Weekly Update From Councillor Guy Lambert

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In which I succeed in avoiding both going around and up poles

Lara and Ruth go round the Maypole

On Friday morning Lara and I got together to compare notes on a long list – it ended up with about 30 items - of topics that affect the ward. Some are old issues which I have carried over from the previous administration, some new things that have emerged. We booked an hour to go over this but in the end we took about 3 hours, really getting our feet under the table, and I think it was very useful.

Of course the lovely Jubbly weekend was getting under way and we thought we’d attend our first street party. But when we got there everyone was sat around a long table tucking in and we thought the last thing people wanted was us turning up saying ‘Hi, I’m your local councillor’ so we gave it a miss.

Saturday was a whole other day, because it was the day of ‘Picnic in the Park’ in St Paul’s recreation ground, fabulously organised by the Friends group. There was music, there were Morris Dancers, there was dancing round the maypole, there was a tug of war for little ones, there was a tug of war for big ones, including huge ones. I didn’t want to play but somebody insisted. They said ‘you’re an anchor’. At least I think that’s what they said.

Lara and Ruth danced the maypole (I was excused such duties, thankfully for everybody) but I was nobbled to do the raffle draw. Fantastic prizes from loads of local businesses so the draw took a while, and the even better news is the raffle raised about £1100 for Hounslow Community FoodBox.

All in all, a fantastic afternoon. The weather held out nicely and a big thanks to the Friends for laying it all on.

Picnic in the Park at St Paul's Rec

In the evening, an intrepid bunch of councillors trooped by various means into central Hounslow. For the Bell Square Amor event, which involved dancing and a lot of fire, in various forms. My picture is a bit pathetic – it was far more dramatic than that and great fun, as Bell Square events usually are. Loads of people there including about a dozen councillors from around the borough.

Firewalk in Bell Square

The next day, not surprisingly, was Sunday. We were aware of various street parties but the only one we had been formally invited to was Avenue Road, so we went there first, but finding it hadn’t got started, proceeded to York Road, which had already started rocking.

Jubilee jazz in Brentford

After a while, we proceeded in a Westerly direction to Orchard Road, where there was plenty going on too, including a jazz band, and lots of lovely Brentford people, as in York. Then we reverted to Avenue, where Lara participated (with, ahem, disappointing results) in a team game which involved wrapping an egg in various bits and pieces for it to be dropped from a lamp post. I was weedy enough to avoid this competition.

Dropping an egg from a great height

That was one of the less successful devices falling to a messy end – the winners used Tesco bags as parachutes, though they still landed with a fair old thud.

All in all, a great day out, and reminded me what a privilege it is to live in Brentford with its fabulous community spirit.

Back to real life, and on Tuesday I cycled into London to meet some old friends in Covent Garden, returning to Hounslow to attend an evening training session on Regulatory Matters. Great presentations by council officers and as ever, I learned plenty, despite having been doing this for 7 years.

Wednesday I was off cycling again but went in to Hounslow House at 4 for a session with my cabinet assistant, Aqsa Ahmed. I familiarised her with what my role covers and we sketched out some areas where she might take specific roles – must write it up properly when I get a moment.

Councillor Tom Bruce had raised some concerns about cleaning in some roads in Hounslow South, and as it happens their fortnightly clean had been on Tuesday, so I decided to have a mosey around the area he was concerned about on my way home. There was a little bit of litter, mainly what probably accumulated that day, but I was able to point out some flaws to Hounslow Highways so I hope they will sharpen up next time they do these roads!

Today, Thursday, has been a day of interviews for a new Group MD for the Lampton Group of companies. 4 interviews, each about 1 ¼ hours and some wrap up sessions in between is quite demanding, and I’m off shortly to meet Shantanu, the leader to chat through one or two areas, so this blog has been put together in little chunks of time throughout the day.

After Shantanu, another training, this one about working with our key partners.

Meanwhile, I have pledged to ride 300 miles in June in support of Cancer Research. I was up to 86 miles yesterday so slightly ahead of my 10 mile a day schedule – good job as I will only do about 6 today. If anybody wants to sponsor me (shameless plug).

Cllr Guy Lambert

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June 9, 2022