Kingston appoints new parking enforcers
#10: Kingston’s primary school pupil numbers decline, The Big Sleep Out in Kingston, Kingston appoints new parking enforcers, Thames Water amends DRA plan but still treated sewage into river, Kingston Hospital AGM, seal seen swimming near Kingston bridge, Surbiton Festival, ‘Never Let Me Go’ at the Rose, community grants, traffic-free Oxford Street plan, Hampton Court Palace 10K, and more.
START WITH A SMILE: Stuff to cheer us up
🌳 CLIMATE CHANGE – OZONE LAYER ON TRACK TO FULL RECOVERY: World Meteorological Organisation’s (WMO) annual report reveals strong evidence that the ozone layer is well on track for a long-term recovery. It suggests that ozone could recover to 1980 levels by around 2066 over the Antarctic if current policies focused on reducing use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) – powerful climate-warming gases – remain in place. This could also lead to full recovery of the layer by 2045 over the Arctic and 2040 for the rest of the world. Ozone depletion can cause increased amounts of UV radiation to reach the Earth which can lead to more cases of skin cancer, cataracts, and impaired immune systems.
😞 THAMES WATER AMENDS RIVER ABSTRACTION PLAN BUT TREATED SEWAGE STILL TO POUR INTO THAMES: Thames Water announces design changes to its proposed Teddington Direct River Abstraction (TDRA) project following feedback from over 2,000 people. While Thames Water insists that TDRA project would only be used during periods of drought to protect drinking water supplies, it does mean that the river has to be replenished. And that means treated water from sewage treatment works will be released into the River Thames. The company is hosting four community information events in October to share consultation feedback and revised proposals including one on Wednesday 9 October 2024, 2pm – 8pm, at Doubletree by Hilton, Kingston upon Thames. Residents interested in attending can register here.
⬇️ KINGSTON AMONG BOROUGHS WHERE NUMBER OF PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS ARE PLUMMETING: Primary school numbers across London are predicted to fall by 52,000 pupils by 2028, according to analysis seen by the BBC. Double the national average, the decrease is down to a combination of falling birth rates and cost of housing and living. While the predicted drop was the biggest in central London at 10%, Kingston and neighbouring boroughs too can expect a drop of 2.7%. Given the per-pupil funding allocated to schools this could have a significant impact on primary school budgets across the borough.
🏥 KINGSTON MP ENCOURAGES GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE CANCER URGENT REFERRAL TIMES IN KINGSTON: Last week at Prime Minister’s Questions, Ed Davey, MP for Kingston, highlighted that last year over 100,000 cancer patients waited for more than 62 days to begin their treatment following an urgent referral. He went on to say that at Kingston Hospital too, 288 patients had to wait more than 62 days for treatment. The MP has urged the government to guarantee that every patient can start cancer treatment within 62 days of urgent referral.
🏥 HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE MERGER AND OTHER ISSUES AT KINGSTON HOSPITAL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: This year’s AGM and Annual Members Meeting will take place on Monday 30 September from 6pm. There is still time for residents to register and attend the meeting in-person or online. There are many pressing issues, not least the story above concerning cancer treatment and the merger with Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare. Register here to take part.
🚗 KINGSTON COUNCIL APPOINTS NEW PARKING MANAGEMENT CONTRACTOR: Kingston Council has appointed APCOA as the borough’s new parking management contractor from 1 October 2024. APCOA replaces NSL – were they not doing a good job? – and will be responsible for issuing permits and enforcing parking restrictions across the council’s road network and car parks. All current permits and visitor vouchers or credits remain valid until their expiry date.
🦭 SEAL SEEN SWIMMING NEAR KINGSTON BRIDGE: No, it’s not Banquet Records securing yet another rock star for our audio pleasure! It’s a sighting of an actual seal swimming in the River Thames near Thames Ditton. In fact, according to the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), there have been 31 sightings so far in 2024 on the stretch of river which runs between Kingston Bridge and Hampton Court Bridge. Typically found in cold ocean waters, we wonder what abundant bounties lie under the surface of this part of the Thames that attract these seals and the many contemplative folks sitting in their camouflaged tents on the river bank with long fishing rods reaching across the water. We’ve never seen an actual fish caught by the latter!
