September/October 2016
KEW BRIDGE NEWS
Welcome to the fourth issue of Kew Bridge News. Your editors are Contents among the first residents, two of them having arrived in 2012, and one in 2013. We are all committed to 8 Kew Bridge Road. All three Meet the Concierge 2 of us love living here in what we regard as a brilliant development in a stunning location on the banks of the Thames and on the edge of one Paddleboarding at Kew 3 of the world’s great cities. Vingt et Un 4 or (the Kew Bridge) Pontoon Our commitment through the bimonthly newsletter and our companion website (www.kbnews.org) is threefold: first, to bring Open House London 6 news of events that are happening in our part of London, whether it’s at Kew Gardens, the National Archives, one of our local cinemas, What’s On 8 theatres or museums, on the river, or under the auspices of a local society or group; secondly, to address issues of concern closer to home, both within and without the development itself; thirdly, to provide a means of communication for owners and residents (and many residents are not owners) to let us know their concerns. We would like to remind all leaseholders of the agreement As to the first of these objectives, a starting point will always be the we have negotiated with back page of Kew Bridge News, but, once our website is up and Chestertons - one of London’s running (we hope by the end of September at the latest), we shall be adding events there throughout the year. largest estate agency and property consultancy businesses As to the second, an example “issue” is highlighted on pages 4 and with 18 branches across the 5 - the saga of the Kew Bridge pontoon. That could be said to be half world. internal, half external. Fully external issues would include the Lionel The Kew Village office (306 Road development. How many of you were aware of the scheme Sandycombe Road, TW9 3NG) to build a football stadium (Brentford’s new home), a hotel and 900 is offering any Kew Bridge apartments on the triangle of land to the right of Lionel Road (a smaller area than our own on which there are 308 apartments)? And then leaseholder a discount on their there is the Capital Interchange Way scheme to stick up three towers standard commission rates for of 22, 20 and 19 storeys on top of a bus depot, another few hundred sales or lettings. apartments, all being part of Hounslow’s grand “Golden Mile” plan. The first mile of the elevated section of the M4 as a “golden” mile! Quote the code on p.3. Nobody could accuse Hounslow planners of lacking ambition. cont. page 7
Kew Bridge News is edited by Line Asghar (Apartment 130 - [email protected]), James Richardson (Apartment 141 - james. [email protected]), and Hilary Smith (Apartment 46) - [email protected]) Kew Bridge News is published by J.R. Editorial Services Ltd (Registered in England & Wales, Company No. 06563170. Registered office and address for service: c/o Place Campbell & Co., Wilmington House, High Street, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 3AU) . Kew Bridge News is designed and printed by Wyeth Digital Ltd (01420 544 948). Meet the Concierge - The Day Team - A polyglot lot
Gestão De Oliveira Baptista Matoso Dante Marzo (“Dante”) Sawan Jeevnani (“Sawan”) Jonatas (“Gestão”) “By study, I am accountant …, by heart, Sawan was born in Mumbai and is “Mine is a long name even by I am gypsy!” Indian with British nationality. His father Portugese standards”, although it is is a lawyer and is from a large family, not uncommon to find people with Born in Milan, Dante started travelling but Sawan himself has just one brother seven, eight or more names in Portugal. aged 13, spending holidays working at who is a doctor. Sawan grew up in Born in Portugal in 1978, Gestão had music festivals around Europe. After Mumbai, attending school and college an elder brother, who sadly died 13 school, he worked for an advertising there. He came to the U.K in 2005 years ago, and he has twin younger agency - in budget control! But he to work with a smaller chain of hotels, brothers. He had a grandfather who didn’t fit: “I started to get revolutionary.” the Shaftesbury Group. In 2008 he studied in Manchester and his mother So, with friends, he went to Costa Rica, took up employment with the Marriott and a maternal aunt also studied in but not before marrying - aged 19 - a Group, working at the Renaissance England, the latter at Imperial College pianist and teacher. Hotel at Heathrow. He then worked as in Kensington. The twins were born in the Night Duty Manager at Grosvenor England and Gestão lived in London for In Costa Rica, Dante started building House, a J.W. Marriott