What's On

Want Footfall … Develop a Triangle!
With Sainsbury's going on the Pinewood site, and what looks to be a newer, bigger Waitrose as well as the possibility of leisure and medical facilities on Lion Green car park, complete with parking spaces at both ends of Coulsdon, things are really looking up. To my mind this really does bode well for Coulsdon. With the library and perhaps a nice garden area to sit out in on the Brighton Road - apparently there would be room for a garden on part of the current library site (I, personally, would prefer to see money spent on more books, refurbishment and better services than on re-locating it from a "site that has possibilities"), the Post Office and a few nice unique shops on the Chipstead Valley Road, some of which are already there: if Aldi could be persuaded to take over the old Waitrose site complete with the available car parking, this would seem to provide the perfect combination of businesses and services to draw people into Coulsdon. This would provide the variety of attractions that would encourage footfall within the other streets.
CWRA Committee Rep, Chris Hunt

Coulsdon Community Centre on the Web
We're all doing it! If you need to find out what courses or events are on at the Community Centre, or if you want to book a room or the Hall for an event, class or course. The Website address is www.coulsdoncommunitycentre.co.uk

Proposed Post Office closure at 217 Chipstead Valley Road

Your Committee and Road Stewards delivered copies of a letter to around 1500 households, advising residents of Post Office Ltd's proposed closure of our local Post Office, near Rickman Hill, and giving addresses for objections or comments. In addition over 500 copies were picked up by residents at the Post Office, at Londis, Valley Pharmacy and the Murco service station. Turner Books donated the photocopying services. Our campaign was also publicised in the Coulsdon and Purley Advertiser and on BBC Radio London's 'Vanessa' programme. Many letters objecting to the proposed closure were sent to Post Office Ltd, Richard Ottaway MP, as he has been supportive, and the Minister for Postal Services. Your committee's formal response also supported the idea of moving our Post Office into the Londis store, nearby, with the possibility of longer opening hours. We have asked Croydon Council for their help in this. Councillor Brian Cakebread has helped throughout. Awaiting Post Office Ltd's decision, we hope that we can save our Post Office and not have the difficulty, expense or inconvenience of having to go further to other branches.
CWRA Committee Rep, Peter Appleford

Useful Websites

These are particularly useful when you live on the border of different councils, as we do here. http://www.communityfix.co.uk/index.php
this is a 'one stop website' allowing you to report - for example, dumped cars, graffiti, potholes and vandalism in any borough that you may be visiting. http://www.fixmystreet.com
similar to community fix: includes graffiti, fly tipping, broken paving slabs, or street lighting. (Was 'Neighbourhood Fix-it', and is understood to be not linked in any way to Sir Jimmy Savile) http://www.fillthathole.org.uk/
a Cycle Touring Club (CTC) initiative - for reporting potholes and road defects. http://www.clearthattrail.org.uk/
another CTC initiative - but for reporting blocked or defective rights of way - footpaths, bridleways etc.

What's On

Friends of Farthing Downs In the summer of last year the Friends organised exhibitions, leaflets and articles about the City of London's proposals for new visitor facilities on Farthing Downs to replace the current toilet block at the back of the car park. The proposals included a café kiosk with seating area, information boards for news and events and exhibitions and displays both on the natural and ancient history of the Downs. Space has been allocated for new toilets with baby changing and disabled facilities. The preliminary consultation offered three design options giving choices between reuse of the current building or a new traditional or modern building. The answer from everyone canvassed was a resounding 'yes' to these proposals with the preference for style very evenly split between the three options. The results have been passed back to the City and, following this, more detailed public consultation is being planned for summer this year. Volunteers from the Friends and the Coulsdon Green Belt Action Group will be on hand to help with the survey. Guided Walks on Farthing Downs How long is it since you walked on Farthing Downs? The Friends have a full programme of walks and talks. Saturday 17 May: Nature's detectives get up early on Farthing Downs: They say that the early bird catches the worm - but in this case we'll be searching the sky for larks and things that crawl slowly at our feet. Discover the reason why we'll be meeting at 8.00 a.m. at Farthing Downs car park for an hour's walk - bring the kids. Sunday 18 May: 'Meet the mini beasts': A walk for families with younger children who will love to see the Roman snails and other creepy crawly things that live on the Downs. Meet at 8.00 a.m. at Farthing Downs car park for an hour's walk following a nearby trail. Help support the work of the Friends The Friends work in partnership with the City of London (owners and managers of Farthing Downs), and in addition to helping shape projects like the new proposed visitor facilities and organising talks and guided walks, there are many other ways the Friends can help protect and enhance this unique site. We can work as independent group to campaign to protect the Downs from possible development or actions which may affect its value as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or its ancient archaeology. Friends can raise funds for community projects on the Downs and acquisition of land adjacent to the Downs. A fund raising campaign by the Coulsdon Green Belt Action Group helped the acquisition of Woodplace Farm Fields, now managed by the City as a local open space. In 2006 the Friends won funding to support an archaeological survey on the Downs carried out by volunteers organised by English Heritage. We currently have contact with local schools with a view to organising a programme of walks for children which will complement their school work. If you would like details about guided walks, more information about the Friends or both please contact Pauline Payne on 01737 554449 or email fofd@btinternet.com

What's On

What's On Saturday 26 April: Chandos Choir Concert (See box on left)
Saturday 10 May: ECRA Quiz Night, Cameron Hall, Old Coulsdon
Pastor Malcolm Newman will be the Quiz Master for this ever-popular event with prizes and a Cup for the winners. Ticket price includes a fish (or chicken) and chip supper. Contact Ron Morley on 01737 555447
Saturday 17 May & Sunday 18 May: Guided Walks on Farthing Downs
Saturday 24 May: Dance in the Centre
Saturday 7 June: Quiz Night and Pizza Supper
Sunday 13 July: Smitham Allotments Centenary Celebration

Art Classes - Mixed Ability Classes (Beginners Welcome)
Adults Drawing (9.00am - 11.00am)
Adults Watercolours (11.00 - 1.00pm)
Watercolours for Children (afternoons)
Saturday Apr 12 / May 10 / June 14 (More dates to be confirmed)
(Payment per Class attended) Contact Art & Craft Valley at 19 Chipstead Valley Road for further details or to book on 0208 6603222 or zahida@artandcraftvalley.com
Swing, Jitterbug, Boogie Woogie & Rock 'n' Roll to Swing Music from the 1940s and 1950s. Sun Valley Jump Club every Thursday evening at Old Walcountians Rugby Club. Beginners 8.00-8.45pm, Improvers 8.45-9.30pm, Freestyle until late.