Christmas 2011
www.wimbl edonpark.com
Established 1904 W. A. GARDNER & SON
Quality Traditional Butchers 157 Arthur Road, 020-8946-2215
We are now taking orders for your Christmas Fare Finest Bronze FREE RANGE Turkeys. Free Range Geese & Chickens. Scotch Aberdeen Angus Pasture Reared Beef Free Range Pork, Additive-Free, supplied to us direct from the farm. Venison , Wild Boar, Ducks & Game.
We also stock a large selection of Free Range Eggs - Soups Sauces - Pickles - Preserves - Pastas - Cheese Home made free range pork sausages.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
From all at Gardners Butchers
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Christmas edition 2011 Contents
Chairman’s Report 4,5,6
Crime figures 8,9,10,11
MP comments on Boundary Commission proposals 12,13
Councillor’s update 14,15
Unlocking the Wandle (1 & 2) 16 & 18
Join the WPRA 20,21
Sustainability and our community 22,23
Letters to the editor 24
‘Outstanding’ Little Learners 26
Massive Wandle Clean up 28,29,30
Praline’s Walk 31,32
Christmas Message from Christ the King 34
Abundance Fruit Day 37,38
Christmas Message from St Luke’s 39
Committee list 40
Index of Advertisers 42
All advertising enquiries to: Kathy Blackburn on 020 8946 3957 Email: [email protected]
Editorial help needed. Contact Iain Simpson on 020 8947 1301 email: [email protected]
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Chairman’s report
Wimbledon Park Hall Following on my comments in the last newsletter, the latest news is (dare I say it!) a little more encouraging. Discussions with a particular company about a joint venture seemed to have progressed well and there is a distinct hope that an agreement could be signed in the near future – possibly before Christmas. If that happens it would certainly be a positive way to start the New Year. At the moment other encouraging signs for next year are hard to find!
AGM Our AGM was held on the 20th October. It was not a huge turnout but thank you to all those who were able to attend and helped make it a good meeting. The Associa- tion continues to be active and well supported by the committee and residents. Our finances are in good shape with our coffers swelled this year by the £1,500 received from the Council as a result of our complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman. Our overall reserves increased by £1,800. Naturally we missed the added injection of funds that arose from our Fair activities in previous years. We do not intend to hold a Fair next year as there will be so many competing events from the Olympics and the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations. We were delighted to welcome Cllr Oonagh Moulton (first elected 2002) as our guest speaker. Oonagh, who was the past Mayor of Merton until May this year, gave us a personal glimpse of the fairly frenetic activity (some 400 official engagements) that reflected her year as Mayor. It is a tribute to her (and her family) that she was able to combine those demands with holding down a job and managing a family. As I know personally, she gave generously of her time to many events throughout the borough and, having selected the Wimbledon Civic Theatre Trust and Macmillan Cancer Support as her chosen charities for the year, managed to raise a total of £41,000; a great achievement.
Friends of Durnsford Recreation Ground. As many of you will know, the WPRA has effectively been the ‘Friends of’ group for Durnsford Rec for the last several years. We decided to do this as a vacuum had appeared in the local interest in the park. For several reasons we have decided it is important to increase our focus on the ‘Rec’. As we all know, Council budgets are being cut across the board and maintenance of parks and open spaces is no exception. As a result there is scope for us to help with more imaginative and colourful planting as well as helping with regular maintenance. Very recently we undertook a tidy-up of the ‘Jubilee’ bed we created and planted in 2003. This had become very over grown and untidy. A force of about 10 volunteers worked hard on a recent Saturday morning and made a huge difference (see picture on page 7). Last Saturday a smaller group planted six new rose bushes in the bed which will make a really nice addition. We have been in discussion with the Council about what further work we might do in the future. Whilst we will be doing some planning over the next few months to decide our short and long term objectives and discussing those
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with the Council, we do want to increase our force of interested volunteers. If you care about your local green space Durnsford Rec, and would be prepared to help (in any way– whether muscle power or gardening expertise), please Contact DeNica Fairman by email so that she can add you to the email list for future information updates. Email: [email protected] Reduction of free parking from 20 mins to 10 mins. I attended and spoke at the call-in meeting of the Scrutiny panel on the 27th October, arranged by our Councillors. There were strong representations from Councillors, including our own Oonagh Moulton, and some pretty good representations from the Wimbledon Village Business Association, a number of residents of the village area and a very good appeal from Cathy from the Olive Cafe. The quality of discussion among the panellists left quite a lot to be desired. The final decision seemed rather politically flavoured and very disappointing. It was my impression ( and of others) that two of the labour panellists who were substitutes for the evening seemed to have trouble grasping the real issues. The decision was evenly split with the Chairman having the casting vote. We were generally criticized by Cllr. Judge for putting forward nothing but anecdotal evidence and assertion. However, it was quite clear that the Council and Cllr Judge were doing exactly the same. And, as was clearly argued by one resident, some of the figures produced by the Council were spuriously based and did not stand up to close examination. Panellists were not swayed by the argument that ‘local centres’ such as the Village and Wimbledon Park, which have very limited public parking arrangements, rely heavily on the regular passing trade that 20 minute free parking attracts. This was altogether a rather unedifying experience, but then not greatly different from a lot of Merton Council meetings I have attended! If you consider how we lost first our library, then our Community Hall under the Labour leadership of Cllr. Judge, on the pretext that it was surplus to Council requirements, (certainly not ours - and we never saw the report which apparently was the justification) and the fact that no other Community Halls were closed down after ours and, more recently, the loss of our recycling centre, we should offer Cllr. Judge and the Labour administration our congratulations on having carried out yet another successful attack on the fabric of Wimbledon Park.
