Spring 2019Chairman’s MessageWelcome to the Spring 2019 Newsletter which containsupdates about developments in Central Ealing andelsewhere and reports on the re-opening of PitzhangerManor after re-furbishment, Gunnersbury Parkdevelopments, the 2018 Civic Society Annual Awards, aplaque to Ada Lovelace, and Planning Issues.

First, I need to announce thatCharles Mynors, who has beenPresident of the Society since 2014following the death of ProfessorSir Peter Hall has indicated to usthat owing to work commitmentshe is unable to continue to serve asPresident. I am delighted to saythat Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles,Chairman of the Pitzhanger ManorTrust who lives locally [see box on Page 3 for hisbiography], has agreed to take over the role. Under ourConstitution this will need to be confirmed at our AGMand both hope to be present (subject to workcommitments).I look forward to seeing you at our AGM in early Aprilwhen one of our judges for our award scheme,Harbinder Birdi who is a member of the PitzhangerManor Trust, will talk about “The design of JohnSoane’s Pitzhanger Manor and how it has influencedcontemporary architecture.” [A synopsis of Harbindi’swork is given on page 5].

Robert Gurd

Crossrail and Ealing Broadway station

delays Elizabeth Line trains have been running on the east andwest sections of Crossrail since early in 2018(temporarily branded as TfL Rail) and were due to startusing the central underground section from the end of

2018. It has been widely reported that the delivery ofCrossrail has been delayed from late 2018 into late 2019or even beyond.Just as frustrating have been the continuing delays tothe upgrading of Ealing Broadway and other WestLondon Crossrail stations. These delays have been of

concern to the leader of the Council(Julian Bell) who has written toboth Crossrail and TfL expressinghis concerns about the lack ofcommunication from bothorganisations about the delays.Another issue has been changes tothe station design, originallyapproved in 2014, because ofpractical construction difficultieswith the proposed canopy over the

station forecourt. Initial designs which we have seensuggest that the original large canopy over the forecourtwill be replaced by a smaller, lighter structuresupported by columns over the station entrance withseparate smaller canopies on either side above shops.There is due to be a public consultation on the proposedpublic realm improvements in front of the station whichthemselves have been put on hold because of thecontinuing delays in the station construction.

Dickens Yard, 10-40 The Broadway and

Ealing FilmworksA number of new units have opened up recently inDickens Yard. Disappointingly, many of these are yetmore cafés or restaurants of which Ealing arguably hasalready too many. There are, however still many emptyunits in Market Street (the diagonal route between thechurch and the former fire station and stables).

Coming EventsTuesday 2 April 7.30 p.m ECS AGM Liz Cantell Room, Ealing Town Hall. Speaker Harbinder BirdiThursday 9 May 7.30p.m. Liz Cantell Room, Ealing Town Hall: John Delafons Lecture and PlaqueUnveiling: Speaker Professor Ursula Martin on Ada Lovelace22 June Civic Day: event to be confirmed

Ealing Broadway Station: the latest

Construction has now started at the Filmworks siteopposite the Town Hall following demolition of theexisting buildings on the site including the YMCA,Walpole House and Flavas Bar. Picturehouse have takenan interest in possibly reusing some of the artefactssalvaged from the former Empire Cinema prior todemolition in 2008/9. Opening of the 8-screen cinema isnot now expected to be before 2020.Robert Gurd

Ealing Town HallEaling Council’s lengthy attempts to sell a long lease onthe whole of the Town Hall have moved on a step, witha planning application by the Council’s developmentpartner, Mastcraft Ltd. This was submitted on the sameday that the General Purposes Committee, in its role asthe Trustee of the Victoria Hall charitable Trust, rejectedan appeal from CEPAC (the Campaign for an EalingPerformance + Arts Centre) for talks on possiblealternative approaches, including the establishment of acommunity arts centre. The unresolved problem facing the Council is that theproposed lease to Mastcraft includes the Victoria Halland related areas, property which is held by the Trust.The Trust cannot dispose of any of its assets withoutpermission from the Charity Commission, which willonly be given if there if it can be shown that there is noalternative way of fulfilling its charitable objectives.Valuations of the property were not sent to theCommission until February, and it may be some timebefore a decision is reached. Substantial objections havebeen lodged by lawyers for Save Ealing’s Centre, actingon behalf of CEPAC and Ealing Voice. Council Cabinetpushed on with approval of the scheme at its Februarymeeting, though it has now accepted that talks couldtake place about alternatives with local groups if theruling goes against it. In the meantime, several groups have objected toMastcraft’s proposals to demolish part of the VictoriaHall to make way for a new hotel block. As well aslosing part of the Trust property including the easternrose window, CEPAC has said that this would reducethe capacity of the Hall to meet its original purposes.They are urging the appointment of a new independentTrustee body to protect the intentions of the originaldonors.Tony Miller

