Westcombe News May 2013 May2013x.QXD WN.QXD 22/04/2013 10:48 Page 3 LOCAL NEWS
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May2013x.QXD_WN.QXD 22/04/2013 10:48 Page 1 40th YEAR Westcombe NEWS Est. 1973 Free to 3800 homes, and in libraries & some shops May 2013 Issue 4 A community newspaper commended by the London Forum of Amenity and Civic Societies Monthly newspaper of The Westcombe Society: fostering a sense of community Our Fit for purpose? Easter Egg . asks SARAH WINTERBOTTOM Hunt any local residents are already He replied that he did not believe that mourning the impending demise of this was the case but that clarification PHOTOS: M Patricia the Arches – the best place for a local would be sought from Councillor Kotz. Slade-Baker swim. The Arches has been a very popular We understand from the ASA that when venue for people all over the Borough. they reviewed and approved the design of LEFT: Are two Their regret at losing the Arches is the centre there were certain provisos; one heads better compounded by continuing doubts about of these provisos was the configuration of than one? the utility of the new pool being construct- the main pool. It was made clear that the The Annual Easter Egg RIGHT: Maybe! ed by the Royal Borough of Greenwich on ASA does not recommend a pool with two But working Hunt makes a great family alone you the Old District Hospital site in East shallow ends. outing – especially when Greenwich, the opening planned for 2014. The ASA believes that this type of pool don’t have to there’s a cake stall! The new pool being built has been is more hazardous than a pool that has a share the loot! designed to have two shallow ends. The shallow and a deep end. According to he cold and snow flurries did not deter was a raffle, prizes for the Best Easter Council’s rationale is that this will help the Dennis Freeman-Wright, a member of the Tthe intrepid egg hunters and about 50 Basket – a difficult one to judge as they borough meet one of its key aquatic tar- facilities team at the ASA: “The ASA children enjoyed an eggsciting time at our were all so good – and delicious home- gets, namely to increase the number of would never advocate this pool bottom annual event – the Easter Egg Hunt, which made cakes to keep the hunters sustained children aged between five and nine who configuration for two reasons.” took place on Saturday 30th March (too or to take home to enjoy in the warm. can swim 25 metres from 71% (2011) to He went on to explain: “By having two late for the April edition of the Westcombe This event has become more and more 90% by 2015. shallow ends and the deep part of the pool News). popular. Mycenae House Gardens provide A laudable goal, and on the face of it, a in the middle … the gradient of the pool There was the added benefit this year of a safe and natural environment for young pool with two shallow ends seems quite floor is doubled and increased to a haz- a gazebo in which to shelter – the hunt has people to enjoy. logical in terms of teaching twice as many ardous gradient that can cause slips and only ever been cancelled once – due to Thanks to Patricia, Caroline, Robert, children at one time. However, according drowning accidents. This has happened in snow! But weather aside, everyone had a Jan, Tessa and all of those parents who to the Amateur Swimming Association similar pools. fun and happy afternoon. became under-cover egg hiders on the day (ASA) and British Swimming (the UK’s “A pool that has two shallow ends and In addition to hunting for eggs, there – see you next Easter! national governing bodies for swimming), a maximum depth of 1.5m cannot be used this is at odds with their recommendations to teach diving from the poolside. This is and published guidelines. an important aquatic skill and lack of abili- Don’t forget our summer picnic! They clearly state that: “a shallow pool ty in this area is the major contributor to lease come and join us for this special tion only. If you are not on our Tea Guest works against the interests of children aquatic swimming pool injury.” community event on June 15th - the List already, please contact Caroline on being introduced to the various aspects of According to the ASA, the RBG made P Westcombe Society’s Summer Picnic and 020 8853 0948 for an invitation. swimming and water depth.” the wrong assumption with regards teach- 40th Birthday Tea Party. We are hoping that some of the founder Teaching children to swim exclusively ing children to swim. “To increase the We are combining this year with St members of the Westcombe Society will be in shallow water does not give them the number of children who can swim 25m George’s Summer Fair so