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WORMHOLT
fanzine 8
@teamwhitecity teamwhitecity teamwhitecity @lbhf.gov.uk
DECEMBER 2012
INSIDE
PARK LIFE
include: Bloemfontein Road care centre plans l 170 new flats, a supermarket & a pha rmacy
space l Revamped Wormholt Park & market l 40% of new flats set to be affordable housing
Meet the ‘pop-up’ fruit and veg team Pages 6&7
P The best local listings to have a top W12 Christmas! Pages 22&23
lans to transform Wormholt Park into a thriving new public space have been revealed. All of the details are inside this launch edition of your new Team White City Fanzine, a bi-monthly magazine jammed full of news, features and information about what’s going on in the area.
FULL STORY PAGES 2&3
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TEAM WHITE CITY INDEX l MY WHITE CITY Who’s who on the estate...................Pages 4-5 l OFF THE BENCH The Queens Park Rangers scheme that is getting local unemployed people back in the game.......Pages 8-9 l ROOM SERVICE Hotels ring in the changes to W12.......Page 14 l XMAS WREATH MAKERS Festive fair at Fatima a hit....Pages 12-13 l WHAT’S ON Your full guide to days and nights out...Pages 22-23
Plans for the newlook Wormholt Park and arch from health centre’s flats to the green space. Below, David St John from developer Galliford Try
WORMHOLT & WHITE CITY COMMUNITY MARKET
l The Christmas market on December 8 was a real hit! But volunteers are still needed to help make the monthly market in Wormholt Park a true success, email: info@cathybanks.com if you would like to be involved. See Page 10 for more pictures!
PARK PLANS!
l Detailed plans for Wormholt Park, developed with the public over several months, aim to create a safe, appealing and modern green space that honours the park’s long heritage. Landscape architects Levitt Bernstein have been working with Hammersmith & Fulham Council, the Friends of Wormholt Park, Mencap and Wormholt White City Community Market Traders to come up with a final design.
The Team White City Fanzine is produce in association with White City Neighbourhood Forum and is supported by l For more details or to get involved in the Team White City fanzine email: teamwhitecity @lbhf.gov.uk or call Dan Hodges on 020 8753 2127
A GROUND Bold plans to transform part of W12 are quickly taking shape – and a radical overhaul to Wormholt Park has just been added to the mix. Most people who live on the White City estate or pass through the neighbourhood will have noticed the large new building going up on their doorstep at breakneck speed. The seven-storey building in Bloemfontein Road will house comprehensive local health services in the form of the White City Collaborative Care Centre, along with 170 new flats, a supermarket and a pharmacy. And the most dramatic feature will be a giant arch
cut out of the middle of the building, letting people flow through for the first time from Bloemfontein Road to a newly revamped Wormholt Park. Final plans for how the park will look were revealed earlier this month, after local people were asked what they wanted changed. Many of the new flats will overlook the green space – and 40 per cent of the one, two and three-bedroom flats on sale will be affordable housing, giving local people the opportunity to buy a home. The whole of the exterior of the building will be finished by April next year, showing off what the construction team believe will be a bold new local landmark. David St John (pictured left and on front page), senior
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Dan Hodges Editor Team White City Fanzine
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PARK FACTS! l At least half of the two new play areas will be accessible for disabled children, and there will be a football pitch, tennis courts and a games area. l New paths with outdoor gym equipment will run around the edges, and there will be new and improved entrances, a wildflower meadow and better seating and planting. l At the eastern edge of the park, fitting in with the new health centre and flats, will be a new entrance and events space. l There will be also be better lighting, with some trees cut back to improve visibility and make the park more safe.
BREAKER project manager for Galliford Try Partnerships, said: “The health centre is going to be a big plus for the neighbourhood. “It’s going to really stand out, with gold metallic panels at each end and bright yellow panels in between. It will be very different and will have a contemporary feel, akin to landmark local buildings like the Monsoon and Talk Talk offices [near Westfield].” It will take another year to fit out the inside of the building, and the hoardings around the outside will stay up until April 2014. When the boards finally come down, they will reveal a wide new public avenue in Bloemfontein Road, complete with trees and benches. Through the arch, there could also be a new covered
site for the Wormholt and White City Community Market, which features local entrepreneurs and has been going from strength to strength since it launched in June. Cathy Banks, who founded the market, said: “There will be this huge arch that connects the people from the Wormholt and White City estates. I didn’t realise what the arch would mean until I went to the public meetings and saw it going up. It will instantly make the park feel more like a shared community space and provide perfect access to the community market. “My hope is that people will go out of their way to come, in the same way they go to the markets in Portobello Road or Spitalfields.”
