In addition to spending time in Tooting and responding to requests for help from constituents, I have spent some time over the last couple of weeks participating in events in Tooting.

Last weekend, I spent some time in and around Tooting Town centre as part of the "Discover Tooting" events. It was a wonderful opportunity for everyone to discover the wonderful secrets of Tooting. The weekend was a huge success. I’m sure those who attended will be frequent shoppers and visitors to our premier town centre. It was great to see kids with henna painted on their hands, grandparents eating from the various food stalls and entire families of all ethnicities enjoying all that Tooting has to offer. Audrey Helps, the Town Centre manager and the local retailers deserve a huge thanks from all local residents for their hard work in making the event a huge success.

I also took part in the Chariot Festival that went from the Sivayogam Temple in the heart of Tooting to Figges Marsh in Mitcham on the Bank Holiday Monday. Tooting Cllr, Nick Bowes, joined me for this wonderful and colourful annual event now celebrating it's 6th year. I had been to the temple in the previous week to take part in a memorial event organised by White Pigeon to commemorate the children killed as a result of a bombing in Mullaitivu district in Sri Lanka. (for more details please visit www.unicef.org). Cllr Belinda Randall from Graveney ward joined me at the event and also said a few words to the hundreds who had gathered.

I would like to express my congratulations to all the GCSE and A-level students who have had their results this last month. The number of passes rose this year and can be attributed to the hard work of the students and the dedication of their teachers. I wish the students the best of luck with whatever they are going on to do and would advise them not to panic if they didn’t get the results they expected because there are many options still open to them.

I would also like to send my condolences to the families of James Meaby and Rupert Saunders who were from Tooting and died in August when they drowned when Sailing in the English Channel. Their death must be a terrible shock for those close to them and their neighbours. It is a tragedy beyond what any family should have to go through and so my thoughts are with all those who are grieving at this time. The air and sea search was a big operation and my thoughts are also with all who did their best to find these three men.

I have also met the family of a Tooting constituent who has recently been arrested on the requested on the basis of an Extradition request by the USA.

I also presented an award to Balham Station for their achievement of receiving a national award for its security and safety standards. Many of you will know that one of my campaigns is to improve the stations in Tooting so that people can use them and feel safe. Southern Trains manage Balham station, so I recently met with its Managing Director to ensure that security would be at the forefront of Southern Trains' agenda. This award is in recognition of the work put in by Southern Trains to make Balham Station safer. Southern Train’s approach is refreshing and has led to a reduction in crime on their franchised stations.


Sadiq