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E-petiition Save Brentford Library

Please sign the e-petition to save Brentford Librarygo tohttp://petitions.hounslow.gov.uk/BrentfordLibrary/Please encourage others to sign up quickly!

RUTH GARNER ● 5770d18 Comments ● 5736d

Fatally Flawed and or misleading?    Hounslow's Public Budget Consultation Document  2011

Hounslow's Public Budget Consultation Document 2011 At a meeting of the LBH  Executive held on the 8th February 2011 (see page 143) the closure of Chiswick Day Centre and Bedfont was agreed along with other financial cuts. The savings title was; Ref CS13-15;  Redesign of Day Opportunities for older people The 'Description of Saving' as '£790k efficiency by reducing the nuimber of sites used for day services. Chiswick and Bedfont to close' Summary of relevant consultation results; Approximately 55% of respondents to the General Resident Survey agreed with the closure and 32% disagreed' However in the  Budget Consultation Document 2011 circulated throughout the borough Item  reference number CS13-15 was  as follows, REF;       CS 13-15  SAVINGS PROPOSAL; Reconfiguration of day care services Service Impact; This proposal would see an ongoing commitment to increased choice with services  provided to the most vulnerable service users and those requiring specialist services. Seven day coverage  would be retained with front line services being redeployed into existing  care vacancies. Two management and 17 other posts  would be deleted or  redeployed. POTENTIAL FOR SAVINGS 2011/2012   Up to  £790k. Finally Residents were asked to 'please indicate how strongly you agree that savings should be made in then following areas' with a range of five marking boxes  beginning at  'Strongly Agree'  and ending  'Strongly Disagree' In my view no one would be able to interpret this item in this publicly circulated document with the  closure of the Chiswick Day Centre . It follows too that the collated interpretation of the residents returned consultation views/ preferences in respect of CS 13-15 mentioned above was  fatally flawed. Post the receipt of the  public's response, LBH Executive made some adjustments to their proposed cuts including Library closures,  Youth services and other matters. I believe too that if the  closure of the CDC had been properly and clearly stated in the publicly circulated consultation document, the public response would have been overwhelming against its closure. My view is not speculative. The current LBH  E Petition against closure and a paper based one provides corroborative evidence of the public's anger and desire that this Centre remain open. Disingenous is the word that comes to mind. John Cllr John Todd

