HADRA Newsletter - Spring 2022

SPRING 2022

THE HADRA NEWS

Hartley & District Residents’ Association

www.hadra.org

Protecting and Advancing the Common Interests of the Area EVERYTHING CHANGES

A very, very long time ago, there lived a Greek philosopher called Heraclitus who really had a thing about change.

Depending on the translation, Heraclitus asserted that ‘nothing endures but change’ or ‘change is the only constant’. Or, more cryptically, ‘you never step into the same river twice’. You get the gist!

Is Croydon about to experience unprecedented change?

On May 5th, for the first time in our history, Croydon voters get to elect a Mayor. Of course, we’ve had mayors before, but those were ceremonial mayors chosen by the Council Leader, who in turn was chosen by members of the majority party.

Thanks to the indefatigable efforts of the DEMOC campaign, which HADRA supported, every Croydon voter will now have a say in who we want to take the helm at the Council and steer Croydon into a new era.

You’ve probably already had lots of campaign material through your letterbox, but if you are still keen to find out more, several debates and hustings events are planned.

Keep checking our website and social media for the latest news. But if you do nothing else, please exercise your right to vote in the Local Elections on May 5th.

Even more change could be coming our way if the proposed Local Plan gets approved. The latest round of public consultation closed in mid-February, but the Council’s proposals came in for criticism from all quarters.

You can read about the plans for our area and HADRA’s representations on page 3. See page 2 for our latest Planning round-up.

The final change is happening a bit closer to home. This will be my last Newsletter as Acting Chair, as I will be stepping down from the HADRA Committee at our AGM in May (full details opposite). My community involvement will continue but it’s taking a slightly different direction; please turn to page 6 to read about Croydon’s new Textile Repair Café.

If you’d like to become more involved in some local initiatives, we have highlighted a few volunteering opportunities on pages 4-7. And of course, the HADRA Committee still desperately needs more people to get involved; we’d be grateful for any help you can offer, whether you can only spare an hour or two a week, a month, or a year. Every little helps.

Lucia Briault Acting Chair, HADRA

HADRA A GM

The 2022 HADRA AGM will take place at:

7pm, Thursday 12th May 2022 at

Old Coulsdon Centre for the Retired Agenda 7pm - Welcome and Refreshments 7:15 - Update from our local MP, Chris Philp 7:40 - Safer Neighbourhoods Police Update 8pm - AGM commences • • • • • •

Apologies Matters Arising Review of the Year Financial Review and Adoption of Accounts Election of Officers and other Committee Members Any other business relating to AGM

8:40 - General Q&A (including any local Councillors present) 9:15 - Close

HADRA SUBSCRIPTIONS

Residents are reminded that the easiest way to pay the £3 subscription is to set up an annual standing order.

We have recently moved our bank account so please note the new details: Account name: HADRA Sort Code: 23 05 80 (Metro Bank) Account number: 41022558

Please quote your postcode and flat/house number in the reference. You can of course use the same details to make a one-off payment. Alternatively, cash and cheques made payable to HADRA can be delivered to 52 Hartley Hill; please remember to include your name and address.

If you have any queries about your subscription, please email treasurer@hadra.org. We are also very grateful for any additional donations and appreciate the support of all residents who make financial contributions to help fund our activities.

If residents need to contact the association, they can do so via email at action@hadra.org

COMMITTEE REPORTS MEMBERSHIP

It came as no surprise that the pandemic affected HADRA’s membership – our activities were restricted, and our residents had bigger fish to fry – but two years on, our membership is still incredibly low.

To put this into context, here are the membership figures for the past 4 years: Year ending 31 March

Income from subscriptions

2019

£1,232

2021

£555

2020 2022*

£1,230 £477

Number of households that paid £3 subs

373 365 135 90

* Provisional figures

We no longer ask our Road Stewards to knock on doors and collect cash when they deliver the newsletter. Initially, this revised approach was forced on us by COVID-19, but we also acknowledge that, for many people, cash payments are a thing of the past. We received feedback from residents and Road Stewards alike that calling for payments made them uncomfortable. We now encourage residents to set up a standing order or pay by bank transfer, but we still accept cash and cheques if you prefer to pay that way. Please see the HADRA SUBSCRIPTIONS section on the front page for full details.

