The Philanderer
Friday, July 3, 2009
Knock, knock, knocking on heavens door.....
The property in Isleworth owned my Mr and Mrs Expenses, the Keens, previously highlighted here in early 2008, has been occupied by squatters, as it has remained vacant for some time. Here is the transcript of a letter circulated to neighbours, by Anne Keen.
"I am sure that you are aware that our home on Brook Road South has been taken over by squatters. The law to deal with squatters is complicated, but we are taking legal action to regain possession as quickly as possible. We would like to apologise for any disruption to your life and any inconvenience you may have experienced. After major difficulties with the architect/builder we commissioned to carry out refurbishing work and a loft conversion, we were very badly let down and the company recently went into liquidation. We are now in a position to bring in a new firm and work is scheduled to start within two weeks. We look forward to moving back in during the summer. "
"We have lived in our Brentford home for more than 22 years and we own the house - all mortgage payments and building work have always, of course, been paid by us personally. It is our home and has been very special to us for a long time. Alan started work on the Great West Road, Brentford in 1963 and I, as a nurse, spent a substantial part of my working life at the West Middlesex Hospital. Long before I was elected to Parliament in 1997, first as a nurse and then as a candidate, our door was always open for people to ask for help. "
"We find it extremely upsetting to know that our house is occupied by squatters who appear to believe that they are entitled to do what they wish in our property. Anyone who has experienced the feeling of violation after being burgled will understand the distress caused by intruders who refuse to leave. Obviously, we are working to resolve the situation and get our house back as quickly as possible and would like to thank all those who have expressed their support and sympathy over the last few days - it has meant a great deal to me. "
The comment about their door always being open may have contributed to the current problem!!
"I am sure that you are aware that our home on Brook Road South has been taken over by squatters. The law to deal with squatters is complicated, but we are taking legal action to regain possession as quickly as possible. We would like to apologise for any disruption to your life and any inconvenience you may have experienced. After major difficulties with the architect/builder we commissioned to carry out refurbishing work and a loft conversion, we were very badly let down and the company recently went into liquidation. We are now in a position to bring in a new firm and work is scheduled to start within two weeks. We look forward to moving back in during the summer. "
"We have lived in our Brentford home for more than 22 years and we own the house - all mortgage payments and building work have always, of course, been paid by us personally. It is our home and has been very special to us for a long time. Alan started work on the Great West Road, Brentford in 1963 and I, as a nurse, spent a substantial part of my working life at the West Middlesex Hospital. Long before I was elected to Parliament in 1997, first as a nurse and then as a candidate, our door was always open for people to ask for help. "
"We find it extremely upsetting to know that our house is occupied by squatters who appear to believe that they are entitled to do what they wish in our property. Anyone who has experienced the feeling of violation after being burgled will understand the distress caused by intruders who refuse to leave. Obviously, we are working to resolve the situation and get our house back as quickly as possible and would like to thank all those who have expressed their support and sympathy over the last few days - it has meant a great deal to me. "
The comment about their door always being open may have contributed to the current problem!!
Labels: Anne Keen, isleworth, MPs expenses, squatters
¶ 1:14 PM 0 Comments
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Baby boomers
I have always been intrigued by the way my life has centred on West London, given the various detours it has taken.
I was born in West Middlesex Hospital,on the Isleworth/Brentford border, and first went to school close by. I then moved to Plymouth, returned to London for further education (some would say that was a waste of time). After living in North, South and West London, I finally ended up living not a mile from my place of birth. Full circle in fact.
Now I notice that my place of birth, the very maternity ward in which I popped out into the world, is being knocked down, presumably to allow the Primary Care Trust (PCT) to earn some money for new and better facilities. Some of my oldest childhood memories are also associated with the old Victorian blocks which are fast being transformed to a pile of rubble.
I had my adenoids and tonsils removed in the late '50s, and remember being positioned next to the fish tank. It was my job to switch its light out every night when I went to sleep. The few times I forgot, I was given a right telling off by the ward sister. I also remember being dressed in a cowboy outfit to go down to theatre, as part of a cunning plan to take the fear out of the procedure and make it seem like a good old adventure. The next few days I had nothing but ice cream and jelly, so it can't have been all bad.
Now where did I leave that pen I was just using, and what were the names of those people I was with last light? Funny thing that memory.
