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Brentford-based Cakes in Acton and more

We are pleased to let you know that this Saturday, we have a brand new cakemaker starting at the market... Aishling Marlborough started Yummy Cake from her home kitchen in Brentford just last year, and began selling at the Ealing farmers' market, where she soon began to prove a resounding success with customers. Her aim is to offer the freshest homemade cakes (baked the night before) to the public using the most natural ingredients that she can lay her hands on. As many of her ingredients as possible are sourced locally. If you speak to Aishling, she will be more than happy to let you know where all the ingredients which go into her produce have come from. Her cake range at the moment includes carrot cake, chocolate fudge squares, lemon curd cake, Victorian sandwich, chocolate cake, orange cream cake, apple crumble squares, fruit and nut oatcakes, cup cakes, fruit slices and her own home-made chutney. If you've got a sweet tooth, be sure to make it down to Acton Square this weekend. Aishling will be attending every 1st, 3rd and 5th Sunday of each month. Also, many of you will be interested to read an article in Time Out on Martin Yorworth, the popular Essex fisherman who sells at the market. You can read the article here: http://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/features/4301/2.html

Michelle Laurie ● 6827d2 Comments ● 6826d

London Road Bus Priority Scheme and Resurfacing 26/2- 13/3

LONDON ROAD (SYON LANE TO BRENT LEA) BUS/CYCLE SCHEME COMPLETION and RESURFACING OF LONDON ROAD (BUSCH CORNER TO COMMERCE ROAD)As loacl resdeints and road users will no doubt be aware, the London Borough of Hounslow has been implementing a major bus priority and cycling improvements scheme on London Road between Syon Lane and Brent Lea.  The scheme includes an eastbound bus lane, a westbound cycle lane and provision of pedestrian safety improvements including raised entry treatments at side road junctions.  The scheme is funded by Transport for London.Completion of the scheme was delayed last year by problems encountered by Thames Water and BT, who had difficulty in relocating or protecting their buried water and telecoms services, which were affected by the carriageway widening associated with the scheme.  The diversion of these services has now been completed and the carriageway and footway are currently being reinstated.  We have programmed the resurfacing of London Road to take place at the end of the above works, in order to prevent the new carriageway surface being disrupted again.  London Road will now be resurfaced from Busch Corner through to Commerce Road junction.  Due to the volume of traffic on this road, and as required by Transport for London, this work will be done overnight, on weeknights, commencing at 8pm each evening and finishing at 4am approximately.  The resurfacing will commence at Busch Corner on Tuesday 26 February and will progress eastwards over the next 12 weeknights.  While every effort will be made to restrict the noisiest elements of this work to the 8pm-11pm period, it is inevitable that some noise will be experienced overnight by local residents.The Engineer in charge of the resurfacing project is Mr Sonny Pham, who may be contacted on 020 8583 4906 or at sonny.pham@hounslow.gov.ukOn behalf of the London Borough of Hounslow, I offer my apologies for the delays in completing the bus and cycling scheme, and for any inconvenience experienced by local residents and businesses while London Road is being resurfaced.  I have written to about 600 households and businesses along London Road and surrounding streets to give them the above information and apologies.Chris Calvi-FreemanHead of TransportLB Hounslow

