Working together to make West Ealing a better place for residents, businesses and visitors.
Another occasional update on the new hotel in West Ealing – nothing’s happening. Having cracked on with the demolition it’s all been quiet for the last 10 days or so. I hope plans are still on schedule as I’m looking forward to Tony Luckhurst’s return in good time for Christmas.
I’m a big fan of the efforts being made to show just how crucial Ealing was in the birth of British Rhythm and Blues and I’ve taken my first dip in to crowdfunding with this film. The target is to raise £6,000 by August 25th and as of writing this we’ve raised £963, so pretty good going as it’s only just been launched.
Feb 1965: The WHO & Fery Asgari at The Ealing Club
Suburban Steps to Rockland is a documentary feature film focusing on the the story of the Ealing Club, a small venue in West London, where bands and artists like The Who, The Rolling Stones, Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce, Eric Clapton – just to name a few – started their careers in the early ’60s.
Your chance to support the film and get rewarded for participation
Many Interviews with veteran musicians and leading rock writers have already been completed including: Bobbie Korner (Wife of Alexis) Don Craine (Downliners Sect) Ali Mackenzie (The Birds) Terry Marshall (co-founder Marshall Amps) John O’Leary (Savoy Brown) Pete Brown (lyricist for Cream) Tom Newman (co-founder Virgin Records, Ealing Club veteran and Producer of Mike Oldfield’s “Tubular Bells”) Mike Watt (The Minutemen, Iggy Pop and The Stooges) Damian and John O’Neill (The Undertones) Harry Shapiro (Rock Music Biographer) and Paul Trynka (Music Writer). A special PROMO MOVIE can be viewed at: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ealingclubfilm/suburban-steps-to-rockland
Supporters will receive copies of the completed film, access to exclusive merchandise and LIVE EVENTS being planned (please see Kickstarter for details)
Heathrow’s proposals to expand
Heathrow has been in the news a lot recently proposing a third and possibly fourth new runway. The proposals are being considered as part of the Davies Commission set up by the Government to examine whether and where additional airport capacity is needed in the UK .
Heathrow has outlined three potential sites for runways to the north, northwest and southwest of existing operations. If the go ahead is given:
– the number of Heathrow flights, currently capped at 480,000 a year, will rise to about 750,000 with a third runway and about 1million with a fourth
– passenger numbers will increase from 70 million a year to 130 million with just a third runway
What does this mean for West Ealing ?
The proposals are sketchy. Flight paths are not yet known in detail but, given the potential doubling of flights, it is questionable to say the least to suggest (as Heathrow does) that the noise climate will improve. Their calculations are based on a highly contentious method of measuring noise which does not take into account the frequency of planes overhead.
Heathrow’s proposals to transport the millions more passengers to and from the airport are also thin on detail and fail to acknowledge the current infrastructure is creaking under existing passenger numbers. Crossrail is a key component of their plans so don’t bank on that fast service to central London, you might not be able to fit on the trains by the time they get to West Ealing .
What can you do if you oppose these plans?
– Write to the Davies Commission copied to your MP urging them not to opt for expansion at Heathrow. It is always good to describe how you personally have been affected by aircraft noise. 725,000 people already live under Heathrow flight paths, this is 28% of all people disturbed by aircraft noise across Europe . Building a new runway at Heathrow will exacerbate existing problems of noise, congestion and pollution. The Aviation Environment Federation in its submission to the Davies Commission described how forecasts of passenger demand have been too high since 2000 and the case for additional runways needs to be balanced against other factors such as noise disturbance, pollution etc.
– If you have been disturbed by noise, it is important that you contact Heathrow with the details of the date and time of the incident. The number of complaints they receive about noise is one of their key performance indicators. http://www.heathrowairport.com/noise/help/make-an-enquiry
Further information
Evening Standard’s summary of the proposals: Super Heathrow: airport unveils 4-runway plan
Heathrow’s proposals to the Davies Commission: A new approach
HACAN actively campaigns against the expansion of Heathrow and the reduction of aircraft noise. The website contains many useful documents including its latest briefing on Heathrow and Noise the latest on noise
What to look out for next
A consultation on night flights is due to take place in Autumn. We need to urge the Government to stop all flights after 11pm (the last take-off from Heathrow is scheduled for 10.45pm but you wouldn’t guess that from the number of flights flying over West Ealing up to and beyond 11.30pm) and before 6am.
Central Ealing Neighbourhood Forum (CENF) Inaugural General Meeting:
Hopefully Ealing Broadway Crossrail Plans Revealed at Last!
Wednesday 24 July 2013: 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Liz Cantell Room, Ealing Town Hall
CENF was designated by Government in March 2013 to create a Neighbourhood Plan for the Central Ealing Business Neighbourhood Area. A 12 person Management Committee will be elected at this meeting.
Crossrail will also be represented at the meeting and hopefully more details will be revealed and discussed concerning the rebuilding of Ealing Broadway Station.
Tell the forum what you want for the future of central Ealing and find out more about the forum at www.centralealingforum.com.
Eric Leach
18 July 2013
This is the first of an occasional series of updates on the progress of the new hotel in West Ealing. I took this photo at about 9.30 yesterday morning (Thursday 11th July). The site is almost fully demolished. The wall behind Dean’s flower stall is the only bit still standing. It’s only function seems to be to hold up his awning. He tells me his awning will be attached to the wooden hoarding when the wall finally comes down. I think they have to dig up all the concrete base next so they can start on the foundations. That could prove a bit noisy so be warned.
Oh, and one more thing – there’s talk of possibly adding another storey to increase the number of hotel bedrooms. Whether this is serious or not we shall see. There are questions about impact on light on O’Grady Court and other nearby buildings but it does seem to mean the developers or hotel chain see this as a sound commercial opportunity and are willing to invest in West Ealing.
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New theatre at OPEN! An Afternoon of Sherlock Holmes
THE ADVENTURE OF THE CRYING BOY
At OPENShop 13 Drayton Green Road, Ealing, London W13 0NG Monday 8th July at 1pm; Tuesday 9th July at 3pm and Wednesday 10th July at 1pm. Tickets £5.
NB. This production is not suitable for younger children |
Do you enjoy poetry? Would you like to read a favourite to us, or just be in the audience and listen?
In conjuction with Pass on a Poem, OPEN Ealing is pleased to announce an evening of readings at OPENShop
13 Drayton Green Road, W13 0NG
Friday 12 July, 7pm for a 7.30 start
(parking in the next road, on E3/Uxbridge Road bus routes, 1 minute walk from the Lido junction of Northfield Ave/Drayton Green Road)
If you would like to read, please contact Jean at jeanfitzperrin@hotmail.co.uk by Friday 5 July at the latest with the details of poem/poet.
We would like to have about 20 readers. We need an audience too!
Free entry, but donations would be welcome. Refreshments available. All proceeds to Open Ealing.
www.openealing.com
The elderflower is very late this year. We just managed to make some in time for the Hanwell Carnival and are now in full production whilst the flowers last. The WEN Abundance Elderflower Cordial is now available at w7emporium, 60B Boston Road, Hanwell (opposite Wickes) for £3.20 a bottle. As ever, stocks are limited so get there soon to avoid disappointment.
