Forum Topics

Trying to locate someone from Acton Ont.

I'm a fellow Canadian living in the States. My parents are both from Acton Ont. My mother was Patricia Smethurst when she was growing up in Acton and my father James Wahlman. My father used to hang out at the local pub-Station Hotel a lot. I don't know if any of his family or friends still live in Acton? I haven't seen him since I was 4 and I am now almost 50. He likely is passed on or gone far away. If there are any descendants/friends or family of either his or my mother's willing to correspond I would welcome it. I am researching my ancestry and trying to find out what my grandparents and great grandparents names were etc.. on both sides. Thanks in advance. Kim

Kim Wahlman ● 5197d20 Comments ● 5172d

Si Chuan restaurant - any good?

In the mood for spices and not tried this, but Hungryhouse reviews not the best.

Colin Murphy ● 6317d22 Comments ● 5172d

Cats and Dogs SHOCK HORROR

Heard this on LBC this morning and, have now found it on line.  Could this lead to criminals, cat and dog napping of your beloved pet.Screw the EU and the government for allowing the content of the following article, if it should come into force.  Please contact you MP and, lodge your objections to the BILL.BUAV raises concerns about the of use stray cats and dogs in experiments30/05/2012The BUAV is alarmed by the Government’s proposal to end the current protection granted to stray domestic animals, such as cats and dogs, when it integrates the new EU Directive on animal experiments into UK legislation. By introducing such an exemption that would allow stray domestic animals to be used in experiments “where scientifically justified and for human/animal health or environmental reasons,” the Government could be opening the doors to the use of stray or abandoned pet cats and dogs ending up in UK laboratories. Not only would there be large public opposition and outrage, this practice also contradicts the Government’s previous claims that British legislation will not be weakened. In the past, the BUAV has campaigned extensively against the use of unwanted and abandoned cats and dogs being supplied to laboratories by unscrupulous dealers; a practice that was common decades ago. The European Union, including the UK, has agreed a new Directive to standardise the regulations on experiments across Europe. This will now be “transposed” into national law. Countries with existing restrictions are allowed to maintain them if they wish. Every animal protection group and even many researchers urged the Government to maintain the ban on using stray and feral domestic species, but it proposes to waive its right to do so and to accept the new, vaguer, standard. The Government proposes to slip this change, and many others, through the Commons by using an ad hoc committee, with no debate the floor of the House. Most MPs would then have no chance to oppose it. The BUAV is working hard to prevent this. We have obtained a meeting with the Home Office to press our objections and are calling for MPs to insist on a full debate on the whole transposition of the EU proposals. Please write to your MP asking for support for this to help stop this appalling proposal in its tracks.

Nicola Howard ● 5203d8 Comments ● 5172d

Tom Tom advice

My old Tomtom Satnav exploded recently - well perhaps that's an exaggeration: it got very very hot at the point where it connected to the charger and then wouldn't work any more. We want to buy a new one and we need it to cover France as well. Does anyone have any recommendations - or models best avoided?

Clare Gittins ● 5182d38 Comments ● 5172d

Looking for a local artists studio space/empty building

My boyfriend has just graduated from the Royal College of Art and is looking (with a couple of other West London based artist friends) to start up a new studio. He would love to know if anyone has or is aware of any empty local buildings that would be suitable for this purpose. Any suggestions welcome! Thank you.

Jennifer Monaghan ● 5176d5 Comments ● 5172d

Burglaries over last week......

Four houses burgled in Saxon Drive, West Acton, reported to the police over the weekend so please be vigilant.Suspects entered overnight and locks may have been forced to gain entry.We woke up on Friday morning to find our 'secure' back gate, wide open and our shed door had been opened....nothing taken (that we can see) thankfully but this could have been due to 2 very alert and noisy dogs that we have......The police have done leafleting to all houses this morning.Please be aware.....

