“Christmas every day” at Wimbledon Guild Charity Shop

Staff and volunteers at Wimbledon Guild’s shop are inviting shoppers in for a cup of tea and mince pies while they browse for bargains in the run-up to Christmas.

Jill Caney, manager of the shop for the last 10 years, says it’s like Christmas every day thanks to the warm welcome offered by her team of volunteers, and the sacks of donated goodies they get to open most days.

Jill said: “I love my job. It’s like Christmas all year round in here as it’s not just a shop, it’s a hub where local people come in not just to look for bargains, but to have a chat and a cup of tea and some company.

“Many of our regulars are elderly people and our amazing volunteers are always ready with a chat and a cuppa.

“We’re also lucky that people donate such fantastic items to us and every time we open a bag, it’s like Christmas all over again, discovering the treasures that are inside.

“They say that one person’s unwanted items are another person’s unclaimed treasures and that is so true.”

Visitors will find the shop in full festive swing with Jill dressed for the season in a series of Christmas outfits including Mrs Claus and one of Santa’s reindeer.

Local people looking to shop ethically and give a gift to their loved ones, while giving something back, will find plenty to choose from at Wimbledon Guild’s shop, based on Upper East Green in Mitcham, including a lovely display of Christmas ornaments and the Christmas bauble box filled with sparkling decorations costing just 20p each.

The 20p toy box is filled with cars, figures and other small toys which would make perfect stocking fillers. Toiletry gift sets, handbags, hats and scarves are other popular presents.

Jill said: “I love the bauble box as it changes every day. People tend to change their Christmas decorations every year now and this offers a fantastic opportunity to do that and help us raise funds at the same time.

“Shopping here definitely has the personal touch. We also have many families who come in  and the 20p toy box is really popular with children.”

Wimbledon Guild helps people of all ages across Merton and as Christmas can be a particularly difficult time for those in need, the charity is also appealing for donations of good quality women’s and men’s clothes, accessories and home wares.

Wimbledon Guild Chief Executive Wendy Pridmore said: “There is hardship at Christmas in our community but there is hardship all year round.

“We are currently giving cash grants to people in need just so they can eat during the festive season.

“We need as much support and donations as possible and a great way of giving is to support our charity shop.”

The shop is open Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 4.30pm. For more information please visit Wimbledon Guild.

Public transport services over the festive season

Changes to Wimbledon’s public transport services during the festive season (for more details please visit Transport for London and South West Trains):

Saturday 24 December
SW Trains: Saturday service, closing down early from 7pm
Tube: Early finish (complete your journey around 11.30pm), no Night Tube
Tram: From 6pm trams will run every 15min and then from 8pm every 20min until normal last tram times
Bus: 24 hour services finish around midnight, no night services

Sunday 25 December: no service on public transport

Monday 26 December
SW Trains: no service
Tube: District Line closed
Tram: No service on Line 4 (Elmers End – Wimbledon), Sunday service elsewhere with weekday start and finish times
Bus: Sunday service

Tuesday 27 December
SW Trains: Saturday service
Tube: District Line closed
Tram: No service on Line 4 (Elmers End – Wimbledon), Sunday service elsewhere with weekday start and finish times
Bus: Weekend service during day, usual Tuesday service at night

Wednesday 28 December
SW Trains: revised Saturday service
Tube: District Line closed
Tram: Saturday service, with weekday start and finish times
Bus: Saturday service during day, usual Wednesday service at night

Thursday 29 December
SW Trains: revised Saturday service
Tube: District Line closed
Tram: Saturday service, with weekday start and finish times
Bus: Saturday service during day, usual Thursday service at night

Friday 30 December
SW Trains: revised Saturday service
Tube: District Line closed
Tram: Saturday service, with weekday start and finish times
Bus: Saturday service during day, usual Friday service at night

Saturday 31 December: free travel across TfL network between 11.45pm – 4.30am
SW Trains: Saturday service
Tube: Services run throughout the night, but some stations will be closed
Tram: 30min service all night between Wimbledon and Beckenham Junction & Wimbledon and New Addington
Bus: Saturday service

Sunday 1 January
SW Trains: Sunday service with additional early morning services out of Waterloo
Tube: Reduced Sunday service after 12 noon
Tram: No service on Line 4 (Elmers End – Wimbledon)
Bus: Sunday service

Monday 2 January
SW Trains: revised Saturday service
Tube: Saturday service
Tram: No service on Line 4 (Elmers End – Wimbledon), Sunday service elsewhere
Bus: Sunday service

New look Elys – great designer brands all under one roof

This Christmas season is the perfect opportunity to visit the delightful Elys independent department store in Wimbledon. Elys has burst into life with the revamp of the 3rd floor (homeware, travel and electrical) bringing the full interior refurbishment of the entire store to completion. So you can shop for all your Christmas gifts right in the heart of Wimbledon Town Centre.

