Image above: Tube station closed during strike

RMT workers accept pay deal to end 18 month row

Rail workers have voted to accept a pay deal, ending their long-running series of strikes over pay, job security and conditions. Members of the RMT (National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers) union have agreed to an offer from 14 train companies, which includes a backdated pay rise of 5% for 2022-23 as well as job security guarantees.

Members will no longer be involved in the planned industrial action in the run up to Christmas and New Year, ending the 18-month dispute.

General Secretary of the RMT Mick Lynch said:

“Our members have spoken in huge numbers to accept this unconditional pay offer and no compulsory redundancies until the end of 2024.

“I want to congratulate them on their steadfastness in this long industrial campaign.

“We will be negotiating further with the train operators over reforms they want to see. And we will never shy away from vigorously defending our members’ terms and conditions, now or in the future.”

Aslef strikes 2 – 8 December

Train drivers represented by the union Aslef are still planning to strike. Aslef members are to take part in a “rolling programme” of walkouts between 2 and 8 December, with different train companies affected on each day.

Strikes by both RMT and Aslef members have resulted in train services being cancelled and disrupted during the disputes so far.

“This campaign shows that sustained strike action and unity gets results and our members should be proud of the role they have played in securing this deal” said Mick Lynch.

Read more stories on The Chiswick Calendar

Image above: DKMS workers at a donation drive; Credit DKMS

Chiswick-based charity celebrates ‘significant milestone’

DKMS, a blood cancer charity based in Chiswick, is celebrating a ‘significant milestone’ as one million donors have registered in the UK, including Chiswick residents, stepping up to save lives. The charity, which facilitates stem cell transplants globally, reports that since its launch in the UK a decade ago, stem cell donations have reached 42 countries, offering hope to those battling blood disorders.

Among the one million registered donors is Ashley Walker, a 35-year-old from Connah’s Quay near Chester:

“When I got an email about being a potential match, donating was a no-brainer. If it were my kids, I’d want someone to help.”

Despite their achievement, there is a pressing need for more donors. Every 20 minutes, someone in the UK is diagnosed with blood cancer, and the rates of eligible donors signed up with DKMS remain low across the UK.

In England, only 2.8% of the eligible population are registered. In Scotland it’s 2.4%, in Wales 4.2% are registered and in Northern Ireland it’s 5.7%.

DKMS is hoping to expand on their million milestone by adding more people to the donation register. They also want to fight misconceptions around stem cell donation and reach out into underrepresented communities.

Image above: James Moore – the first person to donate life-saving stem cells via DKMS in Sheffield; Credit DKMS

One of ‘biggest challenges’ is dispelling myths

DKMS told The Chiswick Calendar that dispelling myths about donating stem cells is one of the biggest challenges they face in getting more people to register. Many people who are unaware of the donation procedure believe it is intrusive, overly painful or damaging to their long-term health.

In truth, with peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) collection, which is used in 90% of donations, no surgery is necessary and donors can usually leave the clinic on the same day.

Bone marrow donation, which is used in 10% of donations, takes place under a general anaesthetic using a puncture needle in the iliac crest of the pelvis. The donor’s stay in hospital can last up to three days in total.

A stem cell donation is comparable to a blood donation, and does not lead to a permanent loss of stem cells. The body reproduces the blood stem cells within about two weeks. Four weeks after donation, a donor’s blood levels are checked to make sure the relevant blood values have returned to normal.

To minimise the strain on donors as much as possible, DKMS limit the number of times a donor can donate to twice for either PBSC collections or bone marrow collections.

Images above: Purity standing in front of a Kenyan flag, Purity with her stem cell donations; Credit DKMS

Reaching out to underrepresented communities

DKMS also face the challenge of making the donation register more representative of people from minority ethnic backgrounds.

Purity Kiarii, 49, who lives in Hertfordshire, is a busy mother of two teenage daughters and a ten-year-old son. She works as a session sister for the NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) and recently became a stem cell donor herself.

