Forum Topics

Welcome to Local Lockdown 2021

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do#if-youre-in-an-area-where-the-new-covid-19-variant-is-spreadingThe new COVID-19 variant spreads more easily from person to person. To help stop the spread, you should take particular caution when meeting anyone outside your household or support bubble.In the areas listed above, wherever possible, you should try to:- meet outside rather than inside where possible- keep 2 metres apart from people that you don’t live with (unless you have formed a support bubble with them), this includes friends and family you don’t live with- avoid travelling in and out of affected areas unless it is essential, for example for work (if you cannot work from home) or educationYou should also:- Get tested twice a week for free and isolate if you are positive- Continue to work from home if you can- Get vaccinated when you are offered it, and encourage others to do so as well

Paul Scullion ● 1934d0 Comments ● 1934d

Morris Dancing Group in Brentford ?

I've just been dreaming away and wondered if Morris Dancing was ever performed in Brentford.So I checked on Google (Flickr) and low and behold found pictures of such events locally that I had taken myself.It was a great Brentford event that took place some 3 years ago at St Paul's Recreation Ground.Did the Group come from Wimbledon or was it Brentford?Come on Brentford. .you're the old County Town of Middlesex.

Jim Lawes ● 1936d2 Comments ● 1935d

hard pruning of trees on Ealing Road

I'm upset to see that the Council is hard-pruning the beautiful trees along the north end of Ealing Road today, at the beginning of Spring, just as the leaves are starting to show. I asked one of the workmen why such a hard prune now and, rather aggressively, he told me to ask the Council and said what did I know about trees.  I said I knew they shouldn't generally be hard pruned in the Spring, as the sap is rising, birds need their nesting spaces (including twigs and leaves to make those nests), insects start to appear and the tree starts to recover from winter.  He dismissed my comments and asked if I was an expert.  I was rather taken aback by his aggression but suppose he gets asked the questions regularly.I've emailed the Council and our Councillor for the policy on such hard pruning in Spring.  It's just so depressing to see it being done now.  These trees won't recover this year.  It will be 2 years before the branches have regrown to a good length to provide the kind of support our wildlife needs. 

Cathy Jones ● 1981d13 Comments ● 1935d

Kitchen repair recommendation please.

One my my kitchen floor units (typical, the one under the sink) has 'bowed' meaning that the door has dropped. Before my spinal injury I would probably have fixed it myself but, alas, no more.Names of a handyman who could fix this and that you have used would really be appreciated.Many thanks.

N V Brooks ● 1936d0 Comments ● 1936d

The Beano

The Bash Street kids. Fatty is being renamed Freddy. Just heard on the BBC news.

Nicholas Beard ● 1938d4 Comments ● 1937d

Well done Bees

Agreat turnaround. Hopefully we will make it tenth time lucky in the final.

N V Brooks ● 1937d1 Comments ● 1937d

Hounslow Councillor and LCC Member Guy Lambert

Shows he is not a very nice man.http://www.chiswickw4.com/default.asp?section=community&link=http://appasp.ChiswickW4.com/server/app/forum/default.asp?site=1

Chris Lucy ● 1944d25 Comments ● 1938d

Trains from Brentford to Richmond

Does anyone know why the service isn't operating from Brentford to Richmond. I've checked with The Trainline and South West Trains but there doesn't seem to be an explanation. Thanks.

Pat Kingham ● 1940d6 Comments ● 1940d

TRAFFIC SPEED CAMERAS - pro or con?

Are there any speed cameras in sunny Brentford? Are you for 'em or agin?

Gerry Tan ● 7954d27 Comments ● 1940d

Osterley Residents Assoc AGM Weds 19th May

All local or semi-local residents of the Osterley, Isleworth and Brentford area are welcome. I am pleased on behalf of OWGRA to announce the OWGRA AGM online on Wednesday 19th May at 7.30 pm. Please see the attached link above to book. The agenda will be : 7.30 Chairman's Opening Remarks 7.35 Cllr Tony Louki presents : 'Your Ward Councillor as the 55th Mayor' followed by Q&A 8.00 approx - OWGRA AGM Expected finish around 8.45 depending on the number of questions asked after presentations and reports. Best Regards Ian Speed, OWGRA Treasurer.

Ian Speed ● 1946d2 Comments ● 1941d

LBH Libraries

As a follow up to Vanessa Smith's previous post, please would anybody be able to shed any further light as to why at least some of our libraries are not offering a skeleton 'click and collect' service?  I'm aware that many other areas have continued to provide some level of service, albeit within limited hours and carefully socially-distanced.  If Hounslow council truly wanted to support residents' mental health and wellbeing this would go a long way in helping, offering solace and stimulus to many, particularly those who are wholly isolated during this time. It would also support children's literacy and education, which, like it or not, canot soley be supported online. To facilitate this only a small number of sites would need to be opened, with just a small foyer collection/drop off area open to the public on an individually booked basis.  Should anyone with any influence happen to read this I would please urge them to do whatever they can to make this happen as soon as possible.