Chris Calvi-Freeman ● 6832d2 Comments ● 6826d

Friday funny

BIBLE SALESIf this doesn't make you laugh just go ahead and close your casket!!!A pastor concluded that his church was getting into very serious financial troubles. While checking the church storeroom, he discovered several cartons of new bibles that had never been opened and distributed.So at his Sunday sermon, he asked for three volunteers from the congregation who would be willing to sell the bibles door-to-door for $10 each to raise the desperately needed money for the church.Jack, Paul and Louie all raised their hands to volunteer for the task.The minister knew that Jack and Paul earned their living as salesmen and were likely capable of selling some bibles. But he had serious doubts about Louie who was a local farmer, who had always kept to himself because he was embarrassed by his speech impediment. Poor Louis stuttered badly. But, NOT WANTING TO discourage Louis, theminister decided to let him try anyway.He sent the three of them away with the back seat of their cars stacked with bibles. He asked them to meet with him and report the results of their door-to-door selling efforts the following Sunday.Anxious to find out how successful they were, the minister immediately asked Jack, "Well, Jack, how did you make out selling our bibles last week?"Proudly handing the reverend an envelope, Jack replied, "Using my sales prowess, I was able to sell 20 bibles, and here's the $200 I collected on behalf of the church.""Fine job, Jack!" The minister said, vigorously shaking his hand. "You are indeed a fine salesman and the Church is indebted to you."Turning to Paul, "And Paul, how many bibles did you sell for the Church last week?"Paul, smiling and sticking out his chest, confidently replied, "I am a professional salesman. I sold 28 bibles on behalf of the church, and here's $280 I collected."The minister responded, "That's absolutely splendid, Paul. You are truly a professional salesman and the church is indebted to you."Apprehensively, the minister turned to Louie and said, "And Louie, did you manage to sell any bibles last week?" Louie silently offered the minister a large envelope.The minister opened it and counted the contents. "What is this?" the minister exclaimed. "Louie, there's $3200 in here! Are you suggesting that you sold 320 bibles for the church, door to door, in just one week?"Louie just nodded. That's impossible!" both Jack and Paul said in unison. "We are professional salesmen, yet you claim to have sold 10 times as many bibles as we could.""Yes, this does seem unlikely," the minister agreed. "I think you'd better explain how you managed to accomplish this, Louie."Louie shrugged. "I-I-I re-re-really do-do-don't kn-kn-know f-f-f-for sh-sh-sh-sure," he stammered.Impatiently, Peter interrupted. "For crying out loud, Louie, just tell us what you said to them when they answere the door!""A-a-a-all I-I-I s-s-said wa-wa-was," Louis replied, "W-w-w-w-would y-y-y-you l-l-l-l-l-like t-t-to b-b-b-buy th-th-th-this b-b-b-b-bible F-f-for t-t-ten b-b-b-bucks ---o-o-o-or--- wo-wo-would yo-you j-j-j-just l-like m-m-me t-t-to st-st-stand h-h-here and r-r-r-r-r-read it t-to y-y-you??"

Graeme Perkins ● 6826d0 Comments ● 6826d

Mary Macleod's Meeting on Heathrow Expansion 21st February 2008

Mary Macleod, the Brentford & Isleworth Conservative Parliamentary Candidate, is organising a community meeting for residents on the expansion of Heathrow, due to local demand to discuss an issue that will greatly affect their quality of life.Mary Macleod is a strong opponent of Heathrow Expanision.The meeting will be held on Thursday 21st February at 7.30pm in the Isleworth Working Men’s Club, St John’s Road, Isleworth (near Twickenham Road junction).  All residents of Chiswick, Brentford, Isleworth, Osterley and Hounslow are invited.Mary commented, “The government is currently consulting with residents on plans for massive expansion at Heathrow airport by building a third runway, a sixth terminal and ending runway alternation.  Aircraft noise will be worse than ever as flight numbers will increase by more than 50% and residents will lose the current half day’s relief from aircraft flying over their homes and schools.  This is our chance to make our views heard before this flawed consultation process ends on 27th February.  We must keep up the fight.”The meeting will be chaired by Mary Macleod and speakers include John Stewart (Chairman of HACAN), Cllr Barbara Reid (Hounslow Council’s lead member for aviation) and Roger Wiltshire (Secretary General of the British Air Transport Association).Ann Keen MP, Lord Soley (Future Heathrow) and Mark Bullock (BAA) have also been invited to attend and speak.Everyone welcome! 

David Giles ● 6837d31 Comments ● 6827d

27th February 2008 is the Closing Date for Objections to Heathrow Expansion

We all have our own reasons for opposing Heathrow Expansion but here is a sample letter.To: heathrowconsultation@dft.gsi.gov.ukDear Secretary of State,I wish to express my opposition to any expansion at or of London Heathrow Airport.I am particularly concerned  regarding  the increased carbon emissions, increased aircraft noise and increased pollution that the building of a Third Runaway would cause not only in the London area, but elsewhere in the world. The Government's plans to expand Heathrow are directly contrary to the Government's objectives for achieving carbon dioxide emission reductions. In addition, the plans will cause gridlock on the M4 and M25 and draw more aircraft and vehicle traffic into London and the south-East of England.I am also very concerned about the effect that the Government's proposals will have on the areas surrounding Heathrow and in particular the destruction of the communities of Sipson and Harmondsworth.I am also opposed to the ending of runaway alteration, the proposal to end the Cranford Agreement which prevents flights taking off to the East from the Northern Runaway and the continuance of night flights.The Government's document "Adding Capacaity at Heathrow" is difficult to understand and to respond to. However I remain unconvinced by the case put by the Government or by anyone else for the Expansion of Heathrow. The Government has failed to convince me and many millions of others that there is a sound environmental or economic argument for expanding Heathrow.I wish my objection to be formally noted.Yours sincerelyName and address.

