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March 30, 2007
Eggstreme criticisms
The local authority usually gets blamed for a lot of things – whether it’s uncollected rubbish, potholes or dirty swimming pools – you name it, they usually cop it.
And quite rightly so.
However, there are the odd occasions when the criticism is unfair.
And here’s one. I was intrigued when I spotted a story which showed a picture of a 40stone man with an accompanying headline saying: ‘I blame the council for being so fat’.
Apparently, the 40stone man was waiting for the right size front door to be fitted so he could get out the house more easily and exercise.
He felt his efforts to slim down were being put in jeopardy, and there he was bold as brass, lambasting his council for not meeting his needs.
I’m sorry but I don’t buy that.
However, at the other end of the scale, I was astonished when our local authority Ealing Council, decided they didn’t want to take part in the Gazette Easter discount vouchers giveaway.
In this week’s Guide section there are coupons that you can cut out, and get some fantastic discounts at restaurants, pubs and on various kids activities over the Easter weekend.
We had a good response from all we contacted – all wanting to join in with the Gazette to offer readers discounts.
However Ealing Council wasn't interested – it had a chance to promote its leisure facilities free and also earn some goodwill from their council taxpayers.
But oh no, it would have been just too much of a sensible move.
And as far as I’m concerned, the decision makers been left with egg on their faces.
Posted by sazam at 3:26 PM | Comments (1)
March 28, 2007
Tension over the garden fence
HAVE you been the victim of a dodgy backyard development.
An odd looking conservatory, an out-of-place balcony or just the odd shaped stand- alone brick room in the garden.
The Gazette takes a look at this growing problem, which is causing huge amounts of tension over the garden fence.
Not only is it intruding on precious sunlight and privacy, but also having an effect on neighbouring property prices. And this is all due to a planning loophole.
Talking about planning, what are you doing for Easter?
If you're at a loss, make sure you pick up your Gazette this Friday, because not only have we got a full list of things to do but also there are many discount vouchers.
From dining cheaply at top Ealing restaurants to kids' cookery schools there's something for everyone.
Believe me, it'll save you a fortune when deciding where to take the kids over the Easter Bank Holiday break.
Actually, I've just got back from my annual mini-break in Blackpool, and that's why there's been a few missing blog entries. So apologies for that.
I'm tempted to tell you what I got up to in Blackpool, but that could fill my blogs for the next month so I think I'll refrain.
The paper is shaping up nicely as we approach deadline - even though I say it myself.
Posted by sazam at 4:44 PM | Comments (1)
March 21, 2007
Clean-up idea rubbished
IF you spot a tin of beans or a brick lying around Ealing be scared – very scared – it could be watching you!
It’s our town hall’s latest initiative to tackle enviro crime (flytipping, graffiti and vandalism) using spy CCTV cameras.
Some of the cameras are lodged in tins of beans and old bricks, which are then strategically placed to catch offenders. And if caught, the offenders are in for a heavy financial penalty.
I’m all for a cleaner and safer Ealing, and have so far applauded Jason Stacey’s drive to clean the borough, but it’ll be interesting to see what reaction the town hall will get from residents on the disguise initiative.
Is it a ridiculous Big Brother step too far which will turn up the clean up campaign into a farce? Or is it a step which will be welcomed by residents?
The national newspapers have already rubbished the controversial clean-up initiative but let me have your views on this story.
See the Gazette on Friday for a full reaction. Don’t forget you can use our website message board to post reactions.
Posted by sazam at 12:52 PM | Comments (2)
March 20, 2007
Celebrity Alert
DURING the last week I’ve been getting curious Wap Alerts on my mobile, it just says Paris Hilton’s Birthday Bash and Hellooo. The latest one being today.
It’s completely left me baffled, however, I’m secretly hoping the Wap Alert will be followed up by an invite to a swanky celebrity bash – that’s off course, if a Paris Hilton birthday bash actually exists.
Anyway talking about celebrities, we’re delighted Fame Academy songstress Angellica Bell has agreed to attend our annual community awards, Pride In Our People, scheduled for June 14.
