As the sun sets on West Hampstead for the last time in 2011, it is of course a time to reflect - and pose a bunch of silly questions to see whether you've been paying attention, or whether the intake of alcohol at the various whampevents has addled your brain.
There are - as last year - no prizes for this. So sit back, click away, and enjoy remembering the whamp year that has passed. Thanks once again for all your support, tweets, blog comments, e-mails, appearance at events, and - in the case of one whamper - throwing your home open to a bunch of strangers for a massive barbecue. On with the quiz!
THE QUIZ
1. Which creature helped stop the plans to develop Gondar Gardens?
2. Which retailer moved into the former Woolworths' site on Finchley Road?
3. Which singer was immortalised in graffiti form in West Hampstead?
4. Which café featured in a kids prank show, featuring yours truly?
5. Who opened the new Sainsbury's Local on West End Lane?
6. Which Hampstead & Kilburn electoral candidate admitted to causing criminal damage this year?
7. How many units are being proposed for the 187-199 West End Lane development?
8. Which cake put Café Bon firmly on the map?
9. How did short-lived cafe/restaurant Costello describe itself?
10. Which local endeavour got national news coverage?
11. Which advertising legend came to West Hampstead this autumn?
Saturday, 31 December 2011
Friday, 30 December 2011
It's the end of the year as we know it
It's the last Friday of the year and as those of you on Twitter will know, Friday is traditionally the day that people tweet "Follow Friday" - back in the days of yore (2009) this was a nice way to introduce your followers to some other people they might like to follow. Now it's become little more than a shout out for people you like. I hardly ever "follow friday" anyone, but thought that for the end of the year I'd make an exception.
How did you do?
At the start of the year, I asked you via Twitter for your predictions for 2011. Most were silly, a lot were funny, one or two were semi-serious, and a couple were outlandish. But how many were accurate?
Transport
Tubes and trains were popular topics. Back in 2010, the Jubilee Line closures were a major talking point and if I remember, were due to finish in March. They ran until October. So @simontreanor's "The Jubilee Line will often be closed on weekends. It's a long shot I know", turned out to be pretty much on the money.
Meanwhile, It took 12 months for @Sparklegirl21's prediction to come true "They actually build something at the Thameslink station instead of playing with their diggers".
We did however eventually get what @David_Stringer optimistically predicted "One weekend, just one, the tubes AND overground will both work". In fact it happened more than once. Long may it continue.
We're still waiting for@RandomCarlos's prediction that the "Jubilee Line will be converted into a moving walkway so we can get into town more quickly" to come true, or for @blueskyflowers' hope that "Mill Lane gets pedestrianised!"
It was always a gimme that @aktaraja would be right that there'd be more "roadworks/gasworks/electrical works on WEL", but no-one foresaw the level of disruption on Kilburn High Road that's only just finished.
Shops
The imminent arrival of a Sainsbury's Local on West End Lane exercised many of you, but none of your predictions that Waitrose would move in, or that Tesco & Sainsbury would collapse in the face of revived localism came to pass. Perhaps the most accurate was again from @RandomCarlos: "The combined effect of both Tesco and Sainsbury delivery vans will cause national gridlock."
Despite the recession, @Cyburn's prediction that a poundshop "or maybe a £2 shop" would open in West Hampstead didn't happen either; and although @marmitetoast was wrong that more estate agents would open in West Hampstead, the one that closed (Brian Lack) was replaced by a new one (Goldschmidt & Howland).
@flyperson was overambitious in suggesting that coiffeurs would overtake estate agents, but he was at least directionally right as we saw the opening of Rock Men's Salon and Geezers (which did not close down, despite @bobbymann's prediction).
Meanwhile, we're still waiting for @leonora1 to "finally open my own craft shop!"
Food & Drink
Given that whampers seem predisposed to eat and drink out a lot, how were their predictions?
@nickhudgell suggsted that "glo gets let to a mexican burrito joint.". In fact it became Ladudu.
@sblower wondered whether "ShakeTastic will produce a drink mixing peanut butter with fruit, and... roast veg." Not quite, but it is now doing herbal teas.
@gitfinger, ever prescient, predicted that "The restaurant formerly known as Le Petit Coin closes and reopens under a new guise. Twice" Well, it was Lite for a bit, but has just reopened as The Sea Lantern.
Sport
The WHampstead 7-a-side team didn't have a great start, but once the league became 5-a-side, things took a turn for the better. @nickhudgell predicted that the team would win the league - and the West Hampstead Wanderers did just that. The following season Whamp Athletic (the other team that spun off from the 7-a-side team) picked up the title with Wanderers just behind them. Sadly, @SamWong1's assumption that the Wanderers would be bought by an Arab billionaire has yet to happen.
World news
Twelve months ago, Osama bin Laden was still alive. We only have the US government's word that he was killed in Pakistan. Perhaps @DanDrillsma was right: "Bin Laden found directing global operations from the back room at Lower Ground Bar..."
So that was 2011 - any thoughts for 2012? Leave them in the comments below
Transport
Tubes and trains were popular topics. Back in 2010, the Jubilee Line closures were a major talking point and if I remember, were due to finish in March. They ran until October. So @simontreanor's "The Jubilee Line will often be closed on weekends. It's a long shot I know", turned out to be pretty much on the money.
Meanwhile, It took 12 months for @Sparklegirl21's prediction to come true "They actually build something at the Thameslink station instead of playing with their diggers".
We did however eventually get what @David_Stringer optimistically predicted "One weekend, just one, the tubes AND overground will both work". In fact it happened more than once. Long may it continue.
