Neighbours' Paper Issue 76

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Neighbours’ Paper

Issue No 76 Putting the People of Ealing First Spring 2016

Acton | Ealing | Greenford | Hanwell | Northolt | Perivale | Southall

Homes to make you developers happy

2 Putting the People of Ealing First

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This edition looks at some serious stuff. The challenge of housing Ealing residents for one. It seems much new housing is aimed at investors and the rich rather than Ealing citizens. Our article on page 6 explains all. We’ll return to this subject we’re sure, particularly as it seems the Council encourages this through the planning process and maybe because of its own fiscal challenges arising from Government cuts. Ealing Notes picks up several issues where funding problems lie at the heart. There is

Contents

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Editor: Tom Whiting (020 8840 5740)

Treasurer: Judy Breens

Writers: Arthur Breens, Judy Breens, Amanda Cadogan, Foluso Dawodu, Michael Holmes, Peter John, Tom Whiting

Designer: Jamie AnsonCover photo: By Jamie Anson of Dickens Yard apartments Webmaster: Sonia Nimley

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Printer: Pollyprint Ltd, 263 Northfield Avenue, Ealing W5 4UA,0208 579 1441, www.pollyprint.co.uk

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Next copy deadline: 29th May 2016

Contents Editorial................................................ 2

Events Around Ealing ......................... 2

University of West London .................. 3

Ealing Notes .....................................4-5 Housing in Ealing .............................6-7

Ealing Junior Music School .............8-9 Arts in the Community ....................... 9

St David’s Home ............................... 10

Hope Centre ..................................... 11

Ealing GoKarting Club ..................... 12

Editorial

Saturday 2 April 2016 Join us at THE HANWELL HOOTIE on SATURDAY APRIL 2nd, across 13 VENUES with more than 80 BANDS performing in what is now LONDON’S LARGEST FREE ONE DAY MUSIC FESTIVAL.

By NP Editorial tEam

EVENTS AROUND EALING

THE HANWELL HOOTIE was started to commemorate JIM MARSHALL OBE who set up his company MARSHALL AMPLIFICATION in HANWELL in 1962 and went on to be a legend himself as “The Father of Loud”.

The Hootie is a free festival in local pubs and cafes all within walking distance of each other showcasing live original music. New venues this year include an inflatable Igloo at King George’s Park, a Youth Stage at St Mark’s School and St Mellitus Church. Another innovation for this year is a mini street food festival in King George’s Park.

Coming from Ealing or Brentford then hop on the free shuttle bus service to Hanwell from the stations between 3.30pm and 7.30pm.

The Hootie aims to bring fantastic live music to small venues continuing to develop Ealing’s music and cultural heritage and put Ealing back on the music map. It also brings much needed business to Hanwell town centre. Come on down, it’s going to be a great day !

More info at:www.hanwellhootie.co.ukwww.facebook.com/TheHanwellHootie#hootie2016

The Ealing Eclectic Project

also information on the Ealing Junior Music School, arts in the community, the centenary of St David’s Nursing Home and services to vulnerable and homeless people at the Hope Centre. On a lighter note the Vice Chancellor has written to inform us about our own University of West London in the heart of Ealing. For the young and healthy our Sports writer tells us about Ealing Go Karting Club! We hope you will enjoy our Spring Edition.

We also urge you to vote in the LONDON MAYORAL ELECTION in MAY

is funded by the Arts Council of England to bring high quality live music to central Ealing Broadway venues. A diverse mix of musicians have been performing on the stage at the Drapers Arms, High Street W 5 with a second, Acoustic venue coming on stream in 2016 within the basement of Cafe Zee.Gigs are scheduled on:26th March 30th April 28th MayFull updates will be provided at www.ealingclub.com

