Midnight Mass at St Stephen's Tonight

For anyone looking for a bit of Christmas cheer tonight, don't forget there is a midnight mass tonight at St Stephen's Church on the Uxbridge Road. The Midnight Mass takes place at 11.30pm tonight, and is led by the Rt Revd Dr Graham Tomlin, Bishop of Kensington.  The event is part of the excellent community work done by St Stephen's; a church with a commendably broad and diverse congregation.  For a Christmas message from our new vicar, the Rev Denis Adide, watch the video above. 

Ginglik Latest - New Tenant for 2020?

Edwardian loo, later Ginglik nightclub, now derelict

There may be some good news at at last for much-neglected Shepherd's Bush Green.

The site formerly occupied by Ginglik, the Edwardian loo-turned-nightclub that closed a decade ago, may have a new tenant in the New Year.

Thanks to Councillor Matt Thorley, who has pressed LBHF on our behalf for an answer on why the site has been derelict for so long, it appears that a new tenant will soon be moving in.

Help the Masbro Centre Run on Sunshine

The Masbro Centre in Brook Green is crowdfunding new solar panels, to help our neighbourhood go a little more green (and help them save money on their electricity bills).

The Urban Partnership Group want to install 64 solar panels to the roof of the Masbro Community Centre, to generate its own electricity and use the funds saved for much needed community projects.

To contribute a few spare pennies this Christmas for a local cause, follow this link. 

Riverside Studios is Back

Riverside Studios

After a five-year closure, and many million of pounds, Riverside Studios has re-opened on the north bank of The Thames in a brand-new building.

Right now the cafe and exhibition space is open; this will be followed by the theatre in January, with two cinemas opening in February 2020.

And, thanks to the new renovation of the Riverside Walk, you can now walk alongside Riverside Studios all the way from Hammersmith Bridge to Putney.

No Christmas Lights Again for Shepherd's Bush

Christmas Lights at Westfield

Uncle Scrooge would be proud of our local Council, who once again have failed to find any money to put up Christmas decorations on Shepherd's Bush Green.

Every year, Westfield puts on a sparkling display to pull in the crowds, while Shepherd's Bush Green and the surrounding streets are left with nothing to cheer the place up.

Andy Slaughter Re-Elected MP for Hammersmith

Andy Slaughter

Labour's Andy Slaughter has been re-elected in Hammersmith, seeing off all his opponents and maintaining a large majority.

Despite the national shift towards the Conservatives, Andy Slaughter's share of the vote dipped only slightly. His chief challenger, the Conservative Xingang Wang, also lost votes.

The results of last night's count were as follows:
Andy Slaughter, Labour, 30,074
Xingang Wang, Conservative, 12,227
Jessie Venegas, Liberal Democrat, 6,947
James Keyse, The Brexit Party, 974
Alex Horn, Green, 1,744

Jessie Venegas for The Lib Dems

Jessie Venegas for the Lib Dems

Jessie Venegas is the Liberal Democat candidate for the constituency of Hammersmith. Jessie was born in Mexico and grew up in Colombia and Canada, where she studied Political Sciences at McMaster University. She has lived in the UK for 12 years. She is currently a law and politics lecturer, and lives in Hammersmith. She is standing for Parliament for the first time.

The Lib Dems have never finished higher than a distant third in Hammersmith in a Parliamentary election but, if you're a firm Remainer, the Lib Dems could be a good tactical vote.

We asked Jessie to answer a few questions about why the people of Hammersmith should offer her their vote today. If you haven't voted, and you are still undecided, read on.

Andy Slaughter - in His Own Words

Andy Slaughter - Labour candidate

We asked the three main candidates for Hammersmith - Andy Slaughter for Labour, Jessie Venegas for the Lib Dems and Xingang Wang for the Conservatives - to answer a few questions about why the people of Hammersmith should give them their vote tomorrow.

So far, only Andy Slaughter has replied.

