Forum Topic

Local Resident Cleans Up...

So have you seen the news that Ealing resident, Jayne Hilditch, has got fed up with the state of a street sign on her road, and taken matters into her own hands and got on with it herself ?Story: http://www.ealingtoday.co.uk/default.asp?section=info&page=eacleanup001.htmGOOD FOR YOU Jayne!I was talking to a friend about this who called her an "idiot" and said that he'd have rung the Council if it did bother him so much. "Why should I do the jobs I pay them to do in paying my Council Tax", he said.Interesting. Whilst my friends lack of either community spirit or pride in his road / area is a tad depressing, I can see his point. What are your thoughts ?Rumours are that Ealing Council will fine Jayne for invoking a serious Health & Safety risk by going up a step ladder. (Disclaimer -this is not in fact true).

Bud Richards ● 4627d19 Comments

Ta Nigel  4x4s... Yes I too need one living in Argyll,last year we had 11 feet of rain and just that little bit of extra ground clearance allows me to get through the floods without filling the car. We don't get too much snow but at Christmas I managed to get stuck in a snow drift and had to be towed out by a big American 4X4 which is the ultimate embarrassment,I don't care.  Torquil and Samphire...well they'll get called Torq and Samf at school that'll please their parents,we have twins and I wanted to call them Plug and Socket but got overuled,there's not much in a name really.   Parking...To me that's Ealings biggest problem,like everyone else I don't know what the answer is, suffice to say it's horrible. I was down there earlier this year and wanted to go to Boston Manor Park (that's where I spent my youth)and ended up parking in Hanwell by Elthorne Park and walking down the towpath which turned out good because I went to Bordeston School and it was nice to see the old place,not that I recognised too much. I'm not too sure that a 4x4 properly parked takes that much extra space but I'm guessing you are intimating they aren't,I can't defend that except that it's probably a "drop off-pick up" twice a day.I tend to think "I'd probably only waste time at the place I was going to"...I wouldn't if I was going to a Drs. appointment or something important,I'd probably be bad thoughting the offenders with the best of them! Duh! I've just re read your last and you said they were parked end to end,sorry about that,I should re do it but I'm not going to 'coz it's starting to get dark here now,can't see the keyboard and too lazy to get up and turn the lights on...that's terrible isn't it? Cheers for now.

Tony Wood ● 4623d

A fair point well made Tony.There are man places where a 4x4 vehicle is essential. My mate Ian lives at the bottom of a valley in rural west Wales, without a 4x4 he would not get to work for three months of the year.The need however to use a 4x4 to take Torquil or Samphire the 500 metres to school where the oversized urban tractors (no, not the kids) can be parked end-to-end blocking narrow streets  escapes me.

Nigel Brooks ● 4623d

Good, Im glad you listened to it!   All I was trying to get across was to try not to pre-judge folks ,be it formation pram pushers or 4x4 drivers or anybody else really.   We can't all go around like Henry VIII shouting "Death to everyone,who isn't me!"  We all come in different shapes and sizes but most of us will fit into a birdhouse if you give us a chance.  End of proselytization! (good word but the dictionary kept closing itself)....Death to dictionaries!

Tony Wood ● 4623d

I'm your only friend I'm not your only friend But I'm a little glowing friend But really I'm not actually your friend But I am

Nigel Brooks ● 4623d

"love covers a multitude of sins" Does it? Phew! that's nice to know.I'm not religious percy(sic),but I do have a blue canary in the outlet by the light switch who watches over me.His/Her only rule is that you have to put a little birdhouse in your soul(with a nightlight).http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAbZzdalZh4

Tony Wood ● 4624d

Absolutely sure Tony.I am, however, probably not as evangelical as the yummy-mummies who seem to proselytise a particular mind-set of exclusion to all who do not hare their particular 'faith'."Keep your love for one another at full strength, because love covers a multitude of sins". ~I Peter 4:8Except for three abreast buggy-pushers :-)As to 4x4s, love your comment and the next time I'm stranded on one of the many 'green lanes' of Ealing or up one of the impenetrable mountain passes around Boston Manor, I'll know who to call :-)

Nigel Brooks ● 4624d

Hey Nigel  Are you sure you're a Christian,those who trespass against you (and there seems to be quite a few) and all that jazz? ;0)  I'll own up to owning a 4x4,they're great,you don't have to slow down for speed bumps,you can see into peoples front rooms,easy to park on pavements and tailgating is a breeze. What's not to like about them? :-)

Tony Wood ● 4624d

My name on a Gong?  That should be enough for people to empty their bins on the pavement!!But seriously It would be nice for some sort of recognition for those who roll up their sleeves and actually do something.

