Secrets of The Bush - Shepherd's Bush Cricket Club

Shepherd's Bush has many secret places; but few are more tranquil - and unexpected - than the Shepherd's Bush Cricket Club. 

Located at the north end of Bromyard Avenue, just off the Uxbridge Rd (and, technically, in Acton) the SBCC has been hosting cricket matches in our neighbourhood since 1882.

Table Tennis at Wood Lane Bus Station

The stretch of concrete on Wood Lane between the White City bus station and the main road is a rather windswept and unlovely place, but it has one redeeming feature - free all-weather table tennis tables, which (best of all) don't get put away in winter. 

Free Outdoor Table Tennis Returns to TV Centre

Outdoor Table Tennis is back at TV Centre on Wood Lane; the owners of upscale housing development and TV Sound Stages  have put up a big screen for visitors to watch summer sports, and also two outdoor  tennis tables for summer entertainment. 

Two Brook Green Markets From Saturday

Brook Green now boasts two Farmers' Markets on saturdays. The original Brook Green Market, which has taken place in Addison Road (entry from Bolingbroke Rd) every Saturday morning since 2014, has moved to new premises on Masbro Rd since Saturday 6th March.

The new market site is St Mary's Catholic Primary School, 40 Masbro Rd, Brook Green, W14 0LT, and takes place every Saturday as usual from 9.30am until 3pm.

The old Addison Road site will also, from this coming Saturday 20th March, play host to a new market, branded as the "Urban Street Food Fest" (see poster on left). 

Gunnersbury Park Restoration

The 18th Century "Large Mansion" at Gunnersbury Park

Ealing and Hounslow Councils have been working for many years, using funds awarded by the National Lottery, to restore the old Rothschild mansion and its extensive grounds at Gunnersbury Park.

The mid-18th Century "Large Mansion" and its park were sold to the public at a bargain price by the Rothschild family in 1926.

Since then however, the buildings had fallen into disrepair.

Old Laundry Opens Tomorrow

Shepherd's Bush Market seems to be getting its mojo back after the long process of redevelopment which ended in failure two years ago.

On friday the Old Laundry Yard (which was to have been the temporary home for the market, while it was being redeveloped) will open its doors to the public, offering visitors new streets food traders and also a community events space. 

Christmas Art & Design Fair Friday 2 December (7-10pm) & Saturday 3rd December (11-3pm) at Kite Studios

Kite Studios, just off Askew Road, is inviting local residents to join them on Friday 2 December (7-10pm) & Saturday 3rd December (11-3pm) for the 10th Annual Christmas Art & Design Fair.

So come along on December 2nd and 3rd, stock up on Christmas gifts, and get involved with your local community - all in a good cause.

What's this all about?
It's the 10th annual Unique Christmas Art & Design Fair.

Pergola on the Roof Seeks Extension until December 23

Pergola on the Roof - now at TV Centre

Pergola on the Roof, the rooftop restaurant that has brought outdoor dining to the top of the old soon-to-be-demolished carpark on Wood Lane, has applied for planning permission to extend its rooftop run beyond the summer until the end of December.

Good news then for outdoor diners, but perhaps less welcome for the residents of Macfarlane Road who haven't necessarily been thrilled by the noise and general disturbance. 

St Stephen’s Michaelmas Fair on Saturday 24th September

St Stephen's

St Stephen’s Church on Uxbridge Road are hosting a Michaelmas Fair on Saturday 24th September. The fair will be held in St Stephen’s Church and the neighbouring hall, selling all sorts of gifts and goodies.

The fair 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 restoration.

The fair will include all sorts of things for sale, plus entertainment for children. And it's not too late to get involved yourself. Why not take a stall and sell some stuff?

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.

Escape Studios Hosting "Animation Taster Day" Tomorrow in Shepherd's Bush for Just £5

Escape Studios, the animation and visual effects school based in Shepherd's Bush, have two seats left for their "Animation Taster Day" at Escape Studios tomorrow, Thursday 9 June.

