Forum Topics

Great Family Event on the 19th September

Yellow Umbrella Day is a charity event run by The Chiswick Park Communities Trust (registered charity number 1123584). This is a family charity event which raises profile and funding for three local children’s charities; The Kids’ Cookery School, The Log Cabin and The Shooting Star Children’s Hospice.  There will be a 10k sponsored run (the Runbrella) and 5k sponsored walk (the Mini Umbrella) departing from Chiswick Park at 11am.  The run and walk take in some of the beautiful Chiswick environment and avoid busy roads ensuring it is safe for all the family!  There is also the Woddle (for toddlers) at 12pm. Entertainment at Chiswick Park from 12pm – 4pm promises not to disappoint.  We have live performances from Suspiciously Elvis who will be bringing his nine piece band and four feather girls to Viva Chiswick Park!  There will be plenty of activities and fun for children of all ages including cookery classes, pony rides, badge making, arts and crafts, attractions, giant scalectrix, football workshops and plenty of food and drink.This year there will be an exclusive prize draw for those who have raised or donated over £100.  This will be first draw of the day and the winner will get their choice from all prizes.  The top prizes at present are:• An acoustic guitar signed by Jack Johnson • Original Disney artwork worth over £2,000 • Exclusive screening for you and 53 friends at Paramount’s private cinema • A recording session at Teddington studios • A child’s bicycle and lots more…..To find out more about Yellow Umbrella Day or sign up for the run or the walk or be a volunteer please visit our website www.yellowumbrelladay.comHope to see you at Yellow Umbrella Day on Sunday 19th September.

Anna Kriek ● 5893d0 Comments ● 5893d

HEALING TOMORROW

Healing will take place at the London Buddhist Vihara, The Avenue, W4 1UD, tomorrow between 11am and 1pm anyone who would like to receive healing, or just an energy boost, is more than welcome.  We will have a number of healers waiting to meet you.Although the centre takes place in the Buddhist Temple the healing is NOT related to any religion, it is totally non-denominational everyone is welcome.No charge is made for healing however a donation is most welcome - all donations are given to the Vihara for the use of the hall.No appointments are necessary.  For any further information please give me a ring on 0788 189 6449.

Pat Smith ● 5895d0 Comments ● 5895d

The Great and The Good of The Parish

Our newsletter says, 'That font of all 'virtual' knowledge - Wikipedia, has produced a list of well known people who have lived in these here parts.Ealing seems to have attracted a rather mixed bag; politicians, sportspeople, novelists, comedians and musicians. We are probably aware of most of them - Prime Minister Spencer Perceval, and tennis supremo Fred Perry and more recently Peter Crouch (of course) but take a look at these and see if there are any surprises. I never knew Freddie Mercury went to college here. Are there any that you can think of that are missing from this list? Please add them here - on the forum.'Wiki, IMO, scores 'nil points' here for church history. So add,Richard BaxterJohn Henry NewmanJohn Owenfor starters.

Graham Weeks ● 5898d30 Comments ● 5895d

Dylon Machine Wash Dye

A request!  Does anyone know of a local shop that sells Dylon Machine Wash Dye?  I have tried Wilkinsons but they don't stock it and am at a loss now where to look.Cheers

