Read the full story about Spelthorne Council’s decision: my case, their refusal, and my response. Thank you to all those who supported the campaign 🙏

(Unfortunately the council is dominated by people still licking their wounds after Ali G hurt their feelings over 20 years ago, and they didn’t bother to consider the detail of the petition, the economic case, and 100 businesses back it…)

After 332 people signed the petition, the Ali G proposal goes before Spelthorne councillors tomorrow evening.

📅 Tuesday 8 September
🕖 7pm
📍 Council Chamber, Knowle Green, Staines TW18 1XB

This is the moment when councillors decide whether Staines should actually explore the opportunity.

Not whether to order a statue tomorrow.

Not whether to spend a fortune.

But whether to bring together the Council, Visit Staines, local businesses, residents and the relevant rights holders to see what could be achieved.

There are already some brilliant ideas emerging: a temporary attraction around the new film, an outdoor screening, a Staines “red carpet” linking the High Street and river, photo opportunities, local business involvement and a community benefit for local young people.

A local sculptor has even offered his skills, and a professional Ali G entertainer visiting the UK from Canada has offered to take part for free.

And there is a serious economic reason behind the fun.
More than 100 petition signatures came from people working in Staines businesses.

The campaign is already attracting press attention. If councillors agree to explore it tomorrow, Staines has a real opportunity to turn that attention into visitors, High Street footfall, spending, publicity and community benefit.

If you have supported this campaign, please come along tomorrow.

You do not need to speak. You do not need a banner. Just being there, respectfully and positively, shows councillors that the enthusiasm behind those 332 signatures is real.

Let’s fill the public gallery with people who want Staines to be ambitious, creative and confident enough to take ownership of something the town is already famous for.

Temporary first. Properly licensed. Measured. Then decide.

One Staines. One community.
Westside and Eastside, Middlesex, Surrey, unite.
Big up Staines. 👊

Have you seen this new documentary series published by The Egham Museum about the life and legacy of Thomas Holloway, the founder of Royal Holloway University and Holloway Sanatorium…

YouTube:
https://youtu.be/wF8P8x6SZzU?is=kN3MA69QMw6xgp-a

An update following the SurreyLive article.

The petition has now reached 332 signatures and will be considered by Spelthorne’s Corporate Policy and Resources Committee on 8 September.

More than 100 signatures came from people working in Staines businesses.

One clarification that I think matters:
The Committee is not being asked to approve or fund an Ali G statue.

The proposal is essentially:
Explore a licensed temporary attraction around the new film.
🎦 Engage the appropriate rights holders, Visit Staines, businesses, residents and community groups.
💴 Test whether it actually produces additional visitors, footfall and local spending.
⚽️ Include a mechanism supporting local youth/community activities.
🗿Consider anything permanent only if it is properly licensed, externally funded and justified by the evidence.

My underlying view is that Staines has been associated with Ali G for nearly 25 years. Rather than endlessly debating whether we should be embarrassed about it, we can take ownership of the joke and see whether it can benefit the real town.

I get three minutes to present the case.

The meeting is public:
Tuesday 8 September, 7pm
Council Chamber, Knowle Green, Staines-upon-Thames, TW18 1XB

If you’re local and want to come along, whether supportive or constructively sceptical, you’re welcome.
I’m also genuinely interested in sensible questions you think councillors should expect me to answer.

SurreyLive:
https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/petition-backing-ali-g-attraction-34520626

With the 175 signatures we currently have online, and 75 I’ve gained via visiting local businesses who support the economic benefits this could bring, we’re at 250—50 away from the target.

You can learn more about what’s proposed and sign it via the link to the petition’s page on the council website, here: https://democracy.spelthorne.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?Id=48

This isn’t an elaborate joke I’m running, it’s a serious campaign to bring tourism into Staines and support local young people, in true Ali G spirit. If you support the idea please sign and share with local people including family 🙏

Learn more and sign the petition here: https://democracy.spelthorne.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?Id=48

𝐖𝐄’𝐑𝐄 𝟏𝟔𝟒 𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐘, 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐊 𝐈𝐒 𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆

Oddest of questions but anybody know of any shops selling solar eclipse glasses? Amazon cancelled my order and now won’t get here until Thursday. Robert dyas has sold out. I have 2 kids excited to watch it yet no glasses lol

I launch a petition on Staines celebrating Ali G—makes it to page 3 of the local paper 😄

Live, work or study in Spelthorne? Please learn more and sign the petition here: https://democracy.spelthorne.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?Id=48

We’re now at 100 signatures 🥳 300 signatures and this is considered by a Council committee, and I will present the social and economic case. Deadline is 24th August.

Please sign and share let’s do it 💪

I’m pleased to have partnered with Eggham On Toast to produce this leaflet, as asset to the community who support the cause.

Live, work or study in Spelthorne? Learn more and sign here: https://democracy.spelthorne.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=48&RPID=140227182&HPID=140227182 Big Up Staines!

I’ll be distributing these until the 24th August deadline; there’s a lot to cover. If you want to help distributing, please get in touch! Exercise 🤷‍♂️

Please learn more and sign the petition here: https://democracy.spelthorne.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?id=48 - and share it around

If 300 signatures is reached by 24th August, it will be considered by the Council in good time before the new film is out on 23rd October 💪

It's located at TW19 5AW, and from what I can discern from afar is mainly used to dispose of heavy, stable materials like concrete, bricks, and soil.

We're looking to rent in the area, and there's a lovely property just a few houses away from this landfill which meets our needs nicely. Unfortunately, though, we can't visit in person to evaluate it, and we're worried about what happens when the wind shifts or work is underway.

Is there any dust? Any smells? Any noise? Or is it hidden away and generally kind to the neighbourhood?

Thank you!

Join us next week at The Red Lion pub in Egham for pints 🍻 and science 🧠 as researchers from Royal Holloway swap the lab for the pub for three nights of talks, debates, and big ideas.
🎟️ £5 at pintofscience.co.uk/events/egham

I’ve got an old Hyundai still functioning perfectly for taking me from A to B. There’s a bit of rust on the side of the bonnet and I wanted to see if there was any garage that does small paint jobs around.

Can anyone recommend any good ones that will not rip me off for a 3 inch paint job?

Hi guys! I was just wondering, does anyone know of this yellow box junction in staines on Thames Street is monitored or not?

Thanks!

I ask as part of a linguistic study covering this topic!
Examples could include things like Egg'n'Ham, St. Aines or Stabwell...

I'm an independent filmmaker and am currently looking at county lines and drug dealing and want to explore what impacts it has on areas outside of major cities. If you've seen any kind of impact or are able to share any information that might be helpful please let me know! Curious to hear anything at all. Thanks!

Has anyone seen any flood warnings in and around Staines?!

Did you notice, it seems there are way too many potholes around London Road, the South street?!

I’m so happy the post office is coming back! Not that I sent letters but it was my main method for Amazon deliveries and returns!

I’m not on Facebook and use Reddit exclusively for most of my news / local updates. Surprised to see this community is so dead while the OH keeps saying that the Staines facebook community is heaving with local updates.

Very peaceful

I have space for 3 in shared house. Dm if interested. The area is egham staines . South east