West Hampstead Life

Tag: #whampnews

What have I missed since December 9th?

Ballymore announced, with minimal fanfare, that Marks & Spencer will be its anchor commercial tenant in West Hampstead Square.

In a Buzzfeed moment, we looked at The 12 Best Christmas Presents You Can Buy in West Hampstead.

Is the latest planning application for Gondar Gardens the final card to be played in this long-running game?

Ok, so it’s Hampstead Heath – but great photo by Sally McKay

The West Hampstead Business Association had its launch event – but what is it, and why should local businesses join?

If you haven’t got your Christmas tree yet, here’s where you can pick one up: Mill Lane Garden Centre (where proceeds go to a good cause), Homebase, outside Waitrose, Achillea Flowers, Kilburn High Road, and Swiss Cottage farmers’ market.

There are still a few chances to get your Christmas carol fix.

Thursday evening is my annual #whampxmasdrinks – the office party for locals. Starts 7.30pm at The Black Lion on West End Lane. Just turn up – we’ll be on the left as you walk in.

Camden responded to criticism over the Liddell Road redevelopment scheme, but has the council done enough to prove that this scheme is going to create jobs overall? The local councillors have requested to call in the decision.

This Tuesday, sample free kebabs at Adam’s Grill.

Fortune Green has started to attract wildlife, of a somewhat static kind.

Property News discussed licensed rental agents.

The King of Kilburn met the Queen of the United Kingdom as Bradley Wiggins received his knighthood at the palace.

Scroll down to #15 for a Christmas blast from the past from Kingsgate School.

Lupa suddenly got renamed “Pizza Amante”. They still say Lupa when you ring up though.

If you bought biscotti at the Christmas Market a couple of weeks ago, you helped Emma Niemis raise £85 towards her target for volunteeting in Ecuador next summer. Contact her if you want to know more.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is @NxNW6‘s Film of the Week. Full local listings here.

A new café appears to be opening on Fortune Green Road (which the owners seem to mistakenly think is in Hampstead).

The NW6 Free School campaign produced stats showing how many secondary schools local students attend.

The West Hampstead fire brigade joined in the London-wide strike on Friday evening.

The Clifton pub in St John’s Wood, and the Old White Bear in Hampstead have both been sold and are expected to be converted into private houses.

Tweet of the Week

Remember the Guinness ad with the guy waiting for the tide so he could surf? I’m waiting for the C11 bus. It’s kinda the same. But more shit
— Matthew Darcy (@matthewdarcy7) December 9, 2013

December 16, 2013
What have I missed since December 2nd

Camden gave the go-ahead to primary school buildings in Liddell Road, despite a dispute about the number of jobs that could be gained or lost through redevelopment. In a Twitter conversation later than night, councillors agreed they would look into this, though of course the decision still stands.

Several local buildings (and two parks) feature in the Camden Design awards shortlist – including Emmanuel School, somewhat controversially.

An open letter to Tesco’s Fortune Green branch manager (and accompanying photos) elicited an encouraging response from the supermarket chain.

Photo via Mark Stonebanks

An eighth arrest has been made in the Sabrina Moss murder investigation.

Italian restaurant Spiga has closed. Apparently it’s being replaced by a south-east Asian/Thai restaurant.

Nebraska is @NxNW6’s Film of the Week and NW6 Film Club returned this Sunday.

Local councillor Flick Rea collected her MBE from the palace.

The ice rink at JW3 opened.

Tom’s Diner gave The Black Lion the once over.

The next planning application for Gondar Gardens has been submitted by Linden Wates (this is the third – one accepted and one rejected so far)

Ballymore has agreed to a proper community liaison working party and to look in more detail at how the north side of the West Hampstead Square site might be “greened up”.

Tweet of the Week

Post box on Honeybourne Rd boarded up do to “health & safety issue”, the mind boggles! West Hampstead #whamp
— Sandra Pavlou (@SandraPavlou) December 5, 2013

December 9, 2013
What have I missed since November 25th?

Boris Johnson came to West Hampstead to talk to local businesses. Read the full story.