Diane Gill ● 5901d16 Comments ● 5895d

Still time to act ?, as sent to me today

Iran stoning case, Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani is at imminent risk of execution in Tabriz prison. Moreover, her well known human rights lawyer, Mohammad Mostafaei, is in prison in Turkey after having fled the country to evade arrest for his advocacy work. His wife remains in prison in Iran – held hostage – until he is remanded into the regime’s custody (http://stopstonningnow.com/wpress/?p=1652). Given Turkey’s close relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mostafaei can face deportation back to Iran even though he has applied for refugee status with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees there. Campaigners are concerned about the safety of Mostafaei and his wife. We are also extremely concerned for Ashtiani’s life. The regime may be preparing to execute her within the next few days, particularly given that the Tabriz prosecutor has demanded her execution and is awaiting the Tehran high court’s confirmation (http://stopstonningnow.com/wpress/?p=1665). In her most recent heart-wrenching message, she says: “I am now quiet and sad because a part of my heart is frozen. The day I was flogged in front of [my son] Sajjad, I was crushed and my dignity and heart were broken. The day I was given the stoning sentence, it was as if I fell into a deep hole and I lost consciousness. Many nights, before sleeping, I think to myself how can anybody be prepared to throw stones at me; to aim at my face and hands? Why? I thank all of you from Tabriz Prison. Mrs [Mina] Ahadi, tell everyone that I’m afraid of dying. Help me stay alive and hug my children.” As a result the public outcry, Brazilian president Lula da Silva has offered Ashtiani asylum there. Ashtiani has accepted the offer (http://iransolidarity.blogspot.com/2010/08/sakineh-ashtiani-accepts-brazilian.html). The regime, however, has rejected it and continues to push for her execution and to disseminate misinformation on her case. It says it intends not to stone her but to execute her for murdering her husband. At the 30 July press conference in London, Mina Ahadi exposed the regime’s misinformation on the case and revealed court documents showing Ashtiani’s sentence of death by stoning for adultery. [In fact, she was acquitted of any murder charges; even those found guilty of murdering her husband have not been executed at the request of the victim’s family.] At the 30 July press conference, Maryam Namazie also refuted claims made by the embassy of the Islamic regime of Iran in London and the former French ambassador to Iran that stonings in Iran were rare; she referred to a new report published by the International Committee against Executions which has found that over 100 people have been stoned with 25 known cases currently awaiting death by stoning in Iran (http://www.iransolidarity.org.uk/Stoning%20List%20(1989-2010)_edited.doc). Other speakers at the press conference AC Grayling spoke of the contradiction between a medieval government and a progressive population wanting to be free whilst Peter Tatchell stressed the importance of supporting Sakineh and all those languishing on death row. Given the imminent risk of execution faced by Ashtiani and the insecure status of her lawyer in Turkey we urge the public to act now. Ashtiani’s stoning and execution orders must be rescinded, she must be immediately released and there must be an end to stoning and executions. PLEASE ACT NOW! 1- Send Sakineh a postcard of the city you live in or are visiting this summer telling her you are thinking of her and other prisoners on death row in Tabriz prison. You can address it to:Sakineh Mohammadi AshtianiTabriz PrisonTabriz, Iranhttp://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=tabriz+prison&fb=1&gl=uk&hq=prison&hnear=Tabriz,+Iran&view=map&cid=5511433647417998115&iwloc=A&ved=0CBcQpQY&sa=X&ei=kRVbTK2HKJOe_gaemtzoBA 2- Write letters of protest to the Islamic regime of Iran demanding Ashtiani’s release and an end to stonings and executions. Protest letters can be addressed to the below: Head of the JudiciarySadeqh LarijaniHowzeh