Forum Topics

How easy is it to keep your landline number when renewing a broadband contract?

My (Plusnet) broadband contract is going to come out of its discounted period pretty soon. The renewal offer from Plusnet is cheaper, but it would be fibre provided broadband, rather than via copper/ADSL which is what I have at the moment.So, is there an easy way to keep my existing landline number? I don't have any issue with moving to VOIP, but I do want to keep the number I've had ever since I moved in.

Andrew Jones ● 4d7 Comments ● 2d

"Get well soon ... Councillor John Todd"

I was concerned to read John's Report on the front page of this website ...and then stumble across a photo of him lying in a Hospital bed!As many will be aware, John is a formidable Councillor with a long history of helping the Chiswick (and Hounslow Borough) community.May he respond to the best care and attention in Hospital and be back in his Chiswick homeland soon.Chin up John.

Jim Lawes ● 7d11 Comments ● 2d

Chiswick on Lidl's target list

I know these lists published by supermarket chains are speculative and don't usually indicate a live plan but Lidl is once again highlighting Chiswick as an area that they would like to come here. See the Metro article below:https://metro.co.uk/2025/04/29/lidl-reveals-500-000-000-uk-expansion-plan-supermarkets-unexpected-places-22991468/I think there is a real danger that if Chiswick does have a good spread of retailers including discounters, it might struggle even more. I was really hopeful Lidl would have taken the unit now occupied by Wren Kitchens by Empire House.Everyone seems to be aware now that Poundland isn't going to be around for long with M&S having acquired its lease and, for me at least, that was a big draw to the High Road.

Felicity Caborn ● 15d26 Comments ● 3d

The Mikado at The Tabard

Even if G&S isn’t quite your thing, this production is very engaging with some really great singing and very funny moments too. It deserves to be sold out . Go!

Stewart Jones ● 3d2 Comments ● 3d

Ants

Hi I’m looking for a recommendation for a locally based pest control operative. We have an ant problem on the first floor of our house.Any guidance appreciated.  Nick Jones

Nicholas Jones ● 4d5 Comments ● 3d

Deposit Return Scheme for Drinks Bottles & Cans (Plastic and Metal)

I just found this.  I can't believe how long this has been just kicked down the road.https://defraenvironment.blog.gov.uk/2025/01/31/introducing-the-deposit-return-scheme-for-drinks-containers/Germany has a 98% collection rate.

Philippa Bond ● 4d0 Comments ● 4d

Rising heat levels on the underground

Hi guys,Has anybody ever fainted from heat exhaustion on the tube in summer/suffered from a heat-related instance or know anybody who has?New 2024 TFL data shows that in spite of measures put in place to reduce the heat, temperatures on the tube have only continued rising to up to 30 degrees - especially on the Victoria and Central line. I'm writing an article on this newly released data set and how our underground travel during a potential 2025 heat wave in summer may be impacted.It would be great to hear your thoughts!Cheers

Billie White ● 7d6 Comments ● 5d

Blimey! There's a mouse in my Polish soup!

I'm not joking either!It is a beetroot soup sold in one litre cartons. You don't get to see what's in the carton as you are just required to pull up the plastic fastener.The one litre carton has provided me with three portions of the soup.The first portion was poured into my soup kettle and after heating up... it tasted fineThe second portion the next day tasted fine too. "Clear beetroot soup ... that must be good for me!The third portion looked cloudy and left a strange residue on the inside of the soup kettle. I thought it might have been caused by a whole beetroot disintigrating along the line. Surprising that that final portion didn't taste too bad either.The empty carton is not suitable for regular recycling as it is manufactured with a silver lining.So I usual undo the gussett foldson the base and at the topand scissor the carton to smaller pieces for burning.Something was amiss ...as I unfolded the carton my eyes popped out as I saw some spongy foreign object and underneath ...a baby mouse!!I did survive that third portion and I currently feel very well....TO BE CONTINUED!

Jim Lawes ● 187d61 Comments ● 5d

VE Day events in Chiswick?

Is anything happening in Chiswick this week? I saw something on the VE Day website about a Bell Ringing in St Nicholas Chiswick but no time shown and nothing on the Church website?Couldn’t find anything else.. would be great to have more info.

