Forum Topic

Wimbledon & Putney Common Conservators elections hustings

Just a reminder that the Putney Society is running an online hustings on Thursday 18th starting at 7.30pm.Registration via the Putney Society website following this link:https://www.putneysociety.org.uk/events/wpcc-hustings-online-at-730pm-on-thursday-18th-february.htmlThe Commons, which include Putney Lower Common and Putney Heath as well as Wimbledon Common itself, are precious and much needed open spaces that the 1871 Act of Parliament commits the Conservators to  keeping open, unenclosed and unbuilt on while preserving their natural aspect.Costs are largely covered by a Levy which is added to your Council Tax.  All Levy payers are eligible to vote and if you are in doubt as to whether you are eligible this map might assist: https://www.wpcc.org.uk/downloads/election-2021/levy-area-boundary-map---2020.jpegWe hope as many of you as possible will join us online on Thursday evening.There are twelve candidates whose election statements can be found here:https://www.wpcc.org.uk/downloads/election-2021/wpcc-election-candidate-statements-final.pdfThe 12 candidates are:Susan BUCKNALL Sarah Helen HAWKINS Peter John HAYES David HINCE Peter Denis HIRSCH Simon Joseph Paul Blanco HOOD Michael Frederick JOHNSTONDiane Kathryn NEIL MILLSSelma RAUFDonald James ROYSyeda Zainab VAQARSimon Jonathan WITHEY

Jonathan Callaway ● 1897d65 Comments

Wrong thread:(

Ed Robinson ● 1861d

It looks like NR are cleaning up the site.Workmen and machinery have been busy when I cycled past yesterday and today.I will post some photos when they have finish, assuming they do not take as long as WBC and the Dover House Road shops works (a year)!

Ed Robinson ● 1861d

I cycled past the MB site today.  There is no tree of sufficient age still standing that could have been the original.  Most of the trees next to the road have either been chopped down (possibly due to signs of being rotten) or radically pruned back.  This includes the youngish tree now used by devotees to pin their messages.  I took a photo but I have so far failed to learn how to post it here.The site is not in great shape and someone has sprinkled loads of a rather nasty blue glitter all over it.  There is a notice requesting people not to do that again as it contains plastics and toxins bad for bird and animal life.

Jonathan Callaway ● 1887d

The only candidate leaflets I have received are from Neil Mills and Withey.  They arrived at the same time and are very similar in design.  In fact Withey refers to NM's new personal website.I suspect some of the others, eg Hawkins, Hayes and Hood are in the same camp.I did join the Wimbledon Soc hustings and they ran very smoothly, mainly because they wisely decided not to repeat our effort to set up breakout rooms for each candidate, who got an extra two minutes to answer questions.

Jonathan Callaway ● 1887d

I suspect Simon Jonathan Withey who mentions he has been a Councillor in Merton for eight years will know Diane Neill Mills pretty well as she too was a Councillor ...Nick

Nicholas Evans ● 1887d

Since there are only 3 of Mills, Hirsch and Hince standing for re-election and last time round they stood as part of a slate of 5, does anyone know which if any of the other candidates are particularly "sympatico" with them? I don't think postal address tells us anything.

Michael Winstanley ● 1887d

Quite right Nick and apologies.Anyway I was looking for previous 2018 statements for those that are standing again as I could not remember the statements last time. Anyway I found them here if anyone is interested:https://www.wpcc.org.uk/downloads/ers---mills---final.pdfhttps://www.wpcc.org.uk/downloads/ers---hirsch---finanl.pdfhttps://www.wpcc.org.uk/downloads/ers---hince---final.pdf

Ed Robinson ● 1887d

Sorry Nick 🤭

Sue Hammond ● 1887d

Anyone go to the Wimbledon Hustings last night?

Caroline Whitehead ● 1887d

Sue, Ed - sorry to be a spoilsport but shouldn't this thread be about the WPCC election? I think the tree is not on Putney Common (like most of the candidates).Nick

Nicholas Evans ● 1887d

Hi Ed, thanks for the links.  The b&w photo was taken 44 years ago immediately after the crash and the tree looks a lot younger iykwim😸so I don't think it can be accurately compared with how the tree would look now.  Personally I am convinced it is the same tree because I've lived in Putney for 40+ years and have driven past it many many times and know it well. Also if the tree had died and been felled I am sure it would have been reported in the media because of its iconic connection with MB.

