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Devonshire Road Oyster Whistles in Tune

This Whistling Oyster has barely been cracked open but me and my neighbouring fishy friends just can't stay away. This brilliantly imaginative new harbour for Chiswick's abundant shoal of shellfish and wine lovers is sure to become the new pearl of Devonshire Road. Fishmonger by day and seafood and wine bar by night, it's the brainchild of partners Sasha Mantel and Rob Gillon – in cahoots with well-known local fishmonger John Robinson and his partner Bonnie; the latter duo remembered by hundreds of grateful customers from the days of covid lockdown when they so brilliantly fronted the fish shop in the Turnham Green Terrace. Remember that queue? An Oyster that also whistles is the dream of a new fish and wine emporium - right up there with the best and most important shops in fashionable Devonshire Road. It doesn't just sell fabulous fish, it doubles-up as a licensed seafood bar with seating indoors and out, selling a range of tasty treats alongside an amazing range of British wines.Unlike most fishmongers, the Whistling Oyster doesn't display its fresh fish in the window (that's a prime spot reserved for indoor eating). Cleverly they’ve placed their impressive fish counter towards the back of the shop. Styled and selected by John, it's expertly packed tight with a full range of British (mainly Cornish) fish and shellfish. Strategically placed elsewhere, I could see all the finest accoutrements to fish eating anyone could possibly want - plus carefully selected smoked fish and a small freezer. There's even a state-of-the-art whole salmon dryer (same technique as Macken's use to store their finest ribs of beef). But even if you're not a fan of fish, it's almost worth popping in for the bread alone, sourced from an independent bakery in Fulham. And they also deliver – free locally I believe.Then there's the seafood bar menu, backed up, or rather washed down, by a huge selection of British wines (inc bubbles) or English cider and beer and lager – just about whatever floats your boat. Of course some of it is pricey. But a glass of Winchcombe Downs 2019 Gloucester white is a snip at £6 a glass and there's many other similar choices with full bottles in the £25-£35 range. So, on our several visits so far I've had (not all at the same time) a dozen Jersey oysters which were simply amazing. But don't just take my word for it. Fellow diners and retired W4 food royalty John and Sally Southey, of Chiswick's Southey's Restaurant fame, were also “there for the Jersey's” - and John assured me that, in his view, these really are one of the finest. I also had some wonderful crab, a few langoustine, watched others enjoying a great plate of sardines on toast and tried out (swapped) a few other great oysters from different parts of the country including Cornwall. There's seats for 11 indoors and sixteen outdoors – Thursday to Sunday from 4.00pm to 10.00pm.Sorry to carp on, but this is surely the plaice to be. I'm hooked.

Sean Barton ● 768d35 Comments ● 35d

Volunteers needed

Hi there,I am volunteering with You Me Bum Bum Train (YMBBT).https://www.bumbumtrain.com/I am posting this as we are looking for more volunteers.You Me Bum Bum Train is a world-famous immersive theatre experience that’s loved by so many. We’re gearing up for our next big show in Covent Garden this November, and I’m reaching out because we’d love for you to be part of the fun!We’re offering unpaid volunteer roles that give everyone a chance to dive into every aspect of immersive theatre – from prop-making and set building to performing, stage management, production, admin, lighting and sound. There’s also free training and certification from industry pros, so it’s a fantastic way to gain real-world experience and skills that could lead to jobs in the theatre/creative industry. Many of our past volunteers have landed roles based on what they’ve learned with us.YMBBT is a non-profit, volunteer-led project – it’s all about community and creativity. We work with volunteers  from all walks of life (ages 8 to 80!), and we’d love for you to get involved. People say it’s an “exhilarating, life-changing experience” for everyone who takes part – whether they’re on stage or behind the scenes.Our last show in 2015 was a massive hit – tickets were in higher demand than Glastonbury, with over 120,000 people applying in the first minute! If this sounds like something you would enjoy you can sign up here:https://ymbbt2.knack.com/bumbumworldI can also send you a pdf one pager and The Times review from last time.Or please email me for further informationaliegriffiths@yahoo.co.ukMany thanks, Alie

Alie Griffiths ● 69d0 Comments ● 69d

Hogarth Roundabout - more congestion in Chiswick - please email opposition to TfL's proposals

