The Brent Magazine issue 122 April 2012

ISSUE NO.122

FREE FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE AND WORK IN BRENT

What the Dickens?

Join Angie Le Mar for comedy and literature in Brent’s libraries

Get set… GO! Brent gears up for the Games

PUBLISHED BY BRENT COUNCIL

APRIL 2012

Contents Features

12 15 18 19 21 22

Residents get first look at new centre

Take note and vote!

Welcome to the April issue of the Brent Magazine

All you need to know about the elections

Dickensian celebrations Comedy and literary events at Brent libraries

St. Gregory’s - building on success Brent school gets £1.3 million sixth form

Join the CUBE A safer way to save or borrow money

Gearing up for the Games Brent prepares to host Olympic Games

Regulars

4 9 11 25 27 30

18

Plans for new cultural centre unveiled

22 12

Update Brent people All in a day’s work Secret history Competitions Time out

Issue No. 122 April 2012 BDU 6602 3.12 The Brent Magazine contacts Distribution queries and editorial 020 8937 1062 tbm@brent.gov.uk Advertising 020 8937 1097 advertising@brent.gov.uk Published by the London Borough of Brent, Town Hall, Forty Lane, Wembley Middlesex.

Spring has sprung, and what better way to start off the season of all things new than with your latest copy of your favourite resident magazine.

And speaking of new, London will be deciding who will be Mayor at next month’s elections. Turn to page 15 to get the low down on how to cast your vote and what it will mean to you.

Exciting plans for the new Willesden Green Cultural Centre were unveiled last month at an exhibition at the current library.

Residents were invited to meet the council and developers to discuss the design and proposals. Flick to page 12 to view what the new state of the art building might look like.

And while we are on the subject of libraries, make sure you pop down to one this month as Brent is hosting a range of events to celebrate Charles Dickens 200th birthday and World Book Night.

Celebrations include; stand-up comedy from Angie Le Mar, arts and crafts and gruel tasting, turn to page 19 to find out what else is in store.

Until next time, Orla Sedze Editor, The Brent Magazine

25 The London Borough of Brent does not accept responsibility for any goods or services offered by advertisers. Publication of an advertisement does not imply recommendation by the council of goods or services advertised.

Printed on 100% recycled paper.

Please use your local paper bank when disposing of this and other paper.

One Stop Service 020 8937 1200 www.brent.gov.uk The Brent Magazine is available in large print and on audio tape.

Please ring 020 8937 1106 Cover image: Nicholas Liseiko

UPdate

£18 million sports centre redevelopment for Queen’s Park Queen’s Park residents could soon be receiving a new £18 million sports centre at no cost to the taxpayer.

Westminster Council has unveiled proposals to create a new improved sports centre by merging the existing Jubilee Sports Centre, which is located in Westminster, and Moberly Sports Centre in The Quadrant, Kilburn Lane on the border of Brent.

The redevelopment will be funded by the sale of developments at both sites.

Subject to planning permission, the new centre will include a new swimming pool, an eight-court sports hall, health and

Opportunity for dancers in Brent Dancers aged between 18 and 30 with at least two years’ experience can take part in an exciting new project fusing ballet with parkour, which is being offered by English National Ballet and Brent. www.brent.gov.uk/arts

fitness suite, exercise and dance studios, a multi-use gymnastics and martial arts area and new boxing provision.

Jubilee Sports Centre will remain open whilst the Moberly site is being redeveloped; Jubilee is expected to close in May 2014 and all users and activities will then move into the new Moberly centre.

Residents can find out more by attending a drop-in session at Moberly Sports Centre on 16 April from 12.30-2pm and 6.30-8pm. To feedback on the plans email newmoberly@westminster.gov.uk by 31 May 2012 or visit www.westminster.gov.uk/newmoberly

Kids are quiz masters

Author launches national reading challenge in Brent Women’s fiction writer Adele Parks launched this year’s national Six Book Challenge at Harlesden Library Plus.

The challenge encourages adults to read more, and Brent was chosen to launch this year’s campaign after excellent results in increasing adult reading skills. www.sixbookchallenge.org.uk Adele Parks (second from the right) meets readers at Harlesden Library Plus.

Pupils at Preston Park Primary won the area heats for the National Inter-School quiz Championships. More than 1,200 schools took part in the Quiz Club in February and these four clever kids will now go on to represent their school at the semi-finals competing against 11 other teams for a place at the national finals in July.

£25,000 in council tax prize draw Brent residents who pay their council tax by Direct Debit could win £25,000 in a prize draw.

Residents have until 12 July this year to switch over to Direct Debit to be

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entered into the draw. Download your Direct Debit form at www.brent.gov.uk/counciltax or call 020 8937 1790.

UPdate

Business project pops up in Willesden A corner of Willesden Green Library Centre has been transformed into a hub for learning, entrepreneurship and training to nurture Brent’s future business people.

Library Lab offers free workshops, lectures and a pop-up learning space aimed at budding business minded people. So far classes have included website design, business marketing and taxes for the self-employed. Library Lab runs until July and is based in the old ground-floor café at the library centre. It is part of the New Windows on Willesden project – Brent Council’s vision to regenerate the High Road.

Visit www.thelibrarylab.com for a list of all the workshops going on in April.

Food growing and allotments – have your say

Wanted: Cycle leaders for Sky Ride events

Brent Council is consulting about its draft Food Growing and Allotments strategy until 31 May, offering residents the chance to shape future provision.

The draft strategy unites food growing and allotment provision in Brent under a single vision, set of objectives and action plan. There are 22 council owned allotment sites in the borough and

Do you enjoy cycling and working with people? Brent is looking to train cyclists to be cycle ride leaders to work on its British Cycling Sky Ride Program.

about 30 independent food growing spaces. The vision of the strategy is to provide a range of food growing opportunities accessible to all parts of the community and to promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle within a greener borough.

Call 020 8937 5619 email parks.services@brent.gov. uk or visit www.brent.co.uk/ consultation for more.

Brent will have a number of Sky Ride local rides throughout the summer to encourage people to cycle and get more active.

Call 020 8937 3707.

Day for older people Older residents are invited to the Elders’ Choice Awareness Day on 31 March which will offer advice and guidance on everything from fire prevention to diet and nutrition.

If you have received your

April issue of The Brent Magazine in time to attend then head up to Brent Town Hall from 11am to 3pm.

Call 020 8937 4300 and speak to Adeola for more information.

New tennis courts open in Gladstone park New tennis courts have been opened in Gladstone Park giving you the chance to improve your game as Wimbledon and the London 2012 Olympic Games approach.

Nine full-size courts and four mini-tennis courts in the north end of Gladstone Park have opened, complementing the two multi-use games areas and

four new netball courts in the south of the park. Tennis training is being run by Brent Council every year and the programme for this year will be announced shortly.

However, the courts at Gladstone Park will be closed briefly for colour-coating in the coming months.

Call 020 8937 3707 or email sportsservice@brent.gov.uk for more information.

