Fighting Corona Virus in the Bush

Macfarlane Rd

The Corona virus hasn't brought many benefits to the Bush but it has brought some communities closer together. In Macfarlane Rd, the indefatigable Belinda Mitchell-Innes has been organising leaflets, a Facebook Group, and a WhatsApp Group to help keep an eye on the most vulnerable and make sure local people stay safe.

Below is an edited version of her latest email, with some useful information on how locals are keeping their heads above water, and how you can get involved.

Generally

Macfarlane Road gets quieter and quieter from the perspective of parked cars.  As the weather improves, people tend to come out and chat to the neighbours in the early evening, but there is good social distancing going on and people are obeying the rules.

Food availability
The Sainsbury's on Shepherd's Bush Green is very well stocked. We are still seeing queues for Waitrose, Al Damasqi and Damas Gate on Uxbridge Rd.

The Macfarlane Rd WhatsApp group
This is pretty active. The WhatsApp group tends to be used for a bit of chit chat, shopping requests, posting of letters, advice, or when someone goes out to the shops people offer to get bits for them. Let me know if you want adding to that. It's very easy to leave if you don't want to receive information this way. Just leave the group.

Some Useful local links:

Westfield - one restaurant still open

Westfield 

Shops and the one restaurant open in Westfield (yes, there is still one!) and gives you the updated opening hours.
https://uk.westfield.com/london/stores/new-arrivals

LBHF Services
The Council have put together some useful information. and here is the link
https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/changes-council-services

Royal Mail
https://www.mylondon.news/news/uk-world-news/royal-mail-announces-changes-post-18037979

Macfarlane Rd FaceBook Group 

A Facebook Group for our street (incredibly useful – well there is a lot more information up there and some quite good jokes)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/631746507662286

Money Laundering
Two of our resident doctors advise folks to wash coins and bank notes in warm soapy water for twenty to 30 seconds - it should be okay. If you are very worried you could spray it with diluted bleach as well.  I’ve experimented and the £10, £5 and £20 notes survived. Mind you be very careful with the old £20 notes as they are a bit more fragile than the newer plastic money. All the money dried well and seems as good as new. Be careful if you spray it with bleach and leave it to dry before handling it.

Give us our daily bread
There is a guy who is based in Hammersmith who has lost his job and is making very good artisanal sour dough bread which he will deliver let me know if you are interested.

Windowsill Gardening
Now is the time to check out what pots, earth and seeds you might have around the place. It would be good if we could all try and jolly up the street with the odd plant or so. Just be careful they don't fly off the windowsill and remember to water them.

The Raj of India

The Raj of India (excellent local Indian restaurant) is still doing takeaway.
http://rajofindia.com/  Or, call 0207 602 9930, they will deliver.

The Shepherd's Bush Blog offers a personal view on life in Shepherd's Bush. If you would like to contribute a story about our neighbourhood, email us at shepherdsbushblog(at)gmail.com