All posts by Secretary of the SRRA

HS2, HS2 Updates, Parks

An update from HOAC

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From HOAC

HOAC to close due to HS2

From 1st October HOAC will be forced to close as the Centre finally succumbs to the advancing HS2 project.

HOAC will continue to exist; we have the funding in place to relocate and we will return. There will however be a period of time that we will be unable to operate.

For the past few seasons HOAC have managed, with plenty of support from many influential people, to hold HS2 at bay and be able to continue offering this unique opportunity to a wide range of users. Those that have used the Centre this season will have seen how HS2 are advancing and closing in on us.

2020 season

The 2020 season has been a very challenging one with managing both the disruption from HS2 and the Covid Pandemic. Despite that we have been very pleased to see so many people continuing to make use of the Centre through our Covid opening program and our summer holiday courses. Thank you all for managing to navigate our website (which wasn’t designed for how we have used it this summer) and apologies for those that have had issues trying to use it. I would also like to thank you for continuing to use the Centre despite having to navigate Dews Lane and the security teams on it. Seeing people making use of the facilities is what keeps us going and helps gain us political support when we are trying to negotiate our future.

2020 winter and beyond

Unfortunately as already stated from 1st October we are being forced to close as HS2 will finally take over and destroy our Centre. We had always planned that when this day would come we would be able to move to a new site and continue our operations elsewhere. However due to stalled negotiations between HS2 and LBH (London Borough of Hillingdon) we are not yet ready to move to a new site, so the Centre will face a period of closure. At this stage we do not know how long we will be closed for or where our new site will be, however we are pushing the government hard to resolve the stalemate and hopefully in the near future I will be able to share some more positive news. We are still hopeful that by next Spring we will be operating at a new site

Membership

Those with annual membership or longer deals, we thank you for your continued support of the Centre, as we will have a period of closure we can offer you a couple of options regarding your unused membership.
1. We can refund you for the unused portion of your membership
2. We can hold your membership fee and use this as a credit for future membership once we re-open.

We would obviously prefer you to choose the 2nd option as this gives us greater negotiating power regarding our future with the safe knowledge that we have the support of our current members, and we will ensure that this deal is a better value than a refund.

We will assume that if you do not contact us that you are happy to proceed with option 2. If at a later date you change your mind the refund option will still be available. When contacting the office please email admin@hoac.net we are still running with a smaller team in the office due to Covid-19 and may not always be around to answer the phones.

Boat Parking

For those with boats at HOAC we will have staff continuing to ensure the Centre and your boats are stored safely so you are welcome to leave your boats at HOAC until such a point that we relocate. You will still be able to access the Centre to work on your boat or to take it away for a weekend trip for example. Access will need to be pre-planned with the office to ensure we have people here for you and that HS2 security are aware that you are coming. So regarding boat-parking we have a couple of options

  1. Leave your boat at HOAC with limited access
  2. Remove your boat from HOAC and get a credit for future boat parking once we re-open
    3. Remove your boat from HOAC and get a refund for your unused portion

If you do not contact us we will assume you are happy for your boat to remain here. When contacting the office please email admin@hoac.net we are still running with a smaller team in the office due to Covid-19 and may not always be around to answer the phones.

Groups

We are still hopeful that we will be able to run our school and groups program in 2021, we have groups reserving dates for the summer of 2021 and again this helps us with our negotiations and future planning. As we get further into the Autumn we will be in a better position to know what we can do and will contact all the groups booked in once we have more updates.

HOAC’s Future

Although, at present our future doesn’t look particularly bright, HOAC will carry on once we get over this short-term closure. Due to our negotiations and persuasion the funding for moving HOAC is guaranteed and is written into the Hybrid Act, so HOAC will move and get funding to execute that move.

I do hope you are able to continue to support the Centre as we negotiate this latest hurdle in what has been a 10-year battle. Once we re-open free from the shackles of the HS2 burden that has blighted the Centre for many seasons we can again look positively towards the future and start to re-build the Centre and continue to offer the unique facilities that you have all continued to enjoy.

Thank you all for your continued support and we will see you back out on the water in 2021
Neil Maddock
Centre Principal

General

SRRA August Special Newsletter!