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Perceval House redevelopmentThe Council’s preferred development partner, GallifordTry, has signed an agreement to redevelop PercevalHouse to provide new Council offices, library and 470new homes, of which 50% would be affordable.Consultation with stakeholders and the community isexpected to take place shortly with a planningapplication lodged later thisyear. The new Councilfacilities would be providedfor at no cost to the Counciland the project is due to becompleted by 2025. Nodetails of the proposeddesigns have so far been released but earlier indicationssuggest that a tower block would be built on the site ofthe electricity substation at the rear of Perceval Housewhich would loom over the adjacent residential streets.Also, the available artist’s impression shows the frontblocks would dwarf the Grade II Ealing Town Hall onthe other side of Longfield Avenue. We have alreadyasked be consulted on the proposals and we await aresponse from Galliford Try. Robert Gurd

Hoover Building, PerivaleLongstanding members of the Society will recall thespectacular restoration of the Grade II* HooverBuilding and erection of the associated Tescosupermarket at the rear on Western Avenue nearly 20years ago. The front block of the Hoover Buildingitself was let as offices for some time after therestoration but following a long period of lying emptythe offices were sensitively converted a few years agoto apartments. The Canteen Block to the west waseventually redeveloped as a dining venue, again aftera long period of disuse. At the end of last year, adevelopment company carried out a localconsultation on redevelopment of the rear of the Tescocar park currently occupied by a petrol station. Theproposals would involve the erection of a residential

tower block (called TheWilton) which would loomover the listed HooverBuilding and Canteen Block,completely destroying theirsetting (see the unofficial

artist’s representation). We responded to theconsultation by saying that at a minimum the towerelement should be omitted entirely so that the the newbuildings would be in scale with the listed buildingsand would not dominate views of them, particularlyfrom the Western Avenue. We await revisedproposals.Robert Gurd

Filmworks in progress

Ealing Civic Society 3 Spring 2019

The Annual Awards 2018No scheme won the main award last year, but inaddition to the highly commended Bluebell Centre,three projects were commended: St John’s School W13,Ark Junior School W5, and the rear extension at 1Grange Park W5.

The Bluebell Centre is a low carbon building designedand constructedby volunteersfrom theSelborne Societyusing strawbales andr e c l a i m e dm a t e r i a l sw h e r e v e r

possible. It is used mainly to introduce local schoolstudents to the Perivale Wood nature reserve. The 2018judges comprised architects Harbinder Birdi, AnthonyFerguson and Gavin Leonard. In his presentation,Harbinder Birdi said the judges were impressed by theway the Centre nestled so well into the landscape, andthat its construction was a real labour of love.It was also commendable for using recycled materialswhere possible. The century-old floorboards, forinstance, were salvaged from the Pitzhanger Manorrestoration project. Our Chairman later added that hehad rescued some handsome lamps from the EalingBroadway Centre and passed them to the BluebellCentre gratis.

The Guardian critic and humorist Tim Dowling, whopresented the certificates, explained how he is a new kidon the block, having lived in the Borough for 15 monthsnow but has gradually been discovering its delights:Gunnersbury Park, Bollo Lane Recycling Centre aka theDump, Walpole Park, Lammas Park, West Ealing, andeven Ealing Civic Society plaques. He admitted it is so

leafy he has had to buy a rake. He has also learned aboutHanwell and has entered it on his sat-nav but has yet toventure that far.

Tim in fact left his home state of Connecticut over 23years ago and has mainly lived in Islington. He was thanked on behalf of the Society by AnnChapman, not herself a Guardian reader and so notactually au fait with Tim’s wife, his mysterious carpassenger Constance and other references, but was wellentertained despite this.

