Forum Topics

MindFood - all our nature-based courses are FREE!

Happy New Year from everyone at MindFood! For anyone who doesn’t know us yet, we are a small local charity (reg. no 1185639) running nature-based courses that help people to tackle stress, depression, anxiety and isolation. All our sessions are FREE, run 6 days a week, and we can sign you up right away...so why wait to feel better : )Our Growing Wellbeing courses are a fun and informal way to reconnect with nature, learn how to grow food, and pick up tips and techniques to improve wellbeing, like mindfulness. Participants can take home veg they’ve helped to grow, and can even join a free trip to Kew at the end. Here are the upcoming dates:Wed 22nd Jan 10.30-12.30 at Cleveley Crescent AllotmentsFriday 24th Jan 1-3.30pm at Cleveley Crescent Allotments (W5 1DZ)Tues 25th Feb at Horsenden Farm (UB6 7PB)We’ve chosen to run the Cleveley Crescent courses at around the same time to allow participants to swap into another session in the same week if they can’t make their usual one. This makes it easier to complete the whole programme - so these sessions are ideal for anyone juggling tricky work or care commitments. It’s even possible to join in week 2 if timing’s are tight.We also run Naturally Creative sessions at Horsenden on Thursdays 10-12, which combine mindful nature-based activities eg a walk or a forage (or both!) and an opportunity to develop your creative side with sketching, making collages, willow-weaving, and more...Every Saturday, we have Plot to Plate sessions at the Farm from 10-12 - they’re the ideal way to de-stress after a busy week, and a great way to meet more of your community.And finally, look out for details of our Seed Swap event in February - you’re sure to pick up a bargain, and some unusual finds. Follow us on facebook, or sign up for our monthly newsletter to stay up to date with our latest news.To sign up or find out more, just email Lucy at info@mindfood.org.uk

Lucy Clark ● 2475d0 Comments ● 2475d

Community facilities on South Acton Estate

Some stories have appeared in the Guardian recently about community provision for young and old on the South Acton Estate/Acton Gardens. One story reports the loss of one facility while another features complains about the presence of another. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/dec/24/outcry-residents-london-bollo-brook-youth-centre-gentrification-coffee-shophttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/dec/31/loss-working-mens-club-disaster-west-london-estate-south-actonhttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/mar/17/struggle-space-young-londoners-violence

Peter Evans ● 2490d19 Comments ● 2475d

Health & Fitness Event at Acton market. Saturday 18th January

FREE smoothies and a range of health and fitness stalls,activities including:-Elevate Arts: Live performances of street dancing!-Digme Fitness: Spin bikes competition!-9round Boxing: Boxing tutorial!-Future Health Management: professional health advice!As well as the usual range of street food, clothing and general stalls.This Saturday 18th January at Acton Market (outside Morrisons). EVERYONE WELCOME more info call: 07379164180

Abdi Ali ● 2475d0 Comments ● 2475d

Closing the ticket office almost completely at Acton Central

Front page story that the ticket office will only be open Monday - Friday, 0730 - 1000 is really troubling.It's just another way of reducing the people staffing the station. It certainly won't help passengers. Especially as the machines seem to be - at best - temperamental.And as TfL can't even make the upcoming trains board work after over a month, if there is no-one to ask, it's quite hard to know what is going on.Anyone else annoyed?Maybe we should say so.At least the timetable was amended this time after huge protests from lov=cal residents, our MP and the like. But for every forward step, there seems to be one back.

Sara Nathan ● 2480d7 Comments ● 2475d

Recycling collection

After our black rubbish was completely missed last week, yesterday our blue recycling wheelie bin wasn't emptied.I have reported it (Goldsmith Avenue - looks like the whole road was missed).Grrrrr.

Clare Gittins ● 2516d21 Comments ● 2476d

TFL buses along the westbound A40

Some time ago I complained that the westbound 95 bus did not stop at the Friary Road stop currently only serviced by the 260, and that roadworks had closed both the westbound Gypsy Corner and Allan Way stops. A temporary bus stop appeared immediately before the main Gypsy Corner traffic lights. The temporary stop has now been removed, so I complained again. I have just received an email to inform me that the 95 westbound will stop at Friary Road from Monday. My other complaints have again been forwarded to TFL.

