Brrrr grab your scarfs hats and sparklers and ‘fall’ in line. The W9W2 Autumn updates are here!

Now that the summer is well behind us and autumn is here, it seems time to update PWMVS/W9W2 members on news from the society and also some dates to look forward to.

Now that the summer is well behind us and autumn is here, it seems time to update PWMVS/W9W2 members on news from the society and also some dates to look forward to.

In terms of updates a few headlines from updates shared at the recent committee meeting.

– In view of financial health and membership numbers your society is in good health – with a positive trend in terms of both balance at the bank and in terms of signed up members.  This is particularly important to note as some 18 months ago we agreed at the AGM to adopt a voluntary donation and registration approach ( as opposed to a compulsory paid up membership model) as a way to increase the number of members of our community who actively participate.  In light of this we remain particularly grateful to those of you who continue to make voluntary donations to support our work.

Planning

– In terms of planning applications, the planning sub committee continues to meet regularly, typically weekly, to review planning applications in our area.  Our approach is to be supportive of works that enhance the liveability of properties in the area for modern family needs, increase space available for residents and increase the number of front doors in our special and convenient area, so long as it is done in a manner that doesn’t detract from the amenity for residents nor represent short term opportunism.  We also continue to work as active members of the liaison groups for both significant local developments, such as West End Gate.  We also continue to have active engagement with the large local landlords, such as British Land at Paddington Central to help ensure the right balance of considerations is taken into account as that area comes increasingly to life as active community and area of recreation.

-Highways –

Under Paul Newman’s guidance, we continue to work closely with WCC and their contractors regarding the Highways agenda for our area.  Part of this is around annual priorities for works; part is around trying to smooth the day to day execution of highways works eg as pertains to parking suspensions etc.  As ever, if you have particular comments, then please do send an email to [email protected] and we will try and support accordingly.

Looking forward; a few headlines:

– Our annual Community Christmas Carols, in association with St Saviours school, will be held on Tuesday December 11th at St Mary’s Paddington Green, with support from British Land.  More details and a reminder will be sent nearer the time
– Maida Value Studios (MVS).  As you may have heard (link?) the BBC announced their intention to vacate MVS.  This significant change for the neighbourhood requires our engagement and so we are working to set an open meeting with the BBC and other parties to discuss options and preferences.  More to follow
– finally, we are conscious that the email format may not be able to do full justice to the interesting content and people that we are lucky enough to have in our area.  With that in mind we are at the early stages of producing a periodical, in line with other societies such as ours, to highlight what our area has to offer residents and visitors alike.  If you have any suggestions or would like to help out please do email [email protected]

So, thank you for your ongoing support- we work steadily and quietly to sustain and build on all that we enjoy in the PWMVS/ W9W2 area.  Please feel free to forward this to your friends and contacts in the area and encourage them to sign up – remember, its free!
https://w9w2.co.uk/join-us/

Take a walk through women’s history with a side dish of home made cake!

Walk 100! A historical walk through women’s history, with home made cake, yum.

Following up the very successful Vote 100 talk in January on the Representation of the People Act 1918, which gave the majority of women over 30 the vote, we are excited to share with you the series of Vote 100 walks led by our trusty friends, the City of Westminster tour guides.

The walk’s start at St James’s Park Tube (Palmer Street exit) at midday, 13.00hrs and 14.00hrs on Saturday the 30th of June and Monday the 2nd of July. I heard a rumour there will also be home baked cakes… so be sure to come along with your families and participate in a journey through history.

Or come for the cake, yum!

Hold the boat! The little Venice canal cavalcade is coming to town!

Make way! make way! Canal voyaging vessels shall be collecting together on the 5th of May! For three days a whole heap of fun is to be had on the shores of Little Venice..

On the May Bank Holiday weekend (5th-7th) the tranquil waters of Little Venice pool will spring to life via the ‘Canal cavalcade’.The event has been running since 1983 and has attracted people from far and wide, and is an annual delight for local residents. There will be activities for all the family with a pageant of boats, live music, kids activities, competitions, Morris Dancers, a real ale bar, a wide selection of food! Not to mention one of the highlights being the dusk ‘Boat illumination parade’

Admission is Free, the event is run by IWA volunteers.

A link to the programme-

*This year’s explosion of ducklings will be bobbing about amidst the fun. Please do remember to bring peas if you want to feed them- bread is not their natural diet and causes difficulties.

