Forum Topics

Alleged crisis at borough day centres

Following a series of postings relating to "chaos at Hounslow day centres", Cllr Pamela Fisher, the lead member for health and adult social services at Hounslow Council, would like to set the record straight about a number of the points made."It has never been the intention of the Department to rely on agency staff to provide the escort service. However, as stated at Borough Council and previously, we kept vacancies in the team until we knew how many staff might be facing redundancy in EDS. Three staff have transferred over to my department and we have now advertised for permanent staff. A first round of interviews has taken place and we will continue to work towards having a majority of permanent day centre staff as soon as possible. "In relation to the activities at centres, I am informed by the Life Opportunities Manager that these are continuing albeit that users are not so keen to take out of centre options in the winter. In the manager's view we are currently offering more community based activities than two years ago. "We accept that there have been a few problems for some clients, however most have been outside our control. Of the three we are aware of - one was due to a fatal accident, which caused road chaos; one was due to the breakdown of a bus, and the third was because the driver did not know the route, the last two being EDS' responsibility rather than Housing and Community Services."In relation to journey times, I do not understand why the routes take three hours. If drivers are provided by EDS with clear written instructions, it should be possible to get around much quicker. However I have asked that risk assessments are undertaken so that if there are clients likely to suffer health problems whilst on the transport, that their needs can be addressed."My officers are now meeting regularly with Ken Dunne at the Depot and everyone continues to work hard to resolve any issues as they arise. We all have the needs of the clients at the forefront of our minds "With the poor financial settlement again from the Government, we have no choice but to modernise and the aim with this project is to provide the same level of day service for everyone at reduced cost."

Paul Morris ● 6903d5 Comments ● 6886d

Outdoor Christmas decorations:  Convent Way etc

Hasn't the year flown!Twelve months ago..and years before... we were entertaining ourselves on the Forum with news and pictures about local outdoor Christmas decorations..especially those which were worth a drive or long walk to see! And we posted other Christmasy things too.With sub-zero temperatures..and the possibility of snow..this year might be more atmospheric than usual!It was snowing in London on Saturday would you believe! Yes, just as I was driving out of town and passing Harrods a delicate flurry of snow took me by surprise ..especially as my car's thermometer read just 42F!  Harrods were cheekily spraying artificial snow from their rooftop onto the pavement shoppers below!The lights are already on in Convent Way, Heston..but only one house this year.  Have you other streets to recommend?

Jim Lawes ● 6901d7 Comments ● 6886d

New London Rd question.

Has it been done yet?

Mick OBrien ● 6890d8 Comments ● 6887d

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVE EVERYONE

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVE HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAREAT DRINK AND BE CAREFULLALL THE BESTDEBBIE & CO FANTASY LAND PARTY SHOPwww.fantasylandpartyshop.piczo.com

Debbie Dewar ● 6894d1 Comments ● 6887d

Lines in BMP rear lawn

Hi I came across some lines in the lawn when using Virtual Earth the other day,I haven't embedded the photo into this post,I still need practice,and I'm not sure about Bill Gates copyright!I've uploaded it to a Flikr page here:-http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=2117997354&size=oThere are parallel lines on three sides,two short and one long,which makes it look a bit like a "Real Tennis" court/s. (see here)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_tennisDoes anyone have any other ideas,or better still a definitive answer please?

Tony Wood ● 6900d14 Comments ● 6887d

McDonalds

I remember seeing a post - which I can't find -  in the last few days denigrating McDonalds at Brentford.  I have found posts commenting on the size of the M.As a non-architect I find their building attractive.  I pass there say 4 times a week and haven't noticed a litter problem.  Although I have many good memories of the Red Lion I think McDonalds improves on the appearance of that former pub and  certainly the interior.I do go to McDonalds Chiswick each week and as with all other Ms its interior furnishing is vastly superior to most restaurants.  Its toilets are kept to high standard unlike those of supermarkets. The workers are top-grade.  The company has the good community-consciousnes which most US firms have.I used to go regularly to McDonalds Holborn which suffered the court battle against it 10 or so years ago by youth activists.  Once I witnessed 2 students having finished their meal squash their food remainders on the table and floors and walk out. Many town centres are facing a secular trend of businesses leaving to go to out of town centres.  McDonalds and other cafes/restaurants do a community service by taking over the empty shops particularly those with attractive frontages which would otherwise suffer from neglect.  I attach a city photo of such this below.I'm a vegitarian with strong preference for pure unprocessed food.

