The Bulletin J u n e 2 0 1 4

Have your say on the future of Park - Members’ Meeting 25 June Wandsworth Park was opened in February made more sheltered and less open 1903 “for the use and enjoyment of the to views of the traffic and buildings beyond, people of London forever”. It had previ- then lower growing hedges, shrubs and ously been an area of waste ground and small trees would be a useful visual screen. allotments. There is scope for such planting on the park’s western, eastern and southern edges - The Society’s Open Spaces Panel to add to and enhance the existing planting takes a close interest in all of Putney’s open in these areas. But users may well have spaces and seeks to keep a watching brief views on how the original landscaping on their management and future scheme with its framework of well- development. Like all such spaces established forest trees (all part of the origi- Wandsworth Park is changing all the nal landscaping scheme) can be both pro- time, even if only gradually. The tected and perhaps enhanced. It would also t i m b e r - faced changing be helpful to hear how the facilities within pavilion/toilets at the eastern end of the the park can be improved for all park were donated by the developers of the users. The Panel is arranging a July Saturday Prospect Quay scheme and opened by morning walk to discuss suggestions.  the Mayor of Wandsworth in April 1996. In 2003 the Council carried out a Members’ Meeting at 7.30pm scheme of refurbishment, including 25 June 2014 at St Mary’s Church, Inside this issue: n e w r a i l i n g s a n d s e a t s . about Wandsworth In July 2013 the park’s newest feature, its 1. Wandsworth Park Park—Members’ mini-golf course, was opened on a space previously occupied by a bowling green. Meeting 25 June A Putney Society Members’ Meeting has 2. Buildings Panel, In March twelve members including panel been arranged at St Mary’s Church on members walked round the park discussing Wednesday 25 June at 7.30pm. It will issues of interest. It would seem that many be free entry for both members and 3. Letters to the people are quite happy with the Park as non-members. Editor; it is. Others, however, have some concerns Community Panel, which were drawn to the Panel’s attention. John Horrocks will be presenting the Post Office Open Spaces Panel’s report and will be 4. Around the John Horrocks, as Convenor of the joined by Frances Radcliffe, Chair of the Panel, has therefore written a report enti- Borough; Friends of Park and by tled “Wandsworth Park - enhancing the Borough Election Gerry Birtles, the Wandsworth future” which may be viewed on Results the Society’s website shortly. The draft Borough Council Parks Officer. report suggests that if the park is to be

Panel Meetings June and July

All members are very welcome to attend Putney Society Panel Meetings. The dates in June and July are: Community: 12 June, 10 July at 6 Norroy Road, SW15 1P (8.15pm) Transport: 10 June, 8 July at 29 Oxford Road, SW15 1PJ (7.30pm) Buildings: 11 June, 9 July at 154 Putney High Street, SW15 1RS (7.00pm) Open Spaces: 5 June, 3 July at 71 Norroy Road, SW15 1PH (7.30pm) Please check with Panel Convenors (see page 4) as space may be limited.

www.putneysociety.org.uk Suddenly all the action for your result are mixed in amongst those Buildings Buildings Panel seems to be in who like to get to bed early. Panel Roehampton. At the Society’s full- house local election hustings it was Meanwhile, into the middle of all this Convenor: clear that Wandsworth Council’s comes a proposal for the new Mosaic Andrew Catto ‘Preferred Option’ for partial redevel- Jewish Free primary school at Hart- [email protected] opment of the Alton West Estate is far field House (2014/2124) New from popular, particularly any sugges- schools should be welcome, but we tion of opening the vehicle barriers on will be objecting to this application Danebury Avenue, or of introducing because of the volume of building student housing. packed onto this confined site, and mainly because there will be no park- The first point I can understand. ing (other than two disabled spaces) Removing the physical barrier outside for a two form entry school, and no the Putney Leisure Centre has result- provision for the traffic that will be ed in a large number of vehicles generated with at least half of the ignoring the ‘No Entry’ signs, as pupils coming from beyond Roe- demonstrated by this picture of an hampton. articulated lorry entering Dryburgh Road this week. Sadly each of these schemes involve the loss of many of the mature trees. Students are a more difficult problem. It’s ‘just’ 25 or so each time, but Roehampton University is the big- together this is a very real change to gest local employer and now has the once rural feel of Roehampton some 8,000 students. The University Lane. is currently building more student rooms in the grounds of Downshire Back in central Putney, the frontage House. We commented on these trees seem to survive along the proposals last year, and have recent- Upper Richmond Road whilst the ly seen a preview of the University’s next generation of flats rise behind next scheme for another 5 storey them. Stanford Square next to East student block and library building on Putney station is complete and all the main campus – planning applica- sold but mostly not to local buyers. tion expected in June. In addition the Across the road the basement exca- ‘Preferred Option’ includes more vation gets bigger whilst 113 Upper student housing to replace flats Richmond Road is out of the ground above the shops on Danebury Ave- and rising fast, probably soon to be nue. Should we oppose this, and if so followed by the Tileman House site where else should they all live? Let (2014/1982) which has now been us know what you think. Many of the sold to Crest Nicholson, a larger houses on the estate seem well known housebuilder.  now to be let to students, who as a ANDREW CATTO

CORRECTION Friends of Putney Common were inadvertently referred to as 'Friends of Putney Hospital' in the last issue. Apologies. The application by Nicholas Evans to the Appeal Court against building an access road on Putney Common is listed for the 30 June in the High Court.

