Forum Topics

NOT another (slum of the future short lifespan) block of flats PLEASE (Wickes site South Ealing)

As Ealing is beaten into mediocrity by the rise of profiteering property developers building huge blocks of ecologically unsustainable flats with short lifespans (20 or 30 years) that clash with the victorian architecture we muat ask questions about what is going to happen with the site that has just changed hands that has the Wickes store on it in South Ealing.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, like many stores in the high land cost and high rent area of W5 including the shopping centre the Wickes in South Ealing is not a full Wickes as it is just not large enough. 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 hold out too much hope for something that is not a development combining overpriced small retail spaces (no doubt to be filled with yet more chicken shops, hairdressers and small convenience stores) with shoebox studio flats so expensive that they will only be crammed with groups of students to each room, so I guess an overpriced convenience store of sorts is the best that we can expect there in future.

Mark Julian Raymond ● 2983d12 Comments ● 2981d

Lidl in Northolt

Any idea where this is planned to be on Ruislip Road?

Graham Weeks ● 2981d2 Comments ● 2981d

Ealing council officers never Use their phones to enquiries

Why do Ealing officials have their Telephones and positions published when almost every one of them never seem to pick them up to answer any resident wishing to contact them? We are treated to a advert they wish to publish or something they wish to tell you and after that refer you to an ON LINE advert only. If they wish to do that just to save money then I think they could save MORE by NOT having special phones to that department. Yes I know that will never happen but i am really stressed out trying to use the Numbers Ealing council publishes for us to use for urgent contacts.

Os a whittle ● 2986d4 Comments ● 2984d

Cpz price rise for diesel cars

Can someone explain why cpz costing is going upbased on CO2 of a parked car. This is nothing but theft. If that’s the case why electrics cars have to pay for cpz. I understand if it was a nationwide scheme but is just handful of crupt greedy councils in London. Last year when they first introduced cpz in West Ealing we all said this is what’s going to happen. Now they got us we should excpet rise.

Mehdi Nili ● 2995d15 Comments ● 2984d

Rental Search

Looking for a 2 bed property to rent.Please pm me if anyone has anything available.Thank you in advance

Annabel Grbic ● 2984d0 Comments ● 2984d

Rupa Huq on Any Questions Tonight

Think this might be entertaining. I like her as an MP but she can sometimes make some ill-considered comments. It will be very interesting to see if she can contain herself when talking about Boris Johnson.

Dennis O'Shea ● 2992d9 Comments ● 2986d

EALING COUNCIL GUILTY OF MALADMINSTRATION

Ealing Council has been found guilty of maladministration by the Ombudsman for refusing to accept a complaint made by myself and 5 of my neighbours.  It concerned a run-down HMO on Uxbridge Road.  The rooms were damp.  The walls were mouldy and crumbling.  The fire-escape route was blocked with furniture and rubbish and there were no fire-doors.  The owner was forced to upgrade it.  No credit to him.   It shouldn’t have been in that state to start with.  Despite his record, the Council reappointed him as a fit and proper person to manage the place.   This is the Council that pretends to care about the conditions people live in! The Council refused to accept the complaint.  It was for that the Ombudsman found it guilty of maladministration.   Four senior officers were involved.   The last, the Executive Director for Corporate Resources,  threatened to declare us “persistent complainants” if we carried on.   We carried on and the Ombudsman supported us, not him.Did they learn their lesson?  No. The  Executive Director for Corporate Resources went ahead, accused us being persistent complainants and imposed a sanction.  Preposterous.  The Ombudsman found us right to persist.  If anything, the Executive Director should have apologised.  We asked CEO Najsarek to dissociate himself from his nonsense.  He failed to do that.  We have made a formal complaint about both of them.  We’ll keep you informed of its progress. The Ombudsman asked the Council to remind officers to handle complaints properly in future.  Two senior officers are still taking not a scrap of notice and sitting on complaints.  Disobeying their employer’s instruction.   Bad enough the LGO rebukes the Council.   10 times worse when the Council treats its findings with cynical scorn.  We were awarded a sum of money.  Who pays?   Thank you, people of Ealing.  You do, from your council tax.  We not only have to pay the salaries of these people we have to compensate ourselves for their misconduct.  This complaint was about senior officers and handled by senior officers.  They are a corrupt collective, covering up for one another. They get away with it because they know they can.  As long as they remain in post, no one can trust the Council’s complaints procedure. No one can trust the Council.What happened to the officer who reappointed the manager?  He is now in charge of Safer Communities.  Hope the fire-brigade is on alert.  It could only happen in London’s rottenest Borough!  

vincent paul WRIGLEY ● 3009d19 Comments ● 2986d

CAPITAL LETTERS

Why all the shouting, guys?

Simon Deakin ● 2992d5 Comments ● 2986d

Crossrail Heathrow Trains Not Stopping at West Ealing?

Looking at the map here (https://londonist.com/london/transport/how-frequently-will-crossrail-trains-run) the Heathrow bound trains will be stopping at Hanwell and Acton Main Line but not West Ealing.That would mean a change of trains required - in fact two if you are going to Terminal 5.If accurate seems bizarre that West Ealing will be the only station on the line between Paddington and Heathrow without a direct link. Anyone in a position to confirm or otherwise?

Philip Coe ● 3000d4 Comments ● 2986d

Copyright Infringement.

