Forum Topics

B.B.C. documentary.

B,B.C. 2 Wales at 9.00 pm on January 12. For viewers with Sky and Freeview it can also be seen on the same date and time. Otherwise for viewers throughout the U.K it can be viewed at 9.00pm pm on B.B.C.4 on January 22.                                                         
                                                                    It is the biggest unsolved serial murder case in British criminal history - the so-called 'Jack the Stripper' murders took place in Swinging Sixties London.

Six women lost their lives to a killer who was never caught. Criminologist Professor David Wilson leads an investigation to unmask the killer, who claimed more victims than even his notorious Victorian namesake, Jack the Ripper.

Professor Wilson and his investigative team - which includes former detective Jackie Malton and forensic psychologist Professor Mike Berry - begin their hunt for the killer not in London, but 150 miles away in Abertillery, South Wales. In 1921, the Welsh mining town was devastated by the double murder of two schoolgirls when eight-year-old Freda Brunell and 11-year-old Florence Little were killed just weeks apart by a local boy 15-year-old Harold Jones, who the Abertillery residents still refer to as their 'Dark Son'.

Those murders - especially the sadistic nature of their deaths, and the treatment of the bodies afterwards - have eerie parallels with the 'Jack the Stripper' murders. Could Harold Jones the boy killer really have matured in later life into a serial killer?

To test this theory, the team revisit the scenes of the murders in west London. They use contemporary policing techniques such as geographical and offender profiling to see if the crimes of Jones the boy can be measured against those of Jack the Stripper. And from the outset, it becomes apparent there are many chilling similarities.

Neil Milkins ● 1938d0 Comments ● 1938d

Major B.B.C. documentary

Dark Son - The Hunt For a Serial Killer. B.B.C.2.Wales 9.00.pm 12 January. It is also being shown on B.B.C.4 at 9.00pm on 22 January. Anyone with Sky or Freeview can also watch it on 12 January. The documentary deals with the unsolved murders of 8 women in the Hammersmith district of London between 1959 and 1965. (Google Harold Jones — Neil Milkins.

Neil Milkins ● 1941d0 Comments ● 1941d

Croydon Cat Killer Myth Finally Debunked

Anyone with half an ounce of common sense could have told the police this right from the start. The amount of officers' time that has been wasted on following up this case is shocking. Add to that the anxiety of all the false stories being spread about a cat serial killer kidnapping pets for ritual slaughter. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-45588088

Tony Church ● 2043d8 Comments ● 1953d

Take Back Control of the Road with 20mph Speed Limit

My experience is that 20 mph speed limits make a huge difference and I'm delighted to see them being implemented across Wandsworth. The difference between a car or lorry travelling at 30mph and 20mph is very significant and the measure is reducing noise and stress in the residential parts of urban areas.  What I would urge people to do is use the new limits to take back control of the roads. There is no way that you shouldn't have time to cross if a car is more than 100 yards away so do so even if you think it may be exceeding the speed limit. This always makes the driver slow down. I have started doing this even at distances of 50 yards which still give a fit and able bodied person ample time to cross and if I haven't it is because the driver is speeding but I won't rush to get out of their way.

Tony Church ● 2009d4 Comments ● 1961d

Hunt for Southfields hero who saved a teenager from a forced marriage

‪Artist, campaigner and Richmond resident Tasleem Mulhall, whose life story I am writing with her, is desperate to find the Southfields man who helped rescue her from a forced marriage in 1987, when she was 17 and living in Brentford. She knows little more than he was called Simon, managed the deli counter at Chiswick Sainsbury’s before moving on to a Hammersmith branch and lived with his brother near Southfields station. He later married a woman who had two sons. Finding Simon will be important for Tasleem’s story, which will also be told in a documentary. Does anyone know where he might be? Thank you very much. #FindingSimonSainsbury‬

Dominic Connolly ● 1989d1 Comments ● 1973d

Isn't Choice Now No Deal or No Brexit?

Following the feverish coverage on the TV yesterday of the latest on Brexit it struck me that how rarely any of the commentators stood back from the focus on what individuals in parliament were or weren't going to do and gave a simple straightforward assessment of where we actually are now. The one thing that seems to unite both Leavers and Remainers is that the deal being proposed by Theresa May is unsatisfactory. There is zero chance of it passing the house. The EU have been quite clear that they are not willing to start the process of negotiation again, the UK government having signed off on this one. Is it not crystal clear now that we are left with only two options — No Deal or No Brexit and now a decision needs to be made which one we choose?

Barry Elms ● 1986d2 Comments ● 1979d

"Wandsworth gets disappointing share of billion pound housing fund"

Isn't it Wandsworth Council which was criticised by the GMB for having considerable reserves in its bank account which were ring fenced for housing but unspent?  Mr Govindia should look to his own record, I'm getting rather bored with his constant criticism of Sadiq Khan.

Jane Eades ● 2002d2 Comments ● 2001d

WBC announce that litter louts face a £150 on the spot fine.

