We wish David, his Mayoress and his Consort a most enjoyable year in their respective roles and look forward to meeting with them at some point.

Although the mayoralty is not per se primarily a fund-raising role we believe that Gilli will have raised more money for her Mayor’s Charities than anyone before her.  The figures haven’t yet been finalised, but it is thought that she has raised a sum in the region of £70,000, £25,000 of which was apparently the result of a hugely successful Mayor’s Charity Ball! 

Gilli has told us how very much she enjoyed her year – even taking tea with the Queen on Her Majesty’s  Jubilee visit to Mitcham – and we hope, now that she has a bit more time, she will be able to write some short articles for The Guide about what she learnt as Mayor;  for, she says, it was very much a learning curve, giving her insight into all the hard work done by huge numbers of volunteers across the borough, a true picture of what the ‘Big Society’ is all about. 

Nonetheless, we have taken up and reported on smaller development issues in the Motspur Park area and strongly supported the work of the Friends of the Sir Joseph Hood sports fields and West Barnes Library.  It goes without saying that if a serious issue is brought to our attention - even from beyond our boundaries – but which affects any of our Members, we will of course address it.   We are, however, short of a representative from the Seaforth Avenue area on our Committee.  Peter Connellan who is the co-ordinator for Claremont Avenue is the only Committee member on that side of the ward.   The same can be said for the Coombe Lane area…so volunteers please. 

Another matter which we felt should be tackled is that of the perimeter fencing around the Meadview site (ex-LESSA), especially since we learned that the developer, Bellway, was  only undertaking to repair or renew the fencing where individual residents requested it.    A letter was prepared and delivered to all affected households advising them of this and suggesting that they should make their request soon as possible as Bellway have virtually completed their work there, and will soon be leaving.

Whilst the Association was (you might say) George’s hobby, Jean Ferrier’s life centred around her family, her work and Holy Cross Church, where she was Hall Manager for many years.  Jean’s funeral took place on 6^th June and Holy Cross Church, was packed – standing room only – with all her friends and family so she will obviously be sorely missed by many.  Our heartfelt condolences go to George and the family on their sad loss.

“We also had concerns and we have worked with the resident to accommodate his needs. As part of the application, the resident commissioned an independent safety audit which was then forwarded to us for our attention. We have drawn up a number of agreements that the resident has signed in terms of marinating site lines and the use of the crossover and his off street parking. It has also been agreed that in the event of non-compliance the crossover will be removed at full cost to the resident.

Following a great deal of deliberation and given the safety audit, it was concluded that if we had not worked with the resident to improve sightlines the resident would have used his off street parking facility any way without a crossover and believe it not, there is very little we can do in situations such as this. This way we have the appropriate agreements and safe guards in place.

The resident has agreed to remove his gate; lower the shrubs/hedge to no more than 0.5m in height and must drive in and drive out.”

[Comment: I can’t quite get my head around the phrase “marinating site lines”. Will this improve the flavour?]

A FEW ACCOLADES 

Simon suffered a stroke in January affecting his right side. He was brilliantly treated by the Ambulance Service, St. George’s Hospital (who were able to give him a clot-busting treatment that has no doubt aided his recovery) by the nursing staff and Therapists at both Kingston and Queen Mary’s Hospital Roehampton (where they have the new Wolfson Unit for neurological rehabilitation) and the wonderful Royal Brompton who fitted a pacemaker.   He was in hospital for three months and is now home, where he has had superlative treatment from the District Nursing service, our local chemist, all the Community therapists and our GPs. 

Thank God for Gove!  I say.  I simply cannot understand the furore being voiced - I suspect for purely political reasons - at the idea that GCSE and Advanced level exams in certain core subjects should be tightened up.   For years we have been told by employers that young people cannot write proper English, cannot spell, and cannot add up.  Even graduates come into quite highly paid posts unable to communicate properly with clients on the telephone whilst thinking that they ‘know it all’.   A friend told me that the other day she tried to purchase a couple of items the cost of which added up to about £3.50, but because the till system was down, the shop assistant could not complete her purchase because she was unable to total the amount to be paid, and deduct the correct amount of change from a fiver. 

So, why all this fuss about the possible introduction of a “two tiered” exam system?   We all know that some people are more academic and others more practically skilled; and that the country needs really skilled trades-people.  Why can’t WE have a system such as that in Germany and Eastern Europe where practical youngsters are thoroughly trained in ALL aspects of building and associated engineering work?  Many of our friends and acquaintances extol the virtues of the Kiwi’s, South Africans and European workers who are taking over all the much needed skilled building and repair work that we all crave (not the Cowboys we often get).   Workers who work from 8.00 till 5.00 and are not always stopping for tea,  coffee or a fag, and really take a pride in doing a good job. 

What a joy it is when we get good service from a retailer or supplier that it helpful, polite, and efficient and gives us their full attention, rather than being bored and disinterested.  These are all things that can be put right, by the right training.

 What about all the fuss about having to work an extra year or two before retiring?   I had to fight tooth and nail to be allowed to work beyond retirement age.  Keeping busy keeps you young.  Use it or lose it, as they say. 

On another tack, the whole Bankers business has been an eye-opener, hasn’t it?   I wonder if you were aware of the obscene amounts of salary and bonus being paid to bankers and the like, I certainly wasn’t.  They all certainly deserve their come-uppance, but being aware of the appalling situation the commercial world is now facing, it IS necessary for us all to accept the belt-tightening that’s required and not kick-off when it’s our turn to face the thumb screws.  Particularly them. 

There it is a personal view which not every reader will agree with, but for me much more satisfying than shouting at the television.   Now let’s hope we have a bit more summer and a spectacular Olympics.