Forum Topic

St Pauls rec

It was great to see some real effort by some, on tidying up a small park that really could be a 10 carat jewel of Brentfords crown.I saw some people really putting in serious effort and skill in abundance and even a few carrying on during the week.How they must feel in that just a week later, fresh graffiti has been daubed and litter casually strewn by Schoolgirls and others who ought to know better.?A quarter of the park is set aside for dogs to roam freely, that does not seem to be enough for some owners, who continue to let their dogs roam the rest of the park, worse still are the parents and teenagers who whilst allowing their young charges to play in the childrens playground, also let their dogs off leash to roam and defacate there. The casual litter strewn by a few goes unchallenged. If locals are prepared to roll up their sleeves and give up their time to make the place a little bit better for everyone else, then it is time for the authorities to reciprocate.The park needs to be monitored, and muscles flexed, It is time that the anti-social few started getting fined, named and shamed.Dog faeces are seriously harmful and 99% of owners make the effort to deal with that. Sadly it only takes a 1% deposit to blind a child.It is time the graffitists were outed, having removed this stuff from the mural twice now, I would like to see them clean it up instead.And the litter droppers? Just why are a handful of Brentford girls school students always hanging around during school hours? If they are that bored them maybe they can hang around with a few litter pickers and a binbag.Maybe the school would like to pay their litter fines?Come on organisers, don't let the great efforts of so many get eroded away,chase up CiP or LBH and get them to get tough with those who cannot  seem to treat the place with civility.Dr. M J B Brandt.

Michael Brandt ● 7004d26 Comments

Actually Ollie...are you a property developer?You seem to have a hefty axe to grind with people who challenge your views. I suspect you're not the most tolerant of individuals.How long have you lived in Brentford?I get out plenty,thanks very much and spend a lot of money supporting local businesses.You seem to have a strong undercurrent of character assasination in your postings and general way of expressing yourself...life's too short for me to take it seriously,believe me.

Keith Iddon ● 6816d

Whatever...

Keith Iddon ● 6816d

Keith, I suspect you don't get out much. I haven't seen too many places in London looking like the Island development. Similarly I am not aware of many town centres with multiple shopping and leisure outlets (as per original plan of 'evil' developers) with a strong focus on the riverfront. But anyway, seems like you are happy enough with what we are left with Keith.

Click here to enter name ● 6816d

Again,my head is not in the sand and neither are my eyes wide shut...I just don't want another place looking just the same as everywhere else,what's wrong with that?

Keith Iddon ● 6816d

maybe we are talking about different high streets -- where are all these great shops serving local people located keith? teh brentford high street i am familiar with is equipped with rip-off convenience stores, the worst supermarket in west london, and takeaway restaurants where salmonella comes as standard. get your head out of the sand!

Click here to enter name ● 6816d

Not handwringing,just concerned everywhere is not yuppiefied for the benefit of people who have no real interest in the area and want to see everywhere looking the same.You may be right about the shops on the high st. but there is only so much coffee a person can drink...

Keith Iddon ● 6816d

Keith your handwringing seems inappropriate for brentford -- maybe i have missed it, but we are not overly favoured with these bakers and butchers are we? these businesses will return with development, not without it. This much is crystal clear.

Click here to enter name ● 6816d

Well Ollie,Here's to soul-less stainless steel and glass and everywhere in the world looking the same.Here's to the yuppie global village of your dreams and to corporate property development developing out all the local butchers and bakers and all the shops people want. and building 'apartments'made out of ticky-tacky and all looking just the same.You don't need to throw the baby out when you empty the bath water you know.

Keith Iddon ● 6816d

Jimas per my previous post, i am happy not to live in the binary world where you and nigel exist, one which regales everything old as 'good' and everything new as 'bad'. I have the wit to appreciate what modern buildings in the Brentford area are worthy (Glaxo, the Island devlopment, Ferry wharf) and which are not (Travelodge, the Police tower, Holiday Inn). This also allows me to identify a falling down hovel and a rusting warehouse as expendable, not historic treasures. It's a shame that you are bereft of a discriminating eye.

