Forum Topics

Derwentwater School Global Garden project - Needed!!

A lovely familly in Mill Hill Road donated lots of paving bricks for our garden path.  We now need some sand to lay them on.  If you have any left over bags of sand laying about and would like to donate them, please contact me.  Further paving bricks are also welcome.  The garden is really coming on nicely and we so far have removed some 200 orange bags of waste. we have started growing potatoes, beans, leeks, onions etc. Some of the ornamental beds have been replanted with large plants donated and the kids are very exited!  Our next big job is getting the old unsafe amphy theatre out and making the railway sleeper beds.  Anybody wanting to adopt a railway sleeper at £15 per sleeper, please contact me.  We need a couple of hundred, hence the fundraising!  

Ireen Esmann ● 5231d0 Comments ● 5231d

Sponsor my Race For Life event

HI Guys, I am doing a 5km run on 11th July for Race For Life, and I am looking for sponsors or those willing to donate to help find a cure for cancer. You can sponsor me online at the following website http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/marieknightley or you can sponsor me by text message by texting SGMX72 £(amount) to 70070 for example if you want to donate £5 you would text SGMX72 £5 to 70070Please sponsor or donate and together we will find a cure for cancer, Thankyou

Marie Knightley ● 5233d0 Comments ● 5233d

La Viande butchers re-opened

La Viande, the butchers which opened and closed on Churchfield Road has re-opened. There is a really nice Australian butcher in there, who seems to really know his stuff. I bought 2 very nice looking rib-eye steaks. he told me where the meat comes from and even what breed of cow they are. A nice selection of meat in there and next week he is going to start making his own sausages, several different varieties. Lets hope this one is more successfulthan the last one

Kevin Bell ● 5416d31 Comments ● 5233d

Acton Gazette

How many of us get this delivered regularly?  Area by Acton Main Line is meant to but have yet to see any after the first one. Both us and the newsagent fed up and no sensible answer from Trinity Mirror.

Jan Norman ● 5248d23 Comments ● 5233d

temporary cleaner

Does anyone have a cleaner who might be willing to do two/ three hours for me for the next three weeks or so? I have been rather ill and recuperation is taking longer than I anticipated. The house was cleaned two weeks ago while I was in hospital but could do with a quick once over and perhaps some ironing? Anyone with a suggestion could phone 078144647.Thanks in advance

Maire Lowe ● 5235d1 Comments ● 5233d

Where are all the little Robins and bBluetits gone?

I have been doing quite a bit of gardening recently and just realised that there does seem to be very few little birds around at present.Normally when I start digging along comes a Robin to help himself so some juicy worm - recently - nothing! Or Bluetits eating the nuts I put out for them.Is it just me or has anyone else noticed this happening?

Jean F Fernandez ● 5513d39 Comments ● 5234d

Risk of flooding in Poets Corner

I am interested in buying a basement flat in Alfred Road but am a bit concerned about the history of flooding in Acton with it being a basement flat.I'd be really grateful to know if anyone has had any problems with flooding in the area since the major floods of 2004 and as to whether the improvements that Thames Water made in 2007 have worked. Many thanks. Melissa

Melissa Dee ● 5259d8 Comments ● 5234d

L'Oriental

I know the CCA meet at the L'Oriental, so thought we would give it a go last night for the first time. Unfortunately, we were very disappointed with the food. The starters we had were lovely, but the main courses were a real let down - the Chicken Tagine was bland and lacking in the aromatic spices I expected, and the Shawarma, which had to be chicken, not lamb, was dried up, and not very nice at all. I also object to being charged for bread to go with the starters - we didn't ask for bread, it just appeared and we were charged extra for it.Sorry, but L'Oriental will not be on my list of great places to eat in Acton. Wish we had gone to Anokha instead. Better value for money and much nicer food.

Amanda Knights ● 5237d10 Comments ● 5234d

Free bicycle maintenance lessons

Ealing Bike Hub has a few places left for bike maintenance lessons on 2nd June at Greenford. The places are free for people living or working in the borough, simply quote NLDC when booking here:http://www.ealingbikehub.co.uk/?page_id=105June will be the last month for these free lessons.Learn how to fix a puncture, diagnose simple problems and generally feel happier around your bike.

David Eales ● 5235d0 Comments ● 5235d

Is there no big SkyRide London this year?

Generally it's in September - but I can find no mention of it.Has the combination of the Jubilee and the beastly Olympics killed it off?

