Harrow People May 2012 by Angela Hart

Harrow Your Harrow, your stories

Celebrate the Diamond Jubilee The Queen comes to Harrow

Money worries? Find out how we can help

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www.harrow.gov.uk May 2012

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Your Harrow, your stories

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17/11/2011 17:24

Alaha Abawe: This picture was taken from my room one morning, just after I performed my Fajr Salah (dawn worship, which is one of the five pillars of Islam) I was greeted by this beautiful sunrise!

myharrow

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 angela.hart@harrow.gov.uk

contents

If you have any story ideas, please email the editor at angela.hart@harrow.gov.uk For editorial and advertising enquiries contact: Editor Angela Hart / 020 8424 7504

Harrow’s hot topics

Youth Matters Having your say

Design Nic Marucci

Harrow Town Centre Plans for the future

Your letters page

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

Diamond Jubilee The Queen in Harrow

What’s happening in your area

Olympic countdown Carrying the torch

History: Harrow through the ages

Photography Dermot Carlin

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.

Your Harrow, your stories

Leader of the Council, Cllr Bill Stephenson

hot topics

It’s been an incredible few weeks. At the end of March we had the honour of organising and hosting a Diamond Jubilee celebration for the Queen, followed by the handing over of the Olympic flag to mark our status as a host borough for the Olympics. Both the Olympics and the Queen’s visit are covered in this edition. These events have given the council some light relief from the task ahead. Yet I can assure you we remain fully focused on continuing to modernise the council and protecting front line services whilst making the savings. The challenge is enormous - we have to reduce our budget by £62m over four years. Much has been done already. Last year we saved £31 million and we have identified savings of £19m over the next three years. This leaves £12m still to find. The Government is proposing to make further cuts over the following two years meaning we will have to make savings to our budget of approximately 50 per cent over six years. Despite this we are doing many good things - we are transforming libraries into community hubs, in particular, by upgrading our computers and introducing WiFi. We have also merged our legal services with Barnet, saving thousands a year. In the face of such unprecedented budget cuts it is unlikely we will be able to freeze Council Tax for another year. But whatever we do we want to hear from you. You will see from page 15 there are many ways for you to get in touch with us. So, whilst it’s been a good month for Harrow, we remain fully focused on the work ahead and will ensure we make the big decisions with you and not to you.

Residents of Wellesley Road celebrate in style

How to organise your own Jubilee street party Many residents came out to celebrate the Queen’s visit in March to mark her Diamond Jubilee.

member Mac Laubscher recently lent his expertise in street party organisation to the Harrow Council-led ‘How To’ guide.

But rather than putting the flags and bunting away, why not keep them out for your own street party?

He said: “At Belmont Circle there is a real sense of community and we have organised a variety of street parties. They are a brilliant way of bringing everyone together.”

Residents from more than 15 streets have applied to host parties in what is set to be a summer of celebrations – and although the deadline for closing your street has now passed, it is not too late to organise your own party in one of Harrow’s parks or open spaces or plan a party later in the year. Belmont Circle Community Group

In a London first, planning laws are to be relaxed in North Harrow to help revive the shopping district and reduce high vacancy rates.

The three-year measure will allow certain Your Harrow, your stories

For tips on organising a Diamond Jubilee street party in a park or open space go to www.harrow.gov.uk/howto

Planning laws relaxed in North Harrow

Harrow Council’s Cabinet has approved a Local Development Order (LDO) for the area, the first for a high street in London. By allowing business premises to change use without planning permission, the order will make it easier for businesses to start up in empty units.

Wellesley Road resident Linette Pooley, said: “The process was so much easier than I expected and it was a lot of fun.”

ground floor commercial premises to be used as shops, restaurants, cafes, financial and professional services, or for health centres, nurseries or training centres. The LDO would not allow units to become takeaways or pubs and bars without permission. To view or comment on the LDO go to www.harrow.gov.uk/ldo. Copies of the documents and response forms are also available in the Civic Centre, Civic Centre Library and North Harrow Library. See more on the plans for North Harrow on page 8.

The job fair is such a great idea - we really did not expect this high level of interest. Monkia Napiorkoliska, Barclays Bank

New café moves into Harrow Arts Centre

Top employers praise council’s job fair Barclays Bank praised Harrow Council’s efforts at helping unemployed people find work at the latest Xcite Job Fair held at Harrow Civic Centre. Hundreds of people attended the event which has helped more than 100 people back into work in the past year. Jobseekers had the chance to apply for work at the Olympic Games this summer and speak to more than 20 major companies.

Simply Daisy’s

A much anticipated new cafe has opened up at Harrow Arts Centre. The café is part of a new look for the arts centre as Hatch End Library has also relocated to the building. Following demand from local residents the new eatery opened its doors on site

on1st March. And Simply Daisy’s has already become a firm favourite with arts centre regulars. In the coming months Daisy’s will expand to open a new bistro at the Arts Centre in the old bar of the Elliott Hall.

Monkia Napiorkoliska, a Barclays employee who attended the fair, said: “The job fair is such a great idea - we really did not expect this high level of interest. It’s great for companies like ours because we don’t really advertise vacancies, and coming here puts people directly in touch with us so we can contact them when vacancies do arise. We’ve already had almost 30 people leave their details with us, so we will definitely be coming back for future job fairs. The next Xcite job fair will be held on 25 May. For more information, call Charan Gurdev on 020 8416 8192 or email charan.gurdev@harrow.gov.uk

Register to vote online Harrow has become the first local authority in the country to allow new residents to register to vote online. Most councils already allow voters to tell their council online if there is a change to their Electoral Register entry. But historically, councils expect a resident to provide them with a handwritten signature before they will allow them onto the Electoral Register for the first time. A trial began in Harrow last October and continued through the annual canvass period, ending in December. In total almost 100 people took part in the trial which ran smoothly.

Harrow already offers a MyHarrow online account for residents where they can pay their council tax, manage benefits, renew library books, pay parking tickets and find out what is going on in their area, More than 13,000 residents have signed up so far. More residents carrying out their interactions with the council online has the potential to save the authority £1m over three years and has already saved £100,000 per annum. To register to vote online, you need to sign up to a MyHarrow account at www.harrow.gov.uk/register

Tamil Thai Pongal 2012 More than 170 people were entertained with music and dancing as part of a Tamil Thai Pongal harvest festival held in the Civic Centre’s Council Chambers. Councillor Krishna Suresh, who helped to organise the event on behalf of the Harrow Tamil community, said: “It’s very important for the younger Tamils to have the opportunity to address their roots and it is important for other communities to experience Tamil culture.”

Your Harrow, your stories

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Terence Frisch

How to get involved Harrow in Leaf www.harrowinleaf.org.uk Campaign for a Better Harrow Environment irene@wears.demon.co.uk or call 020 8422 3119 If you would like more information on getting an allotment, visit www.harrow.gov.uk/allotments Harrow Carers admin@harrowcarers.org Watford Palace Theatre info@watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk

Can you dig it? Local actor Terence Frisch talks about his campaign for a better environment. I grew up in Harrow, started work here, went away to college, lived in other places, and am now back here, living in the family home. Until recently I took care of my mum, who had dementia and Parkinson’s disease. It wasn’t always easy, but with help and support from my partner, family and friends and from Harrow’s Social Services, Mum lived at home until she died. Looking after a relative is a hugely rewarding, life-affirming thing to do and I’d highly recommend it to anyone. Mum and I were part of the ‘60 Faces’ photo exhibition for the Queen’s Jubilee visit. Sadly, she passed away a few weeks before the visit but I was lucky enough to be involved on the day and even got to meet Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. Mum would have been so proud.

