Why Our Estate Needs a Calisthenics Setup — Now Right now, our community is missing something simple but powerful: a place where people — especially young people — can get active, stay healthy, and connect with others without needing money, transport, or a gym pass. Installing a small calisthenics area (like pull-up and dip bars) would bring huge benefits straight away: • 🧑‍🎓 For young people: It gives them something positive to do close to home. It keeps them off the streets, off screens, and out of trouble. It builds confidence, discipline, and good habits — all through free, outdoor movement. • 👨‍👩‍👧 For adults and families: It’s a free way to stay fit, fight stress, and build healthier routines. Parents could work out while kids play. People who can’t afford a gym would finally have access to regular exercise. • 🧠 For mental health: Being active outside improves mood, reduces anxiety, and supports emotional wellbeing — for all ages. • 🤝 For the community: It brings people together. It turns underused spaces into shared spaces. It makes our estate feel safer, more positive, and more connected. This is a small ask — just a few pieces of equipment — but the impact would be real and lasting. Other areas in Milton Keynes already have this. It’s time we had it here too. Let’s invest in our health, our youth, and our neighbourhood.

Biodiversity life is in total peril. The ecological processes which affect their distribution and abundance is eroding their existence on a scale which our children will be bereft within a generation. Over 70% of all vertebrate species have had their populations drop by 96% of their evolutionary populations; greater that 50% of invertebrates have had such losses globally.  Our current economic destructive framework is the cause and only by imposing these Targets as aforementioned can we halt and reverse such extermination. We will be our own Nemesis if we do not pressurise and ensure these Targets are enacted. 

Years of higher interest rates have sent our rent, mortgage, and debt payments soaring, while banks have raked in huge profits for doing absolutely nothing. The big four UK banks (Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, and NatWest) made a record pre-tax profit of £45.9 billion in 2024 and they're on track to beat that this year - having made £24 billion in the first six months of 2025. [1] Introducing a 38% levy, in line with the Energy Profits Levy on oil and gas companies who also profited from the cost of living crisis, could bring in £11 billion. [2] Banks are (unsurprisingly) against this; the CEOs of Lloyds, Barclays, and HSBC have publicly begged Rachel Reeves not to. [3] But after deciding not to scrap the two-child benefit cap, it’s time for this government to show whose side they’re really on. Introducing a windfall tax on banks would clearly signal the kind of change Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer promised to deliver and that millions of us desperately want to see, and help to prove that Labour aren’t in the pocket of big donors or beholden to corporate lobbyists from the City. As the cost of living crisis rages on, a tax on banks is a much fairer place to start than raiding the accounts of ordinary savers or the pockets of disabled people. Add your name now to tell Rachel Reeves to #TaxTheBanks. Notes: [1] The Mirror: Bank tax could cover cost of welfare U-turn AND scrapping two-child benefit cap [2] Positive Money: How the government could reclaim the huge payouts to banks [3] Financial Times: Lloyds Bank chief warns Rachel Reeves against higher taxes on City of London Independent: Barclays joins rival in cautioning against hiking bank taxes The Guardian: HSBC boss says Rachel Reeves putting up bank taxes would harm growth

Scarborough’s neighbourhoods—from South Cliff to Falsgrave, Newby to Northstead—have long offered safe, stable environments for families, workers, and retirees. But the accelerating rise of short-term holiday lets across the town is straining public services, inflating rents, and eroding community cohesion.  This report highlights key impacts observed town-wide and calls for proactive local planning to protect residential life while guiding tourism development toward sustainable areas.    In May 2023, over 620 crimes were recorded within a one-mile radius of South Cliff—but similar spikes are now surfacing in other neighbourhoods experiencing high holiday let turnover.  Most reported incidents include:  • Violent and sexual offences • Anti-social behaviour • Opportunistic theft Crime maps show strong overlap between dense short-let activity and elevated incident rates—including Royal Crescent, Belgrave Crescent, and expanding zones in North Bay and Old Town.   • High visitor turnover disrupts informal safety networks. • Reduced neighbourly interaction weakens community oversight. • Transient populations lead to lower accountability and higher risk tolerance.  Short-let hotspots stretch local services beyond capacity:   • Police coverage and community initiatives become inconsistent. • Waste teams face frequent noncompliance and overflow. • Noise complaints and minor vandalism increase in key areas including Westbourne Grove and Castle Road.   • Tourist-heavy zones offer concealment for criminal activity. • Drug offences and theft are more common around Cromwell Parade, Victoria Road, and parts of Old Town. • The lack of permanent residents makes it easier for offenders to operate unnoticed.   • Predictability and familiarity foster a sense of safety. • Vulnerable groups—including elderly residents and shift workers—report higher stress levels. • Loss of neighbourly trust reduces emotional wellbeing and social support.   • Holiday let conversions compromise historical architecture and neighbourhood identity. • Victorian and Edwardian homes, especially in South Cliff and Falsgrave, are ill-suited to transient occupancy. • Preserving heritage requires limits on incompatible short-let conversions.    North Yorkshire Council data (2023) shows:   • Over 600 long-term empty homes in Scarborough’s commercial core. • These areas are better equipped with infrastructure and zoning for tourism.  Scarborough is facing a town-wide challenge. The unchecked expansion of short-term holiday lets threatens the stability, character, and safety of its residential zones.   Recommended actions:   • Rigorous planning review for new short-term lets • Density limits in residential neighbourhoods • Strategic redirection of tourism to the town centre • Meaningful consultation with community members and civic groups By taking a balanced approach, Scarborough can promote tourism while safeguarding the wellbeing and integrity of its communities.      

