The Brent Magazine issue 123 May 2012

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ISSUE NO.123

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FREE FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE AND WORK IN BRENT

PUBLISHED BY BRENT COUNCIL

MAY 2012

WIN a weekend in Düsseldorf

Pack a picnic For Brent’s Jubilee party

Pop up shops spring onto Willesden High Road

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Contents Features

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Local leaders wanted for the Games Take your place in Olympic history

Brent’s right royal knees up

Welcome to the May issue of the Brent Magazine

Join the borough’s official street party

Super foster mum Find out what it’s like to be a foster carer

Queens Parade is open for business Corner of Willesden gets new lease of life

New look council tax Proposals for new council tax system

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Brent on the box Council officers reveal what goes on behind the scenes

Regulars

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Update Brent people

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All in a day’s work Secret history

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Competitions Time out

Issue No. 123 May 2012 BDU 6614 4.12 The Brent Magazine contacts Distribution queries and editorial 020 8937 1076 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.

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.

Top of the bill is Brent’s official street party to celebrate the Queens Jubilee. This is the first of four borough wide events for 2012 that come under the new inclusive programme of events called Brent Celebrates. So grab a picnic and head down to Arena Square for what promises to be a fun filled day. Brent is keen that everyone gets involved so bring the kids, invite the family – heck ask your neighbour and let’s make this event one to remember – see page 15.

Another place that’s definitely worth a visit is Willesden High Road. ‘Why?’ you ask, Well a range of temporary shops have just popped up as part of a fantastic Brent project to rejuvenate the high road and support new businesses.

You can get anything from smelly soaps to freshly squeezed juice – more on page 20.

And if you do make a visit to Willesden, pop into the Brent Museum which is holding an exhibition on the history of the high road – check out Secret History on page 27.

Until next time, Orla Sedze Editor, The Brent Magazine

Brent Customer Service Office 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: Mike Massaro

UPdate

Town centre scheme will put a new heart into Harlesden A multi-million pound scheme to improve Harlesden’s Town Centre has been approved by Brent Council.

The Harlesden Town Centre scheme, designed by the council in partnership with the Harlesden Town Team, will improve the environment by reducing the effect of motor vehicles and improving conditions for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users. It will include wider footways, more trees to brighten the streets and improve air quality, reduce street clutter by removing unnecessary signs and guard rails, provide new bicycle parking and more

accessible bus stops, change the Controlled Parking Zone boundaries and enforce parking offences using CCTV. The scheme will prohibit all though traffic in High Street Harlesden, between the Jubilee Clock and Tavistock Road. Changes to the traffic circulatory system will involve making parts of Manor Park Road and High Street Harlesden two-way and moving the Jubilee Clock a short distance onto a new public space with seating to provide a new ‘heart’ for Harlesden. Leroy Simpson, Chair of the Harlesden Town Team, said: “This is a major step towards realising the

Improvements include changes to road layout

aspirations of the Town Charter and making Harlesden a wonderful place to live,

Brent’s war on weeds steps up a gear Weeds are being sprayed from mini-tractors and quad bikes around Brent this year rather than by the traditional method of spraying and extracting them on foot. Five Egholm 2100 mini-tractors and two quad bikes

have been brought in by Brent Council’s contractor Veolia to speed up the weed clearance.

The mini-tractors are fitted with spray attachments

which concentrate the environmentally friendly herbicide on the desired spot rather than blanketing the pavement. Gullies will also be mopped up by quad-bike riders. The weed spraying operation will be done across the whole of the borough twice more this year.

Manager Dan Williams with spray operative Filip Rulc

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work and play.” Visit www. brent.gov.uk/harlesdentown for more about the scheme.

Nominate now for Brent’s staff awards Have you been impressed by a staff member at Brent Council or want to show your gratitude for a job well done by a council team?

If so, you can nominate them for a Brent Council Staff Achievement Award.

Any staff member or team employed by Brent Council, including some school staff, are eligible for the 2012 awards. Nominations open on Monday 14 May, and will close on 13 July. To nominate, please visit www. brent.gov.uk from 14 May, or pick up a nomination form from your nearest library, Brent Customer Service or children’s centre.

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UPdate

New opportunities coming to Wembley A new project is offering support and mentoring to people looking for temporary space for social enterprises in Wembley. The Coming Soon Club, which has opened up shop at 5-7 Wembley Hill Road, will be offering guidance to business, community, charity or art projects on finding

empty shops, warehouses or other sites for shortterm stays. Whether you’ve got an idea for a pop-up café, a garden, a shortterm studio or something completely different the club want to hear from you.

Coordinator Emily Berwyn said: “People think it’s hard to find temporary spaces to

Kilburn kids ‘bike it’ Top BMX cyclist Keelan Phillips amazed pupils with a display of stunt tricks at schools in Kilburn recently.

