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Richmond, Richmond Hill and Kew community news

Improvements for Richmond Riverside

Richmond Riverside could see a number of improvements following a public consultation. Earlier this month, the Council asked residents their thoughts on plans to resurface the pavement between Water Lane and Richmond Bridge, resurface the walkways under the bridge, refurbish all existing benches, bins and railings, and install ornate lighting columns and repair low level walls. The results are being analysed.

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Community to restore 19th century cattle fountain

A 19th century cattle fountain in Richmond could be restored following a £5,000 grant from Richmond Council’s Civic Pride scheme. The Grade II listed fountain is located on the traffic island opposite the Royal Star and Garter Home and Richmond Park gates. The Richmond Society is currently proposing to restore the canopy, should they receive planning permission and the relevant funding.

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Recognising your local community

Residents took the time last July to nominate over 140 local people for their role in improving your local community. Over 30 people were selected to attend a special celebration event in September hosted by the Leader of the Council. There are winners from every village – find out who you know.

Find out who your local winners are

Happy Birthday Teddington Station

East Sheen Common entrance improvements now complete

Work to improve the run down entrance of East Sheen Common has now been completed. This includes replacing the fence line, replacing broken furniture, improving the drainage, realigning the entrance gate to improve vehicle access, creating of a stag beetle loggery, and footpath improvements.

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Are you a good neighbour?

Richmond Good Neighbours is celebrating the first anniversary of its move to a new office in the St Matthias Centre, Church Road, Richmond. Residents are always welcome to call on 020 8332 9741 to discuss any assistance they may need or to offer help with volunteering. Please contact Hilary O’Brien.

Get involved

GCSE celebrations at all schools

Secondary schools across the borough have been celebrating the improvements in local GCSE results. Provisional figures show that 85% of pupils achieved five or more A*-C grades and 68% received five or more A*-C grades including English and maths, both figures an improvement on last year’s results.

Find out how your local school performed

Council listens to residents on bollards

Plans to return the historical iron bollards and railings which once surrounded the whole of Richmond Green have been halted, following a public consultation held by Richmond Council. The consultation showed that almost 80% of those who completed the survey were not in favour of the bollards being reinstated.

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The Richmond Community Action project comes to Richmond and Kew

Richmond Community Action is engaging and supporting residents in Richmond and Kew to take action on local issues that matter. The project, run by Groundwork London and the Castlenau Centre project, will provide opportunities for local groups and individuals to take action and develop projects in their communities by providing access to ongoing support, training and networking.

Get involved

Thousands celebrate global music

Thousands of people danced on the Riverside last month when they joined in with the borough’s annual extravaganza of world music and dance. The 18th On the Edge festival, run by Richmond Council, included Oompah Brass, Global Reggae band and Barraca Felmenca – it was a huge success.

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 Join Friends of Carlisle Park

‘Throw – don’t go’ – Community learns river-safety skills

More than 60 local residents and businesses took part in a free water-rescue training exercise last month on Richmond Riverside. Teddington Lifeboat Station, along with Richmond Council officers, provided training to staff from restaurants and bars. Experts shared techniques in an hour long session. More sessions will follow.

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Come along to the ‘Full of Life’ fair and plan for the future

The borough’s Full of Life fair kicks off next week on the 1 October at the Harlequins Stadium – the Stoop. Over 60 stalls with information, activities, including Zumba gold and Pilates, workshops to help you use your computer, freebies and a complimentary lunch.

Don't miss out

Prizes for young writers

ArtsRichmond’s annual Young Writers’ Festival runs from September 2013 to January 2014 and encourages young people to show off their creative writing skills and express their thoughts, hopes and dreams in any format. The event is supported by the Barnes Literary Society in its 10th anniversary year. Deadline 10 January 2014 for pieces of work. Contact ArtsRichmond for more information.

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Volunteer tutors needed!

Would you like to make a difference to someone’s life? Would you like to help someone with their English and meet people from different cultures? Learn English at Home is a charity working with local residents who don’t have English as their first language, to help improve their English language, reduce isolation and integrate into their community. Full training provided.

Find out how to help

Help shape the future of voluntary sector organisations

Richmond CVS is managing an important research project to review the current state of the local voluntary sector. The ‘State of the Sector’ project has been commissioned by the Richmond Transforming Local Infrastructure Partnership and Richmond Parish Lands Charity. The research will provide shape, scope and facts for local voluntary organisations, funders and cross-sectors partners over the next few years.

Have your say online

World Alzheimer’s Dementia Month

The Caring Café for people affected by dementia is now part of the Carers Hub. Richmond and Kingston Crossroads, as sub-contractors to Richmond Carers Centre will, together with the Alzheimer’s Society, continue to deliver this outstanding service. Open the first and third Saturday of each month at the Sheen Lane Centre.

