Forum Topics

Ground Penetrating Radar Scan.

I am a True Crime Writer and Television Investigative Consultant. I have for the past 14 years been researching the horrendous crimes committed by Abertillery-born Harold Jones. In 1921, Jones then aged 15 murdered 2 Abertillery, Wales schoolgirls, Freda Burnell aged 8 and 11 year-old Florence Little. After being released from prison in 1941 Jones served 5 years in the army before settling in Fulham, Putney and finally Hammersmith where he died in 1971. Jones used a number of names during his time in London - first Harold Jones, then Harry Stevens and finally Harry Jones. Research has led myself and many criminal experts to believe that Jones went on to become the serial killer known as the Hammersmith Nudes' Killer (1959-1965.) https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/488557/is-this-man-the-real-jack-the-stripper/These 8 unsolved killings have over the past 11 years been given much media attention. In 2011 a one hour drama documentary titled Fred Dinenage Murder Casebook - Harold Jones -The Welsh Killer has been shown repeatedly on various satellite Channels worldwide. (Google Harold Jones -The Welsh Killer.) This led to a major 90 minute national television documentary which was shown in January and February 2019. (Google Dark Son - The Hunt For A Serial Killer to see trailers.) In the early 1960's Jones using the name Harry Stevens  had lived in Fulham, 2 streets away from 3rd nudes's victim Hannah Tailford. In 1964 and 1965 whilst living in Putney under the name Harry Stevens, he was AT THE SAME TIME occupying a rented house in Hammersmith using the name Harry Jones. This was 2 streets away from 7th nudes victim Frances Brown and 8th nudes' victim Bridget O'Hara. It is my belief that there may be trophies buried in the garden at Hammersmith and the owner has now given me permission to use ground-penetrating radar to detect any such evidence.I am trying to locate someone in the film or media industry or anyone else who would be willing to cover the cost of the scan and record the garden being scanned. (Approximately 70 square metres.)On top of the circumstantial evidence regarding Jones living just 2 streets away from 3 of the murder victims below are a few more startling links.(1) Jones' own daughter has indicated that her father would leave her and her mother at home at the times of the killings and book into Rowton House, a doss house in Hammersmith whenever her parents would have a row. The daughter stated that she now believes her father would do this in fear that he may kill his wife in temper. Jones' own son-in-law stated that "There's no smoke without fire is there?"(2) Bridget O'Hara, the 8th victim was last seen leaving a pub near Rowton House on 11 January 1975 - Jones' birthday.(3) The person believed to be the killer had in 1964 shown one woman (a prostitute) a Metropolitan Police warrant card after she had got into his car. She stated that she felt very uncomfortable and made an excuse to get out of the vehicle. The driver gave her some cash before she got out. I believe the person was Harold Jones who was using the warrant card that had belonged to John Widdows, Jones father-in-law who had died just 2-3 years earlier. Widdows was a former London Metropolitan Police officer. Jones daughter stated that she still possessed her grandfather's retirement clock and Widdows may have possibly kept his warrant card when he retired.(4) At least 4 of the 8 murder victims were stored in a disused electricity sub-station on the Heron Trading Estate in East Acton. This was about 4 miles from Jones' rented property in Hammersmith. Jones daughter claims that her father worked in ACTON at the time of the murders but couldn't or wouldn't reveal which business premises he had worked at.(5) Jones left prison in 1941 after refusing treatment or discussing his crimes with the relevant authorities. The prison authorities noted that Jones, right to the day he was released showed no remorse for his crimes in Wales. Just shortly before his release the prison governor stated: "Sad as it seems, I can see no hopeful prospects for Jones in the future." The prison chaplain described Jones as "a no hoper." And then Jones was released onto an unsuspecting public possibly in the hope he would get killed in Libya where he served 5 years in the army.I am in contact with relatives of 6 of the 8 murder victims and they all (especially adult children of these women) are keen to know the identity of the killer in their lifetime. I am now 67 years old and I would like to know for sure the killer's identify in my lifetime.If anyone would like to come on board with this matter or have any practical suggestions I can be contacted at n.milkin@sky.com or 07989555376. Regards. Neil Milkins.

