Forum Topics

Loud music all day Sep 16 and Sep 17 morning till night

I'm on Netley Road, booming music playing all day on Sep 16 and 17, sounded like it might have been coming from the stadium but couldn't find any mention of any events there. Does anyone have a clue where this dreadful noise is coming from? Just hope it doesn't start up again tomorrow (Monday) morning.

Nathan Sumner ● 588d14 Comments ● 581d

A fundamental flaw in Hounslow's Parking Strategy

If you look at the two documents that the council is currently consulting in it is hard not to be taken aback by the difference between the rhetoric and the reality.While it is a perfectly laudable aim to discourage car use and encourage sustainable transport measures, this is hard to achieve if you have a huge vested interest in encouraging people to drive which Hounslow does because it operates the largest number of car parking spaces in the borough.These are concentrated in the Hounslow town area which is also very well provided with privately run car parks so there would be a limited impact if the council were to get out of the car park business and bring much needed funds to its coffers by selling the sites for development.However, the 'strategy' is to upgrade the existing car parks and provide more when they deem demand requires it.The kerbside strategy on the other hand is to squeeze space even further with more parklets, EV chargers, bike hangers and cycle lanes. All of these are laudable, and some may even be necessary, but the report acknowledges that there are already parts of the borough where demand for residential spaces already outweighs supply.This includes Chiswick which already has the lowest level of daily car usage and pays more that the rest of the borough put together in permit charges.Chiswick's main car park at Sainsbury's is under continued threat of development and even that provides a fraction of the space available if you want to park in Hounslow. Squeezing further the limited available space will achieve almost nothing in encouraging people to switch modes of transport but will further reduce footfall on the High Road.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 586d5 Comments ● 582d

Is Kew Bridge giving someone the blues?

Blue balloons attached to Kew Bridge lamp posts. Scores of them, along both sides of the bridge. Does anyone know why?

Sue Rowe ● 583d3 Comments ● 582d

Brentford Push Up

Did anyone watch the excellent programme on TOGETHERTV at 0215 this morning? It was about Griffin Park. While I am not a football fan I found in very informative.

Nicholas Beard ● 584d5 Comments ● 583d

20.6bn litres of raw sewage discharged into the Thames at Mogden between early 2019 and  May 2023

‘Mogden, close to the River Thames, also tracks the volume of raw sewage it discharges.Between early 2019 and May this year it spilled 20.6bn litres – the equivalent to roughly 8,000 Olympic pools, according to data released by Thames Water in response to an environmental information request.’ - The Guardian, Tuesday 12th September 2023https://www.theguardian.com/environment/ng-interactive/2023/sep/12/unacceptable-how-raw-sewage-has-affected-rivers-in-england-and-wales-in-maps

Tracie Dudley Craig ● 594d5 Comments ● 583d

Lime Bikes How Hammersmith Deal With Them

Police have been called in after contractors working for e-bike firm Lime went into a London council’s pound to snatch back dozens of cycles seized for blocking roads and pavements.Hammersmith and Fulham council has confiscated hundreds of electric bikes following more than 1,500 complaints from residents.Take note Cllr Dunne & Lambert, Lime the people you are dealing withdon't give a monkeys for the trouble their bikes cause as long as they make money and we are all still waiting to see the Memorandum of understanding that Cllr Dunne said she had at the Brentford area forum,despite a FOI request

Robert Ayres ● 590d3 Comments ● 586d

Wales 20mph speed limit

When will the 20mph limit be rolled out UK wide. The UN  support the 20mph limit I understand.

Nicholas Beard ● 588d2 Comments ● 588d

Forthcoming Community Meetings - 13th and 18th September

Two forthcoming community meetings have been organised by Brentford Voice. The subjects of both meetings have an important bearing on the future of our area.The first will discuss the ongoing consultation by Hounslow Council on the Emerging Brentford Master Plan. It is taking place on Wednesday 13th September at 6.30 p.m. at Brentford Free Church. Boston Manor Road and is open to all.Council officers and their consultants will present the context and content of the Masterplan. There will be ample time to comment on the Masterplan and to ask questions.The following Monday 18th September at 6.30pm there will be a community meeting at the Holiday Inn on ideas for the future of Brentford’s disused railway embankment, which runs immediately to the west of Commerce Road. The meeting is open to all.At the same venue in January 2023 there was a similar event, at the same venue, which was very well-attended. Brentford Voice was seeking the community’s views on whether it should go ahead with the commissioning of a Feasibility Study on the future use of the embankment. The almost unanimous view was that it should proceed.With grant funding from Hounslow Council, Brentford Voice appointed consultants to prepare a Feasibility Study. Adams & Sutherland (A&S), architecture, landscape, and urban design consultants were selected to produce the report. At the meeting on 18 September A&S will present their first ideas. This will be followed by questions and answers and a general discussionAny questions or comments about both of the meetings can be emailed to info@brentfordvoice.co.ukMore information is available here -http://www.brentfordtw8.com/default.asp?section=info&page=conbrentfordvoice030.htm

Jim Storrar ● 596d11 Comments ● 589d

OVO Energy nightmare..

HAS ANYONE HAD A BAD EXPERIENCE WITH OVO ENERGY?                                                                                         One of dozens of messages that I have sent to OVO since January 2023. This one was sent on 13-8-23."I have had an 8 month nightmare with OVO. The Ombudsman upheld my complaint against them in May and I still haven't had an apology, compensation or a final bill."The reply I received on 17-8-23 was: "I have requested for these to be sent out via post, please allow 5-10 working days to receive the documents.Thanks,Nikkita."22 days gone by and still no sign of the promised postal delivery. In the meantime OVO has authorised a debt collector to harass me for an alleged debt of £146 +£20 costs. I emailed the debt company with proof of the now 9 months of OVO incompetence and they put the matter on hold until they contacted OVO. Unbelievably I today had an email from the debt company who have been instructed by OVO: "Please continue to chase the debt."OVO is driving me crazy. Next Wednesday I am seeking legal advise with a view to taken legal action against OVO for the now 9 month nightmare and the stress caused by OVO's incompetence.

Neil Milkins ● 597d7 Comments ● 590d

GRIDLOCK  A4/Ealing Rd roundabout junction . Please rise up!

Great post from Alison below.Like her, in my 30 years of negotiating this junction I have never seen an accident.....and the traffic flowed!!The original sequencing of lights needs reinstating ASAP.We all need to email Guy, TFL and LBH.Guy.Lambert@hounslow.gov.uk,Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Operational Servicestraffic@hounslow.gov.ukstrategicmodelling@tfl.gov.uk

Nick Jenkins ● 672d80 Comments ● 591d

Lot's Ait, Brentford,

I regret having missed visiting the Island over the weekend ... when the access bridge and the island welcomed visitors to the Art and Craftdisplays.Someone has mentioned to me that the island (Lot's Ait) is privately ownedand not Hounslow Council property.Is that so?

Jim Lawes ● 602d5 Comments ● 593d

Rotten boroughs again - Mazhar Hayat Raja

The fairly regular sequence of appearances by Hounslow in Private Eye's Rotten Boroughs continues this edition with speculation that the Labour group are seeking to parachute in Mazhar Hayat Raja into a safe seat currently held by the consistently absent Balraj Sarai.Although there are undoubtedly some dubious political machinations in the borough, they seem very small beer compared to the going ons in other local authorities. The source quoted here is the Brentford TV Facebook page which is a brilliant source of gossip on Hounslow but it doesn't seem to me credible that Labour would appoint somebody who has served time as a tax cheat. This smells like a rumour spread by one of the rival factions in the party. It would be quite fun if they did though.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 599d5 Comments ● 594d

Perivale Park Golf Course

I hope the moderators will indulge me, given this course and club have been used by many Brentford folks, including me (Club Captain 2014) down the years. Last week Ealing Council made the shock announcement that it intends to close this well-loved course early in 2024, integrate it into 'Brent River Park' complex, allowing PPGC's nine holes to be 're-wilded'.PPGC, now almost a century old, is more than just a golf course: apart from being the home of a successful little club, its flat topography makes it a haven for hundreds of older players who depend on it for their physical and mental wellbeing. It is an affordable, working class course which attracts players from all walks of life. No course in the entire area more accurately represents the local community. What's more, the club itself raises substantial funds for Macmillan and local charities. Ealing's plan makes no sense. The fight to save Perivale Park Golf Course has started. Please help. Sign the petition here. Thank-you. https://www.change.org/p/save-perivale-park-golf-club

Mike Paterson ● 596d2 Comments ● 596d

Is it time to get rid of  CPZ s in Brentford

Since its introduction in 2013 in Enfield Road and surrounding roads the Council have systematically reduced the parking spaces at every opportunity while at the same time increasing the permit and parking charges. Enforcement is now being carried out on a 24 hour basis to maximise the take and screw the residents out of as much money as possible. The latest scam is to remove more parking spaces for LIME BIKES a private company and pay for their new bays with our community charge money. Their Shareholders and Directors must be dancing with delight, first you create the problem and then Hounslow pay to clean it up and at the same time you get to charge the hirer a fine for not putting the bike in the bay that Hounslow provided free of charge. So what's in it for Hounslow ? or are they simpletons I think not I thinkit gives them another chance to push there anti car agenda and at the same time screw the motorist. I will be raising a petition in my area to scrap the CPZ and I would encourage others to consider the same in their areas.

Robert Ayres ● 651d37 Comments ● 597d

St Paul’s C of E Brentford -150th Anniversary – Calling Ex-pupils and staff!

150th Anniversary – Calling Ex-pupils and staff!Need your help! They are looking to make contact with as many ex-pupils, ex-staff/governors and ex-families of the school.They would like to invite ex-pupils, staff and governors to help them mark this event by recording their most vivid memories of their time at St Paul’s. Ideally, they would like a voice recording but would also welcome written text and any photos of school days past. Perhaps it was a school trip, a particular teacher, a group of friends or a specific event or day in the history of the school that stays with you as a memory of the school. Please send contributions to the school via email at: 150years@stpauls.hounslow.sch.uk or by post to: St Paul’s CE Primary School, St Paul’s Road, Brentford, TW8 0PN. Please share who you are, when you were connected with the school and your memory!They shall use the memories to create an audio-visual archive of the school, which they shall share during the anniversary year.

Helen Dickinson ● 597d0 Comments ● 597d

Brentford Festival - Sunday 3rd September

I thought that this would be a good place to extend my apologies to all those that joined the festival newsletter system but heard nothing back.  Also to all those that read the Diary of an Event Manager who have not seen any updates.I have had a fantastically busy year of planning (not just this event) and of course the event is about to happen. We have an astounding 75 stalls in addition to 10 catering units, the petting farm and of course the popular dog show.   CAMRA beer arrives Friday so should be nicely chilled by Sunday - we have moved the position this year to the mirror room (more space).  Come and spend the day, particularly come and see our youngest act (The Champs) performing on the stage.  They are a primary school band and are soooooooo excited.  This will be followed by a flamenco demonstration and later on Morris dancing - it is all going to be happening at The Brentford Festival noon to 6pm

Linda Massey ● 606d7 Comments ● 597d

Local mini-festival this weekend, if you're looking for things to do

Hello all! Recent-ish arrival to Brentford, having grown up mostly elsewhere in SW London.Wanted to draw attention quickly to a local mini-festival I’m helping put on, this Saturday the 9th. It’s part of Open House (the wider pan-London festival where unusual or historic buildings open up and offer events, tours, etc) - at the Brentford & Isleworth Quaker Meeting House, near Syon Lane station, we’re opening up from 10-4. Visitors are invited to wander around the building and (if the sun holds up) enjoy our gardens - learn a little local history, let kids run around in the grounds, etc. Entry’s free, and everyone’s welcome - the main building has access via a ramp, and includes an accessible toilet, though the grounds can be quite uneven.We’re also offering various creative events, including a show from a local art group, a half-hour chamber performance by the Syon Early Music Group, and a couple of creative workshops. Most of these are free, though if possible registering in advance helps us plan numbers.Details including address etc are on our site at https://bandiquakers.org.uk/open-house-2023/, drop the organisers any questions via the contact details on there. Hope to see some of you there! (And, if I do see you there, any local restaurant recommendations warmly received…)

Justin Treadwell ● 600d1 Comments ● 600d

Cod n' Rock...good news.

This excellent chippy has opened up again and is still serving food of a very high standard.The lovely chap who used to run it has been unwell for some time but is on the mend.

Keith Iddon ● 601d0 Comments ● 601d

NATS and privatisation

Just for clarity, having read the implied criticism of privatisation of this country’s air traffic control system in Guy Lambert’s latest ramblings, it should be noted that the PFI legislation was initiated and implemented in the 2000 Transport Act. That was a Labour Government, with Blair and Brown at the helm. Not quite the triumph of public-private partnership they promised.Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.I dislike the Tories but to claim either side has moral authority/superior knowledge/better policies, etc is just nonsense.

Simon Hayes ● 604d4 Comments ● 603d

Cleaner / Ironing Person

Can anyone recommend a reliable / trustworthy Cleaner / Ironing person?  Thanks for any recommendations.

Emma McNaboe ● 607d0 Comments ● 607d

LBH enforcement vehicle often parked in Swyncombe Avenue.

Does anyone know why this vehicle is often parked in Swyncombe Avenue?Are they trying to catch cars travelling over 20mph or looking for vehicles defying the no left turn from BMR? Or is there another sinister reason? !

Elizabeth Price ● 611d9 Comments ● 607d

"We will not have a Windmill Road closure"

Said Guy Lambert in his weekly update.  It is closed - why?  When will it be opened again?  Perhaps somebody could give us some reliable information.

Alison Robins ● 647d38 Comments ● 618d

Ferret Found

If you have lost a Ferret in the High Street / Half Acre area then please go get in touch - animalwarden@hounslow.gov.uk. It is safe and well and in our care. Proof of ownership will be required. Many thanks

Tony Bull ● 622d0 Comments ● 622d

Trees in Park Road Allotments.

I've noticed that several trees in the allotments along Park Road have been marked with an "X" sign.What does this mean?JL.

Jim Linwood ● 632d3 Comments ● 624d

Verdict - new name

Daniel's, apparently.

Anne England ● 637d8 Comments ● 625d

Kew Gardens and wild animals

I was walking with a friend in Kew Gardens yesterday and we saw a fox with a broken hinder leg looking disoriented. We went to inform the staff but their response was. “ ah..yes, many people have reported it, we know butWe don’t do anything for the animals at Kew” This is the second time I report an injured animal and same response from different staff members. I knew of a local charity that dealt with injured foxes in London, will contact them. But this is very sad

Silvia Diaz ● 635d1 Comments ● 630d

Lime Bikes

'The council has announced that it is proceeding with the next phase of its controversial e-bike trial and expanding it into Isleworth, Osterley and Hounslow.A partnership has been entered into with Lime Bikes in which the shared e-bike hire scheme was allowed to officially expand into the borough as long as users parked in designated bays.'These blasted things have been around in Isleworth for ages - witness the number of them slung all over the place, an absolute pain in the backside for many. If last night's Brentford Area Forum is anything to go by - complaining to the council is a sheer waste of time, rarely has so much guff been spouted about something by so many people. They have decided we'll have bikes, and bikes we will have, for a council that claims to be promoting walking they sure are making life difficult for pedestrians. What with the appalling state of some footpaths now to add to the hazards - Lime Bikes! Ain't life great?

