Why living in Chelsea could be deadly?

Chelsea, Kensington and Westminster may be some of the most exclusive areas in Britain but they have the worst air pollution, Public Health England figures showLiving in England’s most exclusive postcodes could be deadly as research has shown people in Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster are three times more likely to die due to air pollution than in greener areas.. More 
The Daily Telegraph 30th June 2014

Parsons Green FAIR ON THE GREEN (community fun day) Saturday 5 Jul 2014

FAIR ON THE GREEN (community fun day)

Saturday 5 Jul 2014 11.30am - 5.30pm

Now in it's 23rd year. Over 100 community, charity and craft stalls. Main Stage and Children's Stage. Bouncy Castles, Punch and Judy, Carousels, Ventriloqist, Magician, Bands, Instant Circus, Fire Eater, Climbling Frame, Food Stalls, Side Shows, Childrens Dancing Displays and numerous other activities all afternoon. Proceeds are donated to various Children's Charities. Admission is Free. 

 

11.30am - 5.30pm

 

Parsons Green, Fulham, London SW6 4UH

Save The Cremorne: In the papers (part 1)

Save The Cremorne: In the papers (part 1): We made it into this week's edition of our local paper, the Fulham and Hammersmith Gazette: Many thanks to Alix for covering our ...

Save The Cremorne: Update from the drop-in

Save The Cremorne: Update from the drop-in: The second TfL consultation drop-in was held at the Chelsea Theatre on Friday, 26th of June between 2pm and 8pm. 
The drop-in was well att...

lost tabby cat

Scott's cat has gone missing from Pond Place if you have seen a tabby cat in the last week around the local area can you please contact committee@catsinfo.co.uk or Dorinda
Mant thanks Dorinda x

FREE careers and courses advice at Kensington and Chelsea College: Saturday July 5

FREE careers and courses advice at Kensington and Chelsea College: Saturday July 5

Want some advice about your career or course options? Kensington and Chelsea College's team of friendly careers advisors and tutors will be on hand to provide FREE, expert courses and careers advice on Saturday July 5 for a special enrolment day. They’ll even give you tips on great spots and attractions surrounding the College - […]

Read more of this post

Chelsea and CROSSRAIL More Consultations in June and July

CROSS RAIL will involve building a new railway station in  Chelsea, please take time to visit the link below sent in by a tenant today and see how CROSSRAIL  may effect you. There are two options for Crossrail to come to Chelsea:

A station on King’s Road

The King’s Road station option would utilise land that is currently proposed for a station on the corner of King’s Road and Dovehouse Street, occupying the site of the existing fire station....more 

Chelsea West option

The Chelsea West option would require additional land for a station between King’s Road and the River Thames  ....more

Drop-in sessions

Staff from Transport for London and Network Rail will answer questions about the project and what theyare proposing in your area. Please go along to one of their drop-in sessions:

Chelsea Theatre Studio 2, 7 World’s End Place, King’s Road, London, SW10 0DR

Friday 20 June, 10am-4pm

Friday 27 June, 2pm-8pm

Chelsea Old Town Hall Small Hall, King’s Road, Kensington & Chelsea, London, SW3 5EE

Friday 11 July, 2pm-8pm

Saturday 12 July, 10am-4pm

Transport for london have a questionaire for you to fill in to tell them your views. Here is the link:
Questionaire

....more

CATs Summer Barbecue!

 CATS Summer Barbeque! 2014

This year's CATs  Committee Summer Barbecue was a roaring success, with residents attending from all blocks of the Sutton, Samuel Lewis, and Wiltshire Close Estates and neighbours from the local community. The event provided a rare sense of community, the likes of which have disappearing across London in recent years. Now that the garden has been replanted with an abundance of wild flowers( to attract the bees and to encourage wildlife and the paving having been cleaned by Lorna, Sylvia, Mary and Jean), it is also providing the opportunity for old friendships to be rekindled and new ones to develop.

Sarah, Lorna  and Jean have spent lots of time made numerous trips to the shops in the last week to get all the refreshments and everything ready! Mary did a great job handing out the raffle tickets for the refreshments and then helping out with the ice creams too! Dorinda, Chris, Rosalind and Dolly managed the bar! Sarah and Mia were brilliant face painters! Barbara made beautiful jewellery for the adults and children! Ian and Barbot also made lots of extra trips to Sainsburys with the wheelbarrow! Lorna,Jean,Sylvia,Ian, Chris, Dorinda, Sarah, Mary, Dolly, Brian, Sandra, Barbot, Scarlett, Kyra, Romeo and Ruby all helped setting up for the day and Barbot continued all through the afternoon collecting glasses and recycling in the wheel barrow. Well done Barbot! You were a star! And thankyou to everyone for coming and making it so successful!

