Forum Topics

Healing on Monday

Energy boost?Energy Therapists will be at the London Buddhist Vihara, The Avenue, W4 1UD on Monday, 14th September, 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 whatever weather comes!  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  -  all donations are given to the Vihara.These sessions are not related to any religion, everyone is welcome.

Pat Smith ● 4057d4 Comments ● 4055d

Incessant ice cream van noise

There’s a van that seems to spend all afternoon and early evening in the estate that lies behind Wickes in South Ealing.It plays ‘Oranges and Lemons’ at truly ear-splitting volume, not to mention double speed intermittently for literally hours almost every day.I like a 99 as much as the next man but this is WAY beyond reasonable – after a while I simply have to close all my windows or it’d drive me insane.

Mark Vale ● 4059d1 Comments ● 4058d

Questors Theatre Car Boot & Table Top Sale

Hi Folks, Just a reminder that Questors Theatre car boot sale in Mattock Lane which is opposite Walpole Park is on this Satuday 12th September starting at 10am and finishing at 3pm

Simon Swinn ● 4059d0 Comments ● 4059d

magnum records - reliant garage northfields ave

does anyone remember magnum records back in the 80s it had all the arcade machine at the back of the store and then further down the road was a ice cream shop on the corner which had arcade machines in it also other shopsbmx cycle shoppound store(yes im the 80s) next to chinese takeawaybudgenscoombes bakershole in the wall fruit and vegfishmongercavesindian fabric shopmarsh sportsmayfield newsagentbarries newsagenttexan resturant with those saloon doorspolish deli corner of elers roadbarclays bankseveral clothing stores mainly womensrobin reliant showroom on the cornerjimmys hairdressersnatwest bankand loads more they are all in my book and i can still remember the inside of all of them

Andrew Banas ● 4782d21 Comments ● 4059d

Parking permit renewal reminder NOT received

I received a letter earlier this year from Ealing Council informing me that parking permits will no longer be issued in paper form for windscreen display but electronically.I was invited to register by email to receive a reminder before my permit expired which I did.Last night I found a Penalty Charge Notice on my car and on checking it seems my permit expired on 5th August but NO reminder was received. Do I have any right of appeal and does anyone know of anyone having the same issue ? I am thinking of giving the local paper a call about it. I have tried to call parking services at Ealing but of course there is no option for speaking to an operator.

Adam Porges ● 4081d11 Comments ● 4062d

Hooray!  Brentford Festival at Blondin Park this Sunday (it's free!)

It's the 10th Brentford Festival this coming weekend...on Sunday 6th September from Noon till 6pm. It's very much an Ealing Event too.... lots of bands and musicians, entertainment and stalls,  and not least food and drink.Those who have attended before will know of it's outstanding organisation and fun and interest for all.See front page of this Website for details.

Jim Lawes ● 4067d8 Comments ● 4062d

Acton Main Line Neighbourhood Forum

An application has been sent to Ealing Council for the formation of The Acton Main Line Neighbourhood Forum by some people who want more say in the increasing number of developments around the future Crossrail station.The Localism Act of 2011 handed residents and businesses the power to work with councils and developers on a neighbourhood plan for their own area.Jan Gayle-Farlow, the forum's acting chair, said: 'My neighbours and I realised that each new development proposal is being treated as though it's the only one in the area. We need to think more holistically about planning in Acton.' Dee Kelly, a committee member, said, 'I know we need more housing, but where are all the children going to go to school? We'd like more input into what should be community space. A neighbourhood plan would benefit everyone.' The public consultation on the forum should last six weeks, after which it's hoped that the council will 'designate' (i.e. formally recognise) the forum, which would then move ahead and come up with a neighbourhood plan. This would be voted on by those within the forum area in a referendum.The Acton Main Line Neighbourhood Forum have a web site and a Twitter account (@ActonMLNF) and are delivering a leaflet outlining their ideas to every household inside their proposed boundary. You can register your interest in the Acton Main Line Neighbourhood Forum online. Twitter: @ActonMLNF    Email: Neighbourhoodforum24@gmail.com

Martin Cain ● 4065d1 Comments ● 4063d

Boston Manor Park "consultation"

http://www.ealingtoday.co.uk/default.asp?section=info&spage=common/bostonpark008.htmHmm, Jura Consultants - that name seems familiar. I'm sure I remember them being involved in some other "consultation" locally... Ah yes, here it is - the "report" on Gunnersbury Park which appeared to be loosely cobbled together from public-domain material (yes, I did read the thing), and which recommended flogging off 5.6 acres of the park to developers.I fully expect the Boston Manor "report" to recommend financing rebuilding the house by selling half the park to GSK for a new multi-storey car park, or somesuch. Does anyone here have any idea why LBH is still employing these particular consultants?