Robert Webb led a tirade against Tesco for the shocking stock levels in its Fortune Green branch.

West End Green’s Christmas tree is bigger than usual, but the high street ones remain somewhat, er, vertically challenged (or “tasteful” as Cllr Keith Moffitt described them).

It’s beginning to look a lot like autumn.
Photo via @CleaSR

Police are warning people to be vigilant after a spate of aggressive robberies targeting women as they get out of their cars at night.

The West Hampstead Christmas market was a success, and local businesses that took part on West End Lane threw themselves into the occasion admirably.

Next weekend it’s the Emmanuel School Christmas Fair (with some unusual raffle prizes), and another Christmas Fair on West End Green.

The Alexandra & Ainsworth estate made it into the Guardian’s Top 10 council estates as voted by readers, having surprisingly missed out on the “official list” published the week before.

Emmanuel School’s new building on Mill Lane is up for a Camden Design Award.

JW3 is going to have an ice rink from December 8th-January 12th

Share your views on local planning and development issues, with a new interactive map-based website.

The controversial proposal for Avenue Road in Swiss Cottage has a website.

Blackburn Road was resurfaced and cleared of roadworks, making access to the student block much better.

Kilburn has a new financial health centre run by the Kilburn Fair Credit Campaign.

La Secret Boutique, once of the basement of LoveFood, then of Fortune Green, is now moving into the former Shaketastic outlet on West End Lane on December 4th.

Saving Mr Banks is this week’s Film of the Week. Full local listings and details of next Sunday’s Film Club event here.

After having the collection box swiped a couple of weeks ago, locals have generously given £130 to West End Lane Books’ Epilepsy Action fundraising efforts.

Christmas trees are available outside Waitrose, from Homebase and from the Mill Lane Garden Centre, where all proceeds go to charity.

Tweet of the Week

Police on horse back through the middle of west Hampstead, Nice to see but a pain if you’re trying to get somewhere and some what medieval!
— Ollie Rayner (@Ollie2rayner) November 29, 2013

December 2, 2013
What have i missed since November 18th?

A fire on Friday night damaged a West End Lane property, but no-one was hurt.

The relaunching West Hampstead Business Association announced that Boris Johnson will be coming to meet local business owners this Thursday afternoon.

A standpipe blew in Fairhazel Gardens, causing a spectacular fountain.

Photo via Don Williams

We looked back at Doris Lessing’s incorporation of West Hampstead into her writing, and the moment she was told of her Nobel Prize, outside her house.

The Jubilee Line is one of five tube lines that will run 24hrs on Friday and Saturday nights from 2015. TfL also confirmed that all ticket offices will close across the network, although stations will be staffed at the ticket barriers.

More Thameslink trains will now stop at West Hampstead, and Sunday services wil extend further south. Ironically, a northbound train on Friday completely forgot to stop at West Hampstead.

A thief made off with the collection box in West End Lane Books. The staff had been raising money for Epilepsy Action.

Police are appealing for witnesses after an attack on Tuesday evening at about 6.30pm around the stations. Call 101 if you can help.

A new antenatal class is starting at JW3 [sponsored]

Local historians Dick Weindling and Marianne Colloms gave an excellent talk at West End Lane Books about the history of Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek club, and also published the second part of their piece on local musicians.

WhampWalks took the 328 bus to Chelsea and walked to Richmond to get the Overground back home. It’s a lovely 12 mile walk with lots to see.

How many times have you spotted West Hampstead and Kilburn in films and TV programmes?

One of Paramount’s West Hampstead bags has made it to Antarctica.

Next Saturday is the West Hampstead Christmas Market, with lots of local businesses also participating in-store. It’s also the Beckford School Winter Fair.

Local estate agent Parkheath is offering kids (and teachers) high-viz jackets for the dark winter walk to school!

Blue is the Warmest Colour is NxNW6’s Film of the Week. It’s also the next NW6 Film Club film on December 8th at JW3.

The craft/vintage market on Sundays outside Thameslink has changed its hours to 11-3.

The first residential Christmas tree is up! Those of you waiting a couple more weeks can get yours from the Mill Lane Garden Centre from next Saturday.