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UPdate

Support for youngsters gets better The council’s changing the way it helps and supports children and young people with disabilities for the better.

Currently three teams look after this group of children and young people; the early years, middle years and transitions team.

From April, these three teams will be merged into two. The children with disabilities team, based at Chesterfield House, will

look after children from birth to 13 years, and the transitions team, located at Mahatma Ghandi House will support 14 to 25 years olds and beyond if necessary. The changes mean that children and young people with disabilities will have fewer moves from one team to another, by the time they reach adulthood. For further information, contact 020 8937 1157.

Free football kicks off in Brent

Royal Patron visits centre helping the homeless His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent visited Brent recently to meet staff and residents at a hostel on Pound Lane run by homeless charity St Mungo’s.

Re-ward club open for businesses Brent businesses can increase their sales by joining a new loyalty scheme which encourages their customers to reuse and repair goods rather than throw them away.

Re-ward Club, which is being run by the West London Waste Authority, is a free scheme for residents starting in May which will be based on participating businesses issuing tokens to customers who buy

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certain products such as shoes repairs, remade clothing, second-hand furniture, items sold in charity shops, and many more. Ten tokens can then be redeemed by a customer in exchange for a voucher worth £5. Visit www. re-ward.me or call the ReWard Club at 020 8587 1774.

Free football sessions run by Middlesex County Football Association and Brent Council start this spring.

Funded by Ward Working, coaching sessions for boys and girls will be held every Saturday until 12 May at Hazel Road multi-use games area in Kensal Green.

Classes for 8-12 year olds are from 2-3pm and 13-16 year olds from 3-4pm.

A five-a-side competition for boys also takes place during the Easter holidays with the winning team from each day qualifying

for the final at Wembley Power League on 20 April.

Teams are able to turn up and register on the day and players must be 16 or older.

The sessions are all from 11am-1pm at the multi-use games areas at Gladstone Park on 3 and 10 April; Row Green Park 4 and 11 April; and Vale Farm 6 and 13 April.

Call 020 8515 1911 or email mathew.butler@ middlesexfa.com

Ros leads South Kilburn regeneration Ros Dunn is the new Independent Chair of the South Kilburn Neighbourhood Trust (SKNT).

Ros took over at the regeneration trust from the former chair Jackie Sadek on 1 April. She is a former chief executive of the Thames Gateway London Partnership and a regeneration funding expert.

UPdate

Deni is Brent’s 2012 young musician of the year Young cellist Deni Teo, 18, has been crowned Brent Young Musician of the Year for 2012.

She won the finals of the competition held at Claremont High School after performing cello pieces by the composers Schumann and Gaspar

Cassado. Second place went to violinist, Timothy Crawford, 17, while Liam Shinar, 14, was third. The three will share a £800 prize, from the Wembley Charitable Foundation, to help towards their future musical development and Deni will be

Bookstart Bear at revamped Ealing Road Library Ealing Road Library’s had a makeover just in time for spring and Bookstart Bear is the special guest at its grand reopening on Saturday 31 March.

The young children’s reading ambassador is the face of the Bookstart scheme which provides free books to pre-school children. His

a guest soloist at Brent Makes Music 2012 at Wembley Arena on 24 April.

Call 020 8204 8096 for more or visit www .brentmusicservice.com Winner Deni Teo

Corina’s the queen of shops

star turn is just one of the highlights of the fun-packed day of activities.

If you’ve received the April issue of the magazine in time to attend then pop down.

Ealing Road closed for improvements on 27 February and now boasts a larger study space, extra books and more computers.

Corina Papadopoulou and Mary Portas.

The owner of a store in Kensal Rise which was named as the best independent children’s shop in the UK was presented with her award by retail expert Mary Portas.

Corina Papadopoulou founded Kidsen in Chamberlayne Road three years ago with husband Franco Ofili, selling children’s toys, clothes and shoes from Scandinavia. The Swedishborn businesswoman was nominated for The Daily Telegraph’s Best Shop Awards 2012.

Kingsbury teen performs at Ronnie Scott’s

New automated telephone system Brent Council has recently introduced a new automated switchboard which recognises the words that you say to help put you through to the right service when you call 020 8937 1234 - the general switchboard number for customer services.

The automated switchboard means you won’t speak to an operator but simply have to say which department, service or council officer you wish to speak with and it connects you.

Remember to speak slowly and clearly so your request can be picked up.

Lucky music pupil Luke Snow from Kingsbury High School was picked to play at the world famous Ronnie Scott’s Jazz club. Luke took part in a new initiative called Big Band in a Day which aims to inspire and give confidence to young people.

Saxaphone player Luke Snow

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Compost MORE this season Home composting is a natural process that transforms your food and garden waste into a valuable nutrient for your garden.

Every household in Brent is entitled to receive one free home compost bin (subject to a ÂŁ5.49 delivery charge).

Order your free home compost bin online www.brent.getcomposting.com or call 0844 571 4444.

Learn more about compost‌ We are also running a free composting workshop for Brent residents on 7 May at the Environment Centre (Welsh Harp). If you wish to find out more or reserve your place, please email recyclemore@brent.gov.uk

Free compost offer

Voucher for free compost

We are offering free compost at the Brent Council Reuse and Recycling Centre, Abbey Road, London NW10 7TJ on 8 May.

Name Address

Please bring your own bag and note that compost will be provided on a first come first serve basis and the offer is only open while stocks last.

Postcode Only one voucher per Brent household.

Please show proof of your address.

020 8937 5050 www.brent.gov.uk/recyclemore

cut here

Fill in the voucher on this page and take it to the Reuse and Recycling Centre to claim your free compost.

BRENTpeople

Brent Ballers Julius Joseph is founder of the locally based basketball club, Brent Ballers. The 6ft 4", 36-year-old, is himself a professional basketball player who has represented England and Great Britain in the 2006 Commonwealth Games and is now ‘reppin’ it with his ballers for Brent.

How did your career as a professional basketball player come about?

As a youngster I loved the game and managed to get a basketball scholarship to Georgia College and State University in America. I turned professional in 2000, signing to the Manchester Giants making 26 appearances for them. I’ve since played in Belgium and had two spells with the Scottish Rocks. In 2008 I joined my current team, the Guildford Heat.

What prompted you to launch Brent Ballers?

The borough needed a club to develop youth basketball, a lot of other clubs engage players that are already at a high level.

The London School of Basketball provided support to enable Brent Ballers to develop and thrive successfully. We recently got club mark accreditation from England Basketball which shows that Brent Ballers is a safe and open environ-

ment for young people and that we are doing a good job developing players, coaches, officials and basketball in general.

At the moment we have 62 members and our goal is to teach them not only basketball skills, but also life skills and how to play competitively with their peers.

How is the club progressing?

The progression has been incredible.

We meet up twice a week at Preston Manor school and in our first season in the Central Basketball League the under 16’s team didn’t win a single game. This season the under 16’s have notched up seven wins and one loss and the under 14’s team are undefeated.