I’ve been an actor for the past 22 years. I do a bit of telly and film but work mainly in the theatre (I’ll be appearing as Mother Goose at Watford Palace this Christmas). I’d love to see a theatre in the Heart of Harrow proposals - the Post Office site would be ideal. What a landmark for our town. I’ve got lots of different interests; much of my free-time is spent gardening, or at the allotment. I’m currently sowing this year’s flowers and crops. I love planting a seed knowing, or rather hoping, that in a few months time you’ll be eating or smelling the result. I am vice-chairman of Harrow in Leaf, which is an umbrella organisation of allotment and horticultural groups, encouraging allotment use and protecting open space. Our highlight is the August Bank Holiday Show at

Headstone Manor, where growers and showers, beekeepers and bakers, and arts and crafts folk show their wares. We always need volunteers for this smashing event at a beautiful, historic venue; so if anyone’s interested, do get in touch. I’m fascinated by how Harrow has changed. In my great-great-grandfather’s time it was a rural village. The suburban sprawl has changed that. In my lifetime buildings I thought would last forever have disappeared. Change is part of life but we need change for the better. Developers often throw up identikit offices and flats that say nothing about where we are and everything about their own sense of importance. The Campaign for a Better Harrow Environment is spoton in working to help the council find other ways to make our town an even better place to live.

Your Harrow, your stories

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Last year Harrow Council won £860,000 from the Mayor of London’s Outer London included a Food and Dance Festival, Street Market and shopfront improvements, used the money to create a lasting legacy for our residents.

North Harrow - the year at a glance In North Harrow, the council worked with traders and the wider community on a range of marketing and promotional events. Other activities included a North Harrow website (www.northharrowtowntalk.co.uk) and the creation of nine new parking bays and the purchase of festive lights. Three new shops have also opened in the area in the last six months, with three more in the pipeline. Harrow opened its first mock-up shop in North Harrow in June 2011, as part of our work with traders and estate agents to revitalise the shopping district. The council transformed the front of a vacant shop in North Harrow into a fake florist emblazoned with the message “this retail space could be yours” to attract potential investors. The colourful, eye-catching shop front launched the programme to regenerate the retail centre. The council has introduced a change in the planning laws to allow business premises in the area to change use without planning permission, making it easier for them to start up in empty units, while new parking signs will be installed following requests from traders. Businesses in North Harrow have also received help to improve shop fronts, along with advice on running a successful business. 8

Your Harrow, your stories

We spoke to two North Harrow businesses who are already seeing the results from the improvements they’ve made to their shops: Malcolm Fryer, the BIKE shop “With the support of the consultants that Harrow Council provided us we have been able to improve our store layout and presentation, resulting in an overall better service and experience to our customers. We believe that if this improvement is seen throughout the wide range of retailers in North Harrow it will attract more custom as people begin to realise how much North Harrow has to offer.” Umesh Mistry, Regent Newsagent “I think it’s great that Harrow Council is actively involved. They’re putting in as much as they can for businesses. It’s important that the council and businesses work together and that the community works together to revitalise the high street. ”

Other activities Late night shopping and entertainment – ‘the event’ North Harrow: An evening of late night shopping, music and entertainment took place in North Harrow last October as local traders staged the first ever showcase of their local shopping district. Traders, local schools and community groups laid on the fun evening of entertainment to show local residents what the area has to offer and encourage the community to support local businesses. Three-day street market: More than 60 stallholders signed up for a hugely successful three-day street market in North Harrow in March aimed at revitalising the shopping district and attracting more customers. This was attended by more than 4,000 shoppers. North Harrow’s main high roads - Station Road and Pinner Road - were packed with market stalls selling food, flowers, jewellery and crafts, while local schools, arts groups and performers, including yoga instructors and opera singers, provided entertainment on four stages. While many stallholders were local entrepreneurs looking to get businesses off the ground, the additional footfall was also a boost for existing traders. The council provided stalls and pitches free of charge to stallholders.

ur town centres

fund to revitalise Harrow Town Centre and North Harrow. Activities , better parking and many others. Read on to find out how we have

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Spotlight on Harrow Town Centre Harrow Town Centre put on a programme of festivals between September 2011 and March 2012, including food, arts, culture and faith, to attract visitors and promote the area.

Harrow into work: Harrow College organised 56 placements across a variety of businesses. Student marshalls from Stanmore College were employed at the town centre events too.

Light Garden and festive lights: An eyecatching art installation of 21 giant tulips, followed by giant snowdrops, illuminated Harrow Town Centre to mark last year’s Diwali and Christmas celebrations and launch a programme of support for businesses in the area.

We asked business owners and residents what they thought about the recent food and dance festival and market:

Thousands flocked to late night Christmas shopping in Harrow Town Centre: Goodie bags full of offers from Harrow Town Centre’s top retailers were handed out to the first 1,000 shoppers during a late night shopping event in December. Film Animation: 24 Harrow College students produced an animated film to encourage people to shop for Valentine’s Day in the town centre. The film was projected in the town centre for 10 days. Harrow’s first ever Food and Dance Festival attracted 5,000 extra visitors as shoppers turned out to sample the flavours and entertainment on offer in March. Feedback from shoppers showed they were overwhelmingly enthusiastic about the events. Market traders were equally enthusiastic with many selling out their stock before the end of the day.

Margo Dimlic “We need more events like the festival. There’s not as many shops in Harrow as there are in places like Watford. I think they should re-open the pop-up gallery in St. Georges. I’d like to see more arty stuff in Harrow!” Deepak Jangra, Randalls coffee shop “The recent festival was excellent, a nice move I would say. A good opportunity for businesses as well. We saw a lot of people visit the town centre, not just from Harrow, but from outside Harrow too - that was really nice. That shows what Harrow is about, rather than shops getting closed. If we can do this frequently to attract more

people, that would be really nice. We were very busy on the day of the festival, more than double.”

What’s next? We have £1.8m in our second round of funding, which will be used to create a new town park and permanent performance space in the town centre. The funding will also pay for town centre management, festivals, events and markets in the town centre and improvements to the main shopping street, St Ann’s Road, in ongoing efforts to attract more shoppers and visitors. It will be match funded by £300,000 from the council. • I mprovements to Lowlands Recreation Ground at the rear of Harrow on the Hill station. It is part of the wider Heart of Harrow project, revitalising the Town Centre, Station Road and Wealdstone. • T he aim is to convert the underused park into a performance space. Improvements will look to turn the park into an attractive destination for residents, shoppers and workers in the town centre. • I ncrease the number of retail businesses and restaurants and therefore create new jobs. Your Harrow, your stories

An all-weather pitch has been built

New climbing frame at Cedars

New youth centre opens its doors The doors to the new state-of-the-art Cedars Youth and Community Centre will open in Harrow Weald this month, as part of Harrow’s Olympic Games legacy. Young people and residents on the Cedars Estate attended ten consultation events during 2009 and Weald Tenants’ and Residents Association also gave their views on what the centre should look like.

Your Harrow, your stories

Alannah McGrath, 11 from Wealdstone “I think opening a new youth centre is a good idea. It will give young people something to do and a place to go and have fun.”

Harrow Council and Watford Football Club teamed up to build the £4.2 million centre after securing a grant from the Big Lottery Fund. Young people and Weald Tenants and Residents Association worked in partnership with the council and Watford FC on the design and contents of the new facility. The building is packed full of eco-friendly features, offers lots of versatile space for the whole community and was designed by award winning architects LOM Architecture and Design.

Here we ask some local young people what they think:

George Heracleous, aged 14, from Belmont

IT facilities at Cedars

“I already do athletics training at Bannisters twice a week, but I think it’s great that there will be even more opportunities for sport in Harrow and hopefully it will encourage more people to try something different.”

