Forum Topics

Film Reviews 2026

You know the drill: If reviewing a new film, please reply to this first posting to keep the thread tidy.If reviewing a film someone else has already reviewed, reply to that, giving a chance of keeping them together.

Susan Kelly ● 238d80 Comments ● 37m

New planning rules give homeowners more flexibility to install solar panels

The government is changing permitted development rights to make it easier for homeowners in England to install solar panels without applying for planning permission. New changes have been made through an amendment to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 and will come into effect on 27 August 2026.Under the new rules, the maximum projection for solar equipment installed on a wall, balcony or roof enclosure will increase from 0.2 metres to 0.4 metres. The existing 0.2-metre limit will remain for installations next to highways and on pitched roofs.For standalone solar equipment, the current limit of one installation within the curtilage of an individual house will also be removed, allowing homeowners to install more than one where the other permitted development conditions are met. The existing five-metre restriction from the property boundary will also be removed, although some installations in protected areas will still require prior approval.The changes will also introduce permitted development rights for plug-in solar panels, which are small photovoltaic systems that connect to a home’s electricity supply through a standard plug and socket. Restrictions will apply to installations on wooden fences, gates, walls and other means of enclosure to reduce the risk of fire spreading.Some additional planning controls will remain in place for properties in protected areas. For example, certain standalone solar equipment installed within five metres of a property boundary in designated areas may require prior approval from the local planning authority.The government says the changes are intended to support the generation of clean, homegrown power and give households more choice over how solar technology is installed.Solar equipment that would not qualify under the new permitted development rules can still be installed under the existing rules until 26 August 2027.SOURCE:  https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/weekly-planning-news/planning-news-13-august-2026?utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9e7l7xon-taA7ne-Q3tgKkaGNQx76L8MNnLAzl4xsqFlfQhfMXMLmK_txFSc1Gy-3Eky04v1GW5YWMbdVAzpbMP8DHvw&_hsmi=144938243&utm_content=144938243&utm_source=hs_email#new-planning-rules-give-homeowners-more-flexibility-to-install-solar-panels

Rosco White ● 2d4 Comments ● 2h

FREE fitness for every woman in Acton (W3) - Sign up by Monday 6th September

Our FINAL TERM of Movement on the Mount starts this September, We bringing 100% FREE fitness classes for women to the heart of Acton!  Starts week of Monday, 14th September 2026Priority free places for NEW applicants! WEEKLY SCHEDULE:• Mondays @ 9:30am – Pelvic Floor Recovery & Holistic Core Restore• Tuesdays @ 10:30am – Older Adults Fitness• Tuesdays @ 7:30pm – High-Impact / Low - Impact Interval Training (HIIT)• Wednesdays @ 9:15am – High-Impact / Low - Impact Interval (HIIT)• Fridays @ 10:00am – Relax & Stretch for Carers• Saturdays @ 10:30am – Yoga for Beginners - NOW FULL BONUS: We’re hosting an October Fitness Funday - with classes running every 45 mins!  Vote for your preferred date right inside the application form! HOW TO APPLY:Block out the week of 14th Sept in your diary!Complete the application form & health questionnaire https://forms.gle/K7RhWom2mMEq4vBX8Choose your main class + a backup, and vote for a Fitness Funday!Application Deadline: Monday, 7th September 2026!https://forms.gle/K7RhWom2mMEq4vBX8Spaces are limited—claim your spot early!

Zahra Shah ● 2d0 Comments ● 2d

Semi- missing cats/ Collar removals

Can anyone help?We live in East Churchfield Road and have three cats - two black, and one black and white. They are a mother, and two of her children, one male and one female.They are all vaccinated, microchipped, and neutered.Over the summer all of them have been coming home to feed, but are quite clearly being fed somewhere else as well.They are all outdoor cats, and we would hate them not to be able to go out.Very reluctantly we put collars on them a couple of weeks ago with my number on to show they aren't strays. Yesterday and today both black cats came home without the collars, and it was pretty clear someone had taken them off.If anyone has taken in two friendly black cats in the last month or so plaease can you stop feeding them.Thanks

William Gray ● 5d0 Comments ● 5d

TK Maxx Opening

Walked past earlier today and it looks all set to go. People were getting confused by the array of goods and the shop full lit thinking it was still open. There was some talk from Oaks staff of an event for the great and the good of Acton this evening but I think there will be lots of interest on Thursday morning.