Jackie Elton ● 8d6 Comments ● 5d

Banning Wet Wipes Containing Plastic

https://www.thames21.org.uk/2025/04/thames21-reiterates-call-for-government-to-speed-up-introduction-of-legislation-to-ban-plastic-in-wet-wipes/Rishi Sunak's government announced that they would do this in April...  We're now in May and there is no sign of this happening and there is no timetable for it.  Many companies have stopped making them containing plastic which won't disintegrate when flushed but atick to other things and block loos and pipes and make wet wipe islands in the Thames.There was due to be a Wet Wipe Count at Hemmersmith Bridge on 30 April  - I wonder how that went?https://www.thames21.org.uk/2025/04/21-ways-thames21-is-fighting-pollution-in-the-thames/

Philippa Bond ● 7d17 Comments ● 6d

Rubbish removal

Can anyone recommend a reliable company to pick up some domestic rubbish (vacuum cleaner, textiles etc.) After Ealing council closed down the Stirling Road recycling centre, I am stuck without a car and an expired driving licence!

Liz Ihre ● 7d2 Comments ● 6d

Zip/bank cards

11-15 zip card in wallet with bank cards found - if you think it's your child's (local to Chiswick School) please contact the school for return.Thanks.

Jo Duddy ● 6d0 Comments ● 6d

Zip Oyster card found in Pleydell Avenue

11-15 Zip Card belonging to A Courquin.  Please contact me to arrange return.

Rachel Frampton ● 7d0 Comments ● 7d

Home Refurbishment - builder recommendation needed

Hello, I am based just of the High Road and looking for someone to do herringbone wood flooring, new doors, some updating to my kitchen, bathroom wall and floor tiling and installation of a new sink and toilet in my apartment.Can anyone recommended someone as I am having a terrible time of finding someone trustworthy and reliable? Many thanks

Jessica Andrew ● 7d0 Comments ● 7d

What Is A Woman ??

- It shows how far we drifted from common sense that it became necessary to go to a court to answer 'what is a woman' !

Anna Kirkpatrick ● 27d87 Comments ● 7d

Best place to see today’s VE flypast

Hello all, does anyone know where the best place to see the VE fly past in Chiswick might be?Our house is by Chiswick Park station and we’ve never seen anything from here so hopefully someone can share a better location!  TIA

Alison Foy ● 9d13 Comments ● 8d

Stag Brewery Approval very bad new for Chiswick

I was so sorry to hear that despite a thousand objections, the campaign against the massive Stag Brewery campaign has failed to convince the planning inspector.This very tall and dense development will totally transform the fell of one of the most tranquil walks by the river and urban life will intrude on the area for the first time. It is only to be hoped that it isn't the first of a series of riverside developments on this part of the Thames.

Diane Brown ● 11d6 Comments ● 8d

Cyclists please cycle responsibly.....

Whilst the 99% cycle responsible, I've seen so many cyclists riding around above 20mph and skipping red lights and pedestrian crossings. Please cycle responsibly, for your own sake, if you get into an accident with a 4 ton van your not going to win!

John Bird ● 14d28 Comments ● 8d

Mother’s Bakehouse

Paid them a visit yesterday (Friday). Despite not having the 'big' electricity cable needed to run their new fangled ovens (the road was closed as the workmen dug it up for said cable), they still managed to put on a decent show with baguettes, olive bread, cinnamon rolls and other stuff.

We picked up a baguette (still hot from the oven); crusty, reassuringly wonky, light and delicious. Had expected it to be very expensive, but not so. 

For the benefit of fellow Chiswickians, I'm going to try more of their offerings today, but for the baguette... it's a solid thumbs up.

Gordon McDonald ● 18d8 Comments ● 9d

Photo booth.

Hi do any of you fine folks know where there is a photo booth locally please?

Keith Iddon ● 23d7 Comments ● 9d

photo booth

Anyone know where there is one in Chiswick?

david ward ● 9d3 Comments ● 9d

No postcode for young people

Reading about the new dementia care facility on Acton Lane made me wonder whether we have to start thinking about the dangers of becoming a hub for this kind of enterprise. I've nothing against old people, I plan to be one myself one day and care facilities have to go somewhere. However if Chiswick is perceived as specialising in them, there could potentially be negative consequences for us all. The police station development will see the loss of retail frontage on the High Road and this new development will also see the disappearance of the row of shops  along Chiswick Terrace. Fewer shops means less choice and ultimately a reduction in footfall. Two developments for older people combined with the existing homes around Fishers Lane is not necessarily excessive but, if this is the start of a trend, then we probably need to consider how this will impact the vitality of the area.