“I got registered back in 2013, after watching a news report on TV about the work of KKLT, the Kevin Kararwa Leukaemia Trust”, explained Purity.

“They were appealing for more potential stem cell donors from black and minority ethnic backgrounds to come forward. Kevin Kararwa had been diagnosed with leukaemia in 2012, but sadly died before a donor who was a suitable match could be found for him.”

“Look at me, I am 100% fine: really soon after I’d donated my stem cells the levels in my body were completely back to normal. Just go for it – get registered as a donor! You never know what might be around the corner and whether it might be someone you know who urgently needs a transplant, and all it costs is your time.”

Purity added:

“Because of my Kenyan heritage, I know there can be reluctance within African communities to register as potential donors. There can be lots of myths about donating being dangerous, a mistrust of the medical profession or even in some communities there are fears that witchcraft is involved.”

The NHS Blood and Transplant unit also have difficulty persuading enough Black and Minority Ethnic group families to agree to organ donation once a love one has died.

READ ALSO: Chiswick doctor Kok-Tee becomes poster girl for organ donation

They say it is commonly seen that patients and/or families of ethnic minorities refuse transplantation or donation due to misunderstandings and uncertainty regarding the unknown.

Image above: Potential donators speak with a volunteer; Credit DKMS

Register as a stem cell donor today

Blood cancers rank third in the UK for cancer-related deaths, with over 13,000 fatalities annually. Over 2,000 people in the UK require stem cell transplants yearly, but sadly, only a fraction find a match within their families.

For many, their only hope lies in finding an altruistic stranger registered as a stem cell donor with DKMS. Stem cell donations from donors based in the UK have gone to 42 countries across the globe. The furthest one has gone is over 18,000 kilometres, to New Zealand.

DKMS, founded in Germany in 1991, has expanded globally, with offices in the UK, working tirelessly to combat blood cancer. Their mission extends beyond donor recruitment, involving research aimed at improving patient survival rates.

For those interested in becoming a stem cell donor and potentially saving a life, visit dkms.org.uk register for more information.

Image above: Chiswick School students at the Christmas lights switch-on on Monday (27 November)

Chiswick lights switch-on goes off without a hitch

Chiswick welcomed in the festive season on Monday (27 November) with the annual Christmas lights switch-on. It used to take place outside the George IV pub and in the past there has sometimes been a Christmas market and the Fuller’s dray horses to admire.

Last year the switch-on moved to the area around Hogarth’s statue, which is where it took place again this year, with a group of students from Chiswick School leading the Christmas carol singing, under the guidance of Tommy Robinson, the school’s creative arts coordinator.

The festive ambiance was enhanced by mince pies and Tunnock’s Teacakes and Father Christmas himself made a special appearance, giving presents to the youngest members of the crowd.

The highlight of the evening came with the illumination of a magnificent tree on the corner of Annandale Road and Chiswick High Road, as well as the lights on Devonshire Road, Chiswick High Road, and Turnham Green Terrace.

Chiswick School students performed The Twelve Days of Christmas and then the crowd was treated to a special performance by acclaimed cellist Orlando Jopling and violinist Sijie Chen from the Wild Arts opera company, who will be appearing in Chiswick again on Saturday 9 December for a performance of Handel’s Messiah at St Michael’s and All Angels Church.

You can book tickets for that performance here: Messiah

READ ALSO: Handel’s Messiah – St Michael & All Angels Church Saturday 9 December 2023

This was the first of several public celebrations of Christmas planned for Chiswick. The flower market, the cheese market and the street food market will all have special celebrations on Sunday 3 December, Sunday 17 December and Sunday 24 December respectively, so if you missed this one fear not, there will be plenty more opportunities to stand around singing carols, eating mince pies and drinking mulled wine in the cold and damp!