Riyasat-e Qoveh Qazaiyeh (Office of the Head of the Judiciary)Pasteur St., Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e JomhouriTehran 1316814737, IranEmail: info@dadiran.ir or via website: http://www.dadiran.ir/tabid/75/Default.aspxFirst starred box: your given name; second starred box: your family name; third: your email address Head of the Judiciary in East Azerbaijan ProvinceMalek-Ashtar SharifiOffice of the Head of the Judiciary in TabrizEast Azerbaijan, Iran Sayed ‘Ali KhameneiThe Office of the Supreme LeaderIslamic Republic Street - Shahid Keshvar Doust StreetTehran, IranEmail: via website: http://www.leader.ir/langs/en/index.php?p=letter (English)http://www.leader.ir/langs/fa/index.php?p=letter (Persian) Secretary General, High Council for Human RightsMohammad Javad LarijaniHowzeh Riassat-e Ghoveh GhazaiyehPasteur St, Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e JomhuriTehran 1316814737, IranFax: +98 21 3390 4986Email: bia.judi@yahoo.com 3- Sign petitions in support of her case if you haven’t already done so. Here are two of them: http://stopstonningnow.com/sakine/sakin284.php?nr=50326944&lang=en, http://www.avaaz.org/en/stop_stoning/?cl=651962225&v=6766. 4- Write to government officials, heads of state, MEPs and MPs in your country of residence calling on them to intervene to save her life and to cease recognition of a regime that stones people to death in the 21st century. See Mina Ahadi’s recent letter to heads of states on this: http://stopstonningnow.com/wpress/?p=1694. 5- Join protests to save her life. On 10 August come out in support of Ashtiani. On 28 August join 100 cities against stoning. More information to follow. 6- Write to the Turkish government asking them to release Mohammad Mostafaei and to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Turkey urging them to grant him refugee status and expedite his resettlement to a safe third country. Prime MinisterRecep Tayyip ErdoganBasbakanlik06573 Ankara, TurkeyFax: +90-312-417 0476Minister of InteriorIcisleri Bakanligi06644 AnkaraFax: +90 312 417 23 90Minister of Foreign AffairsDisisleri Bakanligi06100 AnkaraFax: +90 312 419 1547webmaster@mfa.gov.trUNHCR - Branch Office in TurkeyTiflis Cad. 552. Sok. No: 3Sancak Mah. 06550 AnkaraTurkeyFax: +90 312 441 21 73Via website: http://www.unhcr.org.tr/MEP/index.aspx?pageKey=BizeUlasin 7- Donate to the important work of the International Committee Against Stoning, International Committee Against Executions and Iran Solidarity by making your cheque payable to ‘Count Me In – Iran’ and sending it to BM Box 6754, London WC1N 3XX, UK. You can also pay via Paypal (http://countmein-iran.com/donate.html). Please earmark your donation. NOTES: * See information on 30 July press conference in London here: http://www.youtube.com/user/rezamoradi and here: http://iransolidarity.blogspot.com/2010/07/press-coverage-on-30-july-press.html. * See clip of Islamic Republic’s state TV’s misinformation on the 24 July International Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani Day protests we organised and Ashtiani’s case. The regime blurs out her face, uses only her initials and says she was sentenced to execution for brutally murdering her husband. A translation of the court document sentencing her to death by stoning for adultery is available here which refutes their statements on her case: http://iransolidarity.blogspot.com/2010/07/islamic-regime-of-irans-broadcast-on-24.html. * See a report of the successful 24 July International Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani Day here: http://iransolidarity.blogspot.com/2010/07/24-july-huge-success.html and here: http://iransolidarity.blogspot.com/2010/07/media-coverage-of-24-july-2010-world.html. * For more information contact:Mina Ahadi, Germany, International Committee Against Stoning and International Committee Against Executions Coordinator, minaahadi@aol.com, 0049 1775692413; http://notonemoreexecution.org/; http://stopstonningnow.com. Maryam Namazie, UK, Iran Solidarity Spokesperson, iransolidaritynow@gmail.com, 0044 7719166731, Iran Solidarity: www.iransolidarity.org.uk; http://iransolidarity.blogspot.com/.

