NEWS

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This goes out to residents/owners at Sandown Lodge by email where possible, by hand otherwise and is posted here in the News section on our website www.sandownlodge.org.uk.

Just one warm welcome this quarter, to new neighbours in block C, and congratulations to a special pair of newly-marrieds (on 13 September) in block G. 

Christmas is coming! 

Not quite Yuletide yet, even if shops and TV ads are suggesting otherwise. As always, if you’re planning to be away over Christmas, please turn off the water inside your flat - unattended leaks can be costly. If you are staying home, please consider caretaker Nicky if festivities create extra packaging/bin waste. Please flatten boxes and, if possible, take excessive amounts to the paladin area rather than the bin cupboard. Thank you.

Garage roof seals   

Thank you for bearing with us. This work is now complete, and the trenches are about to be re-turfed/re-seeded. We hope the grass will be back to normal before too long, and certainly by Spring.

ANPR parking – direct access    

About two-thirds of the estate have now signed up for UKPC accounts. These give direct online access for one-day permits, allowing greater control as well as an extra 24 hours to submit.

After the introduction of new parking arrangements this year, direct online access is now available to everyone rather than just community scheme members. If you haven’t yet set up an account and would like to do so, please email Richard at richard.grace@sandownlodge.org.uk 

Emergency key holders  

Our wonderful team of block reps has been distributing letters recently in support of an overdue update to our register of emergency key holders. If disaster should ever strike while you’re away, having a local key-holder available can make all the difference. Please check and (if needed) update your letter before returning it to your block rep – thank you.

Catch-ups/updates…
Roadway marking – after less than good results initially, we now think we have mastered this. Four bays in front of block F have been re-done. If it works, we plan an estate-wide roll-out in the coming months.

Block E barrier – after further deliberation in our October board meeting, a decision was taken to keep this locked for now. Apologies to the one or two estate voices against.

Residents’ Handbook – our single most important document! The website download version gets updated through the year so is always available for reference. The 2026 edition reflecting all changes to date will be released as usual in January.

Fast fibre broadband – almost half the flats on the estate are now connected. If you have plans to join them at some stage, please remember that prior discussion with a board member is essential to avoid costly re-cabling. 

Electric vehicle charging – we now have at least three residents on the estate who have ‘gone electric’ and demand for our two initial charging points (between blocks A and B) continues to grow. A reminder that our EVC is future-proofed, with power infrastructure in place to extend the number of charge points over time if needed.

Garage ‘cages’ – the two remaining cages at bays 39 and 40 are being removed to facilitate easier parking. (At one stage, there were around a dozen of these, installed by residents prior to the arrival of gates in the garage.) Alongside, we also plan to remove the PVC sheeting at each end of the garage to encourage better ventilation.

Common parts refurbishment – following agreement of plans at the AGM, the board is now engaged in preliminary discussions with door, electrical, entry system and other contractors in preparation for final quotes to be presented and voted on at next summer’s AGM. 

Last not least… 

Nicole, our nominated property manager, left Bartholomews in October. In her place, Leon Hunter has stepped back into a role he first held 18 years ago (before he went on to run the whole company). Leon is being assisted by colleague Graham South.

Block reps have already been advised of the change to contact details:

Via email: leonh@bartholomews.com / grahams@barthplomews.com
Via phone: main switchboard number 0208 546 9441

Thank you for reading this update.  

Your directors 

Terry Davey (flat 53), Tony Green (flat 47), Richard Grace (flat 10), Andrew Humphreys (flat 26) and Paul Stokes (flat 41)