Dorinda organised the entertainment for the event, which included Celia Jane Soloman and Argentine Tango dancers of Tangolicious, and the musical talent of Nicky Cheeseman and Rebecca. Instrumentalist Vincenzo explained how the Sunken Garden is a very theatrical space. Nicky sang lots of Rat Pack standards as well as some musical numbers and Rebecca sang some Amy Winehouse hits. Nicky sang "Climb every Mountain" at the end of his set and the song was perfect way to end, a fitting reminder of all the struggles the CATs Committee and the residents have had to go through to get this garden blooming again! 

Earl from Affinity Sutton, in conversation with committee members Jean, Dorinda and Lorna, was full of ideas for the newly renovated garden, including the prospect of a Pop-Up Cinema and a monthly market or table top sale! Who knows? we may well be selling some of our veg from the garden! Watch this space!

Julie and Andy provided a great BBQ everything was ready and on time. The burgers and hotdogs were delicious, and she also supplied vegetarian burgers too which were fabulous! Julie runs the cafe Portico in St Lukes Church across the road so please pop in and get a coffee and a sandwich, rather than Starbucks and help support local businesses! Many thanks also to Andreas the grocer also supplied free of charge all the fruit for the Pimms as well as the vegetables for the coleslaw!

Dorinda explained that "after all the months of hard work it was lovely to see the garden open again  after so many years and now everyone can enjoy and help look after it. The garden will be open during daylight hours from now on, but it is up to all of us to take responsibility for the space we have reclaimed." 

Many thanks must go to Lorna for the organisation of the Summer Barbeque,it really was such an amazing day! We must also thank the tireless efforts of the Garden Club members, Dorinda, Kahina, Gilly, Susan, Fardosa, Chris, Scott, Natasha, Archie,Tracy, Barbot, Brian, Jean, Mary, Romeo, Hudda, Hamza and Hibad, in restoring the garden to its beautiful state and making all this possible! 

PS Has anyone seen Wally's perscription Sunglasses?
PPS More pics to follow!

Cats Summer Barbie on The Sutton Estate , Chelsea - SW3 -Well Done Chelsea !

I can honestly say - I've never been to  a more inclusive event on The Sutton Estate. We had Councillors, Emma Dent Coad, Andrew Lomas, Lady Moya Denman from The St Lukes and Astell Street Residents Association, Andrew Barshall from The Independents ,People from England, Scotland , Ireland, Wales, France, Germany, Italy, Somalia, Residents from The Lewis Estate, Iain Smith , Chair of Pond House Residents Association, People from The street. Children and Teenagers turned up from Wilton Close and Worlds End, representatives From Affinity Sutton, which included Alisha and Earle. We all had a great day and spent some time enjoying each others company and getting to know each other a little bit better. People were encouraged by Lorna at The end of the event to grab a  'bin-liner'  - to help clear up which they all did. Dorindas Daughter and her friend  were manning  ( or womanizing ) the drinks stall, everyone loved the  'Tango'  provided by The Chelsea Art Collective and even more Nicki Cheeseman , what a fabulous performer ... he stole the show. A special mention has to go to Barbod - we all know who he is and a special mention must go to him. Thank you ' HOLLY and Garden Square News for Featuring our Garden. We all owe a big thank you to the tireless work of The Cats Committee, Jean Keal, Mary Hoare , Dorinda Montgomery , Sylivia Turner , Jose and last but definitely not least Lorna - what a fabulous Contribution.
THIS IS COMMUNITY !

Door Painting

If anyone has any particular preferences - please let me or any of the Committee Know.

Ian

As part of our commitment to maintain the estate during the consultation, planning and redevelopment phases we will soon be undertaking redecoration works to the Sutton Estate, Chelsea and would like to involve CATs in  the colour choice process.

We intend to paint the communal entrance doors, stairwells, corridors & flat entrance doors; all blocks except A-D. Could you advise on which of the following you would prefer for the flat entrance doors:

A.   One colour throughout the whole estate – majority choice, selected from a range of 6 suggested colours, as per attached, though more than happy to discuss different range of colours.

