Children from Abbotsbury Primary School have been trying out Merton’s newest green gym at Morden Recreation Ground.

Councillor Andrew Judge with pupils from Abbotsbury Primary School at the new green gym in Morden Rec

Morden Rec is the latest Merton park to have an outdoor gym installed after Mostyn Gardens introduced a new gym earlier this year. The green gym at Morden Rec includes a cross trainer and a hand bike as well as leg press, chest press and shoulder press benches.

Other outdoor gyms in Merton’s greenspaces include Mostyn Gardens, King George’s Playing Fields, Figges Marsh, Donnelly Green, Pollards Hill Recreation Ground, Morden Park and Oakleigh Way Recreation Ground.

Children from Abbotsbury Primary School try out the new green gym at Morden Rec

The new exercise area in Morden Rec has been installed thanks to funding from the council’s Public Health team. Other recent improvements to Merton’s parks include new play equipment in King George’s Playing Fields and All Saints Recreation Ground, the refurbishment of Pollards Hill’s play area and a new surfacing for the goal mouth at Edenvale Open Space.

Cabinet member for environmental sustainability and regeneration Councillor Andrew Judge said: “Merton is one of the greenest boroughs in London and I’m delighted that we are investing in our parks to make sure that they continue to be a great place for people to exercise in and visit. Green gyms are a great way to help people get fit for free in our parks. We are lucky to have so much green space in Merton and I would encourage everyone to get out to your local park and visit the new outdoor gyms and play areas.”

To find out more about Merton’s parks and recreation grounds, visit www.merton.gov.uk/parks.

Ground testing work at the proposed site for the new Morden family leisure centre has kicked off.

Following the cabinet decision to build the family leisure centre at a new site on the London Road side of Morden Park, ground testing surveys will be carried out over the coming weeks. Testing is also being carried out on the existing Morden Park Pools site. Other surveys have already started and these will continue to take place prior to the planning applications being submitted.

Chosen for its prime location and accessibility, sensitivity to the local area, and minimal ecological impact, using this site ensures that the existing pool can remain open for residents to use while the leisure centre is being built. By locating the new centre on this site, the council can also return the original leisure centre to public green space.

Results of a consultation carried out by consultation specialists PPS Group show support from residents and pool users for a new family leisure centre to replace the ageing pool in Morden Park.

Merton Council’s cabinet member for community and culture, Councillor Nick Draper said: “I knew it was essential for the current centre to remain open for local people, and especially local schoolchildren, while the new leisure centre is being built, so I am glad this was agreed at Cabinet. The proposed site is in a great location and offers good links to Morden town centre. Getting the right site is an important step and with ground testing work starting, we are making good progress towards delivering the new family sports facility that local people want.”

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1. The testing and surveys being carried out will be used to identify the condition of the ground on the chosen site, map contours on the ground as well as looking at the impact the construction may have on the surrounding area, which will be taken into account in the planning applications.

Merton Council has been awarded almost £4m in earmarked funding to completely rejuvenate the Canons in Mitcham.

Dating back to 1681, the Canons is in a Conservation Area and includes three listed buildings. Following a successful bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund, the council has been awarded the grant which will restore the house and grounds and fund a host of cultural and educational activities.

As part of the funding, Canons House and Madeira Hall will be restored to host events, sports activities as well as providing community facilities and a new café. The cinder running track where Dorothy Tyler, silver medallist at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, trained will be repaired for informal use by joggers and young cyclists learning to ride. A sensory garden, new wildlife pond and natural play area will also be created and the park will host food production, composting and rainwater harvesting.

£314,800 has initially been awarded to help develop the project over the coming months. The council and members of the community will then put together a detailed bid to unlock the full grant amount which will be submitted to the HLF and Big Lottery Fund in 2016. Residents will have the opportunity to put their ideas and suggestions forward through a public consultation and surveys as well as community events which will be taking place to show what the project will be offering to both local people and visitors.

