HHERA NEWSLETTER AUTUMN 2011

Chairman's Welcome

It’s nice to be able to look at something and feel that you have been part of helping change things for the better.  Here are a few small steps towards making our neighbourhood a better place to live.

The junction between Station Road and Queen’s Drive has been a traffic black spot for years as rush hour drivers forced their way out two abreast to dash to the Hanger Lane traffic lights.  Earlier in the year, the Council decided to upgrade the street furnishings at the parade and make various other modifications.  Members of your Committee were able to take part in the consultation process and to discuss how the junction might be improved.  Our conversations with the Council’s officer concluded that a Keep Clear box might put a restriction on aggressive drivers, whilst relocating the traffic island a little further back would ease traffic flow out of the junction and perhaps deter the selfish and dangerous drivers who try to jump the queue by driving on the wrong side of the road.  Reports from residents suggest that these measures have gone some way towards solving the problems of this busy choke point.

A few weeks ago, one of the businesses on Boileau Parade complained to the Association and the Council about rubbish dumping all around the bin near their shop.  An initial meeting with a Council officer was unsatisfactory but a further meeting involving your Committee, Councillor Sumner and a different officer brought immediate action which has resulted in the parade being kept much cleaner.  It’s a small win, but they all make a difference.

I must also pay tribute to another local resident who phoned me several weeks ago to discuss improvements to his house.  He had remembered that we live in a Conservation Area and wanted to do everything possible to ensure that the work on his house was in keeping with that.  Whilst it is our policy as an Association not to get involved with individual cases when it comes to planning, I was delighted by his conscientiousness.  The Conservation Area is not intended as a strait jacket to keep us from doing work on our houses, but rather to preserve the character of the area in which we all live, and which for many of us will have been one of the reasons we moved here.  It’s yet another case where a bit of public-spiritedness makes its own small but significant contribution towards maintaining the quality of life for us all.

Last of all, make sure you cast at least a glance at the lamp post at the junction of Beaufort Road and Corringway.  It now carries a plaque identifying it as the only original period lamp post on the estate, preserved and restored with Ward funds.  Special thanks must go to Robert Gurd, whose enthusiasm for architecture in all its details has seen that this piece of local character has been cared for.

Simon Reed, Chairman HHERA

DID YOU KNOW?
BY MARGARET NOBLE

In Ealing, as all over the country, developers who were building on what had been farms, often laid out their estates of houses along pre-existing field boundaries.  Sometimes streets were aligned along these boundaries, sometimes the ends of gardens.  Where the field boundaries were marked by mature trees, as they often were, the presence of these trees enhanced the appearance of the newly-built estate, while sparing the developer the extra cost of removing them.  Many of these boundaries dated from mediaeval times.

Hanger Hill is no exception. The nineteenth century Ordnance Survey Maps of this area show that Hanger Hill House, built in the eighteenth century, stood on the crest of the Hanger Hill, set back a little way from Hanger Lane itself.  That whole area was wooded – the name comes from “hangra”, meaning a wooded slope in Old English, and presumably much of the woodland was cut down to clear the land for the building of Hanger Hill House.  What is now the Haymills estate was in the nineteenth century open fields, which slope down to Masons Green Lane.  These fields clearly have trees to demarcate the boundaries, which run at right angles or parallel to Hanger Lane and Masons Green Lane.  The only other track in the area at this time was Hanger Vale Lane, which runs from Hanger Lane to meet Masons Green Lane, exactly as it does today.

But how many of the trees on the old field boundaries have survived?  From 1901 to 1930 the land on which the Haymills Estate was built was leased as a golf course.  Possibly many of the boundary trees would have been cut down when the fairways were created, and so were already gone when building of the Haymills Estate began in the 1920s. Heathcroft, however, seems to follow a boundary, and there is a magnificent oak tree there; it is said to be the largest tree in Ealing.  The lower part of The Ridings and Ashbourne Road also roughly follow the lines of old fields.  Trees still stand on field boundaries along Hanger Vale Lane and its continuation, Vale Lane. There are also mature oaks growing at the end of the gardens of Corringway and one on the corner of Hanger Vale Lane and Boileau Road.

While there is therefore not much left of the old field boundaries, later plantings still ensure that the area has an attractive appearance and Hanger Hill wood provides a clear indication of the original character of the area before the houses were built.

Estate Matters

Crime and Safety
Crime figures remain low which hopefully will bring relief to those for whom the threat of break-ins is a cause of anxiety.  Car crime is the main offence and it is always advisable to ensure that nothing valuable is left on view. We are reminded by the local Police that burglars most commonly gain access via the rear of the house so it pays to ensure that side gates and rear windows are secure and that tools and ladders are stored away in a locked shed or garage. 

The Safer Neighbourhoods Team emphasise that we are their eyes and ears on the ground and that they will respond to any concerns from local people.  If you see anyone or anything remotely suspicious please do report it – it will not be considered a waste of time.  Please phone the local team on 020 8721 2947 or use the Police non-emergency number, 0300 123 1212.  Both of these are on the handy card distributed with the last newsletter.  Do get in touch with your Committee if  you need a copy. Do not hesitate to phone 999 if you feel you  need to.

Committee member Sanjay Chadha has suggested setting up a HHERA sub-committee to make our neighbourhood safer from crime. Please do contact your Committee if you would be interested in joining this.

Parking
After a rise in the cost of residents’ permits from £25 to £45, your Committee was concerned to learn that they might increase even more.  We noted that in a Conservation Area it is forbidden to tarmac front gardens so there is no option but to park on the road, and it was felt that parking costs should reflect the need to maintain the historic appearance of the neighbourhood.   Our points were noted by Cllr Bassam Mahfouz, Cabinet member for environment and transport, but he argued that “the new prices are a truer reflection of how much it costs the council to deliver the service to residents” when in the past they had been subsidised.

New Primary School in Vale Lane
The Committee of the Hanger Hill Gardens Estate Residents' Association arranged a meeting with the Planning Department in the summer which was also attended by members of your Committee.  Despite worrying irregularities in the consultation process, the strong impression coming away from the meeting was that the school would go ahead whatever local residents thought, and it has indeed continued without delay through the planning process.

Concerns continue to be expressed about aspects of the design which seems to bear only the most superficial resemblance to its setting in the Tudor Estate. Far greater concerns surround the traffic management aspects.  The number of extra cars coming into Vale Lane appears to have been seriously under-estimated, based on some questionable data.  On this issue both Associations will continue to press hard.

Roads and Pavements
The SNT has done a great job in dispersing the screen washers at the Gyratory.  They occasionally return so please report any sightings.  Traffic issues in Connell Crescent continue to be carefully monitored as well as damage to pavements.

Original street lamp restored

The former lighting column at the corner of Beaufort road and Corringway has now been restored to its former glory and a plaque recording its history has been affixed to the column in the autumn. The wording on the plaque is as follows:

‘This street lamp is the last of the original cast iron columns erected on the Haymills Estate in the 1930s and was restored to resemble its original appearance in 2011 with the aid of Hanger Hill Ward Forum funds’.

HHERA NEWSLETTER SPRING 2011

Chairman's welcome

Three big issues have filled our horizons since the last Newsletter.  As reported last time there are proposals to build a new Primary School on land at the back of the Church of the Holy Family in Vale Lane.  If this goes ahead there will be major congestion implications for an already busy road.  At the other end of the estate there are plans to build a large new housing development across the A40 on the old Guinness site which had been formerly earmarked for offices.  Again this is likely to have major traffic implications among other effects.  Both of these developments are in response to real needs, a shortage of housing and of school places, and these needs must be met somehow.  The question is always whether particular plans offer the best solutions and whether those plans take proper account of the impact of new developments on those who already live in an area.  Your Committee, working with neighbouring associations will continue to represent your interests and highlight anything that is lacking in whatever plans emerge.

Before Christmas, crime was a big concern and we held a well-attended Residents' meeting with the local Police to explore what could be done. In the present financial climate ideas like CCTV are non-starters and Police resources are already at full stretch.  Nevertheless I've just heard that the Safer Neighbourhood Team have been carrying out additional patrols and there has been a reduction in crime levels. They were also involved in the arrest of five individuals for a robbery in Corringway during February.  Beyond this it became clear that only way to take we could take positive action was to do something ourselves.  Some residents wanted to look into hiring a private security patrol.  As an alternative proposal the Police team have just asked if we would be interested in exploring helping fund a local patrol car.  What we have already is a Neighbourhood Watch, ably co-ordinated by Saz Vora, and a Police team who are keen for concerned residents to contact them with any worries or suspicious behaviour.  As a first step to helping us look after each another, your Association is distributing a card with this newsletter giving you contact numbers and steps to take if you encounter suspicious behaviour of any kind.  Keep it where you can see it and don't be slow to pick up a phone if something is worrying you.

It was very encouraging to see how many people turned out for that meeting, some of whom we have not met before.  As our AGM approaches, please can I encourage you to join the Committee, the natural place to work together for our neighbourhood.  Thanks too to everyone who gave a donation to enable the Association to work for you.  We don't have a compulsory subscription so please support our funds.  Lastly I'm delighted to announce that the speaker at our AGM will be our local MP, Angie Bray.  You can quiz her on what the Big Society is all about, while we work together to make our estate a better place to live.

Simon Reed
Chairman HHERA

Estate matters

Queens Parade Consultation
A consultation exercise was carried out in February on improvements to the road layout and parking arrangements at Queens Drive/ Station Road. These included new footway paving, renewal of street furniture, extra stop and shop bays, cycle stands, new trees and a car club bay. In an attempt to improve the congestion at the junction with Station Road, an issue on which your Committee has sought action for some years, the traffic island will be realigned and a Keep Clear box  painted in the carriageway at the junction. Subject to the outcome of the consultation, the works are expected to be carried out later this year.

