Chairman's Blog - June 2024

AELTC Community Tennis Centre

Residents may not be aware that one can register to play at the All England Lawn Tennis Club’s large tennis centre off Grand Drive. It costs adults £4 to register and £2 for juniors under 18. They will then give you a membership card so that you can book to play.

There are 9 acrylic hard courts and 16 grass courts which can be played after Wimbledon fortnight is over. A café has now opened in the clubhouse.

Those with long memories will remember that the AELTC tried on two occasions to build housing on the site but withdrew the applications after huge protests from local residents, including this Association. 

Merton’s New Logo

At our AGM in April, the question was asked “Why has Merton changed its logo?”.

Our guest, Cllr Garrod, explained that it was 30 years since the iconic water wheel had been introduced and that the council wished to attract new businesses and workers with a brighter, sharper logo. They had retained (but deepened) the colours, green for the open spaces and purple for the historic lavender fields, and, as the only London Borough beginning with M, had simplified the brand to make it instantly recognizable. 

Merton, The Best Place in London To Retire to.

The consumer group “Which?” did a survey last year on the best place to retire to, looking at 9 regions, in England.

It found that access to healthcare was the most important factor, followed by green spaces and proximity to activities. House prices and low crime rates were also important.

It found that Merton scored best in the London Region as a place to retire to, with high ratings for healthcare and for access to attractive green spaces such as Wimbledon Park and Morden Hall Park.

But it was one of the most expensive on the list of regions, with average house prices of £560,000.

John Elvidge - Chairman