What advice would you give to aspiring basketball players?

‘Work hard and better’ is what I always tell my kids. Also I would say, enjoy the game, the effort you put in to getting better will determine the results.

Search Brent Ballers on Facebook or email Brentballers@hotmail.co.uk

Are you expecting more interest in the sport due to the Olympics?

Yes, the Olympics will create a strong buzz around the country, particularly if the GB team is successful.

Know an interesting Brent person? TBM@brent.gov.uk

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Organising a Jubilee street party?

If so, Brent Council wants to hear from you!

We’ve made organising a street party a lot easier for Brent residents. Visit www.brent.gov.uk/streetparties for information and to download our handy ten-step guide and application form.

Not having your own party? Why not bring a picnic to share with friends and neighbours to ‘Brent Celebrates the Diamond Jubilee’ street party on Sunday 3 June 2012, 12noon to 4pm on Wembley Arena Square. See you there!

www.brent.gov.uk/streetparties

ALL IN Aday’s

work

Fixed 4 the future You might come across Lauretta Scott with a cup of tea in a café, but she isn’t relaxing, she is part of a small team in Brent helping young people with difficult pasts secure a brighter future.

Lauretta is a life coach who meets clients at times that suit them and in venues such as the park or their home.

She works for Brent-based initiative ‘Fixed 4 Your Future’, helping young people who have just left care or custody to make a success of their lives.

This vulnerable group can have issues such as low self-esteem, problems with drugs, alcohol or poor qualifications and are more likely to get involved with crime or be unemployed without extra support.

Lauretta meets with clients for one-toone sessions for up to 12 months, helping them identify personal goals – such as getting a job or qualifications – and then achieve them.

She said: “We don’t tell them what they need. If they identify their goals themselves they are more likely to achieve them.

“We take a holistic approach exploring all areas of their lives. Once their goals are identified, we can then address the different factors that stop them from moving forward.

“We don’t tell them what they need. If they identify their goals themselves they are more likely to achieve them.”

“There’s so much support they can access as part of Fixed 4 Your Future, they should get something out of it.”

Prospects Services, the organisation which supplies the Connexions service for Brent Council, launched Fixed 4 Your Future in November after winning Big Lottery funding. They work closely with a wide range of local groups, including

the council, to support around 50 young people.

The initiative aims to improve their personal effectiveness, personal development and employability skills.

As well as life coaches like Lauretta, education mentors are also on hand and a wide range of advice and training is on offer, ranging from CV writing and job interview preparation to workshops on cooking, paying bills and budgeting.

Lauretta said: “We raise aspirations, confidence and reasoning. We aim to see the clients grow and develop happier lives.

They get the confidence to say, ‘I too can achieve’.

“It is really rewarding to see someone who started out lacking in confidence walking tall.”

For more information, contact Prospects Services Ltd on 07795 114567.

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Plans for new cultural centre unveiled Plans for the transformation of Willesden Green Library were unveiled last month with residents getting their first glimpse of how the centre could look in the future.

An exhibition was held at the current library in March giving residents the opportunity to meet council staff and developers and hear more about the plans as well as have their say on the proposals.

The development, which is expected to breathe new life into the High Road, will deliver the ‘Willesden Green Cultural Centre’ (WGCC) a state of the art cultural centre and library that will act as the main hub for council services and community activity in the south of the borough.

In February of this year Brent Council signed an agreement with Galliford Try, one of the UK’s leading construction companies to develop the new cultural centre.

The new centre will be delivered at no net capital cost to taxpayers as the developers will

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build WGCC in return for the right to develop new homes for market sale at the back of the site.

The agreement comes more than a year after the proposal was first announced and council officers have spent the last 12 months ensuring the innovative financing arrangement will work.

As well as a brand new library with access to millions of books and council services, residents can look forward to a cultural centre that will include a children’s library, Brent museum, Brent archive, a community gallery and a cafe.

The centre is being delivered as part of the council’s commitment to provide a cultural and service delivery hub in the south of the borough and libraries that are fit for the

twenty first century.

Regeneration officer Beth Kay said: “The current library centre is in need of substantial work to bring it up to a decent standard.

This deal between Brent and Galliford presents us with an exciting opportunity to have a twenty first century community facility in the heart of Willesden at a time when money is very scarce.

“We want the community to play an active role in shaping the plans.

There will be lots of opportunities for residents and stakeholders to get involved in plans for the detailed design and

“We want the community to play an active role in shaping the plans. There will be lots of opportunities for residents and stakeholders to get involved in plans for the detailed design and future use of the building throughout the planning process and beyond.”

The signing of the agreement between Brent Council and Galliford Try.

future use of the building throughout the planning process and beyond.”

If the plans are approved, work on the new centre is expected to start in October, with a likely completion date in the spring of 2014. While the current library is closed, interim arrangements will be in place to ensure services are still available to local people, including a temporary lending library in Grange Road.

The final planning application, the result of the past two month’s consultation, is expected be submitted this month with a decision expected in July.

WGCC will include: adult and children’s library café historic archive museum creative space for cultural events and much more. www.willesdengreencc.co.uk

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Bowel Cancer Screening Programme Bowel Cancer Screening is important but it's more important to take part.

Bowel Cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK and since its introduction in 2006 most men and women aged 60-74 are already aware of the screening programme and its aim to detect bowel cancer early. If you are 75 and over you can request a test kit by calling Freephone 0800 707 60 60.

Christopher's Story “I did the test for Bowel Cancer two years ago and as I tend to take everything in my stride it was no problem collecting the samples”.

Two years later Christopher Copley (64) received another test kit which he duly completed and sent back. Within a relatively short space of time Christopher was contacted by the Bowel Cancer Screening Centre at St Mark's Hospital asking whether he could come in for further tests. St. Mark's Hospital, although situated on the same site as Northwick Park Hospital, is a completely separate hospital specialising in bowel disease.

After the initial assessment an appointment was booked for Christopher for a colonoscopy, which is a procedure where the lining of the large bowel is examined.

“At the Screening Centre they were all very professional and I was impressed with the whole setup. The Specialist Screening Nurse Practitioner asked me questions about my health. Some of these questions were delicate but she made me feel at ease. On the day of my colonoscopy my wife and I arrived at St. Marks. I must admit that I was a bit apprehensive but when Esther, the Specialist Screening Nurse Practitioner came up and introduced herself I immediately felt at ease. Maggie Vance, Consultant Nurse Colonoscopist, carried out my colonoscopy and removed three polyps. After the procedure I had a rest in the recovery room and on the way out I met an Asian gentleman who was looking a bit anxious. He asked me how it went and I was able to tell him that there was nothing to be worried about because he was in safe hands”.

The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme would like to express their gratitude to Mr Christopher Copley (pictured) for sharing his personal story.

Davina Baptiste 020 8795 6223 email Davina.baptiste@nhs.net

Take note and vote!

There may be one Mayor elected on 3 May, but you will cast three votes in the upcoming London elections.

