonal flower display. £5 charge (in advance or on the day) for materials. Need to book.

    Easter Toddlers’ Craft (Friday, 11 April, 11.30am). Bring your toddlers along to make something crafty for Easter.

    Children’s Craft (Saturday, 12 April, 2pm-4pm). Bring the youngsters along to make special Easter cards and participate in other fun Easter activities. No need to book.

    Local History Coffee Morning: A-Z of Wimbledon Football Club (Tuesday, 15 April, 10.30am-noon. Illustrated talk. All welcome.

    Police Surgery (Thursday, 24 April, 11am-noon). Chat to a PC about any local topics.

    Children’s Art Club (Saturday, 26 April, 2pm-4pm). Need to book.

    Adults’ Book Club (Tuesday, 29 April, 6pm-7pm). The latest read is The Grass Is Singing by Doris Lessing. New members warmly welcomed. 

    ------------------------------------------------- 

     

    To receive a monthly eNewsletter of activities at West Barnes Library, email: mail@friendsowbl.org.uk, or sign up at www.friendsowbl.org.uk

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townswomen's Guild - April 2014

    On Thursday, 20th February the speaker at our afternoon meeting was Mrs Sandra Morgan.  A self confessed ‘royalist’ wearing a royal purple skirt, Mrs Morgan arrived carrying a large My Fair Lady style black and white hat box.  Her talk was entitled Royal Garden Parties.  Mrs Morgan (a retired magistrate) and her husband obviously enjoyed their visits to Buckingham Palace on the two occasions they were invited, relating the details to us.  The hat box not only contained the very smart hat she chose to wear and a photograph of herself and husband in morning suit, but additionally other royal souvenirs she had collected from childhood and brought for us to see.  The vote of thanks for this entertaining talk was given by Mrs Florence Mahoney. 

    Sixteen members travelled to Durnsford Road, Wimbledon to lunch together at The Woodman Pub on 6th March.  Members enjoyed well cooked meals and friendly service, seated on three adjacent tables in The Woodman’s side annexe which was light and airy in the sunlight.  Made from a renovated railway station this is an interesting room. 

    What a delight the Ragged School Museum proved to be!  Blessed with sunshine that day, after the long District Line journey to Mile End we enjoyed the leisurely stroll through and across Mile End Park, with its banks of daffodils and fountain playing, to the banks of the Regents Canal.  The Museum is in an old warehouse building beside the canal which was taken over by Dr Bernado for his Ragged School.  Welcomed by friendly volunteers, we were pleasantly surprised to find that there were groups of children in the museum (probably year 5) on a school trip for an authentic and memorable experience of Victorian life.  They had all found themselves a period costume from a big box of clothes.  In the school room upstairs, with them sitting in rows on the Victorian bench type desks complete with ink wells, an actress (also in period costume) got the children thinking about how lessons would have been at that time.  On one blackboard was a summary of the old £ s d system, and on another, examples of the joined up writing taught at the time, as well as a cane on her desk!  Next door in the ‘kitchen’ the children were being introduced to and using Victorian aids like the old wringer and the carpet beater.  The children told us that the trip was in connection with their current project on Victorian England.  Like us they were enjoying themselves.  We walked back along the bank of the canal before finding a welcome snack in a coffee house on the Mile End Road, to set us up for the journey back to Raynes Park. 

    On Tuesday, 1st April the lunch club will gather at Superfish, Morden from 12 noon.    The following week on Tuesday,  8th the visit will be to St Bartholomew the Great, the ancient priory church in West Smithfield for a guided tour .  The next monthly meeting will be on Thursday, 17th April at 1.30 pm at St Saviour’s Church Hall when the speaker will be Carol Harris talking about ‘Wartime Fashion’.  Visitors welcome. 

     

    For more information about the Towns Women’s Guild please telephone Dorothy Raymond on 020 8395 9489.

  • Motspur Park Horticultural Society

    The Motspur Park Horticultural Society is celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2014.  The Society is a friendly, local gardening club for gardeners of all levels of experience.
     
    Do you have a garden?  Would you like to meet fellow gardeners at a local club?  We are always happy to welcome new members to our Trading Hut at 82 Blakes Lane.
     
    We hold two shows every year.  Entry is free and open to members and non-members alike.  There are cups and certificates to be won and discount vouchers redeemable at the Society's trading hut where we stock a wide range of gardening tools, gardening products and locally grown plants at very competitive prices.
     
    If you are interested in knowing more about the Society, come and meet us any Sunday morning between 9.30am and 12.00pm at the Society's trading hut at 82 Blakes Lane.  Come and visit (or even enter) one of our shows on 22nd March and 13th September. The shows are held in the Scout Hall, Arthur Road.
     
    Come along to our bedding plant sales at the Hut in May and perennial sale in October or join us at one of our open days celebrating our 75th Anniversary.
     
     
    Di Walker/MPHS
     

  • Merton Memories - Discovery Day, 26 April 2014

    Merton Memories: 100 years of history in 15,000 images 

    The Merton Memories project was started by Merton Heritage Service in July 2012. Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the project is designed to increase access to a unique collection of historic photographs held by the London Borough of Merton, in addition to images provided by local heritage organisations and members of the public. More than 15,000 images have been digitised and are now available to the public at:

     www.merton.gov.uk/memories 

    The website, which was launched on March 22, allows users to search for images by keyword, collection (subject), and areas. It also features a Heritage news section, information about heritage sites across Merton, plus the option for people to submit historical information / anecdotes and enquiries. The public can also request photographic prints of the images on show. 

    The Merton Memories project team are working with schools to produce resource packs about the history of the local area and themed sessions to support the study of history in the classroom. Three photographic exhibitions about the history of Mitcham, Merton, Morden and Wimbledon will also be held at the main libraries in April and May 2014. 

    For details about the Merton Memories Project and the next Discovery Day on April 26, visit:

     www.merton.gov.uk/mertonmemories

    or contact Sarah Gould and Joahanne Flaherty at Merton Heritage & Local Studies Centre: Tel. 020 8545 3239. Email: local.studies@merton.gov.uk.

  • Healthwatch Merton Events - March 2014

    Healthwatch Merton is holding a final listening event to hear local views on health and social care services before sharing the findings at the end of March.

    Tell us what’s important to you

    Monday 17th March, 6:30pm - 8pm at Wimbledon Meeting House, 40 Spencer Hill Road, SW19 4EL and tell us what your health and social care priorities are. From pre-natal services to end of life care and everything in-between we want to know what you think. Visit the MVSC website to book your place online.  

    Feedback and the Future

    You are invited to the event on Monday 31st March, 5:30pm - 7:30pm at the Acacia Centre, 230 Grove Road, Mitcham Eastfields, CR4 1SD. We have been listening to your views on health and social care and during this event we will share our findings and let you know what we will be working on in the coming year. To book your place please email Adele Williams - adele@healthwatchmerton.co.uk  

    Healthwatch Merton is here to help local people get the best out of their health and social care services.

     

    Local views and opinions are crucial so join us at one of our events to have your say.

  • The future in doubt for St Helier Hospital

    Public Meeting will be held at Merton Civic Centre, on Thursday March 13th at 7.30 p.m. concerning the future for St Helier Hospital.

    ·           Discussion re £219m development being unlikely to go ahead. 

    ·           Potential threats to the hospital's future.

  • Raynes Park Community Forum 13 March 2014

    Residents are invited to attend the Raynes Park Community Forum

    AT 7.15 PM ON THURSDAY 13 MARCH 2014

    IN RAYNES PARK LIBRARY MEETING ROOM

    Chair: Cllr Gilli Lewis-Lavender

    1) Station Embankments. Vinnie O’Connell (New-Leaf) will talk about the work on the railway embankments.

    2) Raynes Park Enhancement Plan – Neil Milligan (LBM) will speak about recent improvements and other planned improvements about to take place.

    3) Parking in Raynes Park Town Centre – Update about parking in the town centre and other parking consultations.

    4) Health – Local health Planning Updates.

    5) Raynes Park Safer Neighbourhood Team Update - Lee Abberton

    6) ‘Mega Recycle Challenge’ – Jane Alexander (LBM)

    7) Merton Scrutiny Team - Rebecca Redman (LBM)

    8) Merton Fostering Team - Chloe Gardner (LBM)

    9) Current and Anticipated Planning Applications including Rainbow Estate - Neil Milligan (LBM)

    10) Open Forum – an opportunity to raise any other issue of local interest. 

    Future dates for the Raynes Park Community Forum: 18 June 2014, 30 September 2014, 9 December 2014, 25 March 2015. 

    The Raynes Park Community Forum is managed by the Raynes Park Association (chrislarkman@gmail.com) and chaired by a Councillor from one of the local wards.

  • Book Sale, Saturday, 15 March 2014

    BOOK SALE: St Matthew's(Sencer Road/Durham Road) will be holding a book sale on Saturday 15th March. 

    Enjoy a leisurely browse of books, DVDs and puzzles from 10 am to 4pm. Refreshments will be available.

  • Raynes Park High School - March 2014

    Raynes Park High School is a busy, vibrant school and this has been particularly evident over the last few weeks with an exciting mix of off-site visits, sporting events, performance and extra classes to ensure our students achieve their best while we maintain the focus on excellent learning in lessons.  It was particularly pleasing to me personally to meet so many parents of my Year 11 students, giving us the opportunity to continue to work together to ensure that the results the young people gain this summer are the best possible. Like my colleagues in this school, I consider it a privilege to work with my students, and together we are making real progress towards success in June through partnership and support. 

    The Year 11 Intervention and Tutoring Programme

    This is now well established with a large number of Year 11 students staying late in school to work with subject teachers on specific areas of difficulty or to receive Mathematics and English tutoring in a small, targeted group. This Intervention Programme also operates on a Saturday along with the Key Stage 3 Saturday School and the benefits of the programme are being felt by students already. I am very proud of the positive way our students have responded to this initiative. 

    Working with Primary School Pupils

    Last month we had several large groups of primary schools’ pupils participating in lessons. It was particularly enjoyable to watch some of our Year 10 students working with these groups in a Spanish lesson and once again I experienced a real sense of pride in our students. I would also recommend that you cast an eye into West Wimbledon Primary

    School grounds if you are walking past to see if you can spot the eco-friendly bird houses which were constructed during the Year 5 Design Technology lessons. 

    House Dance Competition

    I cannot praise highly enough the enthusiasm, hard work and real skill shown by all of the students who took part. It was a fantastic evening and although Newsoms House took the overall title, everyone should be delighted with the quality of their group’s performance. 

    Looking forward

    We have Year 7 Deep Learning Days approaching when the focus is on Careers and Religious Education. This will involve students in visits and study around Christianity, Islam and Hinduism as well as qualifications, careers and visits to a range of employers such as Cannizaro House, Kingston Hospital and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development. The two days promise to be interesting and exciting and I am sure that Year 7 will have a really high quality learning experience. 

    Mid-Year Examinations

    Finally I would like to thank all students and their families for the very positive approach to the Mid-Year Examinations. As I write Year 7 examinations have just finished and Years 8 , 9, 10 and 11 will follow in subsequent weeks. It is very important our students gain the experience of formal examinations and this process supports that as well as giving them the opportunity to exhibit the progress they have made in the first half of the academic year. 

    I look forward to seeing the results. 

    Mrs Bailey - Deputy Headteacher

     

    Surrey Schools Cross Country Championships 

    I am delighted to be able to inform you that Neil Wellard won a medal for third place in the Surrey Schools Cross Country Championships on Saturday 18th January

    2014. We all wish him the best of luck when he represents Surrey in the Nationals on 15th March.  Well done Neil. 

    Mr Hayes - Head of PE

    Ofsted Monitoring Visit 

    Ofsted inspectors visited the school at the end of last term to monitor improvements since their previous visit. We are pleased to be able to share with you their findings; that senior leaders and governors are taking urgent and effective action to tackle the areas identified as requiring improvement. The inspectors’ findings recognised the commitment to improvement by school leaders and governors. The improvement in attendance, punctuality and students’ attitude towards their learning has been acknowledged by the visiting inspectors. 

    Thank you to parents and carers for your support in ensuring your children attend school every day, and on time. 

    A complete copy of the report from Anne Welham, Her Majesty’s Inspector can be found on the school’s website:

    http://www.rphs.org.uk/29/ofsted 

    Mr Wheatley - Headteacher

  • West Barnes Library - March 2014

    New ‘Read Aloud’ session

    Bring your youngsters along on Mondays at 10.30am to join Jennifer for the new Read Aloud sessions. Listening to a book read by someone else helps children develop with better concentration and listening skills. It engages their imagination and so much more. 

    Redevelopment rolling on

    Plans to rebuild West Barnes Library are on course, Merton’s head of libraries Anthony Hopkins told the Friends last month. The proposals are waiting to be signed off by the Secratary of State. In the next couple of months, the Friends will be invited to help fine-tune the plans before they are put out to tender. 

    Carole is leaving

    Library manager Carole Bundy will be retiring on Friday, 28 March, after five years at West Barnes. Since the Friends was established three years ago, the group has greatly enjoyed working with her and benefited from her positive, good-humoured approach. Her help at our quiz nights and other events has been far beyond the call of duty. We wish her well. Merton Libraries has appointed a new library manager, Karren McCarthy. 

    What’s on

    Coming up at West Barnes Library 

    You can pick up a flyer from the library of the regular events. 

    Dates for this month: 

    Children’s Art Club (Saturday, 1 March and 29 March, 2pm-4pm). Need to book. 

    Craft & Chat (Saturday, 8 March, 3pm-4pm). 

    Local History Coffee Morning: Memories of Merton – Historic images from the Merton Memories Project (Tuesday, 18 March, 10.30am-noon).

    Children’s Craft (Saturday, 22 March, 2pm-4pm).

    Adults’ Book Club (Thursday, 25 March, 6pm-7pm). Reviewing Capital by John Lanchester). 

    Police Surgery (Thursday, 27 March, 11am-noon).

    ---------------------------------------------------------- 

    Friends of West Barnes Library: Email: mail@friendsowbl.org.uk;

    website: http://friendsowbl.org.uk/ 

    West Barnes Library: Station Road, New Malden, KT3 6JF Phone: 020 8274 5789, Email: westbarnes.library@merton.gov.uk

  • Raynes Park Library - March 2014

    LiveWell: A Free weekly health improvement service available at the library

    Every Tuesday 4.00- 6.00pm (commencing from Tuesday 1 April, please note that this is a revised starting date)

     

    To help you work toward living a healthier lifestyle: with advice on being active, eating well, alcohol intake and weight loss. Come along and improve your health now!

    Write Here! Creative writing workshop with published author Anita Bell

    Friday 21 March, 2.00- 4.00pm: This workshop is aimed at encouraging local people with writing talent of all levels, to produce and publish their own material. It looks at writing in a range of forms about people and place, exploring your local area and local history through creative writing. 

    Spaces are limited so book your space now on 020 8274 5718 

    Coffee afternoon: Trading Standards

    Tuesday 25 March, 2.00- 3.30pm: Cold callers, scams and fair trading- Jan from Trading Standards tell us everything we need to know. Refreshments provided. No need to book! 

    Regular Children's activities: 

    Story time for the under 5s

    Come along with your children, friends and families and have a wonderful time full of fun stories and rhymes. Term time only.

    -Monday mornings 10.00- 10.30am (This is a popular session- arrive early to avoid disappointment)

    -Thursday afternoons 3.45pm- 4.15pm (suitable for 2+ years) 

    1:1 Reading Aloud Support for children

    The library offers 1-1 read aloud support for children aged 5+. These are free sessions that encourage enjoyment of reading and offer additional support. Sessions are run by DBS-checked volunteers. Please contact the library to book a place on 020 8274 5718. 

    Craft sessions for kids

    Fortnightly Saturdays, 2.00- 4.00pm, join Jenny for fun and interactive craft sessions.

     Regular Adult activities: 

    Mondays, 2.00-4.00pm: Simple Jewellery making- Some costs for materials incurred 

    Mondays 5.00-6.30pm: Falun Dafa- Chinese qigong exercise and meditation, if you like Tai Chi, why not try Falun Dafa- Free session, drop in. 

    Tuesdays 10.30- 12.30pm: Write Afresh- This is the library's creative discussion and writing group. All welcome, come along and get your creative juices flowing! 

    Tuesdays 10.30- 12.30pm: IT Support- Come and ask Pascale your computer queries! Do you have an IT issue or just need a bit of help getting on the computer, come along. 

    Tuesdays 2.00- 4.00pm: Crochet and chat- This fortnightly session has a lively leader who will take you through crochet and knitting tips in an informal session. Fortnightly sessions, please ask the library for dates. 

    Fridays 10.30- 12.30pm: IT Support- Come and ask Pascale your computer queries! Do you have an IT issue or just need a bit of help getting on the computer, come along. 

    Fridays 2.00- 3.00pm: Arty Social! Drop in and join our friendly art group led by local Kings College students every Friday afternoon (term time only) Please contact the library for the start date 

    Saturdays, 10am-11am: Italian for beginners. This is a weekly beginners language class with Federica. Contact the library for dates. 

    Keep an eye out for our other special taster sessions and events, and also free chiropractic consultations with a qualified local chiropractor. Ask at the library for more details/dates or check out Raynes Park Library events on the Merton website www.merton.gov.uk/libraries 

    DID YOU KNOW:You can now book the library hall for your children’s party! Our hall can accommodate 60 people, tables/chairs and separate kitchen facilities are included in the price. Standard charge is £20p/h. For more information or to book contact Library Admin on 020 8274 5718 

     

    Raynes Park library, Community and Housing, Merton Council Tel:  020 8274 5718 Fax: 020 8542 1893 www.merton.gov.uk

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townwomen's Guild - March 2014

    200Despite the rain and wind members of the Guild have enjoyed their activities in late January/early February.  Invited by Cllr Gilli Lewis Lavender, a small group were pleased to join the Holy Cross Mothers Union to enjoy a showing of the interesting video made to document the Queen’s visit to Mitcham.  The Lunch Club ventured through the rain for another relaxed meal and chat at The George, Morden, and the Visits Group made their way to the Museum of London to view London’s Lost Jewels – The Cheapside Hoard.  Armed with a provided magnifying glass, members took their time looking in detail at the exhibits, marvelling at the workmanship, and then examining the portraits of the period (late 16th early 17th century) showing examples of the jewellery being worn.   Finally arriving at the café for a drink and late lunch, it was agreed this was a most enjoyable and worthwhile exhibition. 

    The March programme includes both more formal and social occasions.  Our Annual General Meeting and Bring & Buy is on Thursday, 20th March at 1.30 pm at St Saviours Church Hall.   If you are interested in joining the Guild or would just like to find out more about us, please come.  On the social side, the Lunch Club are going to The Woodman on Thursday, 6th March, and the Visits Group will travel to The Ragged School Museum, Mile End, E3 on Wednesday, 12 March.  An outing to Petworth House is planned  for Tuesday, 25th March, and finally, the committee is arranging a ‘Bangers & Mash’ lunch at St Saviours Church Hall on Thursday, 27th March (£5) 12.45 for 1.00 pm.   

    Please do not hesitate to telephone for more information about any of our activities.  Visitors always welcome. 

    Dorothy Raymond

    020 8395 9489

     

     

  • Raynes Park Residents' Lawn Tennis Club

    The Raynes Park Residents’ LTC has enjoyed its first year at Meadow View and is now looking forward to the summer season with another Tennis Circus on Sunday 27th April The Tennis Circus is a new initiative to bring coaching master classes and exhibition play by current former British Davis Cup stars to local clubs in Surrey and London.

     

    We have used the funds raised from the last Circus on Cardio Tennis and working with two local primary schools offering FREE tennis coaching to hopefully find another Andy Murray! 

     

    If you interested in taking part and want to find out more about the Circus and how to join our club please contact Nicky Hudson 07791 094870 

  • West Barnes Singers - St Matthew Passion

    An exciting event for Merton Choir - St Matthew Passion by Johann Sebastian Bach 

    The West Barnes Singers are combining with Carshalton Choral Society and the Choir of St. Peter’s, Streatham, to perform Bach’s masterpiece with 150 voices, a double orchestra and professional soloists conducted by their Musical Director, Philip Collin.

     The concert will take place at All Saints' Church, Carshalton, SM5 3PD on 12th April 2014 at 6.30 pm

     

     Tickets will cost £15 (children free) and are available from Grazie Mille Cafe (31-33 High Street, Carshalton), via carshaltonchoral.org.uk or phone 020 3652 3894.  They are also obtainable from choir members.  For further information, please contact Penelope on 020 8548 3987.

  • The Pavilion Social Club

    Since its inception on 20th March, The Club has continued to grow from strength to strength, with over 30 signed up members and a regular attendance of between 15 and 20 each week.   This photograph was taken on 24th April , when a full house enjoyed a most interesting and amusing talk from retired local Vet, Jim Sinclair on his life’s work.   Mrs. Florence Mahoney gave the vote of thanks. 

    We have weekly get-togethers for men and women over 55 to develop friendships and social links.

    INTERESTED?

    Do join us on Thursday afternoons at THE PAVILION, 129 GRAND DRIVE

    (The old Raynes Park Residents’ Tennis Club) from 2.00 to 4.00 p.m

    EVERYONE WELCOME! 

    We have weekly get-togethers at the Pavilion, with a range of activities including occasional guest speakers and visits to places of interest in the London and the South East but our main focus is on developing social links and enjoying friendships.

    Light refreshments will be available.

    For  more information please do not hesitate to contact

      Jill Truman on 020 8879 3525 

    or Andrea Hannan on 020 8540 0164

  • Going Cashless on the Buses

    Following the consultation last year, the Mayor has decided to go ahead with a cashless fare system on London’s buses from summer this year. More than 37,500 responded to our consultation. The responses have helped us ensure there are a range of measures for the smooth transition to the new arrangements including: 

     

     

    ·    a new ‘one more journey’ feature on Oyster that will allow passengers with less than the single bus fare but who have a positive balance on their card to make one more bus journey

    ·    a review of the Oyster Ticket Stop network to see if additional locations can be identified, particularly in outer London

    ·     refreshed guidance for all 24,500 London bus drivers to ensure a consistent approach is taken when dealing with vulnerable passengers

    ·     a public information campaign to increase awareness of the benefits of contactless payment cards and Oyster pay as you go. 

    99 per cent of bus passengers already pay for their journeys using Oyster, prepaid tickets, contactless payment cards or concessionary tickets. The latter group represents a third of passengers and includes children and young people, older and disabled people and the unemployed. Paying with Oyster or a contactless payment card is not only the cheapest option but also speeds up boarding times at bus stops and reduces delays for all bus users. Our research shows this change is also unlikely to affect tourists as the vast majority use a prepaid ticket, such as Oyster, to get around the capital.

    A summary of the consultation and TfL’s response can be found at https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/buses/cashless 

    Peter Bradley, Head of Consultation Delivery, Transport for London

     

     

  • Night-time Road Works in Bushey Road

    Each night (21:00 – 04:00) on Saturday/Sunday 1 March 2014 and from Monday 10 March 2014 to Friday 14 March 2014, road repairs will be carried out between the junctions with Grand Drive and Martin Way. Different sections of Bushey Road will be closed at various times and diversions will be in place.

  • Chairman's Blog - March 2014

    DAY CARE CENTRE AT THE NELSON HOSPITAL SITE 

    Behind the hoardings surrounding the site of the Nelson Hospital, a new care centre is being built. It is due to open in 2015 and will house two GP practices, the one in Cannon Hill Lane, and the one in Church Lane, Merton Park. The move is part of NHS South West London’s Better Healthcare Closer to Home Initiative. 

    It is being party funded by the sale of the former car park, which was next door to the Nelson, to McCarthy and Stone, who are building a three story retirement home for 51 residents. 

    PROPOSALS FOR THE AELTC SPORTS GROUND, GRAND DRIVE 

    Residents whose gardens back onto the Grand Drive Sports Ground, which is owned by the All England Lawn Tennis Club, will remember that a public exhibition was held last December in the Pavilion to discuss the Club’s plans. These are to build three open tennis courts, and three enclosed ones to house their tennis initiative for junior players. The Club has now made a formal planning application. They say that they have taken account of points raised by local residents about boundary landscaping and screening. The proposals remain essentially as they were shown at the exhibition, but now have full assessment reports on transport, lighting, noise and flood risk.     

    RIDE LONDON - 10 August 2014 

    Residents will remember the chaos caused last August when the whole of West Wimbledon was closed for the whole day by this cycling event. This is set to become an annual event.  It meant the closure of Coombe Lane and Copse Hill, right up to Wimbledon Common, from very early morning till early evening, and no vehicles were allowed to cross the cycle route. Pedestrians could only cross with difficulty. People were imprisoned in the area, and could not come in or out, except for dire emergencies. This meant that families could not visit each other, and elderly people were not guaranteed care.  

    Following protests by us and other residents’ associations, last year’s event has been reviewed, and some significant changes have been planned for this year. There will be established locations for vehicles to cross the route, and there will be a taxi service to enable people to exit, and presumably enter, the area. It is intended that better information will be distributed to residents in good time. 

    PARKING IN RAYNES PARK 

    There is due to be further consultation about parking in the centre of Raynes Park, about which we have been complaining for some years. The Council, having dragged its heels on this issue, now wants responses within a very time frame. Everyone affected has protested at the short time given. 

    OPEN MARKET SPACE? 

    The Raynes Park Association, which is an umbrella group whose members come from all the local residents’ association, as well as local businesses, have a long term plan to create a landscaped open market space, near the Rock Restaurant in Kingston Road. This would involve turning the stretch of dual carriageway there, which is unnecessary and serves no purpose, back into a single carriageway. The hope is that it can then be used as a farmers’ market. 

    The suggestion is being put forward as  part of the Raynes Park Enhancement Plan, but the money to do so would have to come from the proposed development of the Rainbow Estate, where, as we have reported, there is a planning application to build 250 new flats. 

    Writing personally, I like the idea in principle, since it would bring the vibrant shopping scene on the other side of the railway arch to the Kingston Road side, on certain days of the week.  However, a similar scheme was proposed in Morden in Aberconway Road some years back, and had difficulties in keeping established.   It would require a lot of effort to get such a scheme going. 

    RUSSIAN ARCTIC CONVOYS 

    Last year I was lucky enough to travel with 9 of the Arctic Convoy veterans on a memorable trip through Arctic waters to Murmansk and Archangel. They were all, of course, in their eighties, but could remember vividly how terrible the conditions were and the awful loss of life. There was a moving service off North Cape in Norway in which a wreath was laid on the sea. The Russian navy conducted a memorial service in Murmansk. What really upset the veterans was that the British government had never reflected their sacrifices by granting them a medal and had actually prevented the Russians from doing so, as the Russians had long wanted. Fortunately wiser counsels have now prevailed, and they have got the official recognition they deserve. 

    John Elvidge, Chairman

  • AGM Agenda

    THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

    of the

    Raynes Park & West Barnes Residents’ Association

    will be held at the Raynes Park Library Meeting Rooms

    (via the Aston Road entrance)

    On WEDNESDAY 26th MARCH 2013

    At 7.30 p.m

     

    AGENDA

    1.      Report from the Raynes Park Safer Neighbourhoods Team

    2.      Apologies for absence

    3.      Chairman’s Report on the Work of the Association during 2011/12

    4.      Treasurer’s Report

    5.      Election of Officers and Committee

    6.      Approval of the Amendment to the Constitution

    Break for Refreshments

    7.      Stephen Hammond, M.P.*

    8.      Updates on current Planning Matters

    9.      Any Questions

    10.   Residents Forum/Any Other Business 

    *Stephen’s Attendance/and or speaking time will depend on his commitments at the House of Commons 

     

    Please bring the March 2014 copy of ‘The Guide’ with you to verify membership.

  • Road Works at Night - Bushey Road - w/c 17/02/2014

    The Council has informed us that repairs to faulty street lights and road resurfacing will take place at the junction of Bushey Road and Grand Drive overnight during w/c 17/02/2014. Due to the difficult location, extensive traffic management will need to be in place.

  • 2A Amity Grove, Raynes Park, SW20 0LJ

    Update 22 December 2014 

     

    Email From: Tony Ryan

    To: Councillor Adam Bush

    Cc: Councillor Stephen Crowe

    Subject: Planning Application - 14/P3626 (Phoenix House 2A Amity Grove Raynes Park SW20 0LJ)

    Dear Councillor 

    Further to the email below, I can advise that the current application has now been withdrawn by the applicant. 

    It is likely that a revised application will be submitted in the new year. Revisions are likely to include the removal of the building at the rear of the site and bringing the building at the front of the site in line with adjacent buildings. Full public  consultation will be carried out on the resubmitted application. 

    Regards 

    Tony Ryan

    Deputy Team Leader, Development Control

    Environment and Regeneration, London Borough of Merton

     

    Previously - February 2014

     

    The following information is taken from a communication received by the Association.


    We are writing to let you know about our plans for 2A Amity Grove.

     

    The existing office building, Phoenix House is owned by myself, Sylvester Michaels, and has been home to a language college. The language college is no longer viable on this site. The age and condition of Phoenix House makes it unsuitable for modern office or educational facilities. The existing building was built in 1972, has low floor to ceiling heights, small stair and access spaces and poor building services.

     

    Consideration has been given to finding a future use for 2A Amity Grove that respects its surroundings. Given the position of the site between the residential Amity Grove and the commercial Coombe Lane, we believe that a new mixed use development is most appropriate to the site.

     

    After initial discussions with the planning authority, we have now designed a proposal to construct a new mixed use development on the site. The proposal is for two new buildings: on Amity Grove a commercial unit at ground floor and nine flats above, with a new vehicle and pedestrian access leading to a second smaller building at the rear of the site with two flats raised above a car park. Care has been taken to achieve a scheme that is sensitive to the area and respects the height and form of the surrounding buildings.

     

    Please contact me at the above address or Heather Shepherd at Marcus Beale Architects (Tel. 020 8946 4141). We would be happy to respond to questions and comments. 

     

    Sylvester Michaels

    45 Wimbledon Hill Road, London, SW19 7NA

     

  • Proposed Changes to Car Parking in Raynes Park Centre - Public Meeting - 7 February 2014

    This Association has been aware for some time that the Council were planning to change the car parking arrangements in the centre of Raynes Park. Residents will probably know there are currently several different restrictions on parking, some free, some requiring payment, depending on which road you park in. This has become a real muddle, with residents, businesses users and visitors getting parking tickets because of misunderstanding the confusing mix of different hours, charges etc.

    However, despite efforts to liaise with the Council on this matter, the Council has now come up with some proposals. (Link to Merton's Proposals)  The public consultation period is extremely short, officially closing on the 7 February 2014.  That's less than two weeks from when we began to hear about it. (After some considerable public pressure, now officially extended  to 14/02/2014) As you might imagine, there is a controversy brewing over the Council's motives, their proposals, the sudden way it has been announced and the shortness of the consultation period.

    However, by Friday 31 January 2014, the Council had announced a public meeting to be held on the 7 February 2014. The meeting room in Raynes Park Library was full. The meeting was chaired by Cllr Chris Edge (Dundonald Ward) and attended by Cllr Andrew Judge (Cabinet Member) and Council Officers. A number of other local ward councillors were present, many of whom also spoke. A large number of local residents, representatives of local businesses, shop owners and practioners from local health services, all located in Raynes Park town centre also addressed the meeting.

    It would be fair to say that the overwhelming body of opinion was against the Council's proposals.

    Cllr Andrew Judge gave an undertaking that the Council would now take its time to consider the responses to the current consultation stage and develop proposals for a formal consultation later in the year.

    Members are urged to submit their own views on the Council's proposals to trafficandhighways@merton.gov.uk, by the 14 February 2014, quoting reference ES/SGE/RPTC.

    (The Council's proposals may be read here. - Ed)

     

     

     

  • West Barnes Library - February 2014

    Afternoon Tea with an MP 

    Stephen Hammond was the guest at the Friends’ Afternoon Tea With... event on Saturday, 18 January, at West Barnes Library. The children’s section was packed as the Wimbledon MP talked about his career journey to the Commons, what the day-to-day life of a minister entails and what working in the Coalition government involves. Afterwards he answered questions and stayed for tea and to chat individually with some of the more than 40 people who attended. If you would like to suggest possible guests for future Afternoon Tea With... talks, email: mail@friendsowbl.org.uk. 

    What’s on

    Coming up at West Barnes Library

    To reserve a place where required, talk to staff, call 020 8274 5789 or email westbarnes.library@merton.gov.uk. 

    Computer Classes For Beginners (Tuesdays, noon-1.30pm, and Thursdays, 1.30pm-3pm). Need to book. 

    Kiddirama, For Under 5s (Tuesdays, 10am-11am). Interactive fun, play, story, song and sensory class. £2 per child. To book, email kiddirama@mail.com or phone 07542 170604. 

    Kiddirama, For 7-12 year-olds (Tuesdays, 4.30pm-5.30pm). Classes for children to perform, act, sing, drama, games, move and more. It is a 12-week course. £2 each session. To book, email kiddirama@mail.com or phone 07542 170604. 

    Tuesday Rendezvous (Tuesdays, 1.30pm-3.30pm). Weekly drop-in for over 55s. £2. For details talk to library staff or call Gilli on 020 8543 1781. 

    Knit & Natter (Thursdays, 11.30am-1pm). Bring your knitting project or a favourite piece you’ve finished. 

    Toddlers’ Rhyme Time (Fridays, 10.30am-11am). For 0 to 5-year-olds, then Story Time (11am-11.30am). 

    Sparkle Club (Saturdays, 2.30pm-4pm). Local children’s author Ian Cavill coaches and inspires youngsters in story writing. Talk to library staff to put your child’s name on the waiting list for this popular eight-week course.

    Police Surgery (Monthly, ask in library for date and time). 

    Children’s Art Club (Saturday, 1 February, 2pm-4pm). Need to book. (Following session on 1 March.) 

    Craft & Chat (Saturday, 8 February, 3pm-4pm). 

    Children’s Craft (Saturday, 15 February, 2pm-4pm). Lots to keep youngsters busy and their imaginations fizzing. No need to book.

    Local History Coffee Morning: From City to Surrey – The Story of Merton’s Underground Lines (Tuesday, 18 February, 10.30am-noon. Illustrated talk by Sarah Gould of Merton Heritage and Local Studies Centre. All welcome.

    Adults’ Book Club (Thursday, 20 February, 6pm-7pm). Reviewing The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett. (Next book: Capital by John Lanchester, to be reviewed on 25 March). New members welcome.

    To receive a monthly eNewsletter of activities at West Barnes Library, email: mail@friendsowbl.org.uk, or sign up at www.friendsowbl.org.uk

  • Raynes Park Library - February 2014

    FORTHCOMING EVENTS 

    To celebrate National Libraries Day, the week beginning Monday 3 February we will be having a library treasure hunt for kids (with prizes for completers). Also, get involved with our interactive library display, ‘What do you use your library for?’ - have your picture taken for our display and celebrate your local library.

     

    Tuesday 11 February, 3pm-6pm: Terrence Higgins Trust Information stall: Learn about the organisation and about good sexual health. Drop-in session.

