Issue 141 the brent magazine by Brent Council

Your magazine about life in Brent s Published by Brent Council

Autumn 2014 s Issue 141

Win!

A year’s free energy

Jumping for joy Brent’s pupils celebrate their exam success

Brent

Advertise with us and boost your business Advertise with Brent Council and you can potentially reach tens of thousands of people, creating awareness and interest in your product or service. The Brent Magazine reaches over 200,000 people and our rates start from only £275 in full colour. We can also deliver your printed leaflets together with the magazine. Advertising on the side panels of our council minibuses only costs £1,300 for ten buses. Our minibuses start from Wembley and drive through the outskirts of the borough, including during rush hour, guaranteeing your adverts will be seen far and wide. We offer lamppost banners that can be used for large events as a welcome to the area and we are planning to introduce lamppost advertising in high streets too. There are also sponsorship opportunities available throughout the year including at our libraries and on Fireworks Night, which is our largest event this year and attracts over 15,000 people. For more information on advertising or sponsorship please visit www.brent.gov.uk/advertising or call the Events and Marketing Team on 020 8937 1097.

In this issue Update

How you can help create a better Brent, and other local news

Brent people: Amy’s legacy lives on

Amy Winehouse’s dad launches a project in local schools

What a result

A better Brent – with you 10

Brent’s pupils make the grade when it comes to GCSEs and A-levels

We love our new school

Primary pupils are delighted with the expansion of their school

New ways to book visitor parking 15 New ways to arrange visitor parking replace scratch cards

Get to know the cabinet

Find out more about Brent’s top councillors

Changes to your recycling and waste services

Important information about improvements happening in spring 2015

Follow the crowd at Brent’s libraries

Customers are flocking to use the fantastic facilities at Wembley Library

A thriving Harlesden high street

Your new look Harlesden town centre is nearing completion

Remembering a local hero

How a Willesden Green man won Britain’s highest award for bravery

Two brilliant competitions

Win a year’s supply of free energy or football tickets

What’s on

There’s lots going on in Brent www.facebook.com/BrentCouncil twitter.com/Brent_Council

Brent Customer Services 020 8937 1234 www.brent.gov.uk The Brent Magazine is available in large print and audio tape. Please call 020 8937 2700

Issue No.141 Autumn 2014 The Brent Magazine contacts: Distribution queries and editorial: 020 8937 1062 tbm@brent.gov.uk Advertising: 020 8937 1076 advertising@brent.gov.uk Published by Brent Council, Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley HA9 0FJ Brent Council 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 magazine and other paper. 7135 BDU 09/14 Cover photo: Nadia Attura

21 AUTUMN 2014

THE BRENT MAGAZINE

update

Local democracy – get involved

Put a ring on it with Brent Libraries Brent Libraries will mark October’s Black History Month with a number of fascinating free events covering everything from history and music to marriage. Cezanne Poetess will be taking an alternative look at romance in the black community when she discusses her book How to Get the Ring On Your Finger (With Contributions from the Brothers) at Harlesden Library, 21 October 6.30-7.30pm. Find out why history overlooked thousands of African deaths in The Untold Struggle: Black Servicemen in the First World War, Wembley Library, 14 October 6.30-7.45pm. Another rarely told story concerns the impact Africans had in Britain in the sixteenth

and seventeenth centuries. Find out more with Onyeka Nubia and The African Presence in Tudor England, Wembley Library, 4 November 6.30-7.45pm. Finally, the history of black music will be explored in Masters of the Airwaves: The Rise of Underground Radio, Harlesden Library, 30 October 6.30-7.45pm, looking at how pirate radio boomed in the 1970s, with Dave VJ (pictured above) and Lindsay Wesker. There’s no need to book at any of these events. Pick up a brochure about all autumn events in Brent libraries from your local library or visit www.brent.gov.uk/whatson

Microchip your dog for free Brent Council’s Animal Welfare Service is helping to ensure owners and lost pets can be reunited easily by offering free microchipping for dogs at events around the borough. The next session is on 1 October at Silver Jubilee Park, 7.30-10am. www.brent.gov.uk/ animalwelfare

THE BRENT MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2014

Local people will be able to get more involved with local democracy during a series of events running from Monday 13 to Sunday 19 October. Local Democracy Week is an annual occasion aimed at bringing elected politicians together with future

generations of voters and promoting, fostering and encouraging local democracy. It is organised by the Council of Europe and supported in the borough by Brent Council. Details of this year’s programme of events will be announced soon. In the meantime, if you would like any more information on how you or your school can get involved, please contact james.curtis@brent.gov.uk or on 020 8937 4594.

