LYTTON ESTATE RESIDENTS

Pram Sheds to Flats at The Grange ?

2012-02-07T15:52:00.000Z

It seems H&F have included The Grange in a possible scheme to increase affordable housing in the borough. The buildings pram sheds, on the ground floor, is the area they are considering for redevelopment. The plans are at an early stage and no decision has been taken, as resident consultations and a planning application still have to be made.

Red line marks the pram shed area at Grange

Here is how H&F describe the plans:-

"Site Description: The site comprises of pram sheds at the ground floor level of a ten storey

Council owned tower block. The ground floor of the tower block is split between four flats on the northern side and the pram sheds to the south."

"Site Potential: The pram sheds could be converted to create two new flats consistent with the existing design of the properties to the north. The pram sheds will be re-provided."

Cabinet Minutes- See item 12, Housing Development Company
Housing Development Co. document
UPDATE 17.2.12
H&F are to hold a consultation meeting with all residents who want further information on the proposals. The meeting will take place in the Community Hall on Tuesday 21 February, 4pm to 7pm. Please come along, the plans for these works haven't been fully worked out yet, so this will be a first chance to have your views heard, either for or against.

Refurbished Playhouse at Burne-Jones

2012-02-03T10:44:00.000Z

The newly refurbished open playhouse and slide, at Burne Jones House young children's play area, looks very smart. Thanks to the work of H&F and the builders, who replaced the roof and repainted the structure of the equipment, to ensure it will be fun for many more years to come.

Housing Services being 'market tested'

2012-01-09T17:14:00.000Z

LETRA has received an important letter, belatedly and not from H&F, but a concerned leaseholder, regarding the caretaking service provision on the estate and across the whole borough. The letter outlines to leaseholders that the council are considering whether to keep caretaking as a
in-house service run by H&F or put it out to tender for an outside contractor to manage. This gives leaseholders the opportunity to consult with H&F, over a 30 day period, that is due to finish on January 16th. No such opportunity was given to tenants.

Oncontacting H&F, we were told that at present this is 'markettesting,' no decision had been taken and leaseholders had beeninformed because it was a legal requirement. LETRA also asked, if therumour that the Housing and Regeneration department, the servicesthat manages council properties, was also to be tendered out andreceived the same response, that it was also being 'market tested.'Both these major changes to our service provision, we were informed, will be discussed withtenants at a later date.

LETRAconsiders that this half-hearted consultation has left at least 50% of our residents,the tenants, in the dark about one extremely important decisionmaking processes, with regard to caretaking, that affect our homesand the future workings of the council on the Lytton Estate and all residents being excluded, at present, from knowing about any in-process decisions concerning H&F's Housing &Regeneration department. This at a time, when the council is promising agreater say for residents through the 'InvolvementStrategy.'

Draw your own conclusions about all of the above.

Involvement Strategy Consultation

2012-01-04T12:51:00.000Z

As a follow up toyesterdays announcement, covered in our last post, H&F have sent its residents an InvolvementStrategy letter. It outlines potential changes, in how council tenants and leaseholders are to be consulted, on decisions taken regarding the housing management servicesand the future of the Tenants Levy.

If you wish toparticipate in this consultation process there are a number of waysto do so:

You can write to H&F,addressing your correspondence to...

Fiona Buist

c/o, 3^rdFloor Town Hall Extension,

Town Hall,

King Street,

London W6 9JU

You can telephone H&F on0800 542 6724

You can email H&F at thefollowing address consultation@lbhf.gov.uk

You can attendconsultation meetings on

Monday 16^th January 2012 at either 2 p.m. or 6 p.m.
Wednesday 18^th January 2012 at either 2 p.m. or 6 p.m.

The above consultationswill be held at:

Small Hall,

Hammersmith Town Hall

King Street

London W6 9JU

Lastly you should know, that LETRA regard HAFFTRA to be an important and usefull organisationfor residents on our estate and that its proposed closure by H&Fwill seriously weaken, not just ours, but all TRA's effectiveness across the borough.

Hopefully you will find the time to respond and give your view.

Here is the Resident Involvement Letter

H&F Terminating HAFFTRA Contract

2012-01-03T12:54:00.000Z

Council announces review of HAFFTRA

Friday December 30, 2011

Hammersmith & Fulham (H&F) Council has today announced the latest steps in its bid to boost resident involvement in housing management.

More than 17,000 homes returned to council control last April after H&F Homes (the ALMO) was replaced with a single housing and regeneration department. Following the move the Council identified improving resident involvement as a key priority and is looking at ways to residents a greater say in how their housing services are delivered.

In October 2011, the Council invited a leading expert, Phil Morgan, to carry out an independent review on how it, as a landlord, engages with tenants and leaseholders. This involved Mr Morgan speaking to a range of tenants and leaseholders, residents associations and other stakeholders on a draft resident involvement strategy that aims to include more residents in decisions and ensure that they have a greater ability to influence and monitor services.

The initial conculsion from the report are now known and recomends that the Council adopts much broader forms of engagement with residents over issues like repairs, contractor relations and housing services. He has also concluded that one of the ways to ensure that residents are at the heart of decision making is to change the way that the council works with the Hammersmith and Fulham Federation of Tenants and Residents Associations (HAFFTRA).

As a result, the Council has announced that it shall be terminating its current contract with HAFFTRA - the body that co-ordinates and manages the way that the Council engages and consults with council tenants, and instead work with the federation over the next three months to develop a new approach that will encourage more direct dialogue with tenants and leaseholders.

Tenants and leaseholders currently pay 25 pence a week to the council which then passes the levy, which amounts to a total of £160,000, to HAFFTRA. Mr Morgan believes that this represents a poor value for money deal for residents.

Phil Morgan has reported back that “the current approach to resident involvement falls short of best practice. There is some resident involvement but not enough and more residents need to be involved. The emphasis on solely working through a federation, representing tenant and resident associations, is now almost universally disregarded as a suitable way of involving residents. The arrangements for the relationship with HAFFTRA on the Tenants Levy are outdated and no longer fit for purpose. There is no coverage of value for money for the levy.”

Cllr Andrew Johnson, cabinet member for housing, said: “Since the Council brought the housing service back in-house, we have been working hard to ensure that we have a truly responsive, efficient service that delivers value for money and places tenants and leaseholders at the core of everything we do. We brought Mr Morgan on board as a respected figure within social housing to undertake an indepentent review of how we engage with residents and encourage more direct dialogue with our residents to drive service improvements. Changing the way that we work with HAFFTRA is one of the ways of assisting us to achieve that aim."

HAFFTRA has been in existence for the last 23 years. The current arrangements are largely unchanged since HAFFTRA was introduced in 1992.

In order to achieve this, the council will consult with all tenants and leaseholders once again, with letters sent out imminently. The consultation will run from January 6 to 27.

LETRA has asked our MP, Andy Slaughter, to comment about HAFFTRA and this announcement, he said: "HAFFTRA....are a properly resourced, borough-wide T&RA group that is independent of the council. I fear they will use this as an opportunity either to ‘promote’ individuals who take the council’s line or use divide and rule/bullying tactics with individual TRAs. Given the controversial policies they are pursuing – demolitions, sale of stock, putting up charges – the last thing they want is an organised opposition."
H&F News Page
HAFFTRA Home Page

2012-01-01T10:02:00.002Z

A HAPPY NEW YEAR

ALL THE SEASONS BEST TO OUR READERS

Pelham House Wall Rebuild

2011-12-15T16:07:00.000Z

LETRAis pleased to see that building works,which we had asked for, have started on the rebuilding of the PelhamHouse boundary wall. The wall, that stretches along the pavements ofNorth End Crescent and Mornington Avenue, had become insecure due tothe expanding growth of the trees inside the gardens. The rebuilding of thewall will keep the series of London Plain trees, by giving them gapsin the wall to grow into, and provide a new safe boundary alongside the pavement.

H&F Cabinet Decision for Barons Court Library 5 December 2011

2011-12-08T07:32:00.001Z

11.

Update on implementation of Libraries Strategy : Barons Court Community Library/ Avonmore Neighbourhood Centre PDF 85 KB

Additional documents:

EIA Barons Court Library, item 11. PDF 47 KB

Decision:

That, in order to deliver the MTFS savings for 2011/12 and develop the More Than a Library concept via a community run service, the following actions be approved:

1. To work with Hammersmith and Fulham Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) to deliver a community library (the upper ground floor of Barons Court Library is leased to CAB to use half the space for its principal services and the other half a combined Self Service library and CAB waiting area, managed by CAB volunteers), the duration, rent and other terms of such lease to be as the Assistant Director Building Property Management and the Assistant Director (Legal and Democratic Services) consider appropriate.

