Forum Topics

Digital Future:  The New Underclass 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000823pEarth Calling Ealing...  How inclusive do you think you are considering one in five of us lack the digital skills to get by day-to-day?

Philippa Bond ● 2599d13 Comments ● 2576d

Broadband, Landline & TV Package

It's that time of year again for me!  Virgin Media have offered me the following package for a total of £35 per month - is this good value or overpriced?- free 60-minute calls from my landline to "normal" STD numbers, anytime- 50mb broadband speed, unlimited downloads- MixIt TV Package, which is 70 channels, with a free TiVo or equivalentThanks!

Phil Kay ● 2588d12 Comments ● 2577d

Has Boris Johnson Just Outplayed Us All?

Saw the very brief interview with Boris Johnson in New York just now and couldn't work out what was going on. He seemed very relaxed and unconcerned, not like a many who has just been told categorically that he had broken the law and got the Queen to agree to him doing it.He has numerous faults but one of them isn't an excess of guile so if he seems happy and relaxed, he probably is happy and relaxed. This should give all those celebrating today pause for thought.To most normal people this defeat would be humiliating and career ending but Johnson appears to be changing the rules. It looks like it will be repackaged as the establishment thwarting the will of the people. Every set piece defeat that the PM has inflicted on him gives him more ammunition for the likely argument in the election that he is prepared to do nearly anything to deliver Brexit but is being thwarted by a remain backing elite.

Tricia Arbuthnot ● 2581d11 Comments ● 2577d

All over for 3rd runway?

Here’s an interesting story on the Brentford site: http://www.brentfordtw8.com/default.asp?section=info&link=http://neighbournet.com/server/common/conhrwsw322.htmI wonder what cock and bull the Heathrow lobbyists and I’ll come up with about this.

Simon Hayes ● 2579d8 Comments ● 2578d

TheAvenue Antique, Vintage & Retro Market Sat 28th 9-5pm

Lots of jolly stalls and people will be in The Avenue opposite West Ealing Station this Sat.  Kitchenalia, tools, linens, paintings, mirrors,vases, habadashery, books, bags, furniture, memoribilia, tea-sets, clothes, boots, photographs, jewels, cushions, silver, ornaments, and lots of things you may never have seen before from the past....Also large pub with garden and kids area and food and super coffee shop and pizza place and chemist and chip shop and so something for everyone.  E1 & E11 & E7 buses too

Jools Lewis ● 2578d0 Comments ● 2578d

Boris's Dilemma

After today's events I'm sure most people are as confused an uncertain about what is going on in UK politics as I am. Things are happening at such a pace it is difficult to keep track.  To make sense of it I thought it might be an idea to step back from the febrile atmosphere of news coverage of events and try and simplify what is going on. To start this it is probably best to accept from the outset that Boris Johnson has no guiding principles. That is meant as an observation rather than a criticism. Before opting to support Leave he laid out both sides of the argument and says he agonised over which to choose. That wasn't because he would have been persuaded by the strongest argument, he wanted to pick which would be best for his career. Boris has cultivated the party membership since he started in politics and, far more than any other Conservative politician has recognised that this is where true power lies within the party. Once he became leader it is now almost impossible to remove him as he will always have the backing of the membership. Getting close to the party rank and file has also made him well aware of their views and he was quick to realise they were unremittingly Eurosceptic. That they generally leaned that way was well known but he picked up quickly that since the referendum they had become obsessed with the issue beyond any other to the point that they would willingly compromise the economy or the Union to get Brexit. This meant that he knew any chance of him not becoming leader would be eliminated by him being the most unreservedly pro-Brexit candidate for leader. Right from the start he laid out his stall and effectively eliminated Dominic Raab who had previously outdone him for unbending Euroscepticism. However, this meant that he need to make pledges such as an unbreakable commitment to leave on 31 October. Having become leader he had to face the problem of his inadequate majority in the House which meant that any meaningful legislative programme was impractical even without Brexit. The normal solution would have been to call a general election but he faced the problem of another inadequate majority — that by which he holds Uxbridge and Hillingdon. If the Brexit party actively contests the seat and the Remain parties form an effective alliance he would probably lose. Therefore he needs to fight the election with some sort of pact with the Brexit party in place. The problem is that they are unlikely to stand aside unless he commits to a very hard Brexit as a campaign platform which his MPs may be unwilling to support. Assuming there is an election on 14 October cabinet would probably want him to say they would go for a negotiated deal without the backstop which the Brexit party say is not Brexit. This probably explains his confused and fairly pointless statement today. It would appear that the legislative challenge to 'no deal' Brexit is likely to work otherwise he wouldn't be threatening MPs with a loss of the whip. He now faces the choice of accepting an extension and missing the 31 October deadline or calling an election but he can't put no deal back on the table as a policy stance. However, an election would be an incredible roll of the dice. There are so many variables but the most likely outcome at this stage seems to be a Remain coalition with some chance that Boris may lose his seat. Of course a lot could happen in the meantime but Boris is essentially saddled with a policy stance that might appeal to his party's members but is unpalatable to the broader electorate. He probably recognises the chance of losing is high. On the other hand toughing it out as PM and reneging on his commitment to leave by 31 October even under duress may end his political career. Even he would have to consider resignation.  Neither of theses choices are particularly palatable for him but at least he has a dog now to give him some comfort.