We really hope that our dwindling membership is an indication of busy lives and an oversight on the part of our residents, rather than a lack of appreciation for the hard work that the Committee continues to do on your behalf. We often receive expressions of gratitude for our help with inappropriate planning applications, but we would welcome your feedback on whether you consider £3 a year to be value for money. HADRA cannot continue to function without resources, whether that’s funds or people to serve on the Committee or help out in other ways.

Please email action@hadra.org if you’d like to comment on HADRA’s role in the local community or let us know why you are happy (or unhappy) to pay £3 a year.

KEEP UP TO DATE

The HADRA website, at www. hadra.org has lots of information including Police, Planning, Local History, Health and Frequently Asked Questions.

Residents are also invited to join our Facebook group, WhatsApp group and sign up for our monthly eBlast. The eBlast contains details of local events and any urgent issues in the area. You’ll find links to each of these on the homepage of the website. If you have any trouble, please email action@hadra.org for support.

2 | HADRA NEWSLETTER SPRING 2022

PLANNING

Two planning applications that were refused by the Council were recently decided by the Planning Inspector.

The appeal was granted to demolish the house at 15 Haydn Avenue and build 8 flats. At 13 Haydn Avenue, the developer is now out of time to appeal against the refused planning application to demolish the existing property and build 7 flats.

The proposal to demolish the bungalow at 6 Hartley Down and build 9 flats was refused on appeal. However, nearby residents were recently notified by Buxworth Homes of their intention to submit a planning application to demolish the bungalows at Hartley Court and Ravenswood, which are next to the railway bridges at the bottom of Hartley Down, and build 16 flats.

Construction of flats and houses continues with some contractors being less considerate to residents than others. Developers are required to submit a Construction Logistics Plan (CLP) whi`ch needs to be approved before construction commences.

When developers do not adhere to this plan to the detriment of local residents, complaints to the planning enforcement team are rarely actioned promptly. HADRA are trying to get the planning department to insist on a communications protocol being added to the CLP to include: •

Name and contact details of community liaison officer

•

Monthly newsletters to residents advising them of progress and future activities.

•

•

Written letters to residents notifying them when works will commence.

Complaint handling procedure.

This would then enable residents to complain directly to contractors and get issues resolved in a timely manner. It would also reduce the workload of the Council’s planning enforcement team.

Contractors are not allowed to park containers on a road or footpath without obtaining a licence which is valid for 4 weeks and can only be obtained once a site meeting has taken place with a neighbourhood safety officer.

Single containers shall have at least 4 lights, 1 at each corner, during the hours of darkness and clearly visible to all traffic. The container should be clearly and indelibly marked with the owner’s name and telephone number or address. A container licence for 4 weeks costs £356.

To park a skip on any road the skip company should purchase a skip permit from the Council. Contractors are also not allowed to restrict roadside parking by installing traffic cones and notices restricting parking without obtaining and paying for a Temporary Traffic Order for parking restrictions.

Croydon Council’s Parking Design department can check if there are any approved temporary parking restrictions and contact the relevant team to resolve any problems; residents are advised to email parkingdesign@croydon. gov.uk and copy planningenforcement@croydon.gov.uk.

If you have no response or action from the Council departments then contact your local Councillor for assistance.

Colin Etheridge, HADRA Planning Representative

LOCAL PLAN

The current Croydon Local Plan was published in 2018, but following the Council’s declaration of a Climate Emergency in July 2019, a partial review was launched.

During the first stage of the review, a period of consultation took place between November 2019 and January 2020, to gain feedback from the community. This was referred to as the ‘Issues and Options’ consultation.

