Is it just me or has anyone else had a sudden invasion of very dozy flies? I first thought something had died for so many flies to suddenly appear. But no, no tell-tale nasty smell and the wrong sort of flies anyway. Normally flies are had to swat or usher out of the window but these ones are very slow moving – most odd.
Is the government really serious about restricting the number of high street betting shops?
I really hope it is. I’ve posted before about there being too many betting shops on our high street but I think it’s a really important issue for the future of high streets. I’m certainly not arguing for all betting shops to be closed but it just feels that people are being exploited, especially by Fixed Odds Betting Terminals. It’s getting these FOBTs in to as many high street sites as possible that’s been driving the ever-increasing number of betting shops in high streets. The government plans to give local authorities powers to restrict the number of betting shops. I’ll believe it when I see it but a long overdue step in my opinion. How effective it will be also depends on the willingness of the local authority to use any future legislation. Surely we already have more than enough betting shops for our local population?
I thought a good starting point is to go out and count the number of betting shops and loan shops along the Uxbridge Road in West Ealing to give a base line so someone can count again in a few years time and see what’s happened. As of today I counted six betting shops ( seven when BetFred opens on the ground floor of the new hotel being built in Melbourne Ave), two gaming/fruit machine establishments and five loanshops/pawnbrokers:
Betting Shops
- Ladbrokes
- Coral x 2
- William Hill x2
- Paddy Power
Gaming shops
- Cashino
- Reels
Loan shops/pawnbrokers
- Cash Converters
- Money Shop
- Cash Generator
- H&T Pawnbrokers
- Albemarle & Bond pawnbrokers
Researching local and family history talk Saturday 10th May
Local History Workshop at Ealing Central Library on Saturday 10th May 2.30pm. Cost £4
Speaking from personal experience , there’s always a surprise waiting when you start researching your family history. In my case it was my paternal great-great grandfather and how many children he had by whom and when – and I still haven’t got to the bottom of it. Let alone why on earth he appears to have sent his very elderly parents from Liverpool to a large house on the Isle of Man in the mid 1800s – a complete mystery!
Whether it’s local history or family history you might be interested in the Local History Workshop run by historians Dr Jonathan Oates and Dr Piotr Stolarski on Saturday 10th May in the Green Room at Ealing Central Library at 2.30pm. The cost is £4. Places are limited so you can book by calling 020 3700 1052 or email reading@ealing.gov.uk
There are other talks as well:
Shops of Yesteryear by Prof Alan Gillett on 8th May at 6.15pm
The Private Asylums of Ealing by Paul Lang on 26th June at 6.15pm
Meeting tonight about plans for Crossrail at West Ealing
Public Meeting at the Drayton Court Hotel on Tuesday 22nd April at 7.30pm.
- Trains 200 metres long
- Carrying up to 1500 passengers
- New station in Manor Road
- Up and running by 2019
- 14 minutes to Bond Street, 21 minutes to Liverpool Street, 28 minutes to Canary Wharf
- What are the plans for the new station and its surrounding area?
- What arrangements for taxis, cyclists and to drop-off?
- What are the plans for buses?
Come along and find out more from representtaives of Crossrail, Ealing Council, West Ealing Centre Neighbourhood Forum and the newly created West Ealing Business Improvement District.
150 days of community in West Ealing: Week 10
Today is the start of Week 10 of our 150 days of community project. Don’t know what we’re talking about? Then click here. Here are some of the things that we’ve been up to in West Ealing in the past week:
Leila posted in West Ealing Neighbours
Leila 3:27pm Apr 11
Home – Ealing Involved
ealinginvolved.org Make a difference in Ealing today. Donate Time, Money and Goods to community groups, have your say o…____________________________________Hi, has anyone a ladder that I could borrow for an afternoon? I need to repair something in our garden and don’t want to buy a new one for just this one thing. Preferably someone near Waitrose. Thanks.
Did we miss anything? Let us know!
We have another great list of seven ‘acts of community’ for this week – see how many you do – maybe you already do them!