Vanessa Smith ● 647d25 Comments ● 632d

There is a travellers encampment on Brent Lea AND ...

this afternoon, they decided to have a wild bonfire under a delightful tree.One could smell the fire 100s of yards away.The Fire Brigade had been calledand their exstinguishers caused alarge smoke storm. I had to move out of the Park fast.Hounslow Council have acted fast. Their enforcement Unit having issued a NOTICE OF INTENT.Who will pay for the Fire Service?

Jim Lawes ● 635d3 Comments ● 634d

Thames Water incompetence

A month or so ago, I noticed a TW worker painting marks and symbols on the tarmac in our cul-de-sac at 358-372 Lionel Road North. I asked what was happening and he said something about a leak and they would need to close the road and dig up the appropriate pipes etc for repair. I asked how long the work would take and he replied that it should be done in a day. I told him that there were several disabled, elderly, seriously ill people in the road so that they should maintain access for emergency services.  A week or so later, the residents received a letter from Thames Water saying that work would commence on 22nd July and would take 4/5 days. We rang Thames Water to remind them of the issues and waited with some trepidation for work to begin. 22nd July arrived and no activity. In fact no activity and no communication from TW for the next week. Then on Saturday 29th, workmen arrived, closed the street (trapping several of our neighbour’s cars) and started work. Phone calls to TW resulted in them telling us that the work would be completed and the road reopened either later that day or, at the latest, on Sunday 30th July. On Sunday 30th a little more work was done but the road remained closed.  A team did come along and resurfaced a small hole in the pavement but ‘forgot’ to fill in the main hole in the roadway. On Monday, despite more phone calls and messages to TW no progress was made and we were told that we could not talk to anyone higher up in the organisation. Again on Tuesday the same lack of any result. This morning (Wednesday) all the residents had to lug their dustbins and recycling boxes to the top of the road as the lorries couldn’t access the road as they would normally do.Any ideas about how we might get this situation resolved???

Mick Brent ● 635d8 Comments ● 634d

Tailback on Twickenham Road.

What is the cause of the long traffic tailback in Twickenham Road?JL

Jim Linwood ● 650d9 Comments ● 637d

Medical pedicure.

Any recommendations?

Sarah Felstead ● 641d3 Comments ● 640d

Local Author Mavis Cheek RIP.

A full page obituary in The Times newspaper on 4th July outlined the talents of this lady who's several "comic novels mocked the middle-class characters" in her life.She once lived in Chiswick from where she gathered much good material for her writings... then moved to Wiltshire and finally to Brentford at the Upper Butts.Any local knowledge or appreciation of her work ..and local residence?

Jim Lawes ● 663d9 Comments ● 640d

Prostrate MRI

Any recommendations for a private provider?

Sarah Felstead ● 644d3 Comments ● 643d

First Meeting of the Brentford & Syon Area Forum - Wednesday 19th July 2023

The first meeting of the new Brentford & Syon Area Forum will be held from 7.30 to 9.30 p.m. on Wednesday 19th July at Brentford Free Church, Boston Manor Road, TW8 8DW. The meeting proper will be preceded, from 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m., by a "Marketplace" where stalls will be operated by several local organisations and council departments. The agenda can be read here:https://democraticservices.hounslow.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=576&MId=13103Brentford Voice pressed for many months for the establishment of our own local Forum, to replace the former Isleworth & Brentford Forum. We believe that this is an opportunity to improve the representation of the needs and aspirations of the community in Brentford.  Our dear friends in Isleworth and Osterley, together with Hounslow South, now also have a separate Forum.We would encourage you to make every effort to attend this first edition of the Forum.

Jim Storrar ● 653d5 Comments ● 650d

"The Missus' by (pen name) EL JAMES

Following the success of her first book,which worldwide sold over 160 millioncopies! a second book has now been published by Penguin.The lady is probably well known in Brentford where she has lived for some time.Brentford fame continues!

Jim Lawes ● 652d4 Comments ● 651d

Boston Manor Park

Just passing the park this morning and I noticed that a gate column has once again been knocked down. It's the one on the left hand side this time. Let's hope it doesn't take another 3 years before it's repaired.

Pat Kingham ● 658d17 Comments ● 652d

Embarrassed Council blocks Fire Brigade carrying out Fire Risk Assesment

Having approached the good men at Isleworth and Heston Fire Brigade twice, on both occasions they’d agreed to carry out a Fire Risk Assesment  and a date was booked. However this has been blocked twice by the Council. Apparently permission is required ? Seriously ? No Fire Risk Assesment’s have been carried out following the fire last  month in one of the flats in the Victorian built property owned by Hounslow Council since the 1970’s. I’m asking since Grenfell tragedy, why would the Fire Brigade service require permission from the Council to carry out an inspection? Hounslow Council are putting lives at risk by failing in their duty and legal responsibility.

Philippa Auton ● 672d6 Comments ● 652d

Billions of pounds of taxpayers' money wasted on 'active travel' schemes, says watchdog

I’m sure we’re all interested in liar-Lambert’s musings on the future of car ownership – a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy given that his deeply unpopular policies of closing roads and taking parking spaces will surely force some people to give up their cars. We’ve all seen in the last few of weeks how the combination of road works on Windmill Road and the A4 have caused gridlock in the whole of Brentford and this was made 100 times worse by the unnecessary LTN road closures. We’ve all experienced more congested, dangerous and polluted roads and longer journey times – all created deliberately by a council who have no interest in supporting the needs of the majority of its constituents. Interestingly there has been a report published by the National Audit Office that confirms what we all knew – that the LTN schemes were a massive waste of taxpayer money that have achieved precisely NOTHING. There’s a link to the article below but, in summary:“Billions of pounds of taxpayers’ cash has potentially been wasted on ‘active travel’ schemes such as controversial low-traffic neighbourhoods, according to a report.”“Despite an estimated £3.3billion being spent on delivering such measures between 2016 and 2021, cycling and walking rates fell over that period, the National Audit Office study found.”“It said many were imposed on residents without proper consultation and poorly planned ones have subsequently been scrapped.”Could we hope that LBH will see sense and roll back these horrible schemes? Could individual councillors be surcharged to recover some of the money that has been wasted? We live in hope.https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12167319/Ministers-wasted-billions-pounds-taxpayers-money-LTNs-says-watchdog.html

Graham Thorpe ● 685d24 Comments ● 653d

Another one bites the dust

I notice,with a mild sense of depression, that the Natwest in Isleworth is closing the day after tomorrow.Keep using cash folks...

Keith Iddon ● 657d0 Comments ● 657d

Thomas Layton Way ...

The old Brentford Market site isnow filled with a close web of skyscrapers as you will have easily seen.It is quite appropriate that one of the "roadways" is named after an illustriousfamed local...who is buried in the Old Brentford Cemetary.But to see the street sign sayingTHOMAS LAYTON WAY, HOUNSLOW, TW8is taking the micky.Shouldn't it be BRENTFORD TW8? Are the Council trying to  erase Brentford as a destination?

Jim Lawes ● 674d8 Comments ● 658d

Performance Cars chap..Mr John Goldsmith

I learned today that one of Brentford's "characters"...John? Goldsmith...who owned the Windmill Road North garage site etc etc..had passed away sometime during the last 12 months.Was there an obituary published in the local Press?  He had been linked to that MG dealership etcHe was seen on occasions on Jazz Nights at the Brewer Tap..and with the recent passing of Bill Arnold also...two familiar faces have seemingly departed. RIP.I believe that Mr Goldsmith once lived in Osterley..in the the biggest of the houses at that time..that had been previously been owned by the Smith's Crisps boss.

Jim Lawes ● 7033d15 Comments ● 658d

Oh! Brentford!...sometimes.

...I wonder about my beloved Football Club.New season kit announced and what has it got? A Betting sponsor emblazoned across the shirt.With all the focus on Brentford and it's betting addiction victim star player it just makes one wince. I know the club has benefitted from an owner whose core is a betting business, but then the Brentford Community Stadium is the GTEC Community Stadium. A choice of sponsor that broke away from the plethora of Betting sponsors and is also a British Company.So what were they thinking? It's going to send out globally the wrong message every time they play and poor old Mr. Toney when he returns, will have a shirt of which the irony won't be lost.It's a club that's made massive efforts at family attendances and I have no issues with betting or gambling but like other adult vices, do think a line should be drawn. Should an 8 year old be wearing a shirt with a betting or alcohol sponsor emblazoned on it?

Raymond Havelock ● 664d8 Comments ● 659d

Keys found

Keys found on bench near Three Bridges,have been left at the CRT office at Top Locks.

David Burke ● 662d0 Comments ● 662d

Over 1,800 Fines Issued in Brentford and Chiswick for 'Lime Crimes'

Great. We lose parking space and we pay to provide cycle bays for this private company while they boast about making more money in fines.Should this company not be reimbursing the cost of creating these cycle bays and compensating residents for the loss of parking spaces ?

Robert Ayres ● 671d5 Comments ● 670d

Customer services

If you send an e-mail to Hounslow's customer services you will get an automatic reply stating what will happen and it gives you various e-mail address for you to get in touch. One piece of advice states The offices will be closed from Dec23 until Tuesday 3rd of January it's now June 8th.After nearly 6 months someone would have noticed this?

David Squire ● 690d1 Comments ● 670d

Pandemic preparations.

Covid enquirey finds resources were switched to Brexit.

Nicholas Beard ● 670d0 Comments ● 670d

Traffic Lights at A4

Have the temporary lights that were causing so much congestion finally gone please? I don't want to drive down there specially to find out!

Susan Kelly ● 680d23 Comments ● 672d

Gridlock

Is now happening. Yesterday evening at about 6pm there were at least 20 cars queuing along Whitestile Road and back up Junction Road in an attempt to get out onto South Ealing Road. This meant that anyone who had turned left into Whitestile Road from South Ealing Road was unable to drive along Whitestile Road - it was blocked by the oncoming traffic.  Traffic was queuing up South Ealing Road as far as the eye could see and barely moving.Not the first time this has happened recently.I am guessing that this was traffic trying to bypass the roadworks and traffic lights on Windmill Road or people trying to bypass the queue down the A4 to the new traffic lights at the roundabout at the Ealing Road/A4 junction.The Windmill Road works seem to be never-ending and are causing huge tail-backs.  If you are driving north from Brentford and want to get across the A4 junction you have to sit through several green phases before there is enough room in Windmill Road to clear the junction safely and not get stuck in the yellow box. The same thing is happening to traffic turning left into Windmill from the A4.The new traffic lights at the Ealing Road/A4 roundabout are causing lengthy tailbacks along the A4.  They are also affecting traffic turning left onto the A4 from Windmill Road because even if the lights at the Windmill Road junction are green there is not enough room on the A4 to make the turn.  This then also holds up traffic coming down Windmill Road which wants to go straight ahead or turn right.As others have said, the old traffic lights at the South Ealing roundabout worked perfectly well. I've been driving round that roundabout for the last 20 years (don't take that literally!) and never encountered or witnessed any problems.  You just had to make sure you gave way to traffic already coming round the roundabout, even if lights were green in your favour.  At least the traffic kept moving.The other problem locally is the roadworks on Kew Bridge Road which are causing tailbacks to the County Court. There has been some suggestion that these are not due to the construction of the Cycleway but because of gasworks being carried out at the same time.So, 3 points/queries:1. When are the Windmill Road works going to end?2. Please can we return to the old traffic light system at the Ealing Road roundabout.3. When are the Kew Bridge Road temporary lights going to be removed so that we can have a normal traffic flow once again?The gridlock which is now a daily occurrence around here at the moment does nobody any good - whether you're a driver, cyclist or pedestrian.  I was walking down Whitestile Road yesterday evening and it was horrible.  So was South Ealing Road.

Alison Robins ● 676d8 Comments ● 674d

Leisure Centres on the Brink

Reading between the lines of the article on the borough's leisure centre bailout, the council seem to have decided to give them another year.They deserve some credit for this as many other local authorities have wielded the knife when it comes to swimming pools and gyms.What the numbers make plain though is that this level of losses can't be sustained. There is no prospect of an immediate sharp drop in energy costs or a sudden rush of people to take up memberships. One way to mitigate the problem might be to finally do something about the redevelopment of the Fountains. I haven't been to all the facilities in the borough but I presume this is the largest and most expensive to heat. Schemes to knock it down and build housing along with a new more energy efficient centre have come and gone. Doing this now would reduce the operating losses and give the prospect of a modern facility which didn't have a bit of an odd smell that more people would pay to go to.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 678d3 Comments ● 677d

Fact checking Lambert’s latest ramblings

Incredible how those in positions of power and influences can say something that’s patently not true. Lambert’s latest ‘amusing update’ contains his thoughts on car ownership and parking in London. He said this:‘By the way, before the tabloid picks this up and says ’Lambert trying to ban cars’ I’m not and none of this is nobody’s policy, just me musing.’Well, it is somebody’s policy, that of the London Cycling Campaign of which he and other Labour councillors are members. Lambert’s musings echo the speech given to the Labour conference last year by the LCC chief executive Ashok Sinha, who said:“We need to free people from the burden and tyranny of owning tons of metal that sits unused 90 percent of the time,”I’m not sure that most car owners see it as a tyranny and a burden, although they might view the policies of Lambert and his colleagues as exactly that.Anyone who looks into the strategies and aims of the LCC will recognise its direct influence on policies pursued by Hounslow, Ealing and other councils in London. Low traffic neighbourhoods, cycle lanes, reducing parking spaces, etc, are all part of the plan. Make owning a car as expensive and inconvenient as possible to simply force people off the road.They’d have you believe that car owners are singlehandedly responsible for all the problems in London, yet car ownership in the capital has actually declined in the last 20 years, despite a massive increase in population. London is unique in that in the UK.Congestion is caused by blocking roads, whether that’s due to roadworks, an accident or lame-brained traffic management policies that funnel all vehicles onto fewer roads. Yes, there are peaks where volumes are higher but most of the time most roads are pretty quiet.Inevitably Lambert will brand me a car lobbyist (which I’m not) and a Tory (which I certainly am not). I simply think that people should be able to make their own choices, not be dictated to by a self-interested minority.Lambert advocates car clubs, but doesn’t even consider that vehicle ownership is often a key to economic activity for many. Does he think those ubiquitous Ubers are anything other than privately owned vehicles? Like most utopians he thinks most of us are sitting at home deciding which leisure activity to pursue next. Simple minded, no?Ironically Lambert has a nice shiny new car and presumably a nice secure private parking space in Brentford. He doesn’t ‘need’ a car, so why does he have one? Surely he and others should practice what they preach?!

Simon Hayes ● 683d27 Comments ● 677d

Intel chip manufacturers

In 2021 Intel decided against manufacturing chips in the UK citing Brexit. Yesterday Germany announced a $33 billion deal to manufacture chips at two sites in Germany. Always we hear how important chips are, but no action!

Nicholas Beard ● 678d0 Comments ● 678d

Man who used to live under the M4 at Chiswick roundabout

Did anyone find out about the history of his circumstances?

Sarah Felstead ● 692d14 Comments ● 682d

canal bridge

Anyone know what was going on at the canal bridge today? there were lots of fire engines and police cars.