Boileau Road traffic
Toby Lott, a Boileau Road resident,  had expressed concern regarding the volume and speed of traffic and was invited to a meeting of  the Committee.  The matter was discussed at length and we were reminded that about 15 years ago your Association came up with a traffic management scheme to cut down rat running through the estate.  The Council sent out a consultation to residents seeking views on various options.  One idea was to reduce estate access by closing roads.  The residents' said they did not want such a restriction and the traffic calming measures were the resulting compromise.  However, these have no effect on traffic volume.   Various ideas were discussed including a width restriction but none were overwhelmingly persuasive.  If you have any other ideas please contact your Committee or discuss them with Toby Lott (07702 222043).

Proposed New Primary School
Ealing Council has been consulting residents about a proposed new two form entry Catholic primary school at the rear of the Church of the Holy Family in Vale Lane to meet a shortfall of school places in Ealing. Your Committee has sent this response: "Whilst we are in no doubt that there is a need for such a school we are concerned about the traffic and safety implications of the proposal. A new school will generate significant extra traffic in the vicinity at peak hours, which is already subject to rat running by motorists trying to avoid jams on the local main roads. These motorists who often speed through the estate despite the 20 mph limit are likely to create a significant safety hazard to children attending the school unless remedial action is taken. If the school is to go ahead in this location, considerable thought would need to be given to how these problems should be resolved and consultation carried out with local residents on any remedial measures proposed."

Ashbourne Parade Lighting
Ashbourne Parade currently has very poor street lighting, which has not been maintained for many decades and has become very shabby. Following an initiative by local councillors and HHERA money has been set aside from the Hanger Hill Ward Forum to upgrade the lights, in addition to that for restoring the original iron column on the corner of Beaufort road and Corringway. Although the exact design of the new Ashbourne Parade lighting has yet to be finally settled, it is hoped it will be similar to that employed in south Ealing's Heritage Quarter with a 1930s style lantern in keeping with the adjoining parade. Work is expected to start on both projects later this year.

Connell Crescent
Pavements at the Hanger Lane end have been damaged due to cars being parked on them.  Your Committee is contacting the Council about placing bollards there to prevent this.  We are also liaising with Cllr Nigel Sumner about getting the chain link fencing on the green space replaced.

Conservation Area Matters
There has been a spate of unauthorised changes to houses in the last year, particularly by contractors who encouraged house-holders  to repave front gardens without seeking planning permission.  To the embarrassment of those house-holders this often resulted in Council enforcement action.  Please remember that planning permission is required for any changes to the front elevation of houses, including windows and hard standing.  If you see what you believe may be unauthorised alterations please contact the Council's Enforcement Officer by calling on 020 8825 6600 or email enforcement@ealing.gov.uk.

First Central/Diageo Development
In 1999 an Outline Planning Application was submitted seeking permission to build 116,100m sq. of offices, 61 residential units, a Tube station, 150 bed hotel, leisure facilities and open space on the old Guinness site.  Local residents were told that the station, linking the Central and Piccadilly lines, would be built once the office spaces had been let.  Recently a planning application has been submitted to replace three of the proposed office blocks with 550 units of residential flats and the planned station will not be built.  Your Committee's has expressed to Brent Council the view that these new plans would be a retrograde step since we would not only lose a potentially valuable station, but also have several thousand new residents immediately to the north of our estate with no extra infrastructure provision such as schools, health care or transport.  Despite the stated intentions of the there is a real risk that parking would spill over onto our estate and further traffic problems would be caused at the gyratory.  Both Park Royal and Hanger Lane stations are already very busy at peak times and it is not clear whether extra trains would be provided.

--------------------------------------------HHERA NEWSLETTER AUTUMN 2010

Chairman's Welcome

It's never good to have to write about matters which are causing serious concern on the estate because everyone wants to be able to live in peace in their own home - but that's precisely what some of you don't feel able to do at present.

Some weeks ago a local family were the victims of a particularly nasty burglary and our thoughts and sympathies go out to them.  It's important to stress that this crime was untypical of the kind of break-ins we experience round here inasmuch as the robbers deliberately chose to enter an occupied house and threaten the inhabitants.  That's normally the last thing burglars want to do.

Nevertheless it has left some of you very worried about being burgled and too many of you know someone whose home has been broken into to be comfortable.  Two residents invited me to accompany them to a meeting with our MP, Angie Bray, to discuss the problem.  We concluded that the best course of action was to have a residents' meeting with the Safer Neighbourhoods Team to express our concerns and explore better solutions.  Please do come along if this is an issue for you (details on Page 2).  It may well be that we can also find ways to look out for one another better.

Traffic remains another concern.  Your Committee was approached by a resident from Boileau Road worried by the speed and volume of traffic in a street with many families and children.  This is a long standing problem and we explored the possibility of a width restriction near the top of the road to deter lorries coming through and reduce speeds.  We would be very interested to hear the ideas of other Boileau Road residents.

In addition to this, we have just been notified about proposals to build a new Primary School on land around the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Family in Vale Lane.  Whilst there is an acknowledged need for more school places in the Borough, there are substantial reasons why this is not a good solution.  The traffic impact of having hundreds of children dropped off at an existing choke point during the morning rush hour does not bear thinking about.  Although the school is just outside our Assocation Area it will affect us and we are working with Bill Bailey of the Hanger Garden Estate Association to co-ordinate a response.

Your Committee has a close working relationship with local councillors so as well as using the Ward Forum on November 17th at Holy Family, do get in touch with us about the things that matter to you.

Simon Reed
Chairman HHERA

DID YOU KNOW?
By Dr Robert Gurd

"Situated on the favoured Haymills estate" is a familiar sales pitch by estate agents. But why 'Haymills?' The Hanger Hill estate was one of three built in north-west London by Messrs Haymills in the 1920s and 30s. Others were in Wembley (Barn Hill) and Hendon (Downage). Messrs Haymills were formed in 1911 and built homes for "the man of moderate means." Their houses were never cheap (starting at £1000, a lot of money in those days) but had a reputation for being well designed and sturdily built. They had as consulting architect Herbert Welch from the highly respected practice of Welch and Lander which designed Park Royal Station, garage and public house, and Hanger Court (with Herbert Cachemaille-Day who went on to design many churches including the extension to St Mary's, West Twyford, recently restored and reopened after many years of closure). Haymills bought the land in 1927 when the Hanger Hill golf club was sold by the Wood family, owners of large tracts in Ealing. Their names and home towns were often used in street names, e.g. Boileau Road.

Haymills' sales literature noted that the main part of the estate is 'on the southerly slope of Hanger Hill, which rises to 200 feet, bounded to the west and south by a magnificent belt of stately trees, which form a fine setting to the estate.' They noted that the two Piccadilly line stations gave a 5½ minute service to Piccadilly Circus and North London! There was also a tennis club with five all-weather courts and "close proximity to Ealing which has always been noted for its excellent shopping facilities." The brochure included plans for houses ranging from £1000-£2000 depending upon size and location -  probably one thousandth of their value today!

Controlled Parking Zone

Parking in the vicinity of Ashbourne Road (Hanger Lane end) varies.  Some days there is more parking than others.  There are now extra parking spaces for shoppers at the foot of Boileau Road and on Queen's Drive.

Corringway Mini-Roundabouts

The Safer Neighbourhood Team regularly patrol the area, although they are unable to issue tickets for traffic offences.  However, the team is of the opinion that their presence, wearing high visibility jackets, has a positive impact in reducing traffic related offences.  The team will continue to target and monitor the area.  Sadly some of the offenders have been found to be local residents.  Please ask yourself whether for the sake of a few seconds it is worth endangering your neighbours who live there.

Gyratory Windscreen Washers

The Hanger Hill Safer Neighbourhood Team say there has been no sign of the windscreen washers for about 3 months or any complaints from members of the public. The Hanger Hill SNT believe this is as a result of introducing a dispersal zone around the Hanger Lane Gyratory where the washers were targeted and warned not to return within a 24 hour period or they would be arrested.  The team used a transcript warning in Romanian so they could understand.  Also Metropolitan wide operation has been targeting those responsible for bringing Romanian children into the country to carry out this type of activity.

Road Resurfacing

Work is either underway or about to begin on sections of the Ridings and Ashbourne Road.

Connell Crescent

Councillor Sumner was approached by your Committee regarding double red/yellow lines, as necessary, to be painted on Connell Crescent.  These have now been painted, making access easier.

Fly-tipping

This continues to be a nuisance both in Hanger Hill woods and more recently on the green near Connell Crescent.  Your Committee continues to press for action at the Chatsworth Road end of the woods.  Please report any instances you see - the Council will act quickly to clear it away.

Neighbourhood Watch

Neighbourhood Watch  meetings occur for half an hour every quarter (in March, June, September, December), on the first Tuesday of the month. Contact the Hanger Hill Safer Neighbourhood Team (020 8721 2947) or me for the venue, usually the Side Chapel at the Church or 12 Ashbourne Parade.  Please come and support us. 

Saz Vora   

020 8998 4993

SUBSCRIPTIONS

There is no formal subscription for membership of the Association but donations are welcome to cover expenses, such as the newsletter, hire of the hall for AGM etc. £5 per household should be sufficient for normal needs.  Please send your donation to The Treasurer, 48 Boileau Road W5 payable to Hanger Hill (East) Residents' Association or log onto to www.hhera.com and follow links to pay via PayPal. Thank you for your support.

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HHERA NEWSLETTER SPRING 2010  

Chairman's Welcome

Dear Resident

Welcome to the Spring edition of our twice yearly newsletter at the time of year when the bulbs are opening wide and so are all the potholes! That seems somehow appropriate because when you read on you'll see how much issues of roads and traffic are occupying your Committee, and your Chairman would like to say something about woods. In our last edition we raised the difficult issue of the wheel clampers at Ashbourne Parade. I was grateful to receive a letter from a resident there giving another side to the story. He argued that the clampers were in effect a last resort because of the way inconsiderate and often illegal parking made life a misery for those who live over the shops. Whilst others may have good reason for thinking the clampers are over zealous, we also need to be aware of the needs of other Association members who live on the Parade. As we have explained, the Parade is a private road and the owners can do pretty much as they like under the law, so the best advice is to be very careful when you park there and check what it says on the notices before you walk away from your car!