Pics: Deborah Harvey

The new centre, built on the Cedars Estate in Harrow Weald, has been kitted out with an all weather football pitch, multi-use sports hall, gym and climbing wall, as well as IT and education facilities and café. It also includes a gymnasium, art room, recording studio, café and outdoor pitch.

Jacky Stimpson looking forward to her proud moment

‘I will carry the torch with pride’

A total of 7,300 people from around the UK have been confirmed as torchbearers for this summer’s Olympic Games, which will see Fo the Olympic flame travel through Harrow and Brent on Wednesday 25th July. Jacky Stimpson MBE, 52, a British disabled water-skier who has lived in Harrow for most of her life, is one of the lucky people to have been chosen to carry the flame through Harrow. “It really is incredible. I haven’t stopped smiling since I found out. It is such an honour. Not in a million years did I expect to get chosen.” Inspirational members of the public were nominated by people who know them. In Jacky’s case, it was her proud mum. Jacky has always been a huge sports fan and is a self confessed “adrenaline junkie”. However, in August 1990 Jackie suffered a severe head injury which left her paralysed from the waist down. After three years of rehabilitation and with the help of specially adapted equipment and volunteers from The British Disabled WaterSki Association, she found herself back in

the water. When she found out she could compete in tournaments for disabled skiers, her competitive streak came out and she entered a tournament only a few months after learning to ski. “I think I came last, but it was so cool to see people with different disabilities skiing so well. It was the boost I needed, and that weekend I set my goal, to be part of The British Disabled Water-Ski Team.” Nine years later, she set her first world record and since then she has won more than 50 medals, including gold at three consecutive world championships, and was made an MBE in 2007. The Olympic torch relay will begin in Harrow at Headstone Manor Recreation Park at 8.30am and will tour some of Harrow’s famous landmarks, such as Harrow School. Jacky says that having her friends and family around is her favourite thing about

Harrow. “I love Harrow, and I’m really looking forward to representing my country again and being able to do so with pride in my home borough is truly amazing.” We’re pleased to announce the launch of our new Championing Harrow Olympic Games 2012 website. Find out about what is happening in Harrow for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Whether you’re watching the torch relay pass through Harrow, or pledging to get more active, the new website is the ideal hub to find out more. Harrow Council is committed to getting residents involved in sport and we hope that everyone feels that there is something for them to enjoy. Go to www.harrow.gov.uk/ championingharrow Your Harrow, your stories

Harrow welcomes The Queen

Harrow’s oldest Neighbourhood Champion 98-year-old Harry Fridkin welcomes the Queen.

Hundreds of you lined the streets to welcome the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh to Harrow when they visited the borough to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee. The royal visit to Harrow, organised by Harrow Council, was one of just a handful selected by the Palace. Buckingham Palace chose Harrow and the Kristna Avanti School in Edgware as the location following a submission by the council last year. In keeping with our aim to make the visit a truly community event, there was music and dance performances from residents, as well as a special photographic exhibition called ‘60 Faces of Harrow’. The exhibition by council photographer, Dermot Carlin features pictures of residents who help to make up the diversity of the borough. It was also important to the council that residents not directly involved with the 12

Your Harrow, your stories

event inside the school also got the chance to celebrate her visit. Residents lined the avenue outside of the school to cheer her arrival after it was sectioned off with barriers by the council’s traffic management team to aid public viewing. Specially commissioned big screens were erected outside to make sure everyone caught a glimpse of the event. People from across Harrow and further afield arrived hours before her estimated arrival time to take their place on the avenue. Teams from across the council worked with schools, community groups, dance troops, faith group representatives and Buckingham Palace to organise the March event.

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Residents cheer Th

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What the Queen saw: Dance Zone Srishti - Nina Rajarani Dance Creations, Camrose Primary School pupils and University of the Third Age mature students entertained the Royal Party with a special performance.

Tranquil Zone The Royal Party were treated to a classical Indian song performed by Year 1 pupils from Krishna Avanti Primary School.

Community Zone Performances from Grimsdyke Brass Band, Harrow Afro-Caribbean Society, Ignite Trust, Merrydowners Morris Dancers, Harrow Tamil Association, and Harrow Community Radio FM. They also met faith group representatives.

60 Faces Zone ‘60 Faces’ photographic exhibition which represents the lives of 60 people from the borough. Harrow Council photographer Dermot Carlin, created the exhibition and entertainment was provided by a string orchestra from Canons High School and Harrow Young Musicians.

Unaio Da Mocidade youth Sam

Harrow resident Rohan Samuel “It was a fantastic day. It was such a privilege to see the Queen in Harrow. I was there as part of the council’s 60 Faces exhibition and shook hands with Prince Philip. It was really nice.”

Royal visit facts • 2 ,000 hand flags were ordered by Harrow Council for residents to wave • C ouncil staff used more than 1,000 metres of bunting to decorate the streets.

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Pia Scott-Nair, 7, was winner of Harrow Council’s greeting card competition and so was chosen to meet the Queen. She said: “I had a great time when the Queen came to Harrow. I curtsied and gave her my picture. She was very kind and she listened carefully to what I had to say. She said that the picture I designed for her was splendid and told me she recognised herself in my picture too which made me very happy. I was really excited when I found out I had won the competition and was going to meet the Queen.”

Music Zone Guests were entertained by a performance of Gilbert and Sullivan and Harrow Diamond Jubilee Chorale performed by a massed choir of 160 performers from Harrow Community choirs, and pupils from local primary schools; Stag Lane Junior, Glebe Primary and Aylward Primary.

Farewell Zone Two children from Krishna Avanti School, Yogethaa Yogasingam and Damodar Swatantra and a pupil from Woodlands Special School, Kashvi Gorasiya presented a Spring posy to The Queen. The winner of the Harrow Observer children’s Diamond Jubilee card competition, Pia Scott-Nair, presented her winning card. See more photos of the royal visit on the Council’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/lbharrow

Your Harrow, your stories

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There are lots of other ways to get involved and make your voice heard... Councillors If you want to influence a local decision or have a problem with a council service, you should make your case to your local Councillor. Details of how to contact one of Harrow’s 63 Councillors can be found at www.harrow.gov.uk/councillors Complaints For guidance on making a complaint or commendation, or to influence a council policy or the way we deliver services, call 020 8863 5611 or visit www.harrow.gov.uk/ complaints

We want to hear your views

Petitions If you want the council to make or change a decision, collecting signatures on a petition to be presented at council meetings can demonstrate support for your case. All petitions receive a proper reply. Residents’ Panel A Harrow Residents’ Panel (of almost 1,200 representative members of the public) has been set up by the council to respond to surveys on a regular basis. If you would like to volunteer to be a Panel member, call 020 8424 1390 or email yourvoice@harrow.gov.uk

The council has a number of difficult decisions to make due to the challenging financial climate and we are committed to working with you, our residents, on making these choices.

Online Surveys The council runs a number of online surveys each year, dealing with a whole range of issues from highways to planning priorities. Details can be found at www.harrow. gov.uk/consultations Tenants’ and Residents’ Groups There are many Tenants’ and Residents’ Groups and Associations in Harrow who campaign about issues of local concern. To find out more, call the Federation of Tenants’ and Residents’ on 020 8420 9685.

Over the past two years we have actively tried to listen to you more, and have provided a number of ways for you to make your views known to us – through online surveys, residents’ panels, tenants and residents groups or petitions. We still want to hear what you think, so we will again be coming to you to ask for your views and asking you to help shape the council’s policy over the coming years. Ways to get involved A library consultation is taking place right now and we want to hear from you. You can get involved right away by telling us what you think. The council is proposing to change the way you experience libraries in the borough and would like you to have your say. We need to find out how you use the libraries, what you think about them and your thoughts on some of the ideas the council has for how the library service is developed in the future.

