Forum Topics

Depressing report on Putney News regarding East Putney Station

Groundhog Day at East Putney: We publish the feasibility study TfL already hasThis week, Transport for London announced it will conduct a feasibility study to make East Putney station step-free, and Putney MP Fleur Anderson celebrated the news, telling constituents “work will finally begin.”If this feels familiar, it should. It’s happened before.In November 2019, a comprehensive feasibility study for East Putney was completed by professional engineering firms. The 44-page report concluded the station could be made step-free, with construction beginning in mid-2021.That was six years ago. No construction began. No funding was allocated. The study appears to have been ignored.Now, in 2025, TfL announces it will… conduct a feasibility study.......https://putney.news/2025/10/05/groundhog-day-at-east-putney-we-publish-the-feasibility-study-tfl-already-has/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=groundhog-day-at-east-putney-we-publish-the-feasibility-study-tfl-already-has&utm_source=Putney.news&utm_campaign=dadb808434-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ffe896a2d6-dadb808434-296659549

Ivonne Holliday ● 12d17 Comments ● 4d

Beginning Of The End Of Middle East War?

Donald Trump has declared the Gaza deal 'all finalized and done' and will travel to Israel next week for the welcoming home of the hostages held by Hamas.The president confirmed the remaining hostages, believed to number around 20 survivors, will be released to Israel on Monday or Tuesday.'I'll be there,' Trump confirmed at a meeting with the Finland PM in the Oval Office. It came just hours after Hamas declared an end to the war and as an Israeli government session to ratify the agreement began.Chief Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya said earlier: 'We have received assurances from the brotherly mediators and the US administration, who have confirmed that the war is completely over.'He promised that 250 Palestinians serving life sentences in Israel would be freed, alongside 1,700 Palestinians from Gaza who were arrested since the war began.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet is poised to vote on the deal, which would see all remaining hostages freed within 72 hours of the ceasefire.'It will be a day of joy,' Trump stated, noting that the Israeli hostages held by Hamas 'should be released Monday or Tuesday.'Trump said there were still discussions coordinating the release of the hostages.https://mol.im/a/15178361

Sue Hammond ● 9d24 Comments ● 4d

Random pic 15 October 2025

Riverside Studios, Hammersmith https://flic.kr/p/2r6FkmM

Michael Ixer ● 4d0 Comments ● 4d

Spotted in Disraeli Road - out of service pillar box

I'm trying to visualise an automated pillar box; is it mounted on a Boston Dynamics type robot that walks to the sorting office?https://flic.kr/p/2rzipg8

Michael Ixer ● 5d2 Comments ● 4d

Random pic 14 October 2025

Buddhist figure, 1811, Beijing. China's Hidden Century exhibition, the British Museum. https://flic.kr/p/2oTLNgW

Michael Ixer ● 5d0 Comments ● 5d

Random pic 13 October 2025

Music, Brighton Station https://flic.kr/p/2r6c7Df

Michael Ixer ● 6d4 Comments ● 6d

Random pic 12 October 2025

Cat on a tightrope, Notting Hill Gate https://flic.kr/p/2rhJRdR

Michael Ixer ● 7d2 Comments ● 6d

the real chatgpt ?

a while ago I was told about chatgpt.com and have been using it as a useful tool as I find google has too much "noise". It seems I am not using the real/original chatgpt which is actually chat.openai.com and is more secure than chatgpt.comCan anyone confirm whether or not chatgpt.com is safe or should I switch? many thanks

Adam Tripp ● 7d3 Comments ● 7d

Why is it only Israel that daily makes the news re 'genocide'?

Jews and many living in or are associated with Israel are the race that suffered the greatest genocide in modern times.For those that might have forgotten, some 6,000,000 were murdered on an industrial scale in Nazi Germany in WWII.This naturally has made them at least wary of how they are considered and treated in the West and the Middle East.Palestinians in their conflict with Israel are not experiencing such a fate.It is claimed that Israel has killed 52,000 Palestinians in Gaza.These are figures put out by the 'Gazan Health Ministry' (unelected).This is known to be run by Hamas  which itself murdered and sexually assaulted numerous women, children and the elderly in October 2023 and still hold many hostages as well as the corpses of those it murdered.It does not distinguish between civilian deaths and those of its fighting forces that imbed themselves amongst the general Populus.And of course Hamas is attempting to enact its Charter Declaration which calls for the annihilation of the state of Israel and its Jewish citizens.But we should not forget there have been and still are many conflicts raging around the world that have resulted in many deaths and claims of genocide.They received and get little attention by the anti-Israel bien pensants and fellow travellers.All the focus is on Israel.For example note the deaths resulting from the following -2023 Masalit, West Darfur Sudan - 15,000 deaths2020 Tigray Ethiopia 162,000 deaths2016 Rohingya, Myanmar - 9,000 deaths2016 China - Uyghur birth rate drops 24% because of genocidal persecution2014 Ukraine - 12,000 deaths by Russians2014 Iraq Turkman 3,500 deaths (by ISIS)2014 Iraq/Syria (Yazidis) - 2,100 deaths (by ISIS)2003 Darfur, Sudan - 98,000 deaths2002 North Kivu, DR Congo - 60,000 deaths1996 Kivu, Zaire - 200,000 deaths (Hutus)1994 Rwanda - 491,000 deaths (Tutsis)1992 Bosnia - 31,000 deaths (by Serbs)All inter-tribal as is the conflict initiated by Hamas against Israel.Cut Israel some slack.