Ellie Rose ● 5182d17 Comments ● 5174d

church rd  pavements.cycle lane  blocked

hi  we take  disabled adults  out  on  a sat morning  was  going  to  the  high rd  via  church rd the  pavement  and  cycle lane were blocked  by people  selling stuff in  tents outside the hall used as  a prayer hall they were spread all along    to  the  health  centre cant  get  pass  had  to go  to the  middle of  the  road also the  are useing  the  micheal  flanders  centre  as well  car park and  setting  up other  stuff what a mess at  least  ten  tents  plus  the  cars  van  parking  on  the  double  yellow lines and  the  green opp the  flats  they  cant  take  over the  pavements  and  cycle  lanes surely

Jon Kennedy ● 5177d8 Comments ● 5174d

National Garden Scheme

I just wanted to say a big thank you to the three households in Mill Hill Road who opened their gardens to the public yesterday as part of the National Garden Scheme open day. The gardens were amazing, inspiring, and beautiful, I had to pinch myself that I was in Acton! I live in Avenue Road and our gardens are adajacent to those of Mill Hill Road, the gardens of both roads are very long and they must be a wildlife haven, as good as any nature reserve! I'm glad I live here!    

Gareth Sinclair ● 5175d1 Comments ● 5174d

Looking for people who knew my family [1926-1955]

I am hoping to connect with folks who may have known my family during the time we lived at #40 Noel Road [see above].8 years after we left Noel Road, we came to Canada.Names of my family are:William John Golley 1888-1939 - my grandfatherGwendoline Golley - nee Ball 1891 -1953 - my grandmotherWilliam Raymond Rowledge 1919-2011 - my fatherGwendoline Clara Rowledge - nee Golley 1921-2002 - my motherColin Rowledge 1944- myself.Thank you for your interest.Colin Rowledge

COLIN ROWLEDGE ● 5181d7 Comments ● 5175d

Google Maps Query.......

Can anyone help me please? I need to measure distance 'as the crow flies' betweed two points on the map. Does anyone know how to do this using Google maps or Google earth. I can do 'directions', walking, by car etc but cannot spot how to do as the crow flies........Many thanks, Iain

Iain Muir ● 5176d4 Comments ● 5175d

Horn Lane PM10 Pollution Highest today in London - 6 out of 10 :-

PM10 Particulate 6 These are the air pollution index values recorded on Thursday 12 July 2012, 12:00 - 13:00 - BSThttp://www.ealingair.org.uk/AirQuality/LatestReadings.aspx

Rosco White ● 5179d3 Comments ● 5175d

EMERGENCY PLUMBER

Does anyone know good local plumber?  Just got up to major leak from boiler pump.  If you are a plumber, it's a megaflow system.  ThanksFrances Ridgway

Frances Ridgway ● 5176d3 Comments ● 5175d

London to get dressed for 2012 Games

So will Acton be a 'key area' and be decorated?London to get dressed for 2012 Games31 MAY 2011Every corner of the capital will be able to bring to life the excitement and celebration of the 2012 Games by dressing up its high streets, squares and public spaces in the official colours and branding of London 2012.The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson has announced today that he is giving each London borough £50,000 to decorate their key areas with flags, banners and bunting  enabling them to spread the ‘look and feel’ of London 2012 across the capital.      Boroughs will be encouraged to submit their own proposals for how their area might look, giving them the flexibility to decide how the iconic designs will be used to best display hidden aspects of London, highlight public spaces and enhance the fabric of the city.In the first glimpse of how the capital might look and feel during next summer of 2012, graphics have been issued illustrating the range of materials boroughs can purchase. This is the first part of a major programme that will also see London’s iconic landmarks and popular tourist venues spectacularly dressed to welcome the world to London in 2012. A final “Look Book”, a catalogue of finished designs and all materials the boroughs will be able to purchase, will be released this summer.The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “The games are a unique opportunity for London to secure its position for another generation as the best big city in the world.“We all have a duty to make the most of this opportunity and I’m determined to ensure every part of the capital gets to benefit and enjoy the games.“This fund will help us put on the best show and showcase ourselves to the world - wherever we are.” Seb Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games said: "Next year will be an incredible year for London and the rest of the UK as the nation comes together to celebrate the Games.“We share the Mayors excitement and vision for one look, ensuring every resident and visitor is able feel part of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.“We look forward to working together with the London Boroughs to make this the greatest show on earth.”NOTES TO EDITORS1.  Up to £50,000 funding will be provided for each borough to purchase official items from the LOCOG Look Book, which will be published later this year. Any surplus funding can alternatively be used to purchase artistic content from the London Outdoor Arts Festival.2. London Boroughs must identify areas to dress, and consult with GLA and LOCOG by the end of July 2011 and confirm their plans by the end of September 2011. The GLA and LOCOG will then approve borough plans by the end of November and all orders from the Look Book must be received by the end of the year.3. Graphics of how London may look during the summer of 2012 are available from the press office on request