We, the undersigned residents of Waltham Forest, are calling on the Council to immediately suspend and review its current enforcement of parking bay suspensions related to gulley cleaning and tree works - which have resulted in hundreds of unfair Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) being issued across the borough. Why is this important? This is not a minor administrative issue - it’s a borough-wide enforcement failure, leading to residents being fined unfairly, and in some cases, unlawfully. One resident on Norlington Road personally counted 25 PCNs being issued in a single morning before leaving for work - and the enforcement officer was still going.  None of the residents on the street had been informed about any gulley cleaning, and to make matters worse, the gullies weren’t even cleaned. Residents have been fined in circumstances that are fundamentally wrong - and in some cases, unlawful: Signs only placed on the opposite side or at either end of the street This makes the suspension invisible to many residents - especially those parked legally on the side without signage. According to the Traffic Management Act 2004 and case law (e.g. Campbell v Camden, 2011), signage must be clearly placed at or near the suspended bay.  If a driver couldn't reasonably see the sign, the PCN is invalid. Signage not installed far enough in advance (sometimes only 1–2 days before) Best practice across London and from the Department for Transport recommends 5–7 days minimum notice before enforcing a suspension.  Short-notice signage denies residents time to comply and can make enforcement decisions procedurally unfair and subject to challenge. No letters or direct notice sent to affected households Residents should not have to guess or spot temporary signs to avoid fines.  While not a strict legal requirement, direct notice (via letter drop or online alerts) is a reasonable expectation for non-emergency works, especially in residential areas. The lack of direct notice contributes to PCNs being issued unfairly. PCNs issued before legal work start hours (as early as 07:05) Under the Control of Pollution Act 1974, noisy public works - including gulley cleaning and tree pollarding - should not commence before 08:00 in residential areas.  Issuing PCNs before 8am, when no lawful work can take place, means the vehicle was not obstructing any works at the time - making the enforcement questionable at best, unlawful at worst. No works carried out - but tickets still issued In multiple cases, the supposed gulley cleaning or tree work never happened.  If no work was done, and no obstruction occurred, there is no valid justification for the suspension or the PCN.  This could be seen as issuing penalties for phantom violations, which may breach the council’s own enforcement policies. And while this happens, Waltham Forest Council is using a private, target-driven enforcement company - financially incentivised to issue as many tickets as possible.  This creates a clear conflict of interest and undermines any sense of fairness or accountability. This enforcement model is causing financial and emotional stress, especially for working families, disabled residents, carers, and those who rely on their cars for essential travel - most of whom had no idea they were “in violation" of parking suspension notices.   We are demanding: 1. The cancellation of PCNs issued where: • No clear or visible signage was in place • Enforcement began before 8am (in breach of national regulations) • The supposed works did not take place • Residents had no opportunity to comply due to lack of notice 2. A full audit and suspension of current parking suspension enforcement until a review is completed 3. A public meeting or resident forum to raise concerns and press for permanent reforms It is time for Waltham Forest Council to stop using parking enforcement as a cash-generating operation, and start acting with transparency, proportionality, and respect for its residents. Please sign and share to demand urgent action.