Marcus Gadd ● 685d1 Comments ● 685d

Ebike bays

No doubt the council has fully consulted the residents of the roads affected by these plans. We wouldn’t want to think that the changes are being imposed in an entirely undemocratic way. No doubt the deal with the Ebike company is a nice little earner for Hounslow.

Simon Hayes ● 716d43 Comments ● 685d

Windmill Road temporary traffic lights causing chaos

For the past few days there has been significant, lengthy congestion on and around Windmill Road due to some ‘works’ supposedly ‘in progress’ (though no obvious sign of anyone doing anything. The temporary lights in operation are bringing traffic to a standstill.The queues at peak times are stretching back almost to the junction of Swyncombe Avenue. Coupled with the temporary lights at South Ealing Road roundabout it's causing gridlock.It’s not going to be solved by implementing LTNs or any other harebrained scheme, but by the quick completion of the undoubtedly essential works. As windmill road falls under the control of Hounslow Highways perhaps the bike lobbyist from there can indicate when the road might reopen.

Simon Hayes ● 702d23 Comments ● 686d

Cleaning of the food waste bins?

My neighbour thinks he saw an article in Hounslow Matters saying that LBH has bought a machine that cleans the food waste bins before returning them to the doorstep…?  I can’t find it.  Does anyone know about this?I am so fed up with the food waste bin being returned on its side with the open lip downwards, contaminating the other recycling boxes that they lay it in.  It would be lovely if they just locked it and stood it upright…. :(

Sarah Felstead ● 724d19 Comments ● 689d

Car insurance

We have just received the renewal notice for car insurance only to find that the premium has doubled and then some.  Can anyone recommend a good company or is it just a case of switching every year? Thanks in advance.

Pat Kingham ● 699d6 Comments ● 695d

European Space Agengcy live stream Mars

Very interesting. 301 km away. Signal takes 16 mins to arrive. Worth a look.

Nicholas Beard ● 695d0 Comments ● 695d

House breaking last night?

A group of people (4 or 5) wearing hoodies, seem to have watched a neighbour going out for a walk last night and smashed the doors down to gain entry.  Around 10pm.Luckily the house was not empty and when the people inside put the lights on, in alarm at the noise, they scarpered.  Seems they may well have been equipped to make a night of it, so did you hear of any other similar break ins last night?They used a dark car which was parked a short distance away.Northumberland Estate area but with a car they probably covered some distance.

Sarah Felstead ● 708d2 Comments ● 697d

Boston Manor Park

The fiasco continues. The poster on the noticeboard says in excess of 11 million pounds spent on the park and house. So why are there still no toilets open, which has been the case for years and people are forced to go in the bushes.The cafe still remains closed while the council considers bids fromthose interested in operating it.Vanessa the manager says the toilets will open when the cafe opens, which begs the question will the bacon butty chef also be the toilet cleaner!As usual Hounslow Labour Council shows no forward planning. I would have thought Councillor lambert who claims he is a regular park user would have noticed this.

Robert Ayres ● 728d34 Comments ● 697d

Ad Blue

I did not realise that new diesel cars had a second tank for ad blue. I only found out because I saw a ad blue pump in a garage. Has anyone experience of a car with ad blue? How much does it cost etc?

Nicholas Beard ● 702d5 Comments ● 699d

Loud drilling noise

Hi everyone, we’ve been hearing this loud drilling noise that might be coming from a sort of drilling tower in the Bus garage area for some days now. It almost sounds like a siren and it goes on for the whole day. Does anyone know if this is part of the Brentford Project construction plan or whether it is something else? Working from home with the windows open is becoming a bit annoying with this constant background noise :D Just wondering what it is and how long should I expect it to go on still. Cheers!

Federica Lusardi ● 710d6 Comments ● 702d

1300 empty homes in Hounslow - how many are council owned?

We keep hearing about the housing crisis in London yet many council owned properties stand empty despite residents applying for them. Why is this allowed to continue?

Mandy Waters ● 702d1 Comments ● 702d

Can the UK become a science super power?

Dyson thinks not. Also at the same time the PM is trying to get maths taught until 18 years old. All this while it was announced last week a Taiwanese company is to build a battery giga factorie near Dunkirk in France, and Sweden is getting one. Does not look like we are likely to become a science super power any time soon.

Nicholas Beard ● 715d7 Comments ● 702d

Race Night at the Inverness Lodge in aid of London Air Ambulance

The inverness Lodge Social Club, 9 Boston Manor Road, Brentford TW8 8DW is holding a fun race night on Friday 2nd June at 8pm. Everyone is welcome. Fun bets start at 50p and there is a raffle with all proceeds going to the London Air Ambulance charity no: 801013.We look forward to seeing you.

Sarah Porter ● 703d0 Comments ● 703d

Is the end of Brentford's "BLUE ZONE" in the pipeline?

That interesting collection of some 40 businesses in the Blue Zone ...an area of sprawling old buildings south of the High Street... are likely to be on the move by the end of the year.The blue zone area is apparently owned by Ballymore... and they need it back from their tenants (the duke of london's empire) ... so they can build more FLATS FLATS FLATS for the local authority!It was always on the cards apparentlybut unknown to many of us. Aren't we poorly informed and kept up to date...by them them and them?I gather that many of the activities will be moved to the east zone ... which includes  the jazzy car park.

Jim Lawes ● 709d2 Comments ● 709d

"Saving Our Sky" in Brentford.

I've been reading reports that the Ealing MP Rupa Huq is celebrating  victory in a battle to build more tall skyscapers near their High Street.Plans for a 26 storey tower scheme have now been turned down.She was amongst over 2000 objectors to the Scheme and had used the words like "monster", "white elephant" and "sore thumb"But most of all ...she used the phrase"STEALING OUR SKY"..... most telling and effective.Looks like it's too late to say that in parts of Brentford. The High Street will be in shadow most of the day ...won't it?

Jim Lawes ● 713d7 Comments ● 709d

The decommissioned St Lawrence's Church still stands ...

Work is currently taking place on the old Church building with scaffolding all around.The plan, it seems, is for the building to be open to the public... with a café cumcoffee lounge and a meeting place.The Church Tower is some 600 years old,the interior timbered ceiling is being given tlc and wall plaques still survive.The Church is owned by Hounslow Council for whom the work is being undertaken..

Jim Lawes ● 761d14 Comments ● 712d

What's happened to democracy in Hounslow?

From Brentford Today & TV #Debate not HateNEXT BOROUGH MAYOR IS SET TO BE CLLR AFZAAL KIANI. FOR THE FIRST TIME THE MAYOR WILL BE APPOINTED BY THE LEADER, NOT ELECTED. Annual General Meeting of the Labour Group is next Monday 15 May. The agenda omits the usual "Election of Mayor", thereby setting a precedent and indicating what we reported here three months ago – that the decision will be taken by the Leader Cllr Shantanu Rajawat. Other Councillors are said to be "up in arms".

Vanessa Smith ● 719d3 Comments ● 718d

Union Jack flag displays in parts of West London.

I much enjoyed a trip on the 211 bus route today from Hammersmith Bus Station to Victoria.It's an interesting route anyway...but at the present time the display of Union Jacks on the street lampposts in Fulham and Pimlico were a sight to give me pride and delight.Returning home via Chiswick and Brentfordfelt like being in a different world in "Coronation speak"Such indifference was unknown back in 1953.What's happened?

Jim Lawes ● 726d6 Comments ● 723d

Murder in Brentwick Gardens

West London News Man stabbed to death after break-in

Robert Ayres ● 733d2 Comments ● 723d

Micheal Gove  to the rescue - Levelling Up Hounslow Council’s  Housing

After decades of fleecing their Housing Tenants  through charging Rent for poor quality  housing stock & rip off Service charges, Tenants are finally going to see their homes brought up to 21st century standard. Millions ££££ taken in rent & service charges for over 50years has been stuffed into the Pension pots instead of been ploughed back and renovating Hounslow Councils Housing Stock.

Philippa Auton ● 723d0 Comments ● 723d

Another Grenfell Miraculously Avoided in Isleworth

Ermergency Services rapid response to a fire at a  Council flat in a heritage property owned by Hounslow Council prevented Lives being lost in an inferno. The fire had broken out inside the Council flat Monday morning. Home to  a mute  vulnerable  man with Special needs, left without his usual wrap round  local authority provided Carers over the Bank Holiday Weekend. Residents of the Victorian  era property  & neighbours in Worple road were shocked to discover he’d been neglected. A Leaseholder living above the fire with his wife and baby,  were alerted by smoke and quickly ran down to the front of the property kicked the door in. He managed to assist the confused gentleman to safety before the Fire service and Ambulance arrived. The Victorian era property built in 1873;  a former Police Station,  has become a grave concern for its Residents  owing to the lack of essential property maintenance by the owner Hounslow Council.  The family living above the fire would had normally been away during the Bank Holiday. Two Police Officers  were trapped inside the flat for several  hours having prized open the original rotten sash window  to let out the smoke fumes were then unable to close it again and secure the flat,

Philippa Auton ● 727d0 Comments ● 727d

Pasta Evangelist's Dark Kitchen, open till 2am and all that.

They're requesting planning permission,& they promise not to have noisy scooters parked outside on double yellow lines and zig zags on Ealing Road ...opposite McDonaldsWell on Saturday their boss parked his Landrover halfway across the pavement .. on the yellow lines and zig zags.causing a headache for Bees fans walking home from the game. Dodgy dodgy dodgy.I have a photo I'll send to Guy Lambert.

Jim Lawes ● 769d14 Comments ● 727d

Oyster Cards

Where can I buy an Oyster Card in Isleworth or Brentford?JL.

Jim Linwood ● 728d3 Comments ● 727d

Gardner please.

I was wondering if any of you folks knew of a local gardener.I just want a slightly overgrown lawn mowed,25yds x 15, and a small front garden.Any suggestions appreciated.

Keith Iddon ● 729d2 Comments ● 728d

Cleaner

Can anyone recommend a good cleaner?Need someone for about 3 hours a week.

Mark Gormley ● 734d1 Comments ● 729d

Hounslow Matters

Who is responsible for the delivery of this magazine as I have only just seen whole stacks of these fully bound and dumped on the j/w Crowther Ave and Clayponds Ave all soaking wet so as we once again get hit with the maximum amount of local taxes and this council can't even deliver their wonderful information rag.

John William Selfe ● 758d27 Comments ● 730d

Decluttering > Books > Book Banks? > suggestions

Sadly I've reached the age(84) and with perhaps some medical conditions where I need to declutterI'm holding onto my history books for the moment but I have many others that will have to go.On Chiswick High Road at the Stamford Brook Bus Garage stop ... I discovered a BOOK BANK. I have started leaving books there...for others to take.There  also a book bank on THE ISLAND (Security Office) in Brentford.Any other places where I can donate.. and where others can take freely?

Jim Lawes ● 737d12 Comments ● 731d

LOST CAT - Please help!

We haven’t seen our cat Richard Parker since Thursday evening (13/04), grey bengal tabby mix with black spots, green/yellow eyes. He can be mean to strangers so be aware if you do spot him, he is chipped too. Please message me on cerysmaher@gmail.com if you see him. Thank you

Cerys Maher ● 742d4 Comments ● 738d

Unsolved West London Murders.

In March 2023, The commissioner of the Met Police Sir Mark Rowley admitted the force has 'racists, misogynists and homophobes' in its ranks – as Home Secretary Suella Braverman blasted 'serious failings of culture, leadership and standards' at Scotland Yard. On 6th April I sent a lengthy email to Mark Rowley pleading with him to review The Hammersmith Nudes' murders of the 1960's. I told him that I am in contact with adult children and other members of 6 of the murder victims.  I told him that many of the victims' family members are convinced that if the victims were police women, doctors, nurses or solicitors there would have been a review. On April 11 I recieved the following."Dear Mr Milkins,My apologies for the delayed response. I have forwarded this matter to the appropriate team for their review and direct reply to you.Kind regards,*****  ********      *********  | Inspector | Staff Officer to the Commissioner."Today I received a a phone call from New Scotland Yard followed by the following email.Dear Mr Milkins "It was good to speak to you on the phone just now, and as promised, I am emailing to confirm my details. I recognise the huge amount of dedication you have put into your investigations and I am sorry that these terrible murders remain unsolved, despite your efforts.There have been various reviews conducted regarding these cases over the years and I know you were in contact with DC Paul Rogers in 2007, and most recently, DC Adam Bailey in 2020. It remains the case as per DC Bailey’s letter that the links between Harold Jones and the victims are not substantive enough to enable a definitive finding that he was responsible for their deaths. I hope you understand that because Jones died in 1971 and there is no additional material further to what has been looked at in the above reviews, we won’t be reviewing the cases again at this time.Having said that, I know you are determined to continue with your work, and if there is something substantive and probative that you find that you would like to bring to our attention in the future, please do so.I wish you all the best."DC *****   ****** | CSC - Major InquiriesSpecial Casework TeamTHE MUST GO ON. AND IT WILL.

Neil Milkins ● 739d0 Comments ● 739d

Volunteer Gardeners wanted

Age Concern Chiswick has a lovely garden at their Friendship Club in Oxford Road North, W4 4DN but we are short of people to look after it. Can you help? Have you a spare hour or two on Mondays or Thursdays? If so, do get in touch: ageconcernchiswick@outlook.com or call 020 8742 7007.

Age Concern Chiswick ● 742d0 Comments ● 742d

The (once upon a time) proposed pedestrian bridge to the Kew

Wouldn't it be a tonic for Brentford folk if the once proposed pedestrian bridge across the River Thames to the Kew Towpath came to fruition.The bridge would take one to "Brentford Gate" which is an entrance to Kew Gardens.With the attractive £1 entrance fee for oldies like me ... it would enhance our remaining days!If cyclists were allowed to use the bridge (no riding allowed?) they would be halfway  to Richmond before they knew it! Brentford Lock West is getting a new bridge this month to ease their trips to Brentford Station...so perhaps now is the time for the "Ballymore Footbridge to get back on the Agenda. Yes a bridge named after a sponsor.Past offorts failed to progress due to lack of financial support.

Jim Lawes ● 747d12 Comments ● 743d

Brentford Canal Festival

A nice little piece telling us that there will be a Canal Festival this year. It was fun last year - I particularly loved the music in the Market Place and it was wonderful that the weather was great. But the article would have been nicer still if the dates of the festival had been included. "Who, what, when, where, how" seem to have disappeared from the journalist's canon.

Sue Rowe ● 752d3 Comments ● 751d

Foundations Shaking

Anyone else’s foundations are shaking heavily due to the industrial impact drilling at the old Brentford football stadium? Our entire building is moving when they use that machine. I do hope it doesn’t cause damage to our buildings?

Jai Williams ● 756d5 Comments ● 752d

SNP Money

How can money just disappear? I really don't understand - anybody got an explanation? Thanks.

Anne England ● 752d6 Comments ● 752d

Time for a change?

