Harrow People - October issue

Your Harrow, your stories 1

www.harrow.gov.uk October 2011Your Harrow, your stories

Harrow

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Harrow gears up for the Olympics

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The results

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contents For editorial and advertising enquiries contact:

Editor Angela Hart / 020 8424 7504

Design Nic Marucci

Photography Dermot Carlin

Please recycle this copy of Harrow People when you have finished or pass it to a friend.

Harrow People is published six times a year by Harrow Council as part of keeping local people informed. It is distributed to 100,000 homes, businesses and all local libraries. Comments, products and services published do not necessarily carry the council’s endorsement.

If you have any story ideas, please email the editor at [email protected]

myharrow

Peter léne Barbé loves this view of Harrow’s main shopping area. He said: “In my opinion, the parking ramp leading to St George’s Shopping centre is one of the most inspiring architectural structures in the borough.”

If you have a favourite view of Harrow you would like to share, send us your pictures and a photograph of yourself. Every edition we will publish the best one on this page or on our website. Email [email protected]

4 Harrow’s hot topics

7 Your Harrow, your stories

25 What’s happening in your area

20 Your letters page

15 Win an iPadMyHarrow account

29 Heritage: Mollison Way former airfield

9 Get set go - Harrow is Olympic ready

12 A community united - Harrow’s riot response

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Dame Kelly Holmes visits youth project

hot topicsLeader of the Council, Cllr Bill Stephenson

Watching our athletes win medals at the recent World Athletics Championships

has got everyone thinking about the London Olympics and Paralympics next summer.

For Harrow residents the Games offer a once in a lifetime chance to enjoy the excitement of the world’s greatest sporting event here in our home city. London won these games on its promise to create a lasting legacy. So the council has set up its own ‘Championing Harrow Committee’ to celebrate the Games and create our own legacy.

This includes the Cedars Youth and Community Centre in Harrow Weald which I visited recently. It will provide a wonderful multipurpose sports hall, a football pitch, cafe and many other facilities. In addition there will be other Olympic legacy improvements such as green gyms and sport facilities in parks.

In September we celebrated the countdown to the Paralympics. Scores of Harrow schoolchildren came together at the Aspire Centre with members of the British Paralympic team to try sports including wheelchair rugby, boccia and seated volleyball. It was a hugely enjoyable event. A week later our Paralympians were showing off their skills in Harrow Town Centre and I was privileged to play boccia - a mixture of bowls and petanque - with Ali, a Harrow resident who won a gold medal in Beijing at this sport.

A packed programme of events is planned for Harrow between now and the Games. In addition, we have also been looking to the future by asking local residents during our Let’s Talk campaign to give their views on how we should develop sports, parks, and libraries. This issue of Harrow People has an update on the consultation.

Thank you to all who took the time to fill in the consultation forms.

Harrow Council joined forces with Charity V and the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust to run an 8-week National Citizen Service scheme this summer – one of the first of its kind in the country.

The scheme was set up to give young people the chance to gain skills and experience to prepare them for life after school and help them to make a difference in their communities.

Dame Kelly Holmes said: “It’s fantastic

that this group is really helping its community tackle issues like homelessness through some of its projects including its ‘sleep-out’ initiative.”

Vivek Patel, 16, is one of the first to take part in the National Citizen Service. He said: “It has been a great experience helping the community in ways such as gardening, helping the homeless and many other exciting things.”

For more information about the project, go to www.dkhlegacytrust.org

Dame Kelly Holmes visits Harrow Citizen Service project

A temporary service to support Harrow’s voluntary and community organisations has been launched.

The new service will be in place until March 2012 to help Harrow’s voluntary groups win funding and recruit volunteers. Working in partnership with the council, it will consult the voluntary groups on what they would like to see provided as a permanent replacement for the now closed Harrow Association for Voluntary Services.

The temporary service will be based at the former HAVS premises in Pinner Road for two days a week.

It will offer training programmes and

workshops based on demand from local voluntary groups and also help organisations develop their IT. Email [email protected] for more information.

Harrow’s voluntary sector boosted

Switch and save!Harrow Council is working with Energy Helpline, to help you switch your gas and electricity to a different tariff or supplier, which could save you hundreds of pounds.

The service is free and impartial, so call 0800 634 5184 or visit www.energyhelpline.com/hh to see how much you could save!

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Celebrating the ParalympicsHarrow school children were inspired by paralympic hopefuls when they tried their hand at paralympic sports at a community celebration of International Paralympic Day of Disabled. The event, organised by Harrow Council, was held at the Aspire Centre, Stanmore and attended by members of Great Britain’s paralympic hopefuls.

Schools from across the borough were invited to enter teams, with up to 30 children taking part. Games on the day included wheelchair rugby,

Boccia, and seated volleyball.

Residents also tested their skills at a second event in Harrow town centre as part of Harrow Council’s community celebrations to mark the countdown to the Paralympics. Harrow was the only London borough to celebrate the milestone in this way, bringing together medal winning paralympians, young Olympic hopefuls and local residents.

For more information on how Harrow is gearing up for the Olympics, see page 9.

School children enjoy wheelchair rugby

It has been a great experience helping the community in ways such as gardening and helping the homeless

Domestic violence guide created by Harrow teenagerA new information guide on domestic violence, written by young people for young people has just been launched in Harrow, thanks to the efforts of a local teenager.

South Harrow resident Hajel Mistry, 15, (pictured below) came up with the idea after her research into the topic failed to uncover any youth focused information. With the help of Harrow’s Safeguarding Children team, Hajel spent the summer gathering all of the relevant information for teens locally.

“I wanted something that young people could look at and get all of the information they needed. It had to be simple and easy to understand too, to produce a leaflet that would also be available online,” she said.

Hajel’s information leaflet is now available in hard copy, on the council website and in children’s centres and libraries. Visit www.harrowlscb.co.uk to download a copy.

Vivek Patel

Residents in Kenton and South Harrow took the top spot in this year’s council Estates in Bloom competition.

The aim of the competition is to improve the appearance of local estates while promoting pride in Harrow.

Boothman House sheltered accommodation residents in Kenton and Grange Farm, South Harrow were the overall winners.

Harrow is blooming

gearing up for the Olympics, see page 9.

download a copy.

Mayor of Harrow, Cllr Mrinal Choudhury and Cllr Bob Currie with resident representative, Rachael Matthews admiring the work of Sarah Naran.

