What have I missed since December 19th?

It’s been a while since the last news round-up. Happy New Year, and all that jazz. Hope everyone enjoyed their break and thanks to those who came to #whampdrinks the week before Christmas. It’s been a fairly quiet time around West Hampstead, but amid the wind and the rain there have been a few things afoot.

The planning application for 187-199 West End Lane is in. It’s enormous.
You’ll need this reference: 2011/6129/P for this form.

South Hampstead tower block residents suffered flooding after the theft of metal pipes (which also hindered the fire service’s rescue)

TfL announced a £3.4 million investment in Camden – including the contentious 20mph speed limit and two-way cycling schemes in West Hampstead as well as signage improvements between the three WH stations.

Meanwhile, West Hampstead featured in a short BBC news piece about TfL fare rises.

It used to be so different – one of the best “Then and Now” photos yet?

Camden’s police force is trying Twitter again. And a new account: @WHlocalplod also began

Some news on our local eateries:
Bake-a-boo is closing weekdays in January.
Me Love Sushi has opened (on the former Strada site).
Spiga is now open 7 days a week, and there’s 10% off for take-away (collection).
Bon Express seems to be expanding into groceries!
Guglee is the restaurant moving into what was (briefly) Costello’s.

A tree blew over on Pandora Rd luckily missing the parked cars.

The utility works on Kilburn High Road finally finished.

The Kings Troop is preparing for its final departure from St John’s Wood. There’ll be no more disruption as 40 horses trot up West End Lane.

Here’s the latest steam train pulling into West Hampstead

Swiss Cottage youth charity The Winch has been confirmed by Camden as a ‘preferred partner’ to run Belsize library.

On the blog
Tom was disappointed by a Moment salad.
I don’t think anyone got all 11 questions right in my Quiz of 2011.
But did any of your predictions for 2011 actually come true?
Jon Kelly won Tweet of the Year.

Finally, #whampgather preparations continue apace. Looking forward to seeing lots of you on Thursday. We’ve got the band, we’ve got the cocktails, we’ve got the DJ, we’re going to blow away the New Year Blues. Tickets have all gone, but always worth chancing your arm on the waitlist.

Coming up
Advance warning of the WHAT AGM on Tuesday 24th January

Tweet of the Week(s)
We’ve got a tweet from the very end of 2011 and a photo from the start of 2012 for you

And a link to the photo of a dog in Kilburn High Road by @sjdowling (‘cos it’s All Rights Reserved).