Should I wait for the C11?

I'm often rushing between meetings - so a perennial question  for me is whether to wait for the next bus - or walk.
TfL is now using the web to share up to the minute information about how long the next bus is going to be at every stop across the city - not just the ones that have electronic displays at the stop.
So if you go to the site - countdown.tfl.gov.uk - enter your postcode or address (and you can be fairly approximate) it will tell you exactly how long TfL expects it to be before the next bus gets there.
The time is not based on the timetable - but from how far away the bus is right there and then - using Global Positioning Satellite information now being bounced around every bus on the road.
I find the website is quite easy to use - see this link...
http://countdown.tfl.gov.uk/#|searchTerm=West End Lane|stopCode=75521
However, if you've got a smart phone you've got even more options as there are now several 'aps' available which take this information and make accessing it from a phone quicker and easier (though as there are several aps available the quality is variable - make sure you read the reviews first!)
So if you're plugged into the internet (and regular readers of this blog are more likely to be) instead of wondering whether you've just missed a bus or whether one's due in the next couple of minutes - you'll know for sure.
Would be interested to hear if people's experiences match the hype!
Russell

Community cut

This post isn't about cuts to services in West Hampstead - distressing those these may be - but about a really bizarre and even perverse proposed cut which divides the West Hampstead community in half!

Can you imagine how odd it would feel if one side of your street had one MP and the other side had a different one? That’s what could happen to Mill Lane and Broomsleigh Street and part of West End Lane if a new plan proposed by the Boundary Commission goes ahead. In order to make all MPs constituencies roughly the same size, they have decided that in future one half of West Hampstead (Fortune Green ward) should belong to Finchley & Golders Green.

As one objector has said :

"As a resident of Fortune Green ward, my links are with Camden borough, with West Hampstead and with Hampstead – not with Barnet and Finchley. The inclusion of Fortune Green ward in this Barnet constituency makes no sense at all."
and
"an MP representing such a constituency would overwhelmingly listen to the views of Barnet residents over the tiny minority living in Camden. "


If this seems like a bad idea to you – PLEASE write in to object

http://consultation.boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk/have-your-say/

The map of the proposed new constituency is here: http://rr-bce-static.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Finchley-and-Golders-Green-BC.pdf?9d7bd4

The deadline for comments is 5 December.

There is a public hearing for North West London at Brent Town Hall on 20 & 21 October
Details here: http://consultation.boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk/public-hearings/london-brent/

Finding friends for Westbere Copse

Westbere copse, on the corner of Westbere Road and Minster Road is a small pocket of natural charm on our doorsteps.  Unlike parks like Fortune Green, in Westbere Copse priority is given to the speices that would otherwise be crowded out of the city.

It is one of several nature reserves in Camden, all of which have Friends groups who look after the reserves interest and co-operate with Camden council in running events in the reserves.

However, friends groups need friends and the Westbere Copse friends are actively looking for more participants at the moment.  Involvement isn't too onerous -  attending an evening meeting once every three months, as well as taking an interest in the nature reserve itself.
The appeal whcih has gone out reads:

• Westbere Copse Local Nature Reserve – corner of Westbere & Minster Roads, NW2. A mixture of woodland, Spring & Summer meadows and a wildlife-rich pond. Good for birds, meadow flowers and fungi. Friends group is “Westbere Copse Association”. Next meeting, in a nearby volunteers home, is Sunday October 9th immediately after the conservation session in the reserve, which finishes at 3pm.

If you would like more details, contact:

Dave Lawrence

dave.lawrence@dsl.pipex.com

404A Long Lane

East Finchley

London

N2 8JX

020 8444 6285

07957 577355