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? 

St Stephen's Church Celebrates its New Roof

St Stephen's Church Celebrates its New Roof

St Stephen's church on the Uxbridge Road has finally completed work on the new church roof, a £250,000 project 10 years in the making.

Following a decade of fund-raising efforts, the church at last raised the £250,000 needed to re-roof the church buildings, the money coming from a blend of private donations, charitable grants, and church funds. 

It has taken the best part of a decade to raise the money, largely through the efforts of Juliet Byford, chair of the St Stephen's Roof Committee. 

 

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.

Scaffolding Goes Up at St Stephen's Church

Scaffolding goes up at St Stephen's

St Stephen's church on the Uxbridge Road has finally raised most of the £220,000 needed to re-roof the church buildings, and scaffolding is going up for work to begin.

It has taken the best part of a decade to raise the money, largely through the dogged efforts of Juliet Byford, chair of the St Stephen's Roof Committee. 

St Stephen's is an inclusive church that welcomes people from many different backgrounds, a place where diverse communities come together.  

Sponsored Community Cookathon for Shepherd's Bush

On St Valentines Day, February 14th 2021, Shepherds Bush families are taking part in a "Sponsored Community Cookie Cookathon for Streetyltes" to raise £5,000 for a new oven for St Stephens Church in Shepherds Bush. 

The new oven is needed to feed homeless people in Shepherd's Bush, as the old oven is broken, and you cannot serve hot meals without an oven.

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.

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 Your Help This Christmas

St Stephen's Newsletter Sunday 16 December 

St Stephen's church on the Uxbridge Road is looking for volunteers to help out this Christmas.

In particular, the church is looking for volunteers on monday at 11am to help out with a Christmas lunch for the elderly, and later at 5pm, for a Christmas dinner for rough sleepers.

London’s "Busiest Foodbank" Needs Donations

According to our Council, our local food bank, the Hammersmith and Fulham Foodbank, is officially London’s busiest. Which, of course, isn't really something to be proud of.

Worse news is that the Foodbank urgently needs  help to meet the increasing demand from local people in need.

Over the last two years, the number of families fed by the Foodbank has apparently more than doubled, and "supplies of essential items are running low".

Dinner & Auction at St Stephen's Thurs 22 November

On Thursday 22nd November St Stephen's Church on the Uxbridge Rd is hosting a dinner and auction in aid of the Roof Fund.

Tickets for dinner are £20 each, and includes a Middle Eastern buffet.

St Stephen's is hosting the dinner to raise money for the decaying Victorian roof, which is in need of replacement - to find out more, see the official site here.