Expanding Merton's Schools

ISSUE 63 AUTUMN 2015

Expanding Merton’s schools

Win tickets to a New Wimbledon Theatre show on page 14

Exam results are in Nominate your community champion Mitcham clock tower returns 2

We asked Each year we ask residents to tell us their concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour issues. We work with the police and other The Leader of agencies to use this information to help prioritise our services. Merton Council, Councillor Stephen Alambritis, writes “You said” for My Merton. We’ll soon be preparing for Small Business Saturday, when In our 2014 crime and anti-social behaviour survey, the anti-social you’ll find me helping out behind the counter at some behaviour that residents were most concerned about was people of our local small businesses. Apologies in advance if I dropping litter and fly-tipping, with 63% saying this was a very make you fish and chips or a curry that’s not up to scratch! big or fairly big problem. The crimes that residents said were the Many of you will know that I have a background in biggest problems were burglary and motor vehicle crimes. Less business. That’s why I support our local small businesses. than half of respondents said they felt safe when out alone after But it’s also why I’ve made sure the council is run in a dark, a decrease from 60% in 2014. business-like way. I’ve made sure we’ve kept your council tax low and we’ve made council services more efficient than ever. However, the reduction in our funding from central government has made this more and more difficult. We did: Councils up and down the country are seeing 40% of their government funding cut. And the new government Although the police are facing changes to the way they work due has said it wants further cuts. to reductions in their funding from central government, we are On top of this, the number of older people who need proud of our work with Merton Police in tackling and reducing often expensive social care has increased and there has crime and anti-social behaviour in our borough, but we know been a big increase in the birth-rate. So there are more there is still more to do. As a result of what you have told us we people in need of services but less money than ever have changed how we tackle the issues that matter to you: before to provide these services. l We have fined over 7,000 people for litter and fly-tipping Faced with this challenge, it would be easy to give up. through a partnership with environmental crime specialists But I know you elected us to do the very best we can to l We have increased the level of each fine from £75 to £80 continue to provide the services people need while l We have introduced a borough wide Controlled Drinking Zone, making the best use of the reduced funding we have giving the police extra powers to deal with anti-social behaviour to work with. involving alcohol This will mean changes to what the council can l We are consulting on a new Cumulative Impact Zone in provide and not everyone will be happy. But we will Mitcham which could make it harder for more licensed premises continue to make these changes in a business-like way. to open there, if agreed. We’ll continue to look for better deals from our suppliers and to find new ways of providing services. We’ll invest in technology so we can save money. And we’ll invest in What you can do to help: new libraries that are less expensive to run. l Report crime and anti-social behaviour. Call 999 if it So on Small Business Saturday I might serve you fish is an emergency, 101 if there is no emergency or call and chips or a curry. But 365 days a year I want to serve our anti-social behaviour team on 020 8274 4907 you up a business-like council. l Get involved in your local Neighbourhood Watch: www.mertonnhw.co.uk l Take part in our 2015 survey: merton.gov.uk/safermertonconsultation PS Congratulations to all our young people on their A level and GCSE results. I’m proud we’ve been Cover: Pupils at St Mary’s RC Primary School, Wimbledon. named the fastest improving borough in London Photograph by Paul Tanner Photography. when it comes to GCSEs – well done everyone! mymerton Issue 63 • Autumn 2015 3 merton.gov.uk

My Merton is published by the London Borough of Merton and is distributed free to households in the borough four times a year. The editorial content of My Merton is produced by the contents London Borough of Merton’s Communications Team Community Editor of this issue: Bronwen Pickering. Feature contributions News 4 from Elizabeth Thompson The latest news from My Merton is designed by around the borough Domino4 01932 988677 Email [email protected] www.domino4.co.uk Printed by Cliffe Enterprise Features Print Partnership Contact 0845 601 9478 Healthy Merton 9 Email [email protected] www.cliffe-enterprise.com Making a difference to the My Merton is distributed health of the community by London Letterbox. Contact 020 8940 0666 or log Merton’s on to www.londonletterbox.co.uk role in WW1 15

The people behind quick reference the names carved in keyservices our stone memorials Switchboard: 020 8274 4901 Anti-social behaviour 5 minutes with 32 hotline: 020 8274 4907 London Fire Brigade Council tax: 020 8274 4904 Borough Commander Benefits advice: Julian Spooner 020 8545 4178 Regulars Libraries: 020 8545 3783 10 Parking: 020 8545 4661 A Merton Environment 12 Registering to vote: Boost recycling in 020 8545 3407 education for all every room of the house Waste collection services: 020 8274 4902 What’s on 25 Your guide to all that’s going contactus on in Merton this autumn My Merton, Communications, 8th Floor, Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, SM4 5DX Tel 020 8545 3327 Don’t forget to Email [email protected] merton.gov.uk/mymerton visit our website! merton.gov.uk/mymerton What’s on listings: 020 8545 3327 [email protected] You can also follow us on: Adverts For all advertising enquiries contact [email protected] 16 18 The London Borough of Merton www.facebook.com/mertoncouncil does not accept responsibility Colliers Wood Love your street for or endorse any products or Keeping Merton clean services offered by advertisers. makeover Revitalising the town centre My Merton costs only @Merton_Council 12p a copy to produce

When you have finished with this magazine please recycle it. Whenever you see this logo www.flickr.com/mertoncouncil My Merton is printed on fully recyclable paper, which is accredited by the PEFC Council that means there’s a volunteering (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes). This edition of opportunity to get involved in My Merton is distributed from 11 September 2015. www.youtube.com/mertoncouncil news 4 Keeping Merton informed

Merton Young bowlers bask in adult Pupils from Wimbledon Park School celebrating their success success with Barry Willingham (front), Charlie Parrish, Luke Meah-Wilson and Jonathan Winter (back) from education Wimbledon Park Bowls Club Children from Merton’s primary schools were up for the challenge update this summer to become lawn The council is committed to bowls champions for 2015. ensuring residents are able to For the second year running enjoy a high quality adult Wimbledon Park School celebrated education service in Merton victory in John Innes Park, home which fits the reduced level of to organisers of the event, Merton government funding and offers Park Bowls Club. Schools went good value for money to all the head-to-head for the prized trophy borough’s tax payers. following coaching sessions given The council has been working by members of Merton, Merton with learners and community Park, Mitcham and Wimbledon groups on shaping a new adult Park bowls clubs leading up to education service for Merton the tournament. The trophy which is resilient to the reduced was presented by John Tucker, funding available and can be president of Surrey County enjoyed by generations of Bowls Association. learners to come. find out more merton.gov.uk/bowling_greens

Latest on Morden Leisure Centre Since the last issue of My Merton, The London Road side of for money leisure centre is the council has started the Morden Park is the proposed being built. Once the new process of recruiting a team of site for the centre. Chosen centre is built, the council specialists, including a leisure for its prime location and will return the current leisure centre design company and accessibility, building here centre site to public open space. architects, to work on a brand ensures that the existing pool find out more new affordable family leisure can remain open for residents merton.gov.uk/leisureformorden centre in Morden. to use while the new value Learning furniture restoration

Civil enforcement officers wear body cameras Merton Council’s civil enforcement officers (CEOs) are now wearing body cameras in a bid to deter abusive and aggressive behaviour many of them have to face from motorists who break parking rules. The council’s parking team will be able to use footage of threatening behaviour as evidence to prosecute the perpetrators and give CEOs confidence to carry out their duties without fear of abuse. The cameras are only to be used in the event of a confrontation. find out more merton.gov.uk/parking

news Keeping Merton informed 5 Merton celebrates exam success

Merton’s schools and sixth the fastest improving GCSE forms celebrated the success of results in London over the last students across the borough this five years, at the time of going to summer after eagerly awaiting press, provisional GCSE results A-Level and GCSE results. this summer suggested that, in Sixth form pupils across spite of national changes to the Merton saw their best ever marking system and significant A-Level results in August. numbers of pupils appealing A greater number of pupils their grades, Merton’s results achieved top grades this year and are on course to being second Leader, Cllr Stephen Alambritis and cabinet member there was also an improvement best ever, just below last year’s for education Cllr Martin Whelton with pupils from in every grade band. record performance. RR6 Sixth Form (Ricards and Rutlish) Overall, 25% of students across Merton achieved A*–A grades, up 5% on last year. Half of students Mayor celebrates Silver Sunday were awarded A*–B grades, up Mayor of Merton Councillor David Chung will where there will be afternoon tea, entertainment 7% on last year. The borough be hosting a free special event for 200 residents and people on hand to talk about services performed better than the national to celebrate the contribution made by older people available to those living on their own. Silver average for both A*–E grades, to Merton on Silver Sunday, 4 October 3pm at Sunday is led by the Simon Milton Foundation. achieving 99% against 95% and Tooting and Mitcham Community Sports Club. find out more A*–C grades, 79% against 77%. The council is calling on residents to merton.gov.uk/teawiththemayor; email Following the report earlier nominate an older relative, friend, neighbour or [email protected]; call 020 8545 3517; this year that Merton achieved someone living near them to come to the event, silversunday.org

Merton success at Four Merton London Youth Games parks awarded prestigious A huge well done goes to all Merton’s young people who took part in the London Youth Games this year. Green Flag The beginning of July saw Merton’s teams enter the finals at Crystal Palace. Among the medal successes were golds in judo, BMX and mixed football. Merton also took silver in girls’ waterpolo, kayaking, slalom, athletics, swimming and diving. Bronze success went to the boys’ waterpolo, BMX and basketball teams. find out more merton.gov.uk/youthgames

Leader Cllr Stephen Alambritis and cabinet member for environmental sustainability and regeneration Cllr Andrew Judge with Friends of South Park Gardens.