John Hawkes ● 148d122 Comments ● 7d

Petition: Do not introduce Digital ID cards

At the moment it stands at 1,140,468 signatories.https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/730194

Ivonne Holliday ● 22d14 Comments ● 7d

Priory Lane, Upper Richmond Rd

Anybody know what happened on the Upper, they taped off the URR By Priory Lane and the Lennox, down to East Sheen Primary School. Traffic everywhere. We went down Mill Hill traffic jam, cut back on to the Upper to go to Richmond. Couldn't all traffic going to Sheen was stopped. Ambulance Police vehicles. Ended up at Asda.

Barbara Stevens ● 7d7 Comments ● 7d

Attacked because of your religion

What a society we have been become where Jews are openly being targeted and sadly lost their lives.  This has been allowed to get to this point not just of international events but how we, as a society, have tolerated hateful language.  This attack appears to be ongoing with the SAS in situ according to news reports.  My heart goes out to all the families and my immense pride in the police who appear to have handled this appalling situation rapidly thereby avoiding further deaths.

Robert Wheeler ● 17d41 Comments ● 8d

A worthy Nobel Peace Prize winner.

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado wins Nobel Peace Prize.Machado, 58, was hailed by the Nobel Committee as "one of the most extraordinary examples of civilian courage in Latin America in recent times". She has campaigned against Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro Moros, whose 12-year rule is viewed by many as illegitimate."This immense recognition of the struggle of all Venezuelans is an impetus to conclude our task: to conquer Freedom," Machado said in a statement.Among those who missed out was US President Donald Trump, who has made no secret of his desire to get the prestigious award, with public overtures on the seven wars he claims to have ended.

Gerry Boyce ● 8d2 Comments ● 8d

Hammersmith nude muders.

I just found the following link to a substantial feature from the January 2025 MailOnline dealing with the unsolved murders of 8 women in the Hammersmith district between 1959 and 1965.https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14313667/Jack-Stripper-serial-killer-London-Hammersmith-Murders.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawNWShtleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETAwaDVSOW85OTF3ZDdTMU85AR4dLz34FMrIHRI8DE0fZaFZ_5hsPDwDfWo3NQezEEPI0PSz0ohItQage-_h8g_aem_F8_QUA-oVNnGQSnig3iUog

Neil Milkins ● 8d4 Comments ● 8d

“London has everything a child could need”, AN Wilson, The Times, 11.10.25

A N Wilson writes about families leaving the capital in droves and says “there is little to compare with growing up in the city.”   London is such a great city.  It is a wonderful article written by someone who really appreciates it.  However, A N Wilson mentions he went to boarding schools so he probably has lived a privileged life in London, and would maybe have felt differently if he had had a hard upbringing in a tough neighbourhood.. That said, he envies his daughter who grew up in London, and that envy is something I can understand.  Everything is interesting, and, as he mentions you don’t need a car to get around.  To close the article, A N Wilson says “Living in London is itself an education, the best that a child can have.”

Martine Guy ● 8d0 Comments ● 8d

Gridlocked

The new survey that Wandsworth Council has organised re overwhelming difficulties on Putney High Street and at the junction to Putney Bridge ignores completely the fact that both the High Street and the junction at Putney Bridge are often gridlocked as are some of the side roads. We have reached a point where roads are unsafe for pedeptrians and for drivers. The main concern is therefore health and safety.  

Miles Thompson ● 9d4 Comments ● 8d

Random pic 11 October 2025

"Turning Point", Sculpture, The Mall, Armagh https://flic.kr/p/2heqPDL

Michael Ixer ● 8d0 Comments ● 8d

Survey: Road Reconfiguration & Improvements to Putney High St

I have just filled in a survey organised by Wandsworth Council which asks people to give their views on the road reconfiguration at Putney Bridge. It also asks for opinions about the 'improvements' to Putney High Street. Was this really necessary when there have been so many opinions expressed about these matters already? The interviewer who was from AECOM declined to comment when I asked him how much his organisation had been paid by the Council to conduct said survey, saying that the matter was 'confidential.'

