NEWSLETTER

RESIDENTS OF ROWAN PARK RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

Volume 1, Issue 4 February 2014

RORP ASSOCIATION UPDATE

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
SPRING SOCIAL WANTED NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH UPDATE RORP RUNNING CLUB HOW TO ADVERTISE LOCAL PLUMBER THE ROWANS SURGERY SPRING BH SOCIAL VOLUNTEERS WANTED LOVE CLEAN LONDON PARKING A RESIDENTS PLEA CREST UPDATES CHAMONIX UPDATES MERTON WASTE FIT PAYMENTS WANDLE JACK DIMMER

Happy New from RORP!

Year

We took a break in January from the newsletter but continued working behind the scenes on your behalf. We are pleased to say that thanks to the campaigning by RORP all houses have now been issued with general waste bins. Hopefully this will reduce the food available to foxes and other vermin. We have received reports from residents that rats are a problem on the estate, so it is vital that all residents work together to reduce

rubbish on the estate to help manage the problem. Merton Council offers a Pest Control Service, we have posted details on the Rowan Park Facebook Page, alternatively see www.merton.gov.uk/ pestcontrol or contact them at pestcontrol@merton.gov.uk 020 8545 3022 Welcome to the residents who have recently moved in, it is great to see the site almost fully occupied. Please see the back page for details on how to become a member of the RORP residents as-

sociation, all residents are welcome to join. As many of you will be aware a doctors surgery and pharmacy were in the original site plans and we have had it confirmed that building works should start this year and be complete by mid 2015. The Rowans Surgery will then relocate to Rowan Park. For more details see our article on page 2.

ELECTIONS 24th to 28th March

If you haven't registered your details with RORP hurry up and do so to enable you to vote for the elected officers of RORP. For details on how to register please see the back page. Elections will take place during the above week, when residents will be able to email their nominations to RORP. The residents who have put themselves forward are: OLIVER WRIGHT for CHAIR DAVID HAN for TREASURER ROWAN GORTER-WRIGHT for SECRETARY An email confirming voting arrangements will be emailed to all registered residents. Oliver & Rowan are related by marriage, however if other candidates would like to come forward we will put you forward for the election. If no reasonable objections are made & no other candidate are identified, the above candidates will be confirmed in post for the year 1/4/13 to 31/3/15 following residents votes.

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RESIDENTS OF ROW AN PARK RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

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NO FLY-TIPPING A RESIDENTS PLEA

I wanted to flag a concerning trend in fly-tipping on the Rowan Park premises. Where fly-tipping may have become less near the entrance of Rowan Park, I have noticed bags of rubbish near the bin store of the Old School Building since the signs have gone up (where I live). It is obviously hard to determine who puts it there, but, I did a quick survey within the building and the residents I spoke to noticed the bags as well and told me they are not putting bags outside the bin store. In other words, this must be done by someone living in the Rowan Park development or Rowan Road who discovered the proximity of this bin store and decided to put his/her bag there for the residents of the Old School Building to take care of it. Not many solutions for this problem other than repeating the message that fly-tipping is NOT ALLOWED. I honestly believe this is an attitude problem. Flytipping is preferably done in the dark when no-one can see you. I have seen people running from their homes to the entrance with full rubbish bags from my balcony. A School Building Resident. RORP support this plea and would ask all residents NOT to fly-tip. Fly-tipping is a CRIME, looks messy and attracts vermin. If you witness someone flytipping, please note down as many details as possible, such as:

The date & time The location Details of the items disposed of Identification of the person & their address if known Take a photo where possible

You should sign and date your written record, then report it to Merton Council using the online form on their website (www.merton.gov.uk) If it is an environmental health issue it can also be reported to the fly-tipping action line on 0208 545 3025 See our article on LOVE CLEAN LONDON

SPRING BH SOCIAL VOLUNTEERS WANTED

We are looking for volunteers to help organise the next residents social, and others to donate equipment (bbqs, chairs, gazebos, tables, games, inflatables), to make food, face painting and help out on the day. Think street party / party in the park, with the aim to bring residents together. We are also keen to hear from anyone or businesses willing to sponsor the event. If you are interested or to find out more, email RORP as soon as possible with details of how you would like to contribute. Details of the event will be published in future editions of the newsletter and on the Facebook page, so keep up to date with our progress. We are looking at Sunday 25th May (bank holiday weekend), so keep it free. The date is to be confirmed.

