Grade I listed Leaden Hall was built for the C13th architect for Salisbury cathedral, Elias Dereham, to serve as a model for other canonries in the Close.  Although largely rebuilt in the early C18th, it includes elements from that original building.  It was probably the first residential building on Salisbury Cathedral Close and forms an essential part of that precious, protected setting. In the early C19th the artist John Constable regularly stayed at the Hall and painted many fine pictures of the house, its gardens and landscape, as well as his famous views of the cathedral, some of which include the house.  Extraordinarily, much of that garden - a rare example of a designed landscape for a smaller Georgian house - remains. Salisbury Dean & Chapter, having neglected the house for many years and allowing it to fall into a state of severe disrepair, have now applied to convert the building into a modern office block for themselves.  To get the insulation and floor loading levels required for a modern office, as well as some reconfigurations, substantial interventions would be necessary that would destroy or obscure historic fabric and alter the appearance of the building.  They would raise the ridgeline of the roof that faces the cathedral close and remove a chimney that forms part of its historic façade.  This will irreversibly change the appearance of the Hall, its setting and the other important historic buildings on Salisbury Cathedral Close. The application also includes a proposal to build a large-scale, new archive building immediately next to the house, in its kitchen garden.   This will destroy the Georgian kitchen garden - a very rare surviving example of one in an urban setting - which renowned artist John Constable painted.  The proposed new building will stand forward of the façade of the Hall, interrupting the established building line and impacting the protected setting of the Hall and other Grade I listed buildings on the Close.  The lofty single-storey building will abut, and in the next two decades be within the flood plain.  This means that the irreplaceable medieval manuscripts it is intended to house will be put at unacceptable levels of risk. If this application is approved it sets a extremely dangerous precedent for heritage protection in England.  The applicant has delayed urgent repairs to the important Grade I building seemingly in order to use the building's poor condition as an excuse to push through a scheme that causes harm to the historic building, but delivers no public benefit.   If the application succeeds, other owners of Grade I buildings might do the same. Please act now, by signing this petition to alert the Planning Committee to these serious concerns and urge them to do the right thing and reject this harmful proposal. Please note the donation button on this page funds 38 Degrees, not our campaign - if you are able to donate to our campaign work, please click HERE

Blackpool Tower is not simply an attraction — it is the defining symbol of Blackpool and a nationally recognised heritage landmark. Under current management by Merlin Entertainments, the Tower has steadily lost the character, dignity, and sense of occasion that once made it special. Long-standing traditions that reflected pride and heritage have been removed, presentation has been standardised, and key parts of the Tower are no longer reliably open throughout the year. These decisions may reduce operating costs, but they have also weakened the Tower’s identity and diminished the visitor experience. The Tower’s decline does not exist in isolation. When its presence is reduced or hollowed out, Blackpool itself suffers — through loss of atmosphere, reduced off-season tourism, and damage to the town’s reputation. A landmark of this cultural importance should not be treated as a generic, seasonal attraction. We call on Merlin Entertainments, working with Blackpool Council, to: 1. Publicly recognise Blackpool Tower as a heritage landmark, not a standard attraction 2. Restore heritage presentation, atmosphere, and standards that reflect the Tower’s historic importance 3. Commit to reliable, year-round opening of core Tower experiences wherever safety allows 4. Engage openly with the public and local community about the Tower’s long-term future 5. Prioritise long-term cultural and economic value over short-term cost cutting Blackpool Tower matters. Protecting its heritage is not nostalgia — it is essential to the future of Blackpool itself. “Local issue with national heritage importance” Blackpool Tower is more than a tourist attraction — it is the heart of the town’s identity and a symbol recognised across the UK. Its heritage, traditions, and unique atmosphere have drawn generations of visitors, supporting local businesses, jobs, and the wider tourism economy. When the Tower loses its character, closes off key experiences, or strips away its historic presentation, it is not just the attraction that suffers — Blackpool itself loses a core part of its cultural and economic vitality. Protecting the Tower’s heritage ensures the town remains a place people want to visit, preserves jobs and revenue year-round, and safeguards a landmark that is central to Blackpool’s story and pride. This is not just about Blackpool though. This is a landmark and part of the heritage of the whole of the UK... Could you imagine the Eiffel Tower being taken over and run down so badly that it made Paris into what Blackpool has become? 