Hello everyone. This is my first post on here, as it's not my kind of thing usually, but I am astonished at TfL's proposals for Hogarth Roundabout. Sorry if I’m a little late to the party, but my bone of contention is not Church Road (I'll mention it briefly below), but the "Advance Stop Lines" that TfL is proposing on all entrances to the roundabout - these will slow the flow of traffic through the roundabout and cause more congestion on Chiswick Lane (when you try to leave Chiswick) and on the A316 (when you are trying to get home).What is an "Advance Stop Line"?   It's the white box at the front of the traffic lights with a bicycle painted in it that allows cyclists to pull away ahead of cars. I quite like them when I am cycling - in some places they really do improve safety. But they won't on Hogarth Roundabout!Why? Because no cyclists will use them! I cycle this area frequently and every cyclist I have ever seen leaves Chiswick Lane, or the A316, and passes under the roundabout through the underpass (or they use one of the several other underpasses both east and west of the roundabout. So why has TfL put them in its design?  For goodness sake, they have even put Advance Stop Lines in their design across 3 and 4 lanes of the A4! The A4 has a combined cyclepath/pavement along each side of it, which I use regularly - I have never - in decades - seen a cyclist on the main carriageway. What on earth are TfL thinking - it's ideology gone mad!Instead, what these Advance Stop Lines will do is reduce the flow of traffic through the roundabout in each light phase as cars, vans, motorbikes will have further to travel before they reach the roundabout. This will cause more congestion on Chiswick Lane and the A316 in particular.  Chiswick Lane is already frequently backed up to the High Road; the A316 backs up past Cavendish and Chiswick schools frequently. What TfL proposes will only make getting out of Chiswick even worse, and pour even more pollutants into these school sites.  Frankly, I think it's one of the most stupid things I have ever seen a government propose (and after the last lot that takes something!).  TfL is actually going to spend money on something that will never be used and overall make things worse!So, please send a short email to TfL (haveyoursay@tfl.gov.uk) opposing their plans to put "Advance Stop Lines" on Hogarth Roundabout.Thank you. I hope I don't attract the opprobrium of the cycling lobby who seem to lurk on these pages, but surely even they use the underpass too?!As for Church Street, I can't see why they can't add a fourth lane to the A4 turning left into the A316 and still have a direct access and exit from Church Street.  TfL's proposal seems dangerous to me - anyone turning into the new Church Road entrance will stop or slow all traffic on the A316 (which it doesn't presently), which will then back up onto the roundabout - the most dangerous part of Hogarth Roundabout in my view is when traffic queueing to reach the A316 forces eastbound A4 traffic down to 2 lanes on the roundabout - that's quite scary and will potentially be worse with the TfL proposal.And for what it's worth - why are they adding more cycle parking and benches? Are they expecting the roundabout to become a destination?! Put the benches in and the cycle parking near Chiswick House please and stop wasting money!Honestly, I don't know what's going on at TfL - maybe they gave this one to the summer intern to do!

Nigel Williams ● 82d32 Comments ● 70d

Children in ULEZ more likely to walk or cycle

A new study has been published which finds that children living in ULEZ are twice as likely to switch to walking and cycling to school and being advantaged by the resulting health benefits.  A few excerpts from the summary: "Among children who took inactive modes at baseline, 42% of children in London and 20% of children in Luton switched to active modes."
"Implementation of clean air zones can increase uptake of active travel to school and was particularly associated with more sustainable and active travel in children living further from school."
"Motorised vehicle use negatively impacts health throughout life, influencing children's physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and contributing to diseases like childhood asthma linked to air pollution. Regular physical activity, crucial for children's healthy growth and mental well-being [1, 2], also plays a vital role in preventing the development of obesity [3], prevalent in 23% of children aged 10–11 in 2022 [4]."
https://ijbnpa.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12966-024-01621-7 As motorised vehicle use negatively impact health throughout life it is never too late for anybody to switch to more active modes and get healthier so think about that next time you jump in the car and drive less than two miles to the shops or to drop your kids at school. And definitely think about the negative impact on your kids of driving them around Chiswick.  For some strange reason this study is driving right wing commentators and their dimwitted followers a bit loopy on the internet but I am sure the people of Chiswick are not so fragile ...

Paul Campbell ● 79d45 Comments ● 73d

Richmond Park London Duathlon cancelled amid safety fears over speeding cyclists

The Royal Parks charity has grown increasingly concerned about cyclists’ behaviour after an inquest in May into the death of Hilda Griffiths, 81, a retired teacher who was killed in Regent’s Park, north London, after being struck by a cyclist doing timed laps of the park in 2022.The “full duathlon” course consisted of a 20km run, 77km bike ride then another 10km run. But organisers have been told by park officials that the event cannot go ahead as planned on September 8.Announcing the cancellation, the organisers said: “There have been a number of unforeseen factors this year that have led to this difficult decision, particularly in relation to the operational complexity of producing a multi-sport event.“This includes an increased focus on the security and logistics of cycling events in public spaces which creates significant operational challenges. Our team has been working hard to explore all available options in recent weeks, but we have concluded that we can’t make the event work this year.”In a statement concerning the duathlon, the charity said: “A range of factors, including significant operational challenges, have meant that the London Duathlon will not be going ahead in Richmond Park this year. We will work closely with potential event organisers to determine the future of the event.”In June, two smaller club-organised time-trial events were cancelled over fears riders would break the park’s 20mph speed limit. At the time, the charity said it was “pausing” such events while it reviewed its position on such events.The Richmond Park Time Trials, organised by the London Dynamo cycling club and first held in 2009, provided the only opportunity for cyclists to race against the clock in one of the capital’s royal parks, according to road.cc, a bike news website.The organisers argued that the time trials “pose no harm to anyone” given their 6am start time, when there are few pedestrians and the park is closed to motor vehicles. They added that any alternative routes comprise “mostly busy roads and fast-moving cars”.Organisers of the duathlon said they do not know if the event will be able to go ahead next year.The inquest into Griffiths’s death heard that vehicular speed limits did not apply to bicycles and a police review found that “there were no criminal acts which would allow prosecution” for cyclists who exceed speed limits. Griffiths was killed by Brian Fitzgerald, a director at Credit Suisse, who was cycling at 29mph in the park at the time of the accident.The incident happened six years after the death of Kim Briggs, a 44-year-old mother of two who died a week after suffering “catastrophic” head injuries from being hit by a cyclist in east London in 2016. Charlie Alliston, 20, who was cycling at 18mph on a bike with no front brakes, was cleared by a jury of manslaughter, which would have carried a life sentence.He was found guilty of causing bodily harm by wanton and furious driving, a crime under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. Had Alliston been driving a car at the time of the collision, he could have been prosecuted for causing death by dangerous driving and given a sentence of up to 14 years in prison.Griffiths’s inquest reignited calls to change the law so that causing death or serious injury by “dangerous, careless or inconsiderate cycling” is punishable at the same level as when the offences are committed by motorists.https://www.thetimes.com/uk/transport/article/london-duathlon-cancelled-after-series-of-fatal-bike-collisions-f9rqvhn2z