Felicity Caborn ● 29d32 Comments ● 9d

Ghosts at Lyric Hammersmith, recommend, closes 10th May

Just back home after a very satisfactory night at the Lyric theatre, good writing, great performances, reasonably priced, well run...book now as it closes on 10th May....so refreshing compared to what is going on in the West End, we paid £35 for good seats, the equivalent seats for Giant at the Harold Pinter Theatre are £175.

Anne Paterson ● 10d1 Comments ● 10d

Recommendation for driving instructor

Can anybody recommend a local driving instructor please?

Jim Currie ● 10d5 Comments ● 10d

Please object today to increase in height of Hogarth roundabout IMG redevelopment 

Urgent: object today Friday if you don’t want Hounslow Council to allow our beloved views of St Nicholas Church and Chiswick’s riverside to be ruined by giving planning permission to a 10 floor building on Hogarth Roundabout. Please help to save this cherished corner of West London…👉Please comment on Hounslow’s planning portal here https://planningandbuilding.hounslow.gov.uk/NECSWS/ES/Presentation/Planning/OnlinePlanning/AddApplicationComment?applicationNumber=P%2F2024%2F2610 (BTW don’t use paragraph returns in your comments - their system won’t allow it) 👉 Or easier still, email your views to Planning.objections@hounslow.gov.uk. The deadline is today Friday 25 April 2025.The background: The old IMG building at 1 Burlington Lane on Hogarth Roundabout has been empty, sad and dilapidated for a long time and we need new housing but the proposed 6 and 10 storey building which Hounslow Council’s planning officer is recommending for approval is totally out of scale to this residential area. The developer Jaysam Contractor Ltd already has planning permission to build 106 flats on 6 floors but is now asking to add 4 new floors. Only 6 of the units of the 132 will be affordable!As you can see in the picture above, the block will loom over the historic views and quaint streetscapes of St Nicholas Church, the many Listed buildings on Chiswick Mall, Church Street, Hogarth’s House museum, Chiswick House, the Lamb and Breweries, the streets of the Glebe Estate, the gentle recent development at Chiswick Gate behind the IMG (an example of a new development which respects the scale of our area).  Many of you who love walking along the Thames Path will know the famous views of Old Chiswick from across the river from Barnes towpath shown in below in print and more recently. If you love Chiswick riverside and are concerned about the impact of this proposal, please help by commenting to Hounslow. Many thanks!Sophie

Sophie Sainty ● 18d7 Comments ● 11d

Jeremy Vine ends cycling commute posts

I've never been a huge fan of Jeremy Vine's approach to cycling with its emphasis on conflict with other drivers and danger to people on a bike. My personal view is that this can be counterproductive and that the best way to encourage people to cycling is to tell them how safe and stress free it generally is even in an urban London environment. That said we'd both agree that the more people that cycle the better and perhaps my approach is dictated more by me wanting to avoid conflict rather than any proper assessment of how effective it is.The question of the legacy of his posts is a tricky one. The reach of Twitter is probably much exaggerated. I don't visit it much now but when I do his posts often pop up. It is likely that the millions of views recorded are from a relatively small bunch of people on each side of the debate getting very worked up about them. There always seemed to be very low engagement for his posts when there clearly was a case of very bad driving but lots of traction when he was essentially aggressively enforcing his right of way and was annoyed a driver had forced him to slow for a fraction of a second.While the abuse that he got was unacceptable, it is not atypical for that seen on Twitter these days with its almost total lack of moderation. He was actively courting controversy so he must have known what was coming but I think he is right to walk away now.Overall, despite my reservations about his methods, I think he has made life safer for cyclists in London. The claim that he has made people hate people on bikes doesn't stand up. The people who describe themselves as cyclists on their social media profile do a good job of generating hostility on their own and they are a tiny sub-set of those who actually ride a bike on a daily basis. My own experience has been that motorists have become much more considerate of cyclists and aware of the rules of the road with regard to bikes over the last decade. That may in part be due to the rise of the Go Pro and awareness that any encounter might be filmed but Jeremy's posts will have served to reinforce that so I think they have served to make our roads safer for all if not actually saved lives.

Mark Evans ● 15d39 Comments ● 11d

Spain & Portugal Blackout

- a little bird who often has good information is making it known that they believe the point of origin for the blackout is a high voltage substation 'Elorrio' which is operated by Spains national grid operator. It was a cyber attack targeting the SCADA system injecting malaware that  exploited a known vulnerability in Siemens S7-1200PLCs. More info to follow.