Seasonal celebrations are meaningful because they are limited in time. When retailers rush ahead, they dilute the excitement, anticipation, and cultural significance associated with these holidays. Instead of fostering joy, this practice contributes to consumer fatigue and a sense that traditions are being reduced to marketing cycles rather than moments to be genuinely enjoyed.

Rowans, a beloved North London institution, is under threat. Haringey Council is reviewing new plans that could see the iconic bowling alley bulldozed and replaced with up to 190 flats. The Council doesn’t own the land, but they’ve marked it as a possible housing site. The owner makes the final call - but if this goes ahead, Rowan’s could close for good. Rowans has been part of London’s nightlife since 1988. Before that, it was a dancehall where even The Beatles played! Losing it would be losing an incredibly special piece of our city’s history. We have no time to spare. We must strike while this story is in the news. Add your name today to show Haringey Council that Londoners want Rowan’s to stay.

The Padel Hub has continuously raised membership prices throughout the year, resulting in many loyal members paying well over a thousand pounds. Despite this increased financial commitment, the club has removed the previously offered unlimited-play memberships, a change that feels both unfair and unnecessary. This decision has left long-standing members feeling unvalued and disregarded. Many of us joined with the expectation of consistent pricing and access, and these sudden changes break that trust.  The Padel Hub has always had an incredible sense of community, built on friendships, shared passion, and a genuinely positive vibe among members. Many of us have remained loyal despite repeated price increases because we love the sport and valued the welcoming environment the club fostered. This community is the foundation of what makes padel thrive, and without it, the club loses what truly sets it apart. By removing fair and accessible membership options, the Padel Hub risks pushing away the very people who have supported it from the start. Preserving this community is essential—not just for current members, but for the long-term success and spirit of padel itself. Under the original membership structure, each tier allowed access to a share of the court time at no additional cost: • Bronze Membership – £119/month: Play twice per day during off-peak hours (9am–5pm, weekdays). • Gold Membership – £179/month: Play twice per day, including one off-peak and one peak session. • Platinum Membership – £229/month: Play twice per day, including one off-peak and one peak session. A 90-minute court booking normally costs £120 (£30 per person), meaning the memberships offered substantial value and encouraged regular participation. Under the new membership model, a Gold Membership costs £50/month but only provides a 30% discount on court bookings. For a player who wishes to play 24 times in a month, the cost would now be £504 in court fees plus £50 membership. This represents a 209% increase in cost, while also reducing the possible number of monthly play sessions. Under the original system, a member could pay £179 and play up to 60 times a month (2 x a day). Under the new structure, if a member wishes to keep their monthly spending at the same £179, they would only be able to play 6 times—since court fees alone would total £124, plus the £50 membership fee. This is a reduction from 60 sessions down to 6, a 90% decrease in playing opportunities. This dramatic price increase and reduction in playing opportunities highlights why reinstating the original membership structure is important for fairness, accessibility, and the continued growth of the community.

Blackheath Station Car Park is vitally important to the Blackheath Village community and must be protected.  It provides: - essential parking for access to Blackheath shops, cafés, restaurants, and pubs, supporting the local economy and plays a valuable role in maintaining a vibrant community. - parking for tradespeople working in Blackheath. - a safe drop-off and collection point for children attending John Ball Primary School as well as for parking associated with the school. - parking for access to Blackheath Station, enabling travel into central London and Kent for work, shopping, cultural, and leisure activities.  This is particularly important for residents with impaired mobility. -  space to host a busy Sunday farmers’ market, that is highly valued by residents. Local traders benefit greatly from the extra custom they receive on Sundays.