Gordon Southwell ● 2603d45 Comments ● 2581d

Nasty Neighbour

A very nasty neighbour just chopped down one of the lovely trees on Darwin Road ( near the shop). Happened on Saturday as council offices were closed so no-one could stop him. How dare you!!!! The tree wasn't YOURS!!

David Parsons ● 2715d47 Comments ● 2586d

Labour antisemitism

This just trundles on does it not?There are calls (from within the Labour party) for the newly elected MP for Peterborough to be suspended for antisemitism. Meanwhile, a Labour MP has been accused of antisemitism by two of her former employees in formal complaints to the party. I wonder who it might be..

Nick Goodliffe ● 2689d30 Comments ● 2589d

Heathrow flightpaths - last chance to object!

Last chance to complain about proposed changes to Heathrow flightpaths is tonight (Friday)!  Who to email: feedback@heathrowconsultation.comWhat to say: “Heathrow’s plans for new flight paths and additional flights from 2022 would bring unacceptable noise to Ealing and elsewhere. Any increase in flight numbers also means more carbon emissions and lower air quality. It would reduce the quality of life in my community and it goes against the UK’s commitment to cut carbon emissions and improve air quality in London I strongly object to ANY change in flightpaths; to ANY loss of respite; to ANY increase in numbers of flights and to ALL plans for expansion – and I make this objection as a formal contribution to the consultation process”. Don't forget to include your name and address.And don't forget this has NOTHING to do with the 3rd runway - they're deliberately trying to confuse people by lumping in the flightpath changes with everything else they're planning. Don't let them get away with it.

David Marshall ● 2592d3 Comments ● 2590d

Isn't the North Ealing anti-racism protest prejudicial?

As far as I am aware nobody has actually been tried and convicted of a racist attack at North Ealing station. An allegation has been made and while that may be credible and likely backed up by witness statements and CCTV this evidence still needs to be tested in a court of law before we can say 'racist attack' rather than 'alleged racist attack'. The woman with the Croydon facelift looks like people I have heard using the worst sort of racist language in public and I can see why there is a presumption of guilt. However, I have also seen people with the same sort of look behave with the upmost humanity. It may make people feel good about themselves to go to a demonstration to show how much they hate racist but they may need to consider that they may actually be helping facilitate it. Would the legal representatives of any woman charged with this crime now not be able to claim that her chances of a fair trial have been compromised by a large gathering of people at the scene saying she is definitely guilty?

Gordon Southwell ● 2593d4 Comments ● 2593d

Disruption in Greenford

Why is he work on he Grenford Road/Ruispil Road junction so prolonged? Is it really any improvement? Why is he gross disruption fro one way traffic on Greenford Road at Rockware Avenue not even included in the forthcoming roadworks listed on his site?

Graham Weeks ● 2593d0 Comments ● 2593d

Speedy Eviction of Travellers From Ealing Common 'Inhumane'

See front page article.So, you turf up in your caravan, dump building waste (and worse) and then bleat that being moved on is inhumane.No it is not, travellers are not above the law and the good people of this borough have every right to enjoy our open spaces without dumped  piles of detritus and intimidation.

N V Brooks ● 2616d10 Comments ● 2593d

Air Ambulance Abseil

Some promotion as such, delete if not cool.Been going thru a hard time of late and it's probably not going to get better. So, I am trying to do something positive. Have a read, share if you can and sorry for bothering you. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/scottjonesy

Scott Jones ● 2593d0 Comments ● 2593d

Object by Friday 13th if you don't want 47 planes per Hour @ 2,000 feet flying directly over you.