Four Merton parks have retained their nationally recognised Green Flag status for being among the best public and community parks and green spaces in the country. Colliers Wood Rec, Dundonald Rec, John Innes Park and South Merton is looking for young people to Park Gardens are all proudly flying their green flags. represent the borough in The award is given by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy and next year’s competition stands for high standards in maintenance and beauty as well as Medal winners at this year’s and team managers London Youth Games to coach them. excellent facilities. find out more merton.gov.uk/parks

news 6 Keeping Merton informed Celebrating local heroes Apply Gordon and Avril Samuel with The Wimbledon Guardian hosted a spectacular evening a photo of their daughter this summer to celebrate Merton’s local heroes. for Arts Supported by the council, the event shone a light on the extraordinary people nominated for a Merton Civic funding Award in recognition of the work they do for others in There’s £1,500 per project the community. This year’s Mayor of Merton award went up for grabs from the to Gordon Samuel for work on raising awareness about council’s Arts Development the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning following the Fund. All applications for tragic death of his daughter, Katie. He and his wife, Avril, the funding should be have set up the Katie Haines Memorial Trust. submitted by 30 October find out more 2015. One inspirational, www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk/mertoncivicawards winning project called My Mind is Free is being performed by the Rah Rah Theatre Company at this Apply for Freedom Pass online year’s Wimbledon Bookfest. Changes to the application process for a council-funded Freedom Pass announced by London find out more Councils mean that they are no longer available at the Post Office. The quickest way to apply for a merton.gov.uk/ new pass is online. Anyone unable to apply online can visit their nearest Merton library to pick up artsdevelopmentfund a paper application form. Proof of identity, address and a letter of eligibility are required. Merton find out more www.freedompass.org Business Loan Fund Finance for Merton businesses

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news Keeping Merton informed 7

Nominate Temporary library in your Colliers Wood now open community In a new chapter for the much-loved Donald champion Hope Library, Merton’s cabinet has agreed to replace the aging 1970s building with a brand The council is inviting new value for money library. The old building residents to nominate their is currently being redeveloped and a temporary community champion for library is available at Merton Vision, Guardian an excellence award. The Centre, Clarendon Road. Opening times are deadline for nominations is the same as usual and library users are able to 23 September. The awards enjoy all the usual facilities, but on a slightly recognise members of the smaller scale until the new library is open for community who work for or business. with public organisations The council has negotiated a good deal with that go the extra mile to make the developer to ensure that the new building Merton a great place. The will provide excellent facilities to library users Visitors will benefit from more space given champion could be a police and good value to Merton’s tax payers. Built over to books and DVDs. There will be a coffee officer, fire fighter, NHS worker from Portland stone to reflect the stone used shop, community meeting rooms, special or volunteer who supports the for the historically significant Charles Holden activity zones and a larger children’s area. council in their spare time. tube station, the library will open in two years’ find out more find out more time and will be spread over three levels. merton.gov.uk/libraries merton.gov.uk/ communitychampion

Book fireworks Bookfest is back Headliners at this year’s performing too. This year, tickets online Bookfest include comedian Wimbledon Common is the Tickets for this year’s firework Seann Walsh, former tennis destination for the ninth displays are available online later in ace Boris Becker, authors Bookfest, a 10-day celebration the autumn. Dates for the shows are Sebastian Faulks, Louis de of live music, talks and film Thursday 5 November in Wimbledon Bernieres and Alison Weir screenings. Park and Saturday 7 November in as well as TV adventurer Ben find out more Morden Park. Watch this space: Fogle. For younger festival- www.wimbledonbookfest.org merton.gov.uk/fireworks goers, wildlife expert and TV

© Milcebrrr | Dreamstime.com © Milcebrrr presenter, Steve Backshall and authors Steve Cole and Josh Lacey will be there. The Hip Seann Hop Shakespeare Company Walsh headlines Tackling illegal encampments and Brit Award Critics’ Choice 2015 George the Poet will be Bookfest Last issue, we reported on the council’s legal obligations when it comes to dealing with illegal encampments in the borough and why, sometimes, it can take a while to remove the encampments. Tackling the issue head-on, the council is proactively discouraging people from setting up illegal camps by installing height restriction barriers on council-owned car parks, placing barriers around Canon Hill Common, part of Cricket Green and Cranmer Green. The council has expanded its remit to include the removal of encampments from the public highway. Our good working relationship with the police also means that, when there are encampments, we work together, taking action to remove them as quickly as the law allows.

8 Keeping Merton informed news 3 3 3 Foster forMertonandwecanoffer: foster familiestocare forthemtogether. separated becausewedonothaveenough Siblings whoenterintofostercare are often We wanttostaytogether COUNCIL MERTON merton.gov.uk/fostering Call ustoday0800073 0874 per child An allowanceofupto£502perweek 24/7 supportandmentors Comprehensive, on-going professional training

Merton –proud to bea Fairtrade borough •Merton – proud to be aFairtrade borough • Merton –proud to beaFairtrade borough •Merton –proud to beaFairtrade borough •Merton –proud to beaFairtrade borough • Merton –proud to beaFairtrade borough first phaseoftheMitchamregenerationproject. local schoolchildrenandcommunitygroupswillmarkthecompletionof at theFairGreenonTuesday6October.Theeventwillfeatureperformancesfrom A specialeventtomarkthereturnofMitcham’siconicclocktowerwilltakeplace Mitcham clock tower returns find outmore young musicians, sportspeople, charity workers, carers and many more. young musicians,sportspeople,charityworkers,carersandmanymore. exhibition attheAllEnglandLawnTennisClubfeaturesborough’s by theWimbledonFoundation.The borough. Theprojecthasbeenfunded taken atvariouslocationsacrossthe through photographicportraiture Merton’s talented15to19year-olds the Borough.Ittellsstoriesof this SeptembercalledFutureFaceof Merton’s 50yearswithanexhibition Wimbledon Bookfestiscelebrating youngfaces Merton find outmore merton.gov.uk/rediscovermitcham www.wimbledonbookfest.org

• • Baptist Church on: Come alongtooneofourinformation eventsatMorden • • 20Octoberat6:30pm• 22Septemberat10:30am• 15December at 6:30pm 17Novemberat6:30pm• & MitchamFCAcademy Elijah Lewis–fromTooting 4Novemberat10:30am 2Decemberat10:30am 8Octoberat6:30pm

Nick Gregan (‘report it’); 0300 5003000 www.circle.org.uk/merton-priory contact withresidents. have alsopledgedtoimprove have moresurveyorsand appointment. Theynow a repairandbookan making iteasiertoreport better. Theseinclude, introduced tomakethings that measuresarebeing has assuredthecouncil The housingassociation a goodservicefortenants. Priory (CHMP)provides Circle HousingMerton up forresidentstoensure Merton Councilisstanding repairs Housing Circle find outmore

feature Health champions 9 Working for a healthy Merton Merton’s Health Champions help people make simple lifestyle changes for better health. Launched last year by the council, the scheme trains local residents to pass on advice and encouragement to other residents. My Merton finds out more.

aroline Lewis John became a health champion last September. Since then she has worked with Cmore than 20 Merton residents. She’s based at South Mitcham Community Centre, where she also runs her own exercise classes. She told My Merton why she wanted to become a health champion Take the challenge and what she gets out of it. and walk to the moon “I’m a fitness instructor and I like talking Back in June the council launched to people, so it suits me down to the Merton’s first space mission – a virtual ground. Some of the people I’ve worked one, anyway. Our Merton on the Move with come to my classes so I find out what campaign challenges residents to happens to them next. It’s fulfilling, it’s a collectively travel the same distance professional service and a free service and as from here to the moon, whether something people need to help them be walking, jogging or cycling. If you healthy. You need to be interested in health haven’t signed up yet, there’s still time to be a health champion, but not by downloading the free Yomp necessarily to have a background in health, smartphone app. Take part with your as you’re supported all along the way.” family, work colleagues or sports team. The champions talk with their clients It will help you measure how far you travel Sport’s a using a health booklet full of practical and how many calories you burn with blast in Merton routes to wellbeing, for example stopping every journey. Even small journeys count Merton Council is running free smoking, making simple food swaps or and you’ll be helping us complete our sessions in a variety of sports for having a couple of alcohol-free days a mission and boosting your health and young people aged 14 to 25 as part week. They can then refer the client to an fitness into the bargain. of Sports Blast. The classes, run by expert health trainer who can help them fully qualified coaches, are being achieve their goals. held in the east of the borough and give youngsters of all sporting abilities a chance to take part in netball, tennis, BMXing, fitness classes and football. find out more merton.gov.uk/sportsblast Follow @SportsBlastLBM or like us on Facebook SportsBlastMerton

find out more For Merton on the Move search Yomp at the App Store or Google Play or visit merton.yomp.co For health champions visit www.live-well.org.uk/merton or call 020 8251 0606

10 Educating Merton feature Road, St Mark’s Academy and Harris Road, StMark’sAcademyandHarris years’ time. be welcomingitsfirststudentsintwo in theWimbledonarea,whichcould and supportingabrandnewschool the eastofboroughbefore2016 by expandinguptothreeschools of ourbiggestchallenges.” expanding oursecondaryschoolsisone expansion hasbeenverysuccessfuland school by2018.Ourprimary children inMertonenteringsecondary 2014, therewillbemorethan500extra school inMerton.Butcomparedwith place foreverychildwhowantstogo duty istoprovideasecondaryschool M secondary schools. of their preferred primaries, thecouncil isnow turning its attention to the borough. With more than90%of children receiving aplace atone programme thathasprovided 4,500 new primaryschool places across primary schools. Inresponse, thecouncil delivered an£80m expansion Over the past decade Merton hasfaced unprecedented demandfor its generationsfor tocome education Providing Harris Academy Morden in Lilleshall Harris AcademyMordeninLilleshall The councilismeetingthischallenge