Click here to enter name ● 6816d

This is the sort of 'wall art' that is fine.It tells a story,is done in a more than proficient artistic hand and has been well planned and is colourful without being gaudy.It also brings the history and heritage of the area to light for locals and 'tourists' alike.There should be more of this sort of stuff on public site or building imho. The idiotic defacements of it are another matter.

Keith Iddon ● 6816d

More to the point who put the graffiti on them who says graffiti is art? They look the same as the walls in Londonderry but not as frightening.

Helen Fogarth ● 6816d

Very interesting pictures again.  Thanks, Jim.You seem to be 'almost apologising' to someone who has critized your photographs?  B....r him, whoever he is.  I know folks like Audrey, Doris, Dan, myself and many others get a great kick out of seeing these views of the Old Boroughs.

Ann S. Allridge ● 6817d

Have you seen them?  I wonder how old they are..and who painted them!The happenings of old in Brentford!oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooThis section depicts 1066...ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooKew Steam Museum is depicted too.oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooThis final picture was gleened from somewhere cyberspace..and is not mine. The mural has be updated I believe..so this is the old version! Pop to the Park and spot the differences!ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooI'm off to Northfied Avenue now..so visit the Ealing Forum to see a few more pictures..of the old Odeon etc!

Jim Lawes ● 6818d

Nothing like a well maintained local Park to keep the spirit of the locals high.  Found myself passing by Saturday before dusk..and captured a few snaps...more tedious JL pictures for Oliver!oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooThe local area ouzzes Victoriana..does it not?oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooThe obelisk commemorating Queen Victoria's 50 years on the throne in 1887!oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooAncient and modern archecture in view!!..with Oliver in mind!ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooLateward Road..on the edge of the Park had some well cared for front gardens..have you seen them..proud owners it would seem.I didn't like the look on some threatening looking youths in Albany Road though..a little earlier..which was a pity...and I had to watch my step!ooooooooooooooooooooooo

Jim Lawes ● 6818d

Michael, I am concerned and confused as to what resurfacing works you refer to in your posting. Our contractors are not due to go onto site just yet, have you seen them working there? How was the gate damaged?Glad to hear you have been out litter picking and I look forward to meeting you at the next event! Any comments on my original posting asking for information on dates and times that the vandals are attacking the park?Kind regardsBen Ahmed CIP Parks and Open Spaces

Ben Ahmed ● 6989d

Nice to see the resurfaced areas look good, but why did they not do the disintegrating path betwwen the Grosvenor rd entrance and the  fountain or the muddy  areas between the gates to the dog area and the dog area path?Sad to see the freshly renovated gate has been damaged by the works and this just a week or so after it was finished..I do hope the good work keeps up, even I have been out picking up litter.

Michael Brandt ● 6990d

Hi Tony, Matt beat me to it, Thanks for the kind offer. Please give me a call when you can to discuss. Ben Community and Funding OfficerCIP Parks and Open Spaces020 8894 2677

Ben Ahmed ● 6994d

Hi Tony, Matt beat me to it, Thanks for the kind offer. Please give me a call when you can to discuss. Ben Community and Funding OfficerCIP Parks and Open Spaces020 8894 2677

Ben Ahmed ● 6994d

Tony - nice offer. Contact Ben.Ahmed@cip.org.uk who'll point you in the right direction...