warm welcome to the first edition of the Team White City fanzine – produced with the community, for the community. Our launch edition is packed full of news, features and information which we hope will appeal to people living and working across our neighbourhood, from the White City estate to Shepherds Bush Green. This festive issue captures some of your community Christmas events, and includes seasonal listings for local venues and a directory of essential local contacts. It is also designed as an introduction to Team White City, a pilot project bringing local people together to enjoy much greater control over how your neighbourhood is run. We’ll keep you updated on our progress in the fanzine every two months, and we need people to help produce it – by taking pictures, interviewing their neighbours or coming up with other creative ideas. And we’re close to launching our new website: www. teamwhitecity. org, which will be a one-stop resource full of lively and useful WE’LL material, KEEP YOU from jobs to UPDATED community ON OUR events. PROGRESS Team White City is working with the White City Neighbourhood Forum and Urban Partnership Group, and the fanzine is produced through the communications department at H&F Council. Tell us what you think by emailing: teamwhitecity@lbhf. gov.uk, visiting our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/ teamwhitecity or following us on Twitter: @teamwhitecity Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all!
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MY WHITE CITY rrod qSophie Ga ily looks at da life in ourooD neighbourh
W12
Meet 25-year-old Tina Fitzgerald She was born and raised on the White City estate, is a full-time mum and when the kids are in bed likes to unwind with a bubble bath...
Can you describe your typical day? I wake up, make breakfast for my children, take them to school, come home, clean and do shopping, cook dinner then pick the children up from school. What are the best things about living here? We have a nice park, Hammersmith Park, which not many people know about; it’s quite out of the way and has a nice Japanese garden. Then we have Westfield and also good transport links into central London. What would you like to change about the area? The flats round here are a bit of a shambles, the council needs to do some of them up at the front. Who are the most important people in the local community and why? The children. I see that even more now I have children of my own. They may be living on the estate when they are older and when they have children of their own, so it’s important to hear what they have to say. If you were the Prime Minister of White City what’s the first thing you’d do? I would work on local businesses. The small row of shops on Bloemfontein Road are the only shops in the area and are family businesses, not like the big shops in Westfield. I would work more closely with them and help give them a boost where needed. How do you imagine White City 10 years from now? I don’t think a huge amount will have changed, but hopefully the flats will be modernised. What are your own personal hopes for the future? To see my children grow up and get careers. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? To expect the worst but hope for the best – that way you can’t get your hopes up and be disappointed.
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Meet 48-year-old Danny Hibbert He has lived on the White City estate since he was seven. He is a comedy fan and enjoys the Lyric Theatre and all of London’s museums
Can you describe your typical day? I get up in the morning and exercise every other day. I like keeping active by bike riding and doing weights in my house. But when I’m not doing that, I’m working on my project called The Whole Picture, which inspires young people to get into sports but without necessarily having to play it, through different career paths. I’m working with local schools and I’m trying to get funding to get off the qWINSTON ground. CHURCHILL What are the best things about living here? There are lots of amenities, great transport links, we have four well known football clubs in close proximity and there’s also Wormwood Scrubs Park, where people can play football. There’s also a lot of choice in restaurants – maybe too many – and a good mix of people in the area. What would you most like to change about the local area? I would most like to change the football pitch in Hammersmith Park, it really annoys me because of the state it’s in. There’s only one goal post and the Astroturf is too dangerous to play on. As far as I remember it’s always been in bad condition.
Who are the most important people in the local community and why? Young children are the most important because they are the future, we need to inspire them at a young age so they will be inspired in the future and make important life and career choices. Councillors will always be here, but when children grow up they may be councillors themselves. We need to put effort into educating children of today. If you were the Prime Minister of White City what would be the first thing you would do? I would make the facilities in the area accessible for everyone to use. We need to make the health centres and the houses on the estate up to scratch and have them upgraded. The windows on some of the flats are in such bad condition, it’s bad this time of the year when people have to try to keep warm. How do you imagine White City will be 10 years from now? I see it being modernised in some way because it’s in a bit of a state at the moment. I think that White City estate will always be there, but modernised. What are your own hopes for the future? I really want to get my project off the ground and leave a sporting legacy. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? The best advice is in one of Winston Churchill’s speeches, where he said to students at a school in Harrow: “Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up.”
