Forum Topic

Only about 250 subscribers to W12.com?

I'm amazed it's as few as it says on the newsletter - you would think there would be a great market in Shepherd's Bush for what this site could offer.I suppose it's a bit circular - it won't get bigger until there is an editor being pro-active but neighbournet won't hire an editor until it's bigger.

Sara Nathan ● 6150d94 Comments

Sara - I'm afraidso far the only things with wings I am seeing here are flying pigs.  There needs to be greater community input and neither you nor I constitute that on our own.

Dan Filson ● 5804d

It's getting better all the time (Pollyanna-ish side coming out) Was moribund six months ago and is on the up like Acton but unlike the others - for all I know even Chiswick may have peaked - or maybe it's so far into the stratosphere, it has grown its own wings.

Sara Nathan ● 5804d

If it's true it is a pity more do not start new threads or contribute to discussions. A while back I listed a number of topics as examples of what could be discussed, but relatively few threads get going.The current page shows the bottom item had its latest post on 14 May -  sometimes the Chiswick site has two pages of threads bearing posts made in the last 36 hours and even allowing for the prattle content (and threads seeking reliable domestics!) there, ShepherdsBushW12.com is by comparison quite quiet, though - I'm glad to say - not as quiet as FulhamSW6.com!

Dan Filson ● 5805d

Over 800 subscribers here now - surely lift-off must be imminent.

Sara Nathan ● 5805d

Don't be modest, Sara, it was a combination of you and the tedium of considering the ills of other Parliamentary representatives that drove us to it!

Dan Filson ● 5812d

Just look at this forum now - practically teeming with bubbly life. I wonder what the tipping point was - or at what number of subscribers things burst into action.

Sara Nathan ● 5813d

Possibly true - on the other hand, it's more lively than Ealing - both have posts going back to 30/04/09 but this has more posts.It got a bit exhausting over there for a while so maybe everyone is just having a little rest.

Sara Nathan ● 5822d

Whats it got to do with you?i was born and bred in the Bush.shepherds bush bush bush.post what i like when i like.so dont get all la di dathis site needs livening up a bit

bobby osborne ● 5824d

Third different logon ID in no time, Bobby - what are you doing?Could you start a thread with content worth reading? Now that would make a lovely change.

Sara Nathan ● 5824d

Thanks for saying anyone else could start any other thread they wanted to.Will take you up on your kind offer.

bobby osborne ● 5824d

It was started as a genuine enquiry when I first stumbled upon this forum - with no thought that it would run for any time at all really... but things stay on the front page a while here which is why it has legs I suppose.Anyone else could start any other thread they wanted to of course, it's just that not many do.I'm more of a SB cycle-througher than a sojourner nowadays but I did live in Abdale Road in the mid 80s and of course worked in Lime Grove and TVC - and still do a bit at the Media Centre.

Sara Nathan ● 5825d

LinaI thought I made the point perfectly clearly albeit at some length.  The discussion forum exists to enable discussion about issues, not just discussion about the absence of discussion, which can get a bit surreal. Whilst it is commendable, amazing even, tnat this thread has kept going for the purpose of raising some consciousness about the relative morbidity of ShepherdsbushW12.com or at least its discussion forum, it only serves a purpose if people start discussing real issues. If you want to see a truly moribund forum, look at fulhamsw6.com. There, there are loads of attempts to start threads, some petering out after nil replies, and almost all after less than 10 replies. The only one with more than 10 in recent times has the word Picture in its title, and it got to 50 before dying, suggesting the good people of Fulham cannot cope with words. MAybe too many yuppies saying Yah, yah.The issues I listed in my previous post are just some that people might like to pick up in new threads.Dan

Dan Filson ● 5825d

thanks for the invite dan

bobby osborne ● 5825d

So, er, what's yer point, Dan?