While all the talk has been about who will be the next Mayor of London, Brent and the rest of the capital will also cast two additional votes to elect individuals to represent them on the London Assembly.

Between them, the Mayor and the Assembly are responsible for many aspects of everyday life in London including transport, policing, the environment and economic development.

In the next four years they will take on more responsibilities as they gain powers over housing, planning and the Olympic legacy.

Although lacking direct powers, the Assembly - which is made up of 25 members - holds the Mayor to account on decisions and actions, and champions Londoners’ concerns by investigating important issues and pressing for changes to national, mayoral and local policy.

Of the 25 Assembly members, 11 represent the whole of the capital and 14 are elected to represent the constituencies – which are made up of two to four London boroughs. Brent is part of the Brent and Harrow constituency.

On polling day, voters will be given three ballot papers to have their say on who should represent them.

To vote for the Mayor of London, voters will need to use the PINK ballot paper and can choose a ďŹ rst and second choice candidate to be Mayor. The YELLOW ballot paper is to vote for a Constituency London Assembly Member and the ORANGE ballot paper for the Londonwide Assembly Member. Only one candidate can be voted for on these ballots.

Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm. People voting by post will receive their ballot papers before the election. It is

To vote you must: s LIVE IN ,ONDON s BE A "RITISH #OMMONWEALTH OR %5 CITIZEN s BE OR OLDER ON -AY important they are returned by 10pm on 3 May or they won’t be counted in the vote.

If you want to vote in these elections, you must make sure you are registered to vote by Wednesday 18 April. It takes just a few minutes to register and you can email ELECTORAL SERVICES BRENT GOV UK call or visit WWW ABOUTMYVOTE CO UK to download and print off a form. Once ďŹ lled in, send the form back to the Brent election ofďŹ ce.

In April everyone registered to vote in the elections will receive a booklet containing information about the elections and how to vote; a list of all the London Assembly candidates; and mini-manifestos from the Mayoral candidates. www.londonelects.org.uk

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Dickensian celebrat comedy at B There’s a definite buzz about Dickens these days. That’s because the legendary 19th Century author of literary classics like; The Old Curiosity Shop, Great Expectations and David Copperfield — among a whole host of others — turns 200 this year.

Angie Le Mar – comedienne, actress, writer and producer/director

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To mark the occasion, Brent’s libraries are joining London-wide celebrations by holding a mass read-in of Oliver Twist as part of the annual City Read challenge, involving all 33 boroughs across the capital.

Throughout April, Brent library users can join fellow city dwellers in borrowing and reading a copy of the classic book. You can also take advantage of a month long programme of free Victorian and Dickens themed events in libraries, the Brent Museum and Brent Archives. Events launch with an interactive drama performance of Oliver Twist on 2 April. A few days later there’ll also be a discussion of Oliver Twist in Punjabi and Urdu at the newly revamped Ealing Road Library (5 April).

Other highlights of the month, which we’ve dubbed ‘Charles Dickens: a life less ordinary’, include a hip hop Dickens workshop, courtesy of the Hip-Hop Shakespeare Company; a Dickensian childhood weekend and a comic strip workshop called Pickpockets, fog and fried fish?

And for creative types of all ages, there’ll be a puppet theatre making workshop, fancy dress competition, a Victorian cookery session and tons of other opportunities to have some handson, Dickensian-type fun.

Authors, poets and historians will also be dropping in on our celebrations to throw new light on Dickens and the Victorian era; including London scribe, Shrabani Basu, who’ll be giving a fascinating talk about her book Victoria and Abdul which tells the story of Queen Victoria’s close relationship with a handsome Indian muslim called Abdul Karim.

Victorian authors aside, it’s a big month for bookworms for another reason too, namely World Book Night on Monday 23 April.

tions and top-class Brent’s libraries This year Brent’s gone with a comedy theme and managed to bag top comedienne, actress, writer and producer/ director Angie Le Mar to lead the proceedings at a special evening taking place at Willesden Green Library from 6 to 9pm.

Angie will be joined at her Brent World Book Night premiere by her fellow comedians live and direct from Kilburn’s The Good Ship Comedy Club.

Not only that, there will also be a spot of pop up Shakespeare to enjoy as 23 April also happens to be The Bard’s birthday too.

And as if Shakespeare and comedy turns wasn’t enough to celebrate the joy of books and reading, Brent’s chuckle-fest World Book Night bash rounds off with a raffle prize draw that’ll see the lucky

winner going home with an armful of flowers, chocolates and wine, courtesy of local florists Queen’s Park Flowers.

World Book Night is a free event but with a line-up this hot, advance booking is essential and comedy fans should go online early at www.brent.gov.uk/ worldbooknight to reserve tickets and avoid disappointment.

Of course, April’s not just about Dickens, culture and comedy, Easter falls on 8 April and St. George’s Day is on the 23 April. As in previous years, Brent’s libraries will be offering a whole host of workshops and activities — from Fabergé egg designing to St. George’s Day Dragon making — that should keep kids and families amused throughout the school Easter holidays and beyond.

The Hip-Hop Shakespeare Company will host a Dickens workshop

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St Gregory’s – building on success Teaching and learning at St Gregory’s Catholic Science College in Kenton have been given a further boost thanks to the opening of a new sixth form block.

The £1.3 million facility for 250 students, has eight classrooms, including a state-of-the-art science laboratory, a private study area, meeting room and social area.

The building, which is due to be officially opened later this spring, has been financed by the Young People’s Learning Agency (YPLA) to accommodate the rapid growth in student numbers.

It is the latest boost for St Gregory’s which was last year named by the Department for Education as one of the top 100 schools in the country for sustained improvement at GCSE level between 2007 and 2010.

Its sixth form, where 92 per cent of pupils got an A* to C grade at A-Level last year, is also in the top one per cent of schools with sixth forms and sixth form colleges

“I believe that the school’s success is due to the culture of learning that has been developed in recent years and is now embedded across the school” nationally according to Advanced Level Performance System (Alps), an organisation which provides schools and local authorities with detailed analysis about examination results.

Head teacher, Andy Prindiville, said: “The quality of teaching and the dedication of staff are second to none.

I believe that the school’s success is due to the culture of learning that has been developed in recent years and is now embedded across the school.

“The new sixth form block will build on these outstanding results.”

Brent schools in top ten New figures have shown how the borough’s schools are delivering an excellent education to local pupils.

A study by think tank CentreForum put Brent schools among the top ten per cent in the country.

Despite factors such as English being a second language for many, exam performance in Brent is much better than would normally be expected. The report suggests that this is down to the high quality of local schools. Newly released figures from the Department of Education also identify how good exam performance is in Brent with GCSE results already above the national average, and last year, for the first time, A-Level results rose to join them.

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Advertise in The Brent Magazine The Brent Magazine is distributed to 99,000 households in the borough and is also available in local libraries, One Stop Services and a number of key businesses.

Competitive advantages of advertising include:

• • •

it’s free for all residents and businesses in Brent print run of 105,000; highest circulation of any local publication available online at www.brent.gov.uk.