     

    SPECIAL EVENT: Thursday 13 February, 7pm- 9pm: Irma Kurtz visits the library for a special event; the veteran agony aunt for Cosmopolitan magazine will be talking about her upcoming book and her experiences. Irma has written three self-help books, two novels and three travel-focused books. Please contact the library to book your place on 020 8274 5718.

    Tuesday 25 February, 2.00- 3.00pm: Coffee afternoon- Self-help for aches and pains: Practitioners from The Living Centre Clinic discuss the commonest problems, from back pain, sciatica, arthritis and degeneration and how to get your mobility and vitality back again. Drop in – Refreshments provided.

    NEW: English conversation classes- The library now provides FREE courses for those wanting to increase their English language skills (suitable for ESOL learners). This is a 6 week course, with a 10 minute informal assessment on the first week. Contact the library to find out more or to book a place on 020 8274 5718.

     

    Regular Children's activities:

     

    Story time for the under 5s
    Come along with your children, friends and families and have a wonderful time full of fun stories and rhymes. Term time only.

    Monday mornings 10.00- 10.30am (This is a popular session- arrive early to avoid disappointment)

    Thursday afternoons 3.45pm- 4.15pm (suitable for 2+ years)

     

     1:1 Reading Aloud Support for children
    The library offers 1-1 read aloud support for children aged 5+. These are free sessions that encourage enjoyment of reading and offer additional support. Sessions are run by DBS-checked volunteers. Please contact the library to book a place on 020 8274 5718.

     

    Regular Adult activities:

     

     Mondays, 2.00-4.00pm: Simple Jewellery making- Some costs for materials incurred

     Mondays 5.00-6.30pm: Falun Dafa- Chinese qigong exercise and meditation, if you like Tai Chi, why not try Falun Dafa- Free session, drop in.

     Tuesdays 10.30- 12.30pm: Write Afresh- This is the library's creative discussion and writing group. All welcome, come along and get your creative juices flowing!

    Tuesdays 2.00- 4.00pm: Crochet and chat- This fortnightly session has a lively leader who will take you through crochet and knitting tips in an informal session. Fortnightly sessions, please ask the library for dates.

    Tuesdays 6.00- 6.45pm: Come and ask Cameron your computer queries! Do you have an IT issue or just need a bit of help getting on the computer, come along.

    Fridays 2.00- 3.00pm: Arty Social! Drop in and join our friendly art group led by local Kings College students every Friday afternoon (term time only) Please contact the library for the start date

    Saturdays, 10am-11am: Italian for beginners. This is a weekly beginners language class with Federica. New classes start after February.

    Saturdays, 3.30- 4.30: Spanish for beginners. This is a weekly beginners language class with Paula. 

    Keep an eye out for our other special taster sessions and events, and also free chiropractic consultations with a qualified local chiropractor. Ask at the library for more details/dates or check out Raynes Park

     

     

    Library events on the Merton website www.merton.gov.uk/libraries

    Raynes Park library, Community and Housing, Merton Council

     

    Tel:  020 8274 5718

    Fax: 020 8542 1893

     

    www.merton.gov.uk

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townwomen's Guild - February 2014

    Our first meeting of the new year, on 16th January, featured a talk by Hilary Osborn on her career as a BBC reporter spanning some 40 years – mainly in radio but also in television – during which she met, and worked with, a number of well known stars. A vote of thanks was given by Eileen Brewer.   

    January activities included lunch time jazz at the Rose Theatre Culture Café, enjoyed with a drink and snack by 6 members. 

    A dozen members went to The Watchman, New Malden on 14th January and enjoyed the chance to ‘catch up’ over a good lunch.  

    Two outings to Wimbledon Theatre took place in January.   A small group rounded off their Christmas with a visit to the pantomime – Aladdin - which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.  Then the following week seven members  went to the Old Time Music Hall – enjoing the opportunity to look back to a by-gone era, and sing along when they knew the words.   

    In February, our monthly meeting will be on Thursday, 20th at 1.30 pm at St Saviour’s Church Hall when Sandra Morgan will be giving a talking entitled ‘Royal Garden Parties’. 

    The lunch Club will be visiting ‘The George’ at Morden on Wednesday 5th February, and .the February visit will be to the London Museum to take in the special exhibition The Cheapside Hoard: London’s Lost Jewels on Tuesday, 11th  February. 

    Looking forward to March we are organising a minibus outing to Petworth House and Park (National Trust) on Tuesday, 25th March, leaving Raynes Park Station at 10.30 am, total cost £26 including driver’s tip for non NT members or £14.80 fare only.  If you are interested in this trip, (or any other activity) please contact a member of the TWG for further details. 

    Dorothy Raymond

    020 8395 9489

  • Raynes Park High School - February 2014

    Literacy

    This term is a momentous one for literacy at Raynes Park High School as it heralds the official launch of the Raynes Park Magic Ten.  The Raynes Park Magic Ten is a project we are running which aims to get every student reading – at home – for ten minutes each day. 

    Over the course of a fortnight, English teachers will give students a Magic Ten log in which to record their reading, including the title of the text, the pages they have read and any thoughts about their reading.  The log needs to be signed by a witness – an adult who has seen or even heard this reading happen. Indeed, listening to your child read at secondary school is just as valuable as it was at primary school. 

    As well as taking pleasure in a story together, you can also talk about words and their meanings, even using a dictionary (on your phone, computer or even a good old fashioned book format!) to look up words together. In  terms of what students should be reading, the possibilities are endless. 

    Of course, you can’t go wrong with a novel but students may also want to read a graphic novel, a blog or a non-fiction text, such as a biography. The act of reading for pleasure is not only enjoyable but it can improve the memory, expand your vocabulary and support the development of problem solving skills. All of this will, in turn, impact positively on students’ achievement in all subjects, not just English. We hope you will support this very important project. 

    Another momentous event has occurred in the literacy team this term. We welcome Hana Abdilahi as our new higher level teaching assistant. Hana will be working with students in Years 9, 10, 11 and 12 for whom English is an additional language (EAL). Ms Abdilahi has already made an impressive start, supporting Year 11s to improve their coursework. Hana, of course, joins Anne Marie Cook, our established EAL higher level teaching assistant. Miss Cook’s impact has already been considerable so far this year. As well as being a key point of contact for all EAL students, Miss Cook’s tutor time scheme and Year 7 immersion group have fast-tacked many students’ language acquisition and achievement. 

     

    Ms Hutchinson - English Teacher and Literacy Co-ordinator

  • The Hill Singers - 2014

    The Hill Singers started off their 2013/14 concert year with a mellifluous Medieval and Modern Concert with marvelous audience participation. For their spring and summer concerts , they are moving onto a spring concert of audience favourites with music from England, France, Italy and Germany by Tallis, Byrd, Faure, Viadana, Haydn, Mozart and others; Then popping over the pond to enjoy sumptuous music by Whitacker, Lauridsen along with Samuel Barber from down under.  This is a wonderful concert which is sure to put a smile on the faces of the audience. 

     

    For  more  information, contact David Garioch, Hill Singers@aol.com 

  • Blossom House School - Proposed Relocation

    Members , and in particular those living close to Motspur Park Station, may be interested in a new Planning Application, Reference number: on the Council Planning Explorer 13/P 3973. 

    Blossom House School (BHS) is described as an Independent State Funded School currently operating from a site in The Drive, Wimbledon (off the Ridgeway). It is a specialist day school for children aged 3 to 19 who have “speech, language or communications difficulties”.  

    The School takes pupils from no less than 18 Local Authorities mostly from the London Boroughs.. At present there are 180 pupils with a staff of 115 – a very high staff to pupil ratio - as one might expect given the nature of the remit. 

    Relocation Proposal 

    If there is planning approval the intention is to move to a one-time office block called Abbott Court in Station Road New Malden very close to Motspur Park Station. This was occupied by a firm called Epsilon who vacated the building early in 2013. 

    Planning Policy Changes 

    I should explain that what the Council is considering is not a normal planning application where you might expect perhaps some  demolition and a new building.  In May last year the Government made changes to what is known as the General Permitted Development Order under which FULL planning  approval would no longer be required to convert  office buildings (normally assumed to be redundant to need) into either residential or school use.

    In such cases there is still a requirement for what is known as "Change of Use".

    Under this arrangement the Council can only consider a limited range of issues namely:  transport and highway impact, noise, and whether the site has flooding or contamination risks.  In short what is contemplated is a Change of Use rather than a normal building project.  Where a proposal does not involve ‘ material ‘ changes to the exterior of the building, and no significant new external building work is envisaged,  the Council is only involved with the Prior Approval  aspect.

    In this case, the applicant claims that the 3 blocks which make up Abbott Court would need only internal modifications and there would be only very limited changes to other parts of the buildings. The applicant claims that the Council has accepted this assertion.

    Traffic Implications 

    The fact that Abbott Court is only a short walk from Motspur Park Station is seen as a big attraction in terms of getting to and from the site, but I suspect there will be concern about additional traffic movements and parking.  The new site has underground parking for 80 cars and currently total parking provision for 132 cars.  However, need I say, a School needs a play area and the intention seems to be that much of the above- ground parking would become a playground with the end result that off-road parking provision would be 83 car spaces .  Fortunately the layout of the existing site would make it possible for dropping-off and pick-ups to be achieved inside the site. However the applicant points out that there is a growing demand for places at the School and they talk about a possible expansion , over the next 6- 7 years, when pupil numbers could reach 300 with a staff of 180. Given these projected figures one is bound to wonder what the traffic implications will be,  and the possible on-road parking impact will be close to the new School. Station Road itself has very limited parking potential. This is an issue the Council will need to consider very carefully. 

    Whilst I have no knowledge of how many of these specialist type schools there are in London or the local area it does surprise me that pupils need to travel so far .  It seems some come from Westminster,  Camden and Ealing as well as parts of Surrey and Kent. On the face of it – if the plans go as intended – Motspur Park is likely to see a quantum growth in car and mini-bus movement over the next few years. I hope this can be managed and that as many of the staff and pupils as possible use the Station. 

    Change of Use – Office to Residential

    I mentioned the General permitted Development Order ( GDPO ) earlier. 

    Under the Amendment to this Order on 30th May last year it also became possible to change offices into residential use, subject to a number of conditions. One of these is that the option is time-limited to 30th May 2016, Given the demand to provide more housing (normally flats in this instance) it is inevitable there have been a number of applications in recent  months.  As with the case of Abbott Court, there is an assumption that the office building in question is no longer required for business use. However the Council is expected to consider whether the change would have adverse impact on employment consequences in the local area. 

     It is almost a ‘given‘ that once the conversion is completed the building will never return to Office or employment use. Whether this initiative makes sense in the longer term seems to me open to question. Building more and more houses and flats without there being adequate employment prospects or schools , clinics and community facilities and so on reasonably close to hand, does not strike me as sustainable development .  I will try to expand on that theme in another article. 

    David Freeman (Co-opted Committee Member)

     

     

  • Chairman's Blog - February 2014

    HOSPITAL CLOSURE PROPOSALS SHELVED 

    Residents will remember that there was extensive public discussion and concern as to the possible closing of accident and emergency services at St Helier Hospital, as well as the maternity unit there. This was being proposed as part of the  general review of NHS services across south west London and Surrey. 

    The suggestions were being made by health professionals in order to improve the quality of the services provided at the major hospitals. The intention was to focus the expertise of specialists at a smaller number of centres. 

    There was widespread criticism of the plans, given the difficulty for people in Merton to get to St George’s Hospital or to Croydon or elsewhere in an emergency, and the increasingly high birth rate in this area. 

    One of the seven groups involved in the review has now pulled out of it, and the other clinical commissioning groups, including that in Merton, have been dissolved.  They accept that the business case put forward for the proposed mergers is no longer valid. 

    While this is welcome news for people in our area, the groups say that the problems of providing quality services within the NHS will not go away, and a further announcement as to future proposals will be made in February. 

    While it must be right that specialist consultant teams cannot be put into every hospital, we hope that the future proposals do take full account of the transport difficulties in reaching other hospitals, and the wish of our residents to retain the full range of services at St Helier.

    HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

    For very many years the Residents’ Association had, as an associated social activity, a thriving horticultural society. This organised flower and vegetable shows, and outings to gardens and to the Royal Horticultural Society at Wisley.  The recent sad death of John Hughes, who ran the Society, has meant that at the moment the Society is in abeyance. Are there any volunteers out there who would like to take this on again? We feel that it’s too valuable to lose. We have a volunteer who would be happy to organise the annual visit to Wisley, so very many thanks to her. But is there anyone who would like to help with the rest? 

    RAINBOW ESTATE 

    We expect there soon to be a formal planning application for 250 flats in the Rainbow Estate. This is the business estate accessible under the railway arch on the Grand Drive side of the station. We have consistently opposed any re-designation of this site from employment to housing.

    We believe that it is a very good site for small and medium businesses, but that it has been allowed to run down in recent years, probably since there is more money to be made from putting housing there. 

    We feel strongly that local people need local employment, and that there is no good case for building yet further flats and houses in Raynes Park, when Merton has already met its housing quota. The site used to employ 130 people. 

    The site is totally unsuitable for housing, being landlocked, and having only the single access road. This reaches Grand Drive at a difficult corner, where there is a lot of pedestrian movement to and from the station. The site is also surrounded by two railway lines, with noisy movement from the trains.  

    We fear that the Council, which seems to be obsessed with building more flats everywhere, may grant permission for some housing. It has agreed a planning brief allowing for the construction of 200 flats, even though the problems associated with this have not been at all recognised. 

    There is a deficiency of open space in the area, and there will be further pressure on the already overloaded schools and medical facilities.

     NEW HOTEL

    The Guardian reports that work has started on a new 86 bed Travelodge hotel in Raynes Park, at the junction of Coombe Lane and Amity Grove, which is set to create 70 jobs. It’s their second in Merton and is costing £6.9 m. 

    SCHOOLS SET TO MOVE TO MOTSPUR PARK 

    Next to Motspur Park station is an office building in good condition, but no longer used for this purpose. It’s called Abbott Court. There’s an application before the Council to re-locate a state school there, Blossom House School, which is currently in Wimbledon. You can read the details of the proposal in David Freeman’s new article here.

     Meanwhile there’s no news yet as to where the proposed Park Community “Free”  School will go, although there’s a strong rumour that it will be on a former sports grounds just across the boundary in Kingston.

     If either proposal goes ahead, local residents can expect yet more cars from both directions trying to cross the level crossing in the rare moments it’s up.        

    FLOODING  (LACK OF) 

    Despite the terrible floods all over the country, we seem to have escaped. This is despite the lakes appearing on Prince George’s Playing Fields and the Raynes Park Playing Fields. If this is wrong, and there is a problem locally, please let us know.  

    John Elvidge  

     

    Our thanks to committee member, Jan Bailey, and her invaluable knowledge our our local watercourses, including those underground. She has passed on her extensive knowledge to the Council, whose records were lacking in this area. She has even put in hard labour herself in clearing out the Meadowsweet ditch. All this has surely helped avoid problems this winter. - Ed.

  • Amendment to our Constitution

    To return to our home page click here.

    The following amendment to our constitution was approved at our AGM on 26 March 2014.

    It was unanimously resolved that the previous dissolution provision (Clause 19) be replaced in its entirety with the following: 

    19.       In the unlikely event that the Committee considers it necessary to dissolve the Association, a Special General Meeting shall be called of all the Members entitled to vote, and such meeting advertised in the Association's magazine and a local newspaper with not less than 21 days' notice. 

                The Committee shall put a resolution to dissolve the Association, to be decided by a vote by those Members present at such a meeting. For the resolution to take effect, at least two-thirds of those Members present shall have voted in favour. 

                In the event that such a resolution is passed, the Officers of the Association shall have the power to dispose of any assets held by or in the name of the Association, for the purpose of satisfying the outstanding debts and liabilities of the Association. All remaining assets after the satisfying of all outstanding debts and liabilities shall be paid or transferred in equal portions to registered charities to be individually chosen by separate majority votes of those Members attending a Special General Meeting called for that purpose. No other body shall have authority to effect such a disposal. 

                For the avoidance of doubt, no part of such disposed assets of the Association shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly to any persons who have been Members, either in the course of the Association’s existence or at dissolution. 

     

    The Association’s whole constitution is available at http://www.rpwbresidents.org.uk/about/constitution .

    To return to our home page click here.

  • Healthwatch Merton


    Healthwatch Merton is holding a Love Your Heart Day on 15 February 2014, from 10:00 am to 01:15 pm, at Kingston Hospital's premises on the Ground Floor of the Raynes Park Health Centre, 1 Lambton Road, Raynes Park, London SW20 0LW.

     

    To find out more about Healthwatch Merton, click here.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Chairman's Blog - January 2014

    RAYNES PARK PLAYING FIELDS

    Local residents, together with the councillors and our Association, were successful in opposing two applications to build housing on these playing fields, which are surrounded by Elm Walk, Southway, Grand Drive and  Cannon Hill Lane. The applications involved access for cars from Cannon Hill Lane at a dangerous bend. 

    At the moment the ground provides a mix of grass tennis courts, and football and cricket pitches. It is leased to and maintained by King’s College School. 

    The land is owned by the All England Lawn Tennis Club. We are glad to report that the Club has now had a total rethink of what it wants to do on the ground. Their intention is to use it to provide tennis coaching for schools in Merton and Wandsworth (which boroughs provide their ball boys and girls). They have been providing this tuition for some years under their charitable foundation. It is called the Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative, and they say that over 140,000 children have had a racquet put in their hands, and 60 schools are visited every year. 

    The coaching has hitherto been held at the All England Club, and is being relocated while the roof is put on Number 1 court, which is due to begin immediately the Championships finish this year, and will take some five years. 

    The proposal covers these five years. It is to install three new outdoor all weather tennis courts and three courts covered by a permanent air dome. These will be placed behind the houses in Cannon Hill Lane, where there is some screening from the 18 metre wide strip of amenity land, and will be further screened by a hedge and tree planting.  There will be separate changing facilities for the children. 

    The neighbouring houses were circulated with an invitation to a public consultation in December, held at the ground. 

    The access will only be from Grand Drive, and the new facilities will only be used by school children until 8pm at the latest. The air dome will limit the light spill from the interior at night, and the outdoor courts will have low light floodlighting and limited light spill. 

    We have pointed out the need for flood prevention measures, and that traffic, light spill, and noise studies are necessary.  These are in hand.  

    The owners propose to put in a formal planning application in January, and residents can then make their objections.  We imagine that there will be some, and particularly to the air dome, but the owners say that this is vital so that coaching can continue in inclement weather.  However, we are promised that no housing is being proposed. 

    The lease to King’s College School is due to end in August 2014, and the land will then be managed directly by the Club. It will be made available to local sports clubs whichcan book the facilities. 

    SPEEDING TRAFFIC

    All roads in our area have a 30 mph speed limit, and some have a limit of only 20 mph.  The police try occasionally to check the speed but this is very limited. As traffic gets ever more heavy, the rat-runs off Grand Drive get busier and busier, especially in the evening rush hour.  Greenway, Elm Walk, and Parkway are particularly affected. The road humps do not stop the main speeding offenders, which are vans and lorries, some of which are travelling at 50 or 60 mph.  The open meeting in December agreed that we would ask the police to have a blitz on such traffic, with speed guns, and some well publicised arrests. 

    AUTUMN AND WINTER

    What a strange warm autumn this has been. The leaves have been on the trees right until December, and, as I write this in mid-December, I am still picking red grapes from the garden. I even saw a kingfisher flying over Cannon Hill Common Lake in November.  Global warming has some advantages.  Let’s hope we all continue to avoid ice, snow, and fog for the rest of the winter. 

    We wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year.   

     

    John Elvidge

  • Raynes Park Playing Fields

    UPDATED 21/12/2014

    MERTON PLANNING APPLICATION 14/P3466 

    THIS APPLICATION IS NOW APPROVED

    The AELTC submitted a new planning application for this site, taking into account the grounds given for refusal of the previous application. The resubmitted planning application was for the provision of additional tennis facilities, including,

    • A total of six permanent synthetic surface tennis courts, with three of these tennis courts covered by an air dome (temporary for 10 years);
    • The erection of 8No, ten metre high columns providing twelve floodlights to the three uncovered courts,
    • The erection of single storey buildings to provide temporary changing facilities, storage and WC facilities,
    • A new electrical substation, switch room and inflation unit,
    • The resurfacing and formalising of the area currently used for car parking and the widening of the existing vehicular access from Grand Drive
    • Associated landscaping, drainage, fencing and entrance gates.

    The resubmitted planning application included the following changes:  The height of the air dome reduced from 12 metres to 10 metres;  The height of the screening hedging around the dome increased from 1.5 metre to 2 metres;  Introduction of further screening hedging at a height of 2 metres around the car park;  Provision of increased screening planting along the playing field boundary closest to Canon Hill Lane;  A reduction in the time period that the air dome and external floodlighting will be in use, this use now stopping at 9.45pm; Consideration by the applicant of options for allowing community use of the proposed new facilities.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    PREVIOUSLY: 25/05/2014 - MERTON PLANNING REFUSAL (Appln: 14/P0348)

    The Merton Planning Committee considered this application at its meeting on 30 April 2014. 

    There was considerable discussion within the Planning Committee, including -
    (a) the proposals effect on the existing open space being contrary to Council policy;
    (b) the size of the air dome, and particularly its height of some 40 ft;
    (c) light spillage from the air dome;
    (d) the location of the dome and other sporting facilities and the parking facilities, all of which may be intensively used, close to surrounding residential properties;
    (e) the visual intrusion from the dome and other facilities for surrounding residents;
    (f) the noise pollution from the proposals which include a public address system;
    (g) loss of privacy for surrounding residents;
    (h) possible harm to surrounding trees; and
    (i) this site not being an appropriate location for these sporting facilities.
     

    The Committee considered that the planning officer report had failed to give sufficient weight to the Planning Policies relating to the protection of open space and the impact on residential amenities.

    REPORTED PREVIOUSLY  - BACKGROUND TO THE PLANNING APPLICATION: DECEMBER 2013 - FEBRUARY 2014

    Earlier in 2014, the All England Lawn Tennis Club, the owner of the Raynes Park Playing Fields, held an exhibition about its plans for the site.  We were glad that the Club had had a total rethink of what it wanted to do on the ground. Their intention was to use it to provide tennis coaching for schools in Merton and Wandsworth (which boroughs provide their ball boys and girls). They have been providing this tuition for some years under their charitable foundation. It is called the Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative, and they say that over 140,000 children have had a racquet put in their hands, and 60 schools are visited every year. 

    The coaching has hitherto been held at the All England Club, and has to be relocated while the roof is put on Number 1 court, which is due to begin immediately the Championships finish this year, and will take some five years. 

    AELTC's initial proposal was originally for five years but was increased to ten years by the time the planning application was submitted. The plan was to install three new outdoor all weather tennis courts and three courts covered by a permanent air dome. These were to be placed behind the houses in Cannon Hill Lane, where there is some screening from the 18 metre wide strip of amenity land, and was to be further screened by a hedge and tree planting.  The plan was for separate changing facilities for the children.We pointed out the need for flood prevention measures, and that traffic, light spill, and noise studies would be necessary.  

    The owners submitted a formal planning application (see above for latest news), so residents could make representations to the Planning Department.  We anticipated that there would be a range of views, and particularly concerning the air dome. However, the owners had indicated that this would be necessary, so that coaching could continue in inclement weather.  In contrast to earlier plans by the AELTC , no housing was being proposed. 

    The lease to King’s College School is due to end in August 2014, and the land will then be managed directly by the Club. We understood that it was mooted to make it available to local sports clubs.

  • Raynes Park Enhancements - West Barnes Lane

    The following has been received from Merton Council, concerning works to the pavements both sides of West Barnes Lane, between the junction with Coombe Lane and the railway bridge, close to Waitrose.

    Dear Resident / Businesses, 

    This letter is to inform you of the Council’s intention to improve the street scene in West Barnes Lane between Coombe Lane and Camberley Avenue. It is proposed to carry out these improvement works starting week commencing 6 January 2014 and it is anticipated that this will take approximately 2 weeks to complete, providing no unforeseen circumstances occur. 

    Following discussion with the Raynes Park Association * (RPA), it has been agreed that the proposed works will include: 

    ·           Break out the existing bitmac surface on the west side footpath and replace with grass. In addition, a hard standing will be constructed between the grass area to provide pedestrian access into Cranleigh House.

    ·           Remove all concrete bollards, existing trees/planters and plant 8 new trees within the grassed area.

    ·           Relocation of lamp column (001) and improve foothpath lighting.

    ·           Minor paving and kerb improvements where necessary. 

    To ensure that works are carried out as quickly as possible, it will be necessary for you to refrain from parking on sections of West Barnes Lane at various times of the day. “No parking” signs and cones will be in place to indicate the areas where parking is prohibited. 

    These works will inevitably involve somedisruption, however we will endeavour to keep this to a minimum and apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused.  

    If you require any further information, please contact Gary Marshall on 020 8545 3848 or email trafficandhighways@merton.gov.uk. 

     

    * The Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents' Association is a member of the RPA.- Ed

  • Raynes Park High School- January 2014

    Children In Need 

    A huge thank you to all Raynes Park High School students and staff for raising money in aid of the Children In Need and the DEC (Disasters Emergency Committee) appeal for the relief effort in the Philippines. Together we raised a grand total of £1087.52.

    Ms Fowler - Assistant Headteacher 

    Merton in Bloom Awards

    Congratulations to the student who won the Merton in Bloom drawing competition (11- 14 category). Last month she was awarded her prize at the Council Chambers, by Councillor Krystal Miller, the Mayor of Merton,

    Ms Curtis - Head of Art 

    Raynes Park High Leaders

    Raynes Park High School hosted the annual Merton Girls’ Football Tournament. The tournament was refereed by Raynes Park High School Leaders. The eight primary schools which participated were Merton Park, St John Fisher, Sacred Heart, West Wimbledon, St Matthews, Hatfeild, Poplar and Joseph Hood. It was an extremely competitive tournament and very well officiated by Raynes Park High leaders. 

    The top four teams have gone on to play in the Merton Finals which will also be officiated by RPHS students.

    Mr Hayes - Head of PE 

    Basketball Academy

    I am proud to announce that the U14 team has won two of their last three games, with the most notable win 77 – 57 over Feltham Warriors. Travelling with only six players the team rallied to an outstanding victory against one of the title contenders. U16 player Njoh Witter has slowly become a major force in the league by producing some awesome displays, scoring an average of 20 points per game. Big results against Reading Rockets 84 – 38 leaves the team second in the division. Our U18 team is playing against some very established teams in their 1st season and have been narrowly beaten in the last 3 matches. The team has worked tirelessly in training displaying a huge desire to turn around the results in the New Year. 

    Mr Grant - Basketball Coach and AIC Manager 

    Geography A Level Students attend Conference on Hazards

    Our Year 12 geographers attended a Hazards Conference at the Emmanuel Centre in Westminster, Central London with approximately 500 other A Level students. They heard from eminent geographers in the field of Hazard management on Volcanic and Earthquake disasters – Professor David Petley, Professor Fiona Tweed and the famous Professor Iain Stewart (see photo - he presents BBC TV documentaries such as ‘The Rise of the Continents’ – worth a look!). They discussed future potential disasters along the Himalayan Arc in Nepal, in Naples in Italy from Vesuvius and the Campi Flegrei, among others. 

    Careers in Disaster Risk Reduction

    Dr Kate Crowley from CAFOD also talked to students about future careers in Hazard Management and Disaster Risk Reduction Work with charities, governments and international organisation. Anyone interested in working with communities around the world in reducing risk from disasters should visit the following excellent websites: www.redr.org.uk (go to ‘become and aid worker’) www.preventionweb.net. 

    Dr Cabral - Head of Geography

    Geography/Art  Child Soldier Competition

    This year, Global Learning Week's theme was based on 'Child Soldiers'. To support this and raise awareness of the issue, the art department created a 'one off' lesson and competition for Year 9 students to take part in.  Students watched a YouTube clip highlighting the impact of war in Uganda and were asked to respond to this using photomontage and text to create a powerful propaganda poster. There were some fantastic entries and the students were extremely mature in their responses. Each winner received a wonderful art pack including a wide selection of media and equipment. 


    Ms Scoging - Art Teacher

     Girls’ Football

    The Year 7 and 8 girls have made a fantastic start to the season and are proving not only that they are committed, but also very talented players.

    So far the girls have represented Raynes Park High School in the AFC Wimbledon tournament, FFC tournament and the Merton 6–a–side tournament. They are currently ranked 2nd in the Borough. The teams have been extremely motivated, reliable and enthusiastic, and have been a pleasure to train. They have represented RPHS in a positive light in all their outings and have been excellent role models to other students. 

    The girls will now join up with the Year 9 squad to play in the South London Schools League.

    Ms McGullion PE Teacher

  • Raynes Park Afternoon Townswomen's Guild - January 2014

    The meeting on 21st November featured Mr David Illingworth who entertained us with a variety of well known songs.  Accompanying himself on guitar, he soon had us joining in with the choruses of the popular old-time favourites!  Miss Janet Meekings expressed the Guild’s thanks for our afternoon trip down memory lane. 

    Continuing the entertainment theme, a small group thoroughly enjoyed a matinee performance of West Side Story at Wimbledon Theatre, and agreed that this production was first class. 

    Then in early December a group of 22 went in the evening to the Lovekyn Chapel, London Road, Kingston, where Loki Music had arranged a Christmas Concert of Medieval Music.  A trio of 3 multi-talented individuals (two ladies, one man) entertained us playing a number of medieval instruments including a harp, a small hand held lyre and a violin; medieval bagpipes and a wide variety of wood wind instruments; and a traditional instrument like a cross between a guitar and a mandolin.  Their programme included well known melodies like the Coventry and Sussex Carols and Ding Dong Merrily on High as well as a wassailing song, a masked moral playlet, a Chaucer tale, and lively (and surprising loud) medieval songs and dance music.  With old style home-made refreshments available, this was a very pleasant evening and it was a privilege to view the inside of this historic building.  Outside, I was struck how good it was to see the Chapel in use and lit up, with the light spilling out through the diamond shaped stained glass segments of the windows. 

    On 5th December twenty- five members met at The Morden Brook for a leisurely Christmas Lunch.  Good food was provided for us in the Function Room.  Then on our monthly meeting day, Thursday, 19th, we enjoyed a friendly Christmas Party together at St Saviour’s Church Hall, arranged by the Committee. 

    On Thursday, 16th January, Hilary Osborne will give a talk about her career in broadcasting.  The meeting in St Saviour’s Church Hall starts at 1.30 pm.  In January, visits are planned to the Pantomime (9th) and Old Time Music Hall (15th), both at Wimbledon Theatre, as well as the lunchtime Jazz at The Rose Culture Café (7th), and lunch at  The Watchman, New Malden (14th). 

    Please do not hesitate to telephone for more information about any of our activities.  Visitors always welcome. 

    Best wishes for the New Year. 

    Dorothy Raymond

    020 8395 9489

     

     

  • Lambton Road Medical Practice - PPG

    Lambton Road Medical Practice - Patient Participation Group 

    Did You Know that Medical records are being consolidated?

    If you have recently received a prescription you may have noticed a message about the Government’s intention to extract information from individuals’ medical records. 

    NHS England and the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) are rolling out a new IT system to provide joined-up information about the care received from different parts of the NHS including hospitals and GP Practices. Your date of birth, postcode, NHS Number and gender rather than your name will be used to link your records in a secure system, managed by the HSCIC.  

    If you are happy for your information to be used then you do not need to do anything. If you do not want information that identifies you from being shared outside the Practice, please tell Reception. 

    Find out more at:www.nhs.uk/caredata

    Please remember to update Reception with your contact details if you have moved. 

    Have you had your jab?

    Flu jabs

    Flu jabs can be a lifesaver for patients identified as falling into the risk categories of over 65, 2-3 years old, pregnant, or underlying health conditions or weakened immune systems.

    Be prepared… get your jab now… it’s free for those in the at risk groups!

    Shingles jabs

    New this year is a shingles vaccine. It is ONLY available for people who on 1st September 2013 were either 70 OR (as part of a catch-up programme) 79. Unlike the flu jab you only need to have the vaccination once. Anyone aged 71 to 78 will have to wait until they reach the age of 79. NHS says the shingles vaccination programme is being staggered in this way because it would be impractical to vaccinate everyone in their 70s in a single year. Anyone aged 80 and over won’t be offered the jab because it seems to be less effective on the over-80s.

    On its way… Patient Survey

    The PPG has worked with the Practice to produce a survey to gather your feedback about the Practice’s performance. The Practice is very conscious of the teething problems caused by all the changes which took place at the time of the merger of Durham Road and Pepys Road practices and the move into the new Health Centre. Now, 6 months on, it is keen to find out what patients think of the new service and also seek ideas about ways it can perform even better. Watch out for the survey in December. 

    Goodbye to Linda

    After 22 years of service, Linda Bradley, Practice Manager is retiring. After successfully steering the stressful move of two GP Practices in different premises into a brand new Health Centre, she is taking a well-earned rest. We wish you well Linda! 

    Want to know more about the PPG?

     

    The PPG page on the Practice website is now up and running. Find out more about us and what we do. Our Constitution, newsletters and minutes are available online. Reference copies of the minutes are also available in hard copy from Reception – please ask to look at the PPG minutes folder

  • Gas Main Works in Grand Drive - 2014

    The Association has received the following email on 06 December 2013

    Gas replacement works Grand Drive 

    Good morning, 

    I am writing to you to inform you we have a proposed Gas mains replacement project to take place in Grand Drive in 2014. We are looking to start in Feb/March’14.  All our works are in the footpath and will have no affect on the traffic. We plan to maintain pedestrian access in the footpath but if we cannot, we will be closuring the footpaths and redirecting the pedestrians to the other side of the road with crossing points  at the zebra crossing and the lights at Bushey Road. 

    We would naturally send out letters to all affected residents and use advanced warning signs ( 3 to 4 weeks before the works are due to go ahead) .Is there anything else you would like us to do due to the sensitive nature of the area? 

    If you would like anymore information or would like to discuss any issues please contact me on 07964 875718 or email me on m.dunne-sgn@priorityplanning.co.uk 

    Regards

    Michael Dunne

    Planning

    (We do not yet have a confirmed start date for these works but the drawing below shows the maximum extent of the footpath closures, should they prove necessary.

    Ed. 02/01/2014)

     

     

     

  • Latest Scams Reported

    Local residents attending the Raynes Park Community Forum on 5 December 2013 reported two new scams operating in the area.

     

    1.         A very convincing “builder” knocks on your door, asking to borrow cash to hire some tools so that he may carry out some emergency works on a neighbour’s home. Despite his apparent sincerity, don’t fall for it. You won’t get your money back!

     

    2.         Whilst parking or returning to your car in Tesco’s car park, a kind passer-by draws your attention to a fault with your car. Whilst you are looking where he is pointing, someone helps himself to your belongings from your car!

  • Chairman's Blog - December 2013

    JOHN HUGHES 

    St Saviour's Church was packed for the funeral of John Hughes, who gave so many years of service to local residents.  He ran the Horticultural Section, and also organised the trips to the RHS Gardens at Wisley, and to see the Christmas lights in London.  What was clear from the tributes paid to him was that this was only a small part of his work for the community, as he was involved in many other organisations and societies, including the Church. He never sought any personal recognition, but the numbers present to celebrate his life and work showed the high regard in which he was held.  He was a “gentleman”. RIP. Read more about John here.