Merton –proud to bea Fairtrade borough •Merton – proud to be aFairtrade borough • Merton –proud to beaFairtrade borough •Merton –proud to beaFairtrade borough •Merton –proud to beaFairtrade borough • Merton –proud to beaFairtrade borough explains: “Ourpriorityand Councillor MartinWhelton member foreducation erton Council’scabinet My Merton My short of1,000placesinWimbledon. if allthreeschoolsexpand,wewillstillbe of theseschoolstoexpand.However,even will bemadelaterthisautumnonwhich detailed planningunderway.Adecision all beingconsideredforexpansionwith Academy Merton,bothinMitcham,are respectively. respectively. are Ofsted-ratedgoodandoutstanding Academy MordenandMerton,which academies intheborough:Harris Harris alreadyrunstwosuccessful The projectisbackedbyMertonCouncil. new secondaryschoolinWimbledon. Harris Federationastheproviderfora to thewest. planned, thereisaneedfornewschool of schoolstotheeastboroughis places willbeneeded.Whileexpansion school agein2018,whenmanyofthenew reception thatyearwillreachsecondary September 2011.Childrenwhostarted and there wasanextraordinaryrisein to hitprimaryschoolsinthelate2000s The biggrowthinthebirth-ratestarted the borough’s young people Providing education for all Wimbledon area, as the greatest demand Wimbledon area, asthegreatestdemand new secondaryschoolisintheSouth them andwithHarris. the newschoolandweareworking with (EFA) isresponsibleforfindinga sitefor government’s EducationFundingAgency affordable locationforthenewschool.The The nextstepistofindasuitableand Finding themoney anda site In May the government approved the In Maythegovernmentapproved The council’s preferred location for a The council’spreferredlocation for a takes acloser look…

developments overthecomingmonths. school. We’llbesuretoupdateyouon care, forexample,withtheneedanew spend moneyonolderpeopleinsocial We willhavetobalancetheneed previously availablefornewschools. government hasnowcutthefunding much thenewschoolcostsas is here.However,itwilldependonhow school neartowhere theylivetoo. making suretheycangotoasecondary where theyliveandwearecommitted to now gotoaprimaryschoolnear to as manyyoungpeoplepossible can improving accessaroundtheschool. the numberofplacesto420,while summer holidays.Theworkhasdoubled Wimbledon wascompletedjustbeforethe Primary Schooltofollow. School andthefinalphaseofSinglegate completion andDundonaldPrimary Abbey andPelhamschoolsnearing of buildingworkatHillcross,Merton coming toanendwiththefinalphases primary schoolexpansionprogrammeis struggle tofindplacesatexistingschools. locations meantheirpupilswould schools intheWimbledonareawhose be giventopupilsatcertainprimary however itispossiblethatprioritywould sixth form.Itwouldbenon-selective, and boysaged11to16plusa250place it wouldprovideeducationto900girls In termsofwhattheschoolmightbelike, would looklike What theschool We havebeenworkingtoensure that The expansionofStMary’sin Meanwhile thecouncil’smajor

Merton –proud to be aFairtrade borough •Merton – proud to be aFairtrade borough • Merton –proud to beaFairtrade borough •Merton –proud to beaFairtrade borough •Merton –proud to beaFairtrade borough • Merton –proud to beaFairtrade borough To applyfor aschool place visitmerton.gov.uk/admissions For more information onthenew school and school expansions visitmerton.gov.uk/schools closes 31October2015. secondary schoolapplicationprocess older childrenismuchthesame.The schools growing,themessagefor awarded thisyear. website tofindouthowplaceswere preferred schoolsandvisitMerton’s realistic. Checkthecriteriaforyour all ofyoursixpreferencesandbe application bytheclosingdate.Use – merton.gov.uk/admissions. can befoundontheMertonwebsite information ontheapplicationprocess Access tothesystemandfurther admissions systemisnowopen. by 15January2016.Theonline in September2016,youneedtoapply If yourchildisduetostartreception to primaryandsecondaryschools. urged tothinkhardaboutapplications of theirtopthreepreferences. more than90%receivedaplaceatone choice ofschoolthisSeptemberand of childrengainedaplaceattheirfirst expansion programme,morethan80% Following thesuccessfulprimary places opennow for school Applications find outmore And withpressureonsecondary Make sureyoucompleteyouronline However, parentsarestillbeing

secondary school place duty is to provide a “Our priority and wants to go to school for every child who

in Merton”

Educating Merton

Bishop of Southwark Paul Paul Southwark of Bishop day of the blessing of their their of blessing the of day

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11 1012 Regular round-up my environment recycling more. find outwhatwecandotogetyou other properties.Sowewantedto recycling ratesarelowerthanfrom flats arerecyclingtheirwastewell, While mostpeoplewholivein blocks offlatswithcommunalbins. about thissummer,droppinginon Our recyclingroadshowwasoutand Recycling from flats online orders. sprays anddon’tforgetpackagingfrom boxes, magazinesanddeodorant and cleaningbottles. sprays orpumpdispensersfromsoap Remember toremoveanytrigger to plasticshampooandbleachbottles. toilet rolltubesandtoothpasteboxes items youcanrecycle:fromcardboard other roomstoo. to misspilesofpotentialrecyclingin recycling ourkitchenwaste,butit’seasy Most ofusaredoingabrilliantjob in every room Boost your recycling campaign. be inwithachance of winningcash prizes of aspart its MegaRecycle encouraging asmany residents aspossible to joinintherecycling and on makingrecycling aseasy andhassle free aspossible. Itisalso We can alldoourbitwhenitcomes to recycling. The council isworking Let’s allrecycling get In thebedroomlookoutfortissue Bathrooms areatreasuretroveof

Merton’s compactfoodwastecaddy Merton –proud to bea Fairtrade borough •Merton – proud to be aFairtrade borough • Merton –proud to beaFairtrade borough •Merton –proud to beaFairtrade borough •Merton –proud to beaFairtrade borough • Merton –proud to beaFairtrade borough My Merton My

gets thelatest onbeinggreen inMerton… do tohelpusrecyclemore: recycling binsinlargerblocksofflats. increased thenumberofcommunal the borough.Wehavealsoreplacedand 700 postersupinbinstoresaround To makethingsclearerwe’veput mixed upwithgeneralrubbish. l l l There arethreekeythingsyoucan In someblocksrecyclingisgetting any more. there’s noneedtoseparateitout plastic andpaperintogether, or estate–putallyourcans,bottles, communal binsforyourbuilding Recycle yourrubbishinthe and deep-cleaned regularly. bins. Theseareemptiedeveryweek you canemptyintothecommunal council forafreekitchencaddy which waste yet,giveitago.Contactthe If youhaven’ttriedrecyclingyour food living inflatstouseforrecycling. out 14,000hessianbagsforresidents – tipoutthecontents.We’vehanded Don’t putplasticbagsintherecycling and increasedthevolumeofrecycling whether theyhavereducedstreetlitter grant. We’llbereportingbackon funded bya£67,000government waste andrecyclingbackinApril, properties weregivenwheeledbinsfor evaluating theresults.Atotalof1,200 is comingtoanendandwe’llsoonbe Lavender Fieldswardwithwheeliebins Our pilot scheme to provide residents of Wheelie bintrial

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my environment

Regular round-up 13

(Left to right) Joyce Pountain of Sustainable Merton admires professional designer Val Hunt’s Climatic Change Dress; Poplar Primary School’s year 4 and 5 Thrilling Thursday Group’s Catwalk Cloak made from empty cat food pouches; La-Chi Lin from Wimbledon College won second prize and was voted the People’s Favourite with her dress made from woven video tapes Recycling food waste Getting creative from schools with the stuff we Merton Council has been collecting throw away food waste from schools, picking up The young designers who entered this three to five tonnes per week from year’s Style Junkies competition rose to 32 schools this summer term. Poplar the challenge of making fashion out of Primary school is definitely worth a rubbish. From a showgirl outfit crafted mention as one of the best at recycling from melted plastic, to Lego wellies and their food waste. If you’re at a Merton a cloak fashioned out of cat food school, get your school to sign up to the pouches, judges were impressed by the council’s food waste scheme and boost wit, beauty and sheer inventiveness of your eco-credentials! The council delivers the designs. food waste bins and liners for free. The competition was part of Merton’s Mega Recycle campaign which aims to Schoolchildren help by recycling leftovers find new and interesting ways to boost If you haven’t done so the borough’s recycling rate. already, visit the Mega Recycle web pages to sign up to the recycling challenge and

find out more be in with a chance of winning cash in a monthly draw.

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Win a family ticket* to see Santa Claus and the Night Before Christmas at New Wimbledon Studio Who is the special guest you will be able to meet at this Christmas production? The magical Christmas experience A) Robin Hood returns with a brand new adventure! B) Santa Claus C) Little Red Riding Hood From the producers of last year’s record-breaking production, the In your answer you must include the following: enchanting Christmas experience returns with a brand new adventure! name, email address, phone number and postal A truly unforgettable experience which includes bubbles and the address. You can email your answer to magical moment when snowflakes fall over the audience, this interactive [email protected] or write to us show is a must-see over the festive season! With songs, stories, a meet at My Merton, 7th floor, Civic Centre, London and greet with Santa and a free gift, it’s never too early to book for this Road, Morden SM4 5DX. The closing date for perfect Christmas treat. entries is 9 October 2015. Santa Claus and the Night Before Christmas will be at New Wimbledon Terms and conditions: *A family ticket is for four people, Studio from Tuesday 1 to Thursday 24 December. To book tickets, visit and must include at least one child. The tickets are non-transferable. There are no cash alternatives, www.atgtickets.com/wimbledon or call 0844 871 7646 (Calls cost 7p accommodation or travel included in this prize. The per minute plus your phone company’s access charge). For your chance competition is one VIP family ticket to see Santa Claus and the Night Before Christmas at New Wimbledon to win a family ticket for four, simply answer the following question: Studio, valid on Tuesday 1 December.