Tony Price ● 5896d0 Comments ● 5896d

Ealing hospital parking

The parking charges at Ealing hospital are extortionate..Recently I attended the hospital and was back to my car within an hour.The initial charge is for 4 hours so over 2 visits I have paid for 8 hours parking but only used 2..There should be a system whereby cards can be purchased and un-used time could be used on a later visit untill paid time is used up.At least it would be fairer especially for people who have to attend regularly.The parking company make a fortune out of patients' mis-fortune....

Marie Anne OConnell ● 5896d0 Comments ● 5896d

Great Family Event

We wanted you to be one of the first to know about Yellow Umbrella Day 2010.Yellow Umbrella Day is a charity event run by The Chiswick Park Communities Trust (registered charity number 1123584). The day raises funds for three local children’s charities; The Kids’ Cookery School, The Log Cabin and The Shooting Star Children’s Hospice.  There will be the 10k sponsored run (the Runbrella) and 5k sponsored walk (the Mini Umbrella) departing from Chiswick Park at 11am and the Woddle (for the toddlers) at 12pm.  Entertainment at Chiswick Park from 12pm – 4pm promises to be bigger and better than before with live performances from Suspiciously Elvis who will be bringing his 9 piece band and 4 feather girls to Viva Chiswick Park!  There will be plenty of activities and fun for children of all ages including cookery classes, pony rides, badge making, arts and crafts, attractions, giant scalectrix, football workshops and plenty of food and drink.This year there will be an exclusive prize draw for those who have raised or donated over £100.  This will be first draw of the day and the winner will get their choice from all prizes.  The top prizes at present are:• An acoustic guitar signed by Jack Johnson • Original Disney artwork worth over £2,000 • Exclusive screening for you and 53 friends at Paramount’s private cinema • A recording session at Teddington studios • A family ticket to a Middlesex CCC Twenty20 game and a tour of Lord’s • A child’s bicycle And much much more.....Please show your support this year and sign up to take part today.  It’s simple, just visit our website below to register for the 10k sponsored run or 5k sponsored walk or to be a volunteer. http://www.yellowumbrelladay.comHope to see you at Yellow Umbrella Day on Sunday 19th September.

Anna Kriek ● 5898d0 Comments ● 5898d

Good local glazier?

Does anyone know a good local glazier? One of our sash windows recently developed a crack running diagonally down the its length. I called the company who had installed the windows initially (local firm on Northfields Avenue) - and the service has been absolutely appalling. It has now been 3 weeks since the engineer came out to measure up the window, and I haven't heard anything from them. When I called earlier this afternoon I was advised that 'if you have a crack we wouldn't do anything about it'. So does anyone know anyone with a better service ethic? Thanks!

Clare Ryland ● 5912d3 Comments ● 5898d

Ealing hospital exploitation - parking charges £3.50 minimum

I had the misfortune to go to Ealing hospital today for an x-ray, so I got out of my car to go and pay to see that the minimum charge for parking is:"up to 4 hours £3.50"YES - THREE-POUNDS-FIFTY MINIMUM CHARGE...and you have to type in your registration plate number to get a ticket, clearly to stop people from giving their unexpired ticket to someone else.The last 2 times I've been to the hospital was to A&E with my son, but my husband paid, so maybe it has been like this forever and I'm behind the times.Nevertheless, this is absolutely an outrageous and cynical way of generating revenue. Charge for parking, fine, everyone else does, but even if hospitals like the Chelsea & Westminster operate pay for what you use parking, vs. crazy minimum charges.I know the NHS needs to cut costs, just like every other government department, but generating extortionate revenues from the general population, particularly of the sick and elderly is a recurrent theme for hospitals, but it is seriously wrong.This will hit the poorest hardest. Even profit making companies, whose main source of income is parking fees e.g. NCP could not dream of such a pricing strategy as people would vote with their feet (or wheels) and go elsewhere, but oh, I forgot, this is a hospital, and there is no alternative for parking, so it is a captive audience, so yes, why not, let's just maximise the return.This is exploitation by a government body and it so wrong it makes me extremely angry.

Melissa Smith ● 5918d34 Comments ● 5898d

HELICOPTER IN EALING

Any one know what's going on? Lots of Police and now helicopter.

Emma Daniels ● 5901d7 Comments ● 5899d

Door to Door Scam - The Organisation for Homeless and Unemployed People

The guy that I just gave a couple of bob to has a dog and a sob story. From Merton Community Safe.gov.ukResidents of Hillside please beware of a possible scam that may be happening on our ward. This was brought to our attention by a resident for which i am grateful. Young men are calling door to doore purporting to be selling selling goods for a charity (The Organisation for Homeless and Unemployed People). Well-spoken, smartly dressed young men have been reported harassing residents into buying household goods with various hard luck stories. The goods considered over-priced by the residents include tea towels for £7.99 and scrubbing brushes for £2.When residents have been reluctant or simply not interested they have either been cajoled with hard luck tales of how their livelihood depends on the sale or subjected to verbal abuse.The names given by the group are ‘The Organisation For Homeless & Unemployed People’ PO Box 2457 Woodford Green IG8 1EE and ‘The Homeless & Unemployed Workgroup’ POBox 66 Loughton, Essex IG10 3UQ.A query with the post office has uncovered that the PO Box numbers are false and neither postcodes exist in the Loughton and Woodford Green area.Under new Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2007 pressurising a consumer into buying a product or service by telling them that if they do not buy then the trader’s job or livelihood will be in jeopardy could be a prohibited practice. Trading with a name that is not identifiable also infringes basic consumer protection legislation. Residents are advised to report any sightings of this group to Merton Trading standards on 020 8545 4018 or their local police station’s Safer Neighbourhood Team. A list of the SNT offices and contact numbers can be found on the Metropolitan Police website in the Merton safer neighbourhood section.