Does anyone by any chance have a copy of the 1989 True Detective Winter Special? I am particularly interested in the content on page 35. Master Detective, part of the True Detective Group refuse to send me a scan of what is published on page 35 but they have forwarded me a scan of the front and inside page stating that a story on page 35 deals with former Hammersmith, Fulham and Putney child killer Harold Jones. They won't send me the scan because they have stolen photographs that I own copyright of and they have used them in the August 2018 edition of Master Detective. They have scanned about 12 of my photos directly from my book Every Mother's Nightmare - Abertillery in Mourning to use in the August edition. They state in an email to me that I should be grateful that they recommend my book.

Neil Milkins ● 2993d1 Comments ● 2987d

French Appeal to find Flt Eng Sgt Alfred David Hawkins' family

His family is listed as having come from Hanwell. His Lancaster bomber on a mission to Reims crashed with no survivors in Picardy in 1944.Was his wife a Bennett?  Who are the Strong family?  Who is Joan Hawkins?https://www.veteransfoundation.org.uk/news/posts/april-2017/april-news/french-appeal-to-find-relatives-of-deceased-hanwell-airman/http://www.ealingtoday.co.uk/default.asp?section=info&page=easgthawkins001.htmTake a look at the info on the article on this website above and see why there is renewed interest in finding relatives.The son of Henry Gransby and Edith Mary Hawkins nee Wraight and the husband of Dorothy Phyllis Hawkins of Hanwell.His parents appear to have married in Watford in 1913with his birth registered in St Albans in 1916 with a sister born a couple of years later.It looks as though he may have married in Brentford. Also looks like his widow may have remarried to Frederick Star-PaveyNow that's a more unusual name than Bennett, Hawkins, Strong and Wraight!  Sadly she seems to have died a couple of years later in Ealing and her widower remarried in Somerset.Anybody have any info to help put the residents of Belloy in touch with the family of this airman?

Philippa Bond ● 2995d2 Comments ● 2988d

BANKS AND MONEY- INTEREST

It seems Banks do not wish to pass the interest rise to Savers,ANSWERPUT YOUR MONEY SOME WHERE ELSE,SIMPLES.

Dr John Stolworthy D.Sc ● 2992d2 Comments ● 2989d

Health Concerns Over Southall Development Article

Support the Clean Air For Southall Group by signing and sharing their online petition for an improvement in odour mitigation measures at the Southall Waterside site, which wasformerly known as Southall Gas Works. There are serious concerns about air quality and health matters, as the soil was contaminated with benzene which is carcinogenic and asbestos.https://www.change.org/p/cleanair-for-southall-stop-berkeleygroupuk-s-southallwaterside-makingsouthallstink-southalllivesmatter?recruiter=508058618&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petitionIf the link doesn't work, search for the petition on www.change.org by typing in Southall Waterside in the search box.The Clean Air For Southall Group is holding a public meeting on:Monday 13th August 2018Location: Roxy New Tandoori Restaurant, 114-118 The Green, Southall UB2 4BQTime: 6.00pm-8.00pmYou can also find out more by joining the Clean Air For Southall Facebook group.

Angela Fonso ● 2992d0 Comments ● 2992d

ENERGY BOOST on Monday

Energy Therapists will be at the London Buddhist Vihara, The Avenue, W4 1UD on Monday, 13th August, between 11am and 1pm (last session 12.45).  The session takes about 15-20 minutes and I am sure that you will feel really good at the end of that time, with lots of vital energy to enable you to enjoy the rest of your week!  A number of therapists come in each month and give their services free.  The Vihara kindly allow us to use the hall at no charge so a donation is most welcome as this enables us to give all donations to the Vihara.These sessions are not related to any religion, everyone is welcome.

Pat Smith ● 2992d0 Comments ● 2992d

New Piece of Public Art For Town Centre

My criticism of it is there is no citation to show this is a quote from Formby. Knowing that enhances the art.

Graham Weeks ● 3000d22 Comments ● 2993d

Festival Rubbish Dumped in Walpole Park

It's very disappointing to see rubbish, wood pallets, and even a VAN left dumped in Walpole Park after the recent festivals. I hope the festival organisers are ashamed of themselves for leaving the park in such a state and arrange to get it cleaned up as soon as possible.

Martin Williams-Neale ● 2995d2 Comments ● 2994d

EALING JUMBLE 1ST SEPTEMBER 2018

Ealing jumble returns on Saturday 1st September at St Mary's Church Hall, W5 5RH.  A great opportunity to sell and recycle unwanted goods, or just come along and grab a bargain and enjoy the tearoom.Donations are welcome and all money raised from the donations goes to the church.  Open 9-1.Stall enquiries email: ealingjumble@gmail.com

Emma Newman ● 2994d0 Comments ● 2994d

"Ealing's Rubbish Services To Go In-House"

Front page headline. So are all the services going in-house then? Or any good ones being left out?

Philip Coe ● 3021d19 Comments ● 2995d

Memorial Service of Freda Burnell and Florence Little.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0bdrs9c                                       Graham Weeks. Copy and paste the link and when picture comes up click on picture and slide bar across to 1 hour and 24 minutes. you can hear Abertillery Abertillery Ladies Orpheus Choir singing My Valley Home at the memorial service of Freda Burnell and Florence Little on August 4.

Neil Milkins ● 2995d2 Comments ● 2995d

Shared Bays in 'Ealing Broadway' CPZ

I was hoping to tap your collective knowledge on the shared bays that exist in the Ealing Broadway area. Julian Bell in his justification for the imposition of shared use bays in residential areas has said that they won't be a problem because they have already been operating around Ealing Broadway without any problem. I presumed he meant CPZ Zone A but couldn't find any shared bays here by looking on Google Streetview.Could someone tell me where these shared bays actually are and whether or not it is accurate to say they haven't caused any issues for residents?

Paul Corcoran ● 3046d8 Comments ● 2996d