TEAM FORCE Undeterred by bad weather, a team of some 40-strong FORCE volunteers turned out to work on environmental improvements to the Crane Valley in Twickenham.

ICE RINK APPEAL
The International School of Ice Skating, established to bring a world class ice rink back to Richmond, has announced it will challenge the UDP Inspector's recommendations.

CAN YOU HELP?
Were you near Twickenham Green at about 10.40pm on April 18, when a woman was discovered with a serious head injury?

Borough police seek witnesses to two separate incidents where vehicles have been set on fire on the street.

PHONE THEFT FOILED
A teenager proves the good sense of simple safety advice to keep your mobile phone out of sight.

QUIZ YOUR COUNCILLORS
Area consultation meetings are being held across the borough over the next few weeks for local people to meet their councillors and raise issues of concern and interest.

NEW BUSINESS PARKING DEAL
Businesses locating in the borough should get a special deal to ease parking problems, if a new initiative is endorsed by Richmond Council.

RECORD DRINKS LICENCES
There are now 178 off-licences and 281 bars and clubs in the borough.

A 400 YEAR JOURNEY
Visitors to Hampton Court Palace travel back 400 years to the days of the Royal court of King James I, the debate of the historic Hampton Court Conference, and what the VIPs feasted on.

NEW FRIENDS GROUP
A new group, the Friends of Turner's House, invites members to join them and to help secure the future of Sandycombe Lodge.

OPERATION PEACEMAKER
Chief Inspector Simon Phipps gives an undertaking: the borough police will tackle anti-social behaviour and try to reduce it by 20% over the next year.

DINE OUTDOORS
Twickenham town centre and Richmond Riverside are set for a summer of al-fresco cafe culture.

TEDDINGTON PARKING
Responses to a parking survey across Teddington are currently being assessed by Richmond Council, and there is already some dispute over preliminary findings.

PARKING IN STRAWBERRY HILL
Richmond Council is re-consulting on parking controls for Strawberry Hill following some inconclusive earlier results.

AVIATION THREAT TO CLIMATE
The government's strategy to allow demand-led growth in the airline industry will blow a hole in its commitment to air quality and climate change say MPs.

FREEDOM TO TRAVEL
If you are pensionable age, London's public transport system is yours for nothing with a Freedom Pass - but don't forget to renew by 31 March.

RIVERSIDE VICTORY
After seven long years, news that Seething Wells, alongside the Thames opposite Home Park, is at last protected as open land, and fully recognised for its wildlife value, has been greeted with delight by campaigners.

QUEUE FOR
THE COMMUNITY TOILETS SCHEME

EXTRA HOURS AT LIBRARIES
Opening times at some of the borough's libraries are to be extended from April 12.

PUBLIC PRIVATE TOILETS
Not everyone agrees that Richmond Council's scheme, where borough businesses open up their toilets to the general public for a wee annual retainer, should be hailed as ground breaking .

OPEN SPACES: HAVE YOUR SAY
Local people can put up ideas for improving the borough's parks and open spaces throughout Richmond Council's four month consultation.

THE OLD BATHS: PAST AND FUTURE
As the "call-in" inquiry into the future of the old swimming pool site cncludes, we have proofs and reports.

SPEAK OUT
About a quarter of all reported assaults across the borough relate to domestic violence, and if that is to change, victims have to be able to speak out rather than suffer in silence.

DIFFICULT QUESTIONS
Richmond Council's leader, Cllr Tony Arbour, responds to formal questions about a councillor letter in the local press which members of the gay community believe condemns their relationships.

WANTED:
VISITORS
Richmond's Independent Custody Visiting Panel is looking for recruits as eyes and ears for what goes on in the borough's police stations and custody suites.

 

 

 

LOCK BRIDGE WILL SHUT
Local people condemn the closure of Richmond Lock foot bridge by the Port of London Authority.

RUNWAY 3: GOOD OR ILL?
GLA member, Tony Arbour, asks why the London Development Agency supports a third runway at Heathrow economically when it not acceptable environmentally.

