Forum Topics

Ealing Common Travellers are back

Yup. A whole caravan of them, if you'll pardon the pun. Just rocked up today, all over the common.

Simon Deakin ● 2975d13 Comments ● 2972d

Oblique Strategies: an exhibition by Ealing London Independent Photography

19 photographers from Ealing London Independent Photography are taking part in an exhibition based on musician Brian Eno's Oblique Strategies, a set of cards designed to encourage lateral thinking, for example, when faced with a creative block. We've each randomly selected a card from a hat and these images are our responses.The exhibition runs from Friday 7th - Saturday 15th to September 2018 and is open weekdays 12pm - 7pm (Fridays until 8pm), weekends 11am - 6pm. At St Mary's Church, St Mary's Road, Ealing W5 5RH.The exhibition forms part of BEAT (Borough of Ealing Art Trail).All are welcome at our private view on Weds 5th from 7-9.30pm. It would be lovely to see some of you there.Chris

Chris Moxey ● 2972d0 Comments ● 2972d

Why are pavements are in such bad shape (Cadent, gas utilities)

9.00a.m. Three trucks are up on the pavement outside South Ealing Park, one has its engine running but no-one in the cab. Not only are Cadent (formerly Transco and National Grid) about to rip the road up again around South Ealing tube station (a cheap fix instead of the more expensive option of replacing what are probably the oldest gas mains in the world) but they now want to destroy our pavements. Photos to follow, and no doubt a visit from our (useless) police that they have had a complaint that I was harassing and photographing the utility workers, as they were calling the police on me as I left, EVEN though they were parked up on the pavement and had left a vehicle with its engine running and no-one in the cab. Of course, if you contact the local police or the police in general they say that the pavement destruction is nothing to do with them and that I should call the COuncil, and leaving a vehicle unattended with the engine running is nothing to do with them anyway.

Mark Julian Raymond ● 2977d13 Comments ● 2972d

Sola

I have registered with Solarcentury had a survey But cannot get any sense has to were the wiring is going, as I am in a terraced house and a conservatory in my back where the panel's are going I am told they will go through the back door across the conservatory into my living room and into the cupboard under the stairs, tried to explain that my cupboard is below the loft  were all the instruments will go but told I have to wait until the roof has been done to decide were the cables will go, I need to know before that, surely when I am to spend £3,250 I do not have to wait until then.  I suppose I should have asked the surveyer who did ask if their was anything to ask Being a 93year old I had no idea what to ask. has anyone had Solae panels done

Joan Johnson ● 2973d1 Comments ● 2973d

A FESTIVAL OF LITTER

I have just watched the video of the chariot procession organised by the Shri Kanagathurkkai Amman Temple in West Ealing which took place last Sunday, 12 August. On Monday 13 August at 8.00am I made my own video of the aftermath of the event which I have forwarded to Ealing Environmental Services. The video shows Dean Gardens where the event culminates but you can hardly recognize it under the mountain of litter!How can any organisation abuse a public space in the way my video demonstrates and get off scot free? The litter is on a massive scale and is totally unacceptable. Clearly there were litter receptacles available in Dean Gardens but they were treated as though non-existent. I watched the yellow-jacketed litter-collectors wandering around as I made my video. They were in a daze, just not knowing where to begin.I quote from the Council’s own web-pages on the topic of litter:“The council has a zero tolerance policy towards litter and provides litter bins within parks and open spaces for disposal.We also encourage users to take home recycable items, such as cans and news papers, and put them in their household recycling for collection whenever possible, as litter collected in parks and open spaces is currently not recycled.The ranger service use national legislation in order to keep our parks and open spaces free of all unauthorised waste. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 it is illegal to drop litter or dump any waste or rubbish on private or public land.Those caught dropping litter which includes chewing gum, apple cores and cigarette butts, may receive a fixed penalty notice of £80 or face a maximum fine of up to £2,500. If necessary, we will take further legal action against other forms of illegal waste.”Well, where to begin?! Where is there any evidence that those attending this event were ‘encouraged’ to take their litter home? Were any ‘fixed penalty notices’ issued?Really, what is the point of publishing a policy on litter if it has no more clout than a piece of wet newspaper?People who use public spaces need to realize (whoever they are) that parks are shared spaces and must be treated with respect so that others can enjoy them too. Suppose, after this event, which should have finished by 4pm, I had wished to take a stroll in the park or walk my dog in the early evening - I would have had to turn back the moment I reached Dean Gardens in total disgust.I also understand that liaison with the organisers of this event and Ealing Council in respect of a Traffic Management Order failed to come to anything but the event was still allowed to proceed with no TMO in place. That is unacceptable. The Council and the organisers of this event need to get their act together so that in future years it is properly organised and the needs of the wider community (not just the Sri Lankan Tamils who are the majority attending the festival) are understood and respected.Perhaps all who attend should be issued with a complimentary large bin-bag and encouraged by prominently displayed posters to ‘Take Your Litter Home’.This is an annual event which is getting out of hand. It needs urgent review and proper future control.Yours,Kitsana Udomcharoen

