From Campaigner to RA Secretary
I'm sure like many Weston Green and Thames Ditton residents, my first awareness of the Residents' Association was the Association's magazine, 'Thames Ditton Today'. With the demands of work and family, I must admit that (whilst I obviously paid my subs!) I gave little thought to the association underlying the magazine or its work on behalf of residents.
This all changed when the Weston Green community was faced with a roll-out programme of mobile phone masts on our street pavements, their antennae close to schools and next to children's bedrooms along Ember Lane and its surrounding streets. As this scenario wasn't part of our roll-out programme, I became part of the community action to prevent it. As can you can imagine, taking on the might of a global telecomms operator with "permitted development rights" over our pavements, was an enormous challenge. The Thames Ditton and Weston Green Residents' Association, together with the Molesey Residents' Association, provided our community with the most fantastic support and were as passionate about safeguarding our children as we were. Any misplaced and ill-informed preconceptions I might have had about the nature, make-up and effectiveness of residents' associations were demolished in an instant - here was the direct focus of a group of generous (with their time and skills) individuals, supported by a large cohort of extremely able, dedicated and ethically motivated RA councillors.
My own experience has led me to appreciate what a valuable asset we have - our Residents' Association is an unadulterated, clear-cut and effective support system. In purely pragmatic terms, there are times in life when it is vital that one's voice is heard and heeded. Alongside contacting your councillor directly, contacting the Residents' Association will provide access to the combined clout of the Thames Ditton and Weston Green communities. So don't forget to pay your subs!
And finally, the Association's meetings have a twofold aim: (1) for the Association's councillors to provide information on local matters that affect us all; (2) for local residents to seek assistance and information on their concerns and problems. Unlike the national political parties, only the Residents' Association hold these regular meetings open to everyone. Do come along - see page 5 for dates and venue.
Lorraine Sharp