November 2008 Archives

AN APPEAL to turn houses into flats has been turned down as the ongoing battle against the development of flats continues.

The planning inspector dismissed the appeal to convert 16 and 18 Kingsend, Ruislip, into 12 self-contained flats, including rear extensions to each property.

The main issues were the effect it would have on the character and appearance of the area and the effect on the living conditions of nearby residents with regard to outlook, privacy and sunlight.

A LANDSCAPE contractor has scooped three of the top prizes in a regional competition.

Andy Malcolm Scenic Design Ltd, in Eastcote Road, Ruislip, won the first prize for best driveway installation, first prize for use of natural sandstone and second prize for best patio installation, in a competition run by the product supplier, Marshalls.

The company will now been entered into the national phase of the competition to be held in February.

VOLUNTEERS are needed to help keep the area clean and tidy by reporting problems to the council.

The Street Champions scheme is being relaunched in Ruislip, Eastcote and Northwood Hills to encourage people to sign up.

Street Champions are volunteers who act as the eyes and ears of Hillingdon Council by reporting problems including graffiti, abandoned cars, litter, and anti social behaviour.

The scheme is being relaunched at Winston Churchill Hall in Pinn Way, Ruislip, on Wednesday (26) from 7.30 to 9.30pm.

Anyone interested in becoming a Street Champion should call Claire Gibson on 01895 558 342, email streetchampions@hillingdon.gov.uk or visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/streetchampions.

A TALENTED English student has won a national poetry competition.

Emily Groves, 18, a Year 13 pupil at Queensmead School in Queens Walk, South Ruislip, won the teenage category of the Daily Telegraph's Poetry for Performance competition.

The results were published, along with her poem, in the Sunday Telegraph this weekend and she got to watch her poem being performed by an actor at a theatre in Kingston last night (Mon) and even got to meet the poet laureate, Andrew Motion.

Emily, of Victoria Road, South Ruislip, said: "I found out I had won on my 18th birthday and it made my day.

"I always write poetry because I love to do it. It's what I want to do when I'm older.

"My favourite poets write about life and that's what I write about.

"The poem I sent in was called Size Eights and I wrote it about five months ago. It had to be about relationships and mine was about an ex boyfriend.

"I have entered other competitions but I have never really got anywhere so I was really surprised to win."

Emily also won the Gazette award at Queensmead School in September for her achievements in English.

A PET lover wants to warn people about the dangers of antifreeze after both her cats died within three weeks of each other after eating it.

Carolyn Hall, of Whitebutts Road, South Ruislip, only moved to the area six weeks ago and her first cat, Merlot, died three weeks later.

She said: "He came in and was walking like he had drunk a bottle of vodka; he was stumbling about."

Mrs Hall took him to the vets and he had to be put down the next day.

On Sunday Merlot's brother, Shiraz, had the same symptoms and the vet identified the problem as antifreeze poisoning before putting him to sleep yesterday (Tues) morning.

"My husband and I only moved to this area on October 1 and we didn't let them out for the first couple of weeks.

"They were only four and we have had them since they were kittens. It's very unfortunate especially when we are still trying to settle into our house.

"We had one cat before these two for a couple of years but he just went out one day and never came back.

"We got Merlot and Shiraz because we missed the first cat and we liked pets. It's nice to have them around the house and we do get very attached to them.

"There's no reason to think anyone has done this maliciously, we just hope it was unlucky.

"We have called the RSPCA and there haven't been any reports of this from our area, but they said they will investigate if more come in.

"We want to make people more aware. Antifreeze is very dangerous; about two teaspoons is lethal to a cat. It's more vicious than I first thought and it's worth cleaning up if you spill it.

"We don't know if we're going to get another cat yet. We're still quite sad at the moment.

"Merlot was very affectionate but stupid and Shiraz was mostly quite grumpy, but if he wanted affection he would let you know about it."

AN OPTICIANS has collected more than 1000 pairs of glasses for a charity to send overseas.

Specsavers in High Street, Ruislip, collected the specs for Vision Aid Overseas - a charity dedicated to helping people in the developing world whose lives are blighted by poor eyesight.

The shop asked the local community to support them by bringing in their old unwanted glasses so they could be sent to Zambia in Africa.

A POPULAR pub well known for its carvery is re-branding and lowering its prices.

The Waters Edge pub on Reservoir Road, Ruislip, has changed from a Pub & Carvery to a Crown Carveries pub.

The manager, Donna Howard, said: "Our brand name may be changing but the food certainly won't be. We will still be doing our much loved princely banquet, now for just £3.50 Monday to Saturday and £6.50 on a Sunday."

A PUB is offering people a cheap lunch to help out during the credit crunch.

The Bell in West End Road, Ruislip Gardens, is offering the Credit Crunch Pub Lunch to stimulate trade and to help people out during the current economic crisis.

The deal starts tomorrow (Thur) and customers have a choice of 10 home made meals for £1.95.

It will run Monday to Friday from 12 to 4pm until the end of March next year.

At least one drink has to be bought from the bar to get the meal deal.

A COLLAPSED water main is expected to cause some disruption in Ruislip High Street.
Thames Water is intending to start work on Monday to repair the water main and it is expected to last for up to six weeks.
The work will take place seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

CHILDREN'S rides, side show stalls and Santa's Grotto are all coming to Ruislip Manor to mark the switching on of the Christmas lights.

The Christmas lights swill be switched on at 5pm on November 15 by Deputy Mayor of Hillingdon, Councillor Shirley Harper O'Neill.

The rides and stalls will be placed along Victoria Road from 10am to 6pm.

Santa's Grotto will be held in The Windmill Studio in Pembroke Road from 2.30pm to 6pm.

Christmas decorations made by local school children will be on display in the library from 9.30pm to 4.30pm and judging of the children's fancy dress competition will also be in the library from 3.30pm to 4pm.

There will also be food and drink available to buy from 4pm to 9pm.