You can have your say by visiting www.harrow.gov.uk/consultations and completing the online survey by 31 May or you can attend a consultation

roadshow. You can also take part in other upcoming consultations including changes to Council Tax legislation and health.

Roadshows

Time

Venue

Thursday, 17 May

2-4pm

Kenton Library, Kenton Lane, Harrow, HA3 8UJ

Thursday, 24 May

10am midday

Pinner Library, Marsh Road, Pinner, HA5 5NQ

Friday, 25 May

10am midday

Stanmore Library, 8 Stanmore Hill, Stanmore, HA7 3BQ

Wednesday, 30 May

5.30pm 7.30pm

Gayton Library, Garden House, 5 St John’s Road, Harrow, HA1 2EE Your Harrow, your stories

BOTHERED BY RATS AND MICE? Harrow Council provides a cost effective Pest Control service to residents and businesses. Most requests can be accommodated within 24 hours of payment. Our staff are fully trained to industry standards. Our charges are fixed and fully inclusive of materials. We provide a free pest identification service to all residents. Rats and Mice (includes up to 3 visits)................................£105.00 Wasps (colony killed but nest not removed).........................£65.00 Cockroaches (domestic) Gel bait (Min 2 visits required)....£125.00 Non domestic services are charged at an hourly rate........£120.00 Dead animal carcass collection............................................£50.00 Other pest treatment prices including bed bugs provided on application. Please enquire for details of our annual, bespoke maintance and treatment contracts. Any specific arrangements for private and social housing block treatments or schools can be accommodated. For Appointments and payments Tel 0208 901 2600 Prices subject to change, please enquire at time of booking. Credit/Debit cards accepted.

Neighbourhood Champions are volunteers whose role it is to inform the council about everyday street level nuisances such as litter, graffiti, fly-tipping and even defective street lamps that that they see in their own streets.

Krishna Tulsania, 29, (pictured) has been a Neighbourhood Champion for about 18 months and is no stranger to volunteering. She said: “As well as being a Neighbourhood Champion I also work with MIND in Harrow as a helpline advisor, helping people who have been experiencing mental health issues to get support. I work closely with a Muscular Dystrophy charity and have been campaigning against disability hate crime which I personally have been a victim of, and I work as a volunteer with Age UK, befriending a lady with Alzheimers. “Despite all this I still find time to be a Neighbourhood Champion as it’s very easy to fit this around everything else. “Whenever I’m out walking with my mum I keep an eye out for any problems that need reporting and post leaflets through doors. So basically I’ll do it while I’m out.”

She says: “I’m very proud of where I live and like working in my community. I know this is a great help to people. I’m disabled myself and had always thought it would be good to have a point of contact for reassurance. “So it’s good that I can now knock on the doors of my neighbours to give them details of help they can get from the council, avoiding burglaries and being vigilant. I can also report any incidents directly to the council. “I’m finding this experience inspiring and rewarding and I’m learning something new every day. “Anything you can do to make a difference to society or your community is worth it.”

- Street cleaning - Broken street lights - Fly-tipping - Graffiti - Abandoned vehicles - Noise nuisance - Petty vandalism - General anti-social behaviour Although the council and Police spend a great deal of time on street cleaning, street nuisance issues and anti-social behaviour, the reality is, they can’t be everywhere all of the time to identify all problems. If the community get involved and help look out for these kind of issues, then more things can be fixed, cleaned up, put right and improved within the borough.

Sign up to be a Neighbourhood Champion! If you want to get involved and become a Neighbourhood Champion email neighbourhoodchampions@ harrow.gov.uk or call 020 8901 2666.

Your Harrow, your stories

Pics: Deborah Harvey

‘Everyone can make a difference’

The main role of a Champion is to communicate with the council on issues such as:

Youth s r m ma tte rs e t a t rs m

Welcome to our new Youth Matters page, where local young people have their say on issues that concern them, and help you find ways you can make a difference.To contribute to this page email hannah.nathanson23@gmail.com

The day I met the Queen by Ladan Dirie It’s not every day that you get to meet the Head of State. On the 29th March I was given the opportunity to meet Her Majesty The Queen on her official Diamond Jubilee trip to Harrow, held at the Krishna Avanti Hindu School in Edgware. The guests were truly reflective of the diversity in Harrow and the wealth of talent that we have in the borough was on display as performances were given from dance groups, choirs and orchestras. Members of Harrow Youth Parliament

Your Say Ellie Tauben, 17, is an A level student at Hatch End Sixth Form and is a member of Harrow Young Musicians. In this edition she gives us her thoughts on the Government’s new Bursary Fund* for young people. What one change would you like to see implemented in Harrow? “I’d like to see changes to the way the new Bursary Fund is handled. It is extremely hard to appeal if you weren’t allocated the fund. The responsibility, which used to be in the hands of central Government, was pushed onto schools too quickly - the evidence for this being that many people didn’t receive their money for the first few months of the fund’s implementation, so they struggled

until the money did finally come through. “I feel that I should be receiving the Bursary Fund, but I’m discouraged from appealing because I feel there is little hope of success. I think that free school meals shouldn’t be used to decide the allocation of the Bursary. I personally couldn’t afford some of my school textbooks for the first few months of this school year, but because I wasn’t on free school meals, I wasn’t entitled to any help.” “Realistically, if you’re given the choice between making sure that your child has something to eat for lunch and making sure they have their textbooks, you’ll obviously choose to feed them. Therefore, I’m sure many other people have been affected. For more information on applying for Bursary Fund and details on eligibility, contact your school.

* The Bursary Fund is a government grant for students between 16 and 19. In Harrow the money is being given to students on free school meals.

To join Harrow Youth Parliament call 020 8424 1832. To volunteer to help with the Free Cakes for Kids go to www.freecakesforkids.org.uk For tips on getting more involved go to www.harrow.gov.uk/howto

From the layout of the venue to the food, every detail was quintessentially British, as cucumber sandwiches and tea were served. Upon their arrival the air was charged with excitement, I even witnessed some of the guests crying with joy! The moment I met the Queen was quite a surreal one, she asked me about Harrow Youth Parliament. Although this will be a memory I am not likely to forget I’m still a republican at heart.

Why volunteering is the answer by Hannah Nathanson One of the main issues for young people is that employers often look for experienced candidates; this makes it almost impossible for us to break into the world of work. There is a way round this though and that is through volunteering. This will not only show the company that you have both dedication and initiative but it will give you the experience you need. Community projects are also well respected and Harrow Council is currently running a ‘how to’ campaign which aims to encourage people to get more involved. In support of this, Harrow Youth Parliament has started to work with Free Cakes for Kids which is an organisation that aims to provide birthday cakes for young people whose families cannot provide for them. We intend to raise an army of young cooks who will help support children across the borough. Your Harrow, your stories

Dear Harrow resident,

Dear Harr

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.

This month we visited Harrow Town Centre to ask some of our residents for their questions. Derek Guojh

Ellen Dunford

I am concerned about the lack of lifts at Harrow-on-the-Hill Station. There are only stairs there. Why didn’t Harrow Council stipulate that as an essential part of the original development before giving planning permission for that building? Is the council now looking at contributing towards some sort of access to the station?

The green and the blue bins alternate every two weeks, I don’t think that’s enough, I want to go back to weekly collections, I preferred that because our brown, recycled food bin is never ever full and our other bin is always overflowing, so it’s about changing the frequency and getting them back to weekly like they used to be.

We understand your concern, but just to clarify Harrow Council was not responsible for the design or approval of the station which was built in 1938. Unfortunately, since then a project that would have put new lifts into the station was cancelled by Transport for London in 2009. However, the council - through our Heart of Harrow Action Plan - is working with TfL and the Mayor of London’s office to try and find new funding to improve access to the station, alongside improvements to the bus station. New developments in the town will also play an important part in helping to make this a reality.