Sara Nathan ● 5237d1 Comments ● 5235d

French conversation tuition wanted

Hi,A friend is looking for a native French speaker who is also fluent in English to help him improve his conversational French.  This person will ideally have a teaching qualification too.  Preferably in the W3 or W4 area. All suggestions/ideas welcome.Many thanks.

Jon Kennedy ● 5236d0 Comments ● 5236d

Colonial Drive Development/Gunnersbury Triangle Nature Reserve Planning Hearing, Weds 16 May, 7pm

If you oppose the proposed building of the eight-storey-high blocks of flats overlooking the Gunnersbury Triangle Nature Reserve at Colonial Drive, Chiswick, please come along to Ealing Council Planning meeting in the Council Chamber, Ealing Town Hall, tomrrow (Wednesday 16 May) starting at 7pm.You can still object to this development online at:http://www.pam.ealing.gov.uk/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlet?PKID=140951Alternatively, email: planning@ealing.gov.uk using the reference P/2012/0338, or email the chair of the meeting, Ray Wall - Ray.wall@ealing.gov.ukThe grounds for opposition (you can cut and paste):* It is inappropriate to the character of Acton Green and Chiswick* The skyline would be lost forever - it is too tall and too wide* 124 apartments add too much to the demand for local facilities* The Nature Reserve would lose peace and light * Wildlife and habitat would be affected by the 6- and 8-storey blocks* Reflected sunlight would parch the grassland and trees endangering fauna and flora* Light pollution at night would affect the habitat of bats and birds* Needs an environmental assessment of the impact on the Triangle* Development should be moved 15m away from the Triangle perimeter and planted with native species* The development should be no more than 6 stories high.For more info and to sign the online petition go to the Hands Off Our Triangle (HOOT) campaign website: http://handsoffourtriangle.wordpress.com/

Tom Forde ● 5237d0 Comments ● 5237d

Station Cafe Appreciation Thread

Someone made a disparaging comment about the Station Cafe in another thread.Ok, it's not the place to go for a gourmet experience, but it does decent cafe food, the guys who run it are good people, and they do great coffee at £1 a cup (contrast with Lavelli- marvellous cakes and bread, but shockingly bad coffee at £2 or so a cup)

Paul Grady ● 5240d11 Comments ● 5238d

Live marriage debate this Monday in Chiswick...

On Monday 30th April 2012 at Gunnersbury Baptist Church in Chiswick, there will be an exciting and relevant, free public debate on the subject of the Governments recent proposals to redefine marriage to incorporate same-sex couples.Two top-class speakers with differing opinions will discuss this very important topic.1) Adrian Trett is Chair of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) + Liberal Democrats since the Coalition Government was formed, and the author of the original motion on Equal Marriage in the UK for Liberal Democrat Conference in 2010. His campaigning group has been working with our Liberal Democrat Ministers, in particular Lynne Featherstone MP to enable this issue to be brought on to the Government's agenda, now with the public consultation and hopefully for legislation to be passed by 2015 to enable equal marriage in the UK.2) Rev. David Robertson is the Pastor of St. Peters Free Church in Dundee. He is the Author of 'The Dawkins Letters' and regular conference speaker and debater for the Evangelical Christian Church. There will be a chance, during this debate for questions from the audience.Doors will open at 7.00 pm for a 7.30 pm start. Entrance to this debate is absolutely free although early arrival is recommended.Watch out for the formal publicity - fliers and posters!I hope you will support this important event,Many thanks,Laurence TruettDebate Coordinator

Laurence Truett ● 5259d3 Comments ● 5238d

Ball/street hockey (children and adult beginners programme)

West London Ball Hockey Club presents this exiting new sport to the local community of Ealing.  "something different"  "Important:  We play with trainers not roller blades"We have just moved into this new facility  "Elthorne Sports Centre. Westlea Road, off Boston Road, Hanwell W7 2AD".This sport is hugely famous in Canada, Czech and Slovak. Our Values are; Respect, Sportsmanship, Considering others, Affordable, Family friendly, Fun.  These values resonate in our both, children's and adult beginners programmes.We are affiliated with UK Dek (Ball) hockey association. & International street/ball hockey association. "One of our Aim is to Celebrates multiculturalism by introducing children (boys/girls age 5-14 year) and adults (male/female) to this fast & active sport which is good for fitness and health.Our Children programme costs £16 per-child for the whole term(9weeks)or £3 per-session.  New term starts on the 21st of April 2012 from 09:45am - 10:45am, Saturday mornings. Equipment provided.  Coaching followed by a game. End of term prizes awarded.Our adult 14years+ beginners programme is for male & female.  It costs £5 per-person and £3 for students and unemployed.  We play every second Monday 08:00pm-9:30pm.  Equipment provided. Coaching followed by a game.To learn more about our aims, prizes for the children, and how do we ensure safe and fun environment for children and adults.Please contact: Nicky Rae on 07906 638 612 (for children's programme), OREmail: westlondonballhockeyclub@hotmail.co.uk for further details (you can also request e-brochure).Website:  www.londonballhockey.co.uk

Waseem Nayyer ● 5238d0 Comments ● 5238d

cobbold road / wendell park / sewers / murder / school!!!

