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PCA Newsletter 39 - July 2009 |
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We promised you that Centenary Party In The Park,
sponsored by Northfields, would be the biggest and
best yet, and so, with the help of a beautiful day,
it turned out to be. The decision to enlarge the
site and reposition some of the attractions was a
great success, and new ideas such as a teenage rock
band on the main stage proved very popular.
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As always Pitshanger Popstars turned
in a great show with 14-year-old Clementine Medforth
(right) winning the chance of recording a CD in a
professional studio.
Among the day’s many highlights
(although he may dispute it), MP Steve Pound
volunteered to be pelted with wet sponges in the
‘Pound Pound for a Pound’ event. “Get that expenses
anger out of your system!”, barked the attendant,
only to see the exhortation taken to extremes when
the first sponge was hurled with such force that
Steve’s instinctive attempt to duck resulted in him
striking the side of the hole with his chin and
losing a crown. Despite clearly being in pain he
struggled on, and earns the PCA Events Team’s
respect and gratitude for once again being a true
friend and supporter. We never found the tooth.
“Claim it on expenses!” someone shouted –
ironically, we assume, as Steve’s one of the
‘cleanest’ MPs there is.
Equally surreal, the Sausage Race at
the Village Vet Dog Show was the usual mix of humans
being silly and dogs eating sausages. Against the
commentator’s advice to “put your money on the
Labrador” a Jack Russell cross defied the odds to
win the Sausage-off. The winner of the cup for Best
In Show was Mr Galichian’s beautiful Rhodesian
Ridgeback, ‘Mozi’. The day ended with dancing in the
‘Village Inn in the Park’ to the sound of the
Copycats, as PCA organisers reminisced about the
day’s events and mused on developments for next
year… |
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Last
Night Of The Proms
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Progress
In the Park
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This year’s St Barnabas Proms have
been an outstanding success, with over 100 people
enjoying each concert, and there’s more to come. For
the latest information, look
here,
but if you can’t make any other concert the ‘Last
Night’ on Friday 7th August at 7.30 will be one of
the musical and social highlights of the Pitshanger
year.
The post-interval programme is a
traditionalist’s delight: from Land of Hope and
Glory to the National Anthem via Jerusalem and Rule
Britannia. Just turn up on the night - £15 for
adults, half price for under 17s, and the proceeds
go towards the St Barnabas Organ Appeal. There’s
also a Children’s Prom on Wednesday 5th August at
11am. Described as “an interactive concert for
schoolchildren”, admission is £3 for under 16s and
‘older adults’, £5 for others, or buy a family
ticket for £10.
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We mentioned in the last Newsletter
that £51k of Central Government funding had been
earmarked for improvements to the playground in
Pitshanger Park. Local residents now have an
opportunity to influence how the money is spent via
a consultation run by Ealing Council.
The Council’s proposed “straw man”
design is based on the removal of obsolete play
equipment, resurfacing the area of hard standing and
the establishment of a natural play theme through
the introduction of features such as boulders, logs,
a grass maze and a timber balance trail. But it’s
all up for grabs: if you haven’t had a consultation
document through your door, you can fill it in online
here or phone 8825 7638.
The closing date is 21st August.
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Dispersal Order Granted For Pitshanger Area
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Following the recent increase in anti-social
behaviour (ASB) and a general rise in youth criminality in the
Lane and the park, police have been granted a Dispersal Order to
allow them to move on any group of two or more if they are
deemed to have “harassed, intimidated, alarmed or distressed” a
member of the public. Any return within twenty four hours can
lead to arrest and prosecution. The Order, which comes into
effect on Monday 3rd August, covers an area from the A40 in the
north to Cleveland Road in the south, and from Woodfield and
Denison Roads in the east to Argyle Road in the west. Every
household will be receiving a letter shortly outlining the terms
of the Order and answering some frequently asked questions.
The problem dates from early May, since when there has been an
increase in shoplifting, abusive behaviour, graffiti, under-age
drinking and drug taking, together with a serious assault in
which a local youth was hospitalised. It appears that a core of
about six individuals are attracting others into the area,
sometimes forming a group numbering more than twenty. Police
patrols have been increased with some success, unruly groups
being moved on under threat of arrest for causing a breach of
the peace. Arrests have also been made for drug supply offences
after the occupier of a flat reported suspicious activity in the
communal hallway. The police are targeting
individuals considered to be the ring leaders with home visits
and referrals to the Council’s ASB panel for further action.
