Why Is Our Council Failing Shepherd's Bush Green?

Recently we reported on the sea of litter that greets anyone crossing Shepherd's Bush Green in the morning.

The story got a good deal of traffic, and we received many comments and emails from local residents, suggesting that the state of Shepherd's Bush Green is something that people in our neighbourhood care about.

So we contacted our local Councillors, Mercy Umeh, Natalia Perez, and Andrew Jones to ask them if they could help us out in the fight to clean up Shepherd's Bush Green. What was the result?

Who Are Your Local Councillors?

Most of us have no idea who our local Councillors are, but we ought to. Why? Because Councillors are the link between the voters and the Council - it's the way in which local government is held to account by the electorate.

If you've got a problem in your local neighbourhood, the chances are your local MP won't be able to help much, because local issues are mostly decided at a local level.

But your local Councillors should know where the levers of power are located  - and also how to press them.  So, in Shepherd's Bush, who are our local councillors, and how can you reach them?

Review - Boys Will Be Boys

Here at The Bush Telegraph we're big fans of the Bush Theatre, our temple of culture on the Uxbridge road, currently undergoing a major renovation.

Overall, the standard of theatre is very high, comparable with the best of the West End, but lately we've noticed a bit of a detour into some less thoughtful programming. Think the naughtily-titled "F*ck the Polar Bears", or "Islands", a potty-mouthed rant against tax avoiders. It's not that these plays don't have something to say, it's just that what they do say isn't necessarily very well said.

"Boys Will Be Boys" continues this recent trend. Here is what our reviewer thought of the play, which is currently playing at Bush Hall until 30 July.

Shepherd's Bush Green Is a Mess

Shepherd's Bush Green yesterday morning

Anyone who walks across Shepherd's Bush Green in the mornings will be familiar with the sea of litter that is deposited there every night.

Food, empty bottles, soda cans, McDonalds wrappers - all sorts of junk gets left there - often right next to the bins. It's a depressing sight, and there doesn't seem to be any attempt to enforce the laws against dropping litter.

O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire Re-Opens at Last

O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire

Not that you'd know it if you walked past the building, but the O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire has finally re-opened, after seven long months of emergency repairs. The extensive works apparently involved scaffolding the interior of the roof to make the building safe.

The Grade II listed Empire is one of Shepherd's Bush's historic landmarks - they even have their own Wikipedia page. It was originally built in 1903 for entrepreneur Oswald Stoll, starting life as a music hall.  To see what's on at the Empire, and admire their newly refurbished roof, follow the link to their official site here.

"Big Local" W12 Festival on Saturday 23rd July

W12 Festival 2016

The W12 Festival is coming to our streets this summer. The "Big Local" in White City is getting ready for this year's Summer Festival on Saturday 23rd July from 1pm until 7pm, in newly refurbished Wormholt Park.

It's a family-friendly day, full of activities, local performers, street food from local caterers and "an opportunity to celebrate all that’s good and inspiring about our little patch of London".

Best of all, entry is free.

Funfair Returns to Shepherd's Bush Green

Funfair

Pity poor Shepherd's Bush Green - the funfair is returning for two weeks, from 22 July until 7 August.

The trouble is, the big lorries that transport these funfairs cause huge damage to the Green, which even at the best of times often feels badly treated.

You can still see the trackmarks in the grass from the last fair, which left in early April.

Wood Lane Closed

Wood Lane (aka the A219) is closed in both directions today due to "emergency repairs" between South Africa Road and Shepherd's Bush Green.  According to the TFL website, the closure has been caused by a burst water main.

If you're driving, it's probably best to avoid the whole Shepherd's Bush area until the works are completed. 

As to when that will be, there is no information as yet. The closure has been in place since wednesday, with no end in sight. Meanwhile, gridlock on the streets of Shepherd's Bush.

LBHF "Unity" Day on July 17th

Polish Centre, Hammersmith

The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham is hosting a "Unity Day" on July 17th, an event being organised by the council to "celebrate the diversity of our borough" and to show solidarity with those who experienced racial abuse in the aftermath of the Brexit vote.

The event will take place on July 17th with a march from Shepherd's Bush to the Polish Centre on King Street, and finishing in Ravenscourt Park with a community festival.

For details, see the Facebook page here.