Quick look busy! - Merton Council

news and information from your council 

Quick 

look busy! 

The creator of LazyTown live 

talks to My Merton about 

bringing ‘Sportacus’ and the 

UK cast to Wimbledon 

ISSUE 33 

FEBRUARY – MARCH 2009 

WIN 

Five family tickets 

up for grabs to see 

LazyTown Live at 

the New Wimbledon 

Theatre 

BEATING THE CRUNCH 

My Merton focuses on 

council services there to help 

you through tough times 

COMMUNITY SAFETY 

This new regular page 

investigates how Merton 

is being kept safe 

ENVIRONMENT 

Find out about how the 

waste collection changes 

will affect you

2 

We asked, you said, we did 

Young people – should be 

seen and heard… 

We asked: 

In previous years the council’s Annual Residents’ Survey has highlighted 

that around 15 per cent of people in Merton do not think enough is done 

for the young people in the borough. A number of initiatives have taken 

place to address this concern and it has since become less of a worry (nine 

per cent in 2008), but the council is still keen to hear what young people 

have to say about their experiences of living in Merton. 

Merton recognises the importance of young people having a voice. 

As well as a section of our annual residents’ survey specifically based 

on young people in the borough, we also help run the Tellus survey. 

The Tellus survey is organised annually by Ofsted and facilitated and 

encouraged by the council. This year there was an excellent response from 

Merton schools, with 1,157 pupils getting involved. 

You said: 

Some of the findings were: 

• Merton pupils report lower rates of bullying problems than the 

national average. 

• More pupils try their best at school in Merton than the 

national rate – 40 per cent compared with 33 per cent. 

• There are higher rates of satisfaction with activities and things to do. 

• Participation in positive activities is also higher than the national rate. 

• Parks and play areas are highly rated by Merton pupils – 57 per cent report 

they are fairly good or better – 44 per cent is the national rate. 

• 58 per cent of Merton pupils want to go to university – the national rate 

is 54 per cent. 

• Young people reported that they feel safe at school and at home but 

some had concerns about safety on public transport. 

We did: 

We are using these results to inform planning and priorities when 

trying to build the future for the borough’s young people. We are also 

encouraging schools to look at the results and work on potential solutions 

where needed. 

Working with partners such as the police we are also beginning to 

address the issue of fear on public transport with more police and 

community police officers now present on Merton’s transport network. 

Find out more 

www.merton.gov.uk/community/youngpeople 

Lending a helping hand 

The Leader of Merton Council, 

Councillor David Williams, 

writes for My Merton. 

After Christmas and New Year festivities, most of us have 

to let our belts out. However, as the Council approaches 

its budget for 2009/10 it has to pull its belt in, to keep 

council tax low. 

It’s hard to think that the economic climate has 

changed so dramatically in the last few months and the 

council is not immune. Good housekeeping is as 

important for us as for family households and Merton 

faces challenging financial circumstances as a result of 

rising costs. We will receive an extra £1.1 million from 

the Government and yet inflation pressures alone have 

increased our costs by £6.7 million. We are the third 

worst funded borough in London. 

The knock-on effect of the downturn has been an 

increased demand for council services, particularly from 

some of the most vulnerable people in our community. 

We clearly recognise this and are ready to offer the 

support residents need in these uncertain times, whether 

it be to find housing or access to care services. The 

council is also currently looking to establish a credit 

union with our partners in Sutton and Croydon, the aim 

of which is to provide low cost loans at times of need and 

assist people to escape from the cycle of debt. 

It is therefore important that we make the best use 

possible of the resources we have available, which is why 

we are focusing considerable effort to ensure that the 

council is working ever more efficiently. Only in this way 

will we be able to continue to deliver high quality services 

that offer value for money for the council tax payer. 

Councillor David T Williams JP 

Leader of the Council

My Merton is published by the 

London Borough of Merton and is 

distributed free to households in 

the borough six times a year. 

The editorial content of 

My Merton is produced by the 

London Borough of Merton’s 

Communications Team: 

Emma Henderson (Editor) 

Marva Williams 

Kim Parker 

Bronwen Pickering 

Isabel Gompertz 

Sophie Poole 

My Merton is designed 

and printed by 

The Engage Group. 

Contact 020 7536 8900 

Email info@engagegroup.co.uk 

www.engagegroup.co.uk 

My Merton is distributed by London 

Letterbox. Contact 020 8940 0666 

or log on to www.londonletterbox.co.uk 

Photo credits: 

My Merton editorial team 

New Wimbledon Theatre 

When you have finished with 

this magazine please recycle it. 

My Merton is printed on fully recyclable paper, which 

is accredited by the PEFC Council (Programme for the 

Endorsement of Forest Certifi cation schemes). 

contact us 

My Merton, Communications, 

9th Floor, Merton Civic Centre, 

London Road, Morden, SM4 5DX 

Tel 020 8545 3274 

Email mymerton@merton.gov.uk 

www.merton.gov.uk/mymerton 

What’s on listings 

020 8545 3274 

whatson@merton.gov.uk 

Adverts 

For all advertising enquiries 

please call Andy Thompson on 

020 8545 3434 or email 

mymerton@merton.gov.uk 

The London Borough of Merton 

does not accept responsibility 

for or endorse any products or 

services offered by advertisers. 


mymerton 

My Merton costs only y 

18p a copy to produce e 

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2009 • www.merton.gov.uk 

contents 

4 NEWS 

The latest news from 

around the borough 

8 

9 

MISSION FOR 

MERTON 

Our tips on Winter wellbeing 

WORKING LIFE 

Adult education careers 

advisor Martina Collett-Creedy 

10 COMMUNITY 

SAFETY 

In a new regular page 

My Merton investigates 

the things in place to 

keep Merton safe 

11 

6 

COMPETITION 

CO 

Win Wi family tickets to 

see 

LazyTown Live 

the th smash hit 

CBBC C show 

brought b to stage 

SIMON SAYS... 

BBC’s Working Lunch 

correspondent Simon 

Gompertz lends lend some 

top tips to save money 

12 BEATING 

THE 

CRUNCH 

How the th council 

can hel help you live life 

normally normal during the 

credit crunch c 

14 HISTORY 

Looking at Merton’s historic 

Abbey Mills and other 

markets around the borough 

15 ENVIRONMENT 

Find out about the changes 

being made to your waste 

collection service 

16 CELEBRATING 

SUCCESS 

Merton schools 

shout about their 

success in 2008 

17 

18 

19 

24 

WE LOVE 

MERTON 

Giving you the 

low down on all 

Merton’s successes 

HE’S GOT THE 

REMEDY 

We talk with Morden 

resident and highly respected 

Xfm DJ John Kennedy 

WHAT’S ON 

Your guide to all that’s 

going on in Merton in 

February and March 

FIVE MINUTES 

WITH… CAROLINE 

KATIYO 

We get to know the owner 

of Morden’s Tariro Fairtrade 

coffee house 

don’t forget to visit 

our website! 

www.merton.gov.uk/mymerton 

ON THE COVER ER 

LazyTown 

3

NEWS • FEBRUARY – MARCH 2009 

‘KG Youth Space’ livens up Friday 

nights in Lower Morden 

A new youth space in Lower 

Morden is offering local teens a 

place to hang out and take part 

in various activities thanks to the 

efforts of four teenage girls. 

The four young women – Emily 

Morris, Emma Martin, Tamara 

Elliot and Georgina Mitchell – 

identified the need for a space 

where local teens could meet 

and take part in activities on a 

regular basis. The girls submitted 

an application to Merton’s youth 

opportunity fund. With residents’ 

needs top of the council’s list of 

priorities, their bid was successful 

and helped to cover rental payments 

4 

Fighting fear 

Merton’s Overview and Scrutiny 

Commission is undertaking 

a review on fear of crime in 

Merton. The review, chaired by 

Councillor Peter Southgate, aims 

to identify why fear of crime is 

disproportionately higher than 

the level of crime actually 

recorded in Merton. 

Fear of Crime is the number 

one concern for residents 

according to the annual residents 

survey but Merton is consistently 

rated in the top five safest 

boroughs in London. 

In order to understand the 

needs of residents in reducing 

this fear, councillors are meeting 

with a range of interested 

parties, including local police, 

and the borough’s crime 

reduction partnership, Safer 

Merton. A number of areas 

will be investigated, including 

local initiatives that have 

transformed previous less 

welcoming areas into safe and 

welcoming environments. 

If you have any views on the 

issue of fear of crime and how 

it can impact on people leading 

their lives we would be interested 

to hear from you. 

Find out more 

020 8545 3390 or barbara.jarvis@ 

merton.gov.uk 

and purchase equipment. 

