Communities - Chiswick

Chiswick Park efireworks extravaganza

2009-11-10T16:08:46Z

A Chiswick office development last week hosted its free annual fireworks display with members of the public joining in.

The spectacular display on Wednesday night was accompanied by a host of other activities including a steel band, stilt walkers and a BBQ.

]]> The evening formed part of the development's unique Enjoy-Work philosophy; employees who enjoy their working environment are more likely to be more efficient and happy in the workplace. This results in lower stress levels in the office and an increased sense of team spirit.

Kate Olson, Events Manager at Chiswick Park said: "We were thrilled to welcome the local community, along with our guests on the Park to celebrate our complimentary annual fireworks night here at Chiswick Park.

"The popularity of this annual event reinforces Enjoy-Work's connection with the local community and businesses located in West London. This year's event was our biggest yet, and provided a real opportunity to meet and interact with the people that live in the neighbouring area."

Chiswick High Road Fire

2009-11-04T11:26:38Z

More than 20 fire fighters tackled a blaze on Chiswick High Road for more than three hours on Tuesday afternoon.

The fire broke out at the back of Zizzi's restaurant at 2.34pm with approximately half of the ground floor store room being damaged and around 30 per cent of ducting from the ground to the fourth floors.

]]> Although there are flats above the four story building and ambulances were called to the scene luckily no one was injured.

The four fire engines from Chiswick and Richmond stations had the fire under control by 6.47pm.

Chiswick High Road was closed for most of the afternoon between Turnham Green Terrace and Heathfield Terrace.

A fire brigade spokesman said: "The cause of the fire is under investigation."

Local church choirs perform in inter faith concert

2009-11-01T21:17:38Z

Two choirs from places of worship in Chiswick will be taking part in an exciting and unusual concert on Saturday 21 November. The groups, from St Michael's Sutton Court, Elmwood Road and the Russian Orthodox Church in Harvard Road are presenting music as heard in worship in 'Music from the Faiths'. Other contributions will include a Catholic youth group, Sikh, Hindu and Jewish music, plus the Muslim call to prayer and Quaker silence.

]]> The event is being organised by Hounslow Friends of Faith as part of Inter Faith Week. Secretary of the group Bessie White said 'Music plays an important part in many faiths. Although not a religious service it will be really interesting to experience what you might hear in a place of worship across a wide range of cultures. We have been able to provide this opportunity with all but one presentation coming from within the local borough.'

The concert takes place at Watermans Arts Centre in Brentford and starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are £4 and are available by ringing 020 8560 5887 or from info@hounslowfriendsoffaith.org.

Pepper spray attack on Chiswick cyclist

2009-10-14T11:03:50Z

A cyclist was attacked with pepper spray by three thugs while riding through Chiswick.

The woman in her late 30s was cycling down Church Street at 12.30am on October 2, when one of the three white men sprayed her in the eyes with what the victim described as pepper spray.

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The three suspects then walked away leaving the woman in agony, one of the suspects wore a khaki jacket.

Inspector Manpreet Bains of Hounslow Police Station said: "This was a cowardly attack on a woman riding her pedal bicycle.

"I would urge anyone who has any information to please call us at Hounslow Police Station CID on 0208 247 6160/5940 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

Chiswick darts marathon record breaking success

2009-09-30T15:08:04Z

A Chiswick charity darts marathon was a huge success with a new world record being created.

Ross Sheridan of Linden Gardens, Chiswick, persuaded professional darts champ, Jason Clark, to go without sleep and play 501 darts for 24-hours straight to raise awareness of epilepsy and tinnitus charities.

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"It was so amazing," said Ross.

"Everyone clapped Jason in for the last few minutes leading up to the 24 hours, that guy really is a gentleman and a half."

Ross decided to organise the event at Chiswick Society Club, after the death of his daughter Karen, who suffered a final and fatal epileptic seizure last year, aged only 26.

"More young people continue to die from epilepsy related deaths, than aids and cot death combined, however there is very little awareness," said Ross.

The marathon was in aid of three charities, Epileptic Seizure Alert Dogs, Epilepsy Bereaved and The British Tinnitus Foundation.

Tinnitus is a little known illness that Ross's Friend and captain of the Chiswick darts team, Stuart Budd suffers from.

"We were thrilled to have ITN news down as well as a support dog from the charity and representatives from all the charities.

"We even had someone ring in after seeing us on the news and donate some money on the spot."

The amount of cash raised from the event has not yet been counted.

Statue of Venus 'lands' at Chiswick House

2009-09-29T14:56:09Z

Venus 'landed' at Chiswick House in a carefully choreographed operation to mark its Friends silver jubilee year.

