December 2014
Dear friend
Hello again, and welcome back to more on the latest news and events here in Mitcham and Morden as we approach Christmas.
Firstly I’d like to say a big thank you to all have helped delivering the first batch of 2015 calendars. It is a huge task each year delivering these across the constituency and we rely on members and friends to do this. There are still more to deliver so if you have a spare couple of hours please call Billy in the office on 020 8542 4835 to find out where we need your help.
Leaseholder Advice Meeting
I will be hosting a Leaseholder Advice Session at 7.30pm on Thursday 11 December at Morden Assembly Halls, Tudor Drive, SM4 4PJ.
I have been approached by a number of leaseholders about service charges and the costs of major works. They are concerned that they have little control over these charges – particularly the unexpected bills that crop up from time to time. This is a very complex legal area and leases vary hugely depending on when you bought your home. I am therefore delighted that the Leaseholder Advisory Service (LEASE), Britain’s leading free advice service, have agreed to come and do a Question and Answer session in Morden next Thursday. Please feel free to come along and to let your friends and family know of the event.
In order to get the best advice in the Q&A session please bring along your recent Service Charge Bills together with your Section 20 Consultation paperwork.
Alternatively, a face to face appointment can also be made with LEASE at their central London address by calling them 020 7832 2500.
Christmas lunch on Jesus
When you get to see your 2015 calendar you’ll notice that December features Ioannis Dekakis of the Doxa Deo Church, based in Wimbledon. Doxa Deo introduced Christmas Lunch on Jesus to Merton in 2012. They provide hampers for families in need, regardless of their faith. Families are nominated by Merton Council and charities including Wimbledon Food Bank and Commonside Trust in Mitcham. If you know of a family that you would like to be considered for a hamper please email me on siobhain@mmlp.org.uk and I will pass their details on.
Anyone wanting to donate towards a hamper should visit www.cloj.co.uk.
As well as finding out more about Christmas Lunch on Jesus on their website you can also register as a volunteer for packing or distributing the hampers (there are more than 600 to deliver). Packing will take place on 20 December and distribution the following day on 21 December.
Christmas Dinner at Vestry Hall
Labour councillors and members also cook a community Christmas dinner at Vestry Hall (opposite the Cricket Green, Mitcham) on Christmas Day for all who are isolated and find this time of year difficult. If you know a local person that might like to come along on Christmas Day please call Councillor Judy Saunders on 07720 565454 so that they can be included. Judy would also be pleased to hear from you if you can help with cooking, serving or transporting people to Vestry Hall on Christmas Day.
Lord Mayor’s Parade on New Year’s Day
Finally, the Lord Mayors Parade on 1 January each year is always great fun and an opportunity to get fresh air after time at home over Christmas. There are floats from London Boroughs in the parade. Thanks to the tremendous effort put in by Councillor Geraldine Standford each year in coordinating the team Merton’s float has regularly won both praise and prizes.
All funds raised on the day by the Merton team (including prize money for the float) goes to the Mayor’s charities. This year Merton’s Labour Mayor, Councillor Agatha Akyigyina has nominated Shooting Star Chase Children’s Hospice and Street Pastors as her chosen charities.
Geraldine is appealing for help with carrying parts of the float on the walk. Please contact Geraldine on 020 8715 6667 if you can help on the day. You will need to be available for rehearsals in late December as well as from 8am on 1 January. You will get breakfast before the parade to keep you going for the 2 mile walk and the walking on the day.
Thanks for all you do to make Mitcham and Morden such a strong community – and remember if there’s anything you want included in next month’s email please get in touch – you can email me at siobhain@mmlp.org.uk.
My best wishes