3Putting the People of Ealing First


The University of West London, in its many guises, has been a constant feature of Ealing for more than six decades. We now operate from two sites in west London: St Mary’s Road in Ealing and Paragon House in Brentford along with the Berkshire Institute for Health in Reading. We have 12,500 students and just over a 1,000 staff. We have a strong financial base generating between 8% and 10% annual surpluses and an excellent employability rate with 96% of our students getting into employment within six months of leaving the institution. We also have a tremendous list of former students who grace the international political world, the world of rock music, comedy and celebrity including: Stewart Jackson and James Cleverly – two recently elected MPs; Faisal Karim Kunda – the Deputy Speaker of Pakistan National Assembly; Eli Cohen – the Israeli ambassador to Japan; and Louise Take-Tack – former Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda. In addition, we have Claude Littner – business executive and star of BBC’s The Apprentice; Bill Bailey – comedian, musician and actor; the late Freddie Mercury – lead vocalist and lyricist of rock band Queen; Ronnie Wood – rock musician, singer, songwriter and member of the Rolling Stones; Pete

By ProfEssor PEtEr JohN, VicE-chaNcEllor aNd chiEf ExEcutiVE

Success with the University of West London

Townsend – rock guitarist (The Who), vocalist, songwriter, and author; Jennifer Worth – author of Call the Midwife; and Lorraine Pascale – celebrity chef and author. We also have many more luminaries who hold honorary degrees and visiting professorships. Our recent institutional successes are many. Our Students’ Union was a recent finalist for the outstanding SU of the year 2015; we were the leading modern university in the UK for graduate employment in 2012, 2014, and 2015; we were ranked as the best modern university in London for Psychology, Social Work, Music, Law, Computer Science and Nursing in 2014 and rated outstanding by Ofsted for our hospitality provision 2014. We were also rated as the Number one Modern University in London in 2010, 2011, and 2013 while having the best health related provision in England in 2009-10. Finally, we won the Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 2009.

All of these successes and many more have ambition at their core. And it is no coincidence that the name of the University’s strategic plan is ‘Ambition 2018’. Now half way through its course, we are already seeing the fruits of its success. This year we completed the ‘Heartspace’ a £52 million investment on our St Mary’s Road Campus which includes a brand new state of the art Library – the Paul Hamlyn Library; Weston Hall – a fantastic flexible auditorium, various new specialist and up-graded teaching spaces including: a film studio, a series of new engineering labs, a new radio station, and restaurant. In addition, in December last year we purchased Paragon House in Brentford and we are currently planning our next exciting venture – a new sports centre on our St Mary’s Road site. For further information, see www.uwl.ac.uk or call 0800 036 8888.


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Ealing Notes:Is RingGo another Council fundraiser? New road-side notices have appeared around the borough and in car parks requesting that parkers phone RingGo. This requires you to register membership and bank details and when you wish to park, pay by phone for the parking place. As this rolls out across the borough coin meters would gradually disappear. Do we want the security risk of exposing our bank details on a permanent basis to this company? Or be forced to use mobile phones? Do we own mobile phones? Worse, it was proposed to extend

Ealing Council, in addition to Council Tax money, receives grants from Central Government. Since 2010 Government discretionary payments to Councils have been seriously cut. Much Government money is for essential services like schools to be directly passed over. It is the discretionary payment to fund Council issues of choice that is so drastically cut. The Council is in a difficult position. They’re freezing the Council Tax so perhaps other fund raising is needed.They’ve already sold half Dean Gardens car park from 4.00PM to 8.00AM daily to the nearby Holiday Inn.