2. To note the financial risks if there continue to be costs associated with the lower ground floor, and issues related to the covenant, as outlined in the exempt report.

3. That approval be given for an order to be placed under the Measured Term Contract for Non-Housing Projects 2011/2015. This procurement route is based on a framework agreement with three contractors.

4. That the contract be awarded to Mulalley & Company Limited, at an estimated works cost of £308,000 (including a contingency of £40,000) to which fees of £47,000 will be added, making a total cost of £355,000. The funding for this project will be met from the Corporate Planned Maintenance Programme 2011/2012 as approved by Cabinet on 7 February 2011 and the agreed protocol for variation as delegated to the Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Governance and the Assistant Director Building and Property Management.

5. That the site be closed in January 2012 for a period of up to ten weeks (although this will be kept to a minimum), to allow refurbishment works to take place, with authority delegated to the Cabinet Member for Residents Services, in consultation with the Executive Director of Environment, Leisure and Residents Services, to vary those dates should occasion require.

6. To continue to draw down from corporate contingencies the sum of £13k per month should the site remain open beyond January 2012.

H&F Cabinet Agenda & Decisions page

The Future of Barons Court Library

2011-12-07T14:54:00.001Z

H&F New proposals

BBC 2012 – Work Experience Programme

2011-11-28T14:28:00.001Z

· About the scheme:

BBC2012 – Work Experience Programme- Launched in January 2011 the programme aims toattract new and diverse talent to the BBC, enhancing our relationship withmembers of our underserved audiences.

For the duration of the firstyear, the scheme targeted residents ofthe six Olympic host boroughs, with hugesuccess. Our ambition is to offer over 250 work experience placementsover the course of the 2 year duration, delivering upon the BBC's commitmentto creating a long lasting legacy, after the London 2012 Olympic Games. Withthis in mind, we feel that the time is right to broaden our application targetzone to specific neighbouring boroughs to the BBC's West London base., andHammersmith and Fulham has been identified as a key area that we wish to extendthis scheme to.

The BBCLondon 2012 Work Experience scheme has been created with the sole purpose ofencompassing social inclusion. It is very much about opening the doors ofthe corporation to members of the public that would seldom get the opportunityto take up a work placement with the BBC. It is a completely separate entity tothe pan BBC Work experience scheme which runs on an annual basis.

Now in its 4th session, thescheme has experienced huge success. Having recruited and placed in excessof 90 candidates over the past 10 months, we are delighted toreport that 15% of our first year work experience candidateshave gone on to convert their unpaid work placements intopaid employment with the BBC.

At presentwe offer placements across various divisions including: Journalism; AudioMusic; HR Factual production, and multiplatform amongst others.Although at present the vast majority of our placements are very muchproduction based, we are in the process of diversifying away from offeringpredominantly production based roles, and will be adding roles thatencompass more administrative skill sets to increase the demographic ofapplicants that we have applying for the scheme.

· Who is this scheme for?

This schemehas been set up to facilitate those members of society that have ambition,drive and determination, and are looking to gain new skills and experience in abusy professional working environment.

We arelooking for candidates that are aged 18 and over, who are not educated to,or are not working towards a degree or higher level qualification.

We arereally keen to get applications from people who have been long term unemployed,career changers, and from members of the community from diverse backgrounds.

Essentiallyit is easier to say that the scheme is not for graduates!

We dohowever require that all candidates that apply for the scheme have good IT,numeracy and literacy skills, as well as a genuine interest in the mediaindustry.

· How long do placements last?

The durationof placements is dependant upon the placement area, however it is safe to saythat most placements last 4 weeks ( 20 days) in duration. There are a few thatfall outside of this, such as the BBC Newsrooms and Radio 1 live events, bothof which are 1 week placements only.

· Howto apply

An On-line application can be obtained via the link below with detailed information. Work Zone can assist if required bycontacting the phone number below;

Gurnam Selvarajah 0208 753 4693
Colette Burke 0208 753 4691
Eiman Aslam 0208 753 4695
For an on line Application
Work Zone Web page

Save Addison Ward SNT Sergeant

2011-11-22T12:40:00.001Z

Due to budget cuts, our local Safer Neighbourhood Team of Avonmore & Brook Green, is to share sergeants with the Addison Ward, who will lose their officer. A petition has been started by the residents of Addison Ward to keep their highly regarded Sergeant. To sign the petition and for more info click the link below.

Crisis at Christmas - Volunteers Wanted

2011-11-22T12:02:00.001Z

Click To Donate

Crisis at Christmas are providing a centre on campus at Hammersmith & West London College. The charity for single homeless people are looking for volunteers to come and help out over the Christmas holiday period, between the 23rd & 31st December. They will be offering food, clothing, healthcare and a range of educational facilities to homeless people. If you have some spare time during the holiday and want to help out contact Crisis at the link below.

H&F Statement Concerning Proposals for Barons Court Library

2011-11-14T15:37:00.001Z

This is taken from the H&F Web site:-

New proposals to secure future of Barons Court Library

Monday November 14, 2011

Exciting proposals to secure the future of Barons Court Library have been announced by Hammersmith & Fulham (H&F) Council.

The council is set to team up with the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) who will move into the building in April 2012 and run their advice and information services alongside the library.

The new facility will be known as the Avonmore Library and Neighbourhood Centre. If the plans are approved by Cabinet on December 5, CAB will manage and train local volunteers to run the self-serve library. In addition, The Urban Partnership Group will run parent and child sessions at the new centre.

The council will also be spending almost £400,000 refurbishing the building and installing the library self service machine. Repairs will be made to the roof, wheelchair accessibility will be improved and new toilets installed along with greatly improved energy efficient lighting and improved heating. The library will close in January 2012 so that these improvements can be carried out.

The council will also be buying new books and retaining public access computers with internet. Newspapers and magazines will also be available. By sharing space with CAB and installing self service terminals, the council will be saving £195,000 a year.

Barons Court Library was earmarked for closure last year as the council looked for ways to reduce its historic debt. The library was the second worst performing facility in the borough, with the second lowest number of visits, visits per hour of opening and second highest costs per issue and visit

However, it quickly became apparent that there was a body of local people who would like to become more involved with the day-to-day running of the library and the council vowed to see if the library could be saved.

The new library will follow in the footsteps of the hugely popular Shepherds Bush Library at Westfield which was promoted as ‘More than a Library’ because it offers residents a variety of services under one roof.

The CAB have also outgrown their current Mund Street officers and the move will enable them to provide a greatly enhanced service to local residents. The co-location of a CAB with a library is a tried and tested approach, which is working extremely well in many other locations in London and across the UK.

Cllr Greg Smith, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said: “If this proposal is agreed, it will be wonderful news for local residents. Across the country, local authorities are closing their libraries in order to make ends meet. However, our innovative plan revitalises an underused facility, secures the future of this service while delivering a large cash saving by reducing our overheads.

“When money is tight some organisation’s first reaction is to slash services and try to shift the blame. Others think innovatively and develop solutions that save money and improve services so they are more accessible and convenient for residents.

“This really does embody what the Big Society is all about and we look forward to the library entering into a new era of stability and prosperity with the building used to its full potential. We shall be working closely with local residents and gaining their invaluable input as these proposals develop.”

Hugh Macmillan, Chair of Hammersmith & Fulham CAB, said: "We hope that this proposal will come to fruition and will be welcomed by the local community. The new library will be staffed by volunteers co-ordinated by CAB staff. We shall be looking for more volunteers from the immediate neighbourhood to join our existing team of staff and volunteers.

"The CAB will be sad to leave Mund Street which has been our advice centre for a very long time. However, the building in Mund St is nearing the end of its life and is on the edge of the major proposed Earls Court development. Our move to the Avonmore Library and Neighbourhood Centre will allow us to continue our service to clients in this part of the borough.

"The plans for the Avonmore centre are not yet finalised; we are working with the council to achieve this in the next few weeks."

Hammersmith & Fulham Council has an excellent track record when it comes to protecting libraries from budget cuts. The council recently announced innovative plans to combine library services with Westminster City Council and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. This move will save taxpayers more than £1million a year and ensuring all of 21 public libraries across the three boroughs remain safe from closure.

The council will also be opening the new Sands End community library based within Hurlingham and Chelsea School in the new year.

Update 17/11/11

LETRA wrote to our MP, Andrew Slaughter, for his response to this statement.