hotel in Park three years up to the age of four. On houses. However, it didn’t last. After Lane. At present, he is thinking of his return to Portugal, he lived in the 11 months, he rejoined his wife in Italy. pursuing property law. seaside town of Sao Martinho de Porto. But the marriage didn’t fare any better. Divorce and an Ethiopian girlfriend Sawan was one of the core team of five Having completed his schooling, he followed. Travel was on their minds, concierges who started working at 8 started work in the hotel business, and it was a competition between Africa Kew Bridge Road in 2012 when they initially in his village. Gestão returned and a return to Costa Rica. She won! In were all based in Strand House, the to England in 2010, and started work Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, only entrance for the first residents at the Kensington Hotel in High Street, Dante worked at getting kids off the then being that beside Hammond’s Kensington, as a concierge. He street, and volunteered in UNHCR (though this was long before first worked at 8 Kew Bridge Road in refugee camps. After 30 months, he Hammond’s first opened their doors). the final quarter of 2015, initially as returned to Italy. The relationship with Initially, he worked nights but became an agency worker, but he has since his girlfriend went south as he came part of the day-team in 2014 when become a full-time employee of north! Marius (remember him?) left us. Premier Estates. Then to London in 1998, where he met Sawan is married to Kiara and is the All his family, minus his mother who his Brazilian second wife. Then followed proud father of one daughter named died in February this year, are now 14 years in Brazil. What was he up to? Trish who is now 16 months’ old. back in Portugal. Gestão himself lives Most interestingly, he was involved with in Shepherds Bush. He has a wide his wife’s family in a “beachware” factory He is a linguist, being fluent in English, range of interests, with particular (in Brazil, not much string made plenty). Hindi, Marathi, Urdu, Punjabi, Gujarati passions for football (following the He also opened a real estate agency; and Sindhi (his mother tongue). fortunes of Portugese legend José but the global financial crisis saw to that. Mourinho) and music (he plays the He likes to keep fit and goes to the gym guitar). He also loves to walk - The Brazilian adventure came apart and was into swimming until a slightly especially “in the quiet”, although, in 2011. Widowed for a second time, traumatic incident curtailed his quest as he admits, there are limited Dante’s mother became ill. He was for Olympic gold (he spent rather opportunities for that in 21st century determined to look after her whilst his longer at the bottom of the pool than London. wife was unwilling to give up a career in was good for him). alternative medicine. Divorce followed Gestão is fluent in five languages - as and in 2013, Dante’s mother died. “Then As our senior concierge, it is good well as his native Portugese and English, I got lost.” The wilderness period ended to know that he “loves” to work here. he speaks Spanish, Italian and French. with his return to London late in 2014, Ever the diplomat, he refuses to be and work at Kew Bridge as weekend cover. drawn on the tricky issue of whether there is even one resident who gives Dante (also multi-lingual) became him any grief! Apparently, we are all permanent in November 2015. Sadly, model citizens! he leaves us soon. What’s next? He chuckles: “Costa Rica is still on the table.” We shall miss his unfailing charm September/October 2016 and good humour. We wish them well. Paddleboarding at Kew Bridge
Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) is the fastest growing watersport in the world - and it is booming in London. Even better, Britain’s biggest SUP school, Active360, is on your doorstep - in the Kew Bridge arches. Its health benefits include toning up your core muscles, and giving you thorough all-over body conditioning.
Kew Bridge is the pivotal base for SUP on the Thames, and if you’d like to have a go, Active360 lays on beginners’ lessons on request every day. Classes are scheduled every weekend and on many weekday evenings.
Once you have learned how to use the river safely, Saturday, September 17. Active360 can hire you boards so you can head off on your own SUP adventure. Active360 also sell paddleboards, for Active360 founder Paul Hyman said: “Source to Sea is as little as £650 – check out http://www.active360.co.uk/ hugely important because it draws attention to the health of sup-shop.htm the Thames and its value as a watersports venue.”