We wrote about Heller House a year ago. On February 16th Council Cabinet agreed to close this Council owned respite centre for children with complex needs because of the cuts. The Council has no legal obligation to fund respite care for disabled children although it proposes to continue a service using centres in other boroughs. Parents are distressed. The building needs updating but with its generous grounds it’s a much-loved lifeline. Would out borough places always be available and how far would children have to travel to use them? They propose a cost neutral third option and vow to fight on. Please see Petition at www.hellerthirdoption.co.uk

Over 30 years this has attracted huge numbers to Ealing, at one time running for 8 days and producing 34 concerts on its main stage. It was run by Ealing Council’s Events Team and received major corporate sponsors. Currently outsourced to a private contractor, the sponsorships ended and admission charges introduced. It is now proposed to reduce the Festival to two days despite top jazz artist participation and high audience levels. The outsourced company will remain. Adding insult to injury Council proposes to drop the services of Dick Esmond, co-founder and Artistic Director of the Festival giving his role to the private company. Dick’s irreplaceable programming and compere skills throughout the entire Festival’s existence are legendary. The proposal has devastated Ealing music lovers and supporters from all over the country. For more information and Petition, see: www.change.org/en-GB/organisations/save_ealing_jazz_festival

Do people realise that in June 2016 it is proposed that Ealing Hospital loses all services to children? No Children’s A&E admission. No Children’s Ward, No Paediatrics. Last June it lost it’s Maternity Services. This all springs from North West London NHS’s “Shaping a Healthier Future” plan to reduce both Charing Cross and Ealing Hospitals to cottage hospitals for rehabilitation and recovery only with a loss of 600+ acute beds. ESONHS held a packed meeting in Ealing Town Hall on February 2nd when the main speaker was campaigner John Lister. Ealing and other Councils funded an independent Healthcare Commission for N.W.London chaired by Michael Mansfield QC. This found these “deeply flawed hospital plans must be halted immediately” and that cost estimates to implement SaHF have risen to £1.3bn. It seems unlikely the plan will be implemented yet the deeply damaging cuts continue. More at: www.ealingsaveournhs.org.uk and www.saveourhospitals.net.

Parking, Stop and Shop and RingGo

Ealing Jazz Festival Ealing Save our NHS

Cuts to Local Councils Heller House Southall

By Judy BrEENs

this to popular stop and shop areas where we stop freely for 30 minutes, shop, move on and leave the space for next shopper. This rotation keeps small traders in business in the many Borough parades. The proposal reached Pitshanger, Northfields and South Ealing with payment available for 3 hours after the free period. Non-Ealing residents were to pay for their whole stay. An outcry from traders and residents followed. Fortunately, Ealing Council have listened and dropped this for now. But watch this space.



...continued:Ealing, famous for its extensive parks and vibrant pedestrian shopping areas, has become the first London borough to launch an idea borrowed from San Francisco’s concrete jungle – a PARKLET ‘to provide interest and stimulate activity along a street which currently does not have too many places to stop and linger. It should also provide a small oasis of green in quite a busy thoroughfare and encourage people to stop and enjoy some of the shops and eateries.”

This grandiose-sounding idea translates as an 8ft x 10ft box containing some

white ‘contiboard’ furniture, a few sad looking plant pots and many explanatory notices. Delivered into Pitshanger Lane shortly after the Lane was nominated as the best High Street in London, it takes up a free parking space and has attracted much ribald comment. Pitshanger Lane won the accolade because of its strong community atmosphere, vibrant shopping facilities, wide pedestrian pavements, four street cafes, plentiful public benches, cycle racks and free stop-n-shop parking – in other words, many places to stop, linger and enjoy the shops and eateries. Not only that,

Pitshanger Lane is surrounded by green open spaces, Pitshanger Park, Cleveland Park, Scotch Common, Ealing Golf Course and Brentham Club’s sports grounds. Official explanations are to be found on these links: www.ealing.gov.uk/blog/AroundEaling/post/75/take-a-seat-in-easy-street www.ealing.gov.uk/news/article/1325/west_londons_first_parklet_opens_in_ealing

Before Christmas “turkey cage”/cycle storage facilities appeared around West Ealing interestingly bearing no reflectors or lights. In LBE cars require reflectors and skips lights during the hours of darkness. Why is the turkey cage different? It’s a Council service of course and they’re always right. It probably provides a useful service, providing lockable storage at a £30 annual charge for those unable to store their bikes. However, like the advancing wheelie bins, these cages diminish the streetscape appearance. They could also be hazardous to traffic. There was no consultation. On searching we found there was no risk assessment. Sadly there is no Road Safety Officer in Ealing.