Here are some of the questions he has raised in reply:

" Leaving aside the fact that they have refused to answer any of my direct requests for information on this, the press statement still leaves many questions unanswered.

1. What service is the new library going to offer – size, range of products, opening hours? Similarly what hours will the CAB open?

2. What will it not do, that the current library does? CAB are experienced with volunteers but not running libraries – it is silly to pretend this will be comparable to a professionally staffed service.

3. How do the finances work? What is the current cost to the council of the various services and how will that change?

4. What is the future of the buildings? Any guarantee that they won’t sell BCL – is it theirs to sell? What happens to Mund St?

5. Any other services to be located there? I see they have stopped saying there will be Sure start there.

Some of the answers may be in the Ctte report, but I will ask again anyway,"

H&F's Reply To Andy Slaughter MP

2011-11-11T12:46:00.001Z

Andy Slaughter MP, on behalf of LETRA, recently made a further enquiry to H&F concerning the future of Barons Court Library and Marcus Garvey Park youth centre.

Below is H&F's response.....

"Thank you for your further enquiry regarding the future of Barons Court Library and also of the former youth centre at Marcus Garvey Park.

With regards to Baron's Court Library, rhe services currently operating from the Library are library services consisting of loaning stock and giving access to events and activities such as reading groups and under 5's story times and rhyme times. Access is also given to computers. The library service will remain available until the building is closed for any refurbishment works and be installed upon re-opening.

The delay has been due to the previous partner withdrawing in September from the negotiations to deliver a neighbourhood centre from the Library and to develop it as a community hub, including a library service. We have identified a new potential partner and discussions are ongoing but nothing yet has been agreed.

A report is scheduled for the 5 December Cabinet.

In terms of Marcus Garvey park I can confirm that the current status of the disposal of the Avonmore Centre is that the property is now under offer. It was being marketed by Lambert Smith Hampton inviting offers in excess of £500,000. There are no restrictions on the future use of the building. None of the site to be sold is designated as Public Open space. However, the purchasers will be granted an easement over part of the Park for access only to the site to be sold .This area was subject to a public notice under Section 123(2A) Local Government Act 1972 for two consecutive weeks, on 8th and 15th July 2011advertising the granting of this easement and no objections were received.

I trust this has answered your enquiry. Should you have any further questions, please do not hestitate to contact the officers below."

Gill Sewell
Assistant Director (Children, Youth & Communities)
Children's Services Department

Chris Lloyd
Acting Head of Libraries

LETRA's initial post

Remembrance Parade - Fulham

2011-11-10T19:21:00.001Z

Click Poppy to Donate

Everyonewanting to attend this Sundays Remembrance Parade, in Fulham, should go toParsons Green Lane to join the Mayor's procession, whichwill form at 10.20am and then march via New King Roadto the Fulham War Memorial in Vicarage Garden, for an open air service.

LETRA OPEN MEETING

2011-11-09T12:33:00.000Z

LyttonEstate Tenants and ResidentsAssociation

Open Meeting

on Thursday 17th November

7.30pmLytton Community Hall

Comeand have your say

Cllr Adronie Alford

Invited guests:-

Cllr Adronie Alford

RichardJohnson

EstatesServices Manager

Yourchance to meet Adronie

Yourchance to speak on any issues

Yourchance to have a say

DOORS OPEN AT 7. 20PM

UPDATE

Cllr Adronie Alford will be discussing with residents H&F's proposals to improve tenant and leaseholder involvement in the borough.

For more on this:-

Wise Up Hammersmith!

2011-11-09T11:53:00.002Z

TheHammersmith London team, along with Books for Amnesty, are holding a two day Wise UP event in

LyricSquare Hammersmith

November 16th & 17th
Midday to 2pm

Hammersmith London- Wise Up!
Hammersmith Local

Home Alone Pensioners Christmas Dinner.

2011-11-08T10:26:00.001Z

Christmas Dinner & Party at H&F Town Hall 2010

300 Home Alone H&F pensioners can again look forward to a Christmas Day dinner & party at theTown Hall. If you are over 60 and alone this Christmas, you are very welcome tojoin them for a roast turkey dinner with all the trimmings.
Volunteers will prepare over 1,500 sprouts, 60 kilos of turkey, 500 stuffing balls and 15 kilos ofcustard for the trifle, then serve a full Christmas dinner for all who attend this festive celebration.
There are still plenty of places for the dinner & party, see below for info...

For an application formcall 020 8753 2135 or
Email events@lbhf.gov.uk
Flickr Picture Gallery of the 2010 Christmas Party
H&F Website
Volunteer To Help

An outline of the plans for the new 'Neighbourhood Centre'

2011-11-06T12:02:00.000Z

Click image for a slideshow of these pictures

LETRA attended themonthly Avonmore & Brook Green councillor surgery, in its new and very comfortable venue of the 'thirysevendegrees' fitness centre in Blythe Rd,with H&F Cabinet Member, Joe Carlebach.

He has been workingwith H&F to transform Barons Court Library into a 'NeighbourhoodCentre.' The plans have not been finalise as yet, with anannouncement slated for next month, but he was quite candid on someof the services that could make up the new centre. So here is anoutline of the plans.

Citizen Advice Bureau in Mund St.

He considers, that at present, “there is alot of wasted space in the building”, making it very likely that theCitizen Advice Bureau, is to move from its Mund Street home and takeup 50% of the present library floor area. The children’ssection and the computer access will probably remain, witha facility for the ordering and the lending of books from the newly reorganised tri-boroughlibrary service. Whether the provision for users to readnewspapers and current periodicals will stay, has yet to be decidedon. In the basement, there is a possibility that the local Police & Safer Neighbourhood Team will have an office. In addition, asum of up to £200,000 is to spent renovating the exterior; Joedidn't have any figures for the amount that will be spent internally on refitting the new 'centre'.
That is the extent of the plans Joe was able to reveal, as more work is to be done on finalising what the centre will provide.

Altogether, admittedly at an unfinished stage of the process, LETRAregards this to be a poor substitute for the present service at Barons Court library.
The CAB, which is only open for 9.5 hours per week, will take 50% of the libraries main floor area, it could be rehoused anywhere, evendownstairs in the buildings basement. Rentable office space in the borough isnot that expensive, but refitting the interior sothey can take up residence will not be cheap, with the council receiving only a short term gain from selling off the Mund Street building.
The newspaper andperiodical area, is one of the most popular services provided, but it looks as if it will go, along with the bulk of the reference section.
LETRA doesn't consider the present book catalogue on its shelving, to be "wasted space," but a vital constituentpart of a library.

It seems the new 'Neighbourhood Centre,' will just be a collection of ad hoc services, shoehorned into thebuilding. There may be some savings,but that will provide a very meagre return for the local community,compared to the loss of all the available resources that Barons CourtLibrary currently sustains.

Some Updates from LETRA

2011-11-04T11:07:00.000Z

The former Marcus Garvey youth centre

LETRArecently asked our MP, Andy Slaughter, if he could find out from H&F, if there were any developments in their plans to sell off the youth centre in Marcus Garvey Park and for an update on the future of Barons CourtLibrary. In response to this request, the council wrote to back him, with an outline of their plans. Unfortunately, the news for both facilities is notpromising.

The youth centre was broken into by teenagers last year, causing internal damage, so it has been decided by the council, " to dispose of thisbuilding, having taken into consideration both the cost of repairsand the number of users.” A poor decision, in LETRA's opinion and a big loss of a particularly well sited premises, which if it had been run regularly for the youths ofour community, could have gone some way to alleviating some of theASB, that we are blighted with at present.

Barons Court Library

The council are still pushing ahead with its plan for Barons CourtLibrary, as “officersare working with various organisations to deliver a neighbourhoodcentre from the Library and to develop it as a community hub,including a library service;” also stating that, “ furtherinformation is likely to be available in December.” What this meansis still vague, as to how much of a library service will remain andas to what a 'neighbourhood centre' turns out to be. Also, if H&Ffollow previous form, there will be an announcement just before theChristmas holidays, so stifling any criticism of their proposals, asmany people will be away. We will have to wait and see.

NastyRumour Update: 4/11/11

Itlooks like reports, that the Citizens Advice Bureau is to become part of the 'neighbourhood centre' in the library building, are firming up. Local community websiteW14, state they have, "very reliable information," in which their source says "CAB have been approached to move fromtheir offices in Mund Street to Barons Court Library." If thishappens, there won't be a lot of space left for a reasonably resourcedlibrary at the 'centre', perhaps one or two sections would remain, leaving just a token service. A poor substitute, for the excellentbranch library, that serves our local community at present.