MAYOR ELECT ANNOUNCED
Cllr Pat Parsons takes over as Richmond's Mayor from Cllr Nicola Urquhart.

HELP FOR CHILDREN WITH AIDS
Richmond Councillor, Marc Cranfield-Adams, has agreed to become a local patron for the Richmond Branch of the Children with AIDS Charity.

BAN ON SPRAY PAINT
Local traders are warned that it is now illegal to sell spray paints to under-16s.

NEW ERA IN POLICING
The Metropolitan Police Service ushered in a new era of policing to the capital on Monday 5 April with its Safer Neighbourhoods programme.

WORKING FORCE
A FORCE working party set to and carried out environmental work in the Crane Valley on Sunday 18 April.

CONCORDE ABOARD TERRA MARIQUE
The maiden voyage and first task for Terra Marique, the giant inshore carrier, is from Isleworth to Scotland - with Concorde aboard.

GARRICK'S YEAR
Celebrations to mark the 250th anniversary of David Garrick's arrival in Hampton gets underway.

GARRICK AT HAMPTON LIBRARY
An exhibition celebrating the 250th anniversary of David Garrick's arrival in Hampton opens in Hampton library on Tuesday 6th April.

STREAMLINING THE TOILETS
In a £30m deal with an unnamed leading bank and an offshore lavatory manufacturer, the council unveils its groundbreaking public toilet policy to make using the borough's "public amenities" more cost effective.

A round-up of appeals for witnesses and a warning to keep keys out of reach of letterbox thieves.

COUNCIL DROPS PLEDGE
Can you think of something better than the residents' free half-hour parking voucher scheme - a pre-election pledge, which is now to be dropped?

UNEQUALLED SPIN
The other Richmond Press Office responds on the discontinued free parking vouchers.

BIKE TO SCHOOL
Whitton School in Percy Road has been awarded almost £20,000 under a scheme to encourage cycling and walking to school.

SPORT RICHMOND
A new organisation to support all the borough's sporting organisations, large and small, held its inaugural meeting.

WILDLIFE AND WETLANDS
With birds arriving, pairing, mating, nesting, brooding and rearing chicks, there's lots going on at the London Wetlands Centre in Barnes as the season unfolds.

THE BEST BABIES
Start your baby off on the right foot wearing good old-fashioned terry towelling nappies, and help put an end to the giant mountain of dirty disposables.

COUNCILLOR ISSUES NEW STATEMENT
Cllr Marc Cranfield-Adams issues a statement, further to his warning that he would seek to remove the community websites over his appearance in a satirical photo-cartoon.

TASK FORCE
With a 40-strong band of volunteers, many hands made light work of a list of tasks to improve the Crane Valley area in Twickenham.

JOIN ST JOHN AMBULANCE
New members are welcome at the Teddington HQ in Park Road.

Westminster City Council has been running Richmond Council's press office for the past year and this is likely to go on.

PLEDGE TO SAVE THE WORLD
Join the Environment Agency's mass campaign: sign up to doing something that will help the earth and make something unforgettable of World Environment Day.

JUDY FOR THE GLA
Local activist, Judy Maciejowska, has been selected as the Green Party candidate for the Greater London Assembly elections in June.

 

CROSSRAIL WANT AREAS OF CRANE VALLEY
The latest consultation round on Crossrail reveals that areas of the Crane Valley in Twickenham are the preferred option for a marshalling yard

ACCOLADE FOR LOCAL BRANCH
Teddington and Hampton Branch of Save the Children receive a Champion Collectors Award.

TWO MORE YEARS OF WESTMINSTER
Richmond Council's media and PR will continue to be run by Westminster City Council's communications staff until May 2006.

MP AT LYNDE HOUSE
MP Vincent Cable unveiled a plaque at Lynde House residential care home, Twickenham, which in 2002 was subject of a critical report commissioned by the then Richmond and Kingston Health Authority.

BRIEF REPRIEVE FOR ETNA
Richmond Council announces a 12 month extension to the lease of the property occupied by the many community-based services at home with East Twickenham Neighbourhood Association.