We're still waiting for@RandomCarlos's prediction that the "Jubilee Line will be converted into a moving walkway so we can get into town more quickly" to come true, or for @blueskyflowers' hope that "Mill Lane gets pedestrianised!"
It was always a gimme that @aktaraja would be right that there'd be more "roadworks/gasworks/electrical works on WEL", but no-one foresaw the level of disruption on Kilburn High Road that's only just finished.
Shops
The imminent arrival of a Sainsbury's Local on West End Lane exercised many of you, but none of your predictions that Waitrose would move in, or that Tesco & Sainsbury would collapse in the face of revived localism came to pass. Perhaps the most accurate was again from @RandomCarlos: "The combined effect of both Tesco and Sainsbury delivery vans will cause national gridlock."
Despite the recession, @Cyburn's prediction that a poundshop "or maybe a £2 shop" would open in West Hampstead didn't happen either; and although @marmitetoast was wrong that more estate agents would open in West Hampstead, the one that closed (Brian Lack) was replaced by a new one (Goldschmidt & Howland).
@flyperson was overambitious in suggesting that coiffeurs would overtake estate agents, but he was at least directionally right as we saw the opening of Rock Men's Salon and Geezers (which did not close down, despite @bobbymann's prediction).
Meanwhile, we're still waiting for @leonora1 to "finally open my own craft shop!"
Food & Drink
Given that whampers seem predisposed to eat and drink out a lot, how were their predictions?
@nickhudgell suggsted that "glo gets let to a mexican burrito joint.". In fact it became Ladudu.
@sblower wondered whether "ShakeTastic will produce a drink mixing peanut butter with fruit, and... roast veg." Not quite, but it is now doing herbal teas.
@gitfinger, ever prescient, predicted that "The restaurant formerly known as Le Petit Coin closes and reopens under a new guise. Twice" Well, it was Lite for a bit, but has just reopened as The Sea Lantern.
Sport
The WHampstead 7-a-side team didn't have a great start, but once the league became 5-a-side, things took a turn for the better. @nickhudgell predicted that the team would win the league - and the West Hampstead Wanderers did just that. The following season Whamp Athletic (the other team that spun off from the 7-a-side team) picked up the title with Wanderers just behind them. Sadly, @SamWong1's assumption that the Wanderers would be bought by an Arab billionaire has yet to happen.
World news
Twelve months ago, Osama bin Laden was still alive. We only have the US government's word that he was killed in Pakistan. Perhaps @DanDrillsma was right: "Bin Laden found directing global operations from the back room at Lower Ground Bar..."
So that was 2011 - any thoughts for 2012? Leave them in the comments below
Friday, 23 December 2011
Whampgather VIII - Blow away the New Year Blues
I know we're still in Christmas mode, and it's not even 2012 yet, but preparations for the next installment of #whampgather have been underway for some time.What's #whampgather? I suggest you read the FAQs!
Once again, I'm raising the bar. Alongside the usual delights of the raffle, a DJ, and a hundred or so locals all up for having a spectacularly good time... to blow away the New Year blues this January 12th, we're going to have live music courtesy of the Dave Mitchell Blues Band. Don't say I don't do anything for you.
Regulars at The Priory Tavern, which is once again hosting whampgather, will know the band - they're members of 12 Bar Blues, which plays the Tavern regularly. Very kindly, Dave and the band have agreed to do the gig for free as we'll once again be raising money for The Winchester Project - a local youth charity that we've supported for the past couple of years.
Whampgather is still free to attend, although I hope you will all be generous in your raffle ticket purchases. Back in September we raised £350 for The Winch and I'd love to get that nearer to £500 this time around. There'll be the usual selection of excellent local prizes - I actually lost count of how many we gave away last time, but there were at least four meals for two at local restaurants, a bottle of champagne, stacks of music, local books, tickets to comedy at The Good Ship and more.
Here's where you need to pay attention. You will need a ticket. September's whampgather sold out faster than Take That's comeback tour. Places are limited to the pub's maximum capacity of 120 - last time they were snapped up in less than 24 hours and the waiting list stretched to 60. It is worth being on the waiting list - people do drop out (and then tweet to say they regretted it), so if you're too slow for a ticket then I'd recommend adding your name anyway.
Once again, I'm raising the bar. Alongside the usual delights of the raffle, a DJ, and a hundred or so locals all up for having a spectacularly good time... to blow away the New Year blues this January 12th, we're going to have live music courtesy of the Dave Mitchell Blues Band. Don't say I don't do anything for you.
Regulars at The Priory Tavern, which is once again hosting whampgather, will know the band - they're members of 12 Bar Blues, which plays the Tavern regularly. Very kindly, Dave and the band have agreed to do the gig for free as we'll once again be raising money for The Winchester Project - a local youth charity that we've supported for the past couple of years.
Whampgather is still free to attend, although I hope you will all be generous in your raffle ticket purchases. Back in September we raised £350 for The Winch and I'd love to get that nearer to £500 this time around. There'll be the usual selection of excellent local prizes - I actually lost count of how many we gave away last time, but there were at least four meals for two at local restaurants, a bottle of champagne, stacks of music, local books, tickets to comedy at The Good Ship and more.
Here's where you need to pay attention. You will need a ticket. September's whampgather sold out faster than Take That's comeback tour. Places are limited to the pub's maximum capacity of 120 - last time they were snapped up in less than 24 hours and the waiting list stretched to 60. It is worth being on the waiting list - people do drop out (and then tweet to say they regretted it), so if you're too slow for a ticket then I'd recommend adding your name anyway.
Monday, 19 December 2011
What have I missed since December 12th?
As Christmas hurtles towards us as fast as a North Korean missile (you never saw Kim Jong Il and Santa in the same room did you? Huh?), what's been exercising the West Hampsted workers collective over the past seven days?