Since 2010 Andy Slaughter has steadily increased his majority and won back his seat in 2017 with a big majority - of 18,651 votes, turning Hammersmith into something of a safe seat.  Below are the questions we asked Andy Slaughter - and his answers.

Fire in Macfarlane Rd

Fire at 7 Macfarlane Rd

A fire broke out early this morning in Macfarlane Rd, with the various emergency services swiftly responding to the blaze.

What caused the fire? According to the firefighters, it was builders' debris piled up outside the house, which somehow caught fire.

Clearly, builders' rubble doesn't spontaneously ignite, especially on cold damp winter mornings. Presumably someone decided to help it along.

General Election: Hammersmith - Who Will Win?

Constituency of Hammersmith

The Parliamentary constituency of Hammersmith was formed in 1983 and has been held by Labour ever since.  In 2010 the Conservatives came close-ish to taking the seat off of sitting MP Andy Slaughter, but lost by 3,500 votes.

Since then Andy Slaughter has steadily increased his majority and won again in 2017 with a "thumping majority" of 18,651 votes.  Charlie Dewhirst, the Conservative candidate, won just 14,724 votes, or 28.1% of the total - a swing away from the Tories of 8.3%.  

So, is this election a done deal for Hammersmith, or can any other candidate reasonably hope to challenge Andy Slaughter for the top job?

Free Sports on Wednesdays at Hammersmith Park

Our council, LBHF, are organising a free multi-sports & play session at Hammersmith Park.

The event is run in association with the London Sports Trust and takes place weekly, every Wednesday from 4.15pm until 5.15pm, and is timed for kids getting out of local schools.

Sports played include tennis, football, tag rugby, and cricket, and it's all completely free.

To find out more, contact Jake at LBHF on 02087351589 or email at Jake@londonsportstrust.org

The Shepherd's Bush Blog offers a personal view on life in Shepherd's Bush. If you would like to contribute a story, email us at shepherdsbushblog(at)gmail.com. And don't forget to add your opinion in the comments section below.

Remembrance Day on Sunday 10th November

It's that time of year again; Remembrance Sunday takes place on Sunday 10th November, and poppies are on sale all over London.

Gone on the days when you could only buy a paper poppy with a plastic stalk and a pin; today poppies are the perfect fashion accessory.

The gentleman manning the stand at Hammersmith station yesterday is a Chelsea pensioner; his medals are for service in Aden, Cyprus and South Africa. He joined the RAF as a young man and then transferred to the army. 

The Shepherd's Bush Blog offers a personal view on life in Shepherd's Bush. If you would like to contribute a story, email us at shepherdsbushblog(at)gmail.com. And don't forget to add your opinion in the comments section below.

Ramraid in Shepherd's Bush

Ramraid

Tonight saw a dramatic ramraid in Shepherd's Bush, as the new Uxbridge Road jewellers were the victim of a smash and grab robbery involving what appeared to be a stolen Range Rover, driven at speed into the plate glass window of the shop.

The new shop had only been open a few days, its windows full of sparkling jewellery, its owners no doubt hopeful of making a go of their new venture.

Theatre Party at the Troubadour on 1st November

Outside Edge theatre company is having their 20th birthday party at the Troubadour in White City on Friday 1st November.

The event takes place at 6pm on Friday 1st November, and all are welcome.

Outside Edge Theatre Company describes itself as "the UK’s only theatre company and participatory arts charity focused on substance misuse and addiction."

So, everyone is welcome - but expect soft drinks rather than a full bar. 

Jane Alway's Montessori in Brook Green

The Montessori at Brook Green, also known as "Jane's School" is a wonderful nursery. I know this because both of my children went there, and they could not have been happier. As a parent, I could not have been happier either.

Run by the indefatigable Jane Alway, founder and head teacher, this Montessori has excellent, caring staff who take a keen personal interest in all of the children.