Some boards are inflatable and can fold up into a small Also planned for the same day is a mass paddle from Kew. backpack. There’s a special 10% discount for Kew Bridge For more details, see www.laureus.com/sup. residents on all equipment and lessons. On Sunday September 11, TideFest will celebrate the Here are two dates for your diary, and Active360 is involved River Thames with a day of events at Kew, including in both if you’d like to come and join in the fun. paddleboarding taster sessions from 11, a charity paddle to Putney and back, and a clean-up of the foreshore. More Paddleboarders are due to take part in a citizen science at www.thamestidefest.net project to help assess the health of the Thames. Launched by Active360, the Source To Sea SUP Relay got underway To claim the 10% discount offered to all Kew Bridge on September 1. It will cover the river from its source residents on all Active360 equipment and lessons through in Gloucestershire downstream to the Thames Barrier in September and October, please use code “kewbridgers” Greenwich. It will pass Kew Bridge on the morning of when booking at www.active360.co.uk
Code: KBN3 Your property can help you get away with Chestertons
To find out more talk to us today or visit chestertons.com/avios
Applies to sellers and landlords. Terms and conditions apply see www.chestertons.com/avios for details. Avios are issued and redeemed in accordance with Avios terms and conditions. Vingt et Un or (the Kew Bridge) Pontoon
Stick or twist? The upside and the downside from a planning perspective This now appears to be the dilemma facing St George. In In summary, therefore, the perceived case for the pontoon our July/August issue we flagged the pontoon question. was to encourage river-related activities for residents of Whilst we are still some way from a resolution, there is a the development and the local community. There was no palpable sense of a momentum building towards a solution downside, as, importantly, it was said that there would be no that may culminate in its removal. negative impact on important views or safety.
The background The reality Back in the day, two rowing clubs were situated on the Is that the pontoon has proved to be an expensive white banks of the Thames adjacent to Kew Bridge. With a view elephant that is not only not fit for purpose (squadrons of to resurrecting a tradition of river-based activities being Canada and Egyptian geese apart, nobody willingly uses enjoyed in the area, Brentford councillor, Mel Collins, was it for river-related activities), but does actually constitute a the driving force behind the inclusion of an obligation to serious risk to safety and compromises the views of a Grade construct the pontoon in the section 106 agreement (Town II listed bridge both upstream and downstream. Whilst the and Country Planning Act 1990, s.106) entered into between pontoon obligation was included in the 106 agreement with St George and Hounslow Council. good intentions, the planning case has manifestly failed.
The planning documents The case for removal What is a “section 106 agreement”? Nobody uses it willingly. It is a hazard to safety. It reduces An agreement between a local authority and a developer the navigable fairway. It is an eyesore. For something of no that is linked to a planning permission. Such an benefit to anyone, it is expensive to maintain. agreement is required when a development will have a significant impact on the local area that cannot be The parties moderated by means of conditions attached to a planning St George decision. A new development can place extra pressure An email to Ian Dobie (managing director of St George (West on a locality’s infrastructure. A section 106 obligation London)) in July, in which the case for removal was put to is aimed at balancing that pressure with improvements him, elicited this reply: “the comments you have received to the surroundings to ensure that, where possible, the … are not necessarily fully representative of the views of the development will make a positive contribution to the local Brentford Boating Arch, which is run by BFCCST, who are … community. responsible … for the Arch and all associated activities … My understanding is that they are keen for the pontoon to What about this s.106 agreement? remain and are investigating some relatively minor additional St George entered into two key covenants. The first obliged works … to allow it to fully function as intended. I will them to sub-let the two arches under Kew Bridge that are ask for a full update on this and revert. There has been closest to the river to “the Recognised Community Group” a considerable investment in the pontoon and it seems a (i.e. Brentford F.C. Community Sports Trust (BFCCST)) “for shame that the community, whom it was intended for, may river related community activities”. This has been done and not realise its full potential.” the two arches are now occupied by Active 360 (see p.3), Edge Progressive Paddling (“Edge”) and Chelsea Kayak Club Nothing further was received from St George, and, despite (“CKC”). The second required them to construct a pontoon the suggestion that we may not have been talking to the right “and make the same available for the Development and the people, we have been unable to find anyone who wants the Recognised Community