Forum Topic

Twickenham rugby stadium.

Whats happening at the rigby ground?Part of the stadium has been demolished and it looks like some of the houses in Whitton road are ready for demolition.Doe's any one know anythink?

William Read ● 7250d32 Comments

I travelled by the demolition site today and that South Stand end of the Ground looks a right ole wreck. Shame to see houses dated 1873 under the cosh of a bulldozer..but that's progress!! ... the RFU..behaving perhaps much like Heathrow.

Jim Lawes ● 7245d

Corina I wasn't notified and I knew nothing of it until I heard a thunderous blast. Maybe the LBH can do more to advise residents, in the case of a future planned blast.

Gareth Evans ● 7246d

i totally agree with you mate they were totally out off order thats why I said what I said why do people have to be so nasty, all you r doing is being a Cllr and Friend to the people you represent.These people r just jealous because you have more support then them..

Simon Anderson ● 7247d

Great, so we're all mates.Now Simon, about these Labour election leaflets...:o)

Phil Andrews ● 7247d

I cant understand why everyone is arguing.All I said at the begining was about the R.F.Uhandling off the blast last wk, and now people are arguing.Come on guys enough terrible things happening in this world without everyone arguing ah?as I said before Phil is just agreeing with my comments and he wasnt bullying anyone...

Simon Anderson ● 7247d

Andrewi didnt take your coments wrongly So you have not offended me at all mate.secondly I do not have any politicle concerns or involvement with the R.F.U I am just Chair off a group on Ivybridge called Ivybridge Tenants Action Group and we are non politicle, we help and support residents on Ivybridge thats it.I just feel angry that the R.F.U or the resident association did not notify residents.But you have not offended me...

Simon Anderson ● 7247d

Phil Andrews ● 7248d

Hey, now I'm a fish!Look Sarah, I am not po-lite, do not let this be said.  I just enjoy having the last word.As you can see...:o)

Phil Andrews ● 7248d

;-)

Sarah Felstead ● 7248d

Look, crumbs.  And I thought the only reason you started this Phil was to get the subject approached in a different manner – ... hey! well done!Look chaps, Phil has not in any way taken this personally.  I was commenting on his manner and we have frequently commented on the style of articulation used by political personages, on the forum.I said “… take care, or you run the risk of turning into a political bully!” which still remains my comment now.  I said “... apart from that Phil, I was quietly thinking how nice it was to have Corinna posting again and I feel quite miffed on her behalf!”And Phil did reply (as a po-lite person we normally take him to be) “I agree (about Corinna).  The only reason I picked on her is because she is the only representative of her party who still has the courage to post on this forum.”Which is what I was tapping into.Bullies and bullying come in many forms, which my trusty Collins dictionary has just confirmed for me – bully:  a small New Zealand freshwater fish.PS: and nothing to do with the above - at the present we are being bullied by developers who are banging and using power tools all weekend.  In addition ‘somebody’ is having regular smelly bonfires, so when the planes stop and you can hear yourself think again, and you open the windows to let in the stuffy London air, in comes the smelly bonfire smell sticking to everything in the house.  Hounslow Council, by not having a method of enforcement to inform and stop these developers are by their inaction, bullies.

Sarah Felstead ● 7248d

Thank you, Jim, for a pretty accurate assessment of where I was coming from.The legal business is ongoing and will be until some kind of reasonable agreement can be reached on what has happened and where we are going with all this in the future.  I would love the opportunity to discuss this sensibly with either Vanessa or Alan, or both, in public or in private, but they have run away.  Corinna belongs to the same organisation as Vanessa and Alan and she has not run away - she is here on the forum.  Therefore, in the absence of Vanessa and Alan, I asked Corinna if she wanted to offer a party view on the matter.  This, as the more discerning readers will hopefully appreciate, does not constitute an attack on Corinna. With the greatest of respect to Sarah (and I mean that sincerely, as Hughie Green used to say) I don't think she has the same in-depth understanding of this issue as you do.  If she did she would not dismiss it as a "spat" between ICG members and Vanessa as though it were some "six of one, half a dozen of the other" kind of quarrel.It is, as you know, about six totally innocent people asking for a simple apology for allegations made against them of the foulest and most spiteful kind imaginable, which the people who made them actually admit are completely untrue.  I am truly disturbed that the injustice of this appears not to be immediately obvious to everybody.