The Winch is looking for parents, carers and social enterprises who want to start projects focused on helping children aged 0-5.

This Thursday evening, Virginia Berridge, chair of WHAT, will be talking about her new book… not a history of local planning, but something from her professional life – a history of the changing perceptions of drugs.

Tweet of the Week

Citizens of #Whamp: you astonish us with yr fabulousness. Man: ‘I don’t want to buy book I want to give money to replace stolen charity box’
— West End Lane Books (@WELBooks) November 22, 2013

November 25, 2013
What have I missed since November 11th?

Long-time local resident and Nobel Prize winner Doris Lessing died on Sunday. She was 94. Here she is being told she’s won the Nobel Prize in 2007 (I love that an artichoke figures prominently). West Hampstead wasn’t just her home, it also featured in her writing.

Jim “Carson” Carter has joined Emma “Oscar-winner” Thompson in the fight to save the trees by the Ballymore site.

A police chase had a fatal conclusion that caused chaos in Tuesday’s evening rush hour.

One of many glorious sunset photos from Wednesday.
This one by Simon Inglis

The 12th Whampgather was another rip-roaring success on Thursday. Thanks to everyone who came. We raised more than £500 for The Winch’s Youth Forum. Thanks also to all the businesses that donated prizes.

At the West Hampstead & Fortune Green Area Forum, TfL and Metroline explained why the 139 runs empty along Mill Lane, while Camden officers put forward a convincing case for their new Clean Camden campaign.

The Abbey Area regeneration programme stutters on.

The newest pizzeria in West Hampstead went under the whampreview microscope.

There was a Remembrance Day service in Hampstead Cemetery.

The Guardian reported on Camden council’s innovative use of data in solving problems.

The Friends of Fortune Green have launched a blog – the first entry talks about the Ladies Who Lunge.

A friends group is forming for the new Minster Road nature reserve – there’s a meeting this week if you’re interested in taking part.

The Butler is @NxNW6’s Film of the Week. Check out the full local cinema listings.

West Hampstead’s tiny Christmas trees have been attached to the lampposts.

Watch a fantastic video of films and TV shows shot in NW6.

Conservative Chris Philp, who just missed out on becoming our MP in 2010, has been nominated for the safe Tory seat of Croydon South.

Tweet of the Week

I remember when #whampgather was a dozen people off Twitter sitting awkwardly in the corner of a pub. Now it’s all wristbands & cloakrooms.
— Blake Connolly (@blakeconnolly) November 14, 2013

November 18, 2013
What have I missed since November 4th?

Camden launched a big crackdown on fly-tipping and littering but it’s still not clear why the regular rubbish and recycling service is so bad.

This Wednesday, grill Camden about a range of local issues – including the rubbish problem.

Revised proposals for 159 Iverson Road have cut the number of flats by 10 after Camden deemed the original plan too dense.

Itsy-bitsy spider via @dali_llama

Sunday marked a year since the car accident on West End Lane that killed Desreen Brooks and left Amy Werner in a critical condition.

On the Ballymore/Network Rail land, we now have a clear indication of which trees are safe for the time being. The Sunday Telegraph has picked up on Emma Thompson’s letter to Ballymore. The company has, I believe, not yet responded.

Camden has published the list of its trees destined to be removed. Most are dead or dying and should be replaced.

The Camden New Journal had all the animal news this week – the untimely passing of Jean the Highgate wallaby, and this amazing story about the cat who dialled 999.

Nautilus made the Sunday Times’ “Britain’s top 130 restaurants under £50” list; though how you’d spend £42pp there is a mystery.

Once they reach 65, women in Camden have the highest life expectancy in the country – 88.8 years (the borough ranks 14th in the country for female life expectancy at birth).

Another stat for you: West Hampstead & Fortune Green had 1,330 more households in 2011 than in 2001, but 570 fewer cars.

Looking for some commercial space in West Hampstead – the Sherriff Centre’s spare space (after the post office moves in) is up for lease for £16,000 a year. Meanwhile, if you’ve always fancied running a cafe, that’s also up for grabs.

