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News December 2002

Winter Solstice

This year the Winter Solstice occurred at 1:14 am on Sunday 22nd December.  The days are now getting longer.

 

Brentford Dock "Too Good"

From 25 years ago: Dec 15, 1977

Suggestions that housing at Brentford Dock is "too good" for the general housing list have angered a GLC opposition spokesman. He is Mr Ken Livingstone, a member a of the GLC's housing development committee, who took exception to remarks made by another member from the Conservative majority, Mr David Ashby.

 

In reply, Mr Livingstone was told at GLC question time that the standard of accommodation provided was "a bipartisan matter."

 

Future of Marina Club

A resident has made a bid to run the Marina Club as a bar-restaurant.  Under his plan, the restaurant would be open to non-residents during the day - but not the evening.   Dilys Mathews would continue as co-licensee.

 

A committee of residents and berth-holders, set up to investigate future possibilities for the Marina Club, are recommending that the board of Brentford Dock Ltd should obtain several proposals to run the club from several operators.

 

Ferry Quays Restaurants

Ferry Quays, Ferry Lane, will have an open garden square surrounded by 16 shops and pavement cafes, as well as a further parade of riverside shops. The Old Pump House, a listed building, will be a restaurant with river views.

 

Pinnacle's Profit

"Private housing management contractor, Pinnacle PSG, has turned a loss into a profit, its latest figures reveal.  The group's pre-tax position has improved from a loss of £136,047 to a profit of £473,648 on turnover of £7.7 million in the six months to September this year.

 

Pinnacle has split its London operation into two regions: East and West.  It is aiming for each to achieve an annual turnover of more than £10 million, with operating profits of £1 million."

Source: Inside Housing, 13 Dec 2002

 

Residents' Comments II

Click here to see (on the Notice board) residents' comments about the:

 

Tarmac Thursday

There is a sign on the traffic chicane on the bridge in Augustus Close stating that (the bridge) is to be tarmac-ed on Thursday between 8 am and 4:30 pm. The sign says that delays will be caused and you should take an alternative route! Sue Green says the Dock Rd gates will be open on Thursday.

 

Loss of Heating

A short failure of the electricity supply sometime after midnight on Saturday night / Sunday morning caused the gas-fired central heating boiler(s) to shut down.  The heating was not restored until midday on Sunday.  Among other things, the delay was due to:

 

A similar thing happened in January (see below).

Power Cut - No Heating or Hot Water

There was a power cut for about an hour on Sunday night (13th January 2002). This caused the pump(s) that drive the hot water around the estate to stop.  There was no hot water or central heating during Sunday night and on Monday morning.  Should we accept this?  See Gabrielle Wallington's comment on the Noticeboard.

Spanish Night II

The Spanish Night in the Marina Club on Friday 6th December was a great success. The club was full.

 

Brentford Cruising Club Christmas Dinner II

Brentford Cruising Club's Christmas Dinner was also a great success in the Marina Club on Saturday 7th December.  Twenty-eight members dined.

 

Viability of Marina Club

Click here to see the paper, written by the director(s) of Brentford Dock Leisure Services Ltd., that was placed on the tables at the Marina Club meeting on Saturday 30th November. It states:

 

Flat Wanted For Christmas Period

Tony Joyce writes from France:

I would like to rent a flat in Brentford Dock over the Christmas period.  I have a house in Ealing that is let and I live with my family (wife & 2 Kids) in Paris. If such a flat is available, please contact me at anthony.joyce@BDRWwanadoo.fr

 

Wanted

1   The original (1980) constitution of the Marina Club - then called Brentford Dock Marina Yacht Club.

2   Any later constitutions or rules of the Marina Club.

Contact editor@brentford-dock.net.

 

Who owns/controls Dock Road?

Click here to find out (on the Noticeboard) who owns Dock Road?  Click Back in the left column to return to this page.

 

Marked Parking Spaces

Click here to find (out on the Noticeboard) if marking out parking spaces improves parking on Brentford Dock.  Click Back in the left column to return to this page.

 

First Class Post A Waste of Money?