The ‘KG Youth Space’, located 

in King George’s Playing Fields is 

open every Friday evening from 

6pm-9pm and is available to all 

young people in the Lower Morden 

area aged 13-19 years old. Young 

people can make the most of 

themed evenings with organised 

activities, electronic games, 

cooking and food preparation 

activities, sexual health education 

nights and fundraising events. 

Find out more 

For more information on the youth 

opportunity fund at www.merton. 

gov.uk/youthopportunityfund 

The four teenagers 

celebrate their success 

My Merton correction 

On page seven of the December / January edition of My Merton 

we featured an image of the National Trust’s Morden Hall Park in 

connection to Merton Council funding. Morden Hall Park is a free of 

charge community facility owned by the National Trust and neither 

managed nor funded by the council. We would like to apologise for 

any confusion this may have caused. 

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and 

Transgender History Month 2009 

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) History 

Month takes place every year in February. It showcases the 

achievements and issues facing the LGBT community. 

Merton Council is committed to celebrating the borough’s 

diverse society and for the second year running we will be 

holding a range of events for the LGBT community. This will 

include an LGBT film festival, several talks and an LGBT history 

exhibition in the civic centre from 9 February. 

Find out more 

More event details are available at www.merton.gov.uk/ 

community/lgbt, so watch this space. 

To join our LGBT mailing list contact lgbt@merton.gov.uk 

or call 020 8545 3156. 

IN BRIEF 

Playing for success 

Two of Merton’s out-of-hours 

learning venues, Tooting & 

Mitcham FC study support 

centre and The Wimbledon 

Lawn Tennis Museum 

study centre, have achieved 

recognition for ‘Quality in 

Study Support’. Merton’s 

Playing for Success initiative 

combines education and sport 

to create an exciting learning 

environment for young people. 

Students in Merton attend 

after-hours learning sessions 

at a sporting venue and 

participate in activities aimed 

at improving their literacy, 

numeracy and IT skills. 

Get yourself 

a happy soul 

The award-winning Happy 

Soul Festival returns to Merton 

in March with an exciting 

range of new world class 

film screenings and events 

to celebrate Black and Asian 

experience and well-being. 

This year there will be 

premieres of films especially 

made by young people across 

London for the Happy Soul 

Youth Awards. The free festival 

will take place at community 

venues in Merton and at the 

Odeon cinema in Wimbledon. 

Find out more 

www.happysoulfestival.co.uk 

or 020 8682 5983 

Adult Education – 

New prospectus 

out now 

Try something new in 2009 

or add a skill to your CV. 

Merton Adult Education has 

a wide range of courses to 

suit everyone. 

Find out more 

www.merton. 

gov.uk/ 

adulteducation 

or 020 8543 

9292

Ravensbury Park 

new play area opens 

In November pupils from Cranmer 

Primary School and the Mayor 

officially opened the new play area 

at Ravensbury Park. A BIG Lottery 

cash injection of £20,000 has 

helped fund the play area, meaning 

better value for money for the 

council tax payer. The park now 

includes a stage, a slide, climbing 

boulders, swings, and a wheelchair 

accessible roundabout. The play area 

is fully accessible so children with 

disabilities and special needs will 

also be able to enjoy it too. 

The refurbishment was 

recommended in the Free Play 

Strategy 2007-12 developed by the 

council and Merton’s voluntary and 

community sector in consultation 

with children, young people and 

their families. 

Ravensbury Park has also been 

shortlisted for funding in the London 

Mayor’s ‘Help a London Park’ 

competition. 

Find out more 

If you haven’t voted please do 

so before 30 January 2009 at 

www.london.gov.uk/parksvote/ 

vote/?park=ravensbury 

Pollards Hill library update 

Construction is well underway at Pollards Hill library but 

until the newly refurbished library is ready, an alternative 

book borrowing service is available at the New Horizons 

Day Centre. The centre also offers a homework club for 

school children. The library’s Open Learning Centre is still 

open but is operating from the nearby Red Hut Children’s 

Centre, offering a drop in service for computer users, IT 

training sessions and European Computer Driving Licence 

(ECDL) classes. 

With the library central to the community of Pollards 

Hill, the £1 million lottery funding is expected to lead to 

improved local educational opportunities, resulting in better 

employment prospects and a healthier community. 

Find out more 

www.merton.gov.uk/libraries 

Merton is number one 

Merton’s dazzling winter fl oat won fi rst prize in the New Year’s Day 

Parade winning £7,500 for the mayoral charities. 

A team effort from Merton schoolchildren, councillors and the 

Wimbledon Guild proved a winning combination to beat off the 

competition from over 20 other London boroughs. 

Mayor of Merton Councillor Martin Whelton said: “We are delighted 

with our success in the parade. So much time and effort went into the 

fl oat, it created a huge visual impact.” 

Merton Active Plus holiday 

courses 2009 open for bookings 

Bookings are now open for Merton Active Plus, the revamped 

holiday activities scheme run by Merton Council, which offers 

great value for money health and social opportunities for young 

people in the borough. This year the well-attended courses are 

running in half-term holidays as well as the Easter and summer 

holidays. Other changes include the arts courses, ‘Creating fun’, which 

have a new range of schemes on offer. February half-term will see a number of 

taster courses being run to allow people the opportunity to try out the schemes 

before committing to a whole week at Easter or in the summer. 

The popular watersports courses are once again on offer this year in 

Wimbledon Park so book now for the Easter, May, Summer and October 

holidays. Other courses include horse riding and athletics. 

Find out more 

www.merton.gov.uk/activeplus 

Contact leisure@merton.gov.uk at 020 8545 3664 

FEBRUARY – MARCH 2009 • NEWS 

R E S P E C T – 

fi nd out what it 

means to you 

Young residents at the 

Respect launch 

Merton Council has signed 

up to the national ‘Respect 

Standard for Housing 

Management’ which tackles 

issues surrounding anti-social 

behaviour (ASB) by teaching 

and encouraging people 

acceptance and tolerance of 

others. As part of this standard 

to help reduce ASB on estates 

in Merton, the council has 

committed to being responsible 

for six core elements 

including prevention and early 

intervention, empowering 

and supporting victims and 

witnesses, enforcement 

and continuing to work in 

partnership with the police and 

other partners. 

Find out more 

www.merton.gov.uk/respect 

5

6 

COMPETITION 

Look busy! LazyTown Live 

comes to Wimbledon 

Magnus Scheving, creator of the world famous LazyTown 

and its legendary motivational character ‘Sportacus’, talks 

to Emma Henderson about bringing the TV show to life. 

LazyTown began as a book aimed at making 

education about a healthy lifestyle entertaining 

but has now grown into much more. The 

television programme shows in over 100 

countries around the world and is hugely 

successful on stage. Magnus reveals it was 

a less ‘healthy’ character who gave him the 

inspiration. “When I was 16 I realised there 

wasn’t really a healthy role model for kids – 

there only seemed to be Popeye who smokes 

his pipe and hits people. I was interested to fi nd 

an alternative and get people moving.” 

Getting the idea together was a challenge 

explains Magnus “Children are different 

when it comes to teaching. Up to seven years 

old they learn a lot which sticks with them, 

talking, walking and eating. It is important to 

catch them at this stage to imprint the idea of 

movement and being healthy.” 

WIN 

So how has it become such 

a worldwide phenomenon? 

“I think it worked because children enjoy it 

and it has a mass appeal with music for girls 

and action for boys.” 

So can the TV show really be the same 

on stage? Magnus says it’s even better. 

“It is a risk taking a TV show to stage but the 

UK cast are excellent and are just like the 

characters. It is also the fi rst show to have 

humans playing puppets so is very special.” 

Magnus can be confi dent it will succeed. 

After its release as a book in 1992 

LazyTown ran for four years as a 

sold-out musical. “The children get 

to participate, experience and enjoy 

all at same time. The cast can get 

involved and talk to them and sing 

with them.” 

LazyTown Live! The Pirate Adventure is at New Wimbledon Theatre from 

Wednesday 11 until Saturday 15 February. For tickets call 0870 060 6646 

or log on to www.newwimbledontheatre.co.uk Joining in the fun will 

be favourite LazyTown friends Stephanie, Sportacus and, of course, 

Robbie Rotten. 

For your chance to win one of fi ve family tickets to see the show 

on Wednesday 11 February at 5pm simply answer this question: 

What colour hair does Stephanie have? 

A) Blue 

B) Purple 

C) Pink 

Send your answer with your name, address and phone number to 

My Merton, Ninth fl oor, Merton Civic Centre, Morden SM4 5DX or 

email mymerton@merton.gov.uk by Friday 6 February 2009. 

Please note that the production is performed by a UK cast. 

None of the personalities used in the televised version of 

LazyTown appear. 