MERTON COUNCIL

Drive4life Pre-learner driving skills course Children’s cycle training For 17-24 year olds with a provisional car Merton provides free ‘on road’ cycle training our free session can return you to driving license. Free 3 hour theory session for children age 10+ at Merton schools followed by 3 free driving lessons. during school term, and Easter and summer 55 years and over. Application form available on: holidays. For more information visit: merton.gov.uk/roadsafety Further details and application merton.gov.uk/drive4life form available on:

Basic cycle maintenance Motor bike and moped courses Adult cycle training training for adults Be a brighter biker, for learner riders Free adult cycle training for beginners, A half day session held once a month Free classroom session and CBT refreshers and commuters on at local venues. Bike Safe, for experienced riders. A free Saturday mornings in Morden. We can even provide a bicycle for you to For more information please contact: training day for experienced riders provided by the police. use if you haven’t got your own. Further details and application Please type cycle maintenance in the Further details and application form available on: subject heading. form available on: merton.gov.uk/roadsafety

All events and training are funded in conjunction with Transport for London and are available to those who live, work or study in the London Borough of Merton. Alternatively, please contact us for more information:

Contact: Future Merton, London Borough of Merton,12th Floor, Civic Centre, London Road, Morden SM4 5DX Telephone: 020 8545 3205 / 06 Email: [email protected] Web: merton.gov.uk/roadsafety merton.gov.uk/roadsafety Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough • Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough • Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough• Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough • Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough • Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough

history

Fighting for King and country 15

Merton’s role in WW1 One hundred years ago, the world was one year into what would become one of the bloodiest conflicts in human history. Many brave people in Merton played a vital part in the war effort. My Merton finds out about the council’s Carved in Stone project, which tells the life stories of those commemorated on war memorials across the borough.

erton’s servicemen played an important role in the Tank Week, Wimbledon Broadway. From Merton Memories online library major battles of World War MOne. Nine men with Merton links received the Victoria Cross for their bravery, amongst them the sons of railway workers and market gardeners, as well as members of the officer class. MERTON COUNCIL On the home front suffragettes ran soup kitchens for those in need, firms in Drive4life Pre-learner driving skills course Children’s cycle training Mitcham and Colliers Wood produced the varnish for aircraft and artillery shells For 17-24 year olds with a provisional car Merton provides free ‘on road’ cycle training and a local market garden supplied cress our free session can return you to driving license. Free 3 hour theory session for children age 10+ at Merton schools followed by 3 free driving lessons. during school term, and Easter and summer to combat scurvy amongst troops in the 55 years and over. Middle East. Application form available on: holidays. For more information visit: These are some of the historical details merton.gov.uk/roadsafety Further details and application merton.gov.uk/drive4life form available on: that have come to light as part of the in an effort to raise awareness about this Get involved Carved in Stone project, which seeks out hugely significant period of our history. The council’s heritage the human stories behind the names There have been three discovery days, service is seeking more Basic cycle maintenance Motor bike and moped courses Adult cycle training recorded on the borough’s war graves where residents found out about life a young volunteers to help training for adults Be a brighter biker, for learner riders Free adult cycle training for beginners, and memorials. century ago and contributed stories and with the project. This type of work A half day session held once a month Free classroom session and CBT refreshers and commuters on Launched last December, the project artefacts from their own families. experience should prove particularly at local venues. Bike Safe, for experienced riders. A free Saturday mornings in Morden. has seen 24 volunteers put in more than As part of the project, September sees beneficial for teenagers, helping to boost We can even provide a bicycle for you to For more information please contact: training day for experienced riders provided by 2,000 hours of work, researching stories, the publication of three Merton at War their CVs or university applications. the police. use if you haven’t got your own. digitising records and filming interviews mini-maps covering Wimbledon, Also, if your relatives fought in World Further details and application Please type cycle maintenance in the Further details and application with the descendants of combatants, Mitcham and Merton. These maps will War One and you have stories or form available on: subject heading. form available on: be a taster for the full-scale, memorabilia that you would like to merton.gov.uk/roadsafety borough-wide Merton at record for posterity, the project team Members of the Merton and Morden Volunteers. War heritage trail which would love to hear from you. The Battalion was attached to the East Surrey will be launched in All events and training are funded in conjunction with Transport for London and are available to those who live, work or study Regiment. The photo was taken around 1916. in the London Borough of Merton. From Merton Memories online library November. The map will find out more Alternatively, please contact us for more information: lead you around our merton.gov.uk/carvedinstone, 020 8545 significant war sites; from 3239, or email [email protected]. Future Merton, London Borough of Merton,12th Floor, Civic Centre, London Road, Morden SM4 5DX Contact: recruitment venues to For information about forthcoming : 020 8545 3205 / 06 Telephone military hospitals and heritage events, activities and open days, [email protected] Email: army camps. visit merton.gov.uk/heritage Web: merton.gov.uk/roadsafety merton.gov.uk/roadsafety Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough • Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough • Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough • Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough • Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough • Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough

16 happening inthetown centre… C has its share of natural spaces. gems. With theRiver Wandle trail andtranquil Wandle Park, thetown Delve deeper into Colliers Wood andyou’ll findit’s anarea of hidden Makeover helps Colliers Wood shine Revitalising Colliers Wood feature evidence ofagreathistoricpast. parks hasmeantthatthereislittlephysical few decades,fromthetowertoretail works atMertonAbbeyMills. Arthur Liberty’sprintingandfabricdyeing movement, withbothWilliamMorrisand as thebirthplaceofArtsandCrafts Wood wassignificantinthe19thcentury service ranthroughthearea.Plus,Colliers Lord Nelsonandthefirstcommercialrail the Englishparliament.Therearelinksto kings’ coronationsandwasaforerunnerof occupied bySainsbury’s,playedhostto However, developments over the past However, developmentsoverthepast

which stood on the site now which stoodonthesitenow the 12thcenturyMertonPriory, olliers Woodhasarichheritage– Merton –proud to bea Fairtrade borough •Merton – proud to be aFairtrade borough • Merton –proud to beaFairtrade borough •Merton –proud to beaFairtrade borough •Merton –proud to beaFairtrade borough • Merton –proud to be aFairtrade borough Baltic Close

and enjoy. places thatarepleasant tospendtimein funded somephysicalchangesto make more convenient.Themoneyhas also the pedestriancrossingstomake walking junctions. We’vealsosimplified manyof should alsomakecyclingsafer, especially at congestion andremovingstreetclutter and ChristchurchRoadshouldreduce Abbey Mills. Abbey Mills. station, WandleParkandhistoricMerton better linksbetweenColliersWoodtube London, weareworkingoncreating from MertonCouncilandtheMayorof completed thiswinter.With£3mfunding Colliers Wood,whichisscheduledtobe improvements, knownasConnecting been aseriesoftransportandpublicspace The firstelementoftheregenerationhas Making connections and onfoot. to movearoundthetowncentrebybike better urbanspacesandmakingiteasier transform thearea,addingmoregreenery, thanks toaseriesofprojectsset Traffic improvements along the A24 Traffic improvementsalongtheA24 But Colliers Wood is changing fast But ColliersWoodischangingfast My Merton My gets thelatest onwhat’s

heritage. heritage. Colliers Wood’s industrialandnatural Valley RegionalParksignswhich celebrate along theWandlePromenade. lighting andpavingbetterlandscaping blocks fromAbbeyMills.There’s new reinterpret WilliamMorris’sprinting designed woodenbenches,to complete withasharedspaceandspecially The BalticClosemakeoverwillsoonbe attract visitorswithnewboundaryfeatures. Wandle Parkisbeingopenedoutto seating and,insteadofbeinghiddenaway, Colliers WoodTower Christchurch Placeand Also look out for the new Wandle Also lookoutforthenewWandle Trees havebeenplanted,there’snew Wandle Promenade

Makeover helps Colliers Wood shine

Merton –proud to be aFairtrade borough •Merton – proud to be aFairtrade borough • Merton –proud to beaFairtrade borough •Merton –proud to beaFairtrade borough •Merton –proud to beaFairtrade borough • Merton –proud to beaFairtrade borough Christchurch Road be submittedearly2016forconsultation. discussed andthecouncilexpectsplansto second phase,tothesouthofsite,isbeing The towershouldbecompletemid2016.A a catalystforfurthergrowthandregeneration. of thetower,whichisalreadyprovingtobe has successfullysecuredtheredevelopment Merton Council,afterlengthynegotiations, been amajorbugbearforresidents,but for morethanadecade,thebuildinghas a newpublicplazaoutside.Standingempty be threenewshopsonthegroundfloorand that willhouse150newapartments.There’ll eyesore intoanattractiveglass-cladbuilding the ColliersWoodtowerfromderelict In January2015workbegantotransform Transforming thetower community facility forgenerationstocome. cost tocounciltax payers,providingavaluable new libraryforColliersWoodat a reduced developer thecouncilwasableto securethe apartments. Throughnegotiations withthe children’s area. rooms, specialactivityzonesandalarge well asacoffeeshop,communitymeeting with morespaceforbooksandDVDsas time andwillbespreadoverthreelevels Wood tubestation. design ofCharlesHolden’snearbyColliers clad inPortlandStonetoreflecttheiconic way forafantasticnewlibrarybuilding, old, 1970slibraryclosedinJuly,tomake a brandnewlibraryisnowunderway.The Further upthehighstreet,worktobuild A new library for Colliers Wood The building will also contain new The buildingwillalsocontainnew The newlibrarywillopenintwoyears’

Revitalising Colliers Wood For libraries info goto merton.gov.uk/libraries merton.gov.uk/connectingcollierswood For more goto Library Colliers Wood

find outmore Library’s temporaryDuring the works,

Guardian Centre, Clarendon Roadhome is at the Donald Hope

Western RoadMews feature

17 feature

18 Keeping Merton clean

Love Your Street

If, like the residents of Fieldgate Lane in Mitcham, you’d rather have an orchard in your backyard than a fly-tip, and frankly who wouldn’t, then join the council’s Love Your Street campaign and help make your neighbourhood somewhere you’re proud of.