Merton Council’s cabinet member for community and culture, Councillor Nick Draper said: “This is really fantastic news for Mitcham. The Canons is a beautiful building in a lovely setting, and for years I’ve felt that the whole area should be more attractive and accessible to the people of Merton and to Mitcham’s visitors. Rejuvenating the Canons to make the most of its wonderful history and to meet the needs of all our residents will complement the host of exciting plans for the town centre through the Rediscover Mitcham project. A big thank you to everyone who gave their feedback last year about what improvements they’d like to see for the Canons. Thanks to the Lottery funding, our dreams and ideas will at last become a sustainable reality.”

Sue Bowers, Head of HLF London, said on behalf of HLF and BIG: “Parks play such an important role in our everyday lives; they boost our health, connect us to nature and are a place to spend time and have fun together. This investment will ensure the historic and community features of the Canons are in better shape so they can be enjoyed by local people long into the future.”

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Notes to editors:

The Parks for People programme uses Lottery funds to support the regeneration, conservation and increased enjoyment of public parks and cemeteries. In England the two Lottery Funds have been working in partnership from 2006 to deliver a multi-million pound investment in public parks of £150m.  Find out more about how to apply at www.hlf.org.uk/parks

Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF)

From the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife, we use National Lottery players’ money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about.  www.hlf.org.uk  @heritagelottery

Big Lottery Fund

The Big Lottery Fund is responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised for good causes by the National Lottery.  The Fund is committed to bringing real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need and has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since its inception in 2004. It has awarded close to £6bn.

Merton Council is asking residents to get in touch if they see anyone causing damage to the borough’s trees following the vandalism of five trees in the Green Walk and Nelson Gardens area.

Following a survey of the trees, the council’s greenspaces team suspect the damage to be caused by dogs. The trees have substantial biting and gnawing marks on their trunks with one tree being completely destroyed. It is estimated that the value of the trees that have been damaged is up to £10,000.

Merton Council’s cabinet member for environmental sustainability and regeneration Councillor Andrew Judge said: ‘We plant trees around the borough to help remove pollutants from the air, and to keep Merton looking beautiful as well as providing many other benefits to wildlife and our health and wellbeing. It’s terrible that these trees have been harmed in this way and we urge dog owners to be responsible for their pets. Please get in touch if you see a tree being damaged.’

People can call 020 8545 3659 to report this type of damage.

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Groups who use Merton’s parks are being welcomed to give their views on the proposed changes to the way the borough’s parks, cemeteries and other green spaces are maintained. 

Friends of the parks groups are meeting with Councillor Andrew Judge (Merton Council’s cabinet member for environmental sustainability and regeneration) and Chris Lee (director of environment and regeneration) on Monday 2 March. Although the way community groups, friends groups and volunteers use the parks and green spaces to benefit local communities will not be affected, the council wants to update these groups about the proposed changes and the stages involved.

With £32 million of savings having to be made over the next four years due to a reduction in the council’s funding from central government, the council wants to protect weekly waste collections and keep council tax low so it is looking at how it can continue to provide quality refuse and recycling collections, street cleaning, parks and other grounds maintenance services that give Merton’s taxpayers value for money. After a lot of consideration, the council is proposing to work with neighbouring councils to change the way in which it deliver these services. By working together it is hoped that, as a result of economies of scale, significant savings will be generated.

As part of the award-winning South London Waste Partnership (made up of Merton, Sutton, Kingston and Croydon Councils), the four neighbouring boroughs are looking at working together to commission specialist environmental services companies to take care of the borough’s waste collections, street cleansing and parks  maintenance from April 2017. The SLWP will not be delivering the services. The partnership’s expertise lies in procuring good value contracts with companies which are specialists in their fields so they will be looking for a company who is specialist in horticulture and grounds maintenance and a company who is specialist in street cleansing and waste collection services. Merton Council will continue to retain the management of the borough’s parks.

