Forum Topics

How can a crown in a back garden be 2m away when the width of a terrace back garden is under 4 metre

Not happy that 7 people had a BBQ last night in  the house next door.  They are all along the side fence which is not high and flimsy in anywise. That makes them less than 2 m from my family ( only 3 of us currently.)So that in effect means that every other house, people cannot be safe if a crown is less then 2m away from anywhere I stand in our garden?So are there supposed to be restrictions about how close gatherings in gardens can be in proximity to neighbours back doors or gardens which can be less than half a metre away?A bit worrying as already thanks to the publicity awarded to D Cummings, many seem to have abandoned any form of lockdown decorum.

Raymond Havelock ● 1d17 Comments ● 1h

Why do the links not work on any Hounslow Updates

Tried to look at several of the Hounslow sponsored initiatives last few days.Seems none of the links are accessible if you use Safari or an apple mac.Rather ironic for digital skills.But surely these should work for all platforms especially as so many older people do not have the latest up to date kit and quite a few will not be able to afford new hardware of software for quite a while..Again no joined up thinking.

Raymond Havelock ● 1d1 Comments ● 9h

Testing for Covid19 at school.

Just been watching a programme about a pilot programme at a German school. Each student is tested twice a week for Covid19 and the results are sent back via E mail. If it is successful it may be rolled out nationwide. Will we follow?

Nicholas Beard ● 1d4 Comments ● 11h

Masks in Poland

It is now compulsory to wear a mask in public in Poland. Big problem for the old as they cannot go out to get them. Now there is an app that you can request masks and they are brought to your house. Best part is it is part subsidised by the EU.

Nicholas Beard ● 1d1 Comments ● 21h

Should have gone to Specsavers

This is a book I picked out of a 'take me' box on somebody's wall:The Carnivorous CarnivalA Series of Unfortunate Events  by Lemony SnicketNo guessing as to how I first read the title.Should have gone to Specsavers!Rather timely though ...And just how do you get a name like Lemony Snicket?

Anne England ● 1d0 Comments ● 1d

Educational divide

There seems to  be an educational divide. Eg those with laptop and broadband and those without. As usual the goverment seems to be late in doing anything. Why not have wi fi on council tax? It would work out very cheap.

Nicholas Beard ● 20d21 Comments ● 2d

Farm workers/pickers

Just read that for these jobs accomodation is provided. It is in the form of caravans in which alledgidly 3 or 4 workers sleep. When I read this I thought SOCIAL DISTANCING. Any opinions on this.

Nicholas Beard ● 39d23 Comments ● 2d

E-books from library

Has anyone had any success downloading ebooks from Hounslow Libraries.  I've tried several times but just go round in circles.  The system doesn't recognise my library number even though I can get into the system using it.  Thanks in advance.

Pat Kingham ● 4d5 Comments ● 3d

Are TfL meddling with Traffic lights ...again?

Traffic Lights on the A4 have been changing after just a few seconds in the last week causing traffic queues with what is busier, but still way, way quieter than normal.It's bad at the Junction of Sutton Court Road but also at several other locations. Particularly in West Ealing and At Isleworth Near Gumley School.It seems a bit odd but it's barely giving anyone time to get in gear and move off. Is just as bad on the bike as you just get moving and they go red. Or you lose momentum as they change as you approach.  Needless to say many just carry on, and it's hard to blame them.TfL need to be honest about this. Are they changing the phasing and where? and Why?

Raymond Havelock ● 6d8 Comments ● 3d

Council Tax

If Hounslow Council could just send me my council tax bill for 2020 instead of a 'Coronavirus updade' every two blasted seconds, I for one would be a happy man. 'Your Council Tax bill is ready to view'?? No. Just no. How can they send me stupid Coronavirus, no problem. But I have to go, logon, register, all that malarkey, whatever to find out what I'm being fleeced this year? Why? Send. me. my. bill.

Mike Paterson ● 13d16 Comments ● 3d

Brexit

Its finally been admitted there will be border control posts at Belfast and three other locations. And goods crossing the Irish Sea will be subject to checks.

Nicholas Beard ● 16d15 Comments ● 3d

Fragmentation, privatisation and lack of PPE and more

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/may/27/privatisation-uk-disatrous-coronavirus-response-ppe-care-homes-corporate-power-public-policy?