Andrew Holt asks if posting service charge reminders first-class from Bath is a waste of shareholders' money.  Click here to see what he has to say on the Notice Board. Click Back in the left column to return to this page.

 

Discussion Forums

Raj Vada would like to start discussion forums on:

Click here to see what he has to say on the Notice Board.    Click Back in the left column to return to this page.

 

Brentford - A Good Place to Buy Property

A resident has produced a video clip of a recent television programme discussing the merits of buying property in Brentford.  The commentators explore the High Street, the pedestrian bridge next to the Residents' Clubroom, the Marina steps and other places.

 

This video clip plays for two minutes. The video quality is low in order to reduce the size of the file (1.33 Megabytes).  It takes two or three minutes to download at 56K.  Click here to download and view it.

 

Marina Club Restaurant

Nia, Dilys Mathew's second grand daughter, will be cooking the following menu every:

until Sunday 22nd December - except for the:

 

 

Tempura battered Prawns   £3.45

Prawn Cocktail   £2.50

Soup   £2.00

Gressingham Duck Breast   £9.00

Stuffed Turkey Fillets   £7.50

Roast Welsh Lamb   £7.00

Roast Beef   £6.50

Roast Pork   £6.00

Breast of Chicken   £5.50

All served with potatoes, peas, carrots and cauliflower

Chocolate Truffle Torte   £2.50

Raspberry Pavlova   £2.50

Chantilly Profiteroles with Toffee sauce   £2.50

Cheese and Biscuits £2.50

 

Coffee or Pot of Tea   £l.00

Glass of Port   £2.50

Cigar small   £0.65

Cigar Large   £1.50

 

Sunday Lunch

Although it was only announced on Saturday night 30th November, five persons enjoyed the above menu on Sunday 1st December.

 

Spanish Night

Friday evening, 6th December, is Spanish Night in the Marina Club.  The following will be cooked by Raphael of Otho Court:

Tapas @ £ 1.00 each

Tortilla Espanola
(Spanish omelette with potatoes, eggs and onions)

Mejillones con Queso Gratinados
(Mussels in their shell in a tomato sauce and topped with grilled grated cheese)

Ensaladilla Rusa
(A very popular salad with potatoes, tomatoes, tuna, peppers and mayonnaise)

Croquetas de Atun
(Tuna croquettes a la Basque)

Alubias Verdes con Jamon
(Green beans with ham in a tomato sauce sprinkled with shredded egg)

 

Starters @  £1.50 each

Ensalada Mixta
(Mixed salad made with lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, eggs, olives and tuna)

 

Sopa de Pescado

(Fish Soup Basque Style)

 

Main Courses @  £4.50 each

Paella Valenciana

(A traditional rice dish made with fish and

 seafood)

 

Polio al Ajillo
(Chicken cooked with a mild garlic sauce with sautéed potatoes and green beans with ham)

 

Estofado a la Andaluza
(Andalusia Style Beef in a Flamenco Sauce)

 

Deserts @  £1.50 each

Borrachos
(Drunken cakes topped with cream)

Helado de Turron
(Nougat Ice Cream)

 

Christmas Day Lunch

The Marina Club bar will be open from 1 pm to 3 pm on Christmas Day, Wednesday 25th December.  Lunch will be served afterwards.  Booking preferred but not essential.

 

 

Marina Club Meeting III

Extras chairs had to be brought in to accommodate the residents and berth-holders that attended the open meeting in the Marina Club on Saturday 30th November.  The three Brentford Dock Leisure Services Ltd directors (Dilys Matthews, Michael Edwards and Kelvin Brooks) were present as also was Pat Wickenden the former "landlady" of the Club.

 

Michael Edwards said that the club is currently loosing £1500 per month and will close on 2nd January 2003.

 

Some residents formed a Committee to investigate methods of making the Club viable.  The first meeting of that committee is on Thursday 5th Dec.  

 

A fuller report of the meeting will be given here at a later date.

Anyone who wishes to type their recollections, please do so and email to editor@brentford-dock.net.

 

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