Hajel Mistry

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guest editor Natalie ReubenNatalie Reuben

If you would like

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in the next Harrow

People, contact

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harrow.gov.uk

Can you dig it?My Dad has an allotment where he plants his own fruit and vegetables. Allotments in Harrow are the most peaceful places to visit. In my dad’s allotment there is even a little stream that runs alongside it and the allotment itself is beautiful and green.

We eat quite healthy, nutritious food from the allotment and it tastes so much better than the food and vegetables found in the local supermarkets. Not only is it better for you but its is usually always bigger, and much fresher.

Allotments are fun and relaxing and an excellent way to learn how to grow your own food and eat healthily. It is so good to eat seasonally and eat local food as it eradicates the environmental damage caused by shipping foods from thousands of miles away.

My dad grows pumpkins, beans, lettuce, cabbages, garlic, callaloo (a nutritious Caribbean vegetable). We are also growing potatoes, strawberries, red onions, apples and raspberries. I like to go down to the allotment and water the plants, but I mostly love eating the food.

If you would like more information on allotments in Harrow call 020 8424 1756 or visit www.harrow.gov.uk/allotments

Your Harrow, your stories

allotments

Natalie with her dad Don at West Harrow allotment

Why I love HarrowI’m Natalie and I am 29. I live in Harrow with my family. I moved to Harrow when I was nine so Harrow has always been home for me.

Harrow is like both city and country with its parks and open spaces but also its town centre shopping - so it works well for me. There is also easy access into central London with fantastic train links.

I am a writer and Harrow is a peaceful place to write. I love the libraries and I try to go around the borough and visit each one, Pinner, Stanmore, North Harrow, Harrow and Rayners Lane for their vast collection of books and great services.

I graduated from university in 2010 and have a degree in Creative Writing. I love books and I hope that one day I will write a few. I think it is good to leave something behind about yourself and to leave something for the next generation of readers and writers. In fact I have already started writing my first book about nutrition.

I studied for my degree in Luton, but never left Harrow. I commuted from Harrow three days a week.

I liked the fact that it is so easy to get in and out of Harrow and once you returned home you are met with peace, privacy and greenery.

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“Having gone to local schools all my life, I wanted to experience something exceptional.” – A new sixth former

Find out moreVisit our website at www.harrowschool.org.uk • Contact Admissions on 020 8872 8007

Apply: In January for entry the following September • Come to an Open Morning

• Harrow School is a full boarding, all boys school in Harrow on the Hill which takes boys from age 13-18.

• Our pupils achieve excellent exam results and also benefit from a wide range of extra-curricular activities which enhance their academic studies.

• Harrow offers a wealth of opportunity for boys to try new things and take riskswithin the protection of a close and supportive community.

• Gifted boys who win a Kane Family Scholarship to Harrow School will receive a fantastic Sixth Form education at one of the top independent schools in the world.

The Kane Family Scholarship is a Sixth Form Scholarship available to boys from the London Borough of Harrow whose parents could not otherwise afford the School fees. It covers up to 100% of fees plus extras including school uniform for one boy starting in the Sixth Form each year.If you are intelligent, enthusiastic, energetic and want to excel academically as well as outside the classroom, and if you are eager to make the most of boarding life and our excellent facilities, then apply for a means-tested Kane Family Scholarship from age 16.

Why should a talented boy from the borough of harroW choose harroW school for the sixth form?

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Ammar Munawar, 9

I love football, that is my favourite. I am just starting to get into the Olympics now, we are finding out more about it in school.

Ayesha Farooqi, 9

We are learning about Olympic values, things like courage and determination and how we can use those values too. I am on the Olympic committee at my school and we are planning things to do over the next year.

Kaiya Easy, 8

I watched the world championships and loved it. I’m really looking forward to the Olympics and Paralympics now. We are making plans to celebrate it, and we already have a website and have competitions. I would love to go to the Olympics next year.

Harrow is embracing the Olympics and getting ready for the 2012 games with some of our youngest residents leading the way.

The council has been working with schools in the borough to encourage all of our Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls of the future to get active. The national ‘Get Set’ programme aims to grab the attention of school children in all things Olympic and sporting.

Showing that community spirit is alive and well in the borough, Harrow already has 100% of colleges, high schools and special needs schools signed up and 96% of primary schools.

We spoke to some young students from Cedars Manor School in Harrow Weald about their Olympic ambitions, sporting interests and involvement with the ‘Get Set’ programme:

Harrow has a huge range of free or affordable sports centres where residents can get active in the lead up to the Olympics and Paralympics.

Harrow has three free outdoor gyms at Kenton Recreation Ground, Alexandra Park and Chandos Recreation Ground. Go to www.harrow.gov.uk/harrowparks

Special membership offers are always available at Harrow Leisure Centre. A membership for residents over 55 years has recently been launched. It’s £25 per month direct debit and can be used between 9-5 Monday to Friday. It includes the use of the gym, swimming pool and group exercise classes. Call 020 8901 5980 for more information.

The Harrow MileCome on down to Bannister Sports Centre to do your Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile. Enter ‘The Harrow Mile’ now and start training for the event which will take place on the 25th March 2012. Visit www.sportrelief.com for more information

What is Get Set?Get Set Network is an online resource for schools to get involved in the London 2012 Olympics.

It’s a nationwide initiative, run by LOCOG - The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games - which aims to get all schools across the country signed up by next year.

Benefits include access to free Olympics tickets, lesson resources and games, and blog space for teachers and children to publish their progress. More info at www.getset.london2012.com

Fit for sport

Harrow gets Olympic fever

and loved it. I’m really looking forward to the Olympics and Paralympics now.

at at www.getset.london2012.comwww.getset.london2012.com

Under starters orders

Kaiya Easy, Ammar Munawar, Ayesha Farooqi

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You also said that the council would best provide library, parks, arts, leisure and cultural services. Your feedback will help shape the council’s budget for the coming year and we will let you know how and when in the spring.


Due to government cuts and financial pressures we have a reduced budget to spend on our leisure services so in the last edition of Harrow People we included the Let’s Talk survey, asking for your feedback to help us decide how to spend this money. We also toured the borough with our pop-garden, inviting you to come and talk to us about these services.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the Let’s Talk survey, we had a fantastic response. It was also great to see so many residents visiting the Let’s Talk garden.