The Council created the Ealing Broadway Centre Conservation Area to preserve the original Victorian and Edwardian heritage. In 2009 one plan to rebuild the area was thrown out on appeal to Government. Now we have another inappropriate redevelopment plan for new flats with scant regard to the character of the area. Historic England, the Government’s advisors on the nation’s heritage are highly critical and may remove the CA status. The developers responded by retaining one of the fine Edwardian building and the facades of two others, incongruously plonked in front of high-rise glass and steel replacement blocks. It cannot be acceptable that the heritage of a whole conservation area is swept away and a wholly alien character imposed. Corinne Templer, who has worked for many years to restore Ealing to its days of glory said grimly “This isn’t localism. This is vandalism”. Sadly, the Planning Committee passed the new plans on February 24th. An appeal is in process. More information at: www.saveealingscentre.com

Parklets

Turkey Cages & Wheelie Bins

Is Conservation dead in Ealing Broadway?

Are you 50+ sociable & unattached?

Club Westmeets for pub lunches,coffee, walks, outings,quizzes, meals out, etc

contactMike 020 8992 6134

or www.clubwest.org.uk


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Social Housing Top Priority in 1945Hitler changed housing to rubble in Britain particularly in city centres. The War also changed the politics of a nation returning to civilian life and its politicians’ attitude to National Debt. Sixty-nine years ago I was born in a small, unconverted house shared with another family (now called a house in multiple occupation, HMO). It’s difficult to believe now but then, despite the huge National Debt, politicians of all persuasions competed in their social homes targets. Thus, at the age of two, my family and I moved into a brand new council house. My parents fell on their feet and in love with their new home and stayed there until their deaths. This security of tenure builds communities. Forty-five years ago I saw this in villages in Sierra Leone where three generations lived in the same village benefiting from shared child care and care for the elderly. We in the West might call them poor subsistence farmers, but in reality they had no housing problem and as a result lived rich, full, cheerful and secure lives. Britain in 2016Now, wiz forward to Britain in 2016. In the private rented sector there is no security of tenure beyond six months. Social housing in France is for life and in Sweden for an indefinite period. In European terms, 11 other European nations do better than us. Against

homes they promised and hey presto this element disappears and you can hear their laughter all the way to the Cayman islands. Even the language has been “captured”. The 35% “affordable housing” so often promised on developments isn’t affordable by any normal standards. Yes they have cornered the market and their profits are big: 25% of turnover compared with Tesco at 7%. Land bankingDevelopers maintain these high profits by keeping the rate of building stubbornly slow and land banks excessively large. Planning permission was granted for the Gasworks site in Southall years ago but not one brick has been laid. High profits mean high house prices and the poor squeezed out again. Certainly in London developers have failed to build sustainable homes and communities. Much post Seventies social housing favoured the failed and now demolished tower blocks. Maybe we need to look further into the past for a solution. Visit the Fox Pub next to the canal in Olde Hanwell to see low-rise houses built around 1900 on small plots in different styles and sizes. If development sites were to be divided into small parcels like this, then the stranglehold of the big boys might be broken. It would allow

By arthur BrEENs

this background the new Housing Bill proposes to limit even social housing tenancies to two years. Affordability?Security of tenure is a hypothetical problem if you can’t afford to rent or buy. Housing has ceased to fill a need and has become a commodity just like gold, coffee or oil. Post-war council housing filled a need and as it was in good supply it held house prices and private sector rents down. Back in the early Sixties, house prices were about three to four-times income. Since then house prices have rocketed and wages have been left far behind. This commodity has attracted big money and big companies, the developers. DevelopersIn Ealing, even on council owned land (like behind the Town Hall) they are building homes for the rich, for overseas non-doms, for investment but rarely for the poor. Who are the poor? With eye-watering prices like this the majority of us could be called “the poor”. Developers have captured the planning system. In planning applications they promise to allocate 35% of the flats to affordable housing. Great. Permission granted. Twelve months into the build they go back and get a “Viability Order” approved. They plead they can’t afford to build the affordable

