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PCA Newsletter 24 - October 2007 |
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Café
Culture
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In the last Newsletter we sought views on whether
more cafes/restaurants should be permitted in
Pitshanger Lane. The question was prompted by the
recent opening of Angel Café and Cinnamon, and
concerns in some quarters as to whether they had the
required planning consent. We received 36 replies
via e-mail, on paper and on the PCA message board,
Pitshanger Voice. The responses fell into three
broad categories: against more cafes (13), in favour
of a free market (12), and specific support for
Angel Café and/or Cinnamon (11 responses). |
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Interestingly, the e-mail postbag was
a good deal smaller than for our last e-mail poll
(re the Co-op’s opening hours in 2006), so perhaps
this isn’t such a hot topic as we thought. We will
of course mention these results if and when we are
asked for a view by Ealing Council. As
a final note on all this, here’s a personal view
from the PCA’s former Chairman, Ron Bloomfield:
“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the Lane, from Curzon
Road to Lindfield Road, became a pedestrian
precinct? Can you imagine those lazy summer days
with restaurant tables over the whole width of the
lane, flowers, music drifting in the air, the warm
buzz of conversation? Yes, the buses would have to
be re-routed and there might be a few less parking
spaces, but wouldn’t it be worth it to make
Pitshanger Lane such a desirable place to be? I’m
sure local traders would benefit from it enormously.
But, then, it’s only a dream isn’t it...?” Sadly,
Ron, that’s almost certainly how it will stay. |
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Streets
for People Update
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We have heard from Ealing Council that their
“Streets for People” public consultation document is nearly
ready and should be published in two to three weeks’ time.
However, plans to get the consultation results agreed by the
Council’s Ealing Area Committee on November 19th are now bound
to slip. We will be letting members know how to obtain the
consultation document and respond to the Council. Other news on
the traffic front includes separate consultation on a 20mph zone
for Pitshanger, and the likely expansion of the Ealing Broadway
Controlled Parking Zone up Castlebar Road as far as Charlbury
Grove. |
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Trouble
at Station
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Help The
Police With Their Enquiries
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If you don’t know already, be warned!
For the last few months a camera has been spying on
drop-offs and pick-ups at Ealing Broadway. At least
one member has been fined for momentarily stopping
on the zig-zag lines by the pedestrian crossing. The
camera is also looking for other ‘offences’ such as
stopping on yellow lines and at bus stops. It puts
the plan to install dedicated drop-off bays that we
mentioned in the last issue into some sort of
context.
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What did they say in the Army? Never
volunteer? Anyway, member John Kane forgot to take
one step backwards when local representatives were
requested for Cleveland Ward's Safer Neighbourhood
Panel. This was established to help set priorities
and review performance of our local Safer
Neighbourhood policing team. If you have anything to
say about how the area should be policed, please
call John on 8357 6799 or email him at
safer.neighbourhood@gmail.com.
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Light Up
The Lane
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Only a few weeks now to the big night (Saturday
December 1st, from 5.30 p.m. until 9) and the big
question is…what’s the 10th anniversary surprise? We
know, but we ain’t telling! To find out, be near the
main stage at 6.30 when the lights go on.
Apart from that, there will be all your old
favourites including street entertainers, Fit For
Sport activities and performers including the Buick
Hill Band and the Pitzhanga Popstars. Just one word
of warning – tell your teenage children that the
fire-eater has promised that if he’s asked one more
time for a light,
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they’ll get a blow-dry they’ll never
forget! As usual lots of help on the night is
needed to man road closure barriers, sell
programmes, rattle collection tins, and – very
importantly – help clear up after the event. Please
call chief steward Doug Winter on 8998 7758 or email
doug.winter@pitshanger.org.uk.
We’re also looking for any old photos or video clips
from past Light Up The Lanes as we’re preparing a
special anniversary presentation to be screened at
this year’s event. Please contact Martin Kelly on
07973 501438 or email
pca@pitshanger.org.uk. We’re particularly keen
to obtain images from the very early events which
were run by the now defunct Pitshanger Traders
Association before the PCA took over. Has anyone got
a picture of Bill Bailey doing an impromptu stand-up
routine outside Ray’s Fruit Bowl? Of people dodging
the traffic in the days before the Lane was closed
for the night? Of a certain Newsletter editor
overdosing on the free mulled wine in Stepping Out?