For the full results visit www.harrow.gov.uk/letstalkresults

Thank you for talking to us!

You also said that the council would best provide library, parks, arts, leisure and cultural

Back in July we asked you to get involved in our Let’s Talk campaign asking your views on how we can deliver and maintain our parks, libraries, sports and leisure facilities.

Libraries56% of you have used the borough’s libraries in the last three months

23% of you feel our libraries offer a good selection of books

4% of you said that our libraries operate convenient opening times.

Parks58% of you have used the borough’s parks in the last three months

25% of you said that our parks are well maintained

12% of you said that anti-social behaviour and need for better security is an issue.

Cultural centres 27% of you have used the borough’s museums in the last three months

39% of you who had an opinion on this said information about local history at Harrow Museum is good.

30% of you who had an opinion on this said Harrow Arts Centre offer a good mix of programmes.

26% of you who had an opinion on this said better publicity is required at Harrow Arts Centre.

Leisure centres 26% of you have used the borough’s leisure centres in the last three months

23% of you who had an opinion on this said the swimming facilities are good at our leisure facilities.

27% of those who answered said that lower cost would encourage you to use our leisure centres more.

The results are in and here are some extracts of what you said:

Resident visits Leader of the Council

Bill Stephenson in our pop-up garden

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Your viewsThe Let’s Talk garden - Pinner, Town Centre, Stanmore, Wealdstone, South Harrow, Rayners Lane

“Good to see the council on the street talking to people. I think more people should get involved as it’s important we all have our say. Can you leave the garden here when you go!”

Mrs Clarke, Rayners Lane

“Love the garden. It’s really eye catching and grabs your attention. I have never spoken to a councillor before today. It would be a real shame if the libraries have to close.”

Alan Bright, Rayners Lane

“I think you are doing a good thing with this especially with the cuts. I’m not happy with the traffic lights at Stanmore Road. They are dangerous for pedestrians.”

Joyce Gordon, Stanmore

Libraries- “It gives me more books than I can read in a lifetime for nothing.”

- “Libraries are a necessary part of a community not only for books, but computers, internet access, groups, events and even clubs.”

Parks- “It is cheaper than a day out I can spend a couple hours on a good day

in the park.”

- “Canons Park and Centenary Park are generally well maintained and offer a good range of equipment for toddlers.”

Arts Centre- “Enjoying all the lovely activities that go on there means one does not

always have to go into central London.”

- “Don’t know, don’t go! Keep meaning to, but never get around to it.”

Harrow Museum- “Good Heritage site a good resource for schools - brings history to life.”

- “Never heard of it...never used it.”

Sports and leisure facilities- “Glad the service has changed provider. The service previously was awful.

The service has improved since the transition.”

- “I personally do not use this service but access to sports and leisure facilities is good for youngsters and keeps them off the street.”

Your feedback

Your viewsThe Let’s Talk garden - Pinner, Town Centre, Stanmore, Wealdstone, South Harrow, Rayners Lane

“Good to see the council on the street talking to people. I think more people should get involved as it’s important we all have our say. Can you leave the garden here when you go!”

Mrs Clarke, Rayners Lane

Your feedback

“Love the garden. It’s really eye

“I think you are doing a good thing

Rayners Lane

“Good to see the council on the street

Rayners Lane

“Good to see the council on the street

“I love the garden, it looks really colourful. I really like the gnomes,

they’re my favourite thing.” Nofiya & Nadav Isman, Stanmore

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While shocking and violent scenes erupted across London last month, Harrow’s streets and shopping centres remained peaceful. So why did our borough escape the violence? Harrow People looks at how our community stood together.

While shocking and violent scenes erupted across London last

A community united The following actions, combined with the spirit of community which exists in the borough, helped Harrow to remain safe.

Harrow Police undertook a major operation to put 280 officers on duty, supported by 25 special officers. In a show of community strength, council youth workers, including members of the Youth Offending Team, social workers and mentors joined nightly police patrols. Local newspapers, the Harrow Times and Harrow Observer and Harrow Council spread joint messages of reassurance to keep residents up to date.

There was an outstanding response from the community too. Faith groups and community organisations such as the Harrow Police and Community Consultative Group (HPCCG) gave valuable advice for the police and council to act on.

Local churches offered tea and refreshments to grateful police officers, many of them working back-to-back 12-hour shifts.

The police, council and community stood shoulder to shoulder. Working together, our Harrow, our community, remained safe and calm.

All the partners in Harrow came together to respond quickly and effectively, preventing problems from escalating.

Sarah Davies, Youth Services manager, Ps Ed Baildon and Youth Worker Rod Andrews on patrol.


Sonoo Malkani

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A community united

The unprecedented criminal disorder that we witnessed across London last month illustrated the best and worse

aspects of our society.

I have spoken to many people in Harrow who were truly appalled at the way police officers, homes and businesses were attacked in and around London.

We have also seen some of the best examples of community spirit coming to the fore, not only from the local people of Harrow, but all over the country.

I have felt humbled by the actions of Harrow police officers, special constables, volunteers and police staff during the disorder across London. Some Harrow police officers worked 34 hours continuously dealing with criminality across London. We are extremely fortunate to have these brave men and women protecting our communities.

Our relationship with our partners (particularly Harrow Council and the London Fire Brigade) are amongst the strongest anywhere in London.

Harrow Council loaned us council minibuses and made available temporary accommodation to officers - an offer gratefully taken up by me, as I spent two nights in a sheltered accommodation block.

What is exceptional is that the streets of Harrow, Harrow businesses and Harrow homes didn’t see the disorder and devastation that many of our surrounding boroughs and other London boroughs saw. Having youth workers patrolling alongside Harrow Police was an excellent tactic which helped to calm and defuse any potentially volatile situations and to keep the peace in Harrow on behalf of the law-abiding majority.

We successfully dispersed groups of youths who undoubtedly were out to cause trouble.

The dispersal order also allows us to take home anyone under the age of 16 to their parents - a tactic which was regularly used by my officers last month. I was amazed by the amount of young people as young as seven out on the streets on their own.

Can you help?

Photographs of people the police want to speak with in connection with the violence and disorder can be viewed on the Met Police’s Flickr site at: www.flickr.com/photos/metropolitanpolice

If anyone recognises anyone in the photographs or has any information they should contact the Major Investigation Team on 020 8345 4142.