Rich Hall Comedy Hoedown on Fri 18 Oct

Last call for Rich Hall's Comedy Hoedown at the Bush Hall on the Uxbridge Rd on Friday 18th October.

The event is a fundraiser for St Stephen's Church, whose leaky roof is in need of repair.

Rich Hall's Hoedown features American comedian Rich Hall live on stage.

You can buy tickets at the official site here.  For more details, times and tickets, visit: www.bushtheatre.co.uk or call the Box Office on 020 8743 5050.

Music House for Children Celebrates 25 Years

Music House activities

Music House for Children on the Uxbridge Road is celebrating 25 years of bringing music to babies, toddlers and children.

Music House was founded in 1994 by Emma Hutchinson, who also co-owns the Bush Hall and Bush Dining Halls with her husband Charlie.

Music House is a not-for-profit organisation which focuses on making music accessible to all; their pricing for group classes, workshops and events is purposefully kept at affordable rates.

My own children went to Music House when they were very little, and were welcomed by the friendly staff even when they weren't exactly well behaved (which was often).

Music House is also particularly welcoming to children with special needs..

Humans of Shepherd's Bush - No 12

Kamal

"I cut hair at Hamada barber shop on the south side of Shepherd's Bush Green.

I grew up in Libya, where I married young and had a family; that's what was expected of us back then.

I left Libya in 2013, and since then I've been living in North London.  I got re-married in London and I have a four year old son.

I was raised a Muslim but I like to keep an open mind; I visited the Hindu temple in Wembley recently just to see what they are up to.

Most of my family still live in Libya. Things are very bad there; the country is lawless; they will even rob you at the airport.

Trouble at Westfield

On Tuesday I found myself having to call the emergency services for the first time.

As I was walking home through Westfield, I was a witness to a crime - one man assaulted another, in broad daylight, right outside Waitrose.

The victim, pushed violently against a wall, slumped to the ground, and didn't get up again, while his assailant sauntered off.  He lay on the ground groaning, clutching his shoulder.

So I dialled 999 and, initially, asked for the police, but it quickly became clear that an ambulance was needed.  How long do you suppose it takes to get an ambulance to Westfield on a busy Tuesday evening?

What Happened to Our New Park?

Proposed public park. 

Back in 2016 we reported on a new park which was promised for Shepherd's Bush.

It was all part of the new Westfield development, and that of St James to the north - on the old M&S warehouse site east of Wood Lane.

The park was the price which was exacted by our former Conservative Council from the developers, in return for planning permission to redevelop the area.

It was never intended to be a big park; rather it would be a small green space tucked under the redeveloped Hammersmith and City tube line, running through the Westfield redevelopment.

The photo above shows what it was supposed to look like.  So, where is it? And what happened to it?

Friends of Shepherd’s Bush Green Meeting 3rd Sept

Shepherd's Bush Green - can it be improved?

The inaugural meeting of FOSBERG (Friends of Shepherd’s Bush Green) took place on Tuesday 3rd September 2019 in the library of the Bush Theatre on the Uxbridge Road, at 7.30pm.

About a dozen members of our local community came together, including Councillor (and former Mayor) Mercy Umeh, with the goal of trying to make a positive contribution to our neighbourhood.

This first meeting was held to gather ideas on what to do to try and make things better in Shepherd’s Bush. We all know what the problems are; the solutions to those problems are perhaps less obvious.

Friends of Cathnor Park Meeting 10 October

The Friends of Cathnor Park are inviting Cathnor Park residents (and other locals) to the launch meeting of the CPAAG.

The event takes place on the evening of 10th October at the Polish Church on Greenside Road to discuss local community initiatives in and around Cathnor Park.

There will be brief talks from our local MP, Andy Slaughter, Askew Ward Councillors, and from the local police.

There will also be wine and refreshments and, above all, an opportunity for people to get to know their neighbours. 

