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September 26, 2007
Flip-flop Alex
I’m glad to see our Southall reporter Alex Adams is back in the office today wearing proper footwear.
Yesterday I had to pull him in, when I noticed he was wearing a pair of flip-flops – yes, a pair of flip-flops.
And his explanation went like this … “I was playing football in a new pair of boots and suffered such severe blisters that it was impossible to wear shoes. The pain was just too much.�
‘Brave’ Alex who lives in south London, said he not only had to endure the pain of the blisters but also excruciating embarrassment, as fellow passengers stared down at his feet.
Anyway credit to him for enduring the pain and embarrassment and skipping over the puddles to get into work – even though it’s all a bit bizarre.
And talking about the bizarre, my old friend The Monkey has been back in contact via e mail, this time requesting a meeting. Take a swing mate.
Posted by sazam at 4:47 PM | Comments (3)
September 25, 2007
Gardener Shuz
AS you may or may not know I’ve moved into a house with a garden.
Having hailed from the tough streets of south London, a garden has been a long held ambition, particularly after I was turned down for an allotment.
Although I still consider myself as an urbanite, I must say my thoughts have started to turn to keeping the grass, hedges/bushes in an orderly condition and even perhaps invest in a garden gnome…
Now I don’t particularly like everything to be manicured to the umpteenth blade of grass , however, I have vowed for my neighbours' sake, to keep the garden in a ruly state.
And that brings me nicely back to Ealing in Bloom competition, I must congratulate once again all the winners – it really was a magnificient effort by everyone and I hope you enjoyed our picture spread and the results we published this week.
You never know, before long I could be displaying those funny shaped marrows, pumpkins, the odd looking courgette and not to mention the tallest sunflower.
Talking about tall things, the other thing that’s been of interest to me recently is the debate surrounding the proposed 40 storey Arcadia Tower in the heart of Ealing.
The distinguished architect Lord Norman Foster has already submitted some spectacular designs (will be in the Gazette on Friday) which will certainly have an impact on the Ealing’s skyline.
I know there are some, who are questioning the need for such a tall tower – labelling it as potential ugly blot on the Ealing landscape.
And I know the debate on the size of the tower will be fierce, but at least everyone agrees that particular part of Ealing Broadway needs regenerating.
Although I would love to get back to pruning now, I’m just preparing to interview a would-be news editor.
Posted by sazam at 4:19 PM | Comments (0)
September 14, 2007
Lets Do it Awards/Ealing in Bloom
I've just returned from helping to judge the Ealing Gazette/Barclay ‘Let's Do It’ community awards.
With the help of representatives from Barclays, we whittled the application for the cash award down to three.
The successful shortlisted groups will be featured in next week’s paper, with announcement of the winner being made at a special presentation in October.
Many thanks to all the groups that entered. We certainly had a good response.
Talking about winners, I had a most enjoyable night at the Ealing in Bloom presentation awards ysterday..
The Gazette sponsored two of the trophies, the front garden and the balcony, at this very popular annual event.
I was honoured to be invited with the mayor Hazel Ware, to present the trophies to the winners of our two sponsored categories.The results and pictures of the winning gardens will in next week’s Gazette.
Anyway it was good to see so many people taking a pride in their gardens and allotments. And the flower arranging wasn’t bad either.
Hope the weather keeps and you can all enjoy a weekend in those fantastic gardens.
Posted by sazam at 4:46 PM | Comments (0)
September 11, 2007
CHANGES
There’s an air of change in the Gazette office this week.
This is primarily down to two reasons.
One, the news editor is leaving after securing a sports traineeship with the Guardian and secondly, two of the reporters have swapped patches.
Rebecca Kent is now covering Hammersmith and Fulham and Michael Russell has now become the reporter for Greenford and Northolt.
I know all of them will do extremely well in their new roles, as all three are talented journalists. Particularly well done to Sachin, whose passion has always been sports and will join the Guardian at the end of the month.
Although it’s always sad to see a colleague in a key role leave it does neverthless, open up the opportunity to make some changes and refresh.
So I’ll be setting up a brain storming session once the news editor role is filled.