It is about 1/2 mile from the rubbish bin near my house to the Grant Road entrance to Clapham Junction Station.  There is not a single rubbish bin in between.  If WBC really want to reduce rubbish, then perhaps they could provide more rubbish bins.  It took me 10 years to persuade them to provide the one near my house.  It has resulted a marked reduction in the amount of rubbish.  This leads me to believe that the answer is not increased fines, but increased numbers of litter bins. Yet again Wandsworth Council announce something to make it sound as if they are doing something, whilst doing absolutely nothing.  Who is going to be around to issue the fines?  And will this apply equally around the borough or will only the posher areas benefit?  Litter Louts Face £150 On The Spot Fines

Jane Eades ● 2016d2 Comments ● 2002d

Vibration?

Odd question but has anyone else in Armoury Way/Frogmore/Sudlow Road area noticed a considerable increase in vibration affecting their property? We used to notice it before when the heavy goods trains went past the end of the road but recently - particularly today - the house seems to be shaking a lot. It only seems to happen during the day and I'm wondering whether it's linked to the excavations for the Thames Tideway project which are quite close to us. 
I'm thinking of reporting it to their Helpline* but would like to know if anyone has noticed it too. If it does come from there is it something that should be flagged up to insurers?

Hugh Walton ● 2029d4 Comments ● 2016d

TfL Clearly Stalling on Wandsworth One Way System Redesign

All this talk of surveying drainage systems should be taken with a major pinch of salt. TfL are desperately short of money and redesigning road systems, even if the changes are hugely beneficial, doesn't bring them extra revenue. It is probably this scheme will never actually be completed.

David Parker ● 2016d1 Comments ● 2016d

Is our food hygiene system institutionally racist?

Reading the article on the front page I was reminded about a conversation I had with a local restaurant owner who I have known for years and eaten regularly at his place. We had been gently teasing him about a 3 star rating he had received for food hygiene which wasn't wise as he had a bit of a sense of humour failure about it. He said he could absolutely guarantee that his kitchen was cleaner than dozens in the area because he oversaw things personally and everyone who worked in the restaurant was a family member or a person well known to them. He cared deeply about standards. In a chain restaurant a manager who would regularly change oversaw staff that were turned over at a high rate and who had no personal stake in the operation. A chain restaurant will have a member of staff whose job it will be to ensure that they obtain top ratings for all their branches which they almost invariably do. They achieve this not by having scrupulously clean kitchens but knowing exactly how the system works and knowing which boxes to tick. The owner of the restaurant we talked to said that when the inspectors came to him they gave the maximum score for food hygiene but marked him down for paper work and record keeping. Although he speaks English well it is his second language and he was only taught it at school for a few years. It is therefore far more difficult for him to wade through the mountain of regulations to work out what is required of his restaurant to get the highest rating. A huge number of people from ethnic minority communities work in the restaurant trade many in businesses they set up themselves. They contribute to the diverse and high quality choice of meal that we have in Wandsworth. However, there seems little argument that the system structurally favours larger chain restaurants who generally provide menus drawn up by committee rather than an individual who loves their food. I don't know the circumstances of what happened at Ali Baba and wouldn't excuse what the chap is alleged to have done but I do know that there is a great deal of unhappiness at the way food businesses are inspected and when restaurant owners describe it as racist they have a point.

Barry Elms ● 2048d3 Comments ● 2021d

Wandsworth Council Scrap Black History Month

According to this article in the Guardian Wandsworth Council are getting rid of Black History Month. Instead we are going to have something called 'Diversity Month'. It seems to me unbelievably crass that they chose to do this in the year where so many of the Windrush generation found themselves subject to Theresa May's 'hostile environment'. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it and this is just Wandsworth pandering to the 'What About White History Month?' brigade. Black History month has put into the spotlight a huge amount of interesting scholarship that would be ignored and increased everybody's understanding of their country's history. To replace it with some wishy washy 'Diversity Month' with no real focus will render it useless.

Alan Harper ● 2032d3 Comments ● 2023d

Is The Student Loans Company Completely Dysfunctional?

Is anyone else have issues with student finance at the moment. Our son hasn't been able to get his tuition or maintenance funding for this term yet. We completed the supporting financial evidence some time ago but have been asked to resubmit because of technical problems. We can't submit online because the site always seems to be down and if we do so by post they say it will take a month to process. If you try speaking to them on the phone all their staff try to be helpful but clearly don't have a clue.

Gordon Southwell ● 2028d1 Comments ● 2023d

Cyclists breaking the law

Many cyclists seem to believe that it is acceptable to break the law by: ignoring red lights, no cycling signs or pedestrian priority signs; cycling on pavements and footpaths; etc.  My question to those cyclists is:  which laws is it acceptable for me to breaka) as a pedestrian;b) as a car driver?Do cyclists (and motorcyclists) know that the round sign showing a bike is actually banning cyclists or motorcyclists?  It would be helpful if, as with other signs, a diagonal red line were used but the sign without one is still a banning sign.

Jane Eades ● 2471d9 Comments ● 2032d

Do Labour Really Want to Form a Government?