‘Winter Wonderland’ planning application - Who’s Park is it anyway? As we go to press there is growing consternation among many residents about the most recent application to stage an event in the Park from the 3rd December to the 15th January. Not only are the details of the application extremely sparse and un- clear but the event starting date appears to be before the next planning applications meeting scheduled for the 8th December. After discussion at the last committee meeting, the Association wrote a letter objecting to the application. It is increasingly apparent that the Council is treating the Park as an ‘amusement’ park and a ‘cash cow’ . Contd on the next page
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In the process, it is deliberately ignoring the impact on parking in and around the Park and the people and noise pollution. This follows on an earlier, controversial and nonsensical decision to create a permanent car park extension at the Revelstoke Road Entrance (which is currently occupied by London Underground for works on the railway cuttings). There seems to be a body of opinion that thinks it is a good thing that Wimbledon Park should become a ‘destination park’ and welcome thousands of people for big events and at the weekends. Where the limits are for the number and frequency of this type of event is anyone’s guess. However, I have a feeling we are fast approaching that realisation. What do you think? We would like to hear from you. What do you think about the way the Park is being managed? One resident has already written, expressing concern. The letter appears on Page 24. Boundary Commission report We highlighted in the last newsletter, the implications for Wimbledon Park in the Boundary commission’s proposals. Not much has been written since in the press, either local or national, about the proposals, so we asked our MP, Stephen Hammond, to give us his views. He has very kindly written an article which you will find on pages 12& 13. From what Stephen has written it would seem that implications could be much more far reaching that we might have at first thought; not only for Parliamentary constituencies but also for possible changes in local authority boundaries. Happy Christmas
HAINES WATTS WIMBLEDON LLP Chartered Accountants Business Advisers and Tax Specialists
For all your Tax Advice Accounts Self Assessment
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Company Formation Planning
Contact us at:- Park House 158-160 Arthur Road Wimbledon Park London, SW19 8AQ
Telephone: 020-8944 1180 / 020-8947 3361 Fax: 020-8944 0863 Email: [email protected]
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Working party on the Jubilee bed
Musical Express # # Half page ! " # $ # % & ' ( ) * +,-+- .-,)+) / 0% %1
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ing. Burglary Dwell- in a ing. Burglary Dwell- in a ing. Burglary Dwell- in a ing. Burglary Dwell- in a ing. Burglary Dwell- in a ing. Burglary Dwell- in a ing. Burglary Dwell- in a ing. Burglary Dwell- in a ing. Burglary Dwell- in a ing. Burglary Dwell- in a Dwelling. Att. Burglary in a Dwelling. Att. Burglary in a Allegation
leaving by same entry.leaving by same plement, gained entry carried out and untidy search before day unknown forced rear kitchen im- week have with window Unknown offender(s) during dayto evening time hours on a door and stealing property from inside Unknown suspect(s) entered the venue by breaking the front house in a tidy manner beforewindow entering the house and searching most of the Suspect entered over back garden then smashed kitchen andfronttaken property from window within. suspects unknown have through the broken into a dwelling get in propertywhere has then been taken. andstairwell then slipping a lock and forcing open another to from alleywayinto rear garden, opening unsecured door to suspect has gained entry to property overby climbing wall by victim then slipped the victims door lock, opened door, confronted Burglar has slipped the communal lock in foyer area, disturbing thesuspect. seen a hand go through the letterbox and opened the door tempted to slip the lock at same time, the victim has Suspect has put his hands through the letterbox and at- cash, bank cards and a passport stolen. Entry gained through letterbox, car, laptops, purse, wallet, ing delivery. Keys taken by unknown suspect front door while open dur- as laptop as well bedroom there a untidy search. Mostlywas taken Jewellery Victim's kitchen had been opened. Whenwindow checked in without entering or taking anything suspects broke door down shouting "police" they then left propertyopen first by floor window. By suspect unknown climbing a ladder and trying to enter Method
ALVERSTONE AVENUE STROUD ROAD ASHEN GROVE MOUNT ROAD ROAD DURNSFORD HOME PARK ROAD HOME PARK ROAD GORDONDALE ROAD HAVANA ROAD LAMBOURNE AVENUE ROAD DURNSFORD ARTHUR ROAD Address
28/10/2011 24/10/2011 20/10/2011 17/10/2011 19/10/2011 19/10/2011 17/10/2011 12/10/2011 04/10/2011 04/10/2011 14/10/2011 02/10/2011 Date from
700 1445 845 1000 730 1450 1310 2300 1800 830 225 110 from Time
28/10/2011 24/10/2011 20/10/2011 19/10/2011 19/10/2011 19/10/2011 13/10/2011 04/10/2011 14/10/2011 Date to
2050 1600 1510 830 1930 1455 540 2200 230 to Time
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Vehicles Theft from Motor Vehicles Theft from Motor Property RobberyPersonal of from Agg Burg Personal Robbery under £500 Crim Dam to M/Veh - £500 to £5000 Crim Dam to M/Veh - ing Burglary Non Dwell- ing Burglary Non Dwell- ing Burglary Non Dwell- ing Burglary Non Dwell- ing Burglary Non Dwell- ing Burglary Non Dwell- ing Burglary Non Dwell- ing. Burglary Dwell- in a
By persons unknown entering vehicle and stealing pushchair and takingdow propertywithin. ing entryvictim'Svehicle to by smashing passengers win- Unknown person using means and methods unknown gain- in order to take his mobile phone they did. which suspects threatened victim violence then attacked him with seen phone taken, weapon suspects broke door down of flat shouting "police" mobile at Gap Road neythe damage causing to the upperalighting deck window By boarding the bus person shown and during the short jour- tim. Suspect known to victimsmashed up car and threatened vic- stolen computer equipment from inside. suspects have forced entry to offices during the night and OUGH council 5 allotment sheds broken into belonging to MERTON BOR- stole items before leaving in direction unknown. Unknown suspect(s) forced door, entered the building and Venue broken into and copper piping cut out and stolen. No other property taken. taken from frontva desk and Entry forced into viawarehouse door and van fire exit keys and has left the scene to the venue and has then stolen some kitchen appliances break/cut open the padlock on the shutter. Has gained entry A suspect has approached the venue and has used a tool to tools someone has entered garage by forcing the door and taken By entering property, person unknown and taking goods.
n parked in car park also taken.
HASLEMERE AVENUE ROAD CHURCH BRAEMAR AVENUE ROAD DURNSFORD ROAD DURNSFORD CROMWELL ROAD WEIR ROAD HAVELOCK ROAD PARK TRE,WIMBLEDON SAILING CEN- HOME PARK ROAD ENDEAVOUR WAY ARCHWAY CLOSE ROAD DURNSFORD KENILWORTH AVENUE
02/10/2011 05/10/2011 01/10/2011 14/10/2011 06/09/2011 13/10/2011 18/10/2011 11/10/2011 11/10/2011 28/09/2011 07/10/2011 01/10/2011 01/10/2011 28/10/2011
1400 1730 200 225 2358 1850 10 1715 1800 1000 2040 1200 1700 900
03/10/2011 06/10/2011 01/10/2011 14/10/2011 18/10/2011 12/10/2011 12/10/2011 09/10/2011 08/10/2011 03/10/2011 02/10/2011 30/10/2011
930 710 205 230 45 830 815 1200 400 630 830 1000
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Theft in a Dwelling Pickpocket Theft from Person - Pickpocket Theft from Person - Vehicles Theft from Motor Vehicles Theft from Motor Vehicles Theft from Motor Vehicles Theft from Motor Vehicles Theft from Motor Vehicles Theft from Motor Vehicles Theft from Motor Vehicles Theft from Motor Vehicles Theft from Motor Vehicles Theft from Motor Vehicles Theft from Motor Vehicles Theft from Motor Vehicles Theft from Motor
By persons unknown removing property consent without By dipping person unknown purse out of bag sion. Unknown suspect has taken victim'swallet permis- without unlocked. Sat Nav stolen from inside vehicle.vehicle Believe left By persons unknown removing mirror the wing glass bag on passenger seat. suspect/s smashed front passenger window and stole laptop By persons unknown breaking into vehicle and stealing tools By persons unknown vehicle plates fromremoving licence method and stealing property therein. By suspect unknown entering vehicle using unknown the vehicle and stealing property therein By smashing person unknown the rear quarterlight entering Lights and Registration plate taken by suspects. unknown Person(s) made owner. off in direction unknown. carriedThis out was the knowledgewithout or consent of the front bumper and grill from the vehicle causing no damage. By using person(s) unknown unknown method to remove the erty shown. givingsmall window access to the car and taking the prop- the timesBy breaking shown between person unknown the vehicle entering and stealing propertytherein. By person unknown smashing the rear of the windscreen entry and stealing property therein. By damaging suspects unknown the locks on the van to gain made off from the scene. Take the property described from the back of the van. Then rear door lock of the vehicle causing the damage shown. By using person(s) unknown unknown method to force the
GAP ROAD ARTHUR ROAD ROAD DURNSFORD HAVELOCK ROAD PITT CRESCENT CRESCENT GARDENS PLOUGH LANE ENDEAVOUR WAY STRATHMORE ROAD THE CRESCENT ENDEAVOUR WAY PLOUGH LANE HAVELOCK ROAD CROMWELL ROAD PLOUGH LANE DURNSFORD AVENUE
22/10/2011 19/10/2011 10/10/2011 25/10/2011 27/10/2011 27/10/2011 26/10/2011 26/10/2011 16/10/2011 15/10/2011 13/10/2011 11/10/2011 09/10/2011 09/10/2011 08/10/2011 05/10/2011
2230 1230 1200 2000 2000 1700 1300 1900 1730 1000 1900 1730 1530 2200 1250 1800
23/10/2011 30/10/2011 28/10/2011 27/10/2011 26/10/2011 27/10/2011 16/10/2011 16/10/2011 14/10/2011 12/10/2011 10/10/2011 10/10/2011 08/10/2011 08/10/2011
600 1000 1030 1759 1330 950 2015 1815 400 830 1950 800 1310 800
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Theft Not Clas- An unknown person has taken the informants KENILWORTH 11/09/201 180 12/09/20 80 sified Else- pram from an open front porch area of her ad- AVENUE 1 0 11 0 dress. where
Theft Not Clas- Victim left property on the desk at garage. PLOUGH LANE 24/10/201 110 26/10/20 10 sified Else- When they returned it was missing 1 0 11 00 where
Theft of Pedal Person or persons unknown made off with vic- ARTHUR ROAD 29/09/201 100 29/09/20 11 Cycles tims bike, secured at the back of work place, 1 0 11 00 there are no known witnesses at this time.