Local issues in Cathnor Rd include problems of parking, traffic, and the safety of local parks and streets. 

Parking Consultation: Zone J / JJ

Zone J

Parking is a subject almost guaranteed to produce an emotional response from local residents. Should there be open parking? Or should there be parking restrictions? If so, where, and how will they work?

Parking Zone J/JJ (see left) seems to be more contentious than almost any other in the Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.

Parking challenges include proximity to Westfield, and also QPR match days - which fill up local parking spots with visitors' cars.

A local action group, Zone J Parking Campaign, is opposing the Council's latest plans.

Cathnor Area Traffic Consultation Ends 20 Sept

Cathnor Rd Option 1

The Cathnor Road Area Traffic Consultation Ends on 20th September.  If you'd like to have your say, follow this link, and vote on the best outcome.

Our local Council, the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (LBHF), are trying to solve the problem of "significant southwest bound movement from Westway to Goldhawk Road travelling through the Wormholt park Area and then to the Cathnor Park Area".

As ever, traffic calming measures have their pros and cons, and not everyone is likely to be happy.

Residents in Coningham Road are unhappy because one of the new proposals is to block off through roads between the Uxbridge Rd and the Goldhawk Rd and Askew Rd, which could force traffic down Coningham Rd - which already carries a good deal of traffic. 

Friends of Hammersmith Park Inaugural Meeting

Hammersmith Park

The inaugural meeting of the Friends of Hammersmith Park took place on Tuesday September 10th.

Not to be confused with the Friends of the Japanese Garden at Hammersmith Park (which has now been folded into the Friends of Hammersmith Park), this new organisation has a broad brief to advocate on behalf of local residents and mediate with our Council on new proposals for Hammersmith Park.

The meeting took place at 6.30pm at Wood Lane Community Centre, in White City Close.

Brook Green Day Saturday 14th September

Brook Green Day Saturday 14th September

Brook Green Day is back on Saturday 14th September.

For one day only Brook Green undergoes its annual transformation into a giant family-friendly funfair from noon until 6pm.

Brook Green Day is an annual event, organised by the highly efficient Friends of Brook Green, who we all have to thank for the excellent playground (top swings, and a brilliant slide); one of the best in West London.

Brook Green Day is a great day - big, boisterous and full of families.

Friends of Hammersmith Park Meets Tuesday Sept 10

Hammersmith Park

The inaugural meeting of the Friends of Hammersmith Park is meeting on Tuesday September 10th.

Not to be confused with the Friends of the Japanese Garden at Hammersmith Park, this new organisation has a broad brief to advocate on behalf of local residents and mediate with our Council on new proposals for Hammersmith Park.

The meeting takes place at 6.30pm at Wood Lane Community Centre, 78 White City Close London W12 7DZ. All are welcome.

New Playground at Paddington Rec

Ocean liner at Paddington Rec

Parents in Shepherd's Bush looking for great play spaces for their children have lots to celebrate lately.

The new playground at Paddington Recreation Ground ("Paddington Rec") is a great playground for kids, complete with a play ocean liner, a zip wire, and even a row of London-style terraced houses.

Paddington Rec also has easy parking (free on weekends), useful Tube access (Maida Vale, on the Bakerloo Line)  and a good cafe with pizza and all the trimmings.

Free SEN art class at Kite Studios Shepherd’s Bush

Kite Studios in Shepherd's Bush is an arts centre with a progressive focus on kids with special eduation needs, or "SEN". 

Kite Studios runs a SEN art class on Thursdays at 4.30pm at their Askew Road home.  

The course is for learners between the ages of 8 and 16, and Kite Studios are offering parents a free "taster" class, to try before you buy.

LBHF install LampPost Charging Points

In an imaginative move to make it easier to charge electric cars, our council have installed "LampPost Charging Points" at various points in the Borough. The idea is to take an existing supply of electricity - a street light - and make it available to owners of electric cars.

