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Barnes, Mortlake & East Sheen community news

Calling all Barnes residents – help put Ponder Vision into action

Teams of Barnes residents are coming together to take forward the initiatives that came out of the Big Barnes Ponder community visioning event. Join if you have a little free time and lots of energy and enthusiasm for Barnes. Even if you can't get involved, support this worthwhile cause. It will make Barnes even better for everyone.

For more information.

Record numbers apply to get their roads repaired

The hugely popular and pioneering roads and pavements fund inviting residents to put forward suggestions for highway repairs in their area, is set to break last year’s record. Over 1,900 residents took part in this year’s consultation, three times the previous number. Submissions have been evaluated throughout February, with the winners being announced in March.

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Barnes and Mortlake is still a priority location for theft from motor vehicles

Pro-active policing measures by the local ward Safer Neighbourhood teams have helped reduce theft from motor vehicles. Measures include the deployment of a temporary CCTV camera in a car crime hot spot in Barnes, and police contacting residents who have left valuables or property on display in their vehicles. Remember if you don’t remove it, you may lose it.

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Close shop doors to save energy

Help shops and restaurants save money and reduce energy wastage by closing their doors. An open door wastes the equivalent CO2 of three return flights from London to Hong Kong. Closing the door creates a comfortable environment with reduced draughts and hotspots, and acts as a barrier to pollution. To support retailers, Richmond Council is providing window stickers and door signs.

Find out more

Would you like to be a friend of Castelnau Library?

Castelnau Library has recently started a friends group. The role of the friends group will be to promote awareness of its local library and to provide support and feedback to the library service. If you are interested in getting involved, just come along to the next meeting on 18 March at 6.30pm in Castelnau Library.

Email the Friends

Free Wi-Fi now in all local libraries

Library users can access free Wi-Fi at all of the borough’s 14 libraries. For children, Wi-Fi access is linked into the borough’s schools’ network which means most children will be able to use their existing passwords to surf the net. Adults, local businesses, and community groups can log onto the Wi-Fi network by simply asking for a password at their local library front desk.

Ask at your local library now.

Polling district changes

As recommended by the 2013 polling district review, almost 400 electors in Barnes have moved from polling district RB to RA and their polling station will now be Castelnau Community Centre, Stillingfleet Road. All those affected – Atherton, Belgrave, Galata and Ullswater Roads and certain properties in Ferry, Lonsdale, Lowther, Madrid and Parke Roads. Also voters in polling district RC (Barnes ward) have changed polling station. Check your polling card.

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Get your news noticed

Local groups who want to spread the word about their events, facilities or services can do so via the community noticeboards. The noticeboards provide information on the work of the Council and local community groups together with details of local events and activities. Local community or resident groups, charities or not-for-profit organisations can all apply to display information.

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Barnes Music Festival returns in 2014

The Barnes Music Festival returns in 2014 with a 19 event programme of orchestral, instrumental, choral, jazz and film at venues across Barnes from 22 March to 6 April. The programme features Julian Lloyd Webber, Graham Johnson, Cantabile, Villiers String Quartet and many other rising stars and local groups, plus a commission from exciting new composer, David Bednall.

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Make sure your voice is heard at the next election

There are two important elections within the borough this May – for the local Council and for the European parliament. Young people aged 18 to 24 are less likely to vote than any other age group, but if you don’t vote, how will your opinions be heard? Register now!

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Commemorating the Great War with FiSH

The passing of time means there are no longer any people who directly experienced the terrible hardship of WW1, but some have stories handed down from family or friends. FiSH neighbourhood care, in partnership with Barnes and Mortlake History Society, is collecting these. If you have stories or photos to share, please contact Jenny Hughes on
020 8876 3335 or jenny@fishhelp.org.uk

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RichDance Festival 2014: tickets on sale

RichDance is the Arts Service's annual festival, celebrating dance of all styles and for all ages. Performances from dance schools, youth and community groups from the borough and beyond, take place at 2.30pm on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 March at Hampton School. Get your tickets now!

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Urban meadow – a first for Richmond

A planted urban meadow will be created in Barnes– a borough first thanks to the Council’s innovative Uplift project and Parks improvement programme. The urban meadow site will be created at Small Profits Dock which is the grass area south of the Leg of Mutton in Lonsdale Road.

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Commemorative Trek for WW1

Join the Royal Star and Garter to commemorate the centenary of the start of WW1 on a three day trek of the Ypres Salient battle sites on 17 September. This poignant experience will also help to raise funds for the home. The Royal Star and Garter Home is a charity that provides outstanding nursing and therapeutic care to the ex-service community.

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Open your garden up for FiSH neighbourhood care

Following their very successful open gardens weekend in June last year, FiSH would like to repeat the event on a smaller scale in Barnes on Sunday 8 June. If you are interested in opening your garden, or know of any neighbours who would, please contact FiSH for more information – info@fishhelp.org.uk or 020 8876 3335.

