What happened in Chiswick during December 2008


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Chiswick Animal Rights Activist Guilty of Blackmail
20 year old Gerrah Selby will be sentenced in the new year

Makeover Does Much For McDonald's Look
But can the burger bar change its reputation?

What A Difference A Head Makes..
'Rapid progress' being made at Chiswick Community School

'Rents Falling Faster Than House Prices'
Figures reveal disappointing news for "reluctant landlords"

Whittard's Saved From Becoming High Road's Latest Casualty
Coffee and tea company bought out by a private equity firm

That Was The Year That Was...
Top ChiswickW4.com stories of 2008

Charity Suffers From Cash-strapped Consumers
Tough times for Oxfam as purses tighten and clothing donations cease

Cross Borough Policing Ensures Sentence For Prolific Burglar
Terry Marsh convicted of 19 residential burglaries in the local area

Avoid Alarming Your Neighbour this Festive Period
Residents cautioned against creating noise nuisance with house and car alarms

The Best Italian Food in Chiswick?
Give your feedback on local restaurants

Renowned Playwright and Political Activist Harold Pinter Dies
Cancer claims Nobel prizing winning former Chiswick resident

Make Sure Your Christmas Isn't Spoiled by Criminals
Chiswick's Safer Neighbourhood Teams' advice for crime free celebrations

Rubbish, Recycling and Garden Waste Collection
Dates for Christmas 2008 and New Year 2009 - Hounslow Borough

Chiswick RNLI Lifeboat Crew Do it On Foot
Men to work off seasonal indulgences with a 22 mile walk for charity

Score-line Tells Nothing of Drama On Riverside Lands
Football Result: Old Meadonians 5 Old Parkonians 2 aet

Chiswick Charge To Top
Rugby Result: Old Hamptonians 10 Chiswick 49

Chiswick 'Legend' Not Closing Just Yet
After Adamou family has a rethink over plans to shut up shop

2008 Newcomers To Chiswick Restaurant Scene
And some old favourites that have served their last dish

'The Worst Is Over' According to Agent
Who claims buyers are already back in the market

M&S 'Heart-Throb' Gives Customer Service New Meaning
To 'legion of granny groupies who come by every day for a giggle'

A Very Victorian Tale Of The Credit Crunch
We meet Little Dorrit's Art Director Paul Ghirardani

Chiswick's Michelin Man Sets World Record
Eating out all three star restaurants in the world

Riverside's 18% Price Hike Singles Out Members
And draws different stories from staff at the chain of health clubs

Bianco Nero Serves Up A Masterchef Treat
Chiswick's James Nathan cooks up a storm at contemporary Italian

The Best Accountants in Chiswick
Give your feedback on local services

Paradise Is Pocket-Sized
Jack Collins reviews new album from Parish Music Box

No Rise In Council Tax For Residents
After Mayor freezes his share of the bill

'Royal Mail Should Be Part-Privatised'
According to Government Minister who welcomed approach by TNT

Neighbourhood Watch Founder Receives Posthumous Award
Mr Ray Newton recognised for his services to Chiswick community

Potion For A Paragon of Virtue?
Brothers believe they have right recipe for new bar in Chiswick

Imagine Homes Goes Into Administration
Celebrity backers unable to save Chiswick based property company

Convincing Con Woman Returns To Chiswick
With tale of how her family has been involved in a car crash

Harley Street Comes To Chiswick
With the opening of Cosmetic Surgery Clinic at The Hogarth

Delicious Indulgence at Patisserie Valerie
But excellence comes at an extravagant price

Burst Water Main Causes Chaos In Chiswick
Roads closed whilst emergency services dealt with flooding

Have Yourself A Very Eco-Christmas
Tips for environmentally friendly yuletide from Eco's Livia Firth and Nicola Giuggioli

The Real Cost of Cheap Clothing
'Primark effect' quadruples textile waste in council tips