Fireworks Night At Ravenscourt Park

2011-11-04T08:49:00.000Z

This Saturday's firework display, at Ravenscourt Park, looks like being a coat and wellies night. Still worth going to, for the best display in the borough. Today's the last chance to pick up a discounted £5 ticket, at Lyric box office, the full price on the night is £7, with under fives free. The gates will open at 6pm, with the children's display at 7.15pm and the main show starting at 8pm.

H&F page Fireworks 2011

LETRA Blog Readers

2011-11-03T09:17:00.000Z

The last 4 weeks pageviews per country

The Lytton Estate Blog has readers from all over the world. In the last month pageviews from the US (1,407) has outstripped even our home readers (642).
Not too sure why, but wherever you are online,
a Big Hi and thank you from LETRA.

Review of Resident Involvement

2011-11-02T09:23:00.002Z

H&F have published their proposals for resident involvement and representation in its housing service. LETRA attended a focus group meeting, during the consultation period for this review. There we informed the council that we felt residents were not being listened to, whether through our TRA, or as individuals.

The proposals in this report, if implemented, do go some way to addressing LETRA's concerns regarding the problem of H&F's lack of response to issues we have raised with them.

Lets hope this document leads to a real change in how our concerns are handled in the future.

To read the report yourself click the link below.......

Resident Involvement Document

Search For a Star

2011-10-28T10:42:00.003+01:00

The West 12 shopping centre is hosting the finals of its 'Search for a Star' contest this weekend. The Semi-final will see five acts battling it out, between 1pm and 4pm, this coming Saturday, leaving two acts for the final on Sunday, between 1pm and 3pm. So if you want to watch and cheer local talent on, in a live showdown, get down there this weekend.

West 12 page Finals at West 12
Chronicle Story Search for a Star

Sands End Community Centre Sold

2011-10-27T19:42:00.002+01:00

Children's demo to save Sands End

Sad to see that the Sands End Community Association attempt to buy the closed Community Centre, which houses the library, has failed. They offered the council £2.2m for the building and were proposing to reopen some of the Centre's facilities. The building has been sold to a developer, for an undisclosed sum and will be turned into luxury flats. A new library is to be built at Hurlingham and Chelsea school.
News on Barons Court Library is still scarce, although H&F still seem to be living in denial about its closure, by maintaining that all '21 libraries in the new Tri-Borough service remain safe from closure', that figure doesn't include Barons Court, which is expected to become a 'Neighbourhood Centre' and be staffed by volunteers.

Chronicle Story 'Money grabbing council'
Save Sands End Sands End Community Association
Tri-Borough Tri-Borough Implementation Plans
Andy Slaughter Lie-brary News

Rainbow Over Lytton

2011-10-26T20:34:00.001+01:00

Pelham Driveway Being Resurfaced

2011-10-12T12:13:00.000+01:00

Work to resurface Pelham House driveway started this week.
LETRA has lobbied for a number of years to have this job done, thanks to our persistence and the aid of council officers, a new road surface is being laid. This will be a great benefit for residents and all our local neighbours, who use the driveway as a cut through.

Workmen preparing the driveway surface

The tarmac gang lay the new driveway

Finishing touches are put to the newly laid driveway

In conjunction with the work at Pelham House, H&F have included some extra repairs to the road surface outside Samuel Richardson House. A very sensible policy that makes full use of the road resurfacing team while they are working in our area. Well done H&F !

Repairs outside Samuel Richardson House

LETRA at Andy's Surgery

2011-10-04T04:42:00.002+01:00

LETRA met with our MP, AndySlaughter, this Monday, at one his regular surgeries. He was just backfrom the Labour Party Conference, but was keen to have an update onissues concerning the Lytton Estate.

First off, I told him about LETRA's newinitiative, to apply for a grant from 'Awards for All', inconjunction with the 'Active Planet' team. If successful, this will result in a number of new youth activities, such as futsal, handballand craft classes, being held on the Lytton Estate. Hopefully, these will start early next year, if we succeed in winning a grant.Andy was delighted to give his full support to our application.

Secondly, I raised our concern that theyouth club building, in Marcus Garvey Park, is to be sold off by H&FCouncil. He said he would look into the sell off and see if anythingcould be done to halt or at the very least, try to make sure it is done appropriately, especially regarding the key situation it occupies, with all the other youth facilities sited in the park.

Lastly, I asked if he had any news onthe future of Barons Court library.
As far as he knew, it was stilluncertain what H&F intended for the building, although he didnot believe it would continue to be used as a library inthe future, with the volunteer model, now seemingly becoming unworkable, after the withdrawal of Avonmore Primary School's once promised involvement. He said, that he would try to find out if there was any new information concerning the councils plans for the library.

Andy thanked LETRA for attending hissurgery and asked to be kept up to speed with issues on our estate.

Andy's home page
Active Planet site

Olympia To Lose Weekday Service

2011-09-29T23:58:00.000+01:00

The fight to keep a regular weekday service to Olympia has been lost. Transport for London have decided to remove the current timetable from this coming December.

Thanks From Waqar & Zulfiqar

2011-09-29T18:19:00.003+01:00

The managers of the recently closed
and already missed corner-shop Mace,

Waqar and Zulfiquar, would like to

"thank everyone for a wonderful experience."

Mace Closes

2011-09-27T13:39:00.002+01:00

Mace the mini-mart, on North End Crescent, has shutdown. The business was hit hard by the arrival of a Sainsbury's across the road. Everyone will miss the friendly staff, who were there for us, 365 days a year. LETRA's sorry to see such a good shop go. Lets hope a new owner for the premises can be found soon, as it's a prime retail spot in the area.
Update: After talking to the shopkeepers, the new Sainsbury's, wasn't the only factor in Mace's closure, high rent levels were also to blame. The landlord is now looking to turn the property into flats, which they believe will bring a better return.

The Last Pre-Raphaelite

2011-09-20T21:58:00.000+01:00

The Burne-Jones & Morris families at The Grange

An interesting extract from, Fiona MacCarthy's 'The Last Pre-Raphaelite' in the Telegraph. It's on the life and loves of the artist Edward Burne-Jones who lived at The Grange, the mansion house, that once stood within our estate.

H&F Consultation on parking

2011-09-11T13:38:00.000+01:00

Reviewof Parking Controls

on the

Lytton Estate

Tobe discussed at the LETRA Open Meeting

beingheld in the Residents Hall

startingat 7.30pm, Thursday 15^thSeptember

Keypoints for consideration and debate

We need to consider alternatives to towing

Alternative parking control will be required on the majority of estates

We want your views on methods of control and who qualifies to park

New scheme could be self financing – drivers should fund service

How do you want visiting vehicles managed

Pilot scheme to run – 5 or 6 trial sites commencing November 2011

Access to parking for carers, contractors and essential services can be sustained

Local parking arrangements can be sustained

2011-09-09T12:52:00.000+01:00

For your chance to vote on Olympia and the saving of a regular underground service to there
Go to the Chronicle's Quick vote

Chip Your Dog - Free

2011-09-08T00:50:00.001+01:00

A free dogmicrochipping service is being run in Normand Park, Lillie Rd, on Thursday 15thSeptember, starting at 11.30am and continuing all day. It is being hosted by theParks Constabulary.

If youlose your dog the microchip will identify you as the owner and helpin the recovery of your pet.

Parks Constabulary

Next Meeting 15th September

2011-09-02T07:29:00.000+01:00

Open Meeting

Thursday15^th September 2011

ResidentsHall, 7.30pm

GuestSpeakers -

Sharon Schaaf

Headof Estate Services

ToSpeak about

Alterations to ParkingRegulations

on the Lytton Estate

Expect Major Changes !

Richard Johnson

EstateServices Manager

TakingQuestions on Caretaking

Hannah Sills
Recycling Officer

Talking About The New Recycling Scheme

New Signs At Pelham

2011-08-29T07:38:00.000+01:00

Nice to see the newly installed door entrance signage at Pelham House. Thanks to the work of local councillors and H&F these new signs will help all who come to visit the building.

A Post From H&F

2011-08-27T06:33:00.001+01:00

Recycling is now even easier !

Reusable recycling bags have been delivered to all homes - making it easier to store recycling and take it to the orange Smart Bank in.

You can now recycle plastic pots, tubs and food trays in the Smart Banks, as well as the following:

Thank you for recycling! Please remember not to put your recycling in black sacks or carrier bags. These can be mistaken for normal rubbish by the collection crew.

