Gone but not forgotten

A bit overdue this, but worth noting nonetheless.

No 77, the wine bar on Mill Lane, seems to have shut up shop. 

I'm not quite sure when it opened, but it's been a local institution for a good couple of decades.

Gustoso, which couldn't boast the same length of service to the community, has also given up the ghost.

One of the better of the deli businesses to have arrived recently in the area, it opened on West End Lane only last year.  An offshoot of an established deli in Maida Vale, it had the aura of a business that understood its trade.  All the more strange, therefore, that it barely left the starting gate.

Another departure from the West Hampstead scene is CityNeighbours, an online bulletin board.  Its absence may explain a flurry of activity on the comments sections of this site.  If you've missed this, you might be interested in checking out the comments on the this page announcing the forthcoming (or impending) arrival of Tesco.  Feelings run high on both sides of the argument.

Amid all these departures, let's take a moment to celebrate a local success story.

   

The Kitchen Table café on Mill Lane recently passed its first birthday and goes from strength to strength serving its home-cooked, nutritious fare to its dedicated regulars.

Building project aims to restore green space near Mill Lane

Last summer, there was consternation when trees and other vegetation were cleared from a strip of land running north of Mill Lane, beside the railway and behind houses on Fordwych Road. Besides representing the loss of one of the few natural habitats in the area, this seemed to presage the start of a major building development.

Now SLLB, a firm of architects, are preparing a planning application to build on the land. They are seeking the public's views on their proposal before submitting it to Camden council.

According to their consultation website, the proposal would restore a significant amount of green space, with sensitivity to biodiversity. There would be a large building to the front of the site, along Mill Lane, comprising flats and houses. The existing building, shown in the picture above, would be demolished to make way for the new structure. The architects say:

We have been working on a scheme which will result in the land being acquired from the current owner and the open space restored to a green, biodiverse state. This is something we believe strongly to be in the public interest. It is however only possible to achieve our aim through enabling development.

This artist's impression below shows what the scene above might look like following the development.

Daniel Smith of SLLB told Northwest 6 that the site owner approached them following the furore caused by his removal of the trees and vegetation from the land last year. They now have a commitment from a housing association, Genesis, to join the development and they would expect other backers to come on board if the proposal gains planning approval.

The proposed green space would not necessarily be a public space. One option is that it could be a subscription park, to which local residents would have access if they paid an annual fee. A model for this exists locally at Mapesbury Dell. Another option, is that there would be no public access and the space would be managed to promote biodiversity. This is apparently the option preferred currently by Camden council.

Daniel Smith says the purpose of the current consultation is to gain insight now into the public's concerns or other opinions so that the architects can address these in the design of the planning application. SLLB ask you to submit any opinions before 29 April.

Changes to local roads

After seeking our views last year, Camden Council is making some changes to roads around Mill Lane.  These are intended to make things safer for pedestrians - particularly children going to school.

Mill Lane itself is to get two new zebra crossings.  Work to install these has already begun - adding to the density of roadworks already happening in the area thanks to the Thames Water excavations.

A 20 mph speed limit is to be imposed on the roads around Beckford School - Dornfell Street, Broomsleigh Street, Glastonbury Street and Ravenshaw Street.  80 per cent of the 186 respondents to Camden's survey supported this measure.  But only 48 per cent expressed support for raising the junction - bringing the road level to that of the pavement - where Dornfell Street meets Ravenshaw Street.  So this proposal will not proceed.

Answers from Tulip Siddiq, Labour candidate for Fortune Green

Less than a week to go until the Fortune Green by-election.  Tulip Siddiq, the Labour candidate, has sent in answers to the Northwest 6 questionnaire.

You can also read answers from Heather Downham  and Nancy Jirira.

     

1.  What would you say is at stake in this council by-election?

A risk of further disengagement in the community. I've been canvassing a lot recently and communication between the Fortune Green councillors and the residents who live in the ward could be a lot better. I feel so strongly about it that I even made a video on my website, explaining how I would go about fixing it. Politics should be a two-way street, not a blind alley!

2.  What has motivated you personally to put yourself forward for election?

The desire to represent local residents. I want to voice the concerns of all residents, not just a selected few. I want proper consultation on topics that are important to locals, not just to the councillors. My website has had more than 2,500 visitors since the election began and constituents of all different ages and backgrounds have contacted me with their ideas. This is a clear sign that people are looking for different ways to communicate, but their voices aren't being heard.

