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PCA Newsletter 41 - November 2009 |
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Pitshanger Christmas Fayre
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As we announced in the last issue, the PCA
committee has decided to change the format and the name of our
annual Christmas celebration. Over the years Light Up The Lane
had moved away from its roots: what began as a simple tree
lighting ceremony and an opportunity for the Pitshanger traders
to say thank you to their customers had turned into an
extravaganza of fireworks and floodlights. We felt
the event was slowly losing the active support of the traders
(and perhaps some residents) so we’ve asked them what they’d
prefer, and in comes a more community-focused event based around
a Christmas market. The concentration will be on socialising and
strolling under the twinkling tree lights, with an opportunity
to stock up on Christmas goodies from Pitshanger shops and also
from local craftspeople and charities in the street market.
Other attractions include a ‘Treasure Hunt’ organised by Fit For
Sport, a strolling Father Christmas distributing sweets to
children of all ages, lucky dip, tombola, Hog Roast, Barbecue,
candy floss, magician, the ever-popular Peter’s Puppets, and
we’ll have performances from Ealing Dance Studio, North Ealing
and Montpelier school choirs, the Polish dancers and the
Salvation Army. Hanwell and Ealing Operatic Society will be
performing extracts from their forthcoming panto, Jack and the
Beanstalk, and the evening will be rounded off by a 40-voice
group from Ealing Rock Choir. The road works along
the Lane are inevitably causing the PCA’s Events Team some
anxious moments, but we are assured by the Council and our local
Councillors that power supplies will be available on the night,
and that everything will be ‘tidied away’ for the event. As
always help is required: marshals for road closures, tin
shakers, and people to help put up and take down the street
market. Please contact stewards’ organiser Doug Winter on 8998
7758 or email
doug.winter@pitshanger.org.uk if you can help. |
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It’s
Happening At Last
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After three years of planning, negotiation and
criticism, implementation of the Pitshanger Lane
‘Streets for People’ scheme has finally started with
the construction of ‘entry treatments’ at the
junctions with Albert Road, Harrow View Road and
Castlebar Park. The new street lighting columns are
in place and are being topped out with heritage
style lamp units. There will be a pause in
construction activity during the Christmas period,
followed by implementation of the remaining pavement
and junction work in the New Year.
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The Council have put up an information
board in Pitshanger Lane and there is a wealth of
background information on the PCA web site
here. |
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Farewell
And Thank You
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Owners of Present Company, Marion and Nigel Heard,
are “moving on”, and Marion sends this heartfelt message: “Nigel
and I arrived in ‘The Lane’ twenty five years ago opening our
new venture Present Company, I admit with some trepidation.
However they have been twenty five happy years due to the
support of the community and the dedication and loyalty of our
staff both past and present. “We have made many
friends here, thanks to all of you. It will be a very different
life without you but one which we are very much looking forward
to. Thank you once again, and the season’s greetings to you
all.” The new owners intend to carry on the
business in exactly the same way, and Marion asks for our
continued support, assuring us that “Present Company lives on”.
Undoubtedly members will join the PCA committee in wishing
Marion and Nigel all the best for the future, and thank them for
providing somewhere for your editor to get a decent card for his
wife at 5pm on Christmas Eve. |
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Charity
Christmas Card Shop
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Lucky
Village |
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If the thought of Christmas shopping
brings on feelings usually reserved for the dentist,
this is the place to start. It’s in the YMCA just
down St Mary’s Road from the Broadway, and is open
until 19th December, normally from 10 am until 5.30
but on Sundays from 12.30 pm until 4.30. There’s a
wide range of local and national charities to
support and as all staff are volunteers 100% of
proceeds go to those charities.
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It wasn’t just the newly opened
Eastern Village takeaway that got lucky; so did
North Ealing School children walking home as this
dancing lion brought good fortune to the new
enterprise. |
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What
Goes Around Comes Around (about)
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Longer term residents will recall when the
junction of Argyle Road and Ruislip Road East was a roundabout.
About 15 years ago traffic engineers decided it would be better
with traffic lights. Now they’ve changed their minds – a
roundabout is better after all. A local consultation has taken
place: we’ll keep you informed. |
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Recession Bites Along The Lane
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Your committee is saddened, if not surprised, to
see the closure of Stepping Out, whose business was badly hit by
the increased cost of imported stock and competition from the
likes of Primark. Oscars owner Noel Tite writes to
say that’s only part of the story, claiming ALL Pitshanger
businesses have suffered declining sales this year, some by as
much as 30%. Noel also accuses landlords of being “outrageous”
in their claims, citing his own landlord’s demand for a 26%
increase when Ealing Broadway rents are going down and inflation
has been just 10% over the last four years. He closes by
imploring local residents to shop locally as much as possible,
“otherwise there may not be a shopping environment left”. The
PCA committee believes that the number one factor that makes
this area so special is the traditional mix of shops catering
for a wide range of local needs, and that without them we’ll end
up with the sort of mish-mash of businesses that grace the
Hanger Lane gyratory. Don’t be surprised if other shopkeepers
decide it’s no longer worth the candle: the situation for many
is becoming very serious indeed. We have been warned.
