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PCA Newsletter 17 - November 2006 |
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That
Stop-Start Traffic Scheme
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After being stuck somewhere in the
corridors of Ealing Town Hall for the last six
months, it looks as though the long awaited traffic
study for Pitshanger Lane has finally been given the
green light. The PCA has heard from Ealing Council
that traffic consultants have now been appointed and
will set to work in the next week or so with the aim
of making traffic along the Lane more free-flowing
and pedestrian movement easier. At a meeting on 15th
November the Council’s Ealing Area Committee also
confirmed (for the third time) that the PCA will be
on the inside track during all stages of
consultation. The study is being undertaken using
funding from TfL’s “Streets for People” scheme. Your
committee will keep members fully informed of
progress and will organise a public meeting once
firm proposals have been made. |
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Light Up
The Lane
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The PCA’s annual winter festival will
take place on Saturday 2nd December, from 5 until
8.30pm, with the Big Switch On at 6.30 – the
newsletter has been told that veteran Doctor Who
fans should make a special effort to attend. Expect
all the usuals – mulled wine, mince pies, samosas,
fire eaters, stilt walkers and the rest – plus a few
things you may not have seen before. Music –
seasonal and contemporary – will take centre stage
(twice!). The Main Stage finale will be a
showcase of the talent unearthed in the Pitzhanga
Popstar competition held at Party In The Park.....
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.....whilst the Duffy’s Stage will
feature deep down and dirty rock’n’blues from the
Buick Hill Band and the Trinidadian tones of St
Benedict’s Samba Band. There is a preview of
LUTL 2006 on the PCA web site
here, including the draft programme and full
details of the traffic and bus diversions. |
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Red
Lorry Yellow Lorry – You Decide!
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This year, the PCA will be using curtain-sided
17-ton trucks for both the Main and Duffy’s stages at Light Up
The Lane, one reason being that they’re easy to move in case of
emergency. Each truck needs two drivers (one spare) and at this
moment we have just one in total! So, if you have an HGV
licence, or know someone who has, please get in touch with Doug
Winter on 8998 7758 or 07799 351293. First come first served on
choice of colour. Doug’s also looking for stewards and marshals
on the night so if you can spare an hour please get in touch. |
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Safer
Neighbourhoods Meeting
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How safe is Pitshanger? The leaders of our two
Police Safer Neighbourhoods teams were on hand to answer this
question at the PCA’s public meeting in the Methodist Hall on
November 9th. About 50 residents heard a presentation by
Sergeants Steve Driscoll and Bill Hermitage, respectively
leaders of the Cleveland and Hanger Hill Safer Neighbourhoods
teams. Statistics suggest that the level of crime in Pitshanger
is quite low compared to some other parts of Ealing. However,
there are particular local problems, notably vehicle crime and
graffiti.
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Sgt Driscoll (pictured) acknowledged that the fear
of crime is higher than it should be and explained that his team
would be concentrating on crime prevention. In answer to a
question about police visibility, Sgt Driscoll said that there
was little point in patrolling Pitshanger Lane at 10am on a
weekday morning. Instead, he has often moved the team’s working
shifts to the late evening when problems are more likely to
occur.
Sgt Hermitage went some way towards allaying fears
about the recently announced closure of Ealing Police station by
explaining that premises for the Hanger Hill team were being
sought near Hanger Lane Gyratory and that the Cleveland team
were due to occupy offices in the Gurnell Swimming Pool
building. He added, “the teams are working closely together to
reduce crime in the area. Local people can help us achieve our
aims by keeping us in the picture as to what’s going on”.
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More
Hello Hello?
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Councillors’ Surgery
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Police Borough Commander Collette Paul
has announced a further boost for the Cleveland and
Hanger Hill Safer Neighbourhood teams. Each team was
due to reach a strength of one Sergeant, two PCs and
three Police Community Support Officers by next
month but Chief Supt Paul has now allocated a
further three PCSOs to both teams. The six new
officers should be on duty by the middle of next
year.
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If you need reminding, Cleveland Ward
councillors are available from 10 till 11am on the
second Saturday of the month at the Methodist Church
Hall.
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Seepage
Saga
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PCA member Tony Purton, among others,
has been pressing Ealing Council to deal with the
water seepage across the public footpath at the
bottom of Castlebar Park. In response to his Freedom
Of Information Act request (see Pitshanger Voice at
www.pitshanger.org.uk) the Council claims that
Thames Water are responsible for the leak but cannot
locate the source. An unsigned disclaimer notice has
appeared on the garden fence of 92 Castlebar Park
again blaming Thames Water. The problem is over five
years old and started soon after Laing Homes built
the controversial ‘Nightingales’ development in
2000.