Opportunity to discover the secrets of your family tree…

Is your family driving you mad? Perhaps it’s time to find out where they really came from…

Did your Great great granny invent the pogo stick? Do you have a long lost uncle Roger? At 14.00 hours on Saturday the 19th of may, there is a free introductory session at the City of Westminster Archives Centre. The session is aimed showing participants how to get started and make the best use of the archives and their collections. For anyone who has not already ventured into discovering their own family tree it is an ideal opportunity to get started.
To book a place:
Please call 02076415180 or email [email protected] .
There is also more information on www.westminter.gov.uk/archives.

‘Beast from the East’ hits W9/W2

There’s no business, like snow business… have a look at some ‘beast from the east’ local snow scenes.

The ‘Beast from the East’ has hardly gone unnoticed. With temperatures recorded at -2 degrees, we awoke yesterday to a sleepy Maida, Veiled in the snow. Thank you to local residents who have been kind enough to send in some ‘snow scene’ photographs for us to enjoy.

Looking down Clifton villas towards Warwick Avenue station (PIC; Hadrien Schmidt)

Almost be mistaken for ‘Victorian-era little Venice’ (PIC; Katherine Hill)

Sutherland Avenue and Warwick Avenue tube (PIC; Chris Kalavrytinos)

Little Venice goose, hopefully not set in the ice. (PIC; Katherine Hill)

Hold the date! Its the PWMVS/W9W2 AGM on March 19th.

Its that time of year again- Save the Date for the PWMVS/ W9W2 Annual General Meeting….

Its that time of year again- Save the Date for the PWMVS/ W9W2 Annual General Meeting. The meeting is taking place at 7.00pm on Monday, March 19th, 2018. As in prior years, the venue will be St Saviours SchoolHall, Shirland Road, W9.
The Meeting will include an address by Westminster City Council Leader Councillor Nickie Aiken. You are all most welcome to Come and listen and ask questions regarding life in W9W2.

Last Chance Behind the Hoardings

Crossrail will be opening its doors for a final time in 2018. The events will be your last chance to get behind the hoardings…

Crossrail will be opening its doors for a final time in 2018. The events will be your last chance to get behind the hoardings, see the new landmark stations under construction and experience this major infrastructure project at work.

The events will be self-guided open days at the future Elizabeth line stations in central London, held between February and June 2018.

Tickets will be limited to two per person and will offer you free, dated and timed entry to one of Crossrail’s station sites.

Crossrail’s Events Subscribers will get an early booking opportunity in advance of the public release of tickets. Terms and conditions will apply.

Join us for a final time in advance of the launch of the Elizabeth line in December 2018. These events are part of the Year of Engineering, a year long campaign which celebrates the world of engineering and looks to inspire the next generation.

Sign up for advanced ticket information

W9W2 Book Club/ Little Venice Literary Society

W9W2 Book Club/ Little Venice Literary Society – new members welcome…

W9W2 Book Club/ Little Venice Literary Society – new members welcome

Established since 2006; meets on the first Tuesday in the month from10:30 or 11:00 am at the home of one of our members. Meetings normally last about two to two and a half hours, depending on the liveliness of our discussion

We take it in turns to bring a selection of books from which by a show of hands we decide which book we will read that month. The person who brought the books then introduces the discussion. We are a friendly, informal Group.

Interested? Please contact Maureen at: [email protected]

Postal Services in W9

From Royal Mail: Customers are no longer be able to access Royal Mail services at the Dhigs convenience store in Formosa Street, W9, London for operational reasons…

W9W2/ PWMVS received the following information today from Royal Mail.  We have encouraged them to work swiftly with the Post Office to find a solution that allows residents to continue to be able to post parcels and other items that can’t simply go in a post box at a location within the heart of the W9 residential area.  However, this will not be resolved before Christmas.

“From Royal Mail: Customers are no longer be able to access Royal Mail services at the Dhigs convenience store in Formosa Street, W9, London for operational reasons. We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused.

As a matter of urgency, we are working with our colleagues at Post Office Limited  to identify suitable, alternative locations to ensure customers continue to have convenient access to Royal Mail services.

In the meantime, the nearest Post Office branches are located:

 
Other nearby Post Office branches are situated at:

Maida Hill – Harrow Road

St Johns Wood

Paddington Quay/ Merchant Square

2017 Carol Concert

Save the date: PWMVS/ W9W2 2017 Carol Concert at St Mary’s Paddington Green

December 12th 2017

6:30pm – doors open @ 6:00

St Mary’s Paddington Green

In the presence of the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Ian Adams

All welcome for a seasonal occasion reflecting the diversity of the area and supported by the Choir and Musicians of St Saviour’s School

Refreshments will be available afterwards