Forum Topics

Northumberland Estates

Does anyone really believe a word these people, or their representatives, say?They were so hard up and needed funds for maintenance in the early 2000s that public money was raised so the National Gallery could buy The Madonna of the Pinks from them for nearly £40million. This was such a minor work of art that it was hung in a corridor.They have been awarded significant funds by the Heritage Lottery Fund to enable enhancements and restoration of their estates. The hotel built in the grounds of Syon Park was supposed to enable conservation of the house and so they got away with constructing something allowed to noone else in such surroundings.And now we are expected to believe that the only way to maintain Syon House is to deprive Isleworth residents of allotments given to them by an earlier gracious Duke.Time it was explained that hard luck stories can be believed for so long and then they no longer wash. Could it possibly be put down to sheer extravagance in their life style and greed?Hazel Dakers, Brentford

Hazel Dakers ● 1924d3 Comments ● 1923d

How did Boris get married in a Catholic Church?

Can anyone explain?

Sarah Felstead ● 1929d16 Comments ● 1925d

Ballymore cladding fire

LBC is reporting a cladding fire in a high-rise building in Poplar.The developer of the building appears to be Ballymore. According to the East London Advertiser:“One of the 14 companies named this week as having failed to remove cladding on private developments is Landor Residential, a listed subsidiary of Ballymore developers which built New Providence on the Thames waterfront at Blackwall.”That story was published more than 3 months ago.Right now, the building is alight.

David Marshall ● 1952d16 Comments ● 1926d

The sadness in the life of Brentford's ex MP.

After the battering that Ann Keen received on this Forum many years ago... about her expenses claims and her Brentford home in Brook Road being occupied by squatters,it was enlightening to read via Google and the Sunday Times today of her suffering in earlier  years."Well we never knew that...how sad"

Jim Lawes ● 1929d5 Comments ● 1927d

Quorn

I know there are a lot of knowledgable contributors on this site. What I have often wondered is Quorn a healthy option. I have been eating various products for a while as I like the taste. People often make comments about it being a health food.

Nicholas Beard ● 1927d2 Comments ● 1927d

COVID test centre in Bell Road, Hounslow is empty

With plenty of parking we went straight in without an appointment.  Only one other car was there in the whole time we were doing our tests (3 of us in the car).  Bell Road was quiet too.  Easy access and we did the tests in the cAr.

Sarah Felstead ● 1928d1 Comments ● 1927d

Gunnersbury Car Park charges

Does anyone know who we should email regarding the new proposed parking charges at Gunnersbury Park?  I have searched the Hounslow council website with the reference number P/2021/1588 without success.  I understand this is a joint venture with Ealing Council and Hounslow council, managed by a CIC (Community Interest Company) on their behalf.

Sarah Spateri ● 1927d1 Comments ● 1927d

Bank holiday vaccine venue - Twickenham stadium

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lets-tackle-covid-surge-vaccination-event-registration-156925312835?fbclid=IwAR2LrLKkQM44mBV1VdALn654jkGd--foEEhilt3xxvb3iMHZ_oOU7KoKbgc_aem_ARQc26h2zmwLdagcVfPRwcJ0roa3GQYTvyv3rueCWsbGQBKPfxphDndRuMeVFpt-2njjhGEMePxiaMTaVE4kLq6ol1orM_RMpRoColETHjLqx1eOj74UN7N9JJaP72y0G3o

Sarah Felstead ● 1929d3 Comments ● 1928d

A different Brentford look set for the Premier League

Watching the game yesterday I saw none of the mental flakiness that has characterised Brentford in the last few seasons and led to so many might-have-beens which have led to inferior teams getting promotion ahead of them.This time out they never looked like bottling it when they had taken the lead and have a core of experienced players who give the side the toughness that it lacked in the past.I think they will thrive in the top division - if the pipeline of great value talent continues they will probably be able to trade profitably and still be competitive.Anyone who believes having top flight football and rugby on your doorstep doesn't make this a better place to live is seriously misunderstanding what is about to happen.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 1936d4 Comments ● 1928d

Wimbledon 2021

What line will Wimbledon take this year with N Oasaka if she refuses to do media interviews?

