Russia and Ukraine

Posted on February 20, 2025 by Richard AH White

Next week is the third anniversary of Putin’s brutal assault on Ukraine. This blog has rarely commented on international politics, but it did so then and has updated at times. It was argued then that Russia had to be stopped. It was not and we are now suffering the consequences. See

https://childlawobserver10.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=48&action=edit

Now we have a new realpolitik brought about by an untrustworthy US President. What are his motives? Attempting to bring about a new world order, in which the megalamania of him and the likes of Musk can be given full rein? And perhaps to weaken Europe so the likes of the Baltic States and Greenland are at risk.

Whatever the reasons Europe has experience of appeasement. We cannot afford to allow the US and Russia to climb into bed together without Europe demonstrating firm opposition to selling out Ukraine. In any event this is not solely about Ukraine. The whole of Western Europe is at risk. Can we really still afford to be sharing intelligence with the US, when their President might disclose secrets for his own benefit?

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Marc Bolan

Posted on February 20, 2025 by Richard AH White

English Heritage has announced that it is to unveil a Blue Plaque in honour of Marc Bolan (1947–1977). The enigmatic frontman of T. Rex spearheaded the Glam Rock movement of the 1970s. Known for his flamboyant style and electrifying stage presence, Bolan captivated audiences with his fusion of rock, folk, and glittering theatrics, making hits like Get It On and Ride a White Swan.

The plaque will mark one of his west London addresses. Bolan died after his car ploughed into a tree in Queen’s Ride in Barnes in 1977, where there is already a ‘tree shrine’.

The English Heritage Blue Plaque is to be placed at “one of his west London addresses” (hopefully his last home, at 142 Upper Richmond Road, not far from where he died). It will be interesting to see how it is positioned, given the wall that exists there opposite the north end of Gilpin Avenue.

//www.english-heritage.org.uk

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A Thousand Blows

Posted on February 19, 2025 by Richard AH White

You may remember visiting Stag Brewery Studios in 2023 while the TV Series ‘A Thousand Blows’ was being made.

The first instalment will be shown on Disney+ on 21 February 2025. See here for the trailer: A Thousand Blows official trailer | Watch

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Mortlake with East Sheen Society

Posted on February 19, 2025 by Richard AH White

Advance Notice MESS AGM will be held on Monday 24 March 2025 at All Saints Church.

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Housing Development in Richmond

Posted on February 18, 2025 by Richard AH White

The largest housing development in Richmond is at the Mortlake Brewery site. A decision on the planning applications is due next month.

But there are (or were) two other developments close by, which also involve housing.. There are firm reports that the Homebase site, where the Mayor gave planning permission for some 400 residential units, is not now going to proceed for cost reasons. There are also rumours that progress may have stalled at the Barnes Hospital site.

Just what strategic planning is going on?

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Transport Police Local

Posted on February 18, 2025 by Richard AH White

Sarah Olney MP for Richmond Park has written to pass on a response received from TfL after she enquired whether there were plans to make cuts to our Transport Police:

‘It is disappointing to hear that inaccurate information is being shared at a police liaison meeting.
 
Over the last year, the Metropolitan Police Service (the Met) has set out its vision for future policing of the capital, New Met for London, which sets out how it will structure policing across the capital, increase trust and confidence and drive down crime. The New Met for London plan will result in significant changes to how the Met delivers enhanced roads and transport policing services, which we currently fund. We have been actively engaging with the Met to understand the implications of this change on the policing of both roads and public transport in London.
 
We are determined to ensure that London’s transport network remains a safe environment to work and travel, and that we support the Met to play their full role in delivering on the Mayor’s Vision Zero strategy. We will continue to work closely with the Met as we respond to the changes they are proposing, and we will ensure our continued funding of policing is delivering value for money and measurably improving the safety and security of travelling in London.’

It is always good to have a public statement from TfL. Facts are better than speculation, such as is necessary with so much policy development locally. See Hammersmith Bridge and a Traffic Management Plan around the Stag Brewery.

