A FATHER-OF-TWO has created a website he hopes will help 'fix' Whitton and boost pride in the 'neglected' town.
Colin Gillman, of Wills Crescent, was inspired to design www.whitton.ning.com after growing frustrated by the potholed state of Whitton Dene.
That got him thinking about other parts of the town in need of improvement, like the long-abandoned former Co-Op in the High Street and peeling shop signs.
The 49-year-old, who works in marketing and is also a part-time rock musician, said he hoped the website would help get things moving.
"There's a lot that wants fixing in and around Whitton if we are to see it restored to its former glory," he explained. "The High Street's really starting to slip. The old Co-Op's full of dead birds and looks like a health hazard, and some of the other shop fronts are in a real state. We're the town Richmond wishes it didn't have and I think some areas have been quite neglected.
"I firmly believe local people who care passionately about local issues can effect change. If we all join in and make our voices heard about the things that matter the most to us we will at least be doing our bit to stand up and be counted."
The site has information about everything from local schools and churches to sports clubs, along with a forum and photo galleries.
Mr Gillman said it wasn't just about pointing out what's wrong with Whitton but also celebrating everything that's good about the town.
"This is very much where you come to raise children because it's such a safe environment," he said. "There's a strong sense of community and some excellent local shops but the rest of Richmond thinks of us as a town full of white van men. We need to change that perception.
"They're going to rename Whitton School the Twickenham Academy, and even Twickenham Stadium's really in Whitton."
