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?