25 years ago A vicious circle surrounds the acute shortage of nurses at West Middlesex hospital, according to a qualified staff nurse who works there. Severe cuts have meant fewer student nurses are taken on, the hospital acquires a reputation for being understaffed - and recruitment takes a dive downwards. Staff nurse Lynne Roberts said: "You can never give people the sort of care needed."

A team with ex-footballers and actors is to meet a team from Watney's Brewery at Mortlake on Sunday to raise money for the St Peter's Kidney Research Trust. Among those playing will be David Hamilton, disc jockey, and James Villiers, the actor.

Every member of the borough council is being lobbied by Heathrow Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise (Hacan) in a bid to persuade the borough to oppose plans for a fourth terminal at Heathrow Airport.

50 years ago The usual monthly social evening of the British Legion women's section on Thursday was attended not only by women, but also by members from the men's section. Games, dancing and community singing, accompanied by Mrs James at the piano, formed the entertainment on offer. Mrs Monk took the role of mistress of ceremonies.

A penny fare for bus journeys of up to half a mile, suggested by the Middlesex Country Council, is almost certain to be rejected. But a demand that a select committee should be set up by the government to inquire into Londoners' fares may well prove somewhat more successful.

Twickenham Fair and Whitton Carnival Shopping Week will clash this year, it has emerged. Whitton's dates are August 29 to September 6. Twickenham has chosen August 30 to September 6.

100 years ago THERE was a record attendance at the annual general meeting of the Twickenham Philanthropic Society and an excellent and satisfactory report presented.

THE Chiswick Rifle Club shot off their return match with the Richmond Institute Rifle Club on Wednesday at the Old Friars' Range, Richmond. At the close of the match, which resulted in a tie, Mr Price, the secretary of the Chiswick club, expressed the enjoyment their team had felt in coming to the shoot.

AN ANONYMOUS writer in the Richmond parish magazine conveys the ghastliness of people living in poverty in the town: "The poor need decent houses, sufficient and wholesome food and proper clothing, such as we take care to provide for our animals. Does anybody choose to starve and rot in filthy hovels, dragging out a miserable, anxious or drink-sodden existence, drowning all thought of the dread future?