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eat local. 6
Encouraging healthy eating can be hard if you have to walk long distances to find fresh fuit and veg. So a team at Phoenix High School came up with a clever way to solve the problem with a weekly community grocery stall in the heart of the White City estate. Tuck in.
Left to right, community nutritionist Moa Elvermark -Nilsson, regular volunteer Montri Puttawong and farm manager Catherine Knight
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Having to carry heavy bags of carrots, potatoes and onions over long distances is often an arm-aching annoyance.
Wednesday is taken to Wormholt Primary School the following afternoon, when pupils sell the produce to parents who are picking up their children. The volunteer-staffed project has funding in place to run until at least May 2014 – and could continue for longer if more support can be found. Soon the team hopes to be able to pay someone For some, finding fresh produce and getting it to work on the stall for three hours each week, and home can be a real difficulty. With a lack of grocery to offer more farm-grown shops within easy walk of parts of the White City Estate, an enthusiastic team at Phoenix High School produce to meet the level of came up with a creative way to address the problem. demand from local people. They are also planning Organic produce grown on a farm in the school’s own grounds is now sold in the heart of the estate at to work with more schools, their weekly Pop Up Fruit and Veg stall, and the local offering food direct to LOTS OF parents at Canberra Primary appetite for fresh, healthy food is growing as word and Pope John Catholic spreads. THE KIDS Primary as well as Wormholt. Around one-fifth of the fruit and veg on HAVE “Hopefully we’ll sale is carefully grown from seed on the school NEVER start getting even more farm, with the rest supplied by a greengrocer in customers,” said Moa. “We SEEN VEG Shepherds Bush and passed on to local people at still get people coming up cost price, making the stall better value than most BEING and saying that they didn’t supermarkets. GROWN know we were here. It’s It has been running since May outside the about word of mouth and White City Adventure Café in Canada Way, come getting people to see us and remember us. rain or shine, between 10.30am and 12.30pm each “Most people say that it’s really good for the Wednesday. Moa Elvermark-Nilsson, community community. It’s very easy for people to come nutritionist at Phoenix High School, said: “We here, we’re very reliable and most people think it’s decided to put the stall outside the Adventure Café sustainable. Any profit we make goes back into the because it’s right in the middle of the community. It farm to buy more seeds, was on the farm before but and we usually do a bit people couldn’t see it. better than breaking “There aren’t really even. Hopefully we any fruit and veg shops will be able to actually in White City and we employ someone wanted to see if we to work here rather could get some nice, than having to rely on fresh produce to the volunteers – but we people who live here, still couldn’t do it and encourage them to without them.” eat more fruit and veg. This year’s “Some of our Serves 4 home-grown crops did customers say it’s too well with everything hard for them to carry INGREDIENTS from savoy cabbages to heavy bags from the 2 tablespoon olive oil pumpkins flourishing. supermarket because 1 onion finely chopped Catherine Knight, they don’t have a 0.5kg pumpkins or squash, peeled, deseeded who runs the farm, said: car, so this works. and chopped into chunks “We try to grow a whole “It’s also a great 400ml vegetable stock or chicken stock selection of things, and way to engage with ½ teaspoon cinnamon we work with lots of the community ½ teaspoon nutmeg different schools – not – we now get regular INSTRUCTIONS just Phoenix but the customers who come 1. Cut the top off the pumpkin and scoop out local primaries and back each week.” the seeds and fibres from the middle of the nurseries who visit. Apart from a pumpkin and discard. “Lots of the kids three-week gap over 2. Scoop out the flesh. have never seen Christmas, the stall is 3. Roughly chop the scooped-out pumpkin flesh. vegetables being open year-round. 4. Heat the oil in a large pan with a lid over a low grown, so we dig up Leafy greens like heat and add the onions. Cook the onions gently some potatoes to show chard and spinach often for 10-15 minutes, until they are softened and golden-brown. them. They’re really sell out quickly, and the 5. Add the pumpkin flesh, the stock and the keen to try everything.” stall offers at least three cinnamon and nutmeg, and season, to taste, Around 15 people types of fruit each week, with salt and freshly ground black pepper. currently work as casual which varies with the Increase the heat to medium and cover with the volunteers during two seasons. lid. Stir occasionally to prevent the base from weekly sessions. More To prevent leftovers burning, until the pumpkin is cooked through. are needed. If you are going to waste, 6. Remove from the heat and allow to cool interested, register at any fruit and slightly. Transfer the soup to a food Phoenix on Tuesdays veg which processor in batches and blend until it is smooth. or Fridays, between is not 10am and 1pm. sold on a
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Phoenix Farm Pumpkin Soup
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JOBLESS? QPR SAYS It’s TIME TO GET....