3.  What impact would you say the change of control of Camden council has had in the two years since the last local elections?

Since the last local election, there has been a real lack of direction from the Liberal Democrat/Conservative council. Although it appears that there is a Liberal Democrat majority, the Conservatives seem to be running the show, so constituents are not really being represented by the people they elected. Also I am struggling to see what changes the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives have made to West Hampstead since they've been in power. Most of the local improvements have taken place because of Labour's work on issues such as developing public transport and increasing local police.

4.  What would you say are the two or three most pressing issues for people in Fortune Green?

Where do I start!

1) Planning and Development - The current council's failure to control the major developments in West End Lane and the likely large scale developments in Maygrove Road and Fordwych Road make me think that local peoples' interests are not being considered. The Liberal Democrat/Conservative council needs to start listening to the residents whose lives will be directly affected by these planning and development proposals.

2) Environment - I'm concerned that recycling is taking a backseat with the present Liberal Democrat/Conservative coalition. There are fears that recycling is being taken away from council estates in Camden generally. In Fortune Green we lost our garden waste collection. There is also an urgent need for a waste recycling facility in north west London. Residents have told me that they are tired of driving across the borough to recycle big items.

3) Transport - Under the Labour council, the public transport system improved dramatically in West Hampstead. More bus stops have been placed outside stations, the old Silverlink has become part of London Overground which means that I can now use my Oyster card on all railway services. I take the Jubilee line to work every day and the trains are always frequent which makes my journey very simple.

 
5.  What are your views on the following:

School provision for families who live in the ward?

Emmanuel School and Beckford school are both very good schools for our younger residents in Fortune Green. Hampstead School, a secondary school in the ward, is being improved thanks to a Labour government initiative.

The quality of play and recreational spaces for children in the ward?

The quality is simply not good enough. I've been to look at these play areas first-hand and was shocked by their disrepair and neglect. Many of the play areas for children in the ward are either unusable, locked up or ignored. We must concentrate on improving and maintaining the areas we have before we start planning new projects.

The state of Fortune Green itself (the park not the ward)?

It's a bit dilapidated and threatened by the large development nearby. Section 106 money has been given by developers to improve local community facilities and open spaces but we have had no voice in what is being spent. I suspect that it's not being spent in this area at all.

 

The problem of dog mess in parks and on pavements - particularly the railway path between Broomsleigh Street and West End Lane?

This issue needs managing. The previous council used to provide more pooper bags and bins but this has been reduced in the last two years. This is probably due to the number of cuts that the council has made to public services.

 

The way parking controls are administered by Camden council?

You may have seen my letter in the Camden New Journal about this topic. I'm seriously concerned about how parking has gotten so much worse under the current council, and yet their income from fines has risen. You can view all my concerns here.

 

The congestion, pollution and other difficulties caused by the installation of traffic lights at the junction of Mill Lane and Fortune Green Road?

This is actually a dangerous problem. The Lib Dem council said they would 'sort it out' but nothing has been done about it since they took power. This is typical of a complacent administration that makes false promises before an election and then doesn't deliver afterwards.

 

The impending arrival of Tesco in West Hampstead?

Small businesses may suffer as a result of this, but there is clearly a demand by some local residents for this type of shop in the local area. It is the job of our local councillors to make sure that any objections from locals are acted on before developments are given the green light. It is just not good enough to act like they are powerless, they need to stand up for our rights. That is what they have been elected for.

Answers from Heather Downham, Conservative candidate for Fortune Green

 

Answers have started arriving to the questionnaire sent by Northwest 6 to all candidates in the Fortune Green by-election.

First up, Heather Downham - who's standing for the Conservatives.

 

 1.  What would you say is at stake in this council by-election?

West Hampstead and Fortune Green have a very particular quality. They are very comfortable and relaxing areas in which to live. The future of our area is at stake, because of the ongoing battle to stop inappropriate planning applications succeeding, and thus devastating our green open spaces, play areas, and over-populating the area, with all the ensuing consequences, i.e. lack of places at schools, no policing, and an increase in crime. We must be vigilant.

