I'm Not Hungry

Worcester Park has taken the dubious position of being the third least hygienic place to eat in the UK.

You can read more about this here: http://www.suttonguardian.co.uk/news/10435934.Worcester_Park_third_least_hygenic_place_to_eat_in_UK__survey_finds/?ref=twtrec

And here: http://www.which.co.uk/news/2013/05/which-reveals-food-hygiene-lottery-319102/, especially if you are a subscriber to Which? (which… I am not)

I'm sure we are all very taken aback by this unwelcome news but hopefully in the Worcester Park spirit we will support our local businesses and restaurants and help them to climb the ladder of hygiene to the high number of stars that await. At least that’s what I hope will happen…

It is worth noting that not all eateries scored badly. We need to continue to support the ones where there are no problems and give the others a chance to demonstrate necessary progress. This is not the end of the story...

Fire in Lavender Avenue

A house fire in Lavender Avenue this afternoon has now been put out by the fire brigade. Luckily no one was hurt in the blaze but there has been some property damage. Lavender Avenue will be blocked at the London Road end by the fire engine until it has been checked that the fire is completely out. This could take until this evening.

Resident Cockerel

What do Worcester Parkers think of the cockerel which seems to have taken up residence somewhere near Central Road? It can be heard from St Philips Avenue, Brinkley Road and Washington Road and this afternoon I heard it while in the Waitrose car park and then it sounded like it was coming from Lynwood Drive. Are there more than one? Have Tom and Barbara Good moved in? Is it more annoying than the ice cream van or a pleasant evocation of a relaxed life in the country?

Award for Local Police Officer

Worcester Park's own PCSO Gary Weaving (centre), Sgt Ashley Bennetts (left) and former Worcester Park SNT Sgt Suzannah James (now Beddington North SNT Sgt)

Worcester Park PCSO Gary Weaving has received a Met Police ‘environmental efficiency’ commendation award for his leading role in creating the ‘fishery’ in the wetland area of the Hamptons.

PCSO Weaving of the Worcester Park Safer Neighbourhoods Team, has spent the last five years - most of it in his own time - setting up a highly motivated committee of dedicated local residents to provide the fishery in Mayflower Park to serve local people and to teach local school children about fishing and the environment. Regular blog readers will recall reading about this here.

The youth and community initiative which is due to be launched in time for the summer holidays will be raising youngsters’ awareness and respect for their local environment and also aims to reduce and deter anti-social behaviour.

PCSO Weaving was one of ten individuals to receive an environmental efficiency commendation at New Scotland Yard on Friday 10th May. His award read: ‘For your contribution to biodiversity, crime reduction and environmental awareness through the successful delivery of 'The Hamptons Wetlands Fishery Project' - a community partnership and youth engagement project to rehabilitate and improve a local water habitat’.

PCSO Weaving said he was pleased and proud to accept the commendation, which had been achieved with the help and support of the police and the residents of The Hamptons. He said, "I am really looking forward to the school summer holidays when we will give the first groups of local schoolchildren free fishing tuition and environmental awareness talks. I really hope it helps them to appreciate and respect not only these wetlands, but also other wildlife areas and parks in the future."

The awards to ten individuals and six teams were presented by Nick Rogers, Temporary Director of Resources and MPS Environmental Champion. He praised the winners for their efforts to reduce the environmental impacts of the MPS as well as those who work within the local community to reduce environmental crime and impacts.

The Environmental Efficiency Commendation is awarded to Police Officers and Staff who contribute to changes to MPS processes and operations in order to deliver improved resource efficiency or environmental performance in the MPS. The commendation also rewards policing work and the activities of PCSOs and Specials that have a positive impact on the environment.

Congratulation Gary Weaving, a well deserved award!

Night Bus To Croydon?

Local London Assembly representative Steve O'Connell is looking into the old N213 bus route and whether it might be brought back and would like to know the thoughts of people in Worcester Park.

People may remember being able to get all the way to (or from) Croydon at night on the N213 from Worcester Park instead of the route finishing at Sutton as it does now. The section from Sutton to Croydon was cancelled by TfL in July 2009 because apparently the route was only used “lightly” but there has been a steady campaign ever since to see it reinstated.

So what are your, the good people of Worcester Park’s thoughts on this matter? Do we want to see the N213 reinstated so we can get beyond Sutton and on to Croydon in the wee small hours? Or is it just a case of, 'Meah, who wants to go to Croydon in the middle of the night anyway?'

Over to you…

Discourse With The Force

Local police will be holding street briefings this Thursday (23rd May) at Stone Place (Waitrose car park) and outside Christ Church with St. Philip at the corner of Ruskin Drive and Cheam Common Road. As part of the police ' BIG WING' day, local Safer Neighbourhood Team PCSO’s will be available between 1pm and 2pm in both locations to discuss local policing issues with anyone who would like to speak with them. While they are only available for an hour, it is at lunchtime so if you are around and feel like bending old Bill's ear, here’s your chance.

Alternatively you may wish to have:

• A yabber with a uniform,
• a blag with a bobby,
• a cupper with a copper,
• parley with the police,
• some lingo with the law,
• oration with an officer,
• a blabber with the bizzies,
• interlocution with Inspectors,
• some patter with Mr Plod,
• a prattle with the peelers,
• a jabber with the jacks,
• a babble with the boys in blue,
• your say with a sergeant, 
• or a Conversation with a Constable

Whichever one you prefer, Thursday lunchtime is your chance.

(Addition feeble descriptions in the same dismal style gratefully received)

Arson About (In a Shed - In a Cemetery)

Two sheds in Cuddington Cemetery, off Lindsay Road were set ablaze sometime between 5.30pm and 5.45pm last night (Thursday 17th May). The fire was apparently started in one of the sheds by kids and then spread to an adjoining shed but was put out soon afterwards by the fire brigade. Thick smoke could be seen from several streets away.

Fencing borrowed from Carshalton Park has now been put up surrounding the sheds.

A Fair To Remember

Dorchester Primary School is having their Spring Fair this Saturday (18^th May) from 12pm until 3pm. While the banner outside the school says it is their summer fair, I am assured it is a spring one, which works out rather well being that it is still spring.

 

The fair will held on the school playground and there will be lots of interesting stalls, games and inflatable things to jump up and down on. Worcester Park’s own Magic Marcus will also be there performing magic.

All the proceeds will go to buying different items for the school pupils. Go along, have some fun and support this great event and Dorchester Primary School!

Have You Seen This Man?

Police are looking for William Issac who failed to show up to Croydon Crown Court on the 17th April and are appealing to the public to help track him down.

Mr Issac, aged 44 and a former boxer has been charged with harassment and, although he has no known address, it is believed he may live in the Worcester Park area.

Police said, "Anyone who has seen him should immediately call 999. Anyone with information about where he may be, please call Sutton’s Wanted Offenders Team on 020 8649 0595. Alternatively, call the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

Windah Kickin Update

After a day mostly spent without it’s protective piece of wood, the broken window at KFC is again safe and snug behind it’s hoarding. Apparently someone pulled down the hoarding which has been there for over a month the night before last and so the window guy had to come round yesterday afternoon to fix it.

What’s that? Fix the window? Oh yes, the blog understands that being a particular double glazed unit, the new window has to be specially made. An order has been put in today and should be going in in about a week’s time.