Alternatively you can report crime and provide information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Dal Babu, Borough Commander

Rod Andrew (above) is a senior youth worker at the Wealdstone Youth Centre.

“Going out with the police has had a big impact here in Harrow and really helped calm the situation. When young people see us out with officers, it makes the police more approachable. We have built up relationships with these young people over many years and there is a store of trust and respect that we are able to tap into.”

Sonoo Malkani is the chair of the Harrow Police and Community Consultative Group.

“Harrow Police did such a brilliant job this summer. There was genuine concern in the community that Harrow might be targeted but the Borough Commander, Dal Babu, pulled out all the stops, working all hours behind the scenes to keep Harrow calm and safe, ensuring

we were prepared to meet any challenges. What heartens me the most is how all the partners in Harrow came together to respond quickly and effectively, preventing problems from escalating. Everyone was kept fully informed and the continuous messages of reassurance from the council and the police, plus positive messages about our youth, made a real difference and kept our community united.”

a store of trust and respect that we are able to tap into.”

Sonoo Malkani is the chair of the Harrow Police and Community Consultative Group.

“Harrow Police did such a brilliant job this summer. There was genuine concern in the community that Harrow might be targeted but the Borough Commander, Dal Babu, pulled out all the stops, working all hours behind the scenes to keep Harrow calm and safe, ensuring

we were prepared to meet any challenges. What heartens me the most

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nice saveLast year Harrow residents saved £1.2 million by recycling.

Let’s recycle even more. Find out how at www.recycleforlondon.com/local

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The MyHarrow account is the new free service provided by Harrow Council designed to be convenient, give you control on information and help the council save money.

The MyHarrow account has many functions bespoke to you. Sign up, type in your postcode and get information specific to your address including:

• Bincollectiondates

• Whoyourcouncillorsare

• Parkingrenewals

• Planningapplications

• Changeyourentryonthe Register of Electors online

• Viewyourcounciltaxinformation

And there’s more…

The MyHarrow account also enables you to choose information you want to receive from the council. By the end of October you can receive:

• Textoremailalertswhenyouhaveforgotten to put your bin out

• Textoremailalertswhenroadworksare taking place in your area

• Textoremailalertstoremindyouofyour library book renewal

• Renewyourlibrarybooksonline

• Textoremailalertstorenewyourparking permit

• Emailalertswithlatestinformation,news, events and competitions from the council

By signing up to the MyHarrow account you can help the council save over £30,000 a year.

Forgotten something?Have you ever forgotten to put your bin out? Ever got stuck in traffic because of roadworks in your area? Never again with the new MyHarrow account.

Sign up to the MyHarrow account and you could WIN an iPad.

iPad

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Don’t delay and

sign up today.

www.harrow.gov.uk/

myharrowaccount

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Let’s recycle togetherFor every tonne of waste we put in landfill we have to pay approximately £90 a tonne, so recycling as much waste as possible means we save money and we have more money to spend on other things.

Although Harrow residents are good recyclers there are small steps which everyone can take to recycle even more and there are a few things which people often forget to recycle. Here are a couple of them:

• ‘Old’Food.Rememberthat‘old’ormouldy food can still be recycled. Simply remove any plastic or packaging and put it in your brown bin. If necessary you can wrap it in newspaper.

• Thereisroomforustorecyclemoreplastic household items including plastic bottles and containers in the blue bin. Remember ALL plastic bottles can be recycled.

Biodegradable BagsIf you want to use biodegradable food bags for your food waste you MUST use the bags which are available from our libraries. Other bags, which do not carry the Harrow Council logo are not accepted as they may not compost properly.

Copies of a DVD ‘What happens to our waste’ can be loaned for school and community groups by contacting The Harrow Agenda 21 office on 020 3114 6020 or email [email protected]

Last year, thanks to you achieving such fantastic recycling rates, the council was able to save £1.2 million in landfill fees.

‘It’s all about recycling on the go’Daniel is a member of Agenda21, the borough’s waste and recycling group, and he has been very passionate about recycling from a very young age. It all started when he was awarded a green Blue Peter badge for his efforts! “I think the key to encouraging young people to recycle, is to incentivise them so that people see it as less of an inconvenience. Showing them what happens to their recycling might also help. At Agenda 21 we have just produced a film showing the recycling journey. ”

Daniel Mckeown, Canons Park

We understand that recycling in reality is sometimes challenging but with a few small steps it can

be made easier. Harrow People spoke to a few residents who are excellent recyclers to find out

how they manage recycling in their homes and to share some top tips with us.

of them:

‘It’s all about recycling on the go’Daniel is a member of Agenda21, the borough’s waste and recycling group, and he has been very passionate about recycling from a very young age. It all

We understand that recycling in reality is sometimes

Jitendra Patel

Vivienne Hart

Daniel Mckeown

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For more information on how to recycle, go to www.harrow.gov.uk/recycling

Until now, many flats in Harrow have not been able to recycle, but thanks to funding from the London Waste and Recycling Board everyone who lives in blocks of flats will now be provided with the opportunity to recycle.

In the autumn, we will be introducing a new recycling scheme to flats in Harrow. This means that a large blue recycling bin will be delivered to your blocks of flats, an assessment will be made of each block of flats and the number of bins they have. A decision will be made on the number of bins to be removed and they will be replaced by recycling bins. There will be no change in the overall number of bins located onsite.

The blue bin is for paper, cardboard, glass bottles and jars, tins, cans and plastic bottles and containers. All other rubbish should go in the normal grey refuse bin.

Both the blue bin and the grey waste bin will be emptied weekly. Please be careful not to put the wrong items in the blue recycling bin as it will then become contaminated and the contents will be sent to landfill. This costs the council more money so it is very important that you put the correct items in the blue bin.

If you live in a flat you will receive information as this scheme is rolled out. The roll out will be completed by March 2012. In the meantime, if you have any questions you can visit www.harrow.gov.uk/recycling or call 020 8901 2600 (Mon-Fr 9am-5pm).

Flats recycling

‘We can’t keep sending waste to landfill’

“Recycling in Harrow is pretty good and our bins are much better than the bags which some other boroughs have. I take an active role in recycling at home and on my street, helping to advise my neighbours on how to recycle correctly. We put a tin by the kitchen sink and use this to collect our brown bin waste. Recycling is so important, we can’t keep sending so much waste to landfill!”