Weekend Guardian readers will be aware that TimDowling afterwards name-dropped Ealing Civic Societyin his column, which is very gratifying. For our benefithe deleted six swearwords from his prepared remarks,he wrote, and added that he elicited nine decent laughsfrom the audience, which meant the evening was not adisaster for him. This article appeared on 29th Decemberlast year and you can check it out on theguardian.com.Tony Williams

The Bluebell Centre

Tim Dowling with Bluebell builders

Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles KCMGLVOSir Sherard Cowper-Coles has worked for HSBCHoldings since October2013 in various roles,most recently as GroupHead of Public Affairs. Before HSBC Sherardworked for two and ahalf years at BAESystems plc. Earlier hespent over 30 years inthe British DiplomaticService, which hejoined straight from reading Classics at Oxford. Heserved in Cairo, Washington and Paris. He was alsochief of staff to the Foreign Secretary, the late RobinCook, and was head of the department handling thehandover of Hong Kong to China in 1997. His finaldiplomatic jobs were as Ambassador to Israel and thento Saudi  Arabia, followed by nearly four yearsworking in and on Afghanistan.Sir Sherard has chaired the Pitzhanger Manor &Gallery Trust since it was set up in August 2012. Healso chairs the UK Financial Inclusion Commission.He sits on the International Engagement Committeeof the British Academy. He is an Honorary Fellow ofHertford College, Oxford, and President of the JaneAusten Society. At university he was an activemember of the Architectural Society.Sherard is the author of two books: Cables from Kabul

and Ever the Diplomat. He and his family have lived inEaling since 2011.

Ealing Civic Society 4 Spring 2019

Planning issuesPlanning applications for developments on the sites offormer public houses are increasingly common. Inrecent months, our Environment Committee hasresponded to four of these applications.

The Hambrough Tavern, The Broadway, Southall

We objected to this application to provide a 161-bedroom hotel involving the construction of a 15-storeybuilding. We considered that the proposed buildingwould be dramatically out of scale with any of thebuildings in the surrounding area. In addition, theproposed design would be significantly out of keepingwith its canalside location. We also objected to the loss ofa community facility without any plans in theapplication for a replacement. At the time of writing, theapplication is still ‘pending consideration’.

White Hart, Ruislip Road, Northolt

Still ‘pending consideration’ is an application for thissite to provide a 162-bedroom hotel involving theconstruction of a part 14-storey and part 15-storeybuilding. We were surprised that the Council’s planningofficers, in their pre-planning advice discussions,appeared to have facilitated such an overbearingbuilding which is planned to be in the curtilage of alisted building immediately adjacent and below it. Weconsidered that the design would have such adramatically detrimental effect upon the listedbuilding’s setting that the application should be rejectedin its entirety.

Goldsmiths Arms & Flaming Grill site, East

Acton Lane, Acton

We responded to a consultation by the developer of thissite who plans to demolish the existing pub and replaceit with a 3- to 6-storey building. We objected becausewe considered that the planned scheme would beoverdevelopment. In addition, the building would beout of scale and out of keeping with the surroundingarea which largely comprises buildings of 2 storeys. Thepub building is a locally listed building and is alsolocated within the Acton Park Conservation Area(contrary to the assertion of an Ealing Council planningofficer), so it should be retained.

The Victory Public House, High Street, Southall

Permission has already been granted for theconstruction of 131 flats on this site within a part 7- to 9-storey building. We responded to a ‘minor materialamendment’ to add a further seven units. We objecteddue to the continued inadequate provision of affordablehousing in the revised scheme, which would not becompliant with the London Plan (the statutory specialdevelopment strategy for the Greater London area). If

the Council is minded to approve this application, weconsidered that the planned additional units should allbe affordable, ideally available at the London LivingRent. This application is still ‘pending consideration’.Jo Winters

Ada Lovelace plaque update Since September 2018, Ealing has had a new highschool which is called The Ada Lovelace Church ofEngland High School. Ada Lovelace’s connection withEaling dates back to Ada's childhood in the yearsbetween 1829 and 1835. The Civic Society is planning to erect a plaque to thiscomputing pioneer. The picture below was taken fromthe cover of Ada Lovelace, The Making of a Computer

Scientist by ChristopherHollings, Ursula Martinand Adrian Rice.

