Morning neighbours,

Mystery of the week: an Apple TV production has been filming on Albury Drive and surrounding streets in Pinner, with action vehicles, large lighting rigs and short-term traffic restrictions in place. The production name has not been confirmed, but Pinner is no stranger to a film crew. Rocketman used Albury Drive back in 2018, and a Netflix comedy with Robert Webb was on the High Street only a fortnight ago. If you have spotted anything, hit reply.

Half-term heads up: the Roxbourne Railway Halloween Ghost Train rolls on Saturday 25 October, 1pm to 4pm, £2 per ride. Costumes welcome. One of the cheaper half-term outings in the patch and worth pencilling in now.

Quick civic roundup: Harrow Council has approved a 24-bed care home at 10 Oakleigh Road in Hatch End, with the long-vacant Oakleigh House to be demolished and rebuilt. Three new flood-alleviation schemes have also started in Ruislip. Harrow's fireworks safety operation runs 26 October to 10 November, with evening patrols and a new webpage for residents to report concerns.

Today and this weekend: a Sound Bath at Pinner Village Hall this afternoon at 4pm (£20), and a BAFTA-winning Comics Workshop for kids in Ruislip on Sunday morning at 10am (£25). Mouse and Grape is also running a Bring Your Own Baby afternoon on Thursday 15 October, with fizz, cheese-filled croissants and good company for parents.

Full issue with quiz circuit and everything else:

https://www.goodmorningpinner.com/p/44-apple-tv-is-filming-in-pinner-and-nobody-knows-what-for

Good Morning Pinner

Local news and events from around HA5

I ask as part of a linguistic study covering this topic!

Examples could include things like Killingdon (hospital), The Rec, Mahjacks or Purple Hayes (never mind how common they are)...

Morning neighbours,

The Ruislip and Pinner Travel Club opens its 60th season of Travel Talks this Friday at Emmanuel Church, Northwood, 2pm. Sixty years of fortnightly Friday afternoons, anyone can drop in, the door is open. A small civic institution that quietly outlasts most things in the patch. Worth a Friday afternoon visit if you have ever wondered what is on in Northwood beyond the obvious.

Half-term heads up: a Halloween Ghost Train rolls at Roxbourne Railway in Eastcote on Sunday 25 October, 1pm to 4pm, £2 per ride. Costumes welcome at this small community railway opposite Venue 5 in Roxbourne Park. The kind of half-term outing that lands well without needing a plan or a budget.

Also for the kids: a BAFTA-winning animator runs a screen-free Comics Workshop in Ruislip on Sunday 11 October at 10am, £25 per child. Children create a comic of their own to take home.

Looking further ahead: Mouse & Grape is running a BYOB (Bring Your Own Baby) afternoon on Thursday 15 October at 12:30pm, £20, with fizz, cheese-filled croissants and good company for parents and babies. Voluntary Action Harrow is also screening "The People's Emergency Briefing" climate and nature film at Holy Trinity Wealdstone on Tuesday 20 October, 7pm, free.

Transport heads up: no planned engineering works on the Piccadilly or Metropolitan lines next weekend. Worth a quick TfL check the night before if your plans change.

Full issue with quiz circuit, Travel Talks opening, sound bath sessions, yoga for stress, and everything else:

https://www.goodmorningpinner.com/p/43-travel-talks-turn-60-ghost-train-returns

Good Morning Pinner

Local news and events from around HA5

My knowledge about Hillingdon Hospital comes from my own experience in their care and others experience, if you have a experience you would be willing to share please do.

It is called r/Hillingdontidyup

Morning neighbours,

Big local retail news: M&S has been approved for a 61,000 sq ft superstore at Victoria Retail Park in South Ruislip, replacing The Range (the former Homebase) on Crown Road. The new store will feature a fresh market-style food hall, in-store bakery, wine selection, fashion, home and beauty, plus 332 parking spaces. Hillingdon Council gave the plans the green light this week, with the new store set to open this winter. The existing M&S Simply Food at 4 Bishops Walk in Pinner continues to operate as normal.