RUNNING FOR THE MAYOR
Three runners will be joining the throng of the London Marathon in aid of the Mayor's Charity on April 18 - and there is still time to sponsor them

FULL UDP REPORT ONLINE NOW
The full report by the Planning Inspector into Richmond Council's modifications to the borough's Unitary Development Plan is here.
FULL REPORT

UDP INSPECTOR BACKS THE PEOPLE
Building on the Crane Valley green corridor, Gothic riverside site in Richmond and Teddington's North Lane car park is not accepted by the Planning Inspector in his report on Richmond Council's modifications to its Unitary Development Plan.

Notes from Press Briefing

MP HAILS VICTORY
MP Vincent Cable criticises "Richmond Council's cavalier attitude to Metropolitan Open Land".

MASSIVE OPPOSITION
Cllr Martin Elengorn, opposition spokesman for Richmond Council, praises "brilliant" local campaigners.

FORCE WELCOMES RESULT
The Friends of the River Crane Environment welcome the decision to keep the Crane Valley unbuilt and plan a public meeting on 28 April at All Hallows Church.

GOTHIC SITE SAVED
Richmond residents celebrate the Inspector's decision to retain Metropolitan Open Land status on the Gothic riverside site.

ADDING UP THE COSTS
The costs to the Richmond council tax payer of the UDP inquiry, consultants and consultations is put at £225,000.

MINISTER WILL SEE FOR HIMSELF
Lord Whitty, Minister for Water and Sewerage, will sample the odour problem for himself with a visit to Mogden Sewage Treatment works.

VISIONARY LOOK
A ten year vision for Leisure, Libraries, Sports and Arts is set out by Richmond Council.

MARATHON EFFORT
Cllr Simon Lamb is hoping to better his time in his second London Marathon and raise funds for Richmond's carers.

MAST MUDDLE
The mobile telecom giant, O2, is blaming its unauthorised masts on Richmond Council.

ASK THE EXPERT
The Iraqi Information Minister has the answer to every question.

HIGH VISIBILITY
Richmond Council announces that it is to brand its vehicles and its staff to be easily identifiable to the public.

FRIENDS AT WORK
The Friends of Hatherop Park, Hampton, have the go-ahead from Richmond Council to start work on plans to improve the area and rebuild a pavilion for sports teams.

PLANNING GAIN
The speed and efficiency at which Richmond Council delivers its planning service has earned the authority a bonus of £800,000 from government.

GREEN TASK GROUP FOR RICHMOND Richmond Council invests more in street trees and also sets up a task group for the borough on climate change.

NO CURE FOR BINGE DRINKING
What were once quiet and orderly surburban centres have been transformed into magnets for binge drinkers with high-capacity bars, and the new government strategy won't help.

OSTEOPOROSIS TREATMENT UP FOR DEBATE
Local constituents' concerns prompted MP Vincent Cable to call for an adjournement debate, which is leading to a rethink on treatment for osteoporosis sufferers.

RADNOR GARDENS DAY
Improvements - and a great day out - are planned for Radnor Gardens.

 

Features

Kilmorey Mausoleum MWB Railway F O R C E Lynde Supporters Swan Watch (2002) Fulwell - 100 years The Branch Line to a Royal Palace The Shell Grotto The Hampton Cannon Seething Wells Are masts dangerous?

SPORT

Sports Links BBC Sport Sky Sport

Hot Local Issues

The Tuesday Siren Phone Masts Hampton Waterworks Upper Lodge and Watergardens

Borough Wide

The May Poll Online hustings 2001 UDP - First Review Mogden Sewage Works Party manifestos 2002

SUPPORT GROUP STARTS UP
A new group - Gay London Aids Support Services - will start sessions in the borough from May 16.

SAVE MONEY, SAVE ENERGY
A tie-up between Richmond Council and London Energy has resulted in an initiative to bring discounts to householders on energy-saving measures.

INCINERATOR FOR WEST LONDON
Friends of the Earth warn of noxious emissions for a radius of 17 miles around Heathrow.