Housing in Ealing



families, self-builders, small builders, co-ops, local charities, churches, temples and mosques with a local interest to build for themselves and for others to rent without the excessive margins required by the “big boys”. See createstreets website below. Council’s responseWhat is our council’s response to this housing crisis? A recent application to build 32 prefab homes to replace garages in Hanwell seems like an appropriate response to a housing crisis. Ealing owns the old YMCA building in Bond Street but has let it lie vacant for three years. It could have provided emergency hostel-type accommodation for 100 or more. The cinema site could have held 10 park type temporary homes for desperate families on Ealing’s housing list. Why is the Gasworks site still in wraps? Why are the three houses, once funeral directors premises at the junction of Shirley Gardens W7 (owned by A2Domininion) housing pigeons not people? Why is there often less social housing than before in the ongoing revamp proposals of Ealing’s older Council Estates? While these problems remain to be sorted, why are key Council staff off on an annual “jolly” to the south of France? Why do senior officers and the Council leader go to MIPIM, an international property fair in Cannes every year? Is it to meet those same developers who seem unable to build homes for us but well able to produce homes for the very rich? Why are these proceedings never minuted? Who pays for the hotels and tickets, food, drink and entertainment? Is it the same developers? Is there a conflict of interest here?

Housing in Ealing by Arthur BreensSHAPING EALING‛S HOUSING POLICY

2

viability order

It’s up to youWhat are the solutions? The first is to realise that you have a vote in the GLA and Mayoral elections very soon. Now you know a little about housing, it may make it easier to cast your vote. Listen to promises about house building but make sure they are matched by promises to increase capacity within the construction industry. This is because 300,000 workers left the industry between 2008 and 2010. Construction qualifications through apprenticeships fell by 10,000 in 2013-14. Homes don’t build themselves!

EndnotesA new Housing and Planning Bill is just round the corner and recent tax changes in the pipeline will challenge the buy-to-let market. This may see many landlords withdraw altogether or favour HMOs with more lucrative margins leaving families homeless. For more information see:www.createstreets.comwww.shelter.org



BassooNists at thE EaliNg JuNior music school. Photo By JaNiNE NEyE.

By tom WhitiNg

Some say it enhances your coordination and boosts your listening skills. Others comment on how it fosters self-expression, relieves stress and increases memory. It even performs an important role in the plays of William Shakespeare, and it is fair to deduce that The Bard himself believed it to be ‘the food of love’.

Music is the common theme that binds over 350 students and 48 teachers at the EALING JUNIOR MUSIC SCHOOL which takes place every Saturday at Twyford High School in Acton. ‘Our ethos is to offer a broad musical education, a high standard of instrumental and orchestral tuition, with access to formal exams, in a fun environment,’ says John Hudson, Chair of Trustees. ‘Abilities range from beginner up to Grade 8 of the ABRSM, with emphasis on the Western classical music tradition, but we also run a jazz big band and two rock guitar bands.’

It might be an early 8.30am Saturday start but during the following five hours students ranging from ages 3 to 19 have the opportunity to participate in some 18 ensembles and choirs, from the elementary string orchestra through to the flute choir. ‘We believe that ensemble playing makes a child a better musician, and most importantly it’s fun!’ says Hudson. That’s obviously a feeling shared by students and parents. ‘Our younger daughter happily played the cello and recorder and thoroughly

enjoyed her Saturday mornings at EJMS for many years. It really does offer something for everyone in a happy and creative environment,’ according to one parent Fenella Norman.

