An Interview With Charlie Dewhirst, Conservative Candidate for Hammersmith

Charlie Dewhirst - Conservative Candidate for Hammersmith

In January we featured an interview with our local MP Andy Slaughter, who we invited to talk about some of the local issues that will affect Shepherd's Bush during the general election in May.  By way of balance, we put the same questions to our local Conservative candidate, Charles Dewhirst, so that our readers can decide for themselves which candidate offers the most compelling program for voters in our neighbourhood.

The History of Shepherd's Bush

Shepherd's Bush Green

Ever wondered why Shepherd's Bush is called Shepherd's Bush? Or how White City got its name? Or how our neighbourhood first developed, and why? There are some excellent books on the history of Shepherd's Bush in our local library, but better yet read this article in Wikipedia about how our neighbourhood came to be.  Did you know, for example, that in the Nineteenth Century Shepherd's Bush was a major centre of pineapple production in London? Well, Wikipedia says so, so it must be true.

Mercy Umeh of Shepherd's Bush is Mayor of Hammersmith and Fulham

Mercy Umeh - Mayor of Hammersmith and Fulham

Many of our local residents don't know that the mayor of The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham is a Shepherd's Bush local - our very own Mercy Umeh, for many years a Councillor for Shepherd's Bush Ward.  Mercy can often be seen in our streets - though generally not wearing the fancy gear you can see above.  According to the official LBHF website, she has "chosen Lupus UK and Maggie's Cancer Care Centre as her chosen charity to support during her mayoral year".  So next time you are walking down the Uxbridge road, keep an eye out, you might well see our mayor. Make sure to say hello.

Cherry Blossom Comes to Shepherd's Bush! --- Thanks to Our Local Council, and Councillors

Could Shepherd's Bush look like this? Photo: Wikipedia

National politics can be a frustrating business; your individual vote doesn't count for much and nothing really ever seems to change.  But locally, it is possible to make a difference.  Recently our Residents' Association won a small victory when we managed to persuade the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham to plant some new cherry trees in our street.  A small thing, you might think, but flowering Prunus Pandora will greatly brighten up our corner of the Bush, especially in Spring.

Draft House Pub Offers Half Price Food and Drink to Bush Locals From February 23 - 25

The Famed Hammersmith Palais - all that is left today is the sign. Photo: Wikipedia

Pubs are closing all across the country, but here in The Bush a new pub, The Draft House, is opening up on Shepherd's Bush Road. The pub will celebrate the historic music venue The Hammersmith Palais (all that is left is the sign above) which was demolished in 2013, despite having played host over the years to The Beatles,  The Rolling Stones, The Who, David Bowie and The Sex Pistols.  The Draft House is offering neighbours a special deal: from Feb 23-25 food and drink are half price for locals. What more could you ask?

Meeting to Oppose The Mansion Tax on Tuesday 24 February in St Matthew's Church, Bayswater

Is your home a mansion?

SHOUT, the committee formed to oppose the proposed new Mansion Tax, is having a meeting in Bayswater on the evening of Tuesday 24th February.  The meeting will take place in St Matthew's Church, Bayswater at 7pm. The campaign describes itself as having "no political affiliation or agenda".  To see more details, see the Flyer below

Free Stuff to Do in Shepherd's Bush - Brompton Cemetery

Brompton Cemetery

This regular feature should really be titled Free Stuff to Do Near Shepherd's Bush, because most of the things we recommend aren't actually in the Bush.  But then, that's one of the good things about our neighbourhood - it's a great place for getting elsewhere.  Our transport connections are superb and we are perfectly placed for exploring other parts of London.  Today's top tip is Brompton Cemetery, a beautiful place to walk and stroll and find peace and solitude in our busy city.

What Do Residents' Association Meetings Talk About in Shepherd's Bush?

Dim Sum comes to The Bush at the new Dorsett Regency Hotel

Last week we had a long-overdue meeting of the Macfarlane Road and Hopgood St Residents' Association in our corner of Shepherd's Bush. Residents' meetings are not generally an exciting night out and many of the concerns expressed by our friends and neighbours revolve around the usual local worries about public nuisance, parking problems, petty crime and anti-social behaviour. 

We contact the Council and the Police and try to get things improved - it's far from glamorous stuff.  But what do our local residents really get excited about here in the Bush?  When does the conversation get seriously animated? Well, it's all about...

Free Stuff To Do in Shepherd's Bush - Holland Park

Kyoto Garden at Holland Park. Photo: Wikipedia

OK, it's not in Shepherd's Bush, but Holland Park is just a short walk away and is undoubtedly one of London's loveliest parks. Formerly the seat of Lord Holland, the park boasts an opera house, a Japanese garden, tennis courts, a giant chess set,  a children's playground, a cafe, ice cream (in summer), and Peacocks.  What more could anyone want?

Shepherd's Bush Tube Station Ticket Offices to Close

Shepherd's Bush Tube Station Southern Entrance by Sunil060902 via Wikimedia Commons

The ticket windows at Shepherd’s Bush Tube station are closing on 9 February, as part of TFL's plans to "modernise the Tube".  TFL say they are "moving their staff into the ticket hall" where they will apparently be "able to assist [the public] more effectively". And "the station will continue to be staffed between the first and last train times." So, all part of improving the service then?

Uxbridge Road to Get a Makeover

Uxbridge Road - in need of beautification?

