Zero tolerance for abandoned shopping trolleys

Abandoned shopping trolleys have been a feature of the neighbourhood ever since the Sainsbury's store opened at the O2 Centre. The path along the railway between Broomsleigh Street and West End Lane is particularly blighted, since the trolleys usually end up thrown over the fence onto the railway-owned land from which they are hard to retrieve.

Sainsbury's themselves have appeared to regard the loss of trolleys as part of the overheads of their business. Reporting abandoned trolleys to them in the past has usually elicited feigned concern and empty promises to retrieve the offending items.

That may be about to change.

The Ham & High reports that Sainsbury's have agreed to send out daily patrols to collect trolleys dumped around the area. So any abandoned trolley in future should be left for no more than 24 hours.

If you see a trolley which may have been missed by the patrols, you might want to help Sainsbury make good on their commitment. The Sainsbury's website informs us that the manager of the O2 store is Dave Murray and he can be reached on 020 7433 1493

Merger of GPs' surgeries

Consultation will begin soon on the proposed merger of the Solent Road and Mill Lane doctors' surgeries in West Hampstead.

Camden Primary Care Trust has told Northwest 6 that a letter will be sent shortly to all patients affected.

Living by the railway

Recent work to clear vegetation alongside the Thameslink line is causing some concern for residents in Ravenshaw Street whose properties back onto the railway. Northwest 6 has received this email:

"Last week the vegetation against the fence was cleared and rubbish removed, and markings have been spray painted on the ground right up against the existing railings for what looks like new fence posts. My fear is that an unsightly and unnecessarily high security fence will be installed and perhaps that additional tracks / buildings may appear behind it."

Northwest 6 has contacted Network Rail to find out more. Will keep you posted.

Tree surgery

Tree cropped
Originally uploaded by Grievous Angel.

Some of the local trees have been subjected to radical surgery. This one is in Ravenshaw Street. I'm enough of a gardener to know that when pruning, you cut back to the new growth. No sign of that maxim having been applied to our trees. I assume this is not necessary for trees.

GPs' surgeries

Northwest 6 has received confirmation of plans to merge the Solent Road and Mill Lane doctors' surgeries in West Hampstead.

The intention is to redevelop the premises of the Solent Road practice, and locate a merged practice there. Camden Primary Care Trust has told Northwest 6 that the list of patients at Solent Road has been "provisionally assigned" to the Mill Lane medical centre.

The development of the Solent Road premises is intended to enable the provision of a greater range of services and also to allow the enlarged practice to cater for a greater number of patients. The Primary Care Trust says the panel which approved the plan expected it would create the following benefits:

"Maximum continuity of care to the practice populations;

"The opportunity to develop a large purpose-built practice in a relatively under-doctored area, with potential for further expansion of the list and development of additional services to patients;

"Improved access for local communities;

"An opportunity to improve the quality of services and ensure more focused clinical leadership;

"Greater opportunity for patient participation in the delivery of services."

Comments on my earlier post on this subject suggest that at least some patients are unhappy about the plan.

A document presented to Camden councillors last September says patients of both practices will be consulted.

Memories of Elisabeth Hagedorn

James, a local resident, has emailed Northwest 6 - apropos, I think, of this post about the plaque on 15 Ravenshaw Street honouring Elisabeth Hagedorn who lived there.

I remember Miss Hagedorn whose mother is the subject of the plaque. Miss Hagedorn used to walk for miles every morning, her shopping trolley full of food for the birds. She would make frequent stops and put some bread and biscuits on walls and other places on her route. The birds used to recognise her and followed her wherever she went. Her house was full of birds too and she would look after sick and injured ones.

I once asked her about the plaque and she said that her mother was not famous but that she was simply a wonderful mother and that the family had the plaque made in order to pay tribute to her.

A great story, well worth sharing. Thanks, James.

If you have memories of the neighbourhood to share, do email us.

West Hampstead Fire Station

Things to like about West Hampstead: seventh in an occasional and totally subjective series.

Fire Station
Originally uploaded by LadyBanana.

Described by Pevsner as an admirable example of London fire brigade architecture, West Hampstead fire station was "one of the first to adopt a domestic vernacular style." Certainly one of the most attractive features of West End Lane.

More things to like about West Hampstead:
Roni's Bagel Bakery
Plaques to ordinary folk
The cheery house
West Hampstead Tube station
Tiled street signs
West Hampstead Local Food Festival