Forum Topics

"No Straw please"

http://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/no-straw-please/The use of single use plastics is out of control.  A lot of plastic is never recycled.  Some of it like plastic straws, cotton buds and wet wipes end up going through our sewers and ending up on our beaches and in our seas.  That is if they don't end up creating a fatberg underneath our streets.www.recyclenow.com gives instructions to put the plastic straw that comes with your drinks carton inside the carton before recycling it in order to capture it.We don't ask for straws in our drinks.  They arrive already in them. There is plenty more info on the web including the film of the turtle which if you can stomach watching it will surely make you question our thoughtless use of plastic straws.  We have to be proactive and when we order a drink also say "No straw please". Yes, it would be wonderful if Ealing could become a plastic straw free borough.http://www.ealingtoday.co.uk/default.asp?section=info&page=eaplasticstraws001.htm

Philippa Bond ● 3171d3 Comments ● 3170d

Is There Any Point in Responding To the Heathrow Consultation?

I saw Heathrow are holding a consultation on expansion in the Ealing newsletter. It occurs to me that it may not be a good idea to respond. Like with most consultations it is a box ticking exercise and will be framed by Heathrow to deliver the results they want on decisions they have already made. This is not a Government consultation but one by the company that will be presented to the Government as part of their case for expanding the airport. Are we just helping them out by responding even if we attempt to make negative points about expansion. With the most critical aspect of the expansion excluded from the consultation, namely the flight path the planes will take, the whole thing seems a bit pointless.Does anyone think otherwise and, if so, why?

Andy Jones ● 3196d6 Comments ● 3170d

The fatal flaw with Brexit?

The leak of the Government impact assessments that show economic growth will be significantly lower under any Brexit scenario isn't really going to change much. Most Leave supporters have been honest enough to accept that there will be some economic pain but believe this is worth it due to the gains they perceive in increased national sovereignty.Let's assume that these reports are wrong and that they drastically underestimate the potential of a post Brexit Britain to strike trade deals that will more than compensate for reduced access to the single market and that ultimately leaving the EU will make us all richer. The problem here is that although overall in this scenario there would be more winners and losers, the losers will be announced before we know who the winners are. The economic adjustment that needs to take place, even in an ultimately positive change, will first require industries who rely on single market access to retrench. There will be a lag before the positive impact of all the new trade deals feed through as it can take months and years to build up supply chains and penetrate new markets.The more access we want to the single market the less flexibility we will be allowed in determining our own trade policies. If Theresa May had got the majority she wanted last year she would still have had problems pushing through a Brexit deal that delivered lots of upfront economic pain due to a desire to conduct more independent trade deals. Now with the majority of her own MPs in favour of a softer Brexit and her grip on power tenuous she doesn't seem to have any choice but to move towards a deal which delivers the kind of modest changes that Philip Hammond described. The small rump of hard core Brexiteers led by Jacob Rees-Mogg will make a lot of noise but they won't force an election.So it looks like we end up with situation that nobody wants. We will be out of the EU but with a trading arrangement that looks little different to what we have now. We will almost certainly be required to adhere to EU standards but now will have no say in what they are. Freedom of Movement may end but there will be a modified system of preferential access for EU citizens that will look a lot like it.The only thing that could be said for the new situation is that it will reunite the nation as everybody will be able to agree we are worse off than we were before. We will be economically poorer, we will have lost many of the benefits of EU membership, our sovereignty will actually be diluted rather than enhanced, we will have given away control not taken it back and we will have little or no more control of our borders than we had before.

Andy Jones ● 3184d15 Comments ● 3170d

Burger King, West Ealing.

I've noticed that BK, West Ealing, has been closed for several days.Does anybody know why, and/or know of a possible re-opening date?  Thanks.

Tony Heath ● 3181d2 Comments ● 3171d

Cleaner Recommendation

My cleaner of 5 years is looking for extra clients.  I found her via a recommendation on this site.  She is a great cleaner, reliable and totally trustworthy.  Please PM me if interested and I will give you her contact number.

Sarita Sudera ● 3182d1 Comments ● 3172d

HEALING ON MONDAY

Healing will take place at the London Buddhist Vihara, The Avenue, W4 1UD, on Monday 12th February between 11am and 1pm, (last healing 12.45). Anyone who would like to receive healing, or just an energy boost, is more than welcome. We will have a number of healers waiting to meet you.Although the centre takes place in the Buddhist Temple the healing is NOT related to any religion, it is totally non-denominational everyone is welcome.No charge is made for healing however a donation is most welcome - all donations are given to the Vihara for the use of the hall.

Pat Smith ● 3175d1 Comments ● 3174d

allotment advice

Needed advice. Acton allotment site needs quotes on sanding down, and re-paionting sea container 'shop'. Any offers?

michael wale ● 3181d1 Comments ● 3175d

TFL

Another nonsense. Hastings Rd/Drayton Green Rd lights.How Ealing Council & TFL make a minor junction into a major congested & polluted one.The traffic today was queuing back to Courtfields Gdns.Every journey matters - except cars.So many ridiculous schemes around the borough which dont help traffic flow but make it worse.These overpaid officials with inflated salaries need to be held accountable. TFL, Ealing Council cause congestion & pollution

Peter Yale ● 3187d1 Comments ● 3176d

Lost Cat Cairn Avenue area

A beloved pet has been missing since Saturday. There's a link to her picture here:https://ibb.co/fvzTJxPlease check your sheds!Many thanks.