David Giles ● 6829d2 Comments ● 6828d

Destruction of Communities by Labour Government

Here in Brentford and Chiswick we are concerned about the noise, the pollution and the possible danger of a 3rd Runaway and Terminal 6. As you get closer to Heathrow these concerns become more acute.Today we drove out to Sipson and Harmondsworth to visit the local communities threatened with destruction by the Labour Government's plans for Heathrow. These communities lie to the North of the current flight path and are therefore probably not currently as badly affected by noise as Hatton, Cranford and Bedfont immediately to the East of the currrent runaways.However if Runway 3 and Terminal 6 are built, these two communities of Harmondsworth and Sipson will be destroyed.Their residents will lose their homes.The villages of Sipson and Harmondsworth will be destroyed along with their pubs, shops and historic buildings.these are real villages with houses, shops, schools, pubs and shops and not suburbs.Ironically many of the residents have worked or are still working at the airport which is now going to destroy their homes and communities.In particular, the beautiful parish church of St Mary the Virgin, which has stood on the same site in Harmondsworth since 1067, is under threat, along with its churchyard, parish hall and vicarage.Even if this wonderful and historic parish church is allowed to survive, it will be enclosed within the Heathrow Airport perimter- cut off from the communities and people it serves.We  spoke to the new Vicar of Harmondsworth, Rev. Canon Amatu Christian-Igwuagwu, who has recently arrived in the village with his wife Princess and four very young children. Rev Canon Amatu expressed his amazement that England was prepared to destroy its heritage by extending an airport into such a historic area.

David Giles ● 6831d7 Comments ● 6828d

Keeping it the family..how many Cllrs are we the public bank rolling

Let me see we have Cllr Bowen and wife, Bowen getting a huge payrise he and his party awarded themselves then there is his wife the only person in the council who will not be getting a redundancy notice this week...now how much is being paid to her..Then we have the Andrews family.......uuuhmmm leaders allowences and committee allowances and what does he do all day apart from play on his computer sending silly messages to this web-site..one could ask as this man got a real job other than sponging off the tax payer of Hounslow..I could go on but we will leave the Lib dems out of it for the moment..