‘I was a pupil at EJMS and I’ve now been a teacher here for nearly 10 years,’ says Rachel Nolan. ‘It’s a phenomenal local resource ... It’s wonderful to watch children who come to my classes at three years old grow into confident and talented young musicians.’

You are never too young to start playing a musical instrument. With this in mind, EJMS has acquired instruments specially made for junior students. ‘This has been particularly successful in the case of the bassoon,’ says John Hudson, ‘where we currently have ten students playing what is commonly considered to be one of the endangered instruments.’ The school has introduced singing lessons and even a chamber choir for the parents of students. Many EJMS attendees go on to join the Ealing Youth Orchestra.

EJMS was originally operated directly by Ealing Borough but when the council took the decision to close the music school in 1993, a group of parents and interested parties took matters into their own hands and set up EJMS as an independent charitable trust, with currently eight trustees and run by part-time administration staff. ‘EJMS does not receive any government or local authority funding,’ says Hudson, ‘and so has to charge fees to pay our highly qualified teachers...but we do offer a small range of bursaries and assistance schemes for those in need.’

Keep an eye out for the regular ‘Come and Play’ days when you can try out an orchestral instrument free of charge.

For more information, visit www.ejms.org.uk or call 0208 930 0579.

‘If music be the food of love ...play on’

x100 Business CardsSingle Sided£15


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Arts in the CommunityBy tom WhitiNg

In the cultural melting pot that is West London, the role that the arts play in helping to shape and bring together the creative forces within the local community cannot be underestimated.

One such organisation that acts as a lifeblood for creatives in Ealing is the Arts Forum in Acton. Originally formed in 2003, it brings together a disparate collection of artists, performers, art and cultural organisations and through a series of events and projects ensures

that grassroots arts, culture and heritage of the borough are championed and community cohesion through the arts is at the top of the agenda.

Currently, a live project called ‘East Acton: Old Town, New Town’, with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, is focusing on the history of the area, and looking back at the old while also looking ahead to the major new developments. Through a series of talks, presentations and narratives from long-standing local residents, the project will encourage a wider appreciation the of the environment – there is even an initiative at the local John Perryn Primary School involving their history and art clubs

in which young people can gain an appreciation of their local community.

Sadly, the W3 Gallery in Acton High Street has been forced to close, but the Arts Forum continues to engage with community in other joint projects, such as ‘The Story so Far’, a high-profile programme of exhibits and events of visual and literary arts showcased through Ealing’s libraries. Street Art has also been given a platform, with the Forum in collaboration with the council helping to identify physical locations for the display of street artists’ work.For more information contact Rachel Pepper on 020 8993 6158 or visit www.actonartsforum.org.

EJMS concert at St Barnabas Church. Photo by Janine Neye.

WHY PLAY MUSIC?

Boosts memory

Time management skills

Teamwork

Improves co-ordination

Teaches perseverance

Sharpens concentration

Promotes social skills

Enhances breathing

Promotes happiness

Develops self-confidence

St Barnabas Church ConcertJohn Hudson recalls: ‘Our July 2014 concert in St Barnabas Church was particularly memorable. Nearly four hundred talented young musicians performed to a full house in a wide ranging programme of music ranging from Stravinksy and Haydn to Dizzy Gillespie and The Beatles, performed by 18 different bands, orchestras, choirs and ensembles. The evening ended with a grand finale of James Bond theme tunes by the school’s Philharmonic Orchestra. Earlier in the day, the school’s acoustic and rock guitar bands performed at Twyford High School. The two events marked 21 years since EJMS became a charity. This concert was so popular and the church so full that the following year we had to organise two separate concerts at St Barnabas to cope with the numbers.’