Jitendra Patel, Queensbury

‘I think recycling across boroughs should be universal’ “Recycling is so automatic for me now that I naturally know what goes where. I brought a recycling bin from the supermarket for our food waste so we can easily store it, and then we empty it on a daily basis. My husband and I share the recycling but he often has to

ask me where things go. I always make sure I rinse everything out - it’s become a habit. When I go from area to area I’m often unsure how to recycle as each borough does it differently. I think it should all be universal.

Vivienne Hart, South Harrow

‘We compost everything we can’ “I’m really keen on composting and think the weekly collection of the brown bin is good. Our green bin is hardly ever full and we find that everything else can go into the blue bin to be recycled. We are keen gardeners so we compost everything we can. With autumn approaching a top tip is to sweep up the leaves and put them in bags. I then let them sweat for a year and use them in the composter. In the kitchen we have a little brown bin, and we use this to collect food waste which we empty about 3-4 times a week.

Hugh Ogus, Stanmore

Hugh Ogus

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Over the next few months we will be asking your views on our Area Action Plan for the Heart of Harrow. This draft masterplan, which was created following an extensive consultation period with residents, local groups, businesses and developers, will guide the way the area is developed over the next few decades.

It is important that the masterplan reflects what residents want for their Town Centre. The project aims to bring

up to £1 billion of investment including new businesses, creating 3,000 new jobs, building 2,500 new homes and delivering the infrastructure needed from parks and leisure services to health facilities and schools. None of these new facilities will be possible without the commercial development to fund them.

This is about creating a place that encourages you to visit, shop, work, study or live in, and in the process, boosts Harrow’s economy.

The Area Action Plan identifies over 20 major sites for development in the Heart of Harrow. They include Harrow Leisure Centre for new, modern sports facilities, the Civic Centre sites and the ColArt factory in Wealdstone. Other areas include the Greenhill Way Car Park and Lyon Road in Harrow Town Centre, and the stalled Bradstowe House development.

Here we give you a preview of some of the detail in the Area Action Plan.

We need your help. We want you to get involved in deciding how Harrow Town Centre, Wealdstone and Station Road, the area we call the Heart of Harrow, is to develop over the next few decades. This area is the economic heart of the borough and essential for the prosperity of the whole of Harrow. Its future matters to everyone who lives here.

‘Once in a lifetime chance to create a town centre to be proud of’We need your help. We want you to get involved in

up to £1 billion of investment including new businesses, creating 3,000 new jobs, building 2,500 new homes and delivering the infrastructure needed from parks and leisure services to health facilities and schools. None of these new facilities will be possible without the commercial development to fund them.

encourages you to visit, shop, work, study or live in, and in the process,

The Area Action Plan identifies over 20 major sites for development in the Heart of Harrow. They include Harrow Leisure Centre for new, modern sports facilities, the Civic Centre sites and the ColArt factory in Wealdstone. Other areas include the Greenhill Way Car Park and Lyon Road in Harrow Town Centre, and the stalled Bradstowe House development.

Here we give you a preview of some of the detail in the Area Action Plan.

deciding how Harrow Town Centre, Wealdstone

essential for the prosperity of the whole of Harrow. Its future matters to everyone who lives here.

Dandara

Top quality design is a must for all development in the Heart of Harrow. New buildings must be sensitive to their surroundings, sustainable and iconic. New proposals for the Dandara site in Harrow Town Centre are being drawn up by internationally award-winning architects Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, who designed the Freedom Tower, currently in construction on the site of New York’s World Trade Centre. Bringing high quality architecture to College Road is just one part of what the council are trying to do to this important street.

What do you think should be the council’s vision for College Road?

Outer London Fund

This summer, the council secured £860,000 from the Outer London Fund, a £10m pot of money for improving high streets across the capital. In Harrow Town Centre, just under £500,000 will fund a programme of festivals between now and March 2012, including food, arts, culture and faith, to attract visitors and promote the area to a London audience. By increasing footfall, the festivals will encourage greater spending in local retailers and raise the profile of the shopping offer. The council is bidding for more money in the second round of the Outer London Fund, which has a £40m pot.

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‘Once in a lifetime chance to create a town centre to be proud of’

Kodak site

After over 100 years in Wealdstone, Kodak’s needs are changing. A new tomorrow for the Kodak site is at the heart of top FTSE 100 company Land Securities’ plans, being developed through community forums over the last 12 months. New homes, community buildings and jobs, are part of an ambitious master plan for the site, which includes Zoom Leisure Centre, aimed at taking down the walls along Headstone Drive and Harrow view and welcoming the community to new people and jobs to the site. It will also open up access to Headstone Manor, one of the borough’s key heritage sites.

A further series of public exhibitions will be publicised shortly. For more information see www.harrowview.info, call 0800 019 5878 or follow @HarrowView on Twitter.

Harrow’s Green Grid

Developing the Heart of Harrow offers an unrivalled opportunity to improve parks and green space in the area. The council launched its borough-wide Green Grid project this summer to better manage and connect the borough’s parks and open spaces, and promote nature. One example is to connect the Heart of Harrow with the green belt north of the borough, by improving the Belmont Trail with tree and shrub planting, grass and wildflower seeding, and new fencing. Money from planning developments will contribute to the works. Under the Green Grid plans are also being developed to upgrade Lowlands Recreation Ground, to the rear of Harrow on the Hill train station. The council is also working with developers to ensure that their plans contribute to this project across the Heart of Harrow.

You can get involved

If you want to get involved in this once in a lifetime opportunity you can comment straight away by writing to Local Development Framework Team, Room 301, Civic Centre, Station Road, Harrow, HA1 2XF or email [email protected]. The next edition of Harrow People will give further details on a major consultation on the Area Action Plan starting in November. Or you can speak to council officers who will attend a number of the events taking place over the winter in Harrow.

Visit www.harrow.gov.uk/heartofharrow for updates and to find out more.

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JoHn KurIAn, Central Harrow

When will the computer facilities at Gayton Library be brought up to scratch? Some of the computers do not work and the printer has been out of order for months. I have written a letter of complaint but still nothing done. I even spoke to the manager and I was told that the lack of computers were due to lack of funding.

When I visit Gayton Library I am told to go to the Civic Centre Library where there are more computers working and where there is also a printer, but that library is getting overcrowded because everyone is going there to use the computers instead of Gayton Library.