2.  What has motivated you personally to put yourself forward for election?

As I said before, I want to preserve the character of our area, and I want the necessary changes to be good for all of us. I have lived here for over 25 years, and I want to fight to keep our amenities, i.e. the post offices, to preserve dust bin and recycling collections on at least a weekly basis, and to try and improve the parking problems. I have a wide experience of life, and know how to deal with a lot of day-to-day problems, i.e. noisy neighbours and rogue freeholders and developers and I should like to help others in the neighbourhood who are finding their own problems difficult to solve.

3.  What impact would you say the change of control of Camden council has had in the two years since the last local elections?

I think the change of control at Camden council is having a very positive impact.

i) Parking problems are now much better handled. No clamping, and more realistic notices of parking suspensions.

ii) Libraries open much longer.

iii) Plans for a new secondary school in Swiss Cottage, and improvement to Hampstead School.

iv) The free removal of graffiti, an excellent idea.

It seems to work having a Liberal/Conservative partnership – different ideas and thinking.

4.  What would you say are the two or three most pressing issues for people in Fortune Green?

i) Control of inappropriate planning applications.

ii) Crime is rising again in Fortune Green, so more police patrols, and if possible dog patrols in the cemetery.

iii) Fight to make sure post offices and the police station remain open.

5.  What are your views on the following:

School provision for families who live in the ward?

Two very good primaries – Emmanuel School and Beckford school – which get very good OFSTED results. Both very high teaching standards. In terms of secondary schools, Hampstead School is about to be improved by the council with new facilities for sport, science and drama, and I am sure it will continue to improve.

The quality of play and recreational spaces for children in the ward?

There is a shortage of play areas in the ward. Fortune Green is there, but in the west and north of the ward there is no park or play area – it is much needed.

The state of Fortune Green itself (the park not the ward)?

Fortune Green has lost a lot of its appeal since the Sager Building has gone up. It needs some refurbishing with new trees and maybe flower beds. In summer there is always a problem with football players interfering with peaceful people.

The problem of dog mess in parks and on pavements - particularly the railway path between Broomsleigh Street and West End Lane?

On the pavements most people now clean up after their dogs, or the street cleaners do a wonderful job of removing dog mess. It is still in the parks, you have to be careful, but maybe a few fines could stop the nuisance. I must have walked down the path from Broomsleigh Street to West End Lane on a good day as there was no obvious mess, but I am very aware of the problem and I want the council to use the new fixed penalty powers it now has available.

The way parking controls are administered by Camden council?

The administration of parking controls has improved. Now that clamping has been banned, it stops cars being targeted. Also, clarification of ‘a day’ – now 8.30-18.30 – has saved much trouble. Attendants now seem to be more reasonable in their attitude.

 

The congestion, pollution and other difficulties caused by the installation of traffic lights at the junction of Mill Lane and Fortune Green Road?

The traffic lights at the junction of Mill Lane and Fortune Green Road are a disaster. They cause pollution in the Emmanuel School playground, and affect the pedestrians waiting to cross the road, and waiting parents. The traffic jams are extraordinary. The traffic backs up down Mill Lane, you can waste an extra five minutes, the 139 bus gets stuck, the C11 gets stuck as well, and the 139 should not even be in Mill Lane. It also has created a ‘rat run’ down Hillfield Road, where traffic is moving much too fast for the area.

The lights are a menace; they do no good, and cause havoc going south and north along Fortune Green Road and West End Lane. But we must make sure there are safe crossings, so it’s not an easy question – I would want the council to look at this afresh together with local residents and see what all the options are.

 

The impending arrival of Tesco in West Hampstead?

Tesco is a difficult question and I know there are different views locally on this – and of course the council’s powers are limited as there is no planning ‘change of use’.  Although we want to keep West End Lane unique, with diverse shops, wine bars and speciality boutiques, bakers etc, there are a lot of young people living in the area, students and more elderly folk whom I think have suffered from the lack of affordable food. We have some wonderful delicatessens and specialist bakers, but the existing supermarkets are expensive, and do not have a huge range of goods. We have a lot of charity shops in the High Street, and the site Tesco will occupy is not very convenient. It is close to the station, but people in the north of the ward will still shop at their local corner shop. The sad thing is that the existing traders have left a gap in the market, which Tesco has been able to exploit. I wish this was not so, but it is unfortunately a fact.

Mill Lane traffic management

Businesses in Mill Lane are expressing concerns about proposals intended to improve pedestrian safety.