E H T F OF
H C N BE
WIN FREE HOOPS TICKETS!
l QPR have offered to give away one pair of tickets to their home match against Norwich City FC on Saturday, February 2. To be in with a chance of winning, email: teamwhitecity@lbhf.gov. uk with your answer to this question: In what year did QPR first move to Loftus Road? (a) 1917 (b) 1937 (c) 1957 Please include your full name, address and phone number. Entries must be received by January 10. Usual competition rules apply. Good luck!
TEAM WHITE CITY FANZINE
Pictured at Loftus Road with star Hoops defender Nedum Onuoha (centre) is Sam Underwood, Gwenne Sullivan, Noreen Shihab, Jack O’Connell and Rory Toms. Above, Nedum gears up for battle in W12
QPR helps jobseekers get back into the game! Young people who have been inspired to find a job had their hard work recognised in a graduation ceremony at QPR’s Loftus Road stadium. And the 18 to 24-year-olds who took part in the Off the Bench programme won praise for their efforts from star defender Nedum Onuoha, who turned up to offer a few words of support. Off the Bench, run by the club’s charitable wing, QPR in the Community Trust, with employment experts Totaljobs. com, helps those who are struggling to kick off their career find a foothold in the jobs market. Several of the most recent group have already been employed and others are on the verge of finding success. Nedum said: “It’s a fantastic initiative, it has a 50 per cent success rate so far and I think that will get even better. Things like this can be the kick up the backside people need sometimes.” The six-week course helps jobseekers build confidence and learn essential skills like writing CVs and job applications and making a good impression in interviews. More courses will be arranged in the new year, and the club now hopes to recruit more people who live in the immediate neighbourhood. Separate courses are run for under-25s and over-35s. Andy Evans, chief executive of QPR
in the Community Trust, said: “We’re all aware of issues across London with youth unemployment, and I think we’re in a good position to make a real difference at a neighbourhood level. It’s important that local residents really benefit from this.” Off the Bench graduate and Shepherds Bush resident Jack O’Connell, 19, said: “The course was really good. The best bit was the motivational talk by Jamie Edwards, the elite sports performance Off the Bench coach. “He talked could be for about making you if you are: connections and how your friends know l Currently people who unemployed might talk to l Live in or near more people the W12 post code – it’s about word l Are over the of mouth. age of 35 “I want to get into recruitment, hopefully. You need to be confident and follow up on all your applications.” l To get involved with Off the Bench, simply email Jesse Foyle with your name, date of birth, postcode, brief details of your education/employment record and a contact email address and phone number and QPR will be in touch: jessef@qpr.co.uk
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Clockwise from top, 1: market organiser Cathy Banks with son Stanley 2: stallholders selling Caribbean Christmas cake and sorrel juice 3: Hot mulled wine and German sausages draw the crowds 4: The cupcake stall under careful scrutiny 5: Original art up for grabs
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aribbean Christmas cake, cupcakes and mulled wine were among the festive highlights at a covered market in Wormholt Park. Entrepreneurs from the community brought their own homemade goods to the party, with everything from jewellery to original art on sale on Saturday, December 8. Plans for what might be included in a revamped Wormholt Park were also revealed to the public for the first time.