Ada's mother was LadyByron, wife (for a littlemore than one year) of thepoet, Lord Byron.  LadyByron rented a countryhouse outside London forthe fresh air next tofarmland in the 1820s and1830s. This country home

called Fordhook was in Ealing.  Ada, who only everlived with her mother and not with her father, wouldhave spent much time here. Fordhook was on an estatesituated opposite what is now Ealing Common tubestation.  In 1835, Ada was married at Fordhook.

Sadly Fordhook was demolished in 1903 and wasreplacd by houses.  The Society is proposing that aplaque to commemorate Ada be placed on a buildingat the junction of Fordhook Avenue and the UxbridgeRoad. 

[Ed: Is this a first? Ealing would be a pioneer inerecting blue plaques to two women, mother anddaughter. Ada Lovelace’s mother Lady Byronfounded a co-operative school in Ealing and has aplaque on the front of West London University.]

Professor Ursula Marin will talk about Ada Lovelace atthe John Delafons Lecture on 9 May, 2019. The AdaLovelace plaque will be unveiled that night hopefullyby her great-great-grandson (Lord Lytton) who will beinvited to do so.Josette Bishop, Tony Williams

Gunnersbury Park newsGunnersbury is now over half-way through its 15-yearmasterplan, Gunnersbury 2026. Phase 1 of themasterplan has involved an investment of £21 million.The Large Mansion containing the Museum, theorangery, the café and much of the 75 hectare historiclandscape are now all looking wonderful. The museumreopened in June 2018 and contains collections on thehistory and archaeology of the boroughs of Ealing andHounslow, as well as local industry collections thattrace the growth of manufacturing in the area and oralhistories and personal collections of local people. Thereis also a great deal of information and artefactsconcerned with Gunnersbury itself and the people wholived there. The Museum runs a wide programme ofinteresting events for all ages and interests. Phase 2 of the masterplan will involve the complex taskof finding uses for the sadly decaying Grade II listedSmall Mansion and stables blocks. There will also befurther landscape conservation, including therestoration of the Potomac Lake as a communitywildlife and fishing resource.The new Sports Hub is going up (see picture below) andthe new tennis courts have been in use for some time. Anew expanded car park will be constructed. The EalingCouncil Project Manager will be giving a public briefingon the sports provision progress in the Museum onWednesday 13 March at 6PM. More information isavailable here: http://www.visitgunnersbury.org/sportshubupdate/

The Gunnersbury Community Interest Company (CIC),which has been tasked with raising income to supportthe park, has agreed to the return of the Lovebox andCitadel festivals on 12-14 July, following consultationswith local residents and stakeholders. The Ice Age: the

Lost Kingdom, aimed at families and billed as “theUK's First Touring Outdoor Ice Age Experience withover 40 animatronic beasts”, will open in the park on 7April for a month. Finally, discussions are also inprogress with Go Ape over a proposed course near thechildren’s playground.Join the Friends of Gunnersbury Park and Museumhttps://gunnersburyfriends.org/ for regular news andupdates, or visit the Gunnersbury websitehttp://www.visitgunnersbury.org/Philippa Dolphin

Ealing Civic Society 5 Spring 2019

Harbinder Singh Birdi, RIBA isan Ealing resident and SeniorPartner at Hawkins/BrownArchitects. He is the principalarchitect leading the design forthe Crossrail stations atTottenham Court Road,Liverpool St and Bond St,

where he has collaborated with artists such as DanielBuren, Richard Wright and Douglas Gordon. He is atrustee of Pitzhanger Manor House and Gallery inEaling and the London School of Architecture.

Pitzhanger Manor to re-openPitzhanger Manor

& Gallery will re-open to the public on 16 March 2019following the three-year conservation and restoration

project whichseems to havebeen going onforever. Thea d j o i n i n gGallery has alsobeen upgradedand will stagethree majorexhibitions a

year, featuring the work of contemporary artists,architects and designers.

The sculptor Anish Kapoor will launch Pitzhanger

Gallery’s exhibitions programme. The exhibition willfeature a series of his sculptures which will “echoSoane’s complex use of mirrors and light to multiplyand dissolve space”.

