Cherry Blossom in Hammersmith Park

This past week Hammersmith Park has been a riot of cherry blossom - on a sunny day visitors to our local park can sit on a bench beneath a cherry tree and watch the pink petals gently float away on the breeze.

The planting of cherry trees alongside the Japanese lanterns and the Japanese Garden means that at this time of year you can almost imagine yourself to be in Japan. 

New Tennis Nets at Hammersmith Park

Old (top) vs new (bottom)

Many thanks to the Parks Team at the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham for the new tennis nets recently installed in Hammersmith Park. 

The old nets were in pretty bad shape, with holes so big it wasn't clear whether balls were going over the net or through it.

The tennis courts in Hammersmith Park are one of our best local amenities. You can't book them in advance - meaning that anyone can drop in at any time and play.  

You might have to wait a few minutes, but spontaneity is rewarded for the patient.  

Macfarlane Place "Ready by March 2024"

Macfarlane Place, as proposed, from Macfarlane Rd

Macfarlane Place, the new development on Wood Lane, is now well underway, following the year-long process of demolition of the old BBC car park.

The basic structure is almost complete, and the process of fitting out the new flats will last into early 2024. 

The new development will also offer a new route to TV Centre from Wood Lane, and a new pedestrian access to Hammersmith Park, underneath the railway arches. 

The new building will surely be a handsome addition to the neighbourhood. 

Public Consultation on Alcohol in Shepherd's Bush Green

Public Consultation on the Consumption of Alcohol

Our local council - The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (LBHF) - is running a public consultation on the Consumption of Alcohol on Shepherd's Bush Green.  The consultation runs until 2 April 2023. 

If you would like to comment, use the following link: https://haveyoursay.lbhf.gov.uk/. 

You will see a number of consultations currently ongoing; just scroll down to the relevant link.

Partial Closure Order of Shepherd's Bush Green to Close 27 Feb

PCO on Shepherd's Bush Green expires on 27 Feb

The Partial Closure Order imposed on Shepherd's Bush Green in November will expire at the end of the month, on February 27.

The PCO has been a part of a concerted attempt by the police to clean up Shepherd's Bush Green, by using extra powers to move on the drunks and drug dealers.

Of course, in some ways this just moves the problem on, but at least it shows action on the part of the police to deal with anti-social behaviour.  You can read more about it at the official LBHF site here.

Yoo Capital "Public Exhibitions" on 25-28 Feb 2023

Yoo Capital, the owners of Shepherd's Bush Market, are hosting a series of "Public Exhibitions" - in-person consultations with members of the public to view their new plans for Shepherd's Bush Market. 

The Public Exhibitions take place on Saturday February 25 at 2.30pm, and on Monday 27 February and Tuesday 28 February at 7.30pm.

Local residents are particularly welcome, as Yoo Capital seeks local support for its development plans.

Yoo Capital has been consulting with the public for over two years now;  as early as 2020 they organised Zoom calls with the public to air their early ideas for the development of the market and the wider area - and to receive feedback. 

Beware Uxbridge Rd Speed Cameras

Speed Camera on the Uxbridge Rd

New speed cameras are in action on the Uxbridge Rd - enthusiastic harvesters of tickets that will hunt you down if you go as fast as... 25mph. 

Most of the time you can't travel over 5mph on the Uxbridge Rd due to the weight of traffic, as it's usually pretty much gridlock. But on rare occasions - like Sunday mornings when the road is free of traffic - you can travel faster than a crawl, and whizz along at - the excitement! - more than 20mph.

 

Humans of Shepherd's Bush No 16 - Khadir

Kadhir

Meet Khadir, one of our local streetcleaners, and one of the many people in Shepherd's Bush who helps to make life just a little bit better for everyone he meets.

Originally from Somalia, Khadir is everyone's friend; he always says hello, is always happy to offer the time of day - and ask after local friends, families and neighbours. 

On occasion Khadir has even help to prevent crime by stopping some of the anti-social behaviour that so often causes trouble in Shepherd's Bush.

Public Meeting at Du Boisson Village Hall Tonight

Du Boisson Village Hall, Wood Lane

Tonight at 6pm at the Du Boisson Village Hall (the old Drill Hall) on Wood Lane, "Sergeant Tom" from our local Police force is hosting at meeting to discuss the Partial Closure Order currently in force across Shepherd's Bush Green.

Is the PCO working? Does our local community approve, or disapprove? PCOs are a relatively draconian policy, and the current order expires on 27 February 2023. 

Anecdotal evidence suggests that the PCO has had a positive impact on crime and anti-social behaviour in our neighbourhood.  One local resident explained that the Sainsburys Local on Shepherd's Bush Green has reported a drop in shoplifting, for example.  Come along tonight at 6pm and share your views.

Hoxton Hotel Brings Glamour to Shepherd's Bush

The new Hoxton Hotel at 65 Shepherd's Bush Green is finished at last, having opened its doors on Monday night to local guests and visitors. 

The result is everything our neighbourhood could hope for, a lively, bustling bar filled with energy and life.  Who knew that going out for a drink in Shepherd's Bush could be so civilised?

