Celebrate Chessington

Last updated on 29 May 2025

It was wonderful to be part of Celebrate Chessington on 29th May 2025 and to meet so many Chessington residents and members. Thanks for dropping by the CDRA stall for a chat and to look at the display of the memories residents have shared with us as part of our 50th anniversary.

Key concerns raised with us during the day were related to planning and the impact of more development on the existing infrastructure and environment and how this affects residents’ quality of life. The memories also prompted lots of ‘do you remember …’ chats!

We were pleased to meet Kingston’s new mayor, Councillor Hadjimichael, and welcome him and his deputy (and our local councillor), Sue Ansari, to the CDRA stall. We talked about the importance of grassroots campaigns and the role of residents and residents’ associations in community action.

The event was well attended and everyone had a good time. Congratulations to all involved in its organisation.

When the event was first introduced in 2009 it was called Chessington Fun Day. It followed a joint ‘Participatory Needs Assessment’ that was completed in 2008 between Royal Borough of Kingston and NHS Kingston with the assistance of Kingston Voluntary Action. Over the years the event has gone from strength to strength and is still supported by local organisations and businesses who contribute in many ways. Kingston’s Mayor always officially opens the event. Local councillors, police teams and, of course, many volunteer residents play a pivotal role in the planning and delivery of the event.