Neil Milkins ● 1640d0 Comments ● 1640d

The Oddfellows Society, Friendship Month

“Make more mates and meet more often” urges Hammersmith friendly societyA Hammersmith based friendship group is hosting a special get-together to encourage people to make new friends after it was revealed that almost half of adults with significant friends (48%)  only get together with them less than once a month. The independent research, conducted by YouGov on behalf of the Oddfellows, also shows that a fifth (20%) of GB adults, aged 55 and over, go for at least six months without being socially active. That includes attending things like social events, going to church, or simply grabbing a coffee with a friend.By contrast, 83% of the Oddfellows’ own members say they spend time with a significant friend once a month or more, with 50% saying they see their good mates at least once a week. With friendship a hugely important factor for both health and happiness, the Oddfellows Branch in Hammersmith is encouraging residents to join them for a special Afternoon Tea with Music event on Saturday 21st September from 2 - 5pm. The event is at Linden House, Upper Mall, W6 9TA but a free shuttle bus will be running from 186 Hammersmith Road W6 7DJ. This event is being organised as part of Friendship Month – which runs for the whole of September.Rosalind Earp, Social Events Organiser for West London District Oddfellows, said: “Many studies have proved how regular company is essential to living a happier life. In fact, some would say that spending time with friends is as important as eating healthily or exercising. Friends aren’t just there to socialise with, they provide support and comfort in times of need. “Most of us make our friends through work, family or education. As we age and our life changes, we have less access to these everyday social opportunities, which can contribute towards social isolation in a huge way.”The YouGov study found that 21% of adults haven’t met anyone who became a significant friend in over 10 years. 43% of adults cited work as a place they’ve met significant friends, followed by during their school and university years (37%), through mutual friends (26%) and through family or children (15%). This September marks the 10th anniversary of Friendship Month, the annual awareness campaign run by the Oddfellows to celebrate the power of friendship, highlight the need to keep social as we age, and to signpost people to ways they can stay connected to their communities. Rosalind continued: “The Oddfellows is here to offer friendship and support all year round, but every September, as part of Friendship Month, we put on lots of exciting events which are perfect for first introductions. If someone is unsure about what to expect, please contact us so we can put you at ease. If we know someone new is coming on their own, we’ll always ensure there’s someone for them to “buddy up” with until they find their feet.“We’ve over two centuries of experience in offering friendship and support to our local members, so we’re no stranger to helping people discover new friendships.”To speak with someone ahead of trying out an event, or to receive West London District Oddfellows’ latest events diary, contact Rosalind Earp at Rosalind.earp@oddfellows.co.uk or call 07421140970. For information on the Oddfellows and further information about Friendship Month, please visit www.friendshipmonth.com.

Rosalind Earp ● 1675d0 Comments ● 1675d

Read with children!

Do you remember a character from a childhood book as fondly as an old friend?If you do, you’ll know the magic of being able to slip into another world as and when you need to, or how books can make your world a bigger, brighter place.For bookworms especially, it’s hard to believe that anyone could see reading as anything other than empowering, or even just a pleasure. For the third of children from disadvantaged areas who leave primary school without being able to read well, often it’s nothing but a chore.That’s why we like to turn up on the doorstep, with a backpack of books, two little stools, and a pair of volunteers who know that words take you places. Every week, come rain or shine, our volunteers bring the magic of reading directly into families’ homes every week, in low-income areas across London.Doorstep Library volunteers don’t just read stories; they do the silly voices, handpick the books, and give special recommendations. By making it fun first, we get to watch children transform into budding readers. We love when parents get stuck in with the sessions too and encourage them to get involved in their children’s education.Sometimes though, we’re just there to give a bit of extra support, whether we’re passing on info about a family activity, lending an ear, or even just being a friendly face. Then, before we go, we leave behind a selection of books for each child to borrow for the week.If this sounds like the role for you, these are the basics. We run projects on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in estates across Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham and Lambeth.In Hammersmith and Fulham, Monday and Tuesday projects start at 3.45pm and finish at 6.30pm, and Thursday projects start at 4.30pm and finishing at 7.00pm.If you'd like to know more contact Daniela Cardoso at volunteer@doorsteplibrary.org.uk