Bryan Betts ● 4066d6 Comments ● 4064d

Discounted tickets for London Mela

You can get entry for £3.50 instead of £6.50 by getting your tickets for the London Mela through Groupon.It's a shame they have had to charge this year although how annoying for people who have already paid the full price to know that they have been undercut. Probably a sign of poor sales so far. People should try and go - I've been several times over the last few years and have always had a really good time.

Andy Jones ● 4064d0 Comments ● 4064d

INTERPRETATION OF zero hour contracts?

  Zero Hours of work each day they choose and FULL Payment plus all allowances paid, to include the many days of ZERO working.Payable only to Local and Parliamentary Politicians only.Is that True.?

Os A Whittle ● 4065d0 Comments ● 4065d

Good news - Ealing CC win National T20 Championship

I thought I'd share some great local news. Ealing Cricket Club won the National T20 club championship on Tuesday at the SWALEC stadium in Cardiff. The competition started with 763 teams. The 15 man squad contained 10 players who started at the club as children and proves that working within your local community brings rewards. This is the club's second National title in the last 5 years. Jason - Manager of Ealing CC

Jason Court ● 4066d1 Comments ● 4066d

Dog attack today Gunnersbury Park

My spaniel was attacked by a white Staffordshire terrier in Gunnersbury Park around midday today. This dog got hold of my dog by the face, locked on and was shaking him. I really thought my dog’s number was up - it was terrifying. The woman who was walking the dog was not much help in trying to separate them – she seemed to be too afraid of her own dog to do anything of use. Luckily a man in a blue jacket came to help and somehow we managed to get the staffy off. I was so flustered and eager to get my dog away from the scene afterwards to see to his injuries that I did not have a chance to thank this man for his help.I think he may have had a dog of his own with him, but to be honest I can’t remember much, I think I was in shock! If anyone knows who this might be I’d love to be able to get in touch with him to say thank you!

Claire Apthorp ● 4075d15 Comments ● 4066d

Terracotta in Northfield Ave closed down

Apologies if I've missed a recent posting about Terracotta but I think it's closed down.  I walked past this afternoon and it is all shut up. A very short-lived and seemingly not very well loved addition to Northfield Ave. A shame, as it might have stood a chance if it was better run and had been open in the evening for a drink - they applied for a licence but didn't last long enough to get one.I think it's closed down rather than shut for holidays as there is no sign on the door about re-opening later.

David Highton ● 6603d130 Comments ● 4067d

New Sainsburys in Spinning Wheel

Anyone know anything about the new Sainsburys to replace the Spinning Wheel on Northfields Ave? Hope this is not the start of chain stores replacing good local shops.

PAUL MARTIN ● 5760d48 Comments ● 4067d

New hate crime support 0800 246 1207

Hi, I am writing to tell you of a new hate crime support service for residents of Hammersmith and Fulham.If victims ring 0800 246 1207 we can advise them on reporting, police, dealing with the consequences.Hate crime is pernicious and much more damaging than a run of the mill attack or abuse. This is because it is an attack on the characteristic of the person, which they cannot help, eg race, religion (or absence of), disability, gender, sexual orientation or identity.No need to suffer in silence!

Barbara Karayi ● 4067d0 Comments ● 4067d

20th August comes round again!  Happy Birthday Mr Gerry Tan!

Dear Gerry has been the Father of the local Forums for over 10 yearsand today we send him our congratulations and best wishes.I recall that he was very active on the Brentford Forum many years ago and indeed hosted the first Forum Meet Up there and in following years sorted Ealing Forum Meet Ups too.What a track record... over 8000 postings here and still going strong!Happy Birthday Gerry.