We have continued in asking the local Police to monitor speeding and dangerous driving in Corringway and especially at the roundabout. The Safer Neighbourhoods Team have been out and issued another batch of tickets to bad drivers, during which process they discovered an interesting thing. The majority of offenders are in fact local residents! So next time anyone is tempted to go the wrong way round a roundabout please remember two things. You are putting at risk your neighbours who live there as they come out of their drives. You also stand a chance of getting a fine and points on your licence. If we want safer traffic on the estate it looks as though we need to start with ourselves!

Last time I mentioned the problems of fly-tipping at the entrance to Hanger Hill woods in Chatsworth Road. A few weeks ago Council teams tidied all the compartments of woodland bordering Hanger Lane. They won't stay clear for long, sadly, and if you see significant dumping please do report it to be cleared. At the end of the last year we had another huge pile of builders' rubble cleared from the woods. To prevent this happening again I have asked the Council to consider putting an open fence or railing right up to the edge of the path at the wood entrance to make it difficult to unload a vehicle into the wide opening. If they will not fund it I wonder whether it is something your Association might be able to undertake.

It is beyond our jurisdiction to get involved directly in planning disputes, but we have twice been approached over what seem to be blatant breaches of planning regulations or permission where the Council has been lax or unwilling to enforce. In such cases we are more than willing to add our voice as an Association to calls for fair play or that Council officers be more accountable for their actions. We would advise you to make use of complaints procedures because that does seem to get a response!

Our Annual General Meeting is now not far away and we do encourage you to attend as it's a great opportunity to raise and discuss issues of local concern as well as to meet other residents. It is also the occasion at which a new Committee is elected and as always we are on the look-out for new members. Your Committee has a strong team-work ethos which means that its work is shared among the members. We only meet every couple of months so it's not a huge time commitment either. We're immensely privileged to live on the Hanger Hill Estate. Could you give a few evenings a year to help maintain and improve the high quality of life we all enjoy here?

Simon Reed

Chairman HHERA 

DID YOU KNOW? 

By Margaret Martin

Hanger Hill only rises to 200 feet but is a prominent landmark to the west of London. In the years before Ealing was built up by the coming of the railway it stood out on the horizon for miles around and was the location for one of the first triangulation points set up to map the country in the late 18th century. The tower (pictured below) was demolished at the end of the 19th century to make way for Fox's Reservoir. This was later filled in and replaced by a playing field; an underground reservoir remains at the summit of Hanger Hill. There is now a water tower standing to one side of the reservoir which provides extra height for water supplied to properties near the brow of the hill.

 

Opposite Hillcrest Road stood the entrance lodge to Hanger Hill House, built for the Wood family c.1790. Sir Edward Montague Nelson, chairman of Ealing Local Board and later of the District Council, leased the house from 1874. From 1901 it was used as the headquarters of Hanger Hill Golf Club but was demolished after the golf course was purchased in the late 1920s by Haymills and the site is now covered by the Hanger Hill (Haymills) Estate. Cherry & Pevsner's "The Buildings of England: London NW" (1991) describes the estate as a flagship for progressive modern design and Park Royal station, rebuilt at the same time, as the focus for one of the few 1930s suburban centres which sought to escape the cosy garden city image. The estate was declared a Conservation Area in 1996.

HHERA Estate Matters

Controlled Parking Zone  

In response to lobbying by your Association, Cllr Phil Taylor, Portfolio Holder Customer and Community Services, London Borough of Ealing, informs us that the largest occupant of West Africa House has had its request for 30 business permits reduced to 20 and that these will be reduced further in future.   Occasionally parking is less dense in the vicinity of Hanger Lane area but for the most part, it continues to be a problem. We will continue to press for action. 

Corringway Mini-Roundabouts

The Safer Neighbourhood Team continue to monitor the problem of drivers taking short cuts by driving northbound on the wrong side of the road and have issued further penalty tickets to offenders.

Connell Crescent

Your Committee will contact Ealing Council with a view to having red lines on the corner at the Hanger Lane end where pavements have been cracked due to parked vehicles and, more importantly, it would be very difficult for the emergency services to gain access. In response to local suggestions about rat-running your Committee is requesting a traffic flow study and for residents to be consulted regarding making Connell Crescent one-way going east.

Gyratory Windscreen Washers

The Safer Neighbourhood team are monitoring the situation. Residents should continue to complain when they are harassed as by doing so the Police can go to court and obtain an ASBO or Dispersal Order and it then becomes a Public Order Offence. Please call them on 020 8721 2947.

Boileau Road Humps 

Councillor Nigel Sumner has responded to your Committee by saying that there are many roads in a far worse condition and that Boileau Road is not a priority. Clearly there are many roads in need of repair after the winter but your Committee will continue to press the case for Boileau Road.  

Orbit House Travel Inn, Ashbourne Parade

Following some delay, work has resumed. The number of rooms will be reduced to 167 rooms with 66 car parking spaces and 1 coach parking space. The Conservation Panel objected to the large sign on Ashbourne Road and rear of building. The plan now is to remove the sign from the rear and reduce the sign on Ashbourne Road, which will be externally illuminated only.

1-3 Ashbourne Parade (Hunter's Bar)

Planning application has been submitted to extend evening opening from 2300hrs to 0030hrs Sunday to Thursday and until 0230hrs on Fridays and Saturdays. Your Association's view was that this should be opposed due to potential impact on residents and the Council has been contacted accordingly. Permission has recently been granted but with conditions.

Conservation Area Matters

The Haymills Estate was designated a conservation area in 1996 to try to arrest a gradual change of character of the estate caused by unsympathetic alterations. Some roads have kept their character well but others have changed considerably sometimes as a result of unauthorised alterations, particularly to original doors and windows. Those of you concerned about unsympathetic alterations to houses and gardens will be heartened to learn that the Council's Enforcement Department is making progress in acting on several recent cases. Enforcement action is embarrassing and outstanding enforcement issues will appear on Council searches which could make it difficult to sell your house.   There have also been problems where an extension is not built in accordance with the permission granted.

The Council Planning Department (020 8825 6600) will advise if you are in any doubt. If you see what you believe may be unauthorised alterations please contact the Council's Enforcement Officer (same number or enforcement@ealing.gov.uk).  Felling or pruning trees with trunks greater than 7.5cm in diameter (measured 1.5m above ground) requires clearance by the Council Arboricultural Section (020 8825 6000).

When carrying out building work ensure your contractors don't break guidance from the Council in relation to hours: on weekdays work can only be carried out between 8am and 6pm; at weekends only between 8am and 1pm on Saturday. No Sunday or Bank Holiday working is permitted.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

There is no formal subscription for membership of the Association but donations are welcome to cover expenses, such as the newsletter, hire of the hall for AGM etc. £5 per household should be sufficient for normal needs.  Please send your donation to The Treasurer, 48 Boileau Road W5 payable to Hanger Hill (East) Residents' Association or log onto to www.hhera.com and follow links to pay via PayPal. Thank you for your support.

Neighbourhood Watch

I'm afraid there has been a noticeable increase in crime statistics (9 burglaries, 6 criminal damage, 6 motor vehicle offences, 5 violent offences and 2 drug offences) Dec-Feb 2010. One particular burglary involved a laser-cutting tool to cut through metal locks!  As the burglars become more conniving we have to more vigilant,  please join the scheme. The more eyes we have the better. Please remember to keep all valuables out of sight in your vehicles too.

I have changed the day for our meeting to Tuesday as Wednesday wasn't working out for the Community Support Officers The meetings occur for half an hour every quarter in March, June, September, December), on the first Tuesday of the month. Contact the Hanger Hill Safer Neighbourhood Team (020 8721 2947) or me for the venue, usually the Side Chapel at the Church or 12 Ashbourne Parade. You are ALL welcome to attend the next meeting: Tuesday 1st June at 8pm, 12 Ashbourne Parade. Please come and support us. 

Saz Vora

020 8998 4993

HHERA NEWSLETTER AUTUMN 2008  

Autumn update…
Welcome to the Autumn newsletter of your Residents' Association. 

We had a well-attended AGM in April at which your new committee was confirmed (see details elsewhere). We bade farewell to Michael Black, Martyn Grogan and Jeremy Evans and thanked them for their services and extended a warm welcome to new member Khalid Jerjes. We have also since welcomed Inder Uppal as a co-optee onto the committee.

At the AGM, residents expressed their views on a variety of topical issues. As usual, your committee has been following these up and they are reported upon elsewhere in this issue. 

Outside the Residents' Association area, the Dickens Yard development by St George was passed by the Council's planning committee on 5 November despite having been criticised by the Government's design and heritage bodies, CABE and English Heritage. The plans are now subject to approval by the Mayor of London.

Save Ealing's Centre, to which the Association is affiliated, expressed great disappointment at the decision and vowed to fight on by lobbying the Mayor and the Secretary of State to call in the plans for determination.

New plans for the Arcadia site in the centre of Ealing have just been unveiled for consultation. Although a more modest block of 26 storeys has replaced the 41-storey tower, its proposed "blocky" design is rather reminiscent of the 1960s. Other changes to the remaining blocks are less radical and the development would still remain a high density residential one over the railway lines with no supporting infrastructure such as expanded health, transport or schooling facilities, let alone leisure or culture attractions which would benefit the town centre as a whole. Comments on the proposals must be sent to the Council by 5 December. The application is expected to be heard at a planning committee meeting later in December. More details can be found at www.saveealingscentre.com

Finally, the latest Haymills Estate conservation area guidelines are now available on the Association's website. If you are planning to make any changes to your house, I strongly recommend that you direct your architect to these guidelines. They not only give useful background information about the estate and its architecture, but also guidance on sympathetic alterations to houses.

Robert Gurd - Chairman HHERA

SUBSCRIPTIONS

There is no formal subscription for membership of the Association but donations are welcome to cover expenses, such as the newsletter, hire of the hall for AGM etc. £5 per household should be sufficient for normal needs.
Please send your donation to The Treasurer, 48 Boileau Road W5 3AH payable to Hanger Hill (East) Residents' Association or log onto to www.hhera.com and follow links to pay via PayPal. Thank you for your donation.

