One might assume that living in London’s happiest borough would be an absolute delight. However, locals from South West London’s Richmond paint a different picture. Amidst claims of it being a “playground for the wealthy,” young families find themselves squeezed into tiny homes or pushed out entirely. Here is an overview of life in Richmond today:

• The 2022 Happy at Home Index from Rightmove placed Richmond 11th, the only London area in the UK’s top 20.
• This happiness comes at a cost, with average home prices over the past year being £1,040,145.
• Sales mainly consisted of flats selling at around £547,221 and terraced properties going for nearly £1,083,418.

Aged 69, Guy Chance relocated from Richmond after ten years to Acton due to space constraints. He highlighted Richmond’s appeal for youngsters due to its social life but underscored the struggle young families face either cooped up small spaces or forced to move out.

Tony Khatchik who has run children’s shop The Toy Station in Richmond for almost three decades spoke about changes he witnessed over time. Business is dwindling as families lean towards working and shopping online while also dining out more frequently.

• The high house prices have significantly limited families’ disposable income – making it harder for local businesses.
• Mr Khatchik noted that even areas on the outskirts – previously affordable – have tripled in price which has led to foreign investors purchasing multiple properties for rent.

Margaret Wallace-Jones and Tony West, local bookshop owners, also shared their concerns about the increasing business rates and rents threatening their survival. They hinted at a looming struggle to “save the high street,” calling for external support for businesses like theirs.

Community engagement remains strong despite these issues, although maintaining this spirit requires considerable effort amidst Richmond’s transformation. The increasing costs of living in Richmond are changing not just its demographic but also its character. As Mr Khatchik poignantly put it – it’s niche but not niche, local but not quite local anymore.

Two unsuspecting gas engineers made a surprising discovery and inadvertently became heroes for a day. The footage (embedded below) that has since gone viral showcases the unpredictable nature of their job, one that often takes them to the heart of communities and sometimes, unwittingly, into the middle of a crime scene.

The engineers were initially summoned to a property to disconnect the gas power. The house was formerly used to grow cannabis, a fact the local police were all too familiar with. With officers still milling around the scene, the engineers stumbled upon a man desperately trying to hide. Instead of turning him over, they lent man a helping hand, ensuring his crafty escape.

It’s worth noting that while this video paints a comedic picture, the reality for many workers is far from funny. Some are lured to the UK with promises of legitimate work, only to find themselves coerced illegal activities.

Imagine rolling green fields, basking in sunlight and dotted with the age-old farming spectacle – sheep grazing peacefully. Well, this pastoral scene is set to come alive again at Hampstead Heath! For one week, starting on 11th September till the following Monday (18th), you’ll be able to witness this unique and endearing sight.

You can enjoy nature’s bounty with these woolly wonders from around 8:30 am until 7 pm. But where exactly? Fret not; technology comes to play here. Use what3words.com (remember the catchy search term – ‘beams.grew.boom’) to track their exact location near Hampstead Way!

• Furry friends on loan for conservation purposes
• Mudchute City Farm partnership project with City of London
• Collaboration also includes the Heath and Hampstead Society along with Heath Hands.

This isn’t just about the captivating sight of sheep grazing leisurely; it’s an initiative with purpose. A return to traditional land management methods benefits both biodiversity and landscape by maintaining open grassland and helping a variety of plant species thrive.

The journey back down memory lane continues after a successful trial in 2019 when sheep were reintroduced for grazing on the Heath after nearly seven decades! Then they returned first time since our grandparents’ era – the ever-romanticised 1950s. The upcoming week promises not only to recapture those nostalgic moments but also reminds us of our duty towards sustainable ecological balance.

So don’t miss out on this opportunity! It’s time we reconnected with nature in its most charming form. Catch a glimpse of the grazing sheep transforming Hampstead Heath into an idyllic countryside scene straight out of a storybook. Experience first-hand, the green regeneration that our planet so desperately needs today!