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JEAN CAMPBELL 1947-2012
HUNDREDS MOURN W12 COMMUNITY STALWART
Hundreds of people whose lives were touched by Jean Campbell, Hammersmith & Fulham councillor for Wormholt and White City, gathered to praise the outstanding qualities of their friend and colleague at her funeral. A crowd of around 600 attended the service at Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Church on November 30, coming together to remember the achievements of a well-loved community leader, tenant activist, politician, neighbour, friend, daughter, mother and grandmother. The eulogies were given by Jean’s son, Sean Delauney, and by her friend Cllr Stephen Cowan, opposition leader for Hammersmith & Fulham Council. Jean, who died suddenly on November 17, had represented Wormholt and White City since 2006, when she was elected as a Labour councillor 36 years after arriving in the UK from Jamaica. Much of her life was dedicated to public service, first as an auxiliary nurse in the West London Hospital in Queen Street, Hammersmith, then as a civil servant in the Department of Trade and Industry. Jean was an active member of Our Lady of Fatima and an executive member of the White City Tenants and Residents Association, having been
‘‘ I will miss Jean’s dedication to her community, her wisdom and her sense of humour
recently re-elected as its treasurer. Cllr Cowan paid tribute to Jean’s hard work, selflessness and good humour, and said Jean would have been ‘both proud and deeply embarrassed by the high turnout and moving tributes, which have come from all quarters including many of her political opponents’. He said: “I will miss Jean’s dedication to her community, her wisdom and her sense of humour.” Her Excellency, Aloun NdombetAssamba, the High Commissioner for Jamaica, passed on condolences ‘on behalf of the ‘people of Jamaica’, who Jean worked tirelessly to support through fundraising efforts. She described Jean as ‘a stalwart of her community, whose passing will cause a vacuum’ that cannot easily be filled. H&F Council leader Nicholas Botterill, attended the service. He said Jean will be ‘sorely missed by all who knew her’. Hundreds of pounds have already been raised in remembrance of Jean Campbell. Anyone still wishing to donate should make their cheque out to ‘The Jamaican High Commission Hurricane Relief Fund’ and send it to the Jamaican High Commission, The Jean Campbell Hurricane Sandy Memorial Donation, 1 Prince Consort Road, London, SW7 2BZ.
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TEAM WHITE CITY FANZINE WHO’S WHO?
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1 Claire Jebari and Louise Crowley show off their festive dog art 2 Catherine Knight, Ann Francois, Clarissa Stoneham and Helen Purcell show off their Christmas wreath creations 3 Cathy Banks puts together a festive wreath enjoy the fair
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4 Trevor Alexander with a
collection of homemade jewellery 5 Iona Wilson, 81, sells homemade blankets and Beefeater bears 6 Phoenix High School sixth form student April Wright sells crunchy cakes and hot spiced apple juice 7 Mary Lansiquot sells handcrafted hair decorations 8 Jean Bunsie, Pat Hall and Andreene Eaton at the fair 9 Nada Hamid, 16, is delighted with the face painters’ work
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he opportunity to craft festive wreaths from raw materials proved a big crowd-pleaser at the White City Christmas Community Fair. And hot, spiced apple juice, prepared by young people at Phoenix High School kept visitors warm at the event at the Fatima Centre, in India Way, on December 6. Sixth-form student April Wright, 16, said: “We’ve sold more hot apple juice than cakes, because it’s so cold outside.” Other stalls featured community members selling a dazzling range of goods, including glittery dog accessories, colourful hair ribbons and jewellery. Phipps House resident Iona Wilson, 81, who was enjoying a steady trade selling the blankets she makes at home, said: “I used to do dressmaking but I’m retired, so it’s good to keep busy and do something instead of just watching TV.”
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Room service! The Ibis London Shepherds Bush and The Pavilion (below) will attract tourists from across the globe
Rooms with a W12 view
Until recently, visitors who wanted to stay in our neighbourhood were often limited to small hotels and guesthouses. But the appeal of Westfield and the regeneration of the area means exciting times ahead for guests, with two large new hotels on Shepherds Bush Green. The Ibis London Shepherds Bush is already up and running next to the West12 shopping centre, just off the green in Rockley Road, after launching in October. It has 128 bedrooms and an open ground floor with a bar and Fogg’s restaurant – inspired by the story of global adventurer Phileas Fogg – serving dishes from around the world. High-tech touches include USB docking stations for smartphones and tablets in all the rooms, free Wifi internet and Freeview TV. Thomas Dubaere, Managing Director, Accor UK & Ireland, said: “We believe travellers on a budget shouldn’t have to settle for anything less than the latest in design, technology and
comfort. The hotel is perfectly situated in the revitalised Shepherds Bush area and is itself contributing to the ongoing development of the area.” The Ibis will be followed in 2014 with the launch of the 322-bedroom Dorsett London, which is now being built on the site of the historic Pavilion cinema on the western side of Shepherd’s Bush Green.
Much of the original design of the historic building is being incorporated into the hotel, which will be the group’s first in London. The four-star hotel is expected to attract tourists to the area from China, according to Winnie Chiu, president of Dorsett Hospitality International, who said: “We are attracting an unprecedented number of Chinese tourists.”
REPORT FROM SHEPHERDS BUSH GREEN l Shepherds Bush Green has been steadily transformed in recent months, and most of it is now open to the public. Its two new playgrounds feature swings and slides, a sandpit with mechanical diggers, a six-yard-high space net, climbing walls and roundabouts. The Grade II-listed war memorial has been reset onto a new granitestepped plinth and paths on the green have been resurfaced.