John Todd ● 5736d0 Comments ● 5736d

Why The Legalise Cannabis Alliance is NOT a single issue party

Below is a letter (not by me or the LCA) prepared for sending to our PM&MPs by an interested Person, its for printing and signing and is doing the rounds on facebook. It sums up the issue well;DearI am writing to state my view that continuing prohibition of all private interests in cannabis is not in the best interest of society or the individual. Current policy is in many regards counter-productive and a drain on the country’s resources.  The administration of Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 is mandated to be under constant review & evidence based; it's concern is solely to reduce social harm caused by drug misuse.  I submit that there can be no justification in law for the blanket ban on accessing a substance that many persons use responsibly, and many use to experience the amelioration of symptoms caused by various medical disorders. The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 seeks to regulate human action re any harmful drug, it does not provide a mandate for prohibition, indeed when one examines the obligations of the ACMD one can see that the law seeks to make arrangements for the supply of controlled drugs.  The legislative aim is to control responsible human action and property interests through the regulation of the production, distribution and possession of any harmful drug; this being proportionate and targeted to address the mischief of social harm occasioned by misuse.  I note that the law does not prohibit the use of cannabis at all, and this often ignored fact was Parliament's way of opening the door to facilitate a suitable and rational regulatory structure.  I place it on record that I wish the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 to be used properly, and neutrally; specifically; (under Section 1) -“(2) (a) for restricting the availability of such drugs or supervising the arrangements for their supply.”The prohibition of all private interests in cannabis & the denial of the possibility of responsible use has failed: The estimated expenditure of £19 billion on the judicial ‘controls’ over UK drug policy is a large sum that cannot be justified in the current fiscal climate.  I do not believe it can be proven to be a valid policy even if the nation could easily afford it; it has a high price on liberty, and a paradoxical effect upon the health of all drug users - it has proved futile in almost every way, save for the government's blind adherence to the international treaties it chooses to fetter it's discretion to. There is an estimated street value of £5 billion profit going directly to gangs and cartels, and this in turn funds organised crime, human trafficking, and all manner of hard-line criminality.Children have easy & ready access to cannabis.  Children are dealing cannabis and using cannabis with relative ease.There is an estimated 165 million responsible and non-problematic cannabis users worldwide.  There is anything from 2 - 10 million adult users in the UK.  There is no societal benefit to criminalising such a large portion of society, these are generally law-abiding persons who wish to use a substance that is comparatively safer than many drugs that government choose to exclude users of from the operation of the MoDA 1971 (despite the Act being neutral as to what drug misusers are controlled, the most harmful drugs such as alcohol and tobacco are excluded by policy, but this is not reflected in the Act itself).Under prohibition, as in 1920’s America, quality control has suffered giving way to hastily harvested cannabis which acts as the modern day equivalent of the infamous Moonshine & Hooch. The UK media terms this bad product simply as “Skunk”. Cannabis is now being cut with harmful drugs, glass, metal fillings, and chemicals to give false potency, and to add weight for profit motivations. To criminalise personal actions that do not harm others within the confines of privately owned property is at best draconian, and at worst futile & irresponsible.I wish to encourage the adoption of a regulatory system that provides: An age-check system to prevent the young and vulnerable from obtaining cannabis with the ease they currently have.The partial saving from the £19 billion drug enforcement budget, alongside the estimated street worth of £5 billion potentially collected from cannabis.  This would be a considerable sum in aiding the country in fiscal crisis.Quality control that can be accorded to cannabis production and sale, thus ensuring that there are no dangerous impurities and that the correct balance of cannabinoids are present (according to the needs of the user) to minimise potential harms.Potency & harm reduction information can be provided to adults, ensuring education is the forefront of the regulatory model.A restriction on marketing and the creation of designated discreet outlets. As seen in many countries, given a place of legitimacy, the cache of cannabis is lessened in favour of responsibility.The freedoms and rights for non-problematic users to be respected.I do hope that you will give this matter the urgent attention it warrants.Yours

Philip Walsh ● 5741d4 Comments ● 5736d

Brentford Workhouse

I had the pleasure of discovering the plaque for the Brentford Workhouse - does anyone have any records of this within easy reach, stories or records?  Many thanks  Simon

Simon Groves ● 5744d10 Comments ● 5737d

Isleworth Residents March to Save Our Library and Public Hall - Saturday, 19th February, 10.45 am

Dear FriendYou may be aware that as part of a massive programme of budget cuts it has been proposed that Isleworth Library, along with up to seven others, may be closed.Isleworth only reopened a couple of weeks ago!!!As if that wasn't enough, Isleworth Public Hall is also under serious threat.  In fact anywhere where members of the community can get together and speak to one another seems to be very much on the hit list.The London Borough of Hounslow is now saying that it will delay any cuts to the library service and will also push back its plans for the Public Hall.  BUT NEITHER ARE SAFE !!!!Hounslow still wishes to make a saving in excess of £800k and has yet to think of an alternative to the library closures.That is why members and friends of our community will be holding a MARCH from Isleworth Library to Isleworth Public Hall on Saturday, 19th February 2011 at 10.45 am.This friendly and good-natured activity is being supported across the community by people of all age groups and all backgrounds.  It has been organised by a cross-section of residents from The Isleworth Society (TIS), the Community Group (ICG) and Friends of Isleworth Public Hall, as well as many freelance campaigners and well-wishers.  It is intended as a short but potent demonstration of our community's robust opposition to the proposed cuts.Meet up outside Isleworth Library at 10.45 am.  We will be staging a brief celebration of the opening of the new library before the march.Refreshments will be available at the Public Hall from 11.30 am, where you will also be able to sign a petition.  If for any reason you are unable to attend the march, please make your way straight to the Public Hall.We want to put on a real show of strength.  Please do your very best to join us on the march at 10.45 on February 19th.See you there!Phil Andrewson behalf of Save Our Libraries LBH

Phil Andrews ● 5749d21 Comments ● 5738d

Major tube disruption this weekend (19/20 February 2011)

Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 February Due to track or signal replacement works, the Underground and Overground services within Hounslow Borough are severely affected this weekend:District line: The District line is suspended between Ealing Broadway and West Kensington and between Richmond and West Kensington all weekend.Piccadilly line: The Piccadilly line is suspended between Northfields and Hammersmith and between Ealing Common and Hammersmith all weekendRail replacement buses:• Service A:  Boston Manor – South Ealing – Ealing Broadway – Ealing Common – Acton Town – Gunnersbury – Chiswick Park – Turnham Green – Stamford Brook – Ravenscourt Park – Hammersmith.• Service B:  Ealing Broadway – Boston Manor.• Service C: Osterley – Hammersmith.• Service D:  Richmond – Kew Gardens – Gunnersbury – Chiswick Park – Turnham Green –  Stamford Brook – Ravenscourt Park –  Hammersmith.Piccadilly line passengers should transfer to/from rail replacement buses at Boston Manor and Hammersmith.  District line passengers should transfer to/from the Piccadilly line at Earls Court.Chiswick residents for Heathrow may also take an E3 bus to Northfields or an H91 bus to Osterley or Hounslow West to transfer to a Piccadilly Line train.  Brentford residents for Heathrow should take an E2 bus to Northfields or an E8 or 195 bus to Boston Manor (but not the 65 bus to South Ealing) to transfer to a Piccadilly Line train.London Overground: On Saturday 19 February, no service will operate between Richmond and Camden Road. On Sunday 20 February, no service will operate between Richmond and Stratford.Use the rail replacement bus service D shown above, or the special bus service below:• Gunnersbury – Acton Central (for South Acton) – Willesden Junction – Kensal Rise – Brondesbury Park – Brondesbury – West Hampstead – Finchley Road & Frognal (bus stops at Finchley Road Tube) – Hampstead Heath (change here for buses to/from Stratford) – Gospel Oak (bus stops at station.Other lines:Other lines are also affected by track replacement works this weekend, including the West London Overground line.For more information:  www.tfl.gov.uk

Chris Calvi-Freeman ● 5738d0 Comments ● 5738d

open auditions for dancers 16+ for Alliance Dance Unit

http://www.streetdancers.co.uk/events/alliance-dance-unit-open

Debbie Dewar ● 5738d0 Comments ● 5738d

Thames Water bills amnesty..clarification required!

You may have read in the Press that people living in households that have never been paying Water Rates for some reason or other are being given an opportunity to register/or own up before 3rd March... and if they do so, they will have previous possible liabilities waived.One has in mind houses that have been converted into self contained flats..and, more sensitively in certain parts of the London Borough of Hounslow, where back gardens buildings are being let out by house-owners.It's a grey area. The Thames Water Board website invites those wishing to apply for an Amnesty to phone an 0800 number which happens to be a call centre in Belfast and who surprisingly could offer no clarification. So what are they there for!!!I recall conversations with the TV Licencing people when I discontinued having a TV, then not renewing the Licence and 6 weeks later getting house visit from an investigater. I enquired of the of the chap who called..what was the score with TVs in independent households at the bottom of the garden. He said they could only knock on the front door of the main house and not snoop over garden walls! So, what's the Water Board doing to clarify the situation prior to the deadline? Their website is vague. Clarification in needed.The Community, especially people living on their own and paying the full whack to TV Licence people, Council Tax people and the Water Rates Authorities need to see fairness and fairplay. What's the score?

Jim Lawes ● 5742d5 Comments ● 5738d

Wanted for the production and distribution of illegal plants

GOD! (No photo available)Claims to have created everything, including all illegal plants; we have evidence in writing, “I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of the earth” Geneses, the Bible.Also wanted as a person of interest and co conspirator Jesus Christ, claims to be son of god and religious cult leader, sought for interview in regard to knowledge of father’s activities; already nailed to the cross once. Reports sudjest he may have risen again.Report sightings to 1800 POLICE STATE.C&P David Ike

Philip Walsh ● 5738d0 Comments ● 5738d

Save Our Libraries - March from Isleworth Library, Saturday 19th February at 10.45 - REMINDER

Just a brief reminder about tomorrow's march to Save Our Libraries and Public Halls.Whilst the emphasis in this case is on Isleworth, this is part of a wider battle involving most of the borough.IMPORTANT - Please ignore any "information" that might appear today or tomorrow suggesting that the threat has been lifted and/or that the march has been called off - our libraries and community facilites are STILL under threat and the march WILL go ahead.Look forward to seeing you outside the library tomorrow at 10.45 am.