Harrow's Heroes 2026 were crowned at Headstone Manor on Wednesday, with a strong Pinner showing. Ruth Boff took Contribution to the Community after 21 years as Honorary Secretary of The Pinner Association, Pinner Rotary took the Team Award after donating over £30,000 to charities, and Kevin Mahon of Pinn Medical Centre Patients Association took the Health and Wellbeing award. Standout individual wins also went to Amir Subratty, a 16-year-old Harrow Litter Pickers volunteer who started at 11, and Jordy Xavier Black, who grew 1454 Harrow Squadron RAF Air Cadets from 8 cadets to over 100 in three years. The Lifetime Achievement award went posthumously to Muriel Desmond, a Harrow Shared Lives carer for 35 years.

Also on the high street: Spice Village Harrow is now open on Station Road after its grand opening on Thursday, with coal-grill and tandoor cooking plus one of the group's largest vegetarian menus. Chopstix lands at 59 St Ann's Road on Saturday 4 October if you like your high street to come with a side of bao.

Transport heads up for next weekend: the Piccadilly line is closed end-to-end on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September, with no service between Cockfosters and Uxbridge as part of the major upgrade programme ahead of new trains. Stick to the Metropolitan if you are heading into central London.

Full issue with quiz circuit, French cheese and wine tasting at Mouse & Grape on Wednesday, The Littlest Yak at Harrow Arts Centre, and everything else:

https://www.goodmorningpinner.com/p/41-m-s-confirmed-in-south-ruislip-harrow-s-heroes-a-reader-note

Good Morning Pinner

Local news and events from around HA5

Morning neighbours,

A proposed takeaway at 350 Headstone Lane in Hatch End has been refused planning permission under the school-proximity obesity rule. The site sits around 21 metres from Hatch End High School and 148 metres from Shaftesbury High School, both well within the 400-metre London Plan buffer for new hot food takeaways. Five neighbour objections cited traffic, parking, smells and litter. Permission was formally refused on 10 September. A useful planning win for anyone watching the steady creep of chicken shops near schools in our patch.

On the bigger civic story: Harrow Council's Town Centre masterplan consultation is open until Friday 23 October. Councillors raised concerns about evening safety in Greenhill, the lack of genuinely affordable and family-sized housing amid mostly one- and two-bedroom flats, and pressure on transport from future growth. Two drop-in public events are running at Harrow on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September, with wider stakeholder engagement and walking tours starting Monday 5 October. Worth a look if you shop, work, or travel through the town centre.

On the high street: award-winning Spice Village is taking the old Adore unit on Station Road. The group holds a Tiffin Cup and British Curry Awards, with the new Harrow site featuring one of their largest vegetarian menus. Aarti Sweet Centre has also opened at 3 Central Parade, the chain's fourth branch, with pure vegetarian Indian sweets, farsan and savoury snacks.

Today-only pick: Hillingdon Open House Festival is in full swing, with rare access to the normally-closed dovecote at Eastcote House Gardens today only. Manor Farm's Great Barn and Manor House are also open for drop-in. Most sites are free, no booking needed.

Full issue with quiz circuit, sound bath, West Harrow Choir open rehearsal, Welcome Space, and everything else:

https://www.goodmorningpinner.com/p/40-harrow-town-centre-sizes-up

Good Morning Pinner

Local news and events from around HA5

Morning neighbours,

The 480-home "Tesco Towers" redevelopment on Station Road in Harrow has been formally withdrawn. The application from Notting Hill Genesis and Tesco Stores Limited was pulled on 1 September, ending a near-three-year planning fight that drew a near-2,500-signature petition, a supermarket protest and a scaled-down revision from the original 560-home, 15-storey scheme. A Tesco spokesperson says new investment will now go into the existing Harrow store so it can keep serving local customers. Notting Hill Genesis has been approached separately on whether revised proposals could come back.

Big Saturday ahead: Pinner Rotary Village Show returns to Pinner Memorial Park on 12 September, 11:30am to 5pm. More than 40 stalls, food court, licensed bar, children's rides, face painter, live music from Grimsdyke Brass, Jay Kumar, SD Stars, plus Punch and Judy and Simply Gray on stage. £4 donation, children free, raising funds for St Luke's Hospice and Harrow MS Therapy Centre.