Group for river related activities”. pontoon to remain. Their stance seems, therefore, to be that it was constructed pursuant to an obligation imposed on Reasons for decision them, with the design and positioning having been agreed by In the recitals to the grant of planning permission, under the Environment Agency and the Port of London Authority, so “Principle of Development”, there is this: “The scheme makes why should it now be removed? provision for public open space, river related uses (through the use of Kew Bridge arches 4 and 5) and a new pontoon.”; Did they make a virtue of necessity, and promote the and, under “Impact on the Thames/riverside”, there is this: pontoon in their marketing of the apartments here? “The proposed development will enhance access to the foreshore for persons wishing to undertake river-related Brentford F.C. Community Sports Trust activities …; and includes … a pontoon, the latter not Their position is a little ambivalent, perhaps not surprising as, affecting important views or impeding navigation, water flow, at all material times, until shortly before his recent departure … public safety… .” from St George, Ian Dobie was also chairman of the board of
September/October 2016 trustees. With the groups working under the trust’s umbrella Where now? at the arches being either dead against it or, in one case, There is some cause for optimism. First, our local neutral, it might have been thought that the trust too would councillors are willing to engage in a discussion. Secondly, be campaigning for its removal, whereas they seem content all parts of the pontoon could be re-used. Thirdly, we to toe the St George line. understand that the cost of removal could be recovered, especially once future maintenance and licensing costs are Recently, however, they have been asked to contribute £1,500 factored in. Fourthly, there is a community group up-river towards the annual maintenance costs. Unsurprisingly, they who want a pontoon, and it may well be that ours would fit are objecting to this. Will they now shift their ground? the bill. Finally, the PLA (who rule the river roost) are willing to broker an agreement to suit all parties. Active 360, Edge & CKC Paul Hyman, director of Active 360, makes the point that When there is so much opposition, most particularly from none of the end users were ever consulted about the design. those who were supposed to be the primary beneficiaries, His first thoughts were that the pontoon might be no more it seems crazy not to take advantage of the PLA’s offer, than a nuisance. However, after two incidents in which especially when we have the goodwill of the Hounslow paddleboarders have been swept against the pontoon, he is councillors who were behind the project in the first place. vehemently opposed to its retention. Were a person to be swept under the pontoon, a distinct possibility with a big flood The service charge and the pontoon tide, it would almost certainly be fatal. Because of this risk, the club has had to alter its practices, and, in a flood tide, it will This is a subsidiary issue, but we see no possible launch its members from the pontoon; but this is done “under justification for the licence fee, the cost of the electricity, the protest”. maintenance costs or the cleaning costs being stuck on the service charge. Edge chairman, Peter Hughes, is even more outspoken. The pontoon “serves absolutely no purpose, due to its incorrect design and position. A pontoon … should make the water accessible at mid- and low tide. This it totally fails to do because it sits on stilts.” At higher tides, he says, there is no need for it because launching from the existing slipway “is much better.” Launching a group of kayakers from the pontoon at high tide would be hazardous because the pontoon “sticks right out in the main tidal flow.” The pontoon is a danger to all river users, and not just from the risk of someone in the river getting dragged under it. He points to the hazard to boaters from the bridge to the pontoon.
Both men highlight the further danger from the fact that now, officially, all craft, from the large and the fast, to paddleboarders and canoeists, have to share the central arch under Kew Bridge, the first arch being “No entry.”
CKC are neutral.
Strand on the Green Sailing Club They are further away, but they would like to see it gone, regarding it as conferring no benefit and carrying nuisance value and a possible safety risk.
The residents of 8 Kew Bridge Road We, of course, were included in the supposed beneficiary group, and we are entitled to use it. However, Carol Mullery reports that, thus far, there has been but one inquiry that she is aware of from a resident and this was not followed up. In our July issue, we asked for views. The only response we got was negative.
The houseboat owners, Strand on the Green Association, Strand on the Green Sailing Club & the River Thames Society All are opposed on aesthetic grounds (the “lollipops” on either side of the bridge being particularly offensive to the eye).
The Hounslow councillors Credit is due to Mel Collins, who readily concedes that what has been erected bears no relation to what he had in mind. He and other local councillors have expressed themselves willing to participate in an all-interested parties meeting to find a solution.