THE ROWANS SURGERY

The Rowans Surgery will be moving to Rowan Park in the future. According to their website The Rowans Surgery endeavours to provide high quality, effective primary health care to all our patients in a modern, friendly environment. They are currently registering patients who live in the catchment area which includes Residents of Rowan Park. For details on the services provided by the surgery and how to register please visit: www.rowanssurgery.co.uk The Rowans Surgery 1, Windermere Road, Streatham, London SW16 5HF 020 8764 0407

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START OF SPRING SOCIAL FRIDAY 21st

To welcome in Spring and to build on the success of the first RORP social, we would like to invite all residents (18+) to Friday night drinks at The Railway Public House, Greyhound Lane, London SW16 5SD (near Streatham Common Train Station), from 7:30 pm on Friday 21st March 2014. We hope to see as many people there as possible. It will be a great opportunity to meet neighbours and build on our great community atmosphere. Please email the association or confirm your attendance via the Facebook page, to enable us to give the pub an indication of numbers. We look forward to seeing you!

PARKING
We have been asked by residents who have young children to remind residents to park in designated parking bays only. Parking on non designated parking bays results in pavements being blocked forcing those with pushchairs and wheelchairs to use the road to get past. It was agreed at the 1st residents meeting & at the meeting with Chamonix, not to park on the pavements. Please ensure cars are parking in a designated bay, including the non-allocated spaces marked V on a first come first service basis. Failure to do so may see Chamonix introducing parking fines.

Any money generated through fines will not be reinvested into Rowan Park. Lets work together to avoid this!

How you can keep London & Merton Rubbish FREE

WHAT IS LOVE CLEAN LONDON: Love Clean London is a call to arms for Londoners to keep London clean. Love Clean London makes it easier for Londoners to report environmental crimes, receive feedback from London boroughs on progress and save London boroughs money. HOW IT WORKS: You send in your report using the free mobile apps, a text or picture message, or using the web site. The Local Authority will deal with your report and you can be kept informed of progress using the website, or they will send you a message when it's complete. HOW TO MAKE A REPORT: On the website: www.lovecleanlondon.org/Reports/Home Text / MMS: Just send a Text or Picture Message to 07725202020 with LCS-LCL in the subject field or the first part of the message. Or you can download our free Windows Phone, iPhone, Android, or Blackberry app from the app store or marketplace on your phone.

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CREST NICHOLSON UPDATES

Recently the Managing Director of Crest Nicholson South, Mr Iain McPherson has confirmed to RORP that there is a site wide defect with the ply board cladding which is going to be addressed and expects works to begin before the summer, He also confirmed remedial works to the block paving, drainage channels and rumble strips are still to be completed. Further to this, and previously highlighted we are chasing up with CN the issues with external wall streaks down the render, to now include any structural cracking. A resident has also recently highlighted the dead trees/shrubs which need replacing among other things. Ongoing investigations include: The security gates which currently do not meet the Secured by Design specification. The missing trellis work to fences as laid out in the fencing strategy and also highlighted in the secure design recommendations. Please do let us know of any communal area snagging/ defects which we can follow up. It has also been confirmed that all the relevant documentation required to apply for the FiT payments, from the energy produced by the solar panels, is due to be distributed by Richard Morrissey, the Technical Director, to all residents who are yet to receive it. There is change in the Customer Service Department and a new Customer Service Executive who manages Nicole Huguenin-Boyd has been appointed, Mr Phil Monahan who is contactable on email via:

phil.monahan@crestnicholso n.com

MERTON WASTE SERVICES

RORP are pleased that they were able to hold Crest to their plans and provide wheelie bins to all residents. The estate is now noticeably cleaner before and after bin collection day. There have been a few teething issues with rubbish not being collected from the park facing properties, but together we can put a workable solution into place. Please take a moment to have a look at the Merton Website: http:// www.merton.gov.uk/environment/ recyclingwastemanagement.htm local dump and how to report a missed collection. Thanks for everyones commitWhere you can order recycling or ment in keeping Rowan Park rubfood waste bins, organise a bulky bish free, it is however worth notwaste collection ing that any waste and among othshould only be left er things organoutside the front of Thanks for everyones ise a garden your property on waste collection bin collection day commitment in keeping service. There as per the lease Rowan Park rubbish free is also inforagreement. mation on the

Are your Solar Panels registered to receive FiT payments?

