Forum Topics

Date for your diary  - 13th December

The annual carol service organised by The Isleworth Society is taking place this year on Tuesday 13th December in Lower Square - mulled wine, mince pies and music provided by the Salvation Army  - kick off at 7.30.p.m. Everyone welcome to join in the festive sing-along.

Vanessa Smith ● 3568d2 Comments ● 3562d

Oh! You are a wag.

Have to say that a comment in Cllr. Lambert's blog has provided much amusement to quite few people to whom I sent it, even though I did ask them to refrain from laughing:"In the evening, a Labour Party meeting, where I chair the campaign committee. Lively as ever, with the debate largely being about whether to simply ask for people’s views, or to present ideas and ask for their reactions. Either way, we all agree that a big priority is listening, both about local and national issues."Why break the habits of a lifetime?

Vanessa Smith ● 3563d1 Comments ● 3562d

Christmas tree recycling

Having just bought my Christmas tree from the nice man in the Beehive carpark (who by the way I recommend), my thoughts turn to how I will recycle it in January?  I do not pay for garden waste collection and I assume there is no mass collection like in previous years, so ... what to do?

Reg Ghosh ● 3565d9 Comments ● 3564d

Revenue and Benefit - consultation on service withdrawal

I received this email this morning ... wonder if this is also set up to divert the replies into the spam box, as my neighbour was told his comments about a local CPZ had gone?"The Revenue and Benefit services in Feltham, Brentford and Isleworth is closing.With the closure, we want to know how we can support you in accessing these services in the future.In 2015 the Council started an online service for residents to manage their Council Tax and housing benefit online.  This took away the need for customers to travel to one of our offices, to pick up a phone or fill in paper forms.  The new service has worked really well with over 7000 people accessing their account online each month.With the online service making it easier for customers to manage their accounts, the council has decided to end the face to face revenue and benefit service from its local housing offices in Feltham, Brentford and Isleworth.Instead, an improved online service is being made available, with a more dedicated face-to-face service provided on an appointments-only basis at the Civic Centre in Hounslow. This means less waiting for customers.While the decision has been made, we are very keen to support residents with this change and to understand how they currently use the benefits service at their local office before we move over to the new system.As part of the change we are also putting in safeguards to ensure our vulnerable customers or those of you without internet access receive support to access our online services.  On Monday 5 December we launched an online questionnaire which will be open until 27 January 2017.We hope you take a few minutes and complete consultation survey to give us the opportunity of providing a service that best suits you in the future. If you would like more information, please visit our website at Revenue and Benefit Service changes.The face to face service for revenue and benefit enquiries will end in Isleworth (Langdale) on Friday 10 February, at Brentford on Friday 3 March and at Feltham on Friday 24 March 2017.Forward this email"

Sarah Felstead ● 3570d5 Comments ● 3565d

ENERGY BOOST ON MONDAY

Many apologies for not being there last month, this is the first time in all the years we have been doing the Healing Centre that we have had to cancel - hopefully it will be the last!Energy Therapists will be at the London Buddhist Vihara, The Avenue, W4 1UD on Monday, 12th December between  11am and 1pm (last session 12.45).  The session takes about 15-20 minutes and I am sure that you will feel really good at the end of that time, with lots of vital energy to enable you to enjoy the rest of your week and cope with Christmas!  A number of therapists come in each month and give their services free.  The Vihara kindly allow us to use the hall at no charge so a donation is most welcome as this enables us to give all donations to the Vihara for the use of the hall..These sessions are not related to any religion, everyone is welcome.

Pat Smith ● 3565d0 Comments ● 3565d

Garden waste

Stuck behind the garden waste truck this morning. Which is so big it got stuck repeatedly.Quite frankly one wonders just how much this must now be costing.  3 streets, 7 bags collected. Twelve mins including delays.One operative deployed with a list, one driver, 2 collectors. One huge truck using diesel.This lot could have been collected by my VW Passat.And this in the height of the leaf fall.We now hear reports of a huge shortage of compostable waste for the companies who recycle garden waste into high quality soil enhancers. So much so that it's having to be imported.So quite how this is covering costs now when it was once cost covering and profitable all round is failing me.

Raymond Havelock ● 3589d6 Comments ● 3566d

Consultation regarding Linkfield Road

There is a consultation starting regarding whether or not to make Linkfield Road one way and which way that should run, or close it altogether. One way working may make some sense given the parking situation there, closure? Really? I can't believe that would even be considered.

Vanessa Smith ● 3570d7 Comments ● 3567d

Power Cut

Most of Ivybridge has been without electric since just after 3pm

Simon Anderson ● 3572d5 Comments ● 3570d

Trico Reunion

The reunion for Trico- Folberth will be held on Dec 9th from 2000 at The Inverness Lodge, Boston Manor Road Brentford.All who have worked there, or knew someone, anyone with a connection are welcome.Once again this years event is organised  by Roy Green.

