Summer in the borough

The summer months are a traditional time for community events, where we can enjoy festivals, fairs, sporting events and being outdoors – June and July have been no exception. 

At the beginning of June, around 40 primary schools met for the annual borough-wide sports day at St Mary’s University in Twickenham. Pupils competed in friendly teams and individual events at the university’s world class facilities. I was honoured to present medals to the winning teams along with Olympian middle- and long-distance runner, Steph Twell.

Steph gave an inspiring speech about her personal sporting experience and how sport can help you develop in all sorts of ways, not just improving your fitness and coordination but also your teamwork, patience, resilience and leadership. These qualities and skills were certainly required by the very special parents and teachers I later waved off from St Stephen’s Primary School in Twickenham at the start of their 150-mile charity bike ride to Amsterdam.

They were raising funds for the Friends of St Stephen’s Primary School, Skylarks, an independent charity offering activities for children with additional needs, their siblings and carers and Asha – meaning hope in Hindi – a charity transforming the lives of those living in poverty-stricken areas of Delhi. They raised nearly £10,000 even before they left. What an achievement!

Promoting the health benefits of cycling and walking to all communities was also top of the agenda at the annual Bike across Cultures event in Richmond Park, a joint initiative between Multicultural Richmond and Kingston Racial and Equality Council, which I had great pleasure opening together with the former mayor of Kingston, Councillor Yoganathan. Celebrating our diverse cultures, keeping active and having fun was what the day was all about.

These themes were echoed at the 20th anniversary of the Upahaar School of Dance recently where the Mayor of Kingston, Councillor White and I were treated to a spectacular showcase of classical Indian dance and music by performers of different ages from across both boroughs. This had a special significance for me, personally, as I was partially brought up in the southern Indian state of Kerala and the afternoon brought back treasured memories of some of the sights and sounds of my very happy childhood there.  

We are really very fortunate to live in a multicultural community and Richmond’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths. The Borough is keen to support residents connecting with, learning about, and welcoming everyone regardless of their background and is committed to becoming a Borough of Sanctuary.

During Refugee Week, the Mayor had the honour of unveiling a plaque outside the Council’s Civic Centre which was gifted to the people of Richmond upon Thames by the people of Ukraine as a thank you for their generosity. This was followed by a reception for the many charities supporting refugees across the Borough.

Great Big Green Week took place in June too and I was lucky enough to be invited Hampton Wick’s Big Green Picnic where along with traditional games and circus activities, there was a Green Quiz and a Big Green Ideas Board where visitors could make suggestions as to how we can all become more environmentally friendly. 

Two of my favourites were growing mustard and cress on your windowsill equals zero food miles and putting a brick in your toilet cistern to use less water when you flush. After a break of three years due to COVID-19, it was also wonderful to welcome back the traditional Teddington Village Fair where many voluntary services and charities reached out to the local community, bringing everyone together.

Protecting the environment and raising awareness of plastic pollution were again uppermost in everyone’s mind at Be Richmond’s Get on Board Paddleboarding litter pick event on the Thames from Kew Bridge to Ham. Hundreds of volunteers collected huge amounts of rubbish both from the river and the banks. My husband enjoyed it so much he’s now taking up paddleboarding and litter picking as hobbies!

Conservation and sustainability were the bywords at the inaugural Barnes Common Urban Woodland Craft Fair where I was delighted to open a new broadwalk built using local wood from the Common. Traditional crafts like wood turning, wood sculpting and basket weaving were on offer as well as bug trails and wildlife talks.

Talking of local wildlife, I was thrilled to meet Eko, the giant sea monster puppet in Twickenham and watch the amazing environmental tale Out of the Deep Blue, masterminded by the Autin Dance Theatre. Taste of Twickenham, an exciting food and entertainment festival, was on at the same time as was the fantastic cosmic installation, 'Gaia'. These events were all part of the Borough's first ever Arts and Ideas Festival, which was a success.

It’s community events like these which help the Borough thrive and make it such a special place to live in and to visit. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the summer brings!  

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