The newly carved copy of the Medici Venus statue was fixed on top of the empty Doric column in Chiswick House gardens after well-known sculptor Andrian Melka (cor) was commissioned to carve the statue with the support of English Heritage.

]]> The Friends of Chiswick House decided to fund a new statue for the empty column and support the re-planting of the rose garden where the column stands following the launch of the restoration of the gardens project. The £12.1m project is backed by £7.9m from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Waging Peace

2009-09-29T11:55:47Z

Wouldn't it be great if there were alternatives to war? There are! Quaker peace workers will be talking about Peace Child International and other projects which attempt to prevent conflict before it happens. These are part of the Quaker run peaceworker scheme to boost organisations working for peace.

]]> Peace Child International works with young people's groups in over 180 countries through peace education initiatives such as musical productions. These encourage action in support of sustainable development and human rights. Quakers, a historic peace church, believe in supporting such groups to show there are ways of reducing tension in the world.

Brentford and Isleworth Quakers are organising the event on Sunday 4th October at 12 noon. It takes place at the Quaker Meeting House, Quakers Lane, London Road, Isleworth TW7 5AZ. Lunch is provided. Tours of the Meeting House, built 1785, and burial ground are available. The event is part of National Quaker Week, a series of open events at Quaker Meeting Houses nationally.

For more information ring 020 8560 5887 or go to www.brentfordandisleworthquakers.org.uk

Chiswick gardener succesfully tackles Machu Picchu

2009-09-25T13:53:16Z

A Chiswick gardener has raised £85,0000 for charity after completing a gruelling trek along the Inca Trail.

Philip Cole,48, took four days to make the tretorous 26-mile journey to Machu Picchu and will be giving the cash he raised to Dogs for the Disabled.

]]> "It was probably the hardest thing I have ever done," said Philip who lives on Kingswood Road, Chiswick.

"We climbed up to 4,200 metres in thin air which makes breathing noticeably difficult.
"Someone actually collapsed with the strain of the altitude and was stretchered off."
The gardener who works in the grounds of Hampton Court, as well as having his own gardening business, Wild Thyme, flew to Lima on September 12 and then travelled to Cuzco where the group spent three days acclimatising.
They then spent four days trekking along the Inca trail to the Pre-Columbian Inca site of Machu Picchu which is 8,000ft above sea level.
"The second night, we arrived just before the most spectacular and loud thunder and lightening storm and torrential rain," said Philip.

"We were worried we might get struck by lightening or swept away by a landslide - but thankfully we didn't.

"Machu Picchu was fantastic and everything I had expected it to be except it was much much bigger and took ages to explore."

Philip was originally encouraged to do the trek by a friend who was inspired by the book, A friend Called Henry, written by the mother of an autistic boy whose life was transformed after he got a trained golden retriever.

Veterans escorted on river trip by Chiswick Sea Cadets

2009-09-16T13:59:05Z

Veterans were escorted down the Thames by Chiswick Sea Cadets as part of an annual cruise.

The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships held the Annual Veterans Cruise on Sunday, with The Sea Cadets Units in London's South West District helping volunteers from the navy.

]]> Accompanying the 90 veterans on the flotilla (a fleet of ships), from Chiswick Pier to Kingston Bridge, were also HRH Prince Michael of Kent and MP Kevan Jones and Commander Liz Spencer.

A spokeswoman from the Chiswick Cadets said: During the afternoon the veterans had plenty of stories to tell to young ears.

"The cadets were also welcomed on board all the boats to see just how small they were, to be told their histories and to see how they had been lovingly preserved."

Boy charged for Chiswick 'shooting'

2009-09-15T14:59:37Z

An 18-year-old boy has been charged with the attack on a teenage girl in Chiswick.

Sebastian Mateza of Burlington Lane, Chiswick, was charged with GBH with intent, and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear and violence.

]]> The 16-year old girl that police suspect he attacked early Saturday morning, at the junction of Burlington Lane and Paxton Road, is currently awaiting an operation after receiving what police can only describe as a "stomach wound".

Paramedics arrived on the scene just before 1am after receiving reports of a stabbing, however it has since become apparent that a knife was not used to produce the girl's injuries and police are awaiting to speak to doctors after her operation, to discover what sort of weapon was used.

There are suspicions that the wound may have been caused by a certain type of gun, one that doesn't necessarily use "proper bullets".

Four other young men have also been arrested and are bailed to return in October, pending further enquiries.

Mateza wass bailed to appear in Feltham Magistrates Court on September 10.
Officers from Hounslow CID are investigating.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information for the inquiry is asked to call Hounslow police on 020 8247 6160 or anonymously to CRIMESTOPPERS on 0800555111

Learn to make garden equipment out of string

2009-09-11T15:18:31Z

Learn how to make garden equipment out of string at another Gunnersbury Triangle workshop.

