CHASE GREEN ON THE MAP
Whitton residents are laying plans for their new village green now that it has been officially registered on the definitive map.

GRANT 'DEFIES BELIEF'
Of the extra £340m announced by government for councils, Richmond gets only £3,300 - a sum that defies belief, says Cllr Nicholas True, cabinet member for Finance.

SKATING INTO THE NEW YEAR
Winter is on at Hampton Court Palace with an ice rink in the beautiful setting of the Tudor West Face.

INQUIRY CLOSES
The Crane Valley public inquiry has finished, and a ruling is expected in February.

FORCE website

A STUDY IN NATURE
At the fourth day of the inquiry into Richmond Council's decision to remove Metropolitan Open Land from areas in the Crane Valley, ecologists presented a wealth of interesting findings.

FORCE website

CRANE VALLEY INQUIRY
A two-week public inquiry is in progress into Richmond Council's controversial plans to remove protection for open land in the Crane Valley in Twickenham.

FORCE website

BOROUGH HONOURS LOCAL LADS
Richmond Council gives its own special accolade to four local world-beating rugby stars.

CROSSRAIL SPLIT
MP Vincent Cable criticises Richmond Council for what he calls an uneven consultation on CrossRail between the Middlesex and Surrey sides of the borough, and Richmond Council responds.

NO NEW RUNWAY - YET
Although Heathrow may not get a third runway now, there is a likelihood that the alternating runway system could be abandoned.

RUNWAY 3 RECEDES
A third runway at Heathrow looks increasingly unlikely as ministers acknowledge the adverse impacts of air pollution and traffic congestion.

DEBATE ON RIVERSIDE HOUSE
Richmond's Cabinet listens to grave concerns raised by local people at the possible sale of Riverside House, Twickenham.

SALE OF RIVERSIDE HOUSE
The Twickenham Society will raise grave concerns at Richmond's December 2 Cabinet meeting over the sale of Riverside House.

SHE BORROWED £4.2M FROM RICHMOND COUNCIL
and never paid it back: Sally Greene, boasts on Radio 4 about her fund-raising abilities.

WHO DUNNIT?

WATCH ON THE PARK
Put forward your views and concerns on policing in the borough's Royal Parks at a special ParkWatch meeting at 74 Sheen Lane on 4 December.

BATTLE LINES DRAWN OVER CRANE VALLEY
The inquiry into Richmond Council's controversial plans for the Crane River Valley starts on 8 December and proofs - including the council's - for the Inspector are online here.

PUT A LID ON IT!
Residents learn that Thames Water is making a bid to the regulator, Ofwat, that could enable them to cover the more offensive parts of Mogden sewage treatment plant.

PALACE TO CHARGE FOR GARDENS
Hampton Court Palace announces plans to charge for some of its finest gardens for some of the year, with special season-ticket rates for frequent users.

THE MINISTER AGREES
In an adjournment debate raised by MP Vincent Cable, the Minister for the Arts, Estelle Morris, supports Hampton Court Palace's charges.

LOCAL PEOPLE OBJECT
The charges and restrictions that would be imposed by Hampton Court Palace bring dismay to local people.

MOBILES BANNED IN CARS
From Dec 1st it is an offence for drivers to use hand held mobile phones while driving.

MEMORIAL SERVICES
There are special memorial services for those buried in cemeteries across the Borough of Richmond upon Thames on Sunday 30 November and Sunday 7 December.

 

GOES SLOW
Richmond Council is asked to resubmit its "Implementing
e-Government" statement to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

LOOS FOR SALE
Having closed its public toilets, Richmond Council is now considering how best to dispose of them, especially those of architectural interest.

FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
A report from the independent helpline set up in the borough for parents with children who have special educational needs gives an overview of its first 12 months' work. (pdf 265kb)

LIB DEM
WIN IN KEW
Jane Arneil had an easy victory for the Lib Dems in Kew with 1722 votes in the by-election on 18th December. The Tories had 1235, Greens 104 and Labour 85 votes, with a good turn-out of 46.6%. This is the second recent by-election victory for the Lib Dems.

COSTS AND BENEFITS OF CROSSRAIL
MPs, local people and councillors weigh up costs to local residents against wider benefits for public transport.