Phil Andrews ● 5738d0 Comments ● 5738d

Snack Van

Does anyone know why the snack van has gone from the car park of Currys/Carpet Right?I hope the guy who ran it for years is O.K.

David Squire ● 5745d2 Comments ● 5739d

Permission Awaited to Judicially Review ACMD and SSHD Regarding Alcohol and Tobacco Policy

s it time to criminalise the users of the drugs tobacco and alcohol?Time to refer to them as drug misuser's!Time to invade their homes, destroy their lives, employment, home and family life, or is it time to equalise the law, life, liberty, happiness, Health! All documents are now before the High Court in Casey Hardison's applications for permission to judicially review the separate decisions by the Home Secretary and the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) to abdicate power and duty under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (the Act) with regards to alcohol and tobacco control. Permission to proceed to full judicial review is now in the hands of the law as applied by the High Court judges. The decision is entirely for them.The cases, brought by the imprisoned 'cognitive liberty' advocate and entheogenic chemist, US citizen Casey William Hardison, set out how the Home Secretary has failed in her legal duty to actively consult the ACMD on the possibility of bringing drinkers and smokers under the protection and control of the Act and how the ACMD have failed in their legal duty to actively recommend to the Home Secretary that possibility.Currently, drinkers and smokers are accorded special status by government and the ACMD through the mistaken belief that alcohol and tobacco are exempted from the operation of the Act. This error of law leads the Home Secretary to another false notion: that the Act is 'not a suitable mechanism for regulating alcohol and tobacco [users]', and the ACMD to a similar false notion: that 'the Misuse of Drugs framework is not appropriate for the regulation of alcohol and tobacco [users]'. These false notions are themselves provided for by a pernicious public belief that the Act mandates the 'prohibition' of non-medical and non- scientific commerce and use of controlled drugs. This belief couldn't be further from legal truth. But it is a belief the Government does not want undermined.The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 requires the Home Secretary and the ACMD apply relevant criteria and disregard irrelevant criteria concerning drugs misuse and social harm to their decision making process; yet the Home Secretary and the ACMD have allowed irrelevant criteria to impact their respective decisions not to speak directly to each other about controlling alcohol and tobacco under the Act.This 'hear no, see no, speak no' control policy has lead to a collective decision to exclude alcohol and tobacco from the Act's protections on the grounds of 'historic and cultural [factors/precedents] that lack a consistent and objective basis'. And even though both the ACMD and the Home Secretary recognise 'that alcohol and tobacco do pose health risks and may have anti-social effects' when misused, they accord these dangerous drugs special status because 'their use is embedded in society and their responsible use is possible and commonplace'. These irrelevant factors have led the ACMD to acquiesce in, and the government to institute, a separate system for regulating the commerce and use of the drugs alcohol and tobacco.This 'artificial divide' between drugs defined as 'controlled' under the Act, and the so- called 'legal' drugs is arbitrary and unreasonable. It favours the non-medical and non-scientific misuse of alcohol and tobacco relative to any non-medical or non- scientific use of any controlled drug – a poisoned chalice not provided for by the Act. This policy is biased in favour of producers and consumers of these socially- problematic products, and ignorant of statutory duty.Again, the control and classification of alcohol and tobacco alongside other dangerous drugs 'controlled' under the Act would not of necessity equate to prohibition; a full range of regulatory options are available under the Act for a lawful and rational commerce of any controlled drug for peaceful use purposes. Said another way, the Act is not a blunt instrument intended to 'prohibit' drugs, rather it is a beautifully nuanced 'mechanism' or 'framework' for the 'suitable' or 'appropriate' regulation of the import, export, production, supply and possession of dangerous or otherwise harmful drugs so as to reduce harm from their potential misuse.Hardison shows that the Act is a well- crafted and intricate tool that can easily regulate the lawful, responsible commerce and use of alcohol and tobacco.The decisions under challenge are the Home Secretary's refusal to consult the ACMD on the 'possibility' of bringing alcohol and tobacco users under the Act's control, and the ACMD's refusal to recommend that possibility. This refusal is based on overly-rigid policies that have prevented the ACMD and the Home Secretary from considering even the merits of the possibility. Hardison finds this unacceptable; will the Court?

