Kingston announces major cultural celebration for 2025
#22: Road in Berrylands to see parking removed, reduced target for new council homes in Kingston, Thames Water to increase bills by 35%, Tube and train fares to rise by 4.6%, petition for new Thames crossing to connect Surbiton and Bushy Park/Hampton Court Palace, pantos near Kingston, horse drawn carriages in Richmond Park and Bushy Park, Robin Hood at the Rose Theatre, Strictly winner Chris McCausland in New Malden, gift of vinyl from Banquet Records, NYE fireworks, The Nutcracker, and more.
Hello my lovely reader
For most of us the festive period is full of warmth and happiness. Food, drink, family and friends are in plentiful supply. But that’s not the case with everyone. For some, Christmas can be an extremely difficult time. Financial worries, anxiety, loneliness, grief, difficult family relationships and now throw in the cost-of-living crisis and the world around us that’s in upheaval, this festive period may be a struggle for many.
As a Kingston resident, I also know there is a great community spirit across every part of the borough and there are plenty of outstanding organisations and community groups to help people get through difficult times.
So, for this issue of Love Kingston, I’ve created a Community at Christmas section with the aim of signposting people to great local and national organisations that offer help to anyone who needs it. Please use the comments option below to add any other organisations that you think people may find useful over the festive period.
Your regular weekly dose of Love Kingston is also here – you’ll just need to scroll a little further down the page to enjoy it.
Love Kingston will take a break next week and return in January.
In the meantime, I would like to thank you for being part of the Love Kingston community and I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year filled with love, peace and joy!
AH
COMMUNITY AT CHRISTMAS 🎄: Stuff we might need to help us through the festive period
Connected Kingston (Kingston Council and Kingston Voluntary Action)
Connected Kingston is a great hub for a wealth of information and help available across a number of areas including cost of living support, housing and mental health.
12 Days of Connected Kingston campaign highlights services from Mind in Kingston, Kingston Bereavement Support, Kingston Churches Action on Homelessness, Compassionate Neighbours and Money Helper.
Kingston Charitable Foundation
A day-by-day calendar of hot lunches and warm hubs available across the borough.
Regular updates on KCF’s Facebook page highlighting available help.
Kingston Churches Action on Homelessness
KCAH work with single people facing housing crisis in the Kingston Borough to help them secure a safe and stable home and to help them start rebuilding their lives. KCAH’s Winter Night Shelter is confirmed for January, February and March 2025. You can refer someone to the Winter Night Shelter, volunteer to help or even apply for paid role.
Healthwatch Kingston
‘Services and support over the festive period 2024/2025’ provides a comprehensive list of organisations to contact for help covering mental health, domestic abuse, cost of living and medical emergencies as well links to Relate, Mind and Samaritans.
Kingston Foodbank
Part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, Kingston Foodbank provides three days’ nutritionally-balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to them in crisis.
Surbiton Community Fridge
Makes good food surplus available free of charge to reduce food waste. Details of locations and opening times are available here.
Mind in Kingston
Supports people with mental health issues with a wide range of services in and around Kingston.
Crisis
Supports people experiencing homelessness at Christmas.
Samaritans
If you are going through a tough time or if you’re worried about someone else this Christmas, contact the Samaritans for free.
Shelter
For emergency help on issues relating to homelessness. Also offers help via live webchat.
Salvation Army
From Christmas lunches, food parcels and toys for children who would otherwise go without to homelessness support for those struggling to keep a roof over their heads.
Here’s your regular dose of Love Kingston…
START WITH A SMILE: Stuff to cheer us up
🏠 A new way of tackling homelessness shows promise: Often it’s brought into sharp focus over the festive period, but the sad fact of homelessness is there all year round. Following encouraging results in Canada and Mexico, UK is adopting a similar strategy by offering direct financial support to homeless people to help get them back on their feet. Canada and Mexico found that their approach improved outcomes for homeless people and saved the state money.
LOCAL STORIES: Stuff you need to know
🎉 Kingston announces major cultural celebration for 2025 to mark historical year: 2025 is set to be a landmark year for Kingston upon Thames as the Royal Borough announces a major, diverse six-month cultural festival opening in May. The flagship celebration marks the 1100th anniversary of the crowning of Athelstan, first King of a united England, right in the heart of Kingston in 925. Plans for Kingston 2025 include large scale public events with dramatic performances, public art installations, a river festival and a fresh music composition performed by schools at The Rose Theatre. Love Kingston will bring you more as further details are made available.
⛔ Road in Berrylands, in Surbiton, to see parking removed: At the Surbiton Neighbourhood Committee meeting on 17 December, the council approved proposals that will see parking spaces removed on Hollyfield Road. Extra single and double yellow lines will also be installed on nearby roads to further restrict parking. A Kingston councillor reportedly welcomed the 'idea of getting rid of roads as car parks'. This does beg the question if you are not fortunate enough to have a house with a drive, where would you park your car? Or is the implication that people should not have cars? Full story is here on MyLondon.
🏠 Reduced target for new council homes in Kingston: As part of its plan to build 1.5m new homes across the country, the government has set new targets for each council across the nation. MyLondon’s analysis shows the revised proposals require Kingston to deliver 1,589 new homes, a reduction from a target of 1,822 based on existing proposals. The government argues that the reduced target is more achievable. An interactive map by MyLondon lets you see details for each council in England including the volume of housing that has actually been delivered in the past.