West End Lane barbers Geezers reopened as Esquire Grooming, apparently run by a couple of former Men’s Lounge hairdressers. On Fortune Green Road, Crystalis Hair & Beauty opened.

Local MP Glenda Jackson (former transport minister) voted in favour of HS2, despite the local Labour party opposing it.

Doros Ahmed, owner of Kilburn curryhouse Ruchi, was one of the winners of the prestigious Bangladesh Caterers’ Association Caterer of the Year awards.

Apparently, the Old Bell on Kilburn High Road is closing. Another nail in the coffin of the old-school Kilburn pub.

Further up the road, next to Belvedere Traditional, a milkshake bar is opening.

The Property of the Month is a 4-bed garden flat in Greencroft Gardens at £1.65m.

Property News: Could oversupply of rental properties cool sale prices?

This Sunday, a weekly vintage/craft market started. It’s 10am-2pm on the Thameslink forecourt on Iverson Road.

Gravity is @NxNW6‘s Film of the Week.

Want to know what West End Lane looked like in 1969 – check out the opening few seconds of this Randall & Hopkirk Deceased episode.

Scottish crime writer extraordinaire Ian Rankin graced West End Lane Books to sign copies of his latest Rebus story, “Saints of the Shadow Bible”.

Small & Beautiful is under new ownership, but what’s the food like?

The Iceland in Swiss Cottage featured in a BBC2 documentary about the company.

Friends of Fortune Green has joined Twitter. Twit-twoo.

Tweet of the Week

Awesome to see people being fined/warned outside West Hampstead tube for littering.
— Josh Reich (@Reich_Josh) November 7, 2013

November 11, 2013
What have I missed since October 28?

Local resident Emma Thompson has joined the debate on saving (some of) the trees at West Hampstead Square. Will Ballymore reply to the double Oscar winner?

There was some damage and disruption in West Hampstead last Monday morning as the St Jude storm hit London.

Camden responds to the rubbish crisis in West Hampstead, and promises a new initiative to clamp down on fly-tippers.

A storm-felled tree on the Lymington Road estate.
Photo via Blake Connolly

Filming began apace on Kingsgate Road – aka Marchmont St – for BBC film Pride. Dominic “McNulty” West and Andrew “Moriaty” Scott both spotted on location.

What has WHAT ever done for us?

British Pathé has an excellent short silent film of the Queen Victoria’s Rifles marching up Kilburn High Road in 1931.

The next West Hampstead & Fortune Green area action group (aka “meeting for locals to get up to speed with what’s happening) will be on November 13th.

The West Hampstead Christmas market website is up. Look out for more local businesses getting involved on the day to make this a real West Hampstead shopping day.

The Alexandra Palace fireworks returned this year after a break, the big local free display is in Roundwood Park in Brent on Tuesday.

Short-Term 12 is @NxNW6’s Film of the Week. Full local listings, including highlights of the UK Jewish Film Festival.

A map appeared showing the Luftwaffe’s targets in West Hampstead during the war. Not surprisingly, it’s “all the train lines”.

Jack Bruce, John Paul Jones, Lemmy, Lulu and Screaming Lord Sutch – just a handful of musicians who’ve called West Hampstead home. The Kilburn History blogpost coincides with a new book – “Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek” – launching in West End Lane Books on November 18th.

Learn practical gardening skills for free at the West Hampstead Women’s Centre.

The rumour that Tesco is to open where Angeles Szechuan restaurant was on Kilburn High Road looks to be more than a rumour now.

Paramount is once again participating in the Wrap Up London campaign, collecting winter coats from people who might have one spare to give to people who really need them. Coats can be donated until November 11th.

Discussion continued over the architectural merits of the two designs for the Mario’s block.

Next Saturday, the Brent Symphony Orchestra is performing in St James’ Church.

Camden council has been blocked from imposing “double council tax” on homes left empty for extended periods.

A great video appeared, “Secrets of the Jubilee Line“. Well worth watching.

The People’s Centre for Change on Shoot-Up Hill is launching some new events for adults and children with disabilities, and their carers.

