Forum Topics

Object today to bigger development at Hogarth roundabout ruining riverside views

Urgent: object today Friday if you don’t want Hounslow Council to allow our beloved views of St Nicholas Church and Chiswick’s riverside to be ruined by giving planning permission to a 10 floor building on Hogarth Roundabout. As Hounslow Council points out themselves: “Historic England strongly objected to these proposals and recommended that a more modest form of development be pursued for this site, which would avoid harmful effects to heritage assets. Historic England contend that it would have a harmful impact on multiple designated buildings, noting that the greatest level of harm would be to the Old Chiswick Conservation Area and its component listed buildings.”Hammersmith and Fulham Council has also objected because: “The proposed development is considered to be unacceptable in the interests of visual amenity. More particularly, the TVIA is insufficient to properly assess the visual impact of the proposed development on views from within Hammersmith and Fulham; to designated heritage assets (listed buildings and Conservation Areas) within Hammersmith and Fulham; and to the townscape character area of Hammersmith and Fulham. On this basis the proposed development would be harmful to visual amenity and to the setting of designated heritage assets in Hammersmith and Fulham.Further, given the insufficient information submitted in relation to highways impact, more specifically in relation to the absence of information relating to Hammersmith and Fulham within the submitted Construction Logistics Plan and Active Travel Zones assessment, officers consider that the proposal may result in an unacceptable impact to the highway network of the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.
Given the above concerns, the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham raises an objection to the proposed development.” If you love Chiswick and are concerned about the impact of this proposal to increase the size of the proposed new building at 1 Burlington Lane on Hogarth Roundabout to 10 storeys:👉Comment on Hounslow’s planning portal here https://planningandbuilding.hounslow.gov.uk/NECSWS/ES/Presentation/Planning/OnlinePlanning/AddApplicationComment?applicationNumber=P%2F2024%2F2610 (BTW don’t use paragraph returns in your comments - their system won’t allow it) 👉 Or easier still, email your views to Planning.objections@hounslow.gov.uk. The deadline is today Friday 25 April 2025. I’ve included some comments by other organisations such as the Old Chiswick Protection Society, Historic England, Hammersmith and Fulham Council below and in photos for background. Many thanks!!The background: The old IMG building at 1 Burlington Lane on Hogarth Roundabout has been empty, sad and dilapidated for a long time and we need new housing but the proposed 6 and 10 storey building which Hounslow Council’s planning officer is recommending for approval is totally out of scale to this residential area. The developer Jaysam Contractor Ltd already has planning permission to build 106 flats on 6 floors but is now asking to add 4 new floors. Only 6 of the units of the 132 will be affordable!As you can see in the picture above, the block will loom over the historic views and quaint streetscapes of St Nicholas Church, the many Listed buildings on Chiswick Mall, Church Street, Hogarth’s House museum, Chiswick House, the Lamb and Breweries, the streets of the Glebe Estate, the gentle recent development at Chiswick Gate behind the IMG (an example of a new development which respects the scale of our area). Many of you who love walking along the Thames Path will know the famous views of Old Chiswick from across the river from Barnes towpath shown in below in print and more recently. PS more detailed info in comments below