Two primary schools (Beckford and Emmanuel) are on or close to Mill Lane, so a lot of children walk along it to get to school.  Camden Council has been seeking the views of the public on its plans to calm traffic along the road through measures such as additional zebra crossings, and lower speed limits on the roads around Beckford school.

Businesses on Mill Lane have told the Ham & High that the scheme is a costly mistake and that Camden should be spending the money on measures to improve the flow of traffic.  Yiannis Pareas of the Mill Lane Traders Association questioned the validity of the council's consultation:

"They should be coming out here and talking to us, as we are all very keen to talk about Mill Lane and the pockets of streets in the area.  We have been crying out for loading bays outside some of the businesses, like Brandon Tool Hire. Vans have to stop on the road and then block buses and traffic.

"And so many people are complaining about the traffic lights installed on the junction with West End Lane. They only let three or four cars through at a time, then cars are queuing up and send pollution right into the school."

Part of this appears to be how to manage the tension between the needs of shops on Mill Lane - who need loading and parking facilities if their businesses are to thrive - and pedestrians, particularly schoolchildren, who need safe streets.

However, the views of the traders receive some endorsement from the local lobby group West Hampstead Amenity and Transport - whose Virginia Berridge tells the Ham & High that she also suspects the consultation was inadequate:

"It was a tick-box exercise and bosses haven't given enough attention to the comments people gave.  We understand traders would like more loading bays on Mill Lane. But we are also concerned for pedestrians and about the tail-backs from the unwanted traffic lights at the junction with West End Lane.  A study into pollution levels affecting the school was carried out and we have been asking for the results, but so far they have not been made available."

It's not clear to what extent other shops in Mill Lane share these concerns.  You will recall back in November that the manager of Bake a Boo was describing the area as a great place to do business.

Life in Victorian West Hampstead

Hampstead Cemetery
Originally uploaded by outblissed

Northwest 6 has received an email from someone tracing her family history:

My great grandfather Benjamin OVENS, a policeman, lived with his family at 19 Ravenshaw Street from 1889. Can anyone help me with ideas of where the children would have gone to school, which church the children might have been baptised, and where the very young children might have been buried in 1890 and 1895?

For such questions Kilburn and West Hampstead Past is an invaluable source.

It tells us that Beckford School was open for business by this time, although it was called Broomsleigh Street school at this stage (its name was changed in 1931). As the nearest school to Ravenshaw Street, it is the most likely possibility for the one that the Ovens children attended. It was built specifically to cater for the increasing numbers of children in the proliferation of streets being developed in West Hampstead in the late 19th century, of which Ravenshaw Street was one.

Another possibility is Emmanuel School, on Mill Lane. This was a well-established school by this time but, then as now, was too small to meet demand.

Emmanuel Church at West End Green had not opened at this time. The children may have been baptised in its predecessor, the Emmanuel mission church which stood on the corner of Aldred Road and Mill Lane. (Presumably this was the corner opposite The Pavement, the row of shops on Mill Lane which begins at this corner and which dates from 1888.) If the minister at Emmanuel wasn't to the Ovens family's taste, the children may have been baptised at St Cuthbert's church in Fordwych Road which opened in 1887.

Finally, where were the very young children buried? Almost certainly at Hampstead Cemetery, at Fortune Green. Now "full up", the cemetery had been relatively recent developed in the 1890s having been consecrated for burials in 1876. However, even by then it must have been filling up rapidly as it was extended in 1901.

If you have any further knowledge or memories which can help answer this query, then please share them here.

2007 revisited

Some unfinished business from earlier in the year.

Back in April, Northwest 6 reported on plans to build a four-storey block of flats on Ravenshaw Street.  It seems, for the time being at least, as if those particular plans won't be proceeding.  According Camden's planning website, they were withdrawn.

Proposed developments to The Alliance pub, on the corner of Ravenshaw Street and Mill Lane, did receive planning approval.  There's been no sign so far of the installation of a terrace at the back of the pub - possibly because the plans were overtaken by events when there was a fire in the upper floors of the building.

In March, we reported that Sainsbury's were sending out daily patrols to collect trolleys abandoned around West Hampstead and other areas near its store on Finchley Road.  They seem to have been as good as their word, with a noticeable improvement in the trolley blight along the railway path.

Also in March, there was concern about the work beside the railway to clear vegetation.  One resident was concerned that this might have presaged extensions to the track or building works.  Network Rail failed to respond to our enquiries but, as it turned out, the work was benign.