A man died on Monday after an accident at the junction of Quex Road and Kilburn High Road.
The same morning, thieves stole £10,000 from a security van in Swiss Cottage.
Mayoral candidate Ken Livingstone opened the new West Hampstead Thameslink station on Wednesday.
Sidings Community Centre won nearly £25,000 of funding for each of the next two years to continue delivering its Youth Services Programme.
Labour councillor Mike Katz continued his crusade for a new school in the area.
Local PCSO Charlotte Louis de Canonville will be leaving the West Hampstead Safer Neighbourhood Team in January to take up another role in the Met.
Beware of two men door knocking in the area saying they've "come to lay carpet". If you see them, please dial 101, preferably with details of their van.
A household of #whampers was profiled in the Australian Times.
The #whampreview of Ladudu finally was published.
There's been a bit of steam train action this week too.
Coming up
Monday: For those of a Maida Vale persuasion, #elgingather is tonight at the LVLounge.
Tuesday: #whampxmasdrinks downstairs at The Gallery from 8pm. All welcome.
Sunday: CHRISTMAS.
Tweet of the Week
Winter and Thameslink in one tweet/photo. Perfect.
No #whampnews next week, but expect some other blog action over the holidays, with a quiz, a few #whampawards and a run down of the Tweets of the Year. Hope you all have a lovely holiday, and the newsletter will return in 2012. Of course, you can keep up with news on Twitter as always!
A man died on Monday after an accident at the junction of Quex Road and Kilburn High Road.
The same morning, thieves stole £10,000 from a security van in Swiss Cottage.
Mayoral candidate Ken Livingstone opened the new West Hampstead Thameslink station on Wednesday.
Sidings Community Centre won nearly £25,000 of funding for each of the next two years to continue delivering its Youth Services Programme.
Labour councillor Mike Katz continued his crusade for a new school in the area.
Local PCSO Charlotte Louis de Canonville will be leaving the West Hampstead Safer Neighbourhood Team in January to take up another role in the Met.
Beware of two men door knocking in the area saying they've "come to lay carpet". If you see them, please dial 101, preferably with details of their van.
A household of #whampers was profiled in the Australian Times.
The #whampreview of Ladudu finally was published.
There's been a bit of steam train action this week too.
Coming up
Monday: For those of a Maida Vale persuasion, #elgingather is tonight at the LVLounge.
Tuesday: #whampxmasdrinks downstairs at The Gallery from 8pm. All welcome.
Sunday: CHRISTMAS.
Tweet of the Week
Winter and Thameslink in one tweet/photo. Perfect.
No #whampnews next week, but expect some other blog action over the holidays, with a quiz, a few #whampawards and a run down of the Tweets of the Year. Hope you all have a lovely holiday, and the newsletter will return in 2012. Of course, you can keep up with news on Twitter as always!
Monday, 12 December 2011
Twenty two do Ladudu
On Thursday, we took over a good chunk of West End Lane's popular Vietnamese restaurant Ladudu in the latest installment of whampreview.
Unlike previous reviews, we had a set menu and arrived all at once - setting both the kitchen and front of house a sizeable challenge. Complimentary prawn crackers and green and jasmine tea arrived promptly and the conversation across our three tables started to flow as we waited for our appetiser platters. Several people had been to Vietnam and expectations were high.
The first dish to arrive was a green papaya salad (one of my personal favourites and also popular with Eugene) surrounded by summer rolls filled with prawn, vermicelli and mint. These had very clean flavours - although my table felt the mint was a little overpowering giving what Sam described as a "toothpaste" finish. Other diners thought the mint made these rolls fresh, light and fragrant. Stefanie thought this was typical of what she'd eaten on her travels. In contrast to these sharper flavours, a plate of fried calamari, fried prawns, and vietnamese spring rolls had a lovely chilli warmth to them - the squid in particular was "bang on", according to Thom. Paula thought they were light and tasty, although James thought the spring rolls were nice but not distinctive.
The dipping sauce that Daniel and Sheena said really helped bring these bite-size morsels to life was a bit slow to my table. Alicia wondered whether a sweet peanut dipping sauce might be a good addition although she loved the summer rolls. Overall, most of us agreed with Tom, who loved the style, presentation, tastes and textures of the platters.
Having demolished the starters, and moved from tea onto wine and beer, we were then served a hot and sour prawn soup. This was laden with prawns, white fish, squid and er.. pineapple, which caught a few people by surprise - "I saw it, and left it," said Claire. It was generally very popular though; "a great mixture of tastes that somehow came together perfectly," said June. It also briged the gap nicely as we waited for our main courses. Nicky thought it would make a "nourishing winter cold remedy". Simon liked it but thought it meant the whole meal was quite a lot of food. Tom declared it to be "wonderful". "The inclusion of big pieces of squid and things really made it a dish I would eat as a main. Perfect balance of flavours too." Daniel called it the "Goldilocks of soups".
For a main course, each table got a bowl of beef curry and a bowl of chicken curry (our token vegetarian got her own vegetable curry). Simon liked the curries but preferred the starters, Bill thought they needed a little more kick, and SJ said they were nice but she wasn't blown away. Alicia, however, thought they were tasty. Tom D summed up Nicky's table's view of the curries, saying they felt a bit generic south-east Asian. Eugene had a similar perspective, comparing them with a Wagamama's curry. It's probably fair to say that although everyone liked these dishes, no-one was bowled over.
Luckily all the other elements of the main course were much more successful. We also had rice, rice noodles, a chicken stir fry dish, fried noodles, and morning glory (which Wikipedia tells me is designated a Federal Noxious Weed in the US, but was one of the most popular dishes for whampers - Bill declared it the highlight of the main course). On my table at least, there was quite some time between all these elements appearing and probably more rice and fewer vegetables than we needed.