He dropped by Kilburn Park Foundation School in South Kilburn as the primary and next door Carlton Vale Infant School both dedicated a whole day to cycling. Keelan demonstrated free-style tricks and did a question-and-answer

session with the children about cycling safety and ran skill sessions, showing them the basics of cycling. Kilburn Park Foundation School and Carlton Vale Infants are among the schools in Brent involved in the Bike It project, a partnership between schools, Brent Council, NHS Brent and cycling charity Sustrans to encourage more youngsters to cycle.

run interesting projects in, but actually it’s easier than ever before. We aim to give people the help, support and encouragement they need to make their idea happen in Wembley.”

Visit the club’s headquarters in Wembley Hill Road or www.comingsoonclub.co.uk

Adoption group for birth parents Brent Council has set up a support group for birth parents who have lost their children through adoption.

The group, which meets for two hours every month in Wembley, offers birth parents the opportunity to share their experiences of having a child adopted.

They can meet others and talk about their experiences in a safe and confidential environment. The group will help members to reflect on their situation as well as offer information about other support groups. Call Shauna on 020 8937 4453 or Maria on 020 8937 4452.

Keelan and children at Kilburn Park school

Sign up now for the Re-ward Club Brent residents can be rewarded when they repair items, hire, or buy used or recycled products at shops which are part of new loyalty scheme the Re-ward Club.

Shopping anywhere which has the pink Re-ward Club logo will earn you tokens with the Re-ward Club, which is being run by the West London Waste Authority. Collect ten tokens and you’ll receive a £5 voucher which can be spent at any participating outlet. You’ll receive one token when you spend over £4.50, two tokens

if you spend over £11, three if you spend over £21 and so on. Tokens can be collected at all sorts of places, such as charity shops, shoe repairers, second-hand furniture stores, or a hire shop. It could even include somewhere selling washable nappies, or selling art and jewellery made from recycled materials. For a full list or to join the Re-ward Club visit www.re-ward.me call 020 8150 9546 or email contact@re-ward.me

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UPdate

Adult Learners’ Week Ever fancied trying something new and for free?

You can from 12 to 18 May as Adult Learners’ Week – the UK’s largest annual festival of learning – starts in Brent’s libraries. From photography to gardening or making money on eBay to networking on LinkedIn there is something to suit everyone. If you are looking

to learn how to save money Martin Lewis, Money Saving Expert has made a short film just for Brent residents to show you how to do just that. There will also be workshops from the pennypinchers John and Irma Mustoe about living better for less. For more details of what’s on during the week visit www.brent.gov.uk/alw

Get pedalling for St Luke’s Residents can take part in the Pledge 2 Pedal Community Cycle Challenge on 20 May to raise funds for St Luke’s hospice in Kenton. The family friendly cycle event offers a 15 or 30-mile circular route around Harrow and Brent. There will be plenty of fun activities going on throughout the day for both spectators and returning cyclists. Registration is £15 for adults, £5 for children (under 16) and £35 for families (two adults and three children)

and you are encouraged to raise sponsorship. St Luke’s looks after people with cancer and other serious progressive illnesses, such as motor neurone disease and heart, lung and kidney failure. The event is in Byron Recreation Ground, Peel Road, Wealdstone starting at 10am, call Aneka on 020 8382 8063.

Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis

Rubbish? Re-think it and recycle it A local man took to the sea and set sail across the Atlantic in a boat made of plastic bottles to mark Climate week in March and the importance of recycling. Stuart Thompson from Dollis Hill who volunteers for the Atlantic Whale Foundation sailed 27miles from Tenerife to La Gomera in the Canary Islands. He said: “Recycling doesn’t have to be dull or mundane – just ask yourself, ‘What else could I use this for?’ We can find some creative ways to reuse so many products and containers.”

Stuart Thompson

Warden powers his way into awards A warden at Brent Housing Partnership (BHP) has been successfully shortlisted for one of this year’s prestigious Housing Heroes Awards 2012.

Neighbourhood warden James Power is up for Inspirational Colleague of the Year award after he risked his life to stop a woman being stabbed on a BHP managed estate. BHP’s Neighbourhood Warden Service, which

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aims to control anti-social behaviour, has also been shortlisted in the category for the Frontline Housing Team of the Year.

James Power

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UPdate

Brent’s Civic Centre wins top award Brent Civic Centre has been awarded the highly esteemed Considerate Constructors Scheme National Site Silver Award for its exceptional standards of consideration for the local neighbourhood and public, its workforce and the wider environment. The Civic Centre was among 8,500 eligible sites put forward for an award this year. Gareth Daniel, Chief Executive of Brent Council, said: “This is an impressive accolade which sums up the whole ethos of the Civic Centre project.

