Forum Topic

Anna Chancellor is not famous (is there anyone in Acton who is?)

Just a comment about a message from Ireen Esmann - I have never heard of Anna Chancellor and so to call her "famous" is bit silly really.And really, we're not likely to get much or any genuinely famous people to come and live in Acton (raise a family, etc) since Acton is not an aspirational destination to come to and also, when there are so many much nicer places to live in London and the UK.Why indeed would anyone "choose" to come to Acton?I see nothing but ordinariness, at best, but also plenty of squalor/dirt, no community to speak of, lots of indifferent and anti-social people and behaviour and lots of people who are creating their own sects and groups.It seems others on this forum are also living in the clouds.

Anthony Collins ● 5646d28 Comments

"...and lots of people who are creating their own sects and groups."Given your snooty attitudes towards the South Acton estate, surely you're one of them?

Robin Taylor ● 5646d

Why, because I reject the social situation & living environment that SAE residents people are forced to live in?People who can choose to live anywhere would not normally choose to live in the South Acton Estate.People are simply dumped there or forced to live there because they aren't able to afford to live in a private home or live elsewhere.Some of this is down to the people themselves, but not that its necessarily their fault.If you and others think South Acton estate is wonderful, why aren't you and others clamouring to create such buildings and neighbourhoods where you live now?Don't be an idiot and think about what you're writing before you do.

Anthony Collins ● 5646d

I'm not really fussed about which celebrities live here but to say that no-one would choose to live in Acton is bonkers.  I have lived in Acton for many years and enjoy living here and many of my wide circle of friends who live locally would agree with me.  Acton's not perfect but where is?  The original article which provoked your scorn mentioned that the actress felt that Acton was a friendly place where she could count on her neighbours.  As a resident of South Acton I would concur with this as I often pass the time of day chatting to the neighbours and am glad that I live somewhere that I feel comfortable.

Nigel Williams ● 5646d

This was your opening post on the other thread..."Knock on anyone's door for help? Really? Is she dreaming?If not, how long has she lived in Acton and how many doors has she knocked on? Has she knocked on those around the South Acton housing estate? Just wait a live a bit longer here Anna and then let us know if you'll be knocking on any more doors."The clear implication is that people on the South Acton estate may react in an anti-social manner to anyone who knocks on their door.No where did I say that the South Acton estate is "wonderful", but your attitude betrays a distasteful snobbery.

Robin Taylor ● 5646d

Well, if you would care to read what I actually wrote, you would see that I wrote that people would not choose to live in the South Acton Estate.I also said that genuinely famous people would not choose to live in Acton as Acton is not an aspirational place that people with money and choices choose to come to.

Anthony Collins ● 5646d

Its not snobbery, its self preservation.

Anthony Collins ● 5646d

Just because one person hasn't heard of her, doesn't make Anna chancellor not famous. There are loads of famous people I haven't heard of but that seems an egocentric definition. She's a well known and successful actress who seems to like living here which is great - and shows up to meetings on community concerns like the railway - so also great. Lots of reasons she and others, famous or not, choose to live here: good communications/transport, near the BBC, not as expensive as some parts (being famous doesn't always mean you are rich) some lovely houses, good community, lots going on.Dunno why the OP is so miserable about it really

Sara Nathan ● 5646d

"Its not snobbery, its self preservation."Self preservation?Good grief.Sounds like you've got a phobia.

Robin Taylor ● 5646d

We chose to live here well over 30 years ago and have been very happy in Acton. It is very central with good connections. Great for those who do not drive.Acton is as good a place as any to live and I am not surprised that actors and the like find this area convenient, after all we are not that far away from the BBC. Plus the fact that property prices are not as high as Chiswick and Ealing. Not everyone who is famous has pots of money! Acton is a very friendly place in which to live, treat people well and I am sure they will do likewise. Of course it can be difficult to get to know some neighbours because people come and go, especially in London.Some parts of South Acton Estate have been greatly improved, not like it used to be 10 or 12 years ago.

