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Visit the oldest allotments in London  - Saturday 25th June

Northfield Allotments in Northfield Avenue, Ealing is opening its gates again for its second annual open day on Saturday 25th June from 1pm-5pm.Entrance is FREE.This year you can:·      Wander round the site and see what is growing – we’d love to know which is your favourite plot.·      See our heritage plot and go inside our World War II Anderson shelter·      Find out more about our wildlife and history on a guided walk of the site at 2pm and 4pm – pick up a ticket at the main gate on the day·      Talk to Tom our beekeeper and see his demonstration hive·      Visit our potager plot – to see how you could grow flowers and vegetables together at home·      See how one plotholder made a wildlife friendly shed from recycled materials·      Buy plants and vegetables·      Sit, relax and enjoy some tea and really lovely cakes from our refreshment stall This year we have been doing lots of research into the site and have now discovered that we are the oldest allotment gardens in London. We love our allotments and are keen to share them with fellow gardeners. So, please do come and join us, and see what is growing. Whether you want to chat with plotholders who are passionate about gardening or just come and soak in the atmosphere of this beautiful place – you will be very welcome.I know many people really enjoyed visiting the site last year - so if you missed out - you're in for a treat. Dogs are welcome too (if on a lead).Christina FoxChair of the Ealing Dean Allotment Societywww.ealingdean.co.uk

Christina Fox ● 3801d5 Comments ● 3768d

Watercolour classes in Hanwell

Hi, I'm a Hanwell-based artist and I am currently signing up new students for watercolour classes which I run weekly during term-time from my home/studio. If you're interested please do visit my website to see the dates, times and prices of classes: http://jessicaroseartist.co.uk/hanwell-watercolour-workshop/ I also have a Facebook page - facebook.com/hanwellwatercolourworkshop - where you can see the lovely work my students have been doing.

Jessica Rose ● 3768d0 Comments ● 3768d

HS2

Now the UK has voted to leave the EU will HS2 [which was an EU driven directive] still go ahead?

Bob Little ● 3769d0 Comments ● 3769d

Picture Framer

Can anyone recommend a good local picture framer? Many thanks.

Neil McKelvie ● 3770d4 Comments ● 3769d

"Missing" Planning Applications - Public Register.

For almost 30 years to my knowledge, Planning Applications have been available to view and comment on.  Originally, before computers were widely used, the Public Register consisted of a buff-coloured foolscap cardboard folder at the Council's offices where the public could have immediate access to it. The Public Register contained the Application, Drawings & Plans, Agent's cover letter, Tree Report, etc.A few years ago, Planning Reception at Perceval House started referring callers to the Council's Website where these documents were available to view and print off.  One Council (Slough Borough Council) applied software to prevent easy printing though!In Ealing, up until the Planning Administrator, Mrs Chris Hall left the Council in the latter part of last year followed by her deputy Miss Michele Power, the Applications and supporting papers had always been available on the Council's Planning Website.But in recent months, all of a sudden most Application Forms seem to be completely missing from the Web.I have today written a 4-page letter to Mr Paul Najsarek, the new Chief Executive of Ealing Council asking that the Council publishes the Applications as before and importantly, as it is required to do by law.Please see at: https://www.dropbox.com/s/8lc1be6vjjzxkem/PaulNajsarek_26thMay2016.pdf?dl=0with one of the two attachments at:https://www.dropbox.com/s/vihb2akttgxtkg6/ApplicationForms_FiveCouncils.pdf?dl=0

Victor Mishiku ● 3801d5 Comments ● 3772d

ENERGY BOOST on Monday

Energy boost?Energy Therapists will be at the London Buddhist Vihara, The Avenue, W4 1UD on Monday, 13th June, between 11am and 1pm (last session 12.45).  The session takes about 15-20 minutes and I am sure that you will feel really good at the end of that time, with lots of vital energy to enable you to enjoy the rest of your week!  A number of therapists come in each month and give their services free.  The Vihara kindly allow us to use the hall at no charge so a donation is most welcome as this enables us to give all donations to the Vihara.These sessions are not related to any religion, everyone is welcome.

Pat Smith ● 3786d2 Comments ● 3773d

RIP Harry Rabinowitz

Remembering a magical concert at Pitzhanger Manor where he inadvertently and to the amusement of fellow concert-goers and our embarrassment instructed the youngest concert-goer how to conduct an orchestra...

Philippa Bond ● 3773d0 Comments ● 3773d

Plastic recycling

Does anyone know where we can recycle soft plastic packaging (other than carrier bags) which cannot legitimately be placed in our recycling bins? The new rules seem to be stricter than they were in relation to the permitted categories.

Moira Black ● 3779d7 Comments ● 3773d

Warren Farm andBrexit - very odd to ay the least

There have been many odd views put forward during the campaign on the vote for and against the EU in the vote today. The one from Mr Wale takes the biscuit as totally illogical,and if you feel like him then you don't bother to vote. If you want to cause unemployment and crash the pound and financial markets you take his odd advice.If you want a safe UK,stong trading markets and a brighter future you vote REMAIN

Glen Barnham ● 3774d0 Comments ● 3774d

Acton tip crusher

Last week, I was told that the crusher was still being repaired and I was advised to ring again this week to find out if things were back to normal. I have tried to phone the Acton tip every day since Monday and was unable to get through as the phone was busy every time.Does anyone know what the current state of affairs is?Many thanks.

