Massive Turnout Despite Appalling Weather Sends Clear Message - Hands Off Our Community!

At least 300 people (estimates ranged from this figure up to nearly 500) marched from Isleworth Library to Isleworth Public Hall in the rain to demonstrate their opposition to closures.  When the front of the march reached the Public Hall marchers at the rear were still turning into South Street by the War Memorial.

This community-led activity was backed by the (Conservative) MP for Brentford & Isleworth, Mary Macleod, and by all three (Labour) ward councillors for Isleworth.  We are grateful for their participation and support, and the sight of the four of them alongside ICG leader Ian Speed and Christine Diwell of The Isleworth Society (TIS) at the head of the march sends a potent message about the capacity our community has now developed to organise across political boundaries when the occasion demands.

The march finished at the Public Hall and we had quite deliberately adopted a "play it by ear" approach to what was to happen when we got there.  In the event the numbers involved were so hugely beyond everybody's expectations that we could only squeeze people into the various rooms and refresh them with tea, coffee and biscuits as even the hall would have been nowhere near large enough to have staged any kind of meeting.

A big well done and thank you to everybody who supported this wonderful event, to those who helped by leafleting and spreading the message, and to the SNT PS Charles Ehikioya whom we know went the extra mile, along with his excellent team of officers, to make this work.  Also to the St. John's Residents' Association and the Four Roads Residents' Association, to Delicacies, Jay at Londis and Camil at Joseph's Patisserie who all supplied provisions and refreshments, and to everybody else involved.

The message from Isleworth reverberated loud and clear today - Hands Off Our Community!!

March to Save Isleworth Library and Isleworth Public Hall - Saturday, 19th February, 10.45 am

Residents may be aware that as part of a massive programme of budget cuts it has been proposed that Isleworth Library, along with up to seven others, may be closed.

Isleworth only reopened a couple of weeks ago!!!

As if that wasn't enough, Isleworth Public Hall is also under serious threat.  In fact anywhere where members of the community can get together and speak to one another seems to be very much on the hit list.

The Council Executive has now confirmed that it will delay any cuts to the library service and will also push back its plans for the Public Hall.  BUT NEITHER ARE SAFE !!!!

Hounslow still wishes to make a saving in excess of £800k and has yet to think of an alternative to the library closures.

That is why members and friends of our community will be holding a MARCH from Isleworth Library to Isleworth Public Hall on Saturday, 19th February 2011 at 10.45 am.

This friendly and good-natured activity is being supported across the community by people of all age groups and all backgrounds.  It has been organised by a cross-section of residents from The Isleworth Society (TIS), the Community Group (ICG) and Friends of Isleworth Public Hall, as well as many freelance campaigners and well-wishers.  It is intended as a short but potent demonstration of our community's robust opposition to the proposed cuts.

Meet up outside Isleworth Library at 10.45 am.  We will be staging a brief celebration of the opening of the new library before the march.

Refreshments will be available at the Public Hall from 11.30 am, where you will also be able to sign a petition.  If for any reason you are unable to attend the march, please make your way straight to the Public Hall.

We want to put on a real show of strength.  Please do your very best to join us on the march at 10.45 on February 19th.

See you there!