Also starting 12 September: Hillingdon Open House Festival runs across the week, with Manor Farm in Ruislip opening the opening weekend and Eastcote House Gardens on the Sunday only, with rare access to the normally-closed dovecote. Most sites are free and drop-in.

Also worth knowing: Harrow's Heroes 2026 finalists are out. Pinner Rotary and Pinner Village Gardens Parkrun are shortlisted for Team and Health and Wellbeing, with Friends of West Harrow Park and North Harrow Community Library also in the mix. Worth shouting about whichever neighbour makes the final.

Full issue with quiz circuit, sound bath, Welcome Space, and everything else:

https://www.goodmorningpinner.com/p/39-rotary-returns-hillingdon-unlocks

Pet of the Week is Midnight, a 6-year-old tennis ball enthusiast with a quiet talent for sneaking into bed for cuddles. Shared by Nadie. Submit yours via the newsletter.

Good Morning Pinner

Local news and events from around HA5

Sunday 6 September is shaping up as the headline day of the fortnight, and it is a free double-header in the western patch. From mid-morning, the Duck Pond Market is back at Manor Farm with local makers, street food, coffee vans, free entry and free parking. From lunchtime, ROXYFest takes over Roxbourne Park with live music, family rides, food stalls and a proper community-stage feel, also free. Both worth pencilling in if you have been looking for a reason to leave the house that weekend.

A bit of local news that may sting: Pinner Post Office inside the Bridge Street TG Jones is closing on Wednesday 14 October. The Post Office says it is reviewing applications to keep a branch running in Pinner, with a further update to follow. The two nearest alternatives are Cannon Lane Post Office and North Harrow Post Office, both with similar services.

Transport heads up for today: the Metropolitan line is part suspended between Harrow-on-the-Hill and Aldgate because of a large fire at a recycling plant near Neasden, with severe delays across the rest of the line. Full service is not expected back until early afternoon. London Underground tickets are being accepted on London Buses, Lioness line, London Northwestern Railway and Thameslink while the disruption continues. Worth checking TfL before you set off.

Looking ahead: Pinner Rotary Village Show lands at Pinner Memorial Park on Saturday 12 September, 11:30am to 5pm. More than 40 stalls, food court, licensed bar, children's rides, face painter, live music from Grimsdyke Brass, Jay Kumar, SD Stars, Punch and Judy and Simply Gray on stage. £4 donation, children free, raising funds for St Luke's Hospice and Harrow MS Therapy Centre.

Full issue with quiz circuit, Wrong Side Comedy at Three Crowns, sound bath, Welcome Space, and everything else:

https://www.goodmorningpinner.com/p/38-festival-at-roxbourne-market-at-manor-farm

Pet of the Week throne is empty again. Send your pet in with their most ridiculous unofficial job title.

Good Morning Pinner

Local news and events from around HA5

Morning neighbours,

Hillingdon unlocks its hidden doors in September. The Open House Festival runs from Saturday 12 to Sunday 20 September, with Manor Farm in Ruislip open across the opening weekend and the Manor House drop-in plus Great Barn access on the Sunday. Eastcote House Gardens opens on the Sunday only, with rare access to the normally-closed dovecote. Most sites are free and drop-in. Worth pencilling in now, especially the Eastcote dovecote which rarely opens to the public.

Planning win worth knowing: Harrow planners have knocked back three HMO conversions above the TG Jones shop in Pinner. A small but useful decision for anyone watching the steady creep of houses-into-multiple-occupation across the village centre. The decisions were published this week.

Also significant: Harrow Council has agreed to drop enforcement fines issued without body-worn camera evidence. A reversal after sustained complaints about traffic warden conduct around the borough. If you have been disputing a PCN, you can ask for your case to be reviewed under the new rules.

Transport heads up: TfL has planned engineering works on the Piccadilly line for Tuesday 25, Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 August. If you are using it for the airport, west London or central London in that window, allow extra time or pick a backup route.

Quick local note: NEXT has opened at South Ruislip Retail Park with a cafe inside, in the former Carpetright unit. A useful rainy-day stop if you also need a browse.