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Get energy smart

With rising fuel bills a growing worry for many households, Richmond Council have launched an exciting new initiative, Energy Smart Richmond upon Thames. Working with energy efficiency experts, Climate Energy, the scheme is available to everyone and will offer advice and access to a range of measures that could help reduce your energy bills and make your home more comfortable.

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Another first for Richmond Park Academy

Richmond Park Academy's Year 8 gifted and talented students have written, cover designed and published a gothic anthology. Peter Wilby in the New Statesman heralds the book: 'Read this and you will never again believe the propaganda against state schools'. ‘Dare You?’ has been ceremonially accepted on to Richmond library's borrowing register and is also available - for £4.99 - at local bookshops.

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Find out now about local summer fun activities

For Sanity’s Sake will be holding a local exhibition for residents to find out more information on local summer activity options. Activities include:

  • A wide range of summer camp providers face-to-face in one place
  • Inspirational ideas if you’re at home with the children, in or out doors
  • Childcare options
The exhibition takes place on Wednesday 30 April from 7.30 to 10.30pm at the Winning Post

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New cancer support officer now at the Mulberry Centre

The Mulberry Centre’s new outreach officer, Afia Bhatti, is now working with the local community to raise awareness about cancer prevention and the services the facility offers. The centre provides practical and emotional support for anyone affected by cancer. All services are offered free of charge and there are no age or postcode boundaries.

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Sign up for updates from the Community Safety Partnership

Do you want to know more about crime and anti-social behaviour in the borough? The Community Safety Partnership produces an electronic two page newsletter that is sent out monthly about crime and ASB developments in the borough and further afield.

Email to sign up now

Register your support for a new free school

Richmond Council has been working with Richmond upon Thames College on a project to create a new purpose-built college, special school and secondary school. In partnership with Haymarket Media Group and Harlequins, work has begun on an application to open a free school in September 2017.To read about the proposals and register your support,
visit www.reec.org.uk

Register your support now

Sir David Attenborough receives the freedom of the borough

Sir David Attenborough, who recently named Richmond as his favourite place in the world, has been awarded the borough’s highest honour. At a full Council meeting in January, all councillors agreed that the ‘Freedom of the borough’ should be offered to the naturalist, in recognition of his dedicated work to natural history and his contribution to many local charities and organisations.

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Townmead Road Reuse and Recycling Centre is now closed

Until Monday 14 April, the borough’s recycling hub, Townmead Road will be closed for renovation to improve safety, improved accessibility and site efficiency. Whilst Townmead Road is closed, residents will be able to use five different sites in West London: Brent, Ealing, Harrow, Hillingdon and Hounslow.

For more information

Focus On Get Involved Diary

Residents around the borough are happier than ever with the services provided by Richmond Council.

In the second annual ‘Residents Survey’, carried out by an independent company on behalf of the Council, a representative sample of residents were asked their thoughts on the Council, services and the borough.

The results showed that satisfaction levels are high, including 96% who responded are satisfied with the local area, 57% agree the Council provides value for money and 70% feel the Council acts on their concerns. In Mortlake, 88% of residents were satisfied with the way the Council runs things, with 86% in Barnes and East Sheen.

This survey follows on from the 2010 All in One public consultation in which over 13,500 people told the Council what they thought needed to be improved. The Residents’ Survey, helps the Council track how well it is responding to residents’ concerns and views.

Over 65,000 people in Richmond upon Thames have signed up to receive a new borough Richmond Card. Card holders are able to use their card to access resident parking discounts, membership of the library service, the opportunity to join local sports and fitness centres and exclusive offers from local businesses and attractions. This new card also continues the popular 30-minute free parking for residents.

One of the key features of the card is the local business discount. In a move to support local high streets, over 100 exclusive local business and attraction offers are now available online. These include a great 2-for-1 entry to Kew Gardens on Monday to Friday, to half price treatments at Twickenham’s Mint day spa and discounted bikes at Pearson Cycle Performance in Sheen.

If you don’t have your new Richmond Card – go online now and sign up.

If you are a local business, and would like to benefit from the scheme, click here to find out more information.

Barnes Music Festival
22 March – 6 April at Barnes
Alexander Technique Workshop
24 March at OSO Community Arts Centre
Half-Term Artyard Handmade Holiday Roadshow
7-17 April at All Saints Church, East Sheen
Egg-citing Easter Activities
5-21 April at WWT London Wetland Centre
Junior Club years 4-8
Every Friday night at Power Station Mortlake
View latest plan Find out more More dates...

Councillors

Barnes

Councillor Paul Hodgins
Cllr Paul
Hodgins
Councillor Rita Palmer
Cllr Rita
Palmer
Councillor Christine Percival
Cllr Christine
Percival

Mortlake and Barnes Common

Councillor Paul Avon
Cllr Paul
Avon
Councillor Richard Martin
Cllr Richard
Martin
Councillor Gemma Stockley
Cllr Gemma
Stockley

East Sheen

Councillor Virginia Morris
Cllr Virginia
Morris
Lord True
Lord True
Councillor Nicola Urquhart
Cllr Nicola
Urquhart
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