November 2008 Archives

Lucky parents will be receiving some dazzling designs on their Christmas cards this year thanks to the creative kids at Edward Pauling School.

The budding artists, aged four to 10, have been designing Christmas Cards for the Hounslow Lone Parent Network, a group who support single parents looking to get into work.

Half a dozen top-notch Hounslow schools have been singled out for praise this week as the Chief Inspector of Education published a list of all those rated 'outstanding' this year.

The annual report paid tribute to one secondary and five primary schools in the borough who all received the highest praise in their inspections this year.

Two good causes in Feltham are looking for your support at their Christmas fairs this Saturday so if you are a dab hand at the tombola why not drop in to both?

Father Christmas will be attending the Age Concern Feltham, Hanworth and Bedfont event, which costs 50p admission and will also offer stalls, cakes and a tombola.

A last hope that Feltham jobcentre might remain open was dashed today as Minister for Work and Pensions James Purnell announced three other centres would be saved instead.

Feltham jobcentre was initially rumoured to be among the centres receiving a last-minute reprieve despite being ear-marked for closure this autumn.

Feltham lit up last Thursday as The Centre turned on its Christmas lights with the help of Father Christmas and his trusty reindeer.

Festive treats included a performance by Staines Brass Band, a tinsel-town elf who entertained crowds by juggling and modelling balloons and a giant inflatable Santa that blew snow from its hat over the shoppers.

"The lights switch on was fantastic, it really feels like Christmas now," said Lorraine Prideaux, centre manager.

For a picture special from feltham's switch-on, see next week's Chronicle.

Young scouts were thrilled by an early sighting of Santa at a winter fete last weekend.

The families had flocked to the fundraising event for 10th Feltham Scout Group and were greeted at the door by the very special guest.

"Some of the kids were very excited as it's the first time this year for most of them," said fundraising chairwoman Carol Davis. "We had a great afternoon and although it's hard work we always have a lot of fun."

The mother of a tragic Bedfont girl who was poisoned by carbon monoxide in her new-build flat said she takes comfort from knowing thousands more lives may have been saved thanks to investigations prompted by her daughter's death.

Keen dancer Elouise Littlewood died on February 27, two months after moving into a shared-ownership flat in the Bedfont Lakes development.

Three charities are celebrating after being awarded grants totalling more than £22,000.

Feltham Arts Association picked up £7,945 as part of the National Lottery's Awards for All scheme, with OutWest receiving £10,000 and the Hounslow-based Meditation & Relaxation Group getting £4,130.

Controversial plans to overhaul police stations in Hounslow, Feltham, Brentford and Chiswick have been shelved as the credit crunch hits the Met Police.

Hounslow's top cop David Bilson (pictured) announced at a meeting last night that no buildings would be sold or built as a result of the recent economic downturn.

Chronicle historian Eddie Menday has been regaling our readers with his personal look at the history of the area for more than a decade. To celebrate
150 years of the Chronicle this month, we reprint his first ever Looking Back column, which was printed in the paper on February 7, 1991

GOLDEN MEMORIES OF THE GOLDEN MILE

Some years ago I was driving along the Great West Road and, having just passed the Boston Manor Junction looking left, I could not believe my eyes!

The fine Sperry building was gone. The place where I had worked for so many years had disappeared.