I would like to congratulate our construction partners, Skanska, whose management team and workers on the Civic Centre site have demonstrated exceptional care in the way the site is managed. Their intensive programme of activity and communication with the community has surpassed all expectations. We are now on the road to completion and I look forward to some very exciting times ahead for Brent.” www.brent.gov.uk/ civiccentre

Artist’s impression of the Civic Centre

Olympian competition inspires film-makers of the future A student who won a young film-makers’ competition has seen his script turned into a short movie starring veteran actor and star of Only Fools and Horses Paul Barber. Daniel Bailey, from Neasden, won Project 7 – a film-making competition supported by Brent Council and the London 2012 West London Partnership – for his script The Boxer. The competition was for young

people in Brent aged 14 to 25 and asked them to submit a film idea inspired by one of the seven Olympic and Paralympic values: respect, excellence, friendship, courage, determination, inspiration and equality. The competition was organised by the independent film company Scruffbag Productions who produced the film which was shown at the Lexi Cinema in April.

Scruffbag’s Victoria Bavister, Henry Blake, actor Ashley Chin, Paul Barber, Kristin Mcilquham and Daniel Bailey. Picture by Graham Michael

Want a dream career? Apply here

Pierre Blair (left), Jonathan Nyati (right). Photo: Mike Massaro

South Kilburn Studios is celebrating as one of its trainees has bagged a full time job as a video editor with production company Blue Sky Arts Media, leaving his position vacant for one lucky young Brent resident to fill.

Pierre Blair, 19 from South Kilburn said: “South Kilburn Studios put me on the path to my dream job. I’ve learnt how

to take charge and use my own initiative.” In 2011 he joined as a trainee with film maker Jonathan Nyati. Trainees at South Kilburn Studios commit to one day a week for up to six months to develop a portfolio of work.

To apply visit www. southkilburnstudios.org to download an application form or call 07769 694 733.

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BRENTpeople Family Support Worker David Mullings set up a website dedicated to dads last year and since then, the 34-year-old father of four has gone on to run courses and sessions for parents and dads across Brent.

Why did you set up fatherfigure.org.uk?

I became a father when I was only 18 and I went on to deal with the break-up of relationships and being a lone parent.

My experiences have given me authority. If I hadn’t gone through the things I have, I wouldn’t be able to help others now. I don’t pretend to have all the answers but I

want to help other fathers.

Many fathers don’t realise the impact they have on a child. They have a lot of power but it can go amiss, be misused or not recognised. I want fathers to realise their strengths.

What else do you do besides running the website?

I run sessions and courses such as a parent programme at Fawood Children’s Centre, covering subjects like discipline and achieving positive behaviour. I’ve just won a contract from the council to support and develop work with dads at Brent’s children’s centres.

Things have really taken off for you in the last year, haven’t they?

I am pleasantly surprised with how it’s gone but it’s not about me, it’s more about the opportunity for children and fathers.

I’m looking forward to

the opportunity I’m going to have in Brent to support positive change. It’s always been a dream of mine to begin my journey here and that is what’s happening to me.

You’re also involved in Action in the Community - what is that about?

It is a locally-based self-funded community organisation. A group of us who lived in Brent or were connected with Brent set it up three years ago.

We’ve worked to address issues in the borough such as gang culture and broken families and we are currently working with Brent Council to prevent children being excluded from school.

We want to change things for the better, make the community a better place, a more positive environment.

Contact Father Figure on 07538 505 845 or at www.fatherfigure.org.uk

Image by Chiara Ceolin

Brent’s father figure Know an interesting Brent person? TBM@brent.gov.uk MAY 2012

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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.

ALL IN Aday’s

work

Three Trees children ‘veg out’ Three Trees’ Children’s Centre is one place where children don’t get told off for playing with their food!

In fact, Early Years Worker Swati Mehta encourages the toddlers taking part in a healthy stay and play session to dip bits of vegetable into paint and use them to make colourful artwork.

Swati said: “This play is designed to raise awareness of healthy food and nutrition. Children can smell, touch and taste the food, to get an idea of what vegetables are. They use all their senses!

“People don’t realise, when children are making a big mess, that this is one of the ways they learn.”

Swati’s role is to plan, manage and deliver a wide range of activities involving parents of children aged up to five, sometimes with the help of Early Years Advisory Teacher Andrea Gray.

Over 150 children and adults attend her sessions every week at Three Trees and the Hope Children’s Centre, which are both in Kilburn.

A typical day for Swati could be organising or delivering morning and afternoon sessions of healthy stay and play, ‘Busy Feet’ physical activity, fun with food, healthy cooking or messy play.

There is also story time stay and play, speech and language sessions and baby sessions with a health visitor.

Families learn about issues like healthy eating and cooking and the importance of play in helping children learn and parents can get advice on how to help children overcome speech and language problems.

Everyone has fun and families benefit from a social network.

Swati said: “There are a lot of parents who need this support if they are going to give their children the best start in life. This is like a second home. When they need to leave the house, they get a welcome here.

“It is a great job. If I smile, I can see the children smile. On a small scale, I’m trying to make a difference to the community.”

“People don’t realise, when children are making a big mess, that this is one of the ways they learn.”

www.brent.gov.uk/childrenscentres MAY 2012

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Unable to run like Usain Bolt, swim like Rebecca Adlington or high jump like Robbie Grabarz?

