Travellers arrive on Ham Common
#41: Sadiq Khan says time to build homes on the green belt to tackle capital’s housing crisis, Kingston 2025 kicks off with colourful spectacle of music, dance and street theatre, dog walkers in Richmond and Bushy Parks told to keep dogs on leads, Kingston celebrates 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, Kingston University to investigate role of the menstrual cycle on ACL injuries in women’s football, Kingston Council to install new Mayor, Run for Cover at All Saints Kingston, massive comedy names return to Kingston and New Malden, Coldplay candlelight experience at St John’s Church, Bowl’s Big Weekend for a free taster session in Kingston, Chestnut Sunday returns to Bushy Park, Wimbledon Art Fair, Richmond May Fair, Tate Modern’s 25th Birthday Weekender, sights and smells of the lavender season in full bloom, and more.
START WITH A SMILE: Stuff to cheer us up
🌱 Big Issue's new Big Grow initiative set to transform communities through urban gardening: Big Grow is an innovative urban gardening project aimed at empowering marginalised communities through growing food. The project draws inspiration from the Incredible Edibles program in Todmorden, where public edible landscapes have thrived for 15 years. Similar projects have been replicated in 30 towns across the UK. Transforming public spaces into edible landscapes by teaching valuable skills, Big Grow begins with a pilot project at St George Church in Colgate, Norwich. Read more in the Big Issue.
LOCAL STORIES: Stuff you need to know
🚐 Travellers arrive on Ham Common: A group of travellers has arrived on Ham Common, on the borders of North Kingston and Richmond. In a statement Richmond Council said: “We are aware that a group of travellers has arrived on Ham Common. A High Court injunction is in place which restricts unauthorised encampments on this site. Welfare checks have been carried out, and we have started the legal process to ensure the group moves on in line with the injunction as soon as possible.”
Kingston Council have also provided a statement to Love Kingston: “We are aware of the illegal encampment at Ham Common and are in touch with the legal team supporting Richmond Council. Council sites have been alerted and remain vigilant to site security to reduce the risk of any unauthorised activity. We have also informed other landowners in the borough. If an illegal encampment were to take place despite these preparations, we would start the legal process to repossess the land.”
It is not known whether or not the group encamped on Ham Common is the same group as last year. However, last summer, a group of travellers who initially arrived on Ham Common then moved on to Hawker Centre in Kingston before moving onto King George’s Field back in Richmond.
🏗️ Sadiq Khan says time to build homes on the green belt to tackle capital’s housing crisis: In a radical change of approach, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is to announce that City Hall will actively explore the release of parts of London’s green belt for development. The Mayor will say that to only build on ‘brownfield’ (previously developed land) will never be enough to meet the scale of the challenge. He will say:
“We clearly face an extraordinary challenge. As Mayor, I'm determined to give it everything we've got – with a radical step-change in our approach. We'll be working with councils and others to secure as many new homes as we can on brownfield sites, both large and small, but we have to be honest with Londoners that this alone will not be enough to meet our needs.”
From London’s new housebuilding target of 88,000 homes per year, Kingston has to deliver 1,589 new homes every year. How will this new approach from the Mayor to build on green belt affect Kingston? (Use the comments option below to share your views with us.)
The announcement comes as the Mayor launches a consultation to help shape the next London Plan, which sets out the Mayor’s vision for how the capital will develop over the next 20 to 25 years. Residents have until 22 June 2025 to share their views on the plan. The Mayor’s full announcement is available here.
🎉 Kingston 2025 kicks off with colourful spectacle of music, dance and street theatre: Kingston 2025 celebrations marking the crowning of Saxon King Athelstan 1,100 years ago kicked off last Saturday 3 May with a spectacular display of music, dance and street theatre. Crowds enjoyed an afternoon of lindy hop and K-Pop, foot stomping Ukrainian brass band, performances from Tamil and Gujarati dance groups, and thumping bass of Korean drummers, as well as Brazilian Capoeira and martial arts displays. The six-month long celebrations continue until the autumn. Full programme of festivities is available here but here are some highlights to look out for:
Kingston Glamour – opens 16 May
Mini Day – 17 May
Kingston International Film Festival – 6-8 June
Bridging Kingston: A Musical Odyssey – 28 June
Athel’s Town: Saxon Encampment and Re-enactment – 26-27 July
River Cultures Festival – 6 September
Kingston Carnival 25th anniversary – 7 September
🪖 Kingston celebrates 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day: Communities across the Royal Borough of Kingston came together to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, on 8 May 2025. The Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Liz Green, was joined by a small civic party on the steps of the Guildhall as the VE Day 80 flag was raised. In London, the King attended a service at Westminster Abbey and the crowds gathered along The Mall to watch a military flypast including the Red Arrows.
