Forum Topics

Recommend a builder/brick layer in Northfields

Hi AllCan you suggest a builder/bricklayer for a small wall rebuild in Northfields area?It's too small a job for DG Brickwork and my usual builder.CheersMark

Mr M.Smith ● 5180d0 Comments ● 5180d

DRAYTON MANOR CAR BOOT IS ON SAT 21ST

At the end of Greenford Avenue.  7am-12.30.  All volunteer run and all proceeds to the school for the children.  Teas/loos/Thai food/Ice creams/cakes.  Lots of buyers and sellers. Good atmosphere.

Jools Lewis ● 5180d0 Comments ● 5180d

Urgently needed - gardener/handyman

Can anyone recommend someone who is able to pull dead ivy out of a tall tree, erect trellising on a garden wall, plant some fast-growing climbers and tidy up a hatchet job done by another gardener?

Linda Thorpe ● 5186d1 Comments ● 5180d

Walpole Park unfit for torch

I noticed that the media were out and about in Walpole park taking pictures and talking to various people about the state of Walpole park.Largely from the rain but much of it is in a real state and far from the kind of standard that will showcase to the world in just a weeks time.Vehicle have churned up the pathsides and I watched in disbelief as they filmed Enterprises vehicles driving over the grass and cutting the path corners. The sloppiness displayed was appalling and to do it in front of cameras was even more galling.The place smells of raw sewage and it looks really dishevelled.One parks person interviewed said it has not really recovered from the annual festivals and with the Olympic Torch a unique occasion, the Festivals should have been relocated for this year to a site like Ealing Common to allow the park to have been spruced up regardless of the weather. Wise words. So why did this not get considered given that the park has suffered a bit in recent summers?

Michael Brandt ● 5181d7 Comments ● 5180d

Labour Councilllor Noori breaches Code of Conduct

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=13&ved=0CE8QFjACOAo&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ealing.gov.uk%2Fdownload%2Fdownloads%2Fid%2F4396%2Fealing_councils_standards_committee&ei=VWIGUKmOF43htQaPqJTaBg&usg=AFQjCNH0kx5sAmRuwpppSompakEZm5Q2Aw

George Knox ● 5181d8 Comments ● 5180d

Is it ok to imply the Irish are Thick

I went to a council meeting last night. I won't make that mistake again. If you have ever seen Prime Ministers Questions and didn't like it because of all the shouting and general childish behaviour, then you will hate this. I was expecting to hear a debate on compensating residents because of the poor service we now get from the rubbish collection company, but that never happened. There was a vote at the start of the meeting to change the agenda, then another vote after half eight and for some reason the debate never happened. I have no idea why. Anyways there was a debate where the Labour councillors who spoke praised themselves and the Conservative Councillors who spoke criticised them. Again, not sure what it was all about. I think Labour were saying this is how well we have done so far and the Conservatives said this is how bad you are. At one point in the debate, one of the Conservative Councillors spoke only to be mocked by one of the Labour ones who thought he would shout abuse at him in a mock Irish accent. The implication was that the Conservative Councillor didn't have a clue what he was talking about because he was Irish. Most of the Labour Councillors, not all, thought this was hilarious. I didn't. It may be that the Conservative Councillor is a bit thick, but to link this to his being Irish is not on. In this day and age, stereotying people like this is not on. For that reason, I won't be attending council meetings again.

Mark Stevens ● 5216d52 Comments ● 5181d

Tickets to see Claude Bourbon in Brentford this Friday!

Hi everyone, there's a competition on the front of BrentfordTW8.com to win tickets to this gig on Friday: Lovely to meet some of you at the Ian Mc Nabb gig the other week hopefully see you again on Friday - here are the details cut and pasted from the Brentford site:Claude Bourbon headlines his own show at Brentford's Docking Station on 20th July - this will be a fantastic night of acoustic music with special guests Andrew Prince and Anthea Neads, courtesy of Helen Martin Productions.From the press re Claude: "This finger picking guitarist has performed and studied all over the world; he has crafted an unbelievable fusion of classical and jazz, with ethereal Eastern influences, Spanish and Latin elements with strains of Western folk.…This accomplished artist offers tender, compelling performance through highly developed precision. His sound instantly creates ambience – from haunting Spanish moods to lyrical, romantic jazz, Claude Bourbon provides both a rich evening of music for lovers, and a real treat for music lovers…”, BBC, UK. Read more about him and listen to some of his music  here.Special guests Anthea Neads and Andy Prince will bring us an innovative mix of folk-rock, 60s psychedelia and contemporary influences, featuring striking vocals and lyrical basslines. See their website Anthea Neads and Andy Prince for music clips, album reviews and more!Tickets are £8 in advance and will be £10 on the door.e-mail info@helenmartinproductions for more information or to buy tickets in advance.To win a pair of tickets email info@neighbournet.com the answer to:Who is Claude's favorite British Guitarist?One winner from each of Brentford, Chiswick and Ealing sites will win a pair of tickets. Entrants must be registered with one of the sites.