DISTANT CROSSRAIL
The future of the Crossrail project is probably distant, if at all, Ken Livingstone, Mayor for London, tells GLA member Tony Arbour, who is also Richmond Council's leader.

OFFICERS SAY YES TO SOUTH STAND
Richmond's planning officers recommend permission for the RFU's new south stand at a planning committee meeting on December 4 at Richmond Tertiary College.

"YES"
TO SOUTH STAND
Members of Richmond's planning committee spent four hours weighing up global benefits and local costs before endorsing major redevelopment for the south stand at Twickenham RFU stadium.

MR TOAD'S CRAZY RIDE
The Lib Dems have lambasted what they call the Tories' Mr Toad Transport Strategy.

HAMPTON COURT ON ICE
Winter comes to Hampton Court Palace from December 6 with an ice rink - guaranteed frozen for six weeks.

THE WILD WATCH
Young people wild about wildlife should go along to the Bushy Park for the Wildlife Watch Club on 14 December.

RAILWAY GANGS
Problems of young gangs riding trains into Kingston and bringing crime and disorder to local stations should be tackled, says local MP.

PUPIL ADMISSION REVIEW
A consultation exercise will ask for views on secondary schools admissions in an attempt to solve the annual problems as pupils transfer.

DROP IN ON COUNCILLORS
Tony Arbour GLA member and Richmond's Council Leader, with fellow Cllr Roger Avins, holds his regular drop-in surgery at Churchill House, Stanley Road, Teddington, 28 November, 5 - 6.30 pm.

RICHMOND'S CIVIC PRIDE
Cllr Tony Arbour's vision of Civic Pride is defined in a report and approved by Richmond's Cabinet.

PLANNING
GOES ONLINE
Richmond Council has put planning applications on the web, dating from Oct 1st 2003.

THE NEW PLANNING FRAMEWORK
Government hopes to fast-track its new planning regime, and you can learn all about it here.

POLICE SUPPORT FOR BOROUGH Richmond has welcomed its first seven Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) to support the ward-based community intelligence officers.

CIVIC PRIDE FUNDING
Richmond Council's drive to boost Civic Pride in the borough gathers pace with a plea to local groups to apply for cash from a "quality-of-life" fund.

TALK TO THE COUNCIL
It's your chance to question your councillors, face to face, about local issues.

NEIGHBOURS AT RISK
A new report shows residents living near the Mogden Sewage works could be at risk of contracting West Nile Virus.

MP CALLS ON CMO
Vincent Cable is calling for the Chief Medical Officer to issue a statement on possible health risks posed by mosquitoes around Mogden Sewage Treatment Plant.

POOR GRANT FOR RICHMOND
Richmond Council hears it will get a government revenue support grant settlement of 4.5% for 2004/5 - one of the lowest - and the leadership is disappointed.

THE LIGHTS GO ON
Twickenham town centre lights up for Christmas on Friday 28 November, and everyone's invited to the party.

 

 

to everyone in the borough from Online Communities.

Christmas card

TREE LOST
Walkers were shocked to see the mighty copper beech on the Thames towpath at Cholmondely Walk, Richmond, had been felled.

FEARS FOR BUILDING
There is increasing concern about the future of the old Three Pigeons building on the riverside at Petersham Road.

THE THREE PIGEONS
Richmond's planning department is closely monitoring demolition and restoration of the much-loved landmark pub on Richmond's riverside.

JOHNSON'S DRIVE PROPOSAL
A fresh planning application for an extra house on the corner at 1 Johnson's Drive, Hamtpon, is recommended for consent at Richmond's Planning Committee on 18 December.
See the agenda (pdf 123kb)

SINGING IN CHRISTMAS
Come carolling at Hampton Court Palace on Thursday 18 December 2003 at 7pm.

LEAVES OFF THE PATHS
A special effort sees a speedy disposal of this winter's drifts of fallen leaves across the borough.

POOR GRANT FOR RICHMOND
Richmond Council hears it will get a government revenue support grant settlement of 4.5% for 2004/5 - one of the lowest - and the leadership is disappointed.

And here's a reason why our council taxes are so high and our local authorities struggle to fund services in the "leafy" south of England.

