Forum Topics

Surveyor for Third Party Opinion

Hi there - About 5 years ago we had a basement and kitchen extension built which is now leaking but of course the builder we used for the job is trying to get us to pay for repairs to the property which we think should be covered by him. I believe we need a Third Party Opinion in order to remind him of his obligations and wondered if anybody on the W4 Forum could recommend a good local surveyor who could do this for us?Many thanks in advance! CB

Chris Blackwell ● 1250d2 Comments ● 1250d

What's next for Riverside Studios?

Could somebody explain to me exactly what 'going into administration' means for the Riverside Studios? Is it still going to be able to operate as before or is this one step away from full closure?It would be hugely disappointing if it was lost. I had just picked up on what a great location it was to go to the cinema and the ticket prices were reasonable. I'd also been in the audience for the recording of some TV shows.Perhaps tellingly, I never went to a play there. Often I only found out things were on after the fact and when I was aware the cost was in excess of productions at the National Theatre. If it survives I will try and make a better effort to find out what is on.

Felicity Caborn ● 1264d22 Comments ● 1250d

Found bank card

If there’s a Deborah Liset out there I have your bank card and will take it to your bank tomorrow

Beverley ORiordan ● 1250d0 Comments ● 1250d

E-Bike Trial front page

The problem with designated parking is it will be ignored by some. I continue to see people riding these lime bikes with lock on as they have not payed to unlock. I think these are reasons why some are dumped in the most stupid of places. If i was in charge at the council id first make sure the locks on the bikes are changed so they cant be ridden without hire thus stopping them being ridden and dumped without any ID to who was on the bike. Why oh why if we have designated parking can they not be locked to a docking station. If we cant have santander then why cant other operators use the same docking scheme Just a thought

Julian Pavey ● 1253d8 Comments ● 1251d

Any past students or staff here from Belmont Primary School?

Hi,I hope this is ok with the moderators to post.I'm a past student of Belmont Primary School in Chiswick and I've started up a Facebook group for fellow past students and staff members of Belmont Primary School.If you are a past student or member of staff, please feel free click below and answer the joining questions to join our group! The link is:-https://www.facebook.com/groups/756625677820645/

James Jennings ● 1251d0 Comments ● 1251d

Barratt & TfL Proposed Development Acton Lane

http://www.chiswickw4.com/default.asp?section=info&page=conplan121h.htm

Philippa Bond ● 1262d16 Comments ● 1251d

No Evidence

https://uk.yahoo.com/news/home-office-admits-no-evidence-113925739.htmlJust intended to cause division...