Mayor of Merton Councillor David Chung thanks volunteers for keeping Merton clean Beware the man with a van... The council’s litter enforcement team is also reminding residents how important it is to dispose of bulky waste properly. If someone offers to dispose of your building waste or other rubbish, make sure they have Joanna Coppola wins a a waste carrier’s licence which One-for-all voucher for her effort in the borough should be displayed in their vehicle. Householders are responsible for ove Your Street is about working problem areas and you’ll be in with a their waste. If your rubbish ends up with the council to improve your chance of winning a £100 voucher in a in a fly-tip you could be fined £5,000 area, whether by helping with a prize draw. You can also sign up for our and landed with a criminal record. Llitter pick, pledging to be tidy or newsletter and find out where clean ups Although we won’t dispose of something more ambitious. are planned or get council help to organise builders’ rubble, the council will take In Fieldgate Lane, residents were one of your own. up to five items or bags of bulky waste concerned with the blight on their area from from your home up to four times a piece of wasteland that was frequently Residents honoured for a year if you call us and book it in. fly-tipped. The council helped them mount a loving their streets clean-up operation, then got Barratt Homes, Merton Council celebrated the hard work who are building locally, to prepare the site. and efforts of volunteers who have helped Together they planted fruit trees and plants make the Love Your Street campaign so including plums, gooseberries, strawberries successful since its launch in January. and a local variety of Merton apple. An awards ceremony was held in the Residents of Myrna Close, Colliers Wood council chamber in the summer. Mayor of also led a clean-up operation around their Merton Councillor David Chung presented rubbish bins, which were becoming an the volunteers with a certificate as a thank eyesore. The bins have been fenced off and you for their contribution to keeping Merton the area cleared by a committed group of clean. Volunteers play a vital role in the locals who have also got to work on the scheme, organising and taking part in find out more nearby nature trail and pond. clean-up events as well as in promoting the Love your Street: merton.gov.uk/loveyourstreet Get involved by visiting our website and initiative which increased the number of sign Bulky waste collections: merton.gov.uk/bulky pledging to pick up litter and report any ups to the Love Your Street campaign. 020 8274 4902

feature

Increasing better value for money 19 Council achieving better value for residents With the council facing further cuts in funding from central government, My Merton looks at how Merton Council is saving council tax payers’ money by becoming more efficient.

any of us have been through haven’t made it to your street yet, they techniques are also making buildings particularly tough economic will over the coming months. The new easier and cheaper to maintain. And, times of late so the council is LED lights are brighter and more energy where suitable, we consider including Mworking hard to get the best efficient, and don’t cost as much to run. So, housing within developments like West deal for residents in the services we buy and while some places are dimming their lights Barnes Library to help fund the building. the contracts we agree. to save money, we’re ensuring our streets continue to be well lit at a lower cost to Sharing services Investing in technology Merton’s tax payers. Sharing services with neighbouring A major investment the council is making is councils or commissioning specialist in technology. We’ve provided our social Being prudent with public funds organisations to provide them are ways workers with either a tablet or laptop, freeing The council is able to invest in projects to Merton is working to get a better deal for them up to spend more time doing their the benefit of residents by being prudent tax payers while maintaining quality important face-to-face work with vulnerable in its use of reserves, money we put aside services. Through the South London Waste children and adults, rather than spending each year to ensure we have enough in the Partnership (Merton, Sutton, Kingston and valuable time writing up their notes in the bank to spend on projects that will save Croydon) we are set to save £1.7 million office. Portable technology allows them to money in the long-term, provide enhanced per year by agreeing a joint contract with type up their case notes as they go. services to residents as well as the best deal environmental specialists in household Many of you may have noticed new street for our taxpayers. waste collection and parks maintenance. lights which we’re investing in. If they A new library for Colliers Wood, new Sharing legal services across Richmond, school buildings and the new family leisure Sutton, Merton and Kingston councils and centre for Morden, plus the investment in sharing services including trading standards Mitcham and Colliers Wood town centres and environmental health with Richmond are just a few examples where the council Council, are all helping us cut down on has worked with developers to ensure the costs while making better use of a wider borough is able to benefit from quality pool of expertise. These are just some of the buildings fit for the 21st century, at the ways we are saving money and providing best possible value. Modern construction more efficient services for our residents. Refreshing our website Our research* shows that many of you would like to contact us in the same way you contact your bank and buy goods and services – online. So we’ll be revamping the current website to make it easier to pay for things and raise issues that are important to you. By doing things online you will be able to get them done more easily, and by cutting down on phone calls we can also save money. We will be working with residents and community groups to make sure that the website is easy to understand and delivers the services that people want. So watch this space.

© Wavebreakmediamicro | Dreamstime.com © Wavebreakmediamicro Your personal account You’ll also have your own personal account with the council so you won’t have to repeat yourself when you call us. We will make sure that the website and your personal account are easy to use on a mobile phone as so many of us now want to do business on the move. *Local Authority Customer Contact Survey (July 2012), Red Quadrant

New courses available now at Merton Adult Education Pick up our prospectus from your local library or MAE venue. Open Day: Tuesday 8 September, 2 - 8pm Book your place online, in person or by calling 020 8274 5222 Whatley Ave, Wimbledon Chase, SW20 9NS @MertonAdultEd www.maec.ac.uk Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough • Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough • Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough • Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough • Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough • Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough

MM Summer 2015.indd 1 23/07/2015 10:40:26 Community safety

Keeping Merton safe 21 Seasonal safety Many of us are looking forward to enjoying Halloween and Bonfire night. Both events are full of fun and games, but there are a few safety issues we all need to be aware of too.

World Cup fever Rugby World Cup fever is hotting up with nearby Twickenham staging wins and defeats that fans across the world will be tuned into. If you’re going to a match or plan to join in the celebrations, stay safe, look after yourself and make sure your friends are OK too. Our trading standards, licensing and food hygiene officers will be working around the stadium when matches are at Twickenham, playing a vital role in making sure the events run smoothly. © Monkey Business Images, Dreamstime.com Images, Business © Monkey

ast Halloween, the serious burns Fireworks can be a big danger too, so suffered by the eight-year-old the safe option is to head for an organised daughter of Strictly Come Dancing display. Merton Council will host four Lpresenter Claudia Winkleman fireworks shows – two at Morden Park One stop help really brought home the dangers of on Saturday 7 November and two at flammable party outfits around candles. Wimbledon Park on the 5 November. The One Stop Shop drop-in service for According to the London Fire Brigade You can book tickets online. people experiencing or worried about there were 82 fire-related injuries in Remember – never throw fireworks, domestic violence and abuse marks its London between Halloween and Bonfire never put them in your pocket and don’t five year anniversary this autumn. There Night, with many of these incidents return to a firework once lit. If you’re will be a special event at Morden Baptist blamed on candles. under 18, you will be breaking the law if Church with the council and partners. The advice is to keep candles well away you try to buy fireworks. You can get advice from a range of from items that could catch fire, especially Don’t let your children go trick or organisations on issues including fancy dress costumes, and to always place treating without an adult and never housing, safety and the law. You’ll them on a heat resistant surface well away knock on doors if there’s a No Trick find it at Morden Baptist Church, from children. LED tea lights make a safe or Treat sign – stick to houses with a Crown Lane each Monday between alternative for your pumpkin. pumpkin outside. 9.30am and 12.30pm (not bank holidays).

find out more For Halloween and bonfire safety advice visit the London Fire Brigade website www.london-fire.gov.uk For No Trick or Treat posters go to the Metropolitan Police website and search No trick or treat posters: http://content.met.police.uk/Home For firework displays go to merton.gov.uk/fireworks For domestic violence help call Merton Victim Support on 020 7801 1777. In an emergency call 999.

MERTON COUNCIL PUTTING YOU FIRST

MERTON SECONDARY SCHOOLS OPEN 2015 EVENTS

Harris Academy Merton Harris Academy Morden Wide Way, Mitcham, CR4 1BP Lilleshall Road, Morden, SM4 6DU T: 020 8623 1000 W: www.harrismerton.org.uk T: 020 8687 1157 W: www.harrismorden.org.uk Open Evening: Wednesday 16 September 2015, 5–8pm Open Evenings: Thursday 1 October 2015, 5–8pm, 6th Form: Thursday 22 October 2015, 5–7:30pm 6th Form: Thursday 22 October, 5–7:30pm Open Morning: by appointment only Open Mornings: Thursday 24 September, Tuesday 6, Thursday 15 & Wednesday 21 October, 9–10:15am

Raynes Park High School Ricards Lodge High School Bushey Road, London, SW20 0JL Lake Road, Wimbledon, SW19 7HB T: 020 8946 4112 W: www.raynespark.merton.sch.uk T: 020 8946 2208 W: www.ricardslodge.merton.sch.uk Open Evening: Thursday 24 September 2015, 6–9pm Open Evening: Tuesday 15 September 2015, 5:30–8pm 6th Form: Thursday 5 November, 6–9pm 6th Form: Thursday 7 January 2016, 5:30–7:30pm, Open Mornings: Monday 28 September – Headteacher’s speech at 7pm Friday 2 October, 9:30am Open Mornings: Tuesday 22 September, 9:30am–12pm & Wednesday 23 September, 9:30am–12pm

Rutlish School St Mark’s Academy Watery Lane, Merton, SW20 9AD Acacia Road, Mitcham, CR4 1SF T: 020 8542 1212 W: www.rutlish.merton.sch.uk T: 020 8648 6627 W: www.stmarksacademy.com Open Evening: Tuesday 22 September 2015, 5:30–8pm Open Evening: Thursday 17 September, 5pm onwards 6th Form: Thursday 7 January 2016, 5:30–7:30pm 6th Form: Thursday 26 November, 5–7pm (at Ricards site), Headteacher’s speech at 7pm Open Mornings: Wednesday 23 and Wednesday 30 Open Mornings: Thursday 24 & Friday 25 September, September. Wednesday 7, Wednesday 14 & Wednesday 9–11am (by appointment only) 21 October, 9am

