Thanks - Bodo von Broen

It is also with regret that we will also be bidding farewell to another very good and long serving CARA Committee member in the Summer.

Bodo has worked hard for over ten years actively campaigning on key issues affecting the neighborhood with a special emphasis on matters relating to commerce and the environment. Besides being "Mr BBQ" - Bodo was the key man in organising the hugely successful annual CARA gathering; he has been committed in representing residents interests on the Kingston Town Centre Management Committee and with various Thames Landscape Strategy projects.

Bodo has always exhibited a unique sense of humour and his presence will be sorely missed by all. We wish him well in his new life in Essex and would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his hard work in support of the local community.

Thanks! Pat Mackay

Pat Mackay has decided to take a well-earned break from the CARA committee. Pat has been a real champion of Lower Ham Road - anyone going along by Canbury Gardens in the past couple of months will have appreciated the lovely display of spring flowers along the verge. The composting area has been fenced off and tidied up, there are litter and recycling bins and the road is cleaned much more regularly. All this is thanks to Pat’s great efforts over the past few years, constantly talking to the council and refusing to be deterred by red tape.

We owe her a real debt of thanks and hope to welcome her to future CARA events - especially the next CARA bulb planting session, which for once she won’t have to organise!

Community Policing

The next Safer Neighbourhood committee, organised by the Police, will be held on 22nd May 8pm, at the Hawker centre.

Please attend and have your say regarding any problems in your area or street and what you would like to see police doing – it’s your police force so have your say.

In addition, there is Community Panel meeting, covering Tudor and Canbury, on 23rd May 6pm Hawker Centre. Six volunteers are needed. The committee meet four times a year to advise police on the needs of the community.

Police will be equipped with hand held laser speed guns, from July, which will be deployed in the CARA area to combat the issue of speeding in our streets

Launching the Pavilion lunch club

The Pavilion is starting a weekly lunch club, in conjunction with Age Concern, starting on Friday 8th June between 11-3pm. Hot food and activities, like dance and table tennis are planned. Anyone over 60 will be most welcome. Volunteer helpers are also need to support this club.

If you are able to donate any sports equipment the Pavilion would be most grateful. Contact Trevor.

2007 CARA Community Grant Programme

The 2007 CARA Community Grant Programme has been created to invest in projects which underpin the aims and objectives of CARA to protect and enhance amenities within the area for all residents and users.

A wide range of groups can apply for grants including charities, voluntary and community groups, social enterprises and sports projects. We expect most of the grants we make to be in the region of £500.

If you are interested in applying, please complete the simple outline proposal form which can found on our website.

Farewell to Westfare

After 21 years Barry & Shilpa have closed Westfare fine foods. They would like to say a big than you to friends and locals for their support and friendship. A new café/bakery L’amandine will be opening soon.

Useful Links

Albany Park canoe & sailing centre - Our local resource for canoeing and sailing

Kingston Online - Lots of useful information, a picture (photo) gallery and much more.

Ham & Petersham Association - Residents Association for those living in nearby Ham & Petersham

Kingston Council - Kingston Council website - a great A-Z of services, details of Councillors and Council meetings, etc

Kingston Guardian - A Kingston local paper

Log grafitti damage and abandoned cars - via the Kingston Libdems website

Kingston Theatre - Website of Kingston Theatre

Kingston Town Centre Management - Kingston Town Centre Management website

Miniature Steam Railway - One of Thames Ditton's best kept secrets - a network of miniature steam railways. A great day out with the children !

National Trust - The National Trust website - try Ham House, Claremont Gardens, Osterley House, Poleden Lacey, Standen and Winkworth Arboretum to name just a few. Hit the "visit" button on the NT website to search by area or alphabetical index.

Clean Air & Environmental Protection - NSCA's objectives are to promote clean air and environmental protection through the reduction of air, water and land pollution,noise and other contaminants, while having due regard for all aspects of the environment.

Richmond Council - Richmond Council website

Richmond & Twickenham Times - Richmond & Twickenham weekly newspaper

River Thames Guide - The River Thames Guide

River Thames Society - The River Thames Society

Thames Landscape Strategy - Details of the Thames Landscpae Strategy

Thames Pilot - A Thames project group

Up My Street website - Enter a post code to get local information