    RAYNES PARK HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS FIELD

    The new sports field and pavilion for Raynes Park High School was formally opened by the Mayor on Saturday 16th November. For those who don’t know where it is, it can be seen from the Bushey Road flyover, on the left as you go towards Shannon Corner. The field itself is accessed from Westway Close. 

    The sports field has 10 acres, and is beautifully laid out. It will be used both by the High School, and also by the two local primary schools. To make the maximum use of it, and to justify the funding towards it granted by the Football Foundation, the ground will be shared out of school hours by the Westside Football Club, which runs football teams for young  people. In summer it will be used for cricket and other sports. 

    The Pavilion is impressive, and has ample changing rooms and kitchen and eating areas.  

    The creation of the field and pavilion is the achievement principally of the former Head Teacher of Raynes Park, Ian Newman, who conceived the idea as long ago as 1996 and fought doggedly to overcome all the problems of bringing the long disused sports ground, formerly owned by Royal and Sun Alliance, into community use. This involved persuading the later owners into giving the ground, together with a financial dowry, to the Council, in return for getting planning permission for the town houses and flats, which are now built and accessed off Fairway.   Once planning permission was achieved, he had to raise well over a million pounds to pay for the upgrading of the ground and the building of the Pavilion. 

    The Pavilion has been rightly named after him as a tribute. 

    FLOWER BEDS ON CANNON HILL COMMON 

    Those walking on Cannon Hill Common, or driving along Cannon Hill Lane, will have seen the delightful beds of wild flowers planted near the verge. These were planted as a result of collaboration between our affiliated organisation, the Friends of Cannon Hill Common, and the Council. The newsletter of the Friends says that they were planted in May, but took time to germinate because of the cold weather earlier in the year. The Friends hope to carry on the initiative next year, and to extend it if possible to the site of the old pavilion. We urge everyone to join the Friends who do such good work to improve the Common.  

    CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN RAYNES PARK CENTRE 

    For the first time ever the centre of Raynes Park is going to be lit up for Christmas. By the time you read this, they should be there for all to see, as the Mayor is due to switch them on 28th November. There should also be a Christmas tree, donated by Waitrose.  We, as an Association, have been pressing for some Christmas cheer in the centre for some years, and we look forward to seeing the place in lights!

    CHRISTMAS PARKING 

    The Council has announced that the Council run car parks will, for the second year running, be free of charge on the Saturdays leading up to Christmas. This is to boost the sales of local traders. Unfortunately, and for the second year running, this won’t assist the traders in Raynes Park since it won’t apply to the car park next to Waitrose.  This makes the Council seem rather Scroogist.

    CHRISTMAS PARTY 

    There won’t be any Scrooges at our Christmas Partywhich will be held at the Residents’ Pavilion at 129 Grand Drive on Tuesday 10th December. It will be an opportunity for all members, including those who have not yet seen the complete refurbishment of the building, to come and enjoy some festive cheer. There will be nice things to eat, and Bucks Fizz and Mulled Wine to drink. 

    The evening starts with an open meeting at 8 pm, at which anything can be discussed, but we will be well into the festivities by 9.  Do come and get Christmas off with a bang! 

    John  Elvidge

       

     

     

  • Bogus Door to Door Salesman

     A member has recently sent us this email:

    Yesterday I received a visit from a young man, wearing a blue boiler-suite with a Zenith logo. He was keen to take a look at my front bedroom window which is a high quality aluminium frame. His sales pitch was that his company Zenith was working nearby and would be interested in quoting me for a replacement. He however first wanted to check on the inside. I declined his offer and after a little while and more sales talk he left.


    I was suspicious of him and checked with their (Zenith's) head office and they knew nothing of him. They also check with all their offices in South East and none have any work going on in the area. So the message to all is be aware. The local Police have been advised.
     

     

  • Steps that may prevent Burglary

    From Your Safer Neighbourhood Team

    BURGLARY

    As the nights draw in, our streets are populated by trick or treaters and fireworks start to explode in the night sky, we are entering the peak time of the year for house burglary.  Don't become a victim of crime.  Taking some of the following steps may save you from being burgled:

    • Install a timer or leave a light on so that your home is not left in darkness when nobody's at home.
    • Always lock all of your windows and doors when you leave.
    • Don't leave anything valuable where it can be seen from outside.
    • Lock up your sheds and don't leave anything in your gardens that could be used to break into your homes.
    • Photograph your jewellery and mark your property. You can record serial numbers on immobilise.com
    • If you have expensive jewellery, install a wall mounted safe or consider a bank deposit box.
    • Look out for your neighbours. If you think a crime is taking place always call 999 straightaway.
    The police in Merton would be glad to attend your home to provide a free crime prevention survey.  If you would like to take advantage of this service please contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team inMerton.
  • Chairman's Blog - November 2013

    PARKING IN RAYNES PARK CENTRE
    We reported earlier this year that the centre of Raynes Park was one of the leading secondary shopping areas in the whole of the UK, with just 2% of vacant retail sites. It will only remain that way if something is done urgently by the Council to provide for short term parking for those who wish to use the shops, the new medical centre, and the other businesses there.

    It seems obvious to everyone but the Council officials that what is needed to prevent any commuter parking, but to allow metered parking of up to an hour, or an hour and a half at most, during those hours when the shops and offices are open, from 8 am to 6.30 pm. The costs of the metered parking should be affordable and not extortionate. Outside these hours parking should be free.

    The council seems to think that parking is an asset to derive easy income from, and also that everyone should as a matter of policy use public transport. But this is totally unrealistic in this day and age, as motorists will simply go elsewhere to a shopping "mall" or a supermarket. That's why town centres are dying.

    It is impossible at the moment to understand where and for how long you can park and the applicable rates. I write as one who fell foul a few years back of the parking restrictions, and had to pay a fine for not paying a meter when I thought there was free parking.

    Our members, members of the Raynes Park Association, and Councillors have all tried to get the simple message through to the powers that be that people will only stop to shop if they can do so easily. Otherwise they will go elsewhere. Why do they make it so difficult to do the obvious?

    FREE SCHOOL
    We also reported earlier this year that the Government has given approval in principle for a free school in the Motspur Park, Raynes Park, New Malden area for a "free" primary school. This is needed to cope with the large rise in the number of pre- and school age children in our area. The school would be run and managed by a local charity, the Chapel Street Community Schools Trust, and would have 60 places in the reception class each year from September 2014. This would, in the end, provide an extra 420 primary school places. The highly respected partners in the Trust include the University of Roehampton, the YMCA, the Salvation Army, the Doxa Deo Church, and King's College School.
    When we had our open meeting in June in the West Barnes library, we thought that the favoured choice of site for the School would be the unused office buildings next to Motspur Park station. Now there are rumours that the preferred site in the former BBC ground in Motspur Park. Clearly the school cannot open until a site has been approved by the planners.

    THE RESIDENTS' PAVILION.
    We plan to start the next phase of converting the former Tennis Pavilion at 129 Grand Drive into a Residents' Pavilion open to all. We have received a grant from the Big Lottery Fund to improve access and will be installing a ramp and other improvements to make the building accessible for disabled people.

    We are encouraged that so soon after the opening of the Pavilion bookings continue to grow for all sorts of social and family activities. Please contact our bookings manager here, where you'll find all the further details about hiring it. We have very competitive rates for our Association's members.

    John Elvidge
    Chairman
  • Rainbow Estate - October 2013

    rainbow
     
    The revised Planning Brief for the Rainbow Industrial Estate was approved by the Council Planning Advisory Committee on  1 August 2013. This was despite a number of objections and queries raised by this Association. Many other organisations and individuals made similar points.

    The Planning Brief and the associated minutes of the PAC meeting can be found on this link; http://www.merton.gov.uk/environment/designandconservation/design/rainbow_estate.htm
    Our Association's submission can be read here: The Association's Response - Rainbow Estate - July 2013.

    So the next stage would be for a developer to submit a Planning Application, before we can formally make any further formal representations to the Planning Committee. In the meantime, another public meeting was convened by local ward councillors. This took place at Raynes Park Library on 8 October 2013 and discussed this and some other planning issues in Raynes Park. The feeling amongst local people is still very strong that this site is far more suitable for employment-led uses than residential. The sorts of issues raised were the number of jobs that may be lost and the increased burden on already stretched local infrastructure that 200+ dwellings are certain to cause.
     
     
    Earlier articles about the Rainbow Estate may be found below:
     
     
     
     
     
     

     

     

  • Chairman's Blog - October 2013

    On the afternoon of 14th September we held a tea party at the Residents’ Pavilion at 129 Grand Drive. This was firstly to give a thank you to all of the road stewards, area co-ordinators and other volunteers for all their help in running the Association and keeping it going year after year. Secondly it was so that we could provide an opportunity for them to see what we have achieved in transforming the former tennis pavilion into a centre that can be used for a wide variety of functions by the community as a whole.
     
    Despite the very wet and gloomy weather some 60+ people turned up and enjoyed a great party.  Here’s part of what I said.
    tea_party_1
    It is indeed remarkable that The Association was founded in 1928 and is still, we believe, going from strength to strength.
     
    Some of us hope to be still around to celebrate our centenary! It’s only 15 years away.
     
    The hard work of preserving our amenities and telling all our members about it in the Guide could not happen without the assistance of all of you are gathered here, as well as those others who were not able to come today. Every month, without fail, the Guide is published, delivered to the area co-coordinators, and distributed door to door by our road stewards. It’s a pretty unique system, and a highly successful way of keeping in touch with our members.  I also want to mention John Hughes for the Guides he sends to our postal members.
    The Committee is extremely grateful for all your efforts, and thought this tea party was a suitable way of showing our appreciation. We hope you are enjoying it.
     
    I would like to thank Andrew Barwick, our Distribution Manager, for coming up with the idea of this party and organising the list of those to be invited. I would also like to thank him and his wife Mette for providing the sandwiches and cakes together, of course, with our tireless Joint Secretary Jill Truman.
     
    Secondly, this is a chance for us to celebrate the complete restoration of this pavilion as a Residents’ Pavilion that all of us can use. We hope you approve of what we have done, and that, having seen it, you will tell all your friends and neighbours about its facilities for new groups and family parties, and urge them to use it. We have deliberately kept the rates of hire low, especially for members of the Association.
     
    Money has been collected ever since the war for a centre that we could call our own, and when the tennis club vacated these premises in April we decided to use a large part of these monies that we had built up to restore this building.  The building work was decided on and supervised in a very short period of time under the leadership of Jerry Cuthbert, together with David Freeman and John Townsend. They also maintain the Centre, together with our bookings manager, Clary Hughes. We thank them very much.
     
    tea_party_2You can book the Pavilion simply by e-mailing or telephoning Clary. Her number is in the Guide.
     
    This is not the end of the improvements we’re going to make since Christine Rowe has managed to secure a grant from the Lottery Fund of over £9,000 to secure full access for disabled people, with a ramp and a purpose built toilet. We intend to complete that vital work over the winter period.
     
    Thank you all very much for coming out in such terrible weather, and for making this party such a special occasion for us all.
     

     
    John Elvidge
  • Raynes Park Ehancements

    The Raynes Park Association, of which our Residents' Association is a member, has launched a campaign to sort out the southern entrance to the "Scew Arch", which is currently a scruffy hodge podge of weed infested planters, rubbish bins, stumps of old street lamps and general urban detritus. Here's some idea of what it could be like.

    rp - south

      Before                                                                              After 

  • TfL plans cashless buses

    Transport for London (TfL)  is proposing to go cashless on its bus services in 2014. If, after consultation, the proposal is approved the option to pay by cash will be removed on all TfL bus services.
     
    Please let Tfl know your views here by 11 October 2013

    Peter Bradley
    Head of Consultation Delivery
    consultations@tfl.gov.uk
    Transport for London
  • Atkinson Morley Hospital Site and other news.

    Berkeley Homes has held an exhibition to present revised plans for the hospital site to local residents prior to submitting a planning application.
     
    The plans displayed at the exhibition can be seen on the LUNG web site.

    Berkeley Homes advise that the revised plans have been made necessary by higher than expected costs to restore the old hospital building. Higher than expected costs is neither unusual nor a valid justification for a planning application which should be considered on its own merits against planning guidance. In summary the plans:
    • Are for two 5 storey apartment blocks (15 apartments in each) at the rear of the old hospital building in place of 8 houses in the approved application.  This would take the total number of residential units on the Firs and hospital sites to 101.  The currently approved application is for 79 residential units and the scheme previously approved in 2005 had 94 residential units.
    • The underground parking approved at the front of the site (56 places) is replaced by a partially underground car park (82? parking spaces) at the rear of the hospital building.
    • Access to the car park is via a road which would be shared with pedestrians and cyclists accessing Morley Park.
    • The car park and the eastern apartment block intrude into Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) and elsewhere the blocks and car park are built up to the MOL boundary
    • There is a courtyard between the 2 apartment blocks on top of the proposed car park.
    The Residents' Association of West Wimbledon (RAWW) AGM Tuesday 15th October
    The RAWW AGM will be held at 8.00pm (refreshments from 7.30pm) on Tuesday 15th October 2013 at St Matthew's Church Hall, Spencer Road.  Everyone is welcome.
     
    Prudential Ride London
    Very early warning - The event will take place next year on the 10th August but the route hasn't been determined pending a review of this year's event.

    Many thanks for all the very useful feedback on this year’s event.  We have written to the Mayor and others and will follow up as necessary. Some of you wrote to tell us you enjoyed the event but others wrote about serious problems including reports that carers were unable to cross the barrier of closed roads by car to visit those who require daily assistance, less physically able people were unable to visit relatives in hospital, and some were unable to attend their church.  There were reports of problems experienced by those going on, or returning from holiday on the 4th, which were particularly severe for the physically less able. 

    Jane Barnes
    Residents Association of West Wimbledon
    www.raww.org.uk
  • Editor's Blog - September 2013

    Bees and Butterflies 
    After a latish start, this summer has been surprisingly pleasant and it is has been a joy to see all the butterflies and bees also enjoying the sunshine and warmth.   Hopefully this will continue into an Indian summer too.
     
    The Other side of the tracks 
    We have been reading in the press about the success Raynes Park is currently enjoying as a local small town centre.  This is great for our local businesses and to the considerable work undertaken members of the Raynes Park Association, but I would also like to congratulate the other end of Coombe Lane, which also enjoys a great reputation amongst residents and visitors alike.
     
    Amongst other flourishing firms, we have a marvellous Chemist and a superlative print and stationery shop, both of which supply not only the expected goods and services, but much, much, more and together with an amazing “corner” shop (which seems to stock everything that you could possibly want, as well as speciality foods from all over the world) can be relied on to provide attractive gifts at reasonable prices.  Then there are the two extremely upmarket Estate Agents (where – if you have a mind to – you can drool over the (unaffordable to most) properties at anything from £1 million to £10 million.  There is a great hairdressing salon, a beauty parlour podiatry, etc., and Naked Health, which supplies upmarket treatments of all kinds to keep you in good shape. 

    There is also Box 2 which specialises in ladies' clothes of elegant design - both to personal callers and by mail order - that will ensure the wearer is as smart and fashionable.

    Beautiful and unusual flowers and arrangements can be purchased at Seasons where the scents of the shop alone are enough to blow you away (as regrettably are some of the prices - but then - as they say - you get what you pay for).
     
    Next door  is Spoons where you can relax over a selection of juices, frappuclinos/cold drinks or coffee together with sandwiches, paninis, quiches, pasta, pies, excellent fresh salads and a huge selection of home-made cup cakes mini to giant in size, assorted muffins and cakes to many to mention and all of which you can order for parties at home.   Spoons also has a pretty courtyard garden where you can sit and eat breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea when the weather is fine.
     
    If you feel like a walk after all that self-indulgence, then you can wander along Beverley Brook Walk, which takes you through the Wimbledon Rugby Club playing fields and into Fishponds Woods  and if you choose, all the way to Richmond Park, but you may need your hiking sticks.
     
    The Commons conservators have done a great job in putting board-walks in place through the woods and round the lakes to enable one to walk with more ease and less mud through the woods.
     
    Meanwhile, Wimbledon Rugby Club, together with the schools that share its grounds has done a magnificent job of refurbishing what were rather dilapidated tennis courts.   Now they have been re-fenced and re-laid with special sports carpeting that is all-weather and safer, and can be used for both tennis and basket-ball.   It isn’t yet known whether the use of these courts will be confined to members of the Club and the schools, or whether there will be opportunities for local residents to hire them when not otherwise in use. The club is also to be congratulated on the way it has installed drainage to what were often waterlogged pitches, and now maintain them for soccer, rugby and cricket in very good condition.
     
    More about the Other Side of the Tracks can be found in the Newsletter of the Residents’ Association of West Wimbledon.
     
    Jill Truman
  • The Association's Response - Rainbow Estate - July 2013

    COMMENTS ON THE PLANNING BRIEF “RAINBOW INDUSTRIAL ESTATE”
    THIS EMAIL IS SUBMITTED ON BEHALF OF THE RAYNES PARK AND WEST BARNES RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION IN RESPONSE TO THE PLANNING BRIEF AND ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS ISSUED IN JUNE 2013

    The Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents’ Association (the Association) is pleased to have the opportunity to respond, as invited by the London Borough of Merton’s website; “Have your say - Rainbow industrial estate planning brief (until 20 July 2013)”. We therefore submit the following comments on the above Planning Brief and supporting documents. (Referred to below as “the Documents.”)  
      
    1. The Planning Brief is for a Change of Use.
    Our objection to the “final” Brief is similar to that of the “draft” Brief, namely that it envisages development which cannot be regarded as sustainable. The site was designated for and clearly is ONLY suitable for light industry and storage use and is UNSUITABLE for any residential development. The Planning Brief contemplates, for the first time ever, adults and children living and sleeping on the site, as against people just working there. This would be a VERY SIGNIFICANT CHANGE OF USE.
       
    2. The format of the Brief is incomplete and lacks clarity. There should be distinct Sections setting out:
    • Council Aspirations ,
    • Council Requirements,
    • Constraints on redevelopment,
    • Alternative Options for the site,
    • Planning Obligations and consequential Infrastructures requirements .
    3. Site Constraints
    The Documents should fully address the very severe constraints on redevelopment of the site:
    • The single access point with NO viable scope for alternative vehicular access,
    • The proximity of the railway Station and lines (eg noise from trains announcements, brake dust and wheel-squeal, plus serious overlooking from the station platforms and trains.)
    • Whilst the railway bridge has an height restriction, it also has a road width restriction, with NO scope to increase the width.
    • Contamination from many years of industrial use.
    • Potential vehicle congestion at the entrance to the site at peak morning and evening times.
    • Potential risks due to limited access for emergency services.
    • The access to the site being owned by Network Rail.
    4. Financial Justification
    The Documents imply that a residential development of up to 250 dwellings is necessary financially to enable the employment uses of the site. However, this is still not demonstrated, although being the subject of the Capita Symonds “Second Opinion Viability Report”, commissioning by LBM. In fact, Section 14 of the Second Opinion states that a case could be made for the developer’s profit margin to be less. It should be noted that the report does not state what the developer’s profit is actually calculated to be, either in quantum or percentage terms.
    This report also states (Section 12) that the London Mayoral CIL (£35/sqm) is overstated due to the existing floor area not being deducted from the calculation. This saving would thus go directly to the developer’s bottom line. Hence, this would make the case for the developer’s profit being too high even stronger.
    Previously, it was suggested by this Association that the financial viability should begin with a “Zero Base”, by assuming zero residential space (i.e. 100% Employment uses) as a base case; and then work out how much residential space may (or may not) be reasonably justified to enable a commercial development. It is evident this approach has not been used. The evidence therefore points to the Planning Brief creating a developer’s profit that would be too high.
       
    5. Concerns over the Site Access and Proposed Kiss and Ride Facilities
    The Design Report, Section 3 (Figure 6) shows the proposed Kiss and Ride arrangement adjacent to the South entrance to Raynes Park Station. These proposals are not materially different from the draft Brief. This Association considers the proposed arrangement as being seriously flawed in a number of road safety aspects.
    • Safety for pedestrians –no provision for segregated access to the proposed dwellings
    • Necessity for all pedestrians to cross Network Rail’s vehicle access, in order to reach the dwellings.
    • Poor and dangerous sight-lines close to and under the railway bridge Narrowing to a pinch-point of the only pedestrian access, right next to the mini-roundabout.
    • The edges of the mini-roundabout being located tightly against the boundary fences of adjoining properties. This will, in practical terms, reduce the workable diameter to less than the allowable minimum of 12m.
    • Traffic crossing over the mini-roundabout as it enters Rainbow Estate, will tend to take an anteclockwise route,
    • Conflicts at the entrance between vehicles dropping off and/or collecting passengers and pedestrians crossing from the Station into Grand Drive.
    We therefore consider such a K&R facility within such a very confined area would be neither a SAFE nor a VIABLE concept, not only in the location proposed but also ANYWHERE within the entrance to the Rainbow Estate ( ie anywhere between the bridge and Grand Drive).
       
    6. Concerns over Massing
    Figure 6.2 in the Brief illustrates the most southerly building as a block, six stories high. A comparison is drawn with Bushey Court (4 storeys plus a pitched roof) and the Waitrose development (3 to 4 storeys, plus a stepped back fifth storey). The proposed development is plainly more massive than these and also out of proportion to other buildings close by, such as the Carters Estate (2 storeys) and the offices in West Barnes Lane (3 storeys).

  • Pavilion Hire Terms and Conditions

    letterhead002

    Return to Bookings Page

        

    We ask that you read and understand these Terms and Conditions of hire before confirming your booking.
     
    Pavilion – refers to the Pavilion Building and site located at 129 Grand Drive, SW20 9LY
    Pavilion Management Group (PMG) – refers to the sub-committee of Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents’ Association (RPWBRA), responsible for the management of the Pavilion

    1.         Members of Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents’ Association receive preferential hire rates as well as the possibility of making a booking up to six months in advance.  All other users may book up to three months in advance. 

    2.         Bookings are for a minimum of 2 hours, with half hour booking units available thereafter.

    3.         Hire fees must be paid in full at least a month in advance of the booking.

    4.         If the booking is made less than a month before the hire is taking place, payment should be made immediately.  Confirmation of the booking will not be made until payment has cleared.

    5.         Regular long-term bookings at week-ends will not be permitted.

    6.         A damages deposit of £50.00 is required at the time of booking.  This is returnable after the booking, unless further cleaning, repairs or replacement are needed.

    7.         In case of cancellation by the Hirer, the following charges will apply: 10% of booking fees if more than one calendar month notice is given; deposit returned in full. 50% of booking fees if less than one calendar month notice is given; deposit returned in full.100% of booking fees if cancelled less than 7 days before the hire period; deposit returned in full.

    8.         The Pavilion Management Group (PMG) reserves the right to cancel in case of an event or circumstance out of the control of the PMG.  In case of cancellation by the PMG, a full refund will be issued to the Hirer.

    9.         The Hirer should include sufficient time for set-up and clearing away in the hire period booked. The Hirer must vacate the premises promptly at the agreed time.

    10.       At the start of the hire period the premises will be opened by an authorised key holder. An authorised key holder will check the premises and lock up at the end of the hire period.

    11.       A maximum of 40 persons inside the Pavilion is to be respected at all times.

    12.       The named Hirer must to be present and responsible for the duration of the hire period.

    13.       No sub-letting is permitted.

    14.       The premises must not be left unattended at any time.

    15.       No vehicle parking or waiting at any time on the drive shared with No.131 Grand Drive.

    16.       Hirers may bring their own food and beverages, including alcohol, provided that guests are not charged for these items.

    17.       Crockery, cutlery, pans and utensils are not provided. The Kitchen is not suitable for food preparation. If the Hirer brings food and beverages, the PMG recommends that the Hirer bring disposable plates, cups and cutlery.  There are washing-up facilities but no dishwasher.  Tables and chairs are included for your use.  Please contact the Bookings Manager if you require an up-to-date list of what facilities and items are available.  Please do not use any equipment that may be marked as "Private Property".

    18.       Smoking is not permitted in the Pavilion.  A designated smoking area is available outside.

    19.       Strictly no BBQs.

    20.       Children must be supervised at all times.

    21.       Owing to the need to control noise, the use of amplified music, DJ, karaoke, public address and similar sound systems inside or outside are not permitted.

    22.       For the same reason, whilst the playing of quiet children’s games is permitted on Court 3, the playing of football and other noisy games are not permitted.

    23.       Strictly no fireworks or bonfires in the grounds.

    24.       The double court (Courts 1 & 2) shall only be used for the playing of tennis.

    25.       No animals allowed anywhere on the site.

    26.       Noise shall be kept to a minimum. Hirers’ and their visitors’ shall respect the Pavilion's neighbours’ privacy and quietness is required. Please be mindful of neighbours when using the Pavilion site at 129 Grand Drive and when leaving, especially in the evening.

     

    27.       Special conditions for 13 – 20 year old parties:

    27.1   In respect of our neighbours, booking requests for 13-20 year olds' parties, will only be accepted discretionally.

    27.2   The named Hirer, who must be over the age of 21, must provide assurances of supervision, noise levels, alcohol and planned activities.  The named Hirer must also be present for the duration of the party.

    27.3   A larger deposit will be taken to insure against damages.

    27.4   The Hirer must permit a member of the PMG to be present during the hire period.

     

    28.     Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents’ Association takes no responsibility for personal belongings. 

    29.     Blue tak, pins and adhesive tape are forbidden within the Pavilion.

    30.     The premises, equipment and furniture are to be left as found. The Hirer is responsible for sweeping, and wiping tables as needed.  Cleaning spray and cloths are provided.

    31.     All rubbish and or decorations are to be removed from the premises and outside space (if used) at the end of the hire period. Two bin bags are provided per booking.

    32.     The Hirer is responsible for the cost of repairs or replacement in the event of any damage and/ or breakage to equipment and for any damage to the site (building and grounds). 

    33.     Any damages or breakages must be reported to the key holder.

    34.     It is the hirers’ responsibility to make themselves familiar with the emergency evacuation procedures and the whereabouts of fire extinguishing equipment and the first aid equipment.  Please ask the key holder to point these out at the start of the hire  period. 

    35.     Please inform the key holder of any accidents and/or use of the first aid equipment.  The accident report book must be completed. 

    36.     Please report any concerns regarding the safety of the building or equipment to the key holder. 

    37.     Hirer indemnifies RPWBRA for all damage, injury or loss occurring at the premises during Hirer’s occupation.

     

     

  • Next at 88 Bushey Road

    This email has been recieved by the Association concerning the proposed at 88 Bushey Road

     Sent: Thursday, July 04, 2013 11:32 AM
    Subject: Proposals for a Next Home and Fashion store, 88 Bushey Road, New Malden
     
     nextOn behalf of Friends Life (AXA Real Estate) and Next plc, we would like to update you on the proposals to create a new Next Home and Fashion Store at 88 Bushey Road, New Malden.
     
    Earlier this year we held a public exhibition of the proposals at Raynes Park Library (in April) and at Next’s Wimbledon store (in May).  Over 50 people attended to view the plans, speak to the project team and leave feedback.
     
    We have also met with Raynes Park High School on several occasions to discuss the career and learning opportunities the proposed store could offer for its students.  We are continuing to engage with the school and Next hopes to build this into a long term relationship.
     
    The store would create over 200 jobs, as well as access to Next’s training and apprenticeship programmes.
     
    We have been very pleased with the widespread local enthusiasm for the idea of a Next store in Bushey Road.  97% of responses so far have indicated support for the proposals.  We have also set up a dedicated Facebook page (Next4NewMalden) which has attracted over 500 members.
     
    A full planning application has now been submitted to Merton Council.  The planning documents are available to view on the Merton Council website  http://tinyurl.com/ohdw68c, planning reference number 13/P1802.
     
    We would be delighted to brief you on the proposals at your convenience and to answer any questions you may have at this stage.
     
    Please do not hesitate to contact me on 0207 587 3433 or email george.burr@yourshout.com at any time.
     
    Our consultation team is available to respond to local residents
    •             Freephone 0800 458 6976
    •             Email: raynesparknext@yourshout.org
     
    Information is also on the project website at raynesparknext.com
     
    We look forward to hearing from you
     
    Best regards,
     
    George Burr 
    04/07/2013
     
    Also from: Paul Lloyd
    Your Shout
    0800 458 6976 Freephone
    http://yourshout.com

  • Previously - Rainbow Estate - 26 June 2013

    rainbowMerton Council have now issued a revised planning brief for the Rainbow Industrial Estate. This was scheduled to be presented to the Borough Planning Advisory Committee, with a recommendation for adoption on the 26 June 2013. This was only a few days after the new documentation had been published. However, after concerns being expressed by this Association, we now have until the 20 July 2013, to review and comment back to the Council.

    If you wish to make your own comments, the new documents may be found on the Council's webpage for the BPAC meeting and to the Rainbow webpage, which contains the planning department's assessments the final planning brief.

     
     
     
     
     
     
  • Crossrail 2

    SAY ‘YES’ TO CROSSRAIL2!CONSULTATION ends 2nd August 2013 (updated November 2013: See the link at end of this article)
    Overview
    Crossrail 2 would create a new high-frequency, high-capacity rail line running between south west and north east London, running up to 40 trains per hour through the central part of the route.  Transport for London (TfL) and Network Rail (NR) are now seeking views on the proposals. It replaces an earlier scheme known as the Chelsea-Hackney Line, which already has a safeguarded route. The current consultation process runs until August 2nd 2013. 

    Benefits of Crossrail 2
    Crossrail 2 would help to relieve congestion on both the national and TfL rail networks, and would support economic development in and around London.  Specifically, Crossrail 2 would relieve Waterloo station and so allow more 'fast' trains to use the station. Some of the existing stopping services to Waterloo would be re-routed onto the Crossrail 2 line, and would then stop at Clapham Junction, Victoria, Euston etc (see map) instead of Waterloo.
     
    It is intended that Crossrail 2 would also relieve Euston station once High Speed 2 scheme is in place, which is essential if major transfer delays at the Euston terminus are to be avoided.
     
    Once built, journey times between Wimbledon and Euston could be more than halved, taking just 15-17 minutes between the two stations.

    Route options: Metro vs Regional route
    Preliminary work has identified two possible routes: a 'Metro' option offering a high-frequency, underground service which would start at Wimbledon (NB no route to Motspur Park), and a 'Regional' option that includes wider connections with the north east and south west, including Motspur Park.
     
    Both options share a similar route through the centre of London, as shown below.  These maps are available at a larger size on TfL’s website (see link below).
     
    metrooption
    "Metro" Option
     
    regionaloption
     
    Regional Option
     
    The Regional option, as proposed, would include branches to Surbiton, Twickenham (via Kingston) and Epsom.  Motspur Park station would be on the Epsom branch, as shown above.

    Timing and funding
    The timing for delivery depends on funding, as the project will require a mixture of public and private funding if it is to proceed.  Other major schemes in London are already progressing on this basis, for example Northern Line extension in Battersea.
     
    In reality, the Regional option is likely to be more feasible when considering private sector funding, as the area it covers is so much larger and the potential for shared funding from future developments is therefore much greater. Current projections show that the scheme could be in place in the early 2030s.
     
    Consultation process and suggested response
    The consultation process is now open and it is essential that we respond positively and in specific detail if we want to support the Regional option, which would directly benefit Motspur Park.  There are no other major transport schemes in Network Rail or Transport for London’s programme which have the potential to create economic benefits for our area on this scale. Consultation responses can be made individually and/or as a group.
    Of course, major schemes come with their downsides.  Locally, we are well aware that there are issues to be tackled to do with the specific scheme impacts.  For example, we will need to raise the issue of the level crossings close to Motspur Park Station and also the need to mitigate and disruption caused by additional trains using the line through Motspur Park.  There may also be issues of construction noise and similar that need our attention.  However in the scale of the proposed scheme, these are all issues that could be tackled in an appropriate way, especially if they are brought to the attention of the design teams during this early project design stage.
      
    Update: November 2013 - The consultation results report is now available online at www.crossrail2.co.uk

     

     

  • Chairman's Blog - July 2013

    OPEN MEETING IN WEST BARNES LIBRARY
     
    We had a well attended open meeting in June in the West Barnes Library. It was very useful having the meeting there, since there were two items of potentially major importance to Motspur Park.
     
    The first is that there is a proposal known as Crossrail 2 being suggested by Transport for London and Network Rail for a new fast rail route from Epsom, stopping at Motspur Park and Raynes Park, and going across London via Clapham Junction to Victoria and Euston, and out to stations in north east London. It would mean you could get from this area to Euston in less than 20 minutes. Our transport expert, Rachel Skinner, explained the proposals to the meeting, and her detailed briefing note can be found here. It makes for very interesting reading. We thank her for this.  Responses are being sought to the proposals by 2nd August, and we urge everyone to send in a reply, which can easily be done over the net.
     
    The view of those present was that while we welcome in principle the wider regional route suggested, there will be drawbacks that have to be recognised and dealt with, if possible. Those so far identified are that since there will be more trains, the barriers on the level crossings at Motspur Park and West Barnes Lane will be down for even longer periods. There will also be more noise from trains for those living nearest to the track.
     
    The second exciting development is that permission has been given for a new “free” primary school in this area. You can see the details in Jan Bailey’s report. The school will take in two classes of 30 pupils a year from September 2014.  One of the sites identified for the school is the large office building next to Motspur Park station which is empty at present, and which would appear to have capacity for an eventual total of 420 pupils and the staff. Although the building has no grassed playing area, the Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing Fields are within walking distance. The School is to be known as the Park Community School, and is run by a number of local organisations, including the University of Roehampton, the YMCA, the Salvation Army, the Doxa Deo Church and King’s College School and led by a charity. It will specialise in English and Music and aims to have an inclusive Christian ethos.
     
    RAYNES PARK TENNIS CLUB
     
    I was invited to the formal opening of the Tennis Club at its new site off Grand Drive. It was opened by the Mayor, and Stephen Hammond MP played a game.  The Club is extremely pleased with its new premises, which have five state of the art hard courts, and a purpose built pavilion. They hope to be able to obtain some floodlighting.  They have been able to increase their number of courts from 3 to 5, and they are more generally visible since there is a public walkway and cycle track across the former Lessa site.  At their open day in April, they attracted 54 new people who were interested in joining. They have an active programme for juniors.  We wish them well in their new venture. They remain affiliated to the Association and were founded originally as part of the social activities set up by us many years ago.
     
    NEW COMMUNITY CENTRE
     
    We have now completed the major part of the conversion of the former tennis pavilion for use as a community centre, and it is open for general bookings. The centre, which we have yet to name (and we would welcome suggestions), now looks warm and welcoming, and is open for general bookings. It is ideal for small groups or parties of up to 40 people, and we have already secured two bookings from members of the Association for family gatherings.
     
    The centre is open for booking on Friday afternoons and over the weekends, and enquiries can be made via e-mail on pavilionbookings@gmail.com or 07834 986071.  Clary Hughes has kindly volunteered to manage our bookings.
     