So, Sadiq Khan is claiming that the “silent majority” support his plans to charge us a huge daily amount to drive on our roads.  Does he think that we would believe that only people who are strongly against these measures will speak out, and those who are strongly in favour will just sit quietly by?  He is using the same dishonest tactics used by our local council – to ignore or discredit the results of their own consultations that are verifiably and resolutely against their plans, in favour of inventing conversations with mystery persons that appear to support them.  I think that we are all in favour of better air quality, but is this going to produce a significant and measurable improvement?  And is this the best use of our money at this time?  We are experiencing the highest inflation in a generation, we have fuel poverty, a social care crisis, a mental health epidemic, an influx of refugees from a war – I could go on.  So, what are our Labour administrations in Hounslow and City Hall prioritising – building cycle lanes and fining us for using our cars to get to work.  How can they justify a 5% council tax rise locally, and a whopping 10% increase for the GLA, when people can’t heat their homes or feed their families?  These people have become complacent and expect to be returned time after time, so make no effort to truly represent their constituents or take our views into account when they’re spending OUR money.  When you’re next in the supermarket wondering what you can afford to eat, think of the millions being spent on these pointless schemes.  I think it is time that these people – both in Hounslow and City Hall, who have shown no interest in truly representing us and are happy to raise taxes and fritter away our money on grandiose and pointless schemes, need to be voted out at the first opportunity – literally anyone else would be better than this lot.

Graham Thorpe ● 754d0 Comments ● 754d

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 ● 1810d17 Comments ● 756d

The Gating of Brentford Dock

(See the article on the front page of TW8).These are important clarifications:1) if you wish to comment to LB Hounslow on the Article 4 Direction, you should include your name and postal address within your email.2) Brentford Voice would welcome your general opinion on the gating, irrespective of whether you are in favour of the gates or against them. Please email your thoughts to:   info@brentfordvoice.co.uk

Jim Storrar ● 793d36 Comments ● 757d

Reglazng glasses

Has anyone experience of reusing old glass frames by having new lenses put in them?  I have a couple of pairs I would like to reuse, but I am uncertain of who to go to, and whether it is a good idea?

Sarah Felstead ● 761d7 Comments ● 757d

Brentford to Hounslow Cycleway Consultation Report Published

The consultation report into the Brentford to Hounslow Cycleway proposal (not the one they have just started building but the one further west which is on the drawing board).https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/hounslow-brentford-walking-and-cycling-changesThere are some interesting comments in the report and bus island by-passes were clearly causing people a lot of concern.What TfL haven't done is give details of overall levels of support or opposition to the scheme presenting responses in a way in which it was impossible to work out even broadly what was the balance of opinion.You may argue that this is underhand and assume that it could only be because the level of opposition was overwhelming or say that this is meant to be a consultation not a referendum.What I can't recall is if there was ever a question asking for overall opinions on the scheme in the original survey. They have taken it down now so it is hard to find out. If they did then an FoI request may be necessary to find out.There is to be another consultation on more detailed plans later this year.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 759d0 Comments ● 759d

House in Grove Road, Isleworth, hits the news …

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11864359/Reckless-homeowner-illegally-knocked-800-000-three-bed-house-fined-6-000.html

Sarah Felstead ● 774d16 Comments ● 761d

Detailed design for Watermans Park to Kew Bridge cycleway

At risk of attracting further ridicule and contempt at being unable to track down documents online, could someone point me in the right direction for a more detailed map of the new section of the Cycleway planned between Watermans Park and Kew Bridge?

Jeremy Parkinson ● 772d35 Comments ● 762d

The pedestrian north side of the Great West Road is a disgrace.

It was kind of King George V and Queen Mary to open a stage of the Great West Road back in 1925.It is a major throughfare through Brentfordof which we used to be most proud.Take a walk from the Chiswick Flyover...starting on the west side... and you'll been startled to see masses of trapped litter ..seemingly left alone for years.Use the still active subway (ref A4 Smiths Factory)... ignore the filth and litter (not cleaned for years)...litter all along and in front of Dell, chaotic cycle path ..disgraceful Gatehouse zone at Gunnersbury Park.. and then the flytipping scene at the Sunley Plot at the entrance to Lionel Road  North. Who is in Charge?

Jim Lawes ● 769d11 Comments ● 762d

Best cream teas?

Shall we share details of the best cream teas around?  If we are going to do this + maybe we should decide what makes a really lovely cream tea?

Sarah Felstead ● 782d10 Comments ● 764d

The Ukrainian National football team and fans ...

.... have been apparently hotellingwith their families in Brentford TW8prior to their match versus Brentford B and v England at Wembley this weekend.Another thumbs up for TW8!

Jim Lawes ● 764d0 Comments ● 764d

Coronation Street Parties?

I gather that the friendly Enfield Road,in North Brentford, are have a Street Party ...sometime that weekend.Good on them!

Jim Lawes ● 772d2 Comments ● 765d

Less than a weeks notice for almost complete gridlock

So now the M4 will be closed as far as the A4 to Hogarth Roundabout. With the only notice being on this site . - Less than a week.The TfL/ Highways Authority advice?  Use the A40 or the A4.Do they not know that these roads are also currently severely restricted for ongoing works with tailbacks on the A40 to the M25 and is causing delays and gridlock in Hayes, Southall and almost impossible to get across Ealing to Brentford or Acton ?Then there are works on South Ealing Road, in Boston Manor and Hanwell.Then there is Richmond Town Centre blocked right in the middle with a 30 min detour via Sheen heading North- which diverts the bus right back into the epicentre of congestion.Plus ongoing Tube works of which the notifications have also been reduced by 4 days.The messed up weekends, the impossibility of working on call, and the waste in fuel, added pollution, stuffed up incomes, stress and damage to local trade.How on earth is this Road Management? and why such late and scant information to residents over what is a wide area.Plenty of posters all over the place about Ulez and untrue claims of clean air ( now being taken up by the ASA) But nothing about actions that are making life an absolute hell for everyone on foot in a car or on a bus.Worse than third rate.

Raymond Havelock ● 768d2 Comments ● 767d

Footbridge over canal/river to Boston Manor Park

The bridge is still closed. Planning application applied Sept. 2022 for strengthening. With the major improvements to the Park great shame there is currently no access from the towpath. I assume the various bodies involved are still fighting over who pays. Does anyone have some positive news?.

Chris Dakers ● 816d12 Comments ● 768d

The never ending road works underneath the M4 in Brentford.

Someone on the REAL BRENTFORD facebook group is asking the very legitimate question.about all the maintenance  work that keeps going on underneath the M4 passing through Brentford.... and currently causing great delays.We heard about water leakage, the damage done by SALT etc.... but what is the real problem. Is it being disclosed?Lots of wires seem to have been inserted into the cement column s etc.What's it all about.Does the M4 need rebuilding in TW8?

Jim Lawes ● 791d15 Comments ● 768d

Venue for a baby shower

We are currently looking for a venue for a baby shower probably for about 30 people. It would just be for a Saturday/Sunday afternoon   (1pm - 4pm) preferably with on site parking and catering facilities.Any ideas. Thanks in advance.

Pat Kingham ● 783d9 Comments ● 770d

Do two buildings on the Ballymore development site need SAVING?

I've noticed two buildings that were destined to be SAVED ...are seemingly beinguncared for, are showing signs of disrepairand could well be deemed soon for sad demolition.One is the old Wilson and Kyle staff canteen and grinding  building that had the interesting staggered brickwork.The Jupp overhanging warehouse could do with some tlc before that too is given the bulldozer treatment.Anyone concerned?

Jim Lawes ● 799d7 Comments ● 774d

Boston Manor House

Is this open now, does anybody know? If so, what times? Can't seem to find out by googling!

Susan Kelly ● 803d25 Comments ● 776d

Anybody know a John Murphy?

We got a package for someone of that name, but the address is obviously wrong

Mark Gormley ● 779d0 Comments ● 779d

Greggs rubbish - and a TQ

Can anyone explain why Greggs are allowed to pile bags of rubbish all over the pavement outside their premises every day. Should they not be required to have proper commercial rubbish disposal?Also a thank you to Hounslow Council for installing two new wooden cube seats by the willow tree on the Market Square. This will stop those dangerous people  who drive over the pavement and under the tree in order to park illegally on the square and endanger all who use it.

Cherry Baker ● 793d7 Comments ● 779d

Should they delay building CS9 through Brentford?

Bicycle sales are at a 20 year low and there’s no real prospect of boosting them. Maybe all that multi million pound investment isn’t needed after all!https://road.cc/content/news/uk-bike-sales-fall-lowest-level-20-years-299457

Simon Hayes ● 791d11 Comments ● 786d

Happy St David's Day!

•It's 1st March.•So it's St David's Day.•Brentford's links with Wales?The M4 motorway of course ...and welsh friends and associates

Jim Lawes ● 789d4 Comments ● 788d

Garages in Carville Crescent

Just received letter from Chartwell Vision building contractor based in Kent. I do hope that there vision improves before they start work as the address given reads adjacent to 2 Carville Crescent, Feltham,TW13 7DD which is Fernside Avenue, Feltham. perhaps LBH can help out before residents in Fernside have a block of flats in their road.

John William Selfe ● 789d3 Comments ● 788d

Victorian Old Police Station in Isleworth open for tours.

You are welcome to look around this local listed building. Surprisingly  very little has  structurally been altered. The property’s freehold  is owned by Hounslow Council, had been converted into flats . The wooden sash windows albeit  now rotten contain the original panes of glass. ,The electric circuit boxes are over 60 years old have a distinctive retro look. The Loft has a beauty of its own, displaying superb carpentry. Missing roof tiles have invited  rain over the decades  to add  attractive hues to the wooden joists and beams. Also in the Attic is an Asbestos insulation quite rare in residential housing. The  cracked lathe and plaster  ceilings  when gently pressed become animated, giving a gentle ripple effect. The subsidence has created a deep crack that runs down from the ceiling to the floor.  Outside of the property plant life flourishes with young trees growing from drains and  attached to the outside wall a 30ft rusty gas pipeline continues to feed gas into the building. Bring a hard hat.

Philippa Auton ● 792d9 Comments ● 790d

Upholstery recommendations please

2 dining chairs need the covers on the seat pads replacing.  Do you know of anyone?  Thanks

Sarah Felstead ● 794d4 Comments ● 792d

Steve Allen

Has retired ….

Sarah Felstead ● 792d0 Comments ● 792d

Growing Tomatoes

Experience of tomato growing - hints and tips - would be appreciated.  Grow bags?  Seeds?  Thanks

Sarah Felstead ● 797d7 Comments ● 793d

Cycle Lanes and bus islands in narrow Brentford High Street.

Oh to think that the traffic headaches of Chiswick will be intensified in Brentford...in the next year or two. Are Brentford's Councillors on the case in good time to make suggestions and amendments.Chiswick, my birthplace, is such a disaster.Accidents waiting in the wings.

Jim Lawes ● 818d20 Comments ● 794d

Restricting Public Access to the Brentford Dock Estate

You will have read the article on the front page.You may be aware also...via BRENTFORD VOICE... that Hounslow Council  might be engaging expensive lawyers to fight this prohibition.I sat next to a lady on a bus yesterday and we engaged in interesting conversation. She lived in Brentford Dock and was fully supportive of restricting public access to their river and canalside location.They pay their maintenance chargesto keep the place tidy..amongst other things. But it's OUR local scalleywags  who let Brentford down again. Some of their disgusting habits ruin things for the rest of us.Urinating and depositing poo on your homeland is no fun to tolerate. Litter is bad enough.I've come to the conclusion that Brentford Dock are right and Hounslow Council and Brentford Voice should tonedown their opposition.No wonder the Pump House Crescent estate of apartments (behind Holland Gardens) is fenced in too ..to keep out Green Dragon Lane swalleywags (if they exist).Summarising... these badly behaved locals spoil life for all of us and we should accept that  and not force the issue.I loved looking at the River Thames from outside Justin Court at the Dock... but no more. Thank you scalleywags.

Jim Lawes ● 830d37 Comments ● 796d

Museum type skills wanted - archiving/cataloguing

We are a regulated local (not for profit)community group and we seek an enthusiastic, experienced archivist! Have you got the skills to catalogue a sporting collection of <1000 items but with more coming soon. This is consultancy but sleeves rolled up, there's work to do. After the cataloguing >> scanning!Can you help - join us - come on board - this is not voluntary.Local (very local) sporting interest helpful!Thank you!Don

Don Tanswell ● 799d2 Comments ● 798d

Kndness Wall

FYI there is a kindness wall at the junction of t'high street and Catherine Wheel Rd. where you can hang upo an unwanted coat,jumper,hoodie etc.for anyone who might need one.

Keith Iddon ● 808d12 Comments ● 799d

Enough supermarkets in Brentford?

When Morrisons move to the new location on the BRENTFORD PROJECT site...I gather that it will be smaller in size compared with the present one.Is just one supermarket enough...with the thousands of people moving into the town?Today's Metro Newspaper lists the popularity score of the TOP TEN SUPERMARKETS.M&S, Aldi and Waitrose score very well.followed by Iceland,Lidl,Sainsburys and Tesco who are considered middling. Morrisons trailed in 9th place followed by the Co-Op.Are local shoppers happy?

Jim Lawes ● 800d1 Comments ● 800d

Sewage dumping in the Thames should be banned..even treated stuff.

There have been some exceptional low tides on the Brentford Waterfront this week.One can see the levels in front of Lot's Ait reduced to puddles.I fancied my chances of reaching the riverbank by going down those steps at Smith Hill. Even the lower steps were caked in thick Thames mud and I had to retreat.My footwear was plastered.Returning home...I washed the solid Thames mud from the soles etc. The mud stank of sewage. One hears that the Thames does have a whiff sometimes. One would have thought modern technology  would have sorted the problem. Successive local MPs have knocked on Thames Water's door. The boss gets paid a fortune. LET'S HAVE SOME ACTION!

Jim Lawes ● 802d2 Comments ● 801d

Smith Hill, Brentford  and occupants of the old Max Factor building.

I have recently been fascinated by the area around Smith Hill (at the bottom of Ealing Road and leading to the river) and likewise Goat Wharf, The Thames Path and Lot's Ait.Really gritty Brentford stuff.The tide is sometimes so low, just puddles, that it's tempting to wade....or certainly to do some mudlarking.In the basement of the Max Factor building,a small enterprise called STUDIO KLOX seems similar to the MAN'S SHED that operates in Isleworth Cemetery.Studio Flox is involved with cushion making, UPHOLSTERY, Furniture varnishing, yoga, and various other crafts and interests.This evening they were hosting a talk about the old Gas Works! A hidden gem of an area!

Jim Lawes ● 802d3 Comments ● 802d

Silverback gorilla.

A quote from an anonymous thinker. "How many Silver-back gorillas would be required, and how long would it take to train 1 of the gorillas to sit at a piano and play Beethoven's 5th Symphony?"

Neil Milkins ● 805d2 Comments ● 804d

Question for Guy Lambert

If you can tear yourself away from whatever ale house or curry emporium you are frequenting this weekend perhaps you could answer a simple question:How many pedestrians were killed or injured on Swyncombe Avenue between 2010 and 2022?I bet you could find the answer fairly easily from your council colleagues. You used pedestrian safety in general as a reason for the closure being made permanent, but failed to provide any specifics relating to the road. Are you hiding behind dodgy data?