Ursuline High School Wimbledon Wimbledon College Crescent Road, Wimbledon, SW20 8HA Edge Hill, London, SW19 4NS T: 020 8255 2688 W: www.ursulinehigh.merton.sch.uk T: 020 8879 9355 W: www.wimbledoncollege.org.uk Open Evening: Wednesday 16 September, 6:30–8:30pm. Open Evening: Thursday 1 October, 5:30–8:30pm. 6th Form: Wednesday 11 November, 5–7pm 6th Form: Wednesday 11 November, 5–7pm (at Ursuline High School site). (at Ursuline High School site). Open Mornings: Monday 21 – Friday 25 September, Open mornings: Monday 5 & Tuesday 6 October, 9–10:30am & 11am–12:30pm (by appointment only) 9–10:30am

Parents are advised to apply online at www.merton.gov.uk/admissions. Closing date for applications is 31 October 2015

www.merton.gov.uk Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough • Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough • Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough • Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough • Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough • Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough

MERTON_OPENDAY_A4POSTER_AW.indd 1 09/07/2015 17:16 working life

Local democracy in Merton 23

My Merton talks to borough’s electoral services head Andrew Robertson is Merton’s Head of Electoral Services. It’s a busy role and a crucial part of the democratic process, as Andrew manages everything connected with elections and registering to vote. My Merton gets the lowdown on what his job entails.

here are two key parts to Andrew’s electoral registration last year, the way the “If residents don’t return either of these job: “An election or referendum canvass is conducted has changed. forms, one of the council’s electoral happens most years. So half of Andrew explains: “The canvass form used registration canvassers will call round and Tmy year is spent organising to be filled in by the head of household, but ask them to complete the forms there and elections – booking polling stations, the responsibility to register is now on the then. They’ll help the person complete the appointing and training staff, printing poll individual. In August this year we sent a form, if that’s what they need.” cards and postal votes and running the household enquiry form to every property, Andrew continues: “By the time the count.” His team increases in size from asking who is eligible to vote. This form is canvass is complete, the vast majority of five to 700 during an election period. no longer a registration form, but residents Merton residents will be on the register. “It’s a lot of work but I very much enjoy the do need to complete it and return it to us, It’s a legal requirement to be registered and project-management side to it. I find it very if they haven’t already done so. It is also can affect your credit rating if you’re not. rewarding when it all works well.” possible to complete the form online. We The people most likely to fall through the The other half of Andrew’s role is will send anyone new to the borough an net are younger people and students who producing and maintaining the register invitation to register form which will ask for tend to move around a lot. So the message of electors. Crucial to this is the annual information such as their national insurance is that if you do move house, go online canvass, currently in full swing. As a result number and date of birth. This form can to make sure you’re registered at your ONLINE HEF-P-E of the government introducing individual also be completed online. new address.”

Surname: Telephone (optional):

Add anyone new aged 16 or over here. You can see who is eligible to register below. Surname: ONLINE HEF-P-E Forename(s): Telephone (optional): Nationality: Email in CAPITALS (optional): Surname: Forename(s): Telephone (optional): Your security code00000 is: Nationality: A closer look at This address, a street, Merton 00000 Email in CAPITALS (optional): Surname: Forename(s): Household Enquiry Form Telephone (optional): Changing your choices Nationality: Who is eligible to vote? If anyone wants to vote Email in CAPITALS (optional): by post or by proxy You can fill in this form at Who is eligible to register to (someone voting on your Forename(s): vote? local democracy www.elecreg.co.uk/merton If anything is wrong behalf) you can download Nationality: Go to the website above, or You can register to vote in the UK if • Changes’ an application form at Cross it out and put the correct Email in CAPITALS (optional): you are: • www.aboutmyvote.co.uk. Please check the information in the tableinformation below in the ‘ resident (usually live) in the UK, If nothing has changed • box. There is more information More than 9 people eligible to register? Contact us using the details on page 1 and weand will send you another sheet. Go to the website above, or Young people in Merton will get a taste • about the open register aged 16 or over (but you will not Call 0808 284 1570, or IAIN BROWN • • : on page 4 of this form. Nobody eligible to vote? . be able to vote until you are 18). Sign the declaration on page 3 Changes If anyone wants to change • Please explain why. You must also be either: and return the form in the reply their choice about the open The property is empty a British, Irish or European Union paid envelope register they will need to • If anyone has moved out This is solely a business premises citizen, or of how local politics helps shape the Call 0808 284 1571 to access contact us separately. • Go to the website above, or this service in alternative on a Commonwealth citizen who has • This is a second home • languages • Cross out their name. Included leave to remain in the UK or who or None of the residents are eligible to vote because of their nationality does not require leave to remain Postal Please give their nationalities. proxy vote? open register? in the UK. Nationality borough we live in this Local Democracy 70? Over Postal YES Other reason. Please state. Now sign and return black ink www.elecreg.co.uk/mertonand write in CAPITALS or go online at Use the form NO British YES Send the signed form in the Week (12–16 October). Pupils in the pre-paid envelope – or to the Name Declaration address on page 1 of this form. To the best of my knowledge, the information in this form is true. A. Name NO British I have checked with everybody on the form that the information about borough will be given a tour of the civic ! Changes: them is correct. I understand that it may be an offence not to give the information asked for in this form or to give false information. Telephone & email in CAPITALS (optional): Date (DD MM YYYY) I understand that if I do not give the information asked for in this form, I A. Name Surname: could face a fine of up to £1,000 – and if I knowingly give false information, ! Changes: I could face an unlimited fine and/or up to six months in prison. centre which will take place in the council Telephone (optional): Signature Telephone & email in CAPITALS (optional): Add anyone new aged 16 or over here. You can see who is eligible to register on page 3. Surname: *HP704E* Forename(s): Full name (please use CAPITALS) chamber. Children in the Mitcham and Telephone (optional): Nationality: Email in CAPITALS (optional): If the occupier cannot complete this form (for example, nobody lives at Surname: this address) the person who is in charge of the property must complete Forename(s): Morden constituency will be visiting the Telephone (optional): it instead. Please tell us who you are – for example, landlord. Nationality: Email in CAPITALS (optional): Houses of Parliament with Siobhain Forename(s): Page 3 Nationality: ,,*HP704E* McDonagh MP. She will also be giving Email in CAPITALS (optional): talks at schools in the borough. Stephen Page 2 Hammond MP will visit students at Wimbledon schools and speak about his Diane Perez has been a canvasser in Colliers Wood for several years and told role as a member of parliament. us why she takes part: “The area I canvass is local to me and in walking Children will also have the opportunity to meet Mayor of Merton, Councillor distance from where I live. While I do get paid as a canvasser, I also think it David Chung in the Mayor’s Parlour is a person’s civic duty to vote, if eligible, so I do take pride in doing my bit and local councillors will attend by canvassing my area as thoroughly as possible. In 2016 Londoners will be Merton’s youth parliament. For the voting for the next Mayor of London and they may be voting in a referendum grown-ups, details on the community on the European Union – so it’s important to make sure you’re registered.” forums are on p29 in What’s On. find out more or register to vote at: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

MERTON COUNCIL

Businesses, schools and organisations that have pledged to love their street

Businesses ABC Grocery and Butchers, Morden Cafe D’Oro, Morden Easy Tan, Morden eddisonwhite, Colliers Wood eddisonwhite, Wimbledon Ganley’s Irish Bar, Morden Jose’s Café, Morden Kebaby, Morden KFC, Morden Morden Dry Cleaners Paddy Power, Morden P J Harvey & Co Ltd Locksmiths, Morden Robert Dyas, Wimbledon The Generator Business Centre, Mitcham The Old Frizzle, Wimbledon Timmy All In One, Morden Village Café, Morden

Schools Beecholme Primary School Dundonald Primary School Haslemere Primary School ge to lo Hatfeild Primary School d ve dge to lov Hillcross Primary School le y le e Holy Trinity CE Primary School P ou P yo Malmesbury Primary School r ... ur .. Poplar Primary School street street. St Mary’s Catholic Primary School The Priory C of E Primary School Wimbledon Chase Primary School Thanks to the Love Your Street Organisations Merton Chamber of Commerce campaign sponsor Sustainable Merton eddisonwhite Thanks to all the residents who have signed up so far. Show your support by signing the pledge at: merton.gov.uk/LoveYourStreet Residents who sign up are in with a chance to win a £100 One4all voucher.

merton.gov.uk/loveyourstreet Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough • Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough • Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough • Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough • Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough • Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough

MERTON COUNCIL 25 Businesses, schools and organisations that have what’son Your comprehensive guide to what’s happening in Merton. merton.gov.uk/events pledged to love their street COLLIERS WOOD MITCHAM MORDEN RAYNES PARK WIMBLEDON/MERTON Businesses ABC Grocery and Butchers, Morden Cafe D’Oro, Morden Easy Tan, Morden eddisonwhite, Colliers Wood Services of Remembrance eddisonwhite, Wimbledon New Wimbledon Theatre Ganley’s Irish Bar, Morden Sunday 2 November Jose’s Café, Morden l Nelson Health Centre Kingston Road, 93 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1QG Kebaby, Morden SW20 8DA. Starts 9am. Attended by the Mayor Book online www.atgtickets.com/wimbledon KFC, Morden Morden Dry Cleaners of Merton, Cllr David Chung. Telephone booking 0844 871 7646 Paddy Power, Morden l Wimbledon War Memorial Wimbledon Group bookings 0844 871 7696 Access bookings 0844 871 7677 P J Harvey & Co Ltd Locksmiths, Morden Village. Starts 10.40am. Attended by the Mayor Robert Dyas, Wimbledon of Merton, Cllr David Chung. The Generator Business Centre, Mitcham l Mitcham War Memorial Lower Green West. The Old Frizzle, Wimbledon Timmy All In One, Morden Starts 10.40am. Attended by the Deputy Mayor of Village Café, Morden Merton, Cllr Pauline Cowper.