Page 2 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Putney Society welcomes letters from Members which should be posted to the Editor—Nicholas Evans, 29 Commondale, Putney, London SW15 1HS or emailed to [email protected]. Please bear in mind that space is limited and we reserve the right to shorten letters if necessary and that publication is not always guaranteed.

 Hi, I applaud your proposals for  I notice that we have a new an underpass at Putney Bridge. Just Editor which pleases me greatly one point: the article in the Bulletin because I believe it may herald a says: return to the trail blazed by John Horrocks for many years and kept "after the development is alight by Phil Evison. An end to the completed Putney Bridge will be the growing feeling that members' letters only location for the entire length of are unwelcome and that only those the river’s south bank, from Tower who run the Society will have their Bridge to Hampton Court, where letters printed. Well, I believe that the walkers using the Thames Path have beating heart of Putney Society is to cross a road". alive and well in the body of its many What about Albert and Battersea members. Bridges? Iain KS Gray, Manor Fields Michael Stevens, Haldon Road Editor: I certainly intend to publish as Editor: Michael makes a very valid many letters from members as point. The author of the Bulletin report possible, and not just from Committee apologises and says that the text members — keep them coming should be amended to read “… have please! to cross such a dangerous and complicated road crossing.”

Community Queen Mary’s Roehampton are We’ve been told that there won’t be desperate for clothes and shoes for an outside post box, but residents Panel patients with mental health issues. want some sort of secure box, even if They mostly need items for men, with it’s inside the post office itself, where Convenor: a smaller number for women. Shoes, mail can be left inside. Victoria Diamond hats, underwear, jerseys, shirts etc. Odeon Cinema. There have also 07746 022654 Sally Farrer is the main contact point. [email protected] been more comments on the If you have donations, or want more continued lack of film signage at the information, please contact her on Putney Odeon Cinema. We were told [email protected]. that some sort of signage was going to go up, but, so far, nothing has happened. If more people complain, Post Office. We have had more then perhaps something will be done! complaints about the lack of a post box at the Putney Post Office in the Get in touch. Any issues that you Upper Richmond Road. The want us to investigate do get in touch. consensus is that, leaving mail Don’t forget Twitter and Facebook! Page 3 between two counters is not secure. VICTORIA DIAMOND Around the Borough Hidden History of Putney Library The second of two tours looking behind the scenes of Putney Library - discover associations with WW1 and find out what went on in the basement during WW2. Monday Borough Elections 22 May 2 June at 11pm, for approximately one hour. Book in advance on 020 8780 3085. Art and Design Market on Putney Embankment Catch up on the next markets on the 1 of June and 6 July, from 10am to 4pm on the Embankment off the Lower Richmond Road. Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators — The Putney Society Thamesfield Hustings at St Mary’s Church Annual Meeting at 8pm 18 June 2014 The Conservators will present their annual report and finan- RESULTS The full results for Wandsworth can be seen cial statement to Levy-payers at The Baptist Church, Robin on the Council’s website. Hood Lane, Kingston Vale, London SW15 3PY. Refresh- ments and informal chat with Conservators from 7.15pm. THAMESFIELD The 85 bus stops nearby. Turnout: 37.2% Next Putney Society visit to William Morris Gallery Jim Madden (Con) 2,437 postponed to July 2014 Mike Ryder (Con) 2,466 Rosemary Torrington (Con) 2,579 The Society is organising a visit to the William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow (end of the Victoria Line) which is EAST PUTNEY now expected to happen in July rather than June — look Turnout 35.8% out for details in the next Bulletin. George Crivelli (Con) 2,233 Ravi Govindia (Con) 2,134 Putney School of Art and Design Annual Prizes Leslie McDonnell (Con) 2,261 As in previous years, the Society will be donating prizes at WEST PUTNEY the annual Student Exhibition: four prizes of £25 each for Turnout: 38.5% each of the following: Illustration, Watercolour, Drawing and Ceramic Life Sculpture. The exhibition starts on Monday Jane Cooper (Con) 2,429 Ian Lewer (Con) 2,237 2 June and the presentation is on Saturday 7 June at Steffi Sutters (Con) 2,221 7.00pm.

ROEHAMPTON & PUTNEY HEATH Putney Society Panels

Turnout: 36.9% Community Panel: Victoria Diamond, [email protected], 07746 022654 Jeremy Ambache (Lab) 1,865 Transport Panel: David Irwin, [email protected] Open Spaces Panel: John Horrocks, [email protected], Peter Carpenter (Lab) 1,870 020 8789 2956 Sue McKinney (Lab) 1,964 Buildings Panel: Andrew Catto, [email protected], 020 8785 0077

Putney Society Contacts Chair: Carolyn McMillan 38 Disraeli Road, SW15 2DS 0208 789 6692 [email protected] Secretary: Judith Chegwidden [email protected] Bulletin Editor & Letters: Nick Evans 29 Commondale, Putney SW15 1HS [email protected] Membership: Bob Bowmer [email protected]

Web Editor: Sue Rolfe rolfesue3.gmail.com Page 4 Putney Society website: www.putneysociety.org.uk

Published by The Putney Society (registered charity no. 263242)