June 2002

CARA went ‘PUB’lic
As promised in our last newsletter, the CARA committee held an open committee meeting on March 18th at the Owl and Pussycat, and despite some problems in making sure everyone could hear, it was a resounding success. We’d like to thank all residents who attended – it’s really helpful to be able to get a sense of what people think about the decisions we make.

CARA’s next open committee meeting will be held at Hawker Leisure at 8pm on Monday 2nd September 2002

More Development on the Richmond Road ?
Both the Esso and Shell Service Stations on the Richmond Road have put in planning applications to completely re-design their sites to incorporate much more retailing; a fully-fledged Tesco Express in the case of Esso. CARA opposes both these applications, based on increased traffic and noise near to residential areas and the potential lost business for existing local shopping parades. Additionally, an application has been submitted for the Chemists on the junction of Woodside Road and Richmond Road for (yet more) hot food takeaway. If you would like to object to any or all of these applications, you can review them on the planning section of www.kingston.gov.uk and should write to : Mr John Allen, Directorate of Environmental Services, Guildhall 2, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 1EU. The Esso planning reference is 02/06116/Ful, Shell’s is 02/06148/FUL and the Chemist’s is 02/6164/FUL.

Lighting in Canbury Gardens
Lighting in the plane trees has at last been restored in Canbury Gardens. We have noticed some glitches to the continuity of electrical supply and have reported this to the Council for action. We look forward to this part of the gardens being safer and more welcoming in future months.

CARA welcomes Canbury Place into the fold
We’d like to welcome residents from Canbury Place (the Fairclough & Persimmon development on the former Power Station site) into CARA. After much debate, we’ve decided that as this development borders Canbury Gardens, albeit slightly further south than our current boundary of Lower Kings Road, we should work together as one larger residents group rather than try and run two organisations in such close proximity. This is a one-off broadening of CARA’s membership and we have no plans to incorporate any other new developments in North Kingston. Canbury Place residents will be able coordinate their feedback through Cheryl Neale who will be their main contact attending CARA committee meetings on a regular basis. A formal resolution will be proposed at this year’s AGM (in the October timeframe) and membership will eligible to run from 1st November 2002.

CARA Summer Event
Get the date in your diary ! Sunday 14th July at 12.30 at Albany Sailing Club, Lower Ham Road (vegetarian food will be available). £5 per adult, children free. Children between the ages of 8 & 16 will have the opportunity to enjoy an hour’s watersport on the river (at a small extra charge), in canoes or kayaks, under the trained supervision of the Club’s staff. If you play a musical instrument and would like to perform at the summer event, please contact Sheelah Watson at 37 Chestnut Rd or call 8974-5916.

Green Fair Update
After a year’s absence, the Green Fair is returning to Canbury Gardens on Monday 3rd June. Paul Maxwell, of the Parks Services at the Council, has clarified for CARA that the organisers are entitled to make an admission charge to the Green Fair. However, if you wish to access the Boaters pub, the children’s play area or the tow-path without visiting the fair, you can do so without paying. Paul said he would ask the organisers to make sure the stewards are aware of this. Paul was also able to confirm that emergency access has been agreed with the emergency
services, and that no extra costs relating to clearing up or repairing any damage will be passed on to Kingston residents. Kingston Police have told us that incremental Policing costs for the Fair will be met from the funding they receive from Kingston borough (ie resident’s Council Tax).

What are your views about the Green Fair ? We know opinions are divided, particularly around matters such as the small amount the Council are paid for the use of Canbury Gardens compared to the relatively high admission fee to the Fair. CARA would be very interested to hear about your experiences this year. The organisers assured us they have put in place measures to ensure as little disruption to residents as possible. However, if you do experience any disruption or vandalism, it’s very important that you report it to Kingston Police on 8541-1212 even if you feel they can’t do anything, as they and the organisers need to monitor what goes on for reviewing the future of the Green Fair. We hope that Canbury Gardens will be hosting a safe, unique and successful event that can be shared by the whole community.

CCTV in Canbury Gardens ?
We’d like your feedback on whether we should campaign for Closed Circuit TeleVision cameras in Canbury Gardens. We know support is growing for this idea from many residents who live very close to the gardens but would like to hear from more residents on whether CARA should really get behind this matter. Please provide your views to Penny D’Souza at 14 Chestnut Road or email cara_feedback@hotmail.com