Nicholas Beard ● 1929d0 Comments ● 1929d

A Fire engine couldn't get through last evening due to LTN

Yesterday there was a fire at a house in Whitestile Road. A fire engine arrived but was unable to get to the house due to LTN blocking their way.  Three members of the crew got out and walked up to the house on the other side of the barrier in Whitestile Road. Another fire engine then had to go along the A4, up Ealing Road and then into Whitstile Road, where they teamed up with the crew whose fire engine had been blocked from attending.  Fortunately this incident wasn't more serious thanks to the quick thinking fire crew.  But why oh why do we put them in predicaments like this?!  I thought that the emergency services were able to move these barriers in cases of an emergency!

Debbie Paradin ● 1984d28 Comments ● 1929d

Councillor suspended

It seems Cllr. Richard Eason (Spring Grove & Osterley) has had the Labour whip withdrawn for a month for 'infuriating' Cllr. Curran, after he publicly asked Cllrs. Khan and Dunne if they were going to resign from their cabinet positions after the debacle over various traffic schemes - LTNs/cycleways - across the borough. So someone with some guts asking a pretty relevant and reasonable question is the bad guy. The fact that these two cabinet members have promoted these deeply unpopular ideas without previous consulation withlocals have actually been asked by one of their colleagues to take responsibility would seem fairly innocuous to most of us, not so in the autocratic fiefdom of Cllr. Curran and his mates. Cllr. Eason is now listed as an'independent' member.

Vanessa Smith ● 1939d5 Comments ● 1929d

Amazon delivery went to wrong address in Whitestile Road

An elderly friend did not receive a package from Amazon on Friday.  Amazon had sent her an e-mail stating 'parcel handed to resident at 6:31pm'  Another neighbour says that she did see an Amazon Prime delivery man give a package to another neighbour in Whitestile Road at approximately the same time. What to do? The package the other neighbour received could very well have been for them anyway or because they were expecting a package simply assumed that it was for them without checking details.  She doesn't want to ask them if they have hers by mistake as she thinks they could have already opened it and are too embarrassed to say so.  Personally I would just fess up that I had opened it in error and move on but she doesn't want to upset anyone. Amazon are adamant that it was definitely delivered.

Debbie Paradin ● 1930d1 Comments ● 1930d

Ealing LTNs

LB of Ealing have begun to remove LTN road barriers! Hallelujah! The message finally getting through. Harrow, now Ealing. Are you listening, LBH?

Mike Paterson ● 1938d16 Comments ● 1930d

Up, up and away!

Well done Brentford!

Vanessa Smith ● 1930d0 Comments ● 1930d

Windmill Road closures

Does anyone know exactly which part(s) of Windmill Road will be closed next week from 1/6? I need to get to an appointment on 1/6 and would, in normal circumstances, travel through Windmill Road (north and south of the A4), to get to Northfield Avenue. Thanks.

Joan Adamson ● 1932d3 Comments ● 1930d

Sunday 16th: Middlesex Day in "our" old County Town.

The history of Brentford is colossal. I've read that it's older than London!The very old Middlesex County once extended to East London and included the City of London too.I read too that nasty deeds were committed in Brentford in times gone by when "non believers"in other areas were brought to Brentford to be burnt alive! Maybe a memorial for those poor souls should be considered as well. Is it too late for a Middlesex flag at the Sunday Market?

Jim Lawes ● 1948d7 Comments ● 1930d

Albany Practice

'We were unable to contact the Albany Practice for comment.'Yup, sounds right!

Steve Bullman ● 1930d0 Comments ● 1930d

Ferry Wharf habitat lost

It's good to see some rowing for children come to Brentford with Team Keene, but I have been saddened by the destruction of the lovely nature haven at Ferry Wharf. Sites of cowslips and violets covered by ugly mounds of rubble etc. One of the Keene group I spoke to when they were setting up said they would leave the flowers and wildlife areas untouched ...disappointing to see that hasn't happened. It was such a peaceful haven, especially during lockdown.

Rosemary Ward ● 1935d2 Comments ● 1933d

Streetspace review results

Hounslow have published their independent review of its controversial Streetspace initiative - https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/streetspace-reviewThis seems like the most salient note from the report: "50.The majority of feedback that has been received expresses both objection to the schemes and clear desire for the schemes to be removed with immediate effect.". Will this be clear reaction by acted on??

Graham Thorpe ● 1942d5 Comments ● 1934d