Sophie Sainty ● 434d4 Comments ● 434d

Cllr Holder ' Hold off!' say local Tories

Officers at Labour controlled Hammersmith & Fulham Council (LBHF) ) have recommended that a camera operated Road Traffic Scheme ,via an Experimental Traffic Order (ETO) be implemented on Rivercourt Road in Ravenscourt Park, Hammersmith. 
This ETO, would result in vehicles not registered to owners living in LBHF, being fined if they turn off the A4 ( Great West Road) into Rivercourt Road, which is currently a one way street leading up to the A315 (King St). Also Rivercourt Road at the King Street end,  will be made two way, with a Turning Area built at the A4 end of the road. Vehicles, as is the case now , will not be allowed to turn off Rivercourt Road onto the A4.
Councillor Sharon Holder will make a decision on this ETO being implemented this month.
Local Conservatives oppose this ETO , as do residents on neighbouring Weltje Road, as the consequences of enacting it are highly dangerous, as well as causing a loss of local parking and the displacement of over 3000 vehicles per day on to other local roads, causing congestion and hampering emergency vehicles. 
It would mean residents in close by Chiswick not being able to drive up Rivercourt Road, but people two or three miles away in Fulham being allowed to do so. The increased congestion would badly affect Eastern Chiswick, Western Hammersmith and Hammersmith Broadway, so would impact motorists from Fulham and W12 and W14 too.
Alex Baker, Chairman of Ravenscourt Conservatives said " the loss of parking to local residents and the congestion and inconvenience for thousands of motorists is bad enough, but the biggest worry is the safety aspect at the junction of the A4 and the Rivercourt Road turning. People come off the A4 doing at least 12 - 15 mph. Someone trying to abort mission at the last moment to avoid being fined could easily cause a bad accident on a busy 3 lane highway". He added " also the new Turning Area could cause accidents. Someone turning off the A4 will not be expecting to be confronted by a delivery van turning round in front of them. Slamming on the anchors could result in the car behind them going into the back of them. It beggars belief that LBHF are even thinking of doing this". Alex Baker went on to say " how can LBHF propose this sort of nonsense when only some proportion of just 21 voters living on Rivercourt Road want it? " 
Mr Baker urged local residents and motorists from neighbouring boroughs to email Cllr Holder at sharon.holder@lbhf.gov.ukto register their opposition to the scheme being implemented.
As far as local Conservatives know, LBHF have not consulted TfL who manage the A4 about the scheme. They have not consulted with Latymer School (which runs along one whole side of Rivercourt Road) and which has many children with parents who live in Hounslow and other London boroughs.

Finally, Hammersmith and Chiswick Conservatives (HCCA) question whether the ETO proposed by LBHF is compliant with Section 10(2) of the 1984 Road Traffic Act. 
                                                          

Hammersmith and Chiswick Conservatives ● 634d1 Comments ● 605d

Yes, music is the love of food

It started with a chat between two neighbours. She happened to be a food bank volunteer. Turned out he’s the lead singer in a band. 
He generously offered a cash donation and dropped into St Simon’s food bank in Shepherd Bush to deliver it. But after a cup of tea and a slice of cake he suggested his band, the one and only Police Dog Hogan, staged a fund raiser for Hammersmith & Fulham food banks. 
Bush Hall was hired, 500 music lovers turned up and the band played their rollicking mix of banjo, violin, trumpet and guitar. Much foot tapping, hand clapping and singing along. Beers and cheers.
It was that kind of event. 
But above all, the evening raised about £10,000.    £10,000! I’ll leave it to you to work out how many tins of corned beef that can buy. (Very popular corned beef among food bank regulars. Trouble is, we haven’t been able to provide any for many months). 
As the band sang at Bush Hall: ‘The light at the end of the tunnel is shining once again.’ 
Let’s hope it does for the people who rely on us for food. 
You can see what you missed on https://www.pdhogan.com/. Some very jolly videos. 


Not quite as much fun, the collection at Sainsbury’s, Fulham Wharf, at the end of April. Once again shoppers were incredibly generous, giving 1.7 tonnes of food worth more than £5,500. It makes such a difference. The numbers in need are rising; supplies are falling. 
Thank you to everyone who contributed with food or cash and a shout out to the corporate volunteers from Phoenix Staffing and Burberry. Great stuff, thank you.
And there’s more! We’ll be manning (and woman-ing?) a stall at the Wandsworth Bridge Road Spring Fayre on Sunday May, 12. 
Last year’s Fayre attracted over 14,000 visitors to the market stalls, street food, Arts & Crafts, games and live music. There’ll be a Maypole, funfair stalls and a climbing wall.
If you have time and are interested in the work of our local food banks drop by and say hello.
By the way, if you want to help and can’t make the supermarket collections, you can see our shopping list and a link to making a donation here:  https://hammersmithfulham.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-food/

Want to hear more of Police Dog Hogan?  On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/2CThwAP86QXrHWNEkphjiy?si=G5-POarBSrCOTvIb0TNhqg&context=spotify%3Asearch%3Apolice%2Bdog%2Bhogan Insta: https://www.instagram.com/policedoghogan?igsh=Z2tnMmQzaWlra2k4