That's it.  See you in 2008.

School inspections

Ofsted, the school inspectors, have been busy evaluating schools in West Hampstead.

Closest to home, Beckford Primary School in Dornfell Street was rated good. Ofsted's report says:

Teaching is strong because lessons are well prepared, teachers' expectations of what pupils can achieve are high and relationships are very good. This helps the pupils to feel secure, raises their self-esteem and hence boosts their learning.

Beckford School

Ofcom describes the personal development of pupils at the school as outstanding.  But it says more could be done to raise the achievement of more able pupils, and has set this as an area in which the school should improve.

In another inspection, Fordwych Nursery School, on the corner of Mill Lane and Fordwych Road, has been rated as outstanding.  Fordwych is the school which makes headlines as far away as the Middle East for its annual ritual whereby local dads queue all night in the playground to be among the lucky few to get their children into the school.  Ofsted did not feel a need to recommend any improvements.  It says:

Children have a lovely time at this nursery. The play rooms are set up to promote all areas of learning and children have independent access to all of the toys, resources and materials...  Children are highly skilled communicators and frequently initiate conversations with staff, visitors and each other. The communication is supported by staff as they talk with the children throughout the day. Children express their views of their nursery which include, "I like sticking the triangles", "Riding the new tractors is great fun" and "I like staying for lunch".

Inspection reports for other local schools can be found on the Ofsted website.

Changes proposed for local roads

Camden Council is seeking your views on plans aimed at making local roads safer for pedestrians.  There would be a 20mph speed limit in the roads around Beckford School (Broomsleigh, Dornfell, Glastonbury and Ravenshaw Streets) and a raised junction at the end of Dornfell Street where it meets Ravenshaw Street.

It is also proposed to add two new zebra crossings to Mill Lane.

If you live in this area of West Hampstead, you should already have received a consultation pack.  You have until 11 January  2008 to submit your views.

Still in business

Apologies for the recent lack of activity. Pressure of work has prevented me keeping across things locally. Please keep checking back. Northwest 6 is still in business and things should improve a bit now.

Speaking of still in business, one of our local shops, Bake A Boo, received a hefty piece of promotion in the local press this week for reaching its first anniversary. Bake A Boo is run by 25-year-old Zoe Berkeley, who grew up in the area - which she seems to regard as a great place to do business. She tells the Ham & High, "The people on Mill Lane and in the roads just off it are a community. They are really supportive of independent shops like us."

Rear terrace proposed for The Alliance pub

The Alliance pub is seeking planning permission for developments to the building including the installation of a terrace at first floor level at the back of the pub. The plans - which you can see on Camden Council's website - include an awning over the terrace, which would overlook the top end of Ravenshaw Street. You have until this Thursday 17th May to submit comments.

Across the other side of Mill Lane from The Alliance, there's a proposal for seven flats on the site of one house and three garages in Gondar Gardens. You can see detailed plans. One neighbour has emailed Northwest 6 describing this as a dense and unwelcome proposal. Camden is inviting comments until 30th May.

Network Rail says "No"

BBC News has picked up the Mill Lane bridge story and managed to establish what the massed ranks of the local press and, initially, this website failed to do. And that is that Network Rail has no intention of stepping in to save the murals.

A Network Rail spokesman is quoted as saying:

"[If] it was graffittied over how would we then go about restoring it again? We cannot make an exception here because we are spending public money."

Readers who have been following this affair from the beginning may find this puzzling. Local artist, Charlotte Gerrard, who was responsible for organising the original paintin g for the millennium and wants now to restore the artworks, has always argued that restoration would be a cheaper and more effective way of deterring graffiti.

She's now intending to see if funds can be raised in the community to save the paintings, made by more than 70 children in the summer of 2000.

Network Rail argues its public funding prevents it stepping in. Its privatised predecessor, Railtrack, which funded the original project was able to find more flexibility it seems in supporting this kind of community initiative.

Mill Lane bridge - local newspapers cover the campaign

The local newspapers are often the source of many of the talking points about West Hampstead that are discussed here on Northwest 6. So I'm glad to be in a position to repay the compliment.

Charlotte Gerrard's campaign to renew the paintings on the Mill Lane bridge is covered this week in both the Camden New Journal and the Ham & High (not online).

Remember, you heard it here first.