Conditions: The tickets (each 

family ticket is valid for four 

people) are valid for performances 

on Wednesday 11 February at 5pm 

only. Tickets can be collected 

on the night and they cannot be 

exchanged/transferred to another 

performance/production and there 

is no cash alternative. 

Send Se S nd your answer an a sw swer er w wwit 

with it ith h yo yyour ur u n nnam 

name, am a e, 

address ad a dress and 

d ph pphone h on one e nu numb number mb mber er t 

t tto 

to o My 

Merton, Me M rt r on, , Ninth Ni N nt n h fl floo fl oor, oo oor, r, M MMer 

Merton er erto to ton n Ci CCivic vi vic c 

Centre, Ce Cent nt ntre re re, , Mo Mord Morden rd rden en SM4 S SSM4 

M4 5 55DX 

5DX DX o oor 

or r 

email em emai ai a l my mmymerton@merton.gov.uk me mert rt rton on on@m @m @ er erto to ton. n. n.go go g v. v uk b bby 

b bby 

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Friday Fr Frid id iday ay 

12 1 D DDec 

December ec ecem em e be b r 20 2008 2008. 08 0 .

Young travellers get success showcase 

A new DVD launched by Sutton and 

Merton Traveller Education Service is 

aiming to raise expectations and 

awareness within the traveller 

communities, schools and other agencies 

about how to sustain education and 

achievement for young travellers. 

Featuring the stories of local young 

travellers, the film gives an insight 

into their cultures, their hopes for the 

future and what inspires them to 

Two residents who regularly attend Merton 

Council’s All Saints Centre for people with 

physical disabilities have won UK Skills 

National Training awards after taking part 

in a National Vocational Qualification 

(NVQ) course. The All Saints centre helps 

put the needs of vulnerable members of 

the community first by offering increased 

social opportunities. Chris Bull and Marcia 

Brown, who both have physical disabilities, 

won the awards for achieving level 3 in 

Leadership and Management skills. David 

Morris, Senior Policy Adviser to the Mayor 

of London on disabilities presented the pair 

with their awards in November. Mr Morris 

said “Chris and Marcia’s achievement 

proves that as we all know disabled people 

can and should achieve exactly the same 

goals as able bodied people”. 

participate in secondary education. 

Merton Council’s cabinet member for 

children’s services, Councillor Debbie 

Shears says: “Both Sutton and Merton 

have been working hard together to ensure 

that local Traveller children do not become 

disengaged from the education system. 

This film is a fantastic example of what 

neighbouring boroughs can achieve when 

we come together to put the needs 

of our young people first.” 

All Saints students scoop awards 

FEBRUARY – MARCH 2009 • NEWS 

How to avoid a 

parking ticket – 

check the lines 

and signs 

Unnecessary parking 

tickets can be avoided and 

the council wants to work 

with you to ensure you 

know the rules to follow. 

P 

A 

R 

K 

I 

N 

G 

Parking on yellow lines or on 

the pavement may get you a 

penalty charge notice. 

Any picking up or dropping 

off of passengers near a 

pedestrian crossing is very 

dangerous and may get you 

a penalty charge notice. 

Read the zone entry signs. 

The times of restrictions do vary, 

for example zones W3 and W4 

in the centre of Wimbledon are 

in force until 11pm. 

Keep yourself and other road 

users safe by not stopping on 

yellow zigzags during hours 

of operation. 

If you park in a permit bay, 

ensure you have the correct 

permit, ticket or voucher 

applicable to the bay and 

make sure you park within 

the bay marking. 

No stopping at any time on 

white zigzags, pedestrian 

crossings, at taxi ranks or 

bus stops. 

Got a visitor or resident 

permit? You can’t use either 

of these in a pay and display 

car park. You will need to 

buy a ticket. 

Find out more 

www.merton.gov.uk/parking 

7

MISSION FOR MERTON • FERUARY – MARCH 2009 

The guiding principle behind Mission for Merton is 

missionformerton to make Merton a great place to call home. Merton’s 

healthier communities strategy helps to guide the services and focus we provide to 

residents by concentrating on five key areas of health and wellbeing. This issue we 

take a more in-depth look at healthy eating, fitness and mental wellbeing in winter. 

You are what you eat... 

Maintaining a balanced diet helps keep your 

immune system strong so you’re better able to 

fight off nasty colds and bugs lurking around 

in winter. A healthy diet includes a balance of 

a variety of fruit and vegetables, wholegrain 

cereals and bread, nuts and seeds, dairy 

products, oily fish, and plenty of water. 

Witness the fitness… 

Just 30 minutes of activity per day is all it takes 

to improve posture, muscle strength, bone 

density, mood and body image. It also helps to 

lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. 

Physical activity includes everything from 

organised sport and exercise classes to walking, 

cycling and gardening. Even your household 

chores, getting off the bus early or taking the 

stairs instead of the lift can count. 

While it is cold check out one of Merton’s 

leisure or community centres for a range 

of options including group classes, fitness 

equipment and swimming. 

Beating the winter blues… 

A lack of light and warmth can leave us feeling 

a little glum in the depths of winter. While we 

8 

Winter 

wellbeing 

We can tend to reach for a 

glass of Pinot, a plate of hot 

food and a nice cosy couch 

more often than we care to 

admit in the colder months. 

So to make sure you survive 

the long cold winter in the 

best of health, My Merton 

looks at some top health tips. 

can’t change the seasons or control the weather, 

there are a few things we can do to help beat 

those winter blues. 

Keep active: Exercise releases those feel good 

chemicals in the brain that help boost our selfesteem 

and improve sleep, concentration and body 

image. Aim for 30 minutes, five times per week. 

Relax: Take time out for activities you enjoy 

or to spend quality time with friends and family. 

Events like Merton’s Happy Soul Festival would 

be recommended too. 

Eat well: Caffeine, sugar and alcohol are 

fine in moderation but treat your body with 

respect by feeding and watering it well and 

you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the way it 

helps you look and feel. 

Ask for help: None of us are superhuman. 

It’s important to remember you are not alone. 

There are a number of places you can go to for 

support, advice or an open ear whether it is 

friends or family, your GP or CareConnect. 

Find out more 

Eating: www.eatwell.gov.uk and www.5aday.nhs. 

uk Merton leisure centres: www.merton.gov.uk/ 

leisure/sport Care Connect: info@care-connect. 

info or 020 8545 4710 Mission for Merton: 

www.merton.gov.uk/mission

workinglife 

“ I 

only came for a sewing course,” 

said Martina Collett-Creedy. 

Eight years later she is helping 

Merton residents find their own 

career path in her role as careers information 

officer at Merton Adult Education. 

Merton Adult Education’s free careers and 

training advice service offers impartial one-toone 

advice to all adults wishing to find out more 

about their work, learning or training options. 

“No two days are the same. I meet a wide range 

of people on a one-to-one basis, visit classes and 

also visit community groups.” 

Each year, approximately 500 local residents 

benefit from Martina’s information, advice and 

guidance, including help with CVs, applying for 

jobs, finding the best local course for them or 

simply exploring their options. 

“I really like helping people. Especially 

when someone has been out of the workplace 

for some time – they might have lost their 

confidence and feel that they lack skills, but 

in reality they have a number of transferable 

skills. It’s wonderful to explore different ideas 

with them whether it’s enrolling on a course 

or volunteering. They come back more positive 

and confident after attending one of our 

courses and continue to look for more ways 

to keep developing their skills.” 

In the current financial climate, Merton is 

working hard to put the needs of its residents 

first and with some residents looking for a new 

direction or advice on new skills to add to their 

CV, Merton Adult Education can help. “We 

have a career-matching computer programme 

called ‘Adult Directions’ that looks at skills and 

96% 

of people who used the Careers 

Advice Service rated the service 

as excellent. 

“I only came for a 

sewing course!” 

interests to suggest possible career options 

and explains the qualifications and experience 

needed to move into a new field.” 

Martina explains that sometimes people 

can be unrealistic. “I like to encourage people 

that most of the time it can be better to get your 

foot in the door of a company and work your 

way up rather than to expect to start at the top. 

Recognition will quickly be given if you have 

extra strengths and skills.” 

Find out more 

www.merton.gov.uk/adulteducation 

020 8543 9292 

FEBRUARY – MARCH 2009 • WORKING LIFE 

Thinking of a career change but not sure where to start? My Merton 

meets Martina Collett-Creedy for some expert advice and guidance. 

In 2008 

Merton Adult Education 

was the first in south 

London to be recognised 

by the Matrix quality 

standard for providing 

excellent information, 

advice and guidance 

across the board. 

9

YOUR COMMUNITY • FEBRUARY - MARCH 2009 

Peter Scola is just one example 

of a Neighbourhood Warden. 