Merton Council’s cabinet member for environmental sustainability and regeneration, Councillor Andrew Judge, said: “Our local friends of the parks groups do fantastic work with the council to keep Merton’s green spaces looking clean and tidy as well as helping to make our parks great places to visit. There will be no changes at all to how these groups use our parks and I want to make sure that we continue the good work we do together.”

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Notes to editor:

1. It is proposed that the four boroughs through the SLWP work together to secure contracts for parks maintenance and for waste collections and street cleansing to start in April 2017.
2. The ownership and future use of all of the borough’s open spaces would stay with the council. Existing planning protection would remain and the council would only be asking the new provider to undertake the day to day maintenance and management of the spaces.
3. There are several councils around the country and across London that have done this successfully but usually alone. Two of Merton’s partner boroughs (Croydon and Kingston) already work with external providers, one who provides their waste collections and street cleansing services and another who provides their parks and grounds maintenance service. What is different in what’s being proposed now is the partnership approach to doing this across four councils to get the best deal for each council and the taxpayer.
4. Visit the council’s FAQs webpage for more information.

Dundonald Recreation Ground in Wimbledon now has a brand new landscaped playground ready for the borough’s younger residents to enjoy.

Dundonald Recreation Ground’s public playground includes slides, swings, a roundabout, and a creative sand play zone.

Dundonald Primary School children with Cllr Andrew Judge, Fiona Duffy (head teacher at Dundonald Primary School), Cllr Stephen Alambritis and Cllr Martin Whelton.

Leader of the Council Councillor Stephen Alambritis, cabinet member for environmental sustainability and regeneration Councillor Andrew Judge and cabinet member for education Councillor Martin Whelton visited the recreation ground to see the first part of the council-funded improvements to the much-loved recreation ground spring into life as local children from Dundonald Primary School were the first to have fun on the new site.

Later this month, the council will be opening two new multi-use sports areas for the borough’s tennis and netball enthusiasts to play on.

Merton Council cabinet member for environmental sustainability and regeneration Councillor Andrew Judge said: “These are exciting times for Dundonald Recreation Ground and it is great to see the new playground open. I look forward to seeing many of our residents enjoy the new play equipment, especially as we see the days get longer and warmer.”

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Merton Council has opened the new multi-use sports area in Dundonald Rec in time for the Easter holidays so children and their families can take full advantage of the new tennis and netball courts.

Details of times the courts will be open to the public are on the council’s website: www.merton.gov.uk/dundonald-updates

The opening of the courts follows hot on the heels of the new public playground opening earlier this month.

The courts and the children’s playground as well all the preparation for the improvement works for the forthcoming expansion for Dundonald Primary School and new pavilion are included in the council’s £467,000 investment in the Rec. The next phase of the works will now begin including the school extension and replacing the pavilion. The final stage will see the multi-use sports area and the playground extended by a third when the old pavilion is replaced.

Leader of Merton Council Councillor Stephen Alambritis said: “It’s great to see these new courts open in time for the holidays.  Along with the bright new playground that has already seen good use, the new sports area demonstrates our commitment to the Rec and its long-term future as a place for families to enjoy.”

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We live in one of London’s greenest boroughs, where more than 100 parks and gardens mean open space is never far away. Now spring is here our green spaces are bursting with wildlife and floral splendour, so whether you fancy a stroll in the park, a game of football or a picnic with friends this bank holiday weekend, it’s time to get out there.

Residents enjoying Merton’s parks

Get fit for free

Get in shape for free while enjoying a breath of fresh air at our council-funded outdoor gyms. With gyms in Mostyn Gardens, King George’s Playing Fields, Figge’s Marsh and Morden Park, you can make use of the cross trainers, bikes and shoulder press benches on offer.

Mostyn Garden’s outdoor gym

Sporting life

Why not get a team together and take advantage of the multi-use games area next to Canons Leisure Centre, Mitcham which was opened last summer in response to demand for more all-weather pitches. Book your session through the leisure centre.

If you’d like to try something a little different, beach volleyball is available in Wimbledon Park where there are two courts open daily. Try out this emerging sport on the very same sand that was used on Olympic courts during London 2012. Book online or join one of the sessions run by Wimbledon Volleyball Club.