Miles Thompson ● 10d15 Comments ● 8d

Lower Richmond Road Conga

The traffic on the Lower Richmond Road returning from Barnes this morning was so bad that it represented a hazard as I and other having tried to be clever drove along the back streets and went down Roskell Road in vain hope of getting to Putney quicker along this route.  Angering drivers getting out of Putney along the Lower Richmond Road we tried to join the last stages of the conga towards Putney Bridge... Aaaah me what is to be done? Will the Council ever rectify the road system at Putney Bridge thereby putting us all out of our misery?

Miles Thompson ● 15d38 Comments ● 8d

Peace In The Middle East?

Hamas AGREES to hand over all hostages under Trump peace plan for Gaza: Rejects Tony BlairHamas says it has agreed to release all hostages and return the remains of the deceased under Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza.The announcement comes just hours after the US president threatened to unleash 'all hell' on the jihadists if they did not agree to his peace proposal which was backed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday.'The movement announces its approval to release all occupation prisoners, alive and dead, according to the exchange formula mentioned in President Trump's proposal,' Hamas said in a statement. The terrorists also agreed to hand over administrative control of Gaza to an independent body of Palestinian technocrats. It claimed those technocrats will be 'based on Palestinian national consensus and Arab and Islamic support.'Trump responded on his Truth Social platform that he believes Hamas are acting in good faith and demanded that Israel 'immediately stop the bombing of Gaza so that we can get the hostages out.''Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE,' the president said. The terror group rejected Trump's proposed chairmanship of a 'Board of Peace' that would rule over Gaza, with other leaders such as ex-British prime minister Tony Blair suggested as members. It also refused to completely disarm. Hamas chief Mousa Abu Marzouk told Al Jazeera: 'We will never accept anyone who is not Palestinian to control the Palestinians. We can't bring someone like Tony Blair to be governor in be governor in Gaza because this man, he destroyed Iraq'.https://mol.im/a/15160665

Sue Hammond ● 15d10 Comments ● 9d

Random pic 10 October 2025

St Alban's Cathedral wall painting ki https://flic.kr/p/2rtnyMB

Michael Ixer ● 9d0 Comments ● 9d

Closed railway footbridge

With the new term starting next week, I thought it would be helpful for people to know the footbridge over the railway in West Putney (Dyers Lane/Beauchamp Terrace) is closed for repairs. It's been closed for over a week & the work doesn't seem to have started yet.

Sarah Stevenson ● 50d20 Comments ● 9d

Dame Jilly Cooper

Front page of Forum, her days in Putney.

Barbara Stevens ● 9d0 Comments ● 9d

Lotto & Euromillions

I like to buy tickets a couple of times a month.  In the past, I used to get 3 numbers now and again, but for the last few months I am lucky if I get one number or a free lucky dip. My best winnings was £140 about 3 years ago. Anyone else not getting any numbers?

Martine Guy ● 11d9 Comments ● 10d

Random pic 9 October 2025

Relaxing on the morning commute https://flic.kr/p/2p5ERKN

Michael Ixer ● 10d1 Comments ● 10d

Marks & Spencer Food Hall, Wimbledon

It’s reopening on Monday.  

Martine Guy ● 10d1 Comments ● 10d

Blue Plaques For Women In Wandsworth

The Putney's Society's  idea that notable women in Wandsworth should be commemorated with plaques is excellent and I believe that two plaques to women in Wandsworth have been put up some time ago. However, it has not advanced very far and shows no sign of doing so due to lack of money. Comments anyone?

Miles Thompson ● 26d21 Comments ● 10d

Random pic 8 October 2025

Twilight, Putney Embankment https://flic.kr/p/2ruerrb

Michael Ixer ● 11d1 Comments ● 11d

Random pic 7 October 2025

Electric Wet at Bread & Roses, Clapham https://flic.kr/p/2oQSRxM

Michael Ixer ● 12d2 Comments ● 11d

Antisemitic fascism: 1936 to 2025. Plus ca change...

BBC News reports -'Yesterday police arrested 40 people after clashes with officers at a pro-Palestine protest near Downing Street.Six arrests were “for assaults on police officers” and the majority were for "breaching conditions”, the Metropolitan Police announced in a statement on Thursday night.The demonstration of up to 300 people was organised by Global Movement for Gaza UK to demand protection for Greta Thunberg’s Gaza-bound flotilla and to protest the proscription of Palestine Action'.This protest march came two days after two Jewish people were killed and three left in a serious condition after a car ramming and stabbing attack outside a synagogue in Manchester on Thursday.The suspect, who was shot dead at the scene, has been named as 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent (sic) who had also been accused of rape.The far-Left pro-Palestinian march, ironically fell on the 89th anniversary of the 4th October 1936 Cable Street March but its political intention was the reverse of the earlier one.Then the radical left rallied to the defence of London’s Jews from the menace of fascism, then of the European rather than Islamist variety.They stood with Jewish EastEnders against the threat of Oswald Mosley and his blackshirts. Fast forward 89 years and now the left responds to violent Jew hatred not by siding with Jewish people but by raging against the Jewish nation. Anyone with a single brain cell of course knows that 'anti-Israelism' is a proxy for antisemitism.To put it plainly, in the wake of the terroristic murder of Jews on English soil in 2025, the left hit the streets to echo the vile prejudices of the Oswald Mosley in this situation . They have officially crossed the barricade of Cable Street. They are now on the other side.The rest of us have to choose who we side with.A Jewish nation under existential attack or an Islamic political movement that has ambitions for global domination.

