The Southfields Times Newsletter
This is where we keep your informed of the latest developments at the Southfields Times
Here we will report local news & views as they develop
Also, as the site responds to your ( polite! ) suggestions we will announce forthcoming changes and hopefully, improvements.
FISH PEDDLAR'S PEDDLE POWER
13/06/08
In an exemplary effort to raise money for his neice Jenna Stewart who is sufferring from a rare nuerological condition, our local fish peddlar is taking part in the 54 mile London to Brighton cycle ride. Well done, Roger, we wish you and Jenna all the best.
CAR PARK BIRTH
13/06/08
Southfields mum Fiona Parker-Cole and her husband Rob set off from Hambledon Road to hospital for the birth of their baby. Imagine their surprise when they only made it as far as Southfields Community college car park before Fiona started to give birth. Luckily, antenatal teacher, Mindy Cockerham arrived on the scene and was able to help. 15 minutes later the baby was born. Mindy said 'it was a magical but textbook birth. The mother was very efficient and all the credit goes to her'. Fiona described Mindy as '...absolutely amazing'.
LOW LIFE GRAVE ROBERS STEAL FLOWERS AND TRIBUTES.
13/06/08
The grave of murdered Southfields window cleaner, Sean Jenkins - 'the gentle giant'- has been repeatedly desicrated. Naturally, his grieving mother Maureen is disgusted by such calousness, which can only add to her grief. It seems that flowers have been stolen, only to be sold on. These are the actions of the lowest of the low. Such pitful creatures are beyond contempt.
'STREETCAR' CAR CLUB SUCCESS
08/06/08
A great idea goes from strength to strength. Drive a car without the problems of owning one! The council-backed scheme has, during its first year grown to a membership of more than 3,500 membership. Every Wandsworth postcode is covered.
Cars booked on line or by phone can be picked up from 65 locations for as little as 1/2 hour and then returned to the same spot. Cars can be kept for as long as a month. Click the link below for more information:
TUBE STATION - FURTHER DISABLED ACCESS DELAY
08/05/08
After a series of delays in installing a lift at Southfields tube station,Transport for London have promised that work will begin in 2009 and be finished by 2010.
Only a fool would put money on that, given their track record (sorry!). They claim the delay is down to a change of plan but Putney MP Justine Greening said that she was given this excuse two years ago. The new date cannot be relied upon as this latest delay is due to Metronet, who were responsible for the design work, going bust. Initially promised for 2006, then October 2007 don't be surprised if there are further delays.
WANDSWORTH PRIMARY CARE TRUST SCANDAL RISKS SOUTHFIELDS WOMAN'S EYESIGHT
30/04/08
Sadly, Mrs Joan Armstrong aged 82, of Wimbledon Park Road has become the latest victim of the heartless attitude of our National Health Service. What you are about to read, though hard to believe because of its callous approach to the sight loss of as many as 10,000 people nationwide, is, sadly all too true.
Age related Mascular Degeneration inevitably leads to blindnes unless treated with the drug Lucentis. However, to their shame, Wandsworth Primary Care Trust regard it as not cost effective. In September, however, the will have to do so, by law. Until then someone with the disease will have to go blind in one eye before being treated. The drug has been approved by the National Institute for Clinical Excelence (NICE). But NICE is not so nice. Last year NICE was accused by the Royal National Institute of Blind People of massive incompetence that could lead to as many as 10,000 people in the UK loosing their sight.
NICE received 20,000 responses from both the public and health campaigners over its recommendation that limits the use of sight-saving drugs.
In June last year it was NICE that recommended denying treatment to 80% of people with AMD. The 'lucky' one in five were offered treatment but only after they went blind in one eye.
Eventually, a long-awaited Final Appraisal Document was published which meant that more people will get treatment on the NHS, though this has been available in Scotland for over a year.
Ironically, April 18th last year saw the launch of the UK Vision Strategy. This ground breaking initiative aims to develop concerted action on all issues related to sight loss and eye health in all four UK countries. Its objectives include THE PREVENTION OF AVOIDABLE BLINDNESS. It was launched on the 18th of April. Lets hope they act rapidly and efficiently and prevent further unnecessary sight loss.