Lina Leaman ● 5825d

Phew, just read the entire string - rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit .... The thing is, a discussion forum has to have content. Now there's one going on the apostrophe in Shepherd's Bush Green, which is rather like inspecting navel fluff (more interesting, who was the maid in Maida Vale, and was she?). Yes there are hairdressers in Shepherd's Bush, including some specialists for black folks' hair as it takes different treatment. Who uses the 272 and why doesn't it begin its route at the Sherpherd's Bush Overground station instead of outsid the Empire? Does anyone understand how a bus stop on Wood Lane can be called Shephers's Bush Market?Which is currnetly the better secondary school - Phoenix or Burlington Danes? What is the Janet Adegoke Leisure Centre like? Is Wormwood Scrubs spoilt or improved by model airplane flying? Are there too many floodlights at the Old Oak Railway Depot? When will they resurface the appeach road of Willesden Junction station? Who asked for the 228 bus service? Is the Coop on Askew Road better than 30 years ago? Who remembers the trams / trolley buses on Goldhawk Road?Should they free Harry Roberts?Any of these or more could provide a separate thread (well spotted those who notice non-W12 items in the above, some are in stricness W3 or NW10).  Once you get several going at once, different people get involved. I just wish it didn't take so long to read a string, having to click so many times is a real chore.I don't know who picks the news items and to what extent the readers of the forum/site run it, rather than just view it and contribte to the discussion forum.B.t.w., my SB credentials: I was born in the workhouse next door to the prison (i.e. born in Hammersmith Hospital) and lived in SB for 29 years, and now live one tennis ball throw over the boundary in Acton.What will spoil W12.com will be if the 3 stooges infect it. Congrats to all those who kept the standard flying for so long with so little to say. Now let's have some content!

Dan Filson ● 5826d

Yes ,I try and get back about every 3 years should be this year .. had hip replacement recently so travel on hold, of course all relatives moved out of Shepherds Bush ,now we have to travel further afield B&B rather expensive.I just love the place so many of my childhood and teenage memories and of course I was also  married there.Have a lovely weekendEileen

Eileen Chapman ● 5831d

Do you ever come back for a visit?Some things change out of recognition but the same louche atmosphere pervades I think. My mother lived in digs in Shepherd's Bush while she was an undergraduate at Bedford College - must have been about 1950 - and she says even then it was seen as an area that was about to pick itself up and become up-and - coming but somehow it never up and came.

Sara Nathan ● 5831d

I left Shepherds Bush in 1966 for a new life inNew Zealand and am always happy to see what has been posted I miss getting back to Shepherds Bush I have so many happy memories of my childhood please keep this going as I would hate for it to stop.Good luck

Eileen Chapman ● 5832d

I love lost causes - and they aren't always that lost.Eventually some new and exciting people will discover this forum and they will see that there once signs of life and maybe tempted to have a little, tentative post - and then we'll be away and I can go back to Acton where I belong.

Sara Nathan ● 5910d

welcome to  THE NATHAN/VAUGHAN/BURGE WEBSITE ...whilst i admire your efforts to pump life into this parroti would suggest that u 3 stalwarts are a dying breed ...sorry to be a party pooper ...but... there aint no one out there ........they^re all in hammersmith.....    cheers  bob #

Bob Hodkison ● 5910d

Westfield might have done it but didn't -I'd be amazed if anyone in W12 travelled as far as Acton High Street for a dubious beauty salon - aren't there plenty in Shepherd's Bush?

Sara Nathan ● 5910d

Surely some people in W12 use Beauty Base?What really got the Acton forum going was the tram. Before that it was fairly moribund. Shepherd's Bush needs a cause celebre to really get this forum started in earnest.

Andy Jones ● 5911d

silly me! Of course that must be it.Maybe not enough hair salons to complain about too.

Sara Nathan ● 5911d

Not enough complaints about sub standard service at local hair-do shops ! ! !

Fred Bray ● 5912d

I notice in this week's newsletter, that there are now nearly 900 subscribers - which is pretty good going in a few months.That being the case, why is this forum so peaceful? When Acton only had this number, it was already, if not a hot-bed of debate and discussion, a rippling pond of one.

Sara Nathan ● 5912d

Why don't you try contributing a bit more, Bob? You can't complain about it if you don't make an effort yourself :)

Lina Leaman ● 6017d

Come on - lots may join with the Westfield boosting the whole area (or not)and the numbers have gone up from about 250 when this thread started to around 800 according to the latest newsletter. I reckon you need over 1,000 subscribers to have a successful forum - but it will happen in time.Good on Carol for keeping it going in the meantime

Sara Nathan ● 6017d

No!

Carol Burge ● 6017d

OH FOR GAWDS SAKE LETS ALL GO ONTO THE "HAMMERSMITH " SITE AND SHUT THIS DREARY OLD BLOG DOWN .. THERE IS ONLY ABOUT 6 PEOPLE TALKING TO EACH OTHER ANY WAY.... R.I.P.