The Today programme was looking at the policy Labour is proposing to increase worker shareholding in companies this morning. Basically all listed companies in the UK with over 250 employees would be required to give 10% of their shares over to a trust which would redistribute the dividends to workers in the company up to a maximum of £500 per worker with anything above that going to the government. The aim of the policy seems worthy but it was cooly picked apart on the radio this morning by a representative of one of the business industry associations. The seemingly benign proposal is essentially an extra 10% on corporate tax that will actually deliver little extra to workers at the affected companies. The example of Shell was given. It would require them to pay £1.2billion (!) per annum to the government. Because most of their staff work overseas only a tiny proportion of that would be paid to workers at the company. If being listed in the UK means there is effectively a 10% tax on your global earnings there would be a massive rush to delist from the UK stock market or cut the number of your UK employees to below the threshold. Either way the impact on jobs and the economy would be catastrophic.  An A Level economics student could have told the Labour party that so it must be assumed that they know the policy is totally unimplementable and that therefore it is designed to appeal to the conference and their membership rather than their electorate. Why then are Labour making it such a key part of their strategy to force an election when they are proposing policies that will make them unelectable? If there was an election the key factor in deciding which way to vote for me would be which party made Brexit less likely. This does still to be Labour but they seem to be going out of their way to make the choice a lot harder than it should be!

Gordon Southwell ● 2037d2 Comments ● 2036d

1st Wandsworth Sea Scouts

Can anyone please help me in regards to the 1st Wandsworth Sea Scouts - on the banks of the Wandle around about 1956,7 - what happened to them? - I live in Queensland Australia - and was member of that groupTrying to catch up with any old members. I will be visiting Wandsworth (after 50 years absence) this coming September

Patrick Barrs ● 2145d3 Comments ● 2046d

What Football Team Should a Boy From Wandsworth Support?

My nephew who lives locally has just turned seven and is starting to show an interest in football. His father loves the game but doesn't follow any particular team but would probably prefer he didn't start supporting Chelsea mainly because of the cost but also because of a few bad experiences at their ground over the years. He thinks it would be best if his son supported the 'local team' but can't really work out what that would be for someone living in Wandsworth. Fulham is probably the closest but Wimbledon wouldn't be that far away. Trophies aren't important, but supporting a team with a local identity would be.

Carmel Cunningham ● 2066d4 Comments ● 2046d

Northern Line Extension Next for a Delay?

Just in case you wondered it isn't a coincidence that the completion date for Crossrail, Spurs and Brentford's stadium have all been announced within a few days of each other. Whatever the official explanation is the real reason is shortage of skilled labour. There are a lot of projects going on but the situation has been made worse by economic factors and Brexit. The weakness of the pound has meant that many EU workers have been able to get better paid work elsewhere. Also Brexit has meant that many who assumed they would settle here have decided to leave because of the uncertainty over their future status. Remember this is before we find out what the terms would be leaving would be and they all still have the same rights as domestic workers currently. As soon as it is clear that is changing the exodus will accelerate. The Northern Line extension is last in the queue for these workers as it started later than the other projects so you can assume there will be an announcement about a delay very soon. The problem with the skill shortage is so bad you can't take it for granted any more than all of these projects will ever be finished.

Peter Higgins ● 2058d3 Comments ● 2048d

Virgin Media Putting Prices Up Despite Poor Wandsworth Service

I've was getting pretty hacked off with the poor quality service on broadband from Virgin which I pay quite a lot for. When it works it is very fast but reliability has really gone downhill. Would be interested to hear about potential alternative suppliers and if there is an adequate replacement for Tivo. I find that really good but I'm hoping there is a DVR out there that can replicate its functionality

Tony Church ● 2068d3 Comments ● 2049d

Roaming Charges to Return When We Leave EU

Sky are reporting that the Government have confirmed that roaming charges for UK phones in EU countries are likely to return when Brexit happens. I travel regularly to Ireland and the reduction in phone costs was a huge benefit. Also with the family in Spain this year it meant we could keep in touch with each other. I know this change might seem trivial to anyone who is faced with a loss of their job due to this insane decision but it is just one more practical negative — there don't seem to be any actual positives to leaving the EU only wishes parcelled up as catchphrases.

Carmel Cunningham ● 2051d1 Comments ● 2050d

Tom Cox RIP

Tom Cox who was MP for Tooting for three decades and lived in the Southfields area has sadly passed away aged 90. His funeral is being  held at North Sheen Cemetery TW9 4LL on Friday 21 September at 1 p.m. All enquiries to Mears & Cotterill Funeral Directors. Tel: 020 8874 7698

Barry Elms ● 2059d3 Comments ● 2051d

The New Putney and Wandsworth Town Constituency

The Boundary Commission deserve some congratulations on what appears to me a sensible and professional job in reorganising the Westminster constituency boundaries. The accusations of it all being a Tory plot to oust Corbyn is a Trump-like example of post-truth politics and the idea that we need maintain the number of MPs is complete nonsense. At a local level, whilst everybody needs to accept some compromise, this seems like a sensible solution. Putney Town and Wandsworth Town are more or less merged into the same community linked by Wandsworth Park and the South Circular. The periphery to the east in places like Roehampton is more orientated to the parkland areas, in the east Battersea and Clapham have much more in common with each other. Whilst theoretically Justine Greening will be even less safe in the new seat, lots of people voted against her last time because of Brexit which if the Fixed Term Parliament Act won't be the issue at the time of the next election. Not that we won't be dealing with the massive problems that leaving the EU will bring but it will be a done deal so there won't be an incentive for people who like Justine as a constituency MP but wanted to make a point about Brexit to vote against her.