A:Firstly, we apologise for your inconvenience. Unfortunately,

a number of Gayton library’s public computers and printers are currently not working. We are actively looking at a number of possible ways to upgrade all our public computers and are hoping to resolve this as soon as we can. However, this will require investment of time and resources to accomplish, which cannot be resolved in the short term.

roy THomAs, South Harrow

In my view Harrow Council does not understand the needs of its residents. They need to be more tolerant and understand people’s financial difficulties. I was unable to pay my council tax because I was out of work and genuinely stressed out. When I went to see the council to sort out a payment arrangement so that I could pay my council tax, they automatically called the bailiffs. I am a resident in Harrow and I always pay my taxes and bills on time, but as soon as I was in trouble the council did not want to help me, nor were they reasonable. They need to be more understanding especially in a recession so that the council and the whole community can get along a lot better.

A:We try to deal with anyone who has difficulty paying their council

tax sympathically. We are sorry if this did not appear to be the case with you. Unless the council is aware of individual problems, we are powerless to help. We acknowledge that there are exceptions and cases of real financial hardship. If this is found to be the case, we can

Dear Harrow resident,Welcome to your Harrow People letters page.

This page is open to all residents to question, comment and air their views on any council service, or product. We want you to dictate what is published on this page every issue, so get writing, emailing or phoning with your questions and comments.

This page will give residents a platform for their views and questions. By publishing your correspondence, both positive and negative, we intend to make this magazine even more interactive and relevant to readers.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Contact us today on: Tel: 020 8424 7504 Email: [email protected] Write: Harrow People, Communications Unit, PO Box 21, Civic Centre, Station Road, Harrow, HA1 2XF

Dear Harrow

If this is found to be the case, we can

This month we visited central Harrow to ask some of our residents for their questions.

John Kurian Roy Thomas

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Dear Harrowagree bespoke payment arrangements. Harrow has a variety of options available to it for enforcing debt and can choose the best option to suit the needs of individual resident. It would not be fair to the majority of council tax payers, who pay their bills on time, if Harrow did not see to collect all monies due.

LIndA Levene, Stanmore

The pavements slabs near the Harrow Council building and in Central Harrow are terrible. Why don’t they sort them out? I am an older person and I have had terrible falls because of the poor conditions of the pavements. Is anything going to be done to improve the pavements in Harrow?

A:All footways in Harrow are checked on a regular basis - once

a month in the case of Station Road and shopping areas. As a result of these inspections repairs are carried out where it is considered there may be a potential hazard to pedestrians. The council also has a planned maintenance programme, which deals with more extensive works.

sTepHAnIe Jones, Central Harrow

There needs to be more support for single mothers moving into properties for the first time. I had to find the money for both the rent and the deposit myself and that was hard. I am not asking to have the money given to me for free but some help would not go amiss or even a loan that I could pay back would be fantastic. Is there any support for us?

A: The Harrow Housing Advice team gives advice and assistance

to help single mothers and parents with dependent children find private rented accommodation if they are homeless or imminently homeless. Our Help2let scheme finds properties in and outside Harrow for families. Under this scheme customers do not need to find money for a deposit or rent in advance because the Help2let team negotiates with landlords to accept our customers as tenants. We hold tenant training sessions for those who are new to private renting to make them aware of their responsibilities as tenants.

Our housing advisors also assist single parents by giving them money advice and checking to make sure they are claiming all the benefits that they are entitled to. We also refer customers to an agency that can help them gain training and employment. We give advice on how to apply for crisis loan in case of emergencies and for rent in advance (although, with the recent Government cutbacks, it is increasingly difficult for customers to access this fund).

We have mother and baby units for teen mothers who need additional support to sustain a tenancy, and a floating support service for particularly vulnerable individuals and families. We recommend customers to join the Harrow Credit Union which enables residents to take out small loans (to download an application form go to: www.harrow.gov.uk/info/100002/business/1978/credit_union).

Please contact our Housing Advice Team on 020 8424 1093 or e-mail [email protected] or go to our new website: www.locata.org/harrow for more information.

dAynA LucAs, Stanmore

There needs to be improvements with the parking in Harrow. Why are there so many double yellow lines and permit holders in residential areas of Harrow? There are not enough places to park in the borough.

A:Many residents complain about the lack of parking space around

the borough and it should be pointed out that this is a national problem not just a local one, particularly in urban areas. The reality is that the demand to park is far greater than the road space available because more and more people now own and use a car than they did in the past. There is no prospect of being able to meet this level of demand. In Harrow we try to regulate the demand for parking through the use of yellow lines and permit schemes to allow local residents and businesses to have priority, to deter long term commuter parking and allow the free flow of traffic. We also encourage the use of sustainable transport such as walking, cycling, public transport and car clubs.

A: A: The Harrow Housing Advice

Linda Levene

Dayna Lucas

Stephanie Jones

Have your say on our School Expansion Programme

Harrow needs to expand the number of places in its schools to meet increased demand. A consultation will be held from 10 October to 11 November 2011 about proposals to expand a number of primary schools across Harrow. Your views about the proposals are important. Information will be available through schools and you can have your say by visiting www.harrow-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal

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BOTHERED BY RATS AND MICE?Harrow Council provides a professional, efficient and cost effective Pest Control service to it’s residents and businesses.

Our services are provided by fully trained and experiencedstaff and our charges are fully inclusive of all materials.

We also provide a free pest identification service.

Domestic premises (per treatment, max 3 visits) ...............................................£91.00

Commercial/large jobs – per hour per operative as priorities allow ..........................................£107.00

Wasps (colony killed but nest not removed) ....................................................£59.00

Cockroaches (domestic premises only)Gel bait (Min 2 visits required) .................£118.00

Other pest treatment prices on application

For Appointments and payments Tel 0208 901 2600

Credit/Debit cards only accepted

Looking for a local venue for hosting meetings?Harrow Teachers’ CentreLooking for a local venue for hosting meetings, presentations, conferences, interviews or private party, then the Teachers’ Centre in Wealdstone is your affordable solution. Our facilities cater for a minimum of 2 up to a maximum of 300 people.

All rooms come with; Data Projector, Video, Whiteboard, IT Keyboard, and Flipchart Stand with Flipchart Paper & Pens as standard.