Hi friends!I'm new to the forum...My husband and I (and two young kids) currently live in North London, but really want to move to W12/W3 for work reasons (and because we love the Acton/Sherpherd's Bush vibe).I'm sorry if this isn't what the forum is for, but...we've found a house we really like (on a street called Cobbold Rd, near Chiswick/acton/shepherd's bush boundaries) but have got 'spooked' by a few issues.  We were hoping that some of the members of this forum (locals who know the area better than us!) could help us to confirm/relieve our fears, before we take that scary step in making a offer (of bloody loads of our money!).  3 potential things we are worried about!!!1. The 'supersewer'.  Does anyone know much about this?  Apparently it's a new sewer system, which London needs, and is going to be bigger than the Channel Tunnel!  www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12427748.  And apparently the Thames Water have changed their mind recently to make the main receiving point of the tunnel right on the bloody end of Cobbold Road!  http://documents.scribd.com.s3.amazonaws.com/docs/9b6yhdzji81851ez.pdf?t=1320152601This obviously worries me - presumably it'll smell and cause disruption while being built? (Channel Tunnel did!).2. This one might not be so bad, and maybe i'm being a worried mother, but we read about a murder on Askew Rd last year, which is the road beside Cobbold Rd.  http://shepherds-bush.blogspot.co.uk/2010/06/murder-on-askew-road.html  People on this forum talking about crack dens and gang wars, and slightly worried for my kids - has it got better recently?3. Wendell Park School seems like a nice school, but I noticed exam results are getting worse and worse the last 4 years:http://www.education.gov.uk/cgi-bin/schools/performance/school.pl?urn=100340and it's now basically the worst primary school in Hammersmith & Fulham on the bbc league tables:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/education/school_tables/primary/11/html/eng_maths_205.stm?compare=Does anyone know why that is (e.g. is the headteacher changing?) and is it likely to get better?  We don't want to pay for private school for our kids, especially for primary school!Sorry, I hope I don't seem like a total worry, but making offers for houses makes me nervous!  Any comments on any of it would be much appreciated!S

scarlett banks ● 5291d7 Comments ● 5238d

HEALING TOMORROW

The Healing Centre at the London Buddhist Vihara, The Avenue, W4 1UD, will be open as usual on Monday, 14th May between 11am and 1pm anyone who would like to receive healing, or just an energy boost, is more than welcome.  Although the centre takes place in the Buddhist Temple the healing is NOT related to any religion, it is totally non-denominational everyone is welcome.No charge is made for healing however a donation is most welcome - all donations are given to the Vihara for the use of the hall.

Pat Smith ● 5239d2 Comments ● 5239d

Bombay Bistro

We went there last night and were all (5 of us) very impressed. Food was excellent - not a huge number of dishes (usually a good sign) and several things that I had not seen on an Indian menu before. I can't remember the exact names but a spicy chicken dish with red peppers really hit the mark, and another stuffed garlicky chicken dish was particularly popular. We didn't have a huge amount, and I would like to try some of the starters and cocktails sometime, but even so a main dish each plus rice, nans and vegetable dishes, plus a beer each for £15 each (inc service) seems pretty reasonable.Very friendly and informative people, and the chef came out to ask us whether we had enjoyed our meal (which we certainly had).We were the only people in there for most of the time (mid-evening Saturday) so I would urge people to give it a try. I would be interested to hear what other people think, especially W3's expert reviewers (hi Claire).

Martin Lovick ● 5974d45 Comments ● 5240d

West Acton Station

Anyone know what's happened at West Acton Station? Three fire engines, police cars and ambulances. Plus the station is closed.

Teresa Byrne ● 5240d1 Comments ● 5240d

Acton Central Station Coffee Shop

The little coffee shop in the station was open today when I walked past. Hope it doesn't dent Lavelli's trade - doesn't seem to be yet, big queue when I went in for my coffee.With Sainsburys opening too, and Nara, I hope it breathes a bit more life into Churchfield Road.

Andy Heeps ● 5243d23 Comments ● 5240d