Why not give bowls a try? There are seven bowling greens in the borough and several clubs. Sessions cost from £4 per hour and you can usually just turn up and play. It’s a great way to make new friends and spend time in our parks. All ages are very welcome.

There’s no avoiding the borough’s strong connection with one sport in particular – tennis. There are more than 50 public courts plus many courses and sessions taking place over the summer. Visit merton.gov.uk/tennis to find out about the courses on offer.

Bowls in Merton’s parks

Get involved in a clean-up with your neighbours

The council is encouraging residents to take up their brooms and don their rubber gloves this spring and summer as part of the Love Your Street campaign.

Starting last month and running until July, a programme of borough-wide clean-up events will see the council’s clean team working with Street Champions, Merton Matters, Sustainable Merton, community groups and residents to spruce up local neighbourhoods over the spring and summer months.  A full list of clean-up events can be found at merton.gov.uk/StreetChampions

Fieldgate Lane clean-up event

Find out more:

• Parks including outdoor gyms and bowls
• School holiday courses
• Multi-use games area
• Tennis

Local Brownies helped to spread the Love Your Street message this week by sprucing up Cannon Hill Lane.

The Brownies set out on Cannon Hill Lane to do a litter-pick

With help from the council’s litter enforcement team, the Third Morden Brownies (from St John Fisher) picked litter from Cannon Hill Lane, Cannon Hill Common and Joseph Hood Recreation Ground. As well as signing up to the Love Your Street pledge to take pride in their local area, the Brownies regularly do their bit to keep Merton clean by being ‘litter monitors’ in their school. The Brownies got in touch with the council to organise the clean-up through the Love Your Street campaign, something which many other local residents and groups have done since the campaign launched earlier this year.

The council has also been out and about leading community clean-ups with residents and community groups as part of a programme of spruce-up events over the spring and summer months. Clean-ups have already taken place in Lowry Crescent, Western Road, St Helier Avenue, Fieldgate Lane, Figges Marsh, Framfield Road and Manship Road. Upcoming sessions taking place across the borough can be found on the Love Your Street webpage.

Brownies litter-picking Joseph Hood Rec

The Love Your Street campaign marks the council’s new approach in its ongoing fight against people littering and fly-tipping by boosting the positive work it does with residents, businesses, community groups and schools across the borough. As well as spending over £5million keeping Merton’s streets clean every year, educating people about the effects of environmental crime and being tougher on people who drop litter, this campaign is the latest initiative in the council’s anti-litter campaign. This follows the council’s partnership with environmental enforcement specialists, on-the-spot £80 penalty charge notices, the use of Glutton machines in town centres, the installation of special gum and cigarette butt bins across the borough and new high tech smart bins in parks.

Merton Council’s cabinet member for environmental cleanliness and parking Councillor Judy Saunders said: “It’s fantastic to see the Brownies spreading the Love Your Street message and taking pride in their local area. A huge thank you to the Brownies and all the residents and community groups who have taken part in spruce-up events as part of the Love Your Street campaign. Merton is a great place to live but a small minority of people continue to litter our streets. We know that many residents work hard to keep their neighbourhood clean and the Love Your Street campaign is about recognising that commitment and taking a stand against litter.”

One of the Brownies at the clean-up, Heidi Bounds (9) said: “Littering is a horrible habit and everyone should make sure they keep their local area clean. Whenever I go out for a walk with my Mummy we bring a bag and gloves to pick up any litter we see because we think it’s important for people to care about where they live. I have an environmental friendly badge from the Brownies which I’m very proud of!”

To make the Love Your Street pledge and to find out about local clean-up events, visit www.merton.gov.uk/LoveYourStreet.

Photos from the Brownies’ litter-pick can be seen on the council’s Flickr page.

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Young kids will be making a splash this week as Merton Council opens its first paddling pool of the season in Wimbledon Park.  As the days get warmer, families will be flocking to the paddling pool with its interactive water play area as they wade in and cool down.