Jean F Fernandez ● 5646d

Anna Chancellor......my husband nearly fainted when he saw her in the chemist last year.  He adores her.  "Honestly" I said to him, "get a grip of yourself".  He also lusts after Emelia Fox, who also lives or lived in Acton recently.  Saw her coming out of The Rocket, he said.

Angela White ● 5646d

" I have never heard of Anna Chancellor and so to call her "famous" is bit silly really."Anthony,  you do make me laugh,  even if unintentionally! Have you not seen Four Weddings and a Funeral,  Tipping the Velvet and many others?  I certainly knew who she was as do others here.

Jen Morty ● 5645d

i know who old duckface is. I chose to live and buy in Acton. Im not poor or disadvantaged and i live on Bollo Bridge Road right next to the soon to be renamed Acton Gardens- or probably to you "that ghastly south acton estate". They are spending hundreds of millions refurbing the estate, its in progress now and is going to be a fantastic place to live. You sound very bitter Mr Collins, are you not then famous but wanted to be or did you yearn for Chiswick but got Acton?Your views are somewhat outdated as well. The previous government changed the law 5 yrs ago so they could evict anti-social tenants without needing to rehouse them as the law now considers them to have made themselves homeless. As a result previously problematic estates are almost unrecognisable. South Acton estate does still look pretty poorly but as i said the whole place is being completely refurbed.  Time for a rethink?

antony obrien ● 5644d

well said  pls  go  to oaktree community centre  main  hall on  sat 9th april to see the  master plan  for  south acton estate  re named  ACTON GARDENS  from 1 .6 pm

Jon Kennedy ● 5644d

She had a starring role in one of the most successful British films of all times, but Mr Collins is probably too much of a snob to admit having seen it!

Anne Brown ● 5643d

She was in the BBC Pride & Prejudice too. Can the forum's Mr Collins be related to the one in that?

Susan Kelly ● 5640d

Of course - Miss Bingley wasn't she? Great comic role.

Sara Nathan ● 5640d

Famous people would not choose to come and live in dirty dreary Acton. That's why Roger Daltery, Pete Townsend and Adam Faith moved out years ago.

David Wright ● 5640d

Apart from the High Street, Acton is neither dirty nor dreary.  I think the writer of this garbage should move to his spiritual home, Chiswick.

Anne Brown ● 5639d

I was sitting in the park this lunchtime thinking precisely that (well not the moving part but the not dreary or dirty part)A real mixture of people and occupations all rubbing along perfectly well and enjoying the sun, spring and the facilities: play area, art house and cafe all buzzing. Very nice.

Sara Nathan ● 5639d

fancy gauging a place as to whether famous people choose to live there! extraordinary.The originial poster seems to have gone very quiet. happy to make critical remarks but not happy or able to back them up.

antony obrien ● 5638d

I refuse to the respond the the originasl poster as I have no idea who he is. I only converse with famous folk, dontcha know.

Paul Grady ● 5638d

Eric Ravilious was born in Acton, anyone know where?

Libby Kemp ● 5636d

is he more famous then Anna Chancellor?Err...who he?

Sara Nathan ● 5636d

A wonderful artist/designer. He was born in Acton. Died very young. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Ravilious

Clare Gittins ● 5636d

Thanks.Does he attain the Anthony Collins critera for fame?

Sara Nathan ● 5636d

Anthony is a major collector of his work.

Colin Carroll ● 5636d

Maybe Anthony knows which house he was born/lived in?

Libby Kemp ● 5635d

Eric Ravilious was born in Churchfield Road in 1903, (no.90?). His father owned several shops, but when his drapers shop failed, they moved to Eastbourne, where Eric grew up. There were several shops over the years bearing the Ravilious name, including one which was still trading in the early 1980s, on the corner of Church Road and Acton High Street - now a bookies! He was a War Artist, and was killed in 1942.He also lived in Weltje Road, Hammersmith, where there is a 'Blue Plaque', I believe.Was actually looking at some of his work at the weekend at an exhibition in Norwich Castle!

Amanda Knights ● 5632d