READ ALSO: Chiswick Flower Market – Sunday 3 December

See below for a gallery of pictures from the evening

Image above: Cellist Orlando Jopling and violinist Sijie Chen playing pieces from Handel’s Messiah

Image above: The crowd turning their attention to Wild Arts after the lights had been switched on

Image above: Cellist Orlando Jopling and violinist Sijie Chen protected from the drizzle with Father Christmas nearby 

Image above: Chiswick Riverside ward PC Durr-e- Tariq and Chiswick area police sergeant PS Jim Cope with Father Christmas before the crowd arrived

Image above: The crowd gathering, listening to performances before the lights were switched on

Image above: Chiswick School students performing before the lights were switched on

Read more stories on The Chiswick Calendar

See also: EM Forster letters for sale at Chiswick Auctions

See also: Chiswick School teacher wins gold at prestigious National Teaching Awards

See all the latest stories: Chiswick Calendar News & Features

Support The Chiswick Calendar

Image above: Zac Moxon (second from the right) at the award ceremony with Georgia Knight, Head of Dance (L) Tommy Robinson, Head of Performing Arts at Chiswick School, and Head teacher Laura Ellener (R)

Music teacher honoured at ‘Oscars of teaching’

Zac Moxon, the Head of Music at Chiswick School, has won the Outstanding New Teacher of the Year award at the 2023 Pearson National Teaching Awards. These awards, regarded as the ‘Oscars of teaching’, recognise the unwavering commitment of educators to their students’ development and learning.

The accolade was bestowed on Zac during a ceremony on Saturday evening (25 November). Judges praised his inspirational teaching style, remarkable contributions to both the school and the community, and his significant influence among peers and students.

Under his leadership the students at Chiswick School have had the opportunity to perform in some spectacular venues. Two weeks ago Chiswick Voices, the senior choir of Chiswick School, sang at a joint service of Choral Evensong with King’s Voices, the mixed choir of King’s College, Cambridge, and in March Chiswick Voices sang the whole of Vivaldi’s Gloria with Hounslow Youth Choir, even though the choir had only been formed in January 2022.

The school has several music groups which participate in community events around Chiswick, with students performing regularly at the Sunday markets in Chiswick High Rd. Tonight (Monday 27 November) the performing arts choir will be singing carols at the switching on of the Christmas lights by Hogarth’s statue. The school’s steel pan group also now perform across the area and have made quite a reputation for themselves.

READ ALSO: Chiswick School Choral Group sing at King’s College, Cambridge

Zac started at Chiswick School in 2020 as a trainee Maths teacher. When a vacancy in Music emerged a few months later, despite having no previous experience, he took on the challenge of revitalising the department, with the specific brief of  increasing participation.

‘He brought a whole new way of developing Music’ the Pearson National Teaching Awards noted. ‘Within only a few months, participation had risen and the school was producing twice as many concerts’.

In collaboration with fellow music and performing arts staff, he has achieved some remarkable milestones. He established the choir, facilitated student album recordings, fostered partnerships for the school’s steelpan group, and most notably increased GCSE Music uptake by 50%.

The Orchestra has grown to 30, and seven bands across the key stages are mentored by Zac and his colleague, ranging from Year 7 to 13. They all have their own name and style and Zac has established a healthy competitiveness between the groups. Zac has also initiated a scholarship programme offering free music lessons to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“Well done, we are very proud of you” Chiswick School posted on social media.

Hounslow Council were among the first to congratulate him. @HounslowMusic, The London Borough of Hounslow’s Music Service posted:

‘Congratulations Mr Moxon, well deserved! This morning a @ChiswickSchool pupil waxed lyrical about how brilliant the arts are and how enthused they are, as a year 8 teenager, at 8.30am! What an impact you’ve had. We are so proud of you!’

The annual awards, managed by the Teaching Awards Trust, an independent charity founded by Lord Puttnam CBE in 1998, were established to acknowledge the pivotal role educators play in shaping young minds.

