Forum Topics

To be suspended from one party Cllr Lambert may be regarded as a a misfortune

It would probably be easy to assume that Guy Lambert a member of the awkward squad who finds it difficult to be fettered by any sort of collective responsibility after his second suspension from two different political parties in two years.

My impression is that his commitment to being transparent and giving constituents an honest insight into what is going on often offends a party hierarchy who would prefer we didn't know and would prefer all its councillors remain strictly on message.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 14d10 Comments ● 12h

Developments on Commerce Road, Brentford.

Whilst all eyes and ears may be concentrated on the Ballymore development ...south of the High Street ... and perhaps on the skyscrapers rising to the east of Brentford ... near the Football Stadium ... there is evidence that Commerce Road is in for further changes too.The old factories have gone and new builds are already occupied and being referred to as Brentford Lock West.A brand new Bus Garage is now open which was much needed.Some of the new builds look most boringarchitecturally and are most uninteresting to observe.Another large "old factory" area on the west side of Commerce Road is currently boarded up ... and it's fate seems obvious. In addition we hear that Sega (on the Great West Road, opposite Gunnersbury Park) are moving to Chiswick ... which enables the  site to be demolished and replaced by buildings of greater volume.So many industrial buildings on the Great West Road have been adapted for residential use that the number of incomers in the next few years is going to be staggering and the pressure on local services should be of concern.I think that these future happenings are not known by local folk and the implications not understood.Are you alarmed?

Jim Lawes ● 841d12 Comments ● 12h

Guy may have a point.

'Anyway it helped I think to actually get council officers coming here, Few of them live anywhere near: one of these in Lambeth (I think) and the other out in Berks or Bucks. I think that is a problem for the council. Someone (anonymous) from Lampton 360 told me not one of the top 20 people lived in Hounslow Borough. Don't know if that's true but doesn't surprise me. I think that is a problem, but it was good chatting with these two and I hope they learned something!'This little nugget in Guy Lambert's blog caught my eye. Those of us who have been kicking around for some years well may think that the way the council operates is vastly different - and of course there are many factors that contribute to that, finances, governance etc. But there was a time when a lot of people who worked at LBH lived in the borough, many having been born and bred here as well. I think it really helps when the people delivering the services know the area where they are working and that there is a certain 'ownership' that makes all the difference. It really bugs me when talking to a council officer about a local issue they really are not familiar with the area, but persist in telling you you haven't a bloody clue what you're on about, even though you have lived there for many years. Obviously you can't demand that a condition of employment is residence in the borough, but it does give food for thought and perhaps explain why things take so long to resolve or get someone to actually take notice of?  

Vanessa Smith ● 3d1 Comments ● 12h

Clothes bank?

We have a quantity of good quality clothes which we no longer need. We’d like them to go directly to people who need them rather than passing them on to a charity shop for resale. Our research indicates that there is a clothes bank at St Luke’s in Kingsley Road, Hounslow. Is this the best local option? Does the Hounslow Community FoodBox also offer clothing? Is there a ‘better’ place to donate to? We really are keen for donations to go directly to those who need them, so any steer would be wonderful. Thanking you in advance.

Tracie Dudley Craig ● 44d16 Comments ● 23h

Who Put the Bomp in the Bomp Ba Bomp Ba Bomp

is on at the Tabard Theatre opposite St Michael & All Angels near Turnham Green Tube.A wonderfully feel-good theatre experience with young new musical theatre players.  Check out the reviews.  Expect it to move somewhere bigger!

Philippa Bond ● 2d0 Comments ● 2d

Ealing today new web layout…

….Oops!  I really don’t like the new layout!  I hope the other sites in the group aren’t going to follow suit…

Sarah Felstead ● 11d8 Comments ● 4d

Romeo & Juliet @ The Questors Theatre  Ealing W5

Really enjoyed this tonight.  I haven't actually watched Romeo & Juliet as a whole play before.  I last saw it when I sneaked in to see the Franco Zeffirelli film as a teenager many years ago!Its on for a couple more nights and it must be on the curriculum at some local schools.

Philippa Bond ● 7d0 Comments ● 7d

The artists who camped out on their roof to raise money to turn their street into a Power Station

by adding solar panels and who have made film about it which has been doing the rounds of Britain and further afield now have a Crowdfunder with matchfunding to raise the money to add 50 more homes. They are now working to create a model which can be recreated even further around the country.They were featured in the Guardian and the Observer initially when they were camping out on their roof in the cold and wet:https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/dec/18/power-to-the-people-the-neighbours-turning-their-london-street-into-a-solar-power-stationThey started with the houses on their street in Walthamstow and are now raising money to add another 50 houses in Waltham Forest..You can see all the venues where their initial film has been shown around Great Britain and also where it is due to be shown:https://power.film/pages/screen-the-filmYou can set up and request a screening near you.  There is often one of the artists or someone else involved in the making of the film or in the projects available to visit and introduce the film and answer questions.Their Crowdfunder still had matchfunding available last time I looked.https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/power-50Today's the last day of matchfunding of donations made up to £250 (once only).  What a challenge - what a journey!  