The chicken stir fry (or veg stir fry) was a big hit. Paula commented that the smoky mushrooms brought the dish alive, and Mark agreed it was well done. The fried noodles were also very popular on my table but took a while to arrive on Tom's table, although once they did they were well received.
The wine continued to appear - house white for my table, a Marlborough Pinot Noir on Tom's table that he raved about, and white and red for Nicky's gang. It seemed that first-time whampreviewers were quickly getting the hang of the whole thing (eat, drink and be merry).
Most of us had room for dessert - especially when it came in the form of Ladudu's truly outstanding ice cream, which is probably the best in West Hampstead. Coconut and pandan, lychee, vietnamese coffee, and black sesame ice cream all elicited gasps of amazement. James said his was "the best lychee ice cream I've ever eaten" (yes, it was the only one - but I think the sentiment is valid). Nicky reckoned the black sesame ice cream was worth going back for all by itself - and the waiter enigmatically promised that they are working on a new improved sesame flavour "which will be as black as my Asian hair". Alicia was the sole dissenting voice, saying her ice cream could have been sweeter.
The other dessert option was a "celebratory glutinous rice cake with coconut reduction" - this was a bit heavy for Dominic and Isabelle, who failed to finish theirs. On my table, only Sam was in favour while Claire said it wasn't to her taste. Tom's table were more enthusiastic, with Paula saying it was "savoury, interesting and chewy".
Each table had a designated waiter or waitress, and service was friendly and well-informed if a bit slow at times as the kitchen tried to get everything out together. Large groups and set menus are also a relatively new venture for Ladudu, so it's likely that they'll iron out some of the kinks - and of course going in a small group or as a couple would be a very different experience.
Overall, the evening went very well. Some dishes disappointed those who'd been expecting more exciting food, and those who had eaten at Ladudu before felt the menu hadn't necessarily showcased the best of the restaurant's food. However, other elements of the meal were really successful, and there was a strong sense that people wanted to come back.
The cost: we paid £25 a head for the menu (£20 for the vegetarian option), with drinks and service on top. Tom's alcoholics ended up with a £38/head bill, Nicky's table was £36, and mine was £35.
The scores:
Nicky's table 7.6
Tom's table 7.2
Jonathan's table 6.6
Average: 7.1
Ladudu
152 West End Lane
NW6 1SD
T: 020 7372 3217
E: food@ladudu.com
W: www.ladudu.com
Unlike previous reviews, we had a set menu and arrived all at once - setting both the kitchen and front of house a sizeable challenge. Complimentary prawn crackers and green and jasmine tea arrived promptly and the conversation across our three tables started to flow as we waited for our appetiser platters. Several people had been to Vietnam and expectations were high.
The first dish to arrive was a green papaya salad (one of my personal favourites and also popular with Eugene) surrounded by summer rolls filled with prawn, vermicelli and mint. These had very clean flavours - although my table felt the mint was a little overpowering giving what Sam described as a "toothpaste" finish. Other diners thought the mint made these rolls fresh, light and fragrant. Stefanie thought this was typical of what she'd eaten on her travels. In contrast to these sharper flavours, a plate of fried calamari, fried prawns, and vietnamese spring rolls had a lovely chilli warmth to them - the squid in particular was "bang on", according to Thom. Paula thought they were light and tasty, although James thought the spring rolls were nice but not distinctive.
The dipping sauce that Daniel and Sheena said really helped bring these bite-size morsels to life was a bit slow to my table. Alicia wondered whether a sweet peanut dipping sauce might be a good addition although she loved the summer rolls. Overall, most of us agreed with Tom, who loved the style, presentation, tastes and textures of the platters.
Having demolished the starters, and moved from tea onto wine and beer, we were then served a hot and sour prawn soup. This was laden with prawns, white fish, squid and er.. pineapple, which caught a few people by surprise - "I saw it, and left it," said Claire. It was generally very popular though; "a great mixture of tastes that somehow came together perfectly," said June. It also briged the gap nicely as we waited for our main courses. Nicky thought it would make a "nourishing winter cold remedy". Simon liked it but thought it meant the whole meal was quite a lot of food. Tom declared it to be "wonderful". "The inclusion of big pieces of squid and things really made it a dish I would eat as a main. Perfect balance of flavours too." Daniel called it the "Goldilocks of soups".
For a main course, each table got a bowl of beef curry and a bowl of chicken curry (our token vegetarian got her own vegetable curry). Simon liked the curries but preferred the starters, Bill thought they needed a little more kick, and SJ said they were nice but she wasn't blown away. Alicia, however, thought they were tasty. Tom D summed up Nicky's table's view of the curries, saying they felt a bit generic south-east Asian. Eugene had a similar perspective, comparing them with a Wagamama's curry. It's probably fair to say that although everyone liked these dishes, no-one was bowled over.
Luckily all the other elements of the main course were much more successful. We also had rice, rice noodles, a chicken stir fry dish, fried noodles, and morning glory (which Wikipedia tells me is designated a Federal Noxious Weed in the US, but was one of the most popular dishes for whampers - Bill declared it the highlight of the main course). On my table at least, there was quite some time between all these elements appearing and probably more rice and fewer vegetables than we needed.
The chicken stir fry (or veg stir fry) was a big hit. Paula commented that the smoky mushrooms brought the dish alive, and Mark agreed it was well done. The fried noodles were also very popular on my table but took a while to arrive on Tom's table, although once they did they were well received.