Stop Press: latest from the Lane is that following the demise of
owners First Quench, staff at Wine Rack have been given an
official closing date of 16th December, although the actual date
is likely to be earlier as they are not being restocked and the
shelves are already thinning out. |
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Nice
Work
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St Mary’s Gardening Team, responsible for tidying
the St Mary’s Perivale churchyard, is celebrating
its third birthday. The team has done a first class
job, transforming the church surrounds from an
overgrown wilderness into an attractive place of
peace and tranquillity in this relatively unknown
neighbour of the Pitshanger community. If you
visited the recent Pitshanger Memories exhibition in
the church you will have seen their work. If you
didn’t, why not take the path from the park towards
Perivale, cross the bridge over the River Brent, and
pay a visit? Or join the St Mary’s Gardening Team on
a Thursday morning – volunteers are always welcome!
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Town
Hall Arts?
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Ealing Arts and Leisure – a charity active in the
borough since 1966 – is leading a campaign to turn the Town Hall
into an arts centre. The group is commissioning a feasibility
study that will assess the demand for spaces, examine how best
to manage the project, and analyse its financial viability. They
recently met Council Leader Jason Stacey and his deputy, and
agreement was reached in principle to go ahead with the scheme.
A series of meetings with community groups is to be held to
determine what facilities the various interests will need:
music, dance, song, visual arts, literature/spoken word,
photography/video, IT, crafts, performance spaces, classes,
talks, lectures, meetings, etc. This is an opportunity for local
arts and leisure groups to stake a claim in what could be a
significant development in the cultural life of the borough. For
more information email
ealingartsleisure@hotmail.co.uk or phone Ann Pavett on 8579
4925. |
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New
Year’s Day Gala
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Pavement
Cycling
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Tickets for the traditional gala
concert held at St Mary’s Perivale, are now on sale
from Stanley Klar, 97 Almond Avenue, London W5 4YB,
priced £15. There’s an all-star team of outstanding
musicians – some well-known, and some surprises –
and the afternoon will end with Auld Lang Syne,
mulled wine and mince pies. The concert starts at 3
pm. Unlike most events at St Mary’s this one is
all-ticket and you are advised to apply early – they
will soon be sold out.
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This appears to be more widespread
than it was, and judging by some cyclists’ attitudes
when challenged, seems to be regarded as a right.
It’s not: it’s still illegal and as one concerned
member writes, just because car drivers don’t give
proper consideration to cyclists doesn’t make it
right that they should invade the space reserved for
pedestrians. Our local police team leader, Sergeant
Steve Driscoll, follows Home Office advice that
"[the law] is not aimed at responsible cyclists who
sometimes feel obliged to use the pavement out of
fear of traffic and who show consideration to other
pavement users when doing so…sensitivity and careful
use of police discretion is required." However,
Steve assures us that enforcement is used where a
cyclist is riding in a manner that may endanger
others.
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Christmas Fairs
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A couple of traditional local fairs are coming up
shortly. St Barnabas leads with the Frost Fair on Friday 27th
November from 5.30 to 9.30 pm. Father Christmas will find time
to be there, and on offer will be quality gifts, decorations,
home-made produce, children’s activities, snacks and mulled
wine. For more details phone Wendy Gadd on 07804 572737. The
following day, Saturday 28th November, North Ealing School are
holding their fair in the afternoon, from 2 till 5 pm. Having
stopped over at the Premier Inn on the A40 (“Reindeer Eat
Free”), Santa will again be in attendance along with craft
stalls, face painting, children’s craft activities, mulled wine
and other seasonal goodies. |
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Hot
Dates
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As predicted last month, copies of the Pitshanger
Memories Calendar for 2010 have been flying off the shelves at
the Pitshanger Bookshop. The calendar features thirteen pictures
of old Pitshanger dated from 1900 to 1950, as seen at the
Pitshanger Memories photographic exhibition earlier this year.
The price is £9.99 including a postal envelope. Get down to the
bookshop soon to be sure of your copy(s). |
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