Richard Holledge ● 791d0 Comments ● 791d

Yes, music is the love of food

It started with a chat between two neighbours. She happened to be a food bank volunteer. Turned out he’s the lead singer in a band. 
He generously offered a cash donation and dropped into St Simon’s food bank in Shepherd Bush to deliver it. But after a cup of tea and a slice of cake he suggested his band, the one and only Police Dog Hogan, staged a fund raiser for Hammersmith & Fulham food banks. 
Bush Hall was hired, 500 music lovers turned up and the band played their rollicking mix of banjo, violin, trumpet and guitar. Much foot tapping, hand clapping and singing along. Beers and cheers.
It was that kind of event. 
But above all, the evening raised about £10,000.    £10,000! I’ll leave it to you to work out how many tins of corned beef that can buy. (Very popular corned beef among food bank regulars. Trouble is, we haven’t been able to provide any for many months). 
As the band sang at Bush Hall: ‘The light at the end of the tunnel is shining once again.’ 
Let’s hope it does for the people who rely on us for food. 
You can see what you missed on https://www.pdhogan.com/. Some very jolly videos. 


Not quite as much fun, the collection at Sainsbury’s, Fulham Wharf, at the end of April. Once again shoppers were incredibly generous, giving 1.7 tonnes of food worth more than £5,500. It makes such a difference. The numbers in need are rising; supplies are falling. 
Thank you to everyone who contributed with food or cash and a shout out to the corporate volunteers from Phoenix Staffing and Burberry. Great stuff, thank you.
And there’s more! We’ll be manning (and woman-ing?) a stall at the Wandsworth Bridge Road Spring Fayre on Sunday May, 12. 
Last year’s Fayre attracted over 14,000 visitors to the market stalls, street food, Arts & Crafts, games and live music. There’ll be a Maypole, funfair stalls and a climbing wall.
If you have time and are interested in the work of our local food banks drop by and say hello.
By the way, if you want to help and can’t make the supermarket collections, you can see our shopping list and a link to making a donation here:  https://hammersmithfulham.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-food/

Want to hear more of Police Dog Hogan?  On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/2CThwAP86QXrHWNEkphjiy?si=G5-POarBSrCOTvIb0TNhqg&context=spotify%3Asearch%3Apolice%2Bdog%2Bhogan Insta: https://www.instagram.com/policedoghogan?igsh=Z2tnMmQzaWlra2k4


Richard Holledge ● 791d0 Comments ● 791d

Musical Museum survival appeal.

I'm a volunteer tour guide at the Musical Museum in Brentford, London. https://www.musicalmuseum.co.uk/

It is a very satisfying role because I watch the delight and wonder on the visitors' faces when they see and hear the instruments used for music reproduction through the ages. We have musical boxes, polyphons (the precursors of juke boxes) self-playing organs and pianos including player pianos and reproducing pianos that play the actual performances of famous pianists of the past including Gershwin, Rachmaninoff and many others. There are phonographs, gramophones, juke boxes that play 78s and a mighty Wurlitzer Cinema organ in our concert hall. The collection is of national and international importance because it restores and preserves working examples of extremely rare instruments.

Loss of income during the Covid shutdown followed by huge inflation in the museum's costs mean that the museum can no longer pay its way so this year, our 60th, might be the last. We have trimmed our costs to the bone but must find money urgently to keep the doors open as we change the way we operate.

If you value a historic musical resource, you may wish to support the museum's survival crowdfunder but if it doesn't seem that important to you, I understand that and I apologise for the intrusion. Here's the crowdfunder link.

https://gofund.me/5632515e

If you feel able to, it would be great if you can also pass on the appeal to anyone you think might be interested.

David Lusty ● 882d0 Comments ● 882d

A SPOOKY new show at the BARONS COURT THEATRE this Halloween!