Anna Kirkpatrick ● 15d51 Comments ● 11d

Fracas In Grove Park Piazza

Last night around 8.15  - IC3 male approx 30 yrs old in a motorbike/moped helmet was shouting at a group of women ' you re civilians' repeatedly, and also 'you re women/females' and also 'you re weird'I only caught the tail end of it but I gather some argument had broken out because the women thought he was trying to rob from their car ?He stormed into the shop, grabbed a can of drink, threw money at the shopkeeper without knowing the price of the drink and stormed off shouting.Struck me as odd he was shouting about civilians ? ?

Anna Kirkpatrick ● 11d4 Comments ● 11d

London Irish - the Boys are Back in Town?

It's really great to hear that London Irish are getting the backing to return to professional rugby and that west London is their preferred base.As far as I am aware the Loftus Road pitch is now deemed too narrow so Brentford's stadium may be the only option. As the previous arrangement seemed to work so well, it is hard to see an argument against a return.It would be great to see them in the URC as games against the Irish provinces would be massive and it would be brilliant to walk to watch South African stars. However I am guessing that floating this possibility is a way of putting pressure on the English league to fasttrack them back to the top division.

Francis Rowe ● 89d68 Comments ● 11d

VE Day in Chiswick 1945 and celebrations in 2025?

I recall Street Parties in Chiswick after the Second World War.Tressle tables down the middle of the Road in Wolseley Gardens ...with bunting on display too.Hardly a motor car to be seenalong the kerbs in those daysLot's of children and their familieswere enjoying the meagre goodies available at that time. Remember Food Rationing & the FR books to control what you bought!(There was a limit on sweets too until the early 1950s and how we made up for lost goodies then!)Mrs Sheridan at No 37 was the star organiser and her family are still around today. Many of us benefited from the use of the Air Raid shelter in her back garden ... where we enjoyed bread and sugar sandwiches etc.I believe that we had a Street Party on both VE and VJ day ... and Whitehall Park Road had a Street Party too which I attended.It was at the railway end.Life was tough for our parents ...listening out for the Air Raid Siren... and when we did we hid under the iron Morrison Shelter erected in our Parent's bedroom.In February 1944 a bomb had dropped in Wolseley Gardens ... demolishing some 4 houses and killing 5 adults.(no memorial plaque there ...sadly)Mrs Sheridan and her family were 2 houses away from the Bomb. The doddlebug had 10 second's earlier dropped a bomb on the United DiariesDepot in Sutton Lane ...killing some 9 horses.I recall also being taken to the Victoria Embankment, Westminster to watch the mighty VE day processionwhich included Service Men andWomen from all over ... INCLUDING RUSSIA(!) ...as at that time ... we were on the same side.Parties and bunting continued after the War as Service personnelreturned from their postings abroad ... eg Burma. Sadly many never returned. God bless them.

Jim Lawes ● 19d6 Comments ● 12d

Dementia Awareness

Hounslow Council are holding a dementia awareness event in the glorious space of the great conservatory at Syon on May 20th.It's free but you'll need to book.https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/step-back-in-time-step-forward-for-dementia-awareness-tickets-1320095123049?aff=oddtdtcreator

Susan Kelly ● 17d2 Comments ● 12d

Turnham Green station during engineering works

We don't know why London Undergrounds seems to have abandoned its practice of shutting Turnham Green during District line engineering works but it probably is partly due to people pointing out how daft it was. Any one needing to get into town in the first weekend of May owes the people who raised this a thank you.

Francis Rowe ● 28d6 Comments ● 12d

Sofas by Saxon have vacated the premises

Sad to see another shop has ended their time on Chiswick High Road after only 3 years!

Fay Kazemi ● 154d49 Comments ● 12d

School Streets scheme

Does anyone have experience of a "School Streets" scheme and how its worked in practice in their area? Ealing are proposing implementing one for the streets immediately around Southfield Primary school, which would see non-residents traffic banned from the immediately adjacent streets during school dropoff and pickup hours.The theory is apparently that this initially pushes school traffic away from the handful of roads immediately next to the school, and in time leads to a reduction in traffic as people start putting their kids on the bus (I guess?). However, its also hard to see how this won't lead to at least some parents parking (for longer) in the "next street but one".  I have heard there is a School Streets scheme in Grove Park that's been up and running for a while - so if anyone has actual experience of whether they do have a beneficial effect, or any other experinces they could share that would be much appreciated. (Those wishing to share their generic opinions about the evils/joys/miraculous effects of cycle lanes/traffic calming/the car/pedestrians/tinfoil hats need not apply - there are plenty of other threads dedicated to you already :-) )