Mill Lane bridge - support from Councillor Flick Rea

Charlotte Gerrard's campaign to renovate the paintings on the Mill Lane railway bridge continues to attract support. Councillor Flick Rea - who not only represents Fortune Green but is in charge of culture on Camden council - is looking into how she can support the project. Flick was enthusiastic about the original mural project. She told Northwest 6:

"Mill Lane rail bridge was one of 'my' projects for Millennium year and it's lasted wonderfully. I would love to see it restored. Charlotte is great and it was a lovely project to help with."

Network Rail are on the case

Network Rail are looking into whether they can help renovate the railway bridge on Mill Lane. In response to last week's posting about the efforts by West Hampstead artist, Charlotte Gerrard, to win support for the restoration, a Network Rail spokesman has told Northwest 6:

“Although Network Rail's priority is to run a safe and efficient railway, we are mindful of our trackside neighbours and do try wherever possible to engage with local communities.

“We are also committed to tackling graffiti on the railway and agree that murals such as the one in Mill Lane can act as a deterrent to graffiti artists. For this reason we will look into what support we can provide for the renovation of the mural."

Mill Lane railway bridge

Efforts are being made to preserve the children's paintings on the railway bridge on Mill Lane, before they deteriorate so much that the bridge gets repainted in a uniform grey.

Local artist Charlotte Gerrard organised the original project to decorate the bridge as a community art project involving 74 children in the summer holidays of 2000. Each child painted a tree to commemorate the Millennium. Since then, the bridge has become a local landmark - attracting much less graffiti than a conventionally-painted bridge. The project was funded by Railtrack, which contributed £2000. But Railtrack was subsequently replaced by Network Rail, and Charlotte has been unable to find anyone in the organisation who can authorise the £750 need to renovate the artworks.

The children's paintings were protected by a silicon lacquer to prevent graffiti and other damage. But that lasts only three years and is therefore overdue to be renewed. Charlotte wants to clean and touch up the paintings to make them look perfect again, and then get the lacquer reapplied.

"I've spoken to six or seven people in Network Rail," says Charlotte "But they don't have the procedures to give the go ahead to something like this. They just offer to send a crew round to paint the bridge grey. That would be about two or three days work and would cost a lot more than what I'm proposing."


Charlotte says the attitude of Network Rail is in sharp contrast to that of Railtrack - which was enthusiastic from the start. "They were very hands-on and even stayed at a local B&B so they could join in the painting." Railtrack's press officer, Lesley Hull, can be seen in picture above, taken at the time - together with Charlotte (second from right), local policeman, Ian Morris, and one of the children involved.

Graffiti taggers have shown great restraint towards the bridge over the years - partly, thinks Charlotte, because they knew the children who painted it and respected their work. Now those children are becoming teenagers, some of them may be drawn towards graffiti. Charlotte says "If they were to see that their work restored, that would discourage them from tagging. Would that be the case if the bridge were painted grey?"

Charlotte Gerrard is artist in residence at West Hampstead Community Association. There's an exhibition of her work at 19 Lonsdale Road, Queen's Park (next to Hugo's restaurant) 1-3 December.

Greetings cards based on the paintings on the Mill Lane bridge can still be bought at the West Hampstead Community Centre.


Update November 12: Network Rail are on the case.

Update November 14: Support from Councillor Flick Rea.

Update December 01: Local newspapers cover the campaign

Update December 19: Network rail says "No"

Hot afternoon, sleepy streets

A good day for photographing the neighbourhood.

Mill Lane



Mill Lane shops



Broomsleigh Street



Play Street



Flowers, Dornfell Street



Glastonbury Street
All originally uploaded by Grievous Angel.

Double-deckers using Mill Lane

West Hampstead Amenity and Transport, a local campaigning group, want to stop the Metroline bus company sending empty 139 buses along Mill Lane.

The 139 route finishes at West End Green. At the end of the day, the buses use Mill Lane to get to their garage in Cricklewood.

The campaigners say Mill Lane is too small for double-deckers. There's been damage to trees, unnecessary noise and pollution for residents, and traffic hold-ups - particularly at the end of Mill Lane where the buses have to turn right into Shoot-Up Hill.

You can support their campaign here.

New organic shop

That Organic Place
Originally uploaded by Grievous Angel.

Here's some background from the Ham & High on the new organic shop in Mill Lane. The owner says her aim is to cut the cost of buying organic food.