“A great teacher can enrich your life”

Michael Morpurgo, author, former Children’s Laureate, and President of the Teaching Awards Trust, said at the award ceremony:

“We all know that a great teacher can enrich your life, can help you rise to the challenge, believe in yourself, find your own voice. I know that because it happened more than once to me. That’s why these Teaching Awards are so important, and important to me.

“Every year, without fail, we see nominations which move and inspire us and this year we have seen stellar examples of life-changing role models for young people. I want to once again congratulate the winners of the 2023 Pearson National Teaching Awards and thank them for the incredible impact they have on our communities.”

Sharon Hague, Managing Director of Schools at Pearson UK, said:

“It’s an honour to celebrate and express gratitude to our teachers and the incredible impact they have on our communities. The hard work that goes into teaching and showing up for students day in and day out cannot be underestimated. Congratulations to all winners and thank you for your continuous efforts.”

Secretary of State for Education Gillian Keegan said:

“The impact of a teacher on a child’s life can be immeasurable – I know it was for me. I am so grateful to all the staff in our schools and colleges for everything they do. This year marks 25 years of the Teaching Awards Trust, which is a huge landmark. Teachers change lives and we should all feel a sense of gratitude to those we are celebrating today. Thank you again and congratulations.”

Read more stories on The Chiswick Calendar

Photograph of the day

Image above: Pub In the Park in 2022

Tom Kerridge salvages his festivals from collapse of Brand Events

Chiswick House Gardens will host the Pub in the Park event next year, despite the collapse of the organising company, Brand Events Limited.

Brand Events Limited faced administration earlier this year due to significant losses during the pandemic. Formed in 2017 through a partnership between Brand Events Holdings Ltd and Reach plc, the company organised big open-air events, including the Pub in the Park festivals featuring food stalls from top chefs and live music which have been a feature of the Chiswick House programme of events for the past three years.

McFly were the headline act at this year’s weekend event in September. Also performing were Ronan Keating, Squeeze, Hoosiers and Judge Jules. Sophie Ellis-Bextor has performed at the Chiswick weekend and another Chiswick resident, Jo Pratt, has featured as one of the celebrity chefs.

This year the festival weekend will be in June, run by a new company, Pub in the Park Festivals Ltd, formed by Tom Kerridge to salvage the festivals which he originated. According to The Times, reporting last weekend, the company invested £175,000 and took on Brand Events’ bank debts. This allowed the completion of the 2023 festival programme, with six events happening after Brand Events’ collapse. The Times reports the collapse left several creditors, including two local councils, with substantial losses.

The future of Pub in the Park was uncertain initially, but it has now been confirmed that four venues are scheduled next summer: Tom Kerridge’s home town of Marlow, Reigate, St. Albans, and Chiswick.

Tom Kerridge, although a significant promoter of the festivals, was not a shareholder in Brand Events or directly involved in its day-to-day operations. He received a 20% share of the festival profits and held a stake in the business’s intellectual property.

Pub in the Park Festivals Ltd say:

“Next year we plan to replace our regional touring format with four newly designed, bigger and better festivals. Each event will have its own unique characteristics that we are really excited about.

“We are sad not to be returning to towns where we’ve had so much fun in the past, but in the current climate our Pub in the Park smaller shows are unfortunately unviable.”

The Chiswick festival for 2024 is slated for June 28-30. Ticket details and new package offerings, combining food and entry, are yet to be announced. Last year, an adult afternoon admission ticket cost £47.20.

Image above: Food Street Market – photograph by Andrea Carnevali

Feedback encouraged for new application

The Food Street market, which made its debut last month on Chiswick High Road, is eyeing expansion plans for the coming year. Richard Johnson, the creator of the British Street Food Awards and a local resident of Bedford Park, was only granted a three month trial initially for the street food market on the fourth Sunday of the month. His third market will be on Christmas Eve.

