The "Closing Down " sign in the window of TGJones (the former WHSmith store in Station Road) did not come as much of a surprise following closures elsewhere - but the loss of the Post Office at the back of the store is going to be a real blow for local people. On Wednesday 5 August the Hayes Town Partnership launched a petition demanding that the Post Office should provide a replacement as a matter or urgency.

The closure is due to happen on Tuesday 15 September and the petition is being backed by John McDonnell MP, the Hayes Town Business Forum and the Hayes Town Ward Councillors. You can download a copy here. To make any sort of impact we need to get as many signatures as possible. Please take or send signed forms to the Business Forum office at 49 Station Road or drop them into Botwell Green Library for my attention.

The Partnership has also written to Leader of the Council, Councillor Steve Tuckwell, asking for support in identifying suitable alternative premises and requesting possible temporary use of the vacant One Stop Shop next to the Library. He sent a speedy response saying that he would get this looked into.

The closure is following the same pattern as in other parts of the country. On 30 June 2025 WHSmith sold its 470 stores to Modella Capital. Despite saying initially that there would be few changes the company announced on 6 May 2026 that 150 stores would be closed as part of a restructuring exercise. Expecting the inevitable, the staff in John McDonnell's office have been working with the Post Office to try and find alternative premises but so far without success. If you have any ideas please send an email to John's office.

Late on Saturday 8 August a Hayes Town News reader sent me a report of a grass fire earlier in the day at Lake Farm Country Park - known to some as Botwell Commond.The picture shows the resulting devastation.

The London Fire Brigade were alerted to the fire at just after 2 30pm. They sent 8 fire engines and about 60 firefighters and had the fire under control by 4pm. It looks like their speedy action stopped the fire from doing even more damage.

The cause of the fire is not known but the Brigade has repeated its previous advice about how to reduce the risks of fires on open land in London:

• Avoid the use of disposable barbecues
• Do not smoke and put out cigarettes very carefully if you do
• Dispose of all rubbish in bins or take it home if there are no bins.

Advice on what to do if you discover a fire can be found here.

The Hayes Town Partnership has roundly condemned plans to convert empty offices at The Old Vinyl Factory (OVF) into 121 flats. In response to a planning application from developers Spectre (Hayes) Limited the Partnership has reminded the Council that the original master plan for the OVF had promised 4000 jobs but they have not come about. Nor has the cinema.

The proposal affects the former EMI Record Store (pictured) which has been very well-restored for use as offices but never fully occupied. The Partnership says that any conversion of offices to flats at the OVF should not be considered in isolation since it is unlikely to be the last. It requests a review of the master plan and a thorough appraisal of the impact of more flats on local services especially for health, young people and school places. The response also criticises the submission for serious inaccuracies. You can read the letter to Planning by using this link.

On Sunday 9 August I had the pleasure and the privilege of being an official guest at the Sant Narankari Mission in Sipson Lane Harlington at their annual "Festival of Oneness". The Mission is dedicated to promoting the universal values of love, peace, humility, selfless service, and spiritual awakening and the event was graced by the presence of Her Holiness Satguru Mata Sudiksha Ji Maharaj and Nirankari Raj Pita Ji (pictured).

Around 3000 people attended on what was a glorious summer day and the warmth of the welcome for all the official guests was truly memorable. I have known the Mission for almost 20 years after first meeting their leaders when I worked for the Council. In more recent times they have always produced willing volunteers when help is needed in clearing litter from public open spaces such as Minet Country Park. They also fund raise for disaster relief and they were previously the recipients of the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.

Hayes Town Safer Neighbourhood Team are alerting residents and businesses to a small group of females accompanied by young children who have been approaching members of the public outside shops in Hayes Town. According to reports received over the last week the individuals are asking people to purchase baby milk and other items for their children. It is alleged that these items are then returned to stores in exchange for cash.

The police are asking residents to remain alert and report any suspicious behaviour. If you are approached and feel uncomfortable, please politely decline the request and move to a safe location. Businesses are encouraged to report any similar incidents, particularly where there are concerns regarding the return of goods that may have been obtained in this manner.