Cue Trumpet – Please see our latest newsletter. We had some fabulous contributions for the newsletter. It looks different to our normal newsletter but I hope it is useful to residents. The back pages as you can see explain what has given residents a lift in these very difficult times.
This online version replaces our delivered version which we are avoiding distributing to protect one another.
Please share with your neighbours if you talk to them in a suitably socially distanced way.
Enjoy the bank holiday!
Planning

Telephone Mast Application Appledore/Torcross

Update 27.08.2020.  The application was withdrawn.  Hillingdon planning officers had recommended that the application be rejected. Pleasing news for those of us who were not keen on the development. 

A number of residents in Appledore, Torcross and the local area are objecting to the planning permission request for a new phone mast.  At 18m the mast is around double the size of the adjacent properties.  The SRRA support their objections. Full details can be found here…

https://planning.hillingdon.gov.uk/OcellaWeb/planningDetails?reference=75724/APP/2020/2194

If you wish to object you can do so online at this epetition

https://modgov.hillingdon.gov.uk/mgePetitionListDisplay.aspx?bcr=1

However the planning committee will consider other written submissions for or against the proposal.

Time is very limited to object.  The e-petition closes on the 10th of August.

We have contacted Cavendish Ward Cllr Heena Makwana who is supportive of the objections.

As one committee member of the SRRA said…

I have just got home and found the attached documents posted through my door. It appears that a telephone company have applied for planning permission to erect an 18 Meter mobile phone mast associated cabinets on the small grassed area at the corner of Appledore Avenue and Torcross Road.

As first I thought that this was a spoof as it appears to be an obviously ludicrous proposal, sadly it appears to be true and there is very little time for objections to be raised. I also found a message on my home Ansa phone from another resident who is frankly appalled at the prospect of this enormous Ariel being erected.

I think such a development will adversely impact on the open aspect of the road, which is a cherished characteristic of the “Manor Homes Estate”, cast a whopping shadow over the gardens of some houses in Torcross road at certain times of day, remove a valuable play area for children and franking not be in keeping in a residential setting. It will also interrupt the view from gardens in a number of local road, including my own. It would also I imagine set a precedent in that other mobile phone operators might consider other green spaces in South Ruislip are ripe for one of their masts.”

 

 

Entertainment, Local Clubs and Associations, Polish War Memorial

Would you like to join The Royal British Legion as they cover the VE Day 75 on Friday?

Would you like to join The Royal British Legion as they cover the VE Day 75 on Friday?
VE Day 75 Royal British Legion
VE Day 75
From the Legion….
 As people are no longer able to attend national and regional VE Day 75 commemorations or events due to the Covid-19 pandemic, The Royal British Legion is playing a central role in the delivery of a range of remote activity for people to participate in from home. This includes a VE Day 75 livestream, national moments of Remembrance and thanksgiving and a learning pack for young people.
 
The Legion is inviting all its members to join together in encouraging people of all generations and communities to take part in the activities on 8th May and pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of the entire Second World War generation. As society faces some of the most challenging times since of the Second World War, it is now more important than ever to unite in recognition of service to the nation, just as communities did 75 years ago.
 
Royal British Legion Schedule
 
1100-1102          – Two Minute Silence
1115-1200          – The Royal British Legion VE75 Livestream
2000-2110          – VE Day 75: The People’s Celebration, BBC One
2100                     – ‘We’ll Meet Again’ Singalong
 
Two Minute Silence
 
The Legion is calling on people to join in a national moment of reflection and Remembrance at 11am on Friday 8th May and pause for a Two Minute Silence, not only in recognition of the service and sacrifice of the Second World War generation, but also to reflect on the devastating impact Covid-19 has had on so many lives across the world.
 
People are invited to take part in the Silence in whatever way they feel appropriate be that standing at their window, stepping outside their home, whilst remaining distanced from others, or taking the opportunity for a quiet moment of reflection. To build momentum towards this important moment, please share this with your communities and encourage everyone to come together in Remembrance at 11am.
 
The Royal British Legion Livestream
 
Following the Silence the Legion is hosting a VE Day livestream, sharing stories and memories from those who served and sacrificed during the Second World War. The Legion is inviting people to grab a cup of tea and join us for the livestream as we bring the World War Two generation together with today’s generation to chat about their experiences.
 
