The big issues for Chiswick residents in 2012 were the Diamond Jubilee, the Olympics, property prices, restaurants, and the activities of local celebrities. Parking problems, planning applications, and traffic accidents were also popular local reads throughout the year.

In January, ChiswickW4.com carried a story that bankers were looking at Chiswick as a cheaper alternative to Notting Hill or Chelsea and favouring the streets around Bedford Park. And though W4 experienced some of the turbulence of the housing market, the year ended with the highest ever price paid for a Bedford Park corner property, a Grade II-listed 6 bedroom property in Woodstock Road which sold for £4.4 million, the highest ever price paid outside of Chiswick Mall.

The police launched several large operations throughout the year, starting with ' Operation Trident' in January,and continuing with sporadic crackdowns on motor tax evasion,and criminals activity. A cocaine stash of over £1 million was found in Grove Park Gardens. Police also upped publicity campaigns for safer neighbourhoods and gave residents and retailers advice on thwarting criminals.

The problem of young people and drugs was highlighted with the death of 15-year old Issy Reilly. She was a pupil at Chiswick Community School and became ill and died following an unsupervised teenage party.

Parking in the Grove Park and Strand on the Green area aroused strong feelings, and there was an unholy row over the proposed conversion of the St. Alban's Church into flats, which is ongoing. The controversial 'Octopus' development at Chiswick roundabout was given the go-ahead by councillors.

Chiswick restaurants rose to the challenge of the recession with express lunches and 2 for 1 deals. It was the year that Chiswick 'went Japanese' with the arrival of three Japanese restaurants to the area. The upmarket Hedone caused a splash, whilst Cafe Rouge, Villandry and Frankies announced closures. The Adamou brothers left their shop on the High Road after fifty years trading. This year Jamie Oliver is set to arrive in Chiswick on the former Villandry site.

Chiswick celebrity Colin Firth continue to win awards for his acting, Ant and Dec won Best Entertainment Performances at the Royal TV Awards for' I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here' and 'Britain's Got Talent' whilst Cameron Diaz was spotted having drinks in Carvossos. Hollywood star Keanu Reeves was also seen in High Road House.

The Royal Wedding brought people out of recession gloom to have street parties and Chiswick pubs put up big screens. Hogarth House was reopened after a huge renovation project, Schools in W4 closed for a day as part of the public sector strike against pension changes, and well-known GP, Dr. Ruth Heinsheimer retired. Chiswick Day Centre closed, despite a campaign by elderly users and local councillors.

Local MP Mary Macleod had a busy year, from making smoothies by pedalling a bicycle at Abundance Day to campaigning on behalf of victims of domestic violence and ex-servicemen. Local schools also brought in above average results in national league exams.

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