Since the Low Traffic Neighbourhood was put in place in Blackheath Westcombe back in November 2024 businesses have started to struggle. Now, a year later, and the Council has decided to make the scheme permanent despite its negligible improvements to air quality, despite its displacement of traffic onto boundary roads and despite the high levels of inconvenience that it has caused both residents and businesses. Many businesses in both Westcombe Park and Blackheath Standard are recording a drop in trade of up to 30% and some will not be able to stay open for much longer. We believe that we make a really valuable contribution to our community, making it unique and interesting in a way that only such a large proportion of independent businesses can do. We urge the Council to listen to us, support us and accept our demands in order to keep this area vibrant. We need a cast iron guarantee that 2 hours free parking will remain on the roads where all of our shops are situated. We need the Car Park on Old Dover Road to remain. We need the LTN scrapped in its entirety. Or at the very least, the hours of operation to reflect the hours of business i.e. from 7.00 until 9.00 in the mornings and from 5.00 until 7.00 in the evenings. Plus the cameras removed from Langton Way and St Johns Park.And a permit system linked to individual shops that allow deliveries to be made without penalty.

The rainbow rail at Mile End skatepark is the least used part of the park, no-one likes it, no one skates it.  It's especially frustrating as underneath the rail is a perfect kerb, but the stupid rail is in the way. The park would be SO much better if we could chop out the rail and skate that instead. The kerb is what we all want to skate. It's perfect for beginners and more experienced skaters to practice on before taking tricks to one of the bigger ledges. Simply chopping out the rail would open up the obstacle and make the park much better.  Seriously, NO ONE wants to skate the rainbow rail. Please chop it out and get rid of it. 

The Augustinians of the Assumption, who own the church site and church buildings (presbytery and church hall), and the Archdiocese of Southwark, who guide our spiritual mission, have been unable to agree a plan to secure the future of OLOG Parish, despite many years of discussions. Our historic OLOG church and parish are now at serious risk of closure, after the Augustinians of the Assumption issued notice to the Archdiocese to vacate the church building by the 30th of June 2026, and no resolution has been reached yet. This risks leaving the thriving Catholic community & young Catholic families in Charlton orphaned with no local Catholic church or Catholic community for their spiritual formation. Our newly formed OLOG Parish Trust has presented a fully costed, thoroughly researched & professionally scrutinised long term plan to repair & keep our church + church premises OPEN, at ZERO cost to either the Archdiocese or the Assumptionist owners. We therefore now urge the Archbishop to seriously review our plan & actively engage with the Augustinians of the Assumption & our parish OLOG Trust to find a long term solution & accept the gift of the church building from the Assumptionists. This would save our parish community, advance the mission of the Catholic Church in Charlton and keep the parish in its spiritual home that is of exceptional historic and architectural significance. At a pivotal time in England when the youth are returning to the Catholic church, we urge the Archbishop & the Assumptionist provincial superior to prioritise & not turn away from the spiritual needs of young Catholic families in Charlton and the wider community. PLEASE HELP US KEEP OUR BELOVED CHURCH OPEN You can help us keep our beloved church open by donating towards our fundraising efforts for the cost of a coffee -- please consider making a small donation here: https://justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ourladyofgrace OUR PARISH: A THRIVING & GROWING COMMUNITY A church is not its bricks and arches, but the people that form the body, soul and future of the parish. Our OLOG Parish is formed of a vibrant, diverse community of around 500 regular Sunday mass attendees living locally. As well as 420+ children attending the OLOG school next door along with their parents and grandparents, many of whom were baptised in the church & have strong emotional and family ties to Our Lady of Grace. The OLOG Parish has served and enhanced the local community for generations. Today, our Lady of Grace is a DIVERSE parish, comprised of many young and growing families in need of a stable spiritual home which is local to them. Our older parishioners, who have supported Our Lady of Grace throughout their  lives, also require the security of their local parish for many reasons, including easy access to the church, the sanctuary of feeling part of a local Catholic community, and the companionship of old church friends. The new riverside development planned at Charlton, which will be one of the largest urban regeneration schemes in London, lies within a mile from Our Lady of Grace church. This new development will bring close to 8000 new homes in the next decade to the local area, many of which will be young Catholic families in need of a church, school and community within easy reach. OUR STORY: EXCEPTIONAL HISTORIC & HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE WILL BE LOST FOREVER As well as being central to our Catholic community life, the Our Lady of Grace Church in Charlton represents a site of exceptional historical & architectural significance, with its development playing a key role in the introduction and growth of Catholicism in the local area. The church was commissioned by distinguished patrons in 1905, designed by a prominent French architect Eugene-Jacque Gervais, and represents Gervais' most significant ecclesiastical documented work. Our Lady of Grace church employed Neo-Romanesque architecture, rare for Catholic churches in England during this period. The church is associated with important historical events including on its wider church site & its presbytery, Grade II Listed Highcombe House, which is one of the last surviving Regency villas from the historic Eastcombe estate. The OLOG church also pioneered the use of reinforced concrete in British ecclesiastical architecture. For nearly 120 years, it has continuously served the Catholic community, and its preservation is essential for future generations. A failure to grasp this significant history and heritage, or factor it into ongoing considerations for the future of the church and the wider site by the Augustinians of the Assumption & the Archdiocese, risks losing this exceptional history and heritage forever. CONSERVATION PLAN 2025 The Trust commissioned a conservation Plan in August 2025, prepared by two senior academics, architectural historian Dr. Nikolaos Karydis and art historian Dr. Cassandra Harrington: You can watch a short video by Dr Karydis and Dr Harrington here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zLanH3dfTw   PLEASE HELP US KEEP OUR BELOVED CHURCH OPEN You can help us keep our beloved church open by donating towards our fundraising efforts for the cost of a coffee -- please consider making a small donation here: https://justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ourladyofgrace WE ARE DEEPLY GRATEFUL & THANK YOU FOR YOUR VALUABLE SUPPORT & GENEROSITY  Ways you can remain in touch & stay updated: Our Trust youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@OLOGTrust Our OLOG Trust website: https://ologtrust.org.uk/home.html