We Are Monsters X Glass Oct 24th — Nov 4th, 7:30pm  Barons Court Theatre https://www.baronscourttheatre.com/we-are-monsters-x-glass
“This isn’t… how the story goes.”
Just a Regular House presents a double-bill of two new short plays this halloween.
Caitlyn and Kyle enjoy playing pranks and scaring campers on Lake Windermere, but their harmless fun turns into trouble when they’re tracked down by a nearby ghost-whisperer in ‘We Are Monsters.’
Upon the ninth floor of a skyscraper on Halloween night, a terrified Brody Jenkins receives an ominous phone call from a stranger on a broken-down train, in ‘Glass’.
Just a Regular House is back again this Halloween in the one and only basement of the Barons Court Theatre, this time with two brand new plays that are fearful, funny, and filled with ghost stories! 
Just a Regular House is an emerging theatre company that focuses on fantastic writing from new and published writers. 
We are an emerging theatre company that have been shortlisted for the 2023 LET Award, received an OFFCOM Commendation, been nominated for two OFFIE awards, and also received two London Pub Standing Ovation Nominations.
We write, direct, act, fight, cry, and play, just like any other regular house of people. We would love for you to join in.
https://www.justaregularhouse.com Instagram: @justaregularhouseproductions Twitter: @jrhprods Fundraiser: https://www.gofundme.com/f/we-are-monsters-x-glass-a-new-nightmare
✭✭✭✭✭ “a dramatic triumph”  Broadway Baby on A BUTCHER OF DISTINCTION
✭✭✭✭✭ “gripping, shocking, funny and disturbing”  Jack the Lad Mag on A BUTCHER OF DISTINCTION
✭✭✭✭✭ “just gorgeous”  London Pub Theatres on ONE DAY WHEN WE WERE YOUNG

Just A Regular House Productions ● 1070d0 Comments ● 1070d

Join Our Team: Become a Community Representative at Action West London

Are you passionate about making a difference in your community? Do you believe in empowering people to improve their lives? If so, we have an exciting opportunity that might just be perfect for you! Action West London, a dynamic charity committed to addressing social exclusion, is seeking a Community Representative to join our dedicated Board of Trustees. About Action West London Action West London (AWL) is a respected charity that has been serving the local community for over 20 years. Our mission is to help disadvantaged individuals, particularly those facing social and economic exclusion, to change their lives through employment, education, and enterprise. Our work spans several key areas including supporting young people at risk, assisting job seekers, aiding refugees, and providing educational and training opportunities. The Role As a Community Representative on our Board of Trustees, you will play a crucial role in guiding the strategic direction of AWL. You will bring your local knowledge, insights, and passion to the table, helping us to make decisions that best serve our community. Your primary responsibilities will include: Providing a voice for the local community in board meetings Helping to shape the strategic direction of the charity Collaborating with other trustees to oversee the charity's governance Assisting in the development and implementation of AWL's policies and goals Advocating for AWL within your networks What We're Looking For We welcome applications from individuals who are committed to our mission and have a deep understanding of the community we serve. You should have: A strong connection to and understanding of the West London community A passion for social change and a belief in the power of employment, education, and enterprise to transform lives Excellent communication skills and a collaborative approach Integrity, independence, and good judgement Previous experience in a similar role would be beneficial but is not essential. We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates who can bring diverse perspectives to our board. Why Join Us Serving as a trustee for AWL offers the unique opportunity to make a significant impact in your community. You will: Gain valuable experience in leadership, strategic planning, and charity governance Have the opportunity to influence the direction of a respected local charity Work alongside a dedicated team of trustees and staff members Be at the forefront of effecting social change in West London Apply Today Join us in making a difference. If you believe in the power of community action and want to be a part of a team that's transforming lives in West London, we want to hear from you! For more information on how to apply, please visit our website at www.actionwestlondon.org.uk or email us at gary.buckley@actionwestlondon.org.uk Please note, this is a voluntary role. However, reasonable expenses will be covered. The closing date for applications is may 31st. Action West London is committed to diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all sections of the community. Together, we can create positive change in West London. Apply today to become a Community Representative on our Board of Trustees. We look forward to welcoming you to our team!  

Action West London ● 1143d0 Comments ● 1143d

Hammersmith Murders.