Dee Cook ● 5586d8 Comments ● 5177d

state of the roads

Driving around on some errands today, I was appalled at the state of some of the roads.  I think we should start a name & shame list to encourage the council to fix some of the worst problems.Twyford Avenue - very uneven road surface due to patchy repairsAbbey Road - incredibly uneven road surface, with big dips from HGVsBut the WORST offender is the intersection of Gunnersbury Ave/Gunnersbury Lane.  The potholes in that intersection are big enough to suck in a small child (should it be in the road).  Very dangerous!Any other nominations?Kim

Kim Bobsin ● 5180d13 Comments ● 5177d

Has the Redback closed down?

Twitter suggests it has.I wonder if it's a case of the last Aussie in Acton turning out the lights.I can't recall what it was before but do wonder what it will be next.Better look out for the lap-dancing club application.

Sara Nathan ● 5334d60 Comments ● 5177d

Charing Cross, Ealing and Hammersmith hospitals to cease operating

Further to go for emergency treatment.  These closures would mean being taken to a hospital where they don't know your medical history.  The patient would have to spend time explaining symptoms and medication, probably to some F1 (junior doctor,) who would have to get a second opinion and still would be clueless.  If say a patient under Charing Cross is taken to CXH, the doctors can access records.  If they are taken to Chelsea and Westminster, it is time wasted.  Also the extra journey times could be fatal, let alone the cost of getting home after treatment.  Pensioners just cannot afford the financial costs involved, (around £20 from C&W to Acton.)Why do I feel that we are being subjected to a death sentence by the closure of A&Es.  Let's hope that the consultation is a resounding NO to the closures.  Why should a bunch of bureaucrats decide our health in an emergency and/or, who may live or die?  We have an ageing population in the area and, health issues go with the territory, so is it too much to be treated where one is known?If the NHS needs to save money, get rid of the FAT CATS who just sit in an office, wasting money and, who are not worth their salary's.  Of course, the government could add a penny or two on income tax, or put the price of fags up again.If at a walk-in A&E, if the waiting time is three or four hours, how much longer would a person have to wait, with the extra volume of people wanting to be seen.....six hours plus?

Nicola Howard ● 5197d75 Comments ● 5177d

Single bed

Single bed, divan type with storage drawers below to give away. It's not new, but not worn-out either. If anyone would like to take it away please make contact otherwise it will have to go to the tip.

Glenda Simpson ● 5178d1 Comments ● 5177d

free legal advice in Ealing

Ealing council has just awarded a contract to provide free legal advice to London borough of Ealing residents to a company in Kensington and Chelsea. What do they know about demand here in Ealing, considering they are sharing their area with 3 other free providers and their office is only open 3x a week for half day advice sessions.And what about Ealing Equality Council at the Lido centre? They've been doing it, full time, for over 30 years and have recently started well attended outreach clinics all over the borough. And they cover all areas not just debt, benefits and housing.Considering the support Ealing Equality Council has from local councillors, barristers, QCs, senior figures in local politics and a long standing relationship with the University of West London, it's a bit odd.Thousands have received legal advice and help, why go elsewhere?

Barbara Karayi ● 5177d0 Comments ● 5177d

accident and emergncy services

I carnt  belive  they  want to  divert  services  to chelsea and westminster  or   west  mid could   you let me know  how how  to get  there   with out a car asealing hospital is served  very well by  buses  there is no  direct bus route  to west mid  and deff none to chelsea and  westmister  i think they dont want  us mortals going to accident and emergency   no more  do   they  i pity  they  old and infirm

Carol Corbett ● 5179d1 Comments ● 5178d

A Jumbo up your street?

BA launched a new Olympics-themed advert yesterday which is quite clever. BUT the REALLY clever bit is you can put in any UK postcode and "thanks to CGI and Google Maps", the advert will include the plane taxiing up your road! See:    http://taxi.ba.com/ Note from PH: actually it's about 95% BA ad and 5% your street (seen through one of the windows), but still very clever and pretty cool!Enjoy!

Paul Higham ● 5178d2 Comments ● 5178d