Tim Porter ● 23d23 Comments ● 12d

1 Burlington Lane Tower

Site: 1 Burlington Lane,Chiswick,W4 2RRDevelopment: Demolition and redevelopment of the site to provide a part-6, part-10 storey building tocreate 132 self contained flats and terrace of 3-storey properties, comprising of residential development,flexible commercial floorspace with associated car parking, private & communal amenity space,landscaping, refuse, cycle and public realm improvements.The Council received observations from you about the above-proposed development and I am nowwriting to tell you that the application will be decided by the Planning Committee on 01/05/2025.The meeting will be held at the Council Offices, Hounslow House, 7 Bath Road, Hounslow TW3 3EB.The meeting will be viewable to watch on a live stream on the council’s YouTube page from 7.00pm onthe date of the meeting which is the starting time for the meeting.Confirmation of the start time and a link to the meeting will be available on the council’s web page:http://democraticservices.hounslow.gov.uk/mgCommitteeDetails.aspx?ID=595To make sure that the application has been included on the agenda for the meeting, you can log ontowww.hounslow.gov.uk and follow the links from 'Your Council and Elections'( https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/info/20044/councillors_and_democracy ) You will also be able to see theplanning officer’s report to the committee. The full agenda, with reports, is normally available to view aminimum of seven days before the date of the meeting. Any of the public libraries in Hounslow boroughcan provide access to the Hounslow Council website. Alternatively you can contact the CommitteeAdministrator, Bill Lee on 020 8583 2068 or by email at william.lee@hounslow.gov.ukThe meeting will be open to the public.Speakers are only allowed to address the Committee in particular circumstances. If you would still like toattend the meeting to speak, please contact the Committee Administrator, Bill Lee on 020 8583 2068 oremail william.lee@hounslow.gov.uk by 12 noon on the Friday before the Committee date. Further detailson how to attend the meeting will be forwarded to all persons registered.If you wish only to watch the meeting, you are encouraged to use the livestream already mentioned.However, in accordance with legislation, the Council will be making a number of seats available forpublic viewing of this meeting.If you send any further information to the Councillors on the Committee, please also provide the planningofficer with an electronic copy. If you don’t do this then the planning officer may not be able to answerquestions (or offer solutions) when Councillors raise your concerns about the application during itsdiscussion at the meeting. If it is not submitted to planning officers electronically at least a day before themeeting, it will not be able to be displayed. You are advised that no account can be taken of additionalinformation received on the day of committee.Very occasionally an application can be withdrawn from the Committee agenda after its publication. Ifyou are intending to be at the meeting you may wish to contact Bill Lee on 020 8583 2068 on the day ofthe meeting to check that the application is still being heard.Yours faithfullyPlanning Services

Chris Lucy ● 21d15 Comments ● 12d

USA National Security Advisor & Deputy Removed

- Mike Waltz and deputy Alex Wong have been removed today very abruptly due to alleged involvement in an international trafficking network tied to money laundering etc. Waltz used his special forces background to orchestrate money laundering through off shore accounts to defence contractor - Metis Solutions under the disguise of national security operations. The funds were used to facilitate human exploitation tied to high level diplomatic cover. Wong exploited his State Dept connections to hide movement of assets and individuals across borders.The pair were caught out in an interesting way - when encrypted communications were intercepted by a rogue intelligence faction; their removal was swift to contain exposure.

Anna Kirkpatrick ● 12d4 Comments ● 12d

False Flags Are Incoming

Israel news first - Ronan Bar head of Israels domestic intelligence quit on 29th April after blaming Netanyahu for facilitating the October 7th attacks by Hamas. UK news - I have reliable information that an attack on persons in UK has already been filmed and is waiting for the green light to be released to the general public as 'breaking news' - the point  of course being to usher in the compulsory digital I.D. 'for your health and safety'. Im aware of a couple more details that supposedly happen in the 'attack' but am not posting them for the time being.

Anna Kirkpatrick ● 12d7 Comments ● 12d

French Government Urges Every Citizen to Keep a Survival Pack at Home..

The British Government suggested the same not long ago. Do as they say, folks - keep a week's supply of bottled water and tinned food stashed away. They know what they're plotting but you don't..

Michael Brown ● 14d3 Comments ● 13d

UK Scientists to Dim the Sun..

Don't book your holidays yet because you may not  get much sunshine, as the British  Government is set to limit the amount of sunshine you receive, using various geo-engineering methods. That's right - Sir Keir is taking control of the very source of life. Chemtrails? Surely not..

Michael Brown ● 14d2 Comments ● 14d