Michael Fletcher ● 6888d2 Comments ● 6887d

New Year's Honours...

Anyone local?Have you heard that rumour too?  !!!

Jim Lawes ● 6888d7 Comments ● 6887d

For the Aussies in the UK.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlSsffF2xhAEnjoy.Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Joan Perry ● 6893d1 Comments ● 6887d

Convert or hypocrite?

Can you be a Catholic if you suport gay marriage,'late' abortion,adoption by gays and stem cell research?Surely,this is like a muslim having a bacon butty for breakfast then going to the mosque?

Keith Iddon ● 6894d6 Comments ● 6888d

Snowing in Kew

Joan,You said you wanted pictures of snow in Kew, well I went for a walk in Kew Gardens this afternoon and it was snowing:....well, not the real stuff, but manufactured in a 'snow dome':The kids were loving it.Next to this dome are the pointed tops to the shop, they look like Arab nomad tents:Walking from Kew Gardens across Kew Green, St Anne's church, looks so peaceful:And take a look at the old chimneys of the houses on Kew Green, one has smoke drifting from it:Over Kew Bridge looking East is the beautiful Strand-on-the-Green:Looking the other way the Steam Museum tower acts as sentinel over the entrance to Brentford and home:

Duncan Walker ● 6898d7 Comments ● 6894d

Hounslow Headteachers express fears ove budget cuts

Like other councillors I have recently received the following communication on behalf of the Borough's headteachers:"Dear Councillor ConnellyCuts in Children's Services and Lifelong LearningI am writing as facilitator for primary, secondary and special school head teachers in Hounslow to express grave concerns regarding the proposed cuts package for education.We believe the package is the direct result of the policy of 0% increase in council tax instigated by the majority party and its supporters. This policy is resulting in year on year cuts in council services.The cuts that concern schools most are those relating to the increase in costs to schools of services provided by the council. Without the support of these services schools would not be able to function effectively. We note the proposals to reduce the central funding for the Education Psychology Service and the Teaching Support Service - cuts in these areas will affect the most vulnerable of our children.In addition in terms of Lifelong Learning we are saddened to see the cuts in Adult Education courses which are not directly funded by the LSC (Learning and Skills Council). Once again there would be a reduction in the work with vulnerable groups as well as cuts in non-vocational courses that give pleasure often to our more elderly citizens.We believe that Hounslow residents value the services that they receive and in particular the excellent work of schools and we are convinced that an increase in council tax in order to avoid these cuts would be acceptable to residents.Hounslow schools urge you to oppose these proposals.Roger ShorttEducation Improvement Facilitator - funded by head teachers."I personally share these concerns and fear that the long-term future of many of the borough's children could be put at risk as a result of the ruling Executive's council tax obsession.

John Connelly ● 6905d24 Comments ● 6895d

Christmas Carols

Christmas Carols in Isleworth Sq this evening (Thursday) starting at 7.30pm complete with mulled wine and mince pies.All welcome so please try and come along if possible.

Paul Fisher ● 6897d0 Comments ● 6897d

Name that film

Following a thread on the Ealing forum, can you name the film from which this famous line comes:"Dave, this conversation can serve no purpose anymore. Goodbye."

James de Vivenot ● 6898d7 Comments ● 6897d

Chiswick Riverside by-election result

The result of the Chiswick Riverside by-election tonight was:Samuel HEARN (Conservative) - 1207 (61.1%)Ed MAYNE (Labour) - 414 (21.0%)Phyllis BALLANTYNE (LD) - 250 (12.7%)Martin BLEACH (Green) - 103 (5.2%)At the local elections in 2006 the Conservatives won with 45.2% of the vote.Anybody reading the W4 site in recent weeks would have concluded that a New Labour revolution was imminent and that the administration at the London Borough of Hounslow was about to suffer a furious electoral backlash from illegal parkers and residents angry at having been denied the opportunity to pay more Council Tax.  It's amazing how a few well-placed people programmed to agitate at certain strategic times can distort a perception of public opinion.Of course that doesn't mean that some of the issues raised during that debate do not need to be addressed, but this result puts them into some kind of perspective.  I am sure they will now be visited, calmly but with firm intent.Well done to all concerned; although the ICG was not participating in this election it is reassuring to be reminded that real people value the work of the coalition administration of which we are part in spite of all the propaganda which would appear to suggest otherwise.I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Councillor Hearn to the local authority and to wish him all the very best for his term of office.