If you haven’t already responded to Heathrow’s Consultation on a Third Runway, please send a short email message by this Friday 13 September 2019 to feedback@heathrowconsultation.com from your home postal address, saying for example a simple  “I am opposed to the expansion of Heathrow Airport “And adding one or more of the following that affect you:-It would bring many more planes over where I liveIt would bring many more planes over where I workThere would be aircraft noise overhead all the time, every dayI would be woken every morning by aircraft noise from 6amIt would cause increased pollution over the London areaThe air quality where I and my family live would be reduced from its present already poor levelI have asthma and the increased pollution caused by more aircraft would make it worseIt would cause the destruction of Harmondsworth and Longford villagesOver 750 homes would have to be demolished, and many more homes would become uninhabitable because of the noise and pollutionIt will alter the character of the whole of West London when the airport takes over all the land it says it needs for the third runway and associated airport useI will not be able to get on to the already overcrowded Piccadilly Line trains for my commute to and from workAny other comments you may wish to raise yourself and, of course, use your own wording and circumstances.And not to mention of course the drastic devaluation of your home if you're lucky enough to own one, after working hard all your life.Please note that The Department for Transport will take account of the actual number of responses, so it is important that we should all send our own response.   If you have neighbours or friends who share the same concerns, do please pass this message on to them ASAP..And then pat yourself on the back for getting off your backside and actually doing something - Strength In Numbers and all that folks!     :-)

Rosco White ● 2594d2 Comments ● 2593d

Steve Pound standing down as MP

It's just been announced that Steve Pound isn't going to contest the next election. Only met the man a couple of times but he was clearly a genuine and likeable individual who had led a proper life and therefore had a deeper understanding of his constituents' needs than most politicians. Subsequently I have only heard good things about him from people I respect and he seems to have had an appeal across the diverse communities than he represents. This is a sad day for Ealing and given the current state of the Labour party it would be a true miracle if he was replaced with someone fit to lace his boots.

Tricia Arbuthnot ● 2659d18 Comments ● 2596d

Healing on Monday 9th September

The monthly healing centre at the London Buddhist Vihara, The Avenue, Chiswick, will be open on Monday, 9th September, from 10.30am to 12.30pm.  Healing helps any condition, from stress right through to physical illness.There is no charge made for the healing (all the healers are working on a voluntary basis), although a donation would be welcome - we put all the money in the Vihara's donation box.

Chris Edwards ● 2598d0 Comments ● 2598d

News item:  'More Sex Clubs in Ealing'.

Hurrah and Hussars!  And what about a discount when I flash my pension book? So to speak. I was thinking of moving to Dorset. But not any more. Suddenly I love Julian Bell. Nurse, the curtains!

Tony Heath ● 2601d8 Comments ● 2599d

Pollarding trees

Why des the council do it? It leaves an eyesore in place of foliage. One can think of better uses of one's council ax.

Graham Weeks ● 2600d3 Comments ● 2599d

Concerns Raised About 'Unsellable' Flats Being Built in Ealing

Thanks for the update on the dire state of the housing in W13 but it is worse here in Acton.At least Brexit is not at fault as it is clearly John McDonald economics practised by Julian Bell that is the problem. Here on the Friary Park estate the London Fire Brigade report the failing of Mount Anvil's placemaking scheme. With around 40 empty flats on this 230 flat estate it is clear despite a massive marketing campaign none is interested in paying £345 a week through the unique Catalyst Housing Group Equity Loans to get 25% equity in flats with no insultation and rotten wooden windows.I was surpised to read you think the flats in Dickens Yard are very attractively priced and offer much better value compared to brand new units in developments yet to be completed. Catalyst Housing are using Locata to move social housing tenants into these Dickens Yard which surely must reduce their value or do you think the Acton Gardens flats are too closely crammed together?

Martin Cain ● 2627d22 Comments ● 2600d

47 Planes a minute overhead, at 2,000 feet in Ealing/Acton! - Object NOW before 13 Sept:-

If you haven’t already responded to Heathrow’s Consultation on a Third Runway, please send a short email message by Friday 13 September 2019 to feedback@heathrowconsultation.com from your home postal address, saying for example a simple  “I am opposed to the expansion of Heathrow Airport “ And adding one or more of the following that affect you:-It would bring many more planes over where I liveIt would bring many more planes over where I workThere would be aircraft noise overhead all the time, every dayI would be woken every morning by aircraft noise from 6amIt would cause increased pollution over the London areaThe air quality where I and my family live would be reduced from its present already poor levelI have asthma and the increased pollution caused by more aircraft would make it worseIt would cause the destruction of Harmondsworth and Longford villagesOver 750 homes would have to be demolished, and many more homes would become uninhabitable because of the noise and pollutionIt will alter the character of the whole of West London when the airport takes over all the land it says it needs for the third runway and associated airport use I will not be able to get on to the already overcrowded Piccadilly Line trains for my commute to and from workAny other comments you may wish to raise yourself and, of course, use your own wording and circumstances.And not to mention of course the drastic devaluation of your home if you're lucky enough to own one, after working hard all your life.Please note that The Department for Transport will take account of the actual number of responses, so it is important that we should all send our own response.   If you have neighbours or friends who share the same concerns, do please pass this message on to them ASAP..And then pat yourself on the back for getting off your backside and actually doing something - Strength In Numbers folks!     :-)

Rosco White ● 2601d4 Comments ● 2601d