Forum Topics

Traffic mayhem. No longer able to support high st shops.

Good news and bad. Good news , we will no longer contribute towards pollution on high road. Bad News, we can no longer support all the lovely independent shops and stalls. After over 15 years living in Grove Park we are now struggling to carry on as normal. My wife and I rely on our car as main form of transport. Unable to cycle and can walk only short distances. Last week I went on two occasions to bring back elderly relative from north side of Chiswick. Our journey of normally under 30 mins took well over an hour on both occasions. Mainly sitting in heavily queuing traffic on the roads we were now forced to use. Our lovely trips to chat to local stall holders and independent retails have overnight become a nightmare journey and we are completely having to rethink our shopping habits. This will mean moving more to online (we already do this). We can not justify spending over and hour to return from the high road. The situation is about to get worse for us too once the south Chiswick traffic scheme is implemented (any day now). This situation will get worse as traffics increases when weather deteriorates and people who are  feel less inclined to walk or Cycle.  Even if you can walk or cycle there is a limit to what you can carry shopping wise. I know we all need to rethink our travel habits but this will kill an already struggling high road.

Sean Wales ● 2274d45 Comments ● 2272d

Telling the truth re Gunnersbury Park Bowls Club

It is important to tell the truth, not put out CIC propaganda, so I would like to correct some of the points in Cllr Lambert's statement about the bowls club:'the bowls club was wound up by the members/committee' - trying to make it sound as if it was our decision; in fact it was forced upon us by the CIC who ordered us to be out by Jan 2020'it had 22 members of whom 12 were active' - wrong: there was a petition signed by 21 playing members who wanted the club to continue'They maintained the green themselves with some help from Capel Manor' - the vast majority of the work was carried out by the members; there was occasionally some help from Capel Manor students who in exchange benefited from learning greenkeeping skills'the lease called for them to maintain the clubhouse, however the CIC stepped in to do so at times at a cost of around £2 per annum' - three longstanding members say they have no idea where this claim came from; there was no regular contribution from the CIC, in fact no one can remember any contribution except something to do with some fire alarm/equipment'they believed membership would grow after the delayed sports hub was completed but the development is many months late' - CIC should have kept a proper check on working practices and (the lack of) progress. The delays were not our fault so couldn't CIC have waited a few months to give us a chance to grow the membership?'Most of the bowlers have moved on to other clubs or retired' - again, not because we wanted to but because we have been forced to retire in the case of those without cars who want to respect the instruction not to travel unnecessarily on public transport'It's not clear there would be anyone to fix the green' - a number of volunteers have offered to do so. Before the club was kicked out, Capel Manor offered to take over the greenkeeping provided the club was allowed to stay. The CIC wouldn't even consider it'The CIC is supposed to grow the use of the park' - how does killing off one of the park's longest-established activities contribute to that? Why could no other place in the park be found for the pitch and putt so that both activities could co-exist? 'pitch and putt mooted to attract 3000 players per year' - apart from the wildly optimistic numbers, if golf is so important to the park why was the previous pitch and putt eliminated rather than relocated?

Bela Cunha ● 2288d7 Comments ● 2273d

Chiswick Flower Market

Delighted this is now a reality and I wish it every success.   It is z lovely idea.  Just one point, is it going to be a free for all or will it be masks and safe distancing?   Distancing not easy to achieve in a market situation although I believe the Chiswick Farmer's Market manages it rather well.

Jennifer Selig ● 2274d23 Comments ● 2273d

Pet passports

So from January 1st 2021 a pet passport will be required to take a pet to Northern Ireland . I thought the PM had sworn there would be ‘unfettered access’ Doesn’t sound that unfettered.

Stewart Jones ● 2273d5 Comments ● 2273d

Polski skleps a cunning plan for shop landlords

So my Polish friend of 20 odd years who did shoe repairs in TGT has up-sticks and gone home.  He told me he was off a short while back.  “Used to be a great business”, he said.  “But the landlord takes more and more of the profits and now, it just isn't worth it.”So we we've got Timpsons instead.... And all my business will go straight round the corner to the equally great Elias.Anyway – where was I?  Oh yes, just a few months back, Bedford Corner lost its wonderful Polski Sklep.  Another absolute disaster!   Exactly the same story!Here's the message.  Just for a minute forget about cars and bikes.  It's greedy shop landlords who are systematically strangling the life blood out of our local High Road and nearby shops.Now then I'm only a simple democrat with no problem whatsoever about unearned income.BUT:- there's unearned income and there's unearned income.  And I draw the line at any unearned income made from obscenely greedy shop rents.  Which is about as anti-social as anything gets and brings out the communist in me..So - When I take over, I will immediately order all shop landlords to cut their rentals by half.  Immediately.  Those that don't will have their ball chopped off and all their unearned shop-rental money taxed at 90%.Like Dinsdale Piranha :-  I'm a hard man - but fair ...

Stuart Kerr ● 2280d4 Comments ● 2273d

Irresponsible Beeb

I was disturbed this morning to see news item on BBC. Team sent cruising alongside refugee/migrant dingy, asking where they'd come from, where they're going? Nice calm water, blue skies. Looked like a great day out. Can only encourage more of the poor souls to make a truly perilous journey. It may be calm today or tomorrow but by the time they spend their life savings to make the trip it could be treacherous. What was the point?

Stephen Gould ● 2273d8 Comments ● 2273d

Fishers Lane

Hi Just wondering if Fishers Lane is now closed to car traffic?

Cormac Cullen ● 2283d148 Comments ● 2273d

The Glorious 12th.. part 2

Not only my own birthday but, more importantly, Wednesday August 12th sees the peak of the Perseid meteor shower.Hoping for clear skies!