Oscars Den snuck into the Daily Mail in the run-up to Halloween.

The Alexandra & Ainsworth estate recently had an open day.

Most of the pubs went in for some ghoulish decorations this week, but The Black Lion wins the prize.

The Salt House on Abbey Road has reopened under new management.

Tweet of the Week
Two Tweets of the Week – one for each of the major events:

Housemate left kitchen window open (idiot!) and the wind has blown my cafetiere onto the floor & smashed it #ukstorm #firstworldproblems
— Davies (@daviesinthecity) October 28, 2013

To the man in West Hampstead dressed as a rubix cube: you are my hero #missedconnections #halloweencostume
— Rachel-Eireann N (@Rachel_Eireann) October 31, 2013

November 4, 2013
What have I missed since October 21st?

The Mario’s block redevelopment plans could go traditional or contemporary. Have a look at the pictures and read more about the proposals.

Camden threw out the proposal to turn the empty units in Alfred Court on Fortune Green Road into a private school.

West Hampstead’s rubbish problem isn’t getting any better – how can Camden clamp down on fly-tipping? Can a Keith Moffitt walkabout have an impact?

Another impressive sunset. Photo via James Taylor

A would-be #whamper worked out that it would be cheaper to live in Barcelona and commute daily to his London city job than to rent in West Hampstead. The story was picked up widely by the media and promptly misunderstood by almost everyone.

I’ve updated the article on the new proposals for Gondar Gardens with better pictures and more reaction.

Police released a CCTV image of a conman who broke into the home of a 93-year-old West Hampstead woman.

There’s still time to return the survey (or fill it in online) about your views on West Hampstead.

Adam’s Grill opened – still with that obnoxious flashing sign… but what’s the food like?

Poco Pizza – operating out of Paya’s premises – flyered the area with its menu. Some pizzas are not for the faint-hearted.

Tom’s Diner reviewed the #whampdinner at Banana Tree.

Visitor parking permits are going entirely online. Not everyone’s impressed.

A sign went up on Fortune Green to commemorate its designation as a Queen Elizabeth II field. Meanwhile, this Sunday there were some owls on Fortune Green and now a new owl sculpture!

Part of Kingsgate Road has been turned into a street ca. 1984 for Pride, a Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton and Dominic West film.

Camden has asked for architects to tender for the proposed redevelopment of Liddell Road.

Could playwright Joe Orton be next in line for a Kilburn Historic plaque?

The Selfish Giant is NxNW6’s Film of the Week. Full local cinema listings here including all the Halloween film specials at the main cinemas, and in St James’ Church.

The Garden Friends group is looking for some volunteers on November 9th.

Tweet of the Week

Saw Ken Livingstone in Finchley Road Waitrose yesterday. Now my mum thinks West Hampstead’s full of ‘celebs’.
— Misabelina (@Misabelina) October 23, 2013

October 28, 2013
What have I missed since October 14th?

The third Gondar Gardens proposal from Linden Wates isn’t radically different from the previous ones – but it may just be different enough to get the green light.

Whampreview gave its verdict on Bellaluna. Thumbs up or thumbs down?

The redevelopment of the Mario’s block on Broadhurst Gardens could still be either traditional or modern in its facade. Plans are for 39 apartments, and the building would be one storey higher than it is today.

Just a giraffe in a car. Standard. Photo via Mairéad Roche

The Overground was severely disrupted for most of the week after a derailment near Camden Road. Normal service should resume in time for the Monday morning rush hour.

Kilburn ward councillor Mike Katz, having been the wrong gender to make the Hampstead & Kilburn Labour shortlist, is now having a tilt at Brent Central.

In a week where a Guardian article about London property set tongues wagging, this little snatch of overheard conversation shows who’s investing in West Hampstead.

An unfinished drawing of Iverson Road in 1940 turned up in the offices of a Kilburn plumbing supplies shop. “Police interference” was cited for it not being completed.

Local councillors set out their position on the proposed primary school on Liddell Road, which was also the topic of lively debate at this month’s NDF meeting.