Philippa Bond ● 7d1 Comments ● 7d

Local Reform Councillors Caught in ITV Sting

A warning that the footage from ITV is quite shocking and the language used is very bad.

It should be pointed out that none of the Hounslow councillors reached the levels of racist obnoxiousness of some of their colleagues in other parts of the country. What they say does demonstrate duplicity and a contempt for the electorate they represent. Sunday evening's viewing should be interesting.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 20d8 Comments ● 11d

Scout bazaar - Saturday 14th November - Isleworth & Syon School  TW7 5LJ - doors open 1pm

1st Osterley scout groups main fund raising event of the year is upon us.Collection and sorting is on Saturday 7th November from 9.30am.If you have suitable donations they can be dropped off on Saturday morning (7th) at the Scout HQ which is down the alley next to 61 Osterley road  between the A4 and St Mary’s church.Donations can includeJewellery, books, bric a brac, children’s, men’s and ladies new and nearly new clothing only - no jumble please.  Hats, bags, belts, shoes, household goods, small electrical, white elephant items, toys, fancy goods, and furniture  - small items only .  They cannot collect TV’s , 3 piece suits nor can they accept fridge/freezers, beds,or mattresses or broken goods.The group is run by volunteers and if you would like to know more information about the group and volunteering their web address iswww.1stosterley@org.uk

Sarah Felstead ● 12d0 Comments ● 12d

Heidelberg Close, Brentford, TW8 0ZA (That's new!)

It was a pleasure to walk around the new "Fairview Homes" developmenttoday and view some new scenes in Brentford Town.The styling of the Estate is very pleasant to the eye, the brickwork more agreeable, in my view, to the project down the road!A half of the development is completed and mostly occupied already ...the sales prices being much lower than ... down the road.Many pathways are bordered by greenery ... shrubs and more ...and the pathway along the River Brent has benches so one can sit and admire the views.There was no evidence of shop fronts on the ground floorsand the names of the blocks of flats was interesting too.Several foyes were seen to have permanent exhibits of old Heidelberg Printing Machinery... respecting the business of the previous occupants of the site.The paths were a delight to use.This is another suggestion for your next "Walk and Talk" around the area.

Jim Lawes ● 29d2 Comments ● 13d

Kinship Care Week

Kinship Care WeekThis is Kinship Care Week.  Did you know that nationally, 141,000 children, through no fault of their own, are being brought up by relatives or family friends. Kinship Carers may be grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, older siblings.  They may be fosterers, Special Guardians or part of a private family agreement. Kinship Care can be tough and exhausting, both mentally and physically. Carers can feel isolated, depressed and out of their depth, especially if they are not getting the emotional and practical support they need. Local peer support groups help to break down isolation and provide opportunities to get support from carers who are in a similar situation. Whether it's a friendly chat over a cuppa, advice on a particular issue, or just understanding company, a peer support group can help. Our local group meets monthly on Fridays in Clayponds Community Association. So, if you are one if the estimated 660 Kinship Carers in this area of West London,  or know someone who is, point them in our direction. Email - InspireKinship@mail.com for further details.

Mick Brent ● 31d1 Comments ● 25d

Awesome

Many, many Congratulations to all the volunteers at Dukes Meadows on their achievement of winning the London in Bloom Gold medal, and the achievement by Kathleen Healy who won the only Judge's Award this year! As well as this amazing award Kathleen has also Chaired the Hounslow Friends of Parks Forum over the last two years, which has taken considerable patience and enthusiasm. This award is a reminder of the number of people who give of their time and expertise to keep our parks and open spaces places we can all enjoy. Well done Kathleen, Paul and everyone at Dukes Meadows.

Vanessa Smith ● 26d0 Comments ● 26d

Trico Brentford Strike for Equal Pay in 1976

Missing the theatre and there no longer being Watermans with its unforgettable pantos I picked up a Questors brochure in Ealing and came across a play about this strike in Brentford which I vaguely remember!Do take a look at their What's On:  www.questors.org.ukThey have also fixed some leaks in their leaking roof recently and are currently raising more money for a new roof. This is our closest theatre!www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/raise-the-roof-2026

Philippa Bond ● 35d8 Comments ● 27d

Avenue Road Brentford parking restrictions

It seems that there are gas works planned for the next fortnight in Avenue Road, Brentford.  I am probably being utterly stupid but the yellow restriction notices are pretty much incomprehensible - the house numbers on each notice vary and I think one notice mentions a number which doesn't exist.  It looks as though the entire road is a no-go area for 2 weeks - if that's right there are going to be problems!A few days ago the notices referred to roads which weren't even in the area - roads in Isleworth, Hounslow etc. so it all seems to have been a bit of a muddle.Can anyone shed any (clear) light on exactly where and when the restrictions apply?  This may be one for Guy Lambert!Many thanks for any help which anyone can give.

Alison Robins ● 49d15 Comments ● 31d

USA history

National archives, Kew, have a rare print of the Unites States Declaration of Independence for viewing in October and November.  Curator led tours on various dates.  Check their web site for  how to book.

