An online platform that supports charities with their campaigns to raise funds by connecting them with anonymous donors who match their funds raised via the campaign.
It will last for a week from 17 – 24 March – donations can only be made via the Big Give and during this time to be doubled.
It provides us with the opportunity to expand our funds raised – our target is £3,750 which will be match funded up to £7,500.
If we exceed our target, we will still use the funds towards the Shakespeare in Schools projects and ask people to donate directly via the OT. Likewise, if we do not reach our target, we will still use those funds for the project.
Ways to help us with this campaign from today:
Kick-start the proceedings by making a gift towards our target.
Re-share any of the Orange Tree Theatre’s posts regarding the campaign to your own social media.
Mortlake Community Association (MCA) is looking for an experienced Interim Director to join their vibrant and inclusive organisation. The main purpose of the role is to maintain their growing profile as a community hub and support their range of varied activities. The post is offered on a fixed term 9-month contract, starting in May 2026 to align with their Director’s maternity leave.
PC Sarbjit Sokhi presented the crime statistics for November 2025 – January 2026. He drew attention to the steps residents should take to minimise the risk of burglary and motor vehicle crime. Most car thefts were of keyless cars and owners should secure keys in a pouch which blocks the signal sent to cars. The targets of house burglary are jewellery, designer clothes and designer bags. Homeowners should ensure that the house itself is securely locked, consider installing an alarm, and ensure items such as bins are away from the wall of the premises.
In discussion residents raised the following points:.
i) Exaggerated burglary reports on social media worry residents unnecessarily – do the police check such reports? Sgt Adgey said they were instructed not to use social media eg Nextdoor unless the reported incident was of a significant nature.
ii) A question was raised about the number and nature of assaults. Sgt Adgey said most assaults in East Sheen were ‘common assaults’ and were often domestic. In most cases the people involved were known to each other.
iii) Cllr Cambridge expressed her concern about the TikTok promotion of ‘School Wars’ and asked what is being done in East Sheen. Sgt Adgey said a Sergeant with a dedicated role has been in touch with schools, and patrolling in the vicinity of schools has been increased. Schools have been encouraged to contact parents with advice. So far no issues have arisen locally.
iv) A resident asked if there had been any further cases of children kicking front doors. PC Sokhi said several children had been caught. Parents and schools were involved.
v) The dangerous and often illegal behaviour of some cyclists was raised again. Sgt Adgey said the police would deal with it if they were in the vicinity and could do so safely but could not be diverted from other, higher priority activities. It was difficult to catch cyclists.
b) Neighbourhood Watch – Andy Lindesay
Andy Lindesay, street coordinator for Stonehill Road, gave an update on recent activities. Efforts to recruit new members by maildrops (residents who do not use tech) had resulted in 20 new members. There were still untapped streets. Efforts are underway to produce a regular bulletin about scams and fraud which will draw on the Which weekly report. Parcel theft remains a concern and residents are encouraged to use the WhatsApp group to draw neighbours’ attention to deliveries.
2 Priorities
These were discussed and agreed as: Shoplifting, Car Crime and Residential Burglary
3 Policing in Richmond Park
No significant events or crimes. The chair said that sports cyclists were the main problem and he was concerned for the safety of park users. One resident had seen a shirt printed ‘Richmond Park Velodrome’. Another resident said the only way to deal with this was to ‘suck it up’. Sgt Adgey agreed.
4 How the police deal with crime
Sgt Adgey gave a short presentation on how a crime report is dealt with. In summary:
When a report is made the call centre grades its priority
Target response times are in place – 15 minutes for immediate response; one hour for ‘significant’ events; unspecified – minor events
The report is passed to the relevant team
Most reports are low level, day to day events and are passed to a central team
Reports are allocated to officers who make enquiries and gather evidence
A decision is made whether a person/s should be charged
If the case goes to court it must be proved ‘beyond reasonable doubt’
Victim support maintains contact with the individual concerned and keeps them updated on things such as a change in the nominated officer or release of offenders from custody
Points raised in discussion:
i) If a crime is reported and a crime number given, do you immediately have an officer as your contact? Sgt Adgey: No, this will happen later when an officer is nominated
ii) What to do with firearms/weapons? Sgt Adgey: contact the police and they will collect them. Do not take them to a police station.
East Sheen Avenue, East Sheen is closed outside 38 for Thames Water utility works. Estimated completion date 03/04/2026. Contact: Thames Water 0800 316 9800.
Manor Road, Richmond is closed outside 44 for Cadent Gas utility works. Estimated completion date 17/03/2026. Contact: Cadent Gas 08000 159 057.
Mortlake High Street, Mortlake multi-way temporary traffic signals junction with The Terrace for Thames Water utility works on 16/03/2026.NIGHT WORKS. Contact: Thames Water 0800 316 9800.
Rocks Lane, Barnes will be closed junction with Elm Grove Road to junction with Ranelagh Avenue for Highway improvement works on 19/03/2026. NIGHT WORKS. Contact: FM Conways 01732 600 771.
Sheen Lane, Mortlake will be closed at Mortlake Level Crossing for Network Rail utility works commencing on 18/03/2026 to 20/03/2026. NIGHT WORKS. Contact: Network Rail 07920 856 274.
The lunchtime concert at Christ Church on Wednesday demonstrated the excellent programme that Director of Music, James Druce, has put together for the Spring Series.
Alexia Daphne Eleftheriadou played Schubert and Chopin. The Finale from Sonata No 3 in B minor, Opus 58 was absolutely spell-binding. It just showed the benefit of being at a live concert, heightened by the intimate atmosphere of the church. It’s very different to listening to Classic FM!
And next up at Christ Church at 7pm this Friday 13th March is Reuben Goldmark, a London-based jazz pianist and composer, was a finalist in the esteemed BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year competition.
As a performer, he has graced numerous prestigious venues across the UK, including select appearances at the Queen Elizabeth Hall as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival and Snape Maltings as part of the Aldeburgh Festival.
Reuben is a regular presence at many of London’s top jazz clubs, including the legendary Ronnie Scott’s and The Vortex. He has recently graduating from the Royal Academy of Music.
