UPdate
Nominate your Brent community champion Residents have the opportunity to applaud someone who is helping their community or area by nominating them for a Brent Community Champions Award from 1 January. The annual awards organised by Brent Council open for nominations from January 1 to March 3 and will be presented in May at the local authority’s Annual Meeting. Last year 25 people were
nominated including people who have volunteered or done work, such as a school governor, youth club worker, and being a good neighbour. Mayor of Brent Councillor Jim O’Sullivan said: “I have had the privilege of meeting so many unsung heroes who work tirelessly in the community making life better for others. They have impressed me, not just for their commitment to
their activities, but for their values in being dedicated to voluntary work. I look forward to receiving nominations.” Those who do not live in Brent, but work on behalf of others in the borough can be nominated, visit www.brent. gov.uk/communityawards or for a nomination pack, guidelines and criteria, email dipti.bhatt@brent.gov.uk or call 020 8937 3673.
Green gathering Community groups involved in green projects can take part in an environmental festival on 25 February. Brent Sustainability Forum is organising the festival and wants local organisations to get involved. They will be able to run a stall and promote what they are doing to a wider audience, email ines.carvalho@brent.gov.uk or call 020 8937 5326.
Ace is best Ace Café in the North Circular Road has won the overall Brent’s Best Bar None Award 2009. Other winners were best pub (gold), Masons Arms, Kensal Green (silver), The Bear, Wembley (bronze) The Green Man, Wembley; best bar (gold) Blue Ginger and Ace Café (bronze) – JJ’s Wine Bar; best club (gold) The Regency Club (silver) Blue Room, (bronze) Panthers.
Data pledge Brent Council has signed up to the Information Commissioner’s Personal Information Promise, which is a pledge to keep residents’ details and personal information secure.
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THE BRENT MAGAZINE
JANUARY 2010
Ofsted head praises pupil unit Ofsted national director Shelia Brown congratulated Brent Council’s Pupil Referral Unit in Wembley on a recent visit. She met pupils studying art while touring the unit, which works with young people who have been excluded from
school and recently received an outstanding Ofsted report. “The ethos ensures pupils experience an education similar to the best mainstream secondary schools. Expectations are high and pupils rise to this challenge,” she said.
Bringing violence to light
Special candles were lit at Brent Town Hall to remember the 27 women killed by family violence in London last year. Brent Borough Commander Mark Toland spoke at the event about action being
taken to stop violence against women in Brent. It was organised by Brent Community Safety Partnership, and supported by the campaigning organisation White Ribbon Campaign.
Award marks Simran’s success Simran Bhachu was one of 128 Brent pupils to receive a Jack Petchey Award for her dedication in school. The 14-year-old, who goes to Preston Manor High School in Wembley, won the award for her work in special educational needs and supporting vulnerable students. Simran picked up her award with other pupils at a special ceremony held in Wembley recently. Awards are granted each year by the Jack Petchey Foundation to mark the potential of young people aged from 11 to 25 in London. Visit www. jackpetcheyfoundation. org.uk