elyswhiteco

New to the store is the White Company, occupying a large space on the 3rd floor with their celebrated clothing range and stunning home accessories (including sumptuous bedding!) Alongside the White Company you’ll also find an array of other leading home brands including Ted Baker, LSA and Clarissa Hulse.

elysjomalone

For sophisticated scents and fragrances visit Molton Brown or the all-new Jo Malone, both in the ground floor health and beauty department along with premium make-up from Bobbi Brown, non-perfumed ranges from Clinique and a unique selection of high-end concessions offering expertise and advice. Christmas is a time to indulge, so step away from the hustle and bustle, save yourself a trip into London and experience luxurious shopping right here in the heart Wimbledon – all under one roof at Elys!

elysgiftbox

Elys also offers an extensive range of customer benefits including:

  • Free styling sessions
  • Gift box service
  • Personal Christmas shopping
  • Alterations studio

elysxmasshop

In-store treatment roomsWhile you’re treating yourself, let the kids explore Elys’ extended range of toys and young fashion or visit Santa’s Enchanting Grotto in the Christmas Shop, all on the 2nd floor.

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And a visit to Ely’s elegant restaurant on the top floor is the perfect way to complete your Christmas shopping experience.

Don’t forget to join in our Nutcracker Trail on Saturday 10 December – festive fun for the whole family in Wimbledon Town Centre.

PubWatch helps launch “Ask for Angela” safety campaign in Wimbledon

Love Wimbledon, working in partnership with Merton Council and Wimbledon police, has played a key role in helping to promote the ground-breaking personal safety campaign, “Ask for Angela” since raising awareness of it at the November PubWatch meeting. It was agreed by PubWatch attendees that all pubs, clubs and bars in Wimbledon Town Centre would take part in the campaign.

Originally launched by Lincolnshire County Council in September, the “Ask for Angela” campaign has attracted widespread support across the country, offering a simple but highly effective procedure for anyone feeling unsafe or uncomfortable in a public venue to quickly and discreetly seek help.

Following the PubWatch meeting, local police worked closely with Merton Council to promote the campaign across the borough. All of Wimbledon Town Centre’s pubs, clubs and bars are on board, displaying posters on their premises, publicising the campaign via social media and briefing staff on how to manage potentially distressful situations.

Advice for staff when someone “Asks for Angela”:

  1. Offer to take the person asking for help to a part of venue not in sight of the public or potential threat eg: staff room, kitchen, toilets
  2. Offer to call the person a taxi or assist them in calling a friend/family member to come and collect them
  3. Request the person causing distress to leave the venue, only if safe to do so ie: the person asking for help is out of sight and the staff consider it safe
  4. Ask the person in distress what it is they want to do – it might be they just want to alert staff that things are becoming uncomfortable and might need someone to keep watch whilst they collect possessions from the area where they were seated
  5. Do not allow the person asking for help to leave the venue in sight of the person causing them distress as this could lead to them being followed out of the venue and placed at higher risk
  6. If the person causing distress becomes angry consider calling the police for assistance or follow your corporate policy on this issue

In an emergency dial 999

Non Emergency dial 101

 

 

 

YMCA launches Winter Night Shelter

The Merton Winter Night Shelter is a project involving YMCA London South West and nearly 20 faith groups in the Merton area of London. The groups provide shelter for rough sleepers over the coldest months of December through to February, offering them warmth, food and a place to sleep. They also help to provide move-on opportunities for the guests.

Volunteers from the faith groups manage the project and are always looking for more people to help or contribute wherever possible. If you are able to assist them in any way, please email Merton Night Shelter or contact them via Twitter @mertonshelter. You can also donate directly to YMCA South West London via their website.

Wimbledon Winter Wonderland 2016

Wimbledon was treated to a magical, festive day of Christmas celebrations at Wimbledon Winter Wonderland.

Love Wimbledon’s popular ‘Wimbledon Winter Wonderland returned to Wimbledon Broadway on Sunday 27th November, which saw part of the road being closed to welcome Christmas to Wimbledon. Thousands were treated to festive performances, Christmas market stalls, street entertainment and children’s rides.

The stars from New Wimbledon Theatre’s Christmas panto appeared including Matthew Kelly to the delight of many and a giant stilt walking reindeer, penguins and a roller skating Christmas pudding brought the magic of Christmas to Wimbledon. New this year was ‘live ice carving’ which kept visitors entranced as the ice was carved into festive Christmas characters and the ‘magical marquee’ which provided a covered area for families to sit, enjoy hot food and take in all the magic was very popular.

Sally Warren, from Love Wimbledon commented ‘What a wonderful wonderland for Wimbledon this year. This event is all about families having fun. We had an array of local talent on the stage and fun rides and activities for everyone. The market was magical and many local traders enjoy being part of our Town Centre’.