    The Rainbow Play Café is our core tenant and is advertised here.
     
    We have also applied for a grant so that we can build a ramp to get full disabled access.   We have already designed the toilets so that they are wheelchair accessible.
     
    The work to convert the premises has been difficult and time consuming, but has gone extremely smoothly. Our open meeting passed a vote of thanks to those who have carried out this major undertaking, Jerry Cuthbert, Andrew Barwick, and David Freeman. I would also like publicly to thank Christine Rowe for dealing with the insurance and the grant application, and John Townsend for arranging the finances.
     
    John Elvidge
     
  • Possible Scam?

    POSSIBLE SCAM?
    Lots of people have found small stickers on their front doors advertising "24/7 Locksmith Repair Installation Locked out 0203 582 8279"
    INFORMATION / ADVICE
    The police have said they are aware of the stickers and quite a few have been put on various letter boxes in our area. The telephone number on the stickers is not connecting so it would seem that it is not an advert, however, at present the real intention of the stickers is unknown.
    All we can ask is that you remove the stickers from your door, if you find one, and tell your neighbours to do the same. Also make sure that all your doors, including your shed door and side gates, are properly secured and don’t leave anything in your back garden.
    If you do see anything suspicious or a person putting the stickers on the door please call police on 101 which is a 24/7 number.
    This information was sent to Neighbourhood Watch Coordinators on 30/4/2013.  Website: www.mertonnhw.co.uk and forwarded to The Guide by Councillor Mary-Jane Jeanes

    Lots of people have found small stickers on their front doors advertising "24/7 Locksmith Repair Installation Locked out 0203 582 8279"

    INFORMATION / ADVICE

    The police have said they are aware of the stickers and quite a few have been put on various letter boxes in our area. The telephone number on the stickers is not connecting so it would seem that it is not an advert, however, at present the real intention of the stickers is unknown. All we can ask is that you remove the stickers from your door, if you find one, and tell your neighbours to do the same. Also make sure that all your doors, including your shed door and side gates, are properly secured and don’t leave anything in your back garden. If you do see anything suspicious or a person putting the stickers on the door please call police on 101 which is a 24/7 number. This information was sent to Neighbourhood Watch Coordinators on 30/4/2013.  Website: www.mertonnhw.co.uk and provided by Councillor Mary-Jane Jeanes

  • Our 85th Anniversary

    A Very happy Anniversary!
    This year the Association celebrates its 85th Anniversary, and how better to mark this special occasion than the opening of our very own long-awaited Community Centre and Headquarters.
     
    An HQ of our own has been a dream since the late Sixties and Seventies when the Association’s social scene was in its heyday.  Without the current distractions of 24/7 TV, the Internet and world-wide travel, all sorts of well-attended functions were organized to raise funds for this purpose from dinner dances to whist drives and Bingo.  The lady in the driving seat, a force majeure to be sure, was the late Mrs. Daisy Starr, a redoubtable woman of inexhaustible energy.
     
    The Association has been sitting on those funds, waiting for the right opportunity to come along, and with the move of the Raynes Park Tennis Club from 129 Grand to its brand new premises at Meadow View, the Association was able to take over the lease of this site with funding available for some improvements.
           
    The Pavilion is available for hire. For more information, click here.

  • Chairman's Blog - June 2013

    RESIDENTS' COMMUNIY CENTRE

    Work is well under way to convert the former tennis pavilion at 129 Grand Drive into a community centre that will be available to local residents for meetings and gatherings of all kinds.

    By the time you read this, the conversion should be almost complete.

    We are putting in better toilet facilities, which disabled people will also be able to use, modern heating, more double glazing, and building a glass conservatory along the front to create more space. Along with this will go a complete change of décor and modern furnishings.

    It should be a very warm and welcoming place. The hire charges will be modest, and will be only enough to cover the costs of use. If anyone is at all interested in looking over it to see if they'd like to use it, please contact any of the committee members, whose details are given inside the back cover.

    We have made an agreement with a lady who wants to set up a group for toddlers (aged up to 4) and their carers during the day time until 3.30 pm. It's not a nursery where children will be left, but the idea is that the mother/father/grandparent will enjoy a cup of something and a chat while watching their child play with others. Part of one of the tennis courts will be fenced off and have play equipment, to increase their enjoyment. Read more here.

    We intend to retain one of the tennis courts for tennis, and that will be available for hire. It's in good condition.

    We had a meeting with a number of those whose houses back onto the premises, to discuss whether we should have any parking there. The consensus was that the access route for cars would be too difficult and even dangerous, since it's narrow, there's no room for cars to pass, and there's no space left for pedestrians, particularly those with buggies.

    We hope very much to have a second phase of building in the autumn to enable us to provide complete access for those in wheelchairs, by putting in a ramp and wider doors. However, we cannot afford this out of our own resources, and so have applied for grant aid. If we succeed in this, then we will consider having some parking for vehicles for disabled people, as well as service parking. This limited parking could be monitored and controlled, unlike parking for the general public.

    We are excited by the chance to have our own community centre, which has long been a dream of the Association. We would like to ask you to come forward to help, if you can, by holding a key and taking bookings. We would stress that this does not involve cleaning, or maintenance or heavy gardening, the costs of which will be met out of the hire charges.

    But if there is anyone who does not have a garden of their own, and wants to keep our borders looking colourful, please let us know. Also there are some small areas of land which used to be allotments and could be again, if anyone wants to have them. Just let any of us know of your interest and we can discuss it.

    RAYNES PARK FESTIVAL

    There's going to be a Raynes Park Festival from 10 -22nd July. Keep your eyes open for details of what happening. There's bound to be something of interest you want to go to.

    EMMA HAMILTON PUB

    The Emma Hamilton public house in Wimbledon Chase sadly closed down some time ago, and proposals to develop it for housing were twice turned down last year on the grounds that they were too big. Planning permission has now been granted for a scheme which will see 57 flats built on the site. The developers will have to pay some money for the benefit of the community, which need not actually be used in the local area. This used to be known as section 106 money. It has long been a valid criticism that this is no way pays for the extra education and health provision needed by the new housing being built. The system was replaced in 2010 by what is called a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). The amount that developers will have to pay in Merton is still currently under discussion, and we will set out what the final result is in a future edition of The Guide.

    RAINBOW ESTATE

    Meanwhile the Council is drawing up its own its brief for the Rainbow Industrial Estate site on the Grand Drive side of the station. We continue to oppose any housing development in what is a land locked site with only one access, but it appears that some 200-250 dwellings may be suggested, plus employment units. This will, of course, have yet more major impacts on schools, health provision, and traffic, but these have yet to be formally assessed. The current indications are that this number of dwellings, which would include a large number of units of "affordable" housing, would mean a demand for over 50 extra school places. This area is already struggling to provide enough primary school places. We doubt that any CIL payment made will be enough to provide the extra capacity needed for the increased school and health provision.

    John Elvidge

  • Message from your Safer Neighbourhood Teams

    There have been reports that security companies have been cold calling Merton residents offering to carry out installation of security alarms.  In some cases people have been told that these companies are affiliated with the Police and that the alarms provided connect directly to the Police Station.    This is NOT true.

    Advice from Trading Standards is as follows.
    If you have been approached or wish to discuss this matter please phone 0808 156 2246 and you can speak to an advisor from Consumer Direct.  Your enquiry will then be passed to Merton Trading Standards Department.   Alternately you can contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Team to report any suspicious behaviour.

    There have been a number of cases in Merton where residents have been persuaded to part with large amounts of money (sometimes thousands of pounds) for unnecessary or poor quality work to their homes.
    Remember:
    • It's your doorstep, so your decision.
    • Don't feel pressurised to buy on your doorstep
    • Be wary of special offers and warnings about your home.
    • Don't agree to a trader starting work straight away - talk to someone you trust first.
    • If in doubt call Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 for advice.
    You can find out who your local Safer Neighbourhood Team is on this web page:
    http://content.met.police.uk/Site/saferneighbourhoods
  • Honorary Memberships of the Association


    At the last AGM in March 2013, the following people were confirmed as Honorary Members of the Association, with thanks and in recognition of their long services to the Association:
       
    Chris Boa - Tennyson Ave.
    Jean Pengelly - Phyllis Ave
    Kate Price - Advertising Mgr.
    Lavinia Quinby - Taunton Ave.
    Marion Saints - Bushey Rd.
    Dorothy Simmonds - Elm Walk
  • Chairman's Blog - May 2013

    CHAIRMAN’S COMMENT
    RESIDENTS’ COMMUNITY CENTRE
    At the Annual General Meeting in March there was strong support for our proposal to turn the tennis club pavilion off 129 Grand Drive,  which is due to be vacated by the Lawn Tennis Club by early May, into a community centre that can be used for the benefit of all local residents.
    At our subsequent Committee meeting we approved the work that needed to be done, which will be started as soon as the Club vacates the premises at the beginning of May.  We hope that this can be concluded within a month so that we can be open by early June.
    We wrote to all the residents who back onto the site asking for their views on our proposals. We confirmed that we would have no late night parties or rowdy meetings, or permit the sale of alcohol. So far we have had only comments that are very supportive of our ideas. We anticipate that the major use will be for mother/toddler groups for children up to the age of 4, for which there is an unmet need in the borough, given the high birth rate.
    But we expect that there will be a demand from people and groups of all ages. We continue to ask for expressions of interest from local groups who wish to hire the hall for meetings, functions, parties, and so on. We do not expect to make a profit, but we will need to charge a modest rate for the hire to cover the cost of insurance, heating, lighting, and cleaning.
    We also need to have new volunteers to help take the bookings, and to be key holders who can open and close the building as necessary.
    Please let any of the Committee members know if you might be interested in hiring the building, or if you are willing to help us run it.
    We are very excited by the potential prospects that the building will provide for social events of all kinds and for all ages.
    SUBSCRIPTIONS
    It’s that time of year again, when our hard working road stewards, who are all unpaid volunteers, will knock at your door and ask you to pay a subscription for the coming year to continue to be a member of the Association.  We remain the largest residents’ association in Merton and have some 2000 members. There is strength in such numbers, and the Council officers take us very seriously as an Association. We have been going since 1928, so please continue your subscription for the coming year.
    This year the AGM decided to increase the membership fee from £2.50 to £3 a year, which must still be the best value in London. For that, you not only get membership of a very active organisation, which has secured major planning gains over the years, but also the monthly Guide.
    RAYNES PARK HEALTH CENTRE
    I went to the formal opening of the new health centre in Raynes Park, along with other members of the Association and local Councillors.  We have all been very supportive of the concept.  It’s an impressive building, designed by a firm of architects in New Malden. It combines two GP’s practices, has a pharmacy, and also has out-patient facilities for both the NHS Kingston Hospital and the private St Anthony’s Hospital.  The speeches were given by the Mayor, and Stephen Hammond MP, but principally by the driving force behind the scheme Dr Howard Freeman. It is clearly a model for the future, and we are lucky to have such a range of modern health facilities in our area.
    CHRISTMAS TREE
    We are already in May, though it still seems, when I write this in mid April, like winter.    I thought that you’d like to know that our efforts to get a decorated Christmas tree in Raynes Park have at last proved fruitful.   We learn that Waitrose is going to sponsor one by the station. Hurrah!
    John Elvidge
    RESIDENTS’ COMMUNITY CENTRE

    At the Annual General Meeting in March there was strong support for our proposal to turn the tennis club pavilion off 129 Grand Drive,  which is due to be vacated by the Lawn Tennis Club by early May, into a community centre that can be used for the benefit of all local residents. At our subsequent Committee meeting we approved the work that needed to be done, which will be started as soon as the Club vacates the premises at the beginning of May.  We hope that this can be concluded within a month so that we can be open by early June.
    We wrote to all the residents who back onto the site asking for their views on our proposals. We confirmed that we would have no late night parties or rowdy meetings, or permit the sale of alcohol. So far we have had only comments that are very supportive of our ideas. We anticipate that the major use will be for mother/toddler groups for children up to the age of 4, for which there is an unmet need in the borough, given the high birth rate. 

    But we expect that there will be a demand from people and groups of all ages. We continue to ask for expressions of interest from local groups who wish to hire the hall for meetings, functions, parties, and so on. We do not expect to make a profit, but we will need to charge a modest rate for the hire to cover the cost of insurance, heating, lighting, and cleaning. We also need to have new volunteers to help take the bookings, and to be key holders who can open and close the building as necessary. 

    Please let any of the Committee members know if you might be interested in hiring the building, or if you are willing to help us run it. We are very excited by the potential prospects that the building will provide for social events of all kinds and for all ages.

    SUBSCRIPTIONS

    It’s that time of year again, when our hard working road stewards, who are all unpaid volunteers, will knock at your door and ask you to pay a subscription for the coming year to continue to be a member of the Association.  We remain the largest residents’ association in Merton and have some 2000 members. There is strength in such numbers, and the Council officers take us very seriously as an Association. We have been going since 1928, so please continue your subscription for the coming year. 

    This year the AGM decided to increase the membership fee from £2.50 to £3 a year, which must still be the best value in London. For that, you not only get membership of a very active organisation, which has secured major planning gains over the years, but also the monthly Guide.
    RAYNES PARK HEALTH CENTRE

    I went to the formal opening of the new health centre in Raynes Park, along with other members of the Association and local Councillors.  We have all been very supportive of the concept.  It’s an impressive building, designed by a firm of architects in New Malden. It combines two GP’s practices, has a pharmacy, and also has out-patient facilities for both the NHS Kingston Hospital and the private St Anthony’s Hospital.  The speeches were given by the Mayor, and Stephen Hammond MP, but principally by the driving force behind the scheme Dr Howard Freeman. It is clearly a model for the future, and we are lucky to have such a range of modern health facilities in our area.
     CHRISTMAS TREE
     
    We are already in May, though it still seems, when I write this in mid April, like winter.    I thought that you’d like to know that our efforts to get a decorated Christmas tree in Raynes Park have at last proved fruitful.   We learn that Waitrose is going to sponsor one by the station. Hurrah!

    John Elvidge
  • Surface Water Drainage Management

    Residents may be aware that under the Flood & Water Management Act of 2010, local authorities must be aware of all ordinary watercourses, such as culverts, streams or ditches, that are in their areas.
     
    However, main rivers like the Pyl and Beverley Brooks, remain the responsibility of the Environment Agency.
     
    To save administration costs, some adjacent Councils will work together, with one acting as lead council. Merton is thus the Lead Local Flood Authority for our area. They plan to draw up register of drainage assets that will be publically available.
     
    Jan Bailey, our honorary joint secretary has had a meeting with the Merton Highways Officer concerned and the Council’s Consultant, with view to ensuring they were apprised of the drainage issues in the Association’s area, including giving them copies of our archive information.
      
    Matters discussed included:
    • Confusion over responsibility for the culverted section of the East Pyl Brook;
    • Drainage from Cannon Hill Common,
    • Blockage of the underground stream near the Common;
    • The Raynes Park Playing Field culvert behind the Grand Drive cottages,
    • Riparian responsibility for the ditch to the west of the Meadowsweet Estate,
    • The flowback’ culvert at the start of the Pyl culvert,
    • The flowback protecting the railway line and West Barnes Lane,
    • The need to check the efficiency of the bleed from the open Pyl beside Raynes Park High School to the holding tank under Tesco’s car park and the need to check the state of the tank,
    • Problems of rainwater ponding and associated run-off from several open spaces.
    This is an ideal opportunity to ensure the Council’s register includes everything that forms part of the surface water drainage in our area.
     
    So, if any residents in the Association’s area (see Map) are aware of any culverts (apart from the Pyl which is already mapped), underground streams, springs etc close to their homes, do please contact Jan Bailey and let her know.

     

     

     

  • Insurance Tip

    Email received from:       Rosemary Lever (email address supplied)
    Date:        25th February 2013
     
    Re: Insurance for homes in floodplain areas
    For your information I have found Key Connect Home Insurance - a panel of leading insurers - useful in connection with obtaining house insurance in a floodplain area such as much of Raynes Park.  Their telephone number is 0845 4100 152 and email: keyconnect@heathlambert.com.  You may want to give this information to members, although it is a signpost, not necessarily a recommendation.

  • Safer Neighbourhood Team Alert

    Courier Fraud
    A particular type of fraud targeting elderly people is on the increase across London. Our aim is to raise awareness and provide some key crime prevention messages to the elderly and their circle of support - friends, family, neighbours etc.
     
    By raising awareness we will decrease the likelihood of people falling victim.
     
    The average age of the victim is 70 years old. The average loss is £4,000.
     
    The Method 
    1) The method varies but essentially involves a victim being telephoned (cold-called) by a suspect who alleges to be someone of authority (e.g, from the police, bank, Serious Fraud Office). The suspect tells the victim there is a problem with their bank account (like it has been compromised) and that their bank card must be collected.
     
    2) If the victim is unconvinced that the call is genuine they are instructed to hang up and call a genuine number – such as 999 or the telephone number on the rear of their bank card. However, the suspect keeps the telephone line open and so the call goes straight back to the fraudster who then deals with any subsequent call, convincing the victim of their authenticity.
     
    3) The victim is then content to reveal their bank details, namely the PIN.
     
    4) An often unwitting courier or taxi driver is sent to collect the victim’s card. The card is delivered to a second suspect, who then passes it on to the fraudster. The fraudster then empties the bank account.
     
    Key Messages
     
    Primary: (To potential victims, family, friends) Never give anyone your PIN or bank card – the police and banks will never ask for them.
     
    Secondary/supporting message(s):
    (To cabbies/couriers) Beware of collecting and delivering packages from elderly people as you may be assisting in a criminal offence.
     
    Reporting offences: If you have been a victim call the police on 101 or in an emergency by dialling 999. (Generally victims are elderly/vulnerable and therefore it is NOT appropriate to report this matter to Action Fraud).

         
    Communities Can Defeat Terrorism
    Terrorists live amongst us when they are planning attacks.
        
    We want you to look out for the unusual - some activity or behaviour which strikes you as not quite right and out of place in your normal day to day life.
     
    You may feel it’s probably nothing, but unless you trust your instincts and tell us we won’t be able to judge whether the information you have is important or not.
     
    Remember, no piece of information is considered too small or insignificant.  Our specially trained officers would rather take lots of calls which are made in good faith, but have innocent explanations - rather than not getting any at all.
     
    If you see or hear something that could be terrorist-related, trust your instincts and call the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.
     
    Your call could save lives.

  • Chairman's Report for the Year 2012/13

    CHAIRMAN’S REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE ASSOCIATION DURING 2012/13
     
     
    We have again been very active over the last 12 months in many areas, and I will detail these in a moment. But a major part of what we have been considering this year has been the future, and, in particular, whether we can use the great opportunity which has been provided by the move of the Raynes Park Lawn Tennis Club to its new premises, at the end of this April, to convert the pavilion at 129 Grand Drive to a meeting hall for the general use of our community.
     
    As I noted in my comments for the March Guide, we have had, ever since our foundation in 1928, the dream of setting up and running a meeting hall of our own, which could be used for a variety of social functions.  In the years between the wars, and in the immediate years after the second world war, the Association set up a number of associated activity groups, of which the Tennis Club was one. It ran children’s parties and even, I am told, arranged dances.  People had, of course, then no television, videos or play stations, and organised their own leisure.
     
    Money was raised to build a meeting hall, and we still have that money in our accounts, as the Treasurer will report. It has never been enough to build a new hall, and never will be, but it may be enough to enable us to convert the existing pavilion for community purposes. We will have a discussion about this later on in the AGM.
     
    What we feel is very important is that the age profile of our members has  changed. The membership now consists largely of those, like my generation, who were the baby boomers brought up after the war, but who are getting on a bit.  We need to attract back into the Association as active members the younger families moving into the area with children.
     
    We believe that if we can convert the pavilion at an affordable cost to a warm and welcoming place to come, then we can use it for a variety of purposes that will suit people of all ages. The more elderly of us can use it to drop in for coffee or tea for a chat, or to listen to a talk. Parents could bring their babies or toddlers for a play group. One of the tennis courts could be converted into a play area. The hall could be used for the scouts, as a practice room for musicians, and for general meetings. The March issue of the Guide sets out other examples of possible use, and asks for expressions of interest.
     
    In the last ten years, which coincides with the period during which I have been privileged to be your Chairman, we have been forced to concentrate our attention on the endless waves of major planning applications.  These have resulted in large new residential developments of flats and town houses near Waitrose in Raynes Park, at the Royal and Sun Alliance site off Fairway, on the Lessa site, and at St Catherine’s. We need to attract into the Association these new residents, many of whom have children, and who will be our future lifeblood.
     
    We are not yet done with planning applications. Over the year we have seen off, through a concerted effort by local residents, councillors, and us, [alternatively use: ‘this Association’] the proposal made by the All England Lawn Tennis Club to build on part of the playing fields surrounded by Grand Drive, Southway, Elm Walk, and Cannon Hill Lane.  This may well come again in a different form.  And we still have to keep an eye on the long term protection of Prince George’s Playing Fields for open recreation.
     
    We have also seen off for the moment the absurd proposal to make a development of multiple flats in the enclosed area this side of the station which is called the Rainbow Industrial Estate. As the name suggests it is zoned for business use, but has apparently been allowed to run down so that now its owners want to build housing there, despite the single road access and its being surrounded by railway tracks. We protested strongly when the planning department produced a planning brief without any reference to the residents which gave away the principle that the site should be retained for business use and that housing should not be permitted. They were forced to retreat, but next year some proposal for housing will again come forward, which we will oppose as strongly as necessary.
     
    One of our objections to this development is that it reduces the chances of getting a dropping and picking up area this side of the station, which would be greatly welcomed by those with luggage or with mobility problems. We are continuing to try to find a way to provide for this need.
     
    On a more positive note, the centre of Raynes Park has been adjudged to be one of the best secondary shopping areas in London. The opening of Waitrose, which we supported, has helped this, but members of our committee [along with representatives of other local Associations] did a lot over a number of years to produce this success story. This included the removal of unsightly advertising hoardings, the clearance of debris on both sides of the railway embankments, more user friendly parking controls, better lighting,  and an improved street scene, including, at last, a tree on the Coombe Lane side of the station. Part of its success is that it has a Crown Post Office which supplies all the services of a main post office. We will fight as hard as we can to stop the proposal of its being franchised out to a retail store, which would mean that the level of service would be much reduced.
     
    On another proposed service reduction, we were pleased to see that our objections, together with those of many others, including Stephen Hammond MP, to the alteration of railway services on the Thameslink loop line were successful.
     
    On Cannon Hill Common we were able in the end, after three incursions of travellers’ cars and caravans, to stop them.  The placing of large logs, which we suggested from the outset, seems to have worked to stop future invasions.
     
     
     
     
     
    I want, as ever, to thank the members of the Committee for their tireless efforts behind the scenes to protect and improve local amenities, and to mention in particular our Area Co-Ordinators and Road Stewards who deliver our Guides each month. These are such a large part of our ability to keep in touch with our members.
     
    While it is always invidious to single out individuals when so many have helped, I must mention some key names.  Our joint secretaries, Jill Truman and Jan Bailey have continued to work well beyond the call of duty, despite their family commitments.  Jill is also the Editor of the Guide, which has gone from strength to strength, and keeps us up to date on the Coombe Lane area. Jan knows everything that’s happening and whom to approach on the Council and utilities to get things done. She not only knows every watercourse, but gets filthy herself keeping them running freely.  David Freeman continues to act as our planning expert, provides reasoned objections, and makes widely respected oral comments at planning meetings. He is a beacon of common sense. He is now assisted by Jerry Cuthbert who has been a tower of strength this past year in so many ways, not least in assisting us as to the future of the pavilion. Pamela Robinson continues to keep an eye on the planning lists, and to notify us of any design concerns, as well as assiduously attending the local forums. Rachel Skinner gives us her expert advice on transport issues and on the web site, despite her job and her children. The website is now an important part of our ability to keep people informed. I also want to thank our Web Master, Charles Briscoe-Smith for his help.
     
    We were pleased to welcome onto the Committee last year Linda Fitch and Christine Rowe. Linda has successfully taken over the important task of advertising manager for the Guide, and Christine, with her experience, has greatly assisted us with the future of the Pavilion, and with questions of insurance and health and safety.  John Townsend is our Treasurer, and has put our finances on the soundest possible footing. Brian Lavender-Lewis continues to act as our Honorary Auditor, and I thank him too.
     
    Andrew Barwick has been our Distribution Manager which means that he is responsible for getting the Guides to us, and liaising with all our Area Co-Ordinators and Road Stewards. He and David have also been of great help in deciding on the future of the Pavilion. I would also like to mention Peter Connellan, who keeps us in touch with the Shannon Corner area, and John Hughes for organising the postal Guides.
     
    Our area covers 3 wards, Raynes Park, West Barnes, and Cannon Hill, and all of our 9 councillors have helped us greatly. I would like to thank them all.
     
    These are exciting times for us as an Association. I hope to be able to report by next year real progress towards having a meeting hall of our own. The running of this will require new active members, and I am confident that we will be able to find them to make it a success.
     
    John Elvidge, Chairman.
    20 March 2013
  • Chairman's Blog - March 2013

    A COMMUNITY HALL AT 129 GRAND DRIVE 
    Raynes Park Lawn Tennis Club is moving to its new home down Grand Drive from May 1st, where it will have 5 state of the art tennis courts and a new pavilion. We wish it well.  The Club will no longer need its existing pavilion at 129 Grand Drive, which services its existing 3 courts.  This creates an exciting opportunity for the Association to turn it into a community hall for general use. The Club is one of the many social and sporting organisations that set up under the umbrella of the Residents’ Association.  The Association was formed in 1928 by the people buying the new houses built here as part of the vast expansion of London suburbs between the wars. The people coming to Raynes Park and West Barnes were energetic and youthful, and, before the advent of TV and computers, made their own entertainment. They founded a multitude of active clubs and societies.
     
    Some of these groups still exist, such as the horticultural society, the bowling and swimming clubs, and the West Barnes Singers. Others, such as the photographic society, fell by the wayside as people’s leisure interests changed. Older members can still remember when the Association organised a children’s party at Christmas, and even dinner dances!
     
    The dream always was that the Association would be able to have a community hall of its own, which could be used by all these groups, and for all the other meetings and gatherings that local people wanted to organise. Over the years money was gathered to pay for such a hall, and a substantial sum was raised with a view to building our own Centre. These funds are still available though they are well short of what would be required these days for a new building.  We could not afford this.
     
    But now we have in this area a great increase in the number of young children, and a community hall is needed for mother and toddler groups, nursery groups, and other activities for younger children. Our community is at the same time living longer, and older people would like to have warm and comfortable surroundings where they could go to meet their friends for a coffee and a chat, play card games, or listen to a talk.
     
    The pavilion was built well over 40 years ago, along with the 3 existing courts. These are reached by a walkway off Grand Drive and via a path from Crossway.  Despite its age the pavilion is in pretty good condition, and has been lovingly maintained over the years.  It is already designated in planning terms for public use. The building is sound, but it is obviously a pavilion.  It would be necessary to update the kitchen and toilets, put in year round heating, improve the windows, and refurbish and redecorate it.
     
    The Committee has made no decisions, other than this is an opportunity that should be explored in detail.  We are not spending any money at this stage, but the Committee is drawing up a list of what needs to be done to bring it up to 21st century standards. We then aim to seek quotations from reputable builders as to the likely cost. It may be that we can afford the capital costs; it may be that we cannot, but we ought to find out.
     
    We also need to work out how such a hall would be managed.  We would need a small group of people to manage it, e.g. the opening and closing, keeping an eye on the maintenance, and taking the bookings.
     
    The running costs of the building, such as heating and cleaning, need not be great, but we would need to ensure financial viability. Clearly, the more we can do for ourselves the better. Some extra hands to help with these additional tasks would be greatly welcomed.
     
    We also need to assess also what groups would want to use it, for a small fee that would help meet the running costs.  If you are interested in using the building, or know someone who might be, please let us know by clicking here for further details and for the link to send us your suggestions.
     
    We are not thinking of extending the size of the existing pavilion, so that the tennis courts will remain, either for use as overflow courts for the tennis club, or for use for coaching. It may be that in time, one or more of them could be converted for use as a playground for young children, or used for other sports.
     
    We hope to bring these proposals, with some initial costs, to the AGM on Wednesday 20th March so that residents, including, of course, those whose houses back onto the site can let us know what they think before we commit ourselves in any way.
     
    POST OFFICE CLOSURE? 
    Residents will remember that it was only a couple of years ago that the very popular and well used post office in Coombe Lane was closed down as part of the cost cutting of Royal Mail. It was said to be within a mile of the main post office in Amity Grove in the centre of Raynes Park, and so not necessary. This office is a Crown office, which is directly owned by Royal Mail, and does nothing else.  Now we learn that the Raynes Park office is under threat, and may itself be closed, unless it can be franchised as part of another retail store. You do wonder why Royal Mail is still, we are told, losing £40 million per annum, when they continue to have a monopoly over postal services, and stamps now cost a minimum of 50 pence. We will add our voice to the very many people who want and need a main post office in the centre of Raynes Park. A 6 week consultation is being planned to gather local views.
     
    THAMESLINK LOOP LINE SAVED
    We reported last year that there were plans to stop through trains running across London from South Merton, Wimbledon Chase, and Wimbledon on the loop line to St.Paul’s, Farringdon, St. Pancras and through to Luton and Bedford.  Instead it was being proposed that they would all stop at Blackfriars after 2018 where you’d have to change and wait.  This proposal was opposed by not only us, but all the political parties, as well as Stephen Hammond, the MP for Wimbledon.  We are very pleased that the Government has now instructed Network Rail to ensure that the rail service remains intact.
     
    AGM 
    The Annual General Meeting of the Association is being held at the Meeting Hall behind Raynes Park Library on Wednesday March 20, starting at 7.30 pm. We hope that Stephen Hammond will be able to attend at the beginning of the meeting. After the formalities, we will have a chance to talk through other local issues, including our suggestions for a community hall of our own. Do come. We’ll even give you a glass of wine! Click here for the agenda.
     
    John Elvidge

  • Sutton & Merton NHS - Urgent Medical Help

    New 111 number to call for urgent medical help in Sutton & Merton

    A new three digit number - 111 - that will make it easier for patients in Sutton & Merton to access urgent NHS healthcare has been launched.
     
    NHS 111 is a new telephone service to help you access local health services. If you live in the London Boroughs of Sutton and Merton, you can now call 111 when you need medical help fast, but it isn't a 999 emergency. For less urgent health needs, you should still contact your GP or local pharmacist in the normal way.

    NHS 111 is free to call from landlines and mobile phones and is a fast and easy way to get the right help – whatever your need, wherever you are, and whatever the time. NHS 111 is staffed by a team of fully trained advisers, supported by experienced clinicians, who will ask you questions to assess your symptoms, give you the healthcare advice you need and direct you to the right local service as quickly as possible. This can include a doctor, walk-in centre or urgent care centre, community nurses, emergency dentist or late-opening chemist.

    The line will be staffed round the clock, 365 days a year. Calls from landlines and mobile phones are free – just like 999. The number can be used when you need help fast but it is not life threatening, or when you do not know who to call.
    You should call 111 if:
    • it's not a 999 emergency
    • you think you need to go to A&E or another NHS urgent care service
    • you don't think it can wait for an appointment with your GP, or
    • you don't know who to call for medical help

    For more routine health needs, you should still contact your GP or dentist in the usual way, and for immediate, life-threatening emergencies, continue to call 999.
  • Fraud Prevention

    A Fraud Prevention Team called Operation Sterling is working on fraud prevention calling "Courier Fraud" crimes.  As you may or may not be aware "Courier fraud” is a real issue at the moment, and has been for over a year now. Certainly in the Metropolitan Police area we are recording daily crimes - on average ten a day. Our priority at present is to work on this fraud which is increasingly affecting the elderly and vulnerable.
     
    The method used is to cold-call the victim at home on their landline number. The suspect then either pretends to be the police or from the victim’s bank. The suspect will say that their bank account has been compromised and that in order to investigate it, and catch the culprits, the card needs to be collected ASAP for forensic or other issues.

    Victims are then asked for the pin number to the card which they may give verbally over the telephone (via clever social engineering) or they may be asked to key-in the pin number on their telephone keypad.  This enables a simple "App" called "Blue Box", for example, to decode the tones of the number keyed in.  Social engineering aside, the telephone allows the suspect to successfully obtain the pin number.  Then to verify that the call is ‘genuine’, the victim is advised to phone his or her bank or the Police to confirm what they have just been told. Meanwhile the victim's line has been held open by the suspect (who does not hang up at their end and can thus glean further information). Once the victim is convinced, a "courier" is sent round to his or her address to collect the card. The courier is more often than not an innocent cab driver but can be the suspects themselves.
     
    Much work has been done via Transport for London regarding  prevention work streams for the cab companies etc, but Please be aware; neither the police or bank will ever ask for your PIN so don't give it out.
  • Morley Park Update

    Wolfson planning application
    The application has now been approved by the Council subject to finalisation of a  Section 106 agreement (i.e. the contributions that the developer has to make to make on affordable housing, education, highways etc).  There have been significant improvements since the initial plans were put on public display but one area of the Metropolitan Open Land that stretches between the Wolfson and Firs sites will become part of a private garden which we believe is not an appropriate use.  The improvements on the original proposals, which were achieved thanks to the efforts of Morley Park Trust and the Wimbledon Society are:
    A bit more Metropolitan Open Land into Morley Park on the west of the Wolfson site, which was previously shown as private garden for the new houses
    • an east/west path through the Morley Park woodland
    • clearing of a step free route down through the woodland from the Copse Hill entrance to the ecology area of the park
    • a slightly wider and greener approach to the park from Copse Hill
    • fence along the northern park boundary
    Here is a link to a plan showing the revised Copse Hill park entrance and paths http://tinyurl.com/c74l9pl.
    The additional parcels of land going into Morley Park are outlined with a black dotted line.

    Morley Park works and management
    The work required to create the new park has been delayed again.  This is due to delays in agreeing the detail of the drainage works to be done.  Agreement on this is expected soon and the last we heard from Berkeley Homes is that they expect work to start in January 2013.  If this is achieved the park should be ready to hand over to the council in autumn 2014.  The final plans for the pavilion in the park also haven’t been agreed yet and they will be subject to a planning application.  This could potentially result in additional delays.

    The Council appears reluctant to talk to the local community or Morley Park Trust about their plans for the park until closer to the handover date.  We are however aware that the Council has been discussing with the Ursuline High School the arrangements under which they will use the playing fields in the park.  One of the options being considered earlier this year was a 99 year lease.  We do not know if this option is still being considered and we are not clear on how a long term lease would work for facilities which will be part of a public park.  The granting of a long lease to a school would have major implications for the long term financial sustainability of the park and the ability of a community group, such as Morley Park Trust to take on the management of the park.  The Council has said it will not consider Morley Park Trust’s Expression of Interest to manage the park until it has transferred into its ownership.  This date keeps slipping as the works on the park are delayed.
       