'Trespassing Vandals' In Chiswick House Grounds
Believed to be visitors frustrated that much of grounds are closed to public

A Christmas Gift to Motorists
TfL announce no congestion charge from 25th December until 2nd January 2009

Plans for 8 Metre Phone Mast on Public Footpath
Telecom company looks to site mast close to Gunnersbury station

Richard O'Brien's Pig in Boots
Audio Christmas adventure at Headliner's Comedy Club

Councillor 'Gagged' Over Icelandic Bank Fiasco
Julian Bell claims there was prior warning of the risk attached to deposits

'Free' Energy From Sleeping Policemen
Hi-tech electricity generators to be trailed on Ealing's roads

Ealing Tops Charts for Publicity Spending
Council in top ten per cent with budget of over £3 million

Dukes Meadows Children's Centre Opens
Creating a community hub for family services

From Rock to Baroque
Local music talent excels at Christmas Concert

Get Through Christmas Without Putting On A Pound!
Apparently it can be done according to Urban Vitality Company

Potential Close Contest Turns Into Rout For Chiswick
Rugby Result: Chiswick 58 Hemel Hempstead 3

Meads Move Into Fourth Round With Convincing Win
Amateur Football Alliance Senior Cup: Old Belgravians 0 Old Meadonians 3

Sainsbury's Reopens After £3.5m Refurbishment
Store manager promises better product availability and improved customer service

Chiswick Woman With A Formidable AIM
Emma Brophy meets the custodian of independent music Alison Wenham

Waitrose Opens Its Doors To The High Road
Marking the supermarket's return to Chiswick

Latest Chiswick Property Sales
Still no evidence of a price slump in the local area

Have Yourself a Very Chiswick Christmas!
Everything you need for the festive season right here on your doorstep

Chiswick Cats' Whiskers Top the Chart
Movember fund raising effort one of the best in the country

Turning The Tables At Napa
Emma Brophy takes on challenge of creating restaurant food at home

Naked Traders Encourage Customer Loyalty
Could the idea catch on in Chiswick?

Jaffa Missing From Mayfield Avenue
'Home cat' rarely wanders far and never misses a meal

Unhappy Times For Local Children
As day care nursery close without warning

Locals Are Skating On Thin Ice
At impromptu rink in Chiswick House Grounds

Third Runway Decision Postponed Until January
Transport Secretary wants to "take more time before making an announcement"

Watermans Passes on VAT Cut
Just in time for their 'Best of 2008' season

How to Eat Drink and STAY Merry this Christmas
Urban Vitality's guide to a healthy(ish) party season

So Many Books, So Little Time
Join Chiswick's online book group and discover the book to talk about in 2009

A Very British Drama at The Tabard Theatre
But performances forced and life round a teapot is simply dull

'Tap Top' Is Tip Top For Tap Water
Award winning carafe aimed at London's discerning drinkers unveiled

Emergency Gas Pipe Repairs in Brentford
Traffic diversions will affect A4 traffic from next Friday

Brentford Man Jailed for Benefit Fraud
Derek Lamb claimed £31,000 he wasn't entitled to

Business Leader Accused of 'misleading the public' on Heathrow
Staying "suspiciously silent" on numbers of companies backing alternatives

Meads Back To Their Old Ruthless Selves
London Old Boys Senior Cup: Old Danes 1 Old Meadonians 4

St Michael's 2008 Advent Calendar and Christmas Appeal
Open the doors online every day of advent

Unconvincing Victory From Chiswick Albion
Football Result: Ashview Rangers 4 Chiswick Albion 5

A Winter Warmer From Chiswick
Rugby Result: Old Merchant Taylors 3 Chiswick 31

Council Leader In The Hot Seat
As residents took chance to grill him over a range of local issues

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If you feel there is a aspect of local life that we haven't given sufficient coverage to, let us know. Most of the articles listed above were not written by us but contributed by local people.

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