Bob Hodkison ● 6017d

Well I know your an Actonian Sara, and I'm certain you don't 'Bray'.It was on the Acton forum that the comment was made. Many of us post on several Forums, which I think leads to confusion in some quarters. Me? Born in Acton Vale in sight of the ASKEW ARMS. Never been in there though! Educated, and later lived in Ealing W13.Got married and lived in Hayes Middlesex for 3 years off Yeading Lane before moving to Barnet in 1967. Joined the Ealing Forum because of my concern about the Tram(?) project. Barnet had a site, but no one joined it appart from me, so here I am.

Colin Vaughan ● 6031d

Who are you calling a Chiswick person?Moi? I'm a proud Actonian!Can't tell whether I bray but I do hope not and never in the Princess Victoria to my certain knowledge

Sara Nathan ● 6031d

Well Chiswickians have been accused of 'Braying'.but that was in the Princes Victoria in W12. Anyway as a Forum gets larger so there is more scope for a 'Broader Church' of opinion, Like Harold Wilson used to fondly describe the Labour Party.So Brayers, and non Brayers become more evenly matched. I'm wandering here!!Goodnight W12 Goodnight. Wheres me bed socks!!

Colin Vaughan ● 6031d

Yes, we are learning to chatter just like you Chiswick people.

Lina Leaman ● 6031d

Did anyone notice on the latest newsletter that the number of subscribers has multiplied - it was wither just over 700 or just over 900 - can't remember which but either is a huge boost.Plus - for the first time I can recall - the front page of the forum is all threads started this month.Getting there!

Sara Nathan ● 6031d

Mostly it's fine if you don't wantonly provoke - which I have once or twice. But if you do, all hell lets loose. Should never have cast aspersions on cat-lovers - whoops!Jolly useful though for tracking down second hand bikes, work experience, advice on banks and parking tickets and so on...the memberships is so huge that someone ALWAYS knows...so overall, probably worth it.

Sara Nathan ● 6067d

Funnily enough I was about to put a posting on one of the threads on W4 and have thought better of it, sometimes just trying to participate in some of their discussions seems to end up with a barage of criticism.  Think I will continue to just view that site.

Carol Burge ● 6067d

W3 is usually amicable and quite busy - not up there with Chiswick but more than here, Ealing or the couple of others I have looked at.There's a horrid thread in Chiswick about being banned on which I made the mistake of posting something really anodyne and now I keep getting PMs from people of whom I have never heard.  I don't want to block all PMs as some are really useful but if only one could block one thread's worth at a time.

Sara Nathan ● 6067d

Love it............:-)

Carol Burge ● 6067d

W4....
y..Carol You forgot on W4 you also get...

Hugh Telford ● 6067d

I think also because the W4 site is so big many of the postings appear to be duplicates of things already asked, ie MOT's, carpenters etc.

Carol Burge ● 6067d

TW8 Carol is just as bad. One comment on this site re the Notting Hill Carnival would, as I pointed out, have called down tirades of abuse on W4, but not here. Good thing to. It would seem there are people over there with time to waste.

Colin Vaughan ● 6067d

I think some of the subscribers to the W4 site are only on there solely to contribute abuse!  Maybe us users of W12 and W6 sites are more restrained in our comments?

Carol Burge ● 6067d

Fred and I are doing our best Sara. The NottingHill Carnival bit got one response that would have produced tirades of abuse in 'The other Place', but there you go, apathy? Internet unawareness? who knows.

Colin Vaughan ● 6070d

has it gone up yet? Still nearly six weeks worth of messages on the front page. Chiswick's is les than six hours.

Sara Nathan ● 6070d

Quite a good message count today, the Bendie thread has certainly stirred things up a bit!

Colin Vaughan ● 6105d

It's just stopped all on its own. very odd.Thre are a month's worth of postings on the front page here - about a week on Ealing - three days on Acton and only today on Chiswisk. Quite a good guide to the amount of usage.

Sara Nathan ● 6110d

How come, even though I have checked the "no notification" box - or rather not checked the box saying I do want notification - every time anyone posts on this thread, I get a message in my inbox. Only started today and I hadn't changed any settings.How do I stop it?

Sara Nathan ● 6112d

Don't worry Hugh we are all here, not like 'Chattery Chiswick', but still with something to say!

Colin Vaughan ● 6112d

...
...

Hugh Telford ● 6112d

I see your funny went down well on W4 Carol, unlike Hammersmith!

Colin Vaughan ● 6112d

Plenty of the last mentioned particularly on Chiswick. They have their place Carol, but not the petty insularity of some, who even question ex residents rights to join in discussions that affect things locally.