Richard has now resubmitted the original plan, proposing markets which are more than twice the size those he has been allowed so far. The extended setup would extend beyond the car park at Old Market Place, continuing on the pavement along the south side of the High Rd to near the Packhorse and Talbot pub, as the Antiques and Vintage market does. Mirroring the original bid, this reapplication retains the 27 May start date without amendments.

The initial bid proved controversial. Soliciting feedback triggered one of the highest responses to any licensing application in the borough’s history. While a majority voiced support, some local residents’ groups and nearby businesses opposed it. Advocates argued for the market’s potential to amplify foot traffic and bolster High Road commerce. Dissenters raised concerns about unfair competition against traditional establishments, potential congestion, and increased littering.

READ ALSO: Chiswick’s first street food market claimed as “massive success” by organiser

 Images above: Food St market in October; photographs Andrea Carnevali

The early submission of the revised bid on 3 November initially set the comment deadline for 1 December, shortly after the second event and preceding the Christmas Eve market. The Licensing Panel deemed this timeframe inadequate for assessing the market’s impact. Consequently, the consultation period extends until 2 January. A meeting to deliberate on the application is scheduled for January.

The organisers hailed the inaugural October market as a triumph, with numerous vendors selling out of food in exceptionally pleasant weather. It was very crowded, with the permitted number of vendors bunched up at one end of the market place. This Sunday’s market looked a lot less busy, but it coincided with a drop in temperature.

Several local businesses are taking part in the market. The first one in October featured Mari Deli, the Whistling Oyster and Ma Ma Boutique Bakery. Sunday’s market had a stall from Le Vacherin. The food stalls offer a range of food from around the world, including Japanese Onigiri, Swedish ‘FIKA’ culture, Indian food, Taco, Cape Malay delights and handmade dumplings, running from 11.00am to 4.00pm in Old Market Place.

For those intending to offer feedback on the application, there is no obligation to wait until the final market, but the licensing panel’s recommendations suggest basing new comments on experiences from the market events, rather than any preconceived notions. Submissions should be emailed to licensing@hounslow.gov.uk with “Food Street Market” in the subject line, including name and address (which can be withheld from the applicant upon request).

Image above: Kew Herbarium – Photograph Michael Dibb

Document claims collection must endure at Kew “in perpetuity”

A recent report from the Daily Telegraph about the plant library at Kew has unveiled a significant dispute concerning the original bequest to the Royal Botanic Gardens by Sir William Hooker, that the collection must remain housed within Kew Gardens.

The current management of the Royal Botanic Gardens had announced plans to relocate the plant library to Thames Valley Science Park, which it says has facilities more suitable for studying the collection.

The revelation surfaced thanks to Isobel Moses, a direct descendant of Sir William Hooker. The renowned botanist, credited as the gardens’ inaugural director, notably constructed the Palm House and expanded public access to the site.

His donation of his personal collection to the Herbarium transformed it into a repository which now encompasses over seven million specimens from as early as the 17th century. This treasure trove includes a staggering 90% of the planet’s plant diversity, with an annual addition of 30,000 samples. Notably, it houses a Galapagos fern collected by Charles Darwin and specimens from the East India Company’s initiation of the tea trade.

READ ALSO: Palace of Palms – the story of the Palm House at Kew

Sir Joseph Hooker, son of Sir William and a close confidant of Charles Darwin, substantiated the bequest’s intent in a letter addressed to the government. In this letter, he unequivocally conveyed his father’s final wishes: that the collection must endure at Kew Gardens ‘in perpetuity’.

Legal experts cited by The Telegraph assert that these documents strongly resemble a binding contract between Sir William’s executors and the government.

Isobel Moses vehemently opposes any relocation, she said:

“The proposed move makes no sense whatsoever, and would remove a key part of Kew from the rest of its activities, at a time of increasing concern about the dire effects of global warming.”