Oliver Gregan ● 4624d

It's a phrase my wife has used for years. She is, of course one of these herself and seems to revel in it...while I pay for it all!!But seriously it is a stereotype but one that is quite evident when seen as a collective.But it is the attitude that prevails. Some very self centred attitudes.  Something that seems radiate from the alpha female of the group onto the others. From observations when it's my turn to take the coffee shop run with the pushchair.Probably opened a right can of worms now!!

Oliver Gregan ● 4624d

Someone else who, from the tone of his post, dislikes the yummy-mummies.A total pain in the butt as they 'chastise' Samphire, Torquil or whatever other stupid name they have given their "I was in labour for an hour it was hell" brat, by threatening not to buy it another overpriced soppycino.Three abreast with their off-road baby buggies, unloaded from their 4x4s (purchased just in case a leaf had the temerity to fall on the road and make it slippery) they annoy me intently with their desire to live in a sanitised cocoon never really contributing to the community in which they have chosen to descend ....rant continues for another fifteen pages :-)

Nigel Brooks ● 4625d

"...by the Borough. Either making them a freeman or woman of the Town or a local civic award."Good idea, it should be called The Oliver Gregan award or The Gregan Gong for contributions to the community. Ealing Council take note please.

Gerry Tan ● 4625d

Nothing new, As someone mentioned, almost everyone's granny used to sweep their paths and the pavements in front. Mine did it and then my mum did it as well as hold down a part time job and bring up 3 kids!!Now I do it and the gulley.What I do find odd is the looks of disdain from the passing Yummy Mummies (most of whom are my age.) who are always 'too busy' do such things but always seem to have time for the smartfone or Ipad welded to them.They sooo love to be in Ealing but don't lift a finger to keep it smart.There's a Guy in our street, who I think is called Mark, who some years ago took it on himself to clean all the filthy streetsigns, and the graffiti smitten telecomms cabinets and also painted all the streetlights ( which were in a very tatty state) with another resident.I think he later played a part in saving the cast iron lamp posts which are such an iconic part of Ealing.I think it is these people who do such a service in stopping the rot from setting in that should be recognised by the Borough. Either making them a freeman or woman of the Town or a local civic award.  But Ht's off to all that do this although in many ways it should be the duty of all of us to do our bit.They transformed the local streets

Oliver Gregan ● 4625d

What a difference to that road sign!It's like the difference when the rubbish has been collected and the roads swept and the pavements are clear.We're not supposed to put our recycling and rubbish on the pavements.  It is our responsibility to look after it until it is collected. REDuce it, SQUash it, FLATten it - the less you have the less hassle it is!Start with the Junk Mail:http://myzerowaste.com/2011/05/dealing-with-junk-mail/

Philippa Bond ● 4626d

They don't entertain claims, at least in Boston, for slipping on the ice where it has been cleared by a resident. they do however if the snow has not been cleared or cleared 'carelessly', hence the vast majority clear their 'patch' properly.

Nigel Brooks ● 4626d

Well done Jayne - I'm with well and thank you. Btw, in another thread on this excellent social website, a poster complained that there is no(or very little) good news and that most news is doom and gloom. Well this news of a local resident is very good and positive news - well done Jayne and thanks.

Gerry Tan ● 4626d

Perhaps I'm being over cautious on that front Tom, but we seem to be moving more towards the highly-litigious American way in some respects....

Bud Richards ● 4626d

I`ve always cleared the snow from my front door, to the pavement, clearing a strip accross the cul-de-sac and down to the alleyway where i`d hoped the shopping centre staff would take over (not always!). People can choose to walk on my cleared bit or not. Hadn`t considered people slipping on it though!

Tom Clifford ● 4626d

Fantastic!Funny you mention the snow Nigel - as we all well know the last few winters has seen a lot more. Pretty as it is when it first falls, after a couple of days the pavements are death traps and this is easily avoidable. I cannot understand for the life of me why people cannot get out there as soon as the snow's done and just sweep it off from in front of their homes - it takes minutes and will make things far safer. Is it because if someone takes a drop outside your property they could claim that you did not clear up properly and suddenly you've a claim against you ? Or is that too American ?I really would like to see this kind of community attitude. I appreciate that in the estates this may not get off the ground, but one lives in hope!Come to think of it, what do the roadsweepers do when it snows ? Why aren't they sent out to clear the snow from pavements before it ices ?

Bud Richards ● 4627d

When I was a kid, local residents always swept the pavement outside their house, it was community spirit.In Boston where my daughter's friend lives with her husband it is illegal NOT to clear the pavements of snow in the wintertime unless you are physically unable to do so. I believe the same applies to debris on the 'sidewalk' outside your home.Jayne Hilditch's public spirited action has now made the BBC London webpage as well.

Nigel Brooks ● 4627d