Nice Save H&F !

Last year you saved over £1/2m by recycling. Let's save even more this year by recycling as much as possible. To find out how click here

LETRA Update
Recycling Officer, Hannah Sills, will be present at next months Open Meeting, as a guest speaker, to discuss with residents the new recycling scheme that's being introduced across the borough.

Tel. 020 8753 1000

News About Next Months Open Meeting

2011-08-12T16:04:00.007+01:00

Next months LETRA OpenMeeting
is looking set to be a good one.

We have Sharon Schaaf,Head of Estate Services, who will be talking about the imminent alterations to parking regulations on our estate.

Expect some major changes to be put forward !!!

Plus Richard Johnson,Estate Service Manager,
who will be there to talk and take
questions about caretakingissues.

The meeting will be on the 15th September,
at 7.30pm, in the Residents Hall.
Update
Recycling Officer Hannah Sills, has joined the meetings line-up, to discuss with residents the new recycling scheme.

2011-08-04T04:20:00.003+01:00

Our resident Mr. Greenfingers has produced another lovely flower display for all to enjoy, just by the front door of The Grange. Thanks Mike.

Playday and Funfair at Ravenscourt Park

2011-07-29T02:37:00.002+01:00

Theannual Playday for Hammersmith & Fulham is set to take place inRavenscourt Park on Wednesday August 3. The event runs from 12 noonto 4pm and should provide a great day for all the family. This year hasthe added attraction of a funfair which will continue untilSunday August 7

H&F page on the day

Cabinet Meeting on Earls Court Redevelopment

2011-07-15T14:05:00.017+01:00

Hammersmith Town Hall

For all residents concerned about the proposals to redevelop the West Kensington / Gibbs Green estates and Earls Court, there is a H&F Cabinet Meeting to discuss whether the council should enter into a 'exclusivity deal' with the developers. The meeting is being held at Hammersmith
Town Hall, Monday 18th July, 7.00pm in the Courtyard Room.

Update 19.7.11: F&H Chronicle &
Shepherd's Bush Blog report on the meeting
Update 18.7.11: Shepherd's Bush Blog report on tonights planned demo and counter demo outside the hall
Residents First announcement
Cabinet Agenda Monday 18th July
Earls Court Redevelopment- H&F, PDF

Annual Avonmore Summer Fair

2011-07-09T09:59:00.003+01:00

The Avonmore Community fair is taking place in Marcus Garvey Park today ( just behind the Cumberland Arms ).
It runs from 12 to 3 pm and should be great fun for all the family with a bouncy castle, face painting, a fire engine display and numerous stalls.

Public Meeting on Olympia Line Cutbacks

2011-07-08T09:27:00.009+01:00

Pillar Hall Olympia

There is to be a public meeting concerning the proposals to cutback District Line services to Olympia.
Andrew Slaughter, our MP, has persuaded Richard Parry, London Underground MD, to come to the meeting being held in the Pillar Hall Olympia at 7pm on Tuesday 26 July.

New Signs for Pelham Play Area

2011-07-01T19:00:00.007+01:00

The recently opened play area at Pelham House was missing some important signage. Both Groundwork, the the environmental charity behind the project and H&F had run out of funds. So LETRA has taken action, with the full approval of the above organisations, and installed two 'No Dogs in the Playground Area' signs on the fencing.

The new play area has been a great addition to the Lytton Estate, becoming a popular spot for children and parents.

Lets hope all concerned respect the signs and take their dogs elsewhere, so everybody can enjoy the play area safely.

Consultation for Olympia District Line Extended (again)

2011-07-01T16:56:00.008+01:00

There is still time to sign the petition to Save Olympia District Line service. The deadline for public consultation has been extended by Transport for London to ~~June 30~~. So far the campaigners have collected over 1500 online signatures to save the service.
Update: The consultation has been extended again to July 15th, also if you want to have a say directly to TfL, they now have an online questionnaire.

Tri-borough Library Service

2011-06-29T09:49:00.006+01:00

Andy Slaughter has an interesting piece on his website concerning the future of the library service in H&F if the tri-borough proposals are implemented.

New Venue for Councillor Surgery

2011-06-27T22:03:00.024+01:00

Our Cllrs: H. Binmore, J. Carlebach & R. Iggulden

Larger map for 37º

There's a new venue for residents wanting to attend the monthly Avonmore and Book Green councillor surgery (no appointment required), it's in the foyer of thirtysevendegrees (37°) health club,

10 Beaconsfield Terrace Road, London W14 0PP.

They run from 10am to 11am every first Saturday of the month (except August) - next one, 3rd September.

Celebrating Fulham Festival - June 25 to July 3

2011-06-22T11:26:00.003+01:00

The Celebrating Fulham festival starts this Saturday June 25 and runs to July 3. There are a number of great free events taking place during the festival. For more information and full listings click the links below.

H&F info page
Full Programme (PDF 2.1 mb)

New Sainsbury's Local Photos

2011-06-13T17:24:00.003+01:00

The new store is due to open on Friday 17th June, 7am

£10 Final Tickets for Murray and Tsonga

2011-06-12T18:04:00.009+01:00

With today’s play washed out in the final of the AEGON Championship at Queens Club, between Andy Murray and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the match will be rescheduled for 12.30pm, Monday 13th June. Tickets, priced at £10, are now available via the tournaments website and on the gate from 10am Monday (arrive early).

AEGON Website
Centre Court order of play
Update 8.45pm: looks like they've sold out online
~~Still 1000 seats to be sold on the gate, cash only~~ Sold Out

Urban Beach

2011-06-09T15:36:00.006+01:00

The Big Screen returns to Lyric Square in Hammersmith, for live coverage of Ascot and Wimbledon, plus some big movie screenings.
The square has been turned into an Urban Beach with free deck chair seating for the screen and numerous other events to watch from now until August.

List of Events: -

Tue 7th June to Thu 9th June
Live theatre performances by Lyric Theatre

Tue 14th June to Fri 17th June
Royal Ascot live on the Big Screen
Live theatre performances by Lyric Theatre

Wed 15th June
FILM NIGHT

Mon 20th June to Fri 24th June
Wimbledon live on the Big Screen

Mon 27th June to Sun 3rd July
Wimbledon live on the Big Screen

Wed 6th July
FILM NIGHT

Tue 12th July to Thu 14th July
Live music performances

Tue 19th July to Thu 21st July
Festival of Living Statues

Fulham Police Station Open Day, Sunday 5th June

2011-06-04T09:01:00.005+01:00

There is a Family Open Day at Fulham Police station this Sunday, 5th June. If you want to have a look behind the scenes at the officers work there and still stay on the right side of the law, here's your chance.

Admission is Free.

10am to 4pm - Fulham Police Station Heckfield Place SW6 5NL

Masterplan and Seagrave Exhibition

2011-06-01T18:28:00.026+01:00

Model from the show

The Earls Court redevelopment plans are on show again, as the Masterplan and Seagrave Exhibition, with three drop-in sessions. Following on from the March show and the feedback received there, Terry Farrell and Partners have made some amendments to their proposals to redevelop the area. In particular the details for Seagrave Road have been updated with more information being added before the plans are submitted for approval.

The last exhibition was very well presented and certainly worth going to.

If you wish to attend first go to the My Earls Court website and register.

It's being held at:
Museum Hall, West Brompton Entrance (Opposite West Brompton Station) Earls Court Exhibition Centre
Drop-in dates:
Thursday 9th June 1pm to 4pm & 5pm to 8pm
Friday 10th June 10am to 1pm & 2pm to 5pm
Saturday 11th June 10am to 1pm & 2pm to 5pm

My Earls Court

Sainsbury's Jobs

2011-05-30T00:45:00.007+01:00

Recruitment has now started for the North End Crescent, Sainsbury's Local. Call 0845 602 3860 during office hours if you are interested in making a job application, you can also contact them on 0161 828 7171 (which should be a cheaper call). Have your details ready - NI number and references.