With the lovely Albertine wine bar having closed earlier this year, the Hoxton adds glamour and fun to Shepherd's Bush nightlife.

Work Begins on Hammersmith Park "Old Bowling Green"

Felled brush at Hammersmith Park

Work has begun at last to improve the "Old Bowling Green" in Hammersmith Park - that's the overgrown area beyond the tennis courts that hosts the so-called "Tiny Forest". 

Years of unplanned growth of shrubs and small trees have been cut down to make way for a more curated environment - you can see the plans from our council, the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham (LBHF) below.

FOSBG Dreams of a Better Shepherd's Bush Green

Hoxton Hotel opens tonight

On 24th November Jonathan Pearl, Chair of The Friends of Shepherd's Bush Green, hosted a public meeting to discuss FOSBG plans for the improvement of Shepherd's Bush Green. 

The meeting was held at The W12 Centre on 24 November, and was well-attended by members of the council, the police and also by our local MP.  Plans were presented for a community garden on the western edge of Shepherd's Bush Green, with local architects exploring ideas to regenerate and revive our local landscape.

Partial Closure Order for Shepherd's Bush Green

Local Police Officers with copies of the PCO

On 22 November local police attended Westminster Magistrates Court to secure a "Partial Closure Order" (PCO) of Shepherds Bush Green.

The PCO includes a number surrounding streets, notably the "Caxton Village" area north of Shepherd's Bush Green, which has been the scene of considerable anti-social behaviour in recent months.

The PCO took effect from yesterday, Monday November 28, and lasts for three months, until 27 February 2023.

No Lights for Shepherd's Bush Green Again

Westfield sparkles

Once again this Christmas, Westfield sparkles, but there are no Christmas decorations on the shopping streets around Shepherd's Bush Green.

Every year, Westfield puts on a display of light and colour, while Shepherd's Bush Green and the surrounding streets are left with nothing at all.

Even though local businesses pay business rates for local services, our Council appear unable to hang any Christmas decorations in our shopping streets.

Friends of Shepherds Bush Green Public Meeting Nov 24

Jonathan pearl, Chair of The Friends of Shepherd's Bush Green, is hosting a Public Meeting on 24th November to discuss FOSBG plans for the improvement of Shepherd's Bush Green. 

The meeting will be held at The W12 Centre on 24 November, starting at 6.30pm.  Plans will be presented for a community garden, and local businesses are welcome to attend and help generate support. 

FOSBG is very grateful to LandSec for providing the meeting room.  

In recent months Friends of Shepherds Bush Green has gone from strength to strength, building a strong network of local supporters.

Anti-Social Behaviour Getting Worse in Shepherd's Bush?

Public drinking in Caxton Village

What can be done about the ongoing anti-social behaviour in Shepherd's Bush?

Jonathan Pearl, Chair of the Friends of Shepherd's Bush Green (FOSBG) recently posted about the growing problem of public drunkenness and anti-social behaviour that many believe is getting worse around Shepherd's Bush Green.

Register Now for "Affordable" Macfarlane Place

Macfarlane Place - opening 2024

Macfarlane Place, the new development on Wood Lane, is underway, following the year-long process of demolition of the old BBC car park.

Local people can now register their interest in the flats in Macfarlane Place, which starting in 2024 will offer 142 new one and two bedroom flats for rent and shared ownership, part of "Phase Two" of the development. 

The new flats will be managed by Peabody Trust and are described as “affordable” - meaning that they are being offered at below market rates. 

The new development will also offer a new route to TV Centre from Wood Lane, and a new pedestrian access to Hammersmith Park. 

FOSBG Gains Formal Recognition from LBHF

Can Shepherd's Bush Green be a better place?

The Friends of Shepherds Bush Green (FOSBG) has now been formally recognised by The London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham as the “principal user group” for Shepherd's Bush Green.  

This means that from now on FOSBG will be the main point of liaison between our local council and local residents - when it comes to matters concerning The Green.

Why is Ginglik Still Closed?

Ginglik - long derelict

Why is the former Edwardian loo-turned nightclub Ginglik still closed and derelict?

In 2021 an appplication for planning permission was put in for a change of use, the change of use being from a nightclub to a restaurant.  

Permission was for this granted by LBHF (who own the site) in September 2021, but since then nothing has happened. 

The former Ginglik site occupies a long-neglected corner of Shepherd's Bush Green, which has become a site for rubbish dumping and rough sleeping.  Surely something can be done to find a use for this most central location in Shepherd's Bush? A new restaurant would be good news - if it can be pulled off.

Jonathan Pearl Chair of FOSBG

Jonathan Pearl

A warm welcome to local resident Jonathan Pearl, who has become the chair of FOSBG, The Friends of Shepherd's Bush Green. 

In recent months Jonathan has been working with our local council, police and other stakeholders to try and improve the state of Shepherd's Bush Green. 

With the new Hoxton Hotel soon opening, and the redevelopment and renewal of the old Walkabout pub, Jonathan believes that local residents now have a real chance to make significant improvements to our neighbourhood.