Saddle up for autumn Don’t miss out on your free guided cycle ride around the borough this October. The last of this year’s Sky Ride Local trips take place on Sunday 5, 19 and 26 October. To see what different rides are available, and to sign up, visit goskyride.com/london.

Let’s party The fee to hold street parties in Brent has been permanently slashed to just £200. Brent Council has reviewed the process and requirements for road closures, including removing the need to place adverts and notices in the local press. Under these new rules, the time it takes to process permission for street parties will also be reduced from eight to six weeks. Councillor Keith Perrin, the council’s Lead Member for Environment, said: "Street parties are a fantastic way of bringing neighbours together and we have listened to residents who have asked us for ways that they can hold more of these events. I hope to see lots of street parties and special events in Brent in the future." For more information, call 020 8937 1097 or visit www.brent.gov.uk

update

Have your say on how we create a better Brent Brent residents are being asked for their views on how the borough should evolve over the next five years given the continuing squeeze on public sector budgets. The borough plan consultation has opened, inviting residents to help shape the future of the borough in the context of significantly reduced budgets across the board. The various agencies involved in providing services and making decisions in our borough are seeking residents’ views, ideas and personal commitments to build a better Brent. Over the next five years, public services in Brent need to save more than £100 million due to Government cutbacks. As part of the wide-ranging listening exercise, residents are being asked what their priorities are for Brent through a series of surveys and public meetings. Residents are being asked for ideas on ways that Brent could become better – including how local people could play a greater role in their local community as well as how services should be designed in the future. In some cases, prioritising one area may mean that something else has to be cut back, or stopped altogether.

Leader of Brent Council, Councillor Muhammed Butt, says: “Brent is a vibrant and diverse borough with many great opportunities ahead of us. But we have also been going through tough financial times – which are not yet over. “Tough times mean we will inevitably be faced with tough choices and this is why the borough plan consultation is so important in informing our future plans for Brent. “The council faces the same challenges, those of reduced income and increased costs, which many of our residents have endured and are still enduring – but this does not mean that we cannot effectively plan for a better future. “We want to work with local people to make sure that our long-term plans for the borough are the right way forward given the limits we are all working with. Please get involved in the consultation, as we need your help to create a better Brent.”

“We want to work with local people to make sure that our long-term plans for the borough are the right way forward.” Councillor Muhammed Butt, Brent Council Leader

You can get involved by responding to the council’s call for evidence – providing your views and ideas at www.brent.gov.uk/boroughplan before November 28.

Brent

Borough Plan 2015-19

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update

www.johnbirdsall.co.uk

Free help to transform your area There are thousands of free Community Payback hours available in Brent every year that can be used to help make a difference to your local area. Community Payback organises offenders to do unpaid community work as part of their sentence. Brent Council wants to encourage local people and groups to nominate more projects. Help the council design the best scheme it can by taking part in a short survey at www.brent.gov.uk/communitypayback

Become a Brent carer If you have a spare room and would like to help an adult with additional needs because of issues like autism, dementia or mental health problems, you can become a Brent Shared Lives carer. Through Brent Shared Lives, adults with these kind of additional needs are placed in the homes of carers, which allows them to

become part of a community and develop their independence. All Brent Shared Lives carers are fully supported with training, advice and up to £22,000 per annum per year per room. For more details contact joseph.umunegbu @brent.gov.uk or call 020 8937 4159.

Councillors pour cold water on charity idea

Councillor Kana Naheerathan meets Brent Mencap

Mayor announces next year’s charities The Mayor of Brent, Cllr Kana Naheerathan, has pledged his support for Prostate Cancer UK and Brent Mencap over the coming year. He will support the charities by raising awareness of the work they do and actively fundraising. Cllr Naheerathan said: “I am pleased to support two charities that are very close to my heart.

THE BRENT MAGAZINE

“Many men, who are at increased risk of prostate cancer, are often unaware of the danger and miss out being diagnosed at an early stage, so I am supporting Prostate Cancer UK. While Brent Mencap provides advice, support and opportunities to get healthier, challenge discrimination and play and learn.” www.brent.gov.uk/mayor

AUTUMN 2014

Brent Council’s Cabinet became the first in the UK to join a worldwide phenomenon when they took part in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Councillors Muhammed Butt, Michael Pavey, James Denselow and Roxanne Mashari were nominated to have a bucket of ice water poured over their heads in support of research into

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) - also known as motor neurone disease (MND). Brent Council apprentices did the pouring and the councillors nominated Eric Pickles MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, among others, to take the challenge next. www.mndassociation.org

Local offer for SEND Information about the services and support available for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) aged up to 25 is now available in one place.