Emily Oliver ● 1708d0 Comments ● 1708d

Volunteer! Read with local children

Do you remember a character from a childhood book as fondly as an old friend?If you do, you’ll know the magic of being able to slip into another world as and when you need to, or how books can make your world a bigger, brighter place.For bookworms especially, it’s hard to believe that anyone could see reading as anything other than empowering, or even just a pleasure. For the third of children from disadvantaged areas who leave primary school without being able to read well, often it’s nothing but a chore.That’s why we like to turn up on the doorstep, with a backpack of books, two little stools, and a pair of volunteers who know that words take you places. Every week, come rain or shine, our volunteers bring the magic of reading directly into families’ homes every week, in low-income areas across London.Doorstep Library volunteers don’t just read stories; they do the silly voices, handpick the books, and give special recommendations. By making it fun first, we get to watch children transform into budding readers. We love when parents get stuck in with the sessions too and encourage them to get involved in their children’s education.Sometimes though, we’re just there to give a bit of extra support, whether we’re passing on info about a family activity, lending an ear, or even just being a friendly face. Then, before we go, we leave behind a selection of books for each child to borrow for the week.If this sounds like the role for you, these are the basics. We run projects on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in estates across Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham and Lambeth.In Hammersmith and Fulham, we start at 3.45pm and finish at 6.30pm. With some projects starting 4.30pm and finishing at 7.00pm.If you'd like to know more contact Daniela Cardoso at volunteer@doorsteplibrary.org.uk

Emily Oliver ● 1750d0 Comments ● 1750d

Volunteer! Read with children

Do you remember a character from a childhood book as fondly as an old friend?If you do, you’ll know the magic of being able to slip into another world as and when you need to, or how books can make your world a bigger, brighter place.For bookworms especially, it’s hard to believe that anyone could see reading as anything other than empowering, or even just a pleasure. For the third of children from disadvantaged areas who leave primary school without being able to read well, often it’s nothing but a chore.That’s why we like to turn up on the doorstep, with a backpack of books, two little stools, and a pair of volunteers who know that words take you places. Every week, come rain or shine, our volunteers bring the magic of reading directly into families’ homes every week, in low-income areas across London.Doorstep Library volunteers don’t just read stories; they do the silly voices, handpick the books, and give special recommendations. By making it fun first, we get to watch children transform into budding readers. We love when parents get stuck in with the sessions too and encourage them to get involved in their children’s education.Sometimes though, we’re just there to give a bit of extra support, whether we’re passing on info about a family activity, lending an ear, or even just being a friendly face. Then, before we go, we leave behind a selection of books for each child to borrow for the week.If this sounds like the role for you, these are the basics. We run projects on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in estates across Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham and Lambeth.In Hammersmith and Fulham, we start at 3.45pm and finish at 6.30pm. With some projects starting 4.30pm and finishing at 7.00pm.If you'd like to know more contact Daniela Cardoso at volunteer@doorsteplibrary.org.uk

Emily Oliver ● 1792d0 Comments ● 1792d

Prolific Murderer - Harold Jones?