Phil Andrews ● 7248d

Sarah:I can understand your upset at the welcome Corinna received when she returned to write on this Forum about the Rugby Stadium matter...but Phil's comments did touch on the seeming non recognition of his Community Group and the Ivytag Forum by the local Council Public relations guys and perhaps the RFU..and the comments rolled on to include the on-going Legal matter.As you know Phil is dead keen to get a response from the local Labour Party dignatories..but his calls have seemingly been unanswered...perhaps even ignored.However, I wouldn't call Phil a bully at all. He was certainly pleasant and charming on occasions I have met him ..and his writings on this and other Forums are thorough,generally very polite and well written. He and others obviously have deep opinions about the local Labour Party and its activities..and Phil is probably a strong and persistant individual who would not be pushed over easily.Perhaps the approach to Corinna on these thread was a little  misplaced..but that was..in my view...understandable in view of the grievance.Sarah, have you met Phil at all..at the Farmers Market or at meetings? If you fully read his story perhaps you would join  him in this issue with the "Fortress" as you often affectionately call it ;0)  Corinna is a hard working a delightful Councillor too...but its a pity that her team leaders have a few question marks over their heads..and one wouldn't want to think that Corinna was in the same camp.

Jim Lawes ● 7248d

When posting my original comments I was unaware that Simon was making a political point. It seems that he and others have some issues with the R.F.U. that I am unaware of. I will endeavour to find out what they are (posings on this forum will not be necessary as I will speak to some people concerned).My original posting was completely unpolitical and was my own personal view on the subject and without wishing to offend anyone who lives on the Ivibridge estate, I stand by it's content.My second posting on this subject was also made without any knowledge of Simon's politilal involvement with the R.F.U. and I fear I may have come across a bit patronising towards him. This was not my intention. I was merely trying to help him to get some more facts on the subject. If I have patronised Simon in any way I apologise.The reason I took the time to comment on this thread is that I am proud to live in an area that will soon be home to one of the best sporting arenas in the world. I am also proud to be British, unlike the people who carried out the bombings in London. I just feel that by postponing the demolition of the south stand, even by one week, for the reasons given is caving in to terrorist activity. We must unite and show these people that they cannot rule our lives by their means.

Andrew Sibley ● 7248d

Dear SarahI don't want to get involved inall the politicle side off this argument but I know Phil personally and he is the last person on earth I would call a bully, he is one off the most caring person ive ever met, I aint just saying this as we are friends, but he has done so much for me over the last 12mths, he really does care about people that he represents and even those who dont vote for him.If you ask for his help he gives it 100% and more but also he becomes a good friend.Like I said I dont want to take part in the Politicle arguments on here but I was bullied by 2 guys years ago when i was 17, they were 2 brother in there 40's nasty family, I used to be friends with them both, but one off them tryed manytimes to knock me down and the other who is a pimp tryed to drag me into his car and he had a sawn off shot gun.All because they didnt like each other they tryed to get me to do criminal things and because I wouldnt they bullied me so I know what bullies are like and if Phil was a bully I wouldnt want to be friends with him.There is a politicle side off him and another side off him but he is no bully trust me.Thanks

Simon Anderson ● 7248d

SarahI agree (about Corinna).  The only reason I picked on her is because she is the only representative of her party who still has the courage to post on this forum.Like I said, the leaflets were not down to her.  But if she is a Labour candidate at the next local elections she will to some degree or another suffer the consequences of the actions of Vanessa and those who are covering up for her.  Hence my invitation to her to make her position clear.No quarrels with you Sarah, except to say that you could be a tad more sensitive towards the victims of these circulars.As for me being a bully Sarah, I am gobsmacked.  I am about the most unbullyish person I have ever met.  Even seven stone weaklings kick sand in my face.  When I went to school the bullies were the ones who gave it out, not the victims.