Dave Hughes ● 6835d87 Comments ● 6828d

Rally against Heathrow Expansion Westminster 25th February 2008

Last night's meeting organised by HACAN at Methodist Central Hall, Westminster was a great success.The massive hall was filled to capacity. Standing room only for latecomers and a second hall had to be opened up to accommodate the overflow.The main speakers repeated their speeches to the people in the second hall.The speakers represented a wide range of parties, organisations and individuals with the conspicious exception that neither the Labour Government nor BAA nor BA or the aviation industry were represented.Hounslow Conservative Councillor Barbara Reid spoke first with a eloquent and comprehensive summary of the all-party opposition to Heathrow Expansion as broadly expressed by Hounslow Council and the other members of the 2M Group of Councils. She is now recognised as being a leader of the opposition to Heathrow Expansion not only but across London and beyond.Hounslow and Spring Grove Ward can be proud of her.Barbara was followed by Nick Clegg MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Justine Greening, Conservative MP for Putney, Susan Kramer, Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond, Vince Cable, Liberal Democrat MP for Twickenham,Sarah Ludford, Liberal Democrat MEP, Carol - a representative from the Stop Stanstead Expansion campaign, Brian Paddick the Lib Dem Mayoral candidate representing all 4 Mayoral candidates, Anita Goldsmith of Greenpeace, Caroline Lucas Green Party MEP, John McDonnell, Labour MP for Hayes and Hillingdon, Peter Ainsworth MP, the Conservative Shadow Spokesman for the Environment and a very eloquent Middlesex lady called Christine from the No Third Runaway Group representing the residents of Sipson and Harmondsworth whose homes,schools,shops and communities are going to be destroyed.There were video speeches from Boris Johnson MP, the Conservative Candidate for Mayor of London, Sian Berry, the Green Party Candidate for Mayor of London and from the present Mayor of London. There were a number of very good and varied speeches from the floor. A member of the audience described eloquently how the expansion would involve the removal of his family graves from the ancient graveyard at St Mary The Virgin, Harmondsworth.Others spoke about the national and international necessity to take radical steps to limit Climate Change.All MP's and MEP's present were given the opportunity to speak.All the speeches were against Heathrow Expansion.So it appaers, was everyone there although no doubt the Labour Government, the BAA, BA, Future Hounslo and the pro-expansion trade unions had their spies in the audience. Certainly when I passed around a bucket for donations, there were some prosperous looking men in suits who refused to donate.The proceedings were ably chaired by Jenny Tonge, the President of HACAN and former Lob Dem MP for Richmond. The final very fine speech  was given by John Stewart the veteran campaigner and Chair of HACAN.The well considered and clear opposition to Heathrow Expansion expressed by Peter Ainsworth, the Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment, left us in no doubt that if we elect a Conservative Government, there will be no further expansion at Heathrow. His was politically the most significant speech of the evening because he was speaking on behalf of the party which is now 11 points ahead of Labour in the opinion polls and likely to form the Government after the next General Election.Evidently Alan Keen MP and Ann Keen MP were in the audience at the beginning of the meeting but they left fairly early and did not speak either at the main meeting or at the second overflow meeting.Evidently there was a vote in the House Of Commons yesterday evening but that did not deter other much more important and senior MP's such as Peter Ainsworth and Nick Clegg from speaking. Having never heard either of the Keens speak on this subject I was very disappointed as I was really curious to know what they would have said.On the way home on the tube, I met Michael Meacher MP, the former Labour Secretary of State for the Environment and gave him a copy of the 2M Group's leaflet "Two Million Voices". He took it from me with a wry smile !Let's hope he speaks out against Heathrow Expansion also.Today is the last day we can make our objections known to heathrowconsultation@dft.gsi.gov.uk

David Giles ● 6829d6 Comments ● 6829d

Car Servicing

Good Morning,I took my car to the Peugeot dealership in Brentford this morning to get my MOT / yearly service and was told it needs about £700 worth of work to pass the MOT.  Can anyone recommend a local garage where I'd be able to get some of this work done for a bit cheaper?  It's quite an old car (2001 reg) so I'd prefer to not sink that much on it.  :)Thanks!-Matt

Matt Thompson ● 6829d2 Comments ● 6829d

Eduardo da Silva tackle

Yesterdays tackle on Arsenal striker!!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpHufZEaFe0

Kevin Farnan ● 6831d1 Comments ● 6830d

Tory Councils voting for 3rd Runway

Staines Tory council are voting in favour of the 3rd Runway..why has this Tory Council failed to impress on Spelthorn Council and Tory MP for Staines not to support the 3rd runway..There is still time before the Tory Excutive of Spelthorn put this proposal before full Council make your voice heard and Stop the tories supporting a 3rd Runway.

Dave Hughes ● 6831d5 Comments ● 6831d

Enfield Road ex-Post Office

Does anyone know what is happening with the old Post Office at the junction of Avenue Road? There is a lightbulb burning constantly, stock on the shelves, and a slow decay...  It is in a great position, and could surely be turned into something more beneficial for the residents - a deli/cafe maybe?! At the very least it could be converted into a house/flats, just to improve the over all look - it's bringing the street down now....

Ann Haddleton ● 6834d4 Comments ● 6831d

Kneeling stool (or what ever it,s called)

We were given this kneeling stool which we have no use for, if anybody would like it, free gratis, please e-mail me.                           

Linda F Wright ● 6833d5 Comments ● 6832d

Dr Greenlaws school

This week's H & B Times has an article on this school (page 20).  It was located where the current Post Office delivery office is on the High Street.PB Shelly, the poet and John Rennie thye Engineer attended the school