Theft of Pedal Person unknown has taken the cycle from the HOME PARK 12/10/201 130 Cycles location without lawful authority or reasonable ROAD 1 0 excuse.
Unauthorised Vehicle taken from location by person(s) un- STUART ROAD 05/10/201 900 07/10/20 19 Taking Motor known by methods unknown 1 11 00 Vehicle
Unauthorised By unknown suspect taking the victims car WEIR ROAD 23/10/201 143 23/10/20 18 Taking Motor without his permission 1 0 11 45 Vehicle
Unauthorised By persons unknown taking vehicle without HASLEMERE 28/10/201 100 28/10/20 10 Taking Motor consent AVENUE 1 0 11 40 Vehicle
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BOUNDARY COMMISSION PROPOSALS
Every ten years or so the Boundary Commission reviews all the boundaries of UK constituencies in order to take account of demographic movements. In Opposition the Prime Minister gave a promise that the next Boundary Commission Review would not only rebalance but also reduce the number of constituencies. This commitment became part of the Coalition Agreement and last year the House of Commons voted to enact this promise. The Boundary Commission was set the task of cutting the number of constituencies from 650 to 600 in the UK overall and from 533 to 502 in England. In London this has meant the number of constituencies is being reduced from 73 to 68. The primary criteria used by the Boundary Commission to determine these con- stituencies has been the size of registered electors living within an area; respecting local community interest ranked as a much lower consideration. On 12 September the Boundary Commission for England produced proposals for 68 new constituencies in London, all sized between 72,810 and 80,473 electors; and in many cases creating some curious divisions of local populations and communities. At present the Wimbledon constituency has the ten wards of Wimbledon Park, Wim- bledon Village, Hillside, Raynes Park, Dundonald, Trinity, Abbey, Merton Park, Can- non Hill and West Barnes. It stretches from Wimbledon Common in the north to Morden Park in the south, and the A3 in the west to Colliers Wood in the east. It has approximately 67,500 electors for a General Election but around 5000/6000 more for local government elections and a population of over 100,000. Currently the London Borough of Merton comprises two constituencies - Wimbledon, and Mitcham and Morden. The current Wimbledon constituency needed to add approximately 10,000 new vot- ers. However, the Commission’s proposals for the new seats in South West London look very different to anything anticipated. The new seat will be called Wimbledon and New Malden. The wards of Wimbledon Village, Hillside, Raynes Park, Dundon- ald, Merton Park, Cannon Hill and West Barnes will all move from the old to the new constituency. Two wards from the existing Richmond Park constituency, Coombe Hill and Coombe Vale; together with three from the existing Kingston and Surbiton constituency, Beverley, St James and Old Malden, are added to give a total elector- ate of 77,494. Wimbledon Park ward will now become part of the new Putney seat.
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It seems to me that there are several major problems with the new re-drawn bounda- ries. The primary reservation I have is the complete lack of consideration of com- munity affiliation and interests. The new Wimbledon and New Malden seat will not include at least half of Wimbledon town centre within it. Here in Wimbledon Park very few people believe they live in Putney and, indeed, if you live in Kenilworth Avenue, Dora Road, Vineyard Hill Road or much of Home Park Road and Arthur Road, you are only a couple of decent golf shots from Wimbledon Village or the town centre. If that does not happen the very best that needs to happen is consideration to which Parliamentary seat does Wimbledon Park ward really belong. Whilst the ‘Grid’ area links into the ‘Southfields Grid’ and might have some affinity to Putney, the roads the other side of the railway line do not. It is highly like that these roads be returned to the Wimbledon Village ward and the Wimbledon constituency. Equally the Kohat Road polling district has greater affinity with the new Tooting and Streatham or the new South Wimbledon and Mitcham seat. Moreover for Wimbledon Park residents there will be the strange situation of paying council tax to one local authority and being represented by an MP who covers another local authority area. A redrawing of the Wimbledon Park boundaries seems likely again in the 2015-2020 Parliament. I think the post-2014 local government review will have to be dramatic to recognise some of the odd realignments caused by the Parliamentary redrawing. Firstly there are 32 London boroughs and the City Corporation; New York has five boroughs. I think there will be a clamour to reduce the number of boroughs significantly. The London Borough of Merton has always been an artificial construct with huge differ- ences between the east and the west of the borough with little shared affinity. It is simply too small to be an economic service unit. Post 2014 I think it is highly likely we shall want to reduce the number of London boroughs to around half the number which currently exist. I think that Wimbledon Park ward and area is one of the most affected by the new proposals and not necessarily to its benefit. I remain disappointed that the Wimble- don constituency could not have been kept intact and formed the basis of a new enlarged constituency. Whilst all the political parties have supported the Boundary Commission proposals there has been considerable community disquiet! However, the process has another year to run – I shall report further. However, if any Wimble- don Park residents wish to ask me anything about the changes, please e-mail me on [email protected] and I shall answer your query. Stephen Hammond MP
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Wimbledon Park Councillors update on parking and traffic issues.
