UPdate
By George! Brent celebrates England’s day Brent Council is marking St George’s Day with events to find out more about English culture at its libraries. On 23 April archivist Malcolm Barres-Baker is giving an illustrated talk on King Henry V and the Battle of Agincourt, seen from both the British and French perspectives. He will be speaking from 11-12noon at Kingsbury Library Plus, 522524 Kingsbury Road, NW9
(call 020 8937 3520) and elevenses are also on offer.You can also join Malcolm for his talk and afternoon tea from 2.15-3.15pm at Willesden Green Library Centre, NW10, call 020 8937 3400. The library is also holding a story performance for children and familes from 5.45-7pm that day. On 24 April Brent Archives is having an open day. A display of medieval life and customs will be
open from 9-5pm, including the story of how St George became England’s patron saint in the Middle Ages. From 10-4pm there will be drop-in medieval cookery demonstrations in the Education Room of the library with food historian Monica Askay, giving you the chance to taste the food of medieval England, call 020 8937 3541 or visit www.brent.gov.uk/libraries for more.
Pupils point out Fairtrade Chalkhill Primary pupils sampled chocolate, cereals and orange juice to find out more about Fairtrade Fortnight. The Year 3 children discovered more about trade, how Third World producers can be paid a fair price for their produce, and which manufactured goods count as being Fairtrade products.
Tapping into new talent A 17-year-old is working for Brent Housing Partnership as a plumbing apprentice. Arron Qureshi has secured the post through the London Apprenticeship Scheme and is working for BHP contractor, Linbrooks, alongside qualified Arron and Steve
4
THE BRENT MAGAZINE
APRIL 2010
plumber Steve Howard. He said: “My father is a plumber; I wanted to follow in his footsteps.Young people should sign up to apprenticeships because you have more of a chance of being employed with hands-on experience, useful skills and a qualification as well.” Visit www.london apprenticeship.co.uk or call 020 7963 8548.
New advice service for Harlesden A financial advice service has been set up by Community Church Harlesden for local residents. Harlesden Money Advice is run by church members, who have been trained to give advice, and will look at bill payments, debts, credit card costs, and any other worries. The service has offices in Harlesden, call 0800 612 7163 for free confidential advice.
Francis Kabia Francis Kabia
Francis makes award final Brent Housing Partnership warden Francis Kabia has been nominated for an award along with the Neighbourhood Warden Service. They are short-listed for the 2010 Housing Heroes Awards, which celebrate good work in the social housing sector. Francis is up for Inspirational Colleague of the Year, and the service is in the Frontline Housing Team of the Year award category. Brent Housing Partnership’s warden service won the same category at the awards last year.
Locata moves online only
The final edition of ‘Locata Home’ as a printed magazine will be published on 21 May after which it will be produced electronically. The free magazine, which is used by residents to bid for social housing properties in six west London boroughs, will be available online at www.locata.org.uk and users will be able to bid online. For those who do not have a home computer, Brent Council’s libraries offer computer access. Email locataproject@brent.gov.uk for more.