The Neighbourhood Wardens 

scheme comprises a dedicated 

team of nine wardens in key areas around 

the borough. Peter is based in Phipps Bridge. 

Their aim is to improve services to the 

community, promote social inclusion and 

community activity, support victims of crime 

and assist Safer Merton – the crime reduction 

partnership between the council, the police 

and other agencies. 

Wardens patrol their respective area 

reporting environmental crimes such as 

graffiti, abandoned vehicles, required repairs 

to estates and council properties, fly tipping 

and also anti-social behaviour. In addition Peter 

and his colleagues organise youth events, work 

with schools, take part in residents’ association 

meetings and, alongside the police’s Safer 

Neighbourhood teams, run their own drop-in 

surgeries for residents. Providing a reassuring 

presence to the whole community is also 

crucial – the permanent presence of a warden 

Watching out – 

Neighbourhood 

wardens 

In a new regular feature My Merton investigates how residents’ needs and 

concerns are being put first when it comes to keeping Merton safe. This month 

we are finding out more about Safer Merton’s Neighbourhood Wardens. 

10 

actually acts as a deterrent to crime, anti-social 

behaviour and neighbourhood issues in the 

first place. 

On an afternoon patrolling with Peter it 

becomes clear he is well recognised and 

respected as many passers-by greet him 

warmly. It also becomes evident that being 

a warden encompasses many different 

activities and skills. “On any given day 

something different could be round the 

corner,” explains Peter. “One morning 

I might be advising on fly tipping or a 

neighbour dispute, and that afternoon 

I’ll be visiting one of the elderly residents 

or working with the police on reporting 

crimes or suspicious behaviour.” 

“Whatever it is I have to deal with I don’t 

mind as long as it is making a positive impact 

on the community and helping to ensure the 

area is a safe and enjoyable place for my 

residents to live.” 

And so, aside from being additional ‘eyes 

and ears’ for us all on the enforcement issues 

it seems your wardens can be teachers, 

Do you know your warden? 

Currently the Neighbourhood Wardens patrol 

areas within the wards of Abbey, Cricket Green, 

Figges Marsh, Lavender Fields, Pollards Hill 

and St Helier. Town centre wardens are also 

active in Mitcham, Morden and Wimbledon. 

listeners, advisers, mentors and a friend too 

– whatever it takes to help keep Merton a safe 

place to live. 

Find out more 

www.merton.gov.uk/ 

safermertonneighbourhoodwardens 

COMMUNITY SAFETY TIPS: 

Remove the opportunity and 

prevent the burglary 

• Lock doors and close windows when you 

go out 

• Install timers that switch lights or radios 

on and off automatically 

• Never leave a spare key concealed near 

the front door – burglars know all the 

hiding places 

• Property mark your valuable items and 

then register them at www.immobilise.com 

For more crime prevention advice, log on 

to www.met.police.uk

INTERVIEW 

Simon says… 

The BBC’s Working Lunch business correspondent 

Simon Gompertz has joined forces with My Merton 

to help you weather the stormy economy with top 

tips for getting through these tough times. 

Simon advises us all to cut back 

or not to use our cards at all 

“Get rid of all those store cards filling your 

wallet. They are too tempting – and too 

expensive. It is all too easy to get into debt 

if you use them regularly. Credit cards are 

another no no. If you have any, lock them 

in a drawer and don’t take them out except 

in an emergency.” 

Stop forking out for things 

you never use 

“Scour your bank account for direct debits, 

standing orders and subscriptions to clubs and 

sports centres you never go to. Do you really 

need all of them?” 

Try and save with a Credit Union 

“Saving with a Credit Union is helpful as it is 

run through the community as a co-operative. 

If you really need to borrow you can also get a 

cheaper and safer loan.” Find out more about 

Credit Unions in our Beating the Crunch article 

on page 12. 

Do you have a spare room 

in your home? 

“You can always rent a room and earn up to 

£4,250 a year tax free! And remember, if you 

live alone you can claim a discount on your 

council tax.” 

Work to a cash budget 

“You don’t have to stint yourself when it 

comes to buying healthy food if you are 

careful. Give yourself a cash budget every 

week for the essentials such as meals and 

petrol and check how much you spend. 

You could be surprised how much you save 

by keeping to your weekly allowance. Paying 

for items in cash rather than by card also 

helps you keep track of your spending.” 

“You can always rent 

a room and earn up to 

£4,250 a year tax free!” 

“Paying for items in cash 

rather than by card also 

helps you keep track of 

your spending.” 

“You should also check out 

other energy companies 

– they might offer you 

cheaper gas and electricity 

if you switch.” 

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2009 • YOUR COMMUNITY 

See if you can get free insulation 

“Keep those heating costs down by calling your 

energy supplier and getting free insulation. 

You should also check out other energy 

companies – they might offer you cheaper 

gas and electricity if you switch.” 

If you do have savings make sure 

they are in a tax free cash ISA 

(Individual Savings Account) 

“Now interest rates are falling you will be 

making hardly anything from money 

stashed away in the bank once the tax has 

been taken off.” 

Ask for advice 

Most importantly, if you do get into debt take 

advice and protect yourself by dealing with 

important debts first. Call in at the 

Citizens Advice Bureau or ring 

the free National Debtline on 

0808 808 400. 

11

FEATURE • FEBRUARY - MARCH 2009 

Trim your waistline and 

your outgoings 

The new year often means broken resolutions 

and expensive gym memberships draining 

your funds. Why not try your local council-run 

leisure centre as a cheaper alternative? 

Merton has three leisure centres in 

Mitcham, Morden and Wimbledon and each 

has ‘Wellness’ and ‘Pay and Play’ membership 

options starting from under £40 per month. 

There are also special rates for over 55s and 

discounts for partners when joining together. 

Children can swim for £1 in all leisure 

centres. Non-members are also welcome 

and can just turn up and pay as they go. 

Find out more 

Leisure centres 

www.merton.gov.uk/leisure 

12 

Beating the 

With the now infamous ‘credit crunch’ ongoing, most 

people in the country are finding their finances are 

being squeezed squ but life still has to go on. My Merton 

looks at hhow 

the council can help you keep your life 

running as a 

normal whilst also saving money. 

Getting married? Learn some new 

skills to save you money on your 

special day and for the future 

On Saturday 21 February Merton Adult Education 

is holding wedding workshops to help you plan 

your big day on a budget. Workshops include how 

to have perfect make-up and nails, making your 

own jewellery, stationery and table dressings as 

well as looking at how to de-stress your day and 

get the best photos. 

Merton Adult Education may also be able to 

help you if the credit crunch has affected your 

employment. Get in touch to find out how 

you can increase your skills through one 

of their 300 courses. 

Adult Education courses 

Call 020 8543 9292 or visit 

www.merton.gov.uk/adulteducation 

Benefit entitlement 

Go to www.merton.gov.uk/living/benefitsadvice 

Learn about your 

benefit entitlement 

Thanks to a council initiative, since 2007 

Merton outreach visiting team – MOViT for 

short – has joined the Local Pension Service 

and council teams together to offer residents 

help and advice on a number of entitlements. 

Appointments, drop-in sessions and home 

visits can be organised. 

Councillor Samantha George, Merton 

Council deputy leader said: “Merton 

understands that residents need the best 

value for money support to help them get by, 

especially in these more difficult financial 

times. Whichever form of help you may be 

able to receive, the team is working to advise 

you on your specific needs and gain you the 

state support to which you are entitled.” 

Libraries 


libraries

crunch… 

Keeping entertained 

If you are looking for activities to fill your free 

time that won’t empty your wallet why not pop 

down to one of Merton’s fantastic libraries 

or open spaces. As well as the wide selection 

of books, CDs and DVDs for hire and free 

use of the Internet there are also numerous 

special events which take place including book 

readings by famous authors, scrabble club and 

comedy nights. 

The excellent open spaces in the borough 

could also help keep you busy at little cost. 

In Cannizaro Park you can tour the Grade II 

listed park, or on Mitcham and Wimbledon 

Commons there are also a number of wildlife 

habitats and walks to entertain you on an 

afternoon out. 

Parks 

www.merton.gov.uk/parks 

Keeping warm 

Keeping warm is crucial to good health, but it 

can be a great burden on finances. There are 

grants and measures available to make homes 

warmer and to help you save money on fuel 

bills. The council is working closely with the 

Merton seniors group and CareConnect a free, 

confidential, impartial public information 

service available to people living, working or 

studying in Merton. CareConnect is available 

to drop-in enquirers through Merton Link 

at the civic centre without an appointment 

between 10am and 2pm, Monday to Friday. 