Reduction of 20 minutes parking: Our 'call in' of the Labour Cabinet Member, Cllr Judge's decision to Overview and Scrutiny was well-attended by businesses in Wimbledon Park and the Village. Labour members of the panel voted unanimously to support their Cabi- net Member and our motion fell, so the reduction to 10 minutes free parking for our parade and in Village sadly, and to the detriment of our local businesses, will go ahead.
We also attended a lengthy meeting regarding traffic solutions for the Village areas of the Belvederes and Burghley/Somerset Rds, at which an 11th proposal was tabled! A 'recommended statement' was agreed for communications until a further meeting in early December.
The Council is developing a new proposal to address residents’ concerns about speeding and volumes of traffic.
The approach under review includes the use of time restricted entry/No en- try into certain roads from certain directions.
Any proposal will be subjected to full consultation.
If introduced it would be as an experimental scheme.
The authority will not be permitted to introduce any scheme until after the Olympics.
The Council would hope to consult on the proposal in the new year. We remain concerned by the 'timed restricted entry' aspects of these new proposals but you will note from the above that any proposals would not be introduced until after the Olympics. Best wishes Cllr. Oonagh Moulton Wimbledon Park Ward London Borough of Merton [email protected]
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Unlocking the Wandle (1) The Wandle Trail
By Ivan Scott, Temporary Wandle Connect Co-ordinator
The 20km (14 mile) Wandle Trail follows the route of the River Wandle from Croydon to the Thames at Wandsworth. It allows you to enjoy the heritage, flora and fauna of this typical chalk stream in the heart of some of south London’s most industrialised landscape.
There are both walking and cycling routes, which coincide for much of the way but differ in places. Part of the trail is National Cycle Network Route 20.
However, there are points along the Trail where access to the river is not easy. One of the most difficult of these is The Earlsfield Link (or Wimbledon Park Link). Currently the Trail leaves King George’s Park at Acuba Road, turns left down Penwith Road to Garratt Lane. It then turns right into Garratt Lane, under the railway bridge, past Earlsfield Station and turns right into Summerley Street before turning right again into Trewint Street. It then goes over the bridge across the Wandle before turning sharp left to join the river path.
One of the functions of the Wandle Connect Group is to improve this link and assist in the improvement to other points along the Trail where access is currently complex or difficult.
As noted by Cécile in the Autumn 2011 Newsletter a new section of path along the river will be opened between the bridge over the Wandle into St.Johns Drive and Strathville Road via Riverdale Drive and Knaresborough Drive. The Trail will then pick up Penwith Road and continue as described above.
A map/plan of the Trail is available and this can be printed off the internet. To obtain this plan enter:- ‘Wandle Trail cycle route’ then select:- ‘Walk and Cycle Route’
A recommended walk along part of this Trail for Wimbledon Park residents would be from the Trewint Street bridge to Merton Abbey Mills. Refreshments are avail- able at the William Morris pub or cafes in the Mills. Return (by walking back or via public transport).
If you do undertake this walk and enjoy the experience your views would be appreciated.
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We are delighted to support the Wimbledon Park Residents’ Association and we are always happy to advise on property values and any aspect of the market
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Unlocking the Wandle (2)
The Wandle Trail – ‘Closing’ the ‘Earlsfield Link’
By Ivan Scott, Temporary Wandle Connect Co-ordinator
The ‘Earlsfield Link’ is a major problem of access to the Wandle for Wimbledon Park residents. It needs ‘closing’. The following expensive proposal was put forward some years ago by Sustrans (an organisation promoting ‘Sustainable Local Travel’).
Their objective was to construct a 3 metre wide ‘bridge’ across the Wandle. Access to the bridge would be via a pathway from Summerley Street which would join the east riverbank just upstream from the railway bridge. The bridge, supported on pillars, would then continue downstream on the righthand (east) side of the river, under the bridge, before turning left (west) to cross the Wandle and join Ravens- bury Terrace. The Environment Agency rejected this proposal back in 2007 on the following grounds:- Flooding, Encroachment and the erection of a structure on the Buffer Zone.
The Wandle Connect Group has looked at the more complex method to ‘close’ this link. It will involve gaining access over what is currently private property but will then provide an extension of the current path from the Trewint Street bridge along the west bank of the Wandle and then either through the Haslemere Industrial Estate into Haslemere Avenue or through a gap between the base of the railway embankment and the boundary of the Haslemere Industrial Estate into either Durnsford Recreation Ground or through the Wellington Road Industrial Estate into Wellington Road.
Without the help, assistance and co-operation of land owners the Earslfield Link will remain the major access problem along the whole of the River Wandle. So, who can help our Group with the identification of land ownership in this particular area? Again, your help and assistance would be appreciated. [email protected]
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Gifts h k Cards c al Jewellery Toys
Southfields’ Aladdin’s Cave! Christmas presents for all the family
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 6.00, Sunday 10.30 - 4.30 41 Replingham Road, Southfields, SW18 5LT www.chalkgifts.co,uk 020 8870 6125
From just a couple of hours a day, to full time care, our service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Call us on: 020 8942 4137
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Why should I support the Residents’ Association?
There has been a Residents’ Association in Wimbledon Park since 1906. It provides a forum for discussing important local issues and a platform for action. Since it’s inception, the Residents’ Association has helped hundreds, probably thousands of local residents, irrespective of religion, race or creed who have turned to the committee for guidance and support. We check the planning applications of all local buildings and have been very successful in opposing unsuitable developments. We promote planting and improvements in local parks and green areas. We work with the local police to help you to fight crime in your street by publishing the crime statistics in our newsletter. We have led the initiative to redevelop Wimbledon Park Hall –so that once again we can have our own community centre. We have put on fairs and shows and supported numerous local campaigns, individuals and families faced with tragedy. The Residents’ Association has given the Wimbledon Park Community a solid and respected voice when dealing with Merton Council. An individual can achieve only so much, but as a team we can and do achieve so much more. This area is growing and improving all the time. Your Residents’ Association is more active than ever and we are happy to put in time and effort on your behalf. But we cannot function without funds. We did extremely well financially from the Edwardian Fairs we have run over the last 3 years but that money has been put aside for the running of the new Park Hall – delayed yet again due to the current Global Recession. We need you to support your local Residents’ Association ideally for 3 years, which is only £12. Twelve pounds for a 3 year period will help us pay for printing and stationary to publish this newsletter, computer & IT software to run the website, materials and equipment to organise the next fair and keep the flowerboxes blooming in Arthur Road. Please take a moment to fill in the very brief form opposite or join online at www.wimbledonpark.com via PayPal. Click ‘About Us’ then ‘How to join’. We regret that unless an email address is supplied, we are unable to acknowledge receipt. If you are already a member but are not sure of your current status, email to [email protected] and we will check for you.
Thanks in advance for your support. It is hugely appreciated.
DeNica Fairman
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To Join the Wimbledon Park Residents’ Association
Please complete this form and return it to us with your payment: Name ______
Address ______
______
______Post Code______
Email***______
SUBSCRIPTION RATES 1 Year...... £5.00 3 Years...... ….£12.00 Donation...... …...£______
Payment Options:
By cheque - please make cheques payable to: Wimbledon Park Residents’ Association
Post to: WPRA, 3 Strathmore Rd, SW19 8DB
By Cash You are welcome to drop your subscription through the door of the Membership Secretary, DeNica Fairman at 3 Strathmore Rd, or of our
Chairman, Iain Simpson at 56 Home Park Rd.
