Throughout her 20 years in office, she was deeply involved in initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for residents
Julie Haines, a former councillor whose dedication to road safety and community welfare left a lasting impact, has been appointed Honorary Alderman of the Royal Borough of Kingston.
Serving as a councillor for both Cambridge and Coombe Vale wards from 1986 to 2006, Julie became a respected advocate for her community. Throughout her 20 years in office, she was deeply involved in initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for residents. Among her many achievements were securing four new pedestrian crossings in her ward, playing a key role in saving the New Malden Post Office from closure, and supporting the creation of a teaching pool at the Malden Centre.
One of her proudest moments came when she was elected Chair of the Social Services Committee in 1986, helping to shape policy in her community. Julie’s commitment was clear from the very beginning of her political career. In 1989, during an important council vote, she brought her three-month-old daughter, Emma, to a council meeting in a Moses basket—showcasing her passion for both her role and her family.
Julie’s dedication to public service continued even after her time in office. Today, she remains active in the community, serving as the President Elect of New Malden Rotary. A professional school teacher, Julie continues to advocate for education, health, and women’s rights.
The title of Honorary Alderman is conferred under Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, recognising those who have served the council for at least 12 years. Julie was officially appointed at the full council meeting on 1 April 2025, in a celebration of her decades of service and unwavering commitment to Kingston.
Kingston’s cultural reach
As Kingston prepares to mark 1,100 years since the crowning of King Athelstan—the first King of a united England—the borough is celebrating its diverse communities through a new round of cultural funding. Eleven local groups have been awarded grants of up to £3,000 as part of the Kingston 2025 festival, designed to bring people together and explore the borough’s rich past, vibrant present, and shared future.
Chosen by a panel of independent community and voluntary sector representatives working in partnership with Kingston Council, the funded projects reflect the festival’s themes of storytelling and community connection. They range from sewing workshops with refugees to interactive heritage projects with schoolchildren, reflecting the broad spectrum of voices and experiences that shape life in Kingston today.
One recipient, local charity RBKares, is using the funding to run weekly sewing sessions for refugees in the borough. Chair Kate Kenyon BEM described the project as a way for participants to reflect on their own journeys through textile work—an art form shared across many cultures. “Working with textiles gives people a way to tell their story, perhaps for the first time,” she said. “In celebrating Kingston 2025, people can not only reflect on their past but also consider what they want for their future.”
The creative output from the sewing workshops will be brought together in a collaborative garment, celebrating both individual stories and Kingston’s own historic links to the fashion world.
At Athelstan Primary School in Kingston, children will be getting hands-on with history thanks to a grant awarded to Story Storks. The project will explore the school’s Saxon roots and the legacy of King Athelstan through storytelling and community memory sharing. “This is a great opportunity for children to become local historians,” said Sara Cantrill, founder of Story Storks. “It’s about exploring history that’s literally on their doorstep and creating connections with their community.”
Other projects receiving support include inclusive drumming workshops, environmental education, volunteer training to improve event accessibility, and heritage events celebrating everything from Kingston Carnival to Decca Records. Each project adds a unique thread to the Kingston 2025 tapestry, creating a festival that is as inclusive and diverse as the borough itself.
Kingston 2025 is more than just a celebration of a historic coronation—it’s a celebration of the communities that call the borough home today, and of the stories that continue to shape its future.
