November 2008 Archives

Transport chiefs at Hounslow Council are being handed £3.4million to cut road deaths and improve the borough's battered streets.

The lump sum for 2009/10 was announced by London mayor Boris Johnson.

A last hope that Feltham jobcentre might remain open was dashed today as Minister for Work and Pensions James Purnell announced three other centres would be saved instead.

Feltham jobcentre was initially rumoured to be among the centres receiving a last-minute reprieve despite being ear-marked for closure this autumn.

Feltham lit up last Thursday as The Centre turned on its Christmas lights with the help of Father Christmas and his trusty reindeer.

Festive treats included a performance by Staines Brass Band, a tinsel-town elf who entertained crowds by juggling and modelling balloons and a giant inflatable Santa that blew snow from its hat over the shoppers.

"The lights switch on was fantastic, it really feels like Christmas now," said Lorraine Prideaux, centre manager.

For a picture special from Feltham's switch-on, see next week's Chronicle.

The mother of a tragic Bedfont girl who was poisoned by carbon monoxide in her new-build flat said she takes comfort from knowing thousands more lives may have been saved thanks to investigations prompted by her daughter's death.

Keen dancer Elouise Littlewood died on February 27, two months after moving into a shared-ownership flat in the Bedfont Lakes development.

The wife of a marine currently serving in Afghanistan has called on people to support our frontline troops as she organises a fundraising match for the forces charity Help for Heroes.

Bedfont mum Emma Ronan, 27, is working with pals of her husband, Lee, to arrange the charity event at Hanworth Villa's Rectory Meadow ground.

The mum of a Feltham supertot who regularly runs mini-marathons says she is looking forward to the day they can complete their first full-length event together.

Three-year-old James-Tobias Norrington ran three mini-marathons last month and came to face to face with his heroine - long distance runner Paula Radcliffe.

The case of a Labour councillor who became embroiled in a housing scandal will be officially investigated, an independent committee has ruled.

Bedfont councillor Jiwan Virk learned this week that he will be the subject of an official probe amid allegations he breached the council's code of conduct.

Christmas is coming to Feltham next weekend in a flurry of snow.

On Thursday, November 20, The Centre, Santa Claus and two of his reindeer will be riding into town to turn on the Christmas lights at The Centre, Feltham.

It is officially party time over at Sandbanks this week as staff and residents at the Bedfont care home celebrate a glowing Government report.

The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI), awarded the home its top rating of three stars along with a positive report.

The team that cut arson incidents in Hounslow by 49 per cent by putting firemen on bikes have been a London Fire Brigade Special Achievement Award.

The community safety cycle project that was piloted in Hounslow last year was then extended to 12 other boroughs.