💦 THE GYM GROUP TO OPEN IN SURBITON: These gym companies seem to know that you, the residents of the Royal Borough of Kingston, are a health conscious lot. So, The Gym Group will soon join some 20-plus other gyms around the borough with their first site in Surbiton. To be open 24/7, they’re currently offering discounted rates to residents starting from £14.99 per month.
LOCAL DEMOCRACY: Stuff that affects your neighbourhood
📣 HAVE YOUR SAY: Want to know what current licence applications relating to alcohol, entertainment and late night food traders are under consideration at Kingston Council and object or submit a petition against them? Want to view current planning applications and have your say? Here is a list of current consultations and surveys. Have your say and ensure local democracy works for the benefit of the borough’s residents.
COMMUNITY, CULTURE & EVENTS: Stuff to do, experience and enjoy
💤 THE BIG SLEEP IN KINGSTON: Homelessness remains a major issue affecting our nation and here in Kingston there are over 30 people sleeping on our streets on any given night. The Big Sleep Out organised by Kingston Churches Action on Homelessness is almost here. Taking place on the night of 4th and 5th October, it aims to bring greater awareness and raise funds for those experiencing homelessness in the borough. There is still time to register and take part and raise funds or you can simply make a contribution through their JustGiving page.
💰 APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR COMMUNITY HUBS GRANTS: Application for funding from Kingston Council for projects in Community Hubs are now open. Covering various hubs across the borough including New Malden Library, the Hook Centre and Surbiton Library, you or your community group can get funding for a local project or activity. Whether it’s a chess club or knitting, creative writing or languages, grants between £100 and £500 are available for each project. More details and grant application form are here.
🎉 SURBITON FESTIVAL: The summer may be over but the local festival season isn’t quite done yet. The annual Surbiton Festival returns on 28 September with live music, lots of family friendly activities, great food and drink. It’s a fantastic community event run by volunteers and it’s free!
🎭 KAZOU ISHIGURO’S ‘NEVER LET ME GO’ COMES TO KINGSTON’S ROSE THEATRE: Stage adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s international best-selling novel comes to Kingston’s Rose Theatre this week, 20 September to 12 October. Adapted by Suzanne Heathcote and directed by Christopher Hayden, Rose Theatre describes it as “Memory and reality collide in this stunning new staging that challenges us to think about what it means to be human. What it means to have hope and heart — to love and to lose.”
🏃♀️ HAMPTON COURT PALACE 10K: The annual Hampton Court 10K race is just two months away. This year supporting Prost8 UK, it’s the only 10K event to be held at King Henry VIII’s little house on the river! Starting inside the gates of the palace, the route meanders along the river, through Home Park and finishes in the palace’s expansive gardens. After you’ve set a new PB, you can even take a recovery jog through the famous maze! Entries are still open.
SPORTS DAY: Stuff about enjoying your local teams
⚽ KINGSTONIAN FC: After a 2-1 victory against Hartley Wintney at the weekend, the Ks were somewhat unfortunate to have dropped two points midweek, with their host Horndean scoring a last-minute equaliser. Currently sitting just below the playoff position in the league, the Ks hope to progress further in the FA Trophy as they host Sittingbourne in the second qualifying round on Saturday 21 September.
⚽ CHELSEA WOMEN: The reigning WSL champions kick off their season opener at Kingsmeadow this Friday 20 September against Aston Villa Women who finished the season last year around mid-table at seventh position. With departure of Emma Hayes and the arrival of the new manager Sonia Bompastor, it could be an interesting season for the blues. Tickets for tonight’s fixture are available online.
LONDON CALLING: Stuff to do, experience and enjoy in the big smoke
🎞️ BFI LONDON FILM FESTIVAL 2024: The 68th BFI London Film Festival kicks off on 9 October. Head up to the Southbank to discover the ‘world’s best new films, series and immersive storytelling’. To help you plan ahead, here are ’12 brilliant films to watch at this year’s LFF’ according to Time Out.
WHAT ELSE? Stuff we couldn’t quite fit anywhere else but still like
⛔ MAYOR’S PLANS TO BAN TRAFFIC ON OXFORD STREET: Mayor of London and government have announced bold plans to transform Oxford Street including turning the road into a traffic-free pedestrianised avenue, creating a beautiful public space. The proposals look great but will they also get rid of those tuk tuks?!