- Sign up for an evening class
- Talk to your children about the different faiths in West Ealing
- Talk to people about voting, and encourage it
- Persuade a local restaurant to have a designated “meet people” table
- Host or go for dinner before or after a town meeting
- Take dance lessons with a friend
- Say “thanks” to public servants – police, firefighters, bus drivers, councillors, waste recyclers, street cleaners.
We’d love to hear from you if you do any of these things, or anything else that makes people smile in West Ealing. We have loads more suggestions of things you can do, if you want to jump ahead!
Ways to send us your contributions:
Send us an email – 150daysofcommunity@gmail.com
Write on our Facebook wall – https://www.facebook.com/groups/124290860921562/
Tweet at us – @WENeighbours
Add a comment to this blog post (below)
OPEN Ealing arts project needs your support
I spoke to Anthony Shrubsall, chair of OPEN Ealing for an update on the latest plans for OPEN and the planned community café on the Green Man Lane Estate. ‘We are going into partnership with A2 Community Involvement (A2 Dominion are the developers) with a view to substantial use of the cafe theatre space for continuing OPEN’s arts activities while A2 Community Involvement run the cafe. We are working with them to submit an Arts Council bid with a view to providing a full programme of professionals doing small scale shows including music, theatre, spoken word, storytelling and poetry recitals. The view is also that we will also provide a range of OPEN workshop activities complementing and expanding upon the range of performances. We are pursuing fine art based activities via a different route although there may be more cross-over once we are actually operating from there. The intention is to open in late spring.
Part of the bid to the arts council also requires feedback from the local community on what people wish to see and how much support there is for the arts in the local area.’ This is where OPEN needs your support. There is an online survey which OPEN needs as many people as possible to complete. Click on the following link to complete this survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GMLResidents. They aim to get the bid submitted to Arts Council by the end of April.
150 days of community in West Ealing: Week 9
Today is the start of Week 9 of our 150 days of community project. Don’t know what we’re talking about? Then click here. Here are some of the things that we’ve been up to in West Ealing in the past week:
It’s nice when you have a good experience with local trades people so I thought I’d post it. We just had out garden done by Christopher Cain (07505483463). He done a great job and is very reasonably priced. We are chuffed with our garden. So I would defiantly recommend him
-Mary Rose
https://twitter.com/NorthfieldsLive/status/452788312290643970
Did we miss anything? Let us know!
We have another great list of seven ‘acts of community’ for this week – see how many you do – maybe you already do them!
- Have digital and device free family dinners and read to your children
- Run for public office
- Ask someone who looks lost if they need directions
- Host a street party or an open house
- Start a DIY group – friends willing to help each other clean, paint, garden, etc.
- Offer to serve on a town committee
- Volunteer as a Streetwatcher
We’d love to hear from you if you do any of these things, or anything else that makes people smile in West Ealing. We have loads more suggestions of things you can do, if you want to jump ahead!
Ways to send us your contributions:
Send us an email – 150daysofcommunity@gmail.com
Write on our Facebook wall – https://www.facebook.com/groups/124290860921562/
Tweet at us – @WENeighbours
Add a comment to this blog post (below)
There’s more to the Community Shop project than meets the eye
You may know the Community Shop in West Ealing Broadway but do you know about Accession Social Enterprise?
The Community Shop in West Ealing
Accession is a Community Interest Company that trades to tackle social problems, improve communities and people’s life chances. Accession manages social enterprise businesses across West London which provide sustainable pathways into the job market by developing business enterprises that survive and flourish in the mainstream economy, based on viable and commercial business models, and not reliant on grant funding. Accession offers employment opportunities, training, volunteering and personal development to those who are economically marginalised, prominent amongst this group are people who have learning difficulties including those on the autistic spectrum and people with enduring mental health needs.
Accession is not a clinical or social care service and does not offer therapeutic activity or respite care. Accession operates on a belief that people with mental health needs and people with learning difficulties are able to work.
An Accession cafe
Our Social Enterprise Businesses
Arts & Crafts – Accomplished Upholsterers and Seamstresses who design and make a range of high quality crafted products.
Catering – Expert caterers who manage a chain of cafés and provide external catering, create menus which are personalised to suit specific tastes, diet and cultural requirement and budget.
