As the sun shone a band of volunteers gathered in Maryon Wilson Park yesterday to join in the Capital Clean up funded by the Mayor. Young and old spread themselves across three areas to gather bags of rubbish left strewn around the area.

For two hours, Maryon Wilson Park, Maryon Park and Barrier Park were walked, picking up rubbish as we went along. Where would we be without the commitment of those volunteers who spend many hours through the year doing chores to build a stronger community?

Early afternoon we were in the Community Garden in Maryon Park. Alan Webb was leading the charge into the Garden preparing for the arrival of the families who had signed up to a plot to grow their own vegetables. A small sample of photos were taken to showcase their efforts. Tim and Edna Anderson were on hand with other Members of the Friends Group helping to guide the plot holders along in the growing process.

Seventeen young people from the Royal Borough went head to head with other competitors from six host Boroughs at Stoke Mandeville over the last few days. Supported by a number of key staff, parents and volunteers helped to make it an exciting event.

In its fourth year Time To Shine has given young people the opportunity to participate in their favourite sports in one if the best venues in the country. Uncertainty about the future of the event has been overcome by the Mace Foundation that secures the event for years to come as a lasting legacy post Paralympic Games in London. I had the privilege of joining the gang for a short period to soak up the atmosphere, which was electric.

It is hard to imagine how this event could have happened without the dedication and commitment of staff and volunteers. It was delightful to see one member of staff engaging with a competitor through sign language which he learned over a period of time. All of those involved had just one priority which was to help the young people to enjoy themselves and they were certainly doing so. The event was supported by a number of Paralympic competitors from the London 2012 Games who were joining in the fun and excitement.

A big thank to all those who have sent comments and suggestions to me following the launch of the website. At the outset, this is not about me but a tool to engage more actively with those that elected me to office. It is important for me that I am held to account, report on issues of concern and try to keep people informed as far as possible.

I fully endorse the comment made by Ed Milliband last week when he said that politics is too important to be left to the politicians. Absolutely right.

I am always looking at ways that residents can more easily engage.

How can we connect with those who are looking for answers to the concerns they have?  How can this website help?

Would you welcome more open meetings at the Town Hall to discuss key issues?

What are the three most important issues that you think are important to you?  What are the three most important changes you would like to see happening in Woolwich?

My colleagues and I in Woolwich Riverside are keen to hear from you. Please respond through this blog, or you can write to us and call us at the Town Hall.

While Nick Clegg enjoys his break in a twenty bedroom mansion in the Swiss Alps, perhaps he can spare a thought for the misery caused to thousands of families across the country waking up to the Tory-led coalition’s cuts to their income.

Anyone listening to the talk radio programmes in recent days will be as horrified as I am at the determined efforts to appeal to the worst in people who believe the “scroungers deserve all they get,” despite the fact that many people in employment will not escape. LBC’s Andrew Gilligan was a case in point on Sunday morning. Ten million people will be affected by government policy. Bedroom Tax, council tax and cuts in welfare will cause enormous damage to family life. Five thousand disabled people and up to 200,000 children will sink into poverty.

Already anxious parents in Greenwich are struggling to cope. Many low paid workers will see an erosion in their income because of government measures. Families who have their son or daughter at university are having to pay the bedroom tax if they have a spare room, despite the fact that it will be used during the year. The Government response is to suggest that they want to create a level playing field for those in social housing and homeowners. Of course the Council continues to encourage tenants to downsize and have created housing solutions to meet this challenge. This has been an objective for many years.

Driving many current tenants into the arms of unscrupulous landlords will have the opposite effect. The housing benefits bill will increase as a consequence. There will be many people in the borough desperate to find ways to maintain a decent level of income. They need not be alone in these difficult times. Council staff are ready to offer help and support. Indeed they have been doing sterling work in the past few months leading up to this disastrous policy decision by an uncaring Government.

Woolwich Riverside residents can contact me either by email or telephone. Meetings will be arranged urgently to ensure that support can be established as quickly as possible.

Welcome to my website!

After much soul searching I have decided to take the plunge. It is an exciting moment for me and I hope that it will prove popular to those who want to be in contact about the many issues that confront residents of our borough at this time.

I could never compete with many of the blogs and websites that currently exist around the Borough. I am grateful to Rob Powell for his valued contribution and assistance which helped to make this happen. It will take some time to maximise its benefits but I do hope that it will help to extend the number of people who want to share their ideas and suggestions to make the borough of Greenwich a better place for all.

I welcome the proposed changes to the Run to the Beat route. The balance between the needs of residents and participants has been struck.

IMG are a world wide organisation engaged in all sports activities which is why I have tried, but failed,to encourage a donation to our Starting Blocks charity.

Over many years the London Marathon has brought enormous joy to thousands of people and have made significant contributions to sports legacy in the Royal Borough. My case rests.