Local residents in The Bush will have received a flyer through their door this morning announcing imminent roadworks in our neighbourhood. Of course, this means disruption, traffic delays, and inconvenience, but the upside is a massive new program of improvements - all put in place by the outgoing Council.  The Uxbridge road, a crowded and un-lovely main thoroughfare, will get a huge makeover.  So what can residents of The Bush expect?

Bush Theatre Offers 10% Discount to Local Residents!

Bush Theatre: Queen of The Uxbridge Road

Discounts on theatre tickets, food and drink are being offered throughout 2015 to anyone who lives or works near the fabulous Bush Theatre on the Uxbridge Road. The free Bush Local Scheme will continue this year thanks to a generous £6,000 donation by the West 12 Shopping Centre.

Free Stuff To Do In Shepherd's Bush - Fulham Palace

Fulham Palace. Photo: Wikipedia

Ok, it's in Fulham, not Shepherd's Bush, but Fulham Palace is just a short drive or bus ride away and you can even get there by walking along the river (very picturesque) from Hammersmith Bridge.  The Palace is one of the best treats of our part of London. Part palace, part garden, part cafe and restaurant, Fulham Palace is like a mini Hampton Court - but much closer. And much of it, including the lovely gardens, is completely free.

Nous Sommes Charlie Hebdo

Today at The Bush Telegraph we stand shoulder to shoulder with our French colleagues to uphold the right of all artists and journalists to speak their mind and express their views regardless of who might be offended. Cartoonists are not used to being murder victims.  Our hearts go out to the victims themselves, and the families of those who were murdered in the course of doing their jobs, fighting to the last for freedom of speech.

To see how cartoonists all over the world are responding to this brutal act of terrorism, follow this link.

An Exclusive Interview With Shepherd's Bush MP Andy Slaughter

Andy Slaughter MP. Photo: Wikipedia

A General Election is looming in May, and the old certainties of Labour -v- Conservative no longer apply. Coalition politics, the steady rise of UKIP, and an almost-victory for the Scottish Nationalists in the recent referendum means that political power in the UK looks more unpredictable than ever. With that in mind, we are inviting our local political candidates to talk about what the future holds for Shepherd's Bush, and what our politicians can do to improve our neighbourhood for the benefit of all our citizens. First up is local MP Andy Slaughter, our incumbent Member of Parliament.

Save the Palladium! Historic Shepherd's Bush Cinema Faces Demolition

Shepherd's Bush Palladium, originally the Cinematograph Theatre, in 1910

The Shepherd's Bush Palladium, more recently known as the Walkabout Pub, is facing demolition.  A pre-planning application has been received by the Council to turn it into a 16 storey block of - you guessed it - luxury flats. It will be an extension to the new Dorsett Regency hotel, itself a converted former cinema. Built in 1910 as the Shepherd's Bush Cinematograph Theatre, The Palladium stopped showing films in 1981, and was eventually converted into a pub, owned and operated for many years by the Walkabout chain. Until last year, Kiwis in flip flops and fancy dress were a common sight in The Bush.

Shepherd's Bush "a Dystopian Vision of Kebab Shops", says the FT

Shepherd's Bush Green: "a dystopian vision...a windswept traffic island ringed by kebab joints"

According to an article in May in The Financial Times, Shepherd’s Bush is "not one of London’s lovelier districts". Apparently we are "sandwiched between the elegant suburbs of Holland Park and Chiswick", and our architecture is "for the most part a tangle of unprepossessing Victorian streets clustered around a dystopian vision of the traditional village green", which the FT memorably describes as "a windswept traffic island ringed by kebab joints and mobile phone shops". A pretty harsh assessment - but is it a fair one? 

Last Chance for Pie and Mash in Shepherd's Bush

Cooke's Pie and Mash, on the Goldhawk Rd. But not for long.

Cooke's Pie and Mash has been a feature of the the Goldhawk Road for over a century - but this long tradition of authentic local food will soon come to an end, once the redevelopment of Shepherd's Bush Market begins in 2015. Market traders are soon to be moved to temporary accommodation while demolition of the existing structures takes place and the ground is prepared for a huge new housing and shopping development. So Cooke's days are numbered, and the shop made famous by Quadrophenia will soon be gone.

Merry Christmas to All in Shepherd's Bush - But Where Are The Christmas Decorations?

Where are the decorations?

Our Council must be cutting back this year - Shepherd's Bush Green looks the same as ever. No lights, no tinsel, no Christmas Tree, nothing to mark the season and cheer the place up.  It's a real pity; last year there was at least an effort to help the local traders compete with the glamour of the Westfield behemoth, by sprucing up the lamp-posts and hanging some Christmas lights. Not this year. Anyway, despite the lack of festive cheer, lights or no lights, The Bush Telegraph wishes a very Merry Christmas to all our readers!

Eating Out in Shepherd's Bush - The Time Out Guide

Time Out in Shepherd's Bush

Where should you go to eat out in Shepherd's Bush? Here is what The Time Out Guide to Shepherd's Bush has to say about our neighbourhood: "The vibe in Shepherd's Bush? Hectic! With its Overground and underground stations, a spaghetti-like road network, its old-school street market and the behemoth Westfield shopping centre, the Bush is bustling day and night. Its biggest selling point is that it's home to great music venues like the Shepherd's Bush Empire and Bush Hall, original theatre courtesy of the Bush Theatre, as well as plenty of bars and restaurants from all over the world." Amen to that. If you're not eating well in Shepherd's Bush, you're not trying hard enough. So what and where does Time Out recommend?