Television Centre Meeting on Thursday 12 January 2017 on Wood Lane

Helios Building - due for completion by end of 2017

The developers of Television Centre on Wood Lane are to hold a meeting for local residents to give the community an update on the progress of this massive development. 

At the meeting will be representatives from Mace (builders) and Stanhope (developers), including Mace community liaison representative Mike Russell. 

Shepherd's Bush in 2016 - The Year in Review

Walkabout - how it might look

2016 was a busy year in Shepherd's Bush. Below is a quick reminder of what's being going on this past twelve months.

In January, Dorsett Hospitality International, the group who renovated the old Shepherd's Bush Pavilion and turned it into a successful upscale hotel, opened their doors for the first of a number public consultation on their revised proposals for the old Walkabout pub, formerly the Shepherd's Bush Cinematograph theatre.

The proposed plans are still waiting for final planning permission from our Council, "pending consideration".

Lonely Shed Demolished

The old electricity sub-station on Shepherd's Bush Green is being demolished.

The site has been fenced off and various men in yellow high-viz jackets are now taking it apart, brick by brick.

It's a shame that some use couldn't have been found for this attractive Edwardian building.

Poor Shepherd's Bush Green - The Funfair is Back

Once again, spare a thought for poor Shepherd's Bush Green - the funfair is returning for two weeks, from 16 December until 3 January.

The big lorries that transport these funfairs cause a lot of damage to the Green, which even at the best of times feels badly treated.

And many local residents, especially those who live around the Green, hate the noise and disturbance. So what can be done to mitigate the problems?

Children's Nativity at St Stephen's on Sunday December 18th

On Sunday 18th December at 10am St Stephen's Church on the Uxbridge Road is hosting a traditional Nativity Service for children.

It's a very inclusive event; there is no charge, no need to book ahead and all are welcome.  Children are encouraged to arrive dressed as Shepherds, Wise Men - all the players in the traditional story. 

The event is part of the excellent community work done by St Stephen's; a church with a commendably broad and diverse congregation.

St Stephen's also has a carol service on Sunday 18 December at 5pm, to which all are welcome, and a Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve at 11.30pm.

Our Council Has No Money? Here's The Solution

Cupid Delivering Pysche (1867) by Burne-Jones.
Not on display.

Our local Council, The London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, continually tells us that they have no money, and they blame the Government's austerity policies for the lack of cash. So why not sell a few valuable assets to help protect vital services?

The Council owns the fifty-four works in the Cecil French Collection, donated to Fulham Borough Council in 1953, including pre-Raphaelite paintings by Sir Edward Burne-Jones, and Frederic Leighton. 

The art isn't on display, and there are no plans to show it. So what's the point of keeping it? Better surely to sell it, and release funds for local services.

Hammersmith Bridge Repairs Delayed until 2017

Hammersmith Bridge - repairs delayed until 2017

Plans to strengthen the Victorian Hammersmith Bridge have been put on hold until late 2017, according to the Hammersmith Society.

It seems that repairs will cost £27m and there is a £5.3m shortfall.

Hammersmith Bridge first opened in 1887 and needs reinforcement to cope with the weight of more than one bus or lorry crossing the bridge at a time. 

Hoxton Hotel - Asset or Liability?

Due for demolition

The Hammersmith Society, guardians of good architecture in our neighbourhood, have been shown an exhibition of the plans for the new proposed Hoxton Hotel on the west side of Shepherd's Bush Green.

The new hotel will displace the current Post Office, and the existing buildings shown on the left will likely be demolished.

Homelessness in Shepherd's Bush

sleeping rough in the Bush

Anyone living in our neighbourhood has probably noticed that the problem of homelessness seems to be getting worse recently.  Of course, homelessness is not new - it has been a problem for many years.

In the early 20th Century the MP for Hammersmith, Sir William Bull, was "appalled to see Shepherd's Bush Green become home to destitute unemployed sleeping rough".

Above is a photo taken recently outside Shepherd's Bush Tube Station.  Curiously, the begging bowl is a barrister's wig, which retail for about £300.

Save Shepherd's Bush Post Office?

The Worst Place on Earth?

Local MP Andy Slaughter is organising a public meeting to try to keep Shepherd's Bush Post Office (memorably described by Richard Herring as "the portal between earth and Hades") from moving to Westfield, "due to the high level of public opposition".

The meeting will be held on Friday, 9 December from 1:30-4:30pm at the Shepherds Bush Library, 6 Wood Lane W12 7BF.

All are welcome, and there is no need to RSVP. You can also make your views known by emailing comments@postoffice.co.uk, calling 03457 22 33 44 or texting 03457 22 33 55.

Tube Strike - Hammersmith & City Line Closed 6-7 December

Shepherd's Bush Market Tube - closed 6-7 December

Drivers on the Piccadilly and Hammersmith & City Lines are planning to strike for 24 hours on the 6 and 7 December.

The action by the RMT will run from between 9.30pm on Tuesday 6 December and 9.29pm on Wednesday 7 December.

The reasons given are the usual blend of jobs and safety.

Hopes that a Labour mayor might be able to soothe relations with union bosses have proved unfounded.