Design and Print – Highly skilled design and printers who offer a complete range of high quality print and design services from conception through to fruition.
Digital Archiving – Professional Archivists who document historical documents and artefacts.
Horticulture – Experts in Ornamental Horticulture (Floriculture/Landscape), Olericulture, Pomology, and other related services such as plant conservation, garden design, maintenance and fencing.
Horsenden Farm – Community destination area based in Perivale, including a trendy café, farm shop, woodland nature trail. OPENING SOON
Picture Framing (Frame It) – Established picture framers who deliver a professional and quality framing service.
Retail (Community Shop) – A chain of vintage/second hand shops selling quality clothing, furniture and bric – a – brac.
Website: COMING SOON and you can contact us at info@accessionpartnership.com
Sally Penycate, Accession Social Enterprise
150 days of community in West Ealing: Week 8
Today is the start of Week 8 of our 150 days of community project. Don’t know what we’re talking about? Then click here. Here are some of the things that we’ve been up to in West Ealing in the past week:
@WENeighbours @ealingtodaycouk @Zipcar I replace all my car journeys as I no longer have a car. Perfectly feasible in London. @CityCarClub
— Josa Keyes (@JosaKeyes) March 30, 2014
@WENeighbours Loving the community act tip of the week! Car clubs are indeed a great way to do our bit towards saving the environment.
— ZipcarUK (@ZipcarUK) March 30, 2014
https://twitter.com/EalingFlaneur/status/450068006958542848
I am collecting Actimel yoghurt pots and shape yoghurt pots to be recycled to raise money to repair the Organ At St Thomas church (next to Elthorne park) Pots can be dropped off in Church Porch which is open 8am till 6pm most days.I am also collecting Coffee jar lids, Tassimo Pods, non Savoury Biscuit wrappers (any sort) and Baby wipe packets ( any Sort). I am particularly needing baby wipe packets. if there is a nursery or baby minder who can collect but not deliver them to the church please email me and i will arrange collection
please help me and rid the landfill of these items
-Pauline
My act of community this week – Cakes baked ready for the PTA cake sale tomorrow at Christ the Saviour C of E Primary school. Must try one myself now!
-Diane994 members now – we just need 6 to make the 1000 – should we have a prize for the 1000th? If so, what would be a good gift (preferably free or nearly) for a West Ealing Neighbour?
-Gill – 2 April at 14:55
Did we miss anything? Let us know!
We have another great list of seven ‘acts of community’ for this week – see how many you do – maybe you already do them!
- Join Streetbank to start sharing tools and important items with your neighbours
- Start having lunch times (and chats!) with your co-workers
- Join Ealing Freecycle to declutter and save money
- Offer a neighbour a lift to work
- Employers: give employees time (e.g., 3 days per year to work on community projects)
- Plan a “Walking Tour” of a local historic area
- Eat breakfast or brunch at a local gathering spot on Saturdays
We’d love to hear from you if you do any of these things, or anything else that makes people smile in West Ealing. We have loads more suggestions of things you can do, if you want to jump ahead!
Ways to send us your contributions:
Send us an email – 150daysofcommunity@gmail.com
Write on our Facebook wall – https://www.facebook.com/groups/124290860921562/
Tweet at us – @WENeighbours
Add a comment to this blog post (below)
Volunteers needed to help clear footpath and create a stag beetle loggery this Sunday 6th April
From the Northfields allotments team:
We are having the third Workday on the Radbourne Walk (the path behind the Northfields allotments) on this coming Sunday 6th April. Yes it’s a SUNDAY this time!!
We had a total of 21 volunteers on the last workday and created Stag Beetle Loggery as well as the usual path clearance. We will be creating another loggery this time too. We will be at the north end near Mattock Lane at 10 am. If you can stay for only a couple of hours then that’s fine. We will have refreshments and Lunch provided by volunteers.
If you would like to join in you can leave a reply on this post or email me at allotmentsw13@gmail.com
If you have not heard about this plan to clean up the Radbourne Walk footpath that runs along the side of the allotment, then visit our webpage http://tinyurl.com/pathw13
If you have further questions just email me at allotmentsw13@gmail.com