TEAM WHITE CITY FANZINE
Postcard from Afghanistan
Wormholt & White City resident Frank Apeadu is serving in afghanistan
from Wormholt & White City resident Frank Apeadu, 33, of Sundew Avenue, a gunner with the 32nd Regiment Royal Artillery
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joined the British Army in 2006. Before that, I was working on the production line at the Coca Cola factory in Milton Keynes. My first operational tour was was in Iraq from October 2007 to May 2008. My second was in Afghanistan from October 2009 to May 2010. And my third tour – again back in Afghanistan – started in October and finishes next May. I am currently based in Helmand province, in an area called Nahr-e Saraj. Afghanistan is all about being mentally and physically strong due to the tough environment and situation. We are now at the real front line, putting all our training into action. We have good training and good kit. I grew up in Ghana in a military barracks, so being in the Army has been something I always wanted to do, and here I am today. I think it would be a good idea if everyone in the UK serves in the Forces for at least one year after they turn 18. That would have a good effect on our teenagers and our communities. The only thing I miss about the UK is on the weekend, when I’m off duty. I don’t really miss home that much, and out here, sometimes you don’t even know what day it is. My heart goes to all our fallen soldiers and their families, and all those who have fought for their country in all wars. Our fallen ones are up there like a diamond looking down on us, we will remember them. My greetings go to the Tagoe family, Mingle family, Uncle Boat, Isha, Rita, Jeff & Mary.
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ince the start of this year, Team White City has been working to help the community have much greater control over the way things are run in our neighbourhood.
Working with local people to transform our prospects
BIG IDEAS
We’re looking at the way money is already being spent and trying to find ways of using resources more wisely – guided for the first time by local people instead of politicians and bureaucrats. The area’s Community Champions have been working hard on our behalf, surveying 486 people and taking part in workshops to develop our ideas. We’re getting there, but there’s still a lot more to do.
Team White City is one of 12 pilot projects running around the country. It has the backing of the Department for Communities and Local Government and Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
By April we need to come up with a final plan for what we want to do over the following year, and we’ll continue to make sure local people are really involved in deciding what goes into it. So far, we’ve been working on seven big ideas which are set out over the next few pages. Have a look and tell us what you think! We need people to talk to us about what we’re doing right, and what we can do better.
TURN THE PAGE FOR MORE IDEAS!
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A better way of looking after homes and shared spaces
From next year, training will be available so local people can get jobs in our neighbourhood, such as carrying out basic repairs and maintenance in local homes. We’ll start small and steadily build the programme, so everyone who wants to be involved can develop the skills they need. We’ll begin by creating a local ‘handyman’ service for small, low-cost jobs, and ensure local people are much more involved in decision-making around services such as caretaking. In time, local people could take on many different kinds of work, and become empowered to set up their own organisation to manage all the activity.
An easier way for people to move into a home that suits their needs
In our neighbourhood, there are about the same number of people living in overcrowded conditions as there are in homes with too many bedrooms. By working closely with local residents to understand their needs – and by cutting red tape when it comes to moving – we can make it easier for people to move into a new home in the same area which is better suited to their particular situation.
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Better job support on the doorstep
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Local people need better support to connect them to job and training opportunities now and in the future. There is a lot of development happening in and around White City and Shepherds Bush, and we need to make sure people of all ages and abilities can benefit from that investment and regeneration. By getting all the employers, jobs and skills agencies, schools and colleges to work closer together, and by focusing attention on our neighbourhood, we can help lots more local people build on their ambitions and realise their potential.
Building a parent network
There is already a lot of good work being done in our area to help people with the difficult job of being a parent – and by building on that good work, many more people can benefit. We want to establish a network of mentors who can work with local families, helping them to understand the support that’s already out there and addressing any issues they might have. By encouraging people to become mentors, we can also help them build their own skills, take on new responsibilities and make the most of local opportunities.
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More support for families in Challenging situations
Some local families may struggle with lots of different issues and challenges at the same time, which can have a big impact on their health, quality of life and ability to work. We’ll identify which families are the most vulnerable and bring in a new kind of social investment that will help people overcome their difficulties through a carefully targeted approach.
A new way to tackle neighbourhood crime and nuisance
At the moment there are lots of different police, council and neighbourhood teams all working hard to deal with local issues like drug dealing, graffiti, noise and other nuisances. By bringing them closer together, expanding what they do and involving local people more closely, we hope to help them work even more effectively together and make everyone feel safer and happier in our neighbourhood.