Christopher Bell ● 2477d0 Comments ● 2477d

Discover Me! Open Day today at Oaktree Acton

Your friendly local church, Oaktree, are putting on a number of events which might be of interest to people in the community on the theme of “Discover Me!” There will be an open day TODAY Saturday 11th January from 11am to 4pm at the Oaktree Centre at 216, High Street, Acton W3 9NX when people can come along and find out more / sign up – everyone very welcome!The groups will be running from the end of the month for 9/10 weeks and are as follows:West London Wellbeing CourseThis is a fun 9 week course covering themes such as move eat sleep relax - actions that can increase our health and happiness. There'll be a mix of video, individual and small group chat, and lots of fun.Sign up up on Eventbrite: bit.ly/38Poo03  The Enneagram HubWe will look at the 9 personality types, not for teaching an intellectual understanding, but for transformation and growth as a community, experiencing the Enneagram together.The Parenting Children CourseFamily life is under great pressure today and parents face bewildering choices about how to parent effectively. Discovering we are not alone in the challenges we face and picking up ideas from other parents can make a huge difference. We can all learn how to make even the happiest family better. The Parenting Children Course and The Parenting Teenagers Course were developed to equip parents and carers of children with long-term strategies and practical tools to build a healthy family life. Here is an introductory video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BY8thZ_W2gYThe Marriage CourseA seven-session course designed to help couples invest in their relationship and build a stronger marriage. There is food, a practical talk, and a time for private discussion between you and your partner. There is no group work. It will help you build strong foundations, communicate more effectively and resolve any differences well. Here is a video flyer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qba2wYpXgUs&feat…Finding God in PoetryPoetry allows one to see into the soul of another person, to see what is weighing on their minds and on their hearts, and can open doors to feelings that are sometimes suppressed until that door is opened" (Robert Brewer)This group is an invitation to reflect on these deepest thoughts and feelings, and to learn more about God and His relationship with us. No prior knowledge of poetry is required. Just a willingness to slow down, reflect and explore! Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/finding-god-in-poetry-tickets-87530340605The Bible CourseThis is a Bible Society course that uses a storyline to show how the key events, books and characters fit in the Bible. You get to see how the Bible applies to your life.If anyone is interested but can’t get to the open day today, feel free to PM me via the site.

Prabal Ray ● 2480d1 Comments ● 2480d

Free healing on Monday 13th January

Free healing on Monday 13th JanuaryThe monthly healing centre at the London Buddhist Vihara, The Avenue, Chiswick, will be open on Monday 13th January from 10.30am and 12.30pm. Healing helps any condition, from stress right through to physical illness. There is no charge made for the healing (all the healers are working on a voluntary basis), although a donation would be welcome and will be given to the Vihara.

Chris Edwards ● 2480d0 Comments ● 2480d

Keys found

I have found a big bunch of keys on our front wall on Goldsmith Road. There is a metal key ring with the words World Pepe Service. There is another quite distinctive key ring on the set of keys. Let me know if you think they are yours.

Alex Watson ● 2480d0 Comments ● 2480d

Fed and Watered

Has it opened? if not when?

Libby Kemp ● 2558d33 Comments ● 2481d

Piano tuner recommendation please

HiCan anyone recommend a piano tuner please and an idea of how much they charge. Thank you.

Yasmeen Alzubaydi ● 2482d2 Comments ● 2481d

Book Club/ Reading group

Hi, I was wondering if there is an Acton Book club  or reading group with space for a new member that meets once every two months say, (Monthly would be too demanding for me as I do lots of reading already for work). I am planning my diary for next year! Thank you all

Ros Guthrie ● 2494d5 Comments ● 2481d

Rubbish collection this weekend

News from council"Blue and black bin collections that have been missed are being cleared by Ealing Council's contractor over the weekend (Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 January).The council's contractor is working over the weekend to ensure that any missed collections of rubbish and recycling across the borough are resolved. Extra staff have been laid on to deal with missed collections and we are aiming for this to be resolved by Monday 13 January, when your usual collections resume following the amended Christmas schedule. Residents are asked to keep bins out this weekend in order for them to be collected. We apologise for any inconvenience. "

Paul Webster ● 2481d0 Comments ● 2481d

No rubbish collection yesterday delayed again

We were told that collection day was yesterday,didn't happenPhone the council will be tomorrow now Short of workers and lorry breakdown was told couldn't happen worse  time after Xmas.

