November 2008 Archives

A HAYES resident is warning people to be extra vigilant after having all her jewellery stolen in a late afternoon heist.

Yesterday, November 27, the woman returned home to find the garden door of her Princes Park Close home, Hayes, had been forced open.

The burglars targeted her home between 3-6pm.

Anyone with information can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

CHRISTMAS lights are being switched on in Hayes town centre on Thursday (4).

David Brough, chairman of the Hayes Town Partnership, is switching the lights on at the bandstand in Botwell Lane at 3.30pm.

Children from Minet Junior School, in Avondale Drive, Hayes, will also be performing at the bandstand.

FIVE-piece indie / alternative act, The Bedroom Hour, were formed in late 2007 from the remnants of other bands which have fallen from the wayside.

But despite a somewhat stunted start, the group, which is based in Hayes, has already managed to achieve moderate success, with an appearance on Tim Lovejoy's Channel Bee radio show in November.

They will also be live on Hayes FM on Wednesday, December 3 at 6pm with Sophie on The Drivetime Show, and have a gig supporting none other than John Power (formerly of Cast and The La's) at London's Water Rats on Friday, December 5

Lead singer Stu Drummond, 27, believes the key to the band's success lies in their ability to be commercial yet credible. He says: "I would describe our sound as indie / alternative, but with a twist - we combine melodic guitar riffs with banging synths and our list of influences spans from Oasis and Verve to The Doors, Kings of Leon, Doves, Arcade Fire and Coldplay.

"We have forgotten all the problems in the past and have decided to collectively splice our passion and drive and hopefully achieve success. We are all especially excited about gig with John Power and hope that it serves to be a springboard to take our musical careers in the right direction."

After meeting on the London circuit, many of the band members are not unaccustomed to the glare of the limelight, having graced venues including the Clapham Grand, Dublin Castle, the Cavern Club in Liverpool and Dublin Castle.

Two members were even signed to record label, Fierce Panda, and have supported a series of stellar musicians including the Keane, Hard-Fi and Kaiser Chiefs. But guitarist Rob Payne, 26, is less than complimentary of the latter: "At the time, those bands were relatively unknown and Kaiser Chiefs were called Parva at the time.

"In my opinion, they were not very good and had quite a moody sound. The lead singer, Ricky, was just as arrogant as he seems to be now, and the whole band seemed to think they were on the same level as Nirvana.

"I think they have become quite a novelty band, the kind of music that 40-year-olds like Jeremy Clarkson claim to listen to, and that is taking the commercial side a step too far - we hope to always retain our original sound and never compromise our integrity."

The Bedroom Hour, named after an acoustic project by Rob, who, before he joined the band, was recording a collection of cover songs in his spare bedroom within an hour, are currently selecting songs for an as yet unnamed EP.

Rob is a carpenter by trade, while Stu, along with keyboardist Mark Dudley and bassist Kyle Radbone, both 28, all work full time as white van men. The foursome have temporarily recruited drummer Alex Walker to assist with the next few shows, but they are on the look out for a permanent drummer to join them on their journey in search of stardom and full time musical careers.

After The Bedroom Hour's gig at Water Rats this Friday, December 5, they will perform at Winston Churchill Hall on December 19.

Find out more by visiting www.myspace.com/thebedroomhour.

The band would also like to thank Hayley Medwell of Ornate Entertainment in Hayes and Sheryl Laidlaw of Chameleon Designs for all their help so far.

Siba Matti

Are The Bedroom Hour a hit or a miss post your comments.

HAYES based band called 9thera have been busy in the studio working on some new songs including a number that premiered on Sunday called Work Hard Play to Hard at The Wate Rats in Kings Cross - where the band played a fantastic set of old and new material.

Also 9thera are proud to anounce there biggest gig yet at 100 Club in Oxford Street on December 5 at 10pm.

This is a venue artists like The Rolling Stones, Joe Strummer, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Paul Weller, Ocean Colour Scene, The Handsome Family and Squarepusher have performed.

So check out 9thera on myspace at www.myspace.com/9thera. Tickets priced at £8 so get listening and purchase your ticket for,what promises to be the best 9thera gig yet.

Are 9thera heading for the top?, let us have your comments.

ELDERLY people can enjoy a Christmas lunch at an event organised by Age Concern.

Anyone over the age of 50 can dig into a festive meal for just £3.50 at the Salvation Army Hall, in Coldharbour Lane, Hayes, from 12.30pm to 3.30pm on December 10.

A DECISION on whether to approve a 50 bedroom hotel in Hayes is expected on Tuesday evening (November 25).

Officers have recommended Hillingdon Council's central and south planning committee approve proposals for the hotel at the Golden Cross Public House, in Botwell Lane, Hayes.

The council has received 21 letters objecting to the proposal.

Visit www.uxbridgegazette.co.uk on Wednesday for the result.

PLANNING permission has been granted for the building of a house in Hayes which was refused earlier this year.

The planning inspector judged the proposed two bedroom house in Tudor Road, Hayes, which is to be built on side of an existing detached house, met acceptable standards and should be permitted.

It was decided that the location was sustainable and previous concerns over the impact of current residents and road users did not hold up to the amended plans.

The proposed house is not expected to create significant parking difficulties in the road, and it was approved on condition that the development begins within the next three years.

FESTIVE celebrations are picking up pace in Hayes and a church is preparing for its upcoming Christmas Bazaar.

The fun-filled afternoon will be held by St Mary the Virgin Parish Church, in Church Road from midday until 4pm on Saturday, November 29.

Father Christmas will be there in his grotto and workshop and Dr Triplett's School choir will also perform.

There will also be refreshments as well as multiple gift and novelty stalls for all to explore and enjoy.

A PROPERTY developer in West Drayton is reporting surging interests from first time buyers in spite the gloomy financial markets.

St George, who own the Park West development in Porter's Way, launched their MyChoice Homebuy scheme in late October to help first time buyers get on the property ladder and are pleased at the response they have had so far.

The buying process takes six to eight weeks to complete so several buyers are currently midway through deals.

Ian Dobie, managing director of St. George, said: "The scheme allows first-time buyers and key workers the opportunity to buy a brand new property and we are pleased to report that staff at Parkwest have so far experienced very good levels of interest."

So far since October more than 1,000 visitors have checked out the new apartments, which are complete with gym and concierge.

The operations director of Firstrung has said that first-time buyers are the least likely group to have their homes repossessed under the current economic conditions.

Paul Holmes said this group is unlikely to face the same difficulties repaying their mortgages as families who have recently upgraded to larger houses.

First-time buyers have tended to take out mortgages that are "very manageable", with the average loan being £115,000 over the past two years. In contrast, buyers with mortgages in excess of £250,000 on a four or five bedroom property are likely to have "real problems", Mr Holmes warned.

First time buyers are also believed to be the group least at risk from repossessions.

BRAINIACS and people looking for a fun way to spend an evening are invited to an upcoming charity quiz night in Hayes.

The competition will take place at 9pm on Friday, November 28 at the Brookhouse Social Club, in Kingshill Avenue, and costs just £1 to enter.

Teams should be made up of four people with money going to Great Ormond Street Hospital.

The night will also feature a raffle with prizes and signed goodies up for grabs.