Getting local people more closely involved in the new health centre
The White City Collaborative Care Centre is being built in Bloemfontein Road and is set to open early in 2014. It will have the health needs of local people at its heart. We will work closely with the NHS to make sure people in our neighbourhood have a say in what happens at the centre, and are well aware of the services it provides and the opportunities it offers.
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Taylor-made switch-on for Westfield’s Christmas lights
Lady in red! Taylor Swift even had scarlet fingernails when she officially launched Westfield’s festive lights. Right, Capital FM DJ Rich Clarke was the compere
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inger songwriter Taylor Swift threw the switch to illuminate the Westfield mall Christmas lights in Shepherds Bush. More than 10,000 fans and shoppers gathered to get a first glimpse of the 2012 lighting display, and listen to the six-time Grammy winner perform live. Taylor was joined on stage in the Westfield atrium by young ambassadors from the Save the Children charity to count down the seconds to the switch-on. Following a display of confetti, snow and pyrotechnic laser lights, she then performed three of her hits; We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, Love Story and Red. Westfield manager Myf Ryan said: “Shoppers were delighted to see a global superstar perform free.� Previous performers to have sung in the Westfield atrium include Mariah Carey (2009), Rihanna (2010) and Justin Bieber (2011). Tim Harrison
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BUSH HALL 310 Uxbridge Road www.bushhallmusic.co.uk Box Office: 020 8932 2652 Jack and the Extraordinary Beanstalk & Make and Shake craft session Thursday, December 20
l Uxbridge Road-based not-for-profit group The Music House for Children is holding two festive events on December 20, for children aged up to eight. At 11.30am an enchanting musical show will tell the story of Jack, his bean and a very high tree. Adults cost £7, Children £6, under-ones get in free. Under-18s must be accompanied by an adult. Before that Make and Shake art and craft workshop, running from 10am to 11am for ages three to eight, costs £8. To book tickets for either session call 020 8932 2652. Tony Law’s Christmas for Well-Mannered Freaks Friday, December 21
l A special evening of festive lunacy
from this year’s Edinburgh Comedy Award Nominee. Doors open at 7.30pm and tickets cost £10. Under-18s must be accompanied by an adult. The Carnabys / Jungle Doctors / Dorey the Wise Friday, January 11
l Exciting, passionate and full on, The
W12 WHAT’S ON
Carnabys are a five-piece band from South West London and UK winners of 2012 Unsigned Emergenza competition. They and fellow emerging acts Jungle Doctors and Dorey the Wise will each play a 40 minute set, for £5 all in. Doors open at 7.30pm. Under-18s must be accompanied by an adult.
02 SHEPHERDS BUSH EMPIRE Shepherd’s Bush Green www.02shepherdsbushempire.co.uk Box Office: 0844 477 2000 Duke Special Thursday, December 20 l Belfast-based performer Duke Special,
real name Peter Wilson, brings a theatrical feel to performances inspired by Vaudeville and music hall. He often incorporates old 78 records played on a gramophone, accompanied by cheese grater and egg whisk courtesy of regular percussionist Chip Bailey. Tickets from £16.87, doors 7pm. Propaganda New Year’s Eve Party Animal Monday, December 31 l The Shepherd’s Bush Empire will
be transformed into a jungle for a wild
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New Year’s Eve hosted by party experts Propaganda, who are promising an indoor safari and amazing acrobats. The late-night celebration will run till 4am and tickets cost £11.25.
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BUSH THEATRE 7 Uxbridge Road www.bushtheatre.co.uk Box Office: 020 8743 5050 Straight Until December 22 l In the middle of a drunken night out, a
pair of old university friends (pictured above) make a bet that will take their friendship to whole new level. Adapted for the stage by award-winning writer DC Moore and directed by Richard Wilson – aka Victor Meldrew – this is the world première of a razor-sharp new comedy. Contains adult content. Tickets cost from £10 (concessions and under-26s) to £19.50.
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offer hot food, seasonal treats and unusual festive goods, from 8am to at least 6pm each day.