The rest of Merton’s paddling pools will open from 18 July until 31 August from 10am to 5pm.

Merton Council cabinet member for environmental sustainability and regeneration Councillor Andrew Judge said: “Our paddling pools and water features provide the perfect places for children to cool off and have fun during the summer. They are also hugely popular with families. That’s why the council is continuing to maintain them. Let’s hope we have good weather!”

To find your nearest paddling pool, visit http://www.merton.gov.uk/paddlingpools.

Merton Council is giving music lovers everywhere the chance to purchase special early bird tickets for Classics in the Park. 10% off the original price is available until midnight on 31 July.

Wimbledon Park athletics stadium is all set to be transformed into a wonderful open air classical music venue on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 September 2015. The City of London Sinfonia, under the baton of Stuart Stratford, will perform a range of classical favourites for ‘Classics in the Park’. Performances start at 7.30pm and finish at 9.30pm.

The full programme is online and includes favourites such as Mozart’s Eine kleine Nachtmusik, Bach’s Air on a G String, Pachelbel’s Canon, Puccini’s O mio bambino caro and much more. A glittering fireworks finale will light up the late summer evening.

Leader of Merton Council, Councillor Stephen Alambritis, said: “For the City of London Sinfonia to play in Wimbledon Park is hugely exciting for us. It would be wonderful to see local people from Merton as well as people from further afield coming to SW19 for a fabulous evening of top quality music. I have already purchased my early bird ticket.”

Chief executive of City of London Sinfonia Matthew Swann said: “We are delighted to be taking part in Classics in the Park, performing some of the most-loved classical music in the wonderful surroundings of Wimbledon Park.”

Visit www.merton.gov.uk/classicsinthepark and quote EARLYBIRD when you book tickets.

Twitter: #classicsinthepark

Facebook: www.facebook.com/classicsinthepark

Merton Council has been checking out the latest reviews of the City of London Sinfonia ahead of their Wimbledon Park concert in September. Reviewers of the The City of London Sinfonia’s performance at this year’s Opera Holland Park are saying the orchestra is “on cracking form” offering a “vibrant and passionate account” of Montemezzi’s L’amore dei tre Re.

The council’s Classics in the Park concert is set to bring this popular and talented orchestra to Merton for two nights of classical favourites on 11 and 12 September. The performance will be staged at the athletics stadium in the park with a firework finale.

Concert-goers can easily book tickets online

Find out more about the City of London Sinfonia and check out the Classics in the Park FaceBook page too.

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City of London Sinfonia and Merton Council have announced the singers for Classics in the Park, which will take place this September in Wimbledon Park.

Mezzo soprano Carolyn Dobbin and soprano Tereza Gevorgyan are set to charm concert goers with their beautiful voices on 11 and 12 September.

Carolyn is from Northern Ireland and has sung numerous roles including Penelope in Il Tirorno d’Ulisse, Flora in La Traviata and the title role in Carmen. She trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and was on Northern Ireland’s Young Artist Programme, OTC in Dublin. In 2010, she was a Welsh National Opera (WNO) Associate Artist, the recipient of the WNO Chris Ball Bursary and the Sir John Moores Award, singing Mercedes Carmen and second lady in the Magic Flute.

Carolyn has worked previously with the City of London Sinfonia as well as with numerous other orchestras including Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. She has also worked with world class conductors including Sir David Willcocks, Jane Glover and Sir Charles Mackerras.

Tereza Gevorgyan comes from Armenia and is currently training at the National Opera Studio in London. She has performed a variety of roles from Musetta in La Boheme to Tatiana in Eugene Onegin. She has performed in world-class concert venues, Carnegie Hall and Chicago Symphony Hall.

Tereza has won numerous prizes including the Rosenblatt Recital Prize and the Edith Mary Clarke Cup for the best female singer. She was also winner of the Pavarotti Prize in 2013 and won the Les Azuriales Karaviotis Prize also that year.