Vincent Paul Wrigley ● 2987d13 Comments ● 2973d

Ealing Jumble next Saturday 1st September 2108

Ealing Jumble is next Saturday, 1st September at St Mary's Church, St Mary's Road W5 5RH open 9-1.The ideal opportunity to de-clutter and recycle all your unwanted goods.  Stall enquiries email: ealingjumble@gmail.com.Come along and grab a bargain, you never know what you might find!  Dogs are very welcome too.

Emma Newman ● 2979d1 Comments ● 2973d

The jumble sale at St Mary,sChurch ?

More particulars are required if participation or Visit to the Event would be nice . No Good if only a date is mentioned by a forum member.

Os a whittle ● 2973d0 Comments ● 2973d

The jumble sale at St Mary,sChurch ?

More particulars are required if participation or Visit to the Event would be nice . No Good if only a date is mentioned by a forum member.

Os a whittle ● 2973d0 Comments ● 2973d

Lost Chihuahua Dog in W3 Dark Brown & Tan

Lost on Saturday in the Acton area, Uxbridge Road.  Please help.Female Chihuahua (Spayed)Colour Dark Brown & TanDate Lost 18 Aug 2018Where Lost Chihuahua lost from Ealing Common, last seen running down Uxbridge Road.  Was still wearing harness and lead.http://www.doglost.co.uk/dog-blog.php?dogId=133282

Angela White ● 2982d4 Comments ● 2974d

LBE Consultation on increases in Social care charges

The LBE Easy To Read summary clearly demonstrates a real contempt for Ealing council taxpayers.I just wondered how much the CEO is being paid? I am saying quarter of a million pounds a year.

Martin Cain ● 2984d16 Comments ● 2974d

War Memorial.

This November is the centenary of the end of the Great War.Our war memorial on Ealing Green has been out of action for several years during the revamp of Pitzhanger Manor, so wreaths have had to be pinned to a cladding panel instead.Does anyone know if the proper memorial will be back in action for the coming Remembrance Sunday? Frankly, I think it would be a disgrace if the memorial was not properly in use for this very special occasion 100 years on from the Armistice.I'd be grateful for any info.

Patrick O'Flynn ● 2977d1 Comments ● 2975d

Better in Hillingdon

Hillingdon residents have cards to qualify them for cheaper rates at pay and display car parks. Why not in Ealing? It might help compensate for the outcry over the CPZs.

Graham Weeks ● 2977d1 Comments ● 2976d

Electoral register

I have completed the form received today but why is the SAE addressed to Birmingham City Council?

Graham Weeks ● 2980d8 Comments ● 2977d

The non-questionnaire re GoApe

This is NOT a questionnaire - it's largely a sales pitch. I've emailed the leaders of Ealing and Hounslow councils and David Bowler of the Community Interest (??) Group asking them to answer the following 5 questions and have yet to receive answers.1.What is the aim of the GoApe consultation process? If it’s to obtain people’s views on whether GoApe should go ahead, the simplistic on-line questionnaire fails miserably. Only one question covers this. The remainder of the questionnaire describes GoApe (it’s a sales pitch), shows where it will be located, asks for the completer’s borough and age (why is age relevant?), and asks which groups of people should obtain a discount (suggesting it’s a done deal). 2. What questions will be asked during the drop-in sessions?3.Focusing on the one meaningful question, how will the graded answer options be analysed? What weight will be given to the answer of each of the 5 options?  And what criteria will be used in drawing conclusions from the data analysis? 4. Why is there an ‘OK’ button below the GoApe photos?  Does clicking ‘OK’ indicate a form of acceptance of GoApe?5. Why will the results of the GoApe consultation process only be available to the Community Interest Company Board? Why keep the results from those who truly value Gunnersbury Park?