Michael Good ● 95d99 Comments ● 88d

Acton real ale festival

As the Great British Beer Festival has been cancelled this year, we have decided to take up the baton and create a mini version in Acton, with free entry and all welcome.In cooperation with our friends at Portobello Brewery, we have curated  a selection of more than 10 cask ales from a wide range of independent, provincial and micro breweries, with styles including mild, best bitter, porter, IPA, oatmeal stout, real cider and an exotic bohemian dark. Our friends at the Pint of Hops beer shop will be complementing these with a choice of international bottled beers.Were that not enough, we have arranged a panoply of entertainment, with comedy acts on Friday, live music on Saturday, and a charity raffle and table quiz on Sunday to raise funds for Stonewall Housing. There will also be a barbecue on Saturday and Sunday, with V/VG options available.Our core range of rotating cask ales, keg craft lager and cider, Guinness and a rare cherry sour beer, along with fine wines, soft/hot drinks and bar snacks will of course also be on offer. Please join us at the West London Trades Union Club on Friday 30th Aug: 3pm - 11pm. Saturday 31st Aug/Sunday 1st Sept: 12pm - 11pm. You will find us at 33-35 High Street, Acton, W3 6ND (look for the red door!) on the Uxbridge Road.PUBLIC TRANSPORT:From the West, buses SL8, 207, E3, 218, 266, 70, 440 stop at Acton Old Town Hall.From the East, buses SL8, 207, 70, 440, 218 stop at Acton Central Station.On the Overground, Acton Central Station is around 6 minutes away. Turn left out of the station and take the first left down Birkbeck Road. On reaching the main road, we are across and to the right.On the Tube, Acton Town is a 15-minute walk away, or take the E3/70 bus; alternatively, go to Turnham Green and take the E3 bus.For accessibility assistance please see our website: https://wltuc.com/accessWe are looking forward to seeing you! If you have any queries, please email Emily at secretary@wltuc.com.

Patrick Green ● 90d0 Comments ● 90d

Different government approach to LTNs etc

Just read this:https://www.thetimes.com/uk/transport/article/tory-clampdown-on-low-traffic-neighbourhoods-to-be-scrapped-5hps96vrc#:~:text=Ministers%20are%20to%20reverse%20Tory,zones%20and%20low%20traffic%20neighbourhoods.If you can't get past the firewall the first few paragraphs are:Tory clampdown on low traffic neighbourhoods to be scrappedLouise Haigh, the transport secretary, says local authorities that want more 20mph zones and LTNs will have her ‘absolute support’Ministers are to reverse Tory plans to clamp down on councils that want to create further 20mph speed limit zones and low traffic neighbourhoods.Louise Haigh, the transport secretary, said local authorities would have her “absolute support” to introduce the schemes in towns and cities. They have often prompted local opposition.She pledged to scrap plans by the previous government that would have restricted councils’ ability to introduce new 20mph zones and make it harder to bring in new low traffic neighbourhoods. She also accused the Conservatives of stoking “really horrific culture wars” with their clampdown on anti-motorist measures, saying that decisions were best taken locally.“They (councils) had the government actively working against them saying ‘no, you’re not allowed to roll out 20mph zones, no you’re not allowed to roll out LTNs’,” she told the Streets Ahead podcast.“Those kinds of decisions should absolutely be made at a local level by communities and not dictated to or stoked by the centre,” she said. “This government has ended all culture wars full stop, but there’s no way you’ll be hearing that from this department now.”The article goes on to say that decisions on these things should be made in the community, so I guess if you live in an LTN and want to get it scrapped, start a petition and get all those in the community to sign (or indeed vice-versa)

Andrew Jones ● 94d16 Comments ● 90d