Sarah Felstead ● 34d0 Comments ● 34d

Brentford Fountain. The actual Brentford Fountain.

Headline story is of a new Brentford Fountain Leisure Centre being designed. First, I wish people, including councillors, wouldn't just use 'Brentford Fountain' when referring to this facility. Brentford Fountain, as anyone with a passing knowledge of Brentford knows, is an actual fountain, removed and left rotting near Heathrow for many decades. A lot of work was put in not too long ago to persuade its keepers - Western International Market - to let Brentford have it back. As I understand it, no organisation in Brentford, including the Council, Brentford FC and others, was prepared to give this excellent historic landmark a home. Surely this is the opportunity! But I'm very out of touch with the current situation. Perhaps Jim Storrar can tell us the latest?

Mike Paterson ● 41d3 Comments ● 34d

Vehicle Control Services Limited Sheffield.

These are 3 posts that I put on my Facebook page over the past few days. Is anyone else having grief from this Sheffield based company.(1) ICELAND CAR PARK ABERTILLERY. (£400 COMPENSATION OFFERED FOR ME TO DROP THE CASE WHICH I HAVE.REFUSED.)Private car parking company Vehicle Control Services Limited were summoned to appear before Blackwood Civil Court tomorrow (23-9-26.)  But I have been informed today that the hearing is now being held tomorrow at Cardiff Civil and Family Justice Centre. VCSL have been summoned to answer allegations of continued harassment between March and December 2025 following them issuing me with 5 illegitimate fines between those dates and also threatening bailiff and High Court action. All 5 fines were eventually cancelled. I am not confident on winning the case tomorrow being a small fish up against a trained solicitor. Bu one thing I am confident of is that I will prove 100% that VCSL have provided myself and the court with false evidence which I won't disclose until tomorrow. This false evidence has been provided by a legal executive with VCSL who signed the documents and who is well aware that false evidence already provided and which will be given tomorrow attracts possible criminal action for perjury and contempt of court.(2) ICELAND CAR PARK ABERTILLERY.You couldn't make this up. Today's Civil Court hearing against VCSL at Blackwood Civil Court was yesterday moved to Cardiff Civil Court. We arrived at the Cardiff court at 12.45pm today to make sure we were there early for the 2 hour slot at 2.00-4-00pm. After waiting for more than 1 hour, at 3.15 we were informed by the acting Judge in the case that as there was only three quarters of an hour to hear the case there were 2 options. One was to rush through the case or adjourn until a later date. The VCSL Barrister who again tried to buy me off with a £400 sweetener to drop the case was of a mind to continue but I objected and the case was adjourned to a future date. The acting judge apologised for the delay of over 1 hour explaining that the Judge who was assigned to the case fell ill after hearing a previous case this afternoon. Also the Legal Executive who prepared the 55 page defense witness statement didn't turn up in court. Neither did the Area Manager of VCSL turn up knowing that he would have given evidence to the court that was false. The matter has now been moved back to Blackwood Civil Court. (3) Sorry to bore ones NOT affected by the Iceland Abertillery car parking scam by Vehicle Control Services Limited.I now have absolute proof that the exclusion camera that covered the 4 Blaenau Gwent Borough Council free 24 hour public parking spaces in the Iceland car park Abertillery (See Below) failed a number of times in 2024, for 11 days between 16th and 26 March 2025, again in October 2025, and for 14 days between 10th and 23rd December 2025. Despite VCSL falsely claiming to DVLA that the failure was a short term technical issue  the exclusion camera failed again in February 2026 and July 2026. This has led to hundreds if not thousands of illegitimate fines being issued to innocent motorists. If you were parked in one of those 4 bays and were pressured into paying the fine owing to a threat of bailiff and High Court action being taken I would suggest you contact VCSL legal Executive Jake Burgess and ask for a refund. VCSL have absolute proof from still photos of whether you were in those bays or not. Mr Burgess' email address is                                   jakeburgess@vehiclecontrol.co.uk

Neil Milkins ● 39d0 Comments ● 39d

Morrisons - Bradshaw Yard

A message for Cllr Guy Lambert Is there anything that can be done to prevent cyclists, electric bikes and even motorised bikes (scooters) entering Bradshaw Yard when collecting from Morrisons? There is a no entry sign when entering from the High Street yet this is blatantly ignored. I’ve seen on several occasions people nearly being struck by those flying through. I know the offending pushbikes are almost impossible to identify and deal with, but the motorised scooters with registration plates could easily be identified. At the moment the sign is like a guard dog with no teeth, absolutely useless. Bradshaw Yard is an accident waiting to happen. Are there any plans to enforce the no entry sign? Or can we all just start driving down it without consequence?

Bradley Taylor ● 69d7 Comments ● 45d

Residents parking permits

Has anyone any advice regarding Residents Parking Permits. I have tried to renew on line but cannot sign on.  It seems impossible to speak to a real person.  Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Pat Kingham ● 48d1 Comments ● 48d