David Squire ● 3602d1 Comments ● 3570d

Tumble Dryers that catch fire - why cleaning the filter isn't the only answer

This is still a problem.  That tower block fire in Shepherds Bush was apparently caused by a tumble dryer.It worries me that there will also be elderly and disabled people looked after by carers - who rush in and out - where more help is needed to make sure that the tumble dryer is safe.There is more info on the faulty dryers here:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-38184834

Philippa Bond ● 3570d0 Comments ● 3570d

Footpath from Brentford Station to Windmill Road

I wonder if any readers of this forum make use of the short, but very useful, length of footpath which runs east-west along a line south of the railway and north of Sidney Gardens. I would welcome any observations on the state of this footpath. When I raised this issue with councillors in Syon Ward I received a very prompt and helpful reply and the matter is being actively pursued by them.Over many years the state of the footpath has deteriorated. The problems were apparent long before work started on the new housing development at Gibson's Yard. The surface of the footpath is uneven, the steps at the Windmill Road end are poorly maintained, and the route is usually choked with litter. I am told that the path is a popular spot for drug dealing. A particular concern is the poor lighting and when I walked the route on Monday evening there was no lighting at all. In other words this is a dangerous and threatening footpath to use.The responsibility for the maintenance of this path is unclear but it does not lie with LB Hounslow. Likely candidates are Transport of London and Network Rail with the latter being the current odds-on favourite for failing to fulfil its responsibilities.A related concern is the poor state of the southern forecourt at Brentford Station. It is often badly littered, the steep grass verges are not maintained, and there appears to be little or no attempt to enforce parking controls. The old Station House (about 175 years old) is a locally listed building although you wouldn't guess this from its very tatty external appearance. This is certainly not an attractive gateway to Brilliant Brentford despite the fact that the entire area lies within St. Paul's Conservation Area.

Jim Storrar ● 3575d2 Comments ● 3571d

Victorian event Shewsbury Walk

From 3.00.p.m. - 7.00.p.m. 10th December all welcome.

Vanessa Smith ● 3572d0 Comments ● 3572d

Lost wedding ring

My husband lost his wedding ring somewhere between Brentford High Road and Chiswick Turnham Green last Saturday afternoon (26/11/2016). It's a 14 carat rose gold 6 mm wide wedding band. In case you have seen it please get in touch on reka.bako@gmail.com. We are happy to offer a reward if it is found. Many thanks, we really hope it will turn up.

Reka Gaspar ● 3573d0 Comments ● 3573d

Open Art Studios, Redlees Park, Isleworth

We have our Winter Open Studios at Redlees Studios from 2-4th Dec. Friday 2nd 6pm -9pm, Sat 3rdand Sun 4th from 11am-6pm. Free Parking, Light Refreshments and over 35 diverse artists and crafts people. Www.redlees.org

Helen Delanghe ● 3583d1 Comments ● 3573d

Church St. trial closure consultation letter

A lot of people in the Isleworth area will have received a letter from Mark Frost, Head of Traffic at Hounslow, regarding further consultation as this trial closure nears its end. A report will got to IBAF (Isleworth, Brentford Area Forum) next year. If you are one of the many people who feel that this closure is short-sighted and has had a real impact on traffic where you live, and in the area generally, please do respond with your opinions. Don't assume that just because you may have already written to councillors, the Leader or our M.P. that will suffice, you really DO need to specifically respond to this consultation letter. Please also copy your response to - dontclosechurchstreet@hotmail.com for information.

Vanessa Smith ● 3576d3 Comments ● 3575d

Meeting Tonight @ 7.30pm  re CXH @ Hammersmith Town Hall

That's re Charing Cross Hospital

Philippa Bond ● 3576d0 Comments ● 3576d

Panorama last night on Care Homes

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0844wq3/panorama-nursing-homes-undercoverI watched it this morning.  Something everybody should watch as so many people don't ever get the chance to visit a care home or nursing home to have any idea at all what everybody else is talking about - so feel unable to comment.If we all visited them more often there would be a reduced possibility of any of them deteriorating in the way that some do to the detriment of the residents.

Philippa Bond ● 3583d6 Comments ● 3576d

Brentford Library closed until further notice

Sign on the doors saying closed due to health & safety concerns?

Reg Ghosh ● 3593d16 Comments ● 3576d

TfL/LU answerable to no-one?

It seems that despite there being several bodies governing and supposedly looking after the interests of passengers, customers or taxpaying funders. London Underground and TfL still seem answerable to no-one when questions need answering.The debacle for the 2nd year running of cancelled and unfit for service trains on the Piccadilly line has been 'excused' by a raft of half truths and as usual Management v Union rhetoric.No-one is getting straight answers - even if a bit technical.The question is simple. The train stock on the line is old but not worn out. LU claim the highest of maintenance quality and certainly this has been the case in the past.So why is it that after 42 plus Autumns and Winters, running on the same lines in the same conditions, and wit the benefit of expensively upgraded permanent way are these trains  suddenly unable to function?What is being cut or changed that allows a shortage of stock, wheel sets and reliability that was achievable even during the decades when London Transport Underground was bereft of funds and resources?I think we as passengers ought to get a straight reply and wonder why the Mayor has ducked out of this one just like his predecessor did last year.Maybe if any of our locally elected brethren have also been stuck on the line this last 5 days have stood on the platform wondering this, maybe they too will ask TfL/LU and possibly get an answer.

Raymond Havelock ● 3577d2 Comments ● 3576d

Palestine Flag over the Civic Centre

"Cllr Steve Curran, Leader of Hounslow Council, said “Today, we flew the national flag of Palestine, to mark the national Palestinian Day of Independence. Following requests from residents we flew the flag outside the Civic Centre in respect of our friends in the city of Ramallah, who we are twinned with. Our best wishes to all those there and any of our residents with Palestinian connections.”I have no political observation to make, other than as a long term resident and council tax payer of Hounslow, I would like to know on what authority flags are flown over my borough, who makes the decisions, and whether they follow Department of Community and Local Government guidelines?http://www.brentfordtw8.com/default.asp?section=info&page=twinning014.htm

Paul Brownlee ● 3577d1 Comments ● 3577d