Contact details Tel 020 8416 8899 Fax 020 8427 2418 Email: [email protected] Teachers’ Centre, Tudor Road, Wealdstone, Harrow HA3 5PQ

There is free on-site parking, disabled access and hearing aid facilities available. Our on-site restaurant can provide a variety of catering options to rooms upon request.

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more details.

Senior Fitness Nifty fifty active Wednesdays. From 10.45am to 11.45am. Wealdstone Methodist church. Bums & Tums 8pm to 9pm. 19th Harrow Scout Hall High Road. Harrow Weald (nearest side road Claremont Rd). For more information on other classes contact 07979 95227. www.jansdanceandfitness.com

Deaf clubDrop-in at the Civic Centre every Wednesday between 2pm and 4pm. Information coffee morning at Red Brick Café, every fourth Wednesdays between 9.30am and 11.30am. Computer lesson every Thursday morning between 10am and 12pm at Harrow Association for the Disabled People. Also there is Harrow Asian Deaf Club at Bentley Centre in Uxbridge Road, Harrow Weald. Every 1st Saturdays. Everyone is welcome. For further information, please write to Jonathan Sterne at HAD 166 Pinner View, Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 4RW or text 07842 935815.

At the Harrow Arts Centre

Flamenco Fever!New Flamenco dance class with professional dancer “Sam” (MA, PGCE), as seen at the Royal Opera House! Discover the basics of this beautiful artform. Learn to clap flamenco rhythms; flamenco hand movements; and blast away those tired feet with some furious foot-stomping. Get fit and have fun! Complete beginners welcome. Tuesday, 7.30pm-8.45pm. £10. Contact [email protected]

Johnny Boskak is Feeling Funny

A Fringe First award winning piece of solo theatre. Johnny Boskak is an action packed love story through South Africa and Durban. At Harrow Arts centre. See full details at www.harrowarts.com or call the box office on 020 8416 8989. Tuesday 11 October, 7.30pm. £10/ £8 concs (suitable 15+).

Look to the Sky: An Urban Thriller

A gripping new play about the mysterious and complex culture of inner city youth. Look to the Sky: An Urban Thriller includes poetic language and a wonderful soundtrack. See full details at www.harrowarts.com call the box office on 020 8416 8989. Wednesday 19th October, 7.30pm. £5 (suitable 14+).

HAC Heritage TourA fantastic heritage tour of the HAC site taking a step back in time and celebrating the architecture of the Grade Two Star listed Elliott Hall. Tickets also include light refreshments. See full details at www.harrowarts.com call the box office on 020 8416 8989. Tuesday 11 October, 1.30pm. £3.

Marley, Tosh & Wailer: In Conversation with Colin Grant

Historian Colin Grant discusses one of the biggest and most influential musical groups of the 20th century. The story of the rise and history of The Wailers, from ghetto life to worldwide acclaim. The event includes music and rare film footage.See full details at www.harrowarts.com call the box office on 020 8416 8989. Thursday 20 October, 7.30pm. £5.

your essential guide to your areaSoprano and piano recital

Sunday 9th October 2011, 3pm at All Saints Queensbury Church, Waltham Drive, HA8 5PQ. Tickets £5. Available on the door.

Zumba A fun and easy fitness workout program combining dance moves and aerobics. You will experience an absolute blast in one exciting hour of calorie-burning and body-energising session! Mondays, 8pm and Saturdays 10.30am at North London Collegiate; Tuesdays 7.30pm at Zoom Leisure, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 7.30pm at Harrow Arts Centre. Call 07852 692517 for times and venues or go to www.salsaciseuk.com

Fists Taekwondo School Classes every Thursday at St George’s Church Hall, Pinner view form 4pm. Run by former Olympic competitor and English national coach Chris Sawyerr. Call 07956 325268 for more information.

Afterschool funclubHarrow Afterschool activities club. Includes fun, interactive play, healthy snacks and help with homework in a safe, friendly environment with experienced staff. £12 a

session. Call Donna on 07903 703438 for more information.

Celebrate Apple Day at Grim’s Dyke Hotel

On Sunday 16th October 1pm - 5pm. Come and celebrate Apple Day at Grim’s Dyke Hotel. Enjoy the health, happiness and fun that apples bring - press your own apple juice. Experience nature in the historic Gilbert orchard. Become part of Harrow’s community orchard. Free parking available. Visit www.hoipolloi.btck.co.uk for more information.

Harrow Camera Club – www.harrowcamera.co.uk

Venue: Guide HQ, Leeway Close, Hatch End. When: Tuesday evenings 7.45pm to 10.00pm. Whether you are an amateur enthusiast or experienced photographer Harrow Camera Club has something to offer you. We are a friendly, welcoming group of people who share the love of photography. Through a mixture of competitions, talks and workshops we aim to enhance our technical and artistic skills. Visit our website to view the programme or contact Sam Curling on 07796 444644 for

Harrow Camera Club

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ROOKS HEATH BUILDERSTOTAL SATISFACTIONHome Improvements, Extensions and Loft Conversions

PHONE GREG CAMPBELL07976 600 631

FOR FREE ESTIMATESOVER 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE

[email protected]

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Gina YashereCome and laugh your heart out and see the famous UK comedian Gina Yashere. Full details at www.harrowarts.com Call the box office on 020 8416 8989. Friday 28 October, 8pm. £15 (Suitable 14+).

For Coloured Girls Cert 15A moving film starring Janet Jackson, Whoopi Goldberg and Anika Rose about a group of nine women and their personal conflicts such as, abandonment, love and infidelity. See full details at www.harrowarts.com Tuesday 25 October, 7.30pm, 133 mins. £5

The Rocky Horror Picture Show Sing Out! Cert 15

Enjoy a truly fabulous evening and don’t miss out on one of the best cult films of the 20th century. Have a sing along too. See full details at www.harrowarts.com Saturday 29 October, 8pm. £8 / £6 concs.

Learn to Dance in a DayLearn some of the popular Latin and Ballroom dances: Samba Waltz, Social Foxtrot, Quickstep and Tango. See full details at www.harrowarts.com Saturday 29 October, 2pm. £10.

Animal Magic Workshop! Create your own magical animal masks. Suitable for children of all ages and their carers. See full details at www.harrowarts.com £5 per child inc. adult or £3 with your film ticket Kung Fu panda. Tuesday 25 October.

Tangled Cert PG A film about the magically long haired Rapunzel and her discovery of the world for the first time after a life spent inside her tower. Thursday 27 October, 2pm. See full details at www.harrowarts.com £3.