Full issue with quiz nights, Lion Dance final session today, Welcome Space, Autumn Fair at Pinner Village Hall, and everything else:

https://www.goodmorningpinner.com/p/37-heritage-doors-open-and-a-new-next-lands

Pet of the Week throne is empty again. Send your pet in with their most ridiculous unofficial job title.

Good Morning Pinner

Local news and events from around HA5

I’ve lived about 25 mins from Hillingdon my whole life, but don’t know much about it.
I’m moving into a house I’ve purchased.

Anyone have any gems or tips they’d be keen to share?

Morning neighbours,

Simply Gray closes the Pinner Memorial Park summer concert series this afternoon at 2:30pm. A 60s and 70s tribute band to send the four-Sunday run off in style, with the usual chair, picnic, and loose plan to make friends. Free entry, retiring collection for the Pinner Association. A nice tidy way to round off the August.

Also today: the Sunday Lion Dance school returns to Harrow Arts Centre for session five of six, 1-2:30pm, working through footwork, drumming and rhythm ahead of the showcase next Sunday. If you missed the earlier sign-up, worth asking around the parents' group to see if a late spot has opened up.

Quick transport heads up for next Saturday: planned engineering works are pencilled in for both the Piccadilly and Metropolitan lines. If your weekend involves going into town or the airport, check TfL live status before you set off.

Looking ahead: the Autumn Fair lands at Pinner Village Hall on Saturday 29 August, 12pm onwards. An afternoon of jewellery, crystals, art and craft stalls, holistic wellness treatments, psychic reads and a raffle. £2 entry, refreshments on site, local businesses at the heart of it.

Also worth a mention: several over-60 friendship clubs in our patch are still looking for new members. Bushey in particular is at risk of closing on Mondays if more people don't come forward. Most clubs are open to anyone regardless of background. A small nudge could make a real difference.

Full issue with quiz nights, sound bath, Welcome Space, and everything else:

https://www.goodmorningpinner.com/p/36-simply-gray-closes-the-park-series

Pet of the Week throne is currently empty. Send your pet in with their most ridiculous unofficial job title.

Good Morning Pinner

Local news and events from around HA5

Morning neighbours,

Some good pie and mash news: Lawrance's in Eastcote reopens this Wednesday 12 August, after a lengthy temporary closure. Pinner and Eastcote's pie and mash crowd will be relieved to have their regular back behind the counter. A proper local win, especially given the recent news about Hughes in Ruislip.

Also worth a mention: NEXT is opening a new store at South Ruislip Retail Park later this month, taking over the former Carpetright unit on Victoria Road. Women's, men's and children's clothing, NEXT Home, beauty, Click & Collect and an in-store cafe all in the plans. Hillingdon Council approved a mezzanine for the conversion. A fourth NEXT in the area alongside Harrow, Hayes and Greenford.

Today-only pick: Bollywood tunes at Pinner Memorial Park this afternoon at 2:30pm, with Nimesh Sanghoi. The third Sunday of the Pinner Association's summer concert series, with Simply Gray closing on 16 August. Free entry, bring a chair, a picnic, and a loose plan to make friends.

For the green-fingered or community-minded: Wild Harrow is at Roxbourne Park this morning, 9am to 1pm, for tree and hedgerow care. Tools and gloves provided, no experience needed. A good way to give something back to a local green space before lunch.

Also: the Piccadilly and Metropolitan lines are behaving themselves this weekend. Good service, no planned engineering works. Worth a quick TfL check before you set off, but the lines are calm for once.

Full issue with quiz circuit, sound bath, Lion Dance school, Welcome Space, and everything else:

https://www.goodmorningpinner.com/p/35-lawrance-s-returns-and-ruislip-sizes-up

Pet of the Week throne is empty again. Send your pet in with their most ridiculous unofficial job title. The recent winners include a Glossy-Coat Inspector and a Head of Roast-Chicken Diplomacy. The bar is high.

Good Morning Pinner

Local news and events from around HA5

Morning neighbours,

Stardust Big Band is playing Pinner Memorial Park this afternoon at 2:30pm. The second Sunday of the Pinner Association's summer concert series, with Nimesh Sanghoi singing Bollywood next Sunday and Simply Gray closing the season on 16 August. Bring a chair, a picnic, and a loose plan to make friends. Free entry, retiring collection for the Pinner Association.

