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For more local news, see the current issue of Prospect.
News from the Executive
Barn Elms: BEST (Barn Elms Sports Trust) need to raise £80K. David Stott reported on the recent public consultation on development plans put forward for Barn Elms which look very impressive. However BEST will have to raise in the region of £80K to meet the shortfall in funds required. If you missed the public meeting and would like to know more about the proposed developments you can meet representatives from BEST on Fair Day and read about their forthcoming fundraising events in future editions of Prospect. Also see the BEST website at www.bestappeal.org.uk.
Retail matters: Sue Nichol, the Barnes Retail Champion, reported on her recent study of footfall in Barnes. Full details can be found on her blog at http://retailsue.wordpress.com. It goes without saying, volumes are less than you might think and the effect on local businesses is only too obvious. However Sue has been very busy developing a new resource to help retailers promote their products and services – a retail website www.barnesvillage.com (see article on p1 of the July/Augst issue of Prospect). It will also be a great information tool for residents and visitors alike. We are indebted to Sarah and Alasdair Arthur for all their hard work in developing the site.
Membership drive: A significant number of members have still not paid their 2010 membership dues! If you are one of them, you may receive a letter or telephone call reminding you payment is due. We apologise for chasing you but we very much wish to retain your membership. Please renew your subscription by Fair Day to ensure you continue to receive Prospect from September onwards. Renewing your membership is easy, particularly if you elect to pay by Standing Order. Simply complete the form you’ve recently been sent, or download one HERE, and return it to Rose House or come and see us at the Membership Stand in the BCA marquee on Fair Day. For any query regarding membership please contact Julia on 020 8878 2359 or bca@barnesvillage.org.uk.
Micky Forster, Vice-Chairman
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Do you want to protect the historic character of the village and green spaces in Barnes?
ould you like a four lane road over the Common, a multi-storey commercial building overlooking the High Street or blocks of flats as developed in St John’s Wood? All of these could have happened without the efforts of the BCA and its Environment Group. The group also works with the authorities to maintain the river bank and helped when the pond emptied mysteriously overnight.
As Barnes residents we are very privileged to live in a green, attractive and mainly residential area of London. The BCA Environment Group provides a central focus for identifying, researching and campaigning on environmental and planning issues for the area. If you are a member of the BCA and are interested in the protection of our lovely village, why not join the Environment Group? No previous relevant experience is required. Volunteers are needed to work with others to deal with environmental issues and campaign for solutions acceptable to local people.
If you are interested, please contact isobel.woolf@btinternet.com or call 020 8748 9532 to find out more.
Isobel Woolf, BCA Chairman
Dogwatch
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Your local police team invites you to join the new Dogwatch for Barnes Common. Dog walkers are the eyes and ears of any open space, coming every day, rain or shine, winter or summer, and therefore know their area very well indeed. They also want it to be a safe place, not only for them to walk their dogs and for children to play in, but also for wild inhabitants. Graffiti, fly tipping, damage to trees and other destructive acts spoil the environment for everyone, and can damage natural habitats.
The idea behind Dogwatch is to enlist the help of those who use the Common on a regular basis. You will be provided with a small card on which you will find useful telephone numbers so that you can contact the police or the graffiti clean-up team, report broken street lights or fly tipping, and find information on what to do should you lose your dog. The card should fit into your pocket so, when you see something amiss, the numbers you need to report it are at your fingertips.
Please do join in. Dogwatch is a Neighbourhood Watch for the Common, and will help make this lovely place safer for all its users. Similar schemes are already in operation in other parts of London and are proving very successful.
For further information and to register please contact the Safer Neighbourhood Team at mortlake.barnescommon.snt@met.police.uk or call 8721 2007. The team also undertakes 'on the ground' recruitment days, so look out for them and it is hoped to launch the scheme along the towpath.
Caring for the Pond
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Please can we remind you NOT to move frogs or spawn in or out of Barnes Pond. There is a virulent frog disease called Red Leg Disease which may be carried when material like this is moved from A to B.
Some people in Barnes like to 'improve' the Pond, its water, its wildlife or its marginal planting. But, whatever the goodwill, in fact this may have a seriously detrimental effect on the developing ecology we have set up. We therefore ask you not to introduce any other organisms, such as goldfish or pond plants.
Russell Greaves, Barnes Commonkeeper
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