Tony Church ● 2052d2 Comments ● 2051d

Disturbed By The South West Four Festival?

Did anyone else feel that the noise from the South West Four festival yesterday on Clapham Common was excessive? I don't live that close to it so it must have been nightmarish for people nearby and I hate to think what it was doing to the hearing of those attending. I'm definitely not against these festivals in principle and, as far as I am aware, the event stuck to the rules in terms of decibels allowed and hours of operation. The problem is that the allowable noise is too high for urban areas and the law needs to be change.

Barry Elms ● 2067d1 Comments ● 2056d

Wandsworth Council's £300,000 Pay Off

The danger here is thinking that Dawn Warwick is the problem and not that her case is indicative of a much bigger problem. There has been a very significant rise in the salaries of people at the top level of local government so far this century. This was justified by the argument that the public sector needed to keep talented people and had to keep pace with executive salary rises in the private sector particularly in financial services. The basis for this was a bit dubious at the time as there was little evidence that people were being poached from local government but the fiscal position generally was much better so there was money in the pot to pay for these rises. Two important changes have happened since this time. Firstly the defined benefit pension has more or less disappeared from the private sector and most people under forty won't have one. The fact that half of Dawn Warwick's pay off related to her pension entitlement shows how important this is. The net present value of someone who has had a career in local government and been paid a six figure salary would be millions. We complain about bankers' bonuses all the time but ignore this far greater expense that comes directly out of the public purse. Secondly the state of government finances has deteriorated significantly requiring us to make painful cuts in spending on services. One area where cuts are unlikely to be made is in the salaries of senior public sector employees. The public sector works very differently to the private sector. A personnel officer once told me that in the latter by 45 you are either firing people or getting fired as there is only room for a small number of people in any organisation who are older than that. Your pay is usually linked to the amount of revenue you bring in and if the people of your generation who were your clients are no longer there it will tend to fall if you keep your job at all. In the public sector it is like the Hotel California in that you check in but can never leave. People rise to the top whose main talent is knowing how to play the system and therefore aren't really that employable in any job that isn't funded by the tax payer. Because their contracts make them so expensive to get rid of and because it is very much in their interest to hang on as long as possible most public sector organisations gradually accrue more and more senior people many of whom add no real value. It shouldn't escape your attention that Wandsworth's children's service cut a senior position at a time when it is under huge pressure to improve standards and there was no suggestion that the loss of the role would undermine this goal. These taxpayer funded sinecures will but an even greater burden on public finances as time progresses. It is not just the cost of paying salaries but the pensions that will require other services to be cut. Wandsworth is relatively well off having reduced headcount at an early stage and the borough pension scheme is well funded at this point but that is not the case elsewhere. Schemes in other London boroughs have deficits of over half a billion and I was told of one example in which the number of potential pensioners from the Council scheme could eventually reach 7% of the population. This can't be funded at the local level so we will all have to contribute to the bill, a bill that in large part be paid by people who have no future entitlement to the generous pensions they are having to fund for previous generations.

David Parker ● 2070d4 Comments ● 2057d

Wandsworth's 'Shameful' Decision on Battersea Development

Could someone explain what exactly is shameful about this decision in particular rather than the way housing is managed generally.These 'affordable' units that people are getting upset about are going to be sold or rented at a 40% discount to the market level. Given the average price and rent of flats in this development these units could only become the homes of people who earn well above average incomes. So we are currently effectively subsidising the accommodation of the relatively well off - isn't this the scandal here.The only sustainable way to stop London house prices and rents spiralling ever upwards is match supply and demand and that means building as many homes as possible. The 4,200 homes that will be created as a result of this development will do much to put a lid on the market but without them the property shortage would be more acute.Ultimately there is no such thing as an 'unaffordable' home because people will live in these properties. Although they will be for people on higher incomes many of the people moving in to them will be moving out of cheaper properties creating more availability and reducing pressure on prices and rents.As far as the borough is concerned these new homes will all be paying Council Tax and the revenue can be used by the Council on things like social care and be more effectively targeted at the needy.What seems to me shameful here is how every property development is politicised by both parties pretending that our system of 'affordable' housing in some way benefits the poor. It does not.

David Parker ● 2478d5 Comments ● 2058d

Article By Wandsworth Councillor That Is Worth A Read

Recently elected Wandsworth councillor Maurice Macleod has written a thoughtful and well-balanced article about fire safety in tower blocks which is well worth reading https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/aug/31/grenfell-tower-block-tenants-tragedy

Gordon Southwell ● 2060d0 Comments ● 2060d

Copyright Infringement.

Does anyone by any chance have a copy of the 1989 True Detective Winter Special? I am particularly interested in the content on page 35. Master Detective, part of the True Detective Group refuse to send me a scan of what is published on page 35 but they have forwarded me a scan of the front and inside page stating that a story on page 35 deals with former Hammersmith, Fulham and Putney child killer Harold Jones. They won't send me the scan because they have stolen photographs that I own copyright of and they have used them in the August 2018 edition of Master Detective. They have scanned about 12 of my photos directly from my book Every Mother's Nightmare - Abertillery in Mourning to use in the August edition. They state in an email to me that I should be grateful that they recommend my book.