🚰 Thames Water to increase bills by 35% but faces £18m fine over dividend payouts: The average water bill is to go up by 36% by 2030 across England and Wales according the industry regulator Ofwat. Thames Water, responsible for water supply to Greater London among other areas, will increase its prices by 35% over the next five years, taking the average annual bill from £436 to £588. At the same time the company faces an £18m fine from Ofwat after breaking new rules on dividend payments. Full story here on City AM.
🚇 Tube and train fares to rise by 4.6%, bus fares frozen: The Mayor of London has announced above-inflation fare increases of 4.6% for tube and trains from March 2025. However, for the sixth time since 2016, bus and tram fares will be frozen allowing passengers to take unlimited journeys within an hour for £1.75.
🏗️ The lengthy redevelopment of Cambridge Road estate leaves housing in short supply: Kingston Courier details the unintended consequences of the lengthy redevelopment of Cambridge Road estate that has created a housing challenge across the borough. Permanent residents of the estate are being housed elsewhere in the borough while work is carried out on their homes. However, this arrangement can cut into the housing inventory that might otherwise be available to other residents of the borough causing challenges for the council and, of course, people seeking housing.
🌉 Kingston resident petitions for new Thames crossing to connect Surbiton and Bushy Park/Hampton Court Palace: A petition by a Kingston’s resident has been submitted to Kingston Council to build a footbridge across the River Thames from Surbiton to Bushy Park. The petition claims that a footbridge would improve connectivity to Hampton Court Palace, boost local tourism and economy, and have a positive impact on public health and the environment. In approximately two months, the petition has garnered 77 signatures of support. Closing date to add your name to the list is 31 December 2024.
LOCAL DEMOCRACY: Stuff that affects your neighbourhood
📢 Want to help improve services and continue to make Kingston a great place to live, work, study or visit? Then join Kingston’s Residents’ Panel. It’s a perfect way to share your views and experiences and help improve your borough. You can sign up to join the panel here.
📢 Want to help make your neighbourhood better? If you have ideas to improve your neighbourhood then join the local conversation and have your say to help shape the future of your neighbourhood. Simply click on your area below and share your thoughts.
COMMUNITY, CULTURE & EVENTS: Stuff to do, experience and enjoy
👸 Oh no it isn’t! Oh yes it is! Oh no it isn’t – it isn’t Christmas without panto. So, here’s our list of pantos within a short hop from Kingston.
Beauty and the Beast at Richmond Theatre
Jack and the Beanstalk at New Wimbledon Theatre
Sleeping Beauty at Woking Theatre
Robin Hood at Esher Theatre
Dick Whittington at The Leatherhead Theatre
Snow White at Camberley Theatre
Sleeping Beauty at Dorking Halls
Cinderella at Epsom Playhouse
🐴 Horse drawn carriages in Richmond Park and Bushy Park: Like Cinderella, you too can enjoy a carriage ride this Christmas. Richmond Park and Bushy Park are offering Winter Carriage Rides with The Royal Parks Shire horses over the festive period. Glass footwear is optional!
🏹 Robin Hood & The Christmas Heist at the Rose Theatre: Robin Hood and his Merry Band bring festive joy to the Rose Theatre in an original production from now until 5 January. Tickets for this spectacular festive heist can be booked through the theatre’s website.
🤣 Live comedy with Chris McCausland in New Malden: Surbiton resident, comedian and Strictly Come Dancing winner, Chris McCausland will be at The Royal Oak, New Malden, on Thursday 16 January. The show is guaranteed to sell out fast.
🎦 Enjoy cinema in luxury this Christmas at Curzon Kingston: Sink into the most comfortable cinema seats in town and enjoy a movie or a musical on the big screen at Curzon Kingston. There are plenty of viewing options for you and the family including Conclave, Wicked. Moana 2, Gladiator II and Kiss Me Kate: The Musical.
🎦 Latest releases and Christmas favourites at the Odeon Kingston: For a wider choice of viewing, pop over to the Odeon at the Rotunda in Kingston. Along with the latest releases, they are showing some Christmas favourites including Home Alone and Home Alone 2. Double bill anyone?!
💿 Give vinyl this Christmas: Banquet Records is a great place to find the perfect Christmas gift for the music mad or vinyl geek in your family. They also do CDs and plenty of music related merchandise. Yes, we know, HMV is back in town but you would be hard pushed to find another independent business that has made such an impact on Kingston’s music culture than Banquet Records and its founder Jon Tolley.
SPORTS DAY: Stuff about enjoying your local teams
⚽ Chelsea Women: Sonia Bompastor’s side dropped points for the first time this season with a 1-1 draw against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. But with Manchester City losing to Everton, the Blues still top the table with 28 points from 10 games and a maintain a healthy six-points gap over their rivals as we go into the winter break.
⚽ Kingstonian FC: With the Ks not playing last weekend, Farnham Town extended their lead at the top to seven points. This Saturday, 21 December, Kingstonian visit Hansworth Villa, a team sitting just outside the playoff zone at sixth. It should be a competitive game.
LONDON CALLING: Stuff to do, experience and enjoy in the big smoke
🎆 Missed out on tickets to watch London’s 2024 New Year’s Eve Fireworks? Well, you can chuck away the FOMO. Time Out has put together a comprehensive list of vantage points and venues to enjoy NYE fireworks. From South Bank bars and restaurants to Thames bridges and London park viewpoints, there are plenty of options and some are completely free!
WHAT ELSE? Stuff we couldn’t quite fit anywhere else but still like
🩰 It’s not Christmas without The Nutcracker! The festive favourite returns to the Royal Albert Hall from Sunday 29 December to Tuesday 31 December. Featuring Birmingham Royal Ballet and Tchaikovsky’s glorious score, The Nutcracker is a sparkling festive treat for the whole family.
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