(You’re fired – Ed.) |
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AGM
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Want to be Chairman of the PCA? Your chance comes
at 8.15 p.m. on Thursday November 15th, at St Barnabas Church
Hall. There will be the usual reports and election of officers
and committee, but we hope to keep that short so that most of
the meeting can be devoted to members’ concerns and their wishes
for the future. There will be the usual drinks and nibbles
afterwards. |
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Beyond
Control
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A somewhat disingenuous notice has appeared on the
Co-op’s door, in which the store apologises for any
inconvenience caused by limiting opening hours to 0800 to 2200,
due to “circumstances outside our control”. These are, in fact,
the permitted hours granted at the Co-op’s request in January
this year so it’s hard to see how they are beyond the Co-op’s
control. Co-op HQ has now applied to the Council to vary the
permitted hours to match the 0700 to 2300 opening times the
store had been unofficially keeping since it opened in December
2004. The question of deliveries is still unresolved, however,
and although strict time limitations are theoretically in place,
store manager Keith Thompson tells us that in practice it’s very
difficult to ensure that lorries turn up when they should. Keith
has complained to the Co-op’s logistics company about
‘anti-social’ drivers and has, on occasion, made them wait until
the proper time before unloading. |
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P In The
Park
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Over the last few years there must have been many a
resentful glance cast in the direction of the locked
public conveniences in the Park. While dogs remain
free to cock a leg, their owners – along with every
other human – have been forced to grit their teeth
and set out for home. However, the good news is that
relief may now be at hand. As an experiment, Ealing
Council is considering opening the toilets during
daylight hours next summer. Councillors have
expressed concern about a repetition of the
“unsuitable behaviour” that led to the toilets being
closed
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in the first place, but we are assured
that the Council will listen to what we have to say
about this. Are you in favour of the experimental
re-opening next summer? Let us know via e-mail to
pca@pitshanger.org.uk, on paper to the PCA
Secretary, 12 Sovereign Close, W5 1DE, or on
Pitshanger Voice. |
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Road
Closure
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Not
Altogether Lost
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On the advice of the police, and in
the light of past experience, the top end of Curzon
Road will be completely sealed off at this year’s
Light Up The Lane. Although notices will be put up
and a circular sent to local residents, please
advise your neighbours that the only way out of the
area north of Pitshanger Lane will be eastwards via
Meadvale Road.
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For the last couple of issues we’ve
been running the story about the demise of the old
Knock On Wood shop front due to its unsuitability
for the new pharmacy soon to be opening there.
Touched by the feelings the loss of this old bit of
Pitshanger has engendered, owner Danny Patel has
arranged to donate the shop front and iron grille to
Gunnersbury museum.
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Brentham
Renovations
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The Brentham Club is undergoing a long-overdue
facelift. The function hall is now completely refitted with air
conditioning, new flooring and ceiling, and a refurbished bar.
Current building work will provide new toilets, a smart new
entrance lobby, a cafe/coffee lounge, and should be completed
early in the New Year. There is a major fund-raising effort
going on with a ‘Buy A Brick’ campaign - over 5000 are needed
for the extension. The PCA and the Brentham Society are working
closely with he Club on the project, and you can find more
details at
www.brenthamclub.co.uk. |
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Ealing
Choral Society
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The society, sponsored by the PCA, is holding its
next concert at St Barnabas Church on Saturday November 17th at
7.45 pm. The programme includes Dvorak’s Mass in D and Te Deum,
Janacek’s Our Father, and Arias from the Bartered Bride by
Smetana; the conductor will be James Gaddarn, who is celebrating
40 years as the society’s conductor, and who is stepping down at
the end of the season. Tickets are priced at £13 and £11 and are
available on 8993 3350 or at
ealingchoral@btopenworld.com. As usual, PCA members are
entitled to a 10% discount, and PCA secretary Debbie Edwards has
four tickets to give away to the first callers on 0870 908 7744. |
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Wine
Tasting
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We are holding a wine tasting evening, in
conjunction with Wine Rack, at the Brentham Club on
Friday November 23rd at 8 p.m. Jimmy Smith from Wine
Rack will be leading the tasting, which is designed
to sample some ‘Christmas’ wines. You don’t need to
know anything about wine to enjoy the evening – we
don’t allow any wine snobbery! Tickets are £12 each
and as numbers are strictly limited you are advised
to book early; call Dave Wallis on 8998 2203 or
email
dave.wallis@pitshanger.org.uk.
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Brentham
Fireworks
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The annual fireworks display will take place at
the club on Saturday 3rd November. Gates open at 6.30 ready for
blast-off at 8 p.m. There will also be rides, sideshows and a
beer tent, and admission is £5 for adults and £3 for kids. It’s
always a good show so come along and join in the fun. |
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