Bart Ricketts

I attended a debate and talk at the Kingston Evironment Centre chaired by

Des kay a well know Environmental campaigner from the local area. On the

 An Inconvenient Truth film. A topical debate especially as the US urged 

new greenhouse gas goals today. 

Wednesday evening off, so had a chance to pay football with work. Well only

because they were short of players, as my football skill leave alot to be desired.

However when I have time at weekends, I try and watch the local teams Kingstonian F.C

and AFC Wimbeldon and  I am looking forward to next season. 

 I attended the Kingston University Students' Union Volunteering Awards Evening.  It was good to catch up with friends, students and staff from the Studets' Union.  The evening brought back memories from when I was a sabbatical officer and set up some of the first student union volunteering programmes.

Although it was a wet a day, it was good to visit all the stands and

speak to green minded peole who had braved the cold weather and

 supported the event. I would like to thank the Green Fair

collective for organising this event. And my Green Police Escort Emily.

I was invited to attend the District Scout Camp at Polyapes Camp

Site Stoke D'Abernon to celebrate 100 years of Scouting.  Although

it was a rainy day, I enjoyed meeting Scouts and leaders from across the

 Borough. The visit also borough back memory of my scouting days. It was

good to see young enthusiastic people, who are interested in the outdoors

and a camping experience. I was pleased to  see they had all left their X box's

playstations at home and could enjoy real live activities and games. I would

like to thank the District Commissioner Bob Bushell for showing me

round. Also my driver Mick who picked me up in RBK 1 and who also had to endure

the mud  and rain while walking round the site.

Saturday Morning off, so I have time to run the Bushy Park time trail.

Over 300 runners took part today I finished 168 in 22.32 mins which is not too bad.

The race is quite addictive and I hope to improve later in the year. I then spent the rest

of the day helping set up for Monday's Kingston Green Fair event, I hope the weather is better by then .  

On Friday I had the pleasure of welcoming the Photos Exhibition taken by Dominic Search

over the years to celebrate 20 years of the Kingston Green Fair . The exhibition is on for the next week

at RBK.

I  joined residents from my ward and MP Susan Cramer and leader Cllr Derek Osborne

to look at plastic recycling and also consider the big challenges facing the way forward

for Kingston Waste solutions. It was also a  topical day to visit, as the

Waste Strategy for England was published today by DEFRA.

Later in the day I attended Ed Davey's Advice Surgery at Kingston CAB 

which I normally do every month or so. I often find it quite humbling to attend as when I think

I may have problems,  I often  realise these are quite minor on the scale compared

with other people, who can be in real hardship.

The Civic service to mark the start of the new Mayoral Year for Councillor Shiraz Mirza.

I was accompanied by my co Cllr  Rachel O'Connor and it was a really good day

and I am looking forward to the year ahead as Deputy Mayor. 

This Saturday no Mayoral engagements, but still a important day attended  my friend Ross's wedding to Helen in sunny surrey.

Pictures below also caught up with a number of people who studied at Kingston. I  have known Ross since I was a student and member of  the athletic club at University.

I was kindly invited to an event up in London at St. Mary le Strand by the High Sheriff of London.  After this, we had a very impressive reception at Australia House.  Please see some pictures below from the event, where I enjoyed meeting Mayors from a number of local boroughs and speaking to members of the judiciary from across London.

I would like to thank my friend Jemma who works in London for a young peoples' charity for accompanying me on this official occasion.

Well I have recently been appointed to the position of Deputy Mayor of Kingston a position I am very proud to have been given and I am looking forward to the year a head.

You can read more about this on the RBK web site........ 

Me, Cllr Rob Lee and Cllr Shiraz Mirza 

and 2nd photo Deputy Bart with friends Vicki and Karen

Mayor and Deputy with

Deputy Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey Godbold