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PCA Newsletter 28 - April 2008 |
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Tweaks
for People
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The long awaited “Streets for People” improvements
to Pitshanger Lane moved a step closer following a
recent meeting involving the PCA, Cleveland Ward
councillors, Council officers and their consultants,
MVA Consultancy. The meeting had been called as a
result of the earlier decision by the Ealing Area
Committee to approve the scheme in outline while
recognising that a number of important details still
needed fine tuning. The main design tweaks that have
now been agree are (a) inclusion of proper loading
arrangements for the two Co-op stores, (b) |
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separation of the two bus stops and
(c) addition of a dedicated disabled parking space.
Other features of the proposals, including the road
safety improvements near North Ealing Primary
School, remain unchanged. But that’s not the endof
the story: the Council still has to take the design
to the final level of detail with its highways
contractor. Needless to say, the PCA will be keeping
a close eye on progress and will keep members
informed via the Newsletter. Once the revised plans
become available, we will post them on the PCA
Streets for People resource page,
here. |
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Golf
Club Fights Litter
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The Bike
Whisperer
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Anyone who uses the paths through
Ealing Golf Club on their way towards the A40 will
have noticed the litter collected in the trees and
fences that line them. Our friends at the club tell
us they’ve managed to persuade the Council that the
problem is caused by the public and not by them, and
consequently three teams from the Council have been
clearing up the mess. They may need to return for a
final sweep but the result so far is good, and the
club’s next step is to help the Council tackle the
never-ending problem of cleaning up the River Brent
which runs through the golf course. The PCA
appreciates the club’s efforts to keep the area tidy
and looks forward to future co-operation on the
thorny issue of the Brent.
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It never ceases to amaze us as to how
many things go on around here. Members Scherrit and
Corinne Knoesen started their “Bike Whisperer”
business last September and are “dedicated to
providing excellent service for you and your bike”.
Both are City & Guilds qualified mechanics and
British Cycling coaches, and between them have over
20 years experience of working on bikes, bike
fitting and competing.
Their service is comprehensive, from
servicing and fitting to advice on what bike to buy
or how to start bicycle commuting, and they’ll meet
you in the evening or at weekends if you wish. For
more information or a chat call Corinne or Scherrit
on web 8998 7271. Other contact details are:
web:
www.thebikewhisperer.co.uk
e-mail:
enquiries@thebikewhisperer.co.uk
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Duke of
Kent
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Fullers have withdrawn their application for
extended opening hours for the pub. No reason has been given but
undoubtedly the intensive campaign waged by member Tony Purton
was a factor. His complaint was not so much against longer
opening as such, but more about how Fullers (the pub’s owners)
and the Council conducted the application process, especially
with regard to publicity. Once again Tony reminds us that one
person can challenge the big boys, and win. |
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Ann
Khoshaba
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What
Makes Pink Gin Pink?
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Your committee is delighted to welcome
Ann, the owner of Cinnamon café, as its new Trader
Representative. A well-known personality in the
area, Ann has been an enthusiastic supporter of the
PCA for many years, and since becoming a trader has
been a great help in running events, hosting Santa’s
Grotto at last year’s Light Up The Lane for example.
She will act as the point of contact between the PCA
and the traders, helping to sort out problems and
drumming up trader support for PCA activities.
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Tina Moonen was the first to answer
“Angustura Bitters” in the tie break and thus secure
first place for her team at the PCA’s recent Quiz
Night. A capacity crowd at the Brentham Club enjoyed
a great night out as chairman David Jacks, ably
assisted by his wife Karen (or was it the other way
round?), brought his unique brand of quizzicality to
the proceedings. The event raised £300 for the PCA’s
local projects fund.
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Brentham
Club Open Day
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The building work at the Brentham is now complete,
and you can see what amounts to a transformation of
the ground floor of the club on Sunday April 27th,
from 12 until 6 pm. The main hall has been
refurbished to a high standard and now offers an
excellent venue for wedding receptions and similar
events. The entrance hall and toilets have been
completely rebuilt, but the big attraction is the
new coffee lounge. Open to non-members, you can
escape the bustle of the Lane and sit and sip your
coffee to the background sound of racket on ball.
Call the club on 8997 2624 or go to
www.brenthamclub.co.uk for more information.
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New Ideas, Please
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Fun Run
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The PCA Events Team is looking for new
ideas for this year’s Party In The Park, the
suggestions raised at the last meeting having been
discarded on the grounds of breaching health and
safety rules and/or public decency. So whether it’s
a ‘big idea’ such as Pitshanger Popstar or
suggestions for vegan food alternatives, get in
touch with Beth Gregory on 8933 3509 or email
beth.gregory@pitshanger.org.uk.