Alison Smith ● 2027d12 Comments ● 1941d

E-Scooter survey

Had a card today to participate in a survey on E-Scooters in Ealing and Hounslow.rather vaguely worded.But yet again you can only participate online and with a code number or using a QR code.Seems yet again those most affected by the current wave of what this survey states as illegal use of Owned E-scooters - pedestrians and those not quick enough to jump out of the way of a silent unlit projectile, won't be getting a chance to input this survey and have a say.Just who signs this sort of incompetence off?yet another example of sidelining older and less connected and less able  of out society.

Raymond Havelock ● 1949d4 Comments ● 1942d

Mobile phone signal TW8 0 Virgin using EE network

Anyone else got this issue? I don't know if its my phone or the network. I live just by the Griffin. This pm I updated the Samsung/Android software. Later several calls failed due to lack of signal. My house is 3 storey and no difference on each. 1 bar or less. I have just managed a 30 minute call with no issue. I know there was a problem a while ago with removal of masts from the grounds floodlight towers. Many thanks, Iain

Iain Muir ● 1949d2 Comments ● 1943d

Nine million functionally illiterate.

Shocked to read this. Says a lot about our education system!

Nicholas Beard ● 1950d11 Comments ● 1944d

No Mow May

What a great idea - a bit too late for the excuse for some unfortunately - but we do need to think about how we look after the bees and other pollinating insects.  Growing plants that don't flower or lawns made out of plastic or concrete don't help much with the crisis faced by insects and wildlife.  Time to sow and grow something that the bees love.There's a lot more info here:https://www.plantlife.org.uk/everyflowercounts/

Philippa Bond ● 1950d3 Comments ● 1948d

Thumbs Down for Kew Bridge Station Quarter Scheme

Borough planners say the plan would be harmful to the character and appearance of the site and neighbouring conservation areas !What a joke !!

Reg Ghosh ● 1949d4 Comments ● 1948d

Brentford FC War Memorial at Griffin Park 

I hope the war memorial to six former Brentford footballers who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars, has been saved from the demolition of Griffin Park and moved to the new Community Stadium.

Chris Dakers ● 1953d5 Comments ● 1950d

Buying off your opposition?

'COUNCIL LEADER INTENDS TO STAND FOR THIRD TERM NEXT YEAR. BUT HE HAS TOLD AMBITIOUS YOUNGER COLLEAGUES HE WILL QUITE UNDERSTAND IF THEY DECIDE TO STAND AGAINST HIM.'This gem is from Facebook and refers to Hounslow council leader Steve Curran, mighty big of him was my first thought, of course people can challenge you if they feel they could do the job it's known as democracy. But, given the rocky few weeks that Curran has had he has decided on keeping his current dynamic cabinet, BUT has also made a decision to appoint five 'cabinet assistants' - whatever they may be, at a cost of £8916 on top of their basic £11,576. Could the fact that there's a possibility that perhaps three of these 'cabinet assistants' could also be said to be 'ambitious younger colleagues', could this be an early manouevre to head off any challenges?

Vanessa Smith ● 1954d1 Comments ● 1954d

Gunnersbury Park Car Park Access and the Sports Hub

While I'm pleased that the sports hub at Gunnersbury Park is finally going to open has anyone considered the impact on access to the car park. If there are ten pitches, a large gym and a number of other outdoor facilities then there is going to be a large increase in the number of people turning up particularly at the weekend.The access to the park is essentially one way and generally good will between drivers avoids it getting blocked but if there is a stand off the road could get blocked. The plan is to start charging for the car park and people exiting will be anxious to get out in time to avoid a hefty fine. People entering the car park might not understand this and therefore there is scope for conflict. As far as I can tell this looks set to get very messy.

Mark Evans ● 1975d7 Comments ● 1955d

Demolition of Griffin Park Begins

Can't claim to have been a regular but visited the place many times over the years and have fond memories of it so this is sad to see. Looking forward to my first trip to the Brentford Community Stadium but can't help feeling that, while it might smell a bit nicer, the new place will be a bit sterile compared to Griffin Park. The clip below, if it appears, was posted on the Griffin Park Grapevine, by the Griffin pub. #FarewellGriffinPark 😟 pic.twitter.com/ceWKrXsqNr— Griffin Park Grapevine (@bfcgpg) April 28, 2021

Jeremy Parkinson ● 1959d1 Comments ● 1957d