Why Is Our Council Failing Shepherd's Bush Green?

Recently we reported on the sea of litter that greets anyone crossing Shepherd's Bush Green in the morning.

The story got a good deal of traffic, and we received many comments and emails from local residents, suggesting that the state of Shepherd's Bush Green is something that people in our neighbourhood care about.

So we contacted our local Councillors, Mercy Umeh, Natalia Perez, and Andrew Jones to ask them if they could help us out in the fight to clean up Shepherd's Bush Green. What was the result?

Who Are Your Local Councillors?

Most of us have no idea who our local Councillors are, but we ought to. Why? Because Councillors are the link between the voters and the Council - it's the way in which local government is held to account by the electorate.

If you've got a problem in your local neighbourhood, the chances are your local MP won't be able to help much, because local issues are mostly decided at a local level.

But your local Councillors should know where the levers of power are located  - and also how to press them.  So, in Shepherd's Bush, who are our local councillors, and how can you reach them?

Review - Boys Will Be Boys

Here at The Bush Telegraph we're big fans of the Bush Theatre, our temple of culture on the Uxbridge road, currently undergoing a major renovation.

Overall, the standard of theatre is very high, comparable with the best of the West End, but lately we've noticed a bit of a detour into some less thoughtful programming. Think the naughtily-titled "F*ck the Polar Bears", or "Islands", a potty-mouthed rant against tax avoiders. It's not that these plays don't have something to say, it's just that what they do say isn't necessarily very well said.

"Boys Will Be Boys" continues this recent trend. Here is what our reviewer thought of the play, which is currently playing at Bush Hall until 30 July.

Shepherd's Bush Green Is a Mess

Shepherd's Bush Green yesterday morning

Anyone who walks across Shepherd's Bush Green in the mornings will be familiar with the sea of litter that is deposited there every night.

Food, empty bottles, soda cans, McDonalds wrappers - all sorts of junk gets left there - often right next to the bins. It's a depressing sight, and there doesn't seem to be any attempt to enforce the laws against dropping litter.

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.

"Big Local" W12 Festival on Saturday 23rd July

W12 Festival 2016

The W12 Festival is coming to our streets this summer. The "Big Local" in White City is getting ready for this year's Summer Festival on Saturday 23rd July from 1pm until 7pm, in newly refurbished Wormholt Park.

It's a family-friendly day, full of activities, local performers, street food from local caterers and "an opportunity to celebrate all that’s good and inspiring about our little patch of London".

Best of all, entry is free.

Funfair Returns to Shepherd's Bush Green

Funfair

Pity poor Shepherd's Bush Green - the funfair is returning for two weeks, from 22 July until 7 August.

The trouble is, the big lorries that transport these funfairs cause huge damage to the Green, which even at the best of times often feels badly treated.

You can still see the trackmarks in the grass from the last fair, which left in early April.

Wood Lane Closed

Wood Lane (aka the A219) is closed in both directions today due to "emergency repairs" between South Africa Road and Shepherd's Bush Green.  According to the TFL website, the closure has been caused by a burst water main.

If you're driving, it's probably best to avoid the whole Shepherd's Bush area until the works are completed. 

As to when that will be, there is no information as yet. The closure has been in place since wednesday, with no end in sight. Meanwhile, gridlock on the streets of Shepherd's Bush.

LBHF "Unity" Day on July 17th

Polish Centre, Hammersmith

The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham is hosting a "Unity Day" on July 17th, an event being organised by the council to "celebrate the diversity of our borough" and to show solidarity with those who experienced racial abuse in the aftermath of the Brexit vote.

The event will take place on July 17th with a march from Shepherd's Bush to the Polish Centre on King Street, and finishing in Ravenscourt Park with a community festival.

For details, see the Facebook page here.

Bush Theatre "Breaks Out" and Moves To Bush Hall

The Bush Theatre has "broken out" of its home on Uxbridge Road (where they have got the builders in all this year and early next) and taken up temporary residence at Bush Hall, a short walk west down the Uxbridge Road.

Bush Hall was originally a dance venue but today hosts all sorts of events including theatre, cabaret, comedy and live music.