DID YOU KNOW? By Simon Reed

In 2009 the Anglican Parish Church of the Ascension in Beaufort Road will be seventy years old. Designed by Seeley and Paget, a different firm of architects from those who were responsible for the Haymills Estate, the foundation stone was laid on Sunday 19th March 1939, and the building consecrated as a place of worship for the new parish on Sunday 23rd July 1939.

Designed in a modern style in keeping with the rest of the estate, the plain brick exterior with its unusual curved east end conceals a light and airy interior whose clear glass windows allow the full brightness of the sun to illuminate the building. The eye is drawn immediately to the large wooden statue of Jesus, Mary and John which tops the central arch. Christ is depicted in kingly robes, standing in front of the cross, symbolising his free choice to undergo suffering in order to overcome evil and death. The statue was added in 1946 as a war memorial.

The church community hopes to mark this anniversary with a project to create a hospitality area in the rear of the church that will make the building more versatile (for example when it hosts the HHERA AGM!) and to re-roof the church hall, which is used by many local people and groups.

THE ASCENSION CHRISTMAS FAYRE

Saturday 29 November 2008 Doors open at 2.00 pm
Gifts, books, cakes and much, much more…
Church of the Ascension Hall, Beaufort Road Ealing W5
All welcome.

HHERA Estate Matters

HANGER LANE BRIDGES

The long-running saga of the design of the replacement Hanger Lane bridges on the North Circular Road has now reached a satisfactory conclusion. Various local amenity and residents' groups have been in discussion with TfL about the scheme for over five years. They were most concerned about the unimaginative 'engineered' design that was emerging and managed to persuade TfL to introduce more landscaping. to create a more colourful design of the parapets (picking up the red, white and green colours to be found in the neighbouring Ealing Village) and, most significantly of all, to fund £10,000 for public art in the vicinity of the old retained bridges which will be part of the landscaped area.

The sharp-eyed amongst you may have noticed that the former car showroom on the Webbs Nursery site has now closed and been replaced by plant and equipment which will be used for the construction of the bridge works. Also a new piece of green open space has appeared in Hanger Lane next to Inglis Road. This is the exchange land provided by TfL in compensation for the loss of land from Ealing Common as part of the scheme. The land will provide the first part of the proposed 'green corridor effect' planned for the replacement bridges scheme which is expected to be completed in 2011. 

CONTROLLED PARKING ZONE

Councillor Phil Taylor, Portfolio Holder, Customer & Community Services, Borough of Ealing has been to see for himself the number of business permits that have been issued to West Africa House and acknowledges the problem in the vicinity of Hanger Lane. Following his visit, the businesses in West Africa House have been written to informing them that the matter has been investigated and most permits are being used for commuting, which is not what they are intended for, and not for business purposes. The businesses have also been informed that the Council will not renew any permits or issue any new permits until proper proof of their need has been received. In future the Council expects to issue only one or two permits to each business. However, it will take some time before residents notice an improvement as many permits have some months to go before expiry.

The Council has indicated that there might be scope for extending the double yellow lines in Connell Crescent which currently stop short of Ritz Parade but funding is not currently available to carry out any work.

STREET LIGHTING

New street lighting has been installed in Golf Road and is due to be completed in Boileau Road by end-2008.

HANGER HILL WARD FORUM

Responding to Government directives to involve local communities more in
decision-making, Ealing Council has set up a series of independently chaired forums in each Council Ward where residents and councillors can discuss local issues and needs (excluding planning).  Wards will also each be allocated £40,000 a year to spend on local projects (subject to Councillors' final approval).  Three meetings a year are planned.

The first meeting for the Hanger Hill ward was held on 13th October at the Church of the Ascension, chaired by Simon Reed.  Over fifty people attended.   Of specific local interest were the reports and discussion on policing and envirocrime.  Suggested projects included trees, street furniture, footways and road surfacing.

The next two meetings will be on 8th December at Holy Family Church Hall, Vale Lane W3 and 16th March 2009 at the Brentham Club, Meadvale Lane W5.

 PROPERTY WATCH

The market has slowed this year but sales have been achieved through GRIMSHAW & CO's office - Audley Road (2), and Beaufort Road (2).

There is still a good demand for properties on the Hanger Hill Estate and if you are considering a sale, please contact Derek Grimshaw FRICS or John Pridham FRICS on 020 8992 5661.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Ashbourne Road, Beaufort Road, Audley Road, Corringway, The Ridings, Beaufort Close, Ashbourne Close, East Close, Rotherwick Hill and part of Heathcroft area

Crime statistics are down this summer (2 burglaries, 1 incident of criminal damage, 1 robbery from a vehicle, 1 motor vehicle offence and 1 domestic violence offence).

With this in mind, a neighbourly walking scheme was suggested. Under these schemes, neighbours agree to patrol areas regularly in pairs to increase vigilance. This helps to deter potential criminals operating in the area, and improve the perception of safety for everyone. So, if you regularly run/walk why not be our eyes and ears too? If you are interested in joining the scheme or participating in the patrol please contact the Hanger Hill Safer Neighbourhood Team (020 8721 2947) or Saz Vora (sazvora@hotmail.com Telephone 020 8998 4993) the local co-ordinator. 

Please come to our next meeting on Wednesday 3^rd December 2008 at 8.00 p.m., venue Side Chapel, Ascension Church, Beaufort Road. Meetings take place on the first Wednesday of each of the following months, December, March, June, and, September.

After all it is your Neighbourhood Watch!

Hanger Vale area

Emma Gladwell is the co-ordinator of The Neighbourhood Watch for Hanger Vale area. It has already met three times this year.

For further details please contact PCSO Amy Turner, Neighbourhoods Team for Hanger Hill Ward on 020 8721 2947

HANGER HILL (EAST) RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION
Robert Gurd - Chairman 60 Beaufort Road W5 3EA 020 8998 4417
Valerie Giles - Secretary 88 Ashbourne Road W5 3DJ 020 8998 1501
Clive Davis - Treasurer 48 Boileau Road W5 3AH 020 8997 9322

Executive Committee 2008/09

Khalid Jerjes, Margaret Martin, Margaret Noble, Darshak Raja to October '08, Simon Reed, Nicky Shelley, Inder Uppal

 

HHERAnews - SPRING 2008

The newsletter of the Hanger Hill East Residents' Association - addressing RESIDENTS' needs & views   

 

 

SPRING IS IN THE AIR… 

 Dear resident,

 Welcome to the Spring 2008 Newsletter of the esidents'  Association.

 This year's AGM will take place on Thursday 24 April at
 The Church of the Ascension in Beaufort Road. We are
 planning a small drinks reception before hand at 7pm,
 as a way of getting to know new residents and also
 meeting old friends. The formal business of the AGM will
 start at 7.45pm and elsewhere you will find information
 about this year's agenda, at which elections of the 2008/9
 committee will take place and further changes to the  constitution will be discussed. See insert for formal notices and the nomination form for the committee. 

Our speaker will be Sgt Tahir Din, in charge of the Hanger Hill Safer Neighbourhoods Team, who will update us on the work of the police community support officers on the estate and talk about how you can protect yourself from criminal activities.  

During the year your committee has been dealing with traffic issues and, in particular, parking. The Council has decided not to install any further vehicle-actuated signs on the estate because they do not believe that the average speed of traffic warrants them. Instead, they will be installing one in Queens Drive probably in the vicinity of the Ellen Wilkinson School.  

More details of the ongoing work carried out by your committee, including planning and conservation matters, can be found in the Estate Matters section.


Outside the Residents' Association area, the main news has been the proposal for redeveloping the Arcadia site in Ealing town centre. This was due to go to planning committee in late February but following strong criticisms from English Heritage, CABE (Commission for the Built Environment) and the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, the developers have been sent back to the drawing board. It is unlikely that any new plans will be considered much before the summer. However, the threat of comprehensive redevelopment has not gone away and we still need to remain vigilant. More details may be found on the website of Save Ealing's Centre, to which the Association is affiliated, http://www.saveealingscentre.com/.

 I look forward to seeing as many as possible of you at the AGM.

Robert Gurd
Chairman HHERA
__________________________________________________________________________

SUBSCRIPTIONS

There is no formal subscription for membership of the Association but donations are welcome to cover expenses, such as the newsletter, hire of the hall for AGM etc. £5 per household should be sufficient for normal needs.

Please send your donation to The Treasurer, 48 Boileau Road W5 payable to Hanger Hill (East) Residents' Association or log onto to www.hhera.com and follow links to pay via PayPal.

Thank you for your donation. 
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SPRING FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 10TH ANNIVERSARY  

On Saturday 17 May, the Church of the Ascension will be holding its tenth annual Spring Festival. The event gives the church an opportunity to open its doors to the whole community, offering a free ploughman's lunch, and a chance to browse stalls offering books and plants, and displays from local clubs and societies. Above all, as many people have discovered over the years, it's a chance to meet our neighbours in a relaxed setting.

The event is open to everyone, of all faiths or none, and the Ascension promises you a warm welcome.

___________________________________________________________________________

YOUR RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION
PROCEDURE for Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting will be held at 7:45 p.m. on Thursday 24 April at the Church of the Ascension, Beaufort Road, with the agenda set out in the separate insert, which is available to download on the HHERA Annual General Meeting webpage - click on the right of this page.

It will be preceded by a social event consisting of drinks and canapés starting at 7 p.m.

The changes to the Constitution have been proposed by the committee following comments from residents at last year's AGM and EGM. The changes they have proposed (which have been endorsed by your Committee) are set out in detail in the attached draft revised constitution - available on the HHERA Annual General Meeting webpage, click on the right of this page -but may be briefly summarised as follows: 

·          amplification of the objectives of the Association;

·          clarification of the words "special" and "extraordinary" meetings;

·          number of votes per household;

·          clarification of the arrangements for moving emergency motions;

•    consequential and other minor amendments. 

Nomination and election of committee 

Following the changes to the Constitution agreed last year, elections will be by a ballot of names submitted in advance of the meeting. A form for this purpose is elsewhere in this newsletter. Please note that any candidates need to be nominated and seconded by eligible residents of the Association and candidates should indicate their willingness to serve. All applications should be submitted to the Secretary by no later than 17 April to be considered for inclusion. Any names received after this date will not be eligible. 