John Hawkes ● 13d4 Comments ● 11d

Jilly Cooper R.I.P.

Very sad news that Dame Jilly Cooper has passed away aged 88.  She lived in Putney for several years.

Martine Guy ● 13d5 Comments ● 12d

Is this life after death?

Sad to hear of her death; Jane Goodall’s Posthumous Netflix Special Features A Stellar Burn Of Trump (HuffPost UK Politics) ...https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jane-goodall-famous-last-words-donald-trump_n_68e36a50e4b003ca997c775cI haven't had a chance to listen to it as I've been on a train without my headphones, so I can't comment. Just thought it was an amusing idea although perhaps not original ...

Michael Ixer ● 12d0 Comments ● 12d

Random pic 6 October 2025

Sharing a snack at Waterloo Station https://flic.kr/p/2rkgQBi

Michael Ixer ● 13d4 Comments ● 12d

Bike thefts at stations 'decriminalised'

The British Transport Police (BTP) says it will not investigate bike thefts outside stations where the bicycle has been left for more than two hours. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8jm3wxvlkjo This is ridiculous!

Ivonne Holliday ● 17d3 Comments ● 13d

Bibi and Trump make a "peace"

"Benjamin Netanyahu says the IDF ‘will remain in most of the territory’In a video statement published on his Telegram channel discussing his visit to the US, Benjamin Netanyahu said the IDF “will remain in most of the territory” as part of the plan drawn up with Trump, and that Israel did “absolutely not” agree to a Palestinian state. Netanyahu said:It was a historic visit. Instead of Hamas leading to our isolation, we turned the tables and isolated Hamas. Now the entire world, including the Arab and Muslim world, is pressuring Hamas to accept the conditions we set together with President Trump: to release all our abducted – both living and dead – while the IDF remains in most of the territory.Asked whether he had agreed to a Palestinian state during his visit, Netanyahu said:Absolutely not, and it is not written in the agreement either. But one thing we did say: we are firmly opposed to a Palestinian state. President Trump also said this; he said he understands our position. He also declared at the UN that such a move would be a huge reward for terror and a danger to the state of Israel. And of course, we will not agree to it.Israel’s far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, a member of Netanyahu’s coalition government, blasted the plan as a “resounding diplomatic failure”.“In my estimation, it will also end in tears. Our children will be forced to fight in Gaza again,” he said." (Gdn today)

David Ainsworth ● 19d29 Comments ● 14d

Random pic 5 October 2025

View from the Cloth Hall and Bell Tower, Ghent https://flic.kr/p/2qJNRWf

Michael Ixer ● 14d0 Comments ● 14d

Is This Going To Be Another Cover-up?

Woman is 'gang raped in churchyard by group of men' as police launch urgent probe into 'horrific' crime“The woman in her 30s was raped at St Mary's Church's churchyard in Banbury, Oxfordshire, and in the surrounding areas in the town centre in the early hours of Sunday morning.The force are searching for witnesses or anyone with information in relation to the rape.They will be conducting house to house and CCTV enquiries as they hunt for the perpetrators. Investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Mark Personius said: 'This is a horrific crime and Thames Valley Police is conducting a thorough investigation to identify the offenders.”However no description has been given given of any of the scum.  Wonder why?   3 guesses but you’ll probably only need 1 …https://mol.im/a/15141893This is why we need a national DNA database.  Boat people first on the list!

Sue Hammond ● 20d35 Comments ● 14d

Wimbledon branch and step free access at East Putney

While I'm not disabled as such I do struggle with the stairs at East Putney and would like to the station made accessible. However, in terms of investment priorities, I'd far rather see London Underground sort out the signalling on the Wimbledon branch. My understanding is that they have put this in the 'too hard' box and have abandoned any plans to digitise the ancient system on this section having upgraded just about everywhere else on the District Line. Set against that a promise to look at step free access is not really much compensation as they have done this before and it got us nowhere.

Barry Elms ● 16d4 Comments ● 15d

Random pic 4 October 2025

Citroën Ami electric quadricycle https://flic.kr/p/2rup3CA

Michael Ixer ● 15d3 Comments ● 15d