BULB PLANTING PART 2

I should have said there is photographic evidence of our efforts on Saturday morning that should appear on our site later this week.

We are all available at the right price for advice and guidance...and also autographs!

LESSER SPOTTED STREET CLEANER!!!

An extremely rare event occurred this afternoon....sit down...get a stiff drink!!

I spotted the very rare breed of street cleaner in Montalt Road....I almost drove off the road, or as it is commonly called doing a Tiger Woods.

I am now safely at home and recovering from the shock. I don't know if he was just taking a short cut home but I live in hope!

Please report any further sightings of this rare species

BULB PLANTING

You may have noticed a few residents working at the junction of Charter and Henrys on Saturday morning. Through Paul Dawney we are now responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the green space at that junction. The Council will remain responsible for cutting the grass.

We worked for 2 hours and reckon to have planted 2500 bulbs...crocus and daffodil in the main. We hope it looks great in the Spring. There is also a plan to put a few bushes in front of the sub-station. The Council supplied most of the bulbs

In February we will be looking for a few more volunteers to do another few hours,tidying the edges and cutting back a few more bushes that have been neglected.

A huge thank you to Paul, Kelly,Henry and Ian and his son for their time and sense of humour.

Also to John Griggs for supplying the very welcome cup of tea.

Apart from the obvious prettification of the area we had residents working together who only knew each other by sight before Saturday!

WORKING WITH THE POLICE!

We have arranged for the Safer Neighbourhoods team to be available at the entrance to the park on Saturday 19 December from 10-12 to give advice and information about how to protect your home from unwanted intruders.

We know this is not the perfect day as Christmas shopping will also be on your mind but if you have to walk your dog or take kids to the park, that will be the perfect time.

We will post a reminder through your door nearer the actual date

HOME SECURITY

Unfortunately, a house was broken into in Nesta Road last week. It does seem that our area is a target for thieves at the moment and the risk increases with Christmas coming and all the evidence suggests that burglaries increase at this time of the year.

Please do everything to secure your home and property that you can think of. It is amazing as I walk my dog just how many homes have done away with any kind of blinds or curtains at the front of their house. I know net curtains are not fashionable but they did mean you could not see in. Worth a thought!

A SPOT OF COMMUNITY GARDENING

Courtesy of Paul Dawney, we are now responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the grass area at the junction of Charter Road and Hnerys Avenue. We are looking for a few volunteers to turn up at 10.30 this coming Saturday to tidy it up and plant lots of bulbs that have been donated by the Council. Many hands make light work and i already have 4 names...10 pairs of hands would be great.

If you are free please e-mail me to let me know or just turn up with your spade on Saturday at 10.30!

STREET CLEANING AND LEAVES

I have written to Waltham Forest Council today and copied our local Councillor about the lack of street cleaning and the complete lack of leaf collections so far this year.

We all understand that budgets are tight but this does seem to be a pretty basic request.

I will let you know.

Did you know that the sercive level from Waltham Forest Direct is that if you have not heard in 10 days that you call them...2 full working weks! No rush then!

HIGHAMS PARK

A couple of people have suggested that there should be a play area for the over 8 year old children to play in addition to the existing area for our younger residents.

I am personally not keen as I feel it would bring a whole new set of problems for residents adjaecnt to the Park. However, you never know!

What do you think?

Should we leave well alone and concentrate on maintaining the existing play area which does suffer from poor maintenance and drainage?

What about thge old Council shed...should this be a day time meeting place with a tea/coffee/dog-meeting facility

Let me know!

LEAVES AND STREET CLEANING

We have had several queries about street collecting and leaf collecting, which has gone by the wayside!

Has anyone seen the street sweeper? He has been spotted in Chingford Hatch, not a lot of use to us

I am told that the best thing to do is contact Waltham Forest Direct on 0208 496 3000

Let us know if you have any success

LATEST NEWSLETTER

By now you should have received a copy of our latest newsletter. It updates you on our activities through the Summer and also some useful information from the Police

You should also have received a balloon and a pen!!

Please let us know your thoughts

THE LAKE

Fiona, Henry amd myself met with Jonathan Preston and his colleague Tristan from the Corporation of London on friday to see what if anything could be done about the state of the lake in Highams Park. It will come as no surprise that of the 3 possible options that the cheapest would have been the most unsightly and the most expensive also a logistical challenge.

For more information you will have to read our latest newsletetr which will be out in the coming week

THE LAKE

I have been in touch with Jonathan Preston at The Corporation of London about the disgusting state of the lake. He has promised to meet me for a site visit this week. I will let you know how I get on.

Peter

ROADWORKS IN HENRYS AVENUE

Have you seen the roadworks halfway down Henrys Avenue? I am told that it will be like this until 13 October. No rush then!

I am glad we did not go for all those road narrowing measures that are now taking place further down past Tamworth Avenue. It looks as if it has all stopped and carries on until March 2010

BENCHES IN THE PARK

Have you seen the 3 benches that arrived in the park on Saturday morning? As welcome as they are, I am not sure the one near the park entrance is sensibly located for the residents whose gardens are adjacent.

Would you like to see more of these in the park?

What else can we do with the park?

I am on the case to get the lake dredged but don't hold your breath!

Violent theft on Sunday evening

A group of teenagers stole a bike from another boy on Sunday evening around 6pm. Did you see anything?

I am told that they threatened the boy with a knife.

I will ask the local police to increase their presence again, they seem to be a little anonymous especially when the park is as busy as today. The police did arrive...its a bit late at 9pm!!

What do you think of our updated website?

Have you read it all?

There is a bottle of wine for the 500th visitor...it could be you

We are currently working on our next newsletter which will highlight some of the issues from the Summer such as traffic calming and domestic burglary.

We are looking for a few volunteers to organise an event for the children for Christmas...please let me know if you would like to help.

Also, when you get the newsletter you will also receive a gift from us!!! Your own Residents Association pen..don't leave home without it, a permanent reminder of our website.

Have a great weekend in the sunshine.

Peter

Road restrictions

What do you think of the road restrictions that have been built at the end of Charter Road? That is what was proposed for all of us.

Let me know what you think

Have you seen the re-painting of the shed in the park? I wonder how long it will stay like that but is a big improvement on what was a real eyesore

Tesco update

The decision about the Tesco proposal for Highams Park was deferred last night for further analysis on the traffic issues and the impact on local business.

I understand that Tesco are unhappy with the decision. I can only assume from that they have nothing more to say?

No doubt more will appear in the local newspaper this week, should be a good week for sales!