Mark Evans ● 11d1 Comments ● 7d

New pharmacy

Being kitted out opposite Morrisons. Does the High Street really need 3 pharmacies

Susan Kelly ● 8d2 Comments ● 8d

Third Acton Real Ale festival

Welcome to the third Acton Real Ale festival!In cooperation with our friends at Portobello Brewery, we have curated a selection of more than 20 cask ales from a wide range of independent, provincial breweries and microbreweries, with styles including mild, best bitter, porter, IPA, stout, real cider and much, much more! The good people at the Pint of Hops beer shop will be complementing these with a choice of international bottled beers.You will be able to vote for your favourite beer and we will be announcing the winner on Sunday evening. The top spot in our inaugural year went to Brentwood’s Marvellous Maple Mild and last year’s victor was Elgood’s Double Dog Mild. Can anything break mild’s winning streak this year?The full list of beers will be posted on our website before the festivities begin and on our Instagram @33ActonHighSt.Were that not enough, we have also arranged a panoply of entertainment, with comedy acts on Friday, live music on Saturday, and a charity raffle and table quiz on Sunday to raise funds for Stonewall Housing. Festival T-shirts and other must-have merchandise will be on sale, and there will also be a barbecue on all three days, with V/VG options available. Children and families are more than welcome until 7:00pm on all three days.Our core range of rotating cask ales, keg craft lager, cider and Guinness, along with three different alcohol-free beers, soft/hot drinks and bar snacks will of course also be on offer.We are very excited to announce that this Real Ale festival marks the beginning of a cooperation with the wonderful team at Vindinista, who will be supplying all of our wines, so if you prefer grape to grain, you are in for a treat. Please join us at the West London Trades Union Club between 12pm and 11pm next Friday, Saturday and Sunday (28-30th Aug). You will find us at 33-35 High Street, Acton, W3 6ND (look for the red door) on the Uxbridge Road. All are welcome and entry is free.PUBLIC TRANSPORT:From the West, buses SL8, 207, E3, 218, 266, 70, 440 stop at Acton Old Town Hall.From the East, buses SL8, 207, 70, 440, 218 stop at Acton Central station.Overground (Mildmay line): Acton Central is approximately a 6-minute walk away. Turn left out of the station and take the first left down Birkbeck Road to reach the main road; we are opposite and to the right.Tube (Piccadilly and District lines): Acton Town is a 15-minute walk away, or you can take the E3/70 bus from the station to Acton Old Town Hall; alternatively, get off at Turnham Green and take the E3 bus north.For accessibility assistance please see our website: https://wltuc.com/accessWe are looking forward to seeing you! If you have any queries, please email Emily at secretary@wltuc.com or drop in to the club one evening.

Patrick Green ● 14d3 Comments ● 9d

Please water newly planted street trees!

With the hot and sunny weather now with us, please can people remember to water any newly planted street trees if they have them nearby.Just a watering can of water poured down the little pipes that are put in next to the trees, once a week will help ensure their survival.It is such a shame when young and newly planted trees just die through lack of care.`Thanks

Mark Jarvis ● 105d10 Comments ● 10d

FREE fitness for woman in Acton (W3) - Movement on the Mount

We’re returning for our FINAL TERM of Movement on the Mount this September, bringing 100% FREE fitness classes for women to the heart of Acton! 🏋️‍♀️✨📅 Starts week of Monday, 14th September 2026🌟 Priority free places for NEW applicants!🗓️ WEEKLY SCHEDULE:• Mondays @ 9:30am – Pelvic Floor Recovery & Holistic Core Restore• Tuesdays @ 10:30am – Older Adults Fitness• Tuesdays @ 7:30pm – High-Impact / Low - Impact Interval Training (HIIT)• Wednesdays @ 9:15am – High-Impact / Low - Impact Interval (HIIT)• Fridays @ 10:00am – Relax & Stretch for Carers• Saturdays @ 10:30am – Yoga for Beginners🎉 BONUS: We’re hosting an October Fitness Funday! Vote for your preferred date right inside the application form!📲 HOW TO APPLY:1️⃣ Block out the week of 14th Sept in your diary!2️⃣ Complete the application form & health questionnaire 3️⃣ Choose your main class + a backup, and vote for a Fitness Funday!⏰ Application Deadline: Monday, 7th September 2026!Spaces are limited—claim your spot early! 👇https://forms.gle/W6zz2ua8DAHnqbR39 #MovementOnTheMount #ActonWomen #ActonFitness #ActonCommunity #WomensHealth