The programme for Classics in the Park and the full biographies of the soloists are on the council’s website.

Tickets are easy to book online.

Four of Merton’s parks have been awarded Green Flags for being recognised as some of the best green spaces in the country.

Colliers Wood Rec, Dundonald Rec, John Innes Park and South Park Gardens joined the 359 other Green Flag Award winners across London who were awarded the Green Flag status by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy during National Parks Week (24 July – 2 August).

Friend of South Park Gardens, Peter Kenning, Merton Council’s Jill Tyndale, Leader of Merton Council Councillor Stephen Alambritis, Trinity ward councillor Abdul Latif, Friend of South Park Gardens, Rachel Tilford, cabinet member for environmental sustainability and regeneration Councillor Andrew Judge and Garden Foreman Tom Kilduff. This popular open green space has a new café.

A Green Flag flying overhead is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible standards, is well maintained and has excellent facilities.

Leader of Merton Council, Councillor Stephen Alambritis said: “It’s fantastic news to hear that four of our green spaces have received the prestigious Green Flag Award. They have been consistent winners over a number of years and are the result of the work done by our parks teams and also the hugely important contribution made by the friends’ groups. We are committed to achieving a high standard of maintenance in all of our parks and fully expect to achieve additional Green Flags and other awards in the future.”

International Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said: “We are delighted to be celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award scheme. All the flags flying this year are a testament to the efforts of the thousands of men and women, both staff and volunteers, who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”

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Notes to editors

For a full list of Green Flag Winners, visit www.keepbritaintidy.org/record-number-of-parks-achieve-the-green-flag-award/2528/2/1/999/3

Merton Council is continuing to crack down on dog waste and litter as it launches its ‘Any bin will do’ campaign this week.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Alambritis with Merton resident and dog walker Tanya Buller

Now dog walkers can bag and drop their dog’s poo into any litter bin in the borough reducing the need to hunt round for a dog waste bin. From Sunday 23 August, Merton is also stepping up its enforcement activity as officers patrol parks and open spaces as well as town centres, issuing on the spot £80 fines to people caught dropping litter or not picking up after their dog.

Merton Council’s cabinet member for environmental cleanliness Councillor Judy Saunders said: “The majority of our residents look after where they live. The success of our Love Your Street campaign is testament to that. Sadly though there are still people who think it’s acceptable to drop litter and not pick up after their dog.

“Since April our enforcement officers have issued over 2000 fixed penalty notices to people caught littering in our town centres. We’re now stepping up our campaign by expanding the patrol to litter and dog fouling hotspots in our parks and open spaces.

“We want everyone to enjoy Merton parks and by saying ‘any bin will do’ we’re making it even easier for dog walkers, so there really are no excuses not to pick up after your dog.”

Merton resident and dog walker, Tanya Buller fully supports the move. She said: “I tend to plan my walk around where the dog waste bins are. Being able to use any litter bin will make a big difference to me and encourage people to pick up after their dog.”

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Notes to editors

• A fixed penalty notice for littering or dog fouling is a £80 on the spot fine
• Dog waste can be disposed in any litter bin in the borough, excluding recycling bins which are for recyclable materials
• Since the end of April, Merton Council has issued over 2,000 fixed penalty notices to people littering in Merton.
• The council takes a zero tolerance approach to people dropping litter in the borough. It has published an anti-litter code, installed special gum and cigarette butt bins, high tech smart bins in parks and is working with Love Clean Streets to encourage residents to report litter and fly-tipping through the free Love Clean Streets smartphone app.

Mitcham resident Daria Piatek is the latest winner of the Love Your Street prize draw, taking home a £100 One4All voucher.

After signing up to the Love Your Street pledge to keep Merton clean and take pride in her neighborhood, Daria was chosen as the lucky winner of the prize draw for the £100 gift voucher which is kindly sponsored by local business, Eddisonwhite Estate agents.