Since very few residents in our borough have garages where cars can be parked and charged overnight, this offers a unique opportunity to charge your electric car on the street. 

It's an imaginative solution to the problem of how to charge cars in a borough chiefly composed of Victorian and Edwardian terraced housing.

St Stephen's Comedy Hoedown 18 October

Save the date: St Stephen's Church is hosting a Comedy Festival on Friday 18 October in aid of the Church Roof Fund, at the Bush Hall on the Uxbridge Road.

The event is titled "Rich Hall's Hoedown" and features American comedian Rich Hall live on stage.

You can buy tickets at the official site here.  For more details, times and tickets, visit: www.bushtheatre.co.uk or call the Box Office on 020 8743 5050.

The event is a fundraiser for St Stephen's Church and its decaying Victorian roof, which will cost £200,000 to replace, of which over £100,000 has already been raised.

Community & Emergency Services Day

Today at 1pm Shepherds Bush Green is playing host to the Community & Emergency Services Day. It takes place today Friday 26th July 2019 near the War Memorial on Shepherds Bush Green W12, and is a free event.

Come along and say hello to your local emergency services teams and other local community organisations.

You can learn about different emergency services roles, and see the emergency vehicles. 

There will be information and recruitment stands, plus displays from the London Fire Brigade, London Ambulance Service, Metropolitan Police, QPR Community Trust, Transport for London, Hammersmith & Fulham Council, Exchanging Places Bike safety display, and historic emergency service vehicles.

Friends of Shepherd’s Bush Green Meeting 3 Sept 2019

FOSBERG

FOSBERG (Friends of Shepherd’s Bush Green) will hold its inaugural Meeting on Tuesday 3rd September 2019 in the bar of the Bush Theatre on the Uxbridge Road, at 7.30pm.

All are welcome.  The purpose of the meeting is to bring together members of the local community who want to make a positive contribution to making our neighbourhood a better place.

Shepherd’s Bush Green needs our love and support. Together we can work to make our community stronger and healthier.

LBHF Summer Grants Scheme Launched

United in Hammersmith & Fulham, our borough’s new place-based giving scheme, has launched a Summer Get Together grants scheme, and is looking for up to 40 local events to fund.

Through the scheme United will help support anyone in the borough organising a picnic, street party, lunch, sporting event, fun day or other community activity with and for their neighbours.

Hammersmith Bridge to Close for Good?

Hammersmith Bridge today

According to a recent article in the London Evening Standard, Hammersmith Bridge "may be shut to drivers for good" as the repair bill for the ailing structure nears £100m.

Rather than find a way to pay for the repairs, our local Council, LBHF, seem to have decided on a new idea - to celebrate the closure instead.  Hammersmith Bridge is being re-branded as a "green" bridge - cycles and pedestrians only. No more polluting wicked cars.

Nick Fairholme, TfL’s director of project and programme delivery, told a conference: “Although we want to reopen it, [a full repair] is not going to be a cheap fix. If there is public support for leaving it as a pedestrian and cycle bridge then we will have to consider that.”

The trouble is, Hammersmith Bridge is a major traffic artery for thousands of Londoners, and the closure has forcibly re-routed six bus routes. LBHF say that they have no money for repairs, but there are two simple ways that the money could be raised.

Hoxton Hotel Wins Planning Permission

The developers of the proposed Hoxton Hotel at 65 Shepherd's Bush Green have at last won their fight to secure planning permission to demolish the old buildings and build a new hotel.

Planning permission for the site was originally granted back in 2017, but the owner of a flat in nearby Pennard Rd successfully challenged it by way of Judicial Review, and managed to get the plans quashed, forcing the developers to re-apply for planning permission with revised plans.

Charity Cricket Match on Saturday 14th September

Cricket at Chiswick House

Save the date - St Stephen’s Church and St Stephen's School will be battling it out on the cricket pitch on Saturday 14th September at a charity fund-raiser to be held at Chiswick House.