The wine continued to appear - house white for my table, a Marlborough Pinot Noir on Tom's table that he raved about, and white and red for Nicky's gang. It seemed that first-time whampreviewers were quickly getting the hang of the whole thing (eat, drink and be merry).
Most of us had room for dessert - especially when it came in the form of Ladudu's truly outstanding ice cream, which is probably the best in West Hampstead. Coconut and pandan, lychee, vietnamese coffee, and black sesame ice cream all elicited gasps of amazement. James said his was "the best lychee ice cream I've ever eaten" (yes, it was the only one - but I think the sentiment is valid). Nicky reckoned the black sesame ice cream was worth going back for all by itself - and the waiter enigmatically promised that they are working on a new improved sesame flavour "which will be as black as my Asian hair". Alicia was the sole dissenting voice, saying her ice cream could have been sweeter.
The other dessert option was a "celebratory glutinous rice cake with coconut reduction" - this was a bit heavy for Dominic and Isabelle, who failed to finish theirs. On my table, only Sam was in favour while Claire said it wasn't to her taste. Tom's table were more enthusiastic, with Paula saying it was "savoury, interesting and chewy".
Each table had a designated waiter or waitress, and service was friendly and well-informed if a bit slow at times as the kitchen tried to get everything out together. Large groups and set menus are also a relatively new venture for Ladudu, so it's likely that they'll iron out some of the kinks - and of course going in a small group or as a couple would be a very different experience.
Overall, the evening went very well. Some dishes disappointed those who'd been expecting more exciting food, and those who had eaten at Ladudu before felt the menu hadn't necessarily showcased the best of the restaurant's food. However, other elements of the meal were really successful, and there was a strong sense that people wanted to come back.
The cost: we paid £25 a head for the menu (£20 for the vegetarian option), with drinks and service on top. Tom's alcoholics ended up with a £38/head bill, Nicky's table was £36, and mine was £35.
The scores:
Nicky's table 7.6
Tom's table 7.2
Jonathan's table 6.6
Average: 7.1
Ladudu
152 West End Lane
NW6 1SD
T: 020 7372 3217
E: food@ladudu.com
W: www.ladudu.com
What have I missed since December 5th
While David Cameron vetoed something - although no-one seems quite sure what - storms lashed the country, what was creating waves closer to home?
Two people have been arrested and charged for @TheGalleryNW6 robbery and will be remanded in custody before appearing in court in February.
Armed robhbers who targeted the McDonalds in Swiss Cottage were jailed for more than 30 years.
The Guardian published a day in the life of a West Hampstead-based mounted police officer.
The historic Ebenezer Chapel in Kilburn Vale has been definitively safeguarded for the future.
Camden submitted its own comments to the Boundary commission regarding Fortune Green's possible change of consitutency.
The Winch launched its new Promise Academy initiative.
Parking and planning topped the agenda at Monday's Area Action Group.
New plans have been submitted for the Gondar Gardens reservoir site.
West Hampstead overground station will get new lifts.
The wide walkway up Iverson Road to the new Thameslink station opened.
The West Hampstead Christmas market was a resounding success.
Twenty two of us went to Ladudu for whampreview - write-up later today!
West End Lane newcomer Costello has already closed - it will become an Indian restaurant.
The Save the West Hampstead Girl Guides campaign made the local press.
Coming up
Santa and his elves will be at LoveFood on Dec 17 & 18 from 3-7pm. £4 per child including a present and a hot chocolate.
Gondar Gardens development meeting at the synagogue hall on December 14th.
Reminder that #whampxmasdrinks will be at The Gallery on December 20th.
Save the date: #whampgather VIII will be on Jan 12th. People on the mailing list will be the first to hear the details, get tickets, etc.
Tweet of the Week
Two people have been arrested and charged for @TheGalleryNW6 robbery and will be remanded in custody before appearing in court in February.
Armed robhbers who targeted the McDonalds in Swiss Cottage were jailed for more than 30 years.
The Guardian published a day in the life of a West Hampstead-based mounted police officer.
The historic Ebenezer Chapel in Kilburn Vale has been definitively safeguarded for the future.
Camden submitted its own comments to the Boundary commission regarding Fortune Green's possible change of consitutency.
The Winch launched its new Promise Academy initiative.
Parking and planning topped the agenda at Monday's Area Action Group.
New plans have been submitted for the Gondar Gardens reservoir site.
West Hampstead overground station will get new lifts.
The wide walkway up Iverson Road to the new Thameslink station opened.
The West Hampstead Christmas market was a resounding success.
Twenty two of us went to Ladudu for whampreview - write-up later today!
West End Lane newcomer Costello has already closed - it will become an Indian restaurant.
The Save the West Hampstead Girl Guides campaign made the local press.
Coming up
Santa and his elves will be at LoveFood on Dec 17 & 18 from 3-7pm. £4 per child including a present and a hot chocolate.
Gondar Gardens development meeting at the synagogue hall on December 14th.
Reminder that #whampxmasdrinks will be at The Gallery on December 20th.
Save the date: #whampgather VIII will be on Jan 12th. People on the mailing list will be the first to hear the details, get tickets, etc.
Tweet of the Week
Sunday, 11 December 2011
Are new Gondar Gardens plan a-go-go?
The Gondar Gardens reservoir is back on the planning agenda. Here's the story so far. Gondar Gardens is a large patch of green land that sits over a disused Victorian reservoir.
The land is owned by Linden Homes and Wates, who submitted plans to build a series of homes on the site in what was generally described as "Teletubbies style". These semi-subterranean homes were deemed to be out of keeping with the area, and the threat to local biodiversity - most notably the local slow worm population - was enough to see the plan rejected after a vociferous campaign.