Clare Gough, Director of Pitzhanger Manor & GalleryTrust said: “We are delighted to reveal for the first timein over 150 years Pitzhanger as designed by Soane,bringing this building back to life to engage and inspirevisitors. Anish Kapoor’s exhibition will enable thepublic to look at Soane and his influence in a new light.We look forward to establishing Pitzhanger as aninspiring destination for heritage, culture and art.”Tony Williams

Tony Williams (Newsletter Editor) 2 Nicholas Gardens, W5 5HY (8567 6941)Contributors: Robert Gurd, Philippa Dolphin, Jo Winters, Josette Bishop, Tony Miller, Tony Williams.Photos: Bluebell Centre TW; Ada Lovelace Ursula Martin, et al; Filmworks site Roger Green, taken from Hotel Xanadu;Pitzhanger Manor Andy Stagg; Anish Kapoor Philippe Chancel.

Printed by Pollyprint www.pollyprint.co.uk

2018/19 Executive CommitteeRobert Gurd (Chairman) 60 Beaufort Rd W5 3EA (8998 4417)Ann Chapman (Vice Chair) 15 Lammas Park Gardens, W5 5JD (8567 7955)Corinne Templer (Hon. Vice President) 28 The Grove W5 5LH (8567 5353)Josette Bishop (Treasurer) 8 Castlebar Hill W5 1TDPaul Fitzmaurice 18 Elers Road W13 9QD (8567 3024)Margaret Gold 24 Lyncroft Gardens W13 9PU (8567 6158)Tony Miller 6 Winscombe Crescent W5 1AZ (8997 6042)Philippa Dolphin (Web Manager)William Hardman 247 Pope’s Lane W5 4AH (07730 592956)Jenny Gadsby (Membership) Flat 2, 8 Florence Road W5 (8567 3074)Jo Winters (Secretary) 28 Ranelagh Road W5 5RJ (8579 1885)Josephine Barry-Hicks (Minutes Secretary) 62 Haven Green Court W5 2UY

Annual General Meeting 2019

The 2019 AGM will be held in the Liz Cantell Room,Ealing Town Hall 7.30 pm, Tuesday 2nd April

Agenda1.      Apologies for absence2.      Chairman’s Report for 20183.      Adoption of the Chairman’s Report4.      Treasurer’s Report for 20185.      Adoption of the Treasurer’s Report6.      Appointment of Auditors7.      Election of Officers:8. Election of other committee membersThe following current committee members haveindicated a willingness to stand for a further year: Corinne Templer (Vice President), Jenny Gadsby

(Membership), Tony Miller, Paul Fitzmaurice,

Maggie Gold, Philippa Dolphin (Web manager),

William Hardman, Josephine Barry-Hicks (Minutes),

Jo Winters (Secretary), Josette Bishop (Treasurer).

In accordance with the constitution, furthernominations for election to the committee may bemade by members of the Society. They must besubmitted in writing to the Secretary (Jo Winters, 28Ranelagh Road, Ealing W5 5RJ) at least 14 days beforethe Annual General Meeting, supported by a seconderwho is also a member of the Society. The consent of thenominee must first have been obtained. If thenominations exceed the number of vacancies, a ballotshall take place.9.     Motions and any other business submitted to theChairman in writing prior to the meeting*.10.   Talk by Harbinder Birdi on “The design of John

Soane’s Pitzhanger Manor and how it has influenced

contemporary architecture.”

From our TreasurerIf you pay your subscription by cash or cheque, it helps if you pay as early in the year as possible. This will save you fromreceiving reminders from the Treasurer. The amount due for the year is £12.00. You may make the payment by online bank transfer. Our bank account details are Ealing Civic Society Lloyds Bank

Sort Code 30 92 82 Account Number 02420491

Please use your surname as the reference for the payment. Or you may send your cheque made payable to Ealing CivicSociety to:Mrs Josette Bishop

Treasurer, Ealing Civic Society

8 Castlebar Hill

Ealing W5 1TD

email: josettebishop@btinternet.com

Members who pay by standing order pay £2.00 less, i.e. £10.00 and are not worried by reminders. Please download the formfrom our website if you would prefer to set up a standing order and post the completed and signed form to Josette.