The borough's fourth Anti-Social Behaviour Order is imposed on a Twickenham resident by Richmond magistrates.

LOCAL LIBRARY, BIG READ
Hampton Wick Library marks its 25th anniversary with a celebration party and its own "Big Read" on Friday 12 December.

CLEAN STREETS PLEDGE
Richmond Council's Leader, Cllr Tony Arbour, in a speech to the local branch of the Royal Institute of British Architects, pledges clean streets for the Civic Pride strategy.

Richmond Council's contract with Serco for construction and property services was terminated at end of September, and from 1 October 2003 the borough brought the services back in-house.

NEW POLICE ARE A HIT
The new Police Community Support Officers are proving a great success with shopkeepers and businesses in Twickenham and Richmond town centres.

CONSTITUENCY CHOICE
Twickenham Conservative Party has chosen its prospective parliamentary candidate for the next general election, Paul Maynard.

WHITTON'S VILLAGE GREEN
Local people are celebrating the success of their campaign to register Chase Village Green.

The death has occurred of Alison Cornish former councillor for Richmond Town Ward. Alison was mayor of the borough in 1988/89 and served as a councillor from 1974 to 2002.
OBITUARY

ASSET SALES
An update to the property disposals programme comes to Richmond's Cabinet on December 2 with a total of 19 assets from Hanworth to Ham and Mortlake on the list.


CAR PARK STAYS ON LIST
The disposal of North Lane car park and depot in Teddington was raised again at Richmond's Cabinet meeting.

KEW CHRISTMAS
There's lots going on at Kew Gardens, including winter walks - recommended as an antidote to a rich seasonal diet.

FESTIVE EVENT
The Ensemble "In Harmony" present "Christmas Crackers" at Hampton Hill United Reformed Church Saturday 6 December from 7.45pm.

SAFE GUARDING HERITAGE
New conservation areas are proposed for Ham and East Sheen.

CHASE VILLAGE GREEN
Whitton residents make their case for a village green at a Regulatory Committee on December 8, while Richmond Council keeps its options open.

MASTS AND HEALTH
Recent rulings indicate that health implications may be included when considering planning applications for phone masts.

 

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

A BUSY WEEKEND
With operation CleanSweep in Richmond and other activity across the borough, the police report fresh arrests over the weekend 12/14 December.

LOCK IT!
Police give sound advice on protecting your vehicle and property.

WHAT IT WAS YOU SAID
The record of issues raised and discussed at the Hampton, Hampton North and Fulwell & Hampton Hill area consultation meeting in November is here.

And the notes from the Area Consultation meeting for Hampton Wick and Teddington wards, held in December, is here.

JOIN THE YOUTH FORUM
A Youth Forum to give young people in the borough a voice and a chance to debate on a wide range of issues has been formed in the borough and is open to all 13-19s.

ASSET SALES
An update to the property disposals programme came to Richmond's Cabinet with a total of 19 assets from Hanworth to Ham and Mortlake on the list.

PHONE MAST SUCCESS
Parents from a Whitton school won the day when Richmond's planning committee rejected an application for a mobile phone mast.

CAROLS FOR CARERS
Tickets are now available for the Mayor's Charity Christmas Concert on December 11 at the Clarendon Hall, York House, Twickenham.

ONE STAR FOR SOCIAL SERVICES Richmond Council has been rated as a one-star local authority for its social services provision under the government's 'no stars to three stars, poor to excellent' rating system.

IAN BLAIR KNIGHTED
And the Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner, Sir Ian Blair, who initiated the PCSOs, gets his knighthood from the Queen.

WATER SHORTAGE IN THAMES CATCHMENT
Thames Water has been granted two drought permits to take extra water from the Upper Thames.

HEALTHY EYES
MP Vincent Cable is backing a new campaign on eye care.

BID FOR COLLIS SCHOOL
Richmond Council has submitted a £3.8m bid to transform Collis Primary School in Teddington into a centre of excellence.

INSIDE RICHMOND COUNCIL
Richmond Council holds an open day on Tuesday 25 November to give residents a chance to find out about the services it provides.

WARM OUTLOOK
If you are a householder receiving benefit payments, you may be able to qualify for a Warm Front grant for your home.