Category: News

You may have become aware that the Southwark (Anglican) Diocese have issued a Proposed Pastoral Scheme under the Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011 covering the Benefice and parish of All Saints, Spring Park; and parishes of St George, Shirley; and Shirley (also known locally as St John, Shirley). The link below gives the details

Draft Scheme – 07092020 – Spring Park and Shirley

April SPAN will not be delivered due to the severe restrictions on us all arising from the coronavirus situation. We know that a number of our Road Stewards are deemed “at risk” through age, if nothing else – it would be irresponsible of us, in the current circumstances, to request that they deliver magazines to the homes in their “patch”.

In any event, much of the April magazine related to the SPRA AGM – which has been postponed; to church services over the Easter season – which have been cancelled; and to the “routine events, Library events and “yellow pages” events – all of which are suspended.

The short-term future for SPAN looks like a blank for several months at least; production will be resumed as soon as this is feasible. In the meantime, collection of the annual subscription is suspended for three months.

Please re-visit this site from time to time to stay up-to-date with what (if anything) is happening. 

In the meantime, SPRA will continue to watch out for issues impacting our members and will let you know what actions have been taken. 

The following may be with us soon – watch out, and if you come across it, tell your neighbours, especially older or otherwise vulnerable ones:-

Local police are warning people of suspicious activity after several reports of people knocking on doors claiming to be offering on-the-spot coronavirus tests.

Some local residents or elderly relatives in Greenwich, Lewisham and Bromley have reported people knocking on their doors claiming to be from “the health authorities.”

People were then told they were carrying our compulsory Covid-19 tests, or just offering on-the-spot tests.

Similar scams have been reported across the UK, in Harrow and in Wales.

Police believe they may be attempting to gain access to houses or tricking people into parting with their money.

Greenwich West and Shooters Hill Police both asked residents to be aware, and if in any doubt, not to open their doors and speak to callers through a window.

Due to the unprecedented guidance given by the Government for people to avoid social contact wherever possible, the AGM is postponed from the May date to a date yet to be agreed. The closure of all suitable venues for the AGM including Harris Academy Benson would in any event have made continuing with the meeting frankly impossible.

As soon as meetings generally can resume, the Executive Committee will seek another date; members will be advised, through the magazine and the website, of the new arrangement at the earliest opportunity.

We trust that members will understand the need for such a move and be assured that this important element in the governance of the Association will be held whenever circumstances change for the better.

AN OPPORTUNITY TO WIN A £100 GIFT VOUCHER!

This month’s SPAN magazine is an extra special edition as we are reaching out to all households in the Spring Park area of Shirley to give everyone the opportunity to take up membership of SPRA.  Every home in our area will receive a copy of our residents’ magazine regardless of whether they are already a member of SPRA or not.   Copies will also be available in pubs, restaurants, Churches, the library and other public places so encourage your friends, who aren’t as yet SPRA members, to make sure they get their hands on a copy so they can see what they are missing out on.   April is the start of a new year for membership subscriptions so it couldn’t be a better time to join SPRA and receive a whole year’s worth of SPAN absolutely free.  Membership for 2020 costs just £6, so put aside the right money now so you are ready when your road steward comes calling to collect the fee.

To celebrate this important issue of SPAN, we are running a competition open to all readers of March SPAN who live in the Spring Park area.  There’s a very good prize on offer – a multi-retailer gift voucher for £100 – so it’s worth having a go – what have you got to lose?   You’ll find the entry form in the March edition of SPAN.  All you have to do is to answer a simple question – and the answer can be found somewhere in this issue of SPAN.  The closing date for entries is 30 April 2020 and the winner will be announced at our AGM on 20 May which will be held at Harris Academy Benson School.   Like all good competitions, there are some terms and conditions – so here’s the small print:

• The competition is open to all residents of Spring Park aged over 18 (A map of the Spring Park area can be found on the SPRA website: www.springparkra.co.uk.  Proof of address will be required) except members of the SPRA Executive and the SPAN Editorial Committees, SPRA Trustees and auditors and their close families and anyone connected with running and/or judging the competition.
• The competition is open from the date of publication of March SPAN.  The closing date is midnight on 30 April 2020 and entries received after this time will not be considered.
• In the event of more than one correct answer being received, all correct entries will be placed into a draw and the winner will be selected at random. The winner will be announced at the SPRA AGM on 20 May.    The winner will be notified within seven days of the AGM if they are not present.
• By entering this competition, the winner agrees for their name and image to be used for publicity purposes.   No personal information regarding address or contact details will be published.
• The name of the winner will be announced in the July edition of SPAN.
• Entrants will be asked to indicate if they wish to join a SPRA mailing list.   Data of those entrants who do not wish to be included in any future communications will be destroyed no later than one month after the prize announcement.
• There is no entry fee and no purchase is necessary to enter this competition.
• The prize is a multi-retailer gift voucher for £100.   No cash prize will be given.
• Only one entry is permitted per person.   Multiple entries from the same person will mean that person is disqualified.
• The promoter takes no responsibility for entries that aren’t received by the deadline – whatever the reason.
• The promoter of this competition is Spring Park Residents’ Association and contact details can be found on the back pages of SPAN.
• The competition promoter’s decision is final.
• The promoter reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions at any time.
• By entering this competition, entrants are agreeing to abide by these terms and conditions.

SPRA /SPAN March 2020 Competition terms and Conditions

•  The competition is open to all residents of Spring Park aged over 18 (A map of the Spring Park area can be found on the SPRA website: www.springparkra.co.uk.  Proof of address will be required) except members of the SPRA Executive and the SPAN Editorial Committees, SPRA Trustees and auditors and their close families and anyone connected with running and/or judging the competition.
• The competition is open from the date of publication of March SPAN.  The closing date is midnight on 30 April 2020 and entries received after this time will not be considered.
• In the event of more than one correct answer being received, all correct entries will be placed into a draw and the winner will be selected at random. The winner will be announced at the SPRA AGM on 20 May.    The winner will be notified within seven days of the AGM if they are not present.
• By entering this competition, the winner agrees for their name and image to be used for publicity purposes.   No personal information regarding address or contact details will be published.
• The name of the winner will be announced in the July edition of SPAN.
• Entrants will be asked to indicate if they wish to join a SPRA mailing list.   Data of those entrants who do not wish to be included in any future communications will be destroyed no later than one month after the prize announcement.
• There is no entry fee and no purchase is necessary to enter this competition.
• The prize is a multi-retailer gift voucher for £100.   No cash prize will be given.
• Only one entry is permitted per person.   Multiple entries from the same person will mean that person is disqualified.
• The promoter takes no responsibility for entries that aren’t received by the deadline – whatever the reason.
• The promoter of this competition is Spring Park Residents’ Association and contact details can be found on the back pages of SPAN.
• The competition promoter’s decision is final.
• The promoter reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions at any time.
• By entering this competition, entrants are agreeing to abide by these terms and conditions.

Members are encouraged to tell the Council what they think, as below (closing date 31 January 2020)

The Big Conversation asks what we want Croydon to be like in 2030? We take a look at some of the challenges we face now; how Croydon is changing; and how we all have a part to play.

We’ve highlighted six topics to talk about and want to hear from everyone who lives, works and spends time in Croydon. Find out more on our website bigconversation.croydon.gov.uk

Hall Grange is continuing the process of reclaiming the historically important garden in their grounds and tidying up the rest of their garden areas; this is a chance to contribute by getting dirty.

They are looking to plant bulbs in their borders, on Saturdays 19 and 26 October beween 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Donations of bulbs, and volunteers for planting always welcome – please contact Brian on 07926 151 142 if you can help.

Members may have come across a campaign to have Croydon run by an elected Executive Mayor; more can be found at http://democ.org.uk.

The Executive Committee of SPRA has agreed that although the Committee may be divided on this issue, Association members should be given the opportunity to visit the campaign website so that they can make an informed decision.