GINGLIK 1 Shepherds Bush Green www.ginglik.co.uk
DJANGO DJANGO O2 Shepherds Bush Empire Friday, December 21
l There is a buzz around this four-piece outfit, who met in Edinburgh and whose debut album was nominated for this year’s Mercury Music Prize, winning praise from critics for its inventive fusion of musical styles. Tickets from £16.87, doors 8.30pm
SHEPHERDS BUSH MARKET Between Uxbridge Road and Goldhawk Road Shop Local l Shop local this Christmas and take a
Popes of Chilltown Christmas PartySaturday, December 29 l Local ska punk favourites Popes of
Chilltown will play live to a festive crowd, with special guests. New Year’s Eve Jungle Party Monday, December 31 l Ginglik is set to go tropical with jungle creatures and critters alongside old school jungle beats, DJs and live percussion heavy on Afro and Brazilian rhythm, featuring Count Sizzle, The Evil Uncles, Dr Remedy and Boom Boom Becker.
WEST 12 CENTRE Shepherds Bush Green www.west12shopping.co.uk Shop Local l Santa’s Elf has been sent to West 12 on a
special assignment – and he needs your help finding ideas for presents to give to children. Watch a video message from Santa, then post your letter to him telling him what presents he and his elves should make. As a thank you, young visitors will be given a badge proving they’re officially one of Santa’s Little Helpers. Opening times vary, until December 23.
wander through historic Shepherds Bush Market, with stalls and shops selling everything from the everyday to the exotic. Open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 8.30am to 6pm, and Thursdays from 8.30am to 1pm.
WESTFIELD LONDON
SHEPHERDS BUSH TUBE STATION
Ice Skating in the Atrium Until January 6 l Christmas shoppers can take a
Between Uxbridge Road and Goldhawk Road German Christmas Market Until December 23 l A Bavarian-style market is
operating immediately outside Shepherds Bush Underground station, near the entrance to Westfield, in the run up to the Christmas. The market’s 10 chalets
uk.westfield.com
break from battling the crowds at Westfield to glide gracefully around the atrium on ice skates, pictured. Ticket prices vary for peak and off peak times – up to £11 for adults, £8 for under 16s or £32 for a family of four. Santa’s Grotto Until December 24 l It is down to Elbow the Elf to save
Christmas – with help from your child – in a ‘5D’ adventure inside Santa’s Grotto. Every child in the audience will have their name and picture featured in the personalised film. Tickets cost £3 or £10 for a family of four.
W12 Directory Your essential neighbourhood contacts at a glance EMERGENCY – CALL 999 Call 999 if you are witnessing a crime and suspects are still around, if you have been a victim of crime and need police straight away, or if there is a fire or a medical emergency
POLICE NON-EMERGENCY LINE – CALL 101 Call 101 if you need to report a crime but don’t need police to attend straight away
LOCAL POLICE TEAMS Call your local police safer neighbourhood team to make them aware of any local issues, for crime prevention advice or to give them information. Callers can choose to stay anonymous.
d Shepherds Bush Green Safer Neighbourhood Team 020 8246 2056 8 ShepherdsBushGreen.SNT @met.police.uk d Wormholt & White City Safer Neighbourhood Team 020 8246 2708 8 wormholt.whitecity.SNT @met.police.uk d Old Oak & College Park Safer Neighbourhoods Team 020 8246 2747 8 OldOak.CollegePark.SNT @met.police.uk CRIMESTOPPERS To give information about crime anonymously, call 0800 555 111 HOUSING ISSUES If you are a council tenant or leaseholder and need to speak to someone about low-level anti-social behaviour speak to a tenancy management officer on 020 8753 4808 To report more serious anti-social behaviour issues call ASB coordinator Gemma Lightfoot on 020 8753 2139
To report a noise nuisance call 0208 753 1081 during the day or 0208 748 8588 out of hours Council tenants with questions about repairs, maintenance, rents, rehousing or other related issues should call the Hammersmith Area North Housing Office on 020 8753 4400 NEIGHBOURHOOD WARDENS Call 020 8753 2645 8 nws@lbhf.gov.uk Ten Neighbourhood Wardens patrol the borough, seven-days-a-week, to challenge anti-social behaviour and environmental nuisance. They are available from 8am-11pm, Monday-Saturday, and 8am-10pm Sunday. If you leave contact details, you will get a call back WHITE CITY HEALTH CENTRE If you live in W12 and are not registered with a GP, you can sign up with one of the doctors at the White City Health Centre: Reception 020 8846 6464 Dr Dandapat & Dr Canisius 020 8846 6403 Dr Kukar 020 8749 4141 Dr Uppal 020 8749 4145 The centre in Australia Road offers a wide range of services. Open 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday, Closed Saturday and Sunday CANBERRA HEALTH CENTRE To register to see a doctor, call the Canberra Health Centre in South Africa Road on 020 3313 9010. Open 8am-8pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 2pm Saturday, closed Sunday