We look forward to hearing from you. Contact us today on: Tel: 020 8424 7504 Email: angela.hart@harrow.gov.uk Write: Harrow People, Communications Unit, PO Box 21, Civic Centre, Station Road, Harrow, HA1 2XF Derek Guojh

Your Harrow, your stories

The current bin collection frequency has been in place for six years in Harrow. As a result, half of the waste in this borough is recycled - one of the best recycling rates in London. We collect the Brown Bin weekly because it contains food waste and leaving it for two weeks could result in problems with smells and flies. For most people the fortnightly collection of the blue and green bins is adequate provided they recycle correctly. We do keep this under review but, at the moment, we do not believe that there is a need to introduce any change. Reintroducing weekly collections would cost over £2m a year extra - something which we simply can’t afford in the current financial climate. Where people genuinely can’t last two weeks there is the option to buy an additional bin. Once purchased, collections are free. To apply for an extra bin go to www.harrow.gov.uk and click on Waste and Recycling.

Ellen Dunford

row

Letters Brian Girling and their families.

Julia Enverova, 6

The new ‘improved’ Station Road has been with us for a while now so how does it look? Not good, I’m afraid! A few puny saplings try to soften the harsh environment created out of a once attractive street, but the dreary expanses of grey paving already show the stains of every nasty thing to fall on it with the result the street looks dirty all the time.

Why isn’t there more to do for children in the area?

The old darker, warmer toned brick paving hid the worst of this as it still does in St Ann’s Road which, mercifully remains un-‘improved’.

Julia Enverova

Ailish Fox, 15 There should be more things for young people to do in Harrow. We need more youth clubs as there are a lot of young people on the streets with nothing to do.

We welcome the return of the ‘Katy’ statue but what on earth are the hideous coffin-shaped lumps scattered all about? Seats? If so, why not proper ones rather than this rubbish! We read with alarm of further ‘improvements’. May we please hope that these will be done with some understanding of what makes a user friendly and welcoming environment and what doesn’t. St Ann’s Road works and is a delight. Don’t ruin this too!

The council has been working hard to improve the attractiveness of the Town Centre, this has included public realm improvements and the staging of a number of well received events in the area. These include the Food and Dance festival, held in March. The Station Road improvements have been welcomed by many residents and once mature the trees that have been planted will transform the feel of Station Road. The seating by Katie’s statue is widely used and was designed by award winning architects. The paving was chosen because it contains a resin to prevent stains soaking into the paving. Those stains will then lay on the surface and can be removed by the type of deep clean that was carried out in March.

Ailish Fox

Wealdstone Youth Centre is a drop-in centre which is open six days a week, from morning until late evening, and offers a wide variety of activities for young people to get involved in. Also we have just about to open the new Cedars Youth and Community Centre in Harrow Weald, to be run by Watford Football Club and Harrow Council, see page 10. The impressive sport and leisure centre replaces the Cedars Youth Centre in Chicheley Gardens and will provide a variety of opportunities for local young people

Liliana Solda My name is Lilly and I live in Pinner. I would like to ask the road safety team to design a zebra crossing or allocate a lollypop lady on the roundabout between Eastcote Road

and Marsh Road. At school pick up time (3.30pm) I find myself and my daughter waiting sometimes for several minutes with a crowd of other parents and children just to cross the road between the two sides of the Eastcote Road. On that spot at that time of the afternoon many parents and children of three different primary schools (West Lodge, Reddiford and Saint John Fisher) are making their way home. I think that the safety of many children is at risk, as even I am afraid of getting run over. In this day and age where many schools promote walking to and from school, priority should be given to the pedestrian and not the vehicles.

Many thanks for your letter. You are right it is a busy road and we would suggest not to attempt to cross it at the roundabout. The quickest and most direct route is very often not the safest. There are traffic islands and a zebra crossing available just a short walk away and we would suggest taking a little time to walk to these facilities that are all ready in place. We appreciate that there may be a ‘natural crossing point’ at the roundabout but it is almost impossible to provide any crossing facility at such a location as it would be too dangerous. That is why they have been designed and installed at a safe distance from this junction. Even a school crossing patroller would be placed in a very dangerous position if they were to be located on the roundabout. The first rule of crossing a road is to find a safe place to cross. Parked vehicles, junctions and roundabouts should be avoided if possible especially if crossing with small children at busy school times. The road safety team at Harrow regularly work with all children at the schools in Pinner in an attempt to educate them and keep them safe on the roads. Children are encouraged to walk to school and gain experience in crossing busy roads with their parents. This will make them confident and experienced pedestrians when they are allowed to walk home on their own, so keep up the good work.

Your Harrow, your stories

Advertising feature

Supporting breastfeeding Q:

What help is there on breastfeeding in Harrow?

We have lots of support for breastfeeding mothers in Harrow. There are nine weekly breastfeeding groups in total. Groups run from Monday through to Friday and are in different areas of the borough. Trained breastfeeding peer supporters are available to offer support at all of the groups. The peer supporters have wide and varied experiences of breastfeeding such as breastfeeding twins or premature babies for example and many of our peer supporters speak other languages such as Arabic, Gujarati and Hindi. There is also information on the groups, upcoming events and answers to some of the most common breastfeeding questions on the website http://breastfeedinginharrow.org and you can join Breastfeeding in Harrow on Facebook and twitter! Some of our peer supporters also volunteer on the Neo-natal Unit at Northwick Park Hospital offering support to mothers of sick or premature babies. Some peer supporters volunteer on the post-natal ward offering support to mothers of new born babies who are sometimes only hours old. In September 2011, we launched the Breastfeeding in Harrow helpline on 075 3031 0060. Mothers, family members or health professionals can ring and leave a message for the breastfeeding co-ordinators who will ring back and offer support and information. Some mothers who have been discharged from hospital require support but are unable to go to a breastfeeding group. The breastfeeding co-ordinator can arrange for a peer supporter to visit the mother at home.

I’m having my first baby and I’m a bit nervous. How can I make sure breastfeeding gets off to a good start?

You can speak to your midwife about breastfeeding, who can direct you to your nearest Breastfeeding Café in Harrow and antenatal class. Immediately after your baby is born you can start skin to skin; place your baby on your tummy within reach of your breasts. The baby may feed minutes after birth! Ask for support from your midwife or health visitor and go back to the breastfeeding group – hopefully you will have already been and know the peer supporters there!

I’m expecting twins will I have enough milk to breastfeed them ?

Multiple births are common and many mothers breastfeed twins and triplets. The key is support from the beginning to get a good technique and get the babies feeding efficiently. Once established,

breastfeeding twins is very straightforward. The breasts receive twice the stimulation so produce twice the milk. It’s a simple case of demand and supply. Many mothers learn to feed the two babies together, rather than one baby at a time, which can initially be challenging but comes with practice. Kathryn Stagg is the twin breastfeeding peer supporter and does home visits to twin or triplet mothers. She also helps run Harrow Twins Club www.harrowtwinsclub.co.uk who meet on Mondays 1:30-3pm at The Wealdstone Centre. There is also now a Multiple Birth antenatal session at Northwick Park hospital every two months. You can contact Kathryn on 07719312795 for further information and support.

It was suggested that I go to a breastfeeding support group while I am still pregnant. Is there any point in doing this?

It can be really useful to go to a breastfeeding group before you have your baby. You will be able to meet other mothers, see them breastfeeding and talk to them about their experiences. You will also meet some of the breastfeeding peer supporters who volunteer at the breastfeeding groups and will be available to support you once your baby arrives. You will be able to ask any questions you have. You can also find out how to get breastfeeding off to a good start when your baby arrives and how your choices when you go into labour may affect how your baby breastfeeds in his first few hours of life.