Are all the links between Abertillery and Hammersmith double child killer Harold Jones and other unsolved murders just coincidences?


Here are the facts.


(1) Just before Jones was released from prison he repeatedly informed the prison authorities that he did not want to lose the desire to kill. That was the same desire that he admitted that he had in 1921 as a 15 year-old boy.


(2) The governor of Maidstone prison from where Jones was eventually released stated in a report: "He is callous but would be the last to admit it. Sad as it may seem I can see no hopeful prospect for Jones in the future." The prison chaplain also reported that he felt Jones was a "no-hoper."


Professor Mike Berry, (Consultant Clinical Forensic Psychologist.) visited Abertillery and a number of London locations during the filming of Dark Son - The Hunt for a Serial Killer over a 12 month period. His conclusion was that Harold Jones was the Hammersmith killer. (8 unsolved London murders that were the largest unsolved murders in British criminal history.) He stated that he believed after reviewing all the evidence that Jones after leaving prison had killed again and again,


(3) Jones had lived 2 streets away from 3 of the 8 women murder victims in Fulham and Hammersmith as well as 50-100 yards away from murder victim Ignac Ulycz in Putney. The police in the 1960's were not aware of Jones' past and he was never a suspect in any of the murders until after 2008.


(4) Jones' own daughter has stated that her father would leave her and her mother at home at the times of the killings and book into Rowton House, a  doss-house in Hammersmith whenever her parents would have a row. The daughter stated that she now believes her father would do this in fear that he may kill his wife in temper. Jones' own son-in-law stated that "There's no smoke without fire is there?"


(5) One woman prostitute told the police that she had got into a punter's car with a man who showed her a London Metropolitan Police warrant card. She panicked and quickly exited the car. The man offered her some cash. Was the man Harold Jones using his father-in-laws police warrant card. (His father-in-law John Widdows was a retired London Metropolitan police officer.) The woman some time later became the 7th of the 8 murdered women.


(6) Harold Jones stored the bodies of Abertillery murder victims Freda Burnell and Florence Little in Abertillery until it was convenient to dispose of their bodies. At least 4 of the Hammersmith victims were stored before being dumped at various London locations.


(7) All Hammersmith victims were demure and childlike in stature.


(8) Harold Jones had an oral fixation at the time of the Abertillery child murders. It is recorded by his then 13 year-old girlfriend Selina Mortimer that Jones had asked her to spit in his mouth. The Hammersmith killer also had an oral fixation by removing the teeth or dentures of his victims.


(9) At least 4 of the Hammersmith victims had been stored (in an electricity sub-station on the Heron Trading Estate Acton) before being dumped at various London locations. Jones' daughter has stated that her father had worked as a sheet metal worker in Acton but wasn't aware of where in Acton. This is something only the police would be able to ascertain.


(10) After Harold Jones was jailed for the murder of Florence Little he bragged about his ability to outfox the police during the earlier inquiry into the murder of Freda Burnell. He said: "The arrival of the men from Scotland Yard fascinated me. I had only read of Scotland Yard men before. Now I saw them in the flesh - and I beat them." I am convinced that Harold Jones went to his grave in 1971 knowing that he had beaten them again.


I am in contact with adult children of 5 of the 8 Hammersmith murder victims. Learning of the deaths of their mother's has had an incredibly negative impact on them. They all feel cheated that it seems as though the police have no appetite for reviewing the case.


I am also in contact with the families of 2 men that have been wrongly named as the killer. (Mungo Ireland and former world light-heavyweight boxer Freddie Mills.) They are also distraught that their fathers' good reputation has not been restored. Freddie Mills' daughter Amanda told me that owing to the stigma regarding her father that she hasn't told her teenage son that his father was a famous world champion boxer.


THE SHOW MUST GO ON.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6BnF5FEmvQ

https://www.jarossi.com/the-hunt-for-the-60s-ripper/hunt-for-the-60s-ripper-on-youtube/?fbclid=IwAR0KLDA0Gs8jaaIHQM0MZcbMaZcu1RlMNswmJyiHLZXfp9wP1CwUQZAm_DY

Neil Milkins ● 1466d0 Comments ● 1466d