Good morning
Quieter three days on the ground: no new planning decisions, no openings or closures to report, but the council has opened a consultation worth your attention and the market guides pile continues to grow. Castelnau drivers should note temporary lights near Washington Road until tomorrow evening.
The big story
Council asks residents to shape suicide prevention strategy
Richmond Council has published a draft Suicide and Self-harm Prevention Strategy covering 2026 to 2029 and wants residents, organisations and professionals to comment before it is finalised. The draft was drawn up with health services, voluntary groups, people with lived experience and a cross-borough partnership with Wandsworth, and sets out six priorities including tackling stigma and supporting children and young people. The consultation closes on 15 October — worth a few minutes if you have views on how the council reaches people at risk, or gaps you think the plan misses. READ →
In brief
What Sunday lunch actually costs in Barnes
The Bull's Head on Lonsdale Road is the only one of the area's Sunday roast kitchens that publishes its prices outright — beef at £22.50, a vegan Wellington at £18. The Red Lion, Coach and Horses and White Hart all do roasts but keep prices off their websites, so it's a phone call before you book. READ →
Five cafes, sorted by what you actually need
A practical run-through of Barnes coffee: GAIL's for all-day pastries, Orange Pekoe and Café 66 for the sit-down version, and Hermanos on the High Street for those who roast their own beans and want it done properly. READ →
Seven pubs, and which afternoon suits which
The Sun Inn's pull is the view over the pond; the Bull's Head has a dedicated Jazz Room; the Coach & Horses has the biggest garden and a burger shack for families. A useful shortlist if you're choosing on the day rather than booking ahead. READ →
Baby and toddler classes: the weekly spread
Between Monkey Music, Petite Performers and Baby Sensory, Barnes and Mortlake now have sessions running Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings for babies through to age three. Petite Performers is the only one with firm prices published — £100 to £112.50 a term, with £5 trial sessions. READ →
Getting around
Temporary lights on Castelnau until Wednesday evening
Three-way traffic lights are in place at the Castelnau/Washington Road junction for Cadent gas works, running until 5pm on 16 September. TfL is reporting no delays so far. SOURCE →
What's on
Bull's Head marks Young's Day with history, wine and canapés
A heritage afternoon at the riverside pub on 17 September from 11am, with old photographs of the pub and Barnes alongside sparkling wine and canapés. SOURCE →
History Society lecture on Barnes' royal connections
Rosalind Freeborn speaks at St Mary's Church on 17 September at 7pm on 'Prince George and Master Frederick — royal friends and secret brothers', part of the Barnes and Mortlake History Society's regular programme. SOURCE →
Community centres open their doors from 21 September
Richmond's borough-wide Community Centre Week runs from 21 September with open days and activities at centres across the borough, including those serving Barnes and Mortlake. SOURCE →
Follow-ups
Barnes pond, a month on from the botulism outbreak
The pond is recovering after July's avian botulism outbreak killed the resident swan family, followed by a council-funded carp cull. Separately, the 209 bus has settled into its new two-way route through Castelnau with a turnaround near the pond, a month after the 533 was withdrawn. READ →