CareConnect 

Call for an appointment on 020 8545 4710 

or go to www.care-connect.info 

Credit Union 

www.merton.gov.uk/creditunion 

or 020 8545 3754 

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2009 • FEATURE 

New way of banking 

Credit Unions are savings and loans 

co-operatives which encourage people to save 

rather than borrow, but also provide low cost 

loans to members in times of need. They help 

to reduce many people’s reliance on doorstep 

lenders, pawnbrokers and loan sharks. 

Merton Council is working with partners 

in Sutton and Croydon to put your needs first 

and develop a cross-borough credit union. 

The application to the Financial Services 

Authority (FSA) will need to demonstrate 

significant support from local people. If 

the FSA approves the application, Merton 

residents will be able to take advantage of 

Credit Union services from Autumn 2009. 

Please help us and pledge your support 

by going to the website as above. 

Credit crunch advice 

www.merton.gov.uk/credit_crunch 

13

MY HISTORY • FEBRUARY - MARCH 2009 

myhistory 

Markets 

in Merton 

As part of the council’s drive to regenerate Mitcham the market has changed 

location. My Merton takes a look at the borough’s market history. 

Next time you return home, tired 

and weary from doing your weekly 

shopping, spare a thought for those 

who lived in Merton centuries ago. 

Back then regulations meant no new markets 

could be built within a seven mile radius of 

existing ones. That meant that for Merton locals 

Kingston and Croydon were the nearest – some 

distance even with today’s modern transport. 

There are no existing records which trace 

back to when Merton first had a market, 

although it is thought a few small stalls did 

operate on Mitcham Fair Green. A market 

operates in the same vicinity today having 

been re-launched as part of the council’s drive 

to regenerate Mitcham and put residents first. 

Much of Merton’s market history is more 

based around the location of today’s popular 

14 

Merton Abbey Mills, near Colliers Wood. 

Previously the location of work shops for both 

William Morris and Liberty, the site was an 

industry hub with the River Wandle providing 

a much needed power source to turn the 

waterwheels which would drive the printing 

presses. The original waterwheel can still be 

seen to this day, and operates on market days, 

Saturdays and Sundays. When the power source 

for industry changed to steam and electricity, 

the need for water power diminished and the 

workshops moved. Left empty for many years, 

and with the original building still intact, the site 

was sold on by the council to Sainsbury’s in the 

1980s with the understanding that significant 

funding would be given to restore the site and 

provide a facility that the community could use. 

Merton Abbey Mills was born. 

Make your way to 

Mitcham Market 

Mitcham market has started 2009 with a 

fresh new look. With stalls previously 

dotted around the town, the council has 

now brought all the market traders together 

to sell their wares in the new Market Square, 

next to the clock tower. 

Open from 8.30am until 5pm Monday to 

Saturday, the market is easily accessible by 

public transport, especially now Eastfields 

station is open. It sells a diverse range of 

goods including music, men’s, ladies and 

children’s wear, rugs, fruit and vegetables, 

household, leather and electrical goods, 

mobile phone accessories, pet supplies, 

shoes, toys, confectionery and even 

occasionally fish. 

New stalls to look out for in 2009 include 

Caribbean food, baby clothes and jewellery. 

Find out more 

If you would like more information about the market 

please contact the Market Inspector on 020 8545 4018. 

For more information 

about Merton’s history 

visit our website 

www.merton.gov.uk/history istory

myenvironment 

Monday 

RAYNES 

PARK 

WIMBLEDON 

MORDEN 

Tuesday 

All change for 

rubbish collection 

Why are we changing your 

rubbish collection service? 

To put your needs first, by providing the most 

efficient service possible, that allows us to 

recycle even more and reduce our impact 

on the environment. We recently reviewed 

our collections, asking customers what they 

thought of the service. Thank you to everyone 

who participated in our consultation and the 

trial to mix recyclable materials. You have 

helped shape the improvements being made, 

and over 90 per cent of you who responded 

were willing to accept changes to your 

collection service if it meant improvements 

in the longer term. 

How will the service change? 

From 23 February 2009 the rubbish and 

recycling collection days will change for most 

residents. This is due to changes to the collection 

route. You will receive a leaflet and a fridge 

magnet explaining the changes and showing you 

what can be recycled. Colour coding will be used 

in different areas of the borough to indicate the 

relevant collection day. Look out for your street’s 

new collection day on colour coded lamppost 

banners. Details of the changes will be on 

www.merton.gov.uk/recycling. Here, you will 

be able to find your new collection day and 

which colour your area falls into. 

Thursday 

Wednesday 

MITCHAM 

Friday 

Raynes Park and West Barnes fall 

across the green and purple zones 

What do you need to do? 

• From 23 February, mix all the 

recyclable materials you have 

collected over the week in either or 

both of your green and purple boxes. 

• Place your boxes and rubbish bag at the 

edge of your property by 6am on your 

new collection day. 

• We will empty the recycling boxes and 

mix the recyclables together in one vehicle. 

These materials will be transported to a 

warehouse to be sorted and recycled into 

new products. 

Who can you contact 

for further advice? 

The telephone number for all your waste 

enquiries is 020 8274 4902. If you need 

another box, we can provide that for you. 

Or maybe you would just like advice on which 

type of container to buy to better suit your 

needs. The council will be holding an open 

day for anyone interested in finding out 

more about the changes. It will be held on 

Wednesday 11 February 2009 from 12 noon 

until 7pm in the council’s committee rooms 

on the first floor of the civic centre in Morden. 

Find out more 

www.merton.gov.uk/recycling 

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2009 • MY ENVIRONMENT 

Changes to 

your service 

Monday: Wimbledon/areas of 

Raynes Park and West Barnes 

Tuesday: Morden/Merton Park/areas 

of Raynes Park and West Barnes 

Wednesday: Morden/St Helier 

Thursday: Colliers Wood/ 

South Wimbledon 

Friday: Mitcham/Pollards Hill 

What you can recycle 

• Glass bottles and jars 

• Food and drink cans 

• Cardboard 

• Plastic bottles only (no yoghurt pots 

or margarine tubs please) 

• Beverage cartons 

• Paper 

15

CELEBRATING SUCCESS • FEBRUARY - MARCH 2009 

Merton schools have had an excellent year. They are the most improved borough in 

the country for GCSE results and rated top in London for school sporting activities. 

My Merton looks at a round up of the successes. 

Cause for celebration 

As a borough we can be proud that our 

schools and pupils have performed so 

well this year. We know improved education is one 

of our residents’ top priorities and so congratulations 

should go to all teachers, pupils, parents and 

community partners for their hard work and support 

in achieving this. It’s amazing what we can achieve 

when we all come together and show belief in our 

children, young people and schools. ”Merton is number one for 

16 

Councillor Debbie Shears, Merton Council 

cabinet member for children’s services, said: 

Going for gold in sports 

Away from the academic side of things 

Merton schools are well above the national 

average for government sports targets. 

According to the 2007/08 national School 

Sport Survey Merton is the top borough in 

London and second in the country for offering 

the most competitive sporting opportunities 

in school. 

These strong improvements come as a result 

of initiatives started by the Merton School 

Sports Partnership (MSSP). The aim of the 

partnership is to get more five to 

16 year olds taking part in high quality 

physical education and school sport. 

Awards to honour 

all our rising stars 

Outstanding young achievers from Merton’s 

secondary schools, academies, special schools 

and Merton College were honoured at an 

awards ceremony in November at Ricards 

Lodge High School. 

As well as recognising academic 

excellence, the awards honoured students 

who have excelled in other areas such as 

the performing arts, and, in particular, 

celebrated those children who have 

made a significant contribution 

to school life and given 

support to fellow pupils. 

GCSE improvements 

Results published in October 2008 

show Merton as being the top borough 

in the country for overall percentage 

improvement at GCSEs. 

Results showed 60.6 per cent of 

students achieved 5+ A*-C grades in their 

GCSEs this year, up 26.5 per cent from 

last year. This is the highest improvement 

rate in the country. 

Merton also ranks as the fifth highest 

improving borough in the country for GCSE 

results that include English and maths. 

This year 45.4 per cent of students achieved 

5+ A*-C GCSEs including English and 

maths – up from 38.9 per cent. 

Celebrating Success 

in Merton’s Primary 

Schools 

Hillcross Primary School recently 

helped launch a brochure 

featuring the outstanding activities 

and achievements of Merton’s 

primary school children. Each 

school has their own section 

which showcases the creative 

projects and activities that children 

of all abilities have enjoyed and 

succeeded in at school. 