I was born in West Middlesex Hospital,on the Isleworth/Brentford border, and first went to school close by. I then moved to Plymouth, returned to London for further education (some would say that was a waste of time). After living in North, South and West London, I finally ended up living not a mile from my place of birth. Full circle in fact.
Now I notice that my place of birth, the very maternity ward in which I popped out into the world, is being knocked down, presumably to allow the Primary Care Trust (PCT) to earn some money for new and better facilities. Some of my oldest childhood memories are also associated with the old Victorian blocks which are fast being transformed to a pile of rubble.
I had my adenoids and tonsils removed in the late '50s, and remember being positioned next to the fish tank. It was my job to switch its light out every night when I went to sleep. The few times I forgot, I was given a right telling off by the ward sister. I also remember being dressed in a cowboy outfit to go down to theatre, as part of a cunning plan to take the fear out of the procedure and make it seem like a good old adventure. The next few days I had nothing but ice cream and jelly, so it can't have been all bad.
Now where did I leave that pen I was just using, and what were the names of those people I was with last light? Funny thing that memory.
Labels: adenoids, Brentford, isleworth, PCT, tonsils, West Middlesex
¶ 5:23 PM 0 Comments
Friday, February 22, 2008
Just two Keen
The concern surrounding the allowances paid to MPs has recently come home to roost for my current constituency representative, Ann Keen, and her husband Alan. Ann is the Labour MP for Brentford and Isleworth, which includes the West end of Chiswick. Unfortunately the would be conservative voters in this leafy suburb are not sufficient to outvote the traditional labour classes in the rest of her area.
Her husband is the MP for the neighbouring Feltham and Heston area. they live in a family house in Brentford.
Now, I can get from Brentford to Waterloo and on to Westminster in 45 minutes, I am sure they could too, but instead they have taken advantage of the £20,000 living allowance which they are entitled to, to purchase a £500,000 flat fifteen minutes walk from the Houses of Parliament. Whether they rent it out or use it themselves is unclear, however, since 2002 they have claimed a total in excess of £175,000.
Still, there is nothing like keeping it in the family. Ann Keen's sister Sylvia Heal is also an MP. Ann Keen's cousin Lady Glynis Kinnock is an MEP. Ann Keen's cousin's husband Lord Neil Kinnock is Chair of the British Council, former EU Commissioner and former Leader of the Labour Party and former MP. Ann Keen's cousins son Stephen until recently at least was (and maybe still is) the head of the British Council in St Petersburg, Russia and therefore employed by the British Government organisation chaired by his father, Lord Kinnock.
Alan is in his seventies, Ann is 60 this year. Recent photographs of her could give rise to suggestions that some of that afore mentioned £175,000 from public funds may have been spent on a bit of nip and tuck. Has she invented per chance, a new definition of taxidermy? I think we should be told.
Her husband is the MP for the neighbouring Feltham and Heston area. they live in a family house in Brentford.
Now, I can get from Brentford to Waterloo and on to Westminster in 45 minutes, I am sure they could too, but instead they have taken advantage of the £20,000 living allowance which they are entitled to, to purchase a £500,000 flat fifteen minutes walk from the Houses of Parliament. Whether they rent it out or use it themselves is unclear, however, since 2002 they have claimed a total in excess of £175,000.
Still, there is nothing like keeping it in the family. Ann Keen's sister Sylvia Heal is also an MP. Ann Keen's cousin Lady Glynis Kinnock is an MEP. Ann Keen's cousin's husband Lord Neil Kinnock is Chair of the British Council, former EU Commissioner and former Leader of the Labour Party and former MP. Ann Keen's cousins son Stephen until recently at least was (and maybe still is) the head of the British Council in St Petersburg, Russia and therefore employed by the British Government organisation chaired by his father, Lord Kinnock.
Alan is in his seventies, Ann is 60 this year. Recent photographs of her could give rise to suggestions that some of that afore mentioned £175,000 from public funds may have been spent on a bit of nip and tuck. Has she invented per chance, a new definition of taxidermy? I think we should be told.
Labels: Alan keen, ann keen, Brentford, feltham, heston, isleworth, kinnock, MP, taxidermy, westminster
¶ 1:11 PM 0 Comments
