PRPE O RTY news, EVENTS, CULTURE anD LIFESTYLE IN W4/ W6/ W12 WHAT'S ISSUE 16 AUTUMN 2017 ON? The best ways to spend your nights out PAGES 14-15 LADIES WHO LOVE THE LYRIC Why Hammersmith’s revamped theatre complex is so special SEE PAGES 8–9 O UR PATCH AUTUMN 2017 C ONTENTS W ELCOME TO OUR PATCH FROM JOHN HORTON hen I began my career in West London property over two decades ago, I remember my first boss’s Wsage words, “The good news is there is no bad news.” A realistic and positive outlook in a challenging marketplace is essential to success, and I’m pleased to report there is plenty of good news from our perspective. Co VER stoRY: Whilst the property landscape is continually evolving, our office heated THE LADIES who LOVE the LYRIC 8-9 up for a non-stop July and August. Supporters of what many regard as the jewel in Hammersmith’s crown describe We’ve had our most successful summer their feelings for the revamped, reinvigorated theatre in the heart of town to date and I can officially announce our office is number one for both M G APPIN YOUR FUN: 12-13 D O YOUR best: 4 sales and lettings in Hammersmith, A handy guide to let you pinpoint our Scouting has never been more popular... outperforming over 50 other local Partners and your local primary schools but where have all the leaders gone? agencies! Our new Chiswick office We ask local scout leaders Tony Smith is already one of the top performing WHAT’S ON: 14-15 and Neil Docherty what’s changed for sales agreed according to intel From stand-up comedy at the local pub from Rightmove and we continue to thought-provoking theatrical drama ACVR HI ES: to outshine the majority of our FULLER’S BREWERY 11 competition in Shepherds Bush. Our THE GREAT DEBATE: The yeasty landmark on our doorstep lettings team are firmly on the front EXPLAINING BREXIT 16-17 has some extraordinary tales to tell foot and we are fully up-to-date with Co-authors of the definitive referendum incoming legislation and tax changes whilst other agencies trail behind. guide examine why we voted as we did CMUOM NITY LIFE: I can officially announce our CLARE'S CLARITY 17 office is number one for both The BBC’s face of sport is one of the star SOLD STC sales and lettings in names at this year’s book festival Hammersmith C ASH IN THE ATTIC: So from my position here at Horton THE EXPERTS' OPINION 18-19 and Garton HQ, the good news is that Four leading figures give their views there is plenty of good news – our on how to increase the value of your glasses are always half full, never half home by expanding upwards FEATURED PROPERTY: empty, and it shows in our results. As a BURLINGTON RoaD 20 local independent business at the heart PUBLISHED BY DISCLAIMER A detached Victorian house with of our communities, we continue to Horton and Garton We thank our advertisers www.hortonandgarton.co.uk for supporting Our Patch, west-facing garden in Gunnersbury raise the standard of service within our but Horton and Garton does not accept responsibility industry. If you are considering moving DESIGN for goods or services offered or letting and you would like an up-to- By:design by advertisers so T LD & LE : 20-22 020 8753 4482 date valuation or if you’d prefer just to Printed by Hammerprint A selection of recent sales and lets and To advertise in Our Patch please why, as independent industry leaders, get an honest account of the market email [email protected] 45,000 copies distributed from a voice of experience, call us or we continue to rise to the top or call 07785 114 971 by Letterbox Distribution pop in to the offices and say hello. O UR PATCH AUTUMN 2017 The 28th Hammersmith tours Tesco, camps, gets muddy on the Thames and sells cakes YOUR SHOUT DY B, DYB, DYB Do Your Best! It’s the mantra of scouts, guides, cubs and beavers, but a shortage of leaders threatens the future of this beloved institution. Tim Harrison reports from the campfire he scout movement has 5pm anymore; 9 to 5 jobs are a thing of olds… but it, too, needs leadership never been more popular the past, yet we start beavers at 5.30pm, help. The 28th Hammersmith is one of in west London, with cubs at 6.30pm and scouts at 7pm. A three groups in a borough which once active scout, guide, beaver, lot of parents just haven’t got home by boasted 15, and has a long waiting list cub and brownie groups that time.” of eager youngsters. enjoying activities which There’s no financial burden to being “Getting adult volunteers is a don’tT need mobiles or screens. But a a