Wood End Library boarded up

It's not looking too good for Wood End Library and Children's Centre, Whitton Avenue West, in the borough of Ealing, this Sunday.

The windows and doors are metal-shuttered.

Another view with the shelter

The library is next door to a very large school population from Wood End Infant School and Greenwood Primary school. 

Vaccine poster defaced - Harrow

Billboard on the corner of Greenford Road and Cavendish Avenue near Subury Hill underground station

It looks like white paint has been hurled from a can repeatedly at a government poster that says "Join the millions already vaccinated." The area around the poster is covered with splashes of paint from this very sloppy bit of vandalism.

Update, the view next day (Sunday)

Update 23/6/2021: The worn-out hoardings on that side of the road have been completely renewed, pigeons evicted from behind them and the edges sealed. There are two matching billboards on the other side of the street, and those are in an equally decrepit condition, with pigeons nesting behind them too. It's a pity for the pigeons but in that location, there are so many that they could be a health hazard to passersby. [Not the only health hazard around there. Ed.]

The second of the old worn-out hoardings was replaced today.

The sad, shameful demise of the Whitechapel Bell Foundry

The sad, shameful demise of the Whitechapel Bell Foundry https://t.co/YIeKthPLdo

— Spitalfields Life (@thegentleauthor) May 14, 2021

From The Yard to Tiffty's Tavern and from Maher's to Moloney's

A signwriter changing the name of this pub in North Greenford from "The Yard" to "Tiffty's Tavern" 

The font and colours suggest "an Irish pub." There are Irish pubs all over the world, and if the Irish state had marketing rights, it could probably live on the proceeds. But like the Murphy's, we're not bitter. My California/Filipino air steward friend says wherever they stopover, she always looks for the Irish pub. From Kuala Lumpur to Montevideo, from Cape Town to Anchorage, Alaska [You just made that bit up, didn't you? Ed.], you'll see the Gaelic font and assorted bicycles, mirror adverts etc and find a cold pint of the Dublin ambrosia awaits you, though it might have been brewed in Nigeria. So wherever you may be, "Sláinte Mhaith!"

The result. Tiffty's Tavern

And before it became "The Yard" it was "Gerry Mac's".

So, what gives? Is there really someone called "Tiffty" and was there someone called "Gerry Mac"? It seems unlikely. Further down Greenford Road, the same sort of name-changing has been happening with what was Ryans Bar, which then became Tommy Maher's Irish Bar and lately Moloney's Bar.

A photo of "Tommy Maher's Irish Bar", which used to be "Ryans" and more recently "Moloney's Bar"

According to WhatPub.com, Moloney's Bar was previously named Dugout Sports Bar, Ryan's, Maher's Irish Bar, West Bar, Old Bull and Captain Morgan's.

Harry Lemon

More info: What Pub - Tiffty's Tavern, What Pub - Moloney's Bar

Day of the Flying Leaves by Stephen Moran

Cover flat - Day of the Flying Leaves - Stephen Moran

“Like everyone, I go around imagining things, trying to identify what I see and hear and conserving memories. My poems are thoughts portrayed in words, in the belief that sometimes a word is worth a thousand pictures.” (Stephen Moran)

Day of the Flying Leaves by Stephen Moran, Amazon/Kindle, 2021, 2024

Scenes from launderettes

Fulham Palace Road

Greenford Road

Photos taken in previous years

Ladbroke Grove Launderette

Corner of Ladbroke Grove and Treverton Street, W10

Short Story of the Month, December 2020

We're back to sharing favourite stories. How could anyone not love a story that contains the line "I was a cactus."(?) And don't tell me it's not December, months last for years now! Ed.

The Willesden Herald Story of the Month

December 2020: Christmas Present by Lynsey Rose

“I wrote this a few years ago, when we were asked to write a story with the theme of Christmas for my writing group. Of course, Christmas is a crappy theme so you have to go the full ‘Carrie’ with it. Happy Christmas!“

Lynsey Rose

Lynsey Rose is the author of the novel First Aid Kit Girl, described as “girl meets razorblade meets boy…”

Chemist shop: "Covid tests available" (Sudbury Hill)

CuraPharm chemist shop, 154 Greenford Road. Scrolling sign says "Covid tests available" 16 January 2021 (video) #CovidUK #SudburyHill pic.twitter.com/RuJHcECXp2

— Stephen Moran (@stephen_j_moran) January 17, 2021

CuraPharm chemist shop, 154 Greenford Road. Scrolling sign says "Covid tests available" 16 January 2021. (Twitter video). N.B. You can get a free test. Google "Covid tests near me" or visit this official site to request a free test online.

Lifts being built at Sudbury Hill station (photo)

View from Greenford Road bridge

These lifts, when complete, will enable step-free access from the platforms to the ticket hall. From there to the street is already step-free. However, from platform to train is not.

Social distancing outside the Post Office

People queueing down the street for the Post Office this evening. Only three people allowed inside at a time.

Greenford Road near Sudbury Hill, Harrow

Soon the days will grow longer, the evenings brighter

 

Olivia Douglas - A Hug or Two. Maybe next Summer? Happy holidays!

Looking up trees again, November 2020

Pictures taken on a sunny, cool Sunday morning

Wood End Lane

Same tree (lime?)