Voting procedure 

Under the new constitution if there are more than 11 nominations and unless the Chairman considers otherwise, election of the committee will be by a paper ballot. Only those residents whose names appear in the published electoral roll or able to provide proof of identity and residency will be eligible to vote in the election. Residents will be able to cast up to a maximum of 11 votes: ballot papers containing more than this number of votes will be disqualified. The Association's auditors will conduct the counting of votes and the result will be announced, time permitting, at the conclusion of proceedings.

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 PROPERTY WATCH

Japan Services believe that the property market for Haymills Estate properties will see an increase in activity this Spring, with prices continuing to rise. However, by the end of the year, prices will have stabilised. We foresee no reduction in prices in the coming months as demand continues to exceed supply.

If you are considering a sale, for a free valuation, please contact Mr PH Lai
of Japan Services on 020.8752 0445.
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hhera.com - Better, faster communication

If you haven't already registered on line to join our mailing list, please do so at http://www.hhera.com/ - it's quick and easy.

Rest assured, the printed version of HHERA News will continue for the foreseeable future.

_______________________________________________________________________________

SAVE OUR POST OFFICE

Despite awarding themselves a £4.5 million bonus last year, Royal Mail executives have announced that 171 London Post Offices are soon to be closed. The Post Office on Boileau Parade, run by Haymills resident Mrs Immi Chadha, is one of those named for closure. This would leave Hanger Lane and West Acton as the nearest remaining Post Offices.

The Boileau Road shop is much valued by local people for its ease of parking and accessibility for business people based on the estate. However the biggest impact of its closure would be on the retired people living opposite in Balcon Court, some of whom have mobility problems, and many of whom do not have their own transport to go elsewhere.

On Friday 23 February, some thirty local people, many from Balcon Court, were photographed by the Ealing Gazette expressing their opposition to the closure. They were supported by constituency MP Andy Slaughter, vicar of the Parish, Simon Reed, and assisted by other local businesses.

HHERA encouraged all residents to add their voice to the call to keep this vital local amenity open by emailing our database and will keep you up-to date on future developments. We have also written to Mr Slaughter and to the Post Office objecting to the closure.
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'THE THEATRE ON YOUR DOORSTEP'
45 YEARS OF THE BEAUFORT PLAYERS DRAMA GROUP

Close by, with tickets a lot cheaper than the West End, why travel into town to go to a theatre when you have one based almost on your doorstep in the Ascension Hall in Beaufort Road.  

The Beaufort Players Drama Group has come a long way since its formation in 1963. Then, sets had to be built from scratch; now we are still using flats built in those early days. Tickets, programmes and flyers had to be out-sourced; now we design and print them ourselves. Publicity meant the dreaded job of pushing around 1,000 leaflets through local doors; now we advertise our plays in other ways, including via our website at http://www.beaufortplayers.org.uk/. 

Over the years we have presented a wide variety of plays from farce to historical drama, both in the Ascension Hall and in the Church itself. We have gained many awards, both locally and at the Chalfont Drama Festival where last year, for the third year running, we won the 'Best Original Play' award. Another 'home-written' play gained a National play-writing award, appeared at this year's Edinburgh fringe and was premiered in the United States. Finally, in November 2006, we had a near sell-out with our highly popular family show 'Alice in Wonderland'. 

Our next production is Alan Bennett's highly amusing adult play 'Habeas Corpus' on 24, 25 & 26 April. Tickets can be ordered on 07968 974335 or 020 8993 2532, or why not apply to go onto our Mailing List at mailing@beaufortplayers.org.uk.  

John Megson and his wife Irene, of Megson's Chemist, Queens Parade, are to retire at the end of March, after 38 years in business.

 John, whose father was also a pharmacist, qualified in 1959 from the Chelsea College and served his apprenticeship at Lewis Pharmacy at Haven Green. He then managed Weston's Chemist in New Broadway. He married Irene in 1964, and moved to Ealing soon after. In 1970, he bought the pharmacy, just off Hanger Lane, established since 1938 and known as H.E. Clarke Chemist. He has remained in the same house and same business ever since. 

John feels it is high time to put away his mortar & pestle and hand over the proverbial 'tablets' of pharmaceutical wisdom to the next generation. He wishes his successor, Dinesh Ganatra, all the best for the future. 

In retirement, John hopes to indulge his love of easy listening music, particularly light classical, jazz, big band and film music, and also spend time holidaying and trying out different cuisines.

John said, 'I will miss the 'village' atmosphere and want to say a big 'thank you' to all my customers for their support and loyalty over the years.' 

And so, for their long and dedicated service to the community for nearly four decades, HHERA says 'thank you' too and wishes the Megsons a very happy retirement.

______________________________________________________________________________

CALLING ALL QUIZZERS!

Hanger Hill now has a regular quiz night on Thursday evenings at Bar de Luce in Hanger Green. A fun night out with questions ranging from etymology to EastEnders with loads of trivia on the way. Great prizes and a rolling jackpot make this a very enjoyable evening and a great way to meet your neighbours. Come along and make a team. Quiz starts at 8 pm every Thursday.

Bar de Luce 8 Hanger Green W5 3EL 

_____________________________________________________________________________

Did you know? 

This new regular feature will contain information about the area which new (and even some more long established) residents may not know. If you would like to contribute to this column please get in touch with the editor via www.hhera.com . 

Ritz Parade is named after the former Ritz Cinema which stood on the site from 1938 until 1983. The cinema was designed by Major William King for London & District Cinemas but became an Odeon cinema after the war. It ended its days as the Paradise Cinema showing Asian films. In between, it operated as a part-time bingo hall and a cinema club showing risqué movies. The entrance was in the centre of a parade of shops and was dominated by a large brick tower that had inlaid glass tiles which were lit from within and topped by a glass lantern light.
 

The cinema was demolished following a period of dereliction after it closed in 1980. No pictures of the interior are known but local residents plucked the old projectors and a few light fittings from the derelict building during the demolition process. It was replaced by Orbit House office block -- a rather featureless red brick affair which does no favours to the area. This building has now received planning permission to be converted into an apart-hotel.
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STAR TRAVEL LIMITED

Serving the local community for over 24 years, Star Travel is the perfect travel agency to organise all your travel requirements - and so convenient for residents of the Haymills Estate.

Offering extremely competitive prices with real personal service, simply pick up the phone, call in or book online to stimulate and satisfy your wonderlust.

Price, quality, style, comfort, peace are all bywords of our complete travel offering.
Star Travel, 3 Boileau Parade, W5 3AG
Tel: 020 8998 2931 www.startravel.co.uk
Email: info@startravel.co.uk

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HHERA ESTATE MATTERS

Speed Control Measures
 
We reported in the last newsletter that average speeds recorded in Boileau Road and Corringway did not greatly exceed the 20 mph limit, except for a few vehicles at much higher speeds. The Council has now decided that vehicle actuated signs (similar to that at the corner of Beaufort Road and The Ridings) in these roads would not be justified. However, they have agreed to install one in Queens Drive, near the Ellen Wilkinson School. Incidentally, two new signs have been installed in Madeley Road to remind drivers that a 20 mph limit applies there (although at the time of writing neither was working!). 

Street lighting 

New street lighting was installed in Beaufort Road earlier this year. As in Corringway, it has resulted in a much-improved standard of illumination and, as a useful bonus, has reduced the amount of spilled light into the environment. The former gas lamp at the corner of Beaufort Road and Corringway has been saved from replacement -- at least for the moment. Hanger Green has also been relit but it is not expected that any other roads on the estate will be relit much before the end of the year.

Controlled parking zone 

The Residents' Association responded to the Council's review of CPZs which took place last year. Our main complaint was about the problems created by the over-generous issue of business permits, particularly in the vicinity of Hanger Lane. We have yet to hear the outcome of the review. However, we have written again to the businesses in the vicinity asking them to remind their employees to spread their parking around the estate and not cluster around the estate roads at the end of Hanger Lane which can cause problems for residents. We have also been in touch with the Council about the shortage of residents' parking around Hanger Green and blockages caused by inconsiderate parking at the Ritz Parade end of Connell Crescent. The Council takes the view that there isn't a particular problem at Hanger Green and the balance of residents' and businesses parking is about right. However, they have undertaken to look into the possibility of extending the double yellow lines in Connell Crescent which currently stop short of Ritz Parade. Ashbourne and Ritz Parades were due to be included in the estate CPZ but the Council had to exclude them because they are private roads subject to separate parking controls operated by a private company.

Conservation matters

The Council's review of the Haymills Estate conservation area has now been completed. We understand that the consultation did not raise any major new issues and that the current design guide (see http://www.hhera.com/) has stood the test of time. However, it will be replaced by a new conservation area management document which will clarify and update information in the guide. This is expected to be considered by the Council's Planning Committee in March after which the new guidance will take effect. More information can be found on the Council's website http://www.ealing.gov.uk/.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH 

The Police Safer Neighbourhood Team and the new Beaufort Neighbourhood Watch group of residents met again in March to assess progress following restarting the scheme at the end of last year. They heard about the crime statistics on the estate (4 burglaries, 1 incident of criminal damage, 1 motor vehicle offence and 1 violent offence) and discussed ways of trying to reduce the incidence of crime. One of the ideas considered was introducing a patrol scheme similar to those operating in the USA.  Under these schemes, neighbours agree to patrol areas regularly in pairs to raise awareness of increased vigilance. This helps to deter potential criminals operating in the area and improve the perception of safety for everyone.  If you are interested in joining the scheme or participating in the patrol please contact the Hanger Hill Safer Neighbourhood Team (020 8721 2947) or Saz Vora (sazvora@hotmail.com, tel 020 8998 4993) the local coordinator. All are welcome to attend the next Neighbourhood Watch meeting: Wednesday 4th June at 8pm, venue tba  

There are two other schemes in operation in the HHERA - Hanger Vale Neighbourhood Watch and Ashbourne Neighbourhood Watch. The former covers Boileau Road, run by PCSO 7276XB Turner; the latter covers Hanger Green and the houses and flats at the top of The Ridings and should be up and running soon.