Posted on the building - Store to open Friday 17th June, 7am
Sainsbury's Careers

SNT Street Briefing & Drop-in

2011-05-27T18:25:00.002+01:00

Avonmore & Brook Green Safer Neighbourhood Team

are holding a Street Briefing at Marcus Garvey Park on the

Thursday 2nd June, 7pm to 8pm

and a Drop-in Surgery at Barons Court Library on

Monday 13^th June, 4pm to 5pm

Neighbourhood Teams on-line site
Email: Avonmore.Brookgreen.snt@met.police.uk
Phone: 020 8721 2581 & 07879 433281

Sainsbury's Local

2011-05-22T21:04:00.009+01:00

According to the building workers on site at the new Sainsbury's Local, the store is due to open on the ~~10th June.~~
Update
On contacting Sainsbury's the above date is probably too soon, as they say recruitment hasn't started yet, but they said, anyone interested in working at the new store should keep an eye on their careers site.
Update: Opens Friday 17th June, 7am

Sainsbury's Careers

AGM Minutes

2011-05-22T20:39:00.004+01:00

LETRA AGM Meeting Minutes

Meeting held on Thursday 19^th May 2011

Present:

Secretary: Chris (Samuel Richardson)

Suzie (The Grange)

Ron ( Glenallan)

Joan (Glenallan )

Fred (Pelham)

Apologies:

Kathy (Samuel Richardson)

Dawn ( The Grange)

Emma (Mortimer)

Invited Guests:

John Everett

Firstly, LETRA would like to give a big thank you to our retiring Chairperson Kathy for her years of dedicated service. Kathy worked tirelessly on local housing forums and as a committee member for the benefit of the Lytton Estate. Her experience and knowledge of issues will be missed, we hope she will still be able to attend our meetings in the future.

Our guest speaker was John Everett, newly installed Interim Head of Repairs for H&F. John gave a detailed and frank talk on the work of his department and the new systems of works they are bringing in to improve services for residents, admitting things hadn't always been perfect in the past. Appointments missed and the work of some building contractors not always being up to scratch, being amongst the bugbears. A new scheme for building contractors is being introduced for internal jobs on properties, with a single unit cost of £135 paid per job, big or small. This he hopes will reduce time-scales and improve quality on jobs. Although, LETRA was concerned to hear that the number of Technical Officers has been reduced from 20 to 6, meaning each officer will now have to cover up to 3000 properties. He also stated that the majority of new works will concentrate on street properties, as they hadn't benefited as much from the Decent Homes scheme as estates have. John then faced some robust questioning from residents, with leaking roofs and condensation in flats being of concern to residents. He said H&F plan to publish a leaflet on condensation and would try to do more for those affected.

Lastly, we held our elections for the Committee. Joan was elected as our new Chairperson, the rest of the committee stays the same, apart from the addition of Isabel from The Grange.

Our next committee meeting is Thursday 16^th June.

Save Olympia Services

2011-05-20T11:36:00.010+01:00

There are two weeks left if you want to sign the petition to Save Olympia's District Line Service, closing date 31st May. The connection is under threat after Transport for London's proposal to close the Olympia line for weekday services from December. If wish to read more and sign go to the Myolympia website.

To sign petition

LETRA AGM & Open Meeting

2011-05-09T12:10:00.003+01:00

AGM & Open Meeting
Lytton Estate Tenants & Residents Association

(LETRA)

Thursday 19^th May 2011

Residents Hall, 7.30pm

Come and have your say

Guest Speaker John Everett

Area Technical Manager LBHF

Your chance to meet John

Your chance to speak on any issue

Your chance to have a say

Red Cross Spring Fete - Brook Green 7th May

2011-05-01T21:18:00.003+01:00

Celebrate London Red Cross Week in their garden, 100 Brook Green, W6. They are holding a Spring Fête on Saturday 7^th May, 1pm to 6pm. There will be a BBQ and a number of stalls. Meet the team who help vulnerable people in London and across the world.

British Red Cross

Slideshow History of The Grange

2011-04-27T14:00:00.025+01:00

The Grange 1804

The Grange was a mansion house sited in the middle of what is now the Lytton Estate, built at the start of the 18th century in the then country hamlet of North End, Fulham.

Samuel Richardson the novelist and printer lived there from 1739 to 1754, publishing Pamela, in 1740, which is regarded as one of the the first English novels. He was well known in society at the time, both from the printing business and later in life his novels, friends included Samuel Johnson and William Hogarth.

Artist Edward Burne-Jones lived at the Grange from 1867, until his death in 1898. A key figure in the later period of the Pre-Raphaelite art movement, he produced many of his best known works in the studios there. The house also became a 'salon' for artists of the day, including lifelong friend William Morris, who he worked with on numerous projects and his mentor D.G. Rossetti, one of the founding members of the Pre-Raphaelites.

Unfortunately, the house fell into disrepair after Burne-Jones death and became increasingly derelict, although the garden area was turned into allotments during World War ll. In 1962 it was demolished to build the Lytton Estate apartment blocks, Samuel Richardson House and The Grange.

The Grange - Slideshow History

Pre-Raphaelite TV Documentary

2011-04-26T01:10:00.005+01:00

Samuel Richardson House plaque

Next Sunday the arts series Perspectives features a documentary on the Pre-Raphaelites, at 10.15pm, ITV1. Andrew Lloyd Webber discusses his admiration for the 'Brotherhood' and shows his own collection of their work.

The Lytton Estate blocks Samuel Richardson House and Grange stand on the site of the demolished 18th century house, The Grange. Edward Burne-Jones, an important member of the Pre-Raphaelites, lived and created some of his most famous works in his studio there, from 1867 to 1898. The house was also a meeting place for artists in the movement.

ITV Perspectives - ITV1 Sunday May 1st, 10.15pm

Andrew Lloyd Webber .com

Meeting Minutes

2011-04-15T22:04:00.011+01:00

LETRA Committee Meeting Minutes - 14^thApril 2011

First off, we discussed the Decent Homes work to be finished on the estate, by the builders Lovell. Some boiler vent surrounds need to be completed on the exterior of Pelham House, apparently, they will do the ones they worked on, but want H&F's go-ahead to do the rest. We decided to ask the council to get Lovell to finish all of the vents. It was also noted that Lovell have reseeded the grass area at Pelham and replanted the roses at Mortimer House as they promised.

Secondly, we considered the new roster for Estate Inspections. H&F's decision to spread the inspections over two days raised concern. It was felt that the work could be done in one visit, as it always has been and we should ask the council for a return to that.

We then discussed the serious problem of falling attendances at LETRA open meetings and that the TRA's future is threatened by this. We decided to try and raise awareness of our work for the next meeting, so in addition to the usual posters, we intend to deliver an open letter to all residents on the Lytton Estate. The letter will explain our work and the campaigns we have run that have led to improvements on the estate for residents. These include, the newly opened play area and the building of entrance ramps at Pelham House, as well as the fitting of new security doors at Mortimer House. Hopefully, this will inform residents that the TRA is well worth belonging to and that their issues on the estate can be addressed successfully by us.

Lastly, we talked about guests for the next open meeting. Although nothing has been confirmed yet, we hope to have a representative from H&F's maintenance section present to discuss building problems on the estate with residents. The meeting is on the 19^th May and will be our AGM.

H&F News covers play area launch

2011-04-07T18:45:00.018+01:00

Last weeks Pelham House play area launch is covered in the final edition of council newspaper H&F News. The report features some good pictures of the landscaped playground from above, the Mayor of Hammersmith and Fulham Adronie Alford cutting the launch cake and local children playing on the new basket swing.

Final Edition of H&F news

2011-04-07T10:32:00.009+01:00

The final edition H&F News was published this week, as a result of the Governments crackdown on 'town hall pravdas.'
To keep the boroughs residents informed H&F Council has entered into a six year deal with the Fulham Chronicle to carry its advertising, plus a dedicated space for all consultations, events and public information.

Lets hope the Chronicle sorts out its distribution problems, so everyone on the Lytton Estate can get a copy of the paper.

Play area launch in the Chronicle

2011-04-05T17:34:00.006+01:00

Great half page coverage of the Lytton Estate playground launch in this weeks Chronicle. The story has some nice pictures of the day, with Hammersmith & Fulham Mayor Adronie Alford officially opening the play area and the local children enjoying the party.

Nightclub Application

2011-04-04T10:04:00.005+01:00

The owners of the former Crescent Nightclub, MJP Properties, still have plans for the venue. Although Sainsbury's have taken over the ground floor and basement, the upstairs is still a bar area. The company are making an application for a variation in licence to the 1st floor, increasing the allowed capacity to 400 people, with a late night licence until 2am.
Does this mean the nightclub is to reopen?

Details of the application

Edit: It seems the opening hours on the H&F site are incorrect, they are to be updated. The licencing officer has stated the hours for the sale of alcohol at The Crescent are:

Monday - Thursday 11.00am - 11.00pm

Fri and Saturday 11.00am - 12 midnight
Sunday 11.00am - 10.30pm

This means the premises could only reopen as a regular bar, not a nightclub.