The event is being held in aid of the St Stephen's Roof Fund, which is seeking to raise £200,000 to fix the Victorian roof, now leaking and badly in need of replacement. The fund is more than half way there, but there is still around £90,000 to find.

Families and children are welcome, and you are also welcome to bring a picnic.

Hammersmith Bridge Consultation on Tuesday 18 June

The London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham (LBHF) have arranged a public meeting to discuss Hammersmith Bridge  on Tuesday 18 June 7pm in the Small Hall at LBHF Town Hall.

Hammersmith Bridge closed to road traffic in April, causing  traffic jams in Chiswick and Putney and great inconvenience to many locals.

Induction of Denis Adide on 24 June at St Stephen's

Rev Denis Adide

The Reverend  Denis Adide, the new vicar for St Stephen's church on the Uxbridge Road, is to be inducted into the parish on Monday 24 June at 7.30pm.

The Reverend Adide is currently finishing his curacy at Christchurch, Turnham Green, Chiswick and will begin his new job as vicar of St Stephen’s following his induction.

Reverend Adide's appointment follows the departure of the much-loved Bob Mayo earlier this year.

Denis was born in Northern Uganda and came to London as a child. He is married to Anna Fiona and they have three young children.

TFL Plans for Wood Lane & Shepherd's Bush - Jun 5th

TFL have released consultation plans to re-arrange the traffic routes on Wood Lane & Shepherd's Bush Green, and to judge by the number of adverse comments in the threads at NextDoor, lots of locals are unhappy.  But don't forget that these are only consultations, nothing is fixed in stone. Right now TFL are asking local people what they think of the proposals, and the next public consultation is to be held this week at the Bush Theatre on Wednesday 5th June, at 5pm. So if you'd like to know more, come along and have your say.

Westfield Jamie's Italian Closes

Along with most of the rest of the Jamie's Italian restaurant empire, our local Westfield branch is no more.  The sign in the window dolefully records the end of the Jamie's era, and notes the email address of messrs KPMG, the official receivers, in case you have any queries.

To read some of the press, you'd think Jamie's Italian was never any good in the first place, but my recollection is quite different.

When it first opened back in 2008, our local branch of Jamie's Italian was a great place to go - the kind of place you could take your friends, you grandma, even your unruly children.

The food was good, the prices were reasonable, the ingredients were fresh, and the place had a sense of style and excitement about it. The trouble was, it didn't last.

H&F Arts Fest Opens at Old Laundry Yard on 1st June

Hammersmith & Fulham Arts Fest opens on Saturday at the Old Laundry Yard in Shepherd's Bush on 1st June at 1pm.

The Old Laundry yard is one of the most under-utilised sites in our neighbourhood, so it's good news to see it play host to our Borough's annual arts festival. 

Come along on Saturday and help open the festival. The organisers are promising "a fun filled afternoon" to which families and children are very welcome. 

Hammersmith & Fulham Historic Buildings Group Walks

The Dove, Hammersmith

As part of the Hammersmith & Fulham Arts Festival, which takes place from 1-9 June, the Hammersmith & Fulham Historic Buildings Group is organising two walks to explore the history of our neighbourhood, on 2nd June and 9th June.

Walk 1: "Hammersmith Riverside"
Walk 1 is titled "Hammersmith Riverside" and takes place on 2nd June at 2.30pm. The walk starts at Putney Bridge and goes to Furnival Gardens, and will look at the buildings and art works along the River Thames.

The walk leader is John Goodier.

Walkabout Demolished

Walkabout demolished

The old Walkabout pub which, prior to its conversion into an Aussie watering hole, was a historic movie theatre, has been almost completely demolished.

All that is left is a part of the front facade; even the side elevation advertising seats for "1/-6d & 3d" has gone.

It was, of course, a condition of the planning permission granted by LBHF back in April 2017 that the side elevation would be retained. So what happened?