Adults can visit the Nature Reserve opposite Chiswick Park Station on Bolllo Lane on Sunday, September 20 from 11-4pm and learn a new fun skill.

]]> The reserve will provide materials however you are asked to supply your own string (made of natural material) if possible.

This is a free event and no booking is required.

Homeless man confesses to Chiswick graveyard rape

2009-09-03T16:27:30Z

A homeless man who was planning to escape the country before getting caught - has admitted to raping a teenager in a Brentford graveyard.

David Simapuka, 43, pleaded guilty to two counts of rape on Wednesday, after dragging a 17-year-old girl from a bus stop in Windmill Lane and assaulting her in the graveyard of St Faith's Church back on May 25.

]]> Following the attack Simapuka started moving around the country and changing mobile phones frequently to avoid being arrested but police caught up with him on July 3, after a match on the DNA database identified him as the culprit.

Detective Sergeant Louise Cave from Hounslow Sapphire Unit said: ""Simapuka is a dangerous man who I have no doubt would have continued to carry out similar offences had he not been caught.

"I am pleased that the evidence against him led to him pleading guilty to these offences today, meaning that the victim was spared from having to relive her experience in court.

"Anyone who is a victim of this type of crime can be assured that the Metropolitan Police Service treat all reports of rape seriously."

It is believed Simapuka may have been intending to leave the country as he had a new passport on him when he was arrested in Watford.

Simapuka will be sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday October 16.

Guinness world record attempt at Chiswick Park

2009-09-02T13:23:35Z

CHISWICK Park will be setting up the first ever Guinness World Record Recycling Relay event as part of a afternoon of recycling initiatives on Friday, September 4.

Office workers will be registering to compete in teams of two to become Guinness World Record holders. Over the course of two hours, teams will complete at recycling the same bag of recyclable items such as plastics, paper and metal.

A Guinness World Record adjudicator will record each team's time taken to recycle the materials and the winner will be presented with their very own Guinness World Record.

In keeping with the recycling-themed event, Chiswick Park Enjoy-Work has also joined up with retailer Tesco as part of its nationwide initiative for recycling coat-hangers. Special collection bins have been introduced across Tesco stores in the UK to encourage customers to recycle them in order that they be re-used to recycled.

To promote this campaign, a giant art installation made entirely of recycled coat-hangers will be on display at Chiswick Park and guests will be helping to build this installation which has been commissioned by an environmental artist.

The day is the latest in Chiswick Park's on-going weekly summer events programme, which aims to encourage team spirit, motivation and enjoyment in the workplace among individuals and companies.

Each event is accompanied by live music and a barbecue to give each activity a carnival atmosphere and round the working week off in style.

Much loved Chiswick priest's funeral tomorrow

2009-09-01T12:50:23Z

The funeral of Chiswick priest Father Edward Houghton is to take place tomorrow.

A ceremony for Fr Edward who was fatally injured in a road accident in North Yorkshire on August 21, will be held at Church of Our Lady of Grace and St Edward in Chiswick at 7pm, followed by Mass at which Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor will be the main celebrant.

]]> The funeral mass will be in Chiswick at noon on Thursday with Archbishop Vincent Nichols as the main Celbrant and the burial will be in preston onthe Friday.

Chiswick priest 'Father Ed' killed in car crash

2009-08-25T11:33:20Z

TRIBUTES are pouring in for the much loved Chiswick priest who died in a car crash on Friday.

Father Edward Houghton, fondly recognised as 'father Ed', a priest at the Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady Grace and St. Edward on Chiswick High Road, was on his way to his aunt's funeral when he was involved in a car crash in North Yorkshire.

]]> Many kind words for the 40-year-old former teacher have been posted on a local website.

Brendan McCarthy wrote "I'm horrified. He cut an unusual figure among today's young priests and his heart was very much in the right place. God rest his soul."

The popular priest who was ordained just over a year ago was new to the Chiswick area and was born in Preston before studying for the priesthood in St. Charles Sixth Form College in Ladbroke Grove.

He resided at Newman House, the central catholic chaplaincy centre as a student.

A Our Lady of Grace work colleague, Michele Rooney wrote: "I will certainly miss him and pray for him and his family. He had a great faith, sense of justice and sense of humour, and was caring and sympathetic."

Vicar General of Westminster Diocese said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with Father Ed's immediate family - his sisters and brother, at this time.

"We remember also the parish communities at Chiswick where he was Assistant Priest, and the Cathedral where he served his year as a Deacon."

Did you know Father Ed? Please post your comments and tributes below.