Sarah Olney MP reported in her Newsletter on Friday that she had recently held a community meeting with local businesses in East Sheen, prompted by East Sheen Business and Retail Association. They are concerned that our high street businesses are facing a crisis if certain issues are not tackled immediately.
While the government’s manifesto included the overhauling of the business rates system, there have been no systemic changes to speak of, while the reduction of the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Business Rates Relief Scheme will impact businesses significantly. Many of the business owners raised that their rates, on top of rent, energy bills, and other expenses, are too high and could force them into closing.
East Sheen Village issued a statement to EastSheenMatters:
“The most important thing is for people to shop locally in East Sheen in order to support the local businesses on their high street. When they shop locally, not only do they support the businesses but they help the local economy and keep our high street vibrant and alive. It’s sadly too late to support shops when they announce that they are having to close.
“We need more people to regularly remember to go into East Sheen high street to buy from a variety of shops, to venture into shops they have never visited before, to plan to buy their book a few days before they finish their current one rather than popping onto Amazon for a next day delivery, to purchase birthday cards from the independent shops, get beauty treatments locally, find the odd bits and pieces at the independent hardware stores, venture into the independent groceries and delis and eat and drink and meet their friends at the cafes and restaurants that sit along the whole of our high street.”
A recurring issue discussed at the meeting is shoplifting. In addition to the financial consequences, the emotional toll in being threatened or having your store broken into is sometimes not understood. The roundtable discussion registered that many owners are concerned about the safety of their staff.
The local police have been granted a number of Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) for identified prolific offenders. These orders will place restrictions on entry to certain places in Richmond, and in some cases, to the borough as a whole. It will make enforcement and prosecution an easier task if the offenders are found to be in violation of their CBOs.
What games are being played by the Metropolitan Police on the Parks Police service? It was widely reported on 3 April 2025 (and not denied by the Met) that the Royal Parks Police is to be disbanded by the end of 2025.
Sarah Olney MP reports in her Newsletter yesterday that her office has since spoken with the Head of External Relations at the Metropolitan Police, who confirmed that a decision is yet to be made, but budgeting decisions and cuts will be announced in the coming weeks.
Are we simply being softened up for a decision which the Met knows is wholly unacceptable to the local community?
Or if you want to contribute, a donation can be made via Sort Code 600720 44372310
Mo was born in Norfolk just before the Second World War, the daughter of a butcher. On leaving school, Mo worked in a shop before joining rhe RAF where she trained as a dental nurse. Mo was posted to Cyprus where she met her first husband, Bill Port. After they left the RAF, they lived in Bristol for a while before returning to London. In London, Mo had a variety of jobs before starting her property management company. Many of her landlord clients became friends.
Sadly, Bill died and Mo’s second husband was John Saunders, a lay reader at St Michael’s and All Angels. Their faith was very important to them and they supported the church in lots of practical ways. They ran a group for seniors and Mo was involved in catering for church events – her vol au vents were famous – and flower arranging. They were both active supporters of the Conservative Party and the local Round Table.
After John died, Mo’s involvement with FISH was very important to her. She manned the helpline, drove people to appointments, helped with the open gardens days and made vast vats of soup for the monthly concerts at St Mary’s. For a couple of years she ran the Christmas Lunch at the Day Centre.
Mo loved opera, the theatre and cinema and generously organised outings for her wide circle of friends.
For many years Mo kept Old English Sheepdogs and through walks in Richmond Park, she got to know many other dog owners. Latterly, she had a cat called Claude – de Pussy – and an ancient tortoise called Malcolm.
When Mo could no longer manage at home, she went to live at St Mary’s Convent and Nursing Home. She retained her sharp sense of humour and was very popular with the staff. Mo’s favourite resident at the home was Tod the dog.
Mo died in April 2024, a few days after her eighty eighth birthday.
Melanie Nazareth, a local resident and member of the congregation at All Saints, is spending three months in the West Bank of Israel / Palestine serving as an ecumenical accompanier with the Quaker EAPPI programme. Throughout her visit the congregation will be praying for her and for the Holy Land
every Tuesday at All Saints at 5.40pm for 15 minutes. All are welcome!
Spring Serenade: a musical celebration of spring – Wednesday, 23rd April – 12noon at
Christ Church. Imogen Baker Soprano, Daniel Silcock, piano. Join us for a joyful lunchtime
concert of beautiful songs: music by Mozart, Strauss, Ravel, Gounod & more. Free Entry
(donations to Maggie’s Cancer Centres).
Early Notice – FiSH Sheen Open Gardens: Sunday, 1st June.- 1.00pm – 6.00pm. More
details to follow soon.
Following the interest shown for previous talks, a further event has been organised for an evening on Wednesday 30th April. (Some workers were not able to come during the day.)
Being an evening it will include more content on local pubs, existing, renamed, refurbished, demolished, those you may have drunk in but no longer can, reused, and those you may never have heard of.
Plus the history of Sheen House and the grounds of the Barnes Home Guard Club and St Mary Magdalen’s Church Mortlake, and the Burton Mausoleum and the Vezlo Mausoleum in the graveyard.
Crimes identified for NHW awareness in MARCH:
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY – 1 offence Saturday 8th March – St Leonards Road – Entry via rear garden and items stolen.
THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE– 2 offences:
Wednesday 12th March – Bexhill Road – Car broken into and items stolen. Method of
entry unknown.
Friday 21st March – Fife Road – Van broken into and tools stolen.
THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE – 4 Offences:
| Note the closure of the Centre from Sunday 11 May 2025 until Monday 4 August 2025 |
| Sunday 11 May Community Sports End Monday 12 May Construction / build commences for the Qualifying Competition Monday 23 June – Thursday 26 June The Qualifying Competition (ticketed event) Saturday 28 June – Friday 4 July Lexus British Open Roehampton (ticketed event via LTA website) Monday 21 July – Friday 25 July LTA County Cup Monday 4 August Community Sport Open including access to grass courts |
This date replaces the previously announced date of 16 April.
The May date will be Wednesday 28 May during the May Half Term week.
Venue 76a Richmond Park Road, London SW14 8LA
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