Michael Fletcher ● 6832d2 Comments ● 6832d

Socialism in One Family

Josef Stalin believed in Socialism in One Country -Russia.Russia is no longer a Socialist Contry as envisaged by Stalin. Thank goodness for that !There is at least one family in this country that seems to have done quite well out of Socialism in One Family.Ann Keen is the MP for Brentford and Isleworth. Ann Keen's husband Alan is also an MP. That is well known. Alan Keen MP evidently employs one of his sons.Ann Keen and Alan Keen both claim Additional Costs Allowance on a taxpayer funded second home in Central London even though they have a home in Brentford within 10 miles of the House of Commons.Ann Keen's sister Sylvia Heal is also an MP.Ann Keen's cousin Lady Glynis Kinnock is an MEP.Her salary is £61,820 per annum but her expenses are secret in accordance with the rules of the European Parliament.MEP's are paid £125,000 a year for office expense but do not have to account for how this is spent.Ann Keen's cousin's husband Lord Neil Kinnock is Chair of the British Council, former EU Commissioner and former Leader of the Labour Party and former MP.This will  entitle him to a number of generous pensions.Ann Keen's cousin Glynis Kinnock's son Stephen until recently at least was (and maybe still is) the head of the British Council in St Petersburg, Russia and therefore employed by the British Government organisation chaired by his father, Lord Kinnock.He has recently had some problems with the Russian authorities but, there again, many do and he cannot be blamed for that and who his parents are.Stalin believed in Socialism in One Country -Russia.The Keens and the Kinnocks may not believe in Socialism any more (after all who does ?) but they have certainly done quite well out of supporting Socialism in One Family.

David Giles ● 6834d10 Comments ● 6832d

Armchair boating

It will be best if you print this out first.Copy & paste  -  http://www2.mihalis.net/canal/cgi-bin/canal.cgi?m=js;Where it says "start from" insert Brentford (River Thames)Where it says "finish at" insert Paddington basin.Then click calculate route.On next page click calculate route again.In next page click "virtual cruise" at the bottom of the page.On the next page click "auto start" or for a slower cruise keep clicking "next".Once you have the hang of this site you can cruise all over the country on the canals and not have to wear a life jacket!

Linda F Wright ● 6835d4 Comments ● 6832d

St Pauls Recreation Ground

Whist on the bandwagon, I noticed that St Pauls Rec has dropped into neglect yet again.The central paths have not been swept at all for a whole year (except by voluunteers) and the bin van has turned the leaves into a horrendous mulch that is dangerously slippery.The catch to the kids playground gate is missing and has been since the summer and the more irresponsible parents here, leave it open and let their dogs roam around unleashed.After the antics with dangerous dogs in this park through most of last year, wise and responsible people simply don't let their kids near the place. Even several responsible dog owners walk their charges outside the park.It would take me 5 mins to weld on a new catch so why can CiP not manage that?Why is there still no enforcement on the litterbugs & the few who allow dogs to foul and roam?And why, after 5 years are CiP still not required to sweep the paths?Compared to what is happening all over Ealing, Hounslow does not compare well. It's no good blaming this administration, the previous one never managed to get to grips with this either. When are politicians going to forget their party alliegence and just sit down and sort this mess out?Rant over and when CiP do their bit, maybe we can have another local clean up day to enhance the place a bit further. It's futile otherwise

Michael Brandt ● 6833d0 Comments ● 6833d

The David Hughes show

I have decided not to follow this forum and keep to the Chiswick one as this one seems to be a one man band on wacky backy, bit like the other bloke from Isleworth called Simon.

Mick OBrien ● 6834d2 Comments ● 6833d

Tory Spethhorn council votes yes to 3rd runway

Tory controlled spellthorn council has voted in favour of the 3rd runway citing local jobs are needed.

Dave Hughes ● 6834d1 Comments ● 6834d

70s & 80s Fancy Dress Dinner & Dance 8th March Sat

hi all calling all you party animals fantasy land party  shop & horizons baqueting & bar are holding a 70s and 80s fancy dress dinner and dance tickets are £20 that inc 3 coarse indian meal live 70s and 80s band central grooves and cheesy disco from 7.30-2am a night not to be missed costumes and accessories availble from Fantasy land party shop (www.fantasylandpartyshop.piczo.com) 61 ealing road brentford open 12-5pm tues -sat 07852 684 072  we are doing a raffle  raising money for the starlight childrens ward west middlesex hospital i would also like to thank you  for your support with my events and helping me raise money for sick children as a mother of a sick child this means a lot to mehope some of you can make it on the 8th march tickets are selling well so dont leave it it you would like to come.Debbie xxx

Debbie Dewar ● 6834d0 Comments ● 6834d