Three strategic options were presented: Option 1: described as ‘an environmental and economically sustainable option’, this required significant housing intensification throughout the borough.

HADRA’s other representations covered many of the issues that we raise regularly in our objections to inappropriate intensification schemes in our area, such as the lack of supporting infrastructure and an inappropriate emphasis on building flats as opposed to family houses with private gardens and, in areas where access to public transport is poor, adequate parking. We also highlighted the outdated supporting evidence and the insufficient account taken of the impact of COVID and climate change, among other things. HADRA’s detailed representations and suggested modifications can be read in full on our website here: https://hadra.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/LocalPlan-Review-consultation-response.pdf

Option 2: described as ‘an environmentally and socially sustainable option’, this consisted of a significant transformation of the Purley Way through major mixed-use redevelopment, alongside lower levels of intensification throughout the borough.

Option 3: described as ‘an economically and socially sustainable option’, this necessitated a limited release of green belt land.

Following the initial public consultation, the Council analysed the responses and developed a ‘preferred option’ based on Option 2. The Spatial Planning Team also had to incorporate changes resulting from amendments to the National Planning Policy Framework as well as the introduction of a new London Plan published in March 2021.

A further six week public consultation took place at the beginning of 2022 . Known as a Regulation 19 Consultation, this had a very specific purpose and any representations (comments) had to focus on whether the proposed plan was “sound”, according to four predetermined tests of soundness.

In the submission draft of the revised Local Plan, much of the HADRA area was earmarked as an ‘area of moderate intensification‘ – this was a new designation. Like many other residents’ associations whose areas were similarly affected, HADRA objected to this designation. We argued that this aspect of the plan was unsound as it was not positively prepared (i.e. it will not promote sustainable development), and not consistent with national planning policy or the 2021 London Plan, particularly the latter’s small sites policy (H2).

This is a synopsis of the revised Local Plan’s key elements that impact the HADRA area. Page numbers refer to the proposed submission version of the Plan, which can be found on the Council’s website here: https://www.croydon.gov.uk/planning-andregeneration/planning-policy/get-involved-croydonsplanning/regulation-19-consultation What happens next?

The Council originally intended to submit the revised Local Plan to the Planning Inspectorate in March. Given the sheer volume of representations made by residents and organisations – including the Mayor of London’s planning team and the countryside charity CPRE – it has been confirmed that submission will be deferred until June to allow for further amendments (or perhaps even a major rewrite). Significantly, Local Elections – including the election of our first democratically-elected Mayor of Croydon – will have been held before the revised submission date. Watch this space for developments (pun intended).

HADRA NEWSLETTER SPRING 2022 | 3

VOLUNTEERING FOCUS DOWNLANDS PARTNERSHIP

If you’re fairly fit and enjoy getting out and about in the great outdoors, did you know that you can take part in conservation work in beautiful local areas such as Farthing Downs and Kenley Common?

There is something for everyone to get involved in, with different seasonal countryside tasks taking place on various sites. Exercising whilst socialising in the great outdoors with friendly, like-minded people has recognised widespread health and well-being benefits, as well as supporting the maintenance and restoration of the beautiful local countryside and its rare habitats.

If you are new to practical conservation work, the Downlands Partnership recommends trying a scrub clearance task first, but most tasks are suitable for all ages and abilities, as you can work at your own pace and will be shown exactly what to do. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

There is no fixed commitment with the conservation crew; you can join in as often as you like, for full or half days. The sessions run from 10am to around 3 to 4pm.

For more information, including details of the current programme of work, you can visit the Surrey County Council website on www. surreycc.gov.uk/land-planningand-development/countryside/ partnerships/downlands/ volunteer-programme or search for @countrysidevolunteers on Facebook. The team is also happy to answer your questions on 01883 341140 or via email to downlands@surreycc.gov.uk

Please let them know in advance if you are planning to join any of the volunteer sessions.

Even if you can’t join in the conservation work, you might like to explore some of the lovely countryside walking routes of varying lengths that the Downlands Partnership maintains. The descriptive and illustrated self-guided walk leaflets are available in traditional printed format; some are also available as pdfs.