Philippa Bond ● 1260d21 Comments ● 1252d

Eats, shoots and leaves

I am not a grammar fascist. I don't care about peoples spelling so much as their vocabulary.That may be because I was taught to read before I was taught to write. I know the sting of my fathers tongue on the pitiful scrawl of my hand writing and punctuation. You see my mum taught me to read from the minute I started talking. She was however not confident in teaching me to write as she had Osteoporosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis especially in her hands and did not want me to start St Joseph's Catholic Junior School in Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey with something the Penguins would hold against me. Teaching Nuns in the 1960's were neither forgiving nor inspiring upon finding something they considered a deficit in a child, and scrawl like drunk spiders dipped in ink would be the target on your back (workbook) so to speak.  I spent a mixed emotional time at St J's and by the age of 7 we moved from KUTS to Hounslow.  Bedfont to be more accurate.  My cousins lived all around and I as an only child had a ready made gang of fiercly loyal little cousins to play with.  I was supposed to go to the Catholic School in Feltham but they seemed reticent to take me mid term.  So my parents decided it was not necessary for me to go to Catholic School. It's distance from us and no direct transport would have made it hard for my mother and that was a considerable factor too.  I was enrolled in Bedfont Juniour School.  The happiest 4 years of education until University there ensued. My first teacher Mr Bhatti taught me for 6 weeks and then spoke to the head Mr McCloud.  They got mum and dad in and asked if they could test me.  My mortified parents asked why.  Apparently Mr Sullivan the head at St J's had sent my final report over and it did not quite match their understanding of my abilities.  So they wanted to make sure I was in the correct place for me to learn happily and well.My parents said yes after being told it would not be anything more than a nice lady reading with me and playing puzzle games.  Then talking to me about the things I liked.  My mother told me many years later (I was 39 at the time) that my father had laughed all the way home and kept saying they did not know what they were letting themselves in for.The day of the test I was told by my teacher Mr Bhattin I would be reading and chatting with a lady who was coming to see me because I started mid term and they did not know what I liked to do or read or draw.  I was delighted.  One to one with an adult not my parents was always welcome it meant I could tell stories, I loved to tell stories.  My mother called it lying but my granny her mother called it entertainment.I had a ball a lovley middle class woman in tweeds sat with me in the quiet space near the open library and had me read everything from Janet and John books to reference, magazines and newspapers.  It was the first time I read a broad sheet.  She laughed at my jokes clapped my stories and told me she had had a jolly lovely time.  I adopted "jolly" as a go to word I still use now.  Sometimes sarcastically as in "oh jolly dee" after being told I was to be responsible for rubbish being taken out at home. Or my regular "Jolly Good" on being told by my carer they will be back at 5pm for tea.That was a Friday so I was quizzed by the parents for 48 hours before they got to meet the nice tweed lady.  They went into Mr McCleod's office shutting me outside and talked for what seemed forever then they called me in.  I was asked had I enjoyed yesterday?  "Oh yes very much" I replied.  I was told I had done very well and would be going into another class to see how I liked it.  I asked can I still play with my friends from Mr Bhatti's class? I was told yes so I said OK.In my late 20's my mother and father told me what happened. St J's had taken a long time sending my report.  This was unusual so BJS decided to put me in the easiest class of three in that year just to see how I got on.  Mr Bhatti had sussed out right away their was something unexpected.  They asked for the report again but again it did not come.  Mr Bhatti had then been told to keep a watching brief on me and note any discrepancies with my peers.He noticed I stared out the window a lot and looked like I had not even opened the book we were reading.  He noted I was good at maths knew my times table well and seemed to find it interesting.  I paid attention when he was speaking and put my hand up if I knew the answer.  The most interesting thing he notes was whilst they were doing basic form printed letters handwriting I was using some kind of cursive script.They finally got my report and upon reading it realised they had to test me.  Good old St J's had said I was "educationally Subnormal"  I was unable to follow simple instructions, stared out the window all day, could not read or would not read and I was so disruptive as to be  a utter distraction in a lesson holding my peers back.Tweedy woman had gotten very angry and told my parents she would support them if they sued.  My mum was really upset and my dad was, in his own words almost as angry as when Hitler invaded Poland.  They were told at age 7 I had a reading age of 14 or higher, I matriculated well for my age and enthusiastically I had one of the largest vocabularies she had come across for a 7 year old in her career and I had a real drive and passion for learning.And this is the reason after spending 5 of my 7 years singing about writing about and pursuing doggies that I got one.  So why am I writing this today.  You may have not got this far, my ego is not vast enough to believe I am a brilliant write so I will tell you.  I am not a spelling,grammar or punctuation fascist.  But todays edition is a painfully badly writter read.  Its like the editor or Grammerly was not engaged. There are extra words along with pointless punctuation and an over all feeling from those writing that they would rather be doing something in publishing.  We your readers deserve better and you as writers should want to be the best even if it's a shopping list or the ingredients for Yorkshire Pudding.That's it nuff said as they say. Who are they who say nuff said does anyone know?

Caroline Carney ● 1252d1 Comments ● 1252d

Good Chartered Surveyor

Can anyone recommend a really thorough surveyor to look at a party wall notice.  Thanks.

Tanya Baker ● 1254d3 Comments ● 1252d

EE vs Vodafone

Hi has anyone changed from EE to Vodafone and how have you found reception etc?Thanks

David Powers ● 1257d8 Comments ● 1252d

Cat Claw Trimming Home Visits

Can anyone recommend someone who will make home visits to trim cat claws in Chiswick? Thank you.

Angela Wallace ● 1254d5 Comments ● 1252d

Cycleway 9 named best route in London

"Cycling experts have named which they would recommend, but one is the pick of the bunch. Stretching four miles from Hammersmith to Kew Gardens, Cycleway 9 is a scenic and green route that takes you "along the yummy mummy coffee shops of Chiswick High Street, with regular stops at some beautiful green areas including Ravenscourt Park, Chiswick Common and Turnham Green".This leafy green route "makes you feel like you’ve escaped London for the day and entered a less congested village vibe. You can also pop into gastropub Roebuck for a refreshment (or two) along the way. Also the best route to see the cutest dogs in London".https://www.mylondon.news/news/north-london-news/secret-leafy-4-mile-cycle-26641719

Paul Campbell ● 1261d32 Comments ● 1252d

More triumphs from Operation Chis-Choke

Our campaign to reduce freedom of movement within the W4 area continues apace. Pavement piles of Santander and Lime bikes and scoooters impede pedestrians, especially those who are disabled or elderly. The cycle lane to Hammersmith is blocked in a few strategic locations, and is still also blocked by the occasional car chosing the wrong lane. Buses are admirably infrequent, with up to 30 minutes between 272 and E3 services. The bus stops on the High Road ensure that no-one can drive from one end to the other in less than 30 minutes. And the other night, it took 23 minutes to drive from Chiswick Town Hall down to the A4 along Sutton Court Road, surely a record?