B.   Block by block choice, but all doors within the block to be the same colour – majority choice from the residents within that block, again from the 6 options.

C.   Residents to pick the colour of their own door from say a range of 4 colour choices.  

For the colour of the corridor and staircase walls, there will also be a choice of 4 colours for residents to select their preference. Suggest that the majority choice within each block is adopted? The communal front entrance doors will be re-stained as per existing.

Would be pleased to discuss this with anyone further and I look forward to hearing from you. If you could get back to me in the next couple of days I would appreciate it, as I need to instruct the painting contractor (Bell Group) accordingly.

Ground Investigations - Barbecue

I’m writing to provide you with an update on the groundwork currently happening on the estate.

 

To enable this Saturday’s celebrations to go ahead without any disruption or distraction and to avoid having to carry work over to next week we have arranged a slight extension to the working hours of the contractors, as follows:

 

Today, Wednesday, 18 June, the contractors will finish at 6pm. 

 

Tomorrow, Thursday,19 June, the contractors will work from 8am – 6pm.

 

Just to remind you what the works are:

 

• What - Bore Holes consist of a rig that will be penetrate the ground to 25 metres deep and will be manned by the team from GEL. The surround for the rig will consist of a coloured fencing around 1.8 metres high and will also include acoustic barriers which will attempt to reduce noise discomfort.

 

• Why - The bore holes are necessary to examine and log the geology and structural strengths of the ground below.

 

• Implications - There are really only two implications from the rigs noise and a reduction of the view for the residents on the ground floor.

 

Kind regards

 

Natalie Down - Resident Liaison Manager 

Summer BBQ 21st June See you there!

Questions On Estate Redevelopment Put to and Answered By Rachel Underwood of Affinity Sutton

Questions On Estate Redevelopment Put to and Answered By Rachel Underwood of Affinity Sutton

1.      What is the total number of units to be built?

We are currently proposing to build approximately 365 homes but this figure may change following the outcomes of our tenant and public consultation events; our continued discussions with RBKC and the GLA and our tenants’ needs.  For example at the tenant consultation event last Thursday a tenant I spoke to suggested that rather than a two bedroom property for themselves and their grown up child they would prefer two one bedroom properties if possible.  Just to reiterate that we guarantee that every Affinity Sutton tenant will be rehoused on the estate and will not be required to move away unless of course they want to.

2.      Can you give the area in square feet or metres given over to social housing and how much to private housing, and for amenities both joint and separate?

At this stage we are unable to provide given reasons outlined in response to question one.  Once we are confident that we have a more accurate figure we would be very happy to share this with you.  This will also be publicly available when we submit our planning application later in the year.

3.      How many new units will be designated social housing? 

This figure is approximately 250 homes, but may change.  In addition, 79 social rented homes will be retained in Leverstock and Maylands.

4.      How many new units will be private for sale?

This figure is approximately 115 homes, but may change.

5.      How many new units will be sold for shared ownership?

None.

6.      How many will be available for intermediate rent, and at what rate will that be set?

Currently we have not included any market rent or intermediate rent homes in the plans, however, we are willing to explore this possibility as it does offer another type of housing choice for local people.

7.      Will private units for sale be marketed abroad?

It is still too early to develop a marketing strategy for the market sale homes but as per our previous discussion I can confirm that Affinity Sutton has formally signed the London Mayor’s Concordat – ‘New Homes for Londoner’s, under which homes will be made available to Londoners before buyers from other countries.  Please let me know if you would like me to send you a copy for your records.   

8.      Where tenants now have on-site parking, will they be offered comparable access to safe parking in the new underground car park?

Yes.

9.Since you told me that you feel that the best positioned flats will be on Ixworth Place rather than overlooking St. Lukes and the playground on Cale Street, wouldn't it be better ​to switch the position of social and private housing proposed in your scheme? As existing tenants value the view so much and your people don't ascribe any value to them it would win you a lot of good will.

The location of the new affordable homes is in large driven by the demolition of Blocks A-D and the Estate Office. This is where the redevelopment would need to start, so that we can build new affordable housing to rehouse tenants from Blocks E, F, G, H I and N, ensuring just one move for them straight into their new homes. We have also sought to maximise the view to St Luke’s through the inclusion of a single storey feature in the Cale Street elevations.  We do appreciate that the properties on Cale Street are considered the most desirable, and in building the market sale homes here, we hope that this will enable us to limit the amount of market sale homes as far as possible.