The Bush Hall dining rooms are located conveniently next door, now serving pizza from their wood-burning pizza oven.

Should Hammersmith & Fulham Declare Independence?

According to our Council, the residents of Hammersmith & Fulham bucked the national trend in the recent referendum by a wide margin, voting 70% in favour of remaining in the European Union. Just 30% voted to leave, on a high turnout of almost 70%.  Hammersmith & Fulham Council Leader, Cllr Stephen Cowan also sought to calm the nerves of anxious Europeans in our neighbourhood. He said that the Council "wants to send a very clear and very warm message of welcome to the thousands of EU citizens that have made our borough their home."

St Stephen's Summer Fair Saturday 2 July at Noon

Summer Fair on Saturday

On Saturday 2 July St Stephen's School on the Uxbridge Road is having a summer fair.  

The Fair takes place from noon until 4pm and will involve lots of activities for families and children. 

Entry is 50p for children, £1 for adults, and £2 for families. 

So come along and support one of the best schools in our local neighbourhood. 

Night Tube To Begin On 19 August

The Night Tube, the 24 hour Underground service that was scheduled to start last September, is now due to start on 19 August, with the Central Line leading the way.

This means that trains from Shepherd's Bush to central London will run 24 hours a day, making London (like New York City) "The City That Never Sleeps".

A good thing then for late-night clubbers, and night-shift workers, but less welcome perhaps for anyone in Shepherd's Bush who wants a quiet life.

White City Place Public Consultation June 28, June 30 & July 2

BBC White City in 2013

The developers of White City Place (that's the old BBC White City site at the top of Wood Lane, next to the Westway) are hosting a series of public consultations on their plans to redevelop and refurbish the site.

There are to be three such events, to be held on on June 28, June 30 and July 2 at the Wood Lane Community Centre, and local residents are invited to come along, view the architectural plans on display, and offer their views.

Shepherd's Bush Post Office Says No

Computer says NO!

Why is the Shepherd's Bush Post Office still so terrible? Memorably described by Richard Herring as "the portal between Earth and Hades", our local Post Office seems to be entirely resistant to the modern world.

I mean, really, all I wanted was a stamp. Is that too much to ask? But both digital stamp machines were out of order and the line was as long as you would expect it to be on a Saturday. And, it being lunchtime (the busiest time), most of the staff seemed to be away having lunch. D'Oh!

So I went to Sainsbury's instead. They still sell stamps, and they seem to have a somewhat better grip on commercial reality.

Awards from The Hammersmith Society

Last week we reported on The Hammersmith Society's "wooden spoon" awards, for new architecture in our neighbourhood which got it wrong, and missed an opportunity to enhance our streets.

But the Hammersmith society doesn't only blow rasberries. Their Environmental Awards are primarily designed to praise good architecture which enhances our public spaces and adds to the beauty of our neighbourhood. Right now, there is a lot of building going on, and this year four awards were handed out for excellent schemes which helped to make our Borough a better place to live.  

Wooden Spoons from The Hammersmith Society

Last night The Hammersmith Society, the organisation that campaigns for good architecture and good civic design in our neighbourhood, announced the winners of its annual "Wooden Spoon" Awards. 

A bit like the "Razzies" in Los Angeles (an award that no Hollywood film-maker wants to win) Wooden Spoons go to buildings which have made our neighbourhood worse, not better. Wooden Spoons are a way of "naming and shaming" the new build which misses a chance to improve our streets.  

This year the Hammersmith Society awarded three Wooden Spoon awards.

To Brexit Or Not To Brexit

Eddie Morgan is a film-maker who lives in Shepherd's Bush (his production company Northern Town has its home on the Goldhawk Rd), and a passionate Europhile. In this video he has made with Gordon Brown, the former Prime Minister sets out his case for why the UK should remain in Europe. It's an emotional piece, filmed amidst the ruins of Coventry Cathedral, and his argument is basely largely on the peace and prosperity that Europe has enjoyed since the disaster of two world wars. No bogus economic statistics here - just an old-fashioned call to arms.

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.