Hammersmith Christmas Market Saturday 2 December

Hammersmith is hosting its first ever Christmas market this coming saturday 2 December, at King St and Lyric Square. 

There will be over 100 seasonal food, drink and gift stalls, a treasure hunt,  a stage with music in Lyric Square, buskers up and down King Street, and street entertainers.

It's all billed as "a great day out for all the family".

The event runs from 10am until 5.30pm, for one day only, and the street will be closed to traffic. Best not to drive; take the Tube instead. 

Best Bike Shop in Shepherd's Bush

Notting Hill Gate, where I grew up, has lost most of its proper shops, almost all of which all seem to have turned into outposts of West End stores selling £3,000 handbags.

One of the good things about living in Shepherd's Bush is that, unlike shinier, sleeker Notting Hill, we still have old-fashioned shops where you can actually buy useful things.

Planning Drawings for EdCity on Display Today

Updated plans for "EdCity" – a new education hub in White City, as well as new housing and community facilities, are going on display at a public consultation today and tomorrow.

The proposed plans would see the site currently occupied by Ark Swift Primary Academy, Harmony Neighbourhood Nursery and the Adult Community Learning Centre be redeveloped to create a new school and nursery.

The new plans would also include new affordable and private housing, the first "OnSide Youth Zone" in west London, offering affordable activities for local young people, as well as new offices, a revamped adult education centre and a public square.

Kite Studios Xmas Fair Tomorrow

Christmas Fair at Kite Studios

Kite Studios, just off Askew Road, is hosting its 11th annual Christmas Art & Design Fair tomorrow, Saturday 25th November.

So come along and stock up on Christmas gifts, and get involved with your local community - all in a good cause.

This year there will be yummy Indian street food, cakes and drinks. Kite Studios will be offering creative experiences too. The Fair aims to raise funds for West London Action for Children and the Kite Studios CIC Sponsorship fund.

Inclusive Carols at St Stephen's on Sunday 10 December

On Sunday 10th December St Stephen's Church on the Uxbridge Road is hosting an "inclusive carol concert" welcoming all families - including those who have children with special needs.  It's a very informal event; there is no need to book ahead and all are welcome. 

The event is part of the excellent community work done by St Stephen's; a church with a broad and diverse congregation, welcoming people from all parts of our neighbourhood.

The service starts at 5pm. After the service there will be mulled wine and mince pies.

Princess Victoria Reborn

Princess Victoria interior

And now for the good news - the Princess Victoria pub on the Uxbridge road is back. Arguably the best boozer in Shepherd's Bush, The PV has now re-opened, complete with new management and a new menu.

The new owners are the Three Cheers Pub Co, who have made a significant investment in freshening the place up, with plenty of fresh paint, new pictures on the walls, and a general facelift.

Remembrance Sunday at the War Memorial at 10.15am

Shepherd's Bush War Memorial

A service and two-minute silence will be held at 11am on Sunday 12 November at the war memorial on Shepherd's Bush Green.

The silence marks the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 at the end of World War One when the guns of Europe fell silent, marking the sacrifices made in that conflict, in World War Two, and in every conflict since.

The procession will begin at Sulgrave Road, off Shepherds Bush Road, at 10.15am before continuing to the service at the war memorial on Shepherds Bush Green.  It will be conducted by Father Richard Nesbitt of Our Lady of Fatima church and Reverend Cameron Collington of St Simon’s Church.

Inside Out - Exhibition of Neurodiverse Artists 13th November

Teatum and Teatum architects on Askew Rd are hosting an art exhibition featuring the work of neurodiverse artists in our neighbourhood on 13th November at 6.30pm. 

The exhibition is being organised by Auriol Herford, founder of Kite Studios in Shepherd's Bush.

Re-Development of Hammersmith Town Hall

New plans for Hammersmith Town Hall

LBHF have revealed their latest plan for the re-development of Hammersmith Town Hall, following the fiasco with the previous developers, whose legacy is the destruction of the attractive old Art Deco cinema on King Street, replaced by a hole in the ground. Public consultations on the new proposals are to take place on Thursday 9 November from 4pm to 8pm, and Saturday 11 November from 10am to 2pm. All are welcome.

H&C Line Upgrade from Early 2018

S Class train at Hammersmith

According to Transport for London, service on the Hammersmith & City and Circle lines will improve early next year, following testing of a new digital signalling system. 

TFL says the new system will allow trains to run closer together, meaning a more frequent service, and shorter waiting times.