The Twickenham and Richmond Tribune is emerging as the main opposition to a LibDem Council which has no elected representatives from other parties. Reporting on the Council Meeting on 5 October 2026 James Knight wrote:

In most council chambers, an administration congratulating itself can expect somebody
opposite to enquire what went wrong, what it cost and whether the results justified the
expense. Richmond, having no elected opposition, must rely upon Liberal Democrat councillors
to perform this occasionally disagreeable duty themselves. The evening even featured a motion
defending public participation in planning, a splendid principle which sat rather awkwardly
alongside the Mayor’s earlier determination to shut down Martin Baker’s supplementary
question.

Poor old Roberts must be discovering that governing is considerably less comfortable than
campaigning. The Mansion Tax has become an awkward inheritance, immigration may yet
present another test, and his two political offices have produced no published written question
about extending the West London Orbital to Twickenham. Meanwhile, Richmond’s council
chamber remains a wonderfully harmonious place, where Liberal Democrats congratulate one
another, political opponents receive a thorough dressing down and the occasional troublesome
resident is reminded of the rules.

The message from Richmond Town Hall appears reassuringly simple: everyone is welcome to
ask questions, provided they do not ask anything too difficult.

See http://www.twickenhamtribune.com republished with permission

ESM does not usually publish posts about international affairs. The Russian bombing of Ukraine has to be an exception. Such treacherous behaviour on the part of Putin and Trump deserves world-wide condemnation. We know Trump is half mad but impeding Ukraine self-defence goes beyond the pale.

Ukrainians feel betrayed. So should we all. President Zelenskyy has said he feels betrayed by the diesel deal President Trump made with Russia. Since it was announced on October 9, Russian attacks have killed more than 70 people across Ukraine and injured more than 375, according to daily reports from Ukrainian regional authorities. Behind every one of those numbers is a mother, a father, a child, a neighbor.The deal breaks with nearly five years of sanctions on Russia for its full-scale invasion. It eases pressure on the energy revenues that fund the war, just three weeks after the President signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. Energy analysts say it is unlikely to lower U.S. diesel prices by more than a few cents a gallon. Ukraine is paying for it in lives.Then came the “energy ceasefire” announced on October 11. Russia never publicly committed to it, and Ukrainian energy facilities were hit by ballistic missiles and drones that same day and repeatedly since. In good faith, Ukraine withheld fire from Russia’s energy infrastructure for three days while the attacks on its people continued. And now the tools that keep Ukrainians alive are being restricted and threatened. On two nights this week, Russian ballistic missiles struck Kyiv with no early warning from Ukraine’s partners, as the Trump administration threatens to cut off the intelligence Ukraine relies on to detect missile launches. Overnight on October 13–14, SpaceX restricted the speed of Starlink terminals in motion, without warning to Ukraine. Ukraine’s military relies on Starlink to stay connected on the battlefield when Russia destroys communication networks. It also links the interceptor drones that shoot down Russia’s jet-powered attack drones before they reach homes, hospitals, and power plants. This morning, a Russian drone struck a residential courtyard in Kyiv’s Pecherskyi District. Seven people were injured. Siding with a dictator and murderer is not an American value. We believe in justice, freedom, and human rights, and United Help Ukraine calls on all Americans to defend them. Ukraine will keep showing up. We need you to do three things today: Call your representatives and urge them to reverse the diesel deal. Share this email with someone who cares about Ukraine. Support our work by donating.Even now, we can push back, and we will.SUPPORT UKRAINE TODAY From a USA source.

Yet again we have a one way system (with three points of entry) in Sheen Lane by the Health Centre.

For the second day running there was no sign of anyone working there for an extended period around the middle of that day,

Nor is there any indication about when the work might be finished.

And in this area today there were five Forest bikes parked on the pavement. Woe betide to the disabled.

The only clue to when the work might finish is given by the parking signs. They read Parking Suspended until 29 October 2026.

Given the effect on rush hour traffic why can this work not be expedited?

Every (frequent) time this matter is raised the council response is ‘we just issue the licence’.

Any licence can be subject to conditions and supervision. Come on Richmond Council Highways Department : Sort it.

If you want an excellent analysis of the problems created by E-Bikes in London and wider afield you could do worse than watch this hour long programme broadcast last night.

It filmed the illegal behaviour of cyclists and the inconvenient dumping of e-bikes.

The providers Lime and Forest most frequently have an excuse for everything. And little obvious concern for other pavement and road users,

‘We employ staff to collect bikes – when they are reported.’ Why should it depend on the public to report?

‘We have trackers showing when a journey comes to an end.’ If that is in the middle of Richmond Park, obviously contrary to their regulations, [as illustrated by pictures on this site on Monday] why should it depend on the public to penetrate their arcane system?

Third Friday Night

Friday 16 October 2026 8pm

3am – the rockingest blues band in the UK! They deliver a superbly tight rock blues experience fronted by powerful and emotive vocals. With a mix of blues rock classics and critically acclaimed originals, 3am aim to entertain.

They are always true to their blues/rock roots, their favourite self-penned tunes and classic covers from 1960’s to the present day!

Saturday 17 October 2026 730pm

Spectacular Drag Cabaret

Chess starts again on Wednesday 14 October 2026.

From 1pm to 3pm.

All standards welcome.

Richmond Park Cyclists have restarted their campaign to end vehicular access to the Park, pressing the Park Agency to introduce a ban, save to car parks. Their website states that they represent all types of cyclists and para-cyclists who use Richmond Park.

 “Our aim is to make London’s number one free cycling resource an even better place to ride your bike. We are committed to ending the park’s use as a shortcut route for motorists so its roads can become a more welcoming place for every kind of cyclist and other visitors.To achieve our goals, we engage in dialogue with The Royal Parks (the body in charge of Richmond Park), the Metropolitan Police, cycling advocacy groups, cycling clubs, local politicians and key stakeholder groups. We are the only cycling organisation that has regular scheduled meetings with the park’s management.”

This really is quite extraordinarlily selfish. Yet again they are seeking to create a velodrome around which they can speed. The elderly, less able and families with children get not a word of consideration, unless they are on a bike.

Back on Adam’s Pond