The town centre is about to benefit from a new scheme which involves leading church members and ministers getting out and about on the street meeting and engaging with young people.

Street pastors make it their mission to seek out the places where young people hang out so they can learn about their problems and the issues they face.

To start with the Wandsworth pastors will concentrate on the afternoon period at the end of the school day before adding evening patrols later in the year.

In Wandsworth the scheme is led by Andrew Cinnamond of All Saints Church. It's a genuine community initiative that is already working well in Balham and is now starting to take off across London.

Last month the Evening Standard reported that Wandsworth had the best council-run sports facilities of any London borough.

With the Wandle recreation centre right in the heart of the town centre and two superb local parks there's no shortage of opportunities to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. Wherever you live in Wandsworth you'll have some excellent leisure facilities on your doorstep and whatever your age and fitness level, you'll find activities to suit your needs.

I was delighted to spend Sunday afternoon at the launch of the new riverside sculpture trail. The pieces were donated by local sculptor Alan Thornhill and bring added interest to the walk between Riverside Quarter, Wandsworth Park and Putney Embankment.

The Riverside Quarter sculpture is called 'Fall' while in Wandsworth Park you can see ‘Pygmalion’ and ‘Nexus’.

Whatever your tastes in art they certainly provide a talking point. The displays have been supported by the council's economic development team and Western Riverside Environmental Fund.

Residents on town centre housing estates concerned about anti-social behaviour involving individuals who keep aggressive dogs have welcomed the council's plan to introduce a new dog register.

The council's housing department and dog warden team are now working with the RSPCA on the detailed arrangements. A dog that's been chipped is much easier to reunite with its owner if it's lost. But if it's been involved in an attack it means estate managers can take action quickly against the person responsible for the dog.

Councillor Edward Lister
Leader of the Council

September 22, 2008