How long can I breastfeed for?

For as long as you and your baby are happy to! The World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding (without any water, formula, tea or solid food) for 6 months and that breastfeeding should continue for 2 years and beyond. Breast milk continues to be important to grow and develop your baby well into toddlerhood.

Does my baby need extra water in the summer months?

If your baby is under 6 months and exclusively breastfed then they do not need any water when the weather is warm. Your body will adapt and produce milk with extra water for your baby. You may find that in warmer months your baby asks to feed more often, this is so they can take the more watery milk from you, let them feed whenever they ask. If you supplement your baby with solid food and or formula then you will need to give them water every day, and possible a little more in the summer months.

The Golden Number for new contacts and referrals is:

Between 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday On weekends, bank holidays and between 5pm-9am weekdays, the emergency duty team social worker can still be contacted on 020 8424 0999 for emergency assistance. Alternatively visit the Harrow Council website www.harrow.gov.uk/childrensservices. You can also contact your existing case worker on their direct dial number.

Other ways we can help: • J ob’s fair – Harrow Council has held five job fairs in the last year, helping residents into work and training. The next fair is on 25 May with additional fairs planned for later this year. Keep an eye on our website www.harrow.gov.uk or call 020 8416 8959 for more information. • T he ‘Xcite’ programme continues to run CV workshops, help with interviews and jobsearching. Harrow graduates can also apply to join a work experience scheme for graduates on Job Seekers Allowance. The scheme offers in house training and a work placement for 5 -10 weeks within council departments or with partner organisations. For more details, call 020 8736 6538. Applicants must be in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance.

Help in tough times Times are tough for Harrow residents with finances tighter than ever for some families. But there are many services, advice centres and schemes currently available in Harrow to help residents through this period. Here are some of them: You can join M4Money if you work or live in the borough. M4Money, Harrow’s credit union, helps you to save and borrow safely. It offers free loan protection, life savings insurance, and a range of different savings accounts including a Cash ISA for members, with a projected 3.5% interest. Savings are fully protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Contact 020 8756 3866 or www. creditunionsolutions.co.uk for more information. Targeted help for Harrow tenants and leaseholders is also available. Recently

the housing team held a Financial Awareness roadshow to promote money management and debt advice. The event was held at a local school in Harrow Weald and featured stallholders from the Citizen Advice Bureau, housing benefit, housing associations, Harrow Credit Union and Harrow Council’s rent team. Advice for tenants on managing finances or for those struggling to pay their rent is always available on 020 8424 1125. Harrow Council has also put together useful money and budgeting tips which can be found by visiting www.harrow.gov.uk/help

• R eed in Partnership offers employment support to families seeking to get back into work. For more information on all these schemes, call 020 8416 8959.

Top tips for looking after your finances by local finance guru, Dipesh Shah

Make a list of all your incomings and outgoings. Do not hide from the reality of bills turning up at your doorstep. Look to consolidate any debts to a lower interest rate and talk to your lender at the earliest opportunity if you are having any financial troubles.

Try to save 10% of your net monthly household income. In these tough times this is not always possible but putting money to one side should be a priority for all households and businesses, regardless of how small the amount may be.

Think about protecting your health and income, eg life insurance, critical illness cover, income protection, but seek advice to make sure you are not paying too much. Dipesh Shah is from Oakdale Financial Services, Harrow www.oakdalefinancialservices.co.uk Your Harrow, your stories

would If you r listings ou like y ded on this u l inc e, email pag .hart@ a angelw.gov.uk o r har

your essential guide to your area Roxeth Show 2012 - Sat 14th & Sun 15th July With the usual mix of fun fair, charity, local community and trade stalls, along with a lively programme of entertainment, this year is shaping up to be better than ever! The show is open from 11am to 5pm on both days. Pitcairn’s Path, Eastcote Road, South Harrow, HA2 8LG Free admission to the public. The HA2CANDO Children’s Carnival is returning to the show on Saturday and the Fun Dog Show is also returning on the Sunday and with all of the familiar and well loved classes, such as Best Rescue Dog, Fastest Bonio Eater, Cutest Puppy and Waggiest Tail amongst others. Email: info@roxethshow Harrow Open Studios 5th Annual Event Over two weekends in June, a diverse collection of 25 artists open their studios and freely invite members of the public to see a wide range of art, and meet the artists themselves. These weekends will be preceded by a taster exhibition at West House, showcasing a selection of work over the Queen’s Jubilee weekend. This also gives visitors a chance to sample what individual members have to offer and to plan their Open Studios trail for the following weekends. Visit www.harrowopenstudios.com Taster Exhibition, 2nd and 3rd June, at West House, Pinner, HA5 1AE. Saturday 9th June to Monday 11th June, 11am to 6pm. Saturday 17th June and Sunday 18th June, 11am to 6pm. Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration Party Saturday 2nd June 2012, 2.30pm. Harrow Asian Deaf Club will host a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration on Saturday 2nd June 2012 at Bentley Day 26

Your Harrow, your stories

Centre, 94 Uxbridge Road, Harrow, HA3 6DH. Royal fancy dress theme. Family fun day for all, including BBQ and cold buffet, face painting, bouncy castle, some party games/ activities for children and adults. Everyone is welcome including deaf/ hearing people. Tickets for over 16yrs £5. Children (15 & under) are free. Book your place by emailing hadc@hotmail.co.uk Harrow Recreation Ground Users Association (HRUA) Sunday June 3rd: Big Picnic in the Park with music to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee. Sunday July 1st: Music in the Park Sunday July 15th: Arts & Music Festival in the Park Sunday 12th August: Jazz in the Park Sunday 26th August: Fun Day. Call Jane Galbraith (Publicity Secretary), on 020 8863 6549 or email jane@stats.ucl.ac.uk Visit www.hrua.co.uk for more info. Harrow Gateway A charity providing leisure services for people with learning disabilities, providing social events, sports activities, clubs nights, outings and trips for people with learning disabilities. Call 020 8248 1867 or 07815 853529 (Steven Fifer – Chairman) for programme of regular events. Email: Sylvia. parsons@btinternet.com or stevefifer@hotmail.com Visit www.harrowgateway.co.uk Kenton Methodist Church Kenton Methodist Church is celebrating 85 years of worship in Kenton by holding a flower festival supporting St Luke’s Hospice. It will take place on the following dates: Friday 29th June 10am – 8pm Saturday 30th at 10am – 5.30pm Sunday 1st July 12.30pm – 4pm. All are welcome! For more information please contact Ivy Flemmings 020 8204 3170 or Vivien Buckland 020 8907 3924. Kenton Methodist Church, Woodgrange Avenue, HA3 0XF. Colin Stone Come and enjoy the fine concerts presented by

lifelong Harrow resident and international concert pianist Colin Stone at St Mary’s Church and other Harrow venues. Tickets from as little as £7.50, including programme and interval drink. Under 18s come free of charge. For further information, call 020 8422 3119 or visit the website: www.musicatstmarys.co.uk There will be eight concerts this year, including: Sunday 27th May at 4pm, Harrow School’s Speech Room: Sensational 15 year old Aristo Sham plays piano music by Bach, Beethoven and Ravel. Saturday 16th June at 7.30pm, St Mary’s Church: Philip Gammon plays Bach’s Goldberg Variations. Saturday 30th June at 7.30pm, St Mary’s Church: Mina Miletic (piano) & Dimitar Burov (violin) play music by Beethoven, Schubert & Stravinsky. Theatre The Hillplayers are proud to present this summer “Office Suite” by Alan Bennett. A pair of one-act plays in which Bennett explores our attitude to work. In the first, Green Forms, two office workers, Doris and Doreen, while away their time engaged in petty squabbles and well-practised work avoidance, until some unusual paperwork suggests they may be at risk of redundancy. In the second, A Visit From Miss Prothero, recently retired Mr Dodsworth thinks he is enjoying a well-earned retirement, until the eponymous Miss Prothero tells him of the radical changes enacted in the office since his departure. Performing at The Travellers Studio, Harrow Arts Centre, 171 Uxbridge Road, Hatch End, HA5 4EA. on Thurs 5th July at 7.30pm, Fri 6th July at 7.30pm and Sat 7th July at 3pm and 7.30pm. Tickets are £10 for adults and £8 concessions (senior citizens and u/16 yrs). Tickets can be purchased online www.hillplayers. ticketsource.co.uk or box office 0844 3579153.Call Maggie on

