Lister on Putney
The Open Studios event, the new Piazza at Putney Wharf, crime fighters awards plus the fight against closure of local Post Offices
If you are new to Putney and interested in local art then there's a special week of activities coming up which will introduce you to the work of some the most talented and creative people in our community.
The annual Putney Open Studios event will this year showcase the work of more than 40 local artists. The 'open house' format means there are set times when you can turn up at an artist's home or studio to view his or her work - most of which is available to buy.
The week-long programme runs from June 19 to 27. To check times for exhibitors call Putney School of Art and Design on 020 8788 9145 or better still pop into their excellent premises in Oxford Road.
I'm also looking forward on Wednesday to my visit to the new piazza at Putney Wharf. I was delighted to accept the invitation from the developers
St George to conduct the formal opening of Putney's newest open space.
By opening up this previously impenetrable and built up stretch of the riverside the developers have created a wonderfully vibrant and informal meeting place for local people. Let's hope there are many more warm summer evenings in the weeks ahead when we can all enjoy this new riverside haunt.
I was struck by the success of Putney groups in last week's crime prevention panel awards run by the council. It was particularly encouraging to see Mark Dransfield from The Fox collect the pub watch of the year award on behalf of the town centre scheme. Three-quarters of pubs in the scheme have now installed CCTV on their premises. It's good to see local pubs getting together in such a responsible way.
Finally the anger of local people over post office closures shows no sign of cooling. Infuriatingly, it is hard to find a government minister willing to accept responsibility for this systematic dismantling of the branch network on which so many elderly people depend.
In our part of the borough we have already lost sub post offices in Lower Richmond Road, Upper Richmond Road, and Tildesley Road as well as Revelstoke Road in Southfields.
In the latest round of closures another Southfields branch - in Montfort Place - is also facing the chop. To find out how you can protest against the closures visit the council's new website at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/postoffices
Edward Lister is the Leader of Wandsworth Council and a member for Putney's Thamesfield ward.
Edward Lister
June 11, 2004
Previous Lister Diaries
Lister Blasts MP Over Council Tax Describes Tony Colman as 'an armchair pundit'
A new academy, runways and the Council Tax ......
the future of South Thames College , its site and frozen Council Tax ....
"pay as you park", shopping trends, mock disasters & anti-social behaviour
Heathrow as "bad as it gets", Robin Hood gate & exams!
World Cup glory and South Thames College
CCTV, dealing with yobs and last orders at the Quill which is to be replaced by new housing
Barking dogs, aircraft noise, CCTV and 'twinning' Wandsworth and Islington Boroughs
Anti aircraft noise & a tribute to Mary Holben
St Cecilias, development at Whitelands site & the fate of Putney Hospital
Night flights , Putney Hospital, diseased trees & the new school
Cllr Lister pledges low taxes following re-election
Councillor walkabouts, artists in Putney & awaiting the decision on night flights
Recycling, relaunching Ashlone Wharf, extra cash for schools and closure of sub post offices
Modes of transport such as the new bus route and flight paths are all in .....Cllr Lister's Diary
"committed to keeping our bills as low as is sensibly possible"....Cllr Lister's Diary
There's not a council in the country that looks after its residents' money as carefully as Wandsworth........Cllr Lister's Diary
New school, new homes and a new-look park in 2003 ......Cllr Lister's New Year Message
A week of great achievements as both the Council and many of Putney's schools exceed in their individual grading systems. Whilst the failure of a resident management organisation (RMO) gives the Council concern.......Cllr Lister's Diary
Cllr Lister is not cheered by the Queens Speech nor the Chancellor's pre-budget statement..........Cllr Lister's Diary
Cllr Lister's Diary declares war on fly posters, and draws our attention to Connexions investment in Roehampton.
anti-third runway meeting bonfires and planning alert system.........Cllr Lister's Diary
Busy October 2002..........Cllr Lister's Diary .
Redevelopment of Roehampton Rec, the completion of Ashlone Wharf plus taking up the baton for a link between the Rail station & East Putney Tube........Cllr Lister's Diary .
Local impact of government housing policy, crime and news on Richmond Park...... Cllr Lister's Diary .
New Surgeries - a new ways to meet your councillor plus the Leader expresses his concerns over the news of gun crimes in Putney ..... Cllr Lister's Diary
Jubilee celebrations, the 3 star service offered by Social Services and name change for Lavatory Gardens ...Cllr Lister's Diary.
The state of the NHS in Putney and the fight against night flights ....Cllr Lister's Diary
Pedestrian safety - especially around schools and Neighbourhood watch .... Cllr Lister's diary
CAR TAX DODGERS DRYBURGH RD DEVELOPMENT ROBIN HOOD GATE AND NIGHT FLIGHTS..............Cllr Lister's diary
Church cheer, wharf worries and Richmond Park relief - Cllr Lister's diary.
Cllr Lister speaks against the Dryburgh Rd plans, the threat of closing Pen Ponds to traffic and litter.
The Postal Service, Richmond Park and Council Tax changes are all on Cllr Lister agenda.
Cllr Lister comments on the current planning furore, pigeon mess, cctv and policing.
Cllr Lister writes on Pensioners Freedom Passes, good news re Hotham School, development progress at Ashlone Wharf and aircraft noise from Heathrow Airport.
Cllr Lister writes on the new school for the area, housing development and Heathrow.