The local offer tells parents, carers and young people how to access SEND services such as education and leisure. www.brent.gov.uk/localoffer

update

Week of Action targets health The next Week of Action is based in Fryent and Queensbury and runs from Monday 29 September to Saturday 4 October 2014. Weeks of Action are an effective way for the council to deal with the concerns that people have about their local area, whether these are cleaner streets, safer homes, more activities for young people or environmental issues in your neighbourhood. The council works alongside local people, and partners like the police, the voluntary sector and the local community, to tackle issues raised by residents and make a difference locally. Weeks of Action also give residents more opportunities to meet their elected representatives and discuss

local issues face-to-face. During the Fryent and Queensbury Week of Action, there will be a wide range of activities on issues such as health and wellbeing, community safety and improving your environment. Visit our marquee outside Kingsbury Library Plus for further information and to meet the team. www.brent.gov.uk/ weekofaction

On your side

Calling all small businesses in Brent Are you a small, independent business in Brent? If so, put Saturday 6 December 2014 in your diary. Small Business Saturday is a nationwide event that encourages shoppers to spend money in their local shops. If you have a business, this is your big day to showcase your offerings and entice customers with competitions, discounts and giveaways. We encourage you to be creative and ambitious. If you’re a Brent resident, make sure you pop along with your whole family to support your local shops and see what tempting offers are available. Traders should visit www.smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com for more information.

Hope and ambition Councillor Muhammed Butt Leader of Brent Council For many of us, September can feel like the beginning of a new year, as children start a new term, with shiny new bags and oversized uniforms. This new season should be full of hope, promise and ambition. And with these fresh beginnings, August can feel a world away but I want to take time to pay tribute to Brent’s schoolchildren, who have recently received their A-level and GCSE results. The Alevel performance is officially the borough’s best on record. Congratulations to everyone who picked up their results last month and of course to their parents and schoolteachers, without whom these excellent results would not have been possible. On the subject of schools, the council has embarked on a £150 million school expansion programme, which will see 13 local schools, graded good or outstanding by Ofsted, expanded with the aim of

improving the quality of education for our growing number of pupils in Brent. As Brent’s schools and pupils are fulfilling their potential, we also want our borough to fulfil its potential and that’s where we need your input. I would like to encourage as many local people as possible to get involved in shaping the borough plan and ultimately help us to create a better Brent. Details of how you can do that can be found on page five.

“The A-level performance is officially the borough’s best on record. Congratulations to everyone who picked up their results last month.”

Artists open studios Dozens of West London artists and makers will open their studios to the public for the fourth annual ArtWest Open Studios Weekend. Admission is free to the event, which is supported by Brent Council, and takes place on October 4 and 5 in six buildings centred round the junction of Harrow Road and Scrubs Lane. For further information see www.artwestopenstudios.co.uk

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Fostering information evenings at 5.45pm at Brent Civic Centre.

We Need

First Thursday of the month. Call on 020 8937 4538 or email fostering@brent.gov.uk to book your place

Home, loving parent(s) & TLC for our children. Good rewards offered

foster Brent

You can change a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life www.brent.gov.uk/fostering

Adoption information evenings at 5.45pm at Brent Civic Centre. First Thursday of the month. Call on 020 8937 4525 or email adoption@brent.gov.uk to book your place

We are

Family Come on everybody and see

You can change a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life call 020 8937 4525 www.brent.gov.uk/adoption

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AUTUMN 2014

adopt Brent

Brent people

Amy’s legacy lives on The father of tragic singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse has launched a drug and alcohol awareness programme, which begins this month in ﬁve Brent schools. Mitch Winehouse tells The Brent Magazine that his daughter would have given her support if she were still alive.

Q Tell us about the Resilience programme A It’s a drug and alcohol awareness programme. When we were chatting to schools, a common theme emerged, which was that there was very little education about addiction. The programme is not about ﬁnger-wagging and saying ‘Don’t take drugs, don’t drink’ but about sharing experiences, thoughts and feelings and hearing what young people have to say on the topic. I think it’s an incredible programme. It’s received £4.3 million of funding from the Big Lottery Fund and is being rolled out in 50 schools this year. The ﬁve-year plan is for the Resilience programme to be implemented in 250 schools across the country.