To request your free hard copies or pdfs, please send an email with your requirements to downlands@surreycc. gov.uk or call 01883 341140. Please provide your full address and allow up to three weeks to receive leaflets by post.

Some of the most popular routes in the Downlands Partnership area can also be found on the AllTrails app or downloaded via the links on this webpage: www.surreycc. gov.uk/land-planning-and-development/countryside/ partnerships/downlands/walks

SOUTH EAST CANCER HELP CENTRE

The South East Cancer Help Centre in Purley welcomes volunteers of all ages and backgrounds. The wonderful support given by their volunteers plays a valuable part in the services and groups SECHC is able to provide.

There are many different volunteer roles at the Centre. Most roles require the volunteer making a commitment to a regular day and time, but some roles require help on a flexible or intermittent basis.

There are also lots of ways to support SECHC’s fundraising team. Perhaps you could spend a couple of hours a month co-ordinating the delivery of community collection boxes, or just lend a hand selling and folding raffle tickets at one of the Centre’s events? Learn more on the Centre’s website:- www.sechc.org.uk/about-us/volunteers and www.sechc.org. uk/support-us/370-become-a-fundraising-volunteer 4 | HADRA NEWSLETTER SPRING 2022

VOLUNTEERING FOCUS COULSDON GAINS A NEW COMMUNITY GARDENING SPACE, THE HIVE

Nature supported many people’s well-being during lockdown. For many of us, our gardens or green spaces (even if that’s a balcony or window box) took on many new roles. For some, they became a practical refuge; a gym, somewhere to have a lunch break or to take on a new hobby. For others, it was a mindful haven on their doorstep where they could re-connect with nature by listening to the birds, watching a seedling grow or simply taking in the fresh air.

Inspired by the many community gardening projects around Coulsdon (including Banstead in Bloom’s beautiful displays and Purley in Bloom’s ongoing greening projects), I embarked on a quest to find out if there were any ’spare’ bits of land in Coulsdon that we could start a project like this. And I never expected to be rewarded so greatly!!

The garden behind Coulsdon Library is a fantastic space.

Untouched for many years, it has been treated to a (very basic) haircut by the Council twice a year and we, the residents of Coulsdon, have now been given permission to turn it into something that will benefit us all.

It was from this idea that I set up the Coulsdon Gardeners Facebook group in the summer of 2020. A group which, unsurprisingly given the timing of its inception, grew quickly and enthusiastically. People were sharing unused seeds, surplus vegetables, plant cuttings, tips, hints and advice. The community spirit was so inspiring and I’m sure everyone would agree that it would be brilliant to keep that spirit alive in a post-lockdown world.

But it’s not my garden. It’s a garden that belongs to the entire community. These are just my ideas. So, please - if you have any suggestions, I would absolutely love to have a chat about them.

Determined to tackle a new project myself, I wanted to give vegetable growing a go - but with garden centres closed, I started to wonder if any neighbours had spare seeds or seedlings that I could have. And why stop there?

I had plenty of mock orange blossom cuttings that I didn’t need… I wondered if people would be up for a plant swap in Coulsdon?

I wondered if we could reignite this community spirit through an outdoor space in central Coulsdon. A place where, hopefully, residents will come together to literally develop something from scratch that could benefit the wider community.

My vision is to have it as a relaxed social space, where local residents could sit quietly and enjoy some birdsong and a coffee from one of our brilliant independent cafés.

A ‘happy to chat’ bench, perhaps, for someone alone who would like to chat with someone new. A kids’ exploration corner where perhaps local schools or brownie/scout groups could come down and make outdoor crafts or learn how to grow seeds or explore the sensory herb garden. A corner for local artists to connect with nature and display their work. A seed swap library. A flourishing meadow bank which will attract butterflies, bees and native birds.