🐕 Dog walkers in Richmond and Bushy Parks told to keep dogs on leads during deer birthing season: The Royal Parks charity has issued a reminder that it is compulsory to keep dogs on leads during deer birthing season in Richmond Park and Bushy Park from 1 May to 31 July, to safeguard vulnerable newborn deer and to ensure the safety of visitors and their dogs. Owners are asked to be on high alert for female deer, avoid areas of long grass and bracken where newly-born deer could be concealed, and stick to the perimeter of the park in case they need to escape.
⚽ Kingston University receives funding from FIFA to investigate role of the menstrual cycle on ACL injuries in women’s football: Could the menstrual cycle be a contributing factor in Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries in women’s football? A new FIFA-funded study will see academics at Kingston University investigate whether there is a possible link in an attempt to reduce occurrences of the injury. ACL injuries in women’s football have been on the rise in recent years and seen high profile players such as Beth Mead, Vivianne Miedema and Sam Kerr suffer the injury. Starting in June, Kingston University experts will work with clubs in the South West London area, including Chelsea and Fulham and hope the research results and intelligence gained from the study will help clubs put plans in place to mitigate the risk of ACL injuries.
LOCAL DEMOCRACY: Stuff that affects your neighbourhood
🗳️ Kingston Council meeting to install new Mayor and Mayoress: Tuesday 13 May will see the installation of the new Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Mayoress, Deputy Mayoress and Mayor’s Chaplains. Detailed agenda for the evening is available here along with details of other meetings on the same evening:
Meeting of Special Meeting of Council, Council – 7:30 pm
Meeting of Annual Council on the Rising of the Special Council – 7:45pm
Meeting of On the Rising of Annual Council, Licensing Committee – 9.30pm
💭 Have your say on the new play space for older children at Canbury Gardens: Kingston Council is investing in a new play area for older children (ages 8+) in Canbury Gardens, as part of its ongoing work to enhance green spaces across the borough. The new playground will offer a range of inclusive equipment for children of all abilities and is proposed to be located next to the existing play area, near the tennis courts (off Lower Ham Road, Kingston). The council is asking residents to help design this new community space. Share your views on two early design concepts here – you have until 5 June 2025 to do so.
COMMUNITY, CULTURE & EVENTS: Stuff to do, experience and enjoy
🎸 Run for Cover at All Saints Kingston: As part of Kingston 2025 celebrations, local band Run for Cover will perform hits from the 90s and 00s rock, indie, disco and pop classics this Saturday 10 May at All Saints Kingston. Local Park Brewery will provide the bar including the introduction of their new craft “Athelstan Ale”. Booking details are available here.
😂 Massive comedy names return to Kingston and New Malden: Star of Live at the Apollo and QI, Jen Brister will be headlining at the Royal Oak in New Malden on Monday 12 May. And her fellow funnyman John Kearns, star of Taskmaster and Cats Does Countdown, will at the Fighting Cocks in Kingston on the same night.
🎻 A Coldplay candlelight experience at St John’s Church, Kingston: Lumos Live comes to Kingston this June with an enchanting concert experience paying homage to global superband Coldplay. A concert experience that is nothing short of magical will include performance by a String Trio covering some of Coldplay’s biggest hits including Clocks, Paradise, Yellow, Fix You and Viva La Vida. Date for your diary is 14 June – booking information is available here.
🌿 Kingston Methodist Church plant and produce sale is back this Saturday: Here’s your chance to pick up some beautiful flowers, vegetables and herbs for your garden and give back to the community at the same time. All proceeds go to the Kingston Churches Action on Homelessness charity. Doors open at 11am this Saturday 10 May.
