News centre

Barnes Community Association appeal for used laptops and tablets for local schools

The Barnes Community Association (BCA) are continuing their appeal for unused and unwanted old tech items to help support local school children. Tech donations to the BCA will help with home schooling for local schools and school children.

If you have an old laptop, computer, iPad/Galaxy or similar tech items, you can donate it via the Rose House drop off point open on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.

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COVID tests to be available for those with no symptoms in other borough locations

All residents in the borough who are either essential workers, volunteering or providing vital support for a vulnerable resident, can now access a rapid COVID-19 test in Twickenham and East Sheen, with Hampton testing available to book from next week. The test is for people not experiencing symptoms or asymptomatic. 

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Winner selected for the 20’s Plenty car parking permit design!

Schools were invited to take part in a competition to create a 20's Plenty design to feature on the back of the Council's car parking permits. 

The fantastic winning design is by Myla who is in Year 3 at The Harrodian School in Barnes. The colourful design features a branch-clinging sloth – reminding residents of the 20mph speed limit across Richmond upon Thames.

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COVID-19 testing available this February!

People who are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 are reminded that they can also get tested at the temporary pop-up testing centre in Old Deer Park, on selected dates this February 2021.

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Culver + Nelson shortlisted in the 2021 Farm Shop & Deli Awards

Culver + Nelson in East Sheen have been shortlisted for this year's Farm Shop & Deli Awards. The awards play an important role in supporting and celebrating the UK’s independent, specialist retail market.

Sally and the team at Culver + Nelson have remained open throughout the lockdowns, adapting their business to keep residents safe and supplied with fresh groceries. The winners will be announced on 5 July.

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Free shows from the OSO Arts Centre

OSO Arts Centre in Barnes are doing their part to lift community spirits by live streaming a free show from the OSO every Wednesday evening at 8pm. They have run two shows already, attracting live online audiences of over 300. You can access the shows via their website.

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Arts Richmond annual membership renewal now open

Arts Richmond is your one-stop shop for all arts events in the borough. With regular updates and event information uploaded weekly, an Arts Richmond membership is ideal for local art lovers.

Membership for the year is only £20 (running from 1 April to 31 March). Early birds can join now and will receive a complimentary extra three months of membership.

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Richmond motorists amongst the least fined in London

Richmond Council has welcomed new comparison data showing Richmond upon Thames is amongst the lowest boroughs in London for issuing Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) to motorists.

The Council credits these new results to the number of residents who are acting considerately and complying with parking rules - as well as an enforcement culture that is centred on supporting safe streets, rather than penalising car users.

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Richmond Synagogue host Holocaust Memorial Day event

Over 300 people attended Richmond's annual service via Zoom to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day. Speakers included the Mayor of Richmond upon Thames, the Rabbi for Richmond, and Philip Spencer, Emeritus Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Kingston University.

Three Holocaust survivors recounted their experiences, followed by a moving BBC video about the Mother Superior who saved 83 Jewish children in her convent in occupied France. Rahima Mahmut, UK Project Director of the World Uyghur Congress also spoke to describe the plight of the Uyghur people in China.

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Hospitality and Leisure businesses! Sign up for our Business Support Programme

Hospitality and Leisure businesses operating in Richmond upon Thames are encouraged to sign up for the free Hospitality and Leisure business support programme. 

The first group will begin this Wednesday, 27 January 2021 and is for café, bars and restaurants that operate within the borough. With many businesses forced to close during the current lockdown businesses will face many difficulties this year. The programme will give tailored advice to businesses to focus on their key challenges, build a new model for growth and collaborate to get through this crisis. Sign up now!    

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Are you taking part in Veganuary?

Now is the perfect time to discover some delicious plant-based dishes with the Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College Saturday Kitchen! Their interactive session running this Saturday will teach you how to make tasty meals you can share with the whole family. Follow the link below to enrol now.

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Council commemorates Holocaust Memorial Day

Richmond Council has unveiled a collection of displays across the borough to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day. The displays tell the stories of many of those who died during the Holocaust and of historical connections to the borough.

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Council urges increase to Universal Credit

In last night's (Tuesday 26 January 2021) Full Council Meeting, Richmond Council again urged the Government to maintain the Universal Credit uplift introduced at the start of COVID-19 to continue to help over 11,000 residents buy day-to-day essentials like food.

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Register for the Phoenix Power Networking event for local businesses

Meet, chat and connect with other local businesses in Richmond upon Thames. This is part of a brand-new programme of business support for local businesses that runs from December 2020 until November 2021.

The programme has been put together to help small businesses through these challenging times. Sponsored by Richmond Council, the programme will support pre-start, start up and SME’s across all industries and is an ideal opportunity to network and meet new contacts.

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Are you a tree genius?

Across the gardens at Kew and Wakehurst there is an incredible and unique collection of trees, from the rare and ancient to the beautiful and big.

Think you're a tree expert? Do you know your oak from your ash? Have a go at the Kew Gardens tree quiz with 15 fun questions all about trees to test your tree knowledge. 

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Sign up for the 'Setting up your SEO for success' webinar

Local businesses are invited to join us to learn the simple ways you can dramatically increase the traffic to your website with the Richmond Council Phoenix Enterprise Programme.

To keep your sales growing it is vital that you stay on top of the best methods to generate free leads for your business. In this workshop you will discover the power of SEO and how you can implement it for yourself in simple and easy steps. Sign up for next week's event taking place on Thursday 11 February 2021.

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Ask For ANI scheme supported for domestic abuse victims

Victims of domestic abuse can access much needed support from 10 Boots pharmacies across the borough through the new Ask for ANI (Action Needed Immediately) scheme. 

The UK-wide scheme allows those at risk or suffering from abuse to discreetly signal for help in a participating pharmacy by asking for ANI. A trained pharmacy worker will know what ANI means and will be able to offer a private space where they can then talk to the victim to see what further support is needed.

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Shop safely - don’t take COVID home!

Following reports of lengthy queues outside shops and cafes in Richmond, we are reminding customers to not aid the spread of COVID-19 and shop safely.

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Intergenerational Music Making success!

St Richards Primary School and Woodville Day Centre care home came together through Intergenerational Music Making (IMM) to create exciting music and help integrate local communities while improving wellbeing and tackling loneliness.

The school and care home spent six weeks meeting virtually to make music together, culminating in a Christmas Concert. The IMM project now encourages all care homes and schools to share music remotely.

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Council to pilot in-home sensors to support independent living for vulnerable residents

Richmond Council are deploying in-home sensors to improve the safety of vulnerable residents living in social housing. The technology unobtrusively monitors residents and provides carers with early alerts on issues such as potential accidents or declining health.

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