Colin Vaughan ● 6112d

It's also good for information and opinion about things not only local...sometimes I post about a particularly good play - and that doesn't mean it has to be at the Questors or the Bush...and in season, I do film reviews - as the BAFTA DVDs roll in - no-one has ever said that it wasn't local enough.Anything but "missing cats" and "cleaners wanted" can be interesting and I suppose even those have their fans

Sara Nathan ● 6112d

Exactly, if there is something concerning the locality, I live in Hammersmith and work in Shepherds Bush, I will post on the relevant site but now and again it is good to have just general "chit-chat".  Life is serious enough so I grab as much humour from it as I can!

Carol Burge ● 6112d

Ever since I joined the Ealing site Carol, I have always treated it and other sites that I have joined as a way of 'CHATTING OVER THE GARDEN FENCE'. Obviously there were things local that I had an interest in. Being an ex resident now living in Barnet(dead site, I'm the only member), I still cared about local issues, after all I was born in Acton Vale. The Tram(?)for instance occupied much thought.  And local history, about the way things used to be was also a good topic. Certainly some of these sites have members from as far away as New Zealand, and California. Odd thing is that these people don't seem to attract the wrath of the petty minded as some who only come from a short distance away.

Colin Vaughan ● 6112d

Having posted on both this and the Hammersmith site, I am all for keeping these going, but I wonder what your views are on the type of postings that should be placed?  Couple of days ago I placed a joke on the Hammersmith site and if you look at a comment I received back was told "I am struggling to find the local community angle.  I fear that sounds very pompous, but I do think if sites like this are to succeed, they need to have a relevant local angle"Which I am sorry I personally think is a load of crap.....does that mean I cannot ask if anybody has been on holiday to a particular area, ask if anybody has seen a film etc.My view is as long as the postings are not totally offensive or abusive let's talk about anything and everything!

Carol Burge ● 6112d

Thats pretty good for Acton, won't ask abouit W4 on that day. The only time that Ealing ever matched them was when the Tram(?) debate was going fast, furious, and decidedly nasty at times.

Colin Vaughan ● 6113d

Hey but Acton has 65 or more - never seen anything like it. Maybe it's the heat

Sara Nathan ● 6113d

SB is running well today Sara, double figures again maybe. Keep shovelling the 'Coal'.! !

Colin Vaughan ● 6113d

We're working on it aren't we, chaps?

Sara Nathan ● 6113d

11/12 messages yesterday Emma, not quite up to 'Chattering Classes' standards at 'The other place' SWest of SB, but non-the-less progress!

Colin Vaughan ● 6113d

Glad to see some traffic here - had been checking the site about four or five months ago but it was deathly quiet....

Emma Thatcher ● 6113d

I notice the newsletter has stopped telling us how many subscribers there are. Is this because it has trickled below 250 or an inadvertant omission?

Sara Nathan ● 6114d

Wednesday,Just made it, back on line..

Hugh Telford ● 6114d

Actually its not too bad today keeping pace with Ealing on 11 messages so far!

Colin Vaughan ● 6114d

In the meantime, what we all can do is tell our mates/clubs/community groups...

Richard Scott ● 6114d

My turn . . . .Sorted  ! !  ;o))

Fred Bray ● 6120d

Hello Shepherds Bush I'm still here too!!

Colin Vaughan ● 6120d

Hi All, Just to say my PC is down,In a Inter net cafe,So just posting to keep Fred Happy.;-))Its Wednsday.

Hugh Telford ● 6121d

Hey Carolyn - fancy you having time to loiter here!Your toothless patient must be better.Another one for the posting rotaoops just realised it's a Sunday...am off to Acton then

Sara Nathan ● 6124d

252 subscribers now :)

Carolyn Nathanson ● 6124d

What about me Fred I'm here too you know!!Ex Acton Vale, born on the border in sight of the Askew Arms. The noise of the Trams, did my Mother's nerves no good at all, but with the Silence of Trolleybuses She relaxed, and I arrived!!I owe my very existance to the dear old 607! Brentford Sara? Can be very Politico like Chiswick. They have a common topic in the KEENS of course. But there don't seem to be any stray cats over there though. Jim Lawes was good on that site and posted many good River scenes etc, but sadly seems to have gone missing of late

Colin Vaughan ● 6126d

What we need is a properly organised rota, now let's see:-Mondays,  Sara posts something on the forum,Tuesdays,  Gerry posts something on the forum,Wednesdays, Hugh posts something on the forum,Thursdays, Colin posts something on the forum,Fridays, I post something,Saturdays, Sara posts something else, Sundays,  day offAny cancellations require 3 weeks notice.