Escape are running this animation taster day as part of Hammersmith and Fulham Arts Fest, to help give future animators an idea of what it's like to work in the  industry.

Fancy working in the movie business, on 3D animated films? You career as an animator begins here, and the whole day of training costs just £5. Escape will even provide lunch.

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.

Joe Lycett at Bush Hall on Friday 10th June

Joe Lycett

Comedian Joe Lycett (Live At The Apollo, Sunday Night at the Palladium, and 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown) is coming to Shepherd's Bush.

Lycett will be performing at our very own Bush Hall at 310 Uxbridge Road on Friday 10th June at 7pm. Tickets are £20 (ish) and can be bought online at the official site.

The evening also includes performances by James Acaster and Kerry Godliman, and is hosted by Ed Gamble of Mock The Week.

May Fair at St John's Notting Hill on May 21st at 1pm

May pole dancing at St John's Notting Hill

On Saturday May 21st at 1pm there is a May Fair at St John's Notting Hill, a long-running annual event and a great place to take the kids.  The day starts at 1pm and features tons of activities, including face painting, may poles, a bric-a-brac stall, home baked cakes and jams, and tons of other stuff.  Profits go to good causes around the world. Best of all, it costs just £1 to enter, and kids go in free.

"Art By Offenders" For Sale at Wormwood Scrubs on 21 May

The Koestler Trust is a UK charity that specialises in "Art by Offenders", working with prisoners all over the UK to create beautiful artwork. May 21 is their Spring Sale at Wormwood Scrubs prison - come along and buy some artwork done by members of our least-represented and least visible local community - prisoners in Wormwood Scrubs.

Pergola on the Roof is Coming to TV Centre

Pergola on the roof

Last summer White City played host to Storeys, a pop-up food market which occupied the rooftop of the old BBC Car Park on Wood Lane, part of Stanhope's huge new TV Centre development.

This summer it's time for something slightly less informal - Pergola on the Roof will bring four new restaurants, serving customers under a "pop-up pergola" which will be installed on the roof of the car park.

Stuff To Do With Kids This Summer - Bishop's Park

Bishop's Park - kid heaven

Now that the weather is finally getting warmer, London's parks start to come into their own.

One of our best local parks is Bishop's Park - it's a short bus ride away in Fulham - and one of the loveliest parks in and around our neighbourhood.

Bears Ice Cream Opens in Ravenscourt Park

Yay! Ice cream!

Bears Ice Cream has opened up in Ravenscourt Park at 244 Goldhawk Rd, W12 9PE. Started up by the head chef of our local gastropub The Anglesea Arms, Bears ice cream isn't just your average ice cream parlour.

The ice cream is Icelandic in style, which apparently means it comes in just one flavour - vanilla - which can then be customised with all sorts of extra goodies.  Think Mr Whippy, but done really really well. You can add chocolate, or fruit - tons of yummy extras.

Jamie Oliver Cookery School Opens in Westfield on 4th May

Jamie Oliver has announced the opening of a new cookery school at Jamie's Italian in Westfield. Fans of the celebrity chef can now book classes at the Jamie Oliver Cookery School, scheduled to open on May 4th.

The Jamie Oliver Cookery School "will provide lessons for everyone, whether you’re a complete beginner or a kitchen pro."

Pop-Up "Silent Cinema" Comes to Television Centre This Summer

This summer White City developers Stanhope are hosting a pop-up "silent cinema" on the roof of the old car park on Wood Lane. Silent Cinema will run for six weeks, run by Electric Cinema (of Notting Hill and Shoreditch fame), and will be managed by Incipio Events.

But don't worry, "silent cinema" doesn't mean there is no sound; it just means there is no noise to disturb the neighbours.  Audience members will be provided with noise cancelling headphones to ensure there is no disturbance to local residents.

Silent Cinema will open to the public Wednesday to Sunday for six weeks between 22 June and 1 August 2016; on Mondays and Tuesdays there will be private viewings only.  Films will end no later than 11.30pm.