there will be with us to celebrate this special birthday. skills they need to deal with deeper water. aged 11 from 70% to 90% can be achieved stalls from St G’s, Christchurch and Holy And come dressed in red for our Ruby This potentially puts them at risk when without a double shallow ended pool.” Trinity in addition to others – Riding for Anniversary! Please put the date in your they swim in a standard public or private Apart from the inherent dangers and the Disabled, Macmillan, Boys Brigade, diary now. pool, i.e. with a shallow and a deep end. health and safety concerns regarding the and Friends of Mycenae Gardens. They are also ill-equipped to deal with gradient, the ASA clearly stated that they BBQ, Cake Stall, Cream Teas, Pimms, Macmillan Walk – 31st August 2013 swimming in natural environments such as “do not support a pool which is shallow at live music, games/races for children, A walk around Regents Park – if you are the sea or a river, where water depths can both ends as it does not support the full Punch and Judy and pony rides. Bring interested in walking to raise funds for this vary quite suddenly. swimmer journey.” your own picnic or dine out from the BBQ, marvelous charity, or would like to sponsor At a recent Public Council Meeting, While the gold standard public pool finished off with a delicious Cream Tea the Westcombe Society Team, please con- Councillor Chris Roberts, standing in for includes a movable floor (such as the one and a cup of tea – or something stronger. tact Caroline on 020 8853 0948 for more Councillor Kotz, was asked why the expert in Lewisham), according to British Mycenae House bar will be open. info. For walkers there is an entry fee of opinion of the sport’s national governing Swimming’s published guidelines on All of these activities will take place in £10 so, even without sponsorship, you are bodies had been seemingly disregarded public pools, when costs prohibit this, a the Gardens. Inside we are having a Senior contributing to the invaluable work of when it came to the design of the new pool with a deep and shallow end is Citizens 40th Birthday Tea Party, by invita- MacMillan Cancer Care. pool. recommended. (cont. on page 7) Official Notification of the Westcombe Society’s < < NEWS BRIEFS > > Annual General Meeting Please note that this year, in order to reduce the costs involved in mailing East Greenwich bish home, or placing it in Nevertheless, Charton Well done, RDA! the AGM Notification, Agenda and Minutes of the last AGM to members, Pleasaunce Orchard on the plastic sack on the Park RDA continues to In March this year, over the Notification is printed in this issue of the WN, together with the Facebook platform. function and is one of WN 280 charities entered an Agenda (see page 2). Copies of the Minutes of the 2012 AGM and a copy The community orchard readers’ favourite local impact story contest con- of the Constitution can be obtained from the Secretary if required prior to in the East Greenwich Congratulations, Carol! charities. test organised by leading Pleasaunce now has a Congratulations to Carol visual communications the meeting. Please contact the Secretary on 020 8293 3429 or in writing Facebook group. Join the Kendall, Chief Instructor Congratulations, Alex! company Scriberia. The to 41, Glenluce Road, London SE3 7SD. group to keep informed and Trustee of Charlton Congratulations to Alex winning entry was Riding AGM Notification about events, volunteer Park Riding for the Wilson, one of our local for the Disabled. opportunities, photos of Disabled, for winning a councillors, who is get- See page 4 for more on Dear Member the growing orchard and Royal Borough of ting married to Victoria Charlton Park RDA. more. Go to Greenwich Civic award Chamberlin in May, in The 2013 Westcombe Society Annual General Meeting takes place on http://on.fb.me/12pJIR0 for her work with RDA. Norfolk. Running from the beat Sunday, 12th May and will be held in the main hall at Mycenae House, or search for 'East Following a campaign led Greenwich Pleasaunce Thieves Filming in Greenwich by Liberal Democrat Mycenae Road, SE3. The AGM commences at 12.30pm. Memorial Orchard' on In March, heartless Park councillors and Labour Please find the Agenda for the meeting on page 2. Facebook. thieves broke into Walkers in Greenwich campaigner Annie Keys, If you are unable to attend the AGM and you have a question for Charlton Park RDA and Park were amazed when the annual Run to the Beat the Society or would like to make a nomination to the Committee, please Guerilla Gardeners stole saddles and equip- they bumped into half marathon (sponsored contact the Secretary at the above address before 12th May.