The developers are appealing the decision, but one would assume that they're not especially confident of winning as they have invested in an entirely new and completely different plan for the site, which they were exhibiting at the library last Wednesday.The new plan take up much less of the site and instead just front onto the west side of Gondar Gardens road.
There would be 19 private homes and 9 affordable housing units. To keep the environmentalists happy, the development goes big on managing the remaining open space (which is far greater under this proposal than the previous one), and once complete the land would be handed over to a trust with covenants restricting any future development.
Architecturally, the designs so far apparently try to reflect the neighbouring buildings but in a modern style.
At the exhibition there was some debate as to whether this had been successful yet - the current design being very boxy and angular compared to the bay windows and pitched roofs of the houses around. The developer suggested that the design was a work in progress. At least, unlike some other developments locally, this one would not rise above existing buildings.
On Wedensday December 14th, there is a Camden Development Management Forum at the synagogue hall on Dennington Park Road. This is a chance for the public to hear more about the proposals and ask questions. Registration will be at 6.15pm for a 6.30pm start and the meeting shouldn't last more than two hours. This is not a formal consultation meeting as no plans have yet been submitted.
The exhibition boards are visible below, or you can download them from www.gondargardens.co.uk.
At the West Hampstead and Fortune Green Area Action group meeting a couple of days earlier, Fortune Green councillor Russell Eagling seemed to imply that this development was much more in keeping with the sort of thing the council would look favourably on. It is also worth noting that these units would not count towards the 800 new homes required under the intensification plan that emanates from City Hall - that is focused entirely on the land around the three railways lines.
Gondar Gardens exhibition boards
The land is owned by Linden Homes and Wates, who submitted plans to build a series of homes on the site in what was generally described as "Teletubbies style". These semi-subterranean homes were deemed to be out of keeping with the area, and the threat to local biodiversity - most notably the local slow worm population - was enough to see the plan rejected after a vociferous campaign.
The developers are appealing the decision, but one would assume that they're not especially confident of winning as they have invested in an entirely new and completely different plan for the site, which they were exhibiting at the library last Wednesday.The new plan take up much less of the site and instead just front onto the west side of Gondar Gardens road.
 |
| The previous plans took up the space marked by the inner red rectangle |
Architecturally, the designs so far apparently try to reflect the neighbouring buildings but in a modern style.
At the exhibition there was some debate as to whether this had been successful yet - the current design being very boxy and angular compared to the bay windows and pitched roofs of the houses around. The developer suggested that the design was a work in progress. At least, unlike some other developments locally, this one would not rise above existing buildings.
On Wedensday December 14th, there is a Camden Development Management Forum at the synagogue hall on Dennington Park Road. This is a chance for the public to hear more about the proposals and ask questions. Registration will be at 6.15pm for a 6.30pm start and the meeting shouldn't last more than two hours. This is not a formal consultation meeting as no plans have yet been submitted.
The exhibition boards are visible below, or you can download them from www.gondargardens.co.uk.
At the West Hampstead and Fortune Green Area Action group meeting a couple of days earlier, Fortune Green councillor Russell Eagling seemed to imply that this development was much more in keeping with the sort of thing the council would look favourably on. It is also worth noting that these units would not count towards the 800 new homes required under the intensification plan that emanates from City Hall - that is focused entirely on the land around the three railways lines.
Gondar Gardens exhibition boards
Parking and planning dominate December's AAG
The turnout for this week's West Hampstead & Fortune Green Area Action Group was higher than usual, with parking, planning, and local business on the agenda.
For those of you not familiar with the AAGs, they are an opportunity to meet local councillors, hear about the latest developments in the area, and for the public to share their views and ask questions.
Parking changes in Camden
The council is reviewing its parking policies. We had a quick rundown of changes over the past few years: fewer parking tickets, no clamping, allowing taxis to park on yellow lines for ATM access.
The borough is introducing cashless parking via mobile phones (meters will still accept coins), and is reviewing how its permit system will work with auto-renewal systems, e-permits and simplifying the visitor permit system with half-hour visitor permits being abolished. It was also made clear that the parking zones won't be extended as that encourages short journeys and more parking pressure around stations.
Parking turned out to be an issue that people got quite exercised by. There was a question about all the proposed housing developments and the impact on parking in the area. All new developments are encouraged to be car free and residents will not be allowed to apply for permits on nearby streets. The view was expressed that new residents would find a way around the rules. There was also a suggestion that if there was basement parking in new developments it could then be used as public parking during the day.
There was grumbling about changes to visitor permit system and the common complaint councils face up and down the country: that they are "using motorists as cash cows".
Parking wardens came in for flak for being too picky over permits. The representative from Camden explained that the appeals process will look at such issues. The masses weren't impressed and the view was expressed that the permits were too complicated yet there was no process by which the public could look at getting them changed.
The parking review will also look at the details for each controlled parking zone, including on Fortune Green Road where parking for the 24hr gym is causing some local residents a degree of angst.
Planning
Next up, James Earl from the Fordwych Residents Association explained the concept of the Neighbourhood Development Plan, which you can read more about here. One local development was being displayed at the meeting - Handrail House on Maygrove Road is likely to be turned into flats. The developer is throwing money at local community centre Sidings, including astroturfing the pitch, in order to ease any objections. If plans are cleared by April then the developer will avoid the Crossrail levy that all larger residential developments in London will have to pay.