Simon Hayes ● 807d25 Comments ● 804d

Hounslow Road Blocks to Become Permanent

Here is a question I would like any of our Councillors to answer.Why did you hire a private company to carry out a consultation with ratepayers money and when they reported that there was huge opposition,ignore the result ?It is obvious that the Labour council never was going to listen to their residents views.I,like many residents, am disgusted at this level of comtempt for the people of this borough shown by this group of self-serving yes men who blindly toe the party line without a whimper, who by their action show they have no respect whatsoever for their constituents.

Robert Ayres ● 825d53 Comments ● 804d

Mayor of London in Ealing on Question Time

Should be very interesting as to what questions we will be allowed to ask.https://www.london.gov.uk/events/peoples-question-time-ealing

Debbie Paradin ● 805d1 Comments ● 805d

Guy Lambert Meets Cindrella

Yes, Guy was admiring his handiwork in Whitestile Road when who should happen along but Cinders."Oh Guy", she said. "You look sad". "Yes", he said. "I'm getting a lot of stick about my handiwork and it's the wicked wizard who lives down Enfield. He keeps on about this thing called democracy and refused to accept my excuses." "Oh", said Cinders. "I see you have been telling a few little white porkies. Well, a few more won't hurt. Tell them you met a lady who told you everyone loves them and Guy, don't be down if it all goes tits up. I have the perfect job for you, as the widow Twanky in my pantomime - if we can find a frock big enough to fit you. So go away and use your monotonous, boring, self-promoting blog to say 'Approval on the Ground for New Permanent Road Barriers'. Then there was a thunderous fart, a flash of smoke and Cinders disappeared.

Robert Ayres ● 805d0 Comments ● 805d

Syon Lane

Does anyone know if Syon Lane is open for through traffic yet? Thanks.

Pat Kingham ● 810d9 Comments ● 807d

Vagisha Kajla bank card

I found a bank card today with the name Vagisha Kajla.If anyone knows her please reply, and if she can identify the lost card I will arrange to get it back to her.

Paul Thompson ● 811d0 Comments ● 811d

Unused CD's and DVD's

Having a clear out, I find I have containers of unused CD's and DVD's plus plastic cases.  Anyone interested - FOC of course!Also, can anyone suggest what I can do with unwanted cables etc. I don't want to send them to landfill. Thanks.

Joan Adamson ● 813d14 Comments ● 811d

Rotten Boroughs Awards 2022

Hounslow has made the Private Eye 'Rotten Boroughs' Awards 2022 - category 'Brass-necked Councillor of the Year'. "One of the reasons Hounslow Labour councillor Puneet Grewal found herself de-selected last April may have been that she had claimed £17,976 in allowances over the year, but managed to attend just one meeting. Nice work while it lasted!"

Vanessa Smith ● 844d19 Comments ● 814d

Update on energy companies SSE and OVO.

ILLEGAL TRANSFER FROM ENERGY PROVIDER SSE TO OVO.A response given on Trustpilot on 26-1-23  by energy provider SSE regarding my illegal transfer from energy company SSE to energy company OVO which are part of the same company."Hi, Thank you for your recent email, I apologise for the delay in my response.We appreciate you contacting us. When I check your account, it has already been transferred to OVO Energy. As a result, your account has been closed and we no longer have access to it. I suggest you to get in touch with OVO Energy because they are the team that can assist you.Thank you for contacting SSE."John from OVO has informed me that I was tricked by SSE to sign up to OVO with a false promise of a £50 energy credit.And the response given on Trustpilot by OVO. Thanks for getting back to me, Neil.I've checked over your account and I can see you've managed to reach the team. I am sorry that the letter has caused such confusion, but the install would have had to have been with SSE.Thanks,Dave.Both SSE and OVO are continuing to argue that the other party are to blame for the illegal transfer. I have to wait about 7 weeks for SSE and OVO to sort the mess out before the Energy Ombudsman will intervene. Anyone wishing to change energy providers would be wise to check on Trustpilot the company they are thinking of using before deciding. SSE and OVO are having shocking reviews. See part of Which magazine review of OVO below.                                                              "Ovo Energy came near the bottom of the table in 13th place out of 16 energy companies rated by 10,197 members of the public in the annual Which? customer survey. This is a big drop from last year, when it came joint second. It had poor two-star ratings for almost all of the aspects of service we looked at, managing an average three stars for just one - the accuracy of its payments."One dissatisfied customer said: 'It’s impossible to contact them. Online options don’t make it easy to solve problems.'

Neil Milkins ● 816d0 Comments ● 816d

FREE talk "Temples of Industry"  11.30 am Thurs 2nd Feb

Do come to a talk by Jennal Amin of Gunnersbury Park Museum, exploring people's memories of working in three local factories (Firestone, Trico and AEC) and the impact that their closures had on people's lives.  She will also be most interested to hear your experiences of working in other factories or workplaces.  Do bring along any relevant photos you may have.At the Friendship Club, Oxford Road North, W4 4DN.  ageconcernchiswick@outlook.com.  020 8742 7007

Age Concern Chiswick ● 821d3 Comments ● 816d

Protect your Right to Strike

https://www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/protect-the-right-to-strike?share=889b893f-245e-45f8-b136-4557303c37f3&source=email-share-button&utm_source=email

Vanessa Smith ● 816d0 Comments ● 816d

Cattery

Can anyone recommend a reasonably local one?

Mark Gormley ● 819d1 Comments ● 817d

Covid tests

Checking the dates on the Covid tests we ordered before they ended the free boxes, I realised that we will never use them all by the use by dates.  There are several months left on them, mostly December 23 but some October and one was July.Took them to the food bank yesterday so people using the food bank, and their volunteers can make use of them rather than spending the £2 a test.Maybe you could check if you are going to use all yours before the use by date?

Sarah Felstead ● 817d0 Comments ● 817d

Brent Lea Park ...in Brentford Ward West.

This quiet and peaceful Park,one of the Borough's many,lies between the Brent Lee Estate  and the Duke of Northumberland's London home.There's an outdoor Basketball Court and a tennis court within the acres of grass and old trees.A few people are complaining aboutnot wanting to use the close handy Park because of the excessive amount of dog poo being left behind by dog owners.The Council are now spending good money building a new pathway around the perimeter  of the grassy area....for that reason?!Brentford West Councillors to be alerted perhaps. Catch the culprits!

Jim Lawes ● 818d2 Comments ● 818d

Disgusting LITTERLOUTS  on the Haverfield Estate.

The threat of CCTV cameras is no deterrant for the litter scalleywags. Pictures are being posted on the REAL BRENTFORD facebook where the posting of photos and getting responses  is very easy.The Council Staff who collect the waste bins must be horrified at the sights they see before them. They don't want to spend time clearing up the mess... and one can't blame themRecycling seems out of the question and the treatment of such contaminated  materials is alarming. I'm a keen recycler...down to the last slither of paper.Walnut Tree Road sometimes wins 1st prize for distasteful scenes. I wonder what a busy Councillor could arrange.

Jim Lawes ● 818d0 Comments ● 818d

Eddie Menday MBE... prolific local historian... has died.

We learn from a Heston fb page that the 100 year old Eddie... who wrote articles in the Middlesex Chronicle over many years...and in other media too.. has died.Many will recognise his name and be aware of his many local Governorships. Mainly associated with Feltham and Hounslow... who will be extra saddened at his passing..

Jim Lawes ● 820d1 Comments ● 820d

Dishonest business practice.

It's seems like everyone is out to scam. 10 days ago I had a letter from SSE, part of the O.V.O. family offering a £50 energy credit if I had a Smart Meter installed. I booked the meter but had to change to S.S.E. O.V.O. I have just been informed by John from S.S.E. O.V.O. that the agent from S.S.E. had tricked me into signing up to S.S.E. O.V.O. and since signing up have been told that I don't qualify for a Smart Meter or £50 credit. John has promised to rectify the matter.I have been on the phone to SSE and OVO from 9.30 this morning until now ( 3.00 pm) today. I have been waiting up to 30 minutes to get connected and have been cut off 3 times by Ryan then Steff then another woman.

Neil Milkins ● 823d8 Comments ● 820d

A4/Windmill Rd junction

Anybody know why it's blocked off? I saw the notices about works on the elevated section, but didn't clock that you can't cross the main road by car any more

Mark Gormley ● 825d17 Comments ● 821d

Brentford's Medya!

So sad that the Brentford and Chiswick Times closed years ago...and others too no doubt.Now we have on-line competition.Brentford Hub and Brentford VoiceAll the Brentford Football Club sitesAll the Facebook sitesAnd HOUNSLOW MATTERS tries to get a look in.And of course  BRENTFORD TW8.COM.Who's not to be missed?

Jim Lawes ● 822d0 Comments ● 822d

It's Burn's Night soon ...

Where will our Scottish friends be celebrating locally?Is there a local public house with a Scottish flavour I know that Irish Pub's celebrate colourfully on the 17th March each year.Indeed I ventured into Soviet influencedESTONIA once and found an Irish Pub proudly operating in Tallinn the Capitalwith a clientele  including the British Ambassador! So, any locations recommended?

Jim Lawes ● 826d11 Comments ● 822d

Hounslow Expands Council Home Building Programme

I have some questions about this item.(1) The total money being used for the 1000 new homes is, according to the report, a grant of £168m and borrowing of £289m. That's a total of £457m. So it would appear that each home is to be built at a cost of £457,000. Isn't that rather expensive? What will be the mix of the homes in terms of the number of bedrooms? Will the homes be built on Council-owned land?(2) 2) Cllr Tom Bruce is quoted as saying that Hounslow has "a fantastic track record of delivering homes for local people". But when we turn to the Council's published assessment of its housing record the picture seems rather different. The Council's Housing Strategy 2019-2014 tells us that population growth in the borough is exceeding the provision of new homes and that this is producing a trend towards more overcrowding (page 36). The same document informs us that the demand for larger family homes is increasing. Another Council housing publication says that 50% of new homes need to be larger family homes (3+ bedrooms).The Local Plan says that new developments should have at least 30% of larger family homes (in the market and social/affordable sectors). And yet the Planning Committee approves large developments like that for the Tesco-Homebase sites that don't come near meeting even the Local Plan requirement. It is not clear to me how this can be described as a "fantastic" provision of homes for local people?(3) Are the thousand new homes promised additional to the 5000 new homes promised in the Housing Strategy 2019-2014 or are they a repackaging of part of that 5000? The report implies that they are extra to the 5000. I would just like to be clear that that is the case.

David Pavett ● 828d13 Comments ● 822d

Mini mozzies in Brentford!

It seems that both the Clayponds  Estate and the Haverfield Estate in Brentford's East... were built on previous sewage farms/ filter beds and moreWhy are baby mozzies still around..even though they only live 24 hours?Get the spray out agsin Jim!

Jim Lawes ● 823d0 Comments ● 823d

Charity night in aid of Parkinson’s at the Six Bells

Friday 16th Dec is a charity night at the Six Bells. We have local favourite singer Richard Blair singing all the old favourites of The Rat Pack - songs you’ll know and love to sing along to! We are raising awareness and funds in aid of Parkinson’s disease - raffle including a brand new ladies bike s d tickets for Brentford FC to be won! We would love to see you especially if you haven’t been before or lately, you might like the changes we’ve made. Christmas jumper night & disco on Sat 17th too with DJ The Maestro.

Karen Morris ● 864d2 Comments ● 823d

Road Safety for Older Adults workshop - FREE

Do come to our workshop - provided by Mairi McLeod for LB Hounslow - on road safety for older adults at 11.30 am on Thursday 26th January at the Friendship Club, Oxford Road North, W4 4DN.  We are just off Chiswick High Road opposite the Clayton Hotel.  Gunnersbury station.  Buses H91, 110, 237, 267 and 440.  Free and open to all.  More info: email us on ageconcernchiswick@outlook.com or call 020 8742 7007.

Age Concern Chiswick ● 833d9 Comments ● 823d

Thames Water

You are not going to need this information unless it is an emergency, but if it is an emergency, you really need to know it…Our old “key hole shaped” stop-cock in the street has done the house proud.  We have a key on a long pole to turn it off, should it need turning off.A couple of years ago it was changed into a new plastic box which apparently uses a different key, a black key, which is tucked inside the newer plastic box, out in the street ( didn’t know that ).  The old pole key is obsolete.Thames Water are now going around changing all the old key hole style stop-cocks for plastic boxes, which also come with a key inside them, a blue key.  The black and blue keys are different, but are inside the boxes in the street.The stop-cock with a black key needs to be turned until the water stops, the blue key only needs a small turn to close it.Just spoken to a neighbour who also didn’t know there was supposed to be a key inside their box, and there has never been one, so they use a wrench……

Sarah Felstead ● 867d13 Comments ● 823d

THE VERDICT premises have been.sold!

ie.. the ground floor trading space at the old Magistrates Court in Market Square.Sad news?What will become of the premises.Brentford seems busy with Coffee Shops already...and when the BRENTFORD PROJECT fully opens...the coffee shop trading activity could become swamped!

Jim Lawes ● 829d8 Comments ● 824d

THE C9 cycleway in Waterman's Park ...a white elephant.?

After all that expense...I've never seen anyone using it..have you?Cyclists would seem to be ignoring it and choosing to stay on the busyand narrowish main road.The construction of its continuationthrough Brentford High Street to Hounslow will cause much disruption.Is it worth it?

Jim Lawes ● 830d32 Comments ● 825d

Safe installation

Strange request, but here goes. Are you a handyman, or know of one, that can install a security safe? It’s nothing fancy, can be seen here https://www.simplysafes.co.uk/sun-em-015-fire-safe.htmlIt needs to be secured to the concrete floor of my flat, just one bolt, that’s all (supplied). Got quoted a ridiculous quote of £225+ VAT by one company. Wasn’t looking to spend anything like that as it isn’t really a big job, just one bolt into concrete floor. £225+VAT is more than the safe itself. Email: regal.drifts02@icloud.com

Bradley Taylor ● 830d2 Comments ● 827d

Online Consultations

Having a vested interest, I'm trying to fill in the Online forms in relation to the Brook Road South CPZ. Unfortunately, the system keeps on telling me "having answered No to question 6, what changes would you support?". Trouble is, I answered Yes to question 6 and it won't let me correct question 7. Anybody else wrestling with it? I may email Guy Lambert directly.

Mark Gormley ● 830d2 Comments ● 830d

Monster 5G mast in Boston Manor Playing Fields

So having been kicked out of Blondin Park, Three Mobile and EE are now hoping to put up a 60-foot high monster mast in Boston Manor Playing Fields instead.It’s interesting to see that the proposed mast relies very heavily on Huawei technology. One of the drawings submitted to Hounslow Council specifies the deployment of a Huawei BTS3900A cabinet.http://planning2.hounslow.gov.uk/NPSPublicDocs/00688507.pdfIn case you’re not familiar with it, the Huawei BTS3900A cabinet is the part of the system that deals with your calls, texts, emails and web searches. The technology in the Huawei BTS3900A also makes it possible to send all of this to Beijing so the Chinese government can see exactly what you’re up to. You can object here (link below) but only mention planning-related concerns, like height, overshadowing and loss of amenity. Spying by foreign powers does not count as a “material” concern.https://eforms.hounslow.gov.uk/ufs/ufsmain?formid=A086_PLANNING_COMMENTS&ALT_REF=00132%2FA%2FCOM1&CASE_NO=PA%2F2020%2F2091&ebz=1_1594408177409&ebd=0&ebz=1_1594408177409

David Marshall ● 1752d24 Comments ● 830d

Brentford High Line Meeting

Sad to have missed this but would be really interested to hear a report of proceedings from anyone who attended. There is clearly great potential for this site to become a real asset to the area.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 837d5 Comments ● 831d

Indian take away/delivery

I am looking for recommendations for an Indian take away/delivery in the Brentford/Northfields area.  We previously used India India in Northfields Avenue which closed last year.  We loved both the reasonable prices and the quality of their food. Look forward to receiving your suggestions. Thanks.

