June 2026
Dear Cornwall Gardens Key Holder and/or Resident
Minutes of the Cornwall Gardens Management Committee Meeting, 13 May 2026
Please find here the Minutes of the Cornwall Gardens Management Committee Meeting held on 13 May 2026 and the Action Points check list here for your information.
Matters Arising
Since then, the Lime Tree opposite 31 CG, which suffered a large branch fall on 13 May 2026, has been examined by the Arb Consultancy (our tree specialist) and their report is here with recommended action, namely, to remove the points of weakness through pruning, subject to RBKC Tree Officer approval.
The dead Hoheria opposite 70 CG has now been removed.
With Adrian Gingles moving away from Cornwall Gardens, we have approached Tom McErlain, Chairman of Gloucester Square and former banker turned garden maintenance contractor, to provide maintenance services in Adrian’s place, including an overhaul of the irrigation system, which broke down last week in the middle of the heatwave, among a number of other repairs and maintenance tasks mentioned in the Minutes that need doing. Tom also publishes a newsletter “Garden Squa.re”, the latest edition of which can be found at https://gardensqua.re/2026-spring-newsletter/
The Freedom Pass Dining Club has been awarded an RBKC City Living, Local Life grant of £5k for the second year running to continue its social events for older residents in Queen’s Gate Ward hosted by Jacobs of Gloucester Road.
RBKC sent out Council Tax letters in the last week of May 2026 for the year to 31 March 2027. These had been delayed due to a cyber attack last November. Garden charge demands will shortly be sent to key holders at Stanford Court.
The next Meeting of the Building Representatives Forum will take place on Monday, 8 June 2026 at 6.30 pm in Flat 1, 74 Cornwall Gardens, London SW7 4BA. The Agenda has already been sent out to Building Representatives for each block of Flats in Cornwall Gardens. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with the Chairman or Secretary if you have any queries or concerns arising out of the Minutes or generally, using the contact details provided below.
The Kensington Forum Hotel Refurbishment and the Restoration of the Protected Garden of Ashburn Gardens, Cromwell Road London SW7
A number of South Kensington residents associations, garden committees (including Cornwall Gardens) and the Kensington Society are involved in a campaign to restore the protected garden around the Kensington Forum hotel on Cromwell Road. You cannot miss the huge building covered in scaffolding and plastic sheeting as you walk southwards down Launceston Place and Grenville Place. If you are interested in finding out more about the campaign, wish to support it and make a contribution to the costs, then please go to stopthegardengrab.org where all will be revealed! It will be of particular interest to those residents in the vicinity who would like to have access to a restored protected garden.
UP AND COMING EVENTS
Please find an updated Events Table here so you are aware of up and coming private and community events in the Gardens. Please use the booking form attached if you wish to host your own private event in one of the Gardens.
Love’s Labour’s Lost by Shakespeare in the Squares
Wednesday, 24 June 2026 at 7 pm
In the Central Garden of Cornwall Gardens, London SW7
A reminder that Shakespeare in the Squares (SITS) is performing “Love’s Labour’s Lost” in the Central Garden of Cornwall Gardens, London SW7 on Wednesday, 24 June 2026 at 7 pm. Tickets for all venues are selling fast with only a few remaining for the performance in Cornwall Gardens!
Booking and other details may be found at: https://shakespeareinthesquares.co.uk/venue/cornwall-gardens/ You are welcome to bring your own picnic before the performance starts. Domus Nova, one of the Sponsors, will be setting up a picnic area. There’ll be garden games for children to enjoy ahead of the performance and a pop-up stand offering complimentary popcorn, sweets and drinks. Jakobs will be running a licensed bar with drinks and a delicious range of picnic food available to purchase.
Booking and other details may be found at: https://shakespeareinthesquares.co.uk/venue/cornwall-gardens/
Choir of the Twenty-First Century (CC21) Performing “Stars & Stripes for 4th July” at St George’s Hanover Square (NB Different venue), London W1S 1FX at 7.30 pm (Tube: Oxford Circus)
CC21, which normally performs in St Stephen’s Church, Gloucester Road, with a strong following in the Cornwall Gardens area, is switching venue just for this event. Philippa John (Email: philippa.john@rllj.comwww.cc21.org.uk) has great pleasure in inviting you to join CC21 in celebrating Independence Day on 4th of July with the greats of American music. Their conductor Richard Gowers writes:
"Our final concert of the season marks the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, so an all-American programme is on offer, with favourites and lesser-known works from across the Atlantic. 18th-century Boston composer William Billings lived during the time of the Revolution and became a founding father of American music, so naturally his music begins the programme. The twentieth century saw a golden age, from which Copland’s cycle In the Beginning and Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms emerge as the main items of the evening. Favourites by Samuel Barber and Florence Price are paired with Eric Whitacre’s sparkling work Cloudburst. We will be joined by harp, organ and percussion in what promises to be a sensational season closer. See you there!” There will be bar for wine and soft drinks from 7pm. Book tickets for this fabulous musical event on the link below or via the QR code on the attached flyer. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1990118547147?aff=oddtdtcreator
With best wishes John Varley
Chairman
Cornwall Gardens Committee & Residents Association
07775 552050
Alan Lester
Secretary
Cornwall Gardens Committee & Residents Association
07816 324335
John Varley
Chairman, Cornwall Gardens Committee & Residents Association
07775 552050
Alan Lester
Secretary, Cornwall Gardens Committee & Residents Association
07816 324335
