EastSheenMatters

What on earth is going on here?

Saturday 29 November 2025

The Christ Church, Wartime in Sheen 1939 – 1945, was a memorable evening of remembrance, in poetry, prose, music and song. There were accounts from people who lived in East Sheen and Mortlake at the time. One part of those related to allotments.

‘We weren’t growing enough food for our needs and imported supplies were vulnerable to U-boat attacks. So the government encouraged local councils to set up new allotments. The Barnes Council got on with the job – allotments mushroomed 😊🤔 , some in the gardens of bombed-out houses.’

[And remember the Barnes Homes Guard Club had allotments, part of which are still behind the clubhouse. That also explains the club name.]

“Don’t rest on your spades” was the mantra, and “Keep a pig if you can”. ‘ Many people did – there was a sty on Palewell Common – although how the amateur farmers transformed their amiable porkers into bacon is a bit of a mystery.’

‘Even some of the sacred turf of Richmond Park was turned into allotments.’

‘When it came to crops growing preservable stuff was the thing – winter greens, onions, leeks and, best of all, potatoes. The Ministry of Food championed the humble spud, the classic allotment product.

Potatoes for breakfast three days a week.

Make a potato dish your main dish one day a week.

Refuse second helpings of other food until you’ve had more potatoes.

Serve potatoes in other ways than plain boiled – potato cutlet recipe supplied.’

Sir Tim was born in East Sheen and educated at Sheen Mount Primary School.

He made some interesting comments on ‘rage-baiting’ and controlling algorithms to limit violent and inappropriate messages.

And new to EastSheenMatters the concepts of Digital Silos and Digital Sovereignty.

Discuss!

The Richmond Council Licensing Sub-Committee agreed to GRANT the licence to AK PIZZA LONDON LTD T/A CAPRINOS, 160 Upper Richmond Road West, East Sheen, LONDON, SW14 8AW on the following terms.

Late Night Refreshment (indoors and outdoors)

Monday to Sunday 23:00 to 00:00 for walk-in takeaways only. No deliveries of late night
refreshment are permitted after 23:00.

Hours premises are open to the public:
Monday to Sunday 11:00 to 00:00

There are other detailed conditions. See C:/Users/Acer/Downloads/Public%20minutes%2013112025%201100%20Licensing%20Sub-Committee.pdf

Although the decision is framed as a grant this looks to be a distinctly pyrrhic victory for the applicant.

The Friends of Barnes Hospital are holding their AGM on Wednesday, at 2.30pm. at All Saints Church.  (Doors open 2pm). 

Go to hear the latest from senior staff about the development of the new mental health unit followed by an update on the special needs school from Cllr Julia Cambridge. 

There will be an opportunity to ask questions about the developments and services that will be provided on the site (including an exciting Arts programme).

Light refreshments after the AGM.