With the Mayor of Merton officially opening the event at 12pm, musical acts including Borough Brass, Attic theatre and singer Emily Lee with presenter Paul Evers kept gatherers entertained with festive fun and Christmas songs. Paul Evers led the crowd to take on the ‘Mannequin challenge’ which saw visitors of all ages freezing like statues on The Piazza – a video that’s now already had over 2,000 views. Children’s rides including a carousel, rodeo reindeer and a snowboard simulator gave plenty to keep children happily entertained.

Family photos took place within a giant snow globe and market stalls sold festive presents and foods, mulled wine and roasted chestnuts, as well as a popcorn stand and candyfloss. Elys department store got into the Christmas spirit also with festive activity and Centre Court Shopping hosted a stage with fantastic performances all day.

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Christmas in Wimbledon!

‘Tis the season to be jolly so come and celebrate Christmas in Wimbledon.

Tick off your Christmas shopping list at our festive Christmas markets, every weekend on The Piazza from now until Christmas, as well as Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 December.

There’s lots of fun for kids too, including a chance to visit Father Christmas in his grotto, take part in YMCA’s Christmas fancy dress party, and enjoy free ice skating in Centre Court! Wimbledon’s theatres are fizzing with festive buzz. We have all the best pantos – oh yes we do! This season brings Dick Whittington at New Wimbledon Theatre, Babe, The Sheep Pig at Polka Theatre, Great Expectations in Merton Arts Space at Wimbledon Library, and Santa’s Polka Dot Pirate at New Wimbledon Studio. You could even win tickets to see Dick Whittington by taking part in our all new FREE Nutcracker Trail on Saturday 10 December. Come and join in a yuletide adventure and discover the giant Nutcracker Kings hiding all over Wimbledon Town Centre.

It wouldn’t be Christmas without carols and there are plenty of opportunities to attend a variety of carol services across Wimbledon throughout the festive season, as well as a number of other community events including the YMCA’s Christmas lunch, Wimbledon Guild’s Christmas lunch as well as the Guild’s Great Big Christmas Pudding Pub Quiz.

Christmas is also a time for giving and you could make a difference by taking part in the YMCA’s Big Wrap or volunteering to help with the Merton Winter Night Shelter project which runs from December through to February.

And remember, you can enjoy free parking in Merton every weekend up to and including Christmas! Come and celebrate Christmas in Wimbledon.
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Wimbledon commuters to benefit from Waterloo upgrade

The Waterloo and South West Upgrade by South West Trains will see over £800million invested in providing the biggest package of improvements for passengers travelling on the railway to and from London Waterloo for decades. The upgrade work to Waterloo station includeds extending the platforms to accept longer trains. This work has already been carried out at Wimbledon Station, and once completed Wimbledon commuters will benefit from longer trains and an improved timetable from December 2017.

Ahead of these works, South West Trains has issued advanced warning that there will be some short-term disruption to Wimbledon services between 5-28 August 2017.

As a result:

  • Passengers may be asked to queue outside the station
  • There will be timetable changes
  • Services will be much busier than usual
  • Journeys may take longer
  • Passengers may not be able to board the first train on arrival at Wimbledon Station

Passengers travelling from Wimbledon between 5-28 August are advised to:

  • Check the advice for other stations nearby which might have more frequent or less crowded trains
  • Travel slightly earlier or later than normal – the busiest trains arrive in London between 8-9am and leave London between 5.30 – 6.30pm (to facilitate travel outside of these times SW Trains will provide longer trains for extended periods)
  • Avoid travelling if possible – by working from home or planning a summer holiday over this time

Weekday services from Wimbledon will be reduced from 18 trains per hour to 12 trains per hour during this period. South West Trains has published a draft timetable relating to weekday services between 7-24 August. A full, final timetable including weekend and Bank Holiday services will be published in due course.

Please visit South West Trains for more details.

 

We have all the best pantos in Wimbledon

Wimbledon’s theatres are fizzing this festive season with four fantastic shows for everyone to enjoy:

Babe, The Sheep Pig at Polka Theatre running now until 5 February

Great Expectations in Merton Arts Space at Wimbledon Library opens 30 November until 18 December

Santa’s Polka Dot Pirate at New Wimbledon Studio 6 – 24 December

Dick Whittington at New Wimbledon Theatre (opens 9 December until 15 January)

And don’t miss our exciting new Nutcracker Trail on Saturday 10 December – a FREE yuletide adventure around Wimbledon Town Centre. Can you discover where all the giant Nutcracker Kings are hiding? Come and join the fun and be in with a chance of winning tickest to Dick Whittington!

New £1 coin comes into circulation in March 2017

A new 12-sided £1 coin is due to enter circulation from March 2017.

The current £1 coin is being replaced for the first time in over thirty years because of its vulnerability to sophisticated counterfeiters. Approximately one in thirty £1 coins in circulation is a counterfeit.

The Royal Mint is producing 1.5 billion new, highly secure £1 coins to reduce the costs of counterfeits to businesses and the taxpayer.

For more information please visit the thenewpoundcoin.com.