For more information and rates, call 020 8937 1076 or email advertising@brent.gov.uk

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Join the CUBE Brent Housing Partnership (BHP), the company that manages the council’s homes, has joined forces with Ealing Credit Union, to set up – Credit Union Brent & Ealing (CUBE) – and is encouraging anyone who lives in the borough to join.

The CUBE was set up in November 2010 to offer residents an alternative to loan sharks who often target estates offering unregulated and crippling high interest loans to those short on cash and options.

Credit unions are community based organisations which provide a safe and convenient way for people to save money and take out loans.

As a result of the financial climate more and more are springing up across the country and in the last 12 months the CUBE has experienced tremendous growth in membership, savings and loans. There are now almost a thousand members saving £435,000 in total so far, as well as having access to manageable loans.

Credit union members are getting great value for money and their loans are probably the cheapest around.

CUBE member Brian Williamson, from Ealing, had five loans with doorstep lenders and with such high interest rates he wasn’t making a dent in his repayments.

Brian joined the CUBE paying off his doorstep lenders one by one and today he is loan free with savings in his credit union account.

Credit unions are an affordable and safe solution for taking out loans for everyone.

Kathy Ellison, Chair of the BHP Board, said: “Credit unions are a great way to

help manage finances, whether that’s saving for the expected or the unexpected.

They also offer regulated and affordable loans when necessary. Many residents are facing hardship in these difficult times and we want to help them access the right support to keep on top of their finances.”

CUBE is easy and free to join.

Visit www.ealingcreditunion.org or call 020 8937 2244 and ask for a membership form.

CUBE is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority reg.no. 213804

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Gearing up for the Games Preparations are underway as Brent gets set to welcome the Games back to the borough for the first time since 1948. Words by SHARON DONOVAN 22

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This summer Brent will again be an official host borough as Wembley Stadium stages Olympic football games and Wembley Arena hosts Olympic badminton and rhythmic gymnastics.

Along with other London councils, Brent has a legal duty to work with official bodies to ensure the safe and successful delivery of the Games.

The borough has received funding from the Greater London Authority to pay for the additional resources needed to host the Games.

Brent Council’s Chief Executive Gareth Daniel said, “We are immensely proud to be a host borough for the Olympics. Brent is adept at hosting major sporting events and our preparations aim to ensure little or no disruption to council services.”

Find out how the borough is preparing and how you could too.

Goods and food Trading Standards are working with partner agencies to stop the sale and production of Olympic counterfeit merchandise in Brent. The team will also investigate hoax websites selling tickets and hotel packages that do not exist.

Brent Council’s Environmental Health team will also be stepping up food inspections, paying special attention to food outlets and mobile vendors around the stadium.

Bins and cleaning

Events and culture

The Olympics are unlikely to affect resident’s bin collections but if they do, this will be communicated in advance.

During the 16 day period of the Olympics, extra resources will be allocated to meet the increase in street cleansing and waste disposal around the venues.

Getting around Tube: TfL has warned there will be six weeks of disruption on the tube network.

Plan your journeys in advance and know where the travel hotspots are by visiting www.getaheadofthegames.com Roads: The North Circular A406 and certain roads in Wembley will be part of the Olympic Route Network – the dedicated route athletes and the media will take when travelling from Stratford to Wembley.

The Olympic Route Network is open for public use but there will be restrictions on some lanes and junctions.

Parking: As with all major sporting events, the Wembley Protective Parking scheme will be in place only when there are Olympic football events at the stadium.

Local businesses

The council is developing an exciting program of events to celebrate the Olympics coming to Brent. These include Brent Dance Month in July, an exhibition on the 1948 Olympics and a family celebration on July 25 to welcome the Olympic Torch Relay.

Brent’s licensing team are expecting an influx of requests in the coming months so if you wish to hold an event between 20 July and 11 September 2012 please visit www.brent.gov.uk/organisingevents as soon as possible.

Businesses around the Wembley area and North Circular are being encouraged to plan how the Olympics will affect them.

For details and useful advice visit www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/london2012

Sports Brent Council’s Sports Service has introduced a range of Olympic themed sports to their Easter holidays and June half term sports programme.Theseinclude boxing, archery, trampolining, tennis and horse riding.For a full program visit www.brent.gov.uk/holidayactivities

Schools Over 90 per cent of schools have signed up to the Get Set programme – the official London 2012 education programme for schools, colleges, and universities. A total of 3,250 free Olympic and Paralympic tickets have been distributed to 70 Brent schools by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games.

To keep up to date with how the Olympics will impact on Brent visit www.brent.gov.uk/london2012

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Local issues

Who’s got the answers?

Wembley ACF 3 April 2012, 7pm Patidar House, 22 London Road Wembley HA9 Kilburn and Kensal ACF 4 April 2012, 7pm Kensal Rise Primary School, Harvist Road NW6 Harlesden ACF 10 April 2012, 7pm All Souls Church, Station Road NW10 Kingsbury and Kenton ACF 11 April 2012, 7pm Kingsbury High School, Princes Avenue NW9 Willesden ACF 18 April 2012, 7pm College of North West London, Denzil Road NW10

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Have your say at one of Brent’s five area consultative meetings. Come and discuss the local issues which concern you, such as environment, transport, planning, streetscene, health care and policing with councillors and local policy makers.

For more information contact Brent Consultation Team Tel 020 8937 1055 Email consultation@brent.gov.uk www.brent.gov.uk/consultation

BRENT ACF Area Consultative Forums

SECREThistory

The tales of Willesden During Dickens’ time, Willesden was a rural area outside London, and like the rest of England, its parish authority was responsible for the welfare of the inhabitants and upkeep of the area.

Parish officials included the overseers, who were responsible for collecting ‘poor rates’ from local residents to support the deprived; the parish constable, who was responsible for dealing with criminals and ensuring the safety of the parish; and the beadle, whose job has been made infamous by Oliver Twist’s Mr Bumble.

The records of the work of the Willesden St Mary’s parish officials, between 1733 and 1870 were collected in the early twentieth century by William North, a local historian, and are now at Brent Archives. They reveal sad, intriguing, and bizarre stories of life in the parish, which stretched from Church End and Stonebridge to Kensal Rise and Kilburn.

From bills for ‘pauper coffins’ to the purchase of flax and spinning wheels ‘for the employment of the female poor’ the parish papers record the stories of many long-forgotten local residents. The records also contain police accounts of

This month Brent celebrates the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens and his vivid depictions of London life which portray a very different city from the one we know today. Take Willesden for instance…

payments made by the road after Willesden joined the Metropolitan Police District in 1840, including the sum for accompanying George Hinks to jail in London for the ‘unlawful possession of a gold fish’ – although it’s unclear what law the poor man was breaking with his fishy friend!

Another prisoner, John Coleman was transported from Willesden to Newgate Prison for highway robbery. Looking him up in the Old Bailey proceedings online, the evidence given at his trial shows that he was ‘not of sound mind’ and had been coerced into the robbery - he was found not guilty.