Philip Walsh ● 5739d2 Comments ● 5739d

History and Antiquities of Brentford - Fred Turner on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/History-and-Antiquities-Brentford-Fred-Turner-/250769984818?pt=Antiquarian_Books_UK&hash=item3a630e4d32Not a bad price for this book. Seen it on sale for much more.

Neil Chippendale ● 5744d12 Comments ● 5740d

Secretary Available

I have worked as a secretary for many years and am available for work from the first week of May on a permanent basis.I have over 10 years experience in the legal field and have worked for several government departments also.Please call me on 07984052730 if you are looking for a full-time secretary or email me at sherron.compass@yahoo.co.uk.Thank youSharon

sharon compass ● 5741d0 Comments ● 5741d

wishful thinking

Like I said, I would gift a new building if I won the Euromillions ( National Lottery would not be enough!)However, it does make me wonder in an era where there are more billionaires in the UK than at any other time, where are the philanthropists ?So few make a significant contribution. Disproportionate compared to the Victorians who, while fewer made greater legacies.Previous philanthropists made great donations of buildings and sites for the benefit of the poor, needy and to encourage advancement. They did not ask for anything in return.Unlike the section 106 money which is not enough for the prizes developers seek.Maybe it's time that the super rich get a choice, make a legacy donation for the good of society in which they reside or originate or pay 65% tax..or more.Some have, Richard Desmond, a media empire builder has paid for an entire wing to be built at Moorfields eye hospital, Pete waterman, Richard Branson Al Fayed has done much as well. It tends to be those in the public gaze. But  There are thousands more out there who do not and would not miss a £1million once in a while.

Michael Brandt ● 5744d10 Comments ● 5742d

Watermans

My cousin treated me and my wife to see the Kings Speech at Watermans in Brentford this week. Apart from seeing a brilliant film, we experienced this venue for the very first time. We wondered why on we have never been before. The Watermans is a spendid place, and we keep asking ourselves why on earth we have never been here before.We will certainly patronise Watermans in the future.Next time we will have to dine there after watching a film or play.

Richard Atterwill ● 5750d23 Comments ● 5742d

Healing in Chiswick

Healing will take place at the London Buddhist Vihara, The Avenue, W4 1UD, tomorrow, Monday, 14th February, between 11am and 1pm anyone who would like to receive healing, or just an energy boost, is more than welcome.  We will have a number of healers waiting to meet you.Although the centre takes place in the Buddhist Temple the healing is NOT related to any religion, it is totally non-denominational everyone is welcome.No charge is made for healing however a donation is most welcome - all donations are given to the Vihara for the use of the hall.No appointments are necessary.  For any further information please give me a ring on 0788 189 6449.

Pat Smith ● 5743d0 Comments ● 5743d

Brentford FC through to Wembley

The Bees have just beaten Exeter 2-1 to go through to Wembley in the lower division cup. Well done boys.

Neil Chippendale ● 5749d5 Comments ● 5744d

Save the libraries

I was told today that Hounslow Council are consulting the public on possibly closing the following libraries: Beavers, Bedfont, Brentford, Cranford, Hanworth, Heston, Isleworth; and Osterley. They are looking to possibly re-locate Chiswick library but it is not on the "at risk" list.  Please visit the Hounslow Council website to give feedback on trying to save the libraries - Even if you do not use them they are important.  

Lena Armstrong ● 5774d346 Comments ● 5744d

disgraceful behaviour

I am sure I am not the only one who has seen some truly violent and disgraceful behaviour demonstrated along Ealing Road between the former Bricklayers Arms and McDonalds.Despite their being a camera installed it seems to have done nothing to reign in the openly hostile and violent behaviour of a group of what appear to be Somalian teenagers.This afternoons outburst was in broad daylight. I alighted a 65 bus to a bombardment of large stones and projectiles aimed, I might add not at me but at a shiny black hatchback.A boy and a girl with mouths like sewers charging down the road hollering all manner of obscenities.There were parents with toddlers and elderly folk about and stones flying indiscriminately.This is not the first time of late that the same rabble have been conducting their particular brand of community care. Same lad plus his mates charged up Albany road over Christmas with clubs and machetes hidden up the backs of their jackets looking for someone.These teenagers are stil quite young but not so young as to inflict on others.This really must be tackled and quick otherwise we are going to have a real problem in this town.

Anthony Waller ● 5767d28 Comments ● 5745d