The contractors are saying they will be drilling till next weekend!

The drilling is showing no sign of coming to an end. The contractors had initially said two weeks and now have said they will be there with all their lorries and cars etc until after next weekend! 

The diggers are still here!

We weren't told about the deep Excavation drilling on our Estate by Affinity Sutton until the huge trucks arrived. The drilling was supposed to be over by today. We were told two weeks and they are still here! Parked haphazardly in front of the Sheltered housing and blocking entrances to flats.  When are they packing up?
Here are some more photographs...

St Luke’s Summer Fair THIS Saturday 14th June 12-3pm

St Luke’s Summer Fair 

THIS Saturday 14^th June 12-3pm

Please come along and bring your family, friends & neighbours

BBQ – Band – Bar - Tombola – Face Painting – Raffle – Silent Auction-

Tea Cup Ride – Bouncy Castle - Children’s Games – Books – Jewellery – Home Produce & many more stalls

St Lukes urgently need bottles for the tombola, jewellery & home produce

Please bring to the parish office 9.30-1pm or leave at the back of church

Redevelopment Meetings All Must attend! 12, 14 and 18 June!

Affinity Sutton will be holding a consultation event especially for Affinity Sutton
tenants 

on

Thursday 12 June

One hour sessions beginning on the hour between 12pm - 7pm

Sheltered Residents Lounge, Block J/K

(access via Kingsmill A only, please use the door nearest to the laundrette on Cale Street

More information can be found at:
http://www.suttonestatechelsea.com/media/5979/Chelsea%20Chat%20May%202014.pdf

Other Events in which Affinity Sutton will showcase proposals for redevelopment of its Sutton Estate in Chelsea.

Saturday 14 June 

from 10am - 2pm at Chelsea Methodist Church, 155A King's Road, London, SW3 5TX

Wednesday 18 June 

from 6 - 8pm at St Luke’s Hall, St Luke’s Church, Sydney Street, Chelsea, SW3 6NH

for more information go to Affinity Sutton's Chelsea site:

www.suttonestatechelsea.com 

Mayor's Awards honour local champion Ian Henderson

CATs Chair, Ian Henderson was presented with The Mayors award at a special ceremony at The Town Hall last wednesday. This award is given to people who have made an exceptional contribution to Kensington and Chelsea had their efforts recognised by the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Cllr Charles Williams.

The Mayor's Awards ceremony formally acknowledges the positive difference made by those who live or work in the Royal Borough. The award is given to people who make an outstanding contribution to their local community and add significantly to the quality of life of those around them.

More details on the Mayors Award can be found at http://www.rbkc.gov.uk/councilanddemocracy/howthecouncilworks/ourmayor.aspx

Free Taster Courses at kensington and Chelsea College from 14th June

Adult Learners' Week: 14 to 20 June 2014

Adult Learners’ Week is the UK’s largest annual festival of learning, inspiring thousands of people to discover how learning can change their lives. It is the perfect opportunity to raise awareness of the benefits learning can bring, and to inspire adults of all ages to try something new. Check it out now!

http://www.rbkc.gov.uk/leisureandlibraries/libraries/newsandevents/adultlearnersweek2014.aspx

Also try this link which is for all the Courses offered for free UK Wide! http://www.alw.org.uk/

Summer BBq Postponed

The Committee have decided to postpone the Summer BBQ until after the Deep Excavation Works. The BBQ will now take place on Saturday 21st June from 1pm - 5pm. There will be live music and  dancing and lots of fun activities for the children. See you there!

Summer Barbecue - Date Change - Saturday 21st June 2014

We thought we would move the Summer Barbecue from Sunday June 15th to Saturday 21st June.

A letter posted on the noticeboard gives some more information. on excavation

A letter posted on the noticeboard gives some more information.

Affinity Sutton Estate Inspection 6th June

Affinity Sutton Estate inspection is taking place on 06/06/14 from 10:00 am. Come along if you'd like to share your views. Meet outside the Estate office at 10.00am. If anyone could comment on the blog as to what was discussed it would be a great help.

Deep Excavation Works what CATS would like to know?

What the Chelsea Association of Tenants would like to know:

Drilling outside someone's bedroom 

Builders van is parked outside a tenants windows blocking their light

• Why were tenants not unformed in advance of this disruption?
• Who gave the contractors permission to park vehicles wherever they want, including outside tenants windows and blocking ambulance and hospital vehicle access? 
• Why do so many vehicles have to stay on our Estate overnight?
• What is the excavation for? Tenants have a right to know?