Sue Hammond ● 1887d

Hi Sue,A couple of pictures of the tree here:http://www.marc-bolan.net/tree-history-1.htmlhttps://flashbak.com/marc-watch-marc-bolans-spaced-out-1977-tv-show-22562/marc-bolan-car-death-2/Is it the same tree? I'm not sure.I will try and get an photo tomorrow to see if they have improved the site.

Ed Robinson ● 1887d

Yes Carl you are correct.  The shrine is amazing.  Btw Mark is his baptised name but he called himself Marc to be a bit different, and he certainly was.

Sue Hammond ● 1888d

Whilst trying to confirm if what FF said was correct, I came across this group who say they are the legal guardians and owners of the tree, and have the lease to that effect - http://www.marc-bolan.net/ From what I read on that site, it is the original tree and the group have been tending to the site since 1977. Their Facebook page shows that they are far from happy about the felling, some of which appears to be on the land in their lease. https://www.facebook.com/MARC.BOLANS.SHRINE

Carl Broadley ● 1888d

@Freddie Francis 22.2.22 11.13"The MB tree is not the original. That died years ago due to all the stuff fans were pinning on it"Can you tell me where this is confirmed please? I have a particular interest in this because Mark was a family connection and I have not been informed of what you state.  Sorry to ask this for a second time but perhaps you didn't see my first post?  Thankyou.

Sue Hammond ● 1888d

"The MB tree is not the original. That died years ago due to all the stuff fans were pinning on it."Really? Where did you find that information?

Sue Hammond ● 1888d

gypsie lane looks like armageddon. completely outrageous. humans just can't help themselves. they can't cut back a little bit. and those candidates mentioned above - they all bloody useless.

Gregory Edelston ● 1889d

It is a cover version.

Michael Winstanley ● 1890d

There are two lots of works going on in that area.One is Network Rail and the other (according to a sign) as Freddie says is the removal of non-native trees to allow native trees to flourish.Although I'm not sure which one the Vine Road comes under as that is near the Railway line too.Could the above be a coincidence?? They are all near the railway line!

Ed Robinson ● 1890d

"The MB tree is not the original."You beat me too it Freddie.

Ed Robinson ● 1890d

OK.  That's make it a little clearer.  Sorry about your bonnet.  At least it didn't come through the window and it's good to hear NWR paid up.  That could be a first!That area does now look very bare and a bit of a mess.

Jonathan Callaway ● 1891d

Yes, that is the case.  It is because the land/trees are considered part of the railway bridge for maintenance purposes.
A rotten branch dropped off one of the trees and hit my husband's car a couple of years ago.  We had to contact Network Rail who grudgingly paid for the car bonnet to be repaired.

Rose Compton ● 1891d

I now hear from Richmond Council that the land at the corner of Gypsy Lane belongs to Network Rail.  Too far away to be the source of the wrong sort of leaves, surely?  I am promised a fuller explanation.

Jonathan Callaway ● 1891d

They are stripping out non-native species including Turkey Oaks. That seems to be the word from those in the know.

Freddie Francis ● 1891d

This is the work of Richmond not Wandsworth council I believe, but no explanation to be found.

Jonathan Callaway ● 1891d

"What an irony! It really brightened my day.""You always hurt the one you loveThe one you shouldn't hurt at allYou always take the sweetest roseAnd crush it till the petals fall"

David Ainsworth ● 1891d

What an irony! It really brightened my day.

Richard Carter ● 1891d

"WBC is currently attempting to cut down 124 trees in the York road development in Battersea, including one tree that's over a 100 years old and apparently needs to go so that 'an electrical cable can be run'"Gosh, that is just what York Road needs. Less trees!

David Ainsworth ● 1891d

We walked down there on Friday and a lot of trees along Gipsy Lane and Queen's Ride have been cut down. I can understand maybe clearing some at the junction to increase visability, but the felling extends well past the actual junction. If you go down there expecting it to have an enclosed, wooded vibe then you may be shocked at the new starkness. Its also exposed the old broken fences and fenceposts.

Carl Broadley ● 1891d

The MB tree is not the original. That died years ago due to all the stuff fans were pinning on it.

