Since autumn is well and truly in the air, and leaves are turning golden brown, it seemed like a good time to reflect on another year for Churchfield Road, that thriving little high street in Acton, which continues to excite us by growing in its variety of shops and services.

Exactly a year ago, BestofEaling sent our mascot Big Eddy along to help Pro Hands Hair & Beauty Haven celebrate their 7th year in business, and guests could be seen quaffing champagne and tucking into delicacies made by local chef and broadcaster, Angela Malik.

Then, around Valentine's Day, the salon's owners - Sonia, Ellie, El and Noosh (a mother and her three daughters) were thrilled to win our 14 Days Of Love award for being the "most loved" salon in Ealing - as voted for by customers!

Pro Hands also won the borough's Christmas window competition, and we have been told to look out for an even more daring window this year!

In a similar vein, (Sweeney Todd references aside) on Saturday, [28th September] Churchfield Road's retro-themed gentlemen's hair salon, Arthur Razor, turned 1 year old: A wee nipper in comparison to the likes of Pro Hands, but apparently old enough to invite 100 or so guests to appreciate food and champers at the salon, and treat them to stunning burlesque performances by Slinky Sparkles upstairs at The Station House, where the vodka flowed through an ice sculpture made in the form of the Arthur Razor logo. The man behind the razor, Tony Bonaventura, an Acton-ite for 10 years, was joined by various celebrities, including Harry McVeigh from band, White Lies, also a local resident. Our spies tell us that, what with Harry and the Burlesque, W3 swooned!

Park + Bridge wines also arrived on Churchfield Road earlier this year, and completed its beautiful shop fitting, complete with floor-to-ceiling wooden racking to house the finest selection of "artisan wines" W3 has ever seen. (Unless there are any well-stocked private cellars we should know about!) Paola Tich, owner and founder defines artisan wines as those made by people who care about and love what they do. Which seems to closely match the philosophy of Churchfield Road's residents and business owners, really.

Take Reema Taank and Alpa Patel, the proud owners of Cupcake Avenue at No. 69 who serve cakes, make them to order, and run cake decorating courses on the premises. Reema and Alpa met 15 years ago at the mini post office at No.24, which Reema's parents ran from 1977 to 2008. Reema notes, "Customers keep coming in who knew me as a child, and the kids I remember years ago are now they're coming in with their own. It's so lovely!" Churchfield Road is certainly helping to put Acton on the map as a thriving community "destination" for shopping. Wouldn't Mary "Queen of Shops" be proud?!

We hear too that Waitrose is planning a comeback to Acton as part of The Oaks redevelopment, having started the business there over 100 years ago, so more change is in the air.