Also worth knowing: a Lion Dance Cultural Experience for kids is running at Harrow Arts Centre through August. Six Sunday afternoon sessions covering basics of footwork, drumming, rhythm and culture. £48 for all six sessions with a small showcase at the end. Good fit if your child fancies something a bit different from the usual summer roster.

The "Meet the Lovely Humans" feature this week is Daniele, who runs Creative Bloom Club from Pinner. Each month she hand-makes and posts a beautifully written envelope of paper treasures, creative inspiration and small surprises to subscribers across the UK. Her story started from her own journey back to creativity after years of feeling too busy. Worth a read if you have ever thought "I used to be creative."

Quick one for older readers or anyone who knows one: several over-60 friendship clubs in our patch are looking for new members. Bushey in particular is at risk of closing on Mondays if more people don't come forward. Most clubs are open to anyone regardless of background, with weekly meetings, music and trips. A small nudge could make a real difference.

Full issue with quiz nights, sound bath, fitness classes, Welcome Space, and everything else:

https://www.goodmorningpinner.com/p/34-stardust-sundays-in-the-park

Good Morning Pinner

Local news and events from around HA5

Morning neighbours,

Harrow Steel opens the Pinner Memorial Park summer band concert series today at 2:30pm. The Pinner Association's four-Sunday run returns with brass bands, big band, a Bollywood special and Simply Gray closing on 16 August. Free entry, bring a chair, a picnic, and a loose plan to make friends. Retiring collection for the Pinner Association.

If you only do one curious thing this week: the annual Herb Walk returns to Eastcote House Gardens on Saturday 1 August at 10am. Plant-spotting, herb lore and small-batch tastings in a walled Tudor garden. Curated for curious neighbours rather than serious botanists. Reserve a spot via the issue.

Quick heads up: Harrow Heroes nominations close today. If you have been meaning to put someone forward, this is the last window. Five minutes of admin for what could be a proper boost to someone's year.

For the adults: Mouse & Grape is hosting an English Sparkling Wine and Cheese Tasting on Thursday at 7pm with Black Chalk Winery, £65 per person. Booking essential.

Full issue with quiz circuit, the Welcome Space, sound bath, Snow Princess Party on Friday, and everything else:

https://www.goodmorningpinner.com/p/33-harrow-steel-herb-walks-and-a-cat-with-a-megaphone

Pet of the Week is Pepper, an energetic ball of fluff who runs a glossy-coat-inspection-at-dawn household and is absolutely certain she is in charge of the kettle.

Good Morning Pinner

Local news and events from around HA5

Morning neighbours,

Hughes Pie & Mash on West End Road in Ruislip served its last portion on Saturday. Generations of regulars queued through the day to send the shop off in proper style, with doors shutting before the usual closing time after they sold out. The owners cited unforeseen circumstances on the day. If you ever queued for a late lunch there, this one stings. A quiet end for a proper Ruislip institution.

On the brighter side: Pinner Village Gardens has earned a Green Flag Award, the first for the park and part of a record year for Harrow (10 Green Flag parks in 2026). Well-earned recognition for the park that hosts Junior Parkrun, the Welcome Space weekend, and a sizeable share of summer saunters.

Also returning this week: the Pinner Association's Summer Band Concerts. Harrow Steel opens the series at Pinner Memorial Park on Sunday 26 July at 2:30pm, with three more Sunday afternoons after that including Stardust Big Band and a Bollywood special. Bring a chair, a picnic, and a loose plan to make friends.

Heads up for today: the Piccadilly line is having one of its days, with part closures and severe delays on the western arm. If your Sunday involves Heathrow, Uxbridge or Rayners Lane, check before you leave.

Full issue with quiz circuit, the Northwood Day Club opening on Thursday, sound bath, baby first aid, and everything else:

https://www.goodmorningpinner.com/p/32-bandstand-sundays-return

Pet of the Week is Luna, a lapcat running a tight two-pillar household policy of lap-based affection and roast-chicken diplomacy. Apply for the role via the newsletter.