 

AUTUMn/WINTER 2007/9 Newsletter

Challenging times for Ealing town centre

Dear resident

I am very pleased to report that following the election of the 2007/8 committee at the resumed AGM at the end of May the new committee has now met three times and discussed various issues of interest to the estate. These are dealt with in greater detail elsewhere but in a sense they have since been eclipsed by publication of details of the biggest redevelopment plan to hit Ealing since the town centre was last redeveloped in the early 1980s. I am of course talking about the proposed redevelopment at the Arcadia Centre, central Ealing. The most striking feature is the 40 storey (143m) tower designed by Foster + Partners on the eastern side of the development opposite the station. However, it is easy to overlook the rest of the development which in its own way presents just as important challenges, in particular the various other towers up to 15 storeys in height, not to mention the large amount of retail in the base of the development. There is no evidence that the amount of development now proposed can be supported by the existing infrastructure whether physical such as utilities and transport or that required to meet the needs of the occupants such as health and education facilities. We have joined with a number of central Ealing residents' associations in an alliance called Save Ealing's Centre which has been formed specially to fight the development as it currently stands.

If you are as concerned about this redevelopment as we are, please lend your support to the Alliance - -more details are on their website http://www.saveealingscentre.com.  

The other important issue to report is the long-awaited review of the conservation area. This started in September when one of Ealing's conservation officers asked the Association and the conservation area panel for comments on how the existing conservation area controls came into being and operated and their views on how they could be improved or changed in other ways. These comments have been submitted and the next stage will be the drafting of an appraisal together with a management plan which will be sent out for consultation to residents next year. You will then have an opportunity to comment on the proposals before they are considered by the Council's Planning Committee. Examples of similar appraisals and management plans for other conservation areas can be found on Ealing Council's website. These show that the appraisals are generally historical documents setting out the origins of the areas concerned and how they have been affected by development over the years. The management plans tend to be more forward-looking and make proposals (usually tentative to judge from other examples) for changes in the extent of the conservation area or the nature of the controls.

A review of the routine business undertaken by your Residents' Association is included elsewhere in this newsletter. 

I also hope to meet many of you at the New Year social event which is being planned, details of which are announced elsewhere in this issue. 

Finally, may I wish you advance compliments of the season.

Robert Gurd
Chairman HHERA

Your Residents' Association

Changes to the Constitution
Following ideas and suggestions made at the AGM, further changes to the constitution of the Residents' Association have been proposed and were considered and developed by a small working party. Areas to covered included the number of votes per household, clarification of the period of notice for relevant meetings, clarification of the words 'special' and 'extraordinary' meetings, and the calling of an emergency meeting.

Further work will be undertaken during the next couple of months and any proposed amendments will be communicated to all residents and ultimately be considered and ratified at the next AGM of the Association.

Crime on the Estate
Crime on the estate was discussed and consideration was given to the reactivation of the Neighbourhood Watch scheme. It was agreed to contact the appropriate Community Support Officers to request reactivation of the scheme.

On the 4^th December the Safer Neighbourhood Team and some interested residents met to restart the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme. There is still a need to raise the profile of the Neighbourhood Watch on the Estate and your help is needed to do this. Would you be interested in joining us? Please contact the Safer Neighbourhood Team (020 8721 2947) or Saz Vora (020 8998 4993) local co-ordinator.

Social Events
Following requests by some residents the Committee is looking into ways of
welcoming new residents to the estate and of increasing contact, friendship
and understanding among the people of many different cultures who already
live here.  To this end we are seeking to hold a local social event in 2008.
Your Committee would welcome your help in two ways.
(1) Please tell us what sort of event you would like to see take place.
(2) Please tell us if you would be willing to be one of the helpers who
plans the event and puts it on.
Send your ideas and offers of help via the website or mail@hhera.com.

THE ARCADIA CENTRE

 

Thank you to those residents who attended the packed public meeting in the town hall on 27 November. Over 350 people heard the developers attempting to defend the size and scale of their development. Most people seemed unconvinced by their arguments that this was an opportunity that Ealing should not turn away. We hope that the developers will have registered the strong message from the overwhelming majority of those in the hall that there massive development was unwelcome and was not right for Ealing. If you feel strongly about this development, make sure that you sent your comments to the Council's Planning Department. Keep in touch with announcements by going to Save Ealing's Centre's web site on www.saveealingscentre.com , which will also help you with commenting on the application.

SUBSCRIPTIONS 

There is no formal subscription for membership of the Association but donations are welcome to cover expenses, such as the newsletter, hire of the hall for AGM etc. £5 per household should be sufficient for normal needs. Please send your donation to The Treasurer, 48 Boileau Road W5 payable to Hanger Hill (East) Residents' Association or log onto to www.hhera.com and follow links to pay via PayPal. Thank you for your donation.

hhera.com
Better, faster communication

The HHERA website - hhera.com - now has a HHERA Residents' Forum page that enables all residents to leave appropriate messages for all residents to view and express relevant opinions. Your Residents' Association welcomes your ideas and comments but would ask that all comments posted to be considered and not abusive in anyway. If we feel that any comments that are left are inappropriate, they will be removed without notice.

f you haven't already registered on line to join our mailing list, please do so at www.hhera.com - it's quick and easy.

Rest assured, the existing printed version of the HHERA News will continue for the foreseeable future.

PLANNING MATTERS

Many residents in the Haymills Estate conservation area seek advice about window replacements. The Design Guide strongly recommends repair/upgrading of existing wooden or metal windows where possible and we can provide details of contractors specialising in this area of work. But if replacement is absolutely necessary, the Council is strongly encouraging replacement with similar materials to the original. Following recent cases involving residents and suppliers, the Council has agreed that original steel windows in post-war houses can be replaced by identical aluminium windows. Steel like-for-like replacement windows (readily available in single or double glazed versions) are strongly recommended for pre-war houses. Remember that planning permission is required for replacement of windows on street elevations otherwise there is a risk of enforcement action being taken by the Council. More details are available on our website www.hhera.com.

The LIFE AND TIMES of BOILEAU ROAD
by Michael Black

Go back more than 100 years, to August 13, 1904, and stand outside North Ealing Station. The station, built on the site of Hanger Lane Farm, is just over a year old and was opened last June by the Metropolitan District Railway for its line to South Harrow. Around you are fields, though you can make out the newish houses in Madeley Road and a few at the southern part of Hanger Lane - but this is mostly a country lane leading up to the Hanger Hill woodlands. A motorcar chugs up the hill towards the wood, watched by a solitary stroller taking a short rest under the trees, on the wooden fence edging the road. About 50 yards right ahead of you is another line of trees - could they be oaks? - and a few grazing cows, and beyond, the boundary of the golf course. You have brought along that day's Middlesex County Times and you open it at page 5, where the death of Edward Wood in Shropshire is reported. The Wood family, since the late 1700s, has owned a great amount of land in Ealing and Acton, more than 700 acres, and with Edward's death the estate will fall to the surviving, younger son, Charles Peevor Boileau Wood: Charles' mother was Isabella Annie Boileau, of Ealing, hence this part of his name. The Boileau family in England and Ireland were prominent Huguenot refugees of the 17^th century. 

Go forward now to 1906. Charles has sold the land that you looked over in 1904 making way for its development for residential purposes. The first road is soon planned and to mark the original landowner it is registered as Boileau Road, continuing the practice of naming roads in Ealing after the Wood family. The line of trees that was there in 1904 will have to be sacrificed, as they lie almost on the route of Boileau Road, which will run parallel to the railway track.

Boileau Road first enters the records in the street directory for 1912, but it is likely that it existed in 1911 when data were collected. The builders did most of their early work on the western side of the road (the odd numbers): so by 1912 numbers 1-27 were inhabited, and only the solitary number 2 on the other side. Numbers 2-18 were occupied by 1913 but there had been no further construction on the 'odd' side. Houses were gradually added and occupied - except in the last years of the Great War and immediately afterwards when there was a break for two years - until all houses were built and with residents in 1923/24. 

At the Hanger Vale Lane end, the road departed from the line of the railway to leave a plot of land on which lock-up garages were erected in 1924/25. Attention shifted back to the station end of the road when a large building was put up, listed in 1927 as The Ealing Car Agency (on the site of the present Balcon Court).

 A firm of builders, Kendalls, erected the garages, and possibly also was responsible for the whole of the road. Several features of the Edwardian houses, many of which survive, indicate that the homes were intended for gentlemen and gentlewomen of the middle classes. The halls of most houses had ceramic tiles, and in the larger, older houses, rather impressive columns. Pattern books or catalogues were in vogue in 1910 from which prospective house buyers could choose tiles, stained glass and fireplaces. Indeed, some existing fireplaces in the houses are very similar to ones shown in the books: so it is possible that house fittings were at least partly customised to the owner's choice. Each living room had a bell-push by the fireplace, which, with the one for tradesmen by the back gate, was linked with a cabinet of bells mounted on the kitchen wall. Here worked the servant, ready to be summoned by bells, to attend to the requirements of the master or mistress, and to take delivery from the coalman at the back door. Residents were predominantly professionals - engineers, teachers, musicians, and at least one writer.

 In its history, Boileau Road has had its adrenalin boosted by danger and excitement. At about 2.30 am on September 26, 1942, a bomb fell on number 94 but fortunately it failed to explode: there was some damage but no casualties. Later in that year, in early morning of November 14, a land mine exploded in mid-air over the station end of Boileau Road, slightly damaging several houses and blowing out the windows in Queens Parade shops. Almost exactly forty-five years on, in October 1987, Boileau Road was struck again, this time by the storm which tore along the road, uprooting almost all the lime trees that had stood for 60 years and more. Many houses and cars were damaged but one positive outcome was that residents were united in their horror of the disaster and exchanged words for the first time, even though they had been neighbours in the road for many years. Thus adversity makes brothers and sisters of us all!

 The building of Boileau Road therefore initiated residential development in the area. Shortly after it was finished, in 1926 the freeholder Charles Wood sold the remainder of his Hanger Hill estate to Haymills Limited who started building (at the Hanger Lane end of Corringway) in 1928. The old golf clubhouse was pulled down in 1930, the club was wound up, and the Haymills Estate burgeoned. And just as Boileau Road was there at the birth of the Estate, it now sustains it, its bloodstream as it were, as its major point of entry and exit to the rest of Ealing.