Well, that doesn’t mean you can’t participate in this year’s Olympics.

Local Leaders wanted for the Games Ideas to get you started

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and Brent Council are encouraging local people, groups and schools to get involved in the Games by signing up to be a Local Leader.

Local Leaders will bring families and friends together to make the most of the London 2012 Games by creating local celebrations around key Olympic events.

These include the Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays, the 12 week London 2012 festival and Super Saturday on August 4, the day when the most medals will be awarded during the Olympics.

Local Leaders will receive access to London 2012 branding, posters and toolkits, advice on how to make their celebration one to

remember and get their event listed on the ‘London 2012 Join In’ website.

Gillian Spry, Brent Manager for London 2012 said: “The last time the Games were held in London was in Wembley in 1948 – that’s over 50 years ago!

“We want people to celebrate this once in a lifetime event by rounding up local people to host sport quizzes, plant golden marigolds in their gardens and decorate their houses in bunting.

“Most importantly we want Local Leaders to encourage the community to line the streets when the Olympic Torch comes to Brent on 25 July.”

To sign up to become a Local Leader visit www.london2012.com/localleaders

Garden for the Games Visit the London 2012 website to get hints and tips from gardening experts like Blue Peter Presenter Chris Collins on how to turn your garden into an Olympic wonderland. Ideas include running window boxes down your street in red, white and blue, growing the colours of the Olympic rings and celebrating the Torch Relay by planting golden marigolds.

Line the streets When the Olympic Torch Relay visits Brent on 25 July cheer on your local inspirational torchbearers by lining the streets, flying your flag, wearing golden clothes – or even going in fancy dress.

Local Leaders will play an active part in preparing Brent for international attention when the Olympic Torch arrives in the borough.

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BRENT CELEBRATES

SUNDAY 3 JUNE WEMBLEY ARENA SQUARE

m a i o D n e d

h i l e b e u T J

• Sample world foods • Activities for all ages • • Dance and music performances • Watch Jubilee Pageant on large screen • • Plenty of seating available • Prize for best costume! • FREE to attend •

Sunday 3 June 12noon-4pm Wembley Arena Square Engineers Way, Wembley HA9 0AA. www.brent.gov.uk/festivals festivals@brent.gov.uk 020 8937 1067

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Join Brent’s right royal knees up

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Picnic hampers at the ready! Brent’s holding a street party to end all street parties for the Queens Diamond Jubilee on Sunday 3 June and we’re all invited.

The fun takes place at Wembley Arena Square, right outside Wembley Arena, which will be transformed into the buntingstrewn backdrop for an afternoon of food, entertainment and togetherness to celebrate the Queen’s 60th year on the throne.

There’ll be children’s face painting, roaming Alice in wonderland performances, a swinging 50s style dance show, vintage footage of the coronation and silver jubilee events played on the large screen, plus live as-it-happens coverage of the Thames pageant. Music will be provided throughout the afternoon by wandering local brass bands. There is a prize for the best fancy dress costume.

Brent’s festivities – organised in partnership with Wembley City – coincide with the nationwide Big Lunch, a celebration organised by the Eden Project to get communities to grow and share their own produce.

We’re taking their lead and encouraging party-goers to bring a picnic to share with their fellow revellers in true community spirit or sample the delicious, locally produced food on sale from around the world.

We’re providing picnic tables and chairs for 1,000 guests to sit back and soak up the entertainment.

With London 2012 looming ever closer, we couldn’t resist squeezing in some fun sports on the big day too. Party people can bring their trainers and work off their sausage rolls or Victoria sponge by joining in the sporting activities. While those feeling especially energetic can have a go at our fitness testing challenge.

Visitors who want to keep sports firmly off the menu are catered for too. The library service will be laying on some altogether

more gentle pursuits, including puppets, pop up books and folk tales.

The council’s youth service will also be at Wembley Arena Square for a special showcase performance from Brent’s talented youth groups, and youth workers will be welcoming young people to come and have a chat about what’s on offer for them in their area.

We recognise that some of you may club together with your neighbours to hold a shindig down your very own street, town square, estate or church hall.

With this in mind, we’ve designed a special information pack full of tips, hints and suggestions to make the whole process easier.

Visit www.brent.gov.uk/festivals to download essential facts on everything to make your celebration go with a swing and to find out more about Brent’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

This web page is your first port of call for an at-a-glance guide to all the forthcoming events and activities happening in the borough throughout spring and summer 2012.

Having a street party?

Send us your pictures! festivals@brent.gov.uk

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Advertise on Brent buses

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 £120 per bus for a six week campaign (minimum of ten buses to be ordered). Call 020 8937 1097 or email advertising@brent.gov.uk,

Advertise in The Brent Magazine The Brent Magazine is distributed to over 99, 000 households in the borough and is also available in Brent libraries, One Stop Services and on the homepage of the council’s website Competitive advantages of advertising include:

• • •

it’s free for all residents and businesses in Brent print run of 103,000; highest circulation of any local publication available online at www.brent.gov.uk.