Next tree along

Wood End Library and Children's Centre, Whitton Avenue West

Greenford Road closed at Sudbury Hill after shooting

At least 15 police officers are patrolling the cordon, which also affects the Piccadilly Line station and two sideroads. This follows the shooting yesterday evening of a 19-year-old at the crossing outside the station. Witnesses say they heard five shots.

The scene at midday today (Thursday 19/11/2020)

There is no easy way through, even for pedestrians, as the only practical detours are miles long. This is affecting local people's ability to get to and from their essential work.

According to a police officer, only people who live inside the cordon are allowed in. Access to or from the station is problematic, and there are no 92 or H17 buses, which usually serve this route.

Estimated Covid-19 cases (Harrow)

Help end the pandemic, sign-up to report daily and get updates for your postcode at covid.joinzoe.com. 

Save Arnold Circus

"Conservation groups are calling for a proper heritage assessment before digging up Arnold Circus, the centrepiece of the listed Boundary Estate which is the world’s first municipal housing scheme built in the 1890s." #towerhamlets #savearnoldcircus https://t.co/94UA5gKf4k

— Stephen Moran (@stephen_j_moran) October 31, 2020

'The historic Arnold Circus was not the place for “expensive and ill-conceived enhancements”, an area celebrated worldwide for its unique design and architecture, the trust pointed out. The simplicity of the Arnold Circus design “should not be tampered with”.

Conservation groups are calling for “a proper heritage assessment” before digging up Arnold Circus, the centrepiece of the listed Boundary Estate which is the world’s first municipal housing scheme built in the 1890s.' (Hackney Gazette)

Tower Hamlets council has already broken up some of the original Yorkstone paving, apparently without waiting for planning permission.

Stunning new council housing in Greenwich

New Council housing we just did for people in Greenwich pic.twitter.com/KuhJx3MDBy

— Peter barber (@PpeterPeter) October 10, 2020

Fire at the Lexi Cinema

28 September 2020: Bad news, northwest London's own Lexi Cinema is closed due to a fire that happened overnight in the foyer.

We are devastated to announce that in the early hours of this morning there was a fire in the foyer of the cinema, the cause of which is still being investigated.

We will be closed for the foreseeable future.

Full statement below ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/dW34JdLrqA

— TheLexiCinema (@TheLexiCinema) September 28, 2020

The Blitz, 80 years on: Bombing of South Hallsville School

How wartime ‘ripple’ led to 600 deaths in east London school is revealed by BBC investigators https://t.co/O3I1ngmMFa

— Spitalfields Life (@thegentleauthor) September 24, 2020

 "The little-known tragedy of a wartime bomb that never exploded—yet had a “ripple affect” causing 600 deaths in an east London school—is being uncovered by BBC investigators." (East London Advertiser)

Families were sheltering in the school building after being evacuated from their homes due to an unexploded bomb on the first day of the London blitz. But the school took a direct hit the following day causing far more casualties than were announced at the time.

London figs

All these figs were grown this year in a south-facing walled corner in Harrow. The biggest ones were picked in July but the recent Indian summer spell has produced another crop. They bleed a white latex-like sap when plucked.

This plump one today, September 24

Picked on September 20

September 18

September 16

September 12

Some from July 19th

Split fig on a sideplate, July 19

View from the bridge

View

Context

Short Story of the Month, September 2020

We dedicate the last of our 2020 lockdown series, and our last ever publication, to all those who have lost their lives and those bereaved in the Covid-19 pandemic. Follow the guidelines and stay well till all this is over. See you on the other side. (Ed.)

The Willesden Herald Short Story of the Month

September 2020: As Long As It Takes by Susan Haigh

“For Mireille, grief seems like an impossible dream.”

Sue Haigh  is a writer and Creative Writing tutor. She lives in North East Fife when she isn’t living in her cave house in France. Her work has been published in a number of journals and anthologies, including Northwords Now, New Writing Dundee, Mslexia, The Scottish Arts Trust anthology, Cadenza, Sunpenny Anthology, Dundee University Review of the Arts, The Short review and a number of academic journals.

As Long as it Takes was originally published in the Scottish Arts Trust Story Awards anthology (Scottish Arts Trust, 2019)

Storm Ellen tree damage

Update 29 August

After another storm, "Storm Francis," there's another tree down near Atrium Point. It looks like a Wild Service tree - not quite sure, corrections invited.

Another tree down, leaning precariously onto a fence beside
Whitton Avenue West near the junction with Greenford Road

When they go over, they just seem to break from the roots.

An old sycamore (?) tree has been split and had a large part broken off on the green in front of Atrium Point apartment blocks, Greenford Road, North Greenford. 

The fallen split trunk

Another view

Update 29 August: broken part removed, area taped off

Newsflash: You can't trust Trump (ask his sister)

'His goddamned tweet and lying [...] The change of stories. The lack of preparation. The lying. Holy shit.'
In secretly recorded audio [2018-19], President Trump’s sister says he has ‘no principles’ and ‘you can’t trust him’ #LiarTrump #BidenHarris2020 https://t.co/BiatwZOSR9

— Stephen Moran (@stephen_j_moran) August 23, 2020

#BidenHarris2020

 "Are you ready to go to work?" Roll on November!

Let's hope they present the flailing Donald Trump with the Order of the Boot.

Sheryl Crow - Woman in the White House (2020 version).