Jon morris ● 2482d2 Comments ● 2481d

Post Office - why not in The New Oaks

Any views?

Roy Thomas ● 2485d7 Comments ● 2483d

Turtles Don't Like Plastic  Play

https://www.actorscentre.co.uk/theatre/turtles-dont-like-plastic?fbclid=IwAR3P2LUGazSPOfwUu6b_-CV2FengxBHn2diK8vrNfVSkggiQfkJNl7XsXFIThe above link leads you to details of a wonderful interactive environmentally conscious play that I took my children to at the end of 2019 in the Aeronaut. This time, the production company is rerunning it again in WC2.  It really is fabulous and my children loved it.  Type in the code "Plastic" for a discount of £2.  Tickets will cost you £6 instead of £8.00 if you do this.

Eileen Francis ● 2483d0 Comments ● 2483d

Crossrail

2022? And when we get towards the end of 2021 will they announce yet another two year delay? I know this is a huge and complex project but it doesn’t inspire confidence to announce a delay at regular intervals every six months or so. Better to give themselves a realistic target and hit it.

Clare Gittins ● 2483d2 Comments ● 2483d

Slide Ealing Minibus pickup/drop off for borough of Ealing

How come this much trumpeted 'pick up and drop off' very useful service, advertised as 'Slide Ealing' and for the 'Borough of Ealing' in the current issue of 'Around Ealing'   does NOT cover ACTON !

Bob Crossley ● 2517d4 Comments ● 2484d

Dead fox

I found a dead fox in my garden yesterday, it had been kipping in our shed on and off over the last few weeks.  It had no mark on it.  Of course foxes do die of natural  causes but several people have already mentioned another dead fox on the vale.I just wanted to put this out in case it was part of a pattern and these deaths are more sinister.

Christina Meiklejohn ● 2489d5 Comments ● 2484d

Pollution from Heathrow planes is reaching Central London, study shows

And "They" want to expand it?!!!   SOURCE: Evening Standard   https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/pollution-from-heathrow-planes-is-reaching-central-london-study-shows-a4325546.htmlPollution from planes using Heathrow airport has been detected in central London, researchers revealed today.A breakthrough study by King’s College London is the first to find that airports are a major source of ultra-fine particles that are harmful to health.Results from air quality monitoring stations in north Kensington and in Marylebone Road — about 14 miles from the airport — were used to estimate levels of the particles in the air.These were greatest when blown in from the airport on a westerly wind.Ultra-fine particles are produced by fuel burning and are a subset of PM2.5 particles that are most commonly emitted from traffic brakes and tyres.The smaller the particle, the deeper they can penetrate into the lungs. Ultra-fine particles have been linked to brain cancer.The King’s study, in Environment International, measured emissions from four European airports — the others were Barcelona, Zurich and Helsinki — between 2007-17.Heathrow was chosen instead of other airports serving London due to its proximity to the detectors used by the London Air Quality Network.It had the highest concentration of ultra-fine particles compared with the three continental airports.Traffic emissions remain the biggest source of ultra-fine particles. At airports, they occur when planes are taxiing into position, flying low and especially when taking off.While there are EU restrictions on PM2.5 vehicle emissions, the same controls do not exist for aircraft.Dr Ioar Rivas, author of the study, said: “We expected traffic emissions to be an important source of ultra-fine particles in cities but we now know that airport emissions, even if located at the outskirts of the city, can travel far enough and reach population in urban areas.”Researchers said PM pollution sources needed to be “disentangled” to create policies to cut emissions. The study will now assess the impact of particles on hospital admissions and mortality. Dr Gary Fuller, senior lecturer in air pollution measurement at King’s, said: “Cities around Europe have policies to reduce airborne particles from traffic…but aircraft emissions are not being addressed in the same way.”

Rosco White ● 2485d0 Comments ● 2485d