Find out more: 

www.merton.gov.uk/celebrating-success

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2009 • WE LOVE MERTON 

We Merton 

February is traditionally the month to love and be loved but this doesn’t have to 

stop at just the people around you. What about the area you live in? Merton has 

had many successes as a borough over the past year making it an even better 

place to live and call home. We take a look at the things to love about Merton… 

your safety… 

Merton has been awarded a double 

commendation by the Prince Michael 

International Road Safety Award (PMIRSA) for 

two projects: the child pedestrian programme 

and the ‘where i want to be’ DVD which advises 

on travel training for disabled and special needs 

adults. We are working hard to ensure we have 

no casualties on our roads but child casualties 

in Merton dropped by 95 per cent in 2007. 

There were 15 child casualties in 2006 and just 

one in 2007. 

The borough’s ‘Parklife’ project, which tackled 

anti-social behaviour at King George’s Playing 

Field, Lower Morden, has also been recognised 

for its innovative approach and success at 

reducing anti social behaviour problems in the 

area and increasing the sense of community. 

The new fencing 

at King George’s 

Action in Merton (AIM) is a week of action 

bringing together various local public services 

and members of the community to address 

your concerns around where you live. As well 

as providing advice, the AIM team carries 

out several enforcement activities including 

graffiti removal, litter patrols, tackling knife 

crime, dealing with fly tipping and visiting 

local businesses to ensure they are meeting 

the relevant trading standards. The AIM team 

has already started visiting different locations 

around Merton and will be continuing to do so 

in Spring 2009. 

The AIM team at 

Carter’s Estate 

your environment… 

Merton is well known for being one of the 

greenest boroughs in London but it is also a 

leader on ‘green’ issues. The Merton Rule is a 

planning policy which aims to reduce carbon 

emissions through the use of renewable energy 

in new developments in the borough and has 

been nominated for and has won a number 

of awards. It has also been adopted in other 

boroughs around the country. 

your community… 

Merton has been awarded £1.5 million by 

the London Development Agency to build 

the country’s first intergenerational centre, 

aimed at providing a range of shared services 

and facilities under one roof for older people, 

children and young people. 

17

FEATURE • FEBRUARY - MARCH 2009 

Under 

exposed 

18 

John Kennedy and one of his local music heroes, lead singer of 

Good Shoes, Rhys Jones meeting at Watershed in Wimbledon 

The death of John Peel in 2004 left a 

gaping hole in British radio. Widely 

regarded as his heir apparent is 

XFM’s John Kennedy – a Merton 

resident all his life – whose radio show 

captures the spirit of Peel and was recently 

described by The Times as demolishing genre 

boundaries and confounding expectations. 

The Peel comparison has followed John 

around since he made his radio debut in 

1997 on the fledgling XFM. 

“John Peel was a massive influence. 

I developed an interest in new bands and 

new things – he just opened up a whole 

new world to me. I would say my tastes 

are completely dictated by John Peel. 

I found my own horizons expanded 

when I listened to his show.” 

The Peel ethic of putting together radio 

shows that break free of the homogenisation 

of playlists and focus groups imbues 

everything John does, spurring him to 

hit the decks in the first place. 

“After going to school at Wimbledon 

College, I went onto the University of East 

Anglia and was so frustrated by the music 

“I would say my tastes are 

completely dictated by 

John Peel. I found my own 

horizons expanded when 

I listened to his show.” 

played in the clubs of Norwich, I started my 

own night.” 

Back home in Morden, John enrolled on a 

media studies course for the unemployed where 

he got his first taste of broadcasting. X-Posure, 

Britain’s flagship show for new music, was 

born in February 1999 and celebrates its tenth 

anniversary this year. 

“The show champions new music and 

though based on my tastes, it is also based on 

paying attention to what’s going on. You might 

listen to the show one month and it might be 

lots of singer songwriters, or loads of UK 

hip-hop or electronica or indie guitar bands. 

I suffer from a magpie tendency so I’m always 

interested in the next thing or something new.” 

5 Local Musical Heroes 

Mick Talbot – Merton Parkas/The Style 

Council/Galliano 

The Sound 

Sandy Denny 

Good Shoes 

Jamie T 

5 Future Heroes 

Gold Teeth 

los 

Lime Headed Dog 

The ComComCommas 

Artefacts for Space Travel 

10 X-Posure Albums 2008 

Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip – Angles 

Amadou & Mariam – Welcome To Mali 

Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend 

Benga – Diary Of An Afro Warrior 

Metronomy – Nights Out 

Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago 

Ponytail – Ice Cream Spiritual 

Late of the Pier – Fantasy Black Channel 

Laura Marling – Alas I Cannot Swim 

Hot Chip – Made In The Dark 

The roll call of bands from Razorlight to Dizzee Rascal given their first play on British radio 

by XFM’s John Kennedy is every bit as diverse as you would expect from the man billed as 

the new John Peel. Matt Rickard meets the legendary DJ and Morden resident. 

Artists given their first exposure by John 

include The Ting Tings, Razorlight, Maximo 

Park, Kate Nash, Dizzee Rascal, Sigur Ros, 

Adele, Jack Penate, Estelle and Jamie T 

all of which have gone on to enjoy 

considerable success. 

Jamie T is just one Merton success story 

who along with MIA and Good Shoes, both 

discovered first on X-Posure on demo, hail 

from the borough. It is something John is 

understandably proud of. So much so he is 

involved in a new night for new music at the 

Watershed in Wimbledon. 

“I am very committed to creating 

opportunities in the area. The night at the 

Watershed gives kids a chance to play and also 

to practise. The bands don’t have to pay to play 

or to guarantee a certain number through the 

door – it really is the perfect environment for 

them to grow and learn – a kind of birthing 

pool for a new generation.” 

X-Posure is on Monday to Thursday 10pm 

to 2am on XFM. 

Find out more 

www.xfm.co.uk www.watershedlive.com

what’son 

Your comprehensive guide to what’s happening in Merton. www.merton.gov.uk/events 

KEY: COLLIERS WOOD MITCHAM 

MORDEN RAYNES PARK WIMBLEDON/MERTON 

Arts and 

Entertainment 

Actors of the 

Twentieth Century 

Frances Hughes will be giving 

a talk tracing the history of the 

theatre from the beginning 

of the twentieth century by 

revealing all about the actors 

themselves. The talk for the 

Wimbledon National Trust 

Association is taking place 

on 7 February at 2.15pm until 

4pm at Christ Church Hall 

in Cottenham Park Road, 

LazyTown Live! 

– The Pirate 

Adventure 

Wednesday 11 

to Sunday 15 

February 2009 

Come and 

join the pirate 

adventure and 

be transported 

onto the high 

seas through a high-energy story 

full of parrots, pieces of eight and 

buried treasure. 

Performances are Wednesdays 

to Fridays at 5pm with matinees 

on Fridays at 1.30pm and 

Saturdays and Sundays at 11am 

and 2pm. 

Tickets are 

£13 to £19.50. 

Boeing Boeing 

Monday 16 to 

Saturday 21 

Wimbledon. Entrance is 

£2.50 for National Trust 

Association members and 

£3 for non members. 

Find out more 

020 8947 2639 

Merton Music 

Foundation 

The foundation will be 

putting on their spring 

concert at Ricards Lodge 

High School in Lake Road, 

Wimbledon, on Saturday 

21 March at 7pm. 

Find out more 

020 8640 5446 or 

www.mmf.org.uk 

February 2009 

This hilarious show, directed by 

Olivier Award winner Matthew 

Warchus, has already taken 

Broadway by storm so if you 

are looking to roll around in the 

aisles come and see this Tony 

award-winning comedy featuring 

an all star cast. 

Shows are Mondays to 

Saturdays at 7.30pm with 

matinees on Thursdays and 

Saturdays at 2.30pm. Tickets 

are £10 to £25. 

Little Shop of 

Horrors 

Monday 23 

to Saturday 

28 February 

2009 

Clare 

Buckfield, 

from Two 

Point Four Children and Dancing 

Hill Singers Haydn 

concert 

2009 is Haydn Year and 

as part of the bicentennial 

celebrations the Hill Singers 

will be presenting an all 

Haydn concert, complete 

with orchestra, featuring 

the motet’s Insanae et 

vanae curae, the London 

Symphony no 104 and 

the Harmoniemesse. The 

performance will take place 

at St Matthew’s Church, 

Durham Road, Wimbledon, 

on 21 March at 8pm. Tickets 

are £9 with concessions 

£7 on the door. 

Polka Theatre – The Jolly Postman 

Once upon a bicycle, so they say, a jolly 

postman came one day from over the 

hills and far away. The story of the Jolly 

Postman has captivated children from 

across the world for many generations, 

and now, for the first time the Polka 

Theatre, in The Broadway, Wimbledon, 

is bringing this enchanting picture book 

to life on stage. Don’t miss this much- 

loved tale of a helpful postman and all 

your favourite fairytale characters. 