Moscow Ballet la classique: The Sleeping Beauty

A colourful performance of Russia’s finest Moscow Ballet – La classique. Fairytale characters come alive before your eyes. Wednesday 23 November. See full details at www.harrowarts.com £23/£18 under 16s.

TheatreThe Hillplayers are at the Ryan theatre, Yew Walk, Harrow on the Hill on Friday 16th December (8pm) and Saturday 17 December (noon, 4pm and 8pm). Performing two family favourite pantomimes back to back. Red Hot Cinders by Richard Tydeman. Come and watch Cinderella, her ugly sisters,

her Prince Charming and fairy Godmother. Sit back and be amazed as mice turn into horses and pumpkins into golden coaches. AND Albert Laddin by Richard Tydeman. A new angle on the old Aladdin favile, with a very determined and independent Widow Twanky. £5 adults, £3 children. Go to www.hillplayers.co.uk or call 07908 122859.

Black History Month

Black History Month runs nationally throughout the month of October to celebrate Black history. This year in Harrow, the theme for Black History Season 2011 is: ‘Significant British African Achievements Throughout History’ (outside of sports and entertainment). The Harrow BHM Launch event takes place in the Members’ Lounge, Harrow Civic Centre from 6:30pm on Monday 10th October. The launch will focus on British Civil Rights and Activism (1965 – 2011) - where are we now? It will feature Jessica Huntley, veteran community activist and Dr Hakim Adi, African History academic. Please contact [email protected] for further details. Harrow BHM programme will be available at the launch.

your essential guide to your area

Harrow People has five copies of local author Sangeeta Bhargava’s debut novel The World Beyond.

The World Beyond is the poignant tale of two lovers caught in a world torn apart by the Sepoy Mutiny in 1855 India. As tensions simmer in the heat of repressive colonial India, romance does not seem a likely prospect between an Indian prince and an English girl. Yet after discovering a common delight in music, Salim, son of the last Nawab of Avadh, and Rachael Bristow, daughter of an English colonel, defy their own and their societies’ preconceptions and prejudices to fall in love. Will their love prove strong enough to rise above the violence and survive to a world beyond?

For a chance to win, send your name, address and daytime number to: The Editor, Harrow People, Civic Centre, Station Road, Harrow HA1 2XF by October 17th, 2011.

Book giveaway

WIn!

Jessica Huntley

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• MollisonWay-wasnamedafterrecord breaking pilot Jim Mollison because of his association with Stag Lane Aerodrome.

• TheDeHavillandaircrafthe used were built and serviced at the airfield.

• Hisdaringfeatsincludedarecordbreaking flight in February 1933 to South America, which was to be the first westward non-stop solo flight across the South Atlantic and first flight from UK-South America. It was flown in 3 days 10 hours 8 minutes.

• StagLaneAerodromeplayeditspart in the expansion of private aircraft ownership and was also associated with record breaking flights during the inter war years.

For further information about your local aviation heritage visit www.rafmuseum.org.uk

Factbox

The area was once a training ground for would be aviators of the 1920s and 30s, with Mollison Way originally being part of an airfield for Stag Lane Aerodrome.

The site was also a base for the aircraft manufacturing company De Havilland which produced the well known Tiger moth biplane at the location.

A number of famous pilots learned to fly at Stag Lane with the then London Aeroplane club. Illustrious names include Amy Johnson who in 1930 became the first female to fly solo from London to Australia, and Jean Batten who later became the first female to make a solo transatlantic flight in 1935.

Sadly the last flight from the aerodrome took place on 28th July 1934 due to steadily encroaching suburbia but the site will always be remembered for the important part it played in promoting the civil and commercial aviation industry.

Nina Hadaway, curator at the Royal Air Force Museum London said: “The site maintains the areas’ connection with aviation heritage because North West London was a huge centre for aircraft production during the First World War and De Havilland maintained that link during the Second World War producing aircraft parts.”

The £1m upgrade by Transport for London has been designed with the help of local residents, and will benefit from a new road layout and improved parking facilities aimed at giving the area a much needed lift.

Harrow shopping parade set for lift offMollison Way is about to get a £1m makeover but did you know the area has already seen some highs and lows.

area a much needed lift.

www.rafmuseum.org.uk

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5th May 1930 - Amy Johnson begins her solo flight to

Darwin in Australia in her De Havilland Moth. Her route

covered some 10,000 miles and took 20 days.

Jim Mollison

Jean Batten

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HAVE A VOICE INPOLICING HARROW The Harrow Police & Community Consultative Group warmly thanks all Harrovians for generous support given to our fantastic Harrow Police,Council,Emergency Services and helpers during the recent disturbances”.

Welcome to bi-monthly meetings in the Council Chamber

• HelpshapeSafety-promoting,Crime-solvingPolicing

• ScrutiniseSeniorPoliceandlocalpartners

• AssistinpilotingCrime-Preventionintiatives.

• EnsureHarrowremainsSafe,SecureandHarmonious.

Further information from LYSANDRA DWYER 020 8424 1264 or MANIZE TALUKDAR 020 8424 1323 www.hpccg.org.uk

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can help

Housing Opportunities Event 2011tenants renting private, council & housing association homeshomeowners needing advicehelp to find a place of your own

Tuesday 18th October 2-6pmMembers Lounge, Civic Centre,Station Road, Harrow HA1 2XY

r more information or for advice, contact the Housing Needs Service on [email protected] or 020 8424 1093.

.locata.org.uk/harrow

The stalls will showcase information on the following:

• Housing advice• Private renting• Housing options• Mortgage problems• Locata• Employment & training• Advice for single people• Housing allocations review • Options for older people• Under occupation• Debt & money advice• Low cost home ownership • Housing-related support for vulnerable people • Housing outside London

Or go to www

Fo

We

For • • •

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Choose from over 450 University of London certificate modules and short courses taught part-time in the evening

“Birkbeck gave me confidence and the belief that I could study and make something of myself through university.”Tommy Champion

London’s ONLY specialist provider of part-time, evening higher education. Prestigious University of London qualifications. World-class research environment. Ranked number one by students*.

*National Student Surveys 2005–2011.

Most Certificate module fees held at 2010 rates. Don’t miss out, places still available!

www.bbk.ac.uk020 7631 6316London’s evening university

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Documents

Harrow People - October issue