Meanwhile, Mrs Armstrong, who cannot be treated until September due to the heartlessness of these bureaucratic idiots, could loose her sight.
CHANCE DISCOVERY LEADS TO SENSATIONAL SOUTHFIELDS DRUGS BUST!
23/04/08
Whilst out on routine patrol PC Mark Toulson and PC Glen Cheal from the West Hill safer neighbourhood team came across over forty mature cannabis plants growing in the loft of a property in Whitlock Drive. They were requested to carry out a missing person enquiry at the address but a thorough search of every room proved friutless. But a subsequent check of the loft led to the discovery of the sophisticated drugs operation.
Grown with aid aid of computers and hydroponics ( growing plants soil-free in nutriant-rich water) they had produced a crop with an estimated street value of around £20,000.
The missing man later returned and was arrested along with two women and six men.
SOUTHFIELDS DESIGN STUDENT MUM WINS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD
After a career change due to antisocial hours Astonville Road mother-of-two Tamsin de Lara made the transition from prop designer to soft furnishings. Tamsin, 39, started a City and Guilds course at London Metropolitan University. Her talent was rewarded when she won the medal for excellence so early on in her course. Her achievement is all the more remarkable because only 89 out of 1.5 million students are given the medal. Below is a link to her website;
GARDENERS MAKE A MESS OF A GARDEN?
16/04/08
Residents of Combemartin Road have been complaing about the delivery and collection of gardening materials from the back of a property in Sutherland Grove. The land has been let to a local garden centre, 'Wimbledon Gardener', by a property developer.
In spite of an enforcement notice being issued to property developer Mr Richard Beavercroft in 2006, it was not until last week that the Government's planning inspectorate came to a verdict. Their having backed the Council's decision means that Mr Beavercroft has one month to clear the site or face a fine of up £20,000.
Though some residents have complained about the nuisance caused by the coming and going of delivery trucks and vans, others have become satisfied customers says Mr Mathew Vincent of the firm 'Wimbledon Gardener'.
PARKING IN REPLINGHAM ROAD
10/04/08
As you can see from our Village Market page local traders have expressed concern over the way the parking restrictions in our main shopping street are hampering trade. Roger The Fish Peddlar has advanced the campaign by contacting Councillor Lucy Allen about this issue. She replied by email and said 'I am very much in favour of this idea and have put it to the Council's parking department. This is particularly helpful in the key shopping areas where passing trade needs to be encouraged...' That's the key phrase. On hearing of Roger's efforts the ST spoke to other traders who echoed these sentiments. Lend your support to the campaign by contacting the Council and hopefully something will be done.
04/04/08
Last summer the mobile phone giant Orange applied for planning permission to site eight mobile phone masts in Southfields. Enraged residents campaigned against the siting on grounds of health concerns over radiation, visual impact and the cluttering up of streets. They were particularly annoyed by the timing of the application which some claim coincided with the school holidays when many parents were away and so could not respond.
There were also concerns that one of the propose sites was close to Linden Lodge school where it would constitute a dangerous obstacle to the visually impaired pupils who have learned to walk independently around the surrounding streets.
Initially, all eight applications were turned down, however Orange immediately appealed against four of the decisions and were successful in two cases.
The siting of masts in Princess Way and West Hill were approved last week by the Government's Planning Inspectorate who claimed the Council was wrong to say that the masts would spoil the appearance of the streets and impede anyone's access.
Orange intend to apply for permission for even more masts in Southfields during the next few months, so let us know your views on this issue on our soapbox or join our Blog.
VOLUNTEERING They say that confession is good for the soul, why suffer the 'guilt trip' when you can put something back into the community by becoming a volunteer. Currently, the Balham branch of the Thomas Pocklington Trust is looking for people to help with their work for those
with sight loss. Their Volunteers Coordinator 020 8675 4246 PARKING
Given the ST's policy of supporting local shops and businesses, due to public interest we are starting a campaign to get the council to ease parking restrictions outside local shops, so if you've been inconvenienced by this - LEND YOUR SUPPORT!
HEATHROW EXPANSION
The proposed expansion of Heathrow allows a third runway and all-day flights over the area.
Currently we only have flights for half the day, due to runway alternation so if you wish to protest about this why not contact Justine Greening MP for more information about her campaign. Log on to