Forum Topic

Cllr. Todd and TGT Fountain saga

Thank you for your update Cllr. Todd.However, I do find your continued insistence on playing the victim to fantasy vandals quite disappointing. We have enough problems and perceived fear of existing undesirables in Chiswick without you inventing more of them!!The dome was clearly not fitted correctly in the first place and was dislodged by people simply trying to use it. Perhaps you could release information on the fixing method that was used?That said - Myself and the TGT pigeons look forward to the fountain being eventually fixed despite its ugliness and risk to health.

Jonathan Simpson ● 2050d26 Comments

"The dome was clearly not fitted correctly in the first place and was dislodged by people simply trying to use it" The dome was clearly hit by an asteroid  one night. But i allso have no evidance  😀 And thanks for the update Cllr Todd,wherever it is.

Julian Pavey ● 2050d

Being a signed up member of the awkward squad I took the opportunity to examine the one at the end of Stand on the Green.The structure is virtually the same and still works.I can go with the asteroid explanation but I remember thinking it would take a broadside from a ship of the line to dislodge the top finial.To be fair it was probably helped along by some yob but it was never a proper job in the first place.I hope the final outcome is just to get shot of it.

Adrian Irving ● 2050d

Jonathan Simpson.  What a stupid comment and would suggest you are from a group who regularly denigrate the efforts of any who represents the TorysWhat evidence do you have that vandalism is a figment of Cllr Todd’s imagination?On the other hand, I personally witnessed witnessed a small group damage the vase when frustrated that the water did not emerge when they pressed the button.  I had a ‘go’ at them and they left.John Todd has long been a very hard working and effective Councillor to whom many residents of Chiswick are extremely grateful for his work in sorting out all sorts of problems experienced in dealing with Hounslow Council.  I am fortunate enough to be one of those.  With John’s tenacious help it took us more than 5 years to get the Council to replace the benches in Stamford Brook Common which had been damaged and then removed by contractors brought in the redo the paths.  The work he does can only been achieved with a good knowledge of the internal workings of the Council and the various departments and personnel.So keep your nasty comments and thoughts to yourself and leave those of us who believe to benefit from his altruistic efforts.  It will be a very sad day when he eventually does retire though I hope not just yet.

Elizabeth Ross ● 2050d

Elizabeth Ross - I can assure you that my comments are 100% apolitical as yours obviously are not - Do you actually run the Cllr. Todd fan club?BTW - Well done for having a 'go'.

Jonathan Simpson ● 2050d

Stupid question.  There is no fan club except a very appreciative resident of someone prepared to use his best endeavours to help others.As you seem to be so knowledgeable, why don’t you volunteer to get this fountain sorted out.  We would all like this to be done.  I feel that you will find it a steep learning curve in the many aspects of trying to get things done.  More people say no rather than yes or kick the problem into the long grass or demand such extortionate sums to make you go away.Go on, give it a go and you can diarise your experiences.

Elizabeth Ross ● 2050d

There is a John Todd fan club which has thousands of members. I am the Hon Sec so just post me a fiver if you want to join.It seems odd that when the snouts are firmly in the trough at Hounslow Council and policies are being introduced across the borough with hugely negative impacts, one persons primary concern should be the efforts of one of the few councillors who indisputably is motivated by the desire to serve the public.I doubt Cllr Todd would consider himself as a fountain expert but Mr Simpson clearly believes in his own competence on this subject. The solution therefore is simple, Mr Simpson should give his time free to sort out this matter for us all.

Francis Rowe ● 2050d

Elizabeth and Francis are right: John is everything a local councillor should be and many of us have been grateful to him over the years, including people who are not even in his ward but whom he's helped anyway.

Susan Kelly ● 2050d

Don't understand political digs and are the reason we get nowhere, although voted Tory if Labour come up with a good idea etc.  I'm happy to support it such as the Flower Market otherwise it's just stalemate.

Janice Evans ● 2049d

Just in case of any doubt: Chiswick Flower Market is apolitical. It is run as a CIC by local residents on a voluntary basis and has cross party support. (And incidentally it will re-start from the first Sunday in May).

Karen Liebreich ● 2049d

Good news fingers crossed.

Janice Evans ● 2049d

Well done Karen.  Another one with positive altruistic motives who continues to do good things for the benefit of our community.  It takes much courage and energy in the face of unthinking criticism.  Her list of positives is outstanding and I walk passed 4 of them every day and thank the deities for what she and the others do for us.

Elizabeth Ross ● 2048d

Thank you Liz. I have to say the fountain is annoying.  The plaque on it saying that Cllr Todd and the other organisations restored it dates from 2019 but it has barely been functioning for a week since that restoration. Hopefully the reinforced metal collar solution will be effective in strengthening the top section and we can look forward finally to getting rid of the barriers and the clingfilm and enjoy the space as we are allowed out again.

Karen Liebreich ● 2048d

It is easy to criticise but much more constructive to look for a positive way forward.

Philippa Bond ● 2048d

First off let me say this post is neither political or personal.This restoration was carried out pre-pandemic with good intention no doubt but shouldn't a reappraisal now be made as to its usefulness post pandemic?I for one would not feel comfortable using it and I suspect I am in a majority. I make no bones about saying it is not my idea of ornament and maybe now is a good opportunity to have a rethink with an open minds as to replacing it with something else.

Adrian Irving ● 2048d

Many were asking that it be repaired so think they like it or the history of it,agree most would not want to use it now.

Janice Evans ● 2048d

The fountain was restored for filling reusable bottles to save hundreds of plastic bottles from being discarded by commuters, cyclists, users of the sports club and common.Ideally placed and at a time when TfL were also installing drinking fountains in stations and we now have sanitisers for use as well.

Rima Jones ● 2048d

Forgot about that Rima, just remember it was unsightly and whya repair seem to be the answer.

Janice Evans ● 2048d

I would not use it if working anyway,not only do you get certain peoples mouths around the pipe but bird shit everywhere to boot

Julian Pavey ● 2048d

This bird poo stuff is very complicated.Who knows, bird poo may be good for you.  It might even be nourishing.  Maybe its an aphrodisiac?  Maybe (once its fixed) Chiswickians should join the pigeons and flock to the fountain for a good lick.Consider chinese widsom...Ask yourself:-  do Chinese gourmets wash or scrape the poo out of the bottom of the nest before making their birds nest soup?Or do they leave it in there for taste?Is poo an essential ingredient?  Answers on a postcard..

Stuart Kerr ● 2048d

Do birds actually poo the bed.

Janice Evans ● 2048d

Of course not Janice.  Even from a day old they wear nappies...

Stuart Kerr ● 2048d

I couldn't agree more, Elizabeth. We citizens of Chiswick have much to be grateful for thanks to John Todd's tireless commitment.

Mandy Waters ● 2048d

birds nests are usually clean, but on a Google search birds nest soupcould contain it.

Janice Evans ● 2048d

There you are Janice.. well researched.If your good work means pigeon poo is healthy to lick,  it could swing more votes behind the fountain...

Stuart Kerr ● 2048d

Well, believe it or not people do ingest other people's poo to boost the immune system.There is an article about it on the home page of the BBChttps://www.bbc.co.ukNo mention of pigeons mind.

Adrian Irving ● 2048d

So stop feeding the pigeons which breed very rapidly, with bread which does not contain the nutrients they need and they need to drink a lot of water.We know where not to stand when waiting for an E3 bus next to the station!

Rima Jones ● 2048d