Westbourne Green Masterplan

January 31st, 2012

As you may know, Westminster Council has identified the Westbourne Green area as the location for a Masterplan, to look at improving local housing, community facilties, parks and businesses.
The plan is currently being worked on using ideas from consultation in the community and at an exhibition last summer. During February, there will be four focus groups to look further into some of the main issues raised by residents last year. They are:

Parks and open spaces
A meeting and walkabout the local area
Saturday 4th February 2012, 11am-12.30pm

Harrow Road
The environment, shops, traffic and other issues that affect the character of the ‘neighbourhood centre’
Tuesday 7th February, 6.30-8.30pm

Parking and garages
Considering the future for parking in the neighbourhood
Thursday 23rd February, 6.30-8.30pm

New homes
What new housing in the area should be like
Monday 27th February, 6.30-8.30pm

All groups will be held in the foyer of the Stowe Centre, and rea and coffee will be provided. Please attend as many as you like to let us know your views. If you cannoth attend but would still like to have a say, please contact the Westbourne Team on 0207 266 8220 or westbourne@pdt.org.uk, or drop into the Stowe Centre any week day.

Posted in Masterplan | No Comments »

January 23rd, 2012

Please join us at the Westminster Academy garden for the following gardening sessions:

Wednesday 25th January 3.30-5pm

Harvest winter veg and help us plan for the coming growing season

Tuesday 7th February 3.30-5pm

Work at the garden and learn about organic gardening

Tuesday 14th Feb 12-3pm Half term gardening day!

Fun for all the family. Sow seeds, make decorations and learn about organic gardening

Tuesday 28th Feb, 2-5pm

Tend to the garden and learn about organic gardening

Everyone is welcome! Just turn up on the day. All equipment is provided but please wear warm clothing and suitable shoes. For more information please contact Charlotte on charlotte@pdt.org.uk or 0207 266 8252

Posted in Environment, Events, Families | No Comments »

Gardening Saturday 14th January

January 9th, 2012

Please come along to our first garden session of 2012!

We will be down on the plot from 1-3pm on Saturday 14th January. We will be having a sort out and tidy, and making plans for the coming growing season!

All welcome! Equipment is provided and no skills are necessary.

For those who haven’t been before – the garden is on Alfred Road directly next to Westminster Academy. Walk down Alfred road from Harrow Road and you will see the garden on your left, behind a low green fence. There is a gate in the fence on the far corner near the playground as you turn off towards the railway footbridge.  For a map of Alfred Road click here

Posted in Environment | No Comments »

Shops celebration event

December 19th, 2011

Westbourne Forum have been working on a project to improve the Westbourne shopping parade on Harrow Road for over a year, and on Thursday 8th December we celebrated the end of the project with coffee and croissants at the Blue Nile Bakery.

For years, residents had been saying the parade looked tatty. Then. despite a strong local campaign, national cuts forced the closure of the post office. Westminster Council pledged £60,000 for measures to help the shopping parade, and asked Westbourne Forum to work with the shopkeepers to deliver the scheme.

A common design for 22 new shop signs, plus a new colour scheme, has given the parade more identity, whilst keeping the character of the different shops. The shopkeepers were also offered expert advice on how to improve sales. Helen Kay and Sheba Begum from Westbourne Forum have worked closely to support the shopkeepers throughout. On top of this we helped get agreement to sort out the  old pavement – the Council then took the lead, with funding from Transport for London.

Shamseldin Mahmoud from the Blue Nile says ‘it’s made the parade more presentable and it feels a more professional environment for my business. Helen and Sheba from the Forum have been great, listening to us and respecting our ideas’.

Our thanks go to the support of the stakeholders and of course all the shopkeepers whose cooperation and enthusiasm made the project such a success!

Posted in Environment, Forum news | No Comments »

Paddington Development Trust annual review

December 14th, 2011

PDT’s annual review and accounts for the year 2011 is now available.

Please click on the image about to download.