Performances are from 14 February 

until 9 May at 10.30am. 

Tickets are £10 and concessions/school 

bookings are £7.50. 

Find out more 

020 8543 4888 or at 

www.polkatheatre.com 

Find out more 

020 8644 3794 or at 

www.hillsingers.co.uk 

New Wimbledon Theatre – Box Office: 0870 060 6646 www.newwimbledontheatre.co.uk 

On Ice, and Alex Ferns, from 

EastEnders, are both starring 

in this Olivier-nominated show 

about a floral assistant who 

discovers an exotic plant with 

a craving for fresh blood and an 

agenda for world-domination. 

Performances are Mondays 

to Saturdays at 7.30pm with 

matinees on Thursdays and 

Saturdays at 2.30pm. Tickets 

are priced at £12 to £30. 

The Reduced Shakespeare 

Company 

Monday 2 March 

2009 at 7.30pm 

Hear the Bible 

as you never 

have before as 

for one night 

only the Reduced 

Shakespeare 

Company 

give their 

Wimbledon Choral 

Society 

The choral society will be 

performing Mendelssohn’s 

Elijah at Guildford Cathedral 

on Saturday 28 March 

at 7.30pm. 

Mendelssohn composed his 

popular choral masterpiece 

in homage to his baroque 

predecessors Bach and 

Handel. The society will 

be performing with the 

New Queen’s Hall orchestra 

along with baritone 

James Rutherford as 

Elijah, soprano Mary 

Nelson and mezzo-soprano 

Frances Bourne. 

Tickets are £20 for the 

front nave, £15 for the back 

nave and west gallery and 

£10 for students. 

Find out more 

01483 444 789 or at 

www.wimbledon-choral.org. 

uk/tickets. 

For bookings of parties 

over 10 or for Friends of 

Wimbledon Choral Society 

call 020 8605 2266 

Merton Music 

Foundation at the 

Royal Albert Hall 

Join in a musical 

extravaganza at the 

Royal Albert Hall when 

the Merton Music 

Foundation (MMF) 

performs along with a 

number of Merton primary 

schools in a fabulous 

concert featuring a piece of 

music especially composed 

interpretation of the complete 

Word of God. Tickets 

for the show range from 

£17 to £19. 

Scooby Doo and 

The Pirate Ghost 

Wednesday 4 to Sunday 

8 March 2009 

Join Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, 

Velma, Daphne and Fred as they 

grapple with a new case in this 

show for all the family, complete 

with perplexing clues, pirate 

ghosts and an abundance 

of Scooby snacks. 

Shows are on 

Wednesdays to Fridays 

at 6.30pm with matinees 

on Thursdays at 2pm, 

and on Saturdays and 

Sundays at 11am, 2pm 

and 5pm. 

Tickets are £9.50 

to £20. 

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT • YOUTH • SENIOR CITIZENS • FAMILY • HEALTH & FITNESS • WALKS & TALKS • FAIRS & EXHIBITIONS 

19

what’son 

stayingin? 

MM’S BOOK CHOICE 


20 

Here’s a selection of what’s 

new in Merton’s libraries: 

The Credit Crunch 

Cook Book 

Don’t let the credit crunch and 

rising food prices spoil your 

appetite. This book will show 

you how to cook up delicious 

meals for the kids and whip 

up a three-course dinner for 

those posh neighbours without 

breaking the bank. And if you fancy a take away the 

Credit Crunch Cook Book can even show you how to 

create a top Thai curry or your favourite Chinese stir 

fry. So read up and eat well. 

Other new books 

Fiction: 

• Strangers Anita Brookner 

• Born Bad Josephine Cox 

• Plum Spooky Janet Evanovich 

• The Associate John Grisham 

• The Last Secret Christian Jacq 

• Rumour has it Jill Mansell 

• Born in Ice Nora Roberts 

New non-fi ction: 

• Oz and James’s Big British Adventure Oz Clarke 

and James May 

• Grumpy Old Couples Jenny Eclair 

• Green your home all-in-one for dummies 

• Darwin’s Island Steve Jones 

• Mummy, come home Oxana Kalemi 

• The Monster of Florence Douglas Preston 

NEW DVDS: MY MERTON RECOMMENDS 

City of Men 

From the award 

winning producer of 

City of God and The 

Constant Gardener, 

Fernando Meirelles 

takes on the story 

of two teenagers 

growing up in a world 

dictated by violence and run by street gangs. 

Suddenly fi nding themselves on opposite sides of 

a street war both boys have to confront a shocking 

secret from their shared past. 

Other DVDs: 

• Bangkok Dangerous 

• Cass 

• Anne 

• Four Last Songs 

• Meet Dave 

• The Strangers 

• Wild Child 

for the occasion by Pete 

Churchill. The concert on 

Monday 30 March will also 

feature performances from 

a band formed from all 

those musicians who play 

in bands which are part of 

the MMF and the highly 

acclaimed Merton Youth 

Orchestra. 

Find out more 

020 8640 5446 or 

www.mmf.org.uk 

Health and 

fitness 

Pilates fusion classes 

Join in this effective, 

strengthening and toning 

muscle exercise at Pollards 

Hill New Horizons 

Community Centre in South 

Lodge Avenue, Mitcham. 

Classes are every Monday 

at 6.15pm and 7.30pm. 

Please call or email before 

coming to your first class 

to reserve your place. 

Individual and pair fitness, 

body conditioning, vibration 

focuson 

MARIE CURIE CANCER CARE’S 

GREAT DAFFODIL APPEAL 

The Daffodil Appeal is running 

throughout March. On Saturday 

14 March it is Daffodil Day and 

celebrations will be held in 

Wimbledon Town Centre with the 

help of some local dance and theatre 

groups. Marie Curie Cancer Care 

volunteers will also be collecting on 

the day and handing out daffodils. 

Their aim is to get everyone 

supporting the charity and wearing 

their daffodils with pride. 

They are also looking for local 

people to volunteer a few hours 

of their time and help with the 

collection. All funds raised will go to 

help people with terminal illness get 

the best possible care at the end of 

their lives. Marie Curie Cancer Care 

nurses care for these people within 

their own homes, giving high quality 

nursing care and support to the 

patient and their family. 

plate and dance movement 

training are also available. 

Find out more 

020 8764 3462/ 

07977 126 462 or 

jo.fif@btinternet.com or 

www.fireislandfitness.co.uk 

Squirrels Community 

Scrap Scheme 

Beat the credit crunch and 

come and use the community 

scrap scheme. The scheme 

is alive and well so come 

along to 234 Ridge Road, 

Sutton, on Mondays, 

Wednesdays and Thursdays 

between 10.30am and 2pm, 

and 3.30pm and 5pm. 

Find out more 

020 8641 1881 

Quigong 

Find out more about this art 

which originated in China 

several thousand years ago. 

Find out more 

For further information or to get 

involved call Jane on 020 7599 

7324 or email jane.shuffl ebotham@ 

mariecurie.org.uk or visit the 

website at www.mariecurie.org.uk/ 

supportus/thegreatdaffodilappeal/

Quigong involves simple 

energetic body movements 

which can awaken and 

improve your physical and 

mental health. Classes take 

place at Wimbledon Village 

Club, The Ridgeway, in 

Wimbledon, on Monday 

evening between 7.30pm 

and 8.30pm. 

Find out more 

Call Alessandro Ferullo on 

020 8540 3714 

Merton Activity Plus 

holiday courses 

Make sure your little ones 

enjoy half-term even more 

this year by arranging for 

them to take part in Merton 

Council’s Activity Plus 

holiday courses from 16 

to 20 February. A variety 

of different courses will 

be taking place at various 

locations throughout the 

borough from 9am until 5pm. 

Find out more 

020 8545 3664 or at 

www.merton.gov.uk/activeplus 

Park workshop 

Learn how to prune roses 

with the professionals 

at Morden Hall Park, 

in Morden Hall Road, 

Morden, on 21 February 

at 10.30am. Follow up 

your morning gardening 

with soup and a roll. 

Tickets are available at 

the National Trust shop 

and cost £8. 

Find out more 

020 8545 6850 or at 

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ 

mordenhallpark 

Wimbledon Village 

Stables open morning 

Find out more about the 

joys of horse riding in 

Wimbledon. Come along 

to the stables on 3 March 

and meet the instructors 

and horses and discover 

if riding is the sport for 

you. There will be no 

obligation to sign up for 

any rides or lessons. 

The free morning at 

the stables in High Street, 

Wimbledon, kicks off at 

10.30am until 12.30pm 

Find out more 

Contact Claire Mallett on 

020 8946 8579 or at 

www.wvstables.com 

Battersea Ironsides 

indoor net practice 

Battersea Ironesides Cricket 

Club play home games in 

Merton and has now set 

up an indoor net practice 

programme at Ernest Bevin 

College in Beechcroft Road, 

Tooting. Juniors aged from 

six upwards are welcome 

as well as adults who are 

looking to join the club 

for the summer season. 