    Jane Barnes
    Morley Park Trust / LUNG
    February 2013
    07932646775

     

     

     

  • Fighting Traffic Penalty Tickets

    A letter received from one of our members, dated December 2012:
      
     
    Driving from Raynes Park to Catford in July, I allegedly made a simple driving mistake, according to the powers that be. I appealed the Charge Certificate to Lambeth Council when I received the consequent fine. Thereby a bureaucratic nightmare ensued.   Unknown to me the appeal was rejected and I  received a penalty that tripled my fine to £195 backed up by  threats of bailiffs.
     
    After a battle I have received apologies for maladministration and all costs have been rescinded. I have drawn a line under this episode.
     
    Discussing this with friends  I am appalled to discover others have been treated in a similar manner and  I feel deeply for all, in particular to those who are vulnerable, such as older pensioners, who are for the most part impoverished and fearful of anything legal.  Pursuing my own matter, I have discovered local council authorities throughout the UK are consciously and flagrantly breaking the law with impunity due to Parliamentary ineptitude. The whole shambles is immoral, cowardly and totally unacceptable and should be challenged.
     
    Your readers may find my contention hard to believe, simply sour grapes perhaps on my part, but harbouring some recollection of debates around controversial schemes at Dorset Rd, Hartfield Rd, CPZ and the ridiculous box layout under the bridge at Raynes Park, I suggest that members of our community would be well advised to click onto the following web sites. 
     
    and select Yellow Box Junctions from its side menu, and
    (b)   http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmtran/872/872.pdf
    (c)    www.appealnow.com
     
    There they will find the weapons that enabled me to mount a knowledgeable, successful, appeal.
  • Postal Collections in Raynes Park

    royalmail

    Whilst most of us use the post less than in the past, it may just be worth remembering where there is a later postal collection locally, should we need it at any time.Latest Postal Collections in London SW20 and Surrounding Area

     

  • Chairman's Blog - January 2013

    PROPOSALS FOR A NEW SCHOOL
     
    You may remember that last year there was a proposal to build a new primary school in this area. This fell through since it was not granted funding through the government’s schemes for free schools.  These plans have been resurrected by a consortium of Christian churches in response to the lack of school places in the areas of Raynes Park, Motspur Park, and this side of New Malden. The local Guardian reports that the consortium is led by the Chapel Street Community Schools Trust, which is based in Crown Lane, Morden, and is supported by the YMCA, Raynes Park Community Church, and Roehampton University, as well as by the Doxa Deo group which made the unsuccessful bid last year. It is intended that the focus will be on music, and that there will be lots of parental involvement.
     
    There is an undoubted need for more primary school places in this side of Merton, given the local baby boom.
     
    The proposed school will only be granted funding if it teaches the national curriculum. The proposers promise that although the ethos of the school will be shaped by Christian values, children of all faiths or none will be welcomed.
     
    No site has yet been identified, and it may well have to be over the borough boundary in Kingston.  There will undoubtedly be planning constraints to be overcome.
     
    The Association has not taken any official view on the proposal, which has to be worked up very soon to meet the government’s timetable for funding to open in September 2014. But the Chancellor set more money aside in his Autumn Statement for new ‘free’ schools, so it might well have a chance of coming to fruition.
     
    NELSON HOSPITAL
     
    Residents will have noticed that the Nelson Hospital is now boarded up, in order to begin the development of the site. Residents in Manor Gardens behind the site lost their planning battle to object to the building of a 51 bed retirement home by McCarthy and Stone. The car park next to the Nelson is to be sold and the proceeds used to fund the conversion of the Hospital itself into a local care centre.
     
    The GP’s practices in Cannon Hill Lane and Church Lane are due to move there on completion, and there will be other new facilities. The proposals are part of the NHS south west London Better Health Closer to Home initiative.
     
    ST HELIER HOSPITAL
     
    Meanwhile, the consultation on the wider proposals for St. Helier Hospital has been postponed indefinitely. Having had excellent treatment there myself recently, I can only hope that it will continue to provide the range of major services, including Accident and Emergency, and Maternity, that cannot easily be reached in alternative hospitals by local residents.
     
    HAPPY NEW YEAR!
     
    It only remains for me to wish all of you everything good that you’d like for you and yours in this New Year of 2013.
     
    John Elvidge
     
  • Chairman's Blog - December 2012

    holly
    Free Parking at Weekends
    The Council has announced that car parking in Council owned car parks is to be free of charge during the weekends leading up to Christmas. This is in a bid to attract shoppers to the town centres, which need a boost. It is estimated to cost the Council (i.e. us) £60,000 which will be taken out of the contingency fund.  There appear to be no plans to waive or reduce the meter charges during the same period, which would be of greater help to the shops outside Wimbledon and Morden, such as those in Raynes Park.
     
    E-book lending from Libraries 
    I understand that those who use the excellent libraries in West Barnes and Raynes Park  will soon be able to download e- books into their own computers on the same short term free basis as books have always been lent.  How this works is beyond my technical knowledge, but it is a very exciting development for the many people who now prefer to use portable readers than to lug books around. There should be no reason in principle why e- books could not be downloaded at the railway stations either!   Merton has always had a first class library service, which councils of all political persuasions have protected as best they could against the demand of other local services. The library service was one of the first, for example, to introduce lending of records and CD’s, and to microfiche documents.  This new facility will be widely welcomed.
     
    Travellers on Cannon Hill Common
     The local Councillors organised a public meeting on 13th November to discuss how best to prevent the incursions of travellers and others onto Cannon Hill Common, which has no railings to protect it, unlike almost all other parks. The parks officer addressed the meeting and said that there were really three possible options, which all had cost implications.  The cheapest and easiest was to continue the process of placing large tree logs along the edge of the Common, which was scenically attractive and helped bio-diversity. The second was to have some kind of wooden barriers at intervals. The third was to create a series of ditches, with foot bridges over.  There were some 30 people present, including representatives from the Association and from the Friends of Cannon Hill Common, and they were asked to express their views as to the available options in a secret ballot. These will be taken into account in guiding the Council’s decision.
     
    The meeting was also told that the insurance money, which the Council received from the arson attack which burned down the Pavilion, is still earmarked for use somewhere on the Common.
     
    Street Cleaning 
    The frequency of street cleaning has been explained in a meeting with those responsible for the Raynes Park area.  What is supposed to happen is that all streets are cleaned on the day after the rubbish collection, since it was impossible to co-ordinate this on the day itself. The dustmen are supposed to clear up any mess that they create.
     
    4 times a year each street gets a “deep clean“, when weeds are removed, areas sprayed, and any accumulated dirt removed.  In the autumn there is an additional “leaf team”.
     
    One of the main problems in cleaning the street surfaces in Raynes Park is chewing gum. This is time- consuming and costly, and is not deemed to be part of the normal responsibility of cleaners. However, the Council is looking at new ways of removing gum, and so they may be able to get rid of it in future.
     
     
    Christmas Party
    The annual party for members of the Residents’ Association is being held at the Tennis Pavilion off Grand Drive on Tuesday 11th December.  We meet at 8 pm to have an hour’s open discussion of anything that anybody wants to raise, and then go into party mode from 9 for an hour and a half. There will be, as usual, lots to eat and drink, including beer and wine.  Everyone is welcome, and we would be delighted to meet and greet some new people. So do come!
     
     
    John Elvidge
    holly
  • Morden Town Centre - Road Closure

    road worksroad_closed

    Urgent News of Road Closure 27-28 October 2012.

    Morden Road will be closed north bound only from the junction of Kenley Road to outside the medical centre for emergency repairs to a failing reinstatement in the carriageway. The closure will come into force from 21.00 on Saturday 27th October and will remaining place until 23.59 on Sunday 28th October. There will be a period when no works will be in progress; this time is required to allow for the concrete to cure before the final surface reinstatement is completed.

    CLICK HERE FOR MAP

  • The St Helier Pub Group - The Inspector's Decision

    (Formerly The Campaign for the Morden Tavern)
    This report is by the St Helier Pub Group, a local organisation set up to try to save the pub site from development and preserve it for use by the St Helier its local community.
     
    st_helier_pubThe Campaign was saddened to receive the news that the Planning Inspector upheld the appeal by the developer Reef Estates to build Shops and Flats on the Morden Tavern site. The community put up a great fight to save this community asset and we thought our business plan to turn the Morden Tavern into a multi use pub and community centre was a real winner. Sad as we are we still believe the battle was worth fighting and that we should be proud of the parts we all played in this David vs. Goliath battle.
     
    What now?
     
    It is safe to assume that the developer will be quick to begin work on the site and destroy our heritage.  The SHPG will be watching carefully to ensure that they do not try to expand the development and that they stick to the letter of their application. The Campaign will not yet disband as we will be working to realise some form of community bar on the site if the business figures are conducive to this outcome.
     
    Facebook: Campaign for Morden Tavern   Twitter: @SaveMordenTav

  • Community Safe - November 2012

    Crime Prevention regarding Motor Vehicles
    October and November are traditionally two of the busiest months of the year for crime on Raynes Park and West Barnes Wards so now is a good time to remind yourself how you can significantly reduce your chances of being a victim of crime by taking some simple steps.
     
    Theft from motor vehicles remains the highest type of crime committed in this area with cars left unlocked overnight and cars left near sports grounds being targeted. A man has recently been charged with 2 counts of handling stolen goods regarding SatNavs stolen from the West Barnes Ward overnight. I suspect more than one person is responsible for this so it is well worth checking your car is locked before going to bed. We have had several reports of young men seen walking down streets in the middle of the night trying car door handles.
     
    Sports Lockers
    We have had no reports of lockers at sports venues being broken into in the last 6 months but quite a few reports of cars being forcibly entered. Our advice is to take your property with you otherwise the offenders may see you put your expensive phone into the boot of your car then while the car park is quiet with everyone at the match the car is broken into.
     
    If you require any further information or would like to contact the Raynes Park or West Barnes Safer Neighbourhoods Team please see our details below.
     
    Sgt Graham Chapman 54VW
    RaynesPark.SNT@met.police.uk or 0208 721 2459
    WestBarnes.SNT@met.police.uk or 0208 721 2454

    Police urge residents to ‘think like a burglar’ over the Autumn Nights
    As the nights draw in, the Met commences Operation ‘Autumn Nights’, its seasonal awareness campaign to combat burglary, robbery and anti-social behaviour. With clocks due to go back an hour on Sunday 28th October and both Halloween and bonfire night approaching, residents become more vulnerable to burglars as the evenings get darker and burglars find it easy to identify unoccupied homes left in the dark.
    So people of Merton Borough, here are the top ten tips for crime prevention from the Met!

    1. Mark or etch your property with your postcode, house or flat number or the first three letters of your house name.
    2. Register items with a serial number at http://www.immobilise.com/
    3.  Do not leave your car keys, valuables or documents near a door, letterbox or window.
    4. Always check who's at the door and don't open it if you feel anxious.
    5. Close and lock all your doors and windows, even if you are only going out for a few minutes.
    6. Keep your valuables out of sight.
    7. Leave some lights on if it will be dark before you get home.
    8. Fit a mortice lock to your front door and other external doors. Consider installing a burglar alarm.
    9. Always keep sheds and outbuildings locked.
    10. Cancel milk or other deliveries if you will be away for days or weeks at a time.

    Sgt Danny Smith 21VW
    0208 721 1452/7
    WimbledonPark.snt@met.police.uk
    Village@met.police.uk

  • Chairman's Blog - November 2012

    TRAVELLERS ON CANNON HILL COMMON
     
    I was too optimistic in my comments last month when I hoped that placing some large logs along Cannon Hill Lane would prevent Travellers from returning there with their cars and caravans. As residents will know, they did come back twice, and again had to be removed.  It is a pity that the responsible Council officers did not do what many residents and Councillors asked them to do in the first place, which was to block off all possible means of vehicular access by putting logs right along the edge of the Common where it fronts Cannon Hill Lane.
     
    It is very possible that the Travellers might in future seek also to gain access from Parkway. This may have to be prevented by placing some kind of discrete small wooden barriers here too. This would be a great pity visually, but would be better than the alternative.  Residents should be fully consulted on this, before any are installed.
     
    Protection is also needed in the Joseph Hood Recreation Ground, where there is direct access by road from Martin Way.
     
    RAYNES PARK CENTRE IS TOP!
     
    The Evening Standard reported that London’s best performing high street is Raynes Park, where less than two per cent of the shops are currently unoccupied.   This is 10 per cent up on last year according to a survey that involved researchers visiting more than 500 smaller town high streets across Britain. This has bucked the trend for on line shopping and the low levels of consumer spending, which has decimated some local retail centres.
     
    This success has not happened by accident, but is the result of a great deal of hard work, not least by members of this Association.  There have been a large number of meetings between members of local residents’ associations, and Councillors to work out with the Council a sensitive plan for the whole area. This needed to take into account how best to provide shops, cafes, and business premises that people really want and need.  A large part of the success story is due to the efforts made to remove the advertising hoardings, tidy up the railway embankment, and to provide better pedestrian access around the station.
     
    What remains to be done is to improve the visual appearance of the Approach Road/Grand Drive side of the railway, and a key element of this will be to provide a viable stopping point for cars setting down and picking up rail passengers.  This is not physically possible on the Coombe Lane side.
     
    Further improvements can be made by adjusting the parking controls, so that residents can park for up to 2 hours to use the shops and restaurants, while keeping out commuter traffic.  The Association has recently submitted our proposals to emphasise this, as part of the Council’s overall parking review.
     
    CABINET MEMBERS FROM MERTON
     
    I mentioned last week that Stephen Hammond MP has been appointed as a Minister in the Transport Department.  He is now responsible, among other things, for Road Safety. It may be of some general interest to note that two members of the Cabinet started off their political careers as members of Merton Council, representing areas in Wimbledon. Theresa May, who has been Home Secretary since the start of the coalition government, was formerly deputy leader of Merton, and Chris Grayling, the new Justice Secretary, was a Councillor in Dundonald Ward for some years.
     
     
    John Elvidge

  • Chairman's Blog - October 2012

    CARAVANS ON CANNON HILL COMMON
    Residents around Cannon Hill Common were appalled to find last month that caravans and cars had been parked on Cannon Hill Common near the Lake, and that fly tipping had already occurred.  The Travellers were able to get onto the Common from Cannon Hill Lane since there was nothing to prevent them getting over the kerb. The locked gate, of course, only prevents access along the road.
     
    Our former President Garry Hunt pointed out that he had warned of this possibility over a year ago and suggested that tree trunks be placed along the road to prevent this happening.  This was following the unauthorised use of the same land for car parking for a picnic by members of a local Korean Church.
     
    Following urgent requests by the Friends of Cannon Hill Common, local residents, Councillors, and us, we were pleased to see that the Council officers took immediate action to remove the vehicles, and that the tree trunks are now in place.  We hope that this will be enough to stop any repetition.
     
    Cannon Hill must be unique in London as being a council owned park that is unfenced. (It is not actually a designated Common). We hope that it will long remain unfenced, and that this is the last time that any incursion like this happens.
     
    STEPHEN HAMMOND MP
     
    We congratulate our local MP on his appointment in the re-shuffle as a Minister at the Department of Transport.  We hope that in this capacity, he will be able to scotch the proposed plan to axe the cross London Thameslink service which I commented on last month.  You can see his views in opposition to this idea from the letter that he wrote to me just before his appointment. We intend to do our best to see that he doesn’t have to change his mind owing to Treasury considerations. You can see our correspondence in the letters section.
     
    He may be able to influence also the decision on where to site extra airport capacity in London. It seems that the business case for a London hub is well made out, and that there needs to be either a third runway at Heathrow or a new airport near the Thames in Kent or Essex. We have no view as an Association about this, but my strongly held personal view, which will, I suspect, be shared by many others, is that a new airport on the Kent marshes is the obvious solution.
     
    We are lucky at the moment in this area that we are not on the direct flight path either into or out of Heathrow, nor do planes usually have to bank above us.  We are therefore blissfully spared from airport noise either by day or night. If there is a third runway at Heathrow, all this could change.
     
    All planes coming into London from the east fly along the Thames to Heathrow. It seems blindingly obvious that the best place for an airport would be somewhere in the Kent marshes. There are two worked up and costed proposals to do so on land that is otherwise unattractive. It would help the need for further housing in the south east, and prevent the nibbling away of the green belt.  If the Olympic stadium can be planned and built in six years, with superb rail links, to Stratford International from St. Pancras, I can’t see why a decision can’t be made now. I’m with Boris Johnson and Justine Greening on this one!
     
    EASING OF PLANNNG RESTRAINTS
     
    As an area which has suffered in recent years from overbuilding of housing, we view with some alarm the idea that planning restraints should be eased for three years to help kick start the economy by building yet more houses and flats.   We will comment further when we see exactly what the Government is proposing.
     
    CYCLING ON FOOTPATHS
     
    I commented last month on the fact that cyclists, particularly in Raynes Park, did not dismount but cycled instead through the arches, and on the pavement to avoid the build-up of traffic at the Grand Drive lights, paying no regard to pedestrians. I have had further correspondence from an irate resident in Grand Drive. She points out that cycling on the footway is in direct contravention of the 1835 Highways Act.  This makes no exception for children, but, of course, children under 10 are below the age of criminal responsibility. In September 2009 the Department of Transport issued a police liaison newsletter drawing attention to the £30 fixed penalty notice that should be used for dangerous cyclists over the age of 17.
     
    I repeat that no one can reasonably object, given the dangerous state of our roads, to cyclists using the pavement to avoid danger. But they have to do slowly and with proper regard to pedestrians. If they don’t then the police should enforce the law and hand out penalty notices. Cyclists who jump the lights, or cycle without lights at night, should be similarly penalised.
     
    Thank you
    Finally a big ‘Thank you’ on his retirement, to Chris Boa, of West Barnes Lane.  We very much appreciate his tireless effort over many years as one of our trusty Road representatives, and wish him all the very best for the future.
     
    John Elvidge
     

  • Friends of Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing Field

    joseph_hoodUpdate – September 2012

    This last summer has seen a fantastic number of visitors of all ages using the facilities: the paddling pool, Rascals soft play, the multi-sports courts, tennis, and lots of groups using the park for sports and fitness training.

    Despite cuts in park services, we are working with the council to try and maintain the standards.

    Our café has once again been popular. We try to keep prices low but enough to make some profit which is reinvested back into the park. Last year we bought a picnic table for the playground, new tables and chairs for the café, a new freezer and refitted the café. We continue our association with the award winning Kingstonian Ice-cream Company. The café continues during the winter football season and is open on Sunday mornings when there are matches.

    Our main aim this year is to replace the existing fitness trail for the large number of groups and individuals who use the park for fitness. What would you like to see? Would you use a new fitness trail? Our bid for grants will be strengthened by a large number of potential users, so please get in touch.

    If you are not currently a member of the Friends group, please do join us. It is only £2 per family per year and entitles you to half price tennis!

    The Friends would also benefit from advice/support from any sports minded people

    www.friendsofsjh.org

    contactus@friendsofsjh.org

  • Warning "Distraction" Burglar

    COMMUNITYSAFE.GOV.UK

    Warning ‘Distraction’  Burglar
    Residents should be aware of a suspect who has recently entered several houses purporting to be a gas engineer. This happened in the Copse Hill/Cottenham Park area on Friday afternoon 17th August at approx. 4.30pm.  The suspect is described as very confident with appearance as follows:

    MALE/WHITE/ 5’09”/ MID 20’s/ GINGER HAIR/SLIM BUILD/GREY TOP WITH “WORM” TYPE LOGO/ JEANS/BLUE SHOES

    Whilst inside the properties he has examined boilers, radiators and meters. On one occasion he asked the occupier to remain outside looking at the meter while he did something inside to the boiler. Luckily the occupier didn’t allow this to happen and followed him everywhere he went. The suspect left the address stating he would return in a couple of hours to fix some of the radiators. He then got into a white van and drove off and didn’t return. On this occasion no property was taken.

    Please be aware of any unexpected callers. Always ask to see identification. If still unsure, check with your utility provider that they have arranged a visit or call police.
    Genuine callers/engineers will always be happy to wait whilst you verify their identity.

    If the caller makes excuses and tries to either get into your property before the checks are done or make off, you should call 999 as they are potentially a distraction burglar.

    We would rather this information was called in as an emergency as it is much more difficult to trace these suspects after the event.
    If you have any information about this or had a similar call, the burglary team at Wimbledon would be interested in speaking to you.
    Please contact us and we can put them in touch.
    PS 21VW Danny Smith
    Wimbledon Park & Wimbledon Village Safer Neighbourhood Teams, C/O Wimbledon Police Station, 15-18 Queens Road
    Wimbledon, SW19-8NN
    Mobile: 0208 721 2452/7
    Email: WimbledonPark.snt@met.police.uk
    Village@met.police.uk
  • Chairman's Blog - September 2012

    CYCLING ON PAVEMENTS
     
    A very angry resident wrote to me from her address in the lower part of Grand Drive about cyclists who come onto the pavement to avoid the queue of vehicles at the traffic lights. She said that they take little notice of pedestrians, and are rude, and dangerous. I drew this to the attention of the local police, and asked what enforcement action the police took generally about adult cyclists using the pavement, and pointed out that we also have complaints about cyclists not dismounting in the tunnels under the railway. The reply I got was that the police were aware of the problem but the only action they took was to warn the offenders.
     
    We know that the roads are very dangerous for cyclists, particularly at junctions, and that over 20 cyclists a year are killed in London alone each year.  I used to own a cycle but gave this up when I realised that I had no control whatever over whether a car would avoid me. No one, I suppose,  would wish to stop young children cycling on the pavement where the alternative is a busy road, provided they do so with proper regard to the safety and comfort of the pedestrians for whom the pavements are intended.
     
    Given that we are unlikely ever to have the sort of cycle lanes that they have in Holland, the only answer is for responsibility on the part of both motorists and cyclists. Motorists need to give cyclists a wide berth, and to hold back from overtaking except where it’s safe. But cyclists need to get off their cycles when going onto pavements which are narrow and where there are lots of pedestrians, such as is the case with the approach roads to the station. If they won’t do so willingly, then the police should enforce the law.
     
    My own view is that the time has come for cyclists also to carry some form of registration, so that the small minority that pay little regard to pedestrians, who are aggressive, who jump lights, and whose cycles are unlit at night,  can be easily identified and reported.

    THAMESLINK

    Our joint Secretary, Jan Bailey, pointed out an article in the Evening Standard stating that the Department for Transport is considering axing the Thameslink service. It is proposed to stop the through service that runs from Wimbledon, Wimbledon Chase, and South Merton right through to St. Paul’s, Farringdon, St. Pancras International, and then goes on to Luton, and Bedford.  Instead, the trains will stop at Blackfriars from 2018, where a change will be necessary.
     
    This service is highly convenient for those of us who work in the City, or need to get to the Eurostar services or to Luton Airport. Obviously those with luggage or who have mobility problems will be most affected.  It does seem a wholly retrograde step to take when people are being urged to leave their cars at home and use public transport.  The formal consultation on the proposal ended on 23rd August, but I urge all of you who use the service to protest strongly to the Department, as we have done. To read more, click here.
     
    RAYNES PARK STATION

    Network Rail has confirmed that the platforms at Raynes Park Station are going to be extended to take trains with 10 carriages as opposed to 8.  Platforms 1 and 4 will be extended in December, and 2 and 3 in October. There is still no solution to the gap that exists between the trains and the platforms. This is, of course, highly dangerous, and impossible to bridge for an elderly person or someone with a disability. 

    John Elvidge

  • Rainbow Estate - The Planning Brief is not adopted by Merton Planning Advisory Committee

    rainbow est. 004Members of the Association will be aware of our objections to the Planning Brief for the Rainbow Estate, which was prepared on behalf of Merton’s Planning Department by the land owner, “Workspace Group”.
     
    Our concerns were set out in the August 2012 copy of The Guide and may be read here. These were also submitted to Merton Council, as part of the public consultation exercise 
     
    The key issues are:       
    • The loss of jobs from the Borough, despite what the owner claims.
    • The inappropriateness of the site for a residential development of 250 dwellings, surrounded as it is by railway lines and with only a single restricted access point,
    • The pressures such a development would put on infrastructure, particularly the lack of local primary school places,
    • The severe lack of car parking provisions,
    • The total absence of any thought being given to alternative proposals,
    • The impracticality of the sketchy proposals to improve the southern access to Raynes Park Station, which were offered as a “carrot” to the community. 
    In 2012 the Planning Department’s proposals, together with the results of the public consultation, were submitted to the Merton Planning Advisory Committee on the 20 September 2012. Strong concerns were raised by Councillors Chris Edge and Diane Neil Mills, and David Freeman (Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents Association) regarding the brief. Issues raised included the level of involvement of the landowner Workspace in drafting the brief, examples from other councils of planning briefs being prepared with the landowners’ involvement; whether it would be viable to start the planning brief again; concerns over the impact on infrastructure of the proposals within the draft brief. The Meeting resolved:

    That the Borough Plan Advisory Committee recommends that the draft Rainbow planning brief is not adopted as it stands and that officers undertake the investigations set out in the report and report back to a meeting of the Borough Plan Advisory Committee with the results.
     
    Further details may be found at: http://www.merton.gov.uk/environment/planning/planningpolicy/bpac.htm  
      
    More about our views on this proposed Planning Brief for the Rainbow Estate may be read here.
     
  • Chairman's Blog - August 2012

    RAINBOW INDUSTRIAL ESTATE

    Members will remember that there was a proposal a few years ago to build an anaerobic food digester in the Rainbow Industrial Estate next to Raynes Park Station.  This was resisted strongly by local residents, local Councillors, and the Association, and was dropped. 

    We then urged Merton’s planning officers to discuss with us all what we did want on this site, before preparing a planning brief which could go out to formal consultation. That is because the site is a large and important one, next to the centre of Raynes Park, but has only one access, being bounded by the railways on the other sides.  It is designated for use for light industry and business, but it has appeared in recent years to be run down and semi-derelict. The planning situation is more complex since the entrance to the site and the surrounding buildings are in the different ownership of Network Rail. 

    A comprehensive plan was needed, but we did not want to be presented with another plan drawn up by the owners, after extensive conversations with the planners, and then presented to us in a planning application as a fait accompli. Instead we wanted the planning officers, whom we pay, to come to us for ideas as to what we wanted. 

    Various suggestions for a better use of the site were being suggested locally. 

    There was universal agreement that we need an area near the station where people can park for a very short while waiting for someone to come off a train, or to drop a person at the station.  Steps needed to be taken to separate out the vehicular traffic from pedestrians, which is dangerous at present.   It would be useful if part of the site could be designated for car parking, with a time limit of a couple of hours, so that residents can use the shops and the pubs and restaurants. That would help the centre to thrive. Some local Councillors were keen to explore the idea of placing a new primary school there, given the continuing rise in the birth rate and the enormous pressures on existing primary school places, which now means, we understand, that young children are being asked to go as far as Mitcham. 

    We believed that much of the site should continue to be used for its existing permission for light industry and commerce.  No evidence has been shown that there is any less need for this, and local people need local jobs. We are constantly told that the economy will recover best through small new businesses starting up and developing.  The site is excellent for these purposes. 

    Finally, if all this could be accomplished, it would be possible to consider putting a very limited number of flats there, although it is not ideal for this purpose.

    Instead of the planners coming to us all to ask our views, we are now in the position yet again of having to resist and defend unacceptable proposals made by the owners, after discussion with the planners, and without input from us. What makes it even worse on this occasion is that the owners’ proposals are being presented in the form of a Merton planning brief. This is simply unacceptable as a planning process. 

    The proposal is to build 250 units of residential accommodation on the site. This is almost self evidently absurd, and can only be driven by the wish of the owners to maximise the value of their land, to take the profit, and then to wash their hands of it, leaving the community to cover the costs of the new schooling and health provision needed. 

    We shall resist this and any such proposal vigorously. A meeting called by the local Councillors on 10th July passed a motion to this effect.

    (For the very latest news on the Rainbow Estate, click here)

    119 GRAND DRIVE (FORMERLY "LESSA")

    The history of the LESSA site illustrates what happens when an application for housing made by land owners gets through the planners, and the land is then sold to developers. Despite the many conditions attached to the planning consent, the surrounding residents have had to fight hard to secure them. There are still ongoing concerns about whether the builders are going to complete the perimeter fencing around the whole site at the back of their gardens. One set of residents has had major flooding into their gardens caused by the lack of proper drainage of the new tennis courts. Even more worrying in the long term is that no one has come forward to maintain and use the playing fields, which was the main reason that permission was given in the first place. King’s College School, which said that it needed them, has not taken up its option to take them over. Neither has the Council.  The position remains worryingly uncertain. 

    CLOSURE OF SERVICES AT ST. HELIER HOSPITAL

    I drew attention a couple of months ago to the suggested closure of the Accident & Emergency Services, as well as the maternity unit, at St. Helier Hospital. This is still being proposed as part of an overall review of hospital services in South West London. The idea is that the services can be better run with more specialised teams at Kingston, St George’s, Croydon, and Epsom Hospitals. No one has yet explained how the travel times to these hospitals can be coped with in an emergency, and how those without private transport can get there. These hospitals have always seemed to me to be overwhelmed with patients already.   On 26th July the NHS South West London board is due to have met to finalise the recommendation. There will then public consultation in September.  There will, we think, be universal opposition from this area. 

    John Elvidge 

     

  • Association's Response - Rainbow Estate (10 July 2012)

    Date:     10 July 2012
    To:         ldf@merton.gov.uk
    Subject: Rainbow Estate SPD - Public Consultation Response

    COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT PLANNING BRIEF, “RAINBOW INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, RAYNES PARK”
    THIS EMAIL IS SUBMITTED ON BEHALF OF THE RAYNES PARK AND WEST BARNES RESIDENTS’
    ASSOCIATION IN RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION

    As part of the public consultation process, the Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents’ Association submits the
    following comments on the above document. (Referred to below as “the Document.”)
     
    1. It is recognised that the Council may make savings by obtaining free services; but such a strategy should not
    allow companies to present their own business objectives as though they also represent the views of Merton Council.
    As one might expect from a developer, the Document is written so as to cast the developer’s intentions in the best
    possible light. Thus, by presenting the Document as the Council’s own, the Council is open to criticisms of bias,
    misrepresentation and of acting as a servant of the developer, rather than a servant of the public. The Council should
    heed the proverb, “He who pays the piper, calls the tune”
     
    Worse, the Industrial Estate now seems to have entered a period of wilful neglect, with premises falling vacant and
    the consequent loss of jobs. This may of course be due to the current recession. However the Council’s decision to
    give its encouragement to the developer’s plans must raise the question of whether it is also culpable in the recent
    loss of these jobs from the Borough. 
     
    2. We also do not accept the argument that the Document’s is good enough to provide a vehicle for the public
    consultation process; as there are various errors and omissions, which invalidate it as a balanced basis for
    consultation. 
     
    2.1. Job Opportunities. The Document states the scheme would double employment opportunities on the site
    from approximately 50 to 100. The Association considers that these figures to be unreliable and fail to substantiate
    the claim that the proposals would lead to an increase in employment on the site. 
     
    2.2. Alternative Schemes. The Document and FAQ’s available on the website omit any discussion of alternatives
    for the site. Whether or not such alternatives might be viable, such an omission serves to mislead, by focussing, as it
    does, only on the developer’s proposals. This is exacerbated by the references to two options of height for the
    development, which further divert attention away from any wider discussion on alternatives for the site. 
     
    For example, the most obvious alternative would be to upgrade the site completely for business, commercial and/or
    industrial uses. This would create many more job opportunities. 
     
    The Document is therefore wholly deficient in the consideration of any alternatives, other than the
    developer’s objectives. 
     
    2.3. Impact on Local Roads. The Council’s FAQ document also states there is a chance to change the impact on
    local roads. First, resolution of this problem is thus merely left to “chance”; not even declared as an objective. Second,
    even if the proposal to limit on-site parking were ultimately to limit car-ownership; it would, at best, only mitigate the
    scheme’s potential impact on local roads, not “change” the impact. 
     
    Using the car parking standards for London and applying these to the 250 dwellings of the specified sizes, indicates a
    residential car parking requirement of 275 spaces. The allocation to residential, as stated in the Document is (125
    total, less 40 business) 85 spaces. This would leave approximately 190 cars seeking spaces off-site. Thus, even if
    some homes were not to possess cars, there would still be a considerable overflow. 
     
    Therefore the “chance” to change the impact on local roads is virtually non-existent. In fact the opposite is far more likely. The chances are that parking in nearby roads outside CPZs will be placed under more pressure. 
     
    This FAQ is thus misleading. Its choice of words seems purposely to obfuscate, and, as such, is not
    appropriate within a Council publication. 
     
    2.4. Pressure on Infrastructure. Many residents have voiced concerns over the large number of new homes in
    the Raynes Park area and the pressures these have put on roads, water supplies, drainage, GPs, dentists, school
    places and the like; a concern the Association whole-heartedly endorses. However, the Council’s attitude seems to be
    that an S106 agreement (or its successor, the Community Infrastructure Levy) would help alleviate these problems. 
     
    However, only a few of the foregoing concerns fall within the Council’s remit. Also, the Levy can only be spent to
    mitigate the impact of the new development, not to tackle the existing problems. Third, many of the remedies required
    would have long lead times. Fourth, there is no guarantee that such levy income would be spent in Raynes Park.
    Thus again, the Council’s documentation misinforms. 
     
    3. At the Raynes Park Forum, held on the 21 June 2012, council officers implied certain matters in their responses
    to questions from the floor. However, these are not borne out by the information within the Document. viz: 
     
    3.1 The inference that it would be necessary to include residential development to enable the redevelopment
    of the industrial elements.  
    This is not demonstrated within the Document. In any case, such a statement would be inadmissible. Workspace
    is a commercial enterprise. If it desires to improve its assets, it should do this through the normal business practice of
    raising either additional capital or debt. If it cannot or does not wish to, perhaps due to financial difficulties, it is not the
    purpose of the planning system to aid the financial shortcomings of private business. 
     
    3.2 The suggestion that the residential development is necessary to enable the proposed improvements to
    the access at Raynes Park Station.
    Again, this is not demonstrated anywhere within the Document. In reality, it is likely that the cost of improving the
    access would be only a miniscule portion of the huge profit that Workspace would make from change of use to 250
    residential units. 
     
    3.3 The inference that no decision has been made in relation to onsite parking.
    The proposal clearly states there will be circa 125 car parking spaces, of which 40 will be allocated to business use. 
     
    3.4 The statement that the proposal includes “some” residential elements. 
    The proposal provides for 3,390 sqm of business floor space, (which is approximately equivalent to the existing
    covered industrial space), whilst the layout and section drawings, combined with the objective of 250 dwellings,
    indicate approximately 26,000 sqm of gross residential floor space. Further, the allocation of site land-use is
    approximately 1/3 business, 2/3 residential. Thus, the proposal is heavily skewed in favour of residential development. 
     
    This Planning Brief is therefore really to allow a change of principal use from industrial to residential. 
     
    4. The Association therefore considers the proposed planning brief completely unsound for the Rainbow Estate, for
    the following reasons: 
     
    4.1 The Document, as a basis for the Council’s consultation with the public, is biased and flawed for the reasons
    already given in Sections 1 and 2. This apparent bias is further exacerbated by the tenor of the Council’s
    clarifications, as shown under Section 3, above. 
     