EON WEBSITE STATES As well as generating your own electricity, devices like solar panels could help you make extra energy too, which can be 'fed' into the national grid, for other people to use. Registered energy suppliers like us will pay you for the energy you 'feed' in. The Feed-in Tariff (FiT) for solar panels (4kW or less) fitted to existing homes is 15.44p per kWh (unit of electricity). And, if your panels qualify, you could get FiT payments for the next 20 years. The Department of Energy and Climate Change thinks solar panels are a good investment and believe the financial return is around 6%.

Apply online at the EON website:

https://www.eonenergy.com/foryour-home/products-and-services/ Feed-in-Tariffs

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CHAMONIX ESTATES UPDATES

Chamonix Estates have a new Account Manager for Rowan Park, Regan Fielder who is due to be sending out her details to all residents shortly. It has been confirmed that the lantern window cleaning has been outsourced to a company called Town and Country Cleaners. They have been cleaning the lanterns during the past week, however it is worth noting that they have actually only cleaned the front elevations and the sides where applicable. Where there is no access to the rear of the lanterns no cleaning has been done. Another development is that Chamonix have provisionally introduced the opportunity for residents to opt out of the front garden maintenance, if this was part of your service charge. will be in breach of planning and Chamonix may request this to be put back to the original specification or carry out the work and re-charge this directly. Also that if the garden is left un -maintained and begins to look unsightly, Chamonix Estates will carry out a one off blitz which will be recharged. Chamonix are legally obliged to ensure the gardens are kept to an acceptable standard in accordance with the requirement of the lease agreement.

This is on the basis that the specification of the front garden should not be changed as this

JACK DIMMER ENTRANCE TO SHUT BUT 2 NEW PEDESTRIAN / CYCLE ENTRANCES OPEN
As the front of the estate is nearing completion please be aware that the Jack Dimmer entrance will shortly be closed to traffic. However we have two new entrances opening into Hoylake Gardens and Kingsmead Avenue. With the summer fast approaching why not use this as a perfect opportunity to get the bike out the shed!

WANDLE HOUSING ASSOCIATION

Residents of Rowan Park have Items on the agenda included met with Mr Andy parking, rubbish Shelley, the and general build Neighbourhood issues. Rowan Improvement OfPark is a unique fice and Ms. Emi- Caption describing picture or graphic. site that Wandle ly Rogers, the operates on due to Customer Relationship Office the private roads and lease from Wandle Housing Associaconditions, as well as the size tion. of the estate. A good relationship has been formed and we look forward to working with Wandle in the future, as well as welcoming their tenants as members of the Residents Association. (see back page for details on how to register)

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NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH ADVICE

We would remind residents to make sure everything is safely locked away and locked up when you leave your home and at night time. The nights are still long so it's worth investing in a couple of timers for lamps/ Radio and so on which give the impression that someone is at home. Personal items from iPods to bicycles can be registered on immobilise.com. Registration helps us identify your property if it is recovered. Visit immobilise.com for more information as well as the Met Police website for further crime prevention advice. For a free UV Property Marking Kit for marking your valuables please contact the Longthornton SNT with your name and address. Who will arrange to have one delivered & can complete a free home security survey at the same time. When out and about especially in the evenings remember to stay safe, Keep bags under your coats if possible and cover any jewellery such as necklaces. Keep phones, iPods, etc out of sight in your pockets or bags and be aware of your surroundings. Try to walk in well lit areas and main streets and make sure someone knows where you are going and for how long. Longthornton SNT Mitcham Police Station Mitcham CR4 4LA Phone: 0208 721 2742 Email: Longthornton.snt@met.polic e.uk In case of emergency always call 999 Nonemergency call 101

PANCAKE DAY 4th March (Shrove Tuesday)

Pancake Day is the day for traditionally eating pancakes. It is the day before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent-the word 'Shrove' stems from old English word 'shrive', meaning 'confess all sins'. Pancakes were a way to use up any stocks of milk, butter and eggs which were forbidden during the abstinence of Lent. Ingredients: 225g / 8 oz plain flour Pinch salt 2 large, fresh eggs 600ml / 2 cups milk 2 tsp melted butter To make:

thinly coats the base of the pan. Cook until set and lightly golden.

