An Alarming Encounter in Hewson Books

Brentford West councillor Guy Lambert reports back

Brentford West councillor Guy Lambert

November 1, 2024

Thursday evening, and the Voice of Brentford is exercised. Via the vocal chords belonging to Bob Smith, Martin Case, Jim Storrar etc and various voices belonging to us in the audience. I got grumpy with Martin when he made a comment about the cycle lane in Chiswick. It is like the Abominable Snowman, greatly feared but rarely seen.

To be fair, Chiswick was hell yesterday, but as usual it had a lot to do with one of the utilities digging large holes in the road and providing unhelpful traffic lights which generally stop traffic in every direction. We used to have lollipop persons but I suppose they have all emigrated to a more prosperous country where you can get a home to live in. Traffic lights do not demand being housed in flats with central heating and a power shower.

It is a difficulty with Brentford Voice (and most community organisations) that most of the people who lead are well over 21 and that leaves them unrepresentative and would benefit from some yoof engagement. I also worry that those attending mainly live between Ealing Road and Commerce Road. They are trying to get more engagement from other areas but it is not easy to attract people. The plus side of course is they bring us (amongst a lot of other things) the Canal Festival and the Markets, which both are increasingly popular. Well done them and I decided to give them my £10 membership for another year. I think I was the only councillor in attendance which is also disappointing. Let’s get more locals and councillors enthused!

On Friday I was up at Hounslow House to pay tribute to Councillor Jagdish Sharma. Some of us are worn out after 9 years but Jagdish has done 50, since when I was a long haired layabout. He has been leader of the council, head teacher, an MBE, everything. Nice man too.

On Saturday it was our surgery at the library. We cancelled it but I reinstated it because nobody had updated the info so I thought I ought to go, having missed someone recently. Obviously nobody turned up. Emma and I are thinking about a different approach because our surgeries are always poorly attended – most people prefer to email or phone and organise a date.

I spotted this Lime bike behind what used to be Morrisons. Rather sad, it had apparently been savaged by a herd of pigeons. I hope Hounslow Highways have done the necessary.

Sunday was the Brentford Market. Lovely to see it bigger and lively, though with a few scary looking people

That bubble landed on my head and caused a shock, insufficient to cause a heart attack.

I bought a book from Hewson but was very alarmed to see this.

According to the Independent, “Boris Johnson’s Unleashed : A memoir that’s twisted, sour and full of yet more lies. In his shameless and predictable 772-page account of events, the former PM forgoes the truth to paint a preposterous picture of himself as a man of destiny, too good for his own good”. Apparently people who haven’t even seen my advice have decided not to buy it. The one about the rescue dog looks a better bet, and probably better written even if Sophie the dog wrote it herself.

A couple of relaxed days, but I did react to someone pointing to a lovely flytip in Mafeking Avenue. I spent some time going through the soggy mess but found no address within 100 miles of Brentford so I gave up. Still, I do emphasise to my reader the glamour of life as a ward councillor. Lovely Jubbly.

On Wednesday I met a gentleman who lives on The Island and apparently publishes a newsletter or similar. He interviewed me about what I’m up to and my thoughts about Brentford, which I haven’t got around to reading through yet.

Later I went on my habitual ride to Hammersmith and back through downtown Chiswick. I noticed someone lurking near the river and decided to take a look at the ladders allowing squatters to access their boat, which are supposed to have been removed.

This one obviously hasn’t been, but it’s a good thing whoever uses it Is younger, fitter and thinner than me or there would likely be a catastrophe!

In the evening I went in to Kings College in the Strand for a meeting I saw about Integration of Immigrants. It is not something I have given that much attention but it seemed like it would be interesting, even against the competition of Brighton 2 Liverpool 3. Lots of food for thought and some interesting conversations. 4 of the 22 eminent Commissioners were there but how it all gets implemented is not going to be straightforward.

Kings College is very grand compared with my alma mater (originally Barking College of Technology, North East London Polytechnic by the time I arrived, now University of East London). Most of my education took place in what had recently been a Kensitas cigarette factory in Stratford, which I think has now been demolished. I doubt there was a riot to save it amongst either the local historians or the alumni.

The illusion was rather spoiled when I encountered a mouse scuttling across a square on the exquisite parquet floor.

On Thursday I had arranged with someone I bumped into to meet with Paul Keane, the boss of the Brentford Boat Club that has brought a lot of rowing to our rivers. He has a great relationship with a lot of our local schools and this has to be an important contributor to the fitness, mental health and general fulfilment to a lot of youngsters, something we can accommodate a lot more of in Brentford. We discussed the support he needs to keep building on this. I am doing whatever I can to support this – I think it’s important for the town and its people, especially the young ones. As you can see, there a lot of rowers there from early in the morning. I’m the well dressed, young, fit looking man in the orange jumper. Paul has obviously grown out of his trousers.

Usually there are spooky lights I can see from my balcony after it goes dark. Not going out there tonight – it’s Halloween .

Councillor Guy Lambert