Neil Milkins ● 2085d0 Comments ● 2085d

'Merrily We Roll Along' being performed at Putney Arts!

Hi everyone! Local theatre group Cygnet Players are set to perform the Sondheim classic 'Merrily We Roll Along' at Putney Arts Theatre from 4th-8th Sept. Shows are at 7:45pm nightly, with a 2:30pm Saturday matinee. Tickets are £18 (£15 concessions). Discounts available for Tuesday night and the matinee. To book, please visit www.cygnetplayers.com/box-office, call 07941 448689, or email cygnetsboxoffice@gmail.com. Hope to see you there!

Cygnet Players ● 2086d0 Comments ● 2086d

Freddie Mills Documentary.

If Freddie Mills was not the killer of 8 women in London between 1959 and 1965 then who was? Will anything be given away tonight on B.B.C.4 at 9.00pm.Murder in Soho: Who Killed Freddie Mills?A look at the life and untimely death of a British boxing hero, set in 1960s Soho.

Neil Milkins ● 2093d0 Comments ● 2093d

Luna Cinema Wandsworth Park

I was thinking of going to the showing of Shape of Water in Wandsworth Park later this week but the ticket prices were a bit high for us. We bought tickets recently for open air cinema in Fulham that were just over £6 compared to over £16 each for the Wandsworth Park one. Are there any discounted ticket offers around for this showing or is the only option to pay the full price?

Peter Higgins ● 2101d0 Comments ● 2101d

Freddie Mills Documentary.

PLEASE SHARE. I have been in contact for about 10 years with 2 daughters and a son of former world light-heavyweight boxer Freddie Mills. I know a documentary regarding their father being falsely accused of being "Jack the Stripper" The Hammersmith Nudes' Killer was being made. It is now finished and Freddie's daughter Amanda Mills sent the following message to me today.Hi Neil. Yes. We are all well thank you. It's been confirmed for Wed. Aug 1st .BBC4 9pm Murder in Soho. Who killed Freddie MillsTrailer is running now....BBC4 Best wishes Amanda

Neil Milkins ● 2101d0 Comments ● 2101d

Abbott House

Is anyone on here a resident of Abbott House, Nightingale Lane? If so would you mind sending me a private message?Thanks in advance! E

emarisa Battoia ● 2235d1 Comments ● 2103d

Helicopter Noise Last Night

Does anybody know what was going on with all the helicopter noise in the area last night? It sounded as if it was coming from over Wandsworth Park. It was from shortly after midnight for around half an hour.

Gordon Southwell ● 2108d1 Comments ● 2107d

The Forthcoming Putney By Election

I think we can now assume that Justine Greening will be the Tory's candidate for Mayor. They don't really have a credible alternative and she might make it a less uneven contest than it might otherwise have been. Protocol would allow for her to remain as Putney's MP during the contest and as, she is likely to lose this, in normal circumstances this would be sensible. However, these are strange times and thinking it through she might consider the option of stepping down as MP. This would have a number of advantages for her. Firstly the 'burning boats' strategy would demonstrate her commitment to the job and attract support. Secondly, it would unshackle her from a Putney seat that looks highly vulnerable as the full implications of Brexit unfolds. There is likely to be a hard fought battle for the Conservative leadership next time around and if a relatively sensible person rather than a Brexit ultra is in charge she would be back in the cabinet/shadow cabinet. So if she stands down then waits for a seat with a more comfortable majority to become available she will be much better placed to take advantage of the fall out. If she did stand down I wouldn't be pleased because I think she is a good MP but I think ultimately she has a bigger role to play in the nation's affairs and this might be the way to go about it.

David Parker ● 2129d1 Comments ● 2108d

See "Swimming with Men"

If you get a chance do go and see the new film "Swimming with Men" starring Rob Brydon. It's got great reviews and my son-in-law was in charge of sound production! But best of all, most of the closing scenes were shot in Wandsworth Town Hall last May. Not the bits you and I get to see normally but interesting nevertheless.

Hugh Walton ● 2114d0 Comments ● 2114d

Kew the Music - Boyzone Ticket for sale

We've bought 3 reserved enclosure tickets for the event next Saturday and one of us can't go. Going for £70 face value. You can email me @ roy.reeswilliams@btinternet.com for more details."Don't love me for fun, girlLet me be the one, girlLove me for a reasonLet the reason be...."R.

R Rees Williams ● 2117d0 Comments ● 2117d

Bunny Park Dog Show Today

12noon till 4pm at the Churchfields Recreation Grounds, Hanwell, W7 3BP. Bring your pooch along for a fantastic day of fun. Food and refreshments available. www.thebunnyparkdogshow.co.uk for more info.

Sharron Clarke ● 2146d0 Comments ● 2146d

Memorial Service.