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Notwithstanding the cause of the leak,
the Council has a duty of care and powers of
intervention under the Highways Act 1980 to protect
public safety. Ruston Wyatt, the council
officer dealing with the case, says that in
recognition of the health and safety risks posed he
has prepared a ‘gritting’ schedule for cold weather
and has commissioned an assessment to see if a
drainage system could be installed to stop the water
encroaching onto the pavement, but it looks like
another hazardous winter for pedestrians on
Pitshanger Lane. To register your concern, contact
Mr Wyatt by email at:
WyattR@ealing.gov.uk. |
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That
Time of Year
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River
News
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Sgt Steve Driscoll, Cleveland Ward
Safer Neighbourhoods Team leader, writes to let us
know that it’s that time of year again, one which
burglars love. Yes, it’s the annual Thomson
Directories distribution and, although distributors
are told not to leave copies in view of the street,
inevitably some will be visible and indicate to the
criminal eye that the property is probably
unoccupied. If you don’t already, please look after
your neighbours by taking in left parcels and the
like.
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Karen Costello, whose dog was badly
injured in the Brent, and the PCA continue to press
the Council for urgent improvements to the river
environment. Unfortunately, enquiries routed to
Hanger Hill ward councillor Nigel Sumner –
responsible for environmental issues on the Council
– have yet to elicit a reply. We’re not going to
give up on this one, you know!
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Exclusive - Foxes Vote For Black Bags!
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The Council is conducting a survey of all
residents on waste and recycling collection arrangements.
Various options are explained and costed, from the present
fox-friendly black bags and green box through to the
complexities of the wheelie bin. The Council is due to make a
decision in March so have your say – if you didn’t get a copy of
the survey form with the latest copy of Around Ealing get one
from the library or go to the Ealing Council web site
here. |
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St
Mary’s
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St Mary’s Church, that 12th century little gem
nestling among the trees on the path through the golf course,
isn’t just remarkable on the outside. Inside, it’s a hive of
cultural activity, and at this time of year things are
particularly busy. All the events listed below start at 3pm
except where stated. For concerts, no tickets are issued
beforehand, but further information is available on 8997 7691 or
at
www.st-marys-perivale.org.uk.
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Sunday December 3rd - Advent Carols and Readings.
Wednesday 6th (7.30pm) - piano recital with Charles Economou
(Chopin’s Sonata Op 58) and Manor Wind and Hugh Mather (piano).
Sunday 10th - the Renardy String Trio perform
Bach’s Goldberg Variations. £7 (£6 concessions).
Saturday 16th - the popular Christingle Service,
led by Rev Valerie Aitken (children particularly welcome).
Sunday 17th - Robin MacGibbon and friends present
a Candlelit Carol Service.
Monday 1st January - New Year’s Day Gala with a
host of well-known local musicians, mulled wine and mince pies.
£10.
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Scam
Alert
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Sgt Steve Driscoll, leader of the Cleveland Safer
Neighbourhoods team warns of a scam currently operating in the
Pitshanger area:
"There is an Asian female, slim build, 5'04" tall,
aged approx 26yrs old Described as having long hair possibly in
a pony tail, with a 'long face and large nose'. Last seen
wearing a denim jacket and jeans, but has worn smart clothing in
the past. She also has a well spoken English accent.
Her scam is that she will say that she has a
crisis, possibly a sick relative, and needs money for the train
fare or other urgent expense as she has no cash. Other
versions include car crashes, sick children and other sob
stories. She is very convincing and will often say she has come
from a nearby address, assuming that the victim does not know
the people at that address.
Apart from successfully obtaining money this way,
she is also a prolific distraction burglar. A distraction
burglar is one who tricks their way into a property and then
steals (as opposed to one who breaks in). Previously she has
been invited into a house while people have 'helped' her.
Over the weekend of the 24/25 November she has struck twice in
the Pitshanger area, once obtaining money, but thankfully not a
burglary.
Please be aware of this scam and report all
sightings if possible. She is currently being investigated by
other units in the Met".
You can contact the Cleveland Safer Neighbourhoods
team on 8246 9406 (Office), 8721 2920 (Mobile) or
Cleveland.snt@met.police.uk. There is a thread on
Pitshanger Voice dealing with this scam
here. |
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New
Faces
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The
Perivale 5 |
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After the recent round of departures,
your committee is now back up to full strength with
the arrival of Anne O’Malley of Body&Sole as the
traders’ representative; Pam Walker, who will be in
charge of membership with help from Karen Jack and
Michelle Scupholme; and Megan Brady who will be
working on events management. No doubt members will
wish them all success in their new roles. Full
details of the committee are on the PCA web site
here. |
No, not more youths with ASBOs, but a
five mile race organized by Ealing, Southall and
Middlesex Athletics Club taking place on Sunday 10th
December at 10am starting from the Perivale Park
track in Stockdove Way. Details are available on
www.esm.org.uk and an online entry form is
available at
www.runnersworld.co.uk. |
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And don’t forget… to get your
raffle tickets back to Debbie Edwards by Wednesday
29th November to make sure you’re included in the
draw at Light Up The Lane. |
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