Davey Harris ● 1264d96 Comments ● 1254d

Window cleaners recommendation?

I know people have recommended window cleaners (external, first and second floor) before but I can't seem to find a post on it now. Can anyone share the details of a reliable window cleaner, who does a good job please?Thanks

Angela Knight ● 1258d8 Comments ● 1255d

Marquee hire for garden in Chswick

Has anyone hired a marquee for a garden party? If you have enjoyed a good experience, kindly recommend the firm. Thanks...

Emma Elizabeth ● 1255d0 Comments ● 1255d

Disaster Trolls being taken to court

"Manchester Arena bomb survivors have filed landmark legal action against a conspiracy theorist who claims the attack was faked.Martin and Eve Hibbert, who were left with severe disabilities after the 2017 blast, are suing Richard D Hall for defamation and harassment.It is the first time such action has been launched in the UK against a conspiracy theorist.Mr Hall did not respond to the BBC's request for comment."https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65136825I wish the Hibberts every success in their action against this vile troll - should they succeed, it might cause other such vile individuals to desist from publishing their own vicious lies - maybe even including our own resident disaster troll, you-know-who.P.S. The BBC journalist, Mariana Spring has made an outstanding series of broadcasts on the subject of these odious people, available on BBC Sounds - well worth a listen (imo):https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m001dn64

Richard Cathcart ● 1265d56 Comments ● 1255d

Children's books and small musical instruments needed for Turkey earthquake victims

Good afternoon! I am a music student at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama from Chiswick! I am flying to Turkey on Saturday to run music workshops with children affected by the earthquake. The charity I am working for has asked if I could bring some English reading books with me. The kids specifically like books such as The Gruffalo, The Stickman and Bluey but any would be great! Does anyone have some that they no longer need and would be willing to donate? Also, if anyone has any small percussion instruments they no longer need, those would be super helpful for my workshops. I would greatly appreciate any support!

Alicia Wiseman ● 1256d2 Comments ● 1256d

Lawn and order

To cut a long story short, my tiny lawn is now just mud with the odd tuft of grass. What’s my options?

Russell Pearson ● 1259d8 Comments ● 1257d

Stupidity.

"Advice from the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary said that judges must treat everyone in the court "respectfully" and think about how their "words and behaviour can affect others".The confusing new guidelines left one judge overseeing a court in Wales asking jurors if they would be offended if he addressed them as "ladies and gentleman".Justice Eyre was left worried he risked upsetting non-binary people if he did not first ask if anyone was offended by the phrase".When is this nonsense going to end?

Brian Coyle ● 1258d8 Comments ● 1257d

TFL Consultation on Changes to CHR

Message from TFL - please respond to the survey re what they have done to the Chiswick High Road before 3rd April if you would like to let them know what you think.  If you have already done so you can apparently update your views if these have changed.  See below:- During the summer of 2020, as part of our response to the coronavirus pandemic, we made temporary changes on Chiswick High Road to make it easier for people to walk, cycle, use the bus and to help people to safely social distance. In late 2022, we decided to keep these changes as part of an experiment, to further test the scheme for up to 18 months. This includes a six-month public consultation which is currently underway. I am emailing to give a reminder that you can submit any feedback you may have on the scheme at any time until 3 April 2023. We’ve been monitoring the effects of the changes since the experiment began. The effects of the scheme on cycling have so far been very positive. We’ve seen cycling levels in 2022 increase by almost a quarter compared to numbers in 2021 despite construction on Chiswick High Road which has required the closure of the cycle lanes. The effects of the scheme on bus journey times and traffic journey times has been mixed, and complicated by the impact of road works in and around the Chiswick High Road area (including unplanned works on the A4) over the last few months. These works make it difficult to isolate what specific effects the Chiswick High Road scheme might have had on traffic and buses. We will continue to monitor the effect of the scheme and, providing there are no further unplanned works in the area, we would expect that the picture would become clearer over the next few months. We will publish a report to provide an update on the effects of the scheme on cycling, buses and traffic once the London Borough of Hounslow has made a decision about what the future of the scheme should be. How do I respond to the consultation? Please go to: https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/cycleway-9 where you can complete our online survey. By registering with our Have Your Say webpage, you can be kept informed on the progress of the consultation and our proposals. If you would prefer not to submit a response online, you can send us your thoughts in writing:• By email to haveyoursay@tfl.gov.uk • By post to ‘FREEPOST TfL Have your Say’ The consultation closes on 3 April 2023 and you may respond as often as you would like until that date should your views on the scheme change.

Claire Moran ● 1276d133 Comments ● 1258d