That Was The Year That Was


The biggest stories of 2015 in Shepherd's Bush

January

'Unexpected Honour' for White City's Harry Audley
Community leader awarded British Empire Medal in New Year Honours

Local People Protest Against Ticket Office Closure at Shepherd's Bush Station 
As RMT union vows to step up campaign against 'ludicrous' shut down plan

Bush Theatre's Discount Scheme for Local Residents Will Continue in 2015
Bush Local programme is safe thanks to donation from West12 Shopping Centre

Dorsett Shepherd's Bush Wins Civic Trust Award
One of 91 winners including The Clothworkers' Centre in Olympia

February


Sales Slow and Prices Dip in Shepherd's Bush in Winter 
But the average home value is still up 13.7% over the year

Local Youngsters Help Make Film about History of QPR
60 minute film to be screened at local venues after two years in production 

Teenage Armed Robbers from Shepherd's Bush Jailed
Three aged 17 - 19 sentenced to a total of 32 years

Image of Old Oak Park

Cargiant Choose Team to Plan Old Oak Park
But no planning decision has yet been made about area's future 

March

Bush Theatre Triumphs at 2015 'Offies'
Our local theatre scoops up six awards

Walkabout Pub Set to be Replaced by 16 Storey Tower
Building proposed by Dorsett Hotel would dominate skyline on west of green

Market Traders Fight Compulsory Purchase Order in High Court
Eric Pickles' go ahead for redevelopment called "unlawful and unfair" 

Meet the Local Candidates in the May 7 General Election 
Five people hoping to become the next Hammersmith MP

April

Construction of Westfield Extension Set to Begin in May
Phasing programme shows work running through till October 2017

Queensmill School Wins National Prize for Transforming Lives
Award is 'fitting tribute' to headteacher Jude Ragan's work with autistic youngsters

Avengers cast at Westfield London

Avenger Fans Assemble!
Stars return to Shepherd's Bush for Age of Ultron premiere 

Shepherd's Bush Bus Crash Victim Named
Carol Thomas from Chiswick died after being hit by double decker

Clare Balding Opens Pony Centre's Therapy Stable Yard Classroom
TV presenter says facility is 'oasis of calm' on Wormwood Scrubs

May


Man Jailed for Driving at Female Police Officer
Shocking video released of car hitting PC Sue Thomson on Shepherd's Bush Road

Andy Slaughter Re-elected in Hammersmith 
Winning an increased 50% share of the vote for Labour

Local Agents Predict Post-election Boost for W12 Property
After figures show sharp drop in sales over first three months

St James Granted Planning Permission for White City Development
Building of new homes and park off Wood Lane to start in 2016

June

BBC Announces Sale and Sublet of Media Village
Wood Lane site to be refurbished and renamed White City Place 

Council Says No to Tower Overlooking Shepherd's Bush Green
Permission refused for 16 storey building on site of former Walkabout pub

QPR Legend Stanley Bowles Diagnosed with Alzheimer's 
Family ask fans to desist from asking former footballer for autographs

Cargiant Reveals First Plans for 'Old Oak Park'
Proposals include 9,000 new homes, high street and over a kilometre of canal frontage

Organisers Say Thanks for Success of HF ArtsFest
And invite local people to become involved in next year's festival

July

Easybus Launches Service from Shepherd's Bush to Heathrow
Boss Sir Stelios promises it will run at least 90 times a day from Holland Road

Inside Westfield's New Child-sized City
Annemarie Flanagan is agog at the scale of KidZania

Armed Robbers Arrested at Local HSBC Found Guilty
After string of robberies, gang members caught on Shepherd's Bush Green

Ten Charged after Dawn Raids by Police across Shepherd's Bush
15-22 year-olds charged with offences including dealing crack cocaine and heroin

August

New Homes in BBC Television Centre Will Include Penthouses Priced £7 Million
First batch of 450 flats in iconic building set to go on sale in September

QPR to Wear Alzheimer's Society Shirts on Stan Bowles Day
Shirts worn on Saturday will be auctioned off at gala event later in year

Average Property Price in Shepherd's Bush Reaches New Record
Helped by Goldhawk Road house achievingW12's highest ever sale price

H&F Threatens Court Action over Acton Pumping Station
Thames Water 'must take effective action' to stop noise and smell

September

Police Pay Respects to Man Who Tended Braybrook Street Memorial
Reg Collins looked after stone honouring three officers shot dead in 1966 for 27 years

Long Awaited Refurbishment of Wormholt Park Begins Next Month
But some are disappointed that new tennis courts are on hold

Hammersmith to Become Borough's Only Full Time Police Station
With planned upgrade including 30 cell custody suite and improved stables

Prince William Visits Hammersmith Academy

Prince William Visits Hammersmith Academy 
Supporting anti-bullying campaign set up in memory of his mother

October

New Deal Brings Publicly Owned Sports Facility to Hammersmith Park
Agreement is triumph for local campaigner Virginia Ironside

Michelin Awards Bib Gourmand to Local Dim Sum Specialist Shikumen
Along with two popular Hammersmith restaurants L'Amoroso and Azou

Man Charged Over Hit and Run in Bulwer Street
McDonagh appears in court after leaving Saboor, 13 with head injuries

Friends and Colleagues Pay Tribute to Simon Rodway
Much loved guide who led many local walking tours has passed away

November

Mayor Boris Johnson Approves Old Oak Masterplan
Aiming to bring 65,000 new jobs and 25,000 homes to north of Shepherd's Bush

Couple Sentenced for Smuggling 'Illicit Items' into Wormwood Scrubs Prison
Items on fishing line including drugs, alcohol, a knife ... and a McDonalds McMuffin

Average Terraced House Price in W12 Bounces Back Above One Million 
16.4% rise helps overall average to coast to new record high 

Australia Road 'Green Oasis' is Officially Open
Community space Bridget Joyce Square will also reduce risk of flooding

December

Shepherd's Bush Empire

Shepherd's Bush Empire Forced to Close Due to 'Serious Structural Damage'
Announcement expected today about future of iconic venue

Victoria Beckham Set to Move to White City
Celebrity designer reportedly negotiating over offices in former BBC Media Village

Man Injured in Shepherd's Bush Roof Collapse
Passerby taken to hospital after being hit by debris on Uxbridge Road

Help Hayley to Add an Accessible Swing in Wormholt Park
Local mum aims to raise £14,000 as part of campaign for disabled children

Santa Brings his Reindeer to Visit White City's New Public Space
Hundreds share the festive spirit at Bridget Joyce Square

January 10, 2016