Jim Lawes ● 4080d21 Comments ● 4067d

reminders of  PCZ permits problem

How many people (like myself) have been caught out by being unaware that Ealing Council no longer send reminders when a Parking Zone permit expires.I found two penalty tickets on my car a few days ago. I could not renew the permit on the internet as I have done for the past five years because I needed a PIN number which would have been printed on the reminder.I did visit Percival House and did manage to renew my permit there thanks to the staff who were very helpful.Now I just have to get the penalty tickets cancelled.With luck I will now get reminders via E Mail.

Keith Mason ● 4140d27 Comments ● 4070d

WARNING - DON'T ASK A TRAFFIC WARDEN !!!

One would assume that a Civil Enforcement Officer(Traffic Warden) would be aware of parking regulations and restrictions after all they are employed by Ealing Council to uphold the law. Thinking this was the case my husband asked the Traffic Warden's advice because he was aware that a yellow sign some way along the road stated that suspension was in force between Bay 1 and Bay 7.  The Traffic Warden asked ‘Where are you parked?’ and when my husband pointed to the bay where his car was parked the warden responded with the words ‘OK You are all right there’ so feeling assured my husband left the vehicle a few minutes before 2pm. So you can imagine how annoyed and confused we were to find a parking ticket on the windscreen timed at 2pn exactly!There is absolutely no way we would have parked in that location if there was any doubt about whether or not it was breaking the law.We looked around to try and locate the Traffic Warden in question but of course we could not see any warden around.  Counting the bays we thought we were in Bay 8.  According to the council the first bay is not counted as it is loading/unloading only. Perhaps the Traffic Warden made the same mistake - who knows. If he was unsure why not say it is up to the driver to double check? Why would the warden tell my husband that it was fine to park in that bay if that is not the case?  It is very unfair that my husband then received a parking fine within minutes even though he checked with the traffic warden before parking in that bay.  Perhaps it would be better if Ealing Council actually marked out which bays are affected to prevent people getting unfair parking fines, and by the way the suspension sign  was quite a few yards along on a lamp post. It should be located at the start and finish of the restricted area.On a later visit we spoke to 2 wardens who just said we sould have got the badge number of the person who said it was fine to park where we did. It seens you cannot even trust a Civil Enforcement Officer who is employed by Ealing Council to give the correct advice!We appealed of course but the Parking Services are sticking to their guns. Easy money for the council I guess, once again the motorist is fair game.In the past when each bay had a parking meter it was easy to check whether or not it was OK to park in that bay, now there is no beginning or no end and left up to the motorist to try and figure it all out. So my advice folks is NEVER take advice from a Traffic Warden, in fact don't even park in a road which has a sign saying some bays are suspended. Unless of course you want to pay a £55.00 fine!

Jean F Fernandez ● 4075d8 Comments ● 4072d

Mice invasion hits Ealing

The mouse population continues to rise and mice are becoming cleverer and more resistant to the poor quality bait available from manufacturers. Things you can do to prevent them entering your home include fitting fine wire mesh to airbricks, as they can get through a hole no bigger than a pencil.  Stopping any gaps bigger than this in walls, floorboards or skirting by applying wood filler including wire wool is useful.  If they do get in, remember they like chav food, so try adding finely minced hamburger or bacon to the bait and mix it thoroughly. The posher sort of Ealing mice like goose fat and those stock cubes promoted by Marco Pierre White. Peanut butter is also good.  Mice (and rats) have also colonised areas with garden decking, so consider removing this or persuading your neighbours to do so should they be foolish enough to have had it installed. But most important, remember that mice have good long-term memory, like to stay put and will know the configuration of your property very well.  So consider using US sticky mats as well as bait and traps.  Remember the bait takes up to 3 weeks to kill a mouse if that's all it eats because you have managed to find and remove all other food sources.

John Pointing ● 4080d8 Comments ● 4072d

"Boof" restaurant Ealing Broadway on the "Undercover Benefits Cheat"

Boof, the Persian restaurant was on Channel5's "Undercover benefits cheat" last night.http://www.channel5.com/shows/undercover-benefits-cheat/episodes/episode-4-688See 9 mins 20 seconds in.The programme showed the managers offering to employ people on a cash in hand basis / off the books so that the employee could continue to claim benefits.

Ed Yelland ● 4073d2 Comments ● 4072d