Schools Beecholme Primary School Wednesday 11 November Dundonald Primary School l Civic Centre London Road, Morden. Haslemere Primary School Starts at 10.50am. Attended by the Deputy Mayor e to l Hatfeild Primary School and civic representatives. g o e to Hillcross Primary School d ve g lo l Mitcham Clock Tower Starts at 10.50am. e d v Holy Trinity CE Primary School l e Photography Raith © Pamela y le Attended by the Mayor of Merton, Cllr David Chung, P ou P yo Malmesbury Primary School r ... ur .. Poplar Primary School and civic representatives. l Jesus Christ Superstar for love and friendship and end up street street. St Mary’s Catholic Primary School 21–26 September, 2.30pm, 7.30pm finding more than they could have The Priory C of E Primary School Tickets: £23.65–£49.15. Tim Rice and ever dreamed of. With a dazzling array Wimbledon Chase Primary School Thanks to the Arts and entertainment Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock opera of outrageous costumes and a hit Love Your Street Organisations tells the story of the last seven days in parade of dancefloor classics including Merton Chamber of Commerce West Barnes Singers the life of Jesus through an It’s Raining Men, I Will Survive, Hot campaign sponsor Sustainable Merton eddisonwhite extraordinary score. As compelling Stuff, Boogie Wonderland, Girls Just Thanks to all the residents who have today as it was at its inception over Wanna Have Fun and I Love The signed up so far. Show your support by forty years ago, Jesus Christ Superstar Nightlife, rush to get your tickets today signing the pledge at: has some of musical theatre’s most for this wildly fresh and funny musical merton.gov.uk/LoveYourStreet legendary songs from I Don’t Know that will take you on a journey to the Residents who sign up are in with a How to Love Him, Everything’s Alright, heart of fabulous! chance to win a £100 One4all voucher. and Gethsemane through to Superstar. Produced by Bill Kenwright and the l Circus creative team behind numerous of Horrors blockbuster musicals, Jesus Christ Monday Superstar tells the world’s oldest story 26 October, with the superb theatricality they have 7.30pm l West Barnes l Morden Park brought to Evita, Joseph, Blood Brothers Tickets: Singers Choral Society and Whistle Down the Wind to mention £19.90– Saturday 7 November, Saturday 24 October, only a few. £28.90. The 7.30pm 7.30pm story twists and St Saviour’s Church, St John the Divine, l Priscilla Queen of turns with grisly murders and Grand Drive, Raynes Park, High Path, SW19, Merton. the Desert – Tour sensational shocks – all interwoven SW20 9DG. Vivaldi Concert featuring 5–10 October, 2.30pm, 7.30pm with some of the greatest and most Gloria and John Rutter beautiful music for all Tickets £14–£42.50. The feel-good bizarre circus acts on earth, performed Gloria. Tickets: £10, seasons. Adults £10, international hit sensation Priscilla by an almighty cast with a forked children: Free. concession £5. Includes is the heart-warming, uplifting tongue firmly in each cheek and the find out more glass of wine. adventure of three friends who hop devil-driven rock n’ roll of Dr Haze 020 8648 3987 find out more aboard a battered old bus searching & The Interceptors from Hell. www.westbarnessingers.co.uk 020 8648 6445 merton.gov.uk/loveyourstreet ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT • YOUTH • SENIOR CITIZENS • FAMILY • HEALTH & FITNESS • WALKS & TALKS • FAIRS & EXHIBITIONS Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough • Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough • Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough • Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough • Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough • Merton – proud to be a Fairtrade borough

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Here’s a selection of what’s stayingin? new in Merton’s libraries: The Colour House Children’s Theatre Merton Abbey Mills, Watermill Way, SW19 2RD MY MERTON’S BOOK CHOICE l The Wizard of Oz Purity Saturday 5 September–Sunday 8 November, by Jonathan Franzen 2pm, 4pm Jonathan Franzen’s Purity is a Our 21st Birthday Celebratory Performance stars story of youthful idealism, extreme Basil Brush! Join us over the rainbow in Oz, as we fidelity, and murder. The author of travel with Dorothy along the Yellow Brick Road all The Corrections and Freedom has the way to the Emerald City. With the Wicked Witch imagined a world of vividly original of the West hot on her trail, Dorothy will need all characters – Californians and East Germans, good the help she can get from her new found friends! parents and bad parents, journalists and leakers – Will the Scarecrow get a brain? Will the Tin Man and he follows their intertwining paths through get a heart? Will the Lion find his courage? And will landscapes as contemporary as the omnipresent Dorothy get her wish to travel home? Find out as the iconic foursome meets the Internet and as ancient as the war between the great and powerful Wizard of Oz, played by the Basil Brush in this new musical sexes. Purity is the most daring and penetrating adaptation of everyone’s favourite classic tale! Tickets: £12 adults, £8 child. book yet by one of the major writers of our time. find out more 020 8542 5511; www.colourhousetheatre.co.uk Other books: • The Woman Who Walked In Sunshine – l Mum2mum market Alexander McCall Smith Saturday 17 October, • The Mystery of the 2–4pm Skeleton Key – Bernard Capes Ricards Lodge High • The Moth Catcher – Ann Cleaves School. Buy top quality second-hand children’s NEW DVDS: MY MERTON RECOMMENDS clothes, toys, books and equipment at our award Wild Card winning pop up market. Jason Statham (Furious 7, The We are just a short walk Going for a Song Expendables trilogy) reunites from Wimbledon town with Expendables 2 director, l Attic Theatre Playfest centre public transport and Simon West, as the titular Nick Company Friday 2 and Saturday there is loads of free Wild, a Las Vegas bodyguard Going for a Song 3 October parking on site. Forty with lethal professional skills and Wednesdays from 16 Mitcham Library, 157 sellers under one roof a dangerous gambling problem. September; 1–2pm London Road, Mitcham, offering a huge choice of When a friend is attacked by a sadistic thug, Nick Vestry Hall Mitcham, CR4 2YR. Attic Theatre the best bargains. All goods strikes back, only to find out the attacker is the son CR4 3UD. The ‘Going for Company’s annual for sale are great quality of a powerful mob boss. Suddenly Nick is plunged a Song’ singing group Playfest returns this brands in top condition into the criminal underworld, chased by enforcers meet regularly on autumn. Four chosen and sold at a fraction of the and wanted by the mob. Having raised the stakes, Wednesdays to sing plays will be presented high street price. Plus we Nick has one last play to change his fortunes...and together. We learn new as rehearsed readings on have refreshments and free this time, it’s all or nothing. songs, sing old favourites the evenings of Friday 2 entertainments for the and perform to local and Saturday 3 October. kids. Need to declutter? Other DVDs: community groups. The It will be held at the New Why not sell at a • The Face of an angel sessions are an excellent Wimbledon Studio. mum2mum market and • The Gunman way to boost your health The selected four keep 100% of the proceeds. • While we’re young and happiness. Come and playwrights receive a Admission: £2 (kids free). join us, enjoy yourself, feel fee of £100. find out more For more information on books, borrowing good and meet people. find out more www.mum2mummarket.co.uk eBooks and DVDs, visit merton.gov.uk/libraries Tickets (if applicable): 020 8640 6800 www.facebook.com/ £3.50 (first session free). [email protected] mum2mummarket

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Polka Theatre 240, The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB Box office: 020 8543 4888 www.polkatheatre.com

l What to do When Together they share a summer of blue You Find a Dinosaur skies and warm sun, but when the 24 September–4 October hurricane takes her away, how will the In 1824 eccentric scientist William boy find his own way? An imaginative Buckland discovered a bone from a tale of chaos and calm, Hurricane Boy creature no one had ever heard of is a charming show combining before. He named it the Megalosaurus, physical storytelling and live music. and he was desperate to tell the world. Tickets £13.50, concessions £10. Join him on a pre-historic dinosaur journey with humour, music and plenty of audience participation. Tickets £13.50, concessions £10.

l Thumbelina 3–4 October There was once a girl so small she could float on a lilypad and ride on the back of a dragonfly. Follow Hans Christian Andersen’s extraordinary tale of a girl no bigger than a thumb and her adventures with a frog, mouse, l The Bear Merton Arts Trail mole and swallow who help her on her 23 October–8 November September 12, 13 and 19, 20 journey. Tickets £12, concessions £9. One night when Tilly is fast asleep, an and 26, 27, 11am–6pm enormous white bear climbs into her Over 100 artists and craft makers will throw open l Hurricane Boy bedroom. It has a big black tongue and their doors to the public on 19, 20 and 26, 27 7–11 October a yawn as big as your head. Join Tilly September and show their artworks from homes, A blustery boy lives by himself, and her furry friend for an adventure as studios, local businesses and galleries, in 60 venues constantly rebuilding his house from Raymond Briggs’s beloved book comes around Merton. Get in the creative mood by joining the rubbish whipped up by the winds. to life with dazzling puppetry, delicious in the launch weekend fun on 12 and 13 September One day a girl appears and brings him music and dreamy storytelling. Tickets by having a go yourself at printing, drawing, textiles, through the gales and the rain. £13.50, concessions £10. collage and much more. Don’t miss the family- friendly Art Nature Trail on Wimbledon Common on 13 September. Free. find out more Cranleigh Live www.mertonartstrail.org 1 Cranleigh Road, Merton Park, SW19 3LX

l Shindig Saturdays Saturday 26 September, 2–11pm From Centre Court to Centre Stage – live music, fun and games and on-court tennis for all the family! Pimms, strawberries and cream will be served from 2pm followed by a barbecue from 4pm. At 7pm we open the Shindig stage as 4-Stroke hosts an open mic session. Donations on the door. © Jason Stitt, Dreamstime.com Stitt, © Jason

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT • YOUTH • SENIOR CITIZENS • FAMILY • HEALTH & FITNESS • WALKS & TALKS • FAIRS & EXHIBITIONS

