TV Centre Phase Two - Good News or Bad News?

Proposed townhouses on Frithville Gardens. Nasty or nice?

On wednesday Stanhope, the developers of TV Centre, hosted a "public drop-in" to view plans for Phase Two of their site, currently under construction on Wood Lane.

On display were detailed plans for the proposed townhouses at the rear of Frithville Gardens, and also the new flats and shops which will replace the existing multi-storey car park site on Wood Lane.

So, how do the plans look? Should us local residents welcome the new designs, or should we urge the developers to go back to the drawing board?

"Art By Offenders" For Sale at Wormwood Scrubs on 21 May

The Koestler Trust is a UK charity that specialises in "Art by Offenders", working with prisoners all over the UK to create beautiful artwork. May 21 is their Spring Sale at Wormwood Scrubs prison - come along and buy some artwork done by members of our least-represented and least visible local community - prisoners in Wormwood Scrubs.

Pergola on the Roof is Coming to TV Centre

Pergola on the roof

Last summer White City played host to Storeys, a pop-up food market which occupied the rooftop of the old BBC Car Park on Wood Lane, part of Stanhope's huge new TV Centre development.

This summer it's time for something slightly less informal - Pergola on the Roof will bring four new restaurants, serving customers under a "pop-up pergola" which will be installed on the roof of the car park.

Homes at Television Centre Now On Sale

TV Centre from Wood Lane, looking down a new st - Macfarlane Place

Homes at Television Centre, former home of the BBC at White City, went on public sale for the first time on Saturday, April 23 - offering buyers the chance to own a slice of television history.

And it's clear that house prices in Shepherd's Bush have come a long way in the past few years. 

Prices of the 250 apartments for sale start from £700,000 for a one bedroom flat, from £950,000 for two bedrooms and from £1.4m for a three bedroom apartment.

Stuff To Do With Kids This Summer - Bishop's Park

Bishop's Park - kid heaven

Now that the weather is finally getting warmer, London's parks start to come into their own.

One of our best local parks is Bishop's Park - it's a short bus ride away in Fulham - and one of the loveliest parks in and around our neighbourhood.

Hammersmith Park - TV Centre Design Winners Announced

 Winner - Michelle Fareta with her Olympics and QPR theme

Stanhope, the developer that is masterminding the redevelopment of the old BBC site on Wood Lane, have announced the three winners of their "school hoarding competition", launched in January this year.

The competition was to find "exciting designs from local school children for the Television Centre hoarding that runs alongside Hammersmith Park".

Bears Ice Cream Opens in Ravenscourt Park

Yay! Ice cream!

Bears Ice Cream has opened up in Ravenscourt Park at 244 Goldhawk Rd, W12 9PE. Started up by the head chef of our local gastropub The Anglesea Arms, Bears ice cream isn't just your average ice cream parlour.

The ice cream is Icelandic in style, which apparently means it comes in just one flavour - vanilla - which can then be customised with all sorts of extra goodies.  Think Mr Whippy, but done really really well. You can add chocolate, or fruit - tons of yummy extras.

Phase 2 of TV Centre Revealed at "Public Drop-in" on 27 April

TV centre - as proposed by Stanhope

Stanhope, the developers who are masterminding the huge new build taking place on the old BBC TV site on Wood Lane, are organising a "public drop-in" to view plans for Phase Two of TV Centre.

The drop-in will take place on Wednesday 27 April at 6pm in the new Television Centre Marketing Suite - the new building opposite Wood Lane Station on Wood Lane.

Shepherd's Bush Police Station Terrorist Target

Shepherd's Bush Police Station

It's odd to think of Shepherd's Bush as a terrorist target. Why would anyone, let alone Islamic State, want to blow up Shepherd's Bush police station?

But recently a group of men were convicted of doing exactly that. Tarik Hassane and Suhaib Majeed were found guilty of "conspiring to commit a terrorist murder". Two other men, Nyall Hamlett and Nathan Cuffy, were found not guilty of conspiracy but pleaded guilty to firearms offences.

Jamie Oliver Cookery School Opens in Westfield on 4th May

Jamie Oliver has announced the opening of a new cookery school at Jamie's Italian in Westfield. Fans of the celebrity chef can now book classes at the Jamie Oliver Cookery School, scheduled to open on May 4th.

The Jamie Oliver Cookery School "will provide lessons for everyone, whether you’re a complete beginner or a kitchen pro."

Pop-Up "Silent Cinema" Comes to Television Centre This Summer

This summer White City developers Stanhope are hosting a pop-up "silent cinema" on the roof of the old car park on Wood Lane. Silent Cinema will run for six weeks, run by Electric Cinema (of Notting Hill and Shoreditch fame), and will be managed by Incipio Events.

But don't worry, "silent cinema" doesn't mean there is no sound; it just means there is no noise to disturb the neighbours.  Audience members will be provided with noise cancelling headphones to ensure there is no disturbance to local residents.

Silent Cinema will open to the public Wednesday to Sunday for six weeks between 22 June and 1 August 2016; on Mondays and Tuesdays there will be private viewings only.  Films will end no later than 11.30pm.

Former Hammersmith Society Chair Launches Clean Air Petition

London Fog - how it used to be

Rosemary Pettit, former chair of the Hammersmith Society, has launched a petition to clean up London's air. The petition is titled: "Mayor of London: Clean Up London's Air", and aims to persuade whoever wins in the May elections to prioritise the improvement of air quality in London.

Rosemary was appointed by our Council to be chair of the the Hammersmith & Fulham Commission on Air Quality last year.  Her position is non-political and she takes no position on who should win in May.

Foodbank opens at Hub 75 in Shepherd's Bush

Growing numbers of people in our neighbourhood struggle to make ends meet, and a new foodback has opened on Bloemfontein Road to help out. 

Run by the Council, and the Thrussell Trust, The Hub @ 75 in Bloemfontein Road aims to help relieve poverty in Shepherd's Bush. 

London Mayoral Election - Not a Close Race?

By now voters in Shepherd's Bush will have received their polling cards for the London Mayoral Election on 5th May - now just five weeks away. If you haven't received a polling card, you're probably not on the Register.

You may even have seen a few posters springing up for one of the candidates in your neighbours' window, and friendly canvassers knocking on your door urging you to vote for their man. However, for those who like an exciting election, this one does not look to be a close race.  According to a recent piece in the Evening Standard, Labour's Sadiq Khan is a clear eight points ahead of Conservative candidate Zac Goldsmith.

Support Your Local Farmer's Market!

Brook Green farmer's Market - every Saturday

Here in Shepherd's Bush we have an excellent farmer's market - it takes place every saturday morning from 10am until 3pm in Addison Primary School on Bolingbroke Road in Brook Green.

Much of the produce is organic and locally sourced and you can meet the farmers themselves and have them explain to you what "free range" and "organic" really means.