Rates start from £275 for one issue. For more information, call 020 8937 1076 or email advertising@brent.gov.uk

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Super foster mum Most parents with a couple of children think they are a handful – Patrice Thomas on the other hand has looked after around 130 young people and wants more.

The warm-heated Kingsbury resident has been a Brent Council foster parent since 1984, mostly for boys aged from 16 -18.

She said: “It’s an amazing, amazing experience, it teaches you so much.

You have to nurture that child and the reward you get is seeing them reach their potential.

“I have encouraged them, I have supported them and a lot of them stay in contact and still call me ‘mum’.

I have been very lucky.”

Brent Council will be trying to recruit more carers like Patrice to mark Foster Care Fortnight, which starts on May 14.

Foster parents offer a temporary home to children whose families are facing difficulties, such as alcoholism or domestic violence, or when parents die, are too ill to look after their children or are sent to prison.

“I absolutely love fostering and I love encouraging people to get into fostering.

Anybody can do it. You just need a little extra to give someone else.”

The many unaccompanied children who arrive in the UK from countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan also need foster homes.

Patrice thinks that ‘having a lot of people around all the time’ as she grew up in Grenada made her a natural carer.

She believes giving her young people clear boundaries but not being too rigid is the key to success.

“Although you have to have rules, sometimes you have to relax a bit – but for a reason. It is rare that it goes completely smoothly but if a child likes living with you, they will try to change.”

A spare room is needed and parents whose children have grown up are best. The council provides a lot of support and training.

Patrice recommends you check it out if you have an interest and meet the criteria.

She said: “I absolutely love fostering and I love encouraging people to get into fostering. Anybody can do it.You just need a little extra to give someone else.”

Find out more by visiting the red double-decker fostering bus parked at Tesco Supermarket, Brent Park (next to IKEA) on Monday 14 May and Sainsbury’s in Alperton on Friday 18 May (both in the afternoon).

Visit www.brent.gov.uk/fostering or phone 020 8937 4538.

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Queens Parade opens for business A corner of Willesden has been given a new lease of life, with 13 creative start-up businesses and projects staging a takeover of a former textiles building.

Words by SHARON DONOVAN. Photographs BY MIKE MASSARO

Bringing a creative flavour to Willesden Green, the new shops are housed in a parade of retail units called ‘Queens Parade,’ and include an art gallery, a vintage clothes emporium, a juice bar and an interior design pop up shop.

Queens Parade, situated at the corner of Willesden Lane and Walm Lane, is part of the New Windows on Willesden project, Brent Council’s vision to regenerate Willesden High Road, help start-up businesses and improve local skills.

The launch, on 29 March was a royal success with unit 8 – shared by The Wise Owl Venue and Punch and Juicy – packed to the rafters.

Eight empty units, unused for five years, were secured in March and after a Dragons Den style bidding process, 13 creative businesses and projects were selected.

Jane Harrison, Brent Council’s regeneration officer said: “We wanted businesses that enhanced the offer of

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Willesden High Road. One of the key concerns residents voiced was that Willesden was a lovely place to work and live – but there wasn’t much to do in the evenings.

“This is why we chose The Wise Owl Venue as one of our final 13. The venue will be hosting regular cultural events including cult cinema, live music and talks.

“Another key aspect of Queens Parade is community give-back – with shops sharing their skills and knowledge with the community via free workshops, talks and work experience opportunities.”

The project is funded by the Mayor’s Outer London Fund and is being delivered

by The Architecture Foundation, Meanwhile Space and Blue Consulting for Brent Council and Design for London.

Visit the project at Queens Parade, Willesden Lane, NW2 5HT. For more information visit www.willesdenwindows.com or follow @queensparade on twitter.

Syreeta Johnson, 34, who lives in Willesden is the owner of indikidual “I design children’s wear under the label 'indikidual' and this is my first collection.

When I had my daughter I noticed a gap in the market for cool, unisex, organic clothes so decided to design a capsule collection that could be mixed and matched, tailored more towards having fun and being a kid rather than being a mini adult.

I have always wanted a shop, and the chance to tie in indikidual’s playful and creative values with the craft workshops has been fantastic so far. If it wasn't for this project I don’t think I would have been able to afford a shop, but mostly I don't think I would have had the guts to go for it.