Phil Andrews ● 7248d

Coo, lummy!  your spat is not with me Phil - but is it with Corinna?  take care, or you run the risk of turning into a poiltical bully!

Sarah Felstead ● 7248d

Jim I found out Thursday night from a member off my group who I saw in Tesco..I emailed the R.F.U that night so they would get it in plenty off time.Our members who also residents on Ivybridge Estate warned people they knew etc..but i feel it shouldnt off been our job to notify residents when we wasnt asked to do so it should off been the R.F.U the only residents notified were those living in the rd next to the gounds.As to the B.c.I times there is more young people living on Ivybridge then those who read the B.C.I times so thats why I said around 95% proberly dont buy it.Maybe the resident association should off notified residents on Ivybridge as isnt that what they are there for I mean they deliever the Rugby post for the R.F.U oopps sorry that get aid to do that..At least they could off replied back to us, if we were asked we could off made sure all residents on Ivybridge was aware off the blast on our website www.ivytag.org.uk (bit off a plug there) and gone around the estate and warned residents.

Simon Anderson ● 7248d

I'm sorry that you feel this way Sarah.  It is certainly nice to have Corinna posting again, her contributions are much valued.  It is less nice for people who have never had a racist thought in their lives to have leaflets circulated around town about them telling the world that they harbour evil intentions towards 15% of the local poplace - particularly when the purveyors of such allegations (Corinna's collagues) freely admit them to be lies but refuse to retract them regardless.  Think about it.And yet you are telling me that the people responsible for circulating said untruths should feel "miffed" because I have had the audacity to bring the matter up?  Well you're right, how unreasonable of me.  We are obviously the guilty ones here for complaining.  We should just accept it and be grateful for the publicity. Sarah, if this kind of thing were ever to happen to you I'm sure you would begin to understand.We are going to resolve this matter, and if our persitence angers those who would prefer us all to be one big happy family and just pretend that these vile accusations had never been made then I really do, sincerely, apologise.I would like us all to be friends too.  But it is difficult to forgive a wrong when those who have inflicted it upon you refuse to acknowledge it, and fail to even understand what is wrong with circulating downright lies about other human beings whom they barely know, just for having the temerity to stand against on a rival ticket at a local election.  What kind of people are we dealing with here?  Would you be happy to give your vote to such people?I acknowledge that Corinna was not, as far as I know, involved in any way with the production and circulation of this material.  For all I know she may privately agree that it was distasteful.  But she is a public representative of a party which refuses to disown the actions of a confessed liar and perjuror and which continues to reward that person with office.  I am giving her the opportunity to disassociate herself from this before we get into the business of the next local election campaign.  She should be grateful, not miffed.Put yourself in the position of my colleagues Sarah, think about it carefully, and then tell me that you are still miffed.  Go on, I challenge you...

Phil Andrews ● 7248d

JimWith respect I don't think the onus for this can be placed onto Simon.  He is an independent local activist who will make it his responsibility to find out about things like this, but that doesn't mean that elderly or other vulnerable residents will have known if they were not told.  Surely it was the RFU's responsibility (possibly legal but in any case certainly moral) to inform people of its intentions?Simon raised a valid point with the RFU in the context of the terrible incidents which had taken place in London only three days before the event.  I happen to agree with Corinna and Andrew that it would probably have been impractical for the RFU to have changed its plans at such short notice, but that does not excuse the lack of courtesy which it demonstrated by contemptuously ignoring Simon's concerns.Simon has suggested that the tenants' association might have been notified before the event.  Unlike Ivytag, the association has the active support of a vast local authority apparatus which should presumably have been able, if it had so wished, to produce and circulate this information on the RFU's behalf to the residents on Ivybridge whom both Hounslow Homes/LBH and the RFU appear satisfied the association serves and represents.If on the other hand the tenants' association does not have the capability to inform residents, then the RFU remains to blame for refusing to communicate with people living on the estate through any other means.  Given ample notice and the correct information, either Ivytag or the ICG would have been able to have got this information out.  Unfortunately the RFU will not communicate with Ivytag or even with the elected ward councillors, because we are not members of the hallowed inner sanctum.This episode is just the latest of a whole series of examples of vulnerable Isleworth residents having to suffer needless anxiety as a consequence of cronyism.  Yet another one we owe them for.