Leaving an indelible mark, a footprint in the sands of time, would be an understatement, or a case of one being economical with the truth. The above assertion is to buttress the living, enduring legacy of the fine achievements of Lady Anne Kerr, daughter of the 14th Duke of Norfolk, whose numerous charity works brought about the establishment of St David’s Nursing Home, Ealing

– which recently celebrated one hundred years in existence. Beginning with the First World WarThe immediate effect of the First World War on Lady Anne Kerr was the loss of her son who was killed at the age of 21 along with many other patriots. She felt compelled to support the survivors of the war who returned home wounded and maimed. Lady Anne Kerr pursued vigorously and actively to raise funds to provide a place of respite and care for the war wounded. By 1918, enough money was raised to purchase a property named Castle Hill Lodge, which in later years became known as Kent House and finally, St David’s Nursing Home, Ealing.

In order to provide the desired quality care for vulnerable returnees from the war, Lady Anne Kerr, called on the assistance of her sister, Lady Etheldreda, who was then a member of the order of Sisters of Charity. She, along with another five sisters of the order and with a Board of Trustees, took over the running of the home. From cancer care to orthopaedicsThere have been major changes in the last hundred years with the admission of civilians to the home in the past twenty years and a paradigm shift in policies and procedures. The current home houses four units, namely, Main Unit, Lord Mark Unit, Rehabilitation Unit and the recently commissioned Century Unit. The home specialises in the following care categories: Cancer Care, Epilepsy, Head/Brain Injury, Hearing Impairment, Motor Neurone Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Orthopaedic, Parkinson’s Disease, Speech Impairment, Stroke and Visual Impairment. There are 80 rooms available of which 46 are en-suite and one a shared room. The current residents range from ages 18 to 102 years. There is a

By foluso daWodu EsQ

physiotherapy room and a chapel on-site with pleasant grounds. A Royal visitDuring its one hundred years of operation, there have been many historical landmarks, of which two were the visits of the late Queen Mother in 1954 and that of Queen Elizabeth to the home in 1994. The Centenary celebration marked the formal opening of the Century Unit in September 2015, by the Mayor of Ealing, which was greatly supported financially by the Armed Forces Charities.

The Care Commission has in its recent rankings rated the facilities of The Home and Staff as ‘Excellent’. We at Neighbours’ Paper wish to congratulate the Management, Staff and Residents of St David’s on its historical achievements and continued success in its future care work in the community.

St David’s Nursing Home is at 12 Castlebar Hill, Ealing, London W5 1TE. Tel 020 8997 5121, email: [email protected].

A Century of Quality Care in Ealing



THE HOPE CENTRE opened its doors on 14 February 2013 to love and reach out to the homeless, addicted, mental health sufferers, domestic violent victims, those with suicidal tendencies, vulnerable adults, lonely and other support needs.

Based in Acton Baptist Church, we provide an outreach café every Tuesday and Thursday from 12 until 2pm. We offer refreshments in a safe and comfortable environment, 6–8 people can shower at each session and receive socks, underwear, razors, cotton buds, shampoo, toothbrushes, deodorant, shower gel and free clothing at Thursday’s session. We befriend all people, both male and female, who come through our doors in order to assess their needs and offer support as and when accepted.

We work with many other community organisations and professional agencies. We make referrals to St Mungoes, Streetlink and No Second Night Out when dealing with rough sleepers and Ealing Council’s Homeless Unit. We make referrals to RISE, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation service, as well as through West London Mental Health to connect those unsupported and who we believe to have serious mental health issues and are living rough in our community. We are members of Ealing Homeless Forum, Ealing

Voluntary Service and meet with the Safer Neighbourhood Team at Ealing Council to discuss and update on any crime and anti-social behaviour that threatens our service users and our community. We make referrals to Churches Winter Night Shelters and have links with Ealing Street Pastors.We are a Christian based mission but welcome all faiths and beliefs. On Thursday we do meet for an extra hour for worship, fellowship and prayer but no one is expected to attend unless they want to. Our main aim is to keep Hope alive!Our users are Polish, Irish, English, Albanian, Iraq, Somali, USA, Ukrainian, African, Caribbean and from many other countries of the world. Everybody is welcome as long as they adhere to our boundaries. We also have wheelchair users and those with other physical disabilities.