A resounding 84% of existing staff at Kew are against the relocation, and have raised concerns about potential damage to the collection and the possible retrieval of donated species by overseas contributors. Kew employees argue that proximity to live species is imperative for comprehensive study.

The Royal Botanic Gardens spokesperson defended the proposed move, stating:

“Our plans for a modern, purpose-built, and state-of-the-art facility for our world-leading collection will not only maintain Britain’s historic position in botanical research and innovation but will also ensure the secrets of these specimens can be unlocked in the future, leading to potential discoveries for repairing our fragile planet.”

Image above: Justin Clarke (right)

Justin Clarke makes history as youngest player to join AFC Wimbledon

Justin Clarke, a Year 11 student at Chiswick School, has made history by becoming the youngest player to join AFC Wimbledon’s ranks. He got his chance in an EFL Trophy match against League One Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park on Saturday (18 November).

Justin, a striker, had been training impressively after moving from Chelsea’s development programme to the Dons. Despite his debut, the team faced a tough one-nil defeat.

Sharing his experience, Justin said:

“I missed school on Friday to train with the first team for the day. I’ve just had my mocks as well. School and exams are important too. The players welcomed me in, and they involved me in everything. It was a good feeling”.

Looking ahead, Justin is determined to make an impact within the first team, setting his sights on future goals.

Mr. Gorvin, Assistant Head at Chiswick School, praised Justin’s achievement and his commitment to balancing academic life with sports, saying:

“This was a great opportunity for Justin, and he did brilliantly. We are proud of his achievements and his dedication to school”.

Image above: SWR train at Chiswick Station; Photograph by Nick Raikes

Walkouts will affect trains between 2-8 December

Train drivers have announced a fresh set of strike dates in December, in a continuation of their long-running dispute over pay and conditions. The Aslef union has announced a “rolling programme” of walkouts between 2 and 8 December, with different train companies affected on each day.

Drivers will also refuse to work any overtime from 1 to 9 December. Aslef said it was time for a “proper pay rise”, but the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents operators, called the action “wholly unnecessary”.

The union has held 14 one-day strikes so far, causing huge disruption to train companies in England, as well as some services which cross borders. Aslef’s General Secretary Mick Whelan said:

“Our members have spoken and we know what they think. Every time they vote – and they have voted overwhelmingly – for strike action in pursuit of a proper pay rise it is a clear rejection of the offer that was made in April”.

South Western Railway (SWR), which services Brentford, Kew Bridge, Chiswick, Barnes Bridge and Barnes stations, said the strike action would affect services on their network, but have not yet released updated timetables or travel advice.

Image above: Southwestern train at Waterloo; Photograph Bridget Osborne

Which train company will be affected on what day?

• Saturday 2 December services on East Midlands Railway and LNER
• Sunday 3 December services on Avanti West Coast, Chiltern, Great Northern Thameslink, and West Midlands Trains
• Tuesday 5 December services on C2C and Greater Anglia
• Wednesday 6 December services on Southeastern, Southern/Gatwick Express, SWR main line, SWR depot drivers, and Island Line
• Thursday 7 December services on CrossCountry and GWR
• Friday 8 December services on Northern and TPT

Images above: Mick Whelan – Aslef General Secretary, Mick Lynch – RMT General Secretary

Union “determined” to win dispute

“We are determined to win this dispute,” said Mr Whelan, as he criticised Transport Secretary Mark Harper who he said had “gone missing in action during this dispute”. The union boss described the pay offer made from the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train companies, as “risible”.

The offer put forward in April included a series of changes to working practices and a pay deal which included a 4% wage rise backdated for 2022 and a further 4% rise for 2023. The pay offer did not account for inflation.

The RMT union, who are also locked in a row with train companies over pay and working conditions, are voting on whether to accept a deal. The vote closes on 30 November, the day before Aslef’s new industrial action begins.

Regular strikes have affected train services across London and nationwide over the past 18 months.