Peter Lynch ● 3178d0 Comments ● 3178d

£15.000.000 Knife Crime Budget

Ealing Gazette story. With all the cuts surely the police are allowed to stop anyone, any time, any pace, anywhere.Forget tables about certain groups, age, ethnicity etc, no softly softly approach.Simple & a lot less than amount budgeted.Of course it requires the courts to deliver maximum sentences & the  parole board not let offenders out after a few weeks

Peter Yale ● 3187d6 Comments ● 3178d

Travel insurance

I have been refused flight insurance due to pre-existing medical conditions. I do not want insurance for them but where can I buy travel insurance not covering pre-existent conditions? One used to be able to. Why not now?

Graham Weeks ● 3205d5 Comments ● 3180d

repeated road works Twyford Avenue

Does anyone know why the road at the crossroads of Twyford Avenue with Creffield Road, in Acton, at the traffic lights, has been dug up again and again and again...about a dozen times now in the space of a year?Is this some kind of training ground for road works apprentices that we don't know about?Can anyone explain this enigma?

Elizabeth Amzil ● 3181d0 Comments ● 3181d

rowing

Last week I alerted you about first big race of year on The Thames. My wonderful women Mortlake Crew won their division.So all women should think about rowing as a sport. Equality, support and great coaching. Unlike the BBC! Join Mortlake

michael wale ● 3182d0 Comments ● 3182d

Fog/Driving Lamps

Whats with the new (illegal) craze of driving with fog/driving lamps on???Seemingly every other car does.Police love an easy touch with the motorist usually heading the list.Another way to raise £15.000.000 to fight knife crime

Peter Yale ● 3187d9 Comments ● 3182d

Spencers cafe walpole park

Just to let you all know there has been a public meeting organised for Thursday 8th February 2018 from 6pm - 8pm at the rickyard centre next to the cafe to air your views about the cafe.All welcome

Alan Dillon ● 3183d1 Comments ● 3183d

January smile

Quote from a friend in the US,'By the way, I’m forming a group that will lobby for Mugabe to take over as U.S. president. I understand that he’s at a loose end at the moment. Admittedly, Mrs. Mugabe isn’t as attractive as the current first lady, but we’ve got accept some imperfections.'.

Graham Weeks ● 3213d7 Comments ● 3185d

Please hold on

Is  "Please hold on, the bus is about to move", the most surplus and annoying announcement designed by TfL.

Fred Hunt ● 3200d15 Comments ● 3186d

Saturday big rowing race

The first big Thames rowing race of the year takes place Saturday starting at Chiswick Bridge to Harrods just beyond Hammersmith Bridge. Follow local women crew Mortlake no 196. Local women should join this club. Cheer us on

michael wale ● 3189d0 Comments ● 3189d

London Tango Quintet

Just wanted to say that this incredibly good band are playing just off Acton Lane tonight. Any fans of Classic FM might know of Craig Ogden, their guitarist.  There's more info in the ChiswickW4 calendar (http://www.chiswickw4.com/default.asp?section=info&page=tangoquarter001.htm), but it's very close to us. I went to see them in Hackney in the Round Chapel last summer, and everyone on the train coming back to Acton was talking about it - there was a real buzz.

Caroline Cabraal ● 3189d0 Comments ● 3189d

Community Self-Portrait Exhibition

Community Portrait Exhibition Library Trail – across Hounslow Libraries, February 1-28, 2018 A bold photographic exhibition showing the human face of social care will be running in four Hounslow libraries throughout February 2018. Isleworth, Feltham and Heston libraries and Hounslow Civic Centre will host ‘SELF–Portraits in Social Care’ an intimate and inspiring exhibition offering an alternative view of people working in, and supported by, social care. In total 100 images will be exhibited with 25 at each venue.The idea came from Certitude Community Development Manager, Jake Meyer who worked in close partnership with professional photographer, Dean Belcher, to create this collection of revealing portraits. Jake explains: “First and foremost this is a show about community. The photographs illustrate the extraordinary diversity of people living in Hounslow and put real faces to the concept of ‘social care’. Everyone featured in the SELF exhibition lives in Hounslow and is either connected with Certitude -  a social care provider supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, and mental health needs – or Age UK. People who took part were asked to reveal something about themselves that the viewer might not realise from their portrait and these thought-provoking responses are displayed alongside the photographs.  SELF Portrait Photography Workshop February 12th 2018, 2.30-4.30pm Feltham LibraryThe public will be able to respond to the exhibition at a 2-hour workshop hosted by Certitude and SELF photographer, Dean Belcher, at Feltham Library on February 12th. Participants will be able to explore self image through group discussions and hands-on portrait photography. To book your place, contact Ann Cartwright at ann.cartwright@hounslow.gov.ukDean Belcher, who is a highly-regarded fashion, lifestyle and portrait photographer is enthusiastic about the exhibition and the workshop: “I wanted to be involved with this project because I see how social care is often portrayed – it feels good to offer up a different side to this story with these diverse portraits.”

Paula Scott ● 3189d0 Comments ● 3189d