Patricia McCarthy ● 2979d7 Comments ● 2978d

A forgotten famous Ealing resident

IM  John Owen  24 8 1685 'I am going to him whom my soul has loved, or rather, who has loved me with an everlasting love; which is the whole ground of my consolation.' - John Owen dying 23 8 1685Owen lived and died in Ealing after the restoration. He had been chosen to preach to parliament on the day after the execution of King Charles I, and succeeded in fulfilling his task without directly mentioning that event.Oliver Cromwell, who took Owen to Ireland as his chaplain, that he might regulate the affairs of Trinity College, Dublin. In 1650 he accompanied Cromwell on his Scottish campaign. In March 1651, Cromwell, as Chancellor of Oxford University, gave him the deanery of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, and made him Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University in September 1652. A prolific author, his later works were all written in Ealing. Ealing has managed to forget him unlike Richard Baxter who lived in Acton.

Graham Weeks ● 2978d0 Comments ● 2978d

The continued desecration of Gunnersbury Park

While I am not in favour of the continued commercialisation of Gunnersbury Park and the overpriced designer cafe with attitude problems, if the new sports hub and the zip wire render it unusable as a  festival venue I shall be a happy person. If it is still possible to hold festivals there then might I suggest a wildlife area and centre in the middle of the remaining space and an angling centre by the pond, and if that doesn't work then a mobile communications tower as well. With a bit of luck that should put paid to the festivals.In my opnion ALL Ealing festivals should be held on Ealing Common which is well provisioned with vehicular and public transport access.

Mark Julian Raymond ● 2981d4 Comments ● 2978d

Section 60 CJPOA 1994

So this was invoked between 17:00 yesterday and 04:00 this morning. Presumably intelligence led. Did anything happen?

Andrew Mcauley ● 2979d3 Comments ● 2978d

August smile

What name do you give a lady who has to tell a joke twice? Repunzel.Son: “Dad, we’re learning about prisms at school. They’re fascinating.”Dad: “That’s good son, because as a dyslexic black boy you’re bound to end up in one.” Paddy decides to take up boxing and goes for the required medical. A few days later the doctor ‘phones and says “Paddy, you realise you’ve got sugar diabetes.”Paddy says, “Nice one, when do I fight him?” A dwarf goes to a very good but very busy doctor and asks "I know you are busy but do you treat dwarves?"The doctor replies "Yes, but you will have to be a little patient". In hindsight I should have posted my Facebook status as: "I've blown the head gasket on my 1997 XR3i" rather than "I've just bu**ered a  14 year old escort".The police still haven't seen the funny side, my lap top's been confiscated, and the wife has gone off to her mother.A Yorkshire man takes his cat to the vet.Yorkshireman: "Ayup, lad, I need to talk to thee about me cat."Vet: "Is it a tom?"Yorkshireman: "Nay, I've browt it with us."A Yorkshireman's dog dies and as it was a favourite pet he decides to have a gold statue made by a jeweller to remember the dog by.Yorkshireman: "Can tha mek us a gold statue of yon dog?"Jeweller: "Do you want it 18 carat?"Yorkshireman: "No I want it chewin' a bone yer daft begger!"The last is always bestBloke from Barnsley with piles asks chemist "Nah then lad, does tha sell arse cream?"Chemist replies "Aye, Magnum or Cornetto?"

Graham Weeks ● 2982d2 Comments ● 2979d

Premium Price Paid for South Ealing Wickes Site

God help us if the new owners of the Wickes site want to build a residential tower block there. On the other hand if the site was to become an ALdi, Lidl, or ASDA than that would address the social community necessities of South Ealing from the new developments on the south side of the A4 through to Ealing Broadway with its half-sized Tesco, Morrisons et al. However, the Wickes in South Ealing is not a full Wickes as it only carries about three-quarters of the product range, an 'Ealing-factor' where all our superstores are too small due to freeholder/land-owner greed and deficient planning policy so I don't hope out too much hope for something that is not an overpriced convenience store of sorts

Mark Julian Raymond ● 2984d4 Comments ● 2980d

The Gazette goes downhill again

I have written to them but do not expect publication.Your article Secrets of a Web Cam Model is near to pornography in promoting sexual exploitation of the impoverished and the foolish. 'Pornography is the portrayal of sexual subject matter for the exclusive purpose of sexual arousal.'

Graham Weeks ● 2981d5 Comments ● 2980d