    4.2 We consider the site wholly inappropriate for such a large residential development for the following reasons: 
     
    a) The site is completely cut off from the outside world apart from a single and restricted access point under the
    railway line. This means emergency access to the site is extremely limited. Additionally, it is proposed to locate
    homes at the far southern end of the site, behind a wall of business units. These units are likely to unoccupied at
    weekends and public holidays and may well represent several risks to the residential properties, including fire,
    chemicals and other hazards. 
     
    b) The site is surrounded by railway lines, with concomitant nuisance, noise and vibration. This is further
    exacerbated by public announcements at the nearby station, wheel squeal from trains negotiating the tight bends and
    brake dust. 
     
    c) Such a large development will put even greater strain on the area’s already inadequate infrastructure, for which
    the Council has no realistic remedy. 
     
    d) Such a single restricted access to 250 dwellings is a disaster waiting to happen. For example, suppose the
    access road is temporarily closed, perhaps due to utilities’ excavations or, say, Network Rail has an emergency or
    maintenance works at or near the station and has to site a large crane in the access road close to the bridge; and
    then a fire breaks out in the flats. There would be no emergency access whatsoever. It is from such combinations of
    events that disasters are made. 
     
    For comparison, in the 1970’s, when the “Apostles” were closed off from Bushey Road to create cul-de-sacs of
    100+ houses each, alternative access was still maintained at their southern ends, for the emergency services. 
     
    4.3 The car parking provision is grossly inadequate. 
     
    4.4 It is doubtful that the proposed development would bring more jobs to the area. 
     
    4.5 The proposal is really to allow a change in the principal use of the site from employment led uses to residential. 
     
    4.6 The necessary massing of the residential units would be out of keeping with the surrounding buildings, including
    the neighbouring blocks of flats, such as Bushey Court and the houses in Firstway. 
     
    Please advise the Association of the outcome of this consultation process. 
     
    On behalf of the Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents’ Association

  • Public Meeting - Rainbow Estate

    Consultation on Draft Planning Brief for Rainbow Estate

    The well-publicised Public Meeting was held on 10 July 2012 to consider the Draft Planning Brief. At this meeting; 
    • The Council Planning Officers made a presentation,
    • A question and answer session took place,
    • Residents’ spoke from the floor, expressing a range of views. 
    At the conclusion, Rod Scott, Councillor, Raynes Park Ward, asked the meeting to consider some resolutions, which he subsequently reported by e-mail to Merton’s Planning Department, as follows:
     
    `This meeting rejects the Draft Supplementary Planning Brief and urges Merton Council to produce its own planning brief in accordance with planning rules`

    This was passed unanimously (the meeting objected to a brief prepared with substantial resource and input from the owner/developer and without review and consultation on alternatives to the proposal put forward in that brief), and;
     
    `This meeting rejects residential/housing on the Rainbow site`
    This was passed by approximately two thirds majority.
     
    Rod Scott asked the Planning Department to assure that these important expressions of residents are considered and that these views are given full weight in the future plans for the Rainbow site.

    For more information, click here.
  • A Statement from Merton Council - Rainbow Estate

    The Future of the Rainbow Estate
    About the Current Draft Planning Brief
    The document that is currently under consultation is the draft planning brief for Rainbow Industrial area, known in planning legislation as a "supplementary planning document".
     
    Merton's Core Planning Strategy 2011 (summarised) says that any planning application for the Rainbow site that proposes land uses other than industrial and warehousing must be guided by a supplementary planning document, adopted by the Council, setting out how the site will deliver employment-led regeneration.
     
    So, to try to answer the questions as to at what stage a planning application might be put forward:
    • if Workspace wanted only research & development, light or heavy industrial and / or warehousing development on the site, we'd advise that they could submit a planning application at any time
    • However, if any uses other than industrial or warehousing are to be considered on the site, a planning application should only follow the adoption of a supplementary planning document, setting out how the site would deliver "employment led" regeneration.
    The consultation on the draft supplementary planning document for Rainbow will finish on 25 July, these six weeks are exactly the stage that local residents, businesses, and anyone else with a view, should ask us questions and make their opinions known to the council as to what they think should or shouldn't happen on the site.

    Yes, Workspace have provided the resources to produce the draft Rainbow supplementary planning document and are putting in the resources to print and promote the consultation, simply because Workspace have the resources to do so. Council resources are limited for this kind of work. We wouldn't have been able to undertake this in the foreseeable future without extra resources. Producing a supplementary planning document for any site provides clarity to those living and working in the area, to Councillors, council officers, neighbours and to the landowner as to what could happen on a site, and provides an opportunity for people to influence this in addition to the standard three weeks associated with planning applications. Particularly in the case of Rainbow, I think that additional clarity and a chance for residents to influence what the site may or may not contain is very necessary as there have been a number of potential proposals for this site in recent years.

     However please be assured that the consultation draft has been reviewed, and rewritten in parts and thoroughly checked by us and would not have been recommended and published as a consultation draft to ask others what they think of it if we weren't satisfied that what is proposed could be one of the ways of meeting "employment led regeneration" on the site. This is a council document. I am sorry if having "Merton Council and Workspace Group" on the front cover has given rise to any confusion or concern - this was certainly not intended and please accept my apologies for this - and the names were both included on the cover in an effort to be totally transparent. 

    There is no single definition of "employment led regeneration". In assessing the potential for the site officers considered a number of matters including the potential number of jobs and the nature of jobs that could be supported on Rainbow, the potential number of businesses supported, and alternative types of employment that could be supported by the site.
     
    "Employment led regeneration" necessarily means solely employment uses on the site. As I mentioned before, under Merton's Core Planning Strategy there would be no requirement to produce a supplementary planning document if the site were to be redeveloped solely for many types of employment uses such as research & development, industrial and warehousing. A draft supplementary planning document has been produced because other uses are proposed on the site as well as employment.
     
    After the consultation closes we (the council) will consider all of the responses carefully (and publish all responses on the council's website) and use these and any other relevant evidence (for example, any more details on the potential impact on nature conservation, infrastructure etc) to recommend changes to the document.
     
    Before the council adopts any supplementary planning document, it has to publish a "statement of community involvement" setting out a summary of what responses were received, and what action was taken as a result of these responses. I hope this helps reassure people at least a little that this is the opportunity to influence the brief and that the process is transparent.
     
    The final supplementary planning document must be recommended to Merton's Cabinet by council officers for adoption. There isn't a specific date for this as it will depend on the results of the consultation, and how this and any other relevant information influences the final document.
     
    The final document provides a guide for development on the site which sets out clearly to everybody what should be expected from any planning application for the site. A subsequent planning application will provide details and would have its own period of public consultation as with every planning application to the council.
     
    Tara Butler
    Programme Manager - Strategic Policy and Research
    Future Merton
    London Borough of Merton
    London Road
    Morden SM4 5DX

     

     

     

     

  • "Guide" Editor's Blog - July 2012


    Our Chairman is off gallivanting to Russia and points beyond, and so there is room for some Editor’s comment this month, which I hope will provide as good ‘a read’ as usual.

    New Mayor of Merton

    Congratulations to Cllr. David Tyrie Williams on being elected Mayor of Merton for the year 2012/13.   Like the outgoing Mayor, Cllr. Gilli Lewis-Lavender, David has strong links with West Barnes Ward.   He has honoured his Mother Jill Williams (who lives in Blenheim Road) by nominating her his Mayoress, and has chosen Jill Brewer, a lifelong friend from Greenway, as his Consort.   David – very much a local boy - has of course, been a Councillor for Hillside for many years, and was also Leader of the Conservative Group until Cllr. Debbie Shears took over.

     

    We wish David, his Mayoress and his Consort a most enjoyable year in their respective roles and look forward to meeting with them at some point.

    The Outgoing Mayor
     Everyone agrees that Gilli was a superb first citizen of Merton during her year.   She is a dedicated and tireless worker and throughout her year, she (with the help of her husband and consort Brian), fulfilled the role with tremendous enthusiasm and gusto, whilst   still managing to maintain her hard work on behalf of West Barnes Residents, thus ensuring that Cllrs. Iain Dysart and Mary-Jane Jeanes were not too overloaded. 

    Although the mayoralty is not per se primarily a fund-raising role we believe that Gilli will have raised more money for her Mayor’s Charities than anyone before her.  The figures haven’t yet been finalised, but it is thought that she has raised a sum in the region of £70,000, £25,000 of which was apparently the result of a hugely successful Mayor’s Charity Ball! 

    Gilli has told us how very much she enjoyed her year – even taking tea with the Queen on Her Majesty’s  Jubilee visit to Mitcham – and we hope, now that she has a bit more time, she will be able to write some short articles for The Guide about what she learnt as Mayor;  for, she says, it was very much a learning curve, giving her insight into all the hard work done by huge numbers of volunteers across the borough, a true picture of what the ‘Big Society’ is all about. 

    First Open Meeting at West Barnes Library
     In June we held our Open Meeting in West Barnes Library, Motspur Park, for the very first time and it went extremely well.   We have had meetings in the West Barnes part of the Association before, but they have usually been public ones about specific issues.   Because much of our work of late has concerned the protection of our open spaces, we have been criticized recently for being too “Grand Drive” centric.  The Association would strongly dispute this, but it is quite true that the issue of the development of sports grounds off Grand Drive – The Pavilions, St. Catherine’s Square, and Meadview (previously Sun Alliance, LESSA and St. Catherine’s school grounds) has involved the Association in a lot of time and effort. 

    Nonetheless, we have taken up and reported on smaller development issues in the Motspur Park area and strongly supported the work of the Friends of the Sir Joseph Hood sports fields and West Barnes Library.  It goes without saying that if a serious issue is brought to our attention - even from beyond our boundaries – but which affects any of our Members, we will of course address it.   We are, however, short of a representative from the Seaforth Avenue area on our Committee.  Peter Connellan who is the co-ordinator for Claremont Avenue is the only Committee member on that side of the ward.   The same can be said for the Coombe Lane area…so volunteers please. 

    Matters of concern at the Open Meeting
    The latest proposals for the Rainbow Estate (sited between West Barnes Lane, the railway track and Firstway) were much discussed.   The site owners – Workspace Glebe – have come up with a new proposal for mixed use covering both industrial units and residential.  The Association considers that any residential use is inappropriate, and objected strongly at the Raynes Park Area Forum on 21st June:  more on this in our report on the Forum. 

    Another matter which we felt should be tackled is that of the perimeter fencing around the Meadview site (ex-LESSA), especially since we learned that the developer, Bellway, was  only undertaking to repair or renew the fencing where individual residents requested it.    A letter was prepared and delivered to all affected households advising them of this and suggesting that they should make their request soon as possible as Bellway have virtually completed their work there, and will soon be leaving.

    A sad farewell
     Members were saddened to learn of the death of Jean Ferrier (wife of George, who has been one of the Association’s most faithful supporters over the years having been a Road Representative, Area Co-ordinator, and a Vice- President of the Association.   He was also our local Policeman until he retired and became a Court Usher). 

    Whilst the Association was (you might say) George’s hobby, Jean Ferrier’s life centred around her family, her work and Holy Cross Church, where she was Hall Manager for many years.  Jean’s funeral took place on 6th June and Holy Cross Church, was packed – standing room only – with all her friends and family so she will obviously be sorely missed by many.  Our heartfelt condolences go to George and the family on their sad loss.

    Randall House, Grand Drive
     Concerns having been raised about the installation of a driveway at the entrance to Randall House, which it was felt might conflict and/or restrict sight lines on the approach to the nearby traffic lights,   Cllr. Gilli Lewis-Lavender took this matter up with the Highways Department and received the following reply: 

    “We also had concerns and we have worked with the resident to accommodate his needs. As part of the application, the resident commissioned an independent safety audit which was then forwarded to us for our attention. We have drawn up a number of agreements that the resident has signed in terms of marinating site lines and the use of the crossover and his off street parking. It has also been agreed that in the event of non-compliance the crossover will be removed at full cost to the resident.

    Following a great deal of deliberation and given the safety audit, it was concluded that if we had not worked with the resident to improve sightlines the resident would have used his off street parking facility any way without a crossover and believe it not, there is very little we can do in situations such as this. This way we have the appropriate agreements and safe guards in place.

    The resident has agreed to remove his gate; lower the shrubs/hedge to no more than 0.5m in height and must drive in and drive out.”

    [Comment: I can’t quite get my head around the phrase “marinating site lines”. Will this improve the flavour?]

     Recruitment Leaflet
     It was reported that the Committee has produced a ‘Recruitment’ leaflet to aid the recruitment of new members from residents living in St. Catherine’s Square, Meadow View and The Pavilions.  It welcomes new residents, describes the work of the Association and invites them to join.   This leaflet currently awaiting printing and should be available soon.   We feel it will be useful not only for delivery to residents in the new developments, but also for Road Representatives to drop into households where there  has been a change of ownership or tenant, or where they wish to do a mini-drive on their own patch.   It is interesting to note that some of our Road Reps manage to achieve almost 100% membership.  The leaflet might help one or two others to reach a similar high target.

     

    A FEW ACCOLADES 

    National Health Service
     We hear such a lot of negative talk about the NHS these days that I would like to tell you about my husband’s current experience which is rather more positive than one might expect from the constant reports in the News.

    Simon suffered a stroke in January affecting his right side. He was brilliantly treated by the Ambulance Service, St. George’s Hospital (who were able to give him a clot-busting treatment that has no doubt aided his recovery) by the nursing staff and Therapists at both Kingston and Queen Mary’s Hospital Roehampton (where they have the new Wolfson Unit for neurological rehabilitation) and the wonderful Royal Brompton who fitted a pacemaker.   He was in hospital for three months and is now home, where he has had superlative treatment from the District Nursing service, our local chemist, all the Community therapists and our GPs. 

    Wimbledon Rugby Club
    The Club which now manages Drax Playing fields in West Wimbledon has recently put drainage in what was once a rain sodden unplayable field and have been feeding, reseeding and treating the pitch.  A first class job has been done after years of neglect by the local authority, and it will now be possible to make the most of the grounds.  Local school such as Willingdon use it regularly, and during the season Wimbledon Rugby Club’s training school for budding youngsters pack the grounds to capacity with boys (and the odd girl) from about 5 years of age.
    Our Advertising Manager
    Kate Price, who has looked after the advertising in The Guide superbly for a good five years or more despite increasing demands on her time from Newsquest where she does the same thing professionally, has now had an offer from one of our newest Committee Members, Linda Fitch, to take on the chore on a trial basis.  We wish Linda good luck and hope she likes the job, and that Kate will now be able to ‘retire’ happily and spend more time with her family. 

    A Personal view
     Finally, a strongly held personal view which I am giving because I am heartily sick of the constant carping from the media about suggestions being put forward for consideration by the Government to try and improve our Education and Welfare systems.  And I stress, these are suggestions for consultation and NOT (yet) done deals. 

    Thank God for Gove!  I say.  I simply cannot understand the furore being voiced - I suspect for purely political reasons - at the idea that GCSE and Advanced level exams in certain core subjects should be tightened up.   For years we have been told by employers that young people cannot write proper English, cannot spell, and cannot add up.  Even graduates come into quite highly paid posts unable to communicate properly with clients on the telephone whilst thinking that they ‘know it all’.   A friend told me that the other day she tried to purchase a couple of items the cost of which added up to about £3.50, but because the till system was down, the shop assistant could not complete her purchase because she was unable to total the amount to be paid, and deduct the correct amount of change from a fiver. 

    So, why all this fuss about the possible introduction of a “two tiered” exam system?   We all know that some people are more academic and others more practically skilled; and that the country needs really skilled trades-people.  Why can’t WE have a system such as that in Germany and Eastern Europe where practical youngsters are thoroughly trained in ALL aspects of building and associated engineering work?  Many of our friends and acquaintances extol the virtues of the Kiwi’s, South Africans and European workers who are taking over all the much needed skilled building and repair work that we all crave (not the Cowboys we often get).   Workers who work from 8.00 till 5.00 and are not always stopping for tea,  coffee or a fag, and really take a pride in doing a good job. 

    What a joy it is when we get good service from a retailer or supplier that it helpful, polite, and efficient and gives us their full attention, rather than being bored and disinterested.  These are all things that can be put right, by the right training.

     What about all the fuss about having to work an extra year or two before retiring?   I had to fight tooth and nail to be allowed to work beyond retirement age.  Keeping busy keeps you young.  Use it or lose it, as they say. 

    On another tack, the whole Bankers business has been an eye-opener, hasn’t it?   I wonder if you were aware of the obscene amounts of salary and bonus being paid to bankers and the like, I certainly wasn’t.  They all certainly deserve their come-uppance, but being aware of the appalling situation the commercial world is now facing, it IS necessary for us all to accept the belt-tightening that’s required and not kick-off when it’s our turn to face the thumb screws.  Particularly them. 

    There it is a personal view which not every reader will agree with, but for me much more satisfying than shouting at the television.   Now let’s hope we have a bit more summer and a spectacular Olympics.

     Jill Truman
     Editor of the "Guide"

  • Our Next Meeting - 12 June 2012

    The next open meeting of the Association on Tuesday, 12 June 2012, will be held at:

    WEST BARNES LIBRARY, MOTSPUR PARK

    at 8:00 pm

  • Chairman's Blog - June 2012

    LOCAL HOSPITALS

    It's very hard to keep up with the proposed changes to hospital services at the Nelson and St Helier Hospitals. I will try to summarise what I understand the position to be.

    There is a notice up in the Nelson Hospital announcing that from 1st June some outpatient services there will be moving to the St. Helier Hospital so that the Nelson can become a local care centre. These services are x rays, ultrasound, and ECG. No decision has yet been made apparently about phlebotomy (blood tests). I hope these at least can be retained. When I went there recently for my annual blood test, there were well over 50 people waiting at 9 am.

    As one who has used all of these services in the past, and welcomed the convenience of doing so, I regret that we will now have to make the journey to St Helier. It will be particularly difficult for those without a car, and parking is not easy there. The last thing one wants when feeling a bit under the weather is to go too far away from home.

    We wait to see whether the proposed care centre will provide an improvement on existing services.

    The care centre is intended to provide 50 units of supported housing and allow GP's and consultants to offer services such as physiotherapy and endoscopy, as well as minor procedures.

    St. Helier is now part of the Epsom and St. Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust. Their newsletter for May announces a fund of £8.9 million for almost 100 refurbishment projects, including spending £700,000 on state of the art imaging equipment in the x-ray rooms. Hence, I suppose, the closure of the one at the Nelson. There will be a new lithotripter for pulverizing kidney stones at a cost of £400,000. For in-patients the wards will be upgraded to phase out mixed wards, and to offer new bathroom and toilets. The catering will also be improved. More worryingly, given the waste of money spent by the NHS on IT, £800,000 is to be spent on improving the computer systems.

    St. George's Healthcare NHS Trust withdrew their bid to merge with St Helier (and Sutton). The independent health think tank, The King's Fund, is said to be helping to develop long-term options for St. Helier.

    St. Helier provides the nearest A and E services for many residents. Over 80,000 people were treated at St. Helier in 2010-11, and the numbers continue to increase. The maternity unit there also saw an increase in live births, with over 3,300 babies born in 2011-12.

    Yet despite this increasing demand, an NHS panel, including clinicians, has recommended that St. Helier should lose its A and E and maternity units to the hospitals in Croydon and Kingston, as part of an overall NHS London wide review. A care centre is proposed in its place. The children's wards at St. Helier are also earmarked for closure.

    Both Merton MPs have expressed their opposition. The recommendations will be put before other boards, and then go out for public consultation for 3 months. A final decision will be taken by the NHS later this year.

    It goes without saying that all of our residents will want to keep these vital services as local as possible. Of course, hospitals need the best specialists and consultants, and they cannot be spread too widely. But given the growing population of London and our area in particular, it cannot be right that local people should be left with the choice of going to Kingston, Croydon, or St George's, all of which are already under heavy pressure.

    RAINBOW ESTATE

    Residents will remember the successful campaign to prevent the building of an anaerobic digester for waste food in the Rainbow Estate off Grand Drive and next to the station. Now plans are afoot to build up to 250 residential units here, on a site which has its only access onto Grand Drive. It is currently designated for light industrial use and provides local employment and this might be lost. We believe that the planning department should draw up a development brief for this valuable site in the middle of the town centre, but only after close consultation with local residents and their associations. We should not, as on many previous occasions, be presented with a fait accompli decided by meetings between the developers, the planning officers, and some Councillors to which we have not been party.

    FISHING CLUB ON CANNON HILL LAKE

    We have heard a rumour that the fishing club, proposed as a compromise measure between those who want fishing allowed on the Lake, and those who do not, and which is intended to monitor and control the use, is actually going to happen. Watch this space!

    STREET PARTIES

    As you read this, there will be street parties for the Diamond Jubilee in many roads, which will be closed to traffic. Let's hope for the same sort of weather as blessed the Royal Wedding last year, and the same mood of national celebration. One of my earliest memories was of going next door to my neighbours to watch the Coronation on their 9 inch TV. What a long time has passed, and so much has happened, and yet the Queen is still going strong!

    John Elvidge

  • Chairman's Blog - May 2012

    FOOD WASTE COLLECTION
     
    Merton Council has announced that the food waste collection service, which already is provided to 50,000 properties, is to be extended to all the other households (another 32,650) by the end of this year. The cost of £290,000 will come from the London Waste and Recycling Board.
     
    The food will be composted and so save the borough landfill tax burden by over £100,000, and also reduce the amount of methane gas released. Methane is said to be 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide.  Full details can be found here .
     
    The food waste will be collected on the same day as the rest of your rubbish. What will happen is that the Council will provide an outside lockable food bin, a caddy to keep in the kitchen, and a supply of starch liners (52 every 6 months, enough for 2 liners a week). These liners have to be compostable, so plastic sacks can’t be used. You will be able to buy extra liners from the libraries and supermarkets.
     
    Raw or cooked food of any kind can be put straight into the liner placed in the caddy, including bones, as well as tea and coffee. When the liner is full, it’s put into the outside food bin for collection; simple and very ecologically friendly.
     
    The Council will obviously be sending out instructions with the equipment.
     
    QUEEN’S VISIT TO MERTON
     
    The Queen is going to include Merton in her Diamond Jubilee tour, and will be coming on 15th May.  The details of her route are not yet available, but the crowds should turn out in force to celebrate her remarkable achievements.
     
    Personally, I remember seeing part of her visit to Merton in 1977 on a day of lovely weather during her Silver Jubilee, when she attended the women’s final at Wimbledon. This was fittingly won by Virginia Wade.
     
    For tennis fans, this is a really exciting summer, with the Olympic tennis being played on the grass at Wimbledon, as well as the usual Championships. It’s just a pity that so few of us can obtain tickets for either event!
     
     
    PAUL MARSH’S ARTICLES ON HOUSING IN MERTON

    We are very grateful to Paul Marsh for writing and letting us print his very interesting articles on the history of the mid- wars housing boom in this area. This was largely led by his grandfather Rowland Marsh and then by his father, Cyril. Our older readers may remember Cyril Marsh, who was a leading member of the Merton & Morden Urban District Council, and became the first Mayor of the London Borough of Merton in 1964. Paul himself still has local connections. He has had a distinguished career as a solicitor, and served as President of the Law Society. Part 1 of Paul Marsh's article is here and Part 2 here.
     
     
    John Elvidge

  • Police Contact Details

     

    Always report crime and antisocial behaviour first to the police
    In an emergency, always call 999.
     
    An emergency is when a crime is happening now, when someone suspected of a crime is nearby, or someone is injured, being threatened or in danger.
     
    Non-Emergency Police Contact Call 101 (Available 24 hours a day) 
     
    Local Safer Neighbourhood Teams (For direct contact with the team but lines not monitored 24hrs a day)

     

    Dundonald: 020 8721 2450

    dundonald.snt@met.police.uk

    West Barnes: 020 8721 2454

    westbarnes.snt@met.police.uk

    Cannon Hill: 020 8721 2455

    cannonhill.snt@met.police.uk

    Lower Morden: 020 8721 2456

    lowermorden.snt@met.police.uk

    Raynes Park: 020 8721 2459

    raynespark.snt@met.police.uk

     

    Total Policing is the Met's commitment to be on the streets and in your communities to catch offenders, prevent crime and support victims. We are here for London, working with you to make our capital safer.

     

    You can also call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you have information about crime and don't want to leave your name. 

    -------------------

    You might also like to let us know if there are general lessons for neighbouring or local residents that could be applied immediately, via this website.  Please contact us with any suggestions.

  • CommunitySafe - April 2012

    Village Ward - Thefts from vehicles

    Please be aware that thefts from motor vehicles in the Village Ward continue to be a problem. Recent thefts include golf clubs and handbags that have been left on show whilst the vehicle is parked and unattended.

    Please ensure you remove all valuables where possible or at least put them out of site and lock your vehicle. 

    Thefts from tradesmen's vans also continue. Please ensure any tradesmen working on your or neighbouring premises lock their vans when they are not with them. Your help in this would be appreciated. If you see anything suspicious, please call us direct or dial 101 if we are not on duty.

    If you see a crime happening, or need to call Police urgently,  please call 999. 

    PC Tony Leworthy 795VW

     Village SNT

    Tel: 020 8721 2457

    E Mail: Village@met.police.uk

  • Chairman's Report 2011-2012

    CHAIRMAN’S REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE ASSOCIATION IN 2011/12

    This has been another extremely busy year for the Association in its efforts to protect and enhance our local surroundings. As ever, most of our time has been taken up in protecting the open spaces of our area, which is the reason most people chose to live and remain here.

    Major Planning Battle

    The major planning battle this year has been in defending the proposal by the All England Club to build housing on part of the Raynes Park Playing Fields, which is surrounded by residential housing built in the 1930’s.  There was universal opposition to the scheme, and the level of that opposition was accepted by the planning committee, which turned down the proposal at its meeting last week.

    History

    I want to focus on the history of that scheme, as it illustrates clearly exactly what is wrong with the way in which the planning officers of Merton, and doubtless everywhere else in the country, approach their duty to act on behalf of local residents in protecting our interests.  Planning departments spend an enormous amount of time and energy in drawing up local planning guidance, which is then approved by the committee. In this case, the guidance adopted by Merton was quite clear. It is that there should be no, I repeat, no building on sports grounds which are still viable and are still used for sporting purposes.  Instead, the Council’s other planning objectives of providing for new housing should be met by looking for brownfield sites elsewhere, of which there are many, even in our area.  We accept that planning officers are bound to discuss potential applications with developers. However, in this case the officers entered into detailed discussions with them, getting them to reduce the number of housing units, to improve the drainage, and to agree to the provision of an all weather surface both there, and elsewhere in Merton. This was all on the assumption that the application might be suitable for approval if a balance could be reached.

    Wrong Approach

    That was, in our view, wholly the wrong approach. It results, almost inevitably after so much time has been spent by the officers, and money by the developers, in a recommendation for approval. They should have been told at the outset that no development was permissible on that site, so that there was no point in entering into any discussions, even for outline approval.

    At no stage in this process of discussion with the developers was there any discussion with us, as local residents, as to what we wanted or were willing to accept.  We understood that this was a key proposal of the coalition government, but The Localism Act still seems to contain a strong bias in favour of development.

    We, in this area, are heartedly sick of having our sports grounds built on. Cllr. Gilli Lewis-Lavender at the meeting on Thursday calculated that there are over 300 units of housing, either under construction or built in Raynes Park and West Barnes in the past five years. As each scheme has to be considered on its own merits, without reference to others, no account is taken of the increased strain on the road network, the local primary schools, and health services, all of which are already at saturation point.

    The All England ground is currently maintained by King’s College School. This raises another cause for concern, since it is the same school which gave evidence to the Inspector hearing the appeal on the LESSA site that they wished to use the remaining sports provision there for its junior school. They only have until April to give notice of their intention to proceed to do so, but the School has, to date, given no public indication of its intentions.   The basis on which the Inspector was persuaded to grant permission for that development was that it would bring back into use a sports field that had been left unused for over 10 years.  There must be a very real possibility that the School will not take up its option to use the land, so that it would fall back on the Council to do so. But the Council has no funds with which to maintain, let alone run, a large sports field of this kind, and residents would be faced with the existence of a large housing development that they strongly opposed, with none of the benefits that were promised.

    In future, we believe that not a brick should be laid until binding commitments have been entered into to retain the rest of sports land for sporting use. Development on a small part of sports fields should only be permitted where there are clear and obvious public benefits, either in terms of general public access to private land, or, as in the case of the RSA site, where the large majority of the land was dedicated to the use of three local schools, and a dowry of £300,000 paid over.

    Apart from these major developments, which include the flats at St Catherine’s there have been many other individual applications that the Committee has had to consider, as well as the whole of the scheme to enhance the centre of Raynes Park. The Waitrose store opened in April to general acclaim. This was a proposal we did approve of!

    I want to thank those members of the Committee who have brought their expertise and commitment to considering, and, if necessary, opposing planning applications.   These are Pamela Robinson, who has the planning lists, and alerts us to what is happening, Rachel Skinner, who is an expert on all things related to traffic management, Jerry Cuthbert who has wide professional experience in this field, and David Freeman who has mastered all the voluminous tomes of planning guidance, and is able to provide reasoned and sustainable objections that will stand up to professional scrutiny. His presentation at the planning meeting on Thursday 15th March was highly impressive. His representations and those of the four Ward Councillors and other speakers resulted in this latest planning application being turned down unanimously, much to the relief of the huge crowd of residents who also attended.

    Planning Issues Dominate

    We are conscious that the Association has, of necessity, been dominated by planning issues over the past ten years of relentless development, and we hope that we can now move on to consider more fully all the other issues that concern local people. These include the need for more primary school places, the continuing loss to other boroughs of pupils at secondary level, the re-organisation of the health services at the Nelson and St Helier Hospitals, the state of local roads, and transport in general.

    Other Issues

    Pamela and our joint Secretaries, Jill Truman and Jan Bailey, regularly attend the meetings of the umbrella group, the Raynes Park Association and the quarterly meetings of the Raynes Park Forum, as well as the meetings called to discuss the stations at Raynes Park and Motspur Park.

    On other issues, we still await the promised fishing club on the Lake on Cannon  Hill Common, which was the subject of a heated public meeting last May, and the proposal for which  is now 3 years old.

    We and others managed to persuade the Council to relent somewhat on the stopping of the service to collect garden waste, although the charging regime imposed is still extortionate, and the fortnightly collection inadequate.

    Congratulations and Thanks

    We congratulate the Friends of West Barnes Library who have managed to keep the Library open, despite the cutbacks which the Council says are imposed on it.

    One major help to a widening dialogue has been the full implementation over the year of our own web site, which has had a growing numbers of “hits” and is now becoming properly interactive. For setting this up and developing it, we have to thank our webmaster, Charles Briscoe-Smith, and again Rachel Skinner, who is also fortunately an expert in computing, as those of us in an older generation are not.

    As you will hear shortly from our Treasurer, John Townsend, our finances are in an increasingly healthy state.  Since John took over, he has placed our investments in funds which return a real rate of interest, even in these difficult times, as well as producing reports that all of us can understand. We are very grateful to him. I would also like to thank Brian Lewis-Lavender for continuing to act as our Auditor, despite the huge demands on his time of having been the Mayor’s Consort for this past year.

    You will see from the Treasurer’s report that income from advertisements continues to rise. Kate Price has been our Advertising Manager for some years now. We are extremely grateful to her that she has continued to act in this role, despite having expressed her wish to stand down over a year ago.

    Our income from subscriptions also continues to rise. For this we have to thank our Distribution Manager Andrew Barwick who has the onerous task of managing the large number of Area Co-ordinators and Road Stewards who also give freely of their time in collecting and distributing The Guide. We are very grateful to him, and to all those who help to enable us to communicate on a unique and monthly basis with our members.

    Andrew also is our eyes and ears on what is happening on St George’s Playing Fields. By keeping an exact record of the events on this Metropolitan Open Land, he has managed at last to get the Council officers to enforce strictly the number of times a year this land can be used for other purposes, including car boot sales and the storage of unsuitable materials.

    We are sometimes accused of being too focused on the Grand Drive area. This is emphatically not so. Peter Connellan keeps us well informed on what is happening in the Burlington Road and Shannon Corner areas, and Jill Truman and Jan Bailey keep us up to date on issues on the Coombe Lane side of the railway, and in the centre of Raynes Park.

    We will be holding our open meeting this June in Motspur Park.

    The Association would not run without the help of Jill and Jan as our joint Secretaries. Both of them put in an enormous amount of energy and time to our work. Jill’s experience goes back very many years, but her commitment is undimmed. The Guide continues to go from strength to strength under her Editorship, and is always full of articles of local interest. Jan continues to produce impeccable minutes, and is my first point of call to find out what is happening anywhere in our area.  The detail and depth of her knowledge on local issues, and not only flood prevention, continues to astonish.

    I am personally very grateful to both of them.

    We are also grateful to our Councillors. We cover three wards, Cannon Hill, Raynes Park, and West Barnes. All our nine Councillors have helped us on various issues during the year, but I would particularly like to mention the West Barnes Councillors. All three of them, Cllr. Mary-Jane Jeanes, Cllr. Iain Dysart, and Cllr. Gilli Lewis-Lavender have been assiduous in attending our meetings as frequently as they could. They work immensely hard. If I single out Gilli Lewis-Lavender, it is because this year she has also been Mayor, and this is an enormous job these days, but still found time to help us.

    Last but not least, I must record our enormous thanks to our Area Co-ordinators and Road Representatives who are the backbone of the Association, delivering the Guides every month, collecting in the subscriptions and recruiting new members, and without whom the Association could not exist.

    We are always keen to have new members; we have three major developments in Grand Drive, as well as the new flats in the Waitrose development. The movement of people in this area is high. We are planning to try and contact as many as possible of these new residents in a recruitment campaign in the spring.

    We are in good heart, but many of us on the Committee are getting on in years.  We do need to have fresh ideas and new people. If you feel you want to help, do please come forward and contact any of us.

    John Elvidge,

    Chairman

    21 March 2012

     

  • Merton's Top 10 Parking and Traffic Ticket Spots

    speed camera copy         no parking        bus lane

    (Courtesy Wimbledon Guardian)

    1. Hartfield Road bus lane camera, Wimbledon – 2,970 tickets
    2. Hartfield Road car park, Wimbledon – 2,605  tickets
    3. London Road bus lane camera, Mitcham (opposite Elmwood Road) – 2,338 tickets
    4. London Road bus lane camera, Mitcham (opposite Bond Road) – 2,282 tickets
    5. London Road bus lane camera, Mitcham (adjacent to Figge’s Marsh) – 1,959 tickets
    6. High Street, Wimbledon Village – 1,938 tickets
    7. Coombe Lane, Raynes Park – 1,394 tickets
    8. Russell Road, Wimbledon – 1,373 tickets
    9. Coombe Lane car park, Raynes Park – 1,159 tickets
    10. London Road bus lane, Mitcham (Armfield Crescent) – 1,100 tickets
  • Local Development Framework

    For many years, development in Merton has been guided by the Borough’s Unitary Development Plan. Now, under the Planning Act 2004, a local development framework will be used by each local authority to form the guidance for future spatial planning strategy. The Draft Sites and Policies Development Plan, which forms part of Merton’s Local Development Framework, was issued earlier in 2012 and was available for public consultation and comment until the 23 March 2012. 