07908 122859 for further details. Bowls club Harrow Bowls Club at Harrow Recreation Ground, HA1 1RR, are looking for new players/ members to join the club, beginners welcome. First day of the summer season will be 30th April. Anyone interested should contact Jim or Mary on 020 8424 2140 for details. Lupton Bowling Club welcomes new members old or young to our club. Training will be given free of charge. Contact Lupton Bowls Club, Arnold House Activity Centre, Donnefield Avenue, Canons Park, HA8 6RH. Telephone: 01442 392480. Kids classes Creative Fun Factory (Harrow branch). Call Teresa on: 020 8427 9797. Email: teresa@ creativefunfactory.co.uk Fun and music classes with Cheeky Monkey. Very popular fun and music classes for children aged 13months 4years in Harrow area. Mondays Pinner Village Hall HA5 1AA, 9.45am-10.30am and 11.00am-11.45am. Tuesdays St Luke Church Hall Pinner HA5 3EX, 1.15pm-2pm. Fridays St Peters Church Hall West Harrow HA1 4BX, 9.45am10.30am. £6 child or £8 family. Reservation required. Headstone Lane Club Community Centre in Augustine Road, Harrow Weald. Coffee Morning on Monday 9.3011am (Free). Keep Fit on Tuesday 10-11am (small fee). Bingo on Wednesday 2-4pm (small fee. Bingo on Thursday 2-4pm (small fee). For more information on these activities call Kim on 07780 760389. Style workshop A workshop to help you find your personal style - which colours, schemes, moods suits you and your home. Location: Studio Kiran Singh Duration: 2 hours Price: £15 Book your place by sending an email to info@myuniquehome.

what’s

happening in harrow your own medal for True Arts Heroes, just like Hercules! Suitable for children of all ages and their carers.

Relay For Life

co.uk Drama classes with professional theatre company Reading Between the Lines Theatre Company run drama classes for children of all age groups at Harrow Arts Centre. Concentrating on building self-confidence, acting, public speaking, elocution and improvisation in a really fun environment, the professional working actors ensure that your child has a wonderful hour every week. Free trial session then £6 p/h thereafter. For more information, please contact Dani on 07919 445939 or email info@readingbetweenthelines. co.uk Reading Between the Lines Theatre Company, 33 Reading Rd, Woodley, Reading, RG5 3DA. Telephone: 07834 235620 / 07919 445939 www. readingbetweenthelines.co.uk Relay For Life An amazing community experience in aid of Cancer Research celebrating life, hope and cure. Bannister Sport Stadium from September 8th at 12 noon until 9am the following day. If you have been touched by cancer, know someone who has or would just like to do something amazing then now is your chance – registration for the 2012 Relay in Harrow has just opened. All the details you need can be found on the website www.rfl-harrow.org.uk or call 07872 344874. ACTIVATE Kids & Teens (HA1) A weekly programme of lively games, creativity, and socialising. With an emphasis on making friends, and getting

out into the fresh air as much as possible. Tues 6.30 – 8pm (6-9yrs : 9-13yrs : 13-16yrs) John 020 8428 2409. Summer Reading Challenge Libraries all over Harrow are welcoming children of all ages to take part in the Summer Reading Challenge during 2012. Children and young people are invited to read six books over the course of the summer holiday. They join at their local library and a summer reading challenge pack gets them started. There are stickers and rewards to collect along the way, with a certificate and often a medal, if they read six books. Check online at www. harrow.gov.uk/libraries

Harrow Arts Centre www.harrowarts.com Singin in the Rain Sing Out! On Saturday 27 May, 8pm. Price: £8/ £6 concessions. Bring along your raincoats and umbrellas and join us for a truly fabulous experience! Hosted by the inimitable Harvey H Hendricks. Song sheets will be provided. Tea Dance Sunday 27 May 2pm, Dance, £5. For beginners and experienced dancers alike, the Tea Dance is hosted by Terry and Rita from Terry’s Dance Music, playing a wide selection of ballroom, popular sequence dance and Latin music. This is a great social occasion so feel free to come along with friends to dance, or just to enjoy the

atmosphere. Airplay Saturday 2 June, 8pm, £3. A live music club night where you get to hear the hottest unsigned bands and artists around with an open mic at the start of the night!Our summer Airplay is all about singer songwriters, with some of the great emerging talents on show. Featuring the amazing Joe Jury, Adam Stone, and Wolf Council. Muppets Pirate Treasure Shop Wednesday 6 June, 10am & 1pm, £5 per child inc. adult or £3 with film ticket. Ahoy me hearties! Before going to hunt for treasure with the Muppets in the Studio, why not stop by and pillage some pieces of eight? In honour of the Diamond Jubilee, we’ll be making crowns and jewels fit for Kings, Queens and Long John Silver! Muppets Treasure Island Wednesday 6 June, 11am, £5 per child inc. adult or £3 with film ticket. Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale of a young orphan who becomes involved with pirate Long John Silver is given the Muppet treatment in this vibrant children’s musical from Disney. With treasure maps, swordfights and fantastic songs it’ll be yo ho ho all the way! Olympic Arts Workshop Thursday 7 June, 10am & 1pm, £5 per child inc. adult or £3 with film ticket. On your marks, get set, draw! Inspired by London 2012, you can enter our arts games specially designed for children and adults to play together, and take away

Hercules Wednesday 6 June, 10am & 1pm, £3, Disney’s animated feature tells the story of Hercules, son of the Greek God Zeus. When he is stripped of his immortality by evil Hades, Hercules is told by his father that he must become a True Hero in order to return to Mount Olympus. With the help of his friend Pegasus, he battles monsters, Hades and the Titans but becomes a True Hero when he rescues his love Meg.

! IN W

Win an iPad 2! Rate your favourite shop, restaurant, hair salon or bar online now for a chance to win an amazing iPad 2! Visit: www.harrow. towntalk.co.uk for your chance to win.Runner up prize of £100 restaurant voucher for Friends restaurant. Competition closes on Friday 15th June.

Your Harrow, your stories

News and advice from NHS Harrow Andrew Howe, Harrow’s Director Ask the Doctor Ask of Public Health, questions about Diabetes

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a long-term health condition is a in which a person has high blood glucose, either because the body does not produce enough of a hormone called insulin, or because cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced. Diabetes is a serious health condition because it can lead to complications including heart attacks, strokes, blindness, amputation and kidney failure. These complications are reduced if it is identified early and managed well. There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is less common and often develops in childhood and adolescence. Type 2 diabetes is much more common, is linked to being overweight or obese, and usually develops in adulthood. In Harrow, we are particularly concerned about diabetes because we have one of the highest rates in the country. One of the reasons for this is that some ethnic groups are at higher risk of diabetes. This is particularly important in the South Asian population. Although we have a much higher proportion of people with diabetes, Harrow GPs manage diabetes very well and we one of the lowest rates of complications in the country.

How do I know if I have diabetes?