VIA website/PayPal - www.wimbledonpark.com
Email*** If you would like to be included on an e-mail list for crime alerts, WPRA updates and information on other important local issues Please tick here
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SUSTAINABILITY AND OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY
In the Autumn Newsletter, we made reference to the publication by the Government of the National Planning Policy Framework to reform and streamline the current planning sys- tem and the concerns raised from various sources to the consultation document.
One particular controversial issue is the suggestion that local authorities will be ex- pected to start from the assumption that planning applications for sustainable develop- ment will be permitted.
Amongst others The Wimbledon Society has strongly voiced objections to the notion of introducing in the planning system a default answer in favour of sustainable develop- ment proposals, reinforcing the idea that each application should continue to be ana- lysed in accordance to its merits relative to the current planning policy.
However, it should be mentioned that under the current planning law, an application for proposed development that is in accordance with the development plan, a presumption in favour of granting planning consent would exist. This is also in the spirit of the original Town and Country Planning Act 1947, trying to encourage development in a country suf- fering from post-war economic difficulties where some parallels can be drawn with the current economical situation. This presumption for development can also be tracked back to the Town Planning (General Interim Development) Order, 1922.
The Society also takes issue with the concept of ‘sustainable development’ in the sense that this is not adequately defined. In effect, there are so many definitions of sustainable development as there are texts, guidance and policies published that for us, often it is difficult to understand what would constitute a sustainable development.
You can always look for guidance on the London Borough of Merton's website, but again you will probably find so much information on sustainability and sustainable develop- ment that professional advice is necessary to understand which policy is in place, and which definition or indicators to measure sustainable development should be aimed at.
For example Merton's UDP, SPG Sustainable Development of October 2001, states that ‘the principles of sustainable development cover a very wide range of very different is- sues. This SPG therefore only seeks to outline in the broadest terms the range of the is- sues involved ...’ Well, the UDP is in the process of being replaced by the Local Develop- ment Framework.
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One policy that is less vague is the 10% Renewable Energy Policy - The Merton Rule - adopted in 2003. ‘This is a prescriptive planning policy that requires new development to generate at least 10% of their energy needs from on site renewable energy components’. The Merton Rule, widely adopted by other local authorities is rated as a success and likely to raise the percentage of the policy up to a 20% requirement.
More recently, the LDF Sustainable Appraisal Report of June 2010 sets sustainability ob- jectives, indicators and targets covering issues such as climate change, energy and car- bon reduction, biodiversity, air quality, land use, transport, housing, etc.
So there should be enough guidance by Merton Borough Council to provide a good un- derstanding of what is sustainable development.
However, the word sustainable is so widely used and misused that many of us wonder if this is simply used as a marketing tool or as an adjective to enhance almost any product, project or proposed development. Those of us involved in the building industry are used to seeing all products labelled as ‘sustainable’, from renewable softwood to exposed concrete; from locally sourced bricks to rain screen panels imported from across the Channel; from thatched roofs to Spanish slates.
It is very difficult in the context of Wimbledon as a case in point, with its substantial stock of dwellings over 100 years old attempting to bring these up to current standards of performance, to reduce the carbon footprint of the area without affecting the external appearance and character of some neighbourhoods. Can you visualise treble glazing in an Edwardian facade? What about solar or photo-voltaic panels at roof level, or some dis- creet wind turbines?
Nevertheless we should not adopt a negative attitude towards Sustainability with a capi- tal S, and regardless of where you stand on the debate about climate change, we should look at ways of encouraging sustainable development and sustainable behaviour in our community and why not, starting in our own homes. Perhaps we could try something as simple as reducing our own energy consumption by 10% at home and launch our own ‘Wimbledon Local Community Rule’ for reducing carbon dioxide emissions!
Mario Avendano, RIBA November 2011
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Letters to the editor. We are always pleased to receive letters from residents. We do reserve the right to edit, where we think necessary, or not publish at all if we consider the content inappropriate or the letter has no name and address......
Wimbledon Park is a place that everyone can enjoy. It offers a whole raft of ac- tivities for adults and children alike, as well as the pure delight of its natural beauty.
It is, however, only a small park and is beginning to suffer from the surfeit of major events and large number of visitors whose impact is beyond the resources of the park to bear and its attendants to deal with. It is starting to look jaded.
Bonfire night is a case in point: ugly brown craters from the fires, not re-turfed last year are even bigger now. A tract of tarmac laid near the tennis courts for use one day a year, spoils the aspect for the other 364. Non-degradeable litter lodges in grass and hedges and becomes part of the landscape. Roses are removed when a fence is taken down for access to a small funfair, and not replaced. The list goes on.
Now the Council has applied for planning permission to stage a "Winter Wonder- land" event, including an ice rink, children's fun fair, and refreshment units. It would cover the area of two football pitches, and operate for six weeks from the beginning of December until mid-January, seven days a week, some 12 hours a day.
The scale of such events encouraged by the Council, ostensibly providing a service to local people, but presumably to raise money, is simply too big for this local park in a quiet residential area. Ice rinks with music, stalls, or fun fairs, are perfect in large open spaces like Hyde Park, or run by national institutions with all the infrastructure and staff to host them such as Hampton Court, The Natural History Museum, Somerset House, and the Tower of London. Wimbledon Park is not equipped to host such big public events, and only manages the short inten- sive period of Wimbledon fortnight because of the huge resources pumped in by Wimbledon Tennis.
Unlike other rinks Wimbledon Park is bordered by people's homes which are likely to suffer from the many weeks and long hours of noisy crowds, music, and all the detritus of an event imposed on a beautiful open space, when it is simply not equipped for the purpose.
Wimbledon Park is a priceless local heritage, perfect for community events and food fairs. It needs our vigilance to prevent it being insidiously degraded for the sake of short term profit and consumerism. Name withheld by request.
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‘Outstanding’ result for Little Learners
Little Learners Nursery at Durnsford Recreation Ground, Wellington Road have just received an Outstanding Ofsted Inspection in October. The managers and staff are all very delighted as they have put a lot of time and effort into making their nursery exceptional. Little Learners Nursery is very popular in the Wimbledon Park Area and has a high waiting list for children to attend. Little Learners Nursery has a lovely park setting in Durnsford Recreation Ground, Wimbledon Park and is open Monday to Friday from 9.15am - 3.00pm providing sessional day care and wrap around care with Wimbledon Park Nursery. The nursery can accommodate up to 30 children and has use of an outdoor playground, totally secured. The nursery welcomes all children from ages 2 - 5 years. We welcome parents to stay and settle their child into the group. We respect the needs of all children with regard to culture, religion, gender and ability or disability.
Little Learners is Ofsted registered and inspected by Ofsted.