We have a market stall at Acton Market every Wednesday to raise funds for the running of The Hope Centre as we depend on volunteers. Referrals and other support that we offer takes place in our time but we are going to occupy office space at the church so that people can discuss their needs in a more private setting.

An example of some of the support we have offered outside of café hours are:

• Attending ‘Looked-After Children’

By amaNda cadogaN, fouNdEr/ProJEct maNagEr

‘Keeping Hope Alive’Meetings with a mother with anxiety and suicidal tendencies.

• Attending GP and hospital appointments if support needed.

• Cleaning a flat after a service user was hospitalised after an accidental drug overdose.

• An elderly Polish couple who had been sleeping on the streets for 4 nights after their benefit claim was held up and they were evicted. Ealing Council found them emergency housing and we brought them there safely and provided them with bedding. We would be grateful for any clothing donations or household items.For more information, see http://www.actonbaptistchurch.co.uk/#!hopecentre/c1700, contact The Hope Centre, Acton Baptist Church, Church Road, W3 8PP, or tel: Amanda 07401134534.



Ealing Go Karting Club

Ready, steady, Go Karting in Ealing! With the motorsport season from Formula 1 to MotoGP about to get underway is there potential for wannabe racers to hit the tracks in the borough? NP Reporter Michael Holmes steps into gear with Kirk Walker, Race Director and Mechanic at the West London track based in Acton. Kirk I’d like to start by asking about the history and motive behind the organisation. Michael, it all started in 1991 when the first circuit opened in Guildford, Surrey. Since then, there’s been a need to make it easier for those interested in motorsport to have a track close by. TeamSport Go Karting, as it’s known now, operate 15 eco indoor tracks across the UK including this one in Acton. The tracks range from 375 to 1,000 metres in length and all our eco karts are powered by lithium battery capable of reaching speeds of up 40 mph. Not to mention we’re now the number 1 indoor karting company in the UK.

How many members are there currently registered? Overall membership goes into the 1,000’s nationwide, however here at the West London track we have approximately 200 to 300 from different ages on our database. Some visit regularly and others drop in now and again.

Apart from having an interest in motor racing why would anyone want to join TeamSport Go Karting, especially this circuit?There are a number of benefits which I’ll tell you about. For example our membership programme known as ‘Join the Grid’ gives 10% discount, loyalty card (6 races=1 free race), grid events and free karting on their birthday valid up to one month from issue. Members and first timers get quality training and guidance from myself and other staff to ensure their safety when racing. Also we encourage all participants to refine their driving making it safer to themselves and other racers. A principle to be carried over to any level they so choose. Not forgetting the social benefits such as meeting like-minded people. Does the club take part in any competitions? There’s an annual event called Karting Champs and this involves a number of clubs from across the UK. Members represent their home track and drivers are categorized by weight and age to ensure fairness. The winner is chosen from the best of 3 races. Has anyone gone on to race professionally? Two things, first one of our staff is being sponsored to race in Formula 1. Two, we’ve had a few famous people like David Beckham OBE, Peter Crouch and

even British and Greek Royalty race here in Acton. In addition many famous motorsport drivers have been attracted to TeamSport like former British Formula 1 World Champion Damon Hill and John Surtees who remains the only person to have won the World Championships on both two and four wheels. What an accolade. Finally, what aspirations lay ahead? To continue expanding across the UK and making it more accessible to anyone looking to try karting or take up motorsport seriously. We’ll provide all the guidance necessary to join the ranks of Jenson Button or Lewis Hamilton! For more info, see https://www.team-sport.co.uk/go-karting-london-west or contact TeamSport West London, Unit 20 Allied Way, Warple Way, London W3 0RQ, Tel 0844 998 0000.

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