Sessions kick off at 

6.30pm from 26 January 

and will go on until 

6 April and cost £5 each. 

Find out more 

Call Eric Ferebee on 

020 8542 3029 or visit 

www.batterseairon 

sides.co.uk 

Wimbledon Racquets and Fitness Club 

Non-members are all welcome at the beginners and 

improvers squash and badminton sessions held at the club 

in Cranbrook Road, Wimbledon, every Sunday evening. 

Badminton classes are from 5pm to 7pm and cost 

£12 for non-members. Shuttles are e included. 

Squash sessions are from 5.30pm m until 6.15pm 

and are £10 for non-members. Coaching ach chin in ing g is i is 

carried out by qualifi ed professionals als and 

nd hir hire ire 

racquets are available. 

Junior badminton and squash 

coaching classes are also 

organised for non-members 

to try and all ages and abilities 

are welcome. 

Free lifestyle assessments to new w 

gym members joining the club are e 

also available and a personalised 

exercise programme by qualifi ed fitness fi tness s 

instructors is also provided. 

Find out more 

020 8947 5806 or at 

www.wimbledonclub.co.uk 

21

what’son 

Baby massage 

Learn the best way to 

massage your baby from 

a certified infant massage 

instructor in four friendly 

one-hour classes. Babies 

aged six weeks to one year 

are always welcome. 

Courses cost £60 per 

course and include 

massage techniques, 

colic routine, discussion 

and more. 

The four week courses 

start on 4 February and 4 

March at South Wimbledon 

Community Centre, 74 

Haydons Road SW19 1HL. 

Find out more 

Call Vicki on 07723 091 

055, email info@vie 

health.co.uk or visit 

www.viehealth.co.uk 

Getting Mums and 

Dads back into sport 

Free fun sports and fitness 

sessions are now running 

in Mitcham especially for 

mums. The hour sessions 

take place during the day, 

three days a week, at the Ivy 

Gardens Children’s Centre 

on Mondays at 1.30pm, at 

Cranmer Primary School on 

Tuesdays at 11.45am and at 

Lavender Children’s Centre 

on Thursdays at 1pm. 

Active Dads takes place at 

St Thomas of Canterbury 

Children’s Centre on 

Wednesdays 9.45am- 

10.45am. 

Coaches from Fulham 

Community Sports Trust 

run the classes, which 

take place while children 

are at school. Childcare is 

also provided for mums 

with young children below 

school age. You can just 

turn up to a session but 

if you need childcare 

you must call to book 

as it is limited. 

Find out more 

020 8646 4429 


22 

Walks and 

Talks 

Kids first 

Merton’s forum for 

children with disabilities 

and special needs is 

holding a lunch for mums 

and dads wanting to find 

out more about children’s 

centres in Merton. 

Come along on Thursday 

12 February and hear about 

centres in your area and 

what services they can 

offer you. 

Kids First will also be 

holding workshops on wills 

and trusts, physiotherapy, 

behaviour management, 

first aid and allergy 

consultation. 

Find out more 

020 8687 4644 or email 

kids.first@swlondon. 

mencap.nhs.uk 

Israeli settlements 

Come along and find 

out about the Israeli 

settlements and their 

impact on the Palestinian 

economy on Wednesday 

18 February at 8pm. 

Maggie Royer will give 

her personal account at 

40 Spencer Hill Road, off 

Worple Road, Wimbledon. 

Find out more 

020 8542 9618 

Merton Adult 

Education 

Try something new in 

2009 or add a skill to 

your CV. Merton Adult 

Education has a wide 

range of courses to 

suit everyone. 

Find out more 

020 8543 9292 or visit 


adulteducation 

Wedding courses 

Getting hitched in 2009? 

Merton Adult Education is 

holding a series of wedding 

workshops on Saturday 21 

February to help you plan 

your big day on a budget. 

Workshops include: 

Beaded jewellery making, 

9.30am-4pm, £65 

De-stress your big day, 

9.30am-3pm, £41.80 

How to be a wedding 

photographer, 10am-3pm, 

£38.50 

Wedding stationery, 

10am-3.30pm, £45 

Wedding day make-up and 

nails, 9.30am-4pm, £55.75 

Wedding table dressing, 

10am-3.30pm, £49.50 

Wedding day wines, 

10.30am-3.30pm, £53.50 

Find out more 

call 020 8543 9292 or 

at www.merton.gov. 

uk/adulteducation/ 

weddingworkshops 

More than just birds 

Discover more about birds 

in Merton and how they 

are faring during these 

changing times. Roger 

Tomlinson, community 

talks officer for the RSPB, 

will be giving a talk for the 


Association on 7 March at 

2.15pm in Christ Church 

Hall, Cottenham Park Road, 

Wimbledon. 

Tickets are £2.50 for 


Association members and 

£3 for non-members. 

Find out more 

020 8947 2639 

Quaker testimonies 

Jenny Ellam will be leading 

a workshop on Quaker 

testimonies on Wednesday 

18 March at 8pm at 

40 Spencer Hill Road, off 

Worple Road, Wimbledon. 

Find out more 

020 8542 9618 

Wimbledon 

Village pubs 

A book of pubs in 

Wimbledon Village has 

been reprinted after selling 

for £100 on e-bay. Clive 

Whichelow’s book looks 

at the history of eight 

existing pubs plus another 

dozen which have now 

vanished. The tales he tells 

include stories of prizefighters 

and poets, racing 

drivers and royalty plus the 

occasional ghost. There is 

a section on how the pubs 

got their names as well as 

bit about the breweries of 

Wimbledon. 

Pubs of Wimbledon Village 

(Past and Present) costs 

£3.95 and is available in all 

good bookshops.

Call 020 7407 9417 or email info@listening-books.org.uk to fi nd out more 

UK Audiobook Charity 

www.listening-books.org.uk 

Do you fi nd it diffi cult to hold a book, 

turn it’s pages, or read in the usual way? 

Listening Books is the charity for you 

Find out about our free trial 

for our new unique online streaming. 

Listen to audiobooks online! 

Postal options including MP3 CD also available 

Stephen Fry, Listening Books Patron 

"The companionship and delight of a voice 

telling stories is incomparable. Listening 

Books distributes pure undiluted pleasure 

and friendship. Not many schemes can 

make such a claim." 

Registered Charity No. 264221, Patron: Stephen Fry, President: The Rt. Hon. Lady Warnock DBE Established 1959 

Call 020 7407 9417 or email info@listening-books.org.uk to fi nd out more

mymerton 


Over 250 hot 

drinks served 

each day 

5 minutes 

with... 

Caroline Katiyo 

It’s Fairtrade Fortnight from 

23 February – 8 March. With Merton 

working towards ‘Fairtrade borough’ 

status, Karin Lane got the lowdown 

on everything fairtrade with Caroline 

Katiyo – owner of Morden’s famous 

Fairtrade coffee house, Tariro. 

What inspired you to set up Tariro coffee shop? 

I worked for three years in Zimbabwe on a project 

with street children, training them to make things 

to sell, like cards and gifts. This made me realise 

how we can affect other people’s lives with our 

purchasing choices. I set up Tariro to sell Fairtrade 

products and other ethically sourced goods to 

encourage and inspire people here. Tariro is a 

not-for-profit company, with all money invested 

back in to the projects we support overseas. 

I’m also involved in the charity Zimkids – 

a sponsorship programme for orphans and 

destitute children in Zimbabwe. 

What’s your best seller? 

Definitely a skinny latte usually accompanied 

by a chocolate brownie. Our ethically traded 

jewellery also flies off the shelves. 

What do you love about Merton? 

I was born and raised in Merton and am now 

raising my own family and have my own business 

here. There’s a real community spirit in Morden – 

I see it every day in Tariro with the mix of people 

that come in. I’m passionate about the area 

and working to improve it and am involved in 

the Morden Town Centre Partnership and 

Fairtrade Merton. 

Do you have any tips for those wanting to support 

Fairtrade through the credit crunch? 

Don’t give up buying Fairtrade products and 

shopping ethically, as the knock on effects of that 

could have a devastating effect on developing 

countries. For me, I feel more comfortable buying 

ethically traded products than cheaper alternatives 

that may have been made in conditions that exploit 

people. I also believe in buying locally to help 

support local businesses. 

Just remember: ‘Small change locally – Lives 

changed globally’. 

Come and visit us at Tariro and see for yourself. 

Find out more 

www.fairtrademerton.org.uk 

www.zimkids.org 

www.tariro.co.uk

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