We can apply to our local authority for grant funding (National Education Grant) for all children ages 3 and over who are not being funded at another nursery. We also accept childcare vouchers. We are a member of the Pre School Learning Alliance and we adhere to its aims (Child Centred Learning). The curriculum is organised into six areas of learning. There is a set of “early learning goals” which establish the expectations most children aspire to reach by the end of reception year.
Our nursery is staffed by qualified, experienced childcare professionals. Many of our staff have been parents of the nursery children who have been trained through us. Our staff ratio average is 1 adult to 5 children, plus managers. www.thelittlelearnersinthepark.co.uk
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LITTLE LEARNERS (IN THE PARK) PRE SCHOOL NURSERY 2 - 5 YEARS MONDAY - FRIDAY 9.15 AM- 3.00 PM MORNING/AFTERNOON / ALL DAY SESSIONS WRAP-AROUND CARE PICK UPS TO & FROM WIMBLEDON PARK SCHOOL Also Breakfast Club for 3 - 11 year olds from 8.00am serving Little Learners and Wimbledon Park School children. Plus Summer Playscheme High standard of quality pre school education by qualified staff registered by Ofsted Principals: Angela Taggart & Lorraine Greeley-Ward DURNSFORD PAVILION DURNSFORD RECREATION GROUND WELLINGTON ROAD WIMBLEDON PARK SW19 TEL: 0774 9899976
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MASSIVE WANDLE CLEAN UP!!
I have just returned from one of the most inspiring and successful days I have ever experienced on the banks of The Wandle. My back aches, my legs are wobbly and I’m covered in stinking sludge but I am going to go back for more next month, as clearly all of this depravity is worth it. I have been helping to clean up the Wandle River.
About 50 of us met at 11am on the Trewint St Bridge, Earlsfield on a beautifully sunny Sunday, the 13th November for our Wandle Health and Safety talk by Erica Evans the Wandle Trust’s clean-up co- ordinator. We were warned about rats, sharp metal and glass on the riverbed and the possibility of catch- ing Weil’s disease if the water en- tered our eyes, noses, mouths or a cut. Weil’s disease is caused by bac- teria found in rat’s urine, which can actually be deadly if not treated im- mediately.
We were then asked to choose our waist high waders and long gloves, ready for a dip into that cold and deceptively deep- at-times fast flowing river. I’m afraid at that point I bottled it, eschewed the wad- ers for wellies and decided to be a ‘Bank Scavenger’ instead. Myself, Irene and Emer from our ‘Wandle-Connect Group’ and another newbie – property developer David - got stuck into clearing the offen- sive stinking banks of this great river of all manner of domestic waste - from pu- trid used nappies, trainers and boots, empty shampoo and detergent bottles, light bulbs, various rotting garments, empty paint pots, rusted tools and paint brushes, coat hangers and a couple of hair- dryers! - to literally HUNDREDS of empty Guinness and Coke cans.
David and I managed to fill about 20 bin bags between us and once that side of the bank was clear we set about helping the waders who were finding seriously large
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treasure from the bottom of the river bed.
Using 5 ft crowbars, four-pronged Grapnel anchors and Caribiner Clips on long ropes we helped to pull out …..6 mopeds, 2 bicycles, 1 shopping trolley, a go Kart, 2 bed frames, a football goal, 2 safes (opened and empty!) numerous carpets, dust sheets and net- ting, a loo seat, pieces of a bathroom suite, about 8 tyres, 2 dustbins, a TV, a wheelbarrow and a very large Tigger toy. It was back breaking work, with 5 – 10 people on the end of each rope straining to the call of “1,2,3 PULL!!” But the satisfaction of getting these things out of the river and in some cases back to their rightful owners was immense.
By 1pm we were all knackered and ready for a hot cup of tea with home- made cakes and biscuits provided by the Trust. After a chat about our vari- ous hauls and a short rest we were back in the river really going at it to get the most stubborn pieces of rusted metal to relinquish their grasp of the river bed and make their way to the surface, ultimately ending up on the growing pile of sludge-filled, blackened debris that was starting to fill the corner of the Trewint St Bridge.
At one point I spotted a large eel slithering around in the sludge on the kerb by the dumped mopeds we were lining up. It was really tricky trying to get a hold of it to put it into an empty paint pot so I could carry it back to the river but I managed it and showed it off to the rest of the group before releasing it again. There was only 1 other eel found yesterday. I later learnt that eels have become a critically endan- gered species. Their migration from the Sargasso sea has fallen off by as much as 90-98% since the 1970s due to over fishing, parasites and barriers stopping them getting upstream, such as weirs and hydro-electric plants. The Wandle Trust is try- ing to address the weir-barrier issues on the Wandle and has successfully broken down several weirs along the river, introducing an ‘Eel Pass’ at Merton Abbey Mills to allow the young eels (elvers) to successfully migrate upstream and grow into adults to complete their life cycle of 10-15 years, before journeying 300 miles back to the Sargasso sea to spawn.
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The Trust has also been tackling the proliferation of invasive plant species such as Himalayan Bal- sam and floating Penny- wort. We pulled out two large islands of Pennywort onto the banks to mulch down there.
It forms floating beds of what looks like large leafed watercress with thick white roots. These beds can cover the width of the river, trapping de- bris that has been thrown in underneath them in the roots; we found our bicycle haul under a huge bed of Pennywort, and an old bed frame. They ultimately cause too much shading of the riverbed, which is not good for the fish or other plants.
By 3pm we were all completely exhausted and the lorry from Wandsworth Council had turned up to clear away the massive amount of rub- bish that we had found. The Trust told me that the Trewint St site has always been the worst area of the Wandle for rubbish dumping and this year we collected double what they col- lected last year. The Council takes everything away except the mopeds which are left for the police to hopefully identify later.
As I cycled back home to Wimbledon Park, I couldn’t help but feel very proud that I had helped to return this river to what this year has been recognised, as one of the UKs Top Ten most improved rivers.
If you would like to find out more about The Wandle Trust and their monthly clean ups along different parts of the river then please visit: www.wandletrust.org
By: DeNica Fairman
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PRALINE’S WALK 2012
In May 2010 our lovely little dog, Praline, died accidently in France. I was devastated to lose such a lovable and loving pet and to comfort me my friend Cécile suggested I organise a sponsored walk in Praline’s memory. This is how “PRALINE’S WALK” was born. In October 2010, we did our first walk. We raised £1620 for 2 charities : £550 went to DBARC, the rescue centre Praline came from and VOLUNTARIO GLOBAL, the Buenos Aires charity where I work every year as a volunteer re- ceived, £1070 for their kindergarten LAS TRAVESURAS. The fund enabled them to build a new classroom to accommodate more vulnerable young children, thereby keeping them safe and fed, and off the dangerous streets of the shanty town while their parents are at work.
LAS TRAVESURAS
Before ....
LAS TRAVESURAS
After!
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Our second Praline Walk is on Sunday 8th January 2012 on Wimbledon Com- mon, and we hope to raise even more money. So come and join us with friends and family. What better way to start the New Year, have some fresh air and get fit after too much Christmas’ indulgence!
This time the money we raise will be shared thus : 1/3 for MANY TEARS Animal Rescue Centre where I adopted a little Jack Rus- sell called Noisette. This charity does excellent work rescuing dogs “on death row” and breeding bitches compelled to live a dreadful, unnatural life in puppy farms.
