880 sign Kingston’s ‘unfair parking charges’ petition
#42: Kingston Council appoints new Mayor, Kingston Glamour exhibition at Kingston Museum, better breast cancer care at Kingston Hospital, schools in Chessington and New Malden get new buildings, nominate your community champion, Mini Day, sixties fashion and more in Surbiton, Petersham Open Gardens event this Sunday, Hampton Court Palace Feel Good Festival, Punk Rock Playdate at Przym, join the Kingston Giving Dragon Boat team, Surbiton Community Fridge updates opening times, comedy with Rosie Jones in Kingston, polo at Ham Polo, UK's largest kids' literature festival, Photo London exhibition, Chelsea Flower Show, and more.
START WITH A SMILE: Stuff to cheer us up
♻️ Bristol brand produces bags from hot air: Ok, not quite hot air. But Bristol-based streetwear brand Rerun is proving its eco credentials by crafting messenger bags fashioned from balloon fabric offcuts. Thanks to a chance encounter with an old friend that led Rerun to the door of the world’s biggest balloon manufacturer, Cameron Balloons, the company is now turning out lightweight, durable and stylish 40-litre messenger bags, all made from fabric offcuts. And what isn’t used by Rerun is either sold to other makers and creators, or donated to charities, schools and scrapstores. Here’s to upcycling. 👏👏👏
LOCAL STORIES: Stuff you need to know
🍸 New exhibition Kingston Glamour delves into the borough’s glamorous past at Kingston Museum: It turns out Kingston’s historical connection isn’t just with Royalty but with design and fashion royalty too! A new exhibition, Kingston Glamour, takes a look back to a time when Kingston was a mecca for architecture, modern design, style, fashion, racing cars, and late-night cabaret.
With meticulous research including rare Pathé News footage, Ruth Brimacombe’s curation showcases local icons from architecture, design, fashion, automotive and aviation sectors whose work and influence rippled across the country and the world. Among pioneering producers of glamour, the exhibition features Betty Joel, Gala Cosmetics Company, Mary Quant, John Cooper, and Bentalls department store that reopened after a revamp in the 1930s with the advertising tagline “Why go to the West End when there’s Bentalls of Kingston?”
And a key ‘character’ that fed and nurtured this creativity? The Kingston Bypass. It connected the craftsmanship of Portsmouth’s shipping industry with the creativity of Kingston that had the well-heeled glamorous folks of the capital jump into their roadsters and head down to Kingston. Certainly, the paradox of suburbs being provincial and conventional is at the heart of this exhibition. Kingston Glamour is now on at Kingston Museum, but please do leave the roadster at home – we’re told there’s no parking at the museum!
🙅♂️ 880 sign Kingston’s ‘unfair parking charges’ petition: A petition started by a local tutor against the ‘unfair parking charges’ that came into effect across Kingston in April, has attracted over 880 signatures, as of today, 16 May. The petition asks the Council to “support small businesses and their customers by addressing the impact of rising parking costs. These increases should not be absorbed by the community, as many cannot afford this on top of other cost-of-living challenges.” More details are available here – the petition closes on 21 May 2025.
🏛️ Kingston Council appoints new Mayor: Councillor Noel Hadjimichael, Liberal Democrat councillor for Canbury Gardens Ward, has been appointed the 191st Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kingston. Having lived in Kingston since emigrating from Australia in March 2016, Councillor Hadjimichael has been a councillor for Canbury Gardens Ward since May 2022. Councillor Sue Ansari, Liberal Democrat councillor for Hook and Chessington North Ward, has been appointed as Deputy Mayor. The new Mayor has chosen to support two charities for the duration of his mayoral term, focusing on the theme of ‘resilience’. These are Learn English at Home (LEAH) and First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (Princess Royal’s Volunteer Corps). The Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the borough represent the Council at civic functions and raise money for local good causes.