 EAT YOUR FILL IN HANGER HILL 

Residents of the Hanger Hill Estate who want to buy food cooked for them don't have far to go to find a restaurant or takeaway. A medley of eating places is found on the borders of the estate - Queens Parade/Boileau Road, Hanger Green and Ashbourne Parade. Here, you'll be able to satisfy all your tastebuds, with food and flavours from Italy, India, Bangladesh, Japan, China and Iran. You may never again want to go to The Ivy or Gordon Ramsay's. Here's a selection of what's on your doorstep. 

Villa Toscana - Italian
Great atmosphere, serving full range of Italian dishes from pizza to pasta and much more - a gem of a restaurant.
5 Boileau Parade - 020 8991 9900

Zeera - Bangladeshi
Queens Parade - 020 8997 0210

Bar De Luce - Café/bar for a glass of wine, beer or cappuccino. A wide selection of light meals available at lunchtime.
8 Hanger Green - 020 8566 8016

Paolo's - Italian
A Hanger Green institution - magic too!
7 Hanger Green - 020 8997 8560
http://www.paolosrestaurant.co.uk/

Farshad - Iranian
13 Ashbourne Parade - 020 8998 9080

L'Orient - Indian
Well-established Indian restaurant with fabulous Sunday buffet. Takeaway available.
8  Hanger Green - 020 8991 1966

Momo - Japanese
14 Queens Parade - 020 8997 0206

Property Market Review By Derek Grimshaw 

The market started off with a bang this year and a number of sales have been achieved through this office in the following roads; Corringway (5), Beaufort Road, East Close, Chatsworth Road (2) The Ridings and Heath Close. 

Although the pace has slackened in recent weeks, there is still a good demand and a recent sale in Audley Road attracted 14 offers. If you are thinking of selling, please contact Derek Grimshaw FRICS or John Pridham RD, FRICS on 020 8992 5661 or sales@grimshawhomes.co.uk.
http://www.grimshawhomes.co.uk/

HHERA ESTATE MATTERS

Speed Control Measures

A series of speed checks was carried out in the 20 mph zone in Boileau Road and Corringway during September and October to determine the average speeds of cars during the rush hours. Although the analysis has not yet been completed it shows that most cars were travelling between 20-25 mph with only a small proportion at much higher speeds - up to 40 mph!

Roads and Pavements

1. The Hanger Hill CPZ review has taken place and was discussed by the Ealing Area Committee. Concern has been expressed that HHERA was not involved in the review, despite asking to be consulted. Members of your committee met with representatives of Ealing Council to discuss the various issues including problems arising from parking by Business permit holders from West Africa House at the Hanger Lane end of Ashbourne Road, dangerous parking in Connell Crescent near Ritz Parade and parking at Hanger Green. Ealing Council has undertaken to look into number of business permits issued but it is unlikely that much will happen in advance of a Borough-wide review of CPZs which is currently underway (closing date 31 December). 

If you have any comments, please e-mail them to cpzreview@ealing.gov.uk.

2. The traffic bottleneck at the entrance to the Hanger Lane Gyratory system from the west-bound slip from Hanger Green has been raised with Transport for London. They explained that the junction is working at capacity in the rush hours with little scope for improvement other than through fine-tuning of the phasing of traffic lights.

3. Improvements to the junction of Queen's Drive/Station Road are required in order to resolve the build-up of traffic, causing a hazardous and dangerous situation to both right and left turns. This matter has been put forward on the list of possible schemes for consideration in the Council's 2008 works programme but unfortunately funding was not found for the work to be carried out.

4. Some residents felt that a number of speed control humps on the Estate were too harsh and should be reduced. Your committee has therefore organised for an engineer from Ealing Council to measure them and report back.

The engineer reported that when driving over the humps in Corringway, Ashbourne Road and The Ridings his driving experience was good when driving between 15-20 mph and they did not feel too harsh. Therefore, Ealing Council will not be carrying out any remedial work. If you agree the humps are too harsh please cast your vote on the website www.hhera.com under the News section. 

5. Last year companies working out of West Africa House were asked to arrange for parking of their employees to be staggered along Ashbourne Road.  Unfortunately, only one company took the trouble to respond and there has not been any obvious improvement since. We will be writing again to them.

Street Lighting

New street lighting will be installed on the estate in Beaufort Road early in the New Year.  The lighting columns will be the same as used in Corringway.  The Residents' Association will be trying to save the old gas column at the corner of Beaufort Road and Corringway - a rare survivor from the early days of the estate - from replacement.

WEBSMART

Every issue, we will be asking a local resident to recommend their top websites that offer useful links. Darshak Raja suggests the following:

www.ealingtoday.co.uk - online resource for our area, the site for property, restaurants , shops and information on the community

www.news.bbc.co.uk - BBC Newsline headline ticker will automatically update throughout the day with the latest news, sport, travel, finance and weather from the BBC.

www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page Wikipedia - An online collaborative encyclopedia ( UK version)

www. imdb.com - The Internet movie database features plot summaries, reviews, cast lists, etc.

www.met.police.uk/ealing - Ealing Borough Police homepage.

www.mahalo.com - Mahalo is the world's first human-powered search engine.
www.50connect.co.uk - 50Connect is a content-led lifestyle portal for today's over 45s.

www.howstuffworks.com - HowStuffWorks is the leading source of credible, unbiased and easy-to-understand explanations of how the world actually works.

Feel free to email your favourite sites to mail@hhera.com

 

HHERA NEWS SPRING 2007

The Hanger Hill (East) Residents' Association was originally set up with the clear aim, as stated in our constitution, 'to serve and protect the interests of the residents of the Hanger Hill Estate and to protect, improve and further the amenities of the Estate' - principles and objectives which we have adhered to over the years with success. A residents' association is not about one individual's needs and concerns but those of all residents. Achieving a balance is paramount and I believe we have achieved that balance, together with tangible and long-lasting results, over many years. 

I need hardly remind any member that the protection our estate enjoys, particularly the Conservation Area, keeps it a pleasant one, as well as enhance our property values.

Therefore, to have to write that 2006 was a challenging year for your Committee is both sad and exciting. 

Sad because your Committee has been faced with unprecedented pressure after a group of residents who now identify themselves as  'Representatives/residents of Haymills Estate' attempted unsuccessfully to move a resolution at the 2006 AGM and the meeting had to be later suspended. 

Exciting because your Committee has tried hard over the months since the AGM to communicate with, and ultimately reflect, that group's views within a constitutional framework. 

This unfortunately has not been achievable in the way that your constitution demands. HHERA must, and does, work within the parameters set down in its constitution and the ambitions of any group of residents must be considered within that accepted framework.

With the AGM in April 2006 suspended due to the disruption caused on voting for a new committee, the Committee, which was properly elected in 2005, had no option but to continue in office. The residents who moved the resolution, having claimed a new committee had been elected - a fact that is demonstrably untrue - has subsequently questioned this decision.

The elected members of the committee have made several attempts to resolve this problem, and has also endeavoured, over a long period, to discuss this impasse and reach a constitutional way forward with the movers of this resolution.
Regrettably, their wishes and ambitions, some of which were considered unreasonable, could not be accommodated.

Due to the time taken up by these discussions, it was impossible to reconvene the AGM in 2006 and I received no objections from residents to my suggestion in the Autumn newsletter that it should be reconvened early in 2007. Throughout, your Committee was resolved to ensure that the views of one group of residents should not unduly prevail over those of the majority, who were confused at the AGM by what they saw going on around them on an estate where neighbours had hitherto lived together in accord. 

In order for the democratic process to properly take place, the existing constitution, which never foresaw this state of affairs, will have to be revised to prevent a repetition of the events at the last AGM. This entails amendments to limit committee numbers and introduce a proper voting procedure with safeguards to prevent abuse.  Only when these amendments are in place can a democratic election of a new committee take place, allowing all residents the opportunity to express their views.  I urge all residents to attend a special meeting on 19 April 2007 - details of which are available at the HHERA EGM web page or click here  to download - to consider the proposed revised constitution, which will be followed immediately by the 2007 AGM, at which a new committee will be elected.

Robert Gurd
Chairman

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YOUR RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION: PROCEDURE for EGM & AGM

Extraordinary (Special) General Meeting

Following a resolution received from a group of residents, an Extraordinary (Special) General Meeting will be held at 7.30 p.m on Thursday 19 April with the single agenda item to consider changes to the Constitution (see HHERA AGM and HHERA EGM web pages or click here  to download a printable version of the EGM/AGM notices and agendas). 

The changes to the Constitution have been proposed by a small working party consisting of some members of the existing committee and of residents who volunteered following an appeal in the Autumn newsletter.  The changes they have proposed which have been endorsed by your Committee, are set out in detail in the enclosed draft revised constitution but may be briefly summarised as follows:

• maximum number of committee members is 11;
• institution of the post of vice-chairman;
• eligibility of residents to vote;
• voting procedures;
• changes to the arrangements calling for an Extraordinary (Special) General Meeting;
• consequential and other minor amendments.

Residents attending the EGM will be asked to vote on these changes which, if agreed, should allow for the arrangements for the running of meetings, in particular the AGM, in order to prevent a repetition of the disruptive events in April 2006 when an excessive number of names of potential members of a new committee were put forward.

Annual General Meeting

Immediately after the Extraordinary (Special) General Meeting, the 2007 AGM will be convened to discuss the agenda. (See HHERA AGM and HHERA EGM web pages or click here  to download a printable version of the EGM/AGM notices and agendas.)

Nomination & election of committee

If the changes to the Constitution above are agreed, it is envisaged that elections will be by a ballot of names submitted in advance of the meeting.  A form for this purpose is enclosed in this newsletter.  Please note that any candidates need to be nominated and seconded by eligible residents of the Association and candidates should indicate their willingness to serve.  All applications should be submitted to the Secretary by no later than 12 April to be considered for inclusion. Any names received after this date will not be eligible. (Click here  to download a printable version of the nomination form.)

