An Exclusive Interview With Shepherd's Bush MP Andy Slaughter

Andy Slaughter MP. Photo: Wikipedia

A General Election is looming in May, and the old certainties of Labour -v- Conservative no longer apply. Coalition politics, the steady rise of UKIP, and an almost-victory for the Scottish Nationalists in the recent referendum means that political power in the UK looks more unpredictable than ever. With that in mind, we are inviting our local political candidates to talk about what the future holds for Shepherd's Bush, and what our politicians can do to improve our neighbourhood for the benefit of all our citizens. First up is local MP Andy Slaughter, our incumbent Member of Parliament.

Chris Underwood's Shepherd's Bush Blog is Back Online

The original Shepherd's Bush Blog

The Original Shepherd's Bush Blog is back online - at least as a historical archive of life in the Bush. Chris Underwood's excellent local blog, which he kept up for five years from 2008 until his move to South Africa in 2013, is live once more. It has not been updated since the end of last year, but it remains an excellent resource for all sorts of aspects of life in The Bush.

Save Hammersmith Park!

Hammersmith Park - worth saving?

Bush resident, author and journalist Virginia Ironside is leading a campaign to save Hammersmith Park from development by Play Football, whose plans would in effect turn one third of the park into a pay-to-play football pitch. Contracts were signed and planning permission was given by the outgoing council, and while the new Labour administration oppose the plans, they are not able to speak out against them for fear of being in breach of contract. It is now up to local residents to decide the issue. If the voices against this private development are loud enough, it may yet be enough to persuade Play Football to change their minds.

Will Play Football Regenerate or Ruin Hammersmith Park?

Residents at White City Community Centre

On Thursday 2nd October a meeting was held at the White City Community Centre to help decide the future of Hammersmith Park. Play Football, the sports operator which last year won planning permission to lease around half of the Park and build approximately thirteen new pay-to-play football pitches, was there to hear the views of local residents. It was not a convivial evening.