Pat Kingham ● 837d7 Comments ● 834d

Wales 20mph speed limit.

Wales are going to replace the 30mph with a 20mph in most places. Will England follow? On a recent visit to East Lothian I was surprised by how many towns now have a 20mph limit.

Nicholas Beard ● 849d11 Comments ● 835d

Where does Brentford start and begin near Kew Bridge.

In recent times the Brentford East Ward Bounderies have changed.Those imposing apartments  at Kew Bridge seemingly have TW8 postcodes but yet are part of the newish CHISWICK AND GUNNERSBURY WARD!Are those occupiers, many who would be newbies to the area, Brentford folkor Chiswickians?Has this been an Estate Agents and developers ploy to reclassify or upgrade their activities...or a political one to prop up the Conservative vote in Chiswick?

Jim Lawes ● 839d9 Comments ● 838d

Ballymore Site:  Fly-tipping

Please does anyone have any insight as to when this terrible, unsafe eysore is to be cleared?  The council don't appear to be showing any concern whatsoever. I'm sure it has been over a month since the original dumping occurred, and nobody seems to be showing any signs of clearing this rat-infested area?

Alison Smith ● 840d10 Comments ● 838d

Question for Cllr Lambert about Boston Manor cafe

From your blog: ‘This included Boston Manor Park where I took a pic of our swanky new cafe which is now a Park Hub (or will be when they finish it and find someone to run a café!)’Is there a plan for this? Is there contingency for the expensively rebuilt facility to remain empty for a certain period? One would hate to see potential custom go elsewhere.And what exactly is a ‘park hub’? I know Labour types love a rebrand but if it’s a cafe, call it that. If it’s something else you need to make that clear. Not everyone sits in on council cabinet meet.

Simon Hayes ● 856d21 Comments ● 841d

Circle. South Ealing Road

I hope nobody on the forum actually knows anybody who needs this but it's a drop-in centre for children with mental-health problems.https://www.hfehmind.org.uk/get-support/service-for-schools/support-for-children-young-people/circle/

Susan Kelly ● 842d0 Comments ● 842d

Physio recommendations

Has anyone been treated by a local physio whom they would recommend?  The issue to be treated is neck pain. Thanks.

Joan Adamson ● 843d5 Comments ● 842d

Eric Dicker

I know that Eric was known by a lot of people in Brentford and he sadly passed away in January 2021.  Eric used to fret about where I would have his Wake but because of Covid I was not able to have one.  I decide that a way for his friends to remember him was an Afternoon Tea on 28th January between 2.00 p.m and 5.00 p.m. at 6th Brentford Scout HQ where Eric spent a lot of his time. So I have an idea of the number to cater for please let me know by email janet.coles@btinternet.com if you are able to attend.

Janet Coles ● 842d0 Comments ● 842d

"Brentford Developments in the pipeline" (Front Page)

Whilst most of us are busy concentrating on family and the festive season...and quite rightly too...the list of flats flats flats flats proposed for building and developing in the Area beggers belief.Planners and developers are having a field day. Financiers and the Construction Trades too.Is there really control?The long list of new builds and their illustrations (RIGHT HAND COLUMN FRONT PAGE) suggests Brentford will become more like Milton Keynes every day.And don't expect to be able to walk around the new sites freely.The gated Communities and "Keep Out" signs will prevail.Enjoy the festive season... deal with these matters in the New Year!

Jim Lawes ● 853d30 Comments ● 842d

Former Princess Royal pub last night

Did anybody hear the noises coming from the ex pub yesterday until 11 pm?

Silvia Diaz ● 1051d40 Comments ● 843d

Solicitor recommendations

I want to update my Will.  Unfortunately two firms of solicitors in Brentford whom I have used in the past have gone out of business. Can anyone recommend a local company whose charges are 'reasonable'?

Joan Adamson ● 843d0 Comments ● 843d

EU gas buying platform

The EU is considering forming a platform to buy gas for all member states with the aim of reducing the price by massive bulk buying. What effect will that have on countries not in the EU?

Nicholas Beard ● 852d2 Comments ● 843d

Good news from East London!

  0-2 ! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯Up the bees!

Jim Lawes ● 849d5 Comments ● 844d

Are we twinned?  The small BRENTFORD, South Dakota, USA

Did you know that there is a small settlement in the USA called BRENTFORD?There only about 70-100 folk living there but they keenly follow us(!)in football's PREMIER LEAGUE.They watch the Bees enthusiastically and  wear the red and white kit.If you read the REAL BRENTFORD Facebookpage (on  which I overly indulge) you will see the story,pictures and more.A Brentford TW8 fan does visit them with BFC goodies.

Jim Lawes ● 846d2 Comments ● 844d

Did we miss the Ballymore.Open Day?  The Council didn't !

I've found the following texts on an obscure  Ballymote website... and the reference to Hounslow Council's leader Steve Curran makes me wonder whether WE/US are blind as bats.. and haven't a clue how our Elected Officers are dealing with the future of Brentford.WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF IT?Just bear with me.. I've uplifted this lot on a dodgy mobile phone.You may be aware that our Town is being extensively promoted abroad to Developers and Financiers, spectulators.and more... read on!......................ENGLISH 简体中文 繁體中文BallymoreWE ARE BALLYMOREARTS AND CULTUREIt’s hotting up at The Brentford ProjectTemperatures soared to the hottest day of the year for the launch of The Brentford Project on Saturday June 1, the new arts and culture summer festival of music, yoga, fun and food celebrating a new chapter for one of west London’s best-kept secrets.Nearly 1,000 local residents, joined by neighbours from nearby Hounslow, Chiswick and Kew, basked in temperatures of 27.6 degrees on the banks of the River Brent with music from Donel, this year’s runner up in The Voice talent show and Michael Rice, the UK’s contender in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.VIPs attending the event included the leader of Hounslow Council, Councillor Steve Curran, who proclaimed: “The Brentford Project is the rebirth of Brentford. We’ve been waiting a long time for this day, and I’m really excited about what this means for Brentford and for the future.“Without question, the Brentford Project will bring a vitality to the town, lots of people have been waiting a long time for it, and now it’s here I think they’ll be delighted. Brentford’s a special place. It’s a special place in South West London and it’s a special place in Hounslow.”He was joined by John Mulryan, group managing director of Ballymore, whose redevelopment of the yards and lanes between the high street to the waterfront will bring a lively mix of restaurants, bars and retail to complement a new residential quarter. John explained:“The Brentford Project is an initiative to try to engage with the community and bring people in, and make sure that as we develop the town centre, it’s done with the community”“It’s trying to get people to really help us to create this town centre. When you develop in a town like this, the key thing is that you develop in a way that encourages the spirit of the town to grow, by engaging in the community through culture, through arts, through creativity, through design.”It’s hotting up at The Brentford Project Chef Robin Gill serves up pizzas from the wood-fired oven at Rye by the WaterAt the launch, friends and families enjoyed delicious fresh pastries and sausage rolls from Brentford’s new bakery and restaurant, Rye by the Water, who turned out more than 1,000 specially-baked pizzas – with a little help from celebrity Irish chef Robin Gill who joined new head chef Ben Rand and Janine Edwards, head baker, in the bakery.Another big attraction was the classic car collection of the Duke of London with enthusiasts driving their own cars to showcase at the event.The following week on Thursday June 6, a Beer and Blues event will take place at Rye by the Water with a chance to sample some of west London’s finest craft beers served against a backdrop of blues by Brentford’s very own Robert Hokum.And on July 11 visitors can join a start-up masterclass with local entrepreneur Merlin McCormack, the man behind Duke of London who will share his knowledge, tips and tricks for building a successful business.Looking ahead to July 6, Zen in the City will feature yoga and mindfulness classes with RJ Mind Body while on Saturday August 31, the ‘makers of Brentford’ will be coming together for a showcase of the best arts and crafts the area has to offer, with creative workshops and an art exhibition curated by local artist groups.Finally in mid-August, the Changing Face of Brentford will peel back the layers of the area’s rich history revealing some fascinating insights with the Brentford & Chiswick Local History Society with a private dinner hosted in the beautiful surroundings of Rye by the Water.Visit www.thebrentfordproject.com/events for more information or to book your place.SHARERelated Articles“A community of creative people who want to help each other”VIDEOARTS AND CULTURE“A community of creative people who want to help each other”READ MOREBrentford Waterside gets the go aheadPROPERTYBrentford Waterside gets the go aheadCivic leaders have cut the ribbon on the commencement of work on one of the most ambitious and extensive regeneration projects along London’s waterside at Brentford.READ MOREARCHIVE STORIESNEWSOPINIONBALLYMORE PEOPLEPROPERTYUNDER THE SKINVIDEOARTS AND CULTUREWELLNESSABOUTOUR PROJECTSIN THE NEWSRESIDENTIALCOMMERCIALGET IN TOUCHCAREERSFACEBOOK TWITTER INSTAGRAM LINKEDINHELP HUBtwitter / BALLYMOREinstagram  / ASKBALLYMOREPRIVACY POLICYMODERN SLAVERYCOOKIESTERMS & CONDITIONSTAX STRATEGYBUILDING SAFETY PLEDGE © BALLYMORE 2022

Jim Lawes ● 851d12 Comments ● 849d

Running costs of Amenities

This must be a nightmare but indicative of how expensive and unaffordable the 'exclusive' facilities have become for the more well heeled of the Borough.But I wish the reporting would be clearer.  For example from the quote below:What do they mean by subsidiaries and how ?  Does that really mean robbing Peter to pay Paul? Or targeting other people with stealth charges or overt increases?It's very vague."According to the report, Lampton Group will recover costs from subsidiaries in full for the year and will therefore breakeven. Clive Palfreyman, executive director of finance and resources for Hounslow Council said, “While there is strong financial performance reported across the group the pressures emerging in relation to Lampton Leisure Ltd are significant and are likely to require the council to provide support in some form in the second half of the year."

Raymond Havelock ● 863d6 Comments ● 853d

So no buses today on Routes 111 and 267.

We'll survive hopefully.

Jim Lawes ● 856d0 Comments ● 856d

Sellotape zero plastic

At last!  Robert Dyas have this on offer at £1 a roll with free click and collect.

Sarah Felstead ● 858d0 Comments ● 858d

Virginia Fassnidge RIP.. Brentford at heart.

Thank you to the Editor for this front page news of Virginia's sad passing.She lived in the heart of Brentford and seemingly from there gave her heart to Brentford too.We witnessed her helping Linda Massey so ably at the Festivals...her lovely style so ably described by the Editorial.Virginia deserves a plaque or the planting of a tree in Boston Manor Park so that her help everywhere is never forgotten.

Jim Lawes ● 1467d12 Comments ● 863d

Incident in Brentford Lock?

I walked my dog down the towpath towards Brentford Lock around 4.30pm. We passed the Riverside Clinic and the other offices beside the clinic.  Where the towpath bends to the right, a policewoman was standing behind a ribbon barrier stopping people from going any further.  I asked her what had happened but she said she could not talk about it. Does anyone know what was going on?

Joan Adamson ● 936d8 Comments ● 864d

Internet fraud.

A SERIOUS QUESTION. In 2019 Money Man Martin Lewis won a £3 million pounds settlement from Facebook for using his face and profile to defraud vulnerable people out billions of pounds. Yet every day dozens of these fake ads are still accepted by Facebook to rob the unwary. In 2021 alone  £11 billion pounds have been defrauded from people. WHY ARE THE POLICE OR OTHER AUTHORITIES UNABLE TO STOP IT. Has Martin Lewis accepted £3 million pounds from Facebook on condition that he doesn't sue them again?                                                                                                                                   FAKE HEADING.                                                                          "Thousands Flock to ATMs After Martin's Exclusive Interview."

Neil Milkins ● 865d0 Comments ● 865d

The Brentford Project  (Ballymore) and the new street names!

Part of the new development is now open to the public... in particular that entrance near St Lawrence Church.You can make your own judgement about what you think of it all.I wandered round recently looking for Sam's Coffee Shop. It opened some 10 days ago and is called SAM'S LARDER. It's in a street called KINGHAM AVENUE which is littered with overhanging structures thatyou may or may  not find overpowering.Another 'street' is called BRADSHAW YARD which was half expected.A tall block of apartments is calledHOLLANDBURY perhaps linking Frank Holland 's old Piano Museum with the project.What would our Nigel Moore RIP think of the new RIDGEWAYS WHARF I wonder.Hopefully it will be some kind of water feature to break up the sights all round.Last but not least so far..I noticed a new street called BRENT WAY!So Brentford will now have two of those !

Jim Lawes ● 885d10 Comments ● 865d

Waterman's Park C9 cycle track lanterns switched on...

There is now elegant lighting on the new cycle track as it passes through Waterman's Park ...by the riverside.Looking over the roadside wall...the lighting gives a very agreeable visa ...being amongst trees and falling leaves.Brentford getting brighter?

Jim Lawes ● 905d47 Comments ● 869d

Vintage Art and Craft Fair at the Brook Today

Just been helping a person load a car in the cold. She's doing a Vintage craft show at the Brook Pub this morning from 10 am.Promised I would give it a mention as this is a real local thing with local people and worth a look.Starts 10 till about 2pm at the Brook Pub in Brook road south.Excellent Pub so a nice place to peruse

Raymond Havelock ● 870d1 Comments ● 870d

Have a stroll around Brentford Dock estate?... .NO NO! KEEP OUT!

As we get older...we are encouraged  to walk walk walk ... but we can't seemingly go where-ever we like!After my walk around the 'opened for business part" of the Brentford Project..I ran out of walkway..but didn't want to have to turn around and retrace my steps.I merely wanted to access Dock Road via a gate and a short walk along the pretty Canalside of Brentford Dock Estate.KEEP OUT - PRIVATE  - CCTV CAMERAS ACTIVE -etc etc.I did finally get to Dock Road..but I felt I was intruding. I said 'good morning" to each person I met. I can understand security issues.Have the scalleywags around town and their crimes led to shutters go up/down making life in Brentford more restricted

Jim Lawes ● 885d9 Comments ● 870d

Happy St Andrews Day.... 30th November!

Wear blue  or tartan today?Many Scots in Brentford town?Do you ever hear bagpipes locally?I have family studying in Glasgow ..and others living on the Outer HebridesDo you have Scottish connections?

Jim Lawes ● 880d3 Comments ● 877d

Strictly come dancing …is on tonight!

Only just found out that Strictly is on tonight at 8pm and the results show is on tomorrow at 5.40pm …..pass it on ….

Sarah Felstead ● 877d0 Comments ● 877d

The old Brentford Toffee Factory!

