Hello everyone, and welcome to the spring edition of the Convent Co‑op Newsletter!

After a long and busy winter, it’s lovely to see lighter days, warmer weather, and the estate coming back to life 🌻🌷🪻

Important News!

Lorraine will soon be retiring after an extraordinary 27 years of service to this co-operative and to the residents of Convent. It is difficult to overstate the contribution Lorraine has made over nearly three decades. Her dedication, warmth, and expertise have been woven into the fabric of life here, and she has been a constant and reassuring presence for countless residents over the years. We will miss her enormously. We are grateful to Lorraine for generously agreeing to remain beyond her notice period to ensure a smooth handover. In the meantime, we wish Lorraine a wonderfully happy and well-deserved retirement, and we look forward to celebrating her properly in due course.

Chair’s Report

It is my privilege to address you as the newly appointed Chair of Convent Co-operative. I am honoured to take on this role and look forward to working closely with residents to continue building on the strong foundations that have been established here.

Thank you to former committee members, and a call to join us!

I would like to begin by thanking Maureen for her work as Chair. She gave a great deal of time, energy and commitment to the Co-operative and our community, and we are very grateful for everything she has done. I would also like to thank Monica Meighan, who will be stepping down as Secretary after many years on the committee in a range of roles. We appreciate the work she has contributed to the Co-op. Karen Hooper has kindly agreed to step in as Interim Secretary while we formalise the role. Thank you also to Gill Chapple, who returned to the committee for a time but has left to focus on volunteer work elsewhere.

Our Co-op works best when residents see themselves not just as neighbours, but as part of the community that helps shape how things run. The committee makes decisions that affect the estate, and fresh voices, ideas and questions are always valuable. If you have ever wondered how things work or thought “someone should suggest that…”, this may be a good time to step forward.

We are currently seeking someone to serve as Treasurer (see below). If you are organised, interested in learning something new, or simply willing to help, please consider having a conversation with us. If you are curious but unsure, please speak to any committee member, Lorraine, or Sarah-Jane — we would be very happy to talk through what is involved.

Even if joining the committee is not for you, housing co-operatives thrive when residents contribute in different ways. Offers of help – whether sharing a skill, giving advice, or helping with occasional tasks – are always very welcome.

Sue Daley (Chair)

Fly Tipping

Please remember to label any bulky waste that you leave out for Wandsworth refuse operatives to collect. We have had some problems with fly tipping, which has cost the co-op to remove. We do not want to confuse residents’ legitimate waste with illegal dumping.

Dogs and Leads

Wandsworth bye-laws state that residents must keep their dogs on leads at all times, anywhere on the estate. Dogs must also be kept on the paths and are not allowed on the grass. Owners must clean up after their dogs. Remember, owners can be fined up to £500 for each infraction.

Find out more here, including information about when and how to report offenders.

Fire Safety: Door Compliance

Following what has been a lengthy and at times challenging process, we are pleased to confirm that a number of residents now have fire-compliant front doors installed. This has been achieved in partnership with KRM, and we are grateful for Sarah-Jane’s persistence. Fire door inspections will continue across the estate, and we will be rolling out annual checks going forward to ensure ongoing compliance and resident safety. KRM will also be assisting with the replacement of door closures as required.

Tenant Satisfaction Survey

Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete our Tenant Satisfaction Survey. We received 36 responses in total, which begins to give us a meaningful picture of how residents feel about our services. A summary report can be accessed here. Overall, we are very encouraged by these results. Scores for overall satisfaction, fairness, and keeping residents informed are particularly strong. Lower scores for communal area cleanliness and repairs timeliness are areas we are actively addressing.

Food Waste Disposal

We are pleased to let block residents know that food waste disposal facilities are now available on the estate for all, following the installation of the new collection bins. This will make it easier for residents to dispose of food waste responsibly.

Wildlife on the Estate – Fox Awareness

Disposing of food responsibly will help keep unwelcome guests at bay, too. Spring is a more active season for foxes, and while they are now a familiar part of London’s urban environment, there are simple steps residents can take to minimise nuisance:

• Keep bin lids secured
• Avoid leaving food outside (only use the food bins and make sure they are closed properly)
• Clear under-shed spaces
• Use raised bird feeders rather than ground feeding

If fox activity is causing problems, please contact the office for advice on deterrents and safe, humane methods of discouraging visits. Here is the advice that Wandsworth passed to us about foxes and how best to deal with them if they are bothering you.

Dates for Your Diary – Spring & Early Summer 2026

We encourage residents to attend our meetings — they’re a great opportunity to hear updates, ask questions, and help shape the Co‑op’s future.

• Tuesday 21 April – 6.30pm (Management)
• Tuesday 5 May – 7.00pm (General Meeting)
• Tuesday 30 June – 6.30pm (Management)
• Tuesday 7 July – 7.00pm (AGM)

Meeting dates are subject to change. Please keep an eye on emails for updates.