Fred Bray ● 6126d

Actually Acton is quite vibrant - quite often has 35+ messages a day - nowhere near Chiswick obviously but not bad and better than here (equally obviously) and Ealing.Never look at Hammersmith, Wandsworth or Brentford so don't know how they do.Acton has nearly 2,000 subscribers I think it is so, again, way behind Chiswick but not bad compared to elsewhere.A very pro-active, plugged in editor helps.

Sara Nathan ● 6126d

Basically your stuck with a negative image problem ..a bit like poor old acton ...most folk log onto the mastersites of chiswick and hammersmith... which cover these areas in depth ... personally i think you would achieve more by sharing items on the Ham site ...

Bob Hodkison ● 6126d

I'm still lurking on this nascent website Fred.  Must say it's not as vibrant as the good residents of the chatty neighbours in ChiswickW4 - maybes the quiet Shepherd's Bush residents aren't of the chattering kind. Or perhaps silence is golden.  Whatever, I'm sure Shepherd'sBush W12 will one day grow into an important site.  let's hope so anyways.  ;-)

Gerry A. Tan ● 6126d

I only posted this to ensure we get 11/07/08  in the 'Dates Posted'  column.not a bad run :-07/07/0808/07/0808/07/0808/07/0809/07/0810/07/0811/07/08Keep it up folks !

Fred Bray ● 6126d

Am feeling very pro Chiswick this evening as my internet died over last night - not a peep this morning - but when I logged on to the chiswick site at work, some kind soul explained what had gone wrong - a rubbish download from zonealarm - and how to fix it. So I love them all: the buggy-pushers; the mad politicos; the real ale bores; even the people with missing cats.In fact, we could do with all of the above on this forum.

Sara Nathan ● 6127d

Lonely here innit ? ! ?Anyone got directions to Chiswick ?

Fred Bray ● 6128d

Fred ! ! So you made it after all ! If I could buy you a Pint at the Askew Arms I would. Could be better than a sip of Red stuff in a Wine Bar in W4 maybe?????

Colin Vaughan ● 6129d

" When the new Westfield shopping mall opens, someone could interrupt the opening ceremony by running around naked, waving a 'Shepherdsbushw12.com' banner. Who wants to volunteer? "Found a volunteer ! !

Fred Bray ● 6130d

Hey - the volume on this forum just went up. Welcome Fred.Come on, do something outrageous and wake these guys up.

Sara Nathan ● 6130d

Hi folks ;o))

Fred Bray ● 6130d

tisn't working...something even more outrageous than the above obviously called for.

Sara Nathan ● 6132d

David Giles Votes LABOUR.....Boom..Boom!

Hugh Telford ● 6134d

Male journalist bites dog?

Gerry A. Tan ● 6134d

Naked photo?

Carol Burge ● 6134d

I think the editor needs to do something provocative to get this forum moving.

Sara Nathan ● 6135d

Good to see Caroline Villiers posting on the Forum.The owner of the Net Work.My very Best Regards to You,hope to meet you again sometime.Hugh..                                                       

Hugh Telford ● 6149d

Yes, Sara, there is indeed an editor and has been for the past three months. Hope you are enjoying the site,Editor

Editor ● 6149d

Thank you, Caroline, for your comments. Word of mouth seems to have worked for the other NeighbourNet sites and I'm sure it will do the trick for ShepherdsBush too. Thanks,Editor

Editor ● 6149d

Does it? I thought it was done centrally until there are 500 or so subscribers - but I'm not sure why I think that, so it may not be true.

Sara Nathan ● 6149d

I believe ShepherdsBushW12.com does indeed have a wonderful new editor who has written many of the articles included in the inaugural newsletter. And people such as yourselves posting on the forum and spreading the word amongst your friends are probably the best means of getting more people involved. A toast to the success of ShepherdsBushW12.com!

Caroline Villiers ● 6149d

I agree Sara, but of course one has to put up with the fact that a large Forum is a platform for The'Chattering Classes', although putting them down can be satisfying.

Colin Vaughan ● 6149d

I think, when it comes to local websites, size is jolly nearly everything. Size gives you (obviously) more eyeballs...that gives you an editor....advertising...a vibrant, informed and engaging forum... a real incentive to log on.What's to be said - in a website context - for staying small, powerless, under-resourced and unknown?

Sara Nathan ● 6149d

Size isn't everything........!

Carol Burge ● 6149d