Category archives: Keep Things Local

Mike Moran, centre, receives his LCN award from actor Shaun Williamson, right Devonshire Road stalwart Mike Moran has plenty of reasons to be celebrating as his shop marks half a century in business. Top Hat Hounslow 1967 There isn’t much Mike Moran doesn’t know about the world of dry cleaning….

Architect Warren Hagues on the importance of accurately passing on clients’ wishes to the builders and designers. In the last issue we spoke about the architect’s role as a facilitator who’s job it is to realise that the preferences and tastes of clients play a major part in developing a…

For 32 years dentist Ron Baise has run a successful surgery in Hammersmith. He describes his career and shares tips for making your dental check-up as pain-free as possible! I moved to London from Cape Town in 1980 soon after graduating. The political situation in South Africa was shaky then…

Get the BBQ sizzling with John Stenton’s speciality meaty treats – piri piri chicken, delicious Stenton burgers, homemade sausages and the famous ‘Man Chop’. John Stenton has been Brackenbury’s butcher for more than 30 years. Some customers have been visiting his shop on Aldensley Road since the day John and…

Albi, the Local’s resident agony aunt, offers words of wisdom. True, he is a dog but that doesn’t mean Albi can’t see sense! Far from it. After a life of globetrotting with his glamorous companion Lavinia von Schneider, Albi the Talking Dog has settled for good in Brackenbury Village. Now…

Alexane Dunn shines a light on rising star Antonia Clarke. Would you recommend the area as a place for young people to live? I’ve lived here all my life so I don’t really know anything better, but all my friends live here and the park is great.  It’s a family…

Jack Davis – General Manager Anyone driving round Hogarth Roundabout in Chiswick recently cannot have failed to notice the intense stare of a giant-sized chef perched on the advertising hoarding. The man glaring down on the thousands of cars passing beneath is Gavin Sinden, the Fuller’s award winning Chef of…

Bill Bailey: making people laugh is his life’s work. How long have you lived in the area? Since 1987. 29 years. As a native of Bath, what brought you to London? I came to study English and Drama at Westfield College (London University). After I left, I bought a houseboat…

You two don’t sound like Londoners.  Where are you from? Jill: Tipperary, southern Ireland. Mike: Christchurch on the South Island of New Zealand. How did you meet? Mike: One of the most romantic nights of the year, New Year’s Eve, 1995, at what was one of the hottest tickets in…

José Carvalho – Potter ‘I am a potter from Portugal and have been living in London for 10 years. My work covers a broad spectrum of both decorative and functional pieces. I use stoneware, earthenware, and Porcelain Clay. Recently I have been producing “V” and “U” shaped pieces with a…