The shop is going really well; and we get a huge number of parents saying it’s great to have something on their door step instead of having to go further afield for children's activities.” www.indikidual.com

The Wise Owl Venue Cult cinema, live music and talks Lazy Sunday Cinema at The Wise Owl Venue Sunday 6 May The History Boys Sunday 13 May Sideways Sunday 20 May Life Aquatic Sunday 27 May Win Win Reserve tickets by emailing thewiseowlvenue@gmail.com visit www.thewiseowlvenue.blogspot.com or follow @thewiseowlvenue on Twitter

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Who’s who on Queens Parade

Art Lobby

Jardins D’EDEN

Paint Mine

Audio-visual art gallery and artist events

Hand-made natural bath and beauty products

Website design, training, and accessories

Ariane Prin

Roses and String

Vintage Green

Product design from local upcycled waste

Hand-made homeware, gifts and accessories

Vintage fashion and photography

My Pop Up Design Shop

Punch and Juicy

The Unlimited Printshop

Designed goods and interior design

Healthy liquid and whole food bar

Screenprinting social enterprise, workshops, studio and retail

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Need translation of a legal document?

• Birth certificate • Marriage licence • Divorce certificate Brent Language Shop offer certified translations of documents that are accepted by the Home Office, councils and other government offices.

Charge £60 minimum - dependent on word count and language.

For more information tel 020 8937 1071/1072 email language.shop@brent.gov.uk

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New look Council Tax The Government is abolishing the current Council Tax Benefit scheme and is asking councils to replace it with their own locally run service called Council Tax Support.

To ensure we have a scheme that suits our borough Brent is consulting with residents on its proposals.

‘To create a system that is as fair as possible, Brent Council has put together a proposal for a new system for Council Tax Support.’

The benefit system is facing a radical overhaul which was kick started back in 2011 with changes to Housing Benefit.

For the most part reform has meant the amount of money available to councils has been reduced.

At the same time, the Government has introduced the Localism Bill. Much of this bill involves the government handing over control of budgets and decision making powers to local councils.

One of the many benefits to be affected by these changes is the national Council Tax Benefit scheme which will be replaced by local Council Tax Support in April 2013.

As well as having to create a local scheme that is suitable for Brent, the council will also have to work within a budget that has been reduced by ten per cent.

Early estimates suggest this represents an initial reduction of at least £3.5 million, but this gap will increase if the number of people claiming benefit goes up, which already appears to be the trend.

This shortage in funding means we have to make some difficult decisions about who gets financial support and how much.

To create a system that is as fair as possible and in line with the needs of the community, Brent Council has put together a proposal for a new system and is consulting with residents to see how you feel this would work in our borough.

As we will have less money, the changes could result in some people getting less financial support – or the council having to make cuts in a range of other services.

This is where you come in.

We want you to take a look at our proposals and give us your feedback and comments.

You may have views about how the scheme will work in practice, or about whether it will incentivise people to work, or how it will protect the most vulnerable in our community.

Whatever your thoughts let us know.

Consultation starts this month and ends in July. A decision – taking account of resident feedback for a localised version of the scheme – will be made later in the year.

To view the proposal and have your say visit your local Brent Customer Service Office or www.brent.gov.uk/ LocalCouncilTaxSupport

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Brent on the box Blue Badge abusers busted The sting took place in Wembley town centre following high levels of Blue Badge use in London Road and Ealing Road, Wembley by drivers suspected of not being entitled to park in disabled bays.

Of the 18 badges seized, three are suspected of being lost, stolen or counterfeit.

Most were the relatives of a genuine badge holder who had borrowed the permit to make parking easier and free.

But their selfish actions meant

Council’s Audit and Investigation team, which organized the sting, said: “Intelligence showed that these roads were rammed with cars displaying disabled badges – a higher number than we would expect.

“We organised the operation to crack down on misuse.”

Council investigation officers – with the support of parking enforcement and Brent Police - stopped anyone using a Blue Badge to check if

Audit and Investigations Brent’s Benefit Fraud Team they were blocking spaces were featured twice in for season and making it difficult two of the BBC show Saints legitimate disabled drivers to and The first find Scroungers. a space. episode on the work Simonfocused Lane, Head of Brent of the team led by head of audit and investigations, Simon Lane (below), into a scam by a Brent woman using multiple to gain The stingidentities took place in nearly £200,000 benefits.

Wembley town in centre The secondhigh episode looked at following levels of Blue aBadge case involving a family of use in London Road and Ealing Road, Wembley by drivers suspected of not being entitled to park in disabled bays.

Of the 18 badges seized, three are suspected of being lost, stolen or counterfeit.

Most were the relatives of a genuine badge holder who had borrowed the permit to make parking easier and free. But their selfish actions meant they were blocking spaces and making it difficult for legitimate disabled drivers to find a space.

Simon Lane, Head of Brent Council’s Audit and Investigation team, which organized the sting, said: “Intelligence showed that these roads were rammed with cars displaying disabled

THE BRENT MAGAZINE

In the past 12 months council officers have also graced our screens and allowed film crews behind the scenes, taking part in documentaries highlighting not only the work they do in Brent but the challenges they face.

Registration and Nationality eight convicted for a variety they were the official holder. of charges to They were relating able to check the fraudulently photo on theobtaining badge, orover £168,000 in Housing and details they had about the Council Tax benefits rightful holder, with despite the being property owners who drove Mercedes, BMW and Porsche cars.