The Love Your Street campaign marks the council’s fresh approach in its ongoing fight against people littering and fly-tipping by boosting the positive work it does with residents, businesses, community groups and schools across the borough. As well as spending over £5million keeping Merton’s streets clean every year, educating people about the effects of environmental crime and being tougher on people who drop litter, this campaign is the latest initiative in the council’s anti-litter campaign. This follows the council’s partnership with environmental enforcement specialists, on-the-spot penalty charge notices, the use of Glutton machines in town centres, the installation of special gum and cigarette butt bins across the borough and new high tech smart bins in parks. Residents wishing to organise a clean-up can find out more about how to do this on the Love Your Street webpage.

Cabinet Member for Environmental Cleanliness and Parking, Councillor Judy Saunders said: “Thanks to everyone who has taken the Love Your Street pledge so far. Merton is a great place to live but a small minority of people continue to litter our streets. We know that many residents work hard to keep their neighbourhood clean and the Love Your Street campaign is about recognising that commitment, taking a stand against litter and showing pride in our local area. Congratulations to Daria who is yet another winner of the prize draw.”

Winning resident Daria Piatek said: “I’m really pleased I was recognised for the effort I put in recycling and making sure my neighborhood is clean and pleasant. I understand the importance of keeping our streets clean so I do my bit, as everyone should, because it’s much better to live in a clean and tidy place.”

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Notes to editors:

People can sign up to the Love Your Street pledge at http://www.merton.gov.uk/LoveYourStreet

Tickets for two of London’s most popular fireworks and bonfire displays, put on by Merton Council, are on sale now. The displays this year take place at Wimbledon Park on Thursday 5 November and Morden Park on Saturday 7 November.

Like last year, tickets can be bought online ahead of the event and at a cheaper price. A limited number will be available on the night, but people are encouraged to book in advance to avoid possible disappointment at the gates. Children aged four and under get in free.

Two fantastic performances are lined up this year with the themes The wonderful music of Disney, for the early performance more suitable for younger children, and Through the decades at the later show. Gates will open at 5.15pm for the first show and 7.15pm for the second. People are encouraged to arrive early for the show they are seeing to avoid queues. Fairground rides, stalls and refreshments will be open until 10pm.

Merton’s cabinet member for community and culture, Councillor Nick Draper, said: “You won’t find a fireworks and bonfire display like Merton’s anywhere else in London. Each show will have great fireworks, music, fun and attractions – and as Morden Park, with its natural bowl setting, and Wimbledon Park, with its classical Capability Brown-designed openness, are very different venues, you have the choice of either (or both!). Come and share the experience- and make sure to book your tickets online to save money. I look forward to seeing you all there.”

For more information or to buy tickets, visit merton.gov.uk/fireworks

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Green fingered community groups, schools, residents and businesses celebrated at this week’s Merton in Bloom awards ceremony in Morden’s Civic Centre.

Students from Malmesbury Primary School who were joint winners with Priory CoE in the best school wildlife garden category with the Mayor of Merton Cllr David Chung and Mayoress Irina Chung

Following the borough’s success in the regional London in Bloom competition, gardens, allotments and hanging baskets were recognised with trophies and certificates from the Mayor or Merton, Councillor David Chung.

Winners of the best community garden category, the Baitul Futuh Mosque

Entries were judged on horticultural achievement, environmental responsibility and community participation. The winners were decided by members of local allotment and horticultural societies.

Winners of the challenge trophy (best in Merton), Mr and Mrs Prior

On the night, Merton received its three London in Bloom awards for the upkeep and maintenance of its cemeteries. Gap Road, Wimbledon, a first time entry, was the highest scoring cemetery, receiving a silver gilt award. Merton and Sutton Joint Cemetery was awarded silver with London Road, Mitcham given bronze.

Mayor of Merton, Councillor David Chung, said: “Congratulations to all the winners and finalists in this year’s Merton in Bloom awards. It was great to meet so many people passionate about maintaining gardens and green spaces. I would encourage all those who have worked diligently on this project to continue and encourage others to participate in the future to beautify Merton.”