Further to the B.B.C. 4 documentary Dark Son - The Hunt for a Serial Killer being broadcast nationally at 9.00 pm on Tuesday February 12.  South Wales Police are actively pursuing forensic opportunities to link Abertillery-born Jones to the murder of 12 year-old Swansea school-girl Muriel Joan Drinkwater, 3 months after he left the army in 1946. A third cold-case team are actively researching Jones' possible involvement in the murder of Ignac Ulycz in Putney in August 1965. See information below from my book "Who Was Jack the Stripper? The Hammersmith Nudes' Murders."(At 10.45 pm on Sunday 15 August 1965, Mr Ignac Ulycz was fatally stabbed outside his own front gate at 323 Upper Richmond Road Putney...........Maddalena Ulycz told the police the assailant was between 50 and 60 years old. (Jones was 59.) Another witness said that the attacker had run around the corner into Colinette Road and just seemed to vanish into thin air. (Jones had been living in 20 Colinette Road.)The Wandsworth Boro' News of Friday 24 September 1965 reported on the inquest into the death of Mr Ulycz.........."The man who killed Mr Ulycz........may have been insane or a psychopath who every now and again feels the desire to attack someone in this way" suggests the Coroner Mr Gavin Thurston.)The fact has now emerged that Jones was living at 20 Colinette Road Putney using the name Harry Stevens while AT THE SAME TIME registered as living at 51 Aldensley Road Hammersmith under the name Harry Jones.

Neil Milkins ● 1876d0 Comments ● 1876d

Read with children!

Do you remember a character from a childhood book as fondly as an old friend?If you do, you’ll know the magic of being able to slip into another world as and when you need to, or how books can make your world a bigger, brighter place.For bookworms especially, it’s hard to believe that anyone could see reading as anything other than empowering, or even just a pleasure. For the third of children from disadvantaged areas who leave primary school without being able to read well, often it’s nothing but a chore.That’s why we like to turn up on the doorstep, with a backpacks full of books, two little stools, and a pair of volunteers who know that words take you places. Every week, come rain or shine, our volunteers bring the magic of reading directly into families’ homes every week, in low-income areas across London.Doorstep Library volunteers don’t just read stories; they do the silly voices, handpick the books, and give special recommendations. By making it fun first, we get to watch children transform into budding readers. We love when parents get stuck in with the sessions too and encourage them to get involved in their children’s education.Sometimes though, we’re just there to give a bit of extra support, whether we’re passing on info about a family activity, lending an ear, or even just being a friendly face. Then, before we go, we leave behind a selection of books for each child to borrow for the week.If this sounds like the role for you, these are the basics. We run projects on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in estates across Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham and Lambeth.In Hammersmith and Fulham, we start at 3.45pm and finish at 6.30pm. If you'd like to know more contact Daniela Cardoso at digital@doorsteplibrary.org.uk

Emily Oliver ● 1883d0 Comments ● 1883d

Kensington to Hounslow corridor

Over the last 5 years there has been massive construction of private apartments along the corridor from Kensington to Hounslow, such that currently, during the morning and evening extended rush hours being able to get on a bus has become more and more difficult.On this route, the access to the Piccadilly line to get to Heathrow has escalator/lift access at only Hammersmith and East/West Hounslow. This means that disabled people, those who suffer from claustrophobia and those with heavy baggage in this area, are forced to use a taxi, at a cost of £20 - £40. When the matter has been raised over the last few years with TFL, the ongoing excuse is that it would make the route too long!  So if that is the case, would TFL give consideration to introducing a new service to start, when the N9 stops its extension during the day, known as an EXPRESS service 9 (X9) running during the day and only stopping at centres of commercial areas with many other local bus services, or underground, serving as a feeder service. This would have a considerable number of benefits for all users plus those who want to travel long distances on the existing services, being able to travel quicker than staying on the local bus service, as with the 607 along Uxbridge RoadPROPOSED BUS STOPSHammersmith Bus Station, (Start point of service) Stop BTurnham Green Church Stop DD/CVBrentford High Street Stop BL/BNIsleworth Stop FHounslow West Station Stop AHeathrow Central Bus Station Stand 19Heathrow T5 Stand 6All these stops are on the existing N9 service route.BONUSWith ongoing problem of existing road congestion, and the construction of the new runway, it is forecast that there will be considerable delays in the local area. As a case in point on the morning of 9 November I went to collect a passenger from T3 and it took 1 HOUR to get from the junction with the M4 into Terminal 3! In the event that these sorts of congestion arise again, the Local TFL area manager can decide to turn the bus around at Hounslow West station, thus allowing passengers for Heathrow to transfer onto the Piccadilly line into LHR.If you support this concept for an additional service, every concerned person would be gratefully appreciated. To do this, please send an email to your MP and London assembly representative.  Please also put any ideas that make the idea more relevant, and then post them to the forum.'See https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/ where you can find details of you MP and https://www.london.gov.uk/people/assembly for your GLA representative. When posting your support, copy and paste the above leaving the last paragraph off the paste.