If you know or suspect badges – ais higher number someone committing than wefraud would expect. benefit please call “We organised the benefit fraud the team on operation to crack down 020 8937 1279. on misuse.”

Council investigation officers – with the support of parking enforcement and Brent Police - stopped anyone using a Blue Badge to check if they were the official holder. They were able to check the photo on the badge, or details they had about the rightful holder, with the individual using it.

Anyone caught using a badge that did not belong to them had the permit confiscated, were issued with a parking ticket and told to attend the town hall for a formal interview under caution.

Simon said: “The badge holder must be present in

Blue Badge abusers busted

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Locations across Brent are regularly used as backdrops to many television programmes and adverts including private homes, our parks and Brent Town Hall which was recently used to stage a courtroom scene for the BBC show Silent Witness. Words RYAN FALCON-HAY

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX MAY 2012 2011

Mark Rimmer, head of registration and nationality (below), has become a respected voice on sham marriages and is regularly asked by the media to be a spokesperson on the issue.

For the Panorama documentary ‘My Big Fat Fake Wedding’, a suspected sham wedding taking place at

Brent Town Hall was filmed and Mark spoke about the consequences of relaxing laws that were put in place to prevent them.

Anyone who suspects immigration abuse should contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org

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Highways Operations Graffiti is a major problem in the borough and can cost the council up to ÂŁ250,000 a year to clean. In season two of Filthy Rotten Scoundrels, the graffiti removal team, led by highways operations manager Simon Finney (see below), set up a covert

Trading Standards operation with hidden cameras and night-time surveillance. The operation was highly successful as the team caught one of Brent’s most prolific graffiti vandals.

To report illegal graffiti or request its removal, please call the council on 020 8937 5050.

In March this year, officers from Brent and Harrow Trading Standards featured in two episodes of Food Inspectors on BBC One. In the first episode, Bootleg Booze, enforcement officers Jon Ashby and Andy Faulkner (above) visited shops in the borough suspected of stocking counterfeit alcohol.

Jon and Andy have just finished filming for Fake Britain so watch out for that in the near future.

Episode four focused on the work of food inspector Andreas Kirschner (below) who discovered a rodent and cockroach infestation at a kebab takeaway in Willesden Green and poor food hygiene and handling at a takeaway in Harlesden.

If you are concerned a shop is selling counterfeit alcohol or is not complying with food safety standards call 020 8937 5555.

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SECREThistory

Willesden: past, present and pop

View along Willsden High Road, circa 1907.

The modern day phenomenon that is ‘pop up’ shops have now sprung on to Willesden High Road making it the perfect time for Brent Archives to host an exhibition that charts the history of the high street from past to present. for people caught in the street during an air raid, however The name Willesden probably comes from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘Wellesdune’, meaning ‘hill of the spring’, though in 1086 these shelters also proved hazardous to negotiate during the black-out. the Domesday Book records the area as ‘Wellesdone’.

To find out how the residents of Willesden managed during The earliest development in the area was the conversion of a black-out or how Willesden evolved after the war visit the the mainly marshy land into arable farmland.

Brent Museum exhibition – Willesden High Road: Past, Present By the mid-18th century a village settlement had developed and Future – on display until 31 July. with its own pub, The Spotted Dog. The Twyford family, There is also an accompanying free programme of adult and who ran The Spotted Dog in Willesden through much of the family events.

Victorian era, also ran a pub of the same name in Neasden. www.brent.gov.uk/museum By the early 20th century, the small selection of shops along Willesden High Road, which served the growing late Victorian population, had developed into a popular and busy high View of Willesden High Road, looking towards Dudden Hill Lane. 1960. road with a wide variety of shops.

One of the larger stores was Steers & Sons, which opened in 1893 and sold ‘all clothing a gentleman in the city would need.’

One of the greater, but fortunately temporary, changes Willesden High Road went through was during the Second World War. The first bomb fell on Willesden on 24 August 1940. Although 5,000 Anderson shelters were delivered to homes in Willesden there were also communal brick street shelters which extended from the kerbside into the road – providing refuge MAY 2012

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Bumper London Olympics edition of The Brent Magazine coming in July!

Advertising space is limited – contact us now for rates and info! advertising@brent.gov.uk OR CALL 020 8937 1076

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COMPETITIONS

Win a limited edition art print The Brent Magazine has teamed up with local artist Shiri Achu to give away a framed limited edition art print - ‘Maasai tone’ The original painting was donated to The RedLight Children’s Campaign in New York in 2009. Grammy award winning singer Faith Evans has a copy in her art collection.

For a chance to win just answer this question:

What is the name of the limited edition print?

Win ‘Mushroom’ a limited edition self portrait The Brent Magazine has teamed up with local artist Joanna Steele to giveaway a framed limited edition digital print – ‘Mushroom’.

‘Mushroom’ is a self portrait using a sense of sculpture that continues to draw in the eye, and bring life to the framed image.

Joanna has trained at the renowned Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in sculpture.