🟢 Join Bowl’s Big Weekend for a free taster session this May across Kingston / nearby: A number of Kingston and nearby bowls clubs have signed up for Bowl’s Big Weekend to give residents a free opportunity to try out the sport in a friendly and relaxed environment. Take along family, friends or colleagues and enjoy a free taster session at clubs in New Malden, Hook & Chessington, East Molesey, Teddington and Hampton. More information and contact details for each club are available here. Free sessions take place as follows:
The Supreme Bowling Club, New Malden – 23 and 24 May
King Edward Recreation Ground, Hook & Southborough – 24 May
Imber Court, East Molesey – 24 May
Teddington Bowls Club – 26 May
Hampton Bowls Club – 24 May and 22 June
🥳 Chestnut Sunday returns to Bushy Park this Sunday: The annual Chestnut Sunday celebrations return to Bushy Park this Sunday 11 May. Kicking off at 12.30pm with a parade along Chestnut Avenue, the day offers an afternoon of entertainment, history, and delicious food, perfect for families, history enthusiasts, and the local community. Some of the highlights include pony rides, horse riding demonstrations, live music, and special displays commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day. More information including how to access the car park is available here.
🎨 Wimbledon Art Fair: Explore 180 open art studios from some of London’s most talented artists and makers at the Wimbledon Art Fair. Taking place from now until Sunday 11 May, visitors to this free-to-attend event can meet the creators behind the works, and buy original, affordable art directly from the makers themselves. And if you pre-book your free ticket you’ll also be in with a chance to win £200 to spend at the show.
🥳 Richmond May Fair is back this Saturday: Over fifty years old and town’s biggest community event that welcomed over 5,000 visitors last year, Richmond May Fair returns to Richmond Green on 10 May. With more than 250 stalls, the day will feature a host of fun and entertainment including local bands, choirs, dance groups, dog show and great food – the event promises to be a great day out for the whole family. More information including a full list of stalls are available here.
🎨 Richmond Art Society Summer Exhibition returns to Landmark Arts Centre in Teddington: Richmond Art Society Summer Exhibition returns this June at the Landmark Arts Centre in Teddington. Taking place from 26 to 29 June, the exhibition will include works by members of the society covering a variety of formats including paintings, collage, sculpture, ceramics, mixed-media, and photography. All works at this free-to-attend exhibition are for sale. The exhibition will also feature the winners and highly commended entrants to this year’s Richmond Art Prize. Anyone wishing to submit their work for the Richmond Art Prize can do so here – you have until 17 May 2025 to do so.
SPORTS DAY: Stuff about enjoying your local teams
⚽ Chelsea Women FC: Penultimate league game of the season saw Chelsea beat Tottenham 0-1 last Sunday to maintain their record of zero losses for the season so far. This Saturday 10 May, the Blues host mid-table Liverpool before preparing themselves to deliver the treble when they meet Manchester United for the Women’s FA Cup final on Sunday 18 May.
⚽ Kingstonian FC: With the season now finished, we shall bring you intermittent off-season news as the Ks prepare for the new season and get ready to fight again for the promotion they came so close to achieving this year.
LONDON CALLING: Stuff to do, experience and enjoy in the big smoke
🎨 Tate Modern’s 25th Birthday Weekender: Tate Modern turns 25 and to celebrate they’re putting on live music, performances, talks, and tours that bring their world-renowned modern and contemporary art collection to life. The extended weekend goes on from now through to Monday 12 May. And it’s all free!
WHAT ELSE? Stuff we couldn’t quite fit anywhere else but thought you’d still find interesting
🪻 Get ready for the sights and smells of the lavender season in full bloom: If you’ve recently enjoyed the sights of cherry blossom and bluebells, prepare yourself for sensory overload that is the sight and smell of pristine purple carpet of lavender fields in full bloom. And unlike fleeting colours of cherry blossom, the lavender season is much longer – running from June to late July. Here are two of the best places in the country to soak in the sights and smells of lavender fields – Mayfield Lavender Farm in Surrey and Castle Farm in Kent.