Barons Court Library - New Hours

2011-04-01T16:33:00.007+01:00

Barons Court Library has been granted a temporary reprieve, it was due to close this week. The library will stay open while plans are developed for its handover to a 'Neighbourhood Centre' staffed by volunteers, overseen by Avonmore Primary School. In the meantime the hours will be reduced from 9th May, opening 10am- 5pm Monday to Friday, losing its Saturday and early evening service.

H&F statement on the library changes

Olympia To Lose Services

2011-03-31T15:11:00.013+01:00

Bad news for all residents who use Kensington Olympia Station, from December 2011, London Underground is proposing timetable changes that remove all regular weekday services. Underground trains will run at weekends, with any weekday services for major exhibitions only.
Andy Slaughter MP, calls the proposals, "outrageous" and "will be protesting in the strongest terms about these changes."

Mayor Opens Pelham House Play Area

2011-03-29T19:28:00.016+01:00

The Mayor of Hammersmith & Fulham Adronie Alford officially opened the new play area at Pelham House today. Groundwork, the environmental regeneration charity, hosted a launch party for local residents and children. The Mayor cut both the opening ribbon and a specially baked cake featuring a model of the area. All three of our ward councillors also attended the launch. Groundwork, who were responsible for the project, consulted with residents during the design and building of the area, in addition to sourcing the funding of £70,000 from a lottery grant and Playbuilder. The playground provides a very welcome children’s amenity at the heart of the Lytton Estate.

Barons Court Library Still Open

2011-03-28T16:23:00.000+01:00

A welcome update on Barons Court Library, although it was supposed to close on the 31st March, staff are still being rostered for work after that date. Lets hope it continues.

Pelham Play Area Launch Party

2011-03-28T09:59:00.002+01:00

EDF Fuel Debt Advice & Grants

2011-03-26T13:24:00.008Z

Residents who are customers of EDF and are having problems paying their energy bills should contact H&F Citizens Advice Bureau. They have teamed up with EDF Energy offering advice and grants for those in fuel poverty to help reduce or clear debts in their gas and electricity accounts.

To apply for a grant contact H&F CAB on advice@hfcab.org.uk, by calling 020 7385 1322 or visiting CAB at The Pavilion, 1 Mund Street, London W14 9LY

H&F Citizens Advice Bureau

Pelham House Entrance Ramps Finished

2011-03-25T17:27:00.004Z

The three new ramps

The new entrance ramps at Pelham House have been completed, thanks to the good work by Lovell. LETRA also wishes to thank all those at H&F Homes and the Councillors who helped us get the ramps installed. The residents of Pelham House will certainly appreciate the easier and safer access to their building.

Earls Court & West Kensington Redevelopment Plan

2011-03-22T14:41:00.015Z

Map of the masterplan

If you didn't make it to the masterplan exhibition for the proposed redevelopment of Earls Court and West Kensington there is a good report in the Chronicle.
Plus check the link below for a photo-log of LETRA's visit.

Chronicle Report
BBC Report
Photo-log of the masterplan exhibition
Developers web page

H&F Homes Shed Survey

2011-03-18T11:40:00.004Z

As you may have seen H&F have placed notices on residents outside shed doors across the Lytton Estate as part of a rental survey, furthermore they intend to clear out any unclaimed sheds.

LETRA has contacted H&F and queried the short notice being given for this process. They responded that the survey is being extended to Monday 28th March and that there will be further consultations after this date.

LETRA asks all residents with sheds to contact H&F to make sure they are accounted for in the survey, or face losing ownership of their shed and its contents.

Survey Number - 0208 753 1183

New Sainsbury's Local - work begins

2011-03-16T17:28:00.003Z

Builders have started work on converting the former Fox Pub/ Crescent Nightclub into a Sainsbury's Local. The new supermarket should be open by early June.

Earls Court Development Master Plan

2011-03-07T12:14:00.005Z

In March Terry Farrell and Partners will be launching the masterplan for the Earls Court & West Kensington Opportunity Area with an exhibition in the Museum Hall of the Earls Court Exhibition Centre (West Brompton Entrance) opposite West Brompton Tube station. The exhibition will include a scale model and details of phasing, transport, open space and the '4 Villages and a High Street' concept.

Masterplan Exhibitions
Museum Hall
West Brompton Entrance
Earls Court Exhibition Centre

Friday 18 March
10am - 1 pm & 2 pm - 5 pm

Saturday 19 March
10am - 1 pm & 2 pm - 5 pm

Monday 21 March
1 pm - 4 pm & 5 pm - 8 pm

Tuesday 22 March
1 pm - 4 pm & 5 pm - 8 pm

My Earls Court

Barons Court Library Wall Display

2011-02-26T17:47:00.009Z

Nice to see the photos from this blogs online presentation turned into a wall a display in Barons Court Library. The pictures show the original prefab building and the library being built in the 1960's, with some internal shots. The Library is due to close on March 31st. It will replaced by a 'community hub,' with some library facilities. The pictures were mostly sourced from H&F's local history archive.

Original Presentation

H&F Local History Archives

Barons Court Library

Open Meeting Minutes

2011-02-23T12:40:00.005Z

LETRA Open Meeting 22^nd February

Cllr Helen Binmore, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, was the main speaker, she has been one of our ward Councillors since last May.

Helen explained the proposals for Barons Court Library. From April, it is to become a 'community hub', with various services sited there, while still remaining a library. A Citizens Advice Bureau may move to the building and a children’s centre could be based there. Avonmore Primary School will run the facility and is looking to appoint a Development Officer.

Regarding the works due to start next year on the Samuel Lewis Trust Estate, she told us the whole estate would be modernized, that the project was due to take five years to complete and that she would push for local labour to be employed.

On the recent problems, regarding youth anti social behaviour on the Lytton Estate and damage to the Residents Hall, Helen said, that she would ask for extra security to be installed in the building.

She was also concerned , that on our estate, if one caretaker is away there is only one left on duty, to maintain eight blocks and would see if additional cover could be provided.

A team from the National Office of Statistics also briefed the meeting about the 2011 Census, due to start at the end of next month. They told us the information needed to be gathered, so planning for services could be improved. That they hoped for a better response to this Census, after the last one, when just 74% in the H&F Borough returned their forms, one of the lowest figures in the country.

helen.binmore@lbhf.gov.uk
2011 Census Home Page

LETRA Open Meeting- 22nd February

2011-02-13T10:11:00.002Z

Lytton Estate Tenants & Residents Association

Open Meeting

Tuesday 22nd February

7pm Lytton Residents Hall

Invited Guest-

Cllr Helen Binmore

Cabinet Member for Children's Services

Your chance to meet Helen

Your chance to speak on any issue

Your chance to have a say

Doors Open 6.50pm

Free Computer Access

2011-02-11T12:39:00.014Z

A new UK Online Centre has opened in Lisgar Terrace Community Hall on the Samuel Lewis Trust Estate. The centre is open from 10am to 5pm every Friday. It is for all residents of the neighbourhood and provides free computer access. They are running introductory courses in computing and using the internet. There is a full range of facilities, with six computers connected to the internet, printing and a number of useful computer programmes to learn on. The centre is run by Southern Housing with funding from UK Online. They hope to extend the number of days it is open with the help of volunteers from the local community.

Call on Alyson 0207 553 6461
computersincommunities@shgroup.org.uk
www.ukonlinecentres.com

Building Work at Pelham House

2011-02-10T10:49:00.003Z

Preparation work for ramp

Good to see that the work to to install the new door ramps at Pelham House has started. Hopefully the work will be finished by the end of the month. The new ramps are an issue LETRA has campaigned for and with the support of local Councillors, succeeded in getting installed.
If there are other problems on the Lytton Estate, you feel need attention, please get in touch with us. Our next Open meeting is on Tuesday 22nd February, 7pm, at the Residents Hall.

Politics Show, BBC1 12pm Sunday

2011-02-05T15:59:00.008Z

The Politics Show on Sunday, 12pm BBC1, will be interesting. Cllr Stephen Greenhalgh, H&F's Tory leader and Cllr Stephen Cowan, Labour leader of the opposition, are due to appear.
This should make for an lively debate. Especially so, as H&F's Cabinet will meet this Monday, 7pm, Hammersmith Town Hall. They will, controversially, vote on the sell-off of several community buildings in the borough. Before the meeting, there will be a rally by opponents of the sell-off , starting at 6pm, outside the Town Hall building.

