Old Coulsdon Residents' Association
Bulletin Board
Find out about what's going on in our community, from new groups to local competitions. See also our Dates for Your Diary Section.
Friends of Bradmore Green Pond
Our pond needs your help!
The pond loses water naturally through evaporation, but it is also leaking. Despite being filled with rainwater occasionally the level of the pond water drops very quickly. Also the surrounding trees take large quantities of water out of the ground even before it reaches the pond. Thus, it vitally is important to find and block the leaks wherever possible.
The carpet of green weed is an invasive alien plant that, unfortunately, enters the pond when local residents put their surplus frog spawn, tadpoles, goldfish and even terrapins into the pond! I am sure they do not realise the harm they are doing to the native plants and wildlife when they do this, but nevertheless it is a fact that they have contributed to the pond's sorry state.
Sadly, it is impossible to eradiate the pond weed without the use of chemicals, so some drastic measures may have to be taken.
Local residents, concerned about the pond's deterioration, have recently formed a "Friends of Bradmore Green Pond" group. Their job will be to raise awareness of the state of the pond, lobby the Council to do more for its upkeep (they are responsible for it after all), seek professional help to maintain and clear the pond, and to take part in working parties that actively (we're talking wellies and waders here!) help clear the pond too, if necessary.
If you would like to join the group, please contact Cllr. Chris Wright.
You’ll probably have seen the amount of clearing that has been done by our volunteers and the BTCV. The Council have removed all of the weed that was taken out. We will now see how the pond fares without all the plants taking away the water. It might be that there isn’t a leak at all, if we’re lucky. Otherwise, we’ll have to drain the whole pond and start again from scratch. Part of the flint wall might have to be rebuilt if that’s where a leak is found though. If the pond is rebuilt it might be very deep in the middle and there are Health & Safety concerns e.g. if someone should drown who would be held legally responsible? Watch this space!
You could receive a £50 payment towards your council tax…
Croydon residents can take advantage of a special home insulation offer, through a deal arranged between Croydon Council and British Gas:
– Cavity Wall and/or Loft Insulation by British Gas at a substantially reduced price, AND
– £50 credited to your Council Tax Account by British Gas if Cavity Wall or Loft Insulation is installed by them.
You don't need to be a British Gas customer to benefit from this initiative.
If you take up this Home Insulation Offer you will pay the cost of the insulation, (the total cost of installing insulation is about £250), then British Gas will credit your next year’s Council Tax Account with £50. This payment is wholly funded by British Gas.
Installing Cavity Wall or Loft Insulation will result in savings on your annual energy bill of about £200 every year, and if gas prices keep rising, savings will be even greater in the future. The savings soon pay for the cost of the insulation!
So, why not arrange for a FREE no obligation home energy survey? To apply just call 0845 971 7731, quoting reference CCCT. Lines are open from 8.00am - 8.00pm Monday to Friday and from 8.00am - 1.00pm on Saturdays. Please note that calls may be monitored and/or recorded for Quality Assurance purposes.
If you are on benefits, you could call British Gas on the same number, or CEN (Croydon Energy Network) on 020 8683 6633; you might be eligible for free insulation!
The New Hill Billies
A group of residents who call themselves "The New Hill Billies" have joined together to help preserve and restore the area known as New Hill.
It was bought by the Corporation of London (now known as the City of London again) in 2001. The New Hill Billies are working with the City of London's keepers to keep the area in good condition. It's not all hard work though, and they do have an annual outing and barbecues.
If you would like to join them, or just want more information, call Maria Traynor on 020 8660 8533 or email: maria.traynor@corpoflondon.gov.uk