EDUCATION FOR THREE YEAR OLDS
MP Vincent Cable questions Richmond Council over provision of nursery education for the borough's three year olds, and Cllr Geoffrey Samuel responds with some anger.

 

CHAOS OVER NEW HEALTH WATCHDOG
Both local MPs criticise the chaotic new arrangements that leave local people without an effective health watchdog.

RICHMOND'S OFFICERS COMMENT ON UDP FINDINGS
Richmond's Cabinet debates the Inspectors findings and recommendations from the UDP inquiries, and may challenge some of them.

MP SUPPORTS MOVE TO HONOUR VETERANS
Vincent Cable is supporting an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons to get proper recognition for sailors who risked their lives in the Arctic Convoys of WWII.

MAN PAYS £745 ON OVERDUE PARKING FINE
Why is Richmond Council sending in "dubious operators" to collect minor debts asks MP Vincent Cable, and Richmond Council responds.

CALL FOR JOINT CAMPAIGN
Local shops in St Margaret's are under threat of closure and take-over, and the Greens are calling for a united effort to save the diverse and unique town centre.

FEARS FOR STRAWBERRY HILL
Strawberry Hill could be changed forever, fear local residents who are backed by a local councillor in their opposition to an application to build a three storey extension into the back garden of a fine Victorian house.

BANK HOLIDAY PARKING
MP Vincent Cable has taken up the fight on behalf of Hampton residents caught out by parking restrictions enforced over the Bank Holiday.

UNDER FIRE
Richmond Council is accused of a determination to be undemocratic and unaccountable at its meeting on 20 April.

NO HORSE SHOW AGAIN
MP Jenny Tonge laments the second year without the international horse show on Old Deer Park, but vows to do something about it for 2005.

WASTE OF PAPER?
A member of the borough's lesbian and gay community states that Richmond Council's Corporate Equality and Diversity Policy and Strategy "is not worth the paper it is written on".

RIVER TRAGEDY
A body of a man who dived into the river at Thames Ditton has been found at Teddington Lock.

QUESTIONS TO COUNCIL LEADER
Cass Mann of Positively Healthy, an organisation in the borough for lesbian and gay people, is again challenging Richmond's policies on equality and diversity with questions to the leader at the 20 April council meeting.

EXTRA PUPILS BOOST SECONDARY SECTOR
Secondary pupils - 2,000 of them - from outside the borough boundaries earn Richmond £6m a year, and without them there would probably ve fewer schools.

CONGESTION CHARGES COMING?
Is the congestion charge likely to move out as far as Richmond - Tony Arbour fears it might.

OPERATION CLEANSWEEP 2004
The successful initiative, Operation Cleansweep, targeting town centres or trouble spotscontinued on Friday 26 March in St Margaret's and Twickenham.

HISTORIC HAMPTON ON FILM
A showing of rare local films follow the Annual General Meeting of The Hampton Society at St Mary's Parish Hall, Hampton on Tuesday 6th April at 8.00 pm.

LEARN ABOUT TEXTILES
Richmond Adult and Community College offers a six-week free family textile crafts class at the Hampton Crafts Centre starting 21 April at the Hampton Methodist Hall in Percy Road, 3.45 to 5.15pm. Details on 07956 865890

CALL FOR JOINT CAMPAIGN
Local shops in St Margaret's are under threat of closure and take-over, and the Greens are calling for a united effort to save the diverse and unique town centre.

FEARS FOR STRAWBERRY HILL
Strawberry Hill could be changed forever, fear local residents who oppose an application to build a three storey extension into the back garden of a fine Victorian house.

TAKING CARE OF COUNCIL TAX
As this year's council tax bills hit doormats throughout the borough, Richmond Council wants residents to know that their contributions will be well spent.

0709
DON'T CALL!
Police warn of a mobile phone scam where users are tempted to call an 0709 number costing £50 per minute.

MONDAYS FOR COUNCILLORS
South Twickenham's three ward councillors are holding regular monthly surgeries for residents.