Stanlake Rd Residents Object to Planning Application

Stanlake Mews - Google Maps

A number of Shepherd's Bush locals are unhappy about a new planning application in Stanlake Mews. The application is to convert some of the buildings on Stanlake Mews into a warehouse for Howden Joinery to trade & distribute kitchens.

This would help them to get a central distribution point vs being in an industrial building/estate. Locals are objecting because this new development would then mean that the traffic in the area would considerably increase - with vans & lorries picking up or delivering products to the warehouse.

European Elections Hustings Tonight Tuesday 14th May

Confused about the European Elections? You're not the only one. If it seems odd to you that we're voting for MPs for an institution that we are likely soon to be leaving, you are in good company.

And the Euro elections have always been opaque. Do you know who your local MEP is? Do you care?

Ironically, just as we are (maybe) set to leave the EU, the European election debate seems suddenly vigorous and important - and the outcome matters. If you'd like some answers, come along tonight 14th May to the Irish Cultural Centre in Black's Road, Hammersmith, from 6.45pm till 9pm.

Mr Schumm and Alastair Climb Mount Snowdon

Mr Schumm & Alastair

Head of St Stephen's Primary School Mr Schumm, and PE teacher Alastair, are inviting friends of St Stephen's to donate to their Climb Every Mountain page at Just Giving.

Mr Schumm and Alastair are climbing Mount Snowdon on 17th May to raise money for St Stephen's School "because we love working at St Stephen's".

St Stephen's is one of the best schools in Shepherd's Bush, rated Outstanding by Oftsed and much admired by local parents.

One thing that makes St Stephen's very special is its commitment to teaching pupils with special needs, and incorporating them into the student body.

St Stephen's Needs Gardeners on Saturday June 1st

St Stephen's Garden

St Stephen’s Church on the Uxbridge Road is looking for volunteers on Saturday June 1st to help maintain the church garden.

St Stephen's relies entirely on volunteers to help maintain the church and its grounds. It's a family-friendly event, and children are very welcome.

Got an hour or two spend on the first saturday of every month? Perhaps you have green fingers and - like most of us in the Bush - a tiny or non-existent garden?

Humans of Shepherd's Bush - Number 11

Mike Walsh - childhood in Little Percy St

"I lived on Little Percy Rd in the 1940s; it was a street surrounded by bombsites but it was still our playground for street football, cricket & marbles.

The only trouble though was the chance of smashing a window, or being told by an angry neighbour to go and play in the park. But when we went to Ravenscourt Park with our football gear there was a problem.

All the signs read Keep Off The Grass, so if we put our ball down and kicked it around, a big man in a brown uniform with a bright metal badge pinned to the hat on his head would come marching along in his new leather boots and his little walking stick which had a spike on the end (used to retrieve sweet wrappers that had been left on the grass) & shout, "Go on, out of it, gone on away with you. Don't let me catch you around here again!"

Broken Glass in Children's Playground in Shepherd's Bush

Broken glass in the playground

Three years after we first started started posting about the sorry state of Shepherd's Bush Green, and the failure of our Council to do anything about the enforcement of its own laws against anti-social behaviour, things are as bad as ever.

Walk across Shepherd's Bush Green in the morning and you will see piles of fast food, empty bottles and cans, and rubbish everywhere.

As the evenings get longer and warmer the problem will get worse.

On the left is a photo taken by a local parent, who last week cleaned up a small pile of broken glass from the children's playground on the Green.

What sort of person leaves broken glass in a children's playground? And why do we seem to be helpless to do anything about it?

Ghost Stories at the Lyric until 18 May

Ghost Stories is a hit play that started at our very own local theatre, the Lyric Hammersmith, and has now returned, playing until 18 May.

Ghost Stories is scary, funny, witty and very clever - one of those plays that you keep thinking about days later, to check whether you really fully understood what was going on.