Ukrainian Refugees Arrive in Shepherd's Bush

Ukrainian refugees cross into Poland

The first refugees from Ukraine have begun to arrive in Shepherd's Bush.

A number of residents of Macfarlane Rd, which has an active WhatsApp Group helping neighbours to help each other, has taken in families, helping in a very personal way to alleviate the biggest humanitarian crisis Europe has faced since WW2.  We asked one Macfarlane Rd volunteer what is involved, and how others can help out.

WELL - West London Lido Campaign Launched

WELL - West London Lido Campaign

Shepherd's Bush film-maker Eddie Morgan has launched a new website to promote his campaign for a new Lido in Shepherd's - The West London Lido - or "WELL".  

Lidos are - so says the Guardian - experiencing a revival in the UK, so why can't we have one in Shepherd's Bush? 

Two Days Left to Support Kid's Network!

The Kid's Network

There are two days left to support Kid's Network, a local Shepherd's Bush charity which supports at-risk 8-11 year olds by mobilising local heroes to be their mentors.

The charity have received £5,000 (the maximum possible) from the LBHF (our local council) to deliver their project, but they still need to raise the remaining amount. The link to the project is here: https://www.spacehive.com/supporting-hammersmith-and-fulhams-children.

Sisters of Nazareth in Hammersmith

Sisters of Nazareth in Hammersmith

Few inhabitants of Shepherd's Bush likely know much about the Sisters of Nazareth in Hammersmith, a Roman Catholic Order founded in the mid-19th Century and still providing residential care to the elderly today.

I found myself knocking on the rather forbidding main entrance on Hammersmith Rd (see photo left) as I searched for the W6 Physio Centre, deftly hidden behind its walls, where I was to be treated for a dodgy knee. 

But, once inside, the residents could not have been friendlier, and I quickly found my way through the beautiful gardens to the physio centre at the back.

St Stephen's Leaky Roof Needs Your Help

St Stephen's - leaky roof

St Stephen's church on the Uxbridge Road has almost raised the £220,000 needed to re-roof the church buildings, but is still short around £20,000. Can you help?

This Christmas there will be many worthy causes competing for your attention. A church roof is not a fashionable good cause, and yet roofs must be repaired. It has taken the best part of a decade to raise the money, largely through the persistent and dogged efforts of the indefatigable Juliet Byford, chair of the St Stephen's Roof Committee. 

Why contribute to the St Stephen's roof?  St Stephen's is a church that welcomes people from many different backgrounds, one of relatively few places in Shepherd's Bush where our many disparate communities come together.  

To make a contribution this Christmas, follow this link.

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.

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.

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.

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?

Table Sale at St Stephen's Sunday 9 September

St Stephen's Uxbridge Rd

On Sunday 9 September St Stephen's Church on the Uxbridge Road is hosting a Table Sale after church.

The Table Sale involves a sale of books, DVDs, general bric-a-brac, household items, cosmetics, children’s toys, cakes, jam, handmade items and clothes.

St Stephen's is looking for donations and also for volunteers to help set things up from 3pm onwards on Saturday 8 September.

The proceeds of the sale are being donated to the St Stephen's Roof Fund, which is raising money to replace the decaying Victorian roof.

Got any stuff you'd like to donate? Or perhaps you'd like to come and help on the day? All donations and volunteers are welcome.

Family Cricket Match on 15th September

Cricket at Chiswick House

St Stephen’s Church and St Stephen's School will be battling it out on the cricket pitch on Saturday 15th 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.

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

Summer Celebration on 16th June at Kite Studios

Kite Studios is hosting a Summer Celebration on 16th June, billed as "an afternoon of creativity, followed by a party in the evening.

The event is a fundraiser for the Kite Art CIC Sponsorship Fund, which provides free art workshops for children with special needs, from Wendell Park Primary School.

This programme is in its third successful year and Kite Studios hopes to extend it to other schools in our neighbourhood.

Charity Cricket Match at Chiswick House on 16 September

Cricket at Chiswick House

St Stephen’s Church and St Stephen's School will be battling it out on the cricket pitch on Saturday 16 September at a charity fund-raiser to be held at one of West London's most beautiful locations - 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.

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

Music For Grenfell at St Stephen's Church 27 July at 7pm

Music For Grenfell is a concert to raise money for the victims of the Grenfell Tower disaster, and will take place at St Stephen's Church on the Uxbridge Road  Thursday 27th July, from 7pm.

Tickets are £10 on the door, or available online through this link.

Grenfell Tower - How Can Our Community Help?

Rev Anne Cowley

The one redeeming feature of the appalling Grenfell Tower fire yesterday has been the way our community has spontaneously come together, with remarkable displays of generosity from local people, offering money, food, blankets and comfort to those displaced and injured by the disaster.

In this guest post Anne Cowley, Associate Vicar of St Stephen's Church on the Uxbridge Road, writes about her experience of yesterday's fire. She also writes about what local people can do to get involved and help out.

Shepherd's Bush Vicar to Run London Marathon

Bob Mayo, Vicar of St Stephen's Church on the Uxbridge Road, is running the London Marathon this weekend, Sunday 23 April. He is running to raise money for Street Child World Cup, a valuable charity who do important work with street children around the world. 

Bob is asking local residents for sponsorship to help him raise much-needed funds. 

You can find his personal page at VirginMoneyGiving.

First Annual Kite Art Exhibition Saturday 18th June

Kite Studios (just off Askew Road) is inviting local residents to join them on the 18th June 2016, from 4pm to 7pm for the First Annual Kite Art Exhibition. 

There is also a party from 7.30pm onwards, helping to raise funds for the Kite Studios art education sponsorship fund.

So come along on June 18th, check out some great art, and get involved with your local community.

Westfield Launches Community Grants Scheme

Got a local project in need of finance? Westfield London, the giant mall whose expansion north up Wood lane will make them by far the biggest shopping centre in the UK, has launched a new community grants initiative.

The community grants scheme will support local organisations with up to £1,000 each. Up to twenty projects will be selected each year over the next two years. So, what kind of projects might receive funding?

Yard Sale on Sunday 19th June at Askew Road Kite Studios - Book Your Table Now!

Time to make money from your spring clean! Unique, a charity which researches rare chromosome disorders, is organising a yard sale in Askew Road again this year, following the success of last year’s sale, when over twenty stalls sold books, vintage goods, hand-me-downs, small furniture, clothes and bric-a-brac.

Why not take a stall yourself this year and get rid of your unwanted stuff?