The NDF dropped flyers into every property in West Hampstead and Fortune Green wards. It’s really worth filling in the form and dropping it off in the library or complete it online.

Finchley Road post office looks set to move into WH Smith’s next year. Though there is still a consultation stage.

#whampgather tickets came available… and in less than 24 hours, all 250 of them were snapped up. There’s no waiting list, but I may be able to release a few more depending on cancellations nearer the time.

Poco Pizza (which replaced Paya) was giving away free pizza slices on Friday. I saw only one verdict: “Very tasty.”

Here’s the most detailed review of the Czech restaurant for some time (even mentions yours truly).

Captain Phillips is @NxNW6‘s Film of the Week. Full local cinema listings here. Meanwhile, how does the new JW3 cinema measure up?

An easy-to-use ward-level map of 2011 census data, makes it easy to compare neighbourhing areas.

West Hampstead snuck into a silly Evening Standard piece about popular Amazon products in different parts of London. We live up to Nappy Valley stereotype by being the best customers of a posh teether.

A photo popped up of Shirley Bassey in her husband’s record shop on West End Lane at what is now Art4Fun. (Read more about this.)

How was the SkyRide around the borough borders?

Stats on students in Blackburn Road: 62% female, 40% postgrads, 58% are from overseas (49 different nationalities), and 10% have bikes!

The NW6 School campaign wants parents and other interested parties to fill in a survey about what kind of school provision they think the area needs.

Sir Bradley Wiggins’ old school, St Augustine’s in Kilburn, was rated outstanding by Ofsted.

The WI is going burlesque on November 7th. Women only!

Although I was trying desperately not to mention THE BOOK that was released this week, I should at least acknowledge that long-time collaborator Boz Boorer bought his copy from West End Lane early doors. “I can’t believe I was at the local bookshop at 8.59 this morning”, he tweeted.

The Kilburn History blog looked at some tales of poison from the area in the 19th century.

Amaan’s Grill on West End Lane is up for sale as a going concern, £24,000 a year + a “substantial premium”. On Mill Lane, the unit next to Monsters of Art is also available to let (for £15,000/yr).

Swiss Cottage Safer Neighbourhood Team reports crime slightly up compared to last summer. In related news, Superman was spotted using an ATM on Finchley Road on Thursday. Later that day he was spotted being arrested.

The first Women’s Business Network social event took place in The Gallery. More are planned for next year.

Next Sunday, Friends of Fortune Green is hosting a birds of prey event along with a (less fascinating, but presumably very worthwhile) bulb planting session.

Frankie & Benny’s is now slated for an O2 opening – understanding is in place of Rossopomodoro, which had been planning to move there.

Tweet of the Week

We have Wembley on our doorstep, a great world venue, yet all I read is #whampers complaining about crowds/football there, @WHampstead – wow
— John Mennis (@JfmJm) October 15, 2013

October 21, 2013
What have I missed since October 7th?

Chez Chantal is to become a Headmasters hairdressers. More serious research into the gaps in the West Hampstead market there. Maybe it has set its sights on stealing Bank of England governor Mark Carney away from Mill Lane Barbers. Micro Logic on Fortune Green Road is apparently also set to become another hair & beauty operation.

Illustrious magazine The Economist wrote about the opening of JW3.

The bench on Hemstal Road now has a companion bin!

Several of you captured this delight on Maygrove Road.
Photo via Dan Hizzai

There’s one day left to vote in the Property News poll.

Maajid Nawaz, the Lib Dems’ parliamentary candidate for Hampstead & Kilburn, has claimed to be behind the EDL’s founder, Tommy Robinson, decision to leave the organisation over its extremist views (the EDL’s, not the Lib Dems).

Le Week-End is NxNW6’s Film of the Week. Full local listings here.

After the cucumbers come the bagels. Oy vey.

Why there will never be a bus shelter at the northbound stop on the Thameslink road bridge.

Tweet of the Week

In a pub in West Hampstead and youngish girl just walked alone and ordered a shot of tequila, as one does on a Sunday.
— Tomás Romanov (@tomasromanov) October 13, 2013

October 14, 2013