Cleveland ward Safer Neighbourhoods police team leader, Sergeant
Steve Driscoll, is keen to assure residents that “this sort of
behaviour will not be tolerated and will be robustly dealt with,
using the maximum powers we have”. He asks us to contact his
team on 8246 9406 or email
cleveland.snt@met.police.uk with reports of anti-social
behaviour or any other information relating to these problems
and their perpetrators. |
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Fun Run
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Celebrity starter and ex-England footballer Ian
Wright didn’t make it to the start line, but that
was the only mishap at this year’s Fun Run,
organised by Fit For Sport, which attracted a record
entry of over 250. Chris Dettmar continued his
unbeaten run in the 5 km event with an excellent
time of 16.43. Sam McGonigle won the 2.5 km in 8.18,
leaving father Peter to eat dirt over two minutes
behind. Sam also won the under 13 category, George
Loffhagen taking the under 10 prize in 10.05. Your
editor’s attempt on the “Fastest PCA Newsletter
Editor – Ever!” world record was unsuccessful, the
failure blamed on “over-training” at the Village Inn
the night before.
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The full results of the 2009 Pitshanger Fun Run are
available on the PCA web site
here. |
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Streets
For People Scheme To Go Ahead
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After three years, it looks as though the
consultation and planning stage of the Pitshanger Lane Streets
for People saga is finally drawing to a close, and our Ward
Councillors have now “signed off” the plans with a
recommendation for implementation. They reported that the
responses submitted following the special meeting of the
Cleveland Ward Forum in May were “mostly positive”, but as a
result of comments received the Co-op loading bay has been moved
from Albert Road onto Pitshanger Lane, and local pressure for
Stop & Shop parking has been recognised by designating seven
parking spaces as “Stop & Shop” from 10am to 6pm
Monday-Saturday. The latest plans are available for download via
the PCA Streets for People resource page
here. The next step
will be publication of so-called “traffic orders” in the Ealing
Gazette, providing a final opportunity for comments or
objections from the general public. Roadworks are due to
commence after Christmas, although the timing may be affected by
any formal objections to the traffic orders. The PCA Committee
will stay in close touch with Ealing Council and keep members
informed as the construction schedule takes shape. In the
meantime, the Lane is due to get new street lighting in October.
Our friends at Pitshanger Stories have captured a range of local
opinion on the Streets for People scheme in a mini-documentary
here. Needless to say,
not all are in agreement with the proposals. One notable critic
of the scheme is member Tony Purton who writes: “The drawings of
the scheme displayed in several shop windows and Pitshanger
Library have attracted considerable attention. Cleveland Ward
Councillors have made a few changes 'in response to public
opinion'. The result nevertheless involves the sacrifice of 1.2m
of the southern pavement and creates a two-way bus highway
between Kent Gardens roundabout and Lindfield Road which will
inevitably alter the village character of Pitshanger Lane” [read
Tony’s alternative proposals on the
Pitshanger Voice message
board – Ed.]. Tony concludes by encouraging us to send our
comments to Chris Tonks of the Council’s Highways Department at
TonksC@ealing.gov.uk. |
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Any Old
Tools?
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Pink
Party
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Our friends in Hanwell and Northfields
Rotary are collecting tools for refurbishment and
distribution to communities in Africa in conjunction
with “Tools For Self Reliance”. They want anything
from carpentry, engineering and metalworking tools
to electrical repair equipment and arc welders.
Contact Avi Tchiprout at e-mail
tools@ealingrotary.org.uk
or Tel 8997 6345.
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Over seventy local ‘senior citizens’
were treated to an afternoon of pink fizz, nibbles
and entertainment at the Centenary Pink Party held
at the Brentham Club. Many thanks to the “Pitshanger
100” team for putting on such a delightful and
enjoyable event.
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Pitshanger Memories
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More than 220 people have already attended this
unique exhibition of pictures showing the history of Pitshanger
shops, people and transport during the last 100 years. It’s
being held at St Mary’s Church (on the path through the golf
course) on Saturdays and Sundays until 9th August. Opening times
are 11am until 6pm, and admission is 50p for adults (children go
free). |
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On Your
Bike
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Cubiko
at the Kent
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Ealing Cycling Campaign are organising
a number of “gentle social rides” ending in
Pitshanger Park. The next is on Sunday 23rd August,
and details can be obtained from David Eales at
info@ealingcycling.org.uk
or Tel
07880 797437.
Free hire of trailers and bike seats is available.
If this sounds like a good idea but
the bikes are piled up in the shed and need ‘sorting
out’, our friends Scherrit and Corinne (aka The Bike
Whisperer) have the equipment and expertise you
need. They’re involved with the campaign and can be
contacted on 8998 7271 or via the website
www.thebikewhisperer.co.uk.
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The first ever Cubiko World
Championships is to be held at the Duke of Kent on
Saturday 5th September, starting at 2pm. Cubiko is
the brainchild of local inventor Gavin Birnbaum, who
describes it as “along the lines of noughts and
crosses. It’s a table-top ball game that involves
strategy, skill, luck and chance.” Cubiko has only
just been released, and won “best family game 2009”
at the recent UK Games Expo in Birmingham. To find
out more about Cubiko go to
www.cubiko.webs.com.
Register for the championships by emailing
cubiko1@hotmail.com.
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