Councillor Surgery

2011-02-05T14:44:00.009Z

LETRA met with, Ward Councillor and H&F Cabinet member, Joe Carlebach today, at the monthly surgery in Barons Court Library. Joe has helped LETRA with several issues in recent months.

A number of residents from Burne Jones House have complained about the lack of double glazed windows in their building. They were promised that this would be rectified under the Decent Homes programme, but the installation of new windows was dropped from the works to be done. Burne Jones House is situated next to a busy 24/7 road and suffers serious noise pollution. In addition, the present windows do not provide a modern standard of heat insulation. Joe said he would look into this and see if something can be done.

On the new neighbourhood Centre, due to replace BC Library, he said they were about to appoint a manger and that the Centre should open as soon as the library closes.

The proposed development at Gorleston St, 37 new flats, has raised some issues regarding school access and that the development is only open to people employed in Westminster. Joe has queried this and asked the developers to think again.

Joe and our 2 other Avonmore & Brook Green Councillors hold a surgery on the 1st Saturday of the month, from 10am to11am, at Barons Court Library.

LETRA in H&F News

2011-01-27T19:38:00.008Z

LETRA on Page 65

Our original picture

LETRA is in H&F News for the second issue running. Good to see our photo, borrowed from this blog, featured on page 4 of the previous issue of the free council paper and nice to get accreditation on page 65 of the latest edition.

Read and see it first with LETRA.

11/1/11 Issue of H&F News

Hammersmith Chess Club.... New Players Welcome

2011-01-24T18:45:00.011Z

If you like playing chess, but can't get a good game,

then Hammersmith Chess Club is for you.

Enjoy a warm & friendly atmosphere among fellow chess players.

You'll have the opportunity to play in the London, Middlesex & Thames Valley leagues. Beginners of all ages are also welcome, with the chance to compete in some of the minor leagues.

International Grandmaster Julian Hodgson started with the club as a boy.
Membership is reasonable and concessions are available.

The club meets in Lytton Residents Hall,

North End Crescent, West Kensington

every Monday (except Bank Holidays)

7.30pm to 10.30pm

For contacts and more info: Hammersmith Chess Club

The Residents Hall is also available for hire.

It's a reasonable size, with kitchen, central heating and rest room facilities.
Unfortunately, parties and weddings are not allowed.
Groups looking for a regular venue are welcome.

For enquiries on renting the Hall only call the manager on

- Contact: 07868478779
- 24hr, answerphone & SMS
- Email: lyttonhall@gmail.com

Sainsbury's Licence Granted

2011-01-24T16:01:00.005Z

Sainsbury's have been granted an alcohol licence for its new premises, at 3 North End Crescent ( the former Fox Pub /Crescent Nightclub), by H&F's Licencing Committee. The new stores opening hours will be 6am to midnight. There is no word yet of when the shop-fitting work will start or of an opening date. To see Sainsbury's application and a detailed floor plan of the shop, click the link below.

Application for new premises licence

Vodafone & O2 Mast On North End Rd.

2011-01-23T11:50:00.002Z

A new addition to our street furniture arrived today. Vodafone and O2 have placed a new mobile telecoms mast on the pavement outside Burne Jones & Samuel Richardson Houses.
Something of a surprise to those of us who don't stop to read every planning notice on the lamp posts.
Though not as obtrusive as some mobile masts, it still is a sizable presence on the street.
Having spoken to the installation engineers it is due to go 'live' next week.

Saturday Drop in at Lisgar Terrace - 29th January

2011-01-21T23:09:00.019Z

Architects impression of Lisgar Terrace after redevelopment

Everyone wishing to find out more about the redevelopment of the Lisgar Terrace buildings can now do so. Southern Housing are holding an Open Day in the Lisgar Terrace Community Centre on
Saturday 29th January, between 1pm & 4 pm
The plans for the redesigned buildings will be on show. You will also be able to talk with the project team about all aspects of the works. Light refreshments will be provided. The Community Centre is located inside the estate at the back of the buildings.

Southern Housing Group
Project Newsletter
H&F Planning Application
Email: service.centre@shgroup.org.uk
Phone: 0300 303 1771

The Routemaster is back

2011-01-21T21:30:00.006Z

A classic design in the shape of the Routemaster bus is again providing a working service along Kensington High St. The number 9 Heritage bus route, which previously stopped at the Royal Albert Hall, has been starting its extended journey from the Warwick Gardens bus stop, at our end of the High St. All fans of this great piece of London history can again enjoy the service into town and through the West End to Aldwych; the bus departs every 20 minutes.

Drop-in Surgery at Barons Court Library- 24th January

2011-01-18T17:49:00.006Z

Avonmore & Brook Green Safer Neighbourhood Team

are holding a Drop-in Surgery at Barons Court Library on
Monday, 24^th January, 4pm to 5pm

If you have any issues you wish to discus with the team please feel free to go and speak with them. LETRA can confirm to you they really are concerned if there is something you need to talk about. They have been enormously helpful on the Lytton Estate during the recent outbreak of anti social behaviour. The team want to hear from you.

Neighbourhood Teams on-line site
Email: Avonmore.Brookgreen.snt@met.police.uk
Phone: 020 8721 2581 & 07879 433281

Charles House Redevelopment

2011-01-17T11:29:00.006Z

The redevelopment of Charles House, 375 Kensington High Street, is progressing at speed, the demolition of the old building is almost complete. The whole development is huge, with 7 new buildings, one at 17 storeys high, a total of 530 flats and some new retail / café / restaurant units. A new school is also part of the plan. To see for yourself check out the links below.

Developers site
K&C Planning App.

A National Day of Action For Libraries on 5th February

2011-01-16T08:23:00.012Z

The campaign to save libraries nationwide is starting to liven up. With more than 400 libraries, and possibly up to 800, across the country threatened with being shut.
A national day of action is planned for Saturday 5^th February. The campaigners are organizing 'read ins' at libraries facing closure.

Barons Court Library

Article on this in the Independent

Map of closures nationwide

Voices for the Library

Libraries for Londoners for Life

Advice on holding a 'read in'

LETRA Committee Meeting - 20th Jan

2011-01-16T04:40:00.006Z

There is a Committee & Residents meeting this Thursday,

20th January, starting at 7.30pm.

The meeting takes place in the Residents Hall.

We will be discussing a number of issues concerning the estate, including:-

- the break-in to the Residents Hall

- Kiers work on the estate

- the library campaign

- progress at Pelham Playspace

- the Groundwork grant application

- guests for the next open meeting

If you have issues you want raised but can't attend

please mail LETRA at lyttonresidents@gmail.com

All residents are welcome to attend the meeting at the Residents Hall.

ITS YOUR TRA

The New Sainsbury's Local Plans

2011-01-14T15:36:00.018Z

The former Crescent Club

Sainsbury's have revealed the plans for its proposed new store in the former Fox Pub / Crescent Night Club. You can see the drawings yourself on the H&F planning application page (see link).

They are taking over the whole of the ground floor and basement.

The applied for Sainsbury's Local entrance will be on the corner of North End Rd. / Crescent. The plans for the store show new sliding doors, a wall ATM and a in-store bakery.

This looks like being a great plus for our neighbourhood, with the promise of new jobs and trading opportunities for other shopkeepers, given the potential for the extra number of customers a popular store would bring to the area.

EDF Energy Fuel Grant Event

2011-01-12T20:40:00.010Z

H&F are holding an EDF Energy Fuel Grant Event on Wednesday 19^th January 2011

from 11am to 5pm at
338 Uxbridge Rd. W12 7LL.

Residents who are customers of EDF and are having problems paying their energy bills, have the chance to clear or reduce their payments, by applying for a non-repayable fuel grant. General advice will be given to non EDF customers.
Click for Map

TRA's Fight Developers

2011-01-12T19:39:00.002Z

Two of our neighbouring TRA's, Gibbs Green & West Kensington, are hoping new government legislation will allow their estates to become mutually resident controlled associations. They want to break away from H&F control because of the plans to develop their estates. To read the full story click the links below.

Job cuts across the borough

2011-01-12T10:27:00.012Z

Details of where the cuts in services that will be made by H&F are being published. Many of our residents on the Lytton Estate will be concerned, when they read the report in the Fulham Chronicle at the extent of the cuts, both to jobs and services borough wide. The councils own online service, H&F News, has also published the budget proposals. It confirms this blogs report, in stating that 'Residents and the council are proposing to get together to save Barons Court library from closure while also delivering a major budget saving. Instead of closing, it is now proposed that the library will be taken over by volunteers and the local school.' For the details click on the links below.

Fulham Chronicle
H&F News