Angellica, who went to school in Ealing, was a real star in the BBC’s Comic Relief fundraising shows. She was highly commended by the judges for the improvement in her vocals during her stay in the Academy.
I’m sure she’ll be moved by the incredible stories of work being done within our community by some incredible people. They are the people who work away quietly and diligently to benefit others.
Posted by sazam at 1:25 PM | Comments (2)
March 16, 2007
Women's Day
There was furore in the office reception area, I was ambushed by a 12/13 strong delegation of women from Southall, who demanded to know why the Gazette had been ignoring them for the last FOUR years.
They were particularly incensed because we had not covered one of their recent International Women's Day event.
With an accompanying male photographer snapping away, they thrust a letter and a petition saying we should hang our heads in shame.
There were also shouts of institutionalised discriminations etc and vehement demands for an answer to their grievances.
With the shocked receptionists looking on, I had to, firstly, tell their photographer to stop taking pictures of me as he was trespassing and did not have permission.
I also explained there was no policy of ignoring their group and reminded them they had coverage when Linford Christie came to their centre at the end of last year.
Their shock tactics, unfortunately did not do them any favours and they finally left. However, if they want to be a bit more constructive in the future than I'm happy to meet them.
I must say I enjoyed reading the Mother's Day messages in the Gazette from all the primary school pupils. There are some absolutely delightful ones, and I hope all you mums had a fantastic day yesterday.
Posted by sazam at 4:57 PM | Comments (4)
March 14, 2007
WHY WEST IS BEST
AS all eyes look east, with east London awash with Olympic development cash, a conference scheduled for September is set to reinforce why West continues to be the best.
The conference called West! will trumpet why west London, is key to maintaining and driving London’s economic status as a world city.
Already some of the qualities mooted by the movers and shakers, includes lifestyle, good schools, good housing stock, good infrastructure with successful local authorities, and good transport infrastructure.
Jackie Sadek, the chief executive of Park Royal Partnership, says lifestyle is undoubtedly one of west London’s greatest exports. Larges swathes of Britain’s fashion, music, TV and film industries are based here, not to mention supermodels, actors and rock stars.
In fact, quality of life in west London is the most obvious advantage over the rest of the city, says Sadek.
Let’s hope all the key agencies will be on board to ensure this part of London is not forgotten during the mad Olympic rush. And as I mentioned before, Ealing should be a key player in promoting west London.
West! is due to be held on September 19 and 20 at the Hammersmith Novotel www.west07.com
Posted by sazam at 11:29 AM | Comments (0)
March 12, 2007
Cricket test ahead
Well the Cricket World Cup is underway and just about every country is represented in this office.
There’s majority support for England but there’s also backing for India, Australia, West Indies, Pakistan, South Africa and even Bermuda
However, what a great shame that the coverage of this prestigious competition will be dominated by satellite televison. You’ll only get the highlights on the BBC if you bother to stay up until after 11pm.
However, it has reminded me that I possess a very nice new Gray Nicholls cricket bat which I have so far not used – so hopefully this year I’ll get the opportunity to dust down my pads and take a stroll up to the crease.
I was, once a prolific fast bowler, but knee injuries, age and excess weight has somewhat restricted my playing prowess. But don’t be fooled, I can still bowl a fast inswinger if the conditions are favourable. I'm also a good middle order batsman.
Who will you be supporting – will Flintoff be the man or will Ponting return to put England back in their place.
I’m eager to see which of my colleagues will pass the cricket test – and whether their team will be crowned world champions in the Caribbean.
Posted by sazam at 4:11 PM | Comments (2)
March 8, 2007
Ealing icons
What do you think could make an iconic image to represent the borough of Ealing?
Perhaps the old town hall building, Ealing Studios, the jazz festival, St Mary’s Church or even the oak trees sweeping across Ealing Common?
Or perhaps as Ealing becomes a more diverse borough, the sights, sounds and smells of the different ethnic festivals, shops and restaurants mushrooming across the borough?
Or dare I say, a possible tram system running through Ealing in the future. Okay, okay perhaps not.
