Sanderstead Pond - Notice in SRA Noticeboard
25/06/2018 13:28:00.......Posted by Yvette Hopley

Residents will see a new sign in the SRA noticeboard advising what is best for our ducks and geese.  White breat is not good for our feathered friends as it lacks the nutrients needed for a healthy life.  Grain, seeds, peanuts and brown or seeded bread are better.  Please don't leave an excess of food around the pond as it is attracting rats and can pollute the pond.

Hamsey Green Pond - Early Morning Meeting
21/06/2018 10:32:00.......Posted by Yvette Hopley

I met with Meike Weiser and Verena Trend at Croydon Council to discuss the improvements to Hamsey Green pond.  The pond is in a terrible state with parrot weed now covering the whole of the surface of the pond and vegetation overtaking the entire surround.  The pond needs de-silting which is a major operation and there would need to be a clear plan to dispose of the huge amount of silt and evasive plant form.  The pond is extremely deep and the work that needs to take place would probably be beyond the remit of The Conservation Volunteers.  Meike and Verena very kindly are putting together a plan to instigate work at this site.

Heathhurst Road/Mayfield Road Footpath
21/06/2018 10:14:00.......Posted by Yvette Hopley

A number of residents raised concerns about overhanging foliage from neighbouring properties over the foothpath between Mayfield Road and Heathhurst Road.  I am pleased to say that a Neighbourhood Safety Officer has visited the location and spoken to both the residents of the properties where the problem vegetation is located.  Both agreed to cut back the trees/shrubs, one has complied already.  

Hear Me Speak - Sanderstead Residents' Association
20/06/2018 21:56:00.......Posted by Yvette Hopley

I was pleased to attend the Hear Me Speak 2018 primary school competition which was organised by the SRA at St. Peters' Primary School.  Four schools competed, Greenvale, Gresham, Hamsey Green and St Peters for the coveted trophy.  Each school provided a three member team presenting on interesting topics such as gender neutrality, the impact of video gaming, shortening of school holidays and dieting and body image.  It was an extremely close contest with all participants performing well but it was Greenvale Primary School that won first prize.  It was an honour to present the certificates and prizes as a past Mayor of Croydon.  Well done to the brilliant children and everyone involved and a thank you to the Sanderstead Residents' Association for organising the event.

20mph Road Markings - Purley Downs Road
20/06/2018 13:33:00.......Posted by Yvette Hopley

In a previous blog I highlighted some of the problems on Purley Downs Road since the introduction of the 20mph zone.  A number of drivers are speeding and overtaking law-abiding citizens attempting to drive at the now required 20mph.  I took this up with the council and the cabinet member and a number of 20mph markings have been painted on the road to assist.  I hope that drivers adhere to the limit and it helps address the issue of any possible collisions or accidents.

Sanderstead Safer Neighbourhood Team - Change of Email
19/06/2018 21:27:00.......Posted by Yvette Hopley

Your Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT) is a group of Met police officers dedicated to serving our community. The team is made up of officers based in the area supported by additional officers from the wider area. They work closely with local authorities, community leaders and residents to decide the policing priorities for the area. This helps them find useful, long-term solutions to local problems, while maintaining our wider focus on reducing crime across London. 

As of today Sanderstead LPT has a new email address: 

ZD-SNTSanderstead@met.police.uk

Please use this to contact the team. The old email address is no longer in operation and will bounce back if you try to use.

Do pass on this information to your contacts.

PCSO Sam Brooks 7381 ZD

Sanderstead SNT| Addington Police station | Addington Village Road | Croydon | CR0 5AQ

Telephone: 0208 721 2470
Email: ZD-SNTSanderstead@met.police.uk
Follow us on Twitter @MPSSanderstead 
Follow us on FaceBook www.facebook.com/MPSSanderstead

Grass Cutting and Green Space Management
18/06/2018 11:03:00.......Posted by Yvette Hopley

In general I would say that the new contractor  has made a good job of the verges and green spaces that have been cut.  It is a difficult task to maintain the banks of Sanderstead Hill and a good attempt has been made in ensuring that the bank has not been cut too short or "scraped" as it was before. However, there have been issues with the maintenance of Sanderstead roundabout, in particular the shrubs and beds have not had any attention this season.  Many hedges are out of control and dead plants and weeds seem to be the star attraction rather than the beautiful plants that should be in full bloom.  There are also problems on our border with Tandridge.  This is also tricky and gets missed as one side of the pavement and verges is in our area and the other side in Surrey.  A poor attempt has been made to cut the grass at the junction of Wentworth Way and Tithe Pit Shaw Lane but clumps of long grass have been left around the posts.  I have asked the council to instruct the contractor to return with his strimmer to tidy up the grass area at our boundary and to ensure that the beds on the roundabout are maintained.

Sanderstead Pond - Rat Infestation
18/06/2018 10:39:00.......Posted by Yvette Hopley

A number of residents have alerted me to the problem of rats running along the pathways around Sanderstead pond.  The water and foliage and tasty morsals from ducks that are being fed is a natural habitat and ideal breeding place.   However, there are just too many now  around the pond scaring the residents and small children.  Some rat boxes are to be installed to help with this infestation.

Kings Wood - Friends Signs
16/06/2018 20:00:00.......Posted by Yvette Hopley

Finally the signs marking the entrance to Kings Wood at four locations have been installed.  These were requested by The Friends of King's Wood to encourage people to visit the beautiful ancient woodland.  This beauty spot can be accessed from a number of locations along the Limpsfield Road and finger post signs will also be put up on five lampposts highlighting the access points.  The signs were funded by the local councillors and the Sanderstead Residents' Association.

Eid - Sanderstead Recreation Ground
15/06/2018 12:17:00.......Posted by Yvette Hopley

Muslims around the world gathered to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the three-day festival marking the end of Ramadan.

The Eid-al-Fitr is one of only two major festivals in the Islamic faith and sees Muslims hold mass prayers and give money to the poor and needy.

Translated from Arabic it means 'the feast of the breaking of the fast'. The festival signals an end to the holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset.

The festival began at moonrise last night and can continue for up to three days, during which Muslims greet each other by saying Eid Mubarak.

'Eid' means 'celebration' and 'mubarak' means 'blessed', so the saying can be translated as 'have a blessed holiday.  We were pleased to have our own gathering of prayers in Sanderstead Recreation Ground.  Cllr Tim Pollard and I were able to meet members of the muslim community alongside our Sanderstead Safer Neighbourhood Team.