The early symptoms of diabetes include feeling very thirsty, going to the toilet a lot (especially at night), weight loss, and feeling tired all the time. If you have any of these symptoms you should go and see your GP. Many people with the early stages of diabetes do not, however, have any symptoms at all, and they may only be diagnosed with the condition if they have a blood test taken by their GP.

Is there any way I can reduce my chance of getting diabetes?

Yes. Type 2 diabetes is linked to being overweight or obese so if you are overweight you can reduce your chance of getting diabetes by losing weight through taking regular exercise and eating a healthy balanced diet. You can discuss ways to lose weight with your GP.

I have just been diagnosed with diabetes, what can I do to stay healthy?

There are a number of things that you can do to stay healthy and help you live a full and active life. Firstly, attend regular check-ups at your GP surgery to review your diabetes. Secondly, eat a healthy, balanced diet, rich in fruit and vegetables and low in fats and oils like butter, and ghee. Thirdly, it is important to take regular exercise. You can increase the amount of exercise you take by doing simple things like walking to the shops instead of driving, or using the stairs instead of the lift at work. Finally, if you are a smoker, you can make a big difference to your health by giving up smoking. NHS Harrow’s Stop Smoking Service can help you quit smoking and you can contact them on 020 8966 1008.

Apart from my GP are there any other local services that can help me to manage my diabetes?

Yes, if you have Type 2 diabetes, Harrow’s X-PERT programme could help you. The programme is a 6 week group-based diabetes education course which can empower you to improve your diabetes control and quality of life. Harrow’s X-PERT programme was recently commended at a national awards ceremony. For people with Type 1 diabetes, similar support is available from the DAFNE programme. To find out more about the X-PERT or DAFNE programmes you can phone 020 31828310.

Where can I get more information about diabetes?

The following websites provide useful information about diabetes. • Diabetes UK – www.diabetes.org.uk • NHS choices - www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Diabetes Harrow also has a number of trained Diabetes Champions who can attend community events to provide information on prevention and management of diabetes. The Diabetes Champions come from a variety of different cultural backgrounds, and speak many of the languages spoken by Harrow’s diverse population. To arrange for a Diabetes Champion to talk to your community, please contact Abubacker Buhary on 0208 9661098.

Got a health question? Email doctor@harrowpct.nhs.uk 28

Your Harrow, your stories

harrow’s heritage

Famous Harrow events and people Pinner Fair is traditionally held on the Wednesday after the Spring Bank Holiday. Protected by a Royal Charter from King Edward III in May 1336, the Lord of the Manor of Harrow was allowed to hold a market every week and a larger market or Fair on five days in the year. The Fair is held on Pinner High Street and Bridge Street. It was set up for the sale of animals and other wares, but it is now a funfair and it is estimated that around 40,000 people visit each year. It is the only street fair left in Middlesex as most of the others were banned after an Act of Parliament was passed in 1871 which allowed the authorities to ban their presence if they thought that they would cause a nuisance to the area.

Harrow through the ages

Roger Bannister who is from Harrow, is an English former athlete best known for being the first person to run the first mile in less than four minutes.

While we have just welcomed Her Majesty The Queen to Harrow and are celebrating all things traditional, this issue Martin Verden, chair of Harrow Heritage Trust, takes a look at Harrow’s rich and diverse heritage and tells residents about important landmarks in Harrow’s history:

Horatia Nelson was the illegitimate daughter of Emma Hamilton and Lord Admiral Nelson. She is buried in Pinner and until recently her tombstone read that she was Goddaughter of Lord Nelson. Fifteen years ago, it was changed to read “daughter”.

“I think that there are three elements which are very important to the heritage of Harrow. They are the built environment, the natural environment, and the people of Harrow themselves. Headstone Manor is the earliest surviving timber framed building in Middlesex and has been described as ‘one of the most interesting domestic complexes in the whole country’. It used to belong to Wulfred, Archbishop of Canterbury, in 825AD and is home to the only surviving filled moat in Middlesex. Bentley Priory is another really lovely place to visit and many people continue to enjoy the grounds for walking. I would urge all Harrow residents to visit the grounds. It was a non-flying

Other notable Harrovians include singer Peter Andre, singer songwriter Sir Elton John, actress Barbara Windsor, astronomer Patrick Moore and comedian David Baddiel.

Royal Air Force station near Stanmore and was famous as the headquarters of Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain and the Second World War. Its grounds are currently home to many ancient oaks and land where deer feed. There is also West House, which was formerly home to the grandson of Lord Admiral Nelson and is currently the first permanent home for the works of eccentric cartoonist and former Pinner resident, William Heath Robinson. Visitors to the house should certainly go and take a look at that wonderful exhibition. I think these places in particular encompass all of those elements and are wonderful assets for Harrow.”

William Leefe Robinson

lived in Harrow and was the first British pilot to shoot down a German airship over Britain during the First World War. For this he was awarded the Victoria Cross and was the first person to be awarded the VC for action in the UK. He was buried at All Saints’ Churchyard Extension in Harrow Weald.

Harrow School was home to

Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of the UK, known for his leadership through the Second World War. Lord Byron, the British poet and leading figure in the Romantic Movement, also attended the school.

If you have any interesting historical stories about Harrow that you’d like to share email angela. hart@harrow.gov.uk

Your Harrow, your stories

DIMPLE Diabetes Improvement through Peer Led Education

Over 9,000 Harrow People have diabetes. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re one of them, find out how DIMPLE can help you to help yourself? Dimple Champions Our Dimple Champions will come along to your community group or place or worship to talk to you about diabetes. Find out how you can reduce your and your familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s risk of getting diabetes; what the signs and symptoms are so you can identify it early; and how to manage the condition if you already have it. Contact Abubacker Buharry on 020 8966 1098 for further information.

Dimple X-pert educators Our X-pert Educators work with the Diabetic Specialist Nurses. They run courses for people with diabetes to help them manage their diabetes better and reduce their risk of complications Contact your Diabetic Specialist Nurse at Caryl Thomas Clinic for a place on a course.

Dimple Mentors Dimple Mentors are the newest members of the team and are currently being trained. From autumn 2012, they will help individual people with diabetes to make the lifestyle changes they need to make to improve their health as a result of their diabetes.

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l i c n cou nefit

tax benging is

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Did you know that a new scheme will be replacing the existing Council Tax Benefit scheme in a year’s time? New legislation plans to end the current system of council tax benefit. If the Local Government Finance Bill becomes law, councils will be able to set up their own reduction schemes which should be in place by 31 January 2013 for the financial year starting on 1 April 2013. We don’t yet know exactly how the scheme is going to work as we are waiting for new laws to be passed, but the Government has told us: • T hey will give the Council less money to run the scheme; • T here will be no change for Pensioners – national rules will be put in place for vulnerable pensioners; • T he scheme should not discourage people from working; • C ouncils can decide on what to include in their new schemes. When will the new local scheme launch? The Government has set a date of 1 April 2013. This means all existing Council Tax Benefit claimants will move to the new scheme from this date. Any new claims from the 1 April 2013 will be worked out under the new scheme.

What does this mean for you? We don’t yet know all the effects of the changes, however, many current recipients of council tax benefit may have to pay more council tax in the future as a result of the cut in funding. Consultation The Council is committed to ensuring our residents are given the opportunity to have their say on changes to services. We will be asking for your views on shaping this new scheme to make sure our scheme is right for Harrow. We will be consulting with you over the summer and will let you have details of when and how you can get involved as soon as these arrangements have been made. We are planning to talk to you in as many ways as possible and this will include a telephone survey with a sample of residents, road-shows, workshops and discussion groups. We will also be consulting with various organisations such as voluntary groups to help us understand what is important to you. Are you on low income? If you are on a low income and need help with your Council Tax or rent, visit www.harrow.gov.uk/benefits for more information on how to apply.