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This year’s run is on Sunday May 18th.
Further details will be available shortly but it
will be the same format as in previous years: a 2.5
km course for kids, walkers, dogs and buggies, and a
5 km run for the more ambitious. Organised by Fit
For Sport, there will be goodies for all
competitors, prizes for the winners, and a good
laugh for spectators – they don’t call it a ‘Fun
Run’ for nothing!
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Hoggin
The Path
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The £20,000 allocated by the Council for repairs to
the paths in the park has now been spent. The most
noticeable result is the new path replacing the one
that was soon to collapse into the river at the
north-east corner of the park. This is made of ‘Hoggin’,
a mixture of gravel, sand and clay which is,
apparently, better suited to the park’s other role
as a flood plain for the River Brent. Also in the
park, a ‘litter pick’ in the river is due to begin
shortly.
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(Just A Little) Bit Of A Kerfuffle
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If you haven’t logged on to ‘Pitshanger
Voice’ recently you’ve been missing a treat: a dialogue
between Anna Wood, who’s recently moved into the area from
Acton, and others who patently don’t share her ‘modernist’
views. Anna found the area “a little quiet and creepy” when she
arrived but has come to “really like Pitshanger Lane”. However,
“for it to move into the 21st century without losing its olde
worlde charm” it would benefit from a gastropub, licensed café,
modern european restaurant, tesco metro (or similar), a cafe in
the park, and a day nursery that isn’t open term-time only. Anna
concludes, “If I wanted to live in the Cotswolds, I’d move
there.” Amjad Malik opens the batting for the
opposition: “Oh dear! The last thing we need is a Tesco or
Sainsbury on our door-step. This would be disastrous for our
local grocers.” Trevor Keane is simultaneously not
amused and amusing, suggesting that “we need proper shops to
modernise Pitshanger Lane, e.g. McDonalds or Burger King
(preferably McDonalds because I like their Egg McMuffin), Pizza
Hut, Subway, Tesco (open 24 hours), WH Smith, Iceland, Carphone
Warehouse and something like Claire's Accessories for the Kids.”
And on it goes. We’re not going to spoil the story, but after
Victoria Hayward joins the fray things get, shall we say,
‘pointed’. However, all’s well that ends well and PCA Events
Director Martin Kelly brings everything to a nice conclusion by
pointing out that “the Lane looks after itself, bad shops, poor
service, incorrect product ranges soon disappear. I have lived
around here for 30 odd years and have seen almost every type of
shop come and go.” He thinks that Anna “should get out more” and
suggests getting involved with the PCA to find out what
Pitshanger is really about. [I agree: changed my view of the
area – Ed.] Except, for once, Martin doesn’t get
the last word. “Lucy” has some sympathy with Anna’s point of
view: “I think Pitshanger Lane is basically more aimed at and
catering for middle aged people which might be why you're having
a bit of trouble adjusting, Anna!” Great stuff. Got
a view on this? Have your say on Pitshanger Voice
here. |
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Here’s
Looking At You, Kid!
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Following complaints about speeding along Kent
Avenue at the recent Safer Neighbourhoods meeting
our local ward Police Team arranged for a radar
check. As a result two motorists will find their
wallets lighter and their licences three points
heavier after being clocked at over 40 mph.
Meanwhile, a CCTV van has been keeping an eye on
parking in the bus bays. We don’t know the results
but it certainly kept the bays free while it was
around. Unfortunately it also raised the ire of some
shopkeepers who view the availability of parking as
key to their business success.
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Handy Help
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If you are over 60, Age Concern Ealing offers a
‘Handyperson’ scheme (in conjunction with Ealing Council's own
scheme) that provides someone to undertake safety checks and
small tasks such as changing a lightbulb, unblocking a sink, or
putting up curtains. Labour costs are free but materials are
charged. For more information call 8567 8017. |
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Pam Says Thank You
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Membership Secretary Pam Walker would like to say
thanks to everyone who helped with the recent membership
campaign. Some 3,500 letters have now been delivered, the vast
majority by hand. She’s now engaged on the second stage of the
operation, processing the returns, and reports that numbers are
looking very good already. If by any chance you haven't received
your renewal invitation please let Pam know on 8177 9999 or by
e-mail to
pam.walker@pitshanger.org.uk, stating your address. |
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