British politics is awash with money from super rich donors. In 2023, two-thirds of all private donations came from just 19 people. These so-called ‘mega donors’ enjoy privileged access to political parties and their leadership. The Labour manifesto promised to “protect democracy by strengthening the rules around donations to political parties.” But the recently launched Elections Bill has nothing to say about caps on political donations.  Under their proposals, a billionaire like Elon Musk can still give as much money as he wanted to a British political party. This needs to stop. Now.  So we need to make it very clear that we want the Prime Minister to cap political donations. Our democracy is too precious to be bought and sold by the super-rich. This petition is organised in partnership with Democracy for Sale, a best-selling newsletter on money, power and politics written by Peter Geoghegan and award-winning investigative journalists.

Why You Should Sign This Petition Because it could be your mother, your friend, or you who clicks on the wrong ad. Because online scams are no longer rare — they’re everywhere, pushed right into our feeds by platforms that don’t care, because they profit. Because people are being tricked, robbed, and misled on a daily basis, while regulators do nothing and scammers walk away untouched. Because you shouldn’t need a cybersecurity degree just to use the internet safely. Because it’s time for the UK government to: • Force platforms to remove scam ads immediately • Fine repeat offenders • And protect the public from the flood of digital fraud This isn’t just about scams — it’s about trust, safety, and holding power to account.

 Let Warhammer continue to thrive in Ukraine. Bring back Molfar Comics. 

Greenwich Council is proposing to introduce a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) in Shooters Hill (and in Charlton, Blackheath, Kidbrooke, Plumstead, West Thamesmead and Woolwich), which will significantly impact how and where residents, workers and visitors park. There are no train stations in Shooters Hill, and as the 10th highest hill in the whole of London (132 metres), cars are a reality and a necessity for many residents. The proposals being put forward drastically reduce the amount of parking available, and the signers of this petition feel this change is being made without proper consultation or consideration. Whether people are dropping children at school before going to work, or are using their cars for disability, age or health reasons - or just doing the shopping, people need parking outside their houses, schools and places of work that doesn’t put additional pressure on their finances, or create community tensions by residents, workers and visitors competing for spaces. In addition, evidence from other areas shows that similar parking restrictions often lead to unintended consequences, such as increased congestion, or pushing the parking problem into neighbouring areas. Greenwich Council must strive to understand all challenges specific to Shooters Hill instead of making blanket decisions that are then applied to the whole borough. Signers of this petition acknowledge that CPZs can help manage space, but real, lasting change means rethinking our streets with safer, greener design that genuinely supports walking, cycling, and better public transport. What’s needed is a progressive, long-term vision for sustainable streets, not a quick-fix CPZ policy presented as a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist in Shooters Hill. Local residents should not be being disenfranchised, and the council should not be trying to rush through consultations and any implementation of a CPZ before the borough wide elections due in May 2026. Petitioners urge the council to reconsider their plans for Shooters Hill, we do not need a CPZ on our hill. — Did you notice? • The plans in the consultation are dated June 2024 • The earlier February 2025 consultation received 3000 responses but the plans have not been updated to take into account this feedback before the new consultation was launched on the 14th of July — Once you have signed this petition, please also: 1. Take part in the Sustainable Streets consultation at sustainable-streets-rbg.commonplace.is and you can fill this in multiple times for different areas (the consultation deadline is currently the 22nd of August) 2. Get your neighbours, schools, workplaces and local groups to fill in the consultation and this petition - this is especially important as the consultation is taking place over the summer holidays when many people are away 3. Share the petition and the consultation link on social media 4. Email your ward councillor(s) telling them about this petition and how you feel about the proposed changes If we don’t respond then nothing will change, and the council will assume we are happy with the proposals. Shooters HiIl Conversation whatsapp.com/KmSZ46ndMmn6HxM2Xm5EOi instagram.com/shootershillconversation

Every time there is a tragedy, people bring flowers but all we see is a sea of plastic. We don’t see the flowers. There is no beauty. Just dangerous, damaging plastic. Where does all that plastic and up? Shops can have plastic wrappings as an optional , charged extra. Ditch the plastic on flowers 

Heart disease (and all kinds of heart-related health issues) are exponentially increasing. This is why we need ways to help. Not only that, but if taxis are able to be flagged down and defibrillate someone, this will take a huge amount of pressure off the NHS and prevent the loss of thousands of lives a year. The AEDs are not only for people who have heart problems, people can go into cardiac arrest for any number of reasons, such as drug overdose, and as ODs are also rising exponentially across the UK, I believe having AEDs in taxis could save thousands of lives.

Both present and future generations need the beauty of National Landscapes for their mental and physical well-being. The biodiversity of these areas (on which we depend for our survival) must not be destroyed by building houses in the name of economic growth. Once gone, the beauty and the biodiversity have gone forever.