I am involved with a local Scout Group. Having barely survived the pandemic, we are now being grossly overcharged for our electricity, constantly threatened with court action for late payment, and it is a constant struggle to keep our heads above water financially. Groups like ours often run on shoestring budgets, donations from the public, and the goodwill of volunteers. They shouldn't have to spend their time fundraising just to pay an energy bill they can't afford, or face threats of court action from their supplier. It's a simple, common-sense change. Let's demand that Ofgem and energy suppliers give charities and community groups a fair deal, so they can focus on what they do best: helping others and serving our communities.

WHY THIS MATTERS The A832 is a vital lifeline road. The proposed daytime closure and very limited ‘amnesty’ windows will isolate households and disrupt essential services (GP/community nursing visits, postal and courier deliveries, trades, home care), harm local businesses and tourism, and place avoidable pressure on emergency access. NOTES FOR SIGNERS If you live, work, or regularly travel the A832, please add your village/town and postcode in your comment to show local impact. Please sign and share: the current proposed daytime closure of the A832 at Dundonnell (27 Oct–mid Dec 2025 & Jan–Mar 2026) is unworkable, inadequate and unacceptable. We’re asking for ONE LANE WITH LIGHTS, or longer/more frequent access windows, or night works. Local life and livelihoods depend on a fair plan. DISCLAIMER This petition seeks a safe, workable access plan during SSEN works that protects community life and local businesses.

Right now in Northern Ireland, people in mental health crisis are being told by GP practices to “call back tomorrow” — even when they say they are suicidal. This is dangerous, degrading, and risks lives. Mental health emergencies are just as serious as a heart attack or broken bone. Yet too often, people who bravely ask for help are turned away, leaving them feeling invisible and hopeless. Some may survive the night — but others may not. Northern Ireland has one of the highest suicide rates in the UK. We cannot afford a system that ignores people at their most vulnerable. By joining this campaign, you are helping demand a compassionate, safe, and urgent response to mental health crises in GP practices. Together, we can push for reforms that will save lives and ensure dignity for everyone.