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New Toad Pond under construction at Ham Common

Works are under way at Ham Common Woods for the creation of a new large pond to provide a suitable breeding habitat for toads. The site will also compliment other existing habitats in the area including smaller waterbodies. Toad populations are known to be present in the area and there is an active Toad Patrol which closes Church Road for short periods every year and is managed by an active volunteer group, the Ham and Petersham Association.

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London model heads to Richmond Town

International model, Surasak Heebtim, will be among the many models volunteering their time to Richmond Fashion Festival's photoshoots with the social media event supporting the Fashion and Textile Children's Trust through a Christmas Charity Auction.

Full details including items 'under the hammer' will be promoted from Sunday 1 November on Richmond Fashion Festival's and their partners website.

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Kew 10K back with social distancing success

The largest social distancing running event in the UK happened over the weekend with 3,500 runners competing in the findarace.com Kew Gardens 10k, at the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Runners were spread out over different allocated arrival times, and started 4 at a time. Seyfu Jamaal ran the fastest time of the weekend with a time of 30 minutes and 14 seconds, while the fastest woman over the weekend was Tracey Barlow with a time of 34 minutes and 54 seconds.

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Richmond turns on the style

Richmond Fashion Festival in December has now been cancelled due to COVID-19. It has been replaced by the 'Richmond Social Media Extravaganza' which will promote 18 national fashion retailers and local exclusive fashion boutiques for free to help the sector get back on its feet.

Look out for 'Come on In' in January, 'Static Fashion Show' and 'Richmond Fashion Show' in Spring 2021 which will be held in one of the town's iconic venues.

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The Annual Public Health Report celebrates the borough’s whole-school and community approach to children’s health

This year’s Annual Public Health Report – from the Director of Public Health, Shannon Katiyo – champions the borough’s whole-school and community approach to addressing young people’s health.

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Do you require help claiming benefits as an elderly person?

Did you know that up to £3.5 billion of Pension Credit and Housing Benefit goes unclaimed by older people each year? Age UK's Benefits Calculator can help you find out what benefits you could be owed. It's free to use and the details you provide are kept anonymous. If you or a family member requires a helping hand try the Age UK Benefit Calculator now.

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Webinar on relationships and sex education

All residents are invited to a webinar on September 17 on topics relating to Relationships and Sex Education (RSE), hosted by Richmond and Wandsworth’s sexual health service providers, charities Spectra and METRO.

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Hampton & Richmond Borough FC season tickets now on sale

Hampton & Richmond Borough FC season tickets are now on sale online via the club’s website. Season tickets will be valid for first team Vanarama National League South home fixtures, first team pre-season friendlies and youth team league matches.

Tickets start from £220 for a new adult season ticket with youth and concession tickets available.

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Council agrees rough sleepers COVID-19 recovery plan

An action plan to help rough sleepers avoid returning to the streets as COVID-19 lockdown continues to be eased has been approved by Richmond Council.

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Good news as libraries service increases with ‘browse and borrow’ slots

As part of the phased reopening of libraries, opening hours have extended to 6pm on weekdays (7pm on Wednesdays) and 15-minute ‘browse and borrow’ sessions have started in eight of the open libraries.

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Rotary help for Lesbos refugees

The Rotary Club of Kew Gardens has set up a Crowdfunding account to help feed refugees at the Moria camp on Lesbos, Greece, which was destroyed by fire on 8 September which left some 12,000 refugees, half of who are children, homeless. 

Both local Rotary Clubs have come together and are now inviting residents to help in their Crowdfunding effort for the project. Kew Rotary has already put up £2,000 as match-funding.

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Mayor of Richmond unveils new Town Twinning Information Board

Last Thursday, September 10, the Mayor of Richmond, Cllr. Geoff Acton unveiled the first of the magnificent new Town Twinning Information Boards in the Terrace Gardens, Richmond Riverside.

The boards were commissioned by REA, with the aid of a Civic Pride grant, to commemorate the reaffirmation of the partnerships with Fontainebleau & Konstanz. The Mayor addressed a gathering of REA members who were present for the ceremony which also featured music from the fantastic St. Margaret’s Elastic Band.

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How COVID-19 impacted Richmond upon Thames

The results are now in following a resident’s survey looking at the impact of the pandemic on local people in Richmond unpon Thames.

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The England Rugby Store has now re-opened

The England Rugby Store at Twickenham Stadium is now back open and will be stocking the full range of 2020/21 England home, alternate and training kits, designed by Umbro.

Buy a new Umbro jersey to be in with a chance of winning a top signed by the senior men’s England Rugby team.

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Book your tickets for next week's Twickenham Luminaries online lecture series

It’s not too late to register your place for next week’s Twickenham Luminaries online lecture series. The first in the series will be about Nellie Ionides and Orleans House and will be presented by Minna Andersen.

Talks will be delivered via Zoom and will begin at 6pm each evening. Tickets are free, but tickets can be purchased for £5 as a donation, with the proceeds going to the participating organisations.

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RFU autumn fixtures

The RFU have announced that, in line with the Government’s return to sport, they will be hosting six rugby events this autumn – with spectator numbers from 7,500 to 25,000. The RFU are putting in place significant measures to mitigate the impact of the events on the local area.

As part of the Richmond Council Community Conversation programme, if you would like more information about the events, particularly regarding the RFU COVID-19 safety plans, transport and policing, attend our virtual discussion on Thursday 24 September 2020, at 6.30pm.

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Take 20 minutes to try and help those who are suffering this World Suicide Prevention Day

This World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September 2020), Richmond Council, Public Health and the NHS are encouraging residents to complete the Zero Suicide Alliance’s 3-step online Suicide Prevention Training, which takes just 20 minutes, as well as signposting residents to mental health support services.

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Good causes can strike lucky with the launch of a new local community lottery

A new online lottery, Get Lucky Local, will be launched in Richmond this Thursday (10 September) to support numerous good causes, including charities, local cultural and sports projects and community groups which require much-needed funds after the impact of the pandemic.

Players can choose the local organisations which directly benefit with tickets costing £1.

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Council seeks reassurance as Royal Parks propose parking charges

Richmond Council are seeking reassurances about the introduction of parking charges at Bushy and Richmond Park. Have your say in a consultation on the charges before 1 November 2020.

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The National Archives unveil online exhibition: The Art of War

The National Archives has released a huge series of artwork from the Second World War in their online exhibition, The Art of War.

The exhibition features nearly 2,000 original pieces of wartime propaganda art, covering many wartime campaigns released in line with their series to commemorate the 80^th anniversary of the Blitz.

Visit the online exhibition