Unfortunately, the full collection was damaged by damp, meaning that some papers are too fragile for public display.

However, Brent Archives has been awarded a grant by the National Manuscripts Conservation Trust for a specialist conservator to repair them, preserving them for future generations, so you too can come and enjoy the stories they tell.

For project updates visit www.brentmuseumandarchives. wordpress.com

Willesden St Mary’s in the 18th century. The parish officers, or ‘vestry’, would have met in or near the church to discuss the business of the parish.

A document showing criminal charges brought against Willesden residents

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NO STOPPING OR PARKING ON THE MARKING Stick to the rules or get fined £120.

Brent Council and its partners are working to keep children safe.

Play your part by following road safety rules.

• Do not park on the markings outside schools.

For more information visit www.brent.gov.uk/bsr

• It is against the law to use a mobile phone while driving.

Brent Safer Roads www.brent.gov.uk/bsr

• Make sure you and all passengers wear seatbelts.

COMPETITIONS

Win tickets to Thriller Live The Brent Magazine is offering readers the chance to win three pairs of tickets to Thriller Live at the Lyric Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue.

In a career spanning 40 years, Michael Jackson sold an unparalleled 750 million records worldwide with the Thriller album still the world’s best-selling recording of all time.

Thriller Live includes over two-hours of non-stop hit songs delivered in a show that boasts the world-class spectacle that makes his timeless live performances stand out from all other popular music artists.

For a chance to win tickets just answer this question:

How many records did Michael Jackson sell worldwide?

For more information and to book tickets visit www.thrillerlive.com

Terms and conditions • Tickets are non transferable • Tickets valid Monday – Thursday pm • Tickets are subject to availability

Send your entries on a postcard with your name, address and daytime telephone number to: (Name of Competition), The Brent Magazine, Room 9, Brent Town Hall, Forty Lane, Wembley HA9 9HD or email competition@brent.gov.uk (add name of competition to subject line).

Competition deadline is Friday 11 May Last month’s winners: Disney on ice: Alvin Torres. Sweeney Todd: R. Cortesi, Deveena Raithatha, A Brown.

Yogaloft: Top prize - Nicola Ainsworth, Runners up - Zoë Freedman, Vyvien Baker, Vanisha Hirji, Katy Elliott, Trina Thompson, Andre Silva, Marjan Denis, Maureen Waldron, Denise Delalonde, M Collins.

Win tickets to see Chicago So begins Chicago, one of the most phenomenal musicals of our time and we have five pairs of tickets to giveaway.

The kiss-and-tell story of chorus girl Roxie Hart who kills her lover; Velma Kelly, the glamorous doublemurderer and Billy Flynn, the slick and manipulative lawyer keeping them from death row while promising to make them stars has all the topicality of our celebrity-seeking times.

Filled with stunning choreography this multi awardwinning production has a sizzling score including All That Jazz, Cell Block Tango and Razzle Dazzle.

Be razzled and dazzled by Chicago a true Broadway and West End classic.

For a chance to win tickets just answer this question:

What is the surname of chorus girl Roxie?

‘Murder, Greed, Corruption, Exploitation, Adultery, Treachery…all those things we hold near and dear to our hearts’.

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Advertise on Brent buses

Advertise here from only ÂŁ275 and reach 99,000 households. advertising@brent.gov.uk OR CALL 020 8937 1076

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There are over 90 vehicles available in Brent for advertising.

This is a great opportunity to promote your products or services and receive unparalleled local coverage and frequency.

Rates start at only ÂŁ130 per bus for a six week campaign (minimum of ten buses to be ordered). Call 020 8937 1076 or email advertising@brent.gov.uk

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TIMEout

What’s going on…

The essential guide to music, drama, sport, workshops and much more.

Find out what’s going on in Brent during April 2012.

To get your event listed email tbm@brent.gov.uk or telephone 020 8937 1062.

CHILDREN GRANVILLE PLUS YOUTH ARTS CENTRE. Free creative learning activities for young people aged 11-25yrs. Mons: Guitar (intermediate): 5.30-7pm. Taekwondo: 6-8pm. Vocal Training (20min private lessons): 6-9pm. Guitar (beginners): 7-8.30pm. Magazine / Journalism Project 7-9pm.

Tues: Street Dance: 6-8pm. Online Drama Project: 6-9pm. Fashion as a Business: 6-9pm. Art/ Illustration: 6-9pm. 80 Granville Road, Kilburn, NW6 5RA. 020 8937 3612 tina. ramdeen@brent.gov.uk

HILLSIDE PERFORMING ARTS Free dance and drama classes Mons for 1116 year olds from 5-6pm and free Street dance classes 8-16 year olds every Saturday 1-2pm.

Hillside Hub (Stonebridge Centre) NW10 8LE. Call Sasha Newton on 07506 198 999

TODDLER PICASSOS Painting, water play, play dough & songs. 15 months to 3 years phone to book. First class free.

8 Station Terrace, Kensal Rise, London NW10 5RT. 07903 638 817 www.minipicassos.co.uk

SING SPANISH Spanish classes for children aged 3-8. NW6/ NW10. 07976 050 977 www.espanaviva.biz

PIANO TUITION Call Sasha Newton 07506 198 999

THE 2ND WEMBLEY BOYS’ BRIGADE & GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION Anchors 5-8 juniors 8-11 meet 6.15-7.30pm on Thurs. Company section meet at 7.15-9pm.

Park Lane Methodist Church Wembley. www. parklanemethodist. org.uk

SATURDAY SUPPLEMENTARY GREEK SCHOOL 10am-1pm, Language and traditional dancing Kingsbury High School, NW9 07967 810 210

PRIDE JUDO CLUB Mons, Weds 8 -12yrs, Mons 7-8pm, Weds 6.30-7.30pm, 12+ Mons 8-9pm, Weds 7.30 -8.30pm £3. Chalkhill Community Centre 07985 336 181

DOWN SYNDROME TIGER CUBS Thurs 5-6pm football coaching run by QPR, Woodfield School Genwood Avenue, NW9 020 8740 2585 07815 670 806

4TH BRONDESBURY BROWNIES AND GUIDES Thurs, Willesden Green Brownies 6.30-8pm 07738 205 562. Guides 7-8.30pm 07981 174 634

SING AND SIGN CLASSES Mon -Fri, for babies 6-18 months. Willesden Green and Kensal Rise 07790 955 576

SOCCER TRAINING Fri 6-8pm, for children, first session free. Capital City Academy NW10. mdipaola@cyworks.co.uk

4TH NEASDEN BROWNIES girls aged 7-10 only. Tues 6-7.30pm. St Mary’s and St Andrew’s Church Hall, Dollis Hill lane, NW2 07794 018 819

COMMUNITY CLUB HOUSE FOR 50+ Crochet class- 10.30am12pm Tues. Basic French1-2.15 pm Tues. Spanish conversation (must have some basic knowledge) 2.30 -3.45pm Tues.