leader or volunteer; every cost is national problem, with more than dire shortage of willing and able leaders covered, including uniforms, training 50,000 children on waiting lists across means much of the demand simply and clearance checks to work with the country,” said acting group scout can’t be fulfilled, with the volunteer gap children. Throughout the district there leader Neil Docherty. “We don’t threatening a treasured tradition. are more than 1,000 young members… advertise for youngsters; we don’t need Tony Smith joined 18th Chiswick but that number could double if there to. But helpers are urgently needed.” as a cub, 60 years ago. He restarted the was a reservoir of leaders. The 28th Hammersmith, which is troop in 2014, helped by St Nicholas Where else could you do climbing, part of West London scouting district, church. “It was my first group when I rugby, first aid, website design, fire has a thriving beaver colony (age six- joined as a cub in 1954,” said Tony. The station visits, trampolining, caving and eight), and a bustling cub pack (eight- aim is to add scouts (age 10 and over) to camping for subs of just £35 a term? 10s) – each with a waiting list – but is the current 24-strong cub pack. now forming a scout troop to retain the A part of the Thameside Grand We need more people to interest among 11s to 14s. Around 18 Union scout district, 18th Chiswick come and help, people beavers meet at St Stephen’s social club, meets at the scout HQ behind the Pilot Gayford Road, W12, while the 36 cubs pub off Wellesley Road. with an affinity for working meet on Fridays at Greenside primary; “The problem is leaders,” said with children led by a team of eight adult volunteers. Tony, reflecting a crisis which affects Neil, who lives in Shepherds Bush Hammersmith, Fulham and Chiswick. “It’s the cheapest baby-sitting service with his wife and family, says the new “It’s all about lifestyle. When I was in London,” quipped Tony. If you’re scout group will also meet at Greenside a boy I remember Chiswick’s Cherry interested in volunteering, drop Tony primary. “We’re very excited as it means Blossom shoe polish factory [near an email at [email protected] we’ll be able to offer a fantastic scouting Dukes Meadows]. The factory hooter Another of west London’s high- experience from six to 14, before they sounded at 5pm, and everyone left. demand beaver and cub groups is also move on to our explorer unit, where “Well, very few people finish dead on creating a scout troop for 14 to 18-year- they stay until they hit 18,” he said. 4/5 O UR PATCH AUTUMN 2017 BTHE EST TOPPING FOR YOUR PIAZZA Now and then: how a dreary tarmac space is set to be transformed As well as seeking more volunteer crowd-funded project to turn councillors, residents and businesses help, the new group is also on the a dull stretch of tarmac into are backing the project, instigated lookout for projects and initiatives to an attractive area is sprinting by the Grove Park Association – a get involved in. “We need more people towards the finish line. Grove long-standing conservation group – to come and help; people with an APark’s piazza project got off to a flyer re-energised as the Grove Park Group affinity for working with children,” said with £36,500 from Hounslow Council. several years ago, following a local Neil. “One of our recent recruits was a Nearly 100 shops and residents campaign against the imposition man who used to be a member of 34th have contributed (www.spacehive. of controlled parking zones. “The Hammersmith, at Latymer School; a com/grove-park-shops-piazza), and fundraising is going well,” said pack which no longer exists.” Another the winning post of £78,712 is now Jonathan. “It’s on target. We area where help is needed is technical in sight. Jonathan Knight, who chairs explained it to shops and businesses, savvy to run the website and Facebook. the Grove Park group, explained the and the penny dropped about how it John Horton, of Horton and Garton, thinking behind a piazza with the could improve the area.” backs scout group expansion. “As an emphasis on pedestrians. The proposed piazza scheme ex-cub and scout myself, whose mother “A continental-style space with includes tree-planting for a greener, ran the guides in my village, I know the wider pavements will be much better healthier environment, appealing to dedication, passion and time invested than a massive expanse of tarmac,” a stable population who have made in all the young people,” he said.