Forum Topic

Outsider's View

I was arranging a meet-up today with a friend who lives in the Netherlands and who hasn't been back to the UK over the past two years. She chose to find accommodation in Chiswick for her stay and quite unsolicited during our WhatsApp exchange wrote:'.... Then got taxi from Hammersmith to Turnham Green accommodation. V lovely new place I found to stay. V relaxed and step out to Chiswick High Street which is full of lot of new and interesting places ... nicely vibrant without busy-ness. Joyful place to stay for my first three nights here.'We met up and it turns out she is staying at the Room 2 which seems to have been something to do with ?Sanderson? wallpaper.So that's one person's positive albeit first impression of Chiswick.

Anne England ● 1636d17 Comments

Perhaps take her to Outsider Tart ?

Richard Greenhough ● 1636d

Not sure about spelling but that was a mouthfullJust dont mention the issues with PC ? 😊

Julian Pavey ● 1636d

“ V relaxed and step out to Chiswick High Street which is full of lot of new and interesting places “. Lucky she didn’t get run over by a bicycle or try to negotiate her way to a bus island!

Steve Taylor ● 1635d

Steve, have you actually tried to do that or do you just drive?

Philippa Bond ● 1635d

Philippa , have you not read the numerous comments about crossing the High Road or getting to and from the bus island. Or have you chosen to ignore them in order to make a petty dig.  That’s picture painted by this visitor is not a Chiswick I recognise. I think we’re allowed to comment

Maggie Dodge ● 1635d

I think you're forgetting most people aren't petty whining malcontents, despite that being the main theme on this forum now thanks to your BS and the like Maggie!

John Hall ● 1635d

"have you actually tried to do that or do you just drive?"I do drive but - rarely. Prefer to walk or cycle or sometimes motor cycle. Of course I have witnessed the dangers of the two way cycle and the ridiculous bus islands or I wouldn't have commented. The part near Wyndhams / Zizzis is particularly dangerous because its prone to flooding so people trying to cross to the bus island can't use the zebra because it's flooded. Cyclists also try to avoid the huge puddles and curse and swear when an 'older' person is trying to dash across the cycle lane to catch a bus. They have to dash because the 'shelter' isn't on the bus island so when they see their bus looming up through the mist and torrential rain - they effectively commit kamikaze to catch their bus. The morons who designed these bus islands were obviously oblivious to the fact that it rains a lot in England so bus shelters are supposed to be next to the bus stop rather than across a mine field!!

Steve Taylor ● 1635d

"That picture painted by this visitor is not a Chiswick I recognise."I think that's because you walk around seeking to reinforce your well-known views on the cycle lane. I often use the zebra crossings across the High Road, and I don't find them a problem, similarly the zebra access to the bus islands. Thanks to Anne for posting the welcome comments from her visiting friend.

Richard Jennings ● 1635d

They've now installed a new gully to drain the lake in the cycle lane outside Wyndham's, and I understand that a shelter is about to be installed on the bus island.

Richard Jennings ● 1635d

"and I understand that a shelter is about to be installed on the bus island."So its taken the clowns two years to realise that!!

Steve Taylor ● 1635d

Richard that was upsetting. Philippa is often rude to me so I don’t  apologise for my tone in response to her.  I was referring to the elderly, and poorly sighted people and others who have recently  posted about difficulties crossing the High Road. So I think it’s fair to say there’s another view of Chiswick and don’t  shoot the messenger comes to mind too. I’d like to remind everyone that the cycle lane gets regular bad press from cyclists as well asmotorists  so I’m not alone.

Maggie Dodge ● 1635d

Room 2 Chiswick does look attractive and comfortable... having looked up on Google and on their Website.In Windmill Road, with Chiswick Common in one direction..and flower stalls and outdoor catering towards the High Road.What's not to like?

Jim Lawes ● 1635d

I was curious about Anne's reference to the wallpaper factory/Sandersons as I'm only aware of the Voysey building on CHR.  Anyone know more?

Philippa Bond ● 1635d

Thank you Steve.  Good constructive criticism and I'm pleased that Richard can help with some of it.  I wonder if that is the same place that Jim Lawes also commented on some time back on a really wet day!

Philippa Bond ● 1635d

I'm pretty sure my friend said the building used to be an office and then proceeded to tell me about the wonderful 'touches' of wallpaper in each of the rooms (this was also the case in the downstairs loo). I think I may well have then decided that it must be something to do with Sanderson wallpaper. I just looked at Room2 website and it says that the rooms etc are inspired by the Arts and Craft movement. It also says that the building is net zero. It's worth taking a look at the site. As for Sanderson, I think I may have just conflated a few things!

Anne England ● 1635d

Well before your time Anne... but not mine (!).. the site of Room 2 was the Warehouse and Offices of the Standard Wallpaper Company..who had large trading premises on Chiswick High Road.So the Wallpaper feature of Room 2 is quite appropriate. Well done.

Jim Lawes ● 1635d

I'm sure the Voysey Building was the Sanderson wallpaper building.  Alain Fournier - Grand Meaulnes writer, stayed with the Sanderson manager on a sort of gap year before WW1.  Wrote lots of letters home saying how wonderful Chiswick was.  There used to be a book about this in Chiswick Library, but think it got archived.

Vivienne Cox ● 1635d