October 2026
Dear Cornwall Gardens Key Holder and/or Resident
Cornwall Gardens Management Committee Meeting 23 September 2026
Please find the Minutes, the Gardener’s quarterly report and an updated Action Points Checklist linked, which we hope you will find interesting and informative.
In summary, we are proceeding to install a new irrigation system, repaint the railings of the West Garden and the gates and posts of all three gardens and undertake minor running repairs to the garden shed. We will also be replacing the posts and ropes on the Mound. We aim to complete these works before the growing season in 2027. We are phasing in other works thereafter to install a children’s bike rack next to the shed; we are also reviewing the key system.
There are some changes to the management team. We welcome Trevor Zahra and Desiree Boyneburg. Camelia, who is retiring after many years’ service as our Treasurer (and whom we greatly thank for all her contribution to Cornwall Gardens) is conducting a handover of her Treasury role to Trevor. Desiree is taking responsibility for Open Gardens Day 2027 enabling us to resume participation after Ian Murdoch stepped down in January 2026.
UP AND COMING EVENTS
Queen’s Gate Police Liaison Panel Meeting – Wednesday, 1 October 2026 at 6 pm in Flat 1, 74 Cornwall Gardens, SW7 4BA
If you would like to get involved or attend the Queen’s Gate Police Liaison Panel Meeting on Wednesday, 1 October 2026 at 6 pm, please contact Alan Lester at alanlester1@btinternet.com for more details.
You may find it useful to sign up to alert@neighbourhoodalert.co.uk published by the Met Police and our Neighbourhood Police Team. This provides helpful information about current trends in local crime and anti-social behaviour. The latest bulletin features a picture of a suspect who rummages through bin bags left out on collection day looking for items of value and then leaves unwanted rubbish strewn about on the street. A previous alert reported that a Police operation had been set up along Lexham Walk into Cornwall Gardens to catch cyclists cycling along the pavement rather than complying with the signage and dismounting instead.
Choir of the Twenty-First Century (CC21) – “Come and Sing Day”, St Stephen’s Church, 3 October 2026, Gloucester Road SW7 4RL (Gloucester Road tube) at 10.15 am with Informal Concert and Run Through for Family and Friends at 4 pm
We are pleased to forward the following message to you from Philippa John, Secretary of the Choir of the Twenty-First Century (CC21):
“Dear Friend of CC21
We are holding a Come and Sing Day on 3 October at St Stephen’s Church, Gloucester Road SW7 4RL (Gloucester Road tube), our usual performing venue in the heart of Kensington, where the great poet TS Eliot was church warden for 25 years.
We welcome all singers over 18 to an informal day of singing together and preparing some of the choruses from Handel’s Dixit Dominus. The day runs from 10.15 am - to 5pm including an informal concert and run through at 4pm for Family and Friends. Complimentary drinks during rehearsal breaks but please bring your own lunch - lots of lovely local eateries.
So, join us for a relaxed sing-along session where everyone’s voice is welcome and good vibes are guaranteed! This is the perfect in-person event to let loose and enjoy great music with lovely people. Whether you’re a seasoned singer or just love to sing out your favourite songs, this is the place to be.
Don’t be shy! Bring your energy, your voice, and your smile – we’ll handle the rest!
The informal performance for Family & Friends (including Cornwall Gardens!) at 4pm on the day is a taster for our 21 November Concert when we will be singing a positive feast of Dixit Dominus not only by Handel, but also by Vivaldi and Martinez - the latter being a composer contemporary with Mozart.
The informal concert is £10.00 and can be paid for at the door as well as through Eventbrite!
Booking is via Eventbrite on the link here or via the QR code on the digital flyer.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Best wishes
Philippa John
The Freedom Pass Dining Club, Queen’s Gate Ward - Trafalgar Day Lunch on Wednesday, 28 October 2026 at 4.30 pm in Jakobs of Gloucester Road
Now in its second year, this season has seen us celebrate Bastille Day with French cuisine in July and an English Summer’s Afternoon Tea, with Bingo prizes, in August. We are grateful for the financial support from RBKC’s City Living, Local Life fund and sponsorship by the CGRA, and Tania and her team at Jakobs for hosting both events.
The next Freedom Pass event will take place on 28 October 2026 at 4.30 pm in Jakobs celebrating Nelson’s victory at Trafalgar, which provides a nice counterbalance to the Bastille Day lunch.
Please find flyer attached with more details.
You are welcome to attend if you are a resident in Queen’s Gate and eligible for a Freedom Pass. If you have a personal carer, they can come too. If you wish to attend, please email Tania at taniarace@hotmail.com or phone her on 07798 770901 or visit her at Jakobs, 20 Gloucester Road SW7 4RB.
Emma Mendoza, Live-in Housekeeper and Personal Carer Available
Emma was the live-in housekeeper and carer for Mrs Jean Lamb for many years until Jean passed away recently at the age of 99 years. Emma is now looking for a similar position, ideally full-time, in our area. If you, or someone you know, is interested in hiring Emma, please contact her on emma2671mendoza@yahoo.co.uk A key holder and resident, Clive, who knew Jean well, tells us that he will be happy to provide an introduction and reference for Emma and that she comes with glowing testimonials from her time with Jean and, before her, another elderly person who also lived in Kensington.
London Open Gardens Weekend, Saturday 5 June and Sunday 6 July 2027
We are pleased to confirm that after a year’s break in 2026, Cornwall Gardens will be back participating in London Open Gardens Weekend by opening the Central Garden to visitors on Saturday, 5 June 2027 and providing refreshments, live music and other activities. More details to follow.
Shakespeare in the Squares
We are further pleased to announce that Shakespeare in the Squares will be performing a Shakespeare play (to be selected) in Cornwall Gardens on Wednesday, 23 June 2027. More details to follow.
Fly Tipping and Bin Bag Collections
One last point, which is a plea. After some improvement over the first part of the year, we are seeing increasing amounts of illegal fly-tipping in Cornwall Gardens, including rubbish being placed on the streets at times other than those permitted ahead of collection. To be clear, rubbish may only be placed on the street for collection on Monday and Thursday mornings, ahead of the arrival of the RBKC collection trucks. It may not be put out the night before, nor at any other times. We know that the overwhelming majority of the community observe these rules. And also that sometimes rubbish is placed on the street at the wrong times inadvertently. But there are some who simply choose to ignore the rules. Please help us by ensuring that newcomers to your buildings understand the correct timings; and by intervening if you see illegal fly-tipping taking place.
With best wishes
John Varley
Chairman
Cornwall Gardens Committee & Residents Association
07775 552050
Alan Lester
Secretary
Cornwall Gardens Committee & Residents Association
07816 324335