Sieve the flour into a large baking bowl, add the salt. Make a well in the centre of the flour and add the eggs. Beat well until smooth and lump free. Add half the milk and the 2 tsp of butter, beat well. Add the remaining milk and stir. Leave the batter to rest for 15 minutes. Lightly grease a pancake pan or frying pan with a little melted butter. Heat until very hot and add a ladleful of batter so it evenly and

Using a spatula or if you are really brave try tossing the pancake in the air, and cook on the other side for approx 30 seconds. To Serve: Pancakes are traditionally eaten sprinkled with sugar and a squeeze of lemon. However, serve as you like with whatever takes your fancy.

Ivo Ramos

PLU MBINGWERX Plumbing & heating local engineer. Re-active repairs & installations 24/7. Also proud member of Checkatrade.
PLUMBING & HEATING

Phone: 07523 289248 E-mail: plumbingwerx@hotmail.com

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ADVERTISE IN THE NEWSLETTER

Do you have a small business that is able to serve the residents of Rowan Park? Are you wanting to start / join a club? Perhaps you are a fitness instructor and are looking for new clients? If the answer is YES then we want to hear from you! We invite you to advertise in the newsletter for a small fee, to help generate funds for the association and cover any publication costs (small 5, large 15, 1/2 page 30, full page 60). Email the association for further information. Residents wanting to advertise voluntary / social groups can do so for free. Adverts are subject to approval, must be legal and above board. The number of adverts are limited per edition.

RORP

RUNNING

CLUB:

NEW

MEMBERS

WELCOME

Whether to assist with a target of a 5K, 10K, half Marathon or Marathon, RORP RC aims to be source of support and friendship with a primary aim of keeping fit and staying healthy in a relaxed group. Meet every Saturday morning at 9am in the car park at the front of the estate . To run for an hour; taking in either Tooting Bec, Streatham Common or Mitcham Common; and periodically take part in Brockwell Park, Park Run (5K) which is open to anyone to register for and takes place every week.

We have been contacted by residents who want the services of a:

Cleaner Electrician

If you can recommend someone, or you are a Cleaner or Electrician with appropriate qualifications / certificates, then we want to hear from you.

Email RORP and we will happily pass on the details: residentsofrowanpark@gmail.com

Contact / Follow us:

Residents of Rowan Park
residentsofrowanpark@gmail.com

NEXT MEETING: Elections will be via email, so if you want the right to vote, please register your email address TODAY! Once there is a committee elected, the date/venue of the next meeting will be decided and circulated IDEAS WANTED: We are looking for residents ideas on the possible use of the community hall on Rowan Park. Any feedback would be welcome, please email us. CONTRIBUTE: If you have a topic or story you would like to share with other residents then we would love to hear from you. Maximum word count of 225, the deadline for the next publication article deadline is 10/03/14. USEFUL LINKS: NEW CHAMONIX: RFielder@chamonixgroup.com NEW CREST: phil.monahan@crestnicholson.com Merton Council: www.merton.gov.uk Safer Neighbourhoods Team: Longthornton.snt@met.police.uk Report Fly-Tipping: 0208 545 3025 Anti-Social Behaviour: 0208 274 4907 Noise Pollution and Statutory Nuisance: 0208 545 3025 or out of hours 0208 543 9750

@Rowan_Park RESIDENTS OF ROWAN PARK RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

MAKING ROWAN PARK A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST / MEMBERSHIP

If you are yet to express an interest in the association and want to have the right to vote at the up coming election for officers, then email the details below to the association TODAY!

TITLE FORENAME(S): SURNAME: EMAIL ADDRESS: TELEPHONE / MOBILE NUMBER: ADDRESS: PLOT NUMBER:

Please provide the details of all residents living at the address who are 18 or over. By sending us your details you confirm that you support the creation of the Residents of Rowan Park Residents Association, and would like to be kept up to date with developments, invited to meetings /events & placed on our mailing list.

Make a difference & be a part of ensuring this a great community!