Freddie Francis ● 1891d

i *think* that tree is still there Sue. I went past the other day and they have certainly chopped down a lot of trees, at least one of which was visibly rotten so it may be that it was all justified.Anyway, i'm pretty sure the MB tree was still there but could be wrong

Matt Palmer ● 1891d

"I think the Mark Bolan tree may have been chopped down too."Oh nooooooo!😟

Sue Hammond ● 1891d

WBC is currently attempting to cut down 124 trees in the York road development in Battersea, including one tree that's over a 100 years old and apparently needs to go so that 'an electrical cable can be run'XR Wandsworth have occupied that tree as of first thing this morning so it won't happen soon but I guess inevitably it will do.

Matt Palmer ● 1891d

I think the Mark Bolan tree may have been chopped down too.

Jonathan Callaway ● 1891d

A lot of trees have been cut down on Mill Hill, Barnes Common.

Barbara Stevens ● 1891d

Just as an observation - I do notice that the deforestation of the UK is rarely discussed yet we seem to be first in the queue to condemn other countries for following the same policy.Surely getting back to pre-world war levels of native forests would surely help influence other countries and improve the air?

Ed Robinson ● 1891d

Chopping down trees in London will not make much difference to global warming one way or the other. Trees in our urban environment are part of the short-term carbon cycle. They grow, die and rot - they are not lain down as carboniferous deposits for millions of years. If we increase the overall amount of leaf mass, that is a positive contribution, but chopping down one tree and planting another is neither here nor there.Tackling global warming requires that we stop interfering with the long-term carbon cycle - extracting fossil fuels from the ground and burning them. This is much more difficult.

Michael Winstanley ● 1891d

I agree with you Caroline.

Ivonne Holliday ● 1892d

if they could just stop chopping trees down. they have gone nutts. everywhere you go it's chopped down trees. the opposite should be happening if we want to tackle global warming.

Gregory Edelston ● 1892d

I'm afraid that Donald Roy did not inspire one with confidence in his presentation at the Hustings. Perhaps he will do better at the Wimbledon Hustings.

Caroline Whitehead ● 1892d

"if Adam Ant lived in Putney .."Images of Tibbet's Corner and "Stand and deliver!" come to mind.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B2a6l6wM2kDonald did actually mention Roehampton during his three minutes. didn't think the Wimbledon/Putney thing was a issue until some of the candidates stumbled on the Putney Common question. It was almost as if some of them hadn't even been there. Perhaps I got the wrong impression??

Ed Robinson ● 1892d

I've been racking my brains trying to work out why the majority of the candidates live near Wimbledon and not near Putney. After exhaustive analysis I've determined:(i) They all live near both.(ii) It's largely a result of people deciding to run - like - hardly anyone from Putney did.Then I've been wondering whether it matters. Wimbledon Common is the biggest area, Putney Heath 2nd. Then Putney Common is the smallest area the Conservators have to look after. I'll be honest, I live near PC, but only ever travel across it - if I want a good walk/cycle, I'll head for WC.Now looking at the map, and considering the electorate and who lives closest to the various bits  of common, the really unrepresented area is Roehampton. What a shame no-one from Roehampton is standing. Because living in a slightly different place would make all the difference to how someone did the job right?If I lived on Commondale, I'd certainly treat matters differently to if I lived on Wimbledon Parkside. Is that in the public interest though? Just thinking out loud.Couldn't make the hustings. Maybe I'll watch the Wimbledon ones. But apparently, all that matters is Donald Roy's address.Look, if Adam Ant lived in Putney and he stood as a Conservator, and he was the only one from Putney, we should all vote for him, right? Regardless of his statement, speech at hustings, experience, track record, ability.

Michael Winstanley ● 1892d

Thank you for joining us this evening.  We were disappointed that the technology et us down when it came to accessing the breakout rooms but I think we have managed to get a much better measure of the 12 candidates as a result of this evening.The Wimbledon Society are doing the same thing all over again next week if you want a second bite - link via the WPCC website.I am having a stiff drink now!

Jonathan Callaway ● 1894d

You don't have to use all 5 of your votes! I'm pretty sure Donald Roy is the only Putney resident in this list.