Voting procedure

Under the revised constitution, unless the Chairman considers otherwise, election of the committee will be by a paper ballot.  Only those residents whose names appear in the published electoral roll or are able to provide proof of identity and residency will be eligible to vote in the election.  Residents will be able to cast up to a maximum of 11 votes: ballot papers containing more than this number of votes will be disqualified.  The election and counting will take place before and during the intermission.  The Association's auditors plus 2 observers will conduct the counting of votes and the result will be announced at the conclusion of proceedings.

Intermission Drinks Reception

As the votes are being counted, drinks and canapés will be served to give everybody the chance to relax and meet and greet old and new friends. Your residents' association is not only about the formal things of life!

19 April 2007 at 7.30pm is an important date for your diary, please attend.
Your vote counts!

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SUBSCRIPTIONS
There is no formal subscription for membership of the Association but donations are welcome to cover expenses, such as the newsletter, hire of the hall for AGM etc. £5 per household should be sufficient for normal needs. Please send your donation to 60 Beaufort Road, Ealing W5, payable to Hanger Hill (East) Residents' Association or click on HHERA Subscriptions/Donations on the right of any web page to make a donation now via PayPal. It's easy, quick and secure. Thank you for your donation.

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hhera.com
Better, faster communication

Whilst we hope that you are enjoying the new look HHERA News, your residents' association has been working on a new, dedicated website. This will allow us to communicate with all residents in a faster, more efficient way with regular updates on those matters that may affect you.

We are also developing our database of email addresses, which will be kept strictly confidential, to enable us to email the newsletter directly to you and also, where necessary, alert you to anything important that will not wait until the next issue of the newsletter. 

Please register on line now to join our mailing list. It's quick and easy, simply complete the boxes on the right of any web page. 

Rest assured, the existing printed version of the HHERA News will continue for the foreseeable future.

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USE or ORNAMENT?
The reality of the conservation area.

The area of the HHERA includes a variety of styles of domestic architecture and habitation. We have the Edwardian houses of Boileau Road built just before and after the first world war, the 1930's houses of Connell Crescent, the apartment blocks such as Gilbert Court and Thackeray Court constructed in the mid-1960 to mid-1970 period, and the distinctive Haymills Estate. As a conservation area, the last merits special discussion.

Many people living on the estate may not be aware of its architectural importance.  Although its origins lay in a builder's (Messrs Haymills) speculative development, it is now regarded as a remarkable example of enlightened town planning.  Built on the site of Hanger Hill golf club, the Haymills estate was designed around the hillside retaining mature trees where possible with striking views from many areas.  Land for the all-important station was given free of charge by Haymills to London Transport and a new tube station at Park Royal was designed by the estate architects. Development of houses started in 1928 in Corringway and continued until World War II when building stopped for the duration of the war. The estate's architects were Herbert Welch, Felix Lander and Nugent Cachemaille Day whose background lay in the garden city movement.  This is evident from some of the house styles many of which have faint echoes of early 20^th century garden suburbs such as Welwyn and Hampstead. 

House designs ranged from those with ultramodern flat roofs (originally not very popular) to traditional mock-Tudor styles with prices ranging from £1500-2000! Building restarted in the early 1950s using simplified versions of the pre-war house designs.  The development was finally completed in the 1960s with only infilling of the few spare plots subsequently.

The estate has always been sought after for its open spaces, hillside setting and quality of design and construction.  The spacious layout of the estate meant that many houses could readily be enlarged but changes in the late 1980s threatened the original character of the estate with very large extensions and increasing loss of original features such as doors and windows.  Eventually the Council undertook a consultation with residents on designation of the estate as a conservation area with extra controls over front elevations as a means of preserving important original features.  The consultation was overwhelmingly in favour of the formation of a conservation area.  The estate was designated a conservation area in 1996 which has helped to preserve its character whilst allowing changes in keeping with the original house styles.  It is this character which still makes the estate one of the most highly sought after in Ealing and, as confirmed by local estate agents, helps to maintain the value of our houses.

In the next issue of HHERA News, we will take a look at the history of Boileau Road.

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Haymills Property Market 
The beginning of 2007 has seen a very active market for sales and lettings, with demand outstripping supply and substantial price rises.  Continuing price rises since last year seem too good to last and we strongly advise those who are thinking of selling to take advantage of this golden window of opportunity. History tells us that when prices reach a new peak, the market is easily de-stabilised by bad news and the market then goes into reverse. Demand for rentals is also very strong and we see this continuing for several years as economic recovery continues in Japan.                       

Japan Services Ltd

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BEAUTY BONANZA
Best Summer Home Beauty Buys
With the Summer fast approaching, the need to look your best is paramount. Here are my top tips for products for men and women, available on-line, that offer professional, salon style results in easy-to-use home kit formats.

ShapeChangers - this celebrity-style 1-hour inch-loss and detox wrap has been the darling of beauty salons and is now available as a home kit. Lose measurable inches from hips, waist, legs or tums ready for the beach, or get back into shape after your holiday blow-out!  The wrap draws toxins out of the body, leaving you slimmer, firmer and smoother.
£39.99 for 8 treatments
Available: http://www.shapechangers.co.uk/

I-Bod Airbrush Instant Tanning System - a safe, flawless, touchfree tanning system which gives a gorgeous, natural-looking, all-over tan - any time, any place, anywhere thanks to its rechargeable battery. The spray comprises a fine mist which dries completely in 5 -10 minutes, and a new LED light feature shows where tan solution is spraying to ensure streak-free application.  You can also adjust intensity levels to suit different skin tones or parts of the body.   The tan develops in 4-5 hours and lasts 7-10 days.
£39.99 for 32 applications
Available: http://www.thebrandcollection.com/

Mary Osman - MD Hair & Beauty, 10 Hanger Green W5 3EL
020 8997 8546
http://www.mdhairandbeauty.co.uk/
 

WIN AN I-BOD as recommended in BEAUTY BONANZA.
Simply e-mail I-BOD with your name and address
to mail@hhera.com  to be entered into our free prize draw.

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GRAHAM  FOWLER
Because of the extra workload created by the events of the last nine months, Graham Fowler reluctantly decided to resign at the end of 2006 from both the Residents' Association Committee and the Conservation Area Panel.  I should like to pay tribute to Graham who has served as secretary and member of the panel since 1996 and has a deep knowledge of the estate and showed a remarkable willingness to serve the community. My thanks go to Michael Black (Boileau Road) who kindly agreed to take over as Secretary until the next AGM.
Robert Gurd - Chairman

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My Hanger Green

Paolo Oddi, restaurateur and Hanger Green trader for over 30 years, reflects on the changing face of retailing on the Haymills Estate.

I first started my business in Hanger Green in 1977, almost 30 years ago to the day, when I bought Steve's Café. The café was open from 6 a.m. in the morning until late afternoon and served everything from traditional English breakfasts to sandwiches. The queue for our freshly made sandwiches at lunchtime went from the door to the counter in those days, as we served a range of customers from companies such as Coca-Cola, Unigate and Guinness - many sadly no longer in the area!

Hanger Green had a vibrant mix of traders which included Cullen's the grocers, a chemist, a family butchers, Snellgrove's the florist, a men's outfitters and barber shop, Tyson Chambers the hairdressers, Campbell Symonds, a petrol station and garage (now Boden) and on the corner a furriers!

The Park Royal Hotel was the centre of eating and entertainment in those days and operated a silver service restaurant with a grand piano and pianist playing in the bar. How times have changed!

It wasn't until 1982, that I eventually opened Paolo's Ristorante. The whole process was fraught with difficulty because in those days Haymills controlled the tenant mix with a rod of iron and The Park Royal Hotel was then the only licensed premise on the estate. After much negotiation with Courage, who then operated the pub, and a hefty premium, I eventually got my licence and Paolo's, as we know it today, opened for business.

I ran the restaurant with my wife Rina for 25 years and eventually handed over to my son Stefano, who continues what I believe to be a local tradition. The menu has changed over the years but still holds fast many Italian classics that make for a family-run restaurant.

Stefano has also added table magic to the menu, which is hugely popular with all ages!

I have enjoyed long and enduring friendships with many of my customers and particularly enjoy the summer afternoons when I can sit outside and chat to them as they walk by. I have seen my customers' children grow up and then bring their families to eat with us - still enjoying a timeless Spaghetti Bolognese, now followed by a more fashionable Tiramisu!

Times and traders have changed but there is still a great fellowship between the shops and we all support each other whenever we can. Boden has added great vitality to the area and it is interesting to see the number of Boden's bags and shoppers, especially on Sundays - even the fish and chip shop now opens on Sunday with the increased trade, while other shoppers enjoy the fabulous Indian buffet at L'Orient We all rely on our local residents to stay in business and I would like to thank everyone who has supported me for the last 30 years.

Here's to the next 30 years!  Salute! 

Paolo's Ristorante
7 Hanger Green W5
020 8997 8560
http://www.paolosrestaurant.co.uk/

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WEBSMART - local links

Every issue, we will be asking a local resident to recommend their top websites that offer useful links to the community. Margaret Martin suggests the following: 

Church of the Ascension- www.churchoftheascension.org.uk

Ealing Arts - www.ealingarts.org.uk  - drama music and leisure in Ealing

Ealing Civic Society - www.ealingcivicsociety.org

Ealing Council - www.ealing.gov.uk for full menu of services

Ealing National Trust Assn. - www.ealingnt.org.uk  - how to join and a full programme of events and lectures.

Ealing U3A - www.ealingu3A.org.uk - how to join and current programme

Save Ealing Streets - www.ealingstreets.org.uk

St.Mary's Perivale - www.st-marys-perivale.org.uk  - lively art centre serving Ealing

Transport for London - www.tfl.gov.uk - for full information on all forms of transport 

Feel free to email your favourite sites to mail@hhera.com. We are particularly keen to hear from younger residents with their ideas!

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Robert Gurd - Chairman
60 Beaufort Road W5 3EA
020 8998 4417
Michael Black - Secretary
102 Boileau Road W5 3AJ
020 8997 5503
mail@hhera.com