🏥 Charitable funding helps deliver better breast cancer care at Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust: Thanks to the generosity of those who supported Kingston Hospital Charity’s autumn appeal, the trust has been able to install new technology and equipment that will improve outcomes for breast cancer patients and boost operational efficiency. In addition to a Faxitron imaging device that delivers high-resolution images of tissue specimens directly in the operating theatre, the trust has bought a new mammography reporting station that is already enhancing workflow and ensuring more timely reporting of breast imaging.
🏫 Schools in Chessington and New Malden get new buildings: Two new school buildings have opened in Kingston this month. St Philip’s School, a special educational needs school for young people aged 9-19 years in Chessington, has opened its new vocational centre providing additional specialist school places for teenagers to explore career opportunities. In New Malden, Burlington Junior School has also welcomed students into a brand new three-storey building comprising classrooms and other teaching, learning, administrative spaces, as well as a new sports hall and two multi-use games areas.
🏆 Nominate a community champion for the Celebrating Communities Awards: The Kingston Celebrating Communities Awards 2025 return this June to shine a light on the outstanding individuals, teams and organisations that have gone above and beyond across the borough. Here’s your chance to nominate your local superstar – choose from the seven categories below. The nominations close on 31 May 2025 and the event, organised in partnership by Kingston Council, Kingston Voluntary Action and other local voluntary and community organisations, will take place on Thursday, 26 June 2025, at All Saints Church, Kingston. Nomination form is available here and if you'd like to attend the event, you can book a free place here.
Unsung Hero
Volunteer Impact Award
Community Fundraiser Award
Young Volunteer Award
Community Team Award
Working in Partnership Award
Lifetime Achievement Award
LOCAL DEMOCRACY: Stuff that affects your neighbourhood
🗳️ Kingston Council appoints new portfolio holders: At the annual Council meeting held on 13 May to appoint the new Mayor, the Council also announced the appointment of the administration's new portfolio holders:
Leader and Portfolio Holder for Heritage and Culture – Andreas Kirsch (Chessington South and Malden Rushett Ward)
Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Economic Development – Alison Holt (Surbiton Hill Ward)
Portfolio Holder for Finance, Assets and Governance – Richard Thorpe (Motspur Park and Old Malden East Ward)
Portfolio Holder for Housing – Emily Davey (Norbiton Ward)
Portfolio Holder for Communities, Commissioning and Customer Contact – Anita Schaper (Berrylands Ward)
Portfolio Holder for Climate Action, Biodiversity and Planning Policy – Ian Manders (Alexandra Ward)
Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Transport and Waste and Recycling – Nicola Nardelli (Kingston Town Ward)
Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Equalities – Sabah Hamed (Kingston Gate Ward)
Portfolio Holder for Children’s services including Education – Diane White (St. Mark's and Seething Wells Ward)
📣 Have you say on Mayor of London’s Towards a new London Plan: Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan says his priorities for the next plan are: fixing London’s housing crisis, growing London’s economy and continuing to meet climate targets. Share your views here on London’s (and Kingston’s) future.
COMMUNITY, CULTURE & EVENTS: Stuff to do, experience and enjoy
👠 Mini Day, sixties fashion and more in Surbiton: The Community Brain hosts a spectacular Mini Day in Surbiton this Saturday 17 May. The event will also celebrate the anniversary of John Cooper’s Mini Cooper that won the Monte Carlo Rally three times – a car designed in 1964 by John in his garage in Hollyfield Road, Surbiton. A free-to-attend day of fun for the whole family features over 150 Minis through the ages, live music, food and drink and screening of the classic The Italian Job. We’re asked to come dressed to impress!
🌼 Petersham Open Gardens event is back this Sunday: Petersham Open Gardens event returns this Sunday 18 May. There are six very different gardens open throughout the village – from small cottage gardens to those of grand houses, there is something for everyone to enjoy. As always, the event is held in aid of local charities and community projects and this year they include the Russell School PTA, Home Start, Richmond Soup Kitchen and Orange Tree Theatre community bursaries. More details are available here.
🧘 Hampton Court Palace Feel Good Festival: Kick start your summer with a variety of wellness workshops, inspiring talks and a bit of shopping and food at the Feel Good Festival at Hampton Court Palace. Taking place over the weekend of 16-18 May, the festival brings together the mind, body and soul within the serene gardens and grounds of the palace. There’ll be plenty of hands-on workshops, guided practices, drop-in clinics, and much more.