On an old 1935 map of Brentfordthere appears to be a toffee factory near Brentford Bridge.Our brentford historian Neil Chippingdale directed us to a CHELSEA TOFFEE FACTORY which had been first established in Chelsea ...before it moved to Brentford.Lots of local history discussions on local Facebook pages. Years ago it used to be here!Everton FC are called the TOFFEES and they  play in blue .... as do Chelsea FC.

Jim Lawes ● 880d1 Comments ● 879d

Mudlarking in the Thames

I was not aware of this pastime. Obviously I did not know you needed a permit either. Are there any participants here? Also if there are I would like to hear their experiences.

Nicholas Beard ● 882d6 Comments ● 881d

Monkeypox

Cases in the uk are rising. Should we be worried. Not much is said about it, only number of cases. Would a GP recognise it etc?

Nicholas Beard ● 1075d41 Comments ● 881d

No eggs by christmas

Has anyone noticed the egg shortage? Lots of stories in the press.

Nicholas Beard ● 898d26 Comments ● 884d

Get well soon Guy Lambert ...

What a tough time Guy has been having.Having read his article on the front page it's seems his injuries could have been much worse.Get well soon Guy. Recovery is a wonderful experience.

Jim Lawes ● 886d5 Comments ● 885d

Tonight Thursday 24th Rock and Roll Bingo!

At the Six Bells. It’s a great fun evening of three games, shout out the answers, sing along if you know the tune, ask if you don’t! Cash prizes for a line or full house. Arrive for 7pm to get a table.

Karen Morris ● 886d0 Comments ● 886d

Reggae and Ska night Sat 27th at The 6 Bells

Resident DJ The Meastro will be playing all the favourites. Get your skank on!

Karen Morris ● 888d2 Comments ● 886d

1934 - Father Christmas in Brentford on the canal boats

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10158633512881193&set=gm.1097189624324539&idorvanity=894233864620117

Paul Brownlee ● 886d0 Comments ● 886d

The saga of 235 bus terminus at Great West Quarter.

When the Great West Quarter was being planned some years ago.and permission for it's new development sought...the illustrations supporting the proposal featured a red London bus.The 235 has been a regular service up till recently. Access to the GWQ has recently ceased because the automated barrier that allows the bus entry has malfunctioned.The 235 bus currently terminates near Morrisons (the County Court)and that is not helpful to those Brentford folk who live on/ or off Ealing Road, on the GWQ, or the vast estate of Green Dragon Lane where several Sheltered Homes exist. Many now have a laden walk they don't wish for.It is said that spare parts are needy from Italy to repair the barrier. Worse still are rumours that the Great  West Quarter bosses no longer want the bus on it's property!!It's a surprise that this serious local issue has not featured on this  Forum before to alert Councillors and others.The story abounds on a local Facebook page.. so why not here?

Jim Lawes ● 947d22 Comments ● 887d

Chiswick

Having lived in Brentford for 30 years I was always bemused by the Chiswick elite-set with their smug air of superiority. Well, they're quite cheesed off now with their restricted LTN's, High Street road restrictions, cycle lanes and congestion - particularly with "island" bus stops. What idiot committee thought of those? There's a tragedy about to happen there.Well - they live in Hounslow Borough - so we should have sympathy for them. What happens there will happen here in Brentford for sure. Don't call me a newcomer - I've lived in Osterley, Isleworth and Feltham over the years - since 1980 - so I know all about this local authority. It was a shower then, and it's a shower now. But people obviously vote for them (not me - never!) I've been trying to leave for years, but it's Hotel California!I've been a victim several times of their road fines - suddenly finding that I cannot drive down a particular road due to unexpected changes - but I paid them because the hassle of appealing was too much of an effort. It's only by good fortune that my petrol ICE vehicle is not older than 2006 otherwise I would have to pay a ULEZ charge just to visit the Townmead Road Recycling Centre in Kew. It really is intolerable whats happening in our corner of Middlesex (aka Greater London) and poor old Brentford is losing it's identity day by day. You can blame the government - but the rot festers in the council.

Paul Brownlee ● 913d32 Comments ● 887d

How come we get no notification  of a Battle of Brentford WALK

Today ..early Tuesday...one reads that a WALK took place on Sunday LAST concerning the Battle of Brentford... perhaps of much iñterest to localsThe meeting place one reads was in Market Square at 10am ish.No notification of the key event on the Front Page here .... not even in the CALENDAR SECTION.Um. Perhaps this is not the site for historical matters. Just Flat Flats Flats.

Jim Lawes ● 902d5 Comments ● 887d

The double standards of the Ivan Toney case

He may have made some bad decisions but there is a good chance that Ivan Toney's career may be over.The rigid enforcement of the rule on betting for players contrasts with the willingness of the sport to accept money from betting companies. I know the Bees have benefitted hugely from this and it is a complex issue but it would be much better if players having a small flutter on games they weren't involved with got a slap on the wrist with the harshest sanctions reserved for those that were actually trying to make gain from compromising matchs.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 892d13 Comments ● 887d

Any Balleymore shop openings yet?

I plan to visit "south of the HIGH STREET today.We've heard that Sam's Brasserie is moving  in... has it opened yet?Sad to hear that the Verdict is likely to be a casualty.

Jim Lawes ● 888d4 Comments ● 887d

Local History Conference this Saturday

Tickets still on sale for our online annual local history conference, this time on the unusual theme of sporting history. We have great speakers: Simon Inglis, author of PLayed in London, Rob Jex on Brentford FC, Graeme Robertson on Harlequins, Caitlin Davies on Thames swimming and Philip Boys on cricket and other ball sports on Wandsworth Common. Join us!https://ticketsource.co.uk/west-london-local-history-conference/t-xmdyxpv

Valerie Bott ● 888d0 Comments ● 888d

This Thursday 24th Nov Rock & Roll Bingo 6 Bells

We are doing fortnightly Rock & Roll bingo. Starts 7 for 7.30. £3 per person per game. Cash prizes to be won. The more who play, the more we pay! It’s great fun, sing along to the ones you know and if you don’t know you can ask! Win win!!

Karen Morris ● 888d0 Comments ● 888d

Consultations on local walking and cycling schemes

Certain direct interest groups are lobbying hard to make sure that they participate in two consultations that have ripple effects and ramifications beyond the areas implemented.Notable is that this is not being circulated to many outside these groups and risks sidelining local people who stand to be affected the most and not have a say.Anyone who has had the indignity of getting soaked from both sides on a bus island really ought to have a say as much as those who are not agile enough to jump out of the way by speeding bikes in two directions and those who cannot stop in the wet.Too many are being frozen out and it is poor that this is not being circulated wider when it is to not so local groups who may or may not fully represent local people but pertain to.C9 Hammersmith ConsultationWe know many of our members have been using the new Cycleway 9 bike lane along King St and around the Gyratory in Hammersmith. Hammersmith and Fulham council have a consultation collecting views on this route - please respond here!https://haveyoursay.lbhf.gov.uk/safer-cycle-pathwayThe consultation will run from Sunday 16 October 2022 until 23:59 on Sunday 27 November 2022.We are accepting all forms of feedback such as in writing and in audio.If you wish to submit any written feedback, please use the following address:Smarter Transport TeamTown HallKing StreetLondonW6 9JUor by email to here:cycling@lbhf.gov.ukThe consultation closes on 27 November so make sure your voice is heard now.C9 Chiswick High Road ConsultationThere is a consultation collecting views on Cycleway 9 along Chiswick High Road. Please respond here! Construction works to upgrade part of the route have started and should be finished by the end of the year. Please respond now to give current views on the route and you can also respond later (up to 3 April 2023) to give views about the upgrade.Please Tell Others about the ConsultationsCycleway 9 along King St and Hammersmith Gyratory (by 27 November)https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/cycleway-9Cycleway 9 along Chiswick High Road - please with comments now.  You can respond again with more comments up until 3 April 2023. If you would rather not complete our survey, please submit your response to us in writing to:  Haveyoursay@tfl.gov.uk  (External link); or  by post in writing addressed to: FREEPOSTTFL HAVE YOUR SAY

Raymond Havelock ● 888d0 Comments ● 888d

Stray Dog Found - London Road, Isleworth (19 Nov)

Good morning all. The Animal Welfare Team at LBH are currently looking after a small white dog found on London Rd near Teesdale Gardens junction yesterday (Saturday morning). Microchip details are incomplete and we have been unable to identify an owner as yet. If you think that this is your dog then please call 020 8583 2000 when lines open at 9am on Monday or email animalwarden@hounslow.gov.uk.

Tony Bull ● 890d4 Comments ● 889d

Claypond Ave/ A4 junction pedestrian lights

Earlier this morning my wife was nearly hit by a white van jumping these lights, this is happening every day,I've witnessed these reckless drivers far to often even when children are crossing leaving Lionel School, painting a yellow box is not the answer.I believe camera's have been suggested before but there is always an excuse not to, will we have to wait until there is a fatality before there is something done and TFL or Highways Agency or whoever acts after issuing the usual glib response "lessons will be learned", because like many people I have no faith in any local or government department.There is always a consultation and majority views are always seemly ignored unless they jive with the what ever department is posing the question. So I'll wait without any expectation.

John William Selfe ● 895d9 Comments ● 889d

Lithium Batteries

I know electric cars and phones have lithium batteries. However I am now seeing throwaway Lithium AA size batteries on the market. Are we storing up a problem for the environment with these? Also is lithium in short supply?

Nicholas Beard ● 893d8 Comments ● 892d

Soup Club?

Might there be interest in beginning a local Soup Club? A friend of mine who lives in the Scottish Borders told me about a venture called Soup Club, which takes place once a week in their village hall. For a small fee, guests receive hot soup, a filled roll and a hot drink. It provides a focal point for the community, companionship and a nourishing lunch. Brentford Library is providing a Warm Space for local residents who are being very careful with their energy consumption. Could this be taken further? Is there a hall or room where a simple lunch of vegetable soup and a roll could be served to those in need, either free or for a small contribution?Does anyone know if this could work? If yes, I would be very happy to devote some time to making it happen. I’d be very appreciative if anyone could suggest who to speak to and how it might be done. Are there any words of wisdom from our councillors or community leaders? Is it possible that the people who run our local foodbank could advise? Perhaps something like this is already arranged or in the planning stages. If that’s the case, I wouldn’t want to tread on anyone’s toes. If not, is it something that could be a positive thing for our community at this difficult time?Thank you for reading. I look forward to hearing your feedback.

Tracie Dudley Craig ● 914d21 Comments ● 898d

1st osterley scout group jumble sale

HI, can anyone give me a phone number for 1st Osterley Scout Group?  They are having a jumble sale this Saturday (Nov 12th). I missed the collection last Saturday, and also threw the leaflet away, so I want to find out if I can take my large bag of items to someone.  You may have the leaflet still - please take a look if you can.thanks

Rosemary Ford ● 901d1 Comments ● 900d

Is the TRAVEL LODGE Hotel Brentford back in proper use.yet.?

Facing Waterman's the Travel Lodge Hotel  does look a little inactive.They had a fire in recent times..when cladding on the old Piano Museum side of the Hotel  caught fire too.There seems to be a lack of cars and fat suitcases around the building.Wondered if it being used for the homeless.Strikes me it's a candidate for demolition and replacement by something much taller.Any info?

Jim Lawes ● 904d1 Comments ● 904d

Brentford's new Flats Flats Flats Flats Flats Flats  Flats

Reading the front page report of Hounslow Council Planning Committee activities... I felt indigestion coming on.Brentford will finish up as a dreadful place to dwell in... no greenery or delightful vistas.. just "keep out" apartment blocks,and a less opportunities to see the sky.In my current view... it's all just bonkers. Schemes created to provide profits for the greedy developers and their friends.We seem powerless to stop these happenings.

Jim Lawes ● 941d25 Comments ● 905d

Albany Practice Brentford Health Centre

I seem to remember a thread from a little while ago which was critical of the poor service offered to patients as regards the reception and appointment service.I contributed to the thread as it was not a good experience when interacting with the reception staff either by phone or face to face in my experience, but now the story has completely changed I am glad to say.I have had several dealings with the surgery over the last year or so and the service has hugely improved, with the staff efficient,knowledgeable and courteous.Long may it contimnue.

Keith Iddon ● 917d6 Comments ● 905d

Small lock up/industrial/workshop space advice

Hello everyone,We currently have a small business in the area but could do with some extra workshop space- it's essential it has power and water.150-200sq ft would be adequate, but would consider bigger premises at the right price.I've looked endlessly with agents but there is nothing suitable at a reasonable price so I thought I'd give this a shot to see if any advice or suggestions would come my way. Many thanks in advance.

Katie Fisher ● 3338d19 Comments ● 905d

Handyman recommendation

HI thereIs anyone able to recommend a good handyman please to help with leaking guttering- thanks

diane keating ● 910d0 Comments ● 910d

We see the RIVER Brent.... where does it flow from?

Up north somewhere?What streams flow into it?The Grand Union Canal is a separate thing..navigating it's way north towards Birmingham. In the case of the GUC's Paddington Arm..it goes around London to East London (Limehouse).So....where precisely does the Brent begin...long before it's arrival at Brentford Dock?

Jim Lawes ● 916d8 Comments ● 911d

Public footpaths on Private Land in Brentford etc

The alarming building developments in Brentford may be a cause for concern.It's shocking that we might losesome two thousand of acres of sky but what about access to pathways and lanes we walked in the past. It's probably too late now..to protest..because they'll already be building on it perhaps. The land has already been sold to themI'm exploring oddities with my camera and have stumbled across Lamb Passage behind the Jet Garage  near Ķew Bridge. Apparently  there used to be an abattoir located  there,a stable  still stands and a cobbled lane is there  too.I've been asked to delete my pictures on a face book page..because it's private land.If I wander down New Road to the old Church... opposite The Brook..am I being dodgy taking pictures there too?

Jim Lawes ● 926d18 Comments ● 911d

The Brentford FC's Training Ground in Osterley.

We are pleased to see and read of Brentford FC's current success in the Premier Division, their professionalism, their valued links with the Community...and their training and tactics activity at their Osterley location.When I first bought a house in Jersey Road..back in 1971, the Sports Ground was in  sole use by the prestigious St Paul's School.In later years the Ground was used by theLondon/New Zealand Rugby Club.The very likeable ex-Brentford player KEN HORNE (RIP)..who also lived in Jersey Road... would be delighted with the Bees progress and that they were expanding down the road from him.

Jim Lawes ● 911d0 Comments ● 911d

large double garage/lockup / work shop/storage

I have a small business looking for a workshop and storage space. Min 200sq ft and must have power and water.

Matthew Servini ● 911d0 Comments ● 911d

Tennis Clubs and Stringing Service around Brentford

Hi, I am going to relocate to the Brentford Dock, just wonder if there are any affordable tennis clubs that I can join? I found the Sports HIVE near Acton with reasonable membership fee. Any other recommendations would be welcome.I am a stringer and string my own rackets. However, my stringing machine is still under shipment from overseas. Would there be any stringing service nearby? I checked the shops in Ealing Broadway but the way they string is not the way that I prefer.