    The LDF is to be used by the planning authority to control development and determine planning applications. The aim of the new LDF system is to allow local planning authorities to respond to changing local circumstances. It also intended to provide a greater emphasis on community consultation and engagement in the planning process, when compared with the previous system. 

    The Draft Sites and Policies Development Plan for Merton can be accessed here under the “Popular” heading or alternatively inspected at libraries. 

    In particular, you may be interested in the area character study concerning the Grand Drive Area (Section 4, Area 23), which can be accessed here and some further ideas for Raynes Park, here. [Some of the pdf files are rather large] 

    ldf church

    Updated March 2012

     

     

     

  • Chairmans Blog - February 2012

    RAYNES PARK PLAYING FIELDS AND LESSA DEVELOPMENTS 

    The planning officers agreed to extend the consultation period for objections to the revised application for housing on the Raynes Park Playing Fields to the end of January, from the original end date of 13th January. This was in recognition of the fact that it was put in just before Christmas and the New Year break when no-one would have this as their first priority. 

    We understand that there have been a very large number of individual objections to the proposals, which are a scaled down version of the original plans, but still have 53 units of accommodation with an access route off Cannon Hill Lane. At the last moment, the developers moved the proposed all weather surface from near Southway to nearer Grand Drive and Cannon Hill Lane.  This was presumably to reduce the number of objections to floodlighting, which, while not part of this outline planning application, will undoubtedly be asked for in the future. 

    It is clear to us that there is virtually universal opposition among residents to the idea of any development on these actively used sports fields. The Association has written a strong letter of objection on your behalf. 

    Apart from our objections to any building on these excellent open sporting facilities, we remain very concerned about who would maintain the rest of the grounds for sporting use, if the development were allowed.  The owners are suggesting that King’s College School would take this on.  We have no doubt, of course, of the ability of the School to do so, but they have given no binding commitment to our knowledge to undertake this.  We are very conscious that when the appeal on the LESSA site was being heard by the Inspector, the School was saying very strongly that they needed that ground for their junior school sports. In his report allowing the developer’s appeal, the Inspector made it absolutely clear that his decision was based on the fact that the grounds had not been used for sports for over 10 years, and that now they would be brought back into use.  He would have been strongly influenced by the evidence from KCS. However, the School has yet to sign any agreement to take over and maintain the LESSA grounds, even though some of the housing is already occupied.  The result is that there is at present no body to maintain and run the grounds for sport.  If KCS do not take up their option, the responsibility will fall back on the Council, and we all know that they have no money or inclination to undertake this.  We have very real fears that the grounds will remain derelict, while the developers laugh all the way to the bank, having made a mockery of the planning system. 

    We believe that it is absolutely vital that if developers are granted permission to build on part of sports grounds in future, there should be a planning condition that they should not be able to lay a single brick before there is a contractually binding agreement covering the maintenance and use of the remaining, larger, sports grounds. 

    HOW CAN THE ASSOCIATION REPRESENT YOU BEST? 

    We are very conscious that much of our work at present is focused on planning issues. The piece above is a good example of this. We have no option, as an Association, but to make these the main focus of our attentions, since for the past 15 years or so, we have been fighting a running battle to save our various sports grounds from development.  This is an issue that affects all of us, of whatever age, since one of the main reasons we chose to live in this area is because of the way in which it was laid out in the thirties with plenty of open land for recreation. This is now under real threat. 

    However, we know that there are lots of other issues that are extremely important to people.  For young couples, the issue of housing and schooling will be top of the list. The nurseries are full, and primary schools cannot expand enough to take the rising numbers of children being born. It is still true that people move their children, if they are able to afford to do so, to schools in neighbouring boroughs towards the end of their primary education because they have doubts about the quality of secondary education provided in Merton. Even so, we have some 2000 pupils in local schools. At the other end of the age range, we also have a greatly increasing number of elderly people, who need home care and may need residential care. All of us will need at some time access to good medical and dental care, and quick and skilled hospital treatment. There are also a lot of pastimes that people follow locally, in music and drama, in sports, and in activities such as fishing, and wildlife. Everyone will be interested in policing, transport issues, and in parking. 

    The question we are asking is how we as an Association best can represent your interests over these issues, and the myriad of others that you are particularly concerned with. 

    At present, we send out a monthly Guide to each of our members, using our very loyal team of distributors and road stewards, and have done so for many years.  We put some Guides on sale in certain local shops, and give some to the libraries for display. We also now have a web site, which has received a very large number of “hits” since it was established fully last year.  We are experimenting with Facebook and Twitter, as a means of extra communication.  We now have a large influx of new residents, into the new developments that have been approved. Some, but not all of these, will be transient, but we need to make them aware of our existence. 

    We hope to issue a questionnaire using all of these methods of communication to ask YOU what you would like us to do. We have been going as an Association since 1928, and although none of the Committee was around at that time (!) we need your help to keep the Association fresh, relevant, and useful right up to its centenary.  Please let us know what you are interested in, and how you would like us to represent your views. 

    John Elvidge
  • Using TfL's Bus 'Countdown' service online (or on smartphones)

    bus 131               bus 200

    TfL has now launched a live bus tracker system, which is available online or through an SMS text service from your mobile phone.   You can use this across London and it is updated minute-by-minute. 

    WEB AND SMARTPHONE UPDATES:  To access the information from any web-connected computer or your smartphone while you're out and about, simply navigate to this link and search for your stop.  For example, you can type your home postcode to see the stops closest to your home address, select the ones of interest (you can also filter by routes to view the route you use) and then click "add to my stops" to view them in future.  You can then access an instant real-time update at any time for all of these stops by returning to the website.

    TEXT UPDATES:  Simply send a text to 87287 with your bus stop code and you will receive a reply with real time bus arrival times for that stop.  The bus stop code is a black, five-digit number on a sign above the timetable.  Texts cost the standard network rate, plus a 12p charge to receive the response for UK mobiles. 

    There is a video and further information about the service here on the TfL website.

     

  • Chairman's Blog, January 2012

    RAYNES PARK PLAYING FIELDS

    Members will recall that these playing fields are owned by the All England Club, are actively used for sport, and are bounded by houses in Elm Walk, Southway, Cannon Hill Lane, and Southway. The Club proposed last year to build housing on a large part of the ground, and a public meeting was called at the St John Fisher School in Grand Drive, which was attended by some 200 angry local residents.  Since then the planning application has been held back by the owners and their consultants, PCL planning, while they decided what to do.

    They have now come back with a revised, smaller, proposal and put the revised proposals on display in the School on 7th December. Unfortunately, the display was not well advertised by PCL, and only a handful of people turned up, but these included members of the Association and local councilllors.  Having seen the proposals, we feel sure that local people will still want to oppose any development completely. We will make sure that this reasoned opposition is made clear to the planning committee through individual letters, petitions, and by calling another local meeting if necessary.

    It is extremely disappointing to note that the planning consultants have clearly been having detailed discussions over the proposals with the Council’s planning officers. We have complained many times that the Council staff are paid by us and owe their first loyalty to us. They should not be suggesting ways in which a development on a Greenfield site might be made acceptable on planning grounds. Any developer should simply be told that no discussions can be entered into, since the fields are not zoned for any kind of built up development under the borough plan, and under the report recently produced on the local needs for continued use of sports grounds. Under the Localism Bill (whatever happened to that?) planning departments were supposed to consult widely with local residents well in advance of any planning application being lodged. This has not happened in this case, and there have been no such discussions.  We will be taking up this issue with other residents’ associations, and local councillors, to force the Council and its officers to fulfill their requirement to consult with us, and not simply to ask our views once an application has been lodged, and when an amber light has already been given to it.

    We understand that a planning application is due to lodged shortly, under which 54 units of housing are proposed. These include 2 blocks of flats. The developers have agreed that 25% of these should be “affordable” but the Council is pressing for more, probably 30%.  The planning committee is supposed to be exercising quasi-judicial powers, and to be impartial, but it is hard to see how this can be so when the housing section of the Council is already laying down what would be acceptable in terms of the social mix of housing stock provided.

    There would be housing of 2, 3 and 4 bedrooms, on a development site of 1.2 ha. There would be parking on site of 2 cars per unit, i.e. a maximum of 108 extra cars on our already congested roads.  Access will still be off a bend near the mini roundabout in Cannon Hill Lane, which is a dangerous entrance and exit with limited sightlines.

    The Fields suffer from drainage problems, both from rain falling on the ground, but also from that which comes down from Cannon Hill Common, where the Council has for years failed in its statutory duty to clear the drainage ditches. The Environment Agency is proposing drainage ditches on the boundaries of Fields on three sides ( i.e. all except Elm Walk), which will run under gravity into two open pools, which will then retain it in a “brake” system until the brooks can cope with taking away the volume of flood water. They propose to create an all weather pitch between Southway and Grand Drive, but for this to be floodlit at a level to be agreed. Local residents are bound to have strong objections to such proposals. 

    They expect the remaining ground to be maintained by King’s College School. However, there are no guarantees of this, given the reluctance of KCS so far to fulfill the promises they made to use the remaining sports ground on the LESSA site for their junior school. 

    CONTROLLED PARKING ZONES

    I hope to discuss these in a future comment at some length. All I want to say at the moment is that if the Council is currently consulting you and other residents in your road, it is VITAL to give them your views, either for or against, so that they can be taken into account. You also need to suggest ways, if there are such controls, as to how they can be improved, e.g. by the use of time limits that only exclude commuters and not local people and their guests. 

    TRAINS ON THE DISTRICT LINE

    We are told that Transport for London is increasing the number of trains on the District Line from Wimbledon by 12% between the hours of 7 am and 10 pm. This is much to be welcomed, having spent many hours waiting for trains at Earls Court which never come.  But, in my view, this does not go far enough.  Why is the improvement to stop at 10 pm? I recently changed at Earls Court at 11 pm, coming from central London, and waited 20 minutes in the cold for a train to Wimbledon, while no less than 4 trains came in bound for Richmond and 2 for Ealing. Given that the Wimbledon branch has trains that go both to central London, and to Paddington, I find this hard to fathom.

    2012

    It only remains for us to wish all members a very happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year. It should be a memorable one with both the Golden Jubilee and the Olympics.

     

  • Chairman's Blog, October 2011

    Flooding

    I write this on a day when yet again the rain is bucketing down in this most depressing summer for weather. On a Friday two weeks ago I had just starting playing golf in bright sunshine when within 20 minutes I was drenched by stair rods of rain, and the lightning was crashing overhead. The rain streamed off Wimbledon Common and down the Ridgway. The Lower Downs Road tunnel was under 2 feet of water, and the tunnel at Raynes Park was blocked. 

    It seems that this is going to be the pattern for the future. But what newcomers to this area may not appreciate is that this area is particularly prone to flooding. The Association was set up in 1928 precisely because of the flooding then occurring in West Barnes and down to Raynes Park.   The golf course which ran from the top of Parkway down to what are now the traffic lights in Grand Drive, had to relocate to New Malden, to become the Malden Golf Club, since the ground was waterlogged so often.

    Large parts of our area are in a flood plain, and there have been many instances over the years of the drainage systems being unable to cope with sudden deluges of water.  This is one of the major reasons that we continue to oppose any developments on our sports fields, since they act as more gradual soakaways, and this huge benefit is lost when they are built over. The issue remains a very live one in regard to the housing proposed for the All England Ground, since water runs off Cannon Hill Common and pools exactly where they are proposing to build.  Our joint secretary, Jan Bailey, has been for years tirelessly trying to persuade the Council to maintain the ditches on the Common, which is its responsibility, but so far, the Council has avoided doing so. It has not had a qualified sewers and rivers civil engineer for the last 20 years. The Environment Agency continues to increase its calculations of the risk of flooding, and the Pyl Brook has been upgraded to show that it will flood once or more every 25 years. But no one in authority is prepared to spend the kind of money that is needed to build retention tanks that will contain excess water until it can be released slowly into the drainage systems.

    Parking in and around Raynes Park

    The Raynes Park Association working with the Council has produced a guide to where you can park short term in Raynes Park. It warns you to confirm its accuracy by checking the actual parking control signs.

    Meanwhile plans are afoot to “consult” on further controlled parking zones in the neighbouring streets. So far the consultations have been in roads outside our immediate area, such as Abbott Avenue, Toynbee Road, and the Downs, but consultation on the areas that most affect us – those adjacent to Raynes Park town centre and which include much of West Wimbledon and some of North West Wimbledon are now underway. 

    Rainbow Estate

    The Council is working on a planning brief on the Rainbow Estate, which is the business estate accessed from the Grand Drive side of Raynes Park station.  It looks as if the long campaign fought by the residents to prevent this being used for a waste disposal plant has been successful. The preferred option of the Council is to maintain it for light industrial use, so as to provide local jobs and businesses. However, while that is its current designation, the site’s owners seem unable to attract tenants, and much of it is underused and frankly semi-derelict.   Some sort of car parking would be very welcome, to help in the re-generation of the local shopping and restaurant centre. This will only happen if the timing of its use is restricted to prevent it being used by commuters. We have enough traffic coming onto our roads already which is locally generated.

    Road works

    Why do road works take so long to complete? The closure of the junction of Coombe Lane with Copse Hill for gas works necessitates huge detours, and is taking weeks. The one in the middle of Wimbledon is taking even longer to complete and hold up the traffic for hours.   The one at the junction of Grand Drive with Heath Drive also took weeks. What is so irritating is that for days at a time nothing is happening. There is no one on the site even in the usual daylight hours of working. There is no notice on site telling you what is supposed to happen, and when the date for completion is. I wrote to the Chief Executive of Merton about the works in Grand Drive on 27th July 2011 asking him to let us know what work was due to be carried out and when it was due to be completed. I asked what arrangements the Council imposed on the working, and why it should not be continuous until it was completed.  Of course, being Merton, I have yet to receive even an acknowledgement of my letter, let alone a reply.

    Customer Service

    I spent 20 minutes yesterday queuing at my Bank. There were 2 tellers on duty, looking tired and harassed, and the queue had 14 people in it. The queue was as long when I left.  At the weekend I spent 20 minutes queuing at the supermarket checkout, with the same number of pressured staff and frustrated customers.  When I phone a utility company or other commercial concern, I am put on hold for endless aeons of time, with no indication that I will ever get through to anyone to talk to. All these businesses are making very good profits in this recession.  These are at the expense of their customers who are forced to put up with inferior standards of service.  Why do we, as a nation, put up with such inferior standards of customer service? How can we start a customer revolution, so that service is put before profit? Do these employers not realise that if they employed more people, the economy would recover quicker, and they would be able to make even more profit!

     

    John Elvidge 

  • Cannon Hill Common: come and join us!

    What's happening on Cannon Hill Common?

    You may have noticed that a lot of work has been done in the last few weeks in the Orchard area.    Over recent years this area has shrunk, as brambles have encroached on it.  The brambles are being cut back and some necessary tree work is being done.   This will allow a new FRUIT HEDGE to be planted, containing a variety of species, such as damson, plum, currants, medlar and hazel.  The fruit trees are a donation from the Tree Council and the work is being coordinated by Merton’s voluntary Tree Wardens, the council’s Tree Officers and the Friends of Cannon Hill Common. 

    The planting is going to be done on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th November, from 10am to 1pm on both days – please come and help!   

    For further information, please contact the FRIENDS OF CANNON HILL COMMON or email cannonhillcommon@btinternet.com 07761 201227

  • London Riots - update for our area

    9th August 2011

    With the worrying news that the Tandem Centre in Colliers Wood was targeted last night (Monday), Wimbledon town centre has seen the early closure of many shops and services today.  Centre Court has been closed since 2pm, although no official police advice has been given.  Informal news suggests that Merton may be a target this evening, so please take care.  For breaking news, please see the Wimbledon Guardian website.  Our best advice to you is as follows, if you are caught up in any disturbance:

    • Take all steps to move away calmly from the centre of events (but do not become a spectator)
    • Try to keep calm, keep your head down and walk – do not run
    • Move with the crowd and walk towards a place of safety
    • If confronted, do not argue and try to back away from the confrontation
    • Do not resist if challenged
    • If in a car, lock the doors and try to keep the car moving in the direction of safety
    • If on public transport, follow the driver's advice
    • Check current news and media reports, and turn back or try to find an alternative route if you realise that you have entered an area where there are problems

     

  • 13th Wimbledon Beaver Scouts need you!

    scouts appeal

    If you would like to have a positive impact on the future lives of young people, then come and join our team.  We meet weekly on a Tuesday evening, term time only, at St. Saviour’s Church Hall, Grand Drive.  Training and support provided. CRB check & References required.  For further information please contact Judy Horsford on 07766538721 or email me at judyhorsford@tiscali.co.uk

  • Neighbourhood Watch

    The Residents' Association is part of the Neighbourhood Watch scheme. Members may qualify for a discount on their household insurance.

    neighbourhood_watch

     

     

     

     

     

    Click here to link to Merton Neighbourhood Watch Association.

     

  • West Barnes Community Safe Updates

    For recent local community policing updates, please click here. 

    (Note that clicking this link will take you away from the Raynes Park & West Barnes website)

     

  • Bank Holiday Fair, August 2011

    Morden Fun fair: Monday 29th August at Morden Park Playing fields

    The Fair is organised by the Morden Park Playing Fields Association and was a great success last year so you can expect an even bigger and better event this year. Don't travel any further, join us for a great day out.

    Ms Sylvia Queenborough is the main contact for stalls and activities. She will soon have a phone number dedicated to the fair. Meanwhile if you  have any queries please contact the Cllr. Logie Lohendran (a member of this Association) via email at clohendran7@hotmail.co.uk

  • Chairman's Blog, August 2011

    Garden waste or bulk waste collection 

    I have finally prized out of the Council, using a request under the Freedom of Information Act, an answer to my unanswered question as to the relative costs of the savings in stopping the garden waste collection service vital to so many elderly people in our area without cars, compared with the cost of introducing the new “free” bulk waste collection. 

    As I supposed all along, despite the Council saying that they had to stop the garden waste collection service to save money - because of government reductions in rate support grant - the costs of the new bulk waste service are going to be much the same.  There will be no reduction in costs.

    What the Council has not explained at all is why a new service has been introduced, which is going to be used by more affluent people likely to have access to cars, when a service much valued by those in this area who have large gardens and whose age profile is older, has been taken away entirely.

    The Council was not intending to have any garden waste service, until the public outcry forced them to backtrack and to introduce a paid-for service.  This service is fortnightly throughout the year, and this means that it won’t cope with the sheer volume of material to be collected in the growing season, and yet will be mainly redundant  in the winter months.

    The paid-for garden waste service offers collections for large volumes of waste with a wheelie bin, which many residents can’t house or manhandle. My strong suspicion is that the Council still wants to introduce these for all residents, and that this is a back door route to achieving it.

     

    Officers’ response to issues on Cannon Hill Common

    In June, we reported at length about the disgraceful scenes last month when 100 cars were parked on Cannon Hill Common while a local church enjoyed a picnic and barbecue.  This could only happen in the first place since, despite repeated requests, the Council failed to block off vehicular access to the Common. Cars have been regularly coming onto the Common and parking in the turning circle next to the site of the former pavilion ever since it was burned down.  This was happening at all hours of day and night.  The Council has now promised, belatedly, to block off this access, and has sent us a scheme of the proposed barrier. Why did it take an incident like this and a huge outcry from the residents before the Council officers took any action?

    The other issue that arises out of this incident is that the activities of the local church, which was given permission under a signed agreement to have the picnic (but not any barbecues or car parking), was not controlled on the day by Council officers. There was no enforcement of the conditions.

    Surely the Council should have asked for a fee to include the full costs of monitoring the event, as happens in any other organised public event. Surely the promoters should have been asked for a deposit, retained to pay for the damage done to the Common. Why has the church not been asked for damages since the event, to pay for the costs of the damage caused?

    Why is it that Council officers - many of whom at the higher levels are paid as much as or more that the Cabinet - are so commercially incompetent, and so unresponsive to the needs and wishes of local residents.

    A further example of this is that nothing has yet been done to resolve the vexed issue of fishing on Cannon Hill Common, despite the public meeting held two months ago, and literally years of failing to act.

     

    LESSA

    Members of the Committee held what we hope is a useful discussion with the Site Manager and the Technical Adviser of Bellways who are building the houses and flats on the former LESSA site in Grand Drive.

    There were many issues to discuss, concerning the construction work, what was being included, their compliance with the planning conditions, and the long- term use of the sporting provisions.  We are sending them confirmation of what we believe was agreed so that there can be no room for doubt in the future. We intend to publish this when they have seen it and commented on it, in the next edition of the Guide, and also place it on the Web. Among other matters we discussed the proposed users of the sports ground, the fencing needed, and the need for a perimeter fence.   

    The building continues apace, and we understand that the flats, which are largely to be used for tenants of a housing association, will be ready for occupation as early as the end of August.  Access to these will be secured, while work continues on the private housing, and the building of the sports facilities, the playground and the amenity area. 

    Bellways agreed that we would be able to go round the site with them before the flats are occupied, so that we can point out residents’ concerns in detail.

     

     

    New sports field

    The much needed new sports field for the Raynes Park High School, and the Sacred Heart and West

    Wimbledon Primary Schools has been formally opened by the Mayor, Cllr Gilli Lewis-Lavender, who made the “first dig”.   The ground was given to the local authority as part of the planning condition for the houses and flats being built on the Sun Alliance site off Fairway, but the cost of the pavilion and getting the ground into condition has only been met by a hugely impressive fundraising operation, from institutions and individuals, led by Ian Newman, the Head teacher of Raynes Park High. This has raised the astonishing sum of £1.5 million in 5 years. It should be ready for use by the spring of next year.  It is the realisation of a dream for him, and a major achievement with which to mark his well deserved retirement.

     

    John Elvidge

  • Chairman's Blog, July 11

    PRIMARY SCHOOL PLACES

    There is very severe pressure for parents trying to find primary school places for their children in this area. The pressure is actually going to get significantly worse by 2014 due to the 30% rise in places needed due to the rate of births in Merton since 2009. The trend continues upward.

    The Council has attempted to meet the urgent need by expanding existing primary schools, but there are physical limits to the ability to do this. The increasing demand for places has meant that the catchment area for existing schools has shrunk, and this has left gaps in provision, one of which exists in the area to the south of Raynes Park station, stretching across to Motspur Park station.

    The Government has made it easier to provide new “free” schools, and a local church has come forward to propose a new 2-form entry primary school in a building near Motpsur Park station. They want to open it by 2012.  It is an evangelical church called Doxa Deo which meets at the David Lloyd Centre every Sunday. Residents may have seen its large advertisement at Raynes Park station.  We understand that the Church was founded in South Africa, but has set up such schools both there and in New Zealand.  

    Although it is a Christian church, in order to obtain Department of Education status, its teaching would have to conform to the national curriculum and to include a broad education about all the religions of the world. It would have to encourage applications from pupils of all denominations.  On this basis we have welcomed their proposals as filling a real need in educational provision in this area.

     

    PLANNING AND LOCAL SERVICES

    The shortage of places for primary school pupils shows up yet again the absurdity of our planning laws, which grant permission for multiple applications for residential developments, without any regard at all to the burdens that will be placed on local facilities.  It is remarkable but true that the planning committee, in making a decision on the merits of a planning application, is not entitled to take into account the numbers of other such developments given permission in the surrounding area, or the numbers of such other applications that are likely to be made shortly. It cannot for example, refuse an application owing to the number of extra vehicle movements that will be occasioned, when taken together with the number caused by other new developments, and the fact that the roads cannot cope at present with the numbers of vehicle movements.   It can only judge the application on its own merits as a building on environmental and access grounds.

    As we all know, this area has been swamped by new buildings in the past ten years, many of which will come into use over the next three years. These are for flats, town houses, and larger houses, and will be for private occupation as well as by tenants of housing associations.  No estimate has been made as to the likely age range of the occupiers, but it is likely that very many will have children of school age, and that many more will be elderly. All of them will need NHS doctors and the services of hospitals.  On Grand Drive alone, there is the Royal and Sun Alliance site off Fairway, the LESSA site, and the St Catherine’s site. There is an outstanding application to build on the Raynes Park Playing Fields.  The flats have just opened in the Waitrose development in the town centre.  Adding to these major developments is the steady stream of maisonette and flat conversions from larger houses. The numbers of people living here will increase by some thousands in a few years.

    The developers do not have to make any estimate of the services that the occupiers will need.  It is simply expected that the Council and the NHS will make whatever extra provision is needed in due time.  The only concession to this is that developers have to make a Section 106 cash contribution, which does not, in fact, even have to be used in the immediate area. This cash contribution is miniscule in comparison to the costs of the capital needed to extend existing schools, medical practices, hospitals or old people’s homes.

    The Government is always keen to allow more housing to be built in the London area.  I believe firmly that developers should be required to make a vastly greater cash contribution that they do at present, and that the money should be ring-fenced and hypothecated for the provision of public improvements within the immediate area. 

     

    MAYORAL RECEPTION

    Our new Mayor and Merton’s first citizen is Gilli Lewis-Lavender, who is a West Barnes Councillor. She invited a number of local residents to her official Reception which was held in mid-June in the lovely grounds of Morden Park House.  The evening was memorable for me, and probably for others, for the serene and untroubled way in which she, dressed in her Mayoral robes, and with her official consort and husband, Brian, greeted all her guests at the gates for over an hour while the rain poured down on them. It reminded me inevitably of Queen Salote of Tonga who famously chose to ride to the Queen’s Coronation in an open carriage, waving delightedly to the crowds, while the heavens opened. 

    She has a great range of events proposed for her Mayoral year, the proceeds from which will go to support her many charities. For more information, or to book any of them, please contact Mayor@merton.gov.uk or telephone 0208 545 3517.  She is tremendously enthusiastic, so please give her every support.

     

    John Elvidge
  • Proposed Free School in West Barnes

    doxa deo

    A proposal has been submitted to obtain permission for a new "free school" in West Barnes.  This would be a new primary school, initially catering for 48 children of Reception age (4-5 years) and building into a full primary school, catering for children aged 4 - 11 years.  Free Schools are all-ability state-funded schools set up in response to local demand, in order to improve education for children in the local community. 

    The proposal for the West Barnes area is being led by the local Doxa Deo church in Raynes Park.  A Steering Group has been established to guide the submission process.  The application process has now reached its final stages and we are awaiting news of the outcome.

    Further information about the proposed school is available at http://www.doxadeoschool.co.uk/, where you can register your support or make comments about the proposal.

     

     

  • Chargeable Garden Waste Collection Service

    A new chargeable garden waste collection service has been operating in Merton since 4th July 2011. The fortnightly service is available for an annual subscription of £65 (£2.71 per collection) or a reduced rate of £50 for pensioners and those in receipt of income or disability support.

    Residents have two container options: a 240 litre wheeled bin or a pack of 25 paper sacks each year, each with a 75 litre capacity.  Residents enter in to a (non-refundable) contract with LBM to have their garden waste collected fortnightly, on the same day as other waste is collected.  Subscriptions are renewed automatically each year, although those who do not wish to continue may unsubscribe.

    For more information or to sign up for the service, please see http://www.merton.gov.uk/environment/recyclingwastemanagement/recycling/gardenwaste.htm

     

  • Association News June 2011

    FISHING ON CANNON HILL LAKE

    The Cannon Hill Ward Councillors called a public meeting on 10th May to discuss a number of local issues.  Over 150 people packed into the St James’ Church Hall. The first and most contentious of these was the vexed question of whether to allow fishing to continue on Cannon Hill Lake. 

    The Councillors called the meeting as so much time had passed since the previous plan was adopted to have the fishing monitored by a fishing club, which had not actually happened.  Also, there had been very little consultation before that plan was put in place.

    A Council officer was present to give an update on the plan. The Club that runs the fishing on the River Wandle through Morden Hall Park had come forward and offered to control the fishing on Cannon Hill Common. A number of their officers, and others with angling interests spoke, including their water bailiff. Their viewpoint was that if fishing was not controlled, it would happen anyway, and their club had been able to preserve the river banks on the Wandle, prevent litter and detritus, and to maintain good order.

    The local residents who spoke were very largely still in favour of a complete ban. They said that the fishermen had taken over, and ruined the improvements put in recently to enhance the banks and provide nesting platforms for the birds. The number of ducks had diminished greatly through the disturbance caused, through swallowing tackle (and dogs had also got caught up in fishing gear), children were shouted at for throwing bread, and residents abused. Fishing took place on the other bank, which was supposed to be kept as a nature reserve. They said that the Lake was too small to have any fishing, and doubted that regulation could work.  There was no detail as to how it would work, how such a club would control it, and how often. 

    Some residents thought that even if fishing were banned, it would happen anyway, given that the Council had no staff or intention to control it, and that the police would only intervene to prevent a breach of the peace, and not ensure that a by-law banning fishing was kept to.  So their view was that it was worth giving the fishing club idea a trial period of a year, to see if it worked. If it didn’t, then the ban should be re-introduced.

    Forms were provided so that people could express their views, and these are being considered by the Councillors. The two main options are: “I want a fishing ban on Cannon Hill Common” and “I want to see a fishing club established on Cannon Hill Common”.

    If you want to express a view, please vote and send it to Cllr. Miles Windsor at: miles.windsor@merton.gov.uk.

     

    GREEN WASTE

    You will see in the letters section that Cllr Andrew Judge has replied to my letter to the Council Leader, giving the administration’s present stance on green waste collection. I found the reply disheartening, and so wrote again.  I fail to see the logic of introducing a new free bulky waste collection service, when the green waste collection service, which is needed and which is much valued by local residents has been stopped.  The Council has failed to say what the relative cost of each service is, and I have asked for this information. 

    We have been told that the issue is being considered again by the Council’s Cabinet, but it does not look as though the green waste collection will continue as before.  We wait to see what, if anything, will be put in its place to help elderly residents, without access to cars, dispose of the tonnes of garden waste that are created, particularly at this time of year.

     

    STREET PARTY

    I suspect that the lovely warm weather in the weeks before the Royal Wedding and the joyfulness of the national celebration on the day itself will be long remembered.  Elm Walk was closed to road traffic for a street party and it was an extraordinary sight, with trestle tables in the street, laden with food and drink, and people sitting in their front gardens with glasses in their hands.  Kids were playing old fashioned games up and down the road. Congratulations to those who thought of it, and took part.

     

    John Elvidge, June 2011

  • June 2011

    COMMUNITY SAFE

    DOG WATCH SCHEME LAUNCHED Merton's Dog Watch scheme will be officially launched on: Saturday 14th May 2011 in King George's Playing Field, Tudor Drive, Morden, SM4 4PN between 10am and 2pm. The scheme is aimed at dog owners from across the borough and aims to collect information from members about issues in their area that impact on their quality of life, for example, anti social behaviour, dangerous dogs or even untaxed vehicles.

    The scheme will also be used to advise and inform owners on dog welfare, care and legislation, through a quarterly newsletter. Please come along and support the event and bring your family, including your dog! There will be a dog agility course, training advice, free Health Checks, free micro chipping and lots more. For more information or to sign up to the scheme, do not hesitate to contact me at  Clare.L.Hammond@met.police.uk or on 020 8721 2456.

    HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF POLICING IN LONDON Tell us how you want to access police services and influence the future of local policing in your area in an online survey. You can complete the anonymous survey by following this link on the Met Police website (If the link does not work then go to the home page of www.met.police.uk and halfway down the right hand side is a box which says ‘Give us your feedback’.

    http://www.met.police.uk/contacts/public_access_survey.htm

    The survey is part of a review being carried out by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) into the different ways in which you can contact police and access our services. These range from telephone, online and face-to-face methods, including via police stations and appointments. The survey aims to find out which of the many channels you currently use to contact us and after learning about the variety of ways that exist, the survey poses the question would you choose a different way of accessing police services in future.

  • Bonfire & waste disposal in Merton

    These  notes are intended to give guidance  on methods of disposing  of garden waste and rubbish so as to avoid causing  nuisance to your neighbours. 

    1. Where  at all possible, garden waste  should be composted. From  1 April 2011 you will need to take your garden waste to the reuse and recycling centre  in Garth Road. We are also encouraging  you to take advantage  of our compost  bin offer. We are working  in partnership with Straight and are able to offer residents with gardens or allotments  a special deal on compost  bins. Details are on ourwebsite at www.merton.getcompostinq.com   or you can phone  0844 5714444 to find out more.

    2. lf you need to dispose of unwanted  materials or refuse you can take them to the Civic Amenity  Site at Garth Road, Morden  (open daily 8am to 4pm)

    3. Residents  can book a free collection for bulky  waste of up to five items once every three months. The free collection  includes fridges and freezers.  A minimum fee of £10 for additional  items collected at the same time, covering  up to three  additional  items with £4 charged for the ninth item and tenth item.  The maximum  number of items that can be collected  is 10. Please contact the Council waste help line on 020 8274 4942 to arrange  a collection


    lf you consider that you do need to have a bonfire please have particular regard to your neighbours.  Generally  do not start a bonfire if they have washing  hanging outside  or on summer  evenings  and weekends  when they may be enjoying  the amenities  of the open air.

    * Only burn dry materials or a burn with a minimum  of smoke

    * Keep a good flame burning  and feed the fire little and often.
    * Do not leave the fire to smoulder  or smoke.
    * Do not try to burn items such as grass cuttings.
    * NEVER  burn rubber, lino, oily or plastic materials which give off a black strongly smelling  smoke.
    * Contractors  carrying out work at your property  must not burn waste and vou must ensure that they arrange  for proper disposal
    of waste from your property.
     

    lf you require further information  or advice please contact the Environmental Health Section on 020 8545 3025. For information  about refuse disposal, recycling or composting  please contact 0208 2744902 or go to www.merton.gov.uk.

  • May 2011

    Operation Wellington


    Merton Borough has launched Operation Wellington targeting burglaries. As West Barnes ward has seen an increase in burglaries over the last 2 months the ward will be one of those specifically targeted with this operation.

    Specifically for the West Barnes residents, most offences have been committed with the offenders gaining access to the house through the rear patio door or window. Also the offenders have mainly been avoiding houses with alarms so it is worth investing in a house alarm if you do not have one.

    Arrests have been made on the ward however the offences have continued. I would suggest more than one person or team is involved. We still need your help so report any suspicious behaviour particularly that in the alleys behind and down the sides of houses. Please call 999 as this will give us a chance to get there.

    New Neighbourhood Watch Schemes are about to be launched in Claremont Avenue and Blakes Terrace. Over half the ward is covered by Neighbourhood Watch so if you would like to get involved or want to know who the coordinator in your street is then please get in touch with us.

    The Safer Neighbourhood Team remain available to conduct security reviews for where you live, assist with property marking, get alley gate schemes started and while our priority is catching the burglars we will also look at any other problems people are having in their area.

    For any further information please contact your local Safer Neighbourhoods Team as detailed below.