Zahra Shah ● 13d0 Comments ● 13d

Fridge removal

I live on 3rd floor of apartment block with a small lift and am looking to have my current American fridge removed and recycled and a new one brought up the back staircase.  It will take 2/3 people as I had it done about seven years ago.  I'm looking to have this done asap as my fridge is broken.  Pls call or text on 07904 631 038 if interested.  I'm in Acton W3

Danielle Fox ● 18d1 Comments ● 17d

If your Gardener uses a Leaf Blower, you might want to watch how effective they actually are.

Particularly if you're paying by time.Because they're not only very noisy but completely useless, IMHO.Of course, Ealing Council has hundreds of the bloody things with employees to match, idly moving carp from one location to another, where it sits in a lump, and then gets blown away by the next wind.        😁

Rosco White ● 26d4 Comments ● 18d

Tree Surgeon

I am looking for a tree surgeon to help with the Art Tree Trail in Acton Park. A.P.P.L.E. needs to take down some old, storm damaged pieces and install 1 new piece. If anyone knows of some one/ or a company that could help,  can they please get in touch. Thanks

Vicki Barker ● 38d2 Comments ● 19d

Shop recommendations for cooker hood accessories

Hi,Looking for a store which sells cooker hood metal grease filters. My manufacturer no longer sells my brand.Any recommendations?Thanks in advance.

Ana Strachan ● 53d4 Comments ● 21d

Tiled path

Hi AllI know this question was asked a while back, but I don’t remember seeing the outcome.But do you know of anyone whos willing and able to look after disintegrating tiled path ?Thanks in advance for any help.

Tessa Russell ● 26d0 Comments ● 26d

Abandoned cats near Churchfield Rd

Hi,My partner has also posted on the local community FB page, but we believe there is a family of 5 cats who have been abandoned outside their home just off Churchfield Rd for the last week.We have called the RSPCA but they were unable to commit to doing anything. We have checked with the local vet and are calling around rescue charities. I have also left a message with the Council as this is outside one of their supported housing properties but have not heard anything back.We fed the cats yesterday evening - they seemed as if they were starving when we did. We have also left some water for them.We really just want to see if anybody has a good contact to make sure these cats are looked after.

Michael Peacock ● 45d3 Comments ● 38d

LBE is a very high Rental/HMO Borough & increasing, is this the reason for Labour LBE's "attitude"?

Renters/Transients mostly don't really care about their locality so Labour controlled LBE takes full advantage of that.I also suspect that most Renters/Transients may vote Labour.If we still had the number of Owner Occupiers that LBE enjoyed decades ago things I am sure would be very different and better now, they certainly were under the Conservative run LBE.Sadly, I expect the decline will continue, particularly in Acton.

Rosco White ● 44d0 Comments ● 44d

New Burger Place on Churchfield Rd

If anyone has been to the market today you’ll spot that a burger joint called No Drama has taken the Poets Parakeet premises- from what I hear one of London’s best burgers.  A much needed addition to the area and will definitely put Acton on the cool/trendy map!

Lee Harding ● 78d5 Comments ● 45d

Lost your Glasses?

A pair of glasses found in Faraday Road, W3.If you think these are yours please let me know,

Jean F Fernandez ● 46d0 Comments ● 46d

FOXES !!!

Has anyone else had problems with foxes causing mayhem in their garden? We have various animal repellant gadgets around the garden but the problem has not gone away, in fact it has increased recently.We have heard that some residents around Allison Road, Faraday Road, Birkbeck Avenue and Brougham Road have been feeding foxes. If this is the case we just wish they would STOP!!! Feeding foxes attracts VERMIN!Today I saw 3 very young foxes running all over my garden followed by an adult fox!Does anyone have a solution to deter foxes please?

Jean F Fernandez ● 130d10 Comments ● 50d