On Saturday 4 August 2018 at 2.00pm, a memorial service is being held in the Metropole Theatre, Abertillery, South Wales for two Abertillery murder victims, 8 year-old Freda Burnell and 11 year-old Florence Little who were killed in Abertillery in 1921.Their killer, Harold Jones a.k.a Harry Stevens lived in Fulham, Putney and Hammersmith between 1946 and 1971 when he died. With a choir and town band performing at the memorial service there is expected to be over 250 people attending. There will be an expected 50 members of the 2 girls' family members attending from various parts of Britain. After the service there will be a re-dedication of the 2 girls' memorials at Brynithel Cemetery.Over the past 7 months, myself, Councillors Gill Clark and Julie Holt have raised nearly £3,400.00 towards the cost of restoring the 2 dilapidated memorials. We are still about £200 short of paying the memorial mason who has done the work at cost price and about £300 short of printing 260 memorial service programmes. These will consist of 8 pages each.We have now been given a donation to book the Metropole Theatre for the event. We  have also been kindly offered a donation of £300 towards the cost a buffet that will be held in the Metropole later in the afternoon.If anyone would like to consider making a donation for this worthy cause please contact me on 07989555376 or n.milkin@sky.comPlease google Florence Little/Freda Burnell  or Harold Jones - Killer for more information.Regards.Neil Milkins

Neil Milkins ● 2147d0 Comments ● 2147d

Former Hammersmith, Putney and Fulham child killer.

Regarding Abertillery child killer Harold Jones. 10 years ago, New Scotland Yard informed South Wales Police that they believed it was possible that Harold Jones may have been the killer of 12 year-old Muriel Joan Drinkwater in Swansea in 1946. The Detective Chief Inspector who led the murder inquiry ten years ago has retired from the Force refusing to believe that Jones was the killer, although D.N.A could prove one way or the other whether Jones was or not. Now under instructions from the South Wales Police Chief Constable Matt Jukes, the case is being looked into by South Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable Jonathan Drake, Detective Chief Superintendent Danny Richards and Detective Chief Inspector Mark O'Shea. Five years ago respected Detective Chief Inspector Paul Bethell confirmed that Jones WAS a suspect in the Drinkwater murder inquiry.

Neil Milkins ● 2218d0 Comments ● 2218d

Would you hire a Private Cook?

I'm a private cook, specialising in Caribbean, European and Plant based fusions.  I'm interested to know who would think of hiring a cook and how often.  Or would you prefer for special occasions only?

Angella Williams ● 2225d0 Comments ● 2225d

Southside

It would seem that Southside is being hit by the same curse that has affected Putney Exchange and many others. Trespass (the mountain wear people), Cath Kidson, the man Games place, Pizza Storm and (I gather) Byron Burgers either have closed or are about to close down. Argos has moved to Sainsburys and there is an empty unit by Robert Dyas. I know Argos were taken over by Sainsburys and Byron have problems of their but it's a worrying trend.

Hugh Walton ● 2258d1 Comments ● 2247d

Wandsworth Common User Survey - deadline March 16th

For the first time in 40 years a new Management Plan for Wandsworth Common is being written.The Council have appointed consultants, and one of the first things they've done is devise a survey to hear what users of the common think about the common and how it's managed. YOU now have the opportunity to have a say in the process.You'll find the survey by following this link.https://haveyoursay.citizenspace.com/wandsworthecs/wandsworth-common-18/consultation/intro/You have until March 16th to submit itWhat's in the Management Plan will be a blueprint for managing the common for several years. The more people who complete the survey, the more representative and credible it, and the ultimate plan, will be. So do spend some time giving it thought, and also please tell any of your contacts who use the common regularly.What happens next?A draft plan should be available mid-year. Further consultation will then take place before it is finalised in December.

Richard Fox ● 2254d0 Comments ● 2254d

Planning application for advertising phoneboxes

Hi,I noticed various planning notices being put up for the placement of phone boxes around southside. Outside Cotswold, Starbucks and TXMax. these are basically advertising boards to clutter the high street, we already have 3 unused phones boxes within 2mins of the proposed sites.We really need to protect the pavements, for the blind,wheelchair, pushchair and other pedestrians as the pavements are getting busier and we dont need more obstacles. https://planning1.wandsworth.gov.uk/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/Generic/StdDetails.aspx?PT=Planning%20Applications%20On-Line&TYPE=PL/PlanningPK.xml&PARAM0=919602&XSLT=/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/SiteFiles/Skins/Wandsworth/xslt/PL/PLDetails.xslt&FT=Planning%20Application%20Details&PUBLIC=Y&XMLSIDE=/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/SiteFiles/Skins/Wandsworth/Menus/PL.xml&DAURI=PLANNINGhttps://planning1.wandsworth.gov.uk/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/Generic/StdDetails.aspx?PT=Planning%20Applications%20On-Line&TYPE=PL/PlanningPK.xml&PARAM0=920604&XSLT=/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/SiteFiles/Skins/Wandsworth/xslt/PL/PLDetails.xslt&FT=Planning%20Application%20Details&PUBLIC=Y&XMLSIDE=/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/SiteFiles/Skins/Wandsworth/Menus/PL.xml&DAURI=PLANNING

Ian Jones ● 2266d0 Comments ● 2266d

classified ads

Can someone please clear the bulk of ads - some go back to 2015 - as nobody has been able to post a new ad for months (or maybe years!). Many thanks