Find out about more support

Cheque presentation for local charities

Cllr Meena Bond, Mayor of Richmond Council, presented cheques to two charities at Kew Village Market on Sunday 1 September. Cllr Bond handed the cheques, to the value of £10,000 to ‘INS’ and ‘Contact the Elderly’. Kew Village Market is a community market run by local people for the benefit of the local area. All the staff are unpaid volunteers and all profits are given to local good causes and charities.

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Kew railway bridge improvements almost complete!

Following local campaigning to Network Rail regarding the state of Kew Railway Bridge (over North Road), residents were informed that the bridge was not scheduled for remedial work for some years. However, since then, Network Rail have been on site and agreed to carry out the work and are already repainting!

 Join Friends of Carlisle Park

Old Inland Revenue site on the market

This desirable site is now back on the market. The cleared site comprises scrubland and hard standing land, with part of the site being used as a temporary car park for the neighbouring National Archive Office site. The current owners have contacted local community associations for their input on the future of the site. Any proposals for the site will be subject to planning permission.

New PCSO makes his mark in Kew

New Kew Police Community Support Officer, Chris Walden, has already made his mark by detaining a shoplifter at Kew retail park last month. The man removed tags from items of clothing and then gave the loot to his young nephew to carry out of the store. The adult male was caught and charged.

Contact the Police for safety information

War memorial researchers wanted

Several hundred men and women from in and around Richmond were killed during World War II. Some were killed in air raids on the town, while others fell in battle. The Local History Society wants your help to research their lives for a book to be published in 2015. Full training will be given.

Get involved

Kew guides awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service

The volunteer guides at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, have been awarded the Queens’ Award for Voluntary Service. This is the most prestigious award that can be given to volunteer groups and is equivalent to an MBE. They received the award due to their dedication, knowledge, creativity and the sheer number of hours given by the guides.

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Richmond Food Bank opens new distribution points

The Richmond Food Bank, operating from the Vineyard Community Centre, supplied nearly six tons of emergency food to 710 local people in the first half of 2013. The Food Bank is now opening two satellite distribution points this autumn at the BridgeLink Centre Isleworth and the Castelnau Centre in Barnes. Richmond’s Whole Foods Market opening in October is also supporting the food bank.

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Launch of Pictologue supporting local families

To celebrate its launch, Pictologue, a social enterprise, is hosting a free coffee morning in Richmond Old Town Hall for local parents, carers, professionals and organisations involved with children and young people who have communication needs and disabilities. A unique opportunity to find out more about Pictologue, local services, share information and network. Refreshments provided and raffle prizes to be won! Please register due to limited availability.

RSVP online

Defence against more Heathrow flights and noise

Richmond Heathrow Campaign (RHC) requests the Airports Commission include the RHC proposal for passenger growth without new runways in its December short-list. They believe it is the only substantive proposal submitted that provides a Heathrow alternative without more runways.

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Gardening comes of age at the Holly Lodge Centre

Ten years ago volunteers at the Holly Lodge Centre in Richmond Park were working on plans to turn a plot of unused ground into a garden to complement the Victorian activities already offered at the Centre. The garden is now flourishing with fruit trees and flower, vegetable and herb beds with emphasis on their sensory qualities.

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Could you be a friend in need?

There are many older people living alone in Kew who find themselves very isolated. Often they cannot easily use public transport and have difficulty going out to meet people. But Kew Neighbourhood Association is there for them. Their volunteer drivers take them to medical appointments, social clubs and hairdressers or simply to visit their friends. They urgently need more volunteers. Can you help?

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Celebrating the best in world cinema

Richmond Film Society's 51st season opened with the Danish film ‘A Hijacking’ on 17 September at St Mary's University. The season runs until April and comprises 15 films of international repute from the UK and Europe, North and South America, Japan and Israel. New members and guests are always very welcome.

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Volunteering opportunities in Richmond or Kew?

Do you want to make a difference in Richmond or Kew? Volunteering Richmond matches people who want to volunteer in the community with over 250 opportunities in 120 organisations. Come along and meet Annette at Richmond Lending Library on 7 November from 5.00 to 7.00pm to discuss volunteering near you.

Get involved

London Welsh summer camps off to a flyer!

Over 40 children aged between 6 and 14 took part in two days of enjoyable rugby sessions at Old Deer Park in Richmond, supported by London Welsh first team players – Rob Lewis, Joe Ajuwa, Mike Denbee and Alex Davies. The community team is already planning further dates for October half term. Make sure your sporty youngsters don’t miss out.