Phil Andrews ● 6904d3 Comments ● 6897d

Hounslow Homes

Just when I thought my persecution by Hounslow Homes was over (potential ASBO for noise I couldn't have possibly made as I was always 100 miles away is one example) I get yet another, what can only be described as, threatning letter about absolute nonsense.Dear Mr Gavin... blah blah blah....door entry system at Cedar Court....blah blah... stop putting a stone it it to allow others in... blah blah blah, your tenancy agreement is being abused by your actions...blah blah blah.Just wait a minute!1. We do not have any door entry system at Cedar Coourt unless it is invisible like our alleged caretaker2. I am not a tenant, I pay a hefty mortgage for the privalage of being continually abused and threatened by Hounslow homesWhat do I have to do to get treated fairly, I am at my wits end with this incorrect and unfair threatning behavoir from these incompetent fools at Hounslow Homes.If you think that I am a tenant I will not pay another penny in service charges etc, see how you like that (No doubt a threatening letter will turn up on my doorstep about some new fabricated and just wrong matter)Either get it right or just leave me alone, this victimisation will not be tolerated any longer, stop harrasing me for nonsense I could not possibly have done or see me in court! Its that simple.If for some reason it is a staff error, fire the idiot responsible and stop wasting my moneyN F GavinCedar Court and sick and tired of Hounslow HomesWishing I had never bought this dammned flat in the first place.

Niel Gavin ● 6905d4 Comments ● 6899d

This messageboard?

'scuse me for being thick, but is there a means of adjusting how messages are displayed on this forum?I would like it, if it were possible, to have all the threads on a particular subject open so I can scroll down; at the moment I have to click on each message individually to display contents.

Paul Stedman ● 6904d5 Comments ● 6899d

Christmas Lights turn on

Just a reminder, for those who havent received a copy of the High Street News, that the Christmas Lights will be turned on tomorrow Friday the 30th November. I beleive the high street lights will be turned on around 1600 with the official reception at the Watermans Art center at 1800 where local school children will perform Christmas Carols and the winners of the childrens Poems and Pictures competion will turn on the Christmas tree lights. All are welcome and there will be complementry mulled wine, mince pies and special chocolate.The Brentford Christmas cards will also be available to purchase for those who have not had a chance to get any yet.Hope to see you there Craig Quilliam

Craig Quilliam ● 6918d12 Comments ● 6900d

Roman Brentford

I'm just wondering if there's anyone with an interest in Roman Brentford on the Forum,or is there a Brentford Archaeological (or similar) group please?

Tony Wood ● 6932d47 Comments ● 6900d

I do get rather cross

when I read in the local papers that our local MPs are just putting their names to things (the Bevin Boys) just to raise their profile.  To me they're just jumping on a bandwagon to gain a few extra brownie points without any consideration to the families and decendants of these people who 'did their bit' to try make this country free of tyranny.  Personally I think they're doing a great disservice to these boys.  I think it would be more interesting for an intrepid newspaper reporter to do a 'no holes barred' interview with some of these guys to see their view of this country today.

S Passmore ● 6902d2 Comments ● 6901d

Inverness Lodge

On Saturday 8th December the Inverness Lodge Social Club are hosting an open evening whereby we are inviting old & potential new members to pop down & have a drink or two.We are inviting old members who have maybe let their membership lapse for whatever reason to revisit the club, meet old friends, see how the club is doing nowadays & hopefully rejoin in the New Year.As for newcomers who have never used the club before, you will be most welcome to pop along & have a chat with other members/committee & find out what we do behind those CLOSED DOORS!As usual for a Saturday night there will be some form of entertainment consisting of either a disco/karaoke/live music etc & some form of free buffet laid on.The usual entrance fee will be waived on this night so another reason to come along & have good night!For those who don't know where we are the address is 9, Boston Manor Road, Brentford ( Next door to Brentford library).On behalf of all at the club we hope to see you on the 8th.

Kevin Farnan ● 6919d12 Comments ● 6901d