A School Scandal and a Local Trader Fined For Sweeping Up Leaves

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These were the two most read stories on ChiswickW4.com in 2019

It was the story of a school scandal rather than Brexit, the Cycle Highway, or crime, that made this site's most highly-read story of 2019.

A teacher from Chiswick School who was posted on social media kissing a former student of the school after being in a local pub became the most read article of the year, according to our figures for the Top Twenty.

The second most highly read item of the year was a story about a local trader being fined for sweeping up leaves outside his shop.

While crime related pieces featured quite heavily as always, stories related to restaurants opening and closing were popular, with the closure of Hedone sending shock waves throughout the community and the story coming in as the 4th most-read article. The closure of two long-time establishments, the Duke of York pub and Cafe Rouge at Strand on the Green were also popular.

Tragic events, including a young local woman taking her own life, and a young student being killed on the railway line after a night out, were also in the most-read category, while the arrest of two prolific drug dealers and the crisis in crime in Chiswick affected a family member of actor David Tennant.

A row over Chiswick Town Hall becoming swamped with people arriving to collect Romanian visas, and the antics of a couple captured romping in a 'pod' in Chiswick Park in broad daylight, also attracted high readership.

The Chiswick cinema did not feature in the most-read articles, presumably because locals now know that it will definitely open now that building work is underway. Neither the CycleHighway 9, which was the cause of much local division, nor controlled parking, nor potholes, featured in the most-highly read stories, as they have previously.

Despite the uncertainty over Brexit during the year, property items are also less prevalent in the list than they have been in previous years, when on occasions they were the most read stories.

It was another banner year for ChiswickW4.com with over 2 million visits to the site and 15 million pages viewed during 2019.

Rank	Story
1	Chiswick School Teacher Leaves School After Kissing Former Pupil New Headteacher says 'no excuses' after incident at social event
2	Chiswick Shop Fined for Sweeping Up Leaves Traders say council is preventing them keeping the High Road clean
3	Man Stabbed on Chiswick High Road Victim in his forties was knifed in the back near Devonshire Road
4	Michelin-starred Chiswick Restaurant Closes Hedone shuts after trading had been 'disastrous financially'
5	Teenager Dies On Train Tracks in Chiswick Eye-witnesses report seeing sparks coming from line before fatality
6	Moped Gangs Terrorise Motorists on Chiswick High Road Six cars reportedly attacked in one evening with windows smashed
7	Growing Concern Over 'Crisis' For Chiswick Retail Recent closures include Borough Wines, peppermint and Daniel Footwear
8	Police Make Two Arrests After Incident In Turnham Green Terrace Knife confiscated and stolen property recovered near tube station
9	Drug Gang That Terrified Chiswick Neighbourhood Jailed Residents praised by police for persevering with complaints
10	Opening Date Announced For The Crown Discounted dining during soft launch of new restaurant on High Road
11	Teenager Took Her Own Life in Chiswick House Gardens Mother of Abi Oliver traced her daughter using Find My Phone app
12	Row Over Romanian Visa Office In Chiswick Town Hall Local councillor says situation 'intolerable' for residents
13	David Tennant's Family Become Victims Of Local Crime Wave Actor's wife blames closure of police station for two attacks in past year
14	Historic Chiswick Pub Has Finally Closed The Duke Of York might now be turned into flats
15	Suspected Shoplifter Nabbed on Chiswick High Road Member of public seen pinning man to the pavement
16	Strand On The Green Cafe Rouge To Close One of Chiswick's longest surviving restaurants shutting next month
17	Nine Car Race May Have Led To Hammersmith Road Death Man killed was in his seventies and not driving dangerously
18	Steamy Session Held in Chiswick Park 'Pod' Couple filmed romping in the business park during heatwave
19	The Steam Packet Pub Opening in Strand On The Green New hostelry at Cafe Rouge site revives name from the past.
20	Chiswick Man Charged With Attempted Murder Darren Blake detained by armed officers outside riverside pub

As always, we try to reflect the variety of life in our wonderful neighbourhood, highlighting the issues that affect the community and celebrating local successes. Do continue to contact us at editor@chiswickw4.com with your suggestions for stories.

 

January 4, 2020