2/3 of the money will go again to VOLUNTARIO GLOBAL in Buenos Aires. This time it’s for teenagers of the shanty town. To bring some money to their desti- tute families, they have to start to work at a very early age. Most of the time all they can find is an exhausting, badly paid job on a building site. They are too tired to attend school, and fall easy prey to the shanty town drug dealers.
To keep them off the street and in education, Voluntario Global came up with the idea of opening a launderette for the youngsters to wash linen for small ho- tels, thereby providing them with less strenuous work, and teaching them self discipline, responsibilities and team effort. So the charity acquired and reno- vated a dilapidated shop, bought a couple of washing machines and started business.
Now, so many youngsters need work that the charity is desperately trying to buy another washing machine and a dryer to give those teenagers a better chance in life. Hopefully, with your help, Praline’s Walk 2012 will do just that!
For more information please visit http://pralineswalk.weebly.com or email us at [email protected] or phone me on 020 89440015 Many thanks for your support . Bernadette Hoste
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CHRISTMAS AT “THE PIG” Bring the Office, the Family or Friends
STARTERS • Homemade ham hock terrine, apple and raisins chutney, mixed leaf salad and toast £6.00 • Chestnut, roasted squash and bramley apple soup with bread (v) £5.00 • Pan fried scallops, crispy bacon, mixed leaf salad and mango puree £7.95 • Homemade orange and brandy chicken liver parfait, onion marmalade, mixed leaf salad and sourdough toast £6.00 • Lemon cod with pancetta potato cake on crushed minted peas and watercress dressing £6.50 • Seared pigeon breast, crispy salad and juniper berries sauce £7.00
MAINS • Roast turkey, chestnut & pork stuffing, roast potatoes, Brussels sprouts and red Wine gravy £10.00 • Pan fried duck breast, braised red cabbage, fondant potato and orange & grand Marnier sauce £14.00 • Wild mushroom and watercress risotto with homemade parmesan biscuits (v) £10.00 • Braised pork belly, chive mash, caramelized apple & cider jus £10.50
• Pan fried sea bass fillet, stuffed red peppers with shallots and white wine sauce £12.00 • Slow cooked lamb shoulder, rosemary and bacon crushed new potatoes & port jus £11.50
DESSERTS • Christmas raisin and whisky cake with baileys cream £4.00 • Homemade chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream £4.50 • Apple and berries crumble with custard £4.50 • Cheese board (mature cheddar, stilton blue, camembert) with oatcakes & apple £6.50
Christmas Parties must be booked a minimum of one Week in Advance
The Pig and Whistle 481 Merton Road SW18 5LD For reservations call on 02088741061 Email [email protected] Or talk to one of our friendly staff 33
Christmas Message from Father John Naughton
I am very grateful for this opportunity to wish all members of the WPRA and all Wim- bledon Park residents a very Happy Christmas and every blessing of the Christmas Season. Christmas is a time to enjoy simple but extremely important things in life like family, relatives, friends, children; a time for silly games, laughter and fun. We need these too as human beings, otherwise our very humanity is impoverished. Indeed Christmas is a time when we are enabled to be in contact with “the child” within each one of us; the ‘child’ who in our tough competitive world is of necessity too often suppressed in the rat race of life. As we celebrate the birth of the child Je- sus we remember His words to us “…… become as little children….” So rejoice, be merry, be glad, attend your church services and join in singing those traditional but ever so powerful and joyful Christmas carols. They can truly lift the spirits of all ‘people of good will’. Nobody is excluded. Jesus was born for every- one. Have a very Happy Christmas.
th Christmas Eve – Saturday 24 December
6.00 pm Vigil Mass of Christmas
11.30 pm Carol Singing – followed at
12.00 Midnight MIDNIGHT SUNG MASS
th Christmas Day – Sunday 25 December
8.30 am Mass
10.30 am Family Sung Mass
12.45 pm Mass in Polish
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS NO EVENING MASS ON CHRISTMAS DAY
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The best time for pruning trees and shrubs is between November and March. The best time for lawns and turfing is between October and April. For the full use of your garden next summer, don’t leave it too late. Phone now for a quick estimate. Work carried out quickly and efficiently, with references always available. To speak to Mr Raynsford you can personally contact him on 020 8879 1668 or 07956 513 742. Advertising in this magazine. Contact Kathy Blackburn 020 8946 3957
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Abundance Fruit Day Hundreds of people came along to the first Abundance Fruit Day. It was held on September 17th in St Mark’s Church garden, in the centre of Wimbledon. Jams, jel- lies, chutneys, cakes, sweets and fruit pies, made from fruit collected around Wim- bledon (over one tonne!), were donated to the event and helped raise over £600. This money will go towards supporting the Abundance project for another year. As well as raising money, the Fruit Day event was a wonderful celebration of the abun- dance of fruit growing around Wimbledon and of the kindness of people who don’t want to see this fruit going to waste.
Abundance Fruit Day Fruit Day was opened by Mayor Gilli Lewis-Lavender, an enthusiastic supporter of the Abundance project. Some people brought along fruit to turn into juice at the fruit press or to exchange at the Fruit Swap. Fresh apple and pear juice could be sampled, as well as jam and bread tasting and a pie-making demonstration. There were hundreds of jars of jam, jellies, chutneys and spiced fruit, (most of it made using free fruit and recycled jars), cakes, fruit pies, muffins, fruit leathers, fruit truffles, fruit cards and honey from Wimbledon Bee-Keepers. People could get free expert advice on how to look after a fruit tree or they could take part in the Longest Peel competition - the winning peel was a whopping 74 inches long. Children enjoyed fruit printing, turning fruit into juice and learning how to put together an apple pie. Young people working with Merton Youth Justice Ser- vice helped at the event. The wonderful International Ukelele Orchestra played, some people even danced in the garden. Elys displayed their jam-making and food processing equipment and Eco-Local demonstrated fruit products. Best of all, everyone had a big smile on their face. The aim of the day was to celebrate the abundance of fruit growing around Wimbledon and to show how people in Wimbledon and beyond can work together to make delicious food from resources that would otherwise be wasted. Abundance Wimbledon hopes to buy its own fruit press, which it can then lend out to other groups around Wimbledon. Money will also be needed for more fruit picking equipment, publicity and other expenses.