Posted in Forum news | No Comments »

Christmas events in Westbourne

December 9th, 2011

On Saturday 3rd December we held a festive family craft day, which was a fantastic day! By the end there was glitter everywhere but also lots of beautiful creations- lovely cards, tree hangings, lanterns and bookmarks that will all make wonderful gifts. Well done and thanks to everyone that came! It was a bit of a first for the Forum to hold this kind of craft event but it’s popularity may well mean that we will do more. If there is anyone a bit creative out there who would like to help us run something again please do get in touch!

And on Monday 5th December over 50 members of the community got together for mince pies, mulled wine and hot chocolate, and a chance to find out what has been going on in the area over the last year. We also discussed the governance review recently begun by Westminster Council and had speakers from the Queens Park Campaign for a Community Council (for more information please see www.queensparkforum.org)

We also discussed the Management board. Stepping down from the board are Joan Plummer, Sandra Da Costa and Joyce Llewellyn. We would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you for all your hard work and support over the years!

We welcome to the board Krassimir Damaniov, Hasna Kahlalech and Maggie Kennedy, all residents of Westbourne. Welcome and we look forward to working more closely with you!

Posted in Events | No Comments »

Latest Westbourne People Bulletin

December 1st, 2011

The latest edition of the Westbourne People Bulletin is out, with latest news and info about upcoming events.

On Saturday 3rd December we have a family Winter Craft event at the Stowe Centre in the foyer, between 12.30pm and 3pm. This will be an opportunity to get creative and make cards and gifts at this family friendly event! All materials are provided!

On Monday 5th December we have a Forum get-together & Christmas party again at the Stowe Centre, between 6.30pm and 8.30pm – everyone is welcome, and as well as some fun, there will be some essential business taking place

Finally, on Wednesday 7th December we have a BME Photography Exhibition, and this photo exhibition will give an insight into the contribution made by BME people to the World wars. The guest speaker Linda Bellos will be talking through some rarely seen photos.

We really look forward to seeing you all there to share some mince pies, mulled wine and some hot chocolate!!!

To download the latest edition click this link: November Bulletin

Posted in Forum news | No Comments »

Winter events

November 24th, 2011

All are welcome to our two winter and Christmas events. First off is the winter craft day for all ages, a chance to make tree decorations, festive cards and gifts and bird feeders for the garden, on Saturday 3rd December from 12.30-3pm.

Then, on Monday 5th December from 6.30-8.30pm, we are hosting a neighbourhood meeting a get together. This is a chance to catch up with your community, and find out what has been happening here as well as plans for the future.All are welcome, there will be mince pies, mulled wine and hot chocolate as well as winter craft activities for all ages.

Both held at the Stowe Centre, 258 Harrow Road, W2 5ES. All are welcome!

Posted in Events, Families, Stowe Centre | No Comments »

Local history event, Wednesday 23rd November

November 16th, 2011


Join us for an informal and friendly talk about the history of the local area, from the times when canal was king to more recent changes such as housing and developments.

Come and share your memories of living here or find out more. We will also discuss ideas for a mural in the Stowe that captures life in Westbourne, so all ideas are welcome.

Wednesday 23rd November, 6.30-8pm,

The Stowe Foyer, 258 Harrow Road, W2 5ES

Posted in Events, Local History | No Comments »

Upcoming events in the foyer

November 16th, 2011


Wednesday 30th November, 10am-12pm

Stowe Coffee Plus
A friendly drop in coffee morning for men and women over the age of 50, and arranged by Open Age. Come and socialise over a hot drink and biscuits.

Wednesday 30th November, 10.30am-12.30pm

DROP IN: Quitting drugs, alcohol and smoking
Come and find out more about the potential health  impacts of drugs, alcohol and smoking. There is help out there, so take away some information or have a chat with staff from the Health Improvement Team. Find out about services that can help you quit smoking. Improve your health by having a go on the Smoothie Bike! Pedal your way to your own fresh fruit smoothie, one of your 5 a day.

Wednesday 7th December, 11am-1pm

Men’s over 50’s group
Join us for the monthly over 50’s men’s group, run by Open Age. A chance to meet other men in the area, have a chat and catch up with a hot drink. We hope to also visit the Great Western Studios, a busy artists studios, a short walk away.

Posted in Events | No Comments »

« Older Entries