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West Ealing Hub evening talk and networking event

West Ealing Hub Evening Talk and Networking Event

Tuesday 26th November at The Drayton Court Hotel 8-10pm  FREE Entry

Come and  hear how a coworking hub helped a business which began life in an Ealing bedroom grow into a social enterprise working nationwide and employing five members of staff.

Stickyboard was started by two local brothers with a passion for bringing their community together. By developing an online community noticeboard they were able to connect the people in their local area, empowering them to work together for social good. As their business outgrew the bedroom it was started in they looked for a place to work in Ealing. Finding nothing suitable they looked further afield and discovered the HUB Kings Cross, where they are now one of the main tenants.

Come along to hear Thomas Sweetman, one of Stickyboard’s founders, explain how they found a hub the ideal place in which to grow and develop their business, and why they are so passionate about helping to establish a hub in West Ealing in which others can benefit from the advantages of coworking. The short talk will be followed by a Q&A session and the opportunity to network with other attendees. Please note that whilst refreshments won’t be provided, you are welcome to purchase drinks from the bar.

You can find out more about coworking and plans for a West Ealing hub at www.westealinghub.com.

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There’s no stopping betting shops on our high street

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The new Willam Hill betting shop due to open soon

It’s rarely that a sense of despair takes over but that’s my feeling when I read this week that in a letter passed to the Guardian,  ‘Ministers have privately assured Britain’s biggest bookmaker that attempts by councils to block the spread of betting shops would be frustrated by the coalition’s controversial planning changes, despite claiming in public that the measures were intended to revitalise high streets.’ The letter was written by planning minister Nick Boles to the betting chain Ladbrokes which had said that “some councils are now placing whatever obstacles they can in the way of our ability to obtain planning permission” for betting shops and attacked “alarming actions by unelected officials”.

In response, the Nick Boles wrote back to Ladbrokes saying: “I do recognise that this can be a significant problem and we are taking action to tackle it.” The letter cites new powers contained in a controversial “pro-growth” bill, which became law in summer.

Putting aside the very serious questions about the addictive nature of the Fixed Odds Betting Terminals which are now in nearly all betting shops, this approach to planning by government is surely wholly at odds with their localism agenda. How can this government’s support of localism, witnessed here in the West Ealing Centre Neighbourhood Forum, sit alongside a central government which overrules any say locals might want in how their high streets develop and, in particular, whether or not we as residents want yet more betting shops in our high streets? The two are wholly incompatible.

 

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Still more primary schools needed in West Ealing

Thanks to Eric Leach for his research in to the Council’s plans for school places in the borough. The Council’s schools planning document is out for consultation as part of its Local Plan. The Local Plan is the Council’s blueprint for how an area will develop over the next 15 years.  The schools  document talks of birth rates rising by an average of 20% across Ealing between 2003 and 2012. It projects a shortfall of 435 primary school pupil places and 630 secondary school pupil places by September 2015.

As has been well publicised, the Council has plans to expand nearly all local primary schools.  In addition to expanding existing primary schools, the Council stated at a recent consultation for St John’s Primary School that a new primary school will be needed in West Ealing come 2017/8. The document lists two possible sites for new primary schools – the BT telephone exchange in Gordon Road and Orion Park,Northfield Avenue.

This and other Local Plan documents can be viewed at main libraries including West Ealing Library.

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Time to stop drivers ignoring No Entry signs in Seaford Road

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There appear to be some rogue drivers who persist in driving the wrong way up Seaford Road at the junction with Leighton Road. The No Entry signs are clear and I don’t think it’s drivers failing to see the signs. This week a nearby resident saw a car go through the No Entry signs and park and then challenged the driver who in turn knew full well what she had done. I know this short cut can be tempting but sooner or later there will be an accident and someone will get hurt. We need to find a way to deter drivers from this illegal manoeuvre. I will raise it at a meting with the Walpole Safer Neighbourhood Team next week but does anyone have ideas on what can be done to stop this happening?

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Where to do your local Chrismas shopping

We’re heading for the Christmas event season and there’s plenty to choose from.  Here are just some of the ones coming up locally:
Ealing 135 Christmas Gift Fair
St Johns Church, Mattock Lane, Ealing, W13 9LA
Saturday 23rd November 2013
10:30- 13:30
Fun for the whole family!  A great selection of fabulous Christmas gifts, delicious homemade lunch and cakes, hamper raffle, activities for the kids and a visit from Santa.  All proceeds go to Ealing Food bank.