     

    Graham Chapman
    PS 54VW
    West Barnes Safer Neighbourhood Team
    0208 721 2454
    email: westbarnes.snt@met.police.uk
     

     

  • May 2011 Special Update

    ANPR success by West Barnes Safer Neighbourhoods Team

    On Thursday 31 March, as part of the Operation Wellington tactic to deter, detect and arrest burglars in Merton, officers from West Barnes and Lower Morden Safer Neighbourhoods Team, Merton Special Constabulary and the South West Area Traffic Unit ran an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) operation in West Barnes Lane and Burlington Road, supported by colleagues from Merton’s Trading Standards team.

    With Traffic police cars positioned at nearby locations, vehicle-mounted cameras checked each vehicle driving past. A number of vehicles were stopped as a result of information revealed by these checks, and drivers and occupants questioned.

    Burglars often use vehicles to move stolen property or go to areas to commit crime, and ANPR has been a highly useful tactic to stop and arrest burglars. 25 vehicles were stopped during this operation and several searches were carried out using appropriate powers.

    One driver was found to be driving without insurance - she was issued with a £200 Fixed Penalty Notice carrying 6 penalty endorsement points for her driving licence. There were no other offences detected by either the police teams or the Trading Standards, who spoke to commercial car and van drivers. PC Lee Abberton of West Barnes SNT , who organised the operation, said “I am really pleased with the success of today’s event. The lack of offences and no arrests being made on this occasion obviously means the message is getting through to burglars and criminals. West Barnes is not the place to risk visiting!” More ANPR units will be deployed across the borough, over the next few weeks 

    Graham Chapman PS 54VW

    Tel 020 8721 2454

    Email: WestBarnes.SNT@met.police.uk

  • Association News, May 2011

    CHAIRMAN’S COMMENT

    WAITROSE

    Members of the Committee were invited to the official opening of the new Waitrose store in Raynes Park, and taken on a tour of the building.   It is right to say that we were impressed, both by the design of the store, and by the range and quality of the provisions provided, including fresh fish and meat.   Everyone we have spoken to is delighted by the additional choice now available to local residents. The parking on the site has been leased to Merton Council, and has been fixed so as to deter commuter parking, since the fee rises very steeply after the first hour or so. This gives enough time to shop, and to get to the post office or other shops in the centre.

    Even the design of the flats is striking, at least to my eye, but does not jar against the rest of the area.   The “townscape” is gradually being improved on the Coombe Lane side of the railway, with fresh pavement treatment, and the removal of advertisement hoardings.  It used to be dowdy in the extreme. The medical centre has been given permission, and the old Elf petrol site is being developed. 

    By contrast the Grand Drive side still looks fairly neglected. It will continue to do so until a planning brief has been approved for the Rainbow Estate, and some provision made for dropping off and picking people up from the station. We understand that the Planning Department favours a continuation of light industrial and business use for that site, being the currently approved designation.  However, speaking personally, I do not believe that this would be sufficient to generate the transformation of the area, and more imaginative ideas are needed to link this extensive area of land to the rest of the town centre, and to bring it back into community use.

     

    ROAD WORKS

    For the last few months, it has been impossible to get around the area owing to the extensive number of road works.  When the branch of Kingston Road was re-opened after months of work to put in a gas main, we all breathed a sigh of relief. But then we found within days that Approach Road to Grand Drive had been closed for a week to permit the removal of the traffic island at the junction with Bushey Road.  The jam on Kingston Road was amazing, and the traffic stretched stationary in both directions.  No sooner had that gone than we had Cannon Hill Lane closed for re-surfacing. Soon we will have further work to Coombe Lane for more gas main replacement.  I wonder why it is that when national resources are under great pressure, we spend so much money on replacing tarmac. As one who drives up and down Cannon Hill Lane daily, I could see no need for resurfacing at all.  The planning application now being considered for the Raynes Park Playing Fields proposes the road access off Cannon Hill Lane. That would mean digging up again the surface just improved! Is there no joined up thinking in government?

     

    AGM

    We had a well attended AGM, and it is good to know that there continue to be people in the area interested enough to come and debate how we can continue to maintain and improve our local environment. 

    We had a review, by Sgt Graham Chapman of the West Barnes Safer Neighbourhood Team, of local crime statistics. He is extremely good at keeping in touch with the community, and we are very grateful for the work that he and his colleagues do in keeping the incidence of criminal activity here to a very low level.

    We are always looking for people to come and join us on the Committee, and, in particular, at the moment, we need a volunteer to take over from Kate Price as our Advertising Manager.  She would be delighted to explain the task to anyone who may be interested. Her number is given at the back of the Guide.

     

     

    SUBSCRIPTIONS

    We have yet again held the cost of subscribing to the Guide down to £2.50.  This has to be the best value ever for a magazine that keeps you informed as to local issues 12 times a year!  Our hard working Road Stewards will be coming round to collect your subscriptions shortly.

     

    John Elvidge, May 2011

  • Books at Raynes Park Station

    rp station books

    Passengers at Raynes Park Station are being encouraged to give unwanted books to the waiting room bookshelf.

    The aim is to increase the numbers of second hand books available in the waiting room at platforms 3 and 4.  Organiser Chris Larkman is asking Raynes Park residents to help out.  He said: “Books are taken very quickly, we ask anyone wanting to discard books to let us have them for the station.  Besides offering a service recycling books, it helps give the waiting room a purpose, and deters vandalism.”

    Books can be taken directly to the waiting room, or you can contact Mr Larkman on 020 8542 0612 or email: chrislarkman@gmail.com.

    (From Wimbledon Guardian, April 11th 2011)

  • April 2011

    HORTICULTURAL NEWS

    By the time that you read this we will have had our Open Meeting and reported the outcome to the Residents’ Association Annual General Meeting.  We have been contacted by 2 or 3 people who sound interested in coming to our aid, and if we receive  enough offers of help this will be put to our own Annual General Meeting in the Raynes Park Lawn Tennis Pavilion, 129 Grand Drive starting at 7.30pm on Monday 18th April.

    We shall not be collecting any subscriptions for the current year until the future is decided (still £3 per household).  That means if we are able to continue with competitive Shows and Lectures, the subscriptions go towards covering the costs of putting on these events.  If it is just decided to run outings there will be no subscriptions collected as we shall cost the outings to finance themselves.  We intend to keep the name of the Horticultural Section alive so that readers can find us in The Guide.

    If you missed the Open Meeting on Monday 28th March for some reason and would like to volunteer assistance please do come along to the A.G.M. on the 18th April and offer your services.

    We look forward to a good attendance at our Annual General Meeting on Monday 18th April.

    John Hughes, Hon Secretary

    (Tel.8542 5566)

  • Special Feature: The Alleygate Scheme

     

    The Alleygate Scheme

    The Met Police in partnership with Merton Council advise you to help secure your homes by putting up alleygates in the communal alleys which run down the sides and backs of many houses in this area.

    This will stop people snooping around the alleys to see if there is anything worth stealing and if high enough will keep them out entirely.

    There will need to be an agreement between most of the residents who use the alley that the gates should be installed. Merton Council may be able to assist with up to 45% of the costs of the gates.

    If you would like more information on this scheme then please contact one of us on the West Barnes Safer Neighbourhoods Team or contact Joe Adigwe (details below).

     

    ----------UPDATE MAY 2011-----------------

    The Council has been receiving enquiries regarding the clearing of rubbish from back alleyways once alley gates are installed.

    Last year Merton raised the contribution towards the Alleygate scheme to 45% in order to assist towards the cost of clearing any waste that may be fly tipped in residents’ private alleyways. Residents make their own arrangements for all waste to be cleared via a company of their choice, making sure that the company holds a valid waste carriers licence as per the EPA 1990, (Environmental Protection Act).

    Residents have found that the additional funding has helped.  If you would like more information regarding the Alleygate Scheme please contact the Joe Adigwe at Merton Council on this direct phone number: 0208-545-4786 or by e mail: joe.adigwe@merton.gov.uk.

     

  • March 2011

    The Safer Neighbourhoods Team Priorities

    The ward panel met on Monday 21st February and having reviewed everything that had been reported to the Police in the preceding four months decided to keep burglaries and theft from motor vehicles as the priorities for the Safer Neighbourhood Team. These are the highest types of crime in the area


    Burglary

    Firstly, thank you for all the information which has been passed to us following our appeal for help in catching the offenders. 

    If you see suspicious behavior, then call 999 explaining to the operator that there have been burglaries in the area then go on and describe what you have seen. The extra Police officers drafted in to deal with this increase in crime remain on the ward so please keep the calls coming in.

    The crimes have continued despite the positive action described below. Most of the attacked houses have been entered through a rear patio door or window with a spade or garden fork used to pry open the door so make sure these are locked away and not easily accessible. Most have occurred in the daytime or early evening hours.

  • Association News, April 2011

    ASSOCIATION NEWS in brief

    There is not a great deal of news as our AGM and open meeting are somewhat later this year and will not take place until after the print deadline for our April issue. 

    Planning Applications

    The application for permission to develop the AELTC’s Raynes Park Playing Fields has not yet gone to Committee, so no further information on that as yet.  We have received notification of a renewed application for the Pine Shop site in Coombe Lane, which we hope will result in some movement on the redevelopment of this eyesore; and at last, the application for the new Medical Centre has been registered.  We also understand that Tesco Extra is hoping to take over the retail units that form part of the site currently under development at the junction of Lambton Road and Worple Road.  The new Waitrose will probably be open by the time you read this!

    Roadworks

    Residents in Heath Drive have been informed that Gas works are due to commence in their road on 28th April, 2011.

    Books on Raynes Park Station

    The project for providing second hand books for the waiting room on platforms 3 and 4 at Raynes Park Station is now well established.  Five volunteers regularly attempt to keep the shelves tidy and to find new sources of books.  Besides offering a service recycling books, it helps give the waiting room a purpose, and deters vandalism.

    The project is so popular that books are taken very quickly.  Although people are asked to return them, the number of books available is often small.  We therefore ask anyone wanting to discard books to let us have them for the station.  Please either take them along yourself, or contact Chris Larkman (020 8542 0612 chrislarkman@gmail.com) who will be happy to arrange to collect them from you.

    Locking of Parks and Gardens

    Cllr. Rod Scott has advised us at the Council’s budget meeting, alternative savings were found to enable the present arrangement of locking parks and gardens at night to continue for another year. This `reprieve` will enable discussions between the Friends groups, residents associations and others, with the council to take place with a view to finding a longer term solution while the present needs to find large council money savings continue. For example, this may be `remote locking`, the possibility of which will be examined.

    Community Forums

    At the same meeting, the council proposal that it would support only one Community Forum meeting per year in each area was modified to provide some support for a further three forum meetings per year - as a means of community engagement and communication -  if communities (as we do in Raynes Park) wish  to continue themselves.

    This matter was discussed in detail at the March meeting of the Raynes Park Association (the umbrella group for local Residents’ Associations and Businesses which includes RP&WBRA) when it was unanimously agreed that the Community Forums in Raynes Park have been successful with attendance and community acceptance continuing to grow. 

    Councillors from the three wards of Raynes Park, West Barnes and Dundonald were represented at this meeting, and it was further agreed that they would take the lead (working together with residents’ associations, businesses and other community groups, via the RPA’s communications network) in enabling the Raynes Park quarterly forums to continue.

    Cllr. Scott suggested that the support that would be required might include:

     
    1. The cost of hire of a venue for four forums per year (i.e. waive the charge for the Library Meeting Rooms for the three additional meetings).

     
    2. Office-type assistance to publicise/advertise the forums, circulate agendas, minutes etc.

     
    3. Someone to take minutes/actions from the forums, assuming a Councillor or community representative can provide chairmanship.

     
    4. Help from relevant council officers in attending meetings and/or briefing Councillors on items coming up on agendas and dealing with actions raised at forums.

     
    It was therefore proposed and agreed that the next (Council arranged) Forum on 24th March would be asked to consider this proposal, and also agree to the following dates for meetings in 2011:  23rd June, 22nd September and 1st December.
     
    In brief the Council would be asked to support the additional Forums by providing the venue free of charge and agreeing - at least - to facilitate 4. above.

     

    Jill Truman, April 2011

  • Chairman's Report 2010-2011

    Developments

    I said at this time last year that when the markets pick up, the builders will be back with a vengeance. So it has proved.  We now have three major sets of building works in Grand Drive, and are trying our best to prevent any development on a fourth site.  Two of these sites are former sports fields, and the All England Ground is a current sports field.  The green areas which make this such an attractive place to live are being eroded away at an alarming pace.

    The trend was started at the former Royal and Sun Alliance ground. There the Council allowed development on some 12% of the site, but on the basis that the rest of the land should be gifted to three local schools, together with a cash donation of £300,000, so that they could have much needed sports facilities.  The land take was relatively small, and the needs of the schools for sport very pressing. One block of flats has already been built, and more will follow.  

    The developers seized on that precedent, and presented a plan that was said to be similar for the LESSA site, but it was not similar. The Association opposed that on the principle that there should be no development, and the Council’s planning committee turned it down.  The Inspector allowed it on appeal, and, as we all know, the building proceeds apace. The land take there, for the houses and roads, we calculated to well be over 20%.  The Inspector imposed many conditions and we have been trying to ensure that these are kept to the letter. But we have real doubts that the major reason why he gave permission can be met. He was persuaded to give permission since he was told that the developers would enter an agreement with King’s College School for them to build pavilions, and would maintain and use the fields for their junior pupils.  There was no binding agreement to this effect.

    As we expected, the Irish owners sold the land to the present building company - at a great profit - as soon as they got permission. There has been no word that King’s College School is going to take on the sports fields. Indeed, the School has taken on a lease at the All England Ground, and there is no indication that they want two grounds in addition to their existing facilities. No other school or organisation has been mentioned as likely to take over the ground. The inevitable fallback position is that, once the developers have sold the flats and houses and made their profit, the fields will be given to the Council in their present derelict state, and we know that the Council can in no way can afford to build the pavilions or improve and maintain the land in a good state for sporting use.

    The other sporting use intended at LESSA was that the Raynes Park Tennis Club would move there. This may happen, but it depends on a number of uncertain factors, including whether the Club gets planning permission for flood lighting, and the degree to which the members will have to fund the costs themselves; so even that is far from certain.

    What is certain is that these two developments, together with the flats being built at breakneck speed on the St Catherine’s site, will mean that there will be some hundreds of new residents in our area, many of whom will have children of school age and many of whom will have cars.

    There will, of course, be another hundred and more new residents in Raynes Park when the Waitrose development is completed later this year. The number of cars permitted on this site is limited, but this will not stop the flat owners from buying cars and parking them on the surrounding streets. This will lead in turn to demands for the Council to introduce parking restrictions on neighbouring streets, which, on past form, are likely to be strongly opposed.

    There are no proposals by the Council to provide new nursery, primary, and secondary school provision, or health provision, to cater for these additional residents. The developers will have to make a small section 106 payment to the Council, but this will not even begin to meet the costs of additional schooling and health provision. There are also no proposals to improve the road network, and it is hard to see how it can be improved in any meaningful way. 

    We have tried to persuade the planning committee in all our objections that they need to take an overall view of the number and size of developments in this area, and not take each application in isolation. We have proved that the number of developments already under construction is far in excess of the housing targets for this area. The planners have consistently said that they have to look at each proposal on its own merits.  They have said that the extra traffic is not a reason to turn them neither down, nor is lack of educational and health facilities.

    We believe that this is a fundamentally wrong approach, and that no further development should be allowed here. We should be allowed to put up the “house full” signs. We do not have the infrastructure to cope with any extra housing.

    That was the overwhelming message that came from the 180 or so residents who packed the open meeting to discuss the development on the Raynes Park Playing Fields (the All England Lawn Tennis Club site, Grand Drive).  There has been universal opposition to this proposed development from the four streets that surround it, and much wider.  Petitions of hundreds of residents have been presented to the Council, as well as many individual letters of objection, on issues such as safety of access, lack of amenity, floodlighting, and flooding.   We had major flooding over the winter.

    There had been no prior discussion of these proposals with local residents, contrary to the intention of the Localism Bill and the promises of the new Council administration.  We hope that the planning committee, when it comes to discuss the present or any other proposal to develop on the All England land (which is still regularly used for sports) will take a wider view of its responsibilities to local people.

     

    Some successes

    It is not all doom and gloom though. We have had some successes in preserving our local environment.

    The proposal to build an anaerobic food digester on the Rainbow Estate in Raynes Park will not proceed, and the site has been taken off the list for proposal waste disposal.  We understand that Stephen Hammond MP has been having discussions with Council officers as to the future of the site on our behalf.  It is a large area in the middle of Raynes Park that is semi-derelict, and is currently zoned for industrial use. It is landlocked. We must seize the opportunity to make full use of this important town centre site for the whole community.

    Another success is that for the moment at least, we have won the battle to stop Prince George’s Playing Fields being used for commercial purposes above the number of events permitted by law. Local residents can now, largely, enjoy the peace of a weekend.

    The street scene in Raynes Park has been much improved by the removal of most of the advertisement hoardings, and the embankment areas on both sides kept better, although not yet clear of litter.  The money from the Waitrose development has been used to tidy up the Coombe Lane side of the station, and we may even have the tree we were promised.

    The proposal to ban a right turn over the West Barnes crossing has worked. This has proved very helpful in allowing traffic to find another route while Kingston Road has been closed to traffic for the gas main renewal.

     

    Thanks

    An enormous amount of hard work is done by very many people to run the Association. I want to thank our Area Co-ordinators and Road Stewards who are vital to us as the key link in delivering the Guides, in collecting the subscriptions, and in keeping us informed of local issues.

    The Association is very lucky to have such a well informed and dedicated Committee that meets most months, and e-mails regularly in between.

    Our joint secretaries are Jill Truman and Jan Bailey. Both of them buzz with energy and enthusiasm.  Jill continues as our Editor, and the Guide is even fuller than ever, with articles of real interest. She continues to take a special interest in the Coombe Lane area. She takes on the responsibility of providing the food for our Christmas party and the AGM. She has been an active member for so many years and I hope will continue for many years yet.  Jan continually astonishes me with her grasp of local issues, and, in particular, her amazing knowledge of local watercourses and rights of way. She always knows what’s happening. She is our Minutes secretary, and these are thorough and detailed.   Both regularly attend other local meetings such as the Raynes Park Association, and the Community Forum.

    Our planning experts, David Freeman, Pamela Robinson, and Jerry Cuthbert also regularly attend other local meetings, including the planning committee. Much of our work deals with planning issues, and they provide the reasoned objections on behalf of the Association. It is a great comfort to know that we are in such good hands.

    I want to thank Rachel Skinner, Andrew Barwick, and Charles Briscoe-Smith who have managed to bring us into the 21st century with a web site that we can be proud of.  The process of getting it live took at a great deal of time and effort, and we are very grateful to them.  Rachel is also our transport expert, and has liaised on our behalf with the Council on issues such as the Grand Drive traffic lights and parking restrictions in Raynes Park.  Andrew took on the role of Distribution Manager last year, and is full of ideas for increasing our membership.

    Kate Price has continued to be our Advertising Manager.  She would like to stand down for personal reasons, and we are very grateful that she has agreed to carry for the moment until we can find her replacement in this important job that keeps our revenues going.

    Talking of revenues brings me to John Townsend who took over as our Treasurer this time last year.  He has come to the job with great energy, and has managed at last to put our assets where they can earn some interest. We are also grateful to our  Auditor, Brian Lewis-Lavender.

    Peter Connellan continues to keep us informed about issues in the Claremont Avenue area.

    I would also like to thank our Councillors for their assistance. The three West Barnes Councillors, Gilli Lewis-Lavender, Mary-Jane Jeanes, and Iain Dysart have attended all the Committee meetings that they could. Cllr. Rod Scott has also been very helpful on issues in the Raynes Park ward.

     

    Next year

    Next year there will be a decision on the planning application for the AELTC’s Raynes Park Playing Fields. The existing residential developments will open.  The cuts the Council has to make will require us to try and protect local amenities, including West Barnes Library and the Community Forums.  We await the promised angling club on Cannon Hill Lake. We also await a decision on whether the pavilion on the Common will be replaced.  We hope that the proposals for the Grand Drive/Bushey Road junction will give more time for traffic coming from Grand Drive to get through the lights.  We hope that sometime the gas main works on Kingston Road and proposed for Coombe Lane will be finished!  The Association will be needed as much as ever, and we continue to be grateful for whatever help local people can give.

     

    John Elvidge, Chairman                                              March 2011                                  

  • Merton Community Policing Partnership update: the future of Safer Neighbourhood Policing

    Merton’s police have set out the options being considered for neighbourhood policing in the borough. Speaking at the Merton Community Policing Partnership meeting on 13 January, Chief Inspector of Partnerships Mark Lawrence set out the three options being looked at:

    1. Continue with 20 ward teams, with greater flexibility to move officers to different wards as and when the need arises.
    2. Places Model. Create 9 Neighbourhood Teams with one team based at each Safer Neighbourhood bases and a move to 9 Neighbourhood Panels from 20 ward panel meetings.
    3. Move to five neighbourhood teams, based on the location of London Borough of Merton’s Area Forums and incorporating five Neighbourhood Panels.

    Proposals for Options 2 and 3 both include:

    • three problem-solving teams, to be available for each neighbourhood as the needs arise;
    • a proposal to create three multi-agency problem-solving panels, involving partners and elected members in tasking and monitoring SNT problem-solving activity;
    • A commitment to retaining named police points of contact on every ward.

    Mark emphasised that the options take account of the Metropolitan Police’s ongoing commitment to neighbourhood policing, alongside the need for greater flexibility in moving resources to areas where they are most needed and pressures on budgets. He also stressed that there may be a reduction in the numbers of SNT sergeants, rendering Option 1 a more difficult option to deliver.

    The final decision will be made by the Metropolitan Police Territorial Policing Development Team.

  • Petitions to Merton Council

    Merton  actively encourages those who live, work or study in the Borough to get involved in the decisions that affect them. One way to do this is through petitioning the Council. Our Petition Scheme sets out how to submit a petition and how we will respond.

    A petition is any request for action signed by more than two people. We welcome and actively encourage petitions signed by people who live, work or study in Merton. A petition can relate to anything that will improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of Merton.

    Find out more

    Consultation and Community Engagement Team
    Merton Council
    Civic Centre
    London Road
    Morden
    SM4 5DX

    Email: getinvolved@merton.gov.uk
    Telephone: 020 8545 3896

  • Chairman' Blog - March 2011

    The Rainbow Estate

    We spend much of our time embattled in trying to prevent unsuitable development on green field sites.  Our current concerns are to ensure that the development on the LESSA site can only go ahead strictly in accordance with the planning conditions; and to try and prevent any development on the Raynes Park Playing Fields, which is covered by detailed notes in this and last month’s Guides.

    Sometimes it’s good to stand back and remind ourselves of a battle that local residents did win, which has been a source of major concern over the last couple of years.  This was the proposal to build an anaerobic digester on the Rainbow Estate on the Grand Drive side of Raynes Park station. We argued that the technology involved in this process for disposing of food waste was not yet developed enough to make it safe to put near housing; and that the volume of lorries carrying the food in and the residues out would be bound to increase yet further the volumes of traffic on an already over congested road network.

    We are pleased that this is no longer a site being considered by the South London Waste plan, so that residents can rest more easily, at least for the moment. The sites being considered in Merton are at the Garth Road Industrial Area, and at the Willow Lane and Durnsford Road Industrial Areas.

    What we argued at the time, and what is now still essential, is for the planners to consult the local community on what should go on this land.  Anyone who has been there, usually to get plumbing supplies, knows that there is a large amount of industrial space, which is in a semi derelict condition apart from two or three businesses.  It is difficult of access, being bounded by the railway tracks, but, given its proximity to the station, should be capable of much better use than at present.  Suggestions include extra parking for shoppers, NOT commuters, a new primary school given the urgent need to increase school places, and even housing. 

    The planning department needs to create a plan for this site, and then only to accept planning applications that meet the objectives wanted.

    Planning Consultation with Residents

    More generally, we need to move the Planning Department away from feeling that they are bound to accept any application that is made to them, and even that they have to have detailed pre-application discussions on it with developers even before residents are told of its existence.

    We pay for the planning services of the Council, and they ought to lay down in a borough plan only that which is acceptable to local residents. A prime example is that of the Raynes Park Playing Fields.  The Council ought to have it absolutely clear that no development at all should be permitted on this site, both because the Fields are needed for sport, but also, simply because the roads, sewers, and water courses in the area are all at saturation point, and do not allow any further development.

    There is some hope that the Government is moving towards this idea. Planning guidance now states that planning authorities should ensure that communities are able to be involved in development proposals, at an early stage, and that it is not sufficient to invite them to comment only once proposals have been worked up. Pre-election promises by the national parties were made that significant projects should involve the local community. The Wimbledon Society reported that the current Leader of the Council wrote to them in his responses to their pre-election questions that “We would… seek... to ensure that pre-application discussions are fully informed by residents’ views and concerns”. 

    We hope that this is a pre-election promise that will not be broken. 

    Fishing on Cannon Hill Common

    In the letters section, there is a letter from Merton’s “Greenspaces Manager” (What was wrong with the title of Director of Parks?) about fishing at Cannon Hill Common Lake. This was in response to the petition signed by many people concerned at the effect of unregulated fishing on wildlife and amenities generally.  The birdlife has diminished rapidly, because fishing has been totally uncontrolled. You will see that the Council is still proposing an angling club, but that there has been no progress on this since it was first suggested two years ago.

    I have little confidence that this kind of self- regulation can work.  But, if it is to be tried, please get on with it!

    Meanwhile, The National Trust has announced that Watermeads has been restocked with fish by the Environment Agency; has new facilities for the disabled, and is open to anglers for business.

    Add this to the facilities on the Wandle at Morden Hall and it is clear why Morden Hall Park Angling Club is happy. In addition, it gives the lie to claims by Merton Council, the Environment Agency and  the River Authorities that there are no facilities other than Cannon Hill common for the deprived of other Boroughs.

    AGM

    Please do come to our AGM at the Raynes Park Library meeting rooms (entrance at the rear of the Library) on 30th March at 7.30.  We hope that our MP, Stephen Hammond, will be able to come. The formal part of the meeting only takes a few minutes, and then it’s open for general discussion. I promise you that it’s not a dry event - indeed there’ll be some wines and nibbles afterwards. 

    John Elvidge
  • Raynes Park Local Centre Enhancement Plan

    Merton Council has prepared the ‘Raynes Park Local Centre Enhancement Plan’, intended to guide short to medium term investment in the physical environment of Raynes Park centre.  The plan seeks to improve the attractiveness and functionality of the area to ensure that it remains a competitive destination for local shopping and services.

    The latest information about the Enhancement Plan was presented to the Raynes Park Community Forum on 23rd November 2010.  More details are available here.

     

  • February 2011

    Update on Priorities

    Burglary
    On Wednesday 5th January, officers from the West Barnes and Dundonald Safer Neighbourhoods Team arrested a 15 year old boy from Wimbledon on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary. He has since been charged with this and a further offence of conspiracy to steal motor vehicles. This follows on from the arrest and charging of a number of other people in the South West area of London for this type of crime.
    There have been no further burglaries on the ward with the letter box method of entry used to access buildings however December saw an increase in the number of burglaries on the ward where nearly all of them were entered through a rear door or window forced open. We have increased patrols in the alleyways behind houses. If you see anyone acting suspiciously in the alleys then please call 999 quoting ‘there have been several burglaries in the area’ and then describe what you see.


    Theft from Motor Vehicle
    A slight drop in this crime compared to December 2009. The retail estates have been quiet but on the 19th December Phyllis Avenue had 2 vehicles entered and on the 20th Marina Avenue also had 2 vehicles entered. These happened in the night time hours. We have targeted this type of crime with an operation stopping motor vehicles in the area which resulted in the arrest of a man for possession of drugs and also being wanted on warrant having failed to attend court for other matters. We have also arrested and charged another man for failing to pay for petrol at Esso Petrol Station on Shannon Corner.


    Other News

    A new graffiti ‘tag, has appeared in several locations on the ward. The offender has written ‘Dome’ in a couple of different styles. If you see this being done or have any other information about who is doing it please let us know.

    The Safer Shopping initiative in the lead up to Christmas was well received. We spent more time as a team on the retail estates. Bike marking events were held at Tesco and Halfords. People leaving Tescos with electronic goods were offered UV pens to mark their property and alarms for purses which activate when stolen out of handbags were also handed out. As mentioned above only 1 vehicle was broken into.

    The West Barnes Team continues to work hard in your area. For any further information please contact your local Safer Neighbourhoods Team as detailed below.


    Graham Chapman
    SGT 54VW
    West Barnes Safer Neighbourhood Team
    0208 721 2454
    email: westbarnes.snt@met.police.uk
  • January 2011

    www.communitysafe.gov.uk

    West Barnes Newsletter January 2011

     

    Update on Priorities

    Burglary

    On Wednesday 5th January, officers from the West Barnes and Dundonald Safer Neighbourhoods Team arrested a 15 year old boy from Wimbledon on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary. He has since been charged with this and a further offence of conspiracy to steal motor vehicles. This follows on from the arrest and charging of a number of other people in the South West area of London for this type of crime.

    There have been no further burglaries on the ward with the letter box method of entry used to access buildings however December saw an increase in the number of burglaries on the ward where nearly all of them were entered through a rear door or window forced open. We have increased patrols in the alleyways behind houses. If you see anyone acting suspiciously in the alleys then please call 999 quoting ‘there have been several burglaries in the area’ and then describe what you see.

    Theft from Motor Vehicle

    A slight drop in this crime compared to December 2009. The retail estates have been quiet but on the 19th December Phyllis Avenue had 2 vehicles entered and on the 20th Marina Avenue also had 2 vehicles entered. These happened in the night time hours. We have targeted this type of crime with an operation stopping motor vehicles in the area which resulted in the arrest of a man for possession of drugs and also being wanted on warrant having failed to attend court for other matters. We have also arrested and charged another man for failing to pay for petrol at Esso Petrol Station on Shannon Corner.

    Other News

    A new graffiti ‘tag, has appeared in several locations on the ward. The offender has written ‘Dome’ in a couple of different styles. If you see this being done or have any other information about who is doing it please let us know.

    The Safer Shopping initiative in the lead up to Christmas was well received. We spent more time as a team on the retail estates. Bike marking events were held at Tesco and Halfords. People leaving Tescos with electronic goods were offered UV pens to mark their property and alarms for purses which activate when stolen out of handbags were also handed out. As mentioned above only one vehicle was broken into.

    The West Barnes Team continues to work hard in your area. For any further information please contact your local Safer Neighbourhoods Team as detailed below.


    Graham Chapman
    SGT 54VW
    West Barnes Safer Neighbourhood Team
    0208 721 2454
    email: westbarnes.snt@met.police.uk

  • Christmas Tips 2010

     

    The 12 tips of Christmas from your

    Safer Neighbourhoods Teams (SNT)

     

    On the first day of Christmas, a policeman said to me:

    No presents under the tree

     

    On the second day of Christmas, a policeman said to me:

    Lock all doors and windows

     

    On the third day of Christmas, a policeman  said to me:

    Use timer switches

     

    On the fourth day of Christmas, a policeman said to me:

    Don't carry too much cash

     

    On the fifth day of Christmas, a policeman said to me:

    Use licensed cabs

     

    On the sixth day of Christmas, a policeman said to me:

    Don't flash your Ipod

     

    On the seventh day of Christmas, a policeman said to me:

    Use your mobile safely

     

    On the eighth day of Christmas, a policeman said to me:

    Take out your Sat Nav

     

    On the ninth day of Christmas, a policeman said to me:

    Don't leave your shopping out

     

    On the tenth day of Christmas, a policeman said to me:

    Keep your bags where you can see them

     

    On the eleventh day of Christmas, a policeman said to me:

    Only drink responsibly

     

    On the twelfth day of Christmas, a policeman said to me:

    Watch out for your neighbours

     

    Don’t let a burglar spoil your Christmas

     

     

    Merton Police Christmas crime prevention advice

     

     

    • Keep presents and valuables out of sight, away from windows and doors. Close your curtains when it gets dark so burglars can’t see in.

     

    • Lock all windows and doors out with a key when you go out.

     

    • Make your home look occupied whilst you are out, leave some lights and a radio on or invest in timer switches, which can turn lights and radios on. Remember to turn off festive lights when unattended to avoid a fire.

     

    • Do not carry or withdraw large amounts of cash whilst shopping or socialising.

     

    • When carrying bags make sure they are fastened securely – if you are a wheelchair user keep bags in front of you where you can see them.

     

    • Do not flash your valuables – mobiles, MP3 players, and purses – Keep them out of sight and secure in your bag or pocket.

     

    • When using public transport make that you call or text before you leave the train station where it is well lit, staffed and safe, then put your mobile away.

     

    • Don’t leave bags of presents or shopping on display in your car – always use the boot and make sure you take valuables including your car stereo, Sat Nav and holder with you when leaving your car. Always wipe away the circular ring left by the Sat Nav suction pads.

     

    • Drink responsibly, enjoy the festivities but be aware of your surroundings and plan how you will get home safely – arrange to travel home with friends and only use minicabs that are licensed. Text HOME to 60835.

     

    • When travelling don’t take risks or short cuts, stick to well lit main routes and let someone know where you are going.

     

    • Keep an eye on the vulnerable and elderly neighbours; consider joining your local Neighbourhood Watch group.
  • Chairman's Blog - September 2010

     

    We have had two important responses from the Council about the planning conditions on the Lessa site, one to me, and one to Stephen Hammond MP, who is taking a close interest in the issue.

    Residents will remember that the Inspector granted planning permission for housing on condition that the rest of the ground was retained as a sports field. At the time King's College School, Wimbledon, were proposing to take a lease on the ground for their junior pupils, and would have built two pavilions, re­instated the playing surfaces, and maintained them properly. The Residents' Tennis Club would have been provided by the developers with new tennis courts and changing facilities.

    The land was sold on by the owners to whom planning permission was granted, Doram, and it is now owned by Bellway Homes. Notices inform us that demolition of the existing buildings is imminent. They are in touch with the Council about their obligations under the conditions.

  • Prince George's Playing Fields

    Prince George's playing field, situated South of Bushey Rd. is the largest open green space within our area of interest and carries both M.O.L. (Metropolitan open land) and S.I.N.C. (site of importance for nature conservation) status.

    The field is currrently in private ownership, although there is along history of public access for sport and recreation. The Fields were previously owned by The London Playing Fields Society for more than 100 years -

     

  • Rainbow Estate - July 2012

    rainbo_ estateMerton Council Planning Department has now concluded the formal public consultation phase in relation to the contraversial Planning Brief prepared by the owner of this site on behalf of the Council. However, the Brief can still be downloaded here.

    The documents may also be viewed at public libraries or a paper copy may be requested by phoning 020 8545 3837 / 020 8545 4141 or via ldf@merton.gov.uk

    A pubic exhibition of the proposals took place in Raynes Park on 29th &30th June 2012 and a public meeting, called by the Ward Councillors, was held on 10 July 2012. To read about the result of the meeting, click here.

    The closing date for submitting comments on the proposals to Merton Planning Dept was 25 July 2012.

     

    WHAT’S ALL THE FUSS ABOUT? 

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