For a chance to win just answer this question:

www.shiriachuart.com

Where did Joanna train? www.joannasteele.blogspot.com

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

Win a break for two to Düsseldorf Airberlin, Germany’s second largest airline, is offering you the chance to win two return flights from London Stansted to Düsseldorf and a weekend stay with bed and breakfast at Maritim Hotel Düsseldorf.

Winners can explore the metropolis by taking a stroll along the banks of the River Rhine during the day, visiting the parade of designer shops in Königsallee or immersing themselves in culture by visiting one of Düsseldorf’s many museums. Come nightfall, visitors can enjoy the cities colourful nightlife.

For a chance to win tell us:

Is airberlin the first, second or third largest airline in Germany?

For more information visit airberlin.com or www.maritim.com/en/ hotels/germany/hotel-duesseldorf Terms and Conditions: The prize covers two people and comprises of two return flights and a two night weekend break at Maritim Hotel Düsseldorf.

The prize is subject to availability and the trip must be completed within six months of notification of winning. The winner and their companion are responsible for payment of all additional and incidental items not included in the prize. The prize is non-transferable, cannot be exchanged, and no cash alternative will be offered. Please make your reservation at least 30 days prior to your selected dates to avoid disappointment.

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What’s going on…

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

Find out what’s going on in Brent during May 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. tina. ramdeen@brent.gov.uk 020 8937 3612

HILLSIDE PERFORMING ARTS Free street dance classes for 8-16 year olds every Saturday from 1-2pm / children’s piano lessons also available at the Hillside Hub NW10 8LE with Hillside Performing Arts call Cherrelle 07506 198 999 www. hillsideperformingarts. com.

SOCCER TRAINING

TODDLER PICASSOS

CLUB HOUSE FOR 50+

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

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

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

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

Street/Commercial Dance Classes With Anna-Lynn Gregoire Thursdays 7:30 - 8:30pm Aged 11+ Kings Hall Community Centre, 115 Harlesden Rd, Willesden Green £5 call 07889 869 900 annalynn. dance@gmail.com Anna-Lynn teaches Street Dance. See: Children

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

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

NORTH WEST LONDON WOMEN’S INSTITUTE 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

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COMMUNITY Brents official street party Sunday 3 June from12noon to 4pm, Wembley Arena Square To find out more about Brent’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations and how you can get involved, contact festivals@brent.gov.uk

JUBILEE GAMES CELEBRATION Sun 3rd June, 11:30am3:00pm, fun and games for all the family including puppet shows, Willesden Seventh-day Adventist Church, Corner Glebe Road/Pound Lane, NW10 2JD, entrance - 50p, call 07904 906 204 www. kingdomcome-unity.co.uk

Party in the park Free entry to the parade and Party in the Park/ Bank Holiday Tues 5 June. Parade start time 12 o’clock at St George’s Church, Harrow Road.

Party in the Park at Barham Park opens 11am

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.

Improve your language skills

COFFEE MORNING Weds 10.30am-12noon.

Kingsbury Baptist Church, Slough Lane, Kingsbury, NW9.

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

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

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, 07976 050 977 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! Mons 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 281 989.

MEDITATION Open class, Sundays 11.30am-12.30pm, 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 07784 436 783

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 Join the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

See: Community

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 07976 768 034 www. functionalpilates.com

MARTIAL ARTS & SELFDEFENCE 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 07900 687 498 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 020 8965 7711

WALKING GROUP Thur, 2-3pm, Willesden Sports Centre, Donnington Road, NW10 3QX. Free.

Call Age UK Brent 020 8965 7711

Venues ­ RENT MUSEUM B High Road, NW10 020 8937 3600

RAGGAROBICS

WEMBLEY CRICKET CLUB

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

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

HOCKEY Senior sessions. Weds 8-10pm; juniors (U9-U16) Suns 10am. Jewish Free School, Kingsbury (The Mall, HA3 9TE). Gary Thompson on 07946 576 968 www.harrowhc.co.uk

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

TAEKWONDO

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

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 07832 447 763

SEA URCHINS

YOGA

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

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 9.20-10.30am 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 Willesden Library (room 2) Thurs 7-8pm, Gladstone Park Community Center Suns 11am-12noon.

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

KINGBURY BOWLS CLUB

BRONDESBURY BOWLING CLUB Evenings and daytime including free tuition, Chatsworth Road 020 8438 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

Street dance Street dance yourself fit class at Fitness First Wembley High, £5 non members £3 for members.

Call Cher 07506 198 999.

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

All events are selected at the editor’s discretion

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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

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 Final 5 May, time 5.15pm 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 promotion Final 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 Capital Summer Time Ball, 9 June, time TBC Turandot, 23 June, time TBC Olympic Football 29 July, time 5pm Men’s preliminaries (two matches) 29 July, 5pm Women’s preliminaries (one match) 31 July, 7.45pm Future dates online 0844 980 8001 www.wembleystadium.com

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