Forum Topic

"It has been difficult not to have responded to some of the policital postings...and I don't think I would have survived the kind of batterings that Cllr Phil Andrews and his Group have suffered from some of the more excitable contributors."JimThank you for your kind words, but we have consoled ourselves throughout with the knowledge that1. Despite the range of identities to which these comments have been accredited most of them quite clearly originate from the same person or group of people, and2. I always believed that we would answer our attackers and critics in the most dramatic way possible - by winning more council seats and consigning the discredited New Labour regime in Hounslow to well-deserved oblivion.  Nothing I could have posted on this forum in response to this relentless campaign could have come close to achieving the impact which our election result did.  As you rightly say, the voters who know us trust us so who really cares if a few perennial critics and New Labour sock-puppets don't?Speaking personally, I began to use these forums after reading a comment on ChiswickW4.com to the effect that local councillors never use these facilities.  I saw them as a useful means of conveying information.  I freely admit that on many occasions I have been guilty of becoming involved in unseemly exchanges which probably annoy more people than they inform, and complaints made against me on such occasions have often been justified.  Where they have I apologise to all concerned.It is clearly also the case that there have been some who have exploited my openness and my willingness to debate with a view to inducing some kind of response which could be used against me and against the group.  Yes, I should have seen it coming - often I did, but obliged anyway.  I am not a party politician, and I don't think like one.  Sometimes this has worked to my cost.My personal policy in future will be to use this forum but to do so sparingly, at least on issues which are likely to induce controversy.  A demand for a response from me will not necessarily evoke one.It is great to see you back on the forum Jim.  I sincerely hope that we can achieve a sensible balance here between constructive political debate and discussion of other issues which interest local people.  The forum should be here for everybody.I also hope that we can set up an Isleworth equivalent which can work in harmony with this forum and maybe work as a conductor for some of the debate which quite reasonably is of limited interest to users from Brentford.Here's to a new era!

Phil Andrews ● 7015d

""As for Mr Jim Lawes, you have recently posted some great photos on the site but the majority of Brentfordians are fed up of this"" (Kevin Farnan)""Why dont we re-name the site "THE JIM LAWES APPRECIATION SITE "...MY GOD !!! Anyone would think that he is the only man in Brentford able to put photos on the site. I must admit they do become a bit "tedious" at one point he could not post anything without a photo attached. Maybe it was his new toy !!!"" (Mark Welland)ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooWith the Ward elections over, I suppose in some ways there is a new beginning...but I doubt if this fiery Forum will now become a place of peace and tranquillity! Mark's and Kevin's postings linger in my ears..I'm a sensitive soul..but I do agree that one can overdo picture postings...even if they were meant to stimulate interest in Brentford and its Forum..and encourage debate and add some colour to the scene...and even if I do live in TW7!!  It has been disappointing..that given the opportunity...Mark has not made one further contribution to the Forum...suggesting he belongs to more unfriendly groups lingering on the touchline...hindering perhaps the friendly contributions of others. (Come on Mark..when are your messages of wisdom arriving or even some pictures?) ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooThank you for all your compliments on this thread and on the TW7 Topic too...my children will be amazed..and my previous bosses too! We all like appreciative responses... but a line must be drawn..otherwise my head will get bigger still!oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooMy earlier withdrawal from the Forum..as some of you may remember..was also because Sarah,Simon and myself had posted  excessively.. some 80 New Topics out of the 200 available to view from the index. In my view these excesses spoilt things. Many topics were naff..and some serial posters in my view,added little joy to one's visit to the Forum...by adding so many new Topics..when existing Topics could have been used.ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooThank goodness,during the past two/three months more new contributors have arrived on the scene. But it has been sad to see postings about The Piano Museum, or Brunel's 200th, or the Brentford Festival and many others get little response from here...perhaps there has really been a boycott of the Site by some.oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooIt has been difficult not to have responded to some of the policital postings...and I don't think I would have survived the kind of batterings that Cllr Phil Andrews and his Group have suffered from some of the more excitable contributors.I'm delighted that the ICG have again won the support of the electorate in Isleworth South, that must mean something!! and I'm also pleased that Isleworth North (Osterley and Spring Grove) voted to retain the capable Barbara Read and friends for the Conservatives. Congratulations also to Caroline Andrews,Jonathan Hardy and Shirley Fisher for that astounding result in winning the Syon Ward seats.With the talented and hard working Ruth Cadbury, Matt Harmer,and Andrew Dakers representing Brentford..and well done to them..the new Isleworth and Brentford Area Committee should be essential spectating at their meetings. Let's hope that the New Committee(6 ICG...3 Conservative...2 Labour and 1 Lib Dem) will mix well and produce an inspired innings.oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooI'm Chiswick born..pre-war and lived there loads of years..so attend legitimately that Forum. I have connections in Ealing too..work and family..so I venture to that Forum also..It's an especially friendly Forum.Wandsworth Forum is for testing pictures. And Brentford Forum is just down the road..the Isleworth and Brentford Area Committee governs TW7 and TW8 ..so there are mutual matters of interest.I'll hide my camera for the moment.  This posting is to trim this thread! 

Jim Lawes ● 7015d