Around Ealing Summer 2016 | Page 8

UP FRONT Pretty, blooming good 1 The London Mela will not be held this summer. Instead, the organisers Remarkable Productions will set up a new independent trust to manage the event, which will then be financially independent from Ealing and Hounslow councils for the first time. The trust will focus on bringing the London Mela back to Gunnersbury Park in 2017 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Indian independence. See page 10 for a preview of Ealing Summer Festivals. 2 A new service is bringing the hospital to people’s homes – allowing them to get well in familiar surroundings during a period of severe or sudden illness or after being discharged from hospital. Home ward Ealing has been set up by a partnership of local organisations, including the council, each contributing its own expertise and knowledge to provide a joinedup care network. Read the full story at ealingnewsextra.co.uk/features 3 Internationally known cycling company Brompton Bikes was due to move into our borough in May. Its new factory in Greenford will house all 240 of its staff and is twice the size of its previous base in Brentford. The council’s regeneration team works hard to encourage businesses to open in the borough and Brompton follows the lead of confectioner Ferrero, which also moved its headquarters to Greenford last year. 4 People in Ealing at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes will be among the first in the UK to be offered the help of a new Diabetes Prevention Programme. People can be referred on to the scheme by their GP or following an NHS health check. Currently there are 475,000 people living with diabetes in London. speedread 8 around ealing Summer 2016 Ealing Council was picked out from more than 600 entrants to take part in the Britain in Bloom Awards 2016. Ealing was nominated by London in Bloom to compete for the ‘large city’ category of the Royal Horticultural Society’s national awards. It is one of 72 finalists chosen from across the UK and the council’s parks officers will take the competition judges on a tour of the borough’s best parks and open spaces in August. Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for transport, environment and leisure, said: “Ealing has long been famous for its lush open spaces and has previously won gold in several London in Bloom categories. It is a real honour to be nominated and it is a testament to our great team of park rangers and volunteers who help keep our parks looking amazing.” Visit www.ealing.gov.uk/parks and www.rhs.org.uk Setting up business A workspace will open in West Ealing in the autumn, offering a home for new and small businesses. Ealing Council is working with Catalyst Housing, University of West London, OPEN Ealing, InWestEaling and ContactUs on the project which will make working space available over two floors of St James House, in St James Avenue. Entrepreneurs, social enterprises, homeworkers and freelancers will be able to rent desks and meeting rooms, and also network with each other. There may be space for a crèche, too. The Mayor of London’s Regeneration Fund has contributed £283,320 and a further £301,790 has come in the form of match-funding to refurbish the office space. Last year, the council tested the idea by setting up a co-working space in a former insurance shop in West Ealing, and more than 250 people used it. Council leader Julian Bell said: “This is a great opportunity which we are pleased to support so we can help small businesses get off the ground and enable social enterprises to make a difference in the community. We know from our trial last year there is a demand for more co-working space.” To find out more, contact Lemuel Dickie-Johnson at [email protected] or on 020 8825 7026.