Gill Gray ● 2303d0 Comments ● 2303d

WPCC Election 2018 - why I am not standing

Why I am not seeking re-election as a Conservator in the February 2018 election…..and why I am recommending that none of the Conservators elected in February 2015 do so either.We need a clean sweep so that the charity can move forward with confidence into the next triennium.  Our precious open spaces are more important than any individual or group of individuals.Regrettably there is an extremely destructive small group who, in my view, will go to almost any lengths to try and bring the charity down.  This, I believe, is their aim.  The Charity Commission’s statement of 22nd December 2017 made clear ‘It would encourage those with appropriate knowledge and skills to consider standing.’The statement continues: ‘The Commission hopes that after the election all the elected and appointed trustees will work together to take the charity forward. This would include considering mediation to resolve any outstanding issues within the trustee body and putting into place any actions issued by the Commission.’It is not encouraging to think the new Board may have to consider mediation as a starting point.  With new, ‘fresh faces’ and open minds this should not be needed.The Commission has given an indication, but without commitment, that they are looking to close the Statutory Inquiry within the first six months of 2018.It is my understanding, from a meeting I had with the Charity Commission on 18th December 2017, that the Commission wants to bring this whole matter to conclusion so that the trustees can get on with running the charity.  I am equally clear that the only issue that the Commission is investigating is that within the current remit of the Interim Manager.I will be looking to give my five votes to candidates who are able to prove to me that they are not coming with any ‘baggage’ or arguments from recent past disputes. We have many talented levy-payers with sound common sense and appropriate skills including the ability to work collectively who we need to support to take on these important Conservator/trustee roles.  I will give them my full support in whatever way I can.  I will also continue to give my full support to the quite excellent staff that WPCC is fortunate enough to employ.  Prue WhyteElected Conservator

Prue Whyte ● 2306d1 Comments ● 2305d

George Crowe and Eileen Widdows' marriage 1931.

Bit of a long shot but these forums have been such a help over the past 10 years. I am trying to contact relatives of the above who were married in Chelsea in 1931. Eileen's father John Widdows and sister Muriel Ellen May Widdows lived at 29 Hestecombe Avenue Fulham in the 1960's. George and Eileen had a daughter Patricia A Crowe born in Chester in 1941. It is believed Patricia married Dennis M Jones in Chester in 1959. Someone with the name B.Trott may have been in the family.

Neil Milkins ● 2311d0 Comments ● 2311d

Starfish Breakfast Run & Picnic

Join Starfish for the annual Breakfast Run and Picnic on the 4th of March 2018.This friendly event offers a choice of distances –  2k, 5k, 10k or 15k – and the course is totally flat around Clapham Common, so you can run as fast or as slow as you like. There’s always a supportive and friendly atmosphere, with crowds cheering along the route.Everyone gets a t-shirt and medal, as well as a picnic basket to enjoy on the common afterwards. There is lots to do after your run, with a tombola, free 100m dash for the kids, face painting and stalls for all members of the family.Starfish Greathearts Foundation has teamed up with fitness and events specialists, Innovation Sports, to make the 2018 the biggest and best yet. Entry includes:  -  Starfish branded T- shirt  -  Chip timing   -  Medal  -  Picnic basket including a drink, breakfast muffin, fruit and healthy snacks to help you re-energise after the run.Facilities include pre-race warm up, children's entertainment, toilets, bag drop, sports massage, medical support and water stations.Visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/starfish-breakfast-run-and-picnic-tickets-36111599767

Starfish Greathearts Foundation ● 2318d0 Comments ● 2318d

The Abertillery Singing Detective.

The Abertillery Singing Detective is now on YouTube.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQbejlJ22Wc

Neil Milkins ● 2324d0 Comments ● 2324d

School Funding meeting, Tuesday 5th December

School Funding still in Crisis:  There is a public meeting to be held in Putney Community Church, Werter Road. 7 - 9 pm on Tuesday, 5th December.  Among the speakers are a local parent, a local governor and parent, a speaker from the National Association of Head Teachers and chaired by a representative of Fair Funding for All Schools.The cuts facing Wandsworth schools when inflation is taken into account can be found at:  https://schoolcuts.org.uk/#!/schools?query=Wandsworth

Jane Eades ● 2336d0 Comments ● 2336d

Does anyone need

Best Painters and Decorators in the Wandsworth area

Dee Williams ● 2339d0 Comments ● 2339d

Murder Victim Bridget O'Hara.

I have had extensive contact with adult children of 6 of the Hammersmith Nudes' victims who were murdered between 1959 and 1965. Veronica Fleming the daughter of the sixth victim, Chiswick resident Mary Fleming visited Abertillery on the weekend to take part in a major B.B.C. documentary "The Hunt For A Serial Killer." I am still trying to locate relatives of 8th victim Bridget O'Hara who was murdered in January 1965. She had lived in a flat at 41 Agate Road, Hammersmith. Her husband was Micheal O'Hara and Bridget had many brothers and sisters. If anyone can help  please contact me at 07989555376 or n.milkin@sky.com

Neil Milkins ● 2345d0 Comments ● 2345d

Criminal Profiling.

