News

Reflections on Refugee Week 2025

As Sanctuary Champion, I’m delighted that Refugee Week 2025 heralded a series of exciting and meaningful events and conversations across Richmond. Bringing together sanctuary seekers, voluntary sector partners, artists, musicians, poets, and residents, we celebrated the theme “Community as Superpower”.

Council blog | 26 Jun 25

Refugee Week highlights from local partners

Hear from our Refugee Week Grant recipients as they share how their community-led events celebrated the resilience, culture, and contributions of refugees across the borough.

Council blog | 26 Jun 25

Acting local, thinking global: Accelerating Richmond’s climate action

Running from 21 to 29 June, London Climate Action Week brings together climate organisations and communities across the capital to inspire conversations and accelerate global action.

Council blog | 23 Jun 25

Marking 65 years of international friendship and a shared future

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of welcoming friends and partners from our twinned towns - Fontainebleau in France and Konstanz in Germany - for a programme of events marking the 65th anniversary of our twinning relationships.

Council blog | 12 Jun 25

Tackling housing challenges together

I’m honoured to be taking on the role of Lead Member for Housing at Richmond Council. It’s a huge responsibility and a vital one.

Council blog | 06 Jun 25

Orleans Park School students deepen European twinning bonds in Konstanz

Last month, nine Richmond students visited Konstanz as part of our Twinning Reaffirmation. In this blog, they share their enriching experience in cultural exchange and European collaboration.

Council blog | 05 Jun 25

Standing together: Why twinning still matters

This year marks a very special moment for Konstanz: the reaffirmation of our twinning relationships with Richmond upon Thames and Fontainebleau. In times like these - marked by uncertainty, change, and global challenges - these longstanding bonds between cities carry more meaning than ever.

Council blog | 04 Jun 25

Strengthening bonds: Celebrating 65 years of friendship with Konstanz and Fontainebleau

I’ve just returned from a memorable visit to our twinned city of Konstanz in southern Germany. The trip was generously funded by the City of Konstanz, who hosted me as their guest – a trip that reaffirmed the deep friendship between our communities and highlighted the value of international cooperation.

Council blog | 20 May 25

Cultural Reforesting: how art and nature can shape our future

In the face of climate change, we need more than just practical solutions – we need a shift in mindset. ‘Cultural Reforesting’ invites us to rethink our relationship with nature, using art and creativity to inspire action.

Council blog | 02 Apr 25

Mayor's Blog: A tale of two Richmonds

My wife Helen and I have just returned from a three-day trip to our sister city – Richmond Virginia. The trip, the first one from a Richmond Mayor for 17 years, was an initiative I wanted to take to strengthen the links between our two cities. The trip was funded by Helen and myself.

Council blog | 13 Mar 25

Every swap to Fairtrade items can make a difference

Richmond upon Thames, a proud Fairtrade borough, is celebrating 30 years of the Fairtrade movement in the UK. The Council has approved a motion to promote Fairtrade goods in its procurement processes and encourages local residents to support Fairtrade.

Council blog | 02 Oct 24

Empowering entrepreneurs in the borough

Enterprise is at the heart of Richmond upon Thames. We recognised an ever-increasing number of our residents have looked to build and develop their own business ideas.

Council blog | 24 Sept 24

Let’s work towards an inclusive borough for all abilities

This International Week of Deaf People provides an opportunity to reflect on how we can better support the deaf community through collaborations with local organisations, charities and support groups.

Council blog | 24 Sept 24

Mayor's Blog: A closer look at the Mayor's role

So what's it like being a Mayor? I get asked this question a lot by friends, schoolchildren, constituents and fellow Councillors. The truth is, it's hard to summarise the job in just a few words.

Council blog | 07 Aug 24

Bringing efforts together to strengthen disability support

As I step into the role of Disability Champion, I am determined to support disabled people through collaborations with local organisations, charities and groups.

Council blog | 01 Aug 24

Bridging faith and education in our community

Here’s a quiz question for you – there is only one area of our school curriculum for which all local authorities have a statutory responsibility to oversee.

Council blog | 16 Jul 24

Mayor's Blog: Looking backward, looking forward

This is my last Mayoral blog as my term of Mayor finishes on May 14 at our AGM. It has been a privilege and joy to meet so many people around the borough.

Council blog | 02 May 24

Deputy Mayor’s Blog: Togetherness

Togetherness is a hugely important aspect of life. It unites us, gives us security, much needed support and a sense of belonging. It is something precious which I have felt strongly across the borough since becoming Deputy Mayor.

Council blog | 19 Apr 24

Mayor’s Blog: The Mayor’s Parlour

One of the enjoyable things about the Mayor's Parlour is not just the fact that you can enjoy inviting people there but the paintings. These are from the Borough's Art Collection and the Mayor chooses the ones for display in the Parlour for their year. Sometimes of course they are not available for viewing, for example, being committed to other exhibitions for that time.

Council blog | 04 Apr 24

Deputy Mayor’s Blog: The arts – a window into our soul

Culture and the arts have always been vibrant in our Borough. Recently, I had the pleasure of attending several events showcasing some fabulous talent.

Council blog | 21 Mar 24