Jas Wilkins ● 5899d0 Comments ● 5899d

Summer Festival -  well done Events team

Let's give a big cheer to the ealing council events team for putting on the best-ever (blessed by the weather) summer festival.  Congratulations. the blues day especially was the best i've attended (and I must've been to 20 or more). My Councul Tax money well spent. Thanks.one small gripe - mrs dix was not impressed by the bar refusing to do halfpints or shandies. that does  seem to encourage irresponsible drinking. But a small quibble given that they were serving my favourite beer - Black Sheep.Fantastic.

David Dix ● 5900d0 Comments ● 5900d

TfL to charge children £10 for a free bus pass

It was reported on July 23 that TfL have decided they will now charge each applicant, whether child aged 5 or student 18+ £10 to process the Zip Card Oyster application.  Of course this arbitrary measure is all part of the new regime of save costs or at least disburse the costs to where there is no comeback.What happens if this is a major burden for a low income family in Ealing?  Do they deprive the children of other essentials or just opt not to apply for the pass and rely on the fact that their children should not be turfed off a bus because the child is then vulnerable.  I do not fancy the average bus driver acting as the decision maker in this scenario on a regular basis.Many children change appearance considerably as puberty kicks in, so having got the pass for the 11-16 age group, is there a further charge when a responsible parent seeks a renewed photo to reflect the child?I don't think this is a charge that should be imposed without major consultation.  I also think once the charge is in place, the fee level will rise over the years.  Do we accept a charge at all?  If we do, should there be some safeguard to protect the children whose carers are on little income?

Colin Izzard ● 5901d10 Comments ● 5900d

Is there easy way to quick scan a long string

Do any of the more savvy amongst you know how to quickly get through a long string of replies?  I dread the thought of opening and closing 136 individual replies for the skyride debate

Colin Izzard ● 5900d0 Comments ● 5900d

Cattery's

Can anyone recommend a good cattery in Northfields or Hanwell area please

Mark Yates ● 5905d10 Comments ● 5901d

Does the council regulate alleyways?

I should also like to know if the council regulates what goes on in alleyways between properties as someone has dumped all manner of construction materials in our alley and removed the fence between property and alley so effectively making it no longer alley but part of his property. Said someone's builder, when asked to remove his fly tipping did not do so except for construction materials that could be of use to him.

Graham Weeks ● 5910d11 Comments ● 5901d

Another Ealing Police Boss Leaves After Three Years

Sultan Taylor, allegedly Ealing's longest serving Police boss, has left his job with no replacement as yet. The previous boss stayed even less than three years.Why do these people stay in the job for such a short time? Wouldn't it be helpful to have someone doing the job for at least five years?

Eric Alan Leach ● 5911d23 Comments ● 5902d

Armed Police last night

There were several armed police hanging around outside the William Hobbayne Centre last night - what on Earth was going on ????

Viv Ellis ● 5907d17 Comments ● 5903d

Good local glazier?

Does anyone know a good local glazier? One of our sash windows recently developed a crack running diagonally down the its length. I called the company who had installed the windows initially (local firm on Northfields Avenue) - and the service has been absolutely appalling. It has now been 3 weeks since the engineer came out to measure up the window, and I haven't heard anything from them. When I called earlier this afternoon I was advised that 'if you have a crack we wouldn't do anything about it'. So does anyone know anyone with a better service ethic? Thanks!

Clare Ryland ● 5912d4 Comments ● 5904d

Summer classes

Hello,we are looking for summer classes and especially of English for early beginners for our 7 year old daughter who just arrived in London with no English.Would someone have something to recommend that would be of interes?Chris

Christophe REMY ● 5911d2 Comments ● 5904d