Delilah Hall ● 2273d1 Comments ● 2273d

The Glorious 12th

I am sure all Chiswickians will welcome the Glorious 12th this Wednesday, the start of the grouse and ptarmigan shooting season,  which means that tens of thousands of tasty, juicy birds will be ending up on the tables of London's finest hotels and exclusive gentlemen's clubs by the end of the week.And although some of the agitprop old marxists and bleeding hearts on this forum may prefer the filth from Kentucky Fried Chicken and Nandos, it is heartening, I think, that after the social loss of Royal Ascot and Garden Parties at Buckingham Palace, dignified social life is now returning to our beloved country.

Roger Talbot ● 2276d33 Comments ● 2273d

NEWS live

Tik ive mentioned in the past but if you search on YouTube Global News live they cover news items live for ages,sometimes all day or night depending. No commentary,justlive feeds They are covering the issues in Beirut right now Ive put the link for this feed below.but better on your TV

Julian Pavey ● 2273d1 Comments ● 2273d

Replacement Velux window

I am thinking of having a Velux window replaced. Has anyone used a local Velux installer? There are a few in the area when I type in my postcode, so I would be grateful for recommendations. Many thanks.

Margot Crowther ● 2274d3 Comments ● 2273d

Garden type job

Looking for someone to lay black sheeting and then shingle on my front garden so not necessarily a gardening job.  Thanks.

Helen Whitman ● 2273d0 Comments ● 2273d

Donations of old blankets, towels etc needed for Cyprus dog rescue charity

Donations of old blankets, duvets & towels needed for dog rescue charity in Cyprus. Does anyone have any old (preferably clean) towels, blankets or duvets suitable for dog bedding you would like to donate to a rescue charity in Cyprus? We adopted our 10mth pup from there 2 months ago, but there are sadly lots more strays & rescues out there. (I am collecting over the next 10 days.) Happy for you to drop off on our front garden or I can pick up from yours. Thank you.

Claire Miller ● 2275d17 Comments ● 2273d

Kitchen fitter

hiCan anyone recommend a good kitchen fitter to source and fit a new kitchen.We're also looking at the chains, but are intetested in seeing what an independent can offer.

Chris Jenkins ● 2274d3 Comments ● 2273d

News from Heathrow..

Many of you will know that Terminal 4 is closed for the foreseeable future and that Terminal 3 is closed for the moment too.So 2 out of 5 inactive.Some 25,000 staff at Heathrow are in line for losing their jobs soon...from Pilots to lower grades.. Of those British Airways are apparently to shed 12,000 jobs. Not very pleasant at all.The news affecting Chiswickians was that one runway was to be closed for repairs and maintenance to give us some noise relief. It didn't last very long ..just 2 or 3 days...and now flights are using both runways again...and MANY flights too. Experts here will seek to find out what's happening...but I'm told flights are up by 30% in recent weeks.A larger variety of Chinese Airlines are flying in and out loaded  with masks and other imports. Apparently bosses at T5 are not too happy to be sharing T5 with this new array of Chinese Airlines.Some aircraft are apparently taking off with more crew on board than passengers... and my friend tells me that one flight took off with none!Qutar own a share of Heathrow and also a share of British Airways... and they have been swopping suppliers in certain areas to save money!The idea of a Third Runway must be on hold.But it's the damage to the local economy which will be alarming in the next month or two.Sorry it's a bit longwinded but it's on my  mind!

Jim Lawes ● 2276d12 Comments ● 2273d

Designing for the Circular Economy

https://resource.co/article/ellen-macarthur-foundation-launches-new-circular-design-toolkitWe're throwing away too much that could be reused and we need to find a way to reuse it.There's more info on the Ellen Macarthur website.There are still far too many products which are problematic.

Philippa Bond ● 2276d5 Comments ● 2273d

Complacency and Ignorance will kill far more

Everyone should now think of protecting their own health rather than we are all in it together because we are not. Just seeing well over 20 youths together ( BAME group) plaiying basketball together in Ravenscourt Park for the last few days is a clear indication that covid is going to get a lot worse before it gets better.  The government should make people aware Complacency and Ignorance Kills.

Robert Glen ● 2277d50 Comments ● 2273d

Green woodpeckers

I saw a green woodpecker last week on the ground in a fairly quiet area of Chiswick House Grounds. I don’t recall seeing one there before, does anyone know if they are often seen there.

Michael David Rowe ● 2275d9 Comments ● 2273d

Supporting Local Businesses

I was burgled last week and decided to change my locks. Having used Chiswick Security Locksmiths for well over 20 years and been  happy with their service, I googled them to get the phone number. I think I keyed in something like Chiswick Security, Acton Lane. Still in a state of shock, I was not paying much attention. I  got a number and phoned them. The response was not Chiswick Security and so I asked if this was the correct number. I was told that it was. Someone came out, and charged me an extortionate amount to change my locks. I noticed that the receipt said DR Locksmiths, LTD, Battersea. I was told that they were helping out during the pandemic since Chiswick Security could not cope. I needed to have extra keys cut and so I popped into the shop and mentioned what had happened. I was told this happens at least once a week. Other companies get access to those looking for Chiswick Security online and take their customers whilst Colin is on the verge of going out of business. Also, he would have charged around half of what I had paid. His number is 0208 994 1474.

Danuta Nicole ● 2275d7 Comments ● 2274d

Stabbing in Abinger road

There was  stabbing in Abinger road, on Saturday evening.Suspected drug dealers involved.This is on top of the spate of recent burglaries in Bedford Park.

George Radulski ● 2274d3 Comments ● 2274d