ACTOR Richard Briers has presented a painting to a much-loved Chiswick newsagent whose shop is described as a 'hub of the community'.
Kishur Mistry - known as 'Mr Lad' to customers - ran Lads Newsagent, in Bedford Corner, for more than 30 years before shutting up shop last Christmas.
He returned to his old neighbourhood at the weekend for the Bedford Park Society's summer festival on the green, where he received a special gift from former customer and Good Life actor Mr Briers.
Society president Nigel Woolner, who captured Mr Mistry's old shop on canvas, said he would always be remembered by his many customers in the area.
"The newsagents was very much a hub of the community. It was a family business, with his brother in law, Mr Lad, running the Post Office, and they were always very helpful," he told the Chronicle. "I wanted to give them a painting of the shop so they could have it as a memory of being such an important part of the community. I tried to focus on all the children and other customers going in and out of the shop, which was always busy."
Crowds soaked up the sun at the festival while enjoying games, live music, a fancy dress parade and much more throughout the day.
The Bedford Park Society chose the same weekend to launch its 'Best Front Garden Award' to mark Civic Day next Saturday (June 25).
The award will be presented by TV presenter and gardening correspondent Gay Search, who will be giving gardens in the area the once over this week and next.
To nominate a garden for the award, email Peter Murray, honorary secretary of the society, at secretary@bedfordpark.org
For more information about the society, set up to protect the character of the neighbourhood, visit www.bedfordpark.org .