Karin Hayes ● 3775d3 Comments ● 3774d

'Strong Service Performance' - comedy gold!

http://www.ealingtoday.co.uk/default.asp?section=info&link=http://neighbournet.com/server/common/eapeereport001.htm

Aubrey Houseman ● 3778d5 Comments ● 3774d

Wheelie bins

After receiving no bins I now find myself with 2 extra ,a black and blue bin appeared afterreceiving our 2 allotted.When advising I was told that I had to keep them in the front drive for a week or morewhen they may be delivered.I told our Councillors who requested removal,so far on Friday 17th to no avail.One has to be fit and strong to cope with these huge containers,more so when full.

Anthony Roden ● 3781d7 Comments ● 3774d

Help Stop Excessive Over-Development in Ealing

Excessive over-development has not just been restricted to Ealing but cities and even on precious green belt.  Open spaces and green areas in the city are vital in improving mental heath of people and also maintaining clean air. Central government has given local councils a quota to build a certain amount of residential properties each year. The reason for all of this is that there is a housing shortage. There are more than one reason for the housing crisis, the government however does not explain that much of the housing shortage has arisen from unlimited and excessive immigration from Europe.  In 2015 the net migration was around 320,000 this is the equivalent of the population of Cardiff.  This means we have to build enough properties to house the equivalent population of the city of Cardiff each year!  Please help address the major causes of excessive over-development by encouraging people to vote to leave the EU.

Joel Mahair ● 3774d0 Comments ● 3774d

Black bins by Acton Green park

Hi all, can anyone confirm if these are being collected by the council? Many thanks.

Diane Tomey ● 3779d1 Comments ● 3776d

Cllr Bell, private home-owner with a social tenancy

For 9 years Cllr Bell has held on to a 4 bedroom social house even though he owns a £1m+ 5 bedroom house in the next Acton street. This was exposed 18 months ago but still he has kept the social house. There are 1.5 million families on council housing waiting lists in the UK and 60,000 families in temporary accommodation at an average cost of £18k per annum each family to councils. Ealing Council's bill for temporary accommodation has gone up drastically in recent years because of an acute shortage of social homes. This adds to pressures to cut services for residents and jobs for council workers. Last year, 2015, Cllr Bell's family were all registered on the electoral register at his private address; no one was registered in his social home. When he has two houses and there are so many families needing this social home I don't understand why A2Dominion allows him to keep it. I wonder do they let other tenants keep their social tenancies if they own private properties or does Cllr Bell get away with it because he's the council leader? I think it is immoral.

Michael Mckenna ● 3792d8 Comments ● 3777d

Rewards NOT penalties

The wheelie-bin fiasco. Can the geniuses of the council, who make unenforceable rules and penalise those who are created guilty' and fined for their offence, put on their thinking caps? Why not take the Reward route?. Offer £1 for every fully filled black bag received at collection points - and you will have queues of bright young kids collecting and bagging as much garbage they can carry. Would it work? Of course it would work! But, of course, the naysayers and ever vigilant bin-men will fall out of the woodwork bleating 'child labour!" 'H&E regulations', 'Crazy idea!' Try it. You know it makes sense...

Mike Fox ● 3780d1 Comments ● 3778d

Ealing Website blocked to Mac/Safari Browser users. Why?

Can anyone explain why all of  London Borough of Ealings website services are blocked to Mac users using Safari?So far I've had everything from " Apple Mac users are not in significant numbers to justify servicing Safari users to total denial that there are any issues at all.However I've now tried to connect to Ealings Website from 9 different macs in differnet offices and locations and none using safari ( the normal Mac browser can access Ealings server.So how many people have been unable to register to vote or postal vote?How many cannot sort problems with wheelie bins and other council services.I ended up leaving my phone on hold in the office today for 88 mins to sort out a bin problem for an elderly resident and gave up.Are others having this problem?

Mark Kehoe ● 3781d21 Comments ● 3778d

Black sacks- non collection of

We were advised by the council that living in flats we would be kept on the old system ,although there seems to be a difference of opinion whether the black sacks are still weekly or are now alternate depending on who you speak to on the phone plus the website is not accurate. Amey driver refused to collect our sacks ( now 40 in number so far in our binshed and smelling to high heaven, stupid starting a new system in summer). Council tells me he is obliged to collect our sacks. We await with bated breath a special collection which was promised for either yesterday or today. It is fast becoming a health & environmental issue. We have wasted loads of money hanging on the phone waiting for them to answer, 20 minutes is not unusual. We are between a rock & a hard place. Anyone else experiencing this?

Bettina Margaret Thwaite ● 3779d0 Comments ● 3779d

Found bunch of keys

2 house keys, car key, 2 enamel tags and yellow Ealing library tag. Found in Ealing Road at junction with Burford Road.I have handed them in to Ealing police.

Toby Sleigh ● 3779d0 Comments ● 3779d

Reassurance that all whellie bins will be emptied.

Some councils will not empty a recycle whellie bin if it is less than half full and leave it for the next collection.Please can LBE reassure us this will not happen.

Harry Jay ● 3884d42 Comments ● 3781d