Cabinet member for environmental sustainability and regeneration, Councillor Andrew Judge, said: “Once again residents, local businesses and community groups have impressed with a high standard of submissions for this year’s awards. Special thanks must go to everyone who sent in an entry and to the winners on the night.”

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Merton Council has won the prestigious Clean Britain award for its work at Fieldgate Lane, Mitcham.

Photo shows left to right: Nick Hewer, Debbie Alexander (from sponsor, The Helping Hand Company), Mark Holmes (Merton Council), Michelle Kolattek (Sustainable Merton), Lara Bryant (The Helping Hand Company)

Over the last 10 months Merton Council has worked closely with local residents, Sustainable Merton and Circle Housing Merton Priory to help transform a fly tipped wasteland into a beautiful community orchard and garden.

Mayor of Merton, Councillor David Chung, joined an army of local volunteers to help create a beautiful public space with plants, vegetables and fruit for the community to enjoy.

The award was presented by Countdown host and former Apprentice star nick Hewer.

Councillor Chung said: “It was a wonderful experience working with local people who really care about their environment and who want to create a place where it’s good to spend time and get away for a few moments from the busy town centre. Residents will continue to nurture this land with the great help of Sustainable Merton and will be able to benefit from the edible crops there too.”

Cabinet member for environmental sustainability and regeneration Councillor Andrew Judge said: “This was months in the making and I would like to thank colleagues in our environment and regeneration department for leading on this project which will benefit the community for generations to come.  Thanks must also go to  Sustainable Merton, who are always incredibly supportive, and to the other partners who have put in the work to make this happen.”

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Notes to editors

Partners involved in the Mitcham Community Orchard and Garden include: Sustainable Merton, Barratt Homes, Circle Housing Merton Priory, Merton Chamber of Commerce, the companies working out of the council’s Business Generator Centre in Mitcham, Wyvale Garden Centre, Asda and the Ahmadiyya Mosque.

The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) is the leading professional body for the waste management sector representing over 6000 individuals in the UK and overseas. Established in 1898, CIWM is a non profit-making organisation, dedicated to the promotion of professional competence amongst waste managers. CIWM seeks to raise standards for those working in and with the sector by producing best practice guidance, developing educational and training initiatives, and providing information on key waste-related issues. Comprehensive information about CIWM can be found at www.ciwm.co.uk

Merton’s Mitcham Community Orchard and Gardens and Merton’s Public Health service have been nationally recognised by the Local Government Chronicle awards. In addition, the South London SEN commissioning programme, a collaboration of 10 south London boroughs of which Merton is a founder member who jointly commission special educational needs services, has also been recognised.

Shortlisted in the Community Involvement category, the Mitcham Community Orchard and Gardens is a community initiative led by the council with the support of Sustainable Merton and the local community as part of the Love Your Street campaign. Previously an abandoned and neglected field since WW2, blighted by dog fouling, fly tipping and graffiti, Fieldgate Lane has since transformed into Mitcham Community Orchard and Gardens: a beautiful community space filled with organically grown fruit and vegetables available to the whole community, with the support of 150 volunteers and local businesses and paid for completely by sponsorship.

Merton’s Public Health team has also been shortlisted in the public health category. The team has made a significant impact on residents’ health, since the council became responsible for public health two years ago working closely with health partners to make sure public health is the first thought, not the afterthought. They’ve rolled out a number of initiatives including a local healthy schools programme, supporting children and families to get more active; a befriending scheme to reduce isolation among older people; as well developing a borough wide food charter encouraging local food outlets to provide healthy choices for residents and encourage them to eat a healthy diet

The South London SEN commissioning programme of which Merton is a member, has been shortlisted in the efficiency category. The programme is a collaboration of 10 south London boroughs who commission good quality special educational needs services, saving nearly £15k per borough each year and close to £2m across all the authorities over the last 18 months.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Alambritis said: “This is great news for Merton. I’m proud to see our work being nationally recognised for looking after our greenspace as well as the special educational needs and health of our residents.”

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