Adam - Against my better judgement, I've decided to respond to your post.'Unsubstantiated exaggeration' - well, blame the BBC. Despite forecasts, it's still not snowing, but - as someone who was stranded in the north for three days after my return date last year (thanks to the Beast from the East), forgive my trepidation. My original post was predicated upon a thread on another forum, which was (if you wish to believe it) far more vociferous than my own. My concern was for the elderly, the infirm and those with restricted mobility. In fact, I was planning to attend the meeting (by bus - we do not have a car) - and my husband intended to accompany me, despite having very much less strong feelings about the matters at hand. I must take issue with your assertion that I had said that Holland Gardens 'had always been falling apart'. Despite being very newly built, the apartment that my friends had moved into was - very pointedly - falling apart. I clearly recall doing the rounds with them and being astonished at the shoddy workmanship. At no time did I suggest that this was the case for the entire development, but it certainly was problematic for them. This would have been prior to your own residency, so a great deal may have happened in the intervening months and years.Where I will agree with you is regarding the CW4 website forum - a pit of vipers, if ever I encountered one. I've dipped my toe into that pond on a couple of occasions and won't do it again. However, I do feel that - in tone - responses to my posts had been less than encouraging. You know, if I were active in a particular community and someone had expressed a desire to become involved, I'd like to think that I would have been welcoming and responded with open arms, rather than suggesting that I was '13 years too late'. As it happens, I received a rather bizarre message (and subsequent phone call) from a councillor from Hounslow, who wanted to talk to me regarding 'my concerns regarding tonight's meeting'. I hadn't been aware that I'd had concerns. We did, indeed, have a conversation. The upshot of all of this - according to the councillor - is that planning permisson for all of these works has been granted; it's fait accompli. Getting my proverbial knickers in a twist over the fate of historic buildings is a waste of time, effort and emotion - it's a done deal. The new-build monster will obliterate what's left of the area and there's not a thing anyone can do to stop it. Griffin Park too - so residents of 'sought-after Brentford Village' can save their breath. Turns out I really was 13 years too late. Protest is futile, the march of progress moves on. In the wise words of Elsa, let it go.I'm sure you are a fine man, Adam. I have no doubt that you are lauded by many, and rightly so. I'd like to think that, under different circumstances, we'd get on quite well. Whatever you might believe, I have no beef with you. That said, your tone in this thread was - you'll have to admit - a bit unnecessary. I felt attacked by you, when all I was doing was echoing the sentiments expressed in another forum - and in very much gentler language. I had thought I was being helpful. Never mind, it's all history now.What it did demonstrate is how fragile an ecosystem this grassroots local activism is. I'm a self-confessed snowflake and it's too much for me. I wish you and everyone else the very best - that is absolutely genuine - but I don't have the time or the stomach for it.
Tracie Dudley Craig ● 2391d