Philippa Bond ● 3d0 Comments ● 3d

EU free movement

I read this morining that the first plane of Romanian agriculture workers will land at Stanstead. We were told before the Brexit vote that Brits wanted these jobs. The reality, 500 Brits have applied for these jobs. What will happen next year? Will these workers be paid over the £25000.00

Nicholas Beard ● 44d33 Comments ● 3d

Overstocked your food cupboard?

Looks like the foodbanks are a great option.St Paul’s Church Food Bank.From their web site.Get involved.A key value of ours is that we seek to work in partnership with the local community, and that by working together, we can really make a difference to local residents. All donations come from local individuals, schools, business and churches - the foodbank would not be able to meet the high demand for food parcels without this invaluable support. If you would like to donate to the foodbank, listed below are the items needed: Milk (UHT/powdered)Breakfast CerealJars of Pasta SaucesPasta & RiceBaked BeansTinned PulsesPackets or Tins of SoupTinned FruitTinned Puddings (sponges, custard, rice pudding, angel delight)Cereal & porridgeBiscuits and ChocolateTinned Fish & MeatTinned VegetablesFruit juice (long life)Tea, coffee & sugarBaby formula milk, baby wipes & nappiesToiletries (shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, sanitary towels, toothpaste & tootbrushes)Washing powderThe church is open every Wednesday and Sunday morning to receive donations (9.30-11.30am).For more information - please contact foodbank@hwparish.org.uk or call 020 8581 5537.

Sarah Felstead ● 83d24 Comments ● 3d

Dominic Cummings

Will all future advice from the government re the Covid_19 pandemic contain the rider - except if you are one Dominic Cummings?Obfuscation has become an art form during these press briefings.

Vanessa Smith ● 7d15 Comments ● 4d

Adult Cycle Training

https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/news/article/1032/one-to-one_adult_cycle_training_for_hounslow_residents_returns_next_week

Philippa Bond ● 7d2 Comments ● 6d

Where there's brass

Copper (a constituent of brass) has anti bacterial and anti viral properties:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antimicrobial_properties_of_copperLooks like our ancestors knew something about disease prevention that we seem to have forgotten with our plastic and stainless steel world.It sounds good too:http://www.yorkshirefilmarchive.com/film/where-theres-brass

Andy Riley ● 6d0 Comments ● 6d

Bath drowning danger

Let's look at the risk of dying from the Chinese virus:We have data for hospital deaths for a large (17m) sample:OpenSAFELY Studyand cause of death statistics from ONS:Mortality statistics 2010Calculate COVID-19 annualised death rate per 100,000:Period of study 1 Feb - 25 Apr = 84 days18-60 cohort = 11,935,253 say 12mHospital deaths with confirmed COVID-19 = 489Annualised per 100000(365/84) * (100000 / 12,000,000) * 489 = 17.7Deaths from Drowning in bathtub 33Adding in non hospital deaths, COVID-19 deaths for 18-60 year olds are in the same ballpark as bathtub drowning.

Andy Riley ● 10d8 Comments ● 6d

Dangerous cycling

Should we really be encouraging people to cycle who cannot obey a single road sign or even ride one handed without wobbling all over the place?Cycling to work to day, I spent more time avoiding other cyclists who are clearly not safe.Seen plenty of cameras on head gear but No Bells or mudguards on far too many bikes as well.Too many wearing headphones/earbuds and cannot hear other vehicles.These things are all part of basic safety not just for cyclists but also other cyclists and road users and pedestrians. Surely some sort of proficiency training needs to be implemented fast.And no-one is keeping a safe distance especially those who do bother to stop at junctions and crossings.  Today a lycra clad on a very expensive bike hurtled past and was spitting - not in aggression but more like a footballer. Problem is the cyclist he passed and myself got spattered.NOT ACCEPTABLE from people who really ought to know better.Pretty sure now I will have to go back to the van from tomorrow as the last few days have underlined the inability of people to use their loaf.Road offences must be enforced whatever mode one is using.  They are there for a reason most of the time.Get serious about safety, Cyclists are causing too much risk....rather ironically, to other cyclists and pedestrians.

Raymond Havelock ● 16d30 Comments ● 7d