In August 1996, Kim Rossmo, a detective inspector from the Vancouver Police Department (VPD), was contacted by a UK police task force called Operation Lynx. The task force involved police officers from three counties -- Leicestershire, West Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire -- who were all searching for a man responsible for five abductions, rapes and violent sex attacks over the previous 15 years.Rossmo had developed geographic profiling, a method of tracking serial criminals which used data about the location of the crimes. Because of Rossmo's geographic profiling the rapist was caught. Rossmo recently identified Aldensley Road Hammersmith as the centre of a hotspot where he believed the Hammmersmith Nudes' killer lived. Who lived in Aldensley Road when the murders took place? The Dark Son of Abertillery, Harold Jones!

Neil Milkins ● 2351d0 Comments ● 2351d

Policeman by the name of John Widdows.

Does anyone remember a former police officer who lived at 29 Hestercombe Avenue from 1945 until his death in 1962. He had a number of children including Muriel Ellen May Stevens nee Widdows.

Neil Milkins ● 2355d2 Comments ● 2355d

Welsh ex-pats.

If there are any Welsh ex-pats on the forum please google walesonline.co.uk This concerns the  restoration of the graves of 2 children who were murdered by former Fulham, Putney, and Hammersmith resident Harold Jones aka Harry Stevens aka Harry Jones. Help from anyone would be appreciated. Regards. Neil Milkins.

Neil Milkins ● 2394d4 Comments ● 2364d

traffic and transportation survey

Does anyone know anything about the recently installed cameras on Buckhold road, Broomhill road and Merton road? My neighbours and I have been wondering about them and also why on earth there is a very prominent 'elderly people crossing' sign next to one of them on Buckhold road in an area where there are 3 nurseries and (to my knowledge ) no retirement homes ? I have e mailed one of the councillors but he seems pretty busy and may take a while to get back. Would be good to know soon. The traffic management plan for the Tideway scheme in King George's park and Dormay street has been published and is up for consultation till the 10th  2017/5028 -

Lynne McNulty ● 2394d0 Comments ● 2394d

PHOTO Testing (apologies)

Delilah Hall ● 2781d6 Comments ● 2398d

Feature film and documentary.

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/15556944.Gwent_writer_to_get_second_novel_on_notorious_Valleys_killer_turned_into_film_documentary/?ref=fbshr

Neil Milkins ● 2401d1 Comments ● 2401d

Hammersmith Murders.

A new book- The Secret Life Of Freddie Mills has been released by a former Sun newspaper reporter, Michael Litchfield published by a former Sun editor of Bizzare, John Blake. The book alleges that former world boxing champion Freddie Mills was the person dubbed The Hammersmith Nudes' Killer of the 1960's. Evidence proves that Mills has been wrongly stitched up. The book has been publicised in the Sun, the Daily Mail and other newspapers including the Bournemouth Echo the town where Freddie Mills was born. Comments from readers of the Bournemouth Echo have roundly condemned the malicious lies. If you read the Bournemouth Echo story most persons would I believe think the alleged evidence to be preposterous. (google Freddie Mills-Bournemouth Echo.) For instance in the book Freddie Mills had allegedly confessed to John du Rose the officer in charge of the case that he was the killer. But because Du Rose and Mills were Freemasons Du Rose never told his superiors. Even more ludicrous- fact Freddie Mills was desperately short of money when he died yet the book claims he gave the Kray Twins £1000 to assassinate him. Rightly Freddies daughter Susan and his stepson, actor Don McCorkindale are incensed.

Neil Milkins ● 2417d0 Comments ● 2417d

Starfish Breakfast Run and Picnic 2017

Join Starfish for the 10th annual Breakfast Run and Picnic on Clapham Common on Sunday 24th September 2017!Our friendly Breakfast Run and Picnic offers a choice of distances –2k, 5k, 10k or 15k - and this year we have teamed up with fitness and events specialists, Innovation Sports, to make 2017 the biggest and best yet. The course is totally flat around the common, so you can run as fast or as slow as you like. There’s always a supportive and friendly atmosphere, with crowds cheering along the route, and everyone receives a medal and Starfish t-shirt upon finishing. But the fun doesn’t stop after the run! Everyone gets a picnic basket to enjoy on the common, and there will be a tombola, free 100m kids dash and other stalls for all members of the family. Entry includes: Starfish branded T-shirt Chip timing Medal Picnic basket with healthy snacks to help you re-energise after the run!The event is on Sunday 24th September, starting at 9.30am by the band stand in the centre of Clapham Common (Windmill Drive, SW4 9DE). Facilities include secure bag storage, toilets, medical support and water stations. Prices:  2k (under 12s): £8 5k: £17 10k: £20 15k: £23Get your ticket here - https://starfishbreakfastrun2017.eventbrite.co.uk - and get your friends half price!Money raised will go towards Starfish projects in South Africa, bringing life, hope and opportunity to the vulnerable and orphaned children Starfish cares for. We invest in the future of over 12,000 children a year so they can grow into happy and independent young adults.We look forward to seeing you there!

Starfish Greathearts Foundation ● 2436d0 Comments ● 2436d