I asked whether there was any way in which we could get the Mayor's London plan to enlarge the area designated for intensification (800 homes over the next few years) so that all the homes wouldn't have to be clustered so tightly along the railway lines. Almost certainly a futile notion, but local councillor Flick Rea suggested that if there was ever a time to lobby politicians it was in the run up to an election and we were about to prepare for another Ken v Boris battle (and lets remember Ken lives locally so would at least be au fait with the particularities of the area). This would not be about reducing the number of new homes in West Hampstead, just spreading them out a little more. Developers themselves might not be so keen, under current planning frameworks, it's much harder for councils to reject developments that flank railways.
Flick also mentioned that it was possible that the council offices on West End Lane (better known as the Wickes/Travis Perkins building), which are also destined to be flats, could end up as being entirely affordable housing as part of a deal with a (hypothetical) developer. So much for integrated housing projects.
Someone asked what our councillors' own view was about the future of West Hampstead; I think suggesting that there was too much of a "our hands are tied" attitude. Councillor Keith Moffitt said that they had a clear vision, which was to preserve the villagey feel of the area, while recognising the need for new homes. One can imagine that this will translate into planners insisting that some of the larger developments lop a couple of floors off their proposals, or tone down any architectural oddities, but that any wholesale rejection of housing developments is unlikely.
I bumped into James later in the week and asked if there had been a good response after the meeting in terms of helping set up a steering group for the NDP - and it seemed like there had been. This will be a lengthy process though, and is very much going to focus on the developments that aren't even on the table yet rather than those already under discussion.
There was a brief discussion on the new proposals for Gondar Gardens, which I've tackled in a separate blog. Questions were also raised as to whether there really was a need for new housing in the area, and weren't there already too many houses on the market (the idea was firmly rebuffed by the estate agent contingent who said demand outstripped supply at the moment). And someone asked whether ownership of new flats could be restricted to Londoners or "people who need them". You can imagine the answer.
Councillor Gillian Risso-Gill spoke briefly about the fledgling West Hampstead Business Forum and introduced David Matthews from Dutch & Dutch estate agents who has offered to chair the group. It will be interesting to see what comes out of that in the coming months.
The meeting concluded with short presentations / plugs for the financially challenged West Hampstead Community Association by Geoff Berridge, and for the financially more secure Sidings Community Centre by Sue Measures. Both run all manner of classes, so do check them out.
There were two off-agenda items that came up in final questions. The first concerned the cycle permeability scheme (allowing two-way cycle traffic on many of our one-way streets), which some locals think is a recipe for disaster. The consultation period for this has passed, but the councillors suggested that comments even now might well be considered.
The second was an impassioned plea regarding Netherwood Day Centre. This specialist Alzheimers unit just off the Kilburn High Road is teetering on the precipice again after an initial stay of execution following a high profile campaign involving local celebrities such as Ricky Gervais.
And that was that
For those of you not familiar with the AAGs, they are an opportunity to meet local councillors, hear about the latest developments in the area, and for the public to share their views and ask questions.
Parking changes in Camden
The council is reviewing its parking policies. We had a quick rundown of changes over the past few years: fewer parking tickets, no clamping, allowing taxis to park on yellow lines for ATM access.
The borough is introducing cashless parking via mobile phones (meters will still accept coins), and is reviewing how its permit system will work with auto-renewal systems, e-permits and simplifying the visitor permit system with half-hour visitor permits being abolished. It was also made clear that the parking zones won't be extended as that encourages short journeys and more parking pressure around stations.
Parking turned out to be an issue that people got quite exercised by. There was a question about all the proposed housing developments and the impact on parking in the area. All new developments are encouraged to be car free and residents will not be allowed to apply for permits on nearby streets. The view was expressed that new residents would find a way around the rules. There was also a suggestion that if there was basement parking in new developments it could then be used as public parking during the day.
There was grumbling about changes to visitor permit system and the common complaint councils face up and down the country: that they are "using motorists as cash cows".
Parking wardens came in for flak for being too picky over permits. The representative from Camden explained that the appeals process will look at such issues. The masses weren't impressed and the view was expressed that the permits were too complicated yet there was no process by which the public could look at getting them changed.
The parking review will also look at the details for each controlled parking zone, including on Fortune Green Road where parking for the 24hr gym is causing some local residents a degree of angst.
Planning
Next up, James Earl from the Fordwych Residents Association explained the concept of the Neighbourhood Development Plan, which you can read more about here. One local development was being displayed at the meeting - Handrail House on Maygrove Road is likely to be turned into flats. The developer is throwing money at local community centre Sidings, including astroturfing the pitch, in order to ease any objections. If plans are cleared by April then the developer will avoid the Crossrail levy that all larger residential developments in London will have to pay.
I asked whether there was any way in which we could get the Mayor's London plan to enlarge the area designated for intensification (800 homes over the next few years) so that all the homes wouldn't have to be clustered so tightly along the railway lines. Almost certainly a futile notion, but local councillor Flick Rea suggested that if there was ever a time to lobby politicians it was in the run up to an election and we were about to prepare for another Ken v Boris battle (and lets remember Ken lives locally so would at least be au fait with the particularities of the area). This would not be about reducing the number of new homes in West Hampstead, just spreading them out a little more. Developers themselves might not be so keen, under current planning frameworks, it's much harder for councils to reject developments that flank railways.
Flick also mentioned that it was possible that the council offices on West End Lane (better known as the Wickes/Travis Perkins building), which are also destined to be flats, could end up as being entirely affordable housing as part of a deal with a (hypothetical) developer. So much for integrated housing projects.
Someone asked what our councillors' own view was about the future of West Hampstead; I think suggesting that there was too much of a "our hands are tied" attitude. Councillor Keith Moffitt said that they had a clear vision, which was to preserve the villagey feel of the area, while recognising the need for new homes. One can imagine that this will translate into planners insisting that some of the larger developments lop a couple of floors off their proposals, or tone down any architectural oddities, but that any wholesale rejection of housing developments is unlikely.