Richard Carter ● 1894d

Thanks to Jonathan and his team for organising. Real shame that only around 100 people could be bothered to join in. Given how much Putney pays for the Commons that's a great shame.Sadly almost all of the candidates are from Wimbledon. I'm not sure some of them had even been to Putney Common. I'm trying to pick my most Putney friendly 5 candidates but it's very hard.

Adrian Pearce ● 1894d

Reminder - it’s tonight.

Jonathan Callaway ● 1895d

And backwards.....

Andy Pike ● 1897d

I see that Diane Neil Mills has also got an email contact: mailto:diane@runningforthecommons.co.ukYou might want to ask her about the Conservators resistence to proper openness and transparency:1) Why no one can attend to view board meetings, why no documents being discussed at meetings are available on the website, and no minutes are made available. Resolutions published after the meetings describe what has been decided, but not why those decisions have been made. They are incomprehensible without the documents that were discussed.2) Why are none of the meetings, agendas and documents or the minutes of the board sub-committees published.3) Why does the charity not apply to be covered by the Freedom of Information Act, which through an administration error some years ago meant they were not included.For me these are the key issues going forward ...Nick

Nicholas Evans ● 1897d

According to the Candidates' Election Statements it is possible to glean the following: -Bucknall : WimbledonHawkins : not availableHayes : WimbledonHince : WombleHirsch : WimbledonHood : Wimbledon Museum manJohnson : WimbledonMills : WimbledonRauf : Heath dwellerRoy : Putney according to CarolineVaqar : not availableWithey : Wimbledon

David John King ● 1897d

I think two of the candidates are collaborating.  I know of two addresses where the same pair of leaflets were delivered over the weekend. One in Putney, the other in Roehampton.  They appeared to be very Wimbledon centric.  One was the chair who has a website...https://www.runningforthecommons.co.uk/

Adrian Pearce ● 1897d

I think it is useful to know the area in which the candidates live. My experience over some 25 years living near here has shown me that Wimbledon based Conservators tend to be Wimbledon-centric. It’s a pity that the Candidates have not organised contact emails. I noticed that the leaflet from Sarah Hawkins - the only one I’ve received so far - had no contact information.Hello Sarah - are you out there? Pleased to see you will encourage more openness. Could you be more specific please?Nick

Nicholas Evans ● 1897d

I'd have thought voting for the best candidates would be preferable to voting for an address. It's not a property that's being elected.

Andy Pike ● 1897d

Hello Nick,I only asked for them to let me know who was a resident in Wimbledon and who was a resident in Putney.I shall have to wait and see!

Ivonne Holliday ● 1897d

Yeh that would have filled a vacancy for a month or two.

Andy Pike ● 1897d

Donald Roy seems to be the only Putney Candidate.

Caroline Whitehead ● 1897d

It’s a shame you are not standing, Nick.

Jane Carter ● 1897d

Yvonne, they don’t need to give out private addresses - they could just give the Council wards, such as Thamesfield etc.It’s a shame there aren’t more Putney residents, particularly as there are more levy-payers who live here than in Wimbledon.Nick

Nicholas Evans ● 1897d

I agree Johnathan, that is what I worked out originally....  I also wrote to WPCC this morning but do no hold too much hope.  I assume they could say that information was withheld to allow unbiased votes?

Ivonne Holliday ● 1897d

From a quick check with the ever-reliable Mr Google I conclude that most of the 12 candidates have Wimbledon addresses or connections.  Putney is rather under-represented.

Jonathan Callaway ● 1897d

I did ask the WPCC at the beginning of last week, but got no reply. Maybe we can ask on Zoom?Nick

Nicholas Evans ● 1897d

There's an hour or three's happy Googling available there.

David Ainsworth ● 1897d

I want to know who the Putney residents are, too?

Martine Guy ● 1897d

I was also wondering about who is who and where are they from.But overall, I think there is a majority of Wimbledon residents.

Ivonne Holliday ● 1897d

Sorry, no I don't and it's not on the WPCC website either.

Jonathan Callaway ● 1897d

Jonathan,Many thanks for the reminder. I’ve just received the candidates statements and voting form.Do you have a list of where they live by any chance? I’d like to vote for candidates who live near Putney Common or Putney Heath if at all possible.Nick

Nicholas Evans ● 1897d