Ken Chiu ● 917d4 Comments ● 916d

Cod and Rock

I would just like to give a shout out to this great local chippy.Good quality food freshly cooked to order and the skin removed from the fish, essential if you want crispy batter.Very reasonable prices too.PS No, I am not getting a bung for this post !

Keith Iddon ● 935d27 Comments ● 919d

GENEALOGY TALK this Thurs 11.30 am

Do come to our talk - free and open to everyone - This Thursday at 11.30 am.  The speaker is Gill Thomas, who runs courses at the Society of Genealogists.  You will learn how to discover your ancestors, the areas they lived in and the political, social and cultural events that shaped them.  At The Friendship Club, Oxford Road North, W4 4DN.  ageconcernchiswick@outlook.com

Age Concern Chiswick ● 924d2 Comments ● 919d

Brazilian  bbq

Kitchen is open tonight from 6-10pm, Saturdays 1-10pm and Sundays 1-7pm. Traditional cuts of rump cap beef, beef ribs, pork belly with cassava and other sides. Come down and try something different!

Karen Morris ● 919d0 Comments ● 919d

TONIGHT ( Thursday) – BRENTFORD VOICE LOCAL CONVERSATION

Got this via a friend but not seen it publicised, I understand anyone can attend and join if they wish.TONIGHT – BRENTFORD VOICE LOCAL CONVERSATION, THURSDAY OCTOBER 20, 7.30PM AT THE BRENTFORD FREE CHURCH – ALL ARE WELCOME!Brentford Free Church in Boston Manor Road. Starting around 8 pm, will be one of our Local Conversations and provide an opportunity to comment on our work of the last year, and most importantly to contribute to a discussion of key tasks for the next 12 months. The meeting will end at 9.30 pm.We do hope you can come and help in the work to make Brentford a better place to live, work, study, or visit.

Raymond Havelock ● 921d2 Comments ● 921d

Junction 2 Boston Manor Park again

We've just received notification that there is an application for two weekend events, for three days but no specific dates mentioned. Given that the park has just been completely renovated I am surprised that the Council is even considering letting this event take place again. Is there a way to find out how much is paid by the event organisers for this?

Pat Kingham ● 923d8 Comments ● 922d

Brentford's Waterman's Art Centre needs your support.

You don't have to go to the Cinemaor to a live Artists Show,or a musical bash,or have to buy alcohol,or eat at the Restaurant/cafe,or have to attend the Art Gallery,or have quiet session on your laptop,But you can pop in and have a close view of the Thames, the Brentford Ait or Eyot or Isle (uninhabited except for wildlife)gawk at Lot's Ait and see they''re up to.At low tide you can observe hundreds of various birds having a meet up.with their mates.ULook.hard and you"ll see the pink building across the Thames..Kew Palace..where the late Queen Elizabeth had her 80th bash.You'll be refreshed with your short visit there..especially in that colourful lower area.You could even organise an Event there, display your Art even.Lovely staff..very chatable..but they are missing visits.Pop in,say hello,wander round.and say hello to the wildlife and Thames. In a few years I'll be Flkats Flats Flatz..#+ Keep Out sign

Jim Lawes ● 933d9 Comments ● 923d

JUMBLE SALE SAT 15TH OCT

Age Concern Chiswick is holding a grand jumble sale tomorrow from 10.30 to 1.30 at The Friendship Club, Oxford Road North, W4 4DN.  We have masses of clothing, shoes, books, bedding and other linen plus household items etc - all at bargain prices.  It's really not far from Brentford so do come.  Buses H91, 110, 237, 267 and 440.  Gunnersbury tube.

Age Concern Chiswick ● 927d0 Comments ● 927d

Handyman needed

I am looking for a local handyman to do some simple jobs in Brentford.  Does anyone have a recommendation?

alicia griffiths ● 929d0 Comments ● 929d

Rock and Roll Bingo - cash prizes!!! Starting  Thursday 13th October

Thursday 13th October we are doing our first fortnightly rock and roll bingo!!! It’s only £3 per person to play. It’s great fun - we play clips of music and you mark it off if you have it on your card - cash prize for a line or the house.

Karen Morris ● 931d1 Comments ● 931d

Market Square: Sunday Market  this Sunday.

The Organiser told me todaythat the Market will be held this Sunday 9th October between 11am and 2pm.Anyone wishing to have a Stall there should contact Deborah at07427 626 754.The Market intents  to be held on the 2nd Sunday each month.

Jim Lawes ● 935d2 Comments ● 932d

Swyncombe Avenue

So the restriction is now permanent to the complete surprise of nobody. The Swyncombe Avenue 'experiment' was the last straw for us, the only option to bid a very sad farewell to beloved Brentford. Now vindicated. We were Windmill Road, BTW: it's ruined.

Mike Paterson ● 934d4 Comments ● 933d

🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧  HM The Queen. RIP  🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

As we all know..today is the day of Queen Elizabeth's Funeral.A momentous  day in our lives.May the Lord Bless Her and Keep Her.God Save The King.

Jim Lawes ● 952d1 Comments ● 934d

Local History talk 6th October at 11.30

We are hosting what promises to be a very interesting talk on the history of Chiswick given by Vivienne Bales, a historian and archivist and the Chair of the Hounslow Heritage Guides Association, at 11.30 on Thursday 6th October at our premises in Oxford Road North, W4 4DN.  The talk is free and open to everyone.  Light refreshments available.  More information:  ageconcernchiswick@outlook.com.  Buses H91, 237, 267, 110, 440.  Gunnersbury tube.

Age Concern Chiswick ● 941d4 Comments ● 934d

LOST RING

My elderly mother lost a treasured ring on Braemar Road yesterday morning.  Of huge sentimental value, it just slipped off her finger.  If anyone has found a ring on Braemar Road, please let me know.  I can give a full description.  Thanks.

Cathy Jones ● 935d1 Comments ● 934d

Sat 15th Oct Reggae and Ska night at The Six Bells Brentford

Our local and resident DJ The Maestro is doing a classic reggae and ska night on the 15th October - get your skank on and your two tones out for a stonking night out. All house spirits plus mixer double up offer £7 all weekend- EVERY weekend. Bira brazilian BBQ grill kitchen open Friday - Sundays too. Make The Six Bells your destination and don’t miss out on the House of Fun!!! 🎷🎶🎹🎤🎵

Karen Morris ● 935d0 Comments ● 935d

Gigantic phone mast on Market Place

Our town square is solidly inside the much loved Butts Conservation Area and hosts markets, the diners spilling out from Rosetta, Verdict's sunny terrace and the wonderful recent Canal Festival. But that has not stopped Vodafone putting in an outrageous planning application to put a 5G phone mast on our town square, taller than the clock tower and nearly as high as five double deckers stacked on top of each other. Incredible! Our local councillors all seem to be against it and Jim Storrar from Brentford Voice has put in a professional set of reasons why it should be rejected. I've also registered my objections. The more people who lodge their opinion the better. The Hounslow planning system ref is PA/2022/1952. Search for that and please leave your comments. I circulated my two page objections paper widely, including to local businesses round the square, now fired up to oppose it, and you can read or download it at https://chericbaker.co.uk/phonemast/mast.pdf  I'll leave it there until the application is rejected. But where will they try it on next? Coming out of the sundial by the canal locks? An extension to St Lawrence Church? Have they no sense of shame or even pleasing communities who cannot help but live in their (fairly low level) radiation washing through them? How dare they try to despoil a conservation area?

Eric Baker ● 1021d14 Comments ● 936d

DfT revises minor road traffic estimates.

The Department for Transport has revised its estimates of minor road traffic between 2009 and 2019. The new data, which it says is more accurate, shows no change in traffic levels on these roads in London over that period. The previous data massively overestimated the numbers and was used as a prime reason for introducing LTNs and other restrictions.Of course Hounslow, a beacon of irrational decision making, won’t change its policies and has indeed informed residents of Swyncombe Avenue that the ‘temporary’ part closure of that key link road is to be made permanent. A decision that surprises nobody. At all.Still, the likes of Lambert and co will have to find some other made up stats to support more of their silly policies. Though doubtless pollution from construction will continue to be omitted from the net zero calculations.Read the report here; https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/road-traffic-estimates-in-great-britain-2021/minor-road-traffic-estimates-review-frequently-asked-questions#why-are-previously-published-minor-road-traffic-estimates-being-revised

Simon Hayes ● 937d1 Comments ● 937d

You look at a Brentford  Building thinking they're offices..but No!

I was aware that the smart Sky TV offices on the Great West Road are now seemingly accommodation for some.But when I was meandering around Brentford the other day.. I came across the old Janzen factory site on the Great West Road..near the Boston Manor Road junction...which appeared to be offices..or were.I couldn't immediately work out why there were so many cars parked there on a Sunday. So I investigated..doing a walking tour of the site. A friendly chap told me that they were all Apartments with rents going up..which he couldn't afford.Then I was passing the Inverness Club...and saw.a sign "Residents Only" A chap confirmed there were four flats on the top floor.With the soon to be occupied Ballymore Buildings..are we ready for this population growth. The landlords are loving it!

Jim Lawes ● 944d3 Comments ● 938d

Six Bells

Just dropped in for a pre-lunch drink. Welcomed by new Landlady, Jacqui, and her business partner, Karen.  Not forgetting Paddy, the pub dog.Absolutely lovely garden with comfortable teak furniture and lots of shade for those who want it.  I hope it will be a great success under new management.They have big plans for a pop-up BBQ over the bank holiday weekend.  Check their FB page for details Six Bells Brentford TW8.

Jane Martin ● 995d8 Comments ● 941d

Brazilian BBQ opening at 6 Bells

We have a new restaurant opening a Brazilian BBQ  and grill from tomorrow 30th September on weekends. Come along to end mouth watering meats and dishes and try something a little different and alternative to what else is in offer in Brentford. We willShorty be having a new wine list as well as our house favourites to accompany the dishes. First Saturday of the month (this weekend) we also have Texas HoldEm poker where you can come along and play or learn in the afternoon. This  Friday 30th September we have live music fromLocal artist Karena K - Camden KGBThis Saturday we have a classic disco from The Maestro with all your favourite tunes! Its going to be a fun packed weekend! We have other events and special offers on drinks throughout the week, and some competitions and games starting soon , where you can win CASH PRIZES!!! Don’t miss out, come and support us and make the Six BellsYour new favourite pub and destination. See you there!!!

Karen Morris ● 942d0 Comments ● 942d

Thames Explorer Trust needs more freelance teachers

This award-winning educational charity is looking for more freelance teachers to join the team that delivers its river learning programmes. We are particularly hoping to find someone for geography/fieldwork programmes for Key Stage 3 to 4 pupils, outdoors and indoors, working from our Chiswick Pier House site. There's also potential for more KS 2 teachers for other programmes. It is a great team to work with - full details of the roles and how to apply are on the charity's new website:https://thames-explorer.org.uk/who-we-are/work-with-us/

Valerie Bott ● 944d0 Comments ● 944d

Windmill Rd/A4 Junction

Has TFL finally put a camera across the yellow box at this junction?There's frequently a car sitting on it when the traffic is quite heavy

Mark Gormley ● 950d3 Comments ● 949d

Bridge across Canal

I'm no engineer. I thought they were putting a footbridge across to West Brentford Lock not a dual carriageway. What a mess.

Paul Lang ● 958d14 Comments ● 949d

Dog Walkers Beware Weed Killer Being Used In  Park

My partner was in Boston Manor Park today and saw a man spraying the edges of the paths. She asked him what it was he was spraying and he told her weed killer. She said she thought the Council only used salt water to which he replied we are not the Council we are contractors working in the park.She pointed out that chemicals in weed killer are dangerous to humans as well as animals and the park was used by children and familys to which she was told its not dangerous once its dried.So please be careful if you excersie your dog in this park.

Robert Ayres ● 958d9 Comments ● 950d

The Funeral Procession through  Isleworth,Brentford and Chiswick.

What a momentous day?Lining the A4 through Chiswick and on the Great West Road to watch the passing vehicles and VIP coaches..will be remembered by many for ever.Another great opportunity to speak with other locals in the crowds too.Those unable to leave their homes to see the action might like to ask for help to find the local Facebook pages.. where many many short videos were posted showing the multitudes along the GWR at Gillette Corner, Lampton Corner and towards Henlys Corner etc.If only those videos could be saved.It was an impressive turn out.I myself went to the top of Harvard Hill in Chiswick..some 150 yards from my birthplace.. and was enchanted by the groups children watching this big event with their parents.When Princess Elizabeth  became Queen in 1952 following the death of her father ..King George V1..she returned to London from Kenya..where she was on holiday..landed at Hesthrow..and then travelled down the Great West Road to Chiswick High Road... all before the Chiswick Flyover was built. So now we start a.new era.

Jim Lawes ● 951d0 Comments ● 951d

Gtech Community Stadium: a committee at work

How can we make the Brentford Community Stadium sound even more dull and uninspiring? Simple! Swap 'Brentford' for 'Gtech'. The dosh will come in handy, that's the main thing, eh. I knew that the idea of 'New Griffin Park' or similar was too much to hope for. But maybe Stadium or Arena might be okay. But no. We're going to crowbar the cuddly but four syllable monstrosity 'Community' into it if it kills us. Besides, call me old fashioned, but I feel the word 'Brentford' is more important than the word 'Community'. So Gtech Brentford Arena/Stadium/Park would be just about palatable. I suppose one could hope that people might start saying 'The Gtech' as in 'The Emirates'. Time will tell. Likely though, that signage, print etc is already on expensive order so a sober re-think is probably too late.

Mike Paterson ● 1004d27 Comments ● 952d

Northumberland Arms

Is open again! Hoorah!!

Keith Iddon ● 956d7 Comments ● 952d

What happens to found dead family pets?

Greetings.  Northumberland Avenue, like many roads, has been badly affected by traffic taking short cuts to get to the A4.  The speed is supposed to be 20mph, but it is the style of driving that is so dangerous.  Foot to the floor, then brake.  The driver in the meantime is staring to the end of the road - not driving along the road - this is really bad on Northumberland Avenue and Wood Lane when the cars are trying to beat the railway crossing lights so have this glazed fixed stare from the moment the level crossing comes into view.The road space between where they start, to where they are looking, (end of road ,) is really dangerous for pedestrians, young and old, and family pets.  There are numerous schools and the children need to be free and safe to walk there.Son, on his way to work this morning came across a young black cat, recently hit and sadly dead.  It was about 3 foot from the kerb and the other drivers speeding along were  intent on squashing it flat.  My neighbours cat was squashed flat in the same area.  Son couldn’t get fluids on his work clothes so while he waited for me to come with a bag he tried to protect it.  The pavement was full of young children all walking to school and one driver was about 6 inches from her head.  What is it with the rush hour mentality? I always thought the dustmen ( who came about 40 mins after this ) had a chip reader to see if an animal is chipped, but I wonder if that is the case and what do they do when it is obviously a family pet?A trip to Youngs Vet in Lampton road and we found out she was chipped and they rang a distraught owner.

Sarah Felstead ● 957d2 Comments ● 954d

Cycling Councillor in red light jumping scandal.....

.....and not wearing a helmet either! I wonder who it might be? Spotted in Brentford and reported on Brentford TV Facebook page.Will the culprit own up on here?!!

Simon Hayes ● 957d8 Comments ● 955d

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