If you witness any suspicious activity or have information that may assist the police, please report it via:

• 101 or the police website for non-emergency matters

• 999 if a crime is in progress or there is an immediate risk to public safety

• Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or online

Home-Start Hillingdon have asked me to let readers know that its brilliant Dad Matters project is expanding, and they are recruiting a new Dad Matters Co-ordinator to join their team. Below is what they have to say about the job:

"Passionate about supporting Dads to develop a strong bond with their babies? This three-day-a-week role is a fantastic opportunity to support new dads across Hillingdon to help give babies the best possible start in life".

Applications are invited for a post in their team, working alongside their existing Dad Matters Co-ordinator to grow and strengthen support for dads across the borough.

For further information and to make an application click here.

📍 Location: Hillingdon, Hybrid working, part-time (22.5 hours per week)

📅 Closing Date: Thursday 10 September at 9am.

This is a reminder that the Metropolitan Police have teamed up with the Suzy Lamplugh Trust to offer a short online training course on how to intervene safely when you see somebody being harassed. It's called "Bystander training" and a special session has been arranged for Tuesday 11 August for local residents, employees and businesses within Hillingdon, Hounslow and Ealing boroughs.

The event starts at 12 noon and lasts only half an hour. I have been to a previous event and it was very worthwhile. Use this link to sign up for a place.

'Discover Cranford' is the theme for this year's summer event at Cranford Park on Saturday 15 August from 11am to 3pm. It is designed for the whole family and a fun day is promised with games, crafts and a chance to explore.

There will be sporting activities in the courtyard and a craft stall where you can create clay animals and drawings. Or you can join a guided history walk or follow an audio trail to discover more about this precious green space. Other attractions include hook-a-duck, tombola, or visits to the Secret Garden and the restored stables. Refreshments will be provided by Good Apples, operator of the park's long-promised café. You can also meet the Cranford Park Friends who help look after the park. Entry is free and there is no need to book. 

To find out the different ways to get there use his link.

The Great Barn in Harmondsworth (pictured) is 600 years old this year. It has been ranked alongside the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey because of its exceptional architectural and historic interest. On Saturday 5 September there will be an opportunity to find out why it is so special. An all-day conference will bring together experts who will share their knowledge of the history and archaeology of the site and the materials and methods used to build and restore it.

Entry is free and more information about the event can be found here. There is also a booking link but my computer's virus protection system said that it is unsafe - so please take care. I am trying to find out if it is only Malwarebytes that says there is a problem and I will clarify the position in next week's edition.

Regular readers will know that Hayes Town News often highlights local history and the brilliant inventions from the industrial past of Hayes. This is because there is clear evidence that knowing about where you live can help develop a feeling of belonging. Dave Hill, creator and editor of the On London web site has a similar view and in one of his recent blogs he recounted examples of children and young people who know so little about the city in which they live. The most startling incident involved a boy on a school trip to the Globe Theatre who asked about the nearby long, wide strip of water and had to be told that it was the Thames..

Dave draws attention to some material produced for schools by the Mayor of London's office to help children connect with the city and community in which they are growing up. You can find it here.

Learn Hillingdon has acquired the funding to run some more free nutritious and healthy dinner workshops and another 5-week healthy cooking course starting on Tuesday 22 September and going through to the beginning of December.

The events are open to adults aged 19 or over who have a need to manage or reduce their weight, or a medical condition that could improve as a result of a better diet or are on a low income or currently unemployed.

The events take place in a purpose-built kitchen at the Civic Centre in Uxbridge. For more information on the healthy dinners workshops click on this link and for the cooking course click here. To apply for a place call 01895 556252 or send an email.

The Daniella Logum Foundation was set up by the mother of a local girl who died aged 12 in 2016 after being diagnosed with a brain tumour. It aims to support children and their parents through all the stages of the illness.

On Saturday 26 September the Foundation will be holding a family fun day at Uxbridge High School in The Greenway. At this stage the organisers are seeking service providers and businesses that would like to have a stall. They are free for charitable groups but businesses are asked to pay a minimum of £50. To find out more call 07760 411888 or click here to book a stall.