September/October 2016 Attention Nosy Parkers!
Open House London September 17 & 18, 2016
Wonder what lies behind the famous front door of 10 Downing Street? Fancy a peek behind the scenes of the Royal Festival Hall? What about experiencing the panoramic view of London from the top of the Gherkin? These are only a few of the goodies on offer during the Open House London weekend and what’s more it’s all free!
There are over 750 places participating in the scheme this year and they range from grand buildings, such as the Bank of England to quirky places like Priory Yurt in Highgate. For the nosy amongst us there are many design-led homes opened up by their owners, including a contemporary house with a façade of weathered steel (featured on Grand Designs) tucked behind The Coach and Horses on Kew Green. Also close to home are such places as the Brentford Canal Toll House, Osterley House, Sir Richard Burton’s Mausoleum in Mortlake and the Herbarium, Library, Archives and Tropical Nurseries at Kew Gardens. For the more adventurous there’s even a Guided Cycle Tour, commencing at Turnham Green.
If you’re tempted to take advantage of this annual opportunity to explore some of the less accessible London sights we would advise some planning beforehand. You can visit the website www.openhouselondon.org.uk for further details and also information on how to order the 2016 Guide. There’s even an app you can download onto your phone to help you navigate your way through the myriad of locations on offer. Generally you can just turn up at these spots but do be prepared to queue for the more popular venues. A few visits do have to be booked in advance so it’s important to check as early as possible.
Weathering Steel House, Cambridge Rd, Kew
Sir Richard Burton’s Mausoleum, Mortlake The Gherkin, St Mary Axe
September/October 2016 EARTHLIFE WELLBEING & FITNESS Just across the bridge you can find Earthlife; a unique and tranquil facility in the arches of Kew Bridge, where emphasis is placed on Fitness, Health and Wellbeing. Our aim is to provide a personal and holistic approach to wellbeing and fitness in a place of calm and relaxation. No Membership or Joining Fees!
FITNESS WELLBEING MOTHER & BABY
Hatha Yoga Various Massage Treatments Pregnancy Yoga Iyengar Yoga Pregnancy Massages Hypnobirthing Teen Yoga Reflexology - Aromatherapy Breathe to a Better Birth Dynamic Hatha Yoga Acupuncture - Hypnotherapy Labour & Birth Workshop Yoga Nidra Chiropractic - Osteopathy Mum & Baby Yoga Lotte Berk Method Craniosacral Therapy Post Natal Pilates Ballet for Adults Homeopathy - Nutrition Baby Massage Pilates Facials - Body Treatments Baby & Child First Aid
Special September Offer* for Kew Bridge Residents: Earthlife Wellbeing & Fitness 15 % OFF a 60, 75 or 90 min Arch 2, Kew Bridge Arches, Richmond, TW9 3AW Massage, Reflexology or Tel: 020 8940 0888 Facial. [email protected] - www.earth-life.co.uk * 1 per person
cont. from page 1 haphazard as they appear to be?); and short-term “lets” and Airbnb (is this a problem and is it legitimate What about internal issues? It’s early days, but there under the terms of the lease? We have our doubts, is no real shortage, and we hope that we can help to and it is a statement of the obvious to say that a get them sorted out by drawing attention to them. constant turnover of short-term residents creates A few examples, in no particular order, would be: the disproportionate work and security issues for the lift in Strand House (ever been in it?); the carpets in concierge team). Your editors being residents of Strand and Belvedere Houses (they are a patchwork; Strand or Belvedere House, it may be that we are a whatever colour is eventually settled upon, they bit left-leaning and not taking sufficient cognisance need to be the same throughout); the recycling of concerns in Rothschild, Provenance or Quayside arrangements (currently unsatisfactory by any Houses. So please let us know if there are matters standard, but we could help by (a) flattening boxes, (from the centre ground or right wing) that are vexing (b) ensuring that only paper goes in paper, only plastic you. goes in plastic, only cans go in cans, etc,); litter (more pressure needs to be exerted on certain commercial Which brings us to our third objective. Please tenants to take this more seriously; and then there let us know what does matter to you, what you is the issue of whether we should take responsibility like, what you don’t like, what you would like for tidying the service road at the side of Kew Bridge; us to focus on. You can email any of us directly one resident complained when our weekend cleaner (contact details at the foot of p.1) or you will cleared rubbish from the steps up to the bridge on shortly be able to contribute to any topic via the basis that this was for the council, but is that not a the forum on the website. But please keep it very one-eyed view?); noise (from One over the Ait; positive and constructive. We are only interested is that an issue of concern?); security (a concern for in working on a collaborative basis with our some residents, but we can help by ensuring doors freeholders and managing agents to achieve the close after we use them); the water (how many times results that we all want. have we had no water or cold water only in just three years?); window cleaning (are the arrangements as
September/October 2016 Watermans Brentford Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond www.watermans.org.uk www.orangetreetheatre.co.uk
September Swallows & Amazons 8 Sept - 8 Oct Jess and Joe Forever See website No Home Movie (Zoe Cooper) Julieta 13 Oct - 19 Nov Blue Heart The Secret Life of Pets (Caryl Churchill) The Angry Birds Movie Hell or High Water Puppet Theatre Barge David Brent:Life on the Road near 87 Petersham Road, Richmond The Childhood of a Leader www.puppetbarge.com The Blue Room The Café Society 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, Brer Rabbit visits Africa Ingrid Bergman in her own Words 23, 24, 30 Sept Captain Fantastic 01 Oct The Ancient Mariner The Clan Outdoor: Purple Rain Outdoor: Titanic The Tabard Theatre, Chiswick www.tabardweb.co.uk 15 & 26 Sept NT Encore : The Deep Blue Sea 28 Sept RSC Live : Cymbeline 5-26 Sept Broken Strings 12 Oct RSC Live : King Lear with Steven Arnold & Linda Clark River Weekender 2016 Kew Gardens 16-18 Sept Weekend festival of the arts to celebrate life by & on the the river Kew the Movies 4 & 8 Sept Free Guided Walk 7 Sept Mean Girls 8 Sept Labyrinth Olympic Studios Barnes www.olympiccinema.co.uk Richmond Runfest 18 Sept London’s most exclusive 10K race September Swallows & Amazons See website Pete’s Dragon Write on Kew Julieta A Literary Festival now enjoying its David Brent: Life on the Road second year The BFG 22-24 Sept Robert Harris, Alan Johnson, Rick Stein, Café Society Tracy Chevalier, A S Byatt, Frank Whale Rider Gardner, Fay Weldon and many others Finding Dory Jason Bourne Handmade at Kew The Sad and Beautiful World of www.kew.org/handmade Sparklehorse 6-9 Oct International Contemporary Craft Event The Shallows Wiener-Dog The Hive 28 & 29 Oct Live concert - Performance of ONE, 11 Sept One More Time with Feeling the soundscape from the Hive Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds 18 Sept Olympic Comedy Sesssions Edinburgh Festival Special Richmond Park 22 Sept NT Live: The Threepenny Opera 29 Sept Olympic Live Session Walks Joel Fisk & Jon Amor 1 Oct Sheen Gate Car Park 10am Fridays Informal Birdwatching Walks Pen Ponds Car Park Coffee Kiosk 9.30 Richmond Theatre 2, 11 & 30 Sept Isabella Plantation Garden Walks Inside Garden Gate from Broomfield Hill 8 - 17 Sept The Dresser (Ronald Harwood) Car Park Ken Stott & Reece Shearsmith
20 - 24 Sept The Woman in Black (Susan Hill) 27 Sept - 1 Oct A Tale of Two Cities (Charles Dickens) 3 - 8 Oct Relatively Speaking (Alan Ayckbourn) Robertt Powell & Liza Goddard And Then There Were Ait 14, 15 Oct Stick Man (Julia & Donaldson & Axel Scheffler) Following the KBOA AGM in April, there were no 7 - 22 Oct A Room with a View (E M Forster) Felicity Kendall fewer than 16 putative members of the committee. 24 - 29 Oct Stepping Out (Richard Harris) That quickly reduced to 12. Following a series of Amanda Holden & Tamsin Outhwaite resignations (it’s a sorry story), this was, at the last count, down to eight.