Hosted by TV presenter Sonali Shah, the programme will feature contributions from social historian Julie Summers and cook and influencer Melissa Helmsley. The stream will be live from 11.15am on the Legion’s website rbl.org.uk/veday75 and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OfficialPoppyLegion.  
VE Day 75: The People’s Celebration BBC ONE:  20:00 – 21:10 
 
To mark the 75th anniversary of VE day, in these unprecedented times, the BBC in partnership with The Royal British Legion will honour and celebrate the World War Two Generation with an evening of memories and music.  Featuring some of those who remember this historic day, together with Britain’s favourite performers who will entertain us with popular songs of the era.  In a fitting finale at 9.00 pm we will see the nation unite for a very special rendition of “We’ll Meet Again” as we all give thanks to our veterans and remember our loved ones.
‘We’ll Meet Again’ Singalong
 
Lyrics available on The Royal British Legion website https://www.rbl.org.uk/stories/ve-day-singalong
 
VE Day 75 Learning Pack
 
Designed for 7-14 year olds the learning pack includes first-hand accounts from the Second World War generation, veteran interviews and a range of activities to allow families to explore and commemorate VE Day 75 together. People can follow the activity on social media using #VEDay75 and #VEDay75Live during the livestream.
 
There are many parallels between the struggles of the Second World War and what the world is going through today, and looking to the Second World War generation, their resilience and determination, helps inspire today’s generation in these difficult times.
 
Dimitra Nikolakopoulou
Royal British Legion Headquarters Membership Communications Officer
General

April SRRA Newsletter

With Covid-19 we had planned to delay the April AGM meeting fairly early on.  But as movement restrictions were applied we realised we could not and would not want to ask our Road Stewards to make journey’s out and about to deliver the newsletter.

As always Lynne has produced the first e-newsletter from the SRRA.  Is this the future?  Quite possibly.

Please enjoy and feel free to share electronically with your neighbours.

SRRA April 2020 Newsletter

 

Quarterly Meetings

22nd April 2020 AGM – Meeting postponed until 22nd July – COVID19

Last night the Executive meeting of the SRRA as a result of the current Covid19 concerns,  decided that it would be in the interest of our residents to postpone the meeting due to be held Wednesday, 22nd April 2020 until 22nd July 2020.

The 22nd of July will be the AGM meeting.

We have taken a cautious approach due to the timescale involved in informing all residents of the decision as many will hear via the newsletter which takes a month to write, print and distribute.

Police

Victoria Road Car Parks : Action on the blight of Car Meets

Car Meets in the car parks have been a blight on the area for some time.  The screech of tyres not being the most restful mood music to our Friday/Saturday nights.

The police and local council are looking at taking action against landowners where the meets take place and want more information to build a stronger case.

Have you been affected by this issue at Victoria Retail Parks?

If so the Safe Neighbourhoods Team in South Ruislip would like to hear from you.  At this stage they simply want you to email them SouthRuislip.snt@met.police.uk :

Name

Email 

Home Address

Telephone

They will pass your details on to the Anti-Social Behaviour Team to discuss with you.

Many thanks for your help with this issue.

General

Helping the South Ruislip Environment : Tree Planting

Trees for Cities are working with Hillingdon Borough council to plant a new woodland in Field End Recreation Ground. This woodland will be focused on further improving the biodiversity of the site, and Trees for Cities are planning to plant over 20 species in this woodland to create a diverse and welcoming environment for wildlife.

Trees for Cities are planning to plant in the area of long grass on Field End Recreation ground, the woodland will be planted to create areas where the canopy will grow to different heights, this will allow for a great view across the site from the viewing points from around the edges of the site. A diagonal walkway has been planned in to allow people to continue using the site and view the woodland as it grows.

This woodland is for the community and Trees for Cities would love for as many local people as possible to be involved with this project. As part of this, we will be holding a community planting day on 29th February 2020 and a series of workshops aimed at local schools and community groups in the week leading up to it.

Representatives from the SRRA will be there and we look forward to seeing some of you there too!

https://www.treesforcities.org/fieldendrec