Helen Martin ● 5182d0 Comments ● 5182d

Did Ealing Council pay for work that wasn't done

We have had over 3 months of poor service from the new contractor who collects our rubbish and recycling and also sweeps our roads. My understanding is that they have 3 months to get it right before the council can impose financial penalties for poor performance. Does this mean that up to now, they have been paid on the basis that the performance was fine. It sounds like it does. If that is the case, does it mean that we paid them on the basis that every street was collected on time every week, and that every road was swept on the day of collection after all our rubbish and recycling was collected, not before.  What have we paid for that we didn't get

Colm Costello ● 5185d18 Comments ● 5182d

More evidence of our generousity?

A little snippett from the Olympic Village which might be of interest.I have heard that they have all sorts of facilities for the athletes including luxury apartments, restaurants, hospital, dentists and so on which I guess is to be expected.What is interesting is that the dentists are already almost fully booked up by atletes even BEFORE they arrive here!Now I wonder, are they getting their treatment free on the NHS???

Jean F Fernandez ● 5183d3 Comments ● 5183d

Ealing update

Sorry long time Ealing Resident but it annoys me when forumites ask basic Ealing questions yet arent aware what is going on in Ealingsorry not ranting or raving like Marie :)Recent question that annoyed me was what is happenign to Townhouse, eventually someoen finally said Metro BankMore updates, the High street which is the road down Marks & Spencers, will have large improvments to mak it more pleasing, better streetscape, lighting etc.Also at one of these sites a WagaMama is planned to open.. On Bond Street you woudl have seen a new hotel (www.hotelxanadu.com) with a hotel bar (koobla bar)

Charles Asante ● 5185d9 Comments ● 5183d

allotment parking.

Having had the council obviously read Ealing Today and take action eg manhole cover I raise another point. One of Acton Gardening Assoc's members has chickens on The Vale site and has to come at least once a day to feed and water them. Ealing Council , who have just introduced six day parking restrictions on The Vale site, Quite rightly because as our member says people were parking from outside all day. But there was meant to be special allotment permits. Where are they? Or restrict parking so that people cannot stay all day.By saying one hour from 9am etc. Come on Council you keep changing your tune to our member on allotment parking pass, for which she will pay.

Michael Wale ● 5183d0 Comments ● 5183d

Council switchboard

They've now got a "voice" (non) recognition system. Them "please say the name of the department you want" Me: "garden recycling"  them: "putting you through to Gordon Smith unless you say cancel". So half an hour on the website which did't work, then all that malarkey and THEN there was a "glitch" so I STILL have no green bags on the way!

Viv Ellis ● 5201d5 Comments ● 5185d

Who will Chair "The Ministry Of Excuses" during the Olympic s

It will start in earnest as we discover where The Nations Millions have been spent carelessly. More Millionairs will be created and Millions more will join the ranks of the Poor .

Os A Whittle ● 5187d2 Comments ● 5185d

The Town House

What's happening with what used to be the town house in Ealing Broadway - A Sold sign has gone up and workers are busy doing something.

David Mansfield ● 5186d10 Comments ● 5186d

They Call themselves :-CABINT MEMBERS of The Local Government

What exactly do they achieve as Cabinet Members.? I suspect they are paid more for getting a seat in the cabinet,but what is it that they achieve? They all get together to find Full agreement to an issue, and decide that Nothing can be done . Can we afford these very high powered Officials in these Hard Times.? We can hardly afford so many of our Councillors.

Os A Whittle ● 5190d2 Comments ● 5187d

Shameful state of Walpole Park

I've got used to Lammas Park being the slightly neglected and rather plain sister to Walpole Park, It's been like that for at least the last 45 years, maybe more.But a walk aroung Walpole Park on a rare nice day this week was a shocker.What a tip!Dirty, tatty, litter strewn, unkempt dogs faeces, human faeces, vomit, condoms, more litter,Weeds10 - Grass 2 and the once lovely rest gardens.What the heck has happened?  How has it gotten like this is such a short time?And this is to host the Olympic torch in a few weeks?What a shameful and total disgrace the eyes of the nation are going to see.

Michael Brandt ● 5208d10 Comments ● 5187d

Tree surgeon

We need a tree either lopped or felled in our front garden. An anyone recommend someone? Thanks

Penny Crocker ● 5187d1 Comments ● 5187d

Why pick on a soft touch?