Tell me the image you think would represent modern day Ealing ?
Talking about modern day Ealing, you must have noticed the new space age looking flats on the Uxbridge Road, west Ealing – they’re amazing. There are more and more flats being developed across the borough. Let me have you thoughts.
Don’t forget to let me know if you’ve had a brush with fame, and why, oh why are there not enough quality hotels in Ealing? I need to know.
And off course, it’s Mother’s Day on March 18, and you can use our website message board to post a tribute to your mum. We’ll be popping into schools across the borough to find out what pupils are doing to wish their mums a Happy Mother's Day.
Posted by sazam at 4:02 PM | Comments (1)
March 7, 2007
Quality hotels for Ealing
WHY doesn’t Ealing have more than one quality hotel?
The only one I can immediately can think of is the Ramada Jarvis on Ealing Common. Surely there must be a market for more.
With its close proximity to Heathrow, you would think the place would be bustling with quality hotels and guest houses.
Ealing should be the natural place for tourists and business visitors to stay. With it’s excellent transport connections it should be easy for the airport and also for central London.
But for some reason, quality accommodation has been lacking historically in the borough. It’s time our business leaders, the town hall and developers got together to remedy this.
Ealing has so much to offer, excellent shops, restaurants, nightlife and we should all be working to make it the natural first choice for tourists etc.
Let’s hope we can work out a way to take advantage of the millions of visitors coming through Ealing.
IT should also help to establish Ealing as the voice of west London. Let me have your thoughts on this.
Posted by sazam at 6:01 PM | Comments (2)
March 6, 2007
Snappy readers
I would just like to take this opportunity to thank our readers for sending in some dramatic pictures this week.
Our photographers do a terrific job but can’t always be there when a major story initially breaks.
So to get a picture, which encapsulates that very precise moment, is very exciting. And nowadays anyone with a mobile phone camera can be classed as a Gazette photographer – so get snapping. In Friday’s Gazette you’ll certainly see some very dramatic pictures taken by our readers.
It’s been a busy day at the Gazette office – I’ve been standing in for our news editor who is off to watch Liverpool tonight – it’s the second leg of their crucial match against Barcelona.
I’m hoping Liverpool will retain their lead from the first leg so our news editor returns a happy man on Thursday, and inspired to produce an even better paper.
Today we had a visit from our Polish columnist Wiktor Moszczynski who wanted to meet the Gazette team – his column is going down well so far and we’ve had good feedback.
Friday’s paper looks set to be a bumper edition packed with some excellent features and stories – it’s shaping up well.
Posted by sazam at 4:25 PM | Comments (1)
March 5, 2007
Under the spell
TODAY an hypnotherapist popped into the office.
Deborah Hyde, from Greenford, uses hypnosis to treat a range of conditions and specalises in smoking, weight loss, anxiety and sleep disorder.
I’m still considering having a session with her but I’m concerned what I might say/do once under her powerful spell.
I’ve seen people doing the most peculiar things once hypnotised. So I’ve decided to hold back for the time being, in fear of running around the office like a chicken making clucking noises or doing something even more bizarre.
However, despite the humour it can generate, hypnosis is a method more and more people are using to combat a serious personal problem. And we’ll be looking at Deborah’s work more closely in the next few weeks.
Talking about a serious problem, Ealing Broadway Station quickly comes to mind – this morning there was an army of surveyors dotted around the station monitoring its usage. Hopefully, this means something is about to be done about its accessibility. As you know the Gazette has been fighting to improve access for wheelchair users, those with luggage and pushchairs/prams. The facilities at the moment are scandalous – with First Great Western saying any improvement is tied up with the Crossrail Project. We’ll be checking out the latest development and letting you know what was going on in at the station in the Gazette on Friday.
Thanks to Monkey, Sammy the Squirrel and Mole for their comments – see comments to Brush with Fame blog. I’m sorry there was no blog last Thursday and Friday but I had meetings at Uxbridge on Thursday and was off on Friday.
Don’t forget let me know if you’ve had a brush with fame.
Posted by sazam at 1:46 PM | Comments (1)