Movement to music. 6 weeks. 4.45 -5.45pm Tues from April 17. Quiz afternoon with prizes.

2-3.30pm Weds April 18. Club House at 181 Mortimer Road, Kensal Green, NW10 5TN. 020 8206 7513 to book

CREATIVE CRICKLEWOOD We are a group of writers, artists of all kinds, and supporters of creative endeavour who live and/ or work in Cricklewood.

We run, attend and publicise arts, music and performance events in our area. We get together at 8.30pm on the first Thurs of every month at the Crown Moran Hotel for open mic, creative salon and social connection.

AREA CONSULTATIVE FORUM Wembley, 3 April 7pm Patidar House, 22 London Road Wembley HA9.

Kilburn & Kensal Rise, 4 April 7pm Kensal Rise Primary School, Harvist Road NW6. Harlesden 10 April 7pm All Souls Church, Station Road NW10. Kingsbury & Kenton 11 April 7pm Kingsbury High School, Princes Avenue NW9.

Willesden 18 April 7pm College of North West London, Denzil Road NW10. At each ACF officers from the Ward Working Team will be leading break-out sessions to discuss ward issues, visit www.brent.gov.uk/ consultation

BRENT FAIRTRADE NETWORK MEETING 3 April, 7.30pm, Brent Town Hall, committee rooms, all welcome

COFFEE MORNING Weds 10.30am-12noon.

Kingsbury Baptist Church, Slough Lane, Kingsbury, NW9.

BOOK CLUB New group in Wembley Park meeting one evening a month, discussing novels nominated for literary prizes. wpbookclub@ btinternet.com

NORTH WEST LONDON WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Toddler Picassos See: Children

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First Thursday of the month 7.30pm upstairs at the North London Tavern Kilburn High Road NW6 nwlwi@hotmail.co.uk

OVER 50S DISCUSSION GROUP Tues 11am-12.30pm. The Gallery, Willesden Green Library. 020 8452 8739

DANCE BALLROOM AND LATIN Mons 7.30-11pm Brent Town Hall, Forty Lane Wembley 020 8855 6868

STREET DANCE CLASSES Wembley Fitness First every Friday from 6.45- 7.45pm £5 for nonmembers £3 for members.

For more info contact Sasha on 07506 198 999

TEA DANCE Mons, Weds 1.30-4.30pm £4 Brent Town Hall 020 8937 6206 Fri 2 -4.30 pm Chalkhill Community Centre, 113 Chalkhill Road, Wembley 020 8385 1836. Mon & Thurs 2-4pm, King’s hall Community Centre, 155 Harlesden Road, Willesden Green, £1.50

DANCE AT THE TRICYCLE We’ll Meet Again. Free activity group for the over 60s, including drama, art, dance and T’ai Chi 020 7372 6611

DRAMA WORKHOUSE Saturday crew workshop for children 1-2pm 7-9 years; 2-4pm 10-12 years; 4-6pm 13-18 years; under 10s £25 a term, over 10s £40 a term; Dudden Hill Centre, 19 Dudden Hill Lane, NW10; Mons adult classes 8-10pm £9.50 Tricycle Theatre, NW6 07958 653 725

ENVIRONMENT KINGSBURY WALKERS Weds 1.55pm, Meet Bush Farm, Slough Lane and Salmon Street junction.

020 8907 2836

BARN HILL CONSERVATION GROUP Suns Fryent Country Park; Tues, Thurs, Sats Roe Green Walled Garden 020 8206 0492 www.bhcg.btck.co.uk

LEARNING VIOLIN AND PIANO LESSONS All ages and levels, at your home, call Dave (AGSM, crb-cleared) 07740 702 761

GERMAN CONVERSATION NEAR PRESTON PARK Keep on top of current affairs and practice your Deutsch call 020 8452 5239

ART CLASSES At the Tricycle Theatre Kilburn 269 Kilburn High Rd NW2 Tuesdays 7-9pm, £30 concessions £35 full for five weeks, for info email Mary call (pm) 020 8141 6367 mstreherne@gn.apc.org

SPANISH TUITION Native Spanish teacher. All levels. 07531 640 199 sabelanv@gmail.com

ENGLISH TUITION one-one, groups, adults, children, all levels. CELTA qualified teacher, £15 p/h in Kilburn. eflkilburn@yahoo.co.uk

TIMEout PIANO LESSONS

MEDITATION

Preston Road, All ages and levels welcome, 07550 722 538. mariatchetverikova@ gmail.com

Open class, Sundays 11.30am12.30pm, everyone welcome led by Karuna Priya, a former Buddhist monk for 15 years. First Class FREE! Thereafter, £24 for 4 classes or £7 paid on day held at Gracelands Yard, 102 Liddell Gardens, Kensal Rise, London, NW10 3QE, call Karuna 07784436783

BRENT ADULT AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION SERVICE Courses for adults from accounts to yoga, 020 8937 3990 www.brent.gov.uk/ adulteducation

SPANISH CLASSES Mon eves, Fri morn, NW6/ NW10, 07976050977 www.espanaviva.biz

COMPUTER TRAINING Free computer training with OCR qualifications for Brent residents aged 14-24 year old Middlesex ITeC on 020 8900 0505

WORKERS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION Thurs 10am classes held in coffee lounge at St John’s Church Wembley, entrance via gate in Harrow Road 020 8904 5940

MUSIC MANOR AND PHILBEACH SINGERS Tues 7.30 -10pm Goodwill Hall, Chichester Rd, Kilburn Park. No singing experience needed, no auditions 020 8455 8865

WILLESDEN GREEN CHOIR Mons 8-10pm. Songs from all over the world, no auditions, first session free Willesden Green Library Centre, Space 2, NW10 2SF www. vocalitysinging.co.uk

SPORTS & LEISURE GET ACTIVE WITH SALSA! every Mondays at the Heritage Inn, Caribbean Rhum Bar & Restaurant,301 Cricklewood Broadway, London, NW2 6PG. Beg classes 7.30-8.30pm, Imp & Inter classes 8.45 to 9.45pm. Price £7 or £10 for two classes. For more information visit www.cubanvibes.com or call 07961 281989.

VENUES BRENT MUSEUM High Road, NW10 020 8937 3600 BRENT ARCHIVES Ist Floor, Willesden Green Library Centre, NW10 020 8937 3541 archives@brent.gov.uk PAUL DAISLEY HALL Forty Lane, Wembley, Middx HA9 Box Office 020 8937 6206/6203

BEAUTY AT HOME Get pampered in the comfort of your own home, fully qualified therapist, range of treatments available and group bookings for girlie nights in! Call Christina on 07505 102 127

ZUMBA, STREETDANCE & FITNESS CLASSES For children(3+) & adults.