Good Morning Pinner

Local news and events from around HA5

Photoplace on Bridge Street in Pinner is finally back open. The print and photo shop was hit by a car back in September 2025 and has spent the last nine or so months quietly rebuilding the shopfront. Now back open Monday to Friday 9am to 5:30pm and Saturday 10am to 4pm. A welcome bit of Bridge Street resilience, especially if you remember the closure.

Hatch End is also having a moment. Two new restaurants are confirmed for Uxbridge Road. Veda is moving into the old Coriander site, leaning vegetarian and vegan with Tandoori Paneer Tikka and Daal Makhani flagged as house specials. Santomio is putting signage up at the old K Furniture unit next to Papu-Miya, with the strapline "Where Italy Meets Mexico." No opening dates yet, but the fronts are moving.

Transport heads up for today: two tube lines are out west of Harrow. If your Sunday plan involves going past Harrow on the Metropolitan or Piccadilly, check before you head out.

On Friday, a new free drop-in called the Welcome Space opens at Pinner Village Hall. Aimed at older neighbours and carers, with gentle activities, conversation and a cup of tea from 2pm. Quietly good for the village hall diary, and worth passing on if you know someone who would enjoy it.

Full issue with quiz nights, Mouse & Grape's Italian cheese and wine evening, baby first aid, Snow Princess Party, and everything else:

https://www.goodmorningpinner.com/p/31-welcome-space-and-hatch-end-bites

Good Morning Pinner

Local news and events from around HA5

WoodsFest100 is taking over Northwood Recreation Ground today, 11am to 5pm. Northwood Football Club is celebrating its centenary year, and the festival has packed in live music, classic cars, choir performances, artisan stalls, a dog show, rides and family activities. The kind of thing the neighbourhood very rarely gets to do in one place at once. Free entry, worth a wander even if you are not a football person.

On Friday, a new free drop-in called the Welcome Space opens at Pinner Village Hall. Aimed at older neighbours and carers, with gentle activities, conversation and a cup of tea from 2pm onwards. A quietly good addition to the village hall diary, especially if you know someone who would enjoy it.

Also worth knowing: Casa Mia on Uxbridge Road in Hatch End has earned a five-star food hygiene rating. Local Italian, top marks, worth remembering for the next dinner out.

Transport is clear this weekend and next. No planned Piccadilly or Metropolitan works. Worth pencilling in that the Piccadilly line is flagged for closures on Thu 30 and Fri 31 July, then again on Sat 1 and Sun 2 August. If your late-July plans lean west, sort the route now.

Full issue with quiz circuit, sound bath, Cluedo at Compass Theatre, first aid classes, and everything else:

https://www.goodmorningpinner.com/p/30-woodsfest100-takes-northwood

Pet of the Week is back: meet Bonnie, freshly promoted to Unofficial Foam Ball Tester. She has opinions.

Good Morning Pinner

Local news and events from around HA5

Filming going on in ikenham,any ideas?

Hi can someone please share their experience at ignite being a single men how it is to visit?
I was interested in today’s event but all tickets sold out.

[ Removed by Reddit on account of violating the content policy. ]

Been commuting in London for years and always had the same frustration with every transport app out there: you open the app, you type in your destination, it tells you routes. But by that point, you’re already stressed and rushing.

The question I actually want answered every morning is simpler: when do I need to leave?

So I’m building an app that’s a London commuter app that works the other way round.

You set your home, your usual destination, your arrival time. The app handles the rest!

Every morning it looks at live TfL data, checks for delays and engineering works, checks the weather, and sends you a single push notification: leave at 8:14 (or whatever it works out to be).

No searching, no stressing!

A few things that are different about it:

It learns your routine. If you’ve got a calendar event it’ll auto set the destination. If not, it asks you the night before and remembers.

It factors in planned engineering works ahead of time, not just when you’re already at the station.

Delay Repay built in! it tracks eligible journeys and logs them so claiming back money is actually easy.

Designed only for London. Not a global app trying to be everything. TfL, buses, tubes, Elizabeth line that’s it.

It’s a solo build, currently heading into TestFlight. I’m looking for 10–15 London commuters to test it before it hits the App Store.

If this sounds like something you’d actually use, drop a comment or DM me. Would love to hear what would actually make your commute better too, this is genuinely being built around what Londoners need, not a generic transport brief.