That Was the Year That Was

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The biggest stories of 2015 in Hammersmith

January

Four Local Residents Included in New Year Honours List
Awards for services to community, prisoners and detainees, industry and charity

Power Cut Blacks Out Barons Court, West Ken and Fulham
UK Power Networks apologise for inconvenience, but locals see funny side

Architect Richard Rogers' Practice to Move from Hammersmith
But will the River Cafe stay on in redeveloped Thames Wharf?

February

Latymer Upper Pays Tribute to 'Much Loved' Michael Hill
Missing coach part of Hammersmith school's 'close-knit rowing community'

Draft House Opens in Shepherd's Bush Road on February 23
New pub on site of Laurie Arms will celebrate Hammersmith Palais 

Average Property Price in Hammersmith Close to One Million Pounds
With flats in upmarket new developments driving prices up to all time high

Planning Application Submitted for Thames Wharf Redevelopment
New buildings up to nine storeys high include space for River Cafe

March

West London Free School Sets Dates for Move to Palingswick House
Pupils will move from Cambridge Grove in phases from September

Hammersmith's Lyric Theatre Ready to Reopen in April
Visitors are 'going to be amazed' by multi-million pound redevelopment

H&F Homes Earn Almost Four Times As Much as Homeowners
Two year rise of £200,000 creates country's largest earnings gap

Women's Boat Race Joins Men's on April 11
Sporting history made with two Oxford v Cambridge races

April

Meet the Local Candidates in the May 7 General Election 
Five people hoping to become the next Hammersmith MP

Rowing Champion Sarah Winckless Launches Hammersmith Pub
Blue Boat now open at riverside development Fulham Reach

Thanksgiving Service Held at St Paul's for 'Mr Hammersmith'
Bill Smith was four time mayor, council leader and local councillor

Hammersmith is the Winner in the Boat Race Property Stakes
Price of homes with riverside views rises faster than in neighbouring Chiswick 

May

Andy Slaughter Re-elected in Hammersmith
Winning an increased 50% of the total vote

Triumphant Reopening for Lyric Hammersmith
First production Bugsy Malone unanimously praised by critics

Average Home in Hammersmith Now Costs Over One Million Pounds
While the average price of a flat has doubled over the last year 

Man Who Drove at Female Police Officer Jailed 
Shocking video released of PC Sue Thomson being hit by car in Hammersmith

Hammersmith's Free Summer Festival is Back from June 6
Line-up in Lyric Square includes opera, theatre, tennis, picnics ... and a giant squid

June

Hammersmith Grove Residents Oppose Storm Relief Sewer Plan
And launch a petition against siting it in Astrop Terrace and the Grove itself

Stroke Unit to Move to Charing Cross for Five Years
Council calls temporary move from St Mary's 'victory' for local hospital

Hammersmith Society's Environment Awards Announced
Three of W6's most distinctive buildings among the winners

West Kensington Benefit Fraudster Jailed for Seven Years
El-Kaissi wore wig to con councils and created alter ego Sam Casey

July

Council Backs Hammersmith Grove Residents over Relief Sewer Plan
And says it is working with Thames Water to find acceptable sites

Easybus Launches Service from Holland Road to Heathrow
With boss Sir Stelios promising first service to airport will run at least 90 times a day 

Watch Lucky Black Cat Being Rescued from Flyover
Saved from bridge barrier by Blue Cross team who have named her Bridget

Local Student Phil Snips his Way to Fame on TV's Hair
And urges others to find their dream careers at Hammersmith college 

August

Permission Granted for Brook Green Pavilion
Work to begin this autumn building new community hub

Tube Services Back to Normal after Yesterday's Strike
But introduction of night time services may be postponed from September 12

New Arts Festival Launches in W14 in September
St Matthews Church to host week or music, exhibitions, talks and walks

Commission Set Up to Tackle Local Air Pollution
Well known local resident Rosemary Pettit to lead group fighting silent killer

Have-A-Go Locals Foil Bag Snatch Bandit
Robber Kaminskas flees empty handed as witnesses give chase on Hammersmith Road

September

Hammersmith Property Prices Take a Springtime Dip
As the impact of high priced luxury flats appears to wear off

Thatched House Returns to Dalling Road
Tom Gavaghan back as the landlord of the Hammersmith pub

Man Lived in Garden While Sub-Letting His Council House
John Gallagher jailed for fraud after inspectors found ad on Gumtree

Ravenscourt Park's Manor House and Moat Set to Be Uncovered
Archaeological dig aims to explore hidden history of medieval estate

'Cafe with Conscience' Kettle + Crust is Officially Launched
Cafe at St Paul's Church offers work experience to long term unemployed people

October

Hammersmith to Become Borough's Only Full Time Police Station
With planned upgrade including 30 cell custody suite and improved stables

Ravenscourt Park Hospital Set to Reopen as Private Cancer Care Facility
150 bed hospital could be first to offer proton beam therapy in 2017

Michelin Awards Bib Gourmand to Three Local Restaurants
L'Amorosa, Shikumen and Azou recognised for quality good value food

Books for Amnesty Reopens Next Month
Much missed King Street bookshop is back after being forced to shut in January

W14's New Arts and Music Festival Voted Huge Success
And community come to the rescue after theft of takings by hooded thief

 

November

Average Property Price in Hammersmith Heads Back Towards One Million
While terraced houses soar to new record high of over £1.5 million 

Krystal Prepares to Sparkle as The Lyric's Cinderella
Panto opens next week along with Father Christmas for younger children

Former H&F Mayor Dan Filson Dies Suddenly at Age of 67
Tributes paid by friends and colleagues to 'lifelong fighter for social justice'

Ruth Rogers Confirms River Cafe to Stay on in Thames Wharf
Says redevelopment 'will be respectful of it, including the gardens'

Thames Water Launches New Consultation over Relief Sewer Plans
Says drop-in events will show how public's views are influencing scheme

Hammersmith Firms Triumph in Brilliant Business Awards
With Ravenscourt Dental Practice voted Best Hammersmith Business

December

H&F Council Earns Record £23.8 Million from Parking Charges
Report says rise in annual 'profit' makes it country's fourth highest earner

Heathrow Third Runway Decision Delayed Six Months
Government accused of putting politics before the economy

Metre Long Python Found Freezing to Death in Hammersmith
Snake nicknamed Ebenezer now warming up at Mayhew Animal Home

Heathrow Third Runway 'Should Be Ruled Out Immediately'
Council leader says it would bring misery to residents of Hammersmith and Fulham

January 8, 2016