It’s not all going to happen at once; the ground is uneven and heavy with brambles so there’s a lot of initial groundwork to be done. But hopefully, in years to come, the space will have flourished and become a welcoming haven for many Coulsdon residents. I hope you will join us!

By Emily Harris

LOCAL HISTORY - COULSDON LIBRARY

Local historian and Coulsdon enthusiast, Martin Miles (from Facebook group, Coulsdon History), recently shared photos of original plans for the Coulsdon Library. It was designed to resemble an open book! Unfortunately, the back part of the library was never finshed (probably due to the war), but finding these photos inspired an idea...

What if we replicate the original plans with planters, benches, flower beds etc, to create ‘the pages’ to go with the library’s ‘book’ shape? Wouldn’t this be a wonderful tribute to the original plans for the library? Plus... how amazing would it be to see the change via Google Earth!

Martin himself is an enthusiastic landscape gardener and has tonnes of ideas... if anyone else would like to contribute to the planning or implementation of this idea, please get in touch!

There’s still a bit of ground work to do (notably because the ground is so undulating), but other volunteers have been in touch with Jewsons to see if they can help loan some equipment to level the ground.

If anyone has any other contacts, or ideas to help this process, please get in touch with Emily Harris from The Hive at thehivecoulsdon@ gmail.com.

HADRA NEWSLETTER SPRING 2022 | 5

VOLUNTEERING FOCUS REPAIR CAFES

The very first Repair Café was held in Amsterdam in 2009, but what started as a grassroots movement aimed at increasing local-level sustainability has burgeoned into a worldwide phenomenon. There are now over 2,000 Repair Cafés affiliated to the Dutch Repair Café Foundation and countless others that follow a similar format but are not affiliated.

Primarily aimed at combating waste, overconsumption and planned obsolescence, the concept of a Repair Café is simple: people bring along broken items to a place (typically a community venue such as a church or library) where there are volunteers who have the tools and the knowledge to fix them. Repair Cafés are as much about conviviality and sharing skills as they are about saving items from landfill. Typically, repairs are undertaken for a donation. Refreshments are often available.

OLD COULSDON CENTRE FOR THE RETIRED

Can you spare just 2 hours a week to join a happy team of volunteers?

The Centre is dependent on volunteers to help provide all our services. Currently we have around 50 friendly people helping but need more. The areas involved are: 1. In the Centre helping to look after our clients, serving teas, coffees, snacks, and lunches. We are open 5 days a week and each day is broken down into two hourly shifts – 10.00am to 12.00 noon, 12.00 noon to 2.00pm and 2.00pm to 4.00pm.

2. On the minibus which operates 4 days a week (not on Thursdays) with basically two hourly shifts with one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. It is staffed by a driver and passenger assistant and help is needed in both areas.

If you would like to consider joining the Team whether in the Centre or on the minibus, give Iris, Centre Manager, a call on 01737 554 386 without any obligation to discuss what is involved. Find out more at https://occftr.org/.

Our nearest affiliated Repair Café is held from 10.30am to 1pm on the second Saturday of the month at St Lawrence’s Ancient Church in Caterham-on-the-Hill. There’s a car park opposite and free parking in adjacent streets. Money raised goes to the maintenance and upkeep of the church, which is Caterham’s oldest building. If you’re bringing items to the Repair Café, please make sure they’re clean.

Meanwhile, in Croydon’s Whitgift Centre, the borough’s first Textile Repair Café has begun offering workshops to those who want to repair, re-fashion or recycle their clothes or other textiles. The Textile Repair Café is run by volunteers from Croydon ReUse Organisation. As well as reducing waste, the initiative will bring the community together in a friendly and creative space.

Sewing and other textile crafts can be an effective way to combat depression, encourage mindfulness & reduce stress. Textiles are just the start, and Croydon ReUse would love to hear from anyone who can offer time or expertise in fixing electronics, electricals, furniture, etc. Connect with them through the Green Croydon website: https:// greencroydon.co.uk/ 6 | HADRA NEWSLETTER SPRING 2022

The Centre also hosts the Singles Lunch Club for retired people that is referred to under the ‘Events’ section in ‘Centre News’ of the website. If you are interested in attending, please feel free to drop an email to Tony at tonysalescentre@aol.com.