Email- 135christmasfair@gmail.com

 

YUM W13

Saturday 30th November
YUM W13 Food Festival @ The Forester Christmas Market
11am- 5pm
The Forester Pub, 2 Leighton Road, W13 9EP
Come along to ‘The YUM before Christmas’ and sample taster dishes from local restaurants and food specialists. Featuring Christmas fun for children, carol singing, open mic, craft stalls and more! Go to www.facebook.com/YUMW13 for more information.
Contact info:
Tel- 0781 203 7743

Email- YUMW13@gmail.com

 

Christmas Bazaar at St Stephen’s Church on Saturday 30th November 10.30am – 2.30pm

St Stephen’s Road, West Ealing W13 8HB

Entry free and in aid of the Ealing Churches Winter Night Shelter project

Annual Christmas Bazaar, this year with a theme of Friendship. 
 
Lots to do for children including free story telling, creative activities, puppets, face-painting and Father Christmas. 
 
Gift ideas with home made cakes and biscuits, Christmas Puddings and Cakes, pickles, flavoured oils, jams and marmalades; plants and bulbs.
 
Refreshments, lunches and BBQ.
 

Bric-a-brac, books, toys. Raffle, tombola and lots more for all the family.

Christmas Market on 30th November 2013 at St Melitus Church Hanwell, Church Road, Hanwell W7 3BA
from 11.00 a.m to 3.00 p.m.
Plenty of fabulous gift ideas with home made cakes and biscuits and other edibles,
Bric-a-brac, books and toys.
Refreshments and lunches
Raffle, tombola and lots more.

The Church’s website is http://www.saintmellitushanwell.org.uk/

Phone no 020 3067 0035 (Office)
Dean Gardens Christmas Festival on Thursday 12th December 4-8pm

Large marquee in Dean Gardens with:

  • Arts & Crafts Fair for your Christmas Gifts
  • Live music on stage with carols from local school choirs
  • Mulled wine, mince pies & roast chestnuts
  • Children’s activities: face painting, balloon artist and magician

 

 

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West Ealing craft market on Saturday 10am-3pm

Craft Market Family Day 2012

 

Why not start your Christmas shopping a little early this year and come along to the craft market in St James Avenue. There will be a wide selection of goods and gifts on sale, including some from our Abundance project. You can get in early for our new season jams, chutneys and jellies as well as local apple juice.

Saturday 2nd November in St James Avenue from 10am – 3pm

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97p shop set to open in West Ealing

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I’ve been wondering what was happening to the old Miss London shop which has been empty for months. It occupies a prime site on the corner of the Uxbridge Road and Singapore Road. Now I know, it’s going to be a 97p shop and will sell alcohol along with its many other products.

We seem to be battling against a tide of betting shops, money lending shops and 99p or, in this case, 97p shops.  The West Ealing shopping centre needs a balance so that our high street isn’t simply defined by budget shopping.  Otherwise, a whole swathe of local residents have little reason to shop locally and their money goes out of the local economy. We need to find a way to strike a balance and I just don’t think it can be just left to market forces.

 

 

 

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Northfield Ave blocked by fallen tree

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It doesn’t look that this morning’s storm was anywhere as near as devastating as the 1987 one but there has definitely been some damage.  Northfield Ave was blocked first thing this morning by a large branch and buses stacked up at The Lido unable to head south. The tree clearing team said they were on their way to a call out when their path was blocked so tbey got out and cleared it.

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Half-term holiday football sessions next week in West Ealing

Holiday Football Sessions in West Ealing – Monday 28th October – Friday 1st November

£2 per child per day 10am – 1pm  for 5 years and upwards

The sessions are run by Motiv8 at Drayton Green Football Pitch off Drayton Green Road W13

WHO ARE WE
With a team offering over 10 years industry experience in community and elite multi-sports, Motiv8sf provides a safe and structured positive learning environment at EVERY session.
OUR COACHES
All our Coaches are CRB cleared with Child Protection and First Aid Certification as well as having the relevant experience and qualifications.
PARTIES
We ALSO cater for both boys and girls birthday parties as well as mixed ability groups. Ages covered are from 5 years and upwards

Contact us:
Tel: 07958195060
info@motiv8sportsandfitness.com
www.m8sf.co.uk
www.facebook.com/motiv8sf
Twitter: @Motiv8sf
Block bookings available on request

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New supply of Abundance apple juice now available

We had a pleading message left on our phone from the apple pressers at Chiltern Ridge asking us to come and collect our (second batch of) Abundance apple juice. They are so busy this year pressing apples that they are running out of room to store all the bottles of juice. So a hastily arranged drive yesterday morning and we collected 79 bottles and then ended up driving back through the pouring rain and a hailstorm. No matter, we now have it and will get it labelled ready for sale. We tried some this morning and it’s fruity and dry – very pleasant indeed.

As well as apple juice we have damson jam all bottled up and looking a glorious deep red. I think damsons, along with blackcurrants, have one of the most intense of fruit flavours. So this jam should be something to savour.

There are pears picked and ready for our ever-popular pear and ginger chutney and quinces ready for …… well maybe a chutney to go with curries a bit like mango chutney. We shall see.

If you want any of our Abundance products please email wenabundance@gmail.com for details.