Phil Andrews ● 7248d

Grumble grumble - if you feel this way about the BCI times - how do you think the Council get away with placing ads to take down parts of ancient walls in Osterley, in the  **@@~~$$%^&* ... WEST MIDDLESEX CHRONICLE?  I flippin well ask you!... apart from that Phil, I was quietly thinking how nice it was to have Corinna posting again and I feel quite miffed on her behalf!

Sarah Felstead ● 7248d

Simon:Yes it must have been a big rumbling bang...something like the unexpected Kew Gardens fireworks last Thursday evening at 10.20pm!To get to the heart of the matter...**How did you FIRST hear that the South Stand was to be demolished on that Sunday morning 10th July?  **The London Bombs were on the 7th July..so when would your communication of complaint have been received by them?....particularly as they had decided to still to go ahead with the de-construction operation..with all the invitations sent out and the equipment hired..and the personnel lined up.Regarding your line "do you believe everything you read in the papers?" I think that you should perhaps exclude the Brentford & Chiswick and Isleworth Times from that observation, and give them credit. The BC&I is a very fine local newspaper..perhaps now under the mild influence of Mr and Mrs Keen (MP's)...but we should feel priviledged that such a distinguished publication is available to us.The fact that perhaps only 5% of residents at Ivybridge (your figure) never see that local paper is disappointing ..to me anyway..especially as it is available at the local Library too. Is it not available at Estate Cafe etc?So: if you were aware of the demolition...when did you find out?  And, when you did find out, did your resident's group rush to notify members and locals?

Jim Lawes ● 7248d

Thirdly Corinna, as a local elected member for the Labour Party how do you fancy taking a stab at answering some of the questions which have been asked of your party colleague Vanessa Smith and her glorious leader Alan Sheerins concerning her recent admission that she lied in court during the malicious falsehood hearing which followed her circulation of allegations against rival election candidates which she has since admitted to have been false?Vanessa and Al have been strangely silent on this forum ever since her gaffe was pointed out.I know you were not involved in this but I'm sure that like me you would like this issue to be put to bed for once and for all before next year's local elections.Any chance?

Phil Andrews ● 7248d

Thanks PhilI 2 heard the blast and I live behind Mogden thames water site so as to people not hearing the blast well they are wrong.I agree with your comments about Ivytag,Mrag and the ward cllrs not being told anything by the R.F.U and Hounslow Homes.Yes 95% off the estate proberly dont get the B.C.I times so how would they know about the blast if no one informed them.I do know that the R.F.U would off informed the Resident association on Ivybridge but they didn't inform the people they supposed to represent either.If the R.f.u informed Ivytag we would off got a leafl;et out to all the blocks informing them off the blast and we would off informed the elderly in Kirkstone lodge.

Simon Anderson ● 7248d

Corrinacome 2 the Ivybridge estate and ask the residents if they were warned and if they heard the blast!!Seconcly do u believe everything you read in the paper?