SUTTON COMMUNITY FARM

There’s no farm shop at Sutton Community Farm and you cannot visit to pick your own produce. But if picking or packing vegetables is something that appeals to you, then why not join the farm’s merry band of volunteers?

Volunteer sessions happen Monday – Thursday, either in the morning or afternoon. Additional Saturday volunteer sessions occur once or twice a month depending on the time of year. There’s an online rota system to enable volunteers to self-manage when they come to volunteer, and there is no expected ongoing commitment. Volunteers experience a wide range of benefits, including: • improved mental and physical health • feeling part of a community

• meeting new people and making new friends • learning new skills and gaining knowledge • improved confidence

• greater connection to food.

You’ll find a volunteering registration form on the website: http://suttoncommunityfarm.org.uk/. Turn to page 9 to read more about Sutton Community Farm and their VegBox scheme.

VOLUNTEERING FOCUS REEDHAM CHILDREN’S TRUST

Could you help your local charity at an exciting community event? On the 2nd June 2022, to celebrate our patron, Her Majesty the Queen, Reedham Children’s Trust is hosting a community fun day, suitable for all. Attractions such as staged live music and entertainment supported by local children, plus a sports zone, inflatables, craft stalls, food and drink and lots more for everyone to enjoy.

Alongside honouring our patron, we hope this event will be a fantastic way to raise awareness for Reedham Children’s Trust and the work we do to help local children.

Any money raised on the day will be invested back into the community supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged children in Croydon and surrounding areas.

We are looking for volunteers for several roles, for 2 hours on the day.

Roles include:

• Manning key areas such as the kids’ zone, stage area, sports zone • Marshalling - car parking and pedestrian entrances • Supporting the young performers • Set up and set down • Judging

MARLPIT LANE BOWLING & GOLF

The bowling and putting green needs volunteers either to open The Green for a couple of hours a week or to help maintain The Green.

Please contact Maureen Levy at mcb.l@btinternet.com or 07761926498 or pop into The Green when volunteers or maintenance crew are there. Alternatively, go to our Facebook page Marlpit Lane Bowling Green and send a message.

Shifts available:

• 10am-12pm (setting up) • 12pm-2pm

• 2pm-4pm and

• 4pm-6pm (includes one hour of post event support)

Volunteer registrations can be made here: https://www. reedhamchildrenstrust.org.uk/forms/jubilee-volunteerform. All volunteers will be provided drinks and snacks on the day.

For more information about the event please visit https:// www.reedhamchildrenstrust.org.uk/Event/platinumjubilee-celebration. To speak to a member of the team about helping please call 020 8660 1461 or email events@ reedhamchildrenstrust.org.uk Thank you so much for considering supporting Reedham Children’s Trust. Volunteers are absolutely vital to the success of the day and we greatly appreciate your support.

HADRA NEWSLETTER SPRING 2022 | 7

8 | HADRA NEWSLETTER SPRING 2022

SUTTON COMMUNITY FARM

You’ve probably driven along Woodmansterne Lane in Wallington without realising that you have passed a local ‘hidden gem’ nestling behind a long stretch of native hedgerow.

Sutton Community Farm is a community-owned mixed crop farm on a seven-acre site. In a combination of open fields and covered growing space inside polytunnels, they grow over 30 types of vegetables.

Sutton Community Farm is an agroecological farm.

Agroecology brings together ecology – the branch of biology that deals with relationships between people, plants, animals and the environment – and agriculture – the practice of cultivating crops or keeping livestock.

The food sold has a lower carbon footprint because transportation is minimised, and fewer inputs are required.

Originally started in 2010 by local environmental charity BioRegional, and with help from another Sutton-based environmental charity EcoLocal, the aims were simple: • provide a space for local people to learn more about growing food • foster community and promote health and wellbeing • increase the supply of locally produced food.