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Have a ball for charity

Don’t miss the Ice Ball on 23 November at the beautiful Hilton Hotel in Syon Park in aid of The Victoria Foundation, a Richmond based medical charity which provides medical support and equipment to those in need. Tickets are on sale available from...

Buy your tickets

Young people getting involved

180 local young people taking part in the Challenge Network, powered by the National Citizen Service, are spending the last weekend of September with The Environment Trust, Marble Hill Play Centre and Grenfell Housing Association. This is just the latest in a number of local projects aimed at challenging stereotypes and working to improve the local area.

Find out more

Award-winning screenwriter interviews local star

Award-winning screenwriter, actor and director, Julian Fellowes, will be in conversation with Bamber Gascoigne for a one-off event at Duke Street Church on the 14 October at 7.30pm. Come along to this special event and enjoy a sparkling wine reception afterwards.

Get your tickets

Could you be a willing volunteer to help local families?

Friends of Kew, Barnes, Mortlake and East Sheen children’s centre are looking for willing volunteers to support their local community. There are a number of opportunities, including running coffee mornings, fundraising, leafleting and so much more. Do you want to help improve your local area? If so – get in touch.

Get involved

Performing Arts Festival coming soon

The syllabus for the Performing Arts Festival is now available from libraries, information centres and music shops. Competitions for amateur performers of all ages in the arts, dance and speech will be held across the borough next spring. Cash prizes and trophies to be won.

Apply online now

Volunteers needed now!

Do you have an hour or two spare each week, each month or once in a blue moon? Then please contact The Royal Star & Garter Homes. They are looking for people to volunteer by manning a stall, holding a collection, hosting a coffee morning or co-ordinating collection tins. If that is you – contact them now!

Get involved

Improve your sailing

Aquarius Sailing Club is the best kept secret in the borough. Dinghy races are held every Sunday, and with sailing and non-sailing members, there are many social activities too. Where? Sunnyside, Lower Sunbury Road, Hampton, TW12 2FZ. Meet every Sunday.

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Big London Energy Switch

The Big London Energy Switch draws on the collective purchasing power of potentially more than one million Londoners to encourage energy companies to offer lower tariffs to customers. Richmond Council is among 23 London boroughs supporting the next auction on 16 October where we have the opportunity to help our residents better understand their energy bills and complex tariffs and work out if they could save.

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Coldbusters – don’t be cold this winter

If your home is cold, Coldbusters is a scheme that could help by funding new central heating, a replacement boiler, cavity wall and loft insulation, and heating control upgrades. Homeowners and private tenants who receive benefits are eligible to apply, as well as those over 60 or on a low income. For more information, call free on 0800 358 6668.

Find out more

Focus On Get Involved Diary

Neighbourhood Watch schemes are where the police and community or a group of neighbours get together to help reduce crime and make their community safe.

The police are encouraging more volunteers to join existing Neighbourhood Watch schemes or, if there aren’t any local to you, to set one up. It doesn’t take a lot of time or hard work, just attendance at quarterly meetings and the will to be a friendly, trusted link between the local community and the police.

Neighbourhood care groups around the borough have highlighted the wide range of befriending services available in a new leaflet. Befriending is all about building one-to-one relationships with older residents, and tackling social isolation. It is a social experience and befrienders are not expected to carry out any domestic tasks or medical activities. Some befrienders just chat on the phone, others attend face-to-face meetings.

If you are interested in becoming a befriender or befriendee, please contact your neighbourhood care group or Cllr Francis Bouchier, the champion for older residents, on cllr.fbouchier
@richmond.gov.uk


Charles Moore (Literature Festival)
10 November at 7.30pm at Richmond Theatre
Peter Conradi (Literature Festival)
3 November at 7pm at Orange Tree Theatre
Duck Pond Market
Every Sunday at Heron Square
Richmond Rugby Club v Doncaster
12 October at Richmond Athletic Ground
Ho Chi Minh Trail with author Virginia Morris
17 October at 7pm at Richmond Lending Library
Christmas Village
From 28 November at Kew Gardens
Find out more More dates...

Councillors

North Richmond

Cllr Lisa Blakemore
Cllr Lisa
Blakemore
Cllr Katharine Harborne
Cllr Katharine
Harborne
Cllr Stephen Speak
Cllr Stephen
Speak

South Richmond

Cllr Francis Bouchier
Cllr Francis
Bouchier
Cllr Pamela Fleming
Cllr Pamela
Fleming
Cllr Thomas O’Mally
Cllr Thomas
O’Mally

Kew

Cllr Meena Bond
Cllr Meena Bond
Cllr Jean-Francois Burford
Cllr Jean-Francois Burford
Cllr David Linnette
Cllr David Linnette
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