Don't forget! Afternoon tea and music hall for Lancaster Gate’s older people
Older people in Lancaster Gate and Bayswater will get to enjoy a grand afternoon tea and a music hall show by the Players Company.
Your Bayswater and Lancaster Gate ward councillors decided to put on our own Afternoon Tea Show as we were hearing from our local residents that they loved the Afternoon Tea Dance (see below) run by Councillor Lady Flight each year, but they were not always able to get tickets and sometimes the weather was too bad to travel. We decided to do our own close to our wards and we offer to pick a number of residents up if they are unable to get their under their own steam.
The event is supported by your councillors out of the Lancaster Gate and Bayswater ward budgets. The ballot for tickets is open to all those over 65 living in the Lancaster Gate or Bayswater Wards. Flyers have been made available at Paddington Library, local doctors’ surgeries and CityWest Homes Estate office. Get in contact if you want more information about the event.
Loneliness is a real problem amongst older people in Westminster which has a huge impact on health and wellbeing, this is why activities for older people along with activities for the young remains at the top of our priorities for our local ward budget spending.
If you want to come along please print and send in this flyer.
Local News Round-up
Rough Sleepers
We have had rough sleepers in Lancaster Gate again and Cllr Aiken Cabinet Member for Public Protection & Licencing is stepping up her approach, reviewing which agencies took part and what has been done as well as other actions we can take. We are also supporting the diverted giving campaign, (see below).
Benefit Fraud
Another ongoing concern this month continues to be about housing and benefit fraud and this past week Councillor Susie Burbridge has been going out with officers to see how housing fraud is tackled and what else can be done to tighten up any loop holes. If you suspect that someone is committing Housing Benefit fraud you can report this to the DWP by calling 0800 854 440 or by visiting the DWP website.
Bicycles on school railings
Cycles tied up to the railings outside the school of St James and St John CE School on Craven Terrace are causing problems with space when the young children arrive and leave school and we would ask people not to tie up their bikes here. In the meantime we are investigating what can be done to find space close by for cycles.
Hanging baskets
Once again our fabulous summer flowering hanging baskets went up in mid May in Bayswater and Lancaster Gate. You can always tell when you step inside either of our wards as we are the only wards to have full baskets of red hanging pelargoniums!
Youth Offending in Westminster falls to record low
The numbers of young people offending and re-offending in Westminster are at their lowest ever levels, thanks to an effective joint working strategy implemented by Conservative run Westminster Council.
Spearheaded by the Youth Offending Team, the strategy better integrates the work of various units including the Integrated Gangs Unit, the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), schools the police and participation in projects like the Custody Pilot with Ealing Council, which is designed to keep young people out of cells.
Westminster Council works hard to keep your streets safe for residents including preventing youth offending. Our Youth Offending Team work with young people who have broken the law to prevent them from reoffending, encouraging them to choose a different path in life and staying out of prison. The team also work with those at risk of committing crime to prevent first time entrants to the youth justice system. Due to the excellent work of the Youth Offending Team in recent years, the numbers of young people offending and re-offending in Westminster are at their lowest ever levels. Young offenders are offered mentors and supported into employment, education and training.
Commenting on the success, Westminster’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Danny Chalkley said “It’s tragic when our youngest residents find themselves on the wrong side of the law. We actively seek to lay out a better future rather than leaving young people with problems to a life of crime, deprivation and underachievement. I’m delighted that due to the hard work of the Youth Offending Team, far fewer young people are committing crime.”
Annual Tea Dance returns
Westminster Council’s annual Tea Dance hosted by Older People’s Champion, Cllr Christabel Flight, takes place on Sunday 6th November at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane, for residents aged 65 or over. Last year actress Joanna Lumley joined guests dancing, jiving, eating and talking.
Cllr Christabel Flight said: "The Tea Dance is a chance for older people to get out of the house and enjoy a glamorous afternoon of dancing and companionship. It’s a great way for people to get together with friends, make new ones and have a fun afternoon. Loneliness can have a devastating effect on people’s lives as well as their physical and mental wellbeing, and we hope that the Tea Dance goes a little way in helping to alleviate it, even if just for an afternoon.”
Applications are now open, so please apply for tickets or if you have an older relative who might be interested let them know about it.
Residents can apply online, or write to Tea Dance, 18th floor, Westminster City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, SW1E 6QP, or call the Council’s general enquiries number on 020 7641 6000 and ask the switchboard to enter you into the Tea Dance ticket prize draw.
If you would like more information please email [email protected]