Simon Anderson ● 7248d

Hey, why does everybody on here keep repeating themselves?I said - why does everybody on here keep repeating themselves?Seriously though, I think Simon's point is that people on Ivybridge (which is his area of jurisdiction) were not sufficiently consulted to enable all or most of them to be aware of what was happening.  There was, if I remember correctly, a story in the local paper prior to the demolition, but not everybody reads the Brentford & Isleworth Times (especially when its Letters' Page seems to be obsessed with Richmond, but I digress...).Simon evidently contacted the PR officer at the RFU and did not receive the courtesy of a reply.  This is consistent with the RFU's attitude towards the local community and its initiatives in general.  The RFU has displayed a great willingness to ingratiate itself with those whom it perceives to wield the power - i.e. LBH, the ruling party thereof and "approved" residents' groups such as the tenants' association on Ivybridge - but a real contempt for resident-led groups such as Ivytag and MRAG, as well as the elected ward councillors, who have sought their co-operation.  Their PR people are obviously well-briefed as to who is who in the Isleworth community, and have made a conscious decision to throw their lot in with the establishment.  I believe such a strategy to be short-sighted and that they will have cause to realise in the not-too-distant future that they have made a bad choice.Simon's concerns were legitimate and even if the RFU could not have postponed their plans at such a late hour they could at least have had the good manners to reply to him.  They even had time to do something to address his concerns by advising Ivybridge residents of their intentions.  That they failed to do so demonstrates in my view not only their pig-headed contempt for him and for Ivytag, but more importantly for the community which it speaks for.I heard the blast very clearly at Marble Hill Park, by the way.  It stretches the imagination to suggest that it wouldn't have been heard on Ivybridge.

Phil Andrews ● 7248d

Apparently the locals were notified...some indeed were invited and accepted to watch the event.Many locals didn't even hear the bang despite knowing it was coming...I think maybe Simon exaggreates a bit!!'Evidenced by our own B and I Times!!

Corinna Smart ● 7249d

Apparently lots of local residents were consulted!!The big bang wasn't heard by lots of people!!So I think that perhaps Simon exaggerates just a bit!!The RFU invited local residents to watch the demolision!(Evidence our own Band I Times!!)

Corinna Smart ● 7249d

Simon,The R.F.U. invited members of the public to view the demolition. An article in the B.C.I. Times confirms this. There must have been some sort of consultation with people living near the stadium as some residents were evacuated prior to the blast. It may be that the Ivybridge estate was far enough away that no one living there was at risk. If I were you I would check with the local authorities and find out what the consultation process should have been. If this was not carrird out in the correct manner then you have a case. With regard to the elderly people living on the estate I agree that some distress may have been caused. Perhaps the R.F.U. should have publicised the event in a better way just out of courtesy.

Andrew Sibley ● 7249d

AndrewI think you miss the point..to blast a building etc you have to notify the local residents hich in this case did nit happe.There is a lot off elderly in the area which would off been frightened.A resident told me his flat shook when they did the blast so it wasnt a small blast.Also the last thing residents wanted to hear so soon after the horrible event in London was a blast, they could off postponed it for a wk and informed residents properly this was going to happen and not to worry.The residents are not saying the terrosist have won, we feel like everyone else "we are Not affraid" and i to joined in the 1 min silence.But it was bad timing and they didnt inform local residents properly.www.ivytag.org.uk

Simon Anderson ● 7249d

AndrewI think you miss the point..to blast a building etc you have to notify the local residents hich in this case did nit happe.There is a lot off elderly in the area which would off been frightened.A resident told me his flat shook when they did the blast so it wasnt a small blast.Also the last thing residents wanted to hear so soon after the horrible event in London was a blast, they could off postponed it for a wk and informed residents properly this was going to happen and not to worry.The residents are not saying the terrosist have won, we feel like everyone else "we are Not affraid" and i to joined in the 1 min silence.But it was bad timing and they didnt inform local residents properly.www.ivytag.org.uk

Simon Anderson ● 7249d

AndrewI think you miss the point..to blast a building etc you have to notify the local residents hich in this case did nit happe.There is a lot off elderly in the area which would off been frightened.A resident told me his flat shook when they did the blast so it wasnt a small blast.Also the last thing residents wanted to hear so soon after the horrible event in London was a blast, they could off postponed it for a wk and informed residents properly this was going to happen and not to worry.The residents are not saying the terrosist have won, we feel like everyone else "we are Not affraid" and i to joined in the 1 min silence.But it was bad timing and they didnt inform local residents properly.www.ivytag.org.uk