Philip Weaver ● 1934d1 Comments ● 1905d

B.B.C. Documentary.

B,B.C. 2 Wales at 9.00 pm on January 12. For viewers with Sky and Freeview it can also be seen on the same date and time. Otherwise for viewers throughout the U.K it can be viewed at 9.00pm pm on B.B.C.4 on January 22.                                                                                                                             It is the biggest unsolved serial murder case in British criminal history - the so-called 'Jack the Stripper' murders took place in Swinging Sixties London.Six women lost their lives to a killer who was never caught. Criminologist Professor David Wilson leads an investigation to unmask the killer, who claimed more victims than even his notorious Victorian namesake, Jack the Ripper.Professor Wilson and his investigative team - which includes former detective Jackie Malton and forensic psychologist Professor Mike Berry - begin their hunt for the killer not in London, but 150 miles away in Abertillery, South Wales. In 1921, the Welsh mining town was devastated by the double murder of two schoolgirls when eight-year-old Freda Brunell and 11-year-old Florence Little were killed just weeks apart by a local boy 15-year-old Harold Jones, who the Abertillery residents still refer to as their 'Dark Son'.Those murders - especially the sadistic nature of their deaths, and the treatment of the bodies afterwards - have eerie parallels with the 'Jack the Stripper' murders. Could Harold Jones the boy killer really have matured in later life into a serial killer?To test this theory, the team revisit the scenes of the murders in west London. They use contemporary policing techniques such as geographical and offender profiling to see if the crimes of Jones the boy can be measured against those of Jack the Stripper. And from the outset, it becomes apparent there are many chilling similarities.

Neil Milkins ● 1910d0 Comments ● 1910d

Memorial Service.

On Saturday 4 August 2018 at 2.00pm, a memorial service is being held in the Metropole Theatre, Abertillery, South Wales for two Abertillery murder victims, 8 year-old Freda Burnell and 11 year-old Florence Little who were killed in Abertillery in 1921.Their killer, Harold Jones a.k.a Harry Stevens lived in Fulham, Putney and Hammersmith between 1946 and 1971 when he died. With a choir and town band performing at the memorial service there is expected to be over 250 people attending. There will be an expected 50 members of the 2 girls' family members attending from various parts of Britain. After the service there will be a re-dedication of the 2 girls' memorials at Brynithel Cemetery.Over the past 7 months, myself, Councillors Gill Clark and Julie Holt have raised nearly £3,400.00 towards the cost of restoring the 2 dilapidated memorials. We are still about £200 short of paying the memorial mason who has done the work at cost price and about £300 short of printing 260 memorial service programmes. These will consist of 8 pages each.We have now been given a donation to book the Metropole Theatre for the event. We  have also been kindly offered a donation of £300 towards the cost a buffet that will be held in the Metropole later in the afternoon.If anyone would like to consider making a donation for this worthy cause please contact me on 07989555376 or n.milkin@sky.comPlease google Florence Little/Freda Burnell  or Harold Jones - Killer for more information.Regards.Neil Milkins

Neil Milkins ● 2119d0 Comments ● 2119d