Matt Harmer ● 6994d

I missed the clean up as I work weekends and was away at the time.I noticed the difference though and hats off to the bloke who cleaned off the vile graffitti that was sprayed by 3 young kids two of whom were girls.Top marks to the chap who has made a first class job of the gate and entrance to the Park at Grosvenor Road, I've seen him labouring away a few times in the evenings.The other entry here is right, it is high time some of these litter louts, graffittists and careless dog owners start getting fined or at the very least warned. They give us dog owners who are responsible a bad name and if people like those guys are going to make such an effort to make it a better place for us all, then their efforts should be respected and bolstered.I would like to donate a few plants or shrubs for the freshly dug and reclaimed flowerbed by Grosvenor road, Who does one contact?Tony

Anthony Waller ● 6995d

All, I have spoken with an officer at Brentford police station, who has informed me of the correct people to speak to within the Safer Neighbourhood team. For those that are unaware the Safer Neighbourhood team is made up of a Sergeant & 2 police officers who are supported by 3 PCSO's.Once the Sgt. returns I will discuss the problems that St. Paul’s is encountering and work out a way that we can all solve these problems. I will post the results of this conversation on this site and hopefully together we will be able to rectify some if not all of the issues. Although this is a disheartening problem I must ask that everyone is patient whilst we all work on a strategy that will affect change in the long term. If in the interim should you see any behaviour that causes alarm, please contact the police station direct on 020 8247 5989. Kind regards Ben AhmedCIP Parks and Open Spaces

Ben Ahmed ● 6996d

I was horified today to see that the Rec has been attacked by vandals. Only yesterday I saw a chap who has spent hours rubbing down and repainting the gate at the Grosvenor Road end, the same chap has cleared the sludge at the gate and prepared a flower bed, another couple were out raking up twigs and debris after the winds of last week.  These peoples continuing efforts need support and quick.Apart from the efforts of these few, nothing has been touched since the clear up.The new benches have been daubed with silver paint, the mural with red spray and other areas with blue spray.  It is only 2 days into the school vacation and the standard of  grafitti has all the halmmarks of the work of  children.There is no supervision at all and the behaviour of some of these children literally deters other children form even entering the park let alone the play area. Even adults are often intimidated by some kids no more than 9 or 10 who have mouths like sewers.It is even more incredulous that there is a police station less than 80 metres away and not one officer does so much as take a walk around the place.Just where are all these extra community officers that  we are paying for?  Where is the supervision for all these children? and what about the protection of those too intimidated to use the park?

Michael Brandt ● 6996d

The clean up day was a great effort by local people we will not let it deteriorate

Alan Sheerins ● 7001d

Dear Dr. Brandt,My name is Ben Ahmed and I am the Community and Funding Officer at CIP Parks and Open Spaces, the organisation responsible for St. Paul's Recreation Ground. I wanted to reply to your message to reassure you and other forum members that CIP are committed to working to further improve the open space. The Friends of St. Paul's and CIP have gone to great lengths to organise the clear up day and a great deal was achieved. We will take all the necessary steps to ensure that the work carried out is not spoilt by a negative few. As Matt pointed out, this is not the first day planned and we hope that on later days we can encourage more groups within the community, and the school to become involved.You may be aware that we are carrying out various improvements within the park, one of these will be to improve the signage regarding the dog areas and should act to remind people of the rules regarding keeping their animals under control.I intend to contact the local school to see what their response is and hopefully arrange a meeting to discuss resolving the problem of their children dropping litter in the park and carrying out other acts of anti-social behaviour.Should you wish to contact me direct regarding any of the above, my e-mail address is ben.ahmed@cip.org.uk or telephone 020 8894 2677.Hopefully together and with a little hard work from all we can ensure the park remains a pleasant area to spend time in.Kind regards Ben

Ben Ahmed ● 7001d

Whatever happened to park keepers?

Bernadette Paul ● 7002d

We'll be getting signs in the next couple of weeks that indicate where dogs can and can't be exercised; our hope is that a)people take notice and b)other people feel empowered to point this out. I'll also be meeting with PCSOs in the near future to point this out to them; I think that they can help us in this regard. When I helped organise the clear up day I knew it wouldn't be the last. The experience of other places seems to be that persistent cleaning up works in the long run; we won't give up that easily.

Matt Harmer ● 7003d