Once again the story rolls on - some Conservative MP's are considering targeting pensioners by stopping the Freedom Pass, Fuel Allowance and free Prescriptions!I would love to see these MP's trying to live for a week or two on a pension, they would surely get a rude awakening. They live in luxury, have their subsidised meals, drinks, all sorts of perks. Chauffeur driven cars, home in the country for some, and at the end of their working life have a huge pension to look forward to.Compare that with a pensioner who has worked all their lives, sometimes for a miserable salary. Gordon Brown raided their pension funds. Inflation has reduced their little bit of savings. Council Tax, Lighting, Heating, Water Bills, plus the high cost of food and many are left with very little to live on.The Freedom Pass really is a Godsend for pensioners, it means that they are not forced to sit at home all day long with nothing to do. Instead they are able to get out and about, meet their friends, go to the library, or for hospital appointments. Without the Freedom Pass I can assure you that pensioners would suffer tremendously. Many would suffer from depression moping around the house all day, sometimes lonely old folk can go days without getting the change to speak to another person. Is this what our 'caring government' would wish for them? Pensioners have paid their dues to society and it is high time they received this little perk towards the end of their working life.As for Fuel Allowance, there have been many stories inthe press that some pensioners have in the past had to choose between eating and heating. With costs soaring due to greedy untility companies it is no wonder pensioners are finding it more problematic to keep their homes heated. Is this what our 'caring governbment' would wish for the older generation? No doubt MP's elderly relatives are well cared for and well heeled!Then we come on to prescriptions, as one gets older there is a greater chance that health conditions mean more visits to the GP and more medication. Why should pensioners be expected to fork out the high price for prescriptions? If this were to happen many pensioners would just go without their medication and end up in hospital which would cost the NHS much more in the long run.Why for instance are prescriptions free in Wales and as far as I am aware in Scotland and Northern Ireland? Can this be fair? I have also heard that pensioners living in Southern Ireland are well catered for. The pensions in this country are lower than in most other European countries. Not something to be proud of.There are so many ways the government can save money but targetting a soft touch like Pensioners is really disgraceful! They say it would cost more money if these benefits were means tested, so why bother?Instead concentrate on the Quangoes, The Pen Pushers in the NHS and other areas. The advisers - why on earth do these people who are supposed to be capable of running the country need so many advisers? Haven't they got the brains to work things out themselves?The NHS could save BILLIONS if only they would stop trying to deliver free treatment to the entire world. Check who is entitled to receive treatment, or ensure that the patient is intending to pay for his/her care. A number of NHS hospitals are close to going into administration because of mismanagement. Sack the Managers!We are also spending a fortune on overseas aid, even when countries say they don't want our money, still we insist on handing it over! Most of the money probably ends up in the hands of those in power. I doubt the people living in those countries feel the benefit! We also give huge amounts to the IMF - aiding countries like Argentina, Greece, Spain - you name it!Bring our troops home from Afganistan, what on earth they are doing there God only knows. It must be like trying to train a Rotweiller, and for what? Stop reducing our Army to save money and then relying on the TA. Labour even closed our local TA in Horn Lane some years ago and sold the land to build flats!Can we not have someone running this once great country of ours who actually cares about our own people?We are so generous to anyone and everyone who comes to these shores, whether or not they are a deserving case, whether or not they wish us well or wish us harm. Surely if money is tight we cannot continue like this? Why pick on the pensioners weho have worked all their lives and end up trying to live from day to day on a miserly pension?If the Conservatives once again wish to be known as the 'Nasty Party' then they are certainly going the right way about it. If they decide to target pensioners in this fashion then I for one will never ever vote for them again.Sorry for the rant but someone has to say it

Jean F Fernandez ● 5188d28 Comments ● 5187d

UKASH VIRUS

A new Virus is hitting the UK. When you start up your computer a screen appears that looks like coming from the Police telling you that your computer has been blocked because either you have downloaded porno material or it has been used for illegal or illicit purposes. It asks you to make a payment of £40 in order to unblock it.DO NOT FALL FOR IT: IT IS A SCAMIf you have access to another computer, do a serch for "UKASH VIRUS" and there will be various sites that will tell you what to do.

Rosa Popham ● 5187d1 Comments ● 5187d

London Riots Aftermath

There was an excellent programme on BBC3 last night which centred on the aftermath of the London Riots and followed both the victims AND the perpetrators.2x Ealing people were featured - Leni Hazlitt, whos flat above the Londis store was burnt out, and Zakar Hussain, who had put his life savings into the Mango Café which was flooded due to the water pumped into the adjacent buildings. Both of whom are still struggling almost a year on, which makes me feel sick and is WRONG!How can we let this happen to our community ? OK, whilst the riots were in full flow there was little that we could do apart from wait for the authorities to restore order, but afterwards - we could have and should have done more. I was touched by the numbers that went to Ealing to help with the clean up. But seeing people like Leni and Zakar still suffer is wrong (and there are more people – e.g. owners of the Londis store who I understand are on the breadline). We should be lobbying MP's to push insurance companies or whatever is in the way of getting these peoples’ lives back to where they were before the riots. Or should we ? Are our MP’s doing us a service if they’re not spending every waking hour working for their constituents ? They’re quick enough to tell us what we want to hear in those dark days in order to score political points, but for me, actions count!! All I see from these people are irritating posts on Ealing Today / Twitter about the rubbish situation where they're trying to point score off one another. This is nothing in comparison to people who’s quality of life has been compromised.I want to see an MP who cares - genuinely cares. Who'll go the extra mile for his constituents. Who'll roll their sleeves up and do the dirty work. Who'll creat whatever shit storm is required to get the right focus. Sadly, with the wet blankets we have in power in Ealing, I do not feel that we have that person.Am I wrong in saying that we have forgotten about the riots and those that have been affected ?

Bud Richards ● 5189d10 Comments ● 5188d