Fun filled classes with a fully qualified instructors Info@sdfdance.com 07903 971 125

ZUMBA! Monday 8.15-9.15pm Saturday 10am-11am St Mary & St Andrews Church Hall, Dollis Hill Lane, NW2 6HE. Thursdays 8pm-9pm Newman Catholic College, Harlesden, NW10. £5 per class, no need to book. donnasheehan@sky.com 07957 458 537

PILATES CLASSES Beginners Monday, 7pm, General Thursday, 7pm.

233 Willesden Lane, NW2 5RP. Call Monika to book 07976768034 www. functionalpilates.com

MARTIAL ARTS & SELF-DEFENCE FOR KIDS Mon and Wed 5-6pm Holy Innocent Church Hall Bacon Lane, Kingsbury NW9 9AF 07950 647 993 phoenixkarate@ hotmail.co.uk

SELF DEVELOPMENT Free courses and seminars: Meditation, Positive Thinking, Overcoming Anger etc. Inner Space, 528 High Road, Wembley, HA9 7BS. 020 8903 1911 www.innerspace.org/ wembley

TAI CHI Phoenix Tai Chi. Tues 1pm at Vale Farm, Wembley, Eddie Ong 07900687498 www.taichi-london.com

MIXED KATEDA SELF DEFENCE CLASS Sun 10.30-12.30pm, Women Only Kateda Self Defence Class. taught by a female instructor. Sun 10.30am-12.30pm. Ark Academy, HA9 9JP. 07717 784 585 katedaclasses@yahoo. com

WOODCOCK PARK BOWLS CLUB Bowls, open days and fetes, Kenton 020 8907 9076

SEATED EXERCISE CLASSES Spend an hour in gentle exercise with your friends, £2.00 per session. Mons 11.30am-12.30pm 28 Fortunegate Road Harlesden NW10 9RE. Weds 10.30-11.30am Harrod Court Stag Lane NW9 9AD, call Age UK Brent 0208 965 7711

WALKING GROUP Thur, 2-3pm, Willesden Sports Centre, Donnington Road, NW10 3QX. Free. Call Age UK Brent 0208 965 7711

RAGGAROBICS Circuits every Wednesday at Bridge Park 8-9pm, £5 Get fit - get sexy. Call Jason 07557 123 760

HOCKEY Senior sessions. Weds 8-10pm; juniors (U9-U16) Suns 10am. Jewish Free School, Kingsbury (The Mall, HA3 9TE). Gary Thompson on 07946 57 69 68 www.harrowhc.co.uk

SEA URCHINS Thurs 8pm, swimming club for young people and adults with learning difficulties. Willesden Sports Centre, NW10, free, call Jean 020 8452 6912

KINGBURY BOWLS CLUB

WEMBLEY CRICKET CLUB

New members welcome, free coaching and loan of bowls, Eton Grove Open Space. 07505 337 501

Sats 10-11am cricket teams and coaching for girls and boys at Oakington Manor School, Wembley 020 8902 6096

BRONDESBURY BOWLING CLUB Evenings and daytime including free tuition, Chatsworth Road 0208 438 0302

CENTURY BOWLS CLUB Indoor and outdoor bowls, free coaching available, social activities, Logan Road, Wembley 020 8904 3261

PRESTON PARK BOWLS CLUB Free coaching and loan of bowls Preston Park Recreation Ground, Carlton Avenue East 020 8933 9358

QUEENS PARK HARRIERS Tues & Thurs 7-8pm, Willesden Sport Centre www.queens parkharriers.org.uk

SHORINJI KEMPO MARTIAL ART Tues 8-9.30pm Church of Ascension, The Avenue, Wembley; Fri 7.30-9pm at St Erconwald’s Church Hall, 112 Carlton Avenue East, Wembley 07404 039 087

WU SHU KWAN Chinese kickboxing Sat 3-5pm, Willesden Sports Centre, NW10.

07835 244 398 www.wushukwan.com

TAEKWONDO Tues 6-9pm, Thurs 6-7.30pm, Ealing Road Methodist Church 07832 447 763. Mons 6.30-8pm, Weds 6.308pm, Cardinal Hinsley School NW10 0 7832 447 763

YOGA Mons-Suns Special Yoga Centre 2a Wrentham Ave, Kensal Rise, 020 8968 1900 www. specialyoga.org.uk Mons 6.30-7.30pm, Thurs 7-8pm, Sun 11am12noon, 12 sessions £40, drop-in £10, Gladstone Community Centre, 162 Anson Road 07901 650 763 Weds 10.30am-12.30pm Dudden Hill Community Centre, 19 Dudden Hill Lane, NW10 bhakti yoga free classes 07913 897 406 Tues 9.2010.30am Laughter Yoga, Roundwood Park Cafe, NW10. Children free, refreshments provided. Thurs 7.15–8.30pm Evening Laughter Yoga, Nest Cafe, Willesden Green Station, NW2 4QT. £10/£8 www.lifebulb.org Private yoga lessons Consessions £5 first lesson £5. Contact Maria on 07990 506 609 Yoga classes, Mon-Sat, 133 Salusbury Road, Queens Park, 020 7328 7163 www.yogaindailylife. org.uk

YOGATHERAPY CLASSES Willesden Library (room 2) Thurs 7-8pm, Gladstone Park Community Center Suns 11am-12noon.

Mixed Ability Classes £10 www.yogatherapy.me 07901 650 763

WEMBLEY BOWLS CLUB Weds 3pm tuition offered King Edward VII Park, Park Lane Wembley 020 8907 8626

LIBRARIES EALING ROAD LIBRARY Coronet Parade, Ealing Road, Wembley HA0 4BA, 020 8937 3560 ealingroadlibrary@brent.gov.uk HARLESDEN LIBRARY Craven Park Road, Harlesden, NW10 8SE 020 8937 3570 harlesdenlibrary@brent.gov.uk KILBURN LIBRARY 42 Salusbury Road, Kilburn NW6 6NN 020 8937 3530 kilburnlibrary@brent.gov.uk KINGSBURY LIBRARY PLUS Kingsbury Road, Kingsbury NW9 9HE 020 8937 3520 kingsburylibrary@brent.gov.uk TOWN HALL LIBRARY Brent Town Hall, King’s Drive, Forty Lane, Wembley HA9 9HU, 020 8937 3500 townhalllibrary@brent.gov.uk WILLESDEN GREEN LIBRARY 95 High Road, Willesden NW10 2SF 020 8937 3400 willesdengreenlibrary@brent.gov.uk

WEMBLEY STADIUM EVENTS The FA Cup Semi Finals 14/15 April time, TBC The FA Cup Final 5 May, time TBC The FA Trophy Final 12 May, time TBC The FA Vase Final 13 May time TBC Championship Play-off Final 19 May, time TBC Blue Square Bet, Premier play off 20 May, 3pm League 1 Play-off Final, 26 May, time TBC League 2 Play- off Final 27 May, time TBC England V Belgium 2 June, 5.15pm Future dates online 0844 980 8001 www.wembleystadium.com

ALL EVENTS ARE SELECTED AT THE EDITORS DISCRETION

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