Posted by sazam at 9:59 AM | Comments (2)
September 5, 2007
CLARIFICATION
Well, after another painful journey last night - got home just after 8pm - I, with thousands of others welcomed the news the RMT Union had suspended its strike action at Metronet.
This followed clarification to the Union on all jobs and pension issues, according to TfL (Tansport for London).
It's just a crying shame this 'clarification' had not come earlier and had spared the misery for the already put-upon commuters.
Anyway at the moment, the strike is only suspended and the misery could easily return early next week - I would urge if there's any further clarification required please do it quickly.
The action has subjected not only commuters to misery but the knock-on effect for all Londoners right across the capital has been punishing. Businesses, schools and the tourists trade have all been hit hard.
It was ironic that the Eurostar, which completed its speed record breaking journey to Paris yesterday - brought its passengers to a city gridlocked by the strike.
One of the top capital cities of the world, so easily brought to its knees - was it really necessary?
Posted by sazam at 3:49 PM | Comments (0)
September 4, 2007
THE TUBE STRIKE
Well, the Underground RMT strike has made the journey to work a total nightmare.
Last night, it was mayhem as commuters tried to get on a Tube before the strike commenced – one chap foolishly jumped across the flight of stairs onto a non-working escalator and sprinted down to catch the penultimate southbound Bakerloo line train from Paddington.
There was a wail of disapproving comments from a station worker but he was helpless to do anything. I just though this could all end up in a massive stampede if the commuters started to panic.
I missed that one, and waited for 40 minutes for the last southbound train – the packed platform was unbearably hot with many commuters drenched in their own sweat and a putrid stench dominated.
There was a man with a small child who was crying, further along the platform there was a blind man with his guide dog – luckily he was accompanied by a member of the station staff. The blind man needed a lot of reassurance as he waited patiently.
There was constant warnings on the tannoy to stay behind the yellow lines along the platform and eventually the platform was closed off to commuters.
When the train arrived it was packed with the driver continually warning travellers not to lean on the doors. There were jokes flying around the carriage as people were squashed to almost suffocating point – but the situation was not at all funny – it was scary.
I was relieved to get out at Charing Cross.
This morning I missed the first Jubilee Line Tube as it was too packed, and managed to squeeze onto the second westbound train from North Greenwich.
Got off at Green Park, and was held with hundreds of others in corridors connecting the platforms – the platforms were just too packed.
Again there was a huge rush towards the platform when the guards lifted the barrier belts and several tannoy warnings screamed out.
Eventually I managed to get onto the Piccadilly westbound train and got off at Acton Town, before completing the final leg of the journey on the E3 bus.
Luckily I was going against the traffic because when I looked in the opposite direction there was gridlock.
The knock-on effect from the Tube strike was immense.
Posted by sazam at 3:28 PM | Comments (1)
September 3, 2007
Ealing is bloomin' marvellous
Good to be back after my short break.
I know some of you have been wondering as to my whereabouts (particularly with the lack of blogs).
No, I was not sunning myself on a cruise boat along the Nile – I was in sunny south London doing all sorts of DIY jobs which I've neglected. Never mind.
The team did a great job in my absence with some very exciting front pages –the pictures of the spectacular fire at Park Royal, were particularly outstanding.
I enjoyed reading the story about the Polish Palace, this incedible ornate building has aesthetically split the neighbouring community, also our reporter Lucy's account of her walkabout with Ealing’s parking wardens was hilarious.
I was also delighted to find on my desk my invitation to the annual Ealing in Bloom competition.
The presentation takes place in on September 13, at Ealing Town Hall, where I’m sure we’ll see some of the colourful entries. The Gazette sponsors the small front gardens and the balcony categories. Bloomin’ marvellous (sorry).
After getting the the odd moan and groans out of the way (mainly centering aroud the coffee and tea situation as well as the dodgy printer) we went straight into the news meeting, where we had a lively debate about some of the stories on offer.
Anyway must get on, the news editor has gone home sick and with the Undergroud strike just hours away no one wants to hang about too late today.
Did I really say it was good to be back? Hope the travelling is not too painful.
Posted by sazam at 3:45 PM | Comments (1)