Ground Engineering

 

03 June 2014 17:25

Afternoon Ian,

 

Apologies for the problems you have been experiencing, Natalie Down is your point of contact at Affinity.

 

It would appear that the contractor had not informed Natalie and the Team about the works hence residents not being kept informed.

 

I hope this gets satisfactorily resolved for you and the other residents.

 

Regards

 

David

 

David Chaffey - Head of Resident Involvement 

Deep Excavation starts on the Chelsea Estate!

Yesterday hosts of trucks, prefabricated buildings and  digging equipment arrived on our Estate. The tenants had not been informed that this was going to happen. A representative of CATS stopped the builders from placing a builders cabin from blocking out the windows of some of the flats on the ground floor of the Sheltered Housing block.When asked the builders responded that it was a two week long project to excavate the estate and that they would be using heavy drills and padding to reduce the noise level. The builders explained that they would be working for two weeks and directed us to see Marie Le Boissiere for further information. Looking at these shocking photos, CATS are wondering if this is the shape of things to come regarding the redevelopment? What do you think? This is even more reason to attend all the June meetings regarding the redevelopment! See below for details!

Drilling begins outside flamstead!

Three Builders vans block the Emergency Access to the
Sheltered Housing blocks.

Three Builders vans block the Emergency Access to the Sheltered Housing

Outside Maylands House.

The driver of the hospital bus who comes to Kingsmill at least 30 or 40 times a week could not get through today!

Upcoming Events in Chelsea this june

London Bulgarian Choir perform at St Luke’s on Saturday June 7^th 7.30 pm. Tickets available at www.londonbulgarianchoir.co.uk

The London Oratory School perform at St Luke’s on Weds 11^th June at 7.30pm. Tickets £12, £8 concessions available on the door or in advance 020 7381 7684 or schola@los.ac

Free, public exhibition organised by the Chelsea Society called 'Chelsea In The Great War' open every day from 10 am to 6pm, from June 2^nd at Duke of York Square.

Diabetes Cook & Taste - run by the NHS for people with Diabetes living in RBK&C starting in June. Tuesdays 5-7pm St Peter’s Church, Kensington, Fridays 10am-12 Chelsea Methodist Church, Chelsea. For details or to book contact Ginny Eastwood

020 7313 3024 ginny.eastwood@nhs.net

The Elizabeth Street Charity Children's Street Party on Wednesday 11th June at St Michaels Church, Chester Square SW1 between 5pm and 6pm. in aid of Fight for Sight Charity

The Elizabeth Street Street Party on Wednesday 11th June at St Michaels Church, Chester Square SW1 between 8pm and 11pm. live Music in aid of Fight for Sight Charity

Free taster Courses at  Kensington and Chelsea College  on African and Carribean Studies, Psychology, Languages,Art History, Creative Writing and lots more...  from 14th June  to 20th June at Kensington and Chelsea College 
http://www.kcc.ac.uk/freetastercourses

Frock Me Vintage Fashion Fair at  The Chelsea Town Hall  from 8th June at 11.30am 

Free Bike Maintenance Courses  Level 1 at The Bike Works under the Westway 24th and 25th June enquiries@bikeworks.org.uk

Drawing Workshop for Adults free at The Chelsea Librairy Wednesday 11th June. Booking at the Chelsea Librairy Essential.

Drawing Workshop for Adults free at The Chelsea Librairy Wednesday 20th June. Booking at the Chelsea Librairy Essential.

Drawing Workshop for Adults free at The Chelsea Librairy Wednesday 20th June. Booking at the Chelsea Librairy Essential.

Café Portico at St Luke’s is now open

Mondays - Fridays 9.30am – 5pm. Weekend opening weather dependent.

Sandwiches, baguettes and snacks, cakes, ice cream, teas, coffees, chilled drinks.  Eat in or Take Away

Consultation Meeting regarding the Estate all should attend! June 14th and June 18th

Affinity Sutton will showcase proposals for redevelopment of its Sutton Estate in Chelsea.

Saturday 14 June 

from 10am - 2pm at Chelsea Methodist Church, 155A King's Road, London, SW3 5TX

Wednesday 18 June 

from 6 - 8pm at St Luke’s Hall, St Luke’s Church, Sydney Street, Chelsea, SW3 6NH

for more information go to Affinity Sutton's Chelsea site:

www.suttonestatechelsea.com