PICTURES: PA

Q Do you have any personal link to Brent? A I used to work in Stonebridge Park and also I remember coming to Wembley to watch the football. We live in the borough of Camden so Brent is very close to home and special to us.

Q What do you think are the biggest challenges facing young people today? A I think youngsters today get a rough press. People say they’re not as intelligent as previous generations. That’s not true. If they are equipped with information, they are empowered to make choices. That is what the Resilience programme is about. Q How much has your life changed since Amy died in July 2011? A Immensely. But I still believe I have a daughter and that she’s still with me. A lot of good things have come from her legacy, such as the Amy Winehouse Foundation. She had an impact on thousands of youngsters and she’s still here in spirit. The Resilience programme is exactly the kind of thing she would have been involved with if she were still here. The Resilience programme is being launched in: s 4HE #REST !CADEMIES s 1UEEN S 0ARK #OMMUNITY School s *&3 s #ONVENT OF *ESUS AND -ARY Language School s +INGSBURY (IGH 3CHOOL

Find out more: www.amywinehousefoundation.org

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What a result Students across Brent celebrated as the borough bucked the national trend of a decline in A-level performance to achieve some of its best provisional results on record.

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AUTUMN 2014

From left, Ekow Plange Tim Win, Sara Hatam, Sarah Wallis, Petros Soares and Cllr Ruth Moher

Brent managed to maintain an overall performance of 98 per cent of pupils scoring A* to E grades, and increased its proportion of students achieving A* to B grades by two per cent to 57 per cent its best on record - as the national average for the category dropped. Cllr Ruth Moher, Brent Council’s Lead Member for Children andYoung People, said: “It is fantastic to see an improvement in A-level results in the borough, particularly in a year when the overall A-level performance has fallen for the ﬁrst time in more than three decades. “These results demonstrate the excellent educational opportunities available here in Brent and underline our commitment to providing the best start possible for every young person in the borough. “My congratulations go to all of Brent’s students, who should feel extremely proud of what they have achieved in this year’s exams.They have worked extremely hard in the last two years and I am delighted that many students will have secured the grades they were aiming for, with outstanding successes across the borough.”

“It is fantastic to see an improvement in A-level results in the borough, particularly in a year when the overall A-level performance has fallen.” Cllr Ruth Moher, Lead Member for Children and Young People GCSE pupils across Brent also scored a solid performance in this year’s GCSE results, with over 60 per cent of students achieving at least ﬁve grades A* to C, including English and mathematics, despite the well-publicised changes to the exams system, which had an impact nationwide on this year’s results.

Mark of distinction: Daniel Marchant who achieved ten A* grades

Students make the grade Brent students have been speaking of their pleasure at their results. Among the high flyers at St Gregory’s in Kenton were A-level students SarahWallis, Petros Soares and Ekow Plange. Sarah, who lives in Kingsbury, has gained a place to read History at Manchester University having achieved two As and a B. She said: “I’m really looking forward to going to Manchester University. It will be good to learn to be independent.” Petros achieved two A* grades and an A. He said: “I was really pleased to do better than my predicted grades.” Ekow scored an A* and two A grades. He said: “I was completely gobsmacked to see my results this morning. I did better than I thought I would. I’m really excited to go to Bath University. I got a really good vibe about the place when I visited it.” Among Brent’s GCSE high-flyers was JFS pupil Daniel Marchant, who achieved ten A* grades. Daniel said: “It was hard to predict how I would do as every exam is different and there are quite a lot of them, but you put the work in and hope for the best. “GCSEs are hard work.They are definitely very difficult, but it just takes a lot of work. It was a good feeling getting my results. I was relieved more than anything else.”

Apply now for a 2015 school place If your child is starting primary or secondary school in September 2015, you need to ﬁll out the schools admission application form online at www.eadmissions.org.uk If the pupil was born between 1 September 2003 and 31 August 2004, you must apply for a secondary school place for September 2015 by 31 October 2014. If your child was born between 1 September 2010 and 31 August 2011, the deadline for primary school applications is 15 January 2015. To ﬁnd a school, or for further information on applying for a school place for your child, please visit www.brent.gov.uk/admissions

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER AUTUMN 2014 2012

THE BRENT MAGAZINE

8 l -1 oo 11 sch ark P ! EW ry y N nda ble PEN co m O se We W in NO

Come to one of our Year 7 Open Events Michaela Community School, North End Road, Wembley, HA9 0UU (opposite Wembley Park underground station)

Monday 6th October: 6.00pm – 7.30pm Thursday 9th October: 9.00am – 11.00am Thursday 16th October: 9.00am – 11.00am Tuesday 21st October: 9.00am – 11.00am To book a place, please visit www.mcsbrent.co.uk/events or call 0208 795 3183 Book now and discover why you should make Michaela your first choice! Sign up to receive our e-newsletter www.mcsbrent.co.uk Join us on facebook.com/ michaelacommunityschool

APPLY FOR A 2015 YEAR 7 PLACE BY 31st OCTOBER Apply through Brent Council’s Co-ordinated Admissions Scheme. Visit www.mcsbrent.co.uk/apply for more details.