This response refers to the New Met policy, ‘designed to increase trust and confidence and drive down crime’. That may be true in relation to local transport. It certainly does not apply to plans for policing Richmond and Bushy Parks.

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The Secret Policeman’s Ball *

Posted on February 16, 2025 by Richard AH White

It was reported here earlier in the week that a decision was expected about the future of the Parks Police on Friday. See https://childlawobserver10.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=1854&action=edit

That did not happen. But yet again the extreme financial pressure under which the Metropolitan Police are operating has been emphasised. It is regarded as highly probable that the Parks Police will be disbanded and that this would be sorted out by the end of 2025.

A cynical view might be that that of course gives the Met, the Home Office and the Government time to acclimatise the public to what on any account would be a disastrous decision for local policing, Park employees, the maintenance of a Site of Special Scientific Interest and the public in the area and at large. Maybe they think that we will get used to the idea and the huge local opposition to the idea will simply drift away.

It will be interesting to hear how the authorities justify their decision and what proposals they have for ensuring our safety and the well-being of the Parks. No doubt it will all happen behind closed doors * , so that the authorities can try to ensure that opposition wanes rather than grows.

Continue reading →
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Richmond upon Thames Schools: Balancing the Intake

Posted on February 14, 2025 by Richard AH White

The Government has recently announced plans in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to introduce new duties for schools and local authorities to co-operate with each other regarding admissions and for schools to co-operate with local authorities regarding placement planning.

Cllr Penny Frost, Chair of the Richmond Education and Children’s Services Committee has welcomed the proposals. She told EastSheenMatters:

“If the Bill goes through and gives Local Authorities more power to work with academies to manage school places, this will be very beneficial to the overall planning of school places and management of school admissions within and across boroughs.

“Currently, academies can refuse to take individual students which can lead to erosion of inclusive practice which then affects other schools and leaves students without a school place either at the start of an academic year, or as an in-year admission when a family has moved into or across the borough. Conversely, an academy school can choose to increase its own numbers without any consultation and in a way which can challenge the viability of other nearby schools.

“For Richmond upon Thames, we strongly believe in the value of our ‘family’ of schools working together, and this proposed change of legislation will be of great benefit to our being able to even out numbers across the borough and manage individual applications. At present, we would have to apply to the Department for Education if we wished to be able to challenge an academy which has refused to take a child whose needs we think the academy should be able to manage.”

Continue reading →
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Richmond Parks Police Decision

Posted on February 14, 2025 by Richard AH White

Rumours are swirling round East Sheen that a closed door decision has been made about the Police Unit for Richmond and Bushy Parks. And that it will be formally announced today.

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Hammersmith Bridge

Posted on February 12, 2025 by Richard AH White

The Evening Standard has reported on a recent meeting of a taskforce aimed at getting the Bridge open to motor vehicles. The meeting, shrouded in secrecy, apparently took place on 31 January 2025. The group had held its last meeting more than three years ago. It has now been reconvened by the Minister for Local Tansport.

The 138-year-old bridge has been closed to vehicular traffic since April 2019, when cracks appeared in the structure’s pedestals. Only pedestrians, and cyclists who dismount from their bikes, are currently able to use its walkways. Since the meeting there have been reports of queues of half an hour to cross the Bridge.

There was previously a proposed that the Department for Transport would pay a third of the total cost of repairs, Transport for London (TfL) paying another third with the other third paid for by Hammersmith and Fulham, which owns the bridge. Not surprisingly the authority said it would only be able to raise that amount of money via a road user charge or toll.

It is understood that any new commitments of Government funding for the project will only be made as part of the Chancellor’s comprehensive spending review, which is expected to be set out in June of this year. A DfT spokeswoman said: “We have inherited a challenging situation with Hammersmith Bridge, where decisions about its future have been ducked for many years. We recognise the frustration its continued closure is causing motorists.”

This blot on the London landscape has remained for far too long. It may be facile to comment that in many other countries around the world such an important strategic transport connection would have been repaired or replaced in a year os so. Sadly it is true. Regrettably it is typical of the silo thinking between diffferent interests which blights this country’s development. It’s all taxpayers’ money. The nettle should be grasped.

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