I bumped into James later in the week and asked if there had been a good response after the meeting in terms of helping set up a steering group for the NDP - and it seemed like there had been. This will be a lengthy process though, and is very much going to focus on the developments that aren't even on the table yet rather than those already under discussion.
There was a brief discussion on the new proposals for Gondar Gardens, which I've tackled in a separate blog. Questions were also raised as to whether there really was a need for new housing in the area, and weren't there already too many houses on the market (the idea was firmly rebuffed by the estate agent contingent who said demand outstripped supply at the moment). And someone asked whether ownership of new flats could be restricted to Londoners or "people who need them". You can imagine the answer.
Councillor Gillian Risso-Gill spoke briefly about the fledgling West Hampstead Business Forum and introduced David Matthews from Dutch & Dutch estate agents who has offered to chair the group. It will be interesting to see what comes out of that in the coming months.
The meeting concluded with short presentations / plugs for the financially challenged West Hampstead Community Association by Geoff Berridge, and for the financially more secure Sidings Community Centre by Sue Measures. Both run all manner of classes, so do check them out.
There were two off-agenda items that came up in final questions. The first concerned the cycle permeability scheme (allowing two-way cycle traffic on many of our one-way streets), which some locals think is a recipe for disaster. The consultation period for this has passed, but the councillors suggested that comments even now might well be considered.
The second was an impassioned plea regarding Netherwood Day Centre. This specialist Alzheimers unit just off the Kilburn High Road is teetering on the precipice again after an initial stay of execution following a high profile campaign involving local celebrities such as Ricky Gervais.
And that was that
Monday, 5 December 2011
What have I missed since November 28th?
More economic woes, a large-scale public sector strike, and a sudden interest in pandas characterised the week in the news. What was piquing our interest closer to home?
The Gallery was victim of an armed robbery late last Sunday.
Gondar Gardens development plans are back on the table. There'll be a public meeting about it on the 14th. The previous plans were rejected.
Monday is the last day you can get your comments in to the Boundary Commission about Fortune Green being assigned to another parliamentary constituency.
Local youth charity The Winch had a big open evening and presented its new vision of the "Promise Academy". Contact them for more details or to get involved.
A campaign has launched to save West Hampstead's Girl Guides.
Camden is introducing cashless parking meters this month.
Ken Livingstone talked to young people in Kilburn on Monday.
No sign of snow yet, but when it comes Camden is making more snow shovels available to community groups.
The most asked question of the week on Twitter was "Where can I get Christmas trees from". The answer: Homebase, or Kilburn High Road (check out @ShanRoseFlowers), or the Mill Lane community garden centre.
#whampxmasdrinks will be on December 20th at The Gallery. This is the last event I'm organizing of 2011 (a few of you have asked if I'm doing a New Year's Eve party - I'm not). This is a completely informal "just turn up" get together. The next proper #whampgather will be in early January.
Here's a song dedicated to Kilburn High Road.
Ammis Curry - a Sri Lankan restaurant/take-away - opened on the High Road.
A new nail shop - Vivi Nails - is opening on Broadhurst Gardens. Looks like it'll open before Christmas.
Me Love Sushi is opening on the old Strada site in January.
CocoaBijoux joined the Twitter revolution.
Silent Witness was filming at St Augustine's church in Kilburn.
A car went into the back of a 328 bus on Friday on West End Lane.
David Walliams was signing books at the Waterstones in the O2 centre on Saturday.
Coming up
Tuesday: the next West Hampstead & Fortune Green area action group meeting. Come along to learn about what's going on in the area.
Wednesday: the Gondar Gardens exhibition.
Saturday: The West Hampstead Christmas market is on West End Green from 10am-4pm
Tweet of the Week
The Gallery was victim of an armed robbery late last Sunday.
Gondar Gardens development plans are back on the table. There'll be a public meeting about it on the 14th. The previous plans were rejected.
Monday is the last day you can get your comments in to the Boundary Commission about Fortune Green being assigned to another parliamentary constituency.
Local youth charity The Winch had a big open evening and presented its new vision of the "Promise Academy". Contact them for more details or to get involved.
A campaign has launched to save West Hampstead's Girl Guides.
Camden is introducing cashless parking meters this month.
Ken Livingstone talked to young people in Kilburn on Monday.
No sign of snow yet, but when it comes Camden is making more snow shovels available to community groups.
The most asked question of the week on Twitter was "Where can I get Christmas trees from". The answer: Homebase, or Kilburn High Road (check out @ShanRoseFlowers), or the Mill Lane community garden centre.
#whampxmasdrinks will be on December 20th at The Gallery. This is the last event I'm organizing of 2011 (a few of you have asked if I'm doing a New Year's Eve party - I'm not). This is a completely informal "just turn up" get together. The next proper #whampgather will be in early January.
Here's a song dedicated to Kilburn High Road.
Ammis Curry - a Sri Lankan restaurant/take-away - opened on the High Road.
A new nail shop - Vivi Nails - is opening on Broadhurst Gardens. Looks like it'll open before Christmas.
Me Love Sushi is opening on the old Strada site in January.
CocoaBijoux joined the Twitter revolution.
Silent Witness was filming at St Augustine's church in Kilburn.
A car went into the back of a 328 bus on Friday on West End Lane.
David Walliams was signing books at the Waterstones in the O2 centre on Saturday.
Coming up
Tuesday: the next West Hampstead & Fortune Green area action group meeting. Come along to learn about what's going on in the area.
Wednesday: the Gondar Gardens exhibition.
Saturday: The West Hampstead Christmas market is on West End Green from 10am-4pm
Tweet of the Week
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