Simon Anderson ● 7249d

AndrewI think you miss the point..to blast a building etc you have to notify the local residents hich in this case did nit happe.There is a lot off elderly in the area which would off been frightened.A resident told me his flat shook when they did the blast so it wasnt a small blast.Also the last thing residents wanted to hear so soon after the horrible event in London was a blast, they could off postponed it for a wk and informed residents properly this was going to happen and not to worry.The residents are not saying the terrosist have won, we feel like everyone else "we are Not affraid" and i to joined in the 1 min silence.But it was bad timing and they didnt inform local residents properly.www.ivytag.org.uk

Simon Anderson ● 7249d

AndrewI think you miss the point..to blast a building etc you have to notify the local residents hich in this case did nit happe.There is a lot off elderly in the area which would off been frightened.A resident told me his flat shook when they did the blast so it wasnt a small blast.Also the last thing residents wanted to hear so soon after the horrible event in London was a blast, they could off postponed it for a wk and informed residents properly this was going to happen and not to worry.The residents are not saying the terrosist have won, we feel like everyone else "we are Not affraid" and i to joined in the 1 min silence.But it was bad timing and they didnt inform local residents properly.www.ivytag.org.uk

Simon Anderson ● 7249d

The demolition of the south stand is part of a major redevelopment of the stadium. Planning permission was granted last year I believe by Richmond Council. I did not know that the R.F.U. planned to blow it up in the same way that high rise blocks are demolished. This must have been decided well before the bomb attacks in London and a lot of preparation prior to it's demolition must have been involved.I do not see how demolishing such a structure that is relatively small, in comparrison to a high rise block of flats, in the manner in which it was done, can cause a problem to people who live on the Ivybridge estate. The fact that it was done so soon after the London bombings is, in my view, not a problem either.The tragic events on 7/7 in London only serve as a means for people in this city and country to come together and unite against the terrorits that try to destroy our way of  life. We must do everythig we can to carry on our lives as normal in the wake of such atrocity. We will always remember the innocent people who lost their lives that day as we do those people who lost their lives in other countries to terrorists.Today saw a two minute silence in memory of these people. I, like thousands of others joined in. There will be many more oportunities to show our respects too. For now though we must carry on with our way of life. However hard it may seem it is the only way to show that we will not be beaten. If we keep postponing events because of terrorist activity we will be helping them in fulfillng their objective.So come on everybody on the Ivybridge, don't give in to these terrorists so easily. The redevelopment at Twickenham stadium will benefit this community no end.

Andrew Sibley ● 7250d

Yes they did I got many complaints and a member off my tenant group IVYTAG said no one on Ivybridge Estate knew about it, I asked around and I got the same from residents that they did not no this was happening.As i said I sent the Tenant Liason Officer at Twickenham Rugby Ground to ask for it to be postponed for the above reasons but they went ahead and not even a reply.I wonder if people want to complain about this if they will do it on our forum aswell as we are going to take this up with the R.F.U and the more complaints we get the better just log on to www.ivytag.org.uk and click on forumThanksChair off Ivytag

Simon Anderson ● 7250d

Didn't realise they did that!Very sensitive, not!

Corinna Smart ● 7250d

Yes the South stand was blown up by the R.F.U last Sunday.we at Ivytag sent a email to the R.F.U asking for it to be postponed because off the following reasons1) in respect off those who lost there lives last Thursday in London2) they didnt notify anyone in the area this was going to happen and it would off frightened elderly etcBut they did not reply and went ahead great support they showed to the local residents, and to those affected in the London bombings

Simon Anderson ● 7250d

They are extending the stadium. This went through Richmonds Planning Committee a long time ago.Hounslow were consulted.There was an extensive consultation at the time I seem to remember.Sorry I cant remember when it was.If you want to know more contact Richmonds Planning Dept.

Corinna Smart ● 7250d