The farm soon gained independence from BioRegional and the VegBox scheme was launched in 2011. Two years later, the farm became a Community Benefit Society, legally owned by the community.

WHAT’S A VEGBOX?

The not-for-profit VegBox scheme delivers fresh, seasonal fruit and vegetables to the community each week. Orders are placed by midnight on Sunday for delivery on the following Thursday or Friday. The farm stocks organic fruit and veg, plus bread and eggs from local suppliers, and some items from further afield, such as avocados and oranges.

The regular VegBoxes are based around the most popular fruit and veg, but you can tailor them to cater for your dislikes or add extra items if you want to. You always know what’s coming in the following week’s delivery and have plenty of time to plan your meals around the seasonal fruit and veg supplied. There’s even a recipe bank if you fancy trying something new!

Find out more at http://suttoncommunityfarm.org.uk/

Fast forward to 2022, and the farm now sells and delivers over 500 VegBoxes each week and grows 15+ tonnes of fresh veg every year. Up to 80 volunteers are involved in all areas of this community enterprise.

JUBILEE COMPETITION

In the lead up to the Community Fun Day on 2nd June, Reedham Children’s Trust is hosting an exciting competition for local children and young people to take part in.

The categories are:

1. A POEM OR SHORT STORY FOR THE QUEEN Imagine you get to meet the Queen and could read her your poem, what would you write? (Original poems only.)

2. DESIGN A FOOTBALL SHIRT to represent the Jubilee

3. CREATE A TIKTOK DANCE Imagine you had the opportunity to perform on stage for the Queen. Can you make a dance that you think she would enjoy?

You can read more about the competition here: https:// www.reedhamchildrenstrust.org.uk/competition

If you would like to volunteer to be a judge, please contact Jess at events@reedhamchildrenstrust.org.uk or 07837 339113.

HADRA NEWSLETTER SPRING 2022 | 9

USEFUL NUMBERS HADRA COMMITTEE MEMBERS

LIST OF WARD COUNCILLORS

Acting Chair – Lucia Briault* email: chair@hadra.org Phone: 020 8405 0394

Kenley

Vice Chair – Vacant

Treasurer – Josephine Hullay email: treasurer@hadra.org Phone: 020 8660 0845

Secretary – Elaine Clark email: secretary@hadra.org Phone: 020 8660 9927

Membership Secretary – Jackie Fowler email: membership@hadra.org Phone: 020 8241 4267 Planning Representative – Colin Etheridge email: planning@hadra.org Phone: 020 8668 3707 Transport & Environmental Representative – Clive Lang* Phone: 020 8407 0039

Health Representative & Minutes Secretary – Rita Lewis Phone: 020 8668 5520

Newsletter Editor – Vicky Burley email: editor@hadra.org Phone: 020 8406 0843 Committee Member – John Clarke Phone: 020 8660 0845 Committee Member – Diane Hearne Phone: 020 8668 1778

Ola Kolade Mobile: 07707 277218 Jan Buttinger* Mobile: 07801 531870

Old Coulsdon

Margaret Bird 020 8604 7035 Mobile: 07710 184942 Steve Hollands* 020 8405 1902

Purley & Woodcote

Coulsdon Town

Badsha Quadir* Phone: 020 8668 3672 Oni Oviri* Mobile: 07783 152359

Mario Creatura Phone: 020 3624 3142

Simon Brew Mobile: 07803 618096

Ian Parker Mobile: 07783 152343

Luke Clancy* Mobile: 07710 183567

Visit www.croydon.gov.uk for a full list of councillors. * Not standing for re-election in May 2022.

Please refer to political parties’ websites for information on their prospective candidates for your ward.