🎸 Calling all punk rock parents and their little rebels for a Punk Rock Playdate at Przym, Kingston: Get ready to rekindle your inner teenager and introduce your little ones to the energy and excitement of punk at our one-of-a-kind family event. Rocking this Sunday 18 May at Przym, it's a chance for both adults and children to relive the raw energy and rebellion of the 90s and 00s in a safe and inclusive environment.
🚣♀️ Join the Kingston Giving Dragon Boat team and help raise funds for local causes: Kingston Giving is inviting individuals and businesses to join their Dragon Boat team and paddle for a purpose. The team will raise funds for a new grants programme supporting mental health initiatives. No experience is necessary – just enthusiasm and a commitment to making a difference! Kingston Giving supports local charities and volunteer organisations that tackle inequalities across Kingston. To join the Dragon Boat team, get in touch with Kingston Giving here.
🍅 Surbiton Community Fridge updates opening times: The Surbiton Community Fridge at the Blue Hut on Kingston Road, New Malden is open Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Sunday from 11am to 1pm. If you can’t make the Blue Hut, you’ll also find them at the Methodist Church in Surbiton, and at The Keep, Kingston Quaker Centre, and Kingstnympton Youth & Community Centre, all in Kingston. Full details including opening times are available here.
🤣 Comedy with Rosie Jones in Kingston: The brilliant Rosie Jones (Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, The Last Leg, QI and Cats Does Countdown) is doing a tour preview this Monday 19 May at the Fighting Cocks in Kingston.
🐎 Enjoy spectacle of polo at Ham Polo this summer: Enjoy the powerful spectacle of a polo match at Ham Polo, the last remaining polo club in Greater London. With the season running from now until late September, there are games to enjoy every weekend. Bring a picnic and a blanket and feel the ponies (they’re actually full size horses, they just call them ponies) hurtle past or indulge in the comforts of the clubhouse. Who knows, you might spot a dashing polo hero or two straight out of Jilly Cooper’s novels! And if you fancy learning to play polo, the club runs academies for both juniors and adults.
📚 UK's largest kids' literature festival returns to Barnes in June: Conceived by a few mums and dads at school gates 11 years ago, Barnes Children’s Literature Festival is now UK's largest kids' literature festival. Featuring who’s who of children‘s literature, some of the names you’ll see at the festival include Axel Scheffler, David Walliams, Stephen Mangan and Anita Mangan, and former Children’s Laureate and creator of the How to Train Your Dragon series, Cressida Cowell. Taking place on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June, full programme is available here.
SPORTS DAY: Stuff about enjoying your local teams
⚽ Chelsea Women FC: Chelsea had already sealed the WSL title two games ago. Last Saturday saw the Blues beat Liverpool 1-0 and finish the season without a defeat in the league. With two more trophies now securely in the cabinet, Chelsea take on Manchester United at Wembley Stadium this Sunday 18 May in the final of the Women’s FA Cup. Despite exiting Champions League at semi-final stage, treble seems pretty certain. Not bad for Sonia Bompastor’s first year in charge of the Blues.
LONDON CALLING: Stuff to do, experience and enjoy in the big smoke
📷 Photo London returns to Somerset House: 2025 marks the historic tenth edition of the Photo London fair and a decade of championing photography in all its forms. Galleries from across the globe, landmark installations and major new works from both established and emerging artists are now on view, until 18 May.
WHAT ELSE? Stuff we couldn’t quite fit anywhere else but thought you’d still find interesting
🏵️ RHS Chelsea Flower Show: Chelsea Flower Show returns next week with amazing garden designs and floral displays from horticultural superstars. However, a former teacher is making history at this year's show with the event's first-ever funeral flower display, reports the BBC. In full bloom from Thursday 22 May to Saturday 24 May (plus Tuesday 20 May and Wednesday 21 May for members only) – at the time of writing this, tickets were available for all five days.