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Health and fitness l Wimbledon Park Bowls Club Third in Bowls England’s 2014 ‘Club of the Year’ competition. Taster sessions each Saturday in September from 11am–12.30pm. find out more 020 8265 5475 [email protected] Caption to be provided www.wimbledonparkbowls.co.uk Family tennis at Cranleigh l ‘A Time of l Hill Singers Anniversaries’ at Tuesday 22 September, seniors. Kilts are not all ages. Contact Grant to Wandle Industrial 7.30pm mandatory but soft shoes book in and have fun Museum The Lantern, Raynes are recommended. Have playing Touch Tennis Every Wednesday, Park Methodist Church fun and give it a try, some against other tennis 1–4pm, every Sunday (entrance in Tolverne instruction available. enthusiasts. We have a 2–5pm (except bank Road), SW20. New £4.50 for non-members, barbecue from 2pm, holidays) singers welcome – refreshments included. variety of stalls, raffle, arts Vestry Hall Annexe, if you are interested in © Albund | Dreamstime.com New members warmly and crafts and an open mic London Road, Mitcham, joining a friendly local l Scottish Country welcomed, age range late event from 6pm. Come and Surrey, CR4 3UD. chamber choir, come Dancing; St Andrew teens to seniors. watch the entertainment Our new exhibition, and sing as we start Society (London) find out more or perform by singing, A Time of Anniversaries, rehearsals for our Dancing in central Alison Raffan (secretary) playing an instrument or is now open. From Magna 5 December concert. Wimbledon every 020 8540 1755 recite some poetry. Carta to the opening of We will be performing Tuesday 8–10.30pm. www.standrewsoclondon.netne.net find out more the Watermeads path it a wide range of music New season starts 15 07740 194200 covers key events being by composers such as September to June 2016 l Family tennis www.clubspark.lta.org.uk/OpenDays celebrated along the River Tallis, MacMillan and Holy Trinity Church Hall, competition and [email protected] Wandle over the last 800 Lauridsen. All singers 234 The Broadway, evening entertainment years. Tickets: 50p adults, are welcome, especially Wimbledon, SW19 1SB at Cranleigh Lawn l Merton Active Plus 20p children. tenors. Free. (next to Polka Theatre). Tennis and Social Club Keep your kids busy find out more find out more Friendly and sociable class Saturday 26 September, during the October half 020 8648 0127 020 8644 3794 open to new members 2pm onwards term by booking them on [email protected] [email protected] ranging from teens to For adults and children of a Merton Active Plus course. There is plenty of Hill Singers fun for young people aged 8 to 16. find out more merton.gov.uk/activeplus © Sergiyn | Dreamstime.com © Sergiyn

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Senior Walks and talks

citizens l Talks on behalf of l Celebrating to Carshalton Ponds. Walk around Mitcham l Celebrating Age Wimbledon National fifty years of the To include a visit to the Common Saturday Until 26 September, Trust Association National Trust’s Watermeads and 17 October, 2.30pm 9am–6pm 2.15pm; Christ Church Neptune Coastline Beddington Park (stop Meet at the bus stop The Celebrating Age Hall, Cottenham Park Campaign and its at Pavilion Café for on bridge. 3–4 miles, Festival is an annual Road, Wimbledon, SW20 plans for the next refreshments), part of easy, linear. extravaganza of activities, or in the church next fifty years in Merton’s Celebrating find out more events, talks and door if hall not available. London and the Age 2015. 3–4 miles, 07944 833605 information taking place South East easy, linear. [email protected] over three weeks in ‘Women in RNLI’ Saturday 21 November September, in Merton. by Sue Hennessey By Crispin Scott. Tickets: We work with dozens Saturday 17 October £3 per WNTA member Family events of local charities and Sue talks about this and £3.50 per non-member. businesses to put on life-saving charity from a find out more an exciting Festival, different perspective. In 07981 902771 showcasing the array of 2004 she was the founding The Green Scene opportunities available principal of the Lifeboat l Melanie’s in Merton year round for the College where crew Autumn Walks over 50s in Merton. volunteers are trained. She Wandle Trail Walk l Green Coffee explains how women have Saturday 19 September, First Tuesday of the month (usually), 9.30–11am Cream teas and always been central to 2.30pm Upstairs cafe at the YMCA, Wimbledon Broadway, much more with Celebrating Age lifeboat operations and are Meet at Mitcham Tram SW19 1RY. Get together to discuss local environmental ‘strong to save’. stop. Walk from Mitcham and community news. Everyone is welcome. find out more www.projectdirt.com; [email protected] Community Forums l Phipps Bridge Community Garden Every Wednesday morning (weather Merton’s Community Forums are for any residents dependent), 10am–2pm (well-deserved interested in their local area. It’s a chance to tea and cake break at 12.30pm) raise any issues. These will be taken up by the Are you keen to get involved in community food © Jenbray | Dreamstime.com © Jenbray organisation responsible to follow up and report growing in Merton? Join the Dig Merton team to The Festival is supported back on how problems are solved. The dates for enjoy the benefits of working on local land. by Merton Council and the next series of forums are as follows: find out more Call Gillian on 07956 170141 coordinated by Age UK Merton, with the help of l Wimbledon Community Forum l Merton Green Parents an army of volunteers in Tuesday 22 September Every Wednesday, 10.30am their distinctive yellow Trinity URC Church, Mansel Road, from 6.30pm. Coffee in the Wood, 99 High Street, Colliers Wood, t-shirts! This year’s SW19 2JF. The perfect group for people who want to Celebrating Age Festival is l Raynes Park Community Forum make their parenting journey a more sustainable one. shaping up nicely! From Thursday 1 October Raynes Park Library, 6.30pm. find out more follow Merton Green Parents on scenic walks and outings Facebook or Twitter @MGreenParents to the races, to singing l Morden Community Forum workshops and cream Thursday 8 October Council Chamber, 6.30pm. l Merton Green Drinks teas; whether you’re 50 or Second Tuesday of the month, 8pm 100, you’ll find something l Mitcham Community Forum The Charles Holden, 198 High Street, Colliers to keep you young at Tuesday 13 October Vestry Hall, 6.30pm. Wood, SW19 2BH. Great social event for those heart! Prices vary. interested in sustainability issues and wanting to find out more l Colliers Wood Community Forum meet other like-minded people. 020 8648 5792 Tuesday 20 October find out more [email protected] St Joseph’s Church Hall, 6.30pm. [email protected] www.ageuk.org.uk/merton

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Family events continued Mayor of Merton events l Harvest Supper and Race Night Fundraising for charities supported by the Mayor of Merton Saturday 3 October, 6.30pm St Saviour’s Church Hall, Grand Drive, Raynes Park, l Charity dinner: l Quiz Night l Mediterranean SW20 9DG. Book no later than 27 September. Bring Peace, Love and Friday 9 October, Evening your own drinks. Tickets: £7 and £5. Unity Guyana 7–10pm Wednesday find out more Evening Tickets £10 per person, 28 October 020 8395 6095 Friday 18 September includes supper. There Experience an evening Tooting and Mitcham will be a bar. Teams of full of Mediterranean l Mitcham Community Sports Club, six people. Prizes for the flavour. In aid of Merton Horticultural SM4 6BF. Come along winners. Come along Dementia Hub and One Society’s and experience a taste of and pitch your Life. Event supported by Autumn Show Guyana’s hospitality at knowledge against the Councillor Stephen Saturday its best, an evening of quiz master. A night Alambritis. Istanbul 3 October good food and traditional of good fun, food and Mezze Mangal St Marks Church Hall, St Marks Road, Mitcham. Doors entertainment. Please drink in aid of the Restaurant, 22 High open 2pm, free admission with refreshments available. contact the Mayor’s office Mayor’s charities. Street, Colliers Wood, The last Wednesday of every month – meeting at Age UK, if you are interested in Merton Junction, Merton SW19 2BH. London Road, Mitcham and everybody is welcome. attending: 020 8545 3517. Civic Centre, London find out more Road, SM4 5DX. www.mitchamhorticulturalsociety.co.uk

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT • YOUTH • SENIOR CITIZENS • FAMILY • HEALTH & FITNESS • WALKS & TALKS • FAIRS & EXHIBITIONS Abundance Want your business to soar? Wimbledon Do you have a fruit tree and can’t use all the fruit? Get in touch with Abundance. Our volunteers may be able to help you pick the fruit. Join us on Abundance Fruit Day 19 September 11am–2pm St Mark’s Church garden Give your business a boost with our (behind Wimbledon Library) business planning and growth programme. • Fruit press in action 1 to 1 advice Peer Learning Networking • jams • chutneys • cakes Contact our business advisers to see how • local honey • pie-making demo we can help. • games for children and adults 0208 619 0700 • The International Ukulele mertonbusinesssupport.co.uk Orchestra and lots more [email protected] [email protected] www.abundancewimbledon.com The Merton Business Support Service is financially supported by The London Borough of Merton. © Jenna Wagner, iStockphoto.com © Jenna Wagner,

Remember remember... Musical Fireworks Displays Wimbledon Park Thu 5 November Morden Park Sat 7 November Gates open at 5.15pm Bonfires lit at 6.30pm and 8.15pm First show starts at 6.45pm More suitable for young children Second show starts at 8.30pm

merton.gov.uk/fireworks

minutes 5 with...

Julian Spooner Merton’s Borough Commander, London Fire Brigade

Why did you decide to become a firefighter? I am part of a family of volunteer firefighters. I would like to say that instilled a sense of public service in me. Actually I joined the London Fire Brigade because I thought (very naively) that it would pay for flying lessons, as I wanted to be a pilot. Twenty plus years later and guess what, I’ve never taken a flying lesson!

What’s the best part of your job? And the most challenging? I’ve worked with some fantastic people in some challenging situations and it’s been a real privilege to be appointed as the Fire Borough Commander for Merton. One day I can be working in the community to reduce fires. The next I can be on an operational incident that requires fast, time-critical decisions. While that variety is the best part, it’s also the most challenging as I have to keep a number of plates spinning to do my job effectively.

Any words on Halloween and bonfire night? Please, please take the time to look at the London Fire Brigade website for advice on how to celebrate these events safely. Most of the incidents I attend around those celebrations could have been prevented.

find out more www.london-fire.gov.uk mymertonnews and information from your council