POLICE & CRIME

Please find below some useful contacts: Emergency Tel: 999

Non Urgent Tel: 101

Old Coulsdon SNT Email: OldCoulsdon.SNT@met.police.uk *Standing down at AGM

Kenley SNT Email: Kenley.SNT@met.police.uk Coulsdon Town SNT Email: CoulsdonTown.SNT@met. police.uk Purley & Woodcote SNT Email: PurleyandWoodcote.SNT@ met.police.uk London Borough of Croydon Tel: 020 8726 6000 Council Trading Standards Tel: 020 8407 1311 Email: trading.standards@ croydon.gov.uk Council Antisocial Behaviour Tel: 020 8726 6000 Email: ASBTeam@croydon.gov.uk Neighbourhood Watch Tel: 07454 573453 Email: nhw@cbnwa.com Tony Sales, Police Liaison

10 | HADRA NEWSLETTER SPRING 2022

Pilates with Amy

at Purley Sports Club, Wallington

CLASSES Tuesday: 11:15am Wednesday: 9:30am MEN ONLY Thursday: 7pm Friday: 10:45am Classes are £10 pay as you go or book for a block at a discount Booking required | Email: amytriz@hotmail.co.uk Tel: 07725 349104 | Facebook: Pilateswithamyt

HADRA NEWSLETTER SPRING 2022 | 11

GREEN HADRA

GARDENING FOR WILDLIFE

Friends of the Earth launched their Bee Cause campaign back in 2012 but since then, our green and pleasant land has lost even more of its natural variety. In 2022, the bees still need your help.

If you’d like to know more, head over to the Friends of the Earth website to read lots of facts and figures about bees and their decline. Maybe you’d like to sign a petition or join a campaign like 10xGreener to get your community involved in creating more wildlife-friendly spaces in your neighbourhood.

Many of the plants traditionally viewed as ‘weeds’ are just native wildflower species with a tendency to spread. Why not leave them to grow, even if it’s just in a sunny little corner?

Perhaps you just want some tips on encouraging more bees and other pollinators into your own garden; there are plenty of ideas to inspire you. Why not kick things off with a Friends of the Earth Bee Saver Kit for yourself or someone else? You can order yours at www. friendsoftheearth.uk/nature/gardening-bees

Clockwise, from top left: columbine, daisy, forget-me-not, musk mallow, speedwell, love-in-a-mist.

Photo credit: Lucia Briault

WILDLIFE PROJECTS FOR KIDS

Kids love spending time outside with nature. For websites that feature wildlife-friendly projects for families to do together, visit: www.rspb.org.uk/fun-and-learning/for-kids/games-andactivities/activities/ www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2021/08/7-ways-forkids-to-help-garden-wildlife/ To encourage more wildlife into your garden, the RHS website is another great source of inspiration and advice, from general pointers to detailed lists of the best plants for pollinators for every season and every situation. Here are the RHS’ top tips: • • • • • • • • • •

choose the right flowers (including wildflowers) grow a mix of trees and shrubs look after mature trees add water for mammals and insects provide food and water for birds don’t be too tidy allow a patch of grass to grow longer leave a pile of dead wood have a compost heap garden sustainably.

www.discoverwildlife.com/people/nature-activities-forchildren/ www.growinghealthykids.co.uk/gardening-with-kids/

DID YOU KNOW?

There’s a “Bee World” at the Heathfield Ecology Centre on Coombe Lane, at the top of Gravel Hill. Volunteers from the Ecology Centre and Croydon Friends of the Earth worked together to add plants and shrubs to the rockery in order to attract more bees and other pollinating insects.

Read more detail here:

www.rhs.org.uk/advice/wildlife-garden/wildlife/ encourage-wildlife-to-your-garden Other great sites:

www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/gardeningfor-wildlife/ www.wildlifetrusts.org/gardening

butterfly-conservation.org/how-you-can-help/getinvolved/gardening 12 | HADRA NEWSLETTER SPRING 2022

MINI BEAST HOTELS

Mini Beast Hotels come in all shapes and sizes. You can buy them ready made or make your own. Here’s the one at Cupcakes’ Corner by Bradmore Green Pond.

Photo credit: Gary Watson