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The Fruit Day event was made possible by the many kind people who made jams, chutneys, cakes, pies etc., as well as the 40 or so volunteers who helped on the stalls. Also, St Mark’s Church allowed use of its garden and hall at a greatly reduced charge, the fruit press was kindly lent by the Acacia Intergenerational Cen- tre in Mitcham, the wonderful International Ukelele Orchestra played for free and lo- cal horticultural expert Alan Green generously gave his time to advise people on looking after their fruit trees. The event was also supported by Elys, which provided a maslin pan and vouchers as prizes for competitions and the raffle. Over the summer, more than one tonne of apples, pears, plums, damsons and cherries were gathered and eaten, used to make lovely jams, cakes etc. or put into freezers. Over 400 kilos of fruit was passed on to groups supporting disadvantaged people. These were the Wimbledon Guild (providing meals for older people and supporting a care home for the elderly), Faith in Action and the Hindu Temple (food for the homeless), Home Start and Asian Elderly. Overall, 100 or so people have been involved. In this first year, the project has received funding from Transition Town Wimbledon (grants from the Co-operative Group – Community Fund and the Thames Community Foundation - Grassroots Grant), Merton Council - Small Grants for Small Groups and Sustainable Merton - Local Lead fund from Capital Growth. This money has been used to pay for fruit picking equipment and the extensive publicity needed to make this project a success, as well as other expenses. KallKwik printers helped kick off the project giving a great deal on printing leaflets. Quotes: Wimbledon Guild said “Everyone at the Wimbledon Guild has been thrilled with the lovely fresh fruit that has been given to us through the Abundance pro- ject over the last few weeks...... ”
Faith in Action said “Faith in Action has received a wonderful sup- ply of fresh apples and plums from this or- ganisation that has been hugely enjoyed by our service users.” +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Things will go quiet over the next few months, but if you would like to be involved in Abundance Wimbledon next year, please contact [email protected] or phone Joyce 0208 946 3750/Juliet 0208 946 2514
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A Christmas message from St Luke’s Church
Dear Friends,
Recently I saw again on DVD the film by Stephen Frears, “The Queen”. Starring Helen Mirren, it is a fictional dramatization of events in the aftermath of the death of Diana, Prin- cess of Wales in 1997, when there was an unprecedented outpouring of public grief. Liv- ing in London at that time, I well remember that extraordinary period – people carrying flowers on the bus; the smart boutiques down Sloane Street swathed in black, with lit can- dles in the windows, many people on the brink of tears, emotions running high in the late Summer air.
The film charts the supposed movements of the Royal Family and the Government, coping with the clash of protocols and public expectations, most notably on whether the Royal Standard would be flown at half mast over Buckingham Palace and whether H.M. the Queen would make a public statement.
Whatever one makes of the appropriateness of the concept of such a film, never have I seen a production where two sides of each individual character have been represented so carefully – the new modernizing Prime Minister Tony Blair (he had only been Prime Minis- ter a matter of weeks) yet one who respects the monarchy in the end; a Queen weaned on tradition and convinced of her role under God and yet a mother and grandmother who cares deeply about her family, wanting to protect them from Press intrusion at a time of profound grief.
As we celebrate Christmas this month, one is provoked to think of another monarch, the King of Kings (and indeed the King of our Queen), who could never be accused of being out of touch with people: One who was born in circumstances of poverty and oppression, who never had any trappings of wealth, who had neither home nor possessions, and yet was the most high-born and richest of all: the Lord Jesus Christ. In the midst of severe financial worries across our world, it is a point worth pondering on. May I wish you all a very happy Christmas and hope to welcome you to a church service here at St Luke’s at some point to celebrate the reason for the season. ‘For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.’ (2 Corinthians 8:9). With best wishes, The Rev. James Paice
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W.P.R.A. Committee 2011/2012
Ken Ball - Graffiti Removal 20 Stroud Road SW19 8DH
Rajkanwar Batra 73 Bassett House, SW19 8EA
John Bilsand 22 Wellington Road SW19 8EQ Kathy Blackburn - Advertising 51 Ryfold Road SW19 8DF Cécile Bridgens 52 Home Park Road SW19 7HN Andrew Dalton 92 Dora Road SW19 7HJ Beate Eberhardt Secretary 17 Crescent Gardens SW19 8AJ DeNica Fairman - Vice Chairman 3 Strathmore Road SW 19 8DB Nigel Israel 14 Ryfold Road SW19 8BZ Bernadette Hoste-Mackowski 58 Stroud Road SW19 8DG Paresh Modasia 124 Arthur Road SW19 8AA
Michael Moore 344 Durnsford Road SW19 8DX Antoni Mackowski 58 Stroud Road SW19 8DG Elaine Sandon 90 Ashen Grove SW19 8BN Ivan Scott (Secretary & Treasurer) 22 Haslemere Avenue SW18 4RP Veronica Sarkhel - Social Iain Simpson - Chairman & 56 Home Park Road SW19 7HN
Newsletter Editor Cllr Tariq Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon ex officio Cllr Janice Howard, ex officio Cllr Oonagh Moulton, ex officio 21 Melrose Avenue SW19 8BU
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Index of Advertisers
Accountants Haines watts 6
Butcher W A Gardner & Son 2
Carpenter Daniel Smith 11
Computer Services London Computer Doctor 43
Children’s Activities Musical Express 7
Engineering Naismith Engineering 36
Estate Agents Burlington Residential 44
IMI Property Solutions 41
Robert Holmes 17
Garden design & Build K D Raynsford 35
Gifts for Children
Gifts and Cards Chalk 19
Locksmiths Oakley Locksmiths Ltd 41
Painting & Decoration Nigel Plumbe 41
Property Maintenance Luke Kent 25
Pubs Pig & Whistle 33
Schools French & Spanish à La Carte 35
Little Learners (in the Park) 27
Senior Care Home Instead 19
Stain Glass & Leaded lights Coriander 27
Windows SPS Timber Windows 15
Wine Suppliers Park Vintners 15
42
Index of Advertisers Page
Accountants Haines Watts 6
Carpenter Daniel Smith 11
Computer Services London Computer Doctor 2
Children’s Activities Musical Express 7
Engineering Naismith Engineering Ltd 38 Welcome to the London Computer Doctor EstateLondon Agents Computer Doctor Burlington is a centrallyResidential located company 15 of mobile engineers serving home users and IMI small Property businesses Solutions in central, south 44 and southwest London. Our engineers are fully qualified and have extensive experience of the challenges that faceRobert home Holmes and small business users 40 in the operation and maintenance of their IT equipment. Garden Design Services provided and Construction K.D. Raynsford 33 Gifts Virus for children and spyware Beandrops removal Software 6 problems resolved GiftsGeneral fault diagnosisBunting and New systems 7 built to order repair Data recovery
Gifts and Cards Chalk 19 Hardware replacement Complete software overhaul Health and Beauty Trio Hair and Beauty 13 Wired and wireless networks Annual servicing Interior set Designup and maintained GSK 37
Locksmiths Oakley Locksmiths Ltd 41 Our home visit service has proved to be one of the most successful and Paintingcompetitive and IT services in the region, with hundreds of customers scheduling an annual service to keep their systems in peak condition and many taking
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Pubs Pig and Whistle 43 Referral discount scheme Schools French and Spanish à la Carte 33 Once you are on our database, should you recommend us to a friend, colleague, neighbour, we will credit Little Learnersyour database (in the entry Park) with 29the sum of £15.00 against the next work you have carried out with us. (Some customers have already used
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Burlington Residential Estate Agents
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Is one of your New Year’s resolutions to sell or let your property?
Contact us for a free sales or lettings valuation
Tel: 020 8944 9898
Proud sponsors of the Wimbledon Park Primary School “Christmas Fair”
www.burlingtonresidential.co.uk
141 Arthur Road, Wimbledon Park, SW19 8AB