June 2008 Archives

NATURE-lovers can pick up a little education along with their Sunday stroll this weekend when they visit Bedfont Lakes Country Park.

The rangers are running a free Wildflower Walk, from 4-5.30pm, on June 29.

Guests are invited to meet at the visitor's centre, beside the Clockhouse Lane entrance, and should wear sturdy footwear.

A vandalised snail sculpture built by Bedfont schoolchildren out of willow branches has been lovingly restored by artists.

Pupils at Fairholme School, in Peacock Avenue, were left devastated after mindless vandals wrecked the art work during the Easter holidays.

The snail had been designed and built by the youngsters as a shelter and quiet space after they were inspired by a pond-dipping visit to the London Wetland Centre.

Adrian Seal: I'm Adrian and I'm the Multimedia Content Manager for the Hounslow Chronicle and Ealing Gazette series. I've worked for Trinity Mirror Southern for a number of years including as an editor and group editor. I'm keen to hear about any news you would like to see covered in our newspapers and on our websites. Email me

Jessica Thomas: I am your reporter for the Brentford, Chiswick, Isleworth and Osterley areas and have been working for the Hounslow Chronicle for just over a year. I love hearing from you, the readers, and encourage you all to contact me with any stories or events, no matter how big or small. I look forward to speaking to more of you in the future. Email me or call 07795 645 288.

Robert Cumber: I've been writing for the Hounslow Chronicle for about 18 months.I cover all things Hounslow, Heston and Cranford, and I'm keen to hear what's going in your neighbourhood, from problems with crime and disorder to anniversary celebrations and fundraising events. Feel free to drop me a line on 0779 5656 567 or email.

Ed Saunt: I'm your friendly local reporter for Feltham, Hanworth, Bedfont and a bit of Hounslow. There is no story too big or small for me so get in touch to share your joys, gripes, concerns and gossip. I previously worked as a reporter in Staines but my real claim to fame is that I was in the same class as pop superstar Mika at school. I've never quite shared his passion (or talent) for singing but the work of another of my school's alumni - writer Giles Coren - is far more to my taste. Check out his witticisms - and spats with sub-editors - online and I hope I can bring you just a fraction of the enjoyment his work has brought me. Email me

Helen Clarke: Hi, I'm Helen and I cover the news in Richmond and Kingston, Hampton and Teddington. I've worked for Chronicle and Informer series for over two years. As well as news reporting I cover all things musical for the London Informer and Hounslow Chronicle websites.You can reach me by email or by calling 020 8538 2226.

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Steve Bax: I'm a senior digital journalist and maintain the Chronicle's website and community sites. I grew up in Isleworth and have been a Feltham reporter for a time and spent a number of years covering the news in Surrey. If you'd like post news on this site about a local group or blog about your area, email me or call 01932 573233.

Health chiefs are urging people to join up to a new local watchdog - but some experts remain unconvinced about the new system.

Hounslow's Local Involvement Network (LINk) will allow anyone to shape the way health and social services are run across the borough, having replaced a number of old forums covering West Middlesex Hospital and Hounslow Primary Care Trust.

The Bedfont Community Centre now has a room for musicians to hire for rehearsals.

At the moment a four hour session at the Hatton Road centre costs £40 with a PA system but the price is expected to drop once the community centre is up and running.

To find out more about the centre and its work go to the Little House website

A history buff is calling on older residents to come forward with their memories of wartime Feltham as part of a fascinating new book about the town.

Local historian James Marshall is looking for personal perspectives on the bombing of Feltham, Hanworth and Bedfont by speaking to the people who were actually there.

Hounslow Council has ended months of uncertainty by naming the firms set to manage its leisure services from July 1.

John Laing Integrated Services and Fusion Lifestyle will run facilities across the borough, from libraries to swimming pools, after CIP's contract runs out at the end of this month.The council chose the companies in April but delayed the announcement until Monday for 'legal and commercial reasons'.

The Hounslow Animal Welfare Society has hundreds of unwanted cats on the books - and are set to have more as the breeding season gets into full swing.

The group runs an adoption centre at the Pets at Home store in London Road, Brentford, every weekend from 11am - 3.45pm.

For more information go to www.haws-animals.org.uk or call 020 8560 5443.

A shortfall in school governors has sparked a recruitment drive by the council.

There are currently 1126 governor posts in the borough's schools, and 119 (10.6 per cent) are currently vacant.

Young people who invented a slogan to raise awareness of gang, knife and gun crime as part of a competition have been awarded prizes at Hounslow Civic Centre.

'Pulling the trigger won't make you any bigger' can now be seen on posters in community centres, schools and police stations across the borough and is the end product of a cross-school contest that began at a youth conference in January at Twickenham Stadium.