5 G 01 IN 2 N ER PE B O EM PT SE

Grange School 4-11 primary school opening in Kilburn in September 2015 › Choosing the best approaches from state and private education › Rich learning environment full of arts, drama, sport, music and academic rigour › Value for money pre and post school care Kilburn Grange School plans to open at the former College of North West London Kilburn campus, Priory Park Road, just off Kilburn High Road, NW6 7UJ.

Apply for a 2015 Reception place through your Local Authority in common with other schools. Register your interest and view upcoming events at: www.kilburngrangeschool.org.uk

www.kilburngrangeschool.org.uk Call us: 0845 459 0113 * Email us: info@kilburngrangeschool.org.uk Join us on Facebook www.facebook.com/kilburngrangeschool

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We love our new school Headteacher Honor Beck is delighted to help Brent Council ﬁnd more than 100 extra primary school places as part of a huge drive to create classroom space for more local pupils. St Robert Southwell RC Primary School, Kingsbury, where Miss Beck is headteacher, is part of the council’s £150m school investment programme, which will see thirteen schools expanded and four new schools built in the borough. The aim is to provide space for the growing numbers of pupils in Brent and help to continue to improve the quality of education on offer, giving every young person in the borough the best start possible. The young population is booming in Brent.With nearly a third of residents now under the age of 18, it is estimated that an extra 9,000 new primary school places will be needed in the borough by the end of the decade.

Under the programme, £1.3m has been invested in St Robert Southwell to enable it to teach two classes of 30 in each year group, with 15 extra pupils a year, totalling 105 pupils more. Ms Beck said: “There were several phases to the project, but the main phase was the building of ﬁve new classrooms, a new welfare room and a new multipurpose hall which we can now use for drama, dance, after school clubs and parents’ meetings and which really helps to support an enhanced curriculum for the children. “I’m absolutely delighted with the improvements here as they have made such a difference. It was great also that the council helped to fund the project

here at St Robert Southwell, which has been completed on time and on budget.” Pupil Sabina Nocivelli, aged ten, said “Before, the school was a bit crowded and it didn’t have many classrooms, but I love our new school. It is much better than before because now we have bigger classrooms and much more space. “I think it is really important to have good classrooms like these, because if you are squashed in a small classroom, it gets hot and stuffy and you can become frustrated. It’s not easy to work in. But now we have more space. The new classrooms are really big, colourful and comfortable.”

Honor Beck and pupils are delighted to show off their new classroom

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BRENT LONG TERM TRANSPORT STRATEGY (2015-2035) SURVEY

CONSULTATION CLOSING DATE 16 OCTOBER 2014

The Brent Long Term Transport Strategy has been developed by Brent Council to allow it to plan for future investment in transport throughout the borough for the next 20 years. The council is asking residents to give their views on the draft strategy before it is ﬁnalised. Pick up a survey available from your local Brent library or complete one online at www.brent-consult.objective.co.uk/portal You can ﬁnd the whole document at www.brent.gov.uk/transportstrategy Your feedback will help the council to understand whether Brent residents think the council has got the strategy right or not. There also will be three exhibitions on the strategy held at Brent Civic Centre on the following dates: Thursday 25 September 5-8pm, Friday 26 September 10am-4pm and Saturday 4 October 11am-4pm.

www.brent.gov.uk/transportstrategy XX

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Brent

Have Your Say

k o o b o t s y a w w e N g n i k r a p visitor

With more than 87,800 car owners in Brent, the council is working hard to improve parking across the borough. The latest change will phase out paper visitor scratch cards at the end of 2014. So what does this mean for you? Well, although the end of the paper scratch card is near, residents have actually been able to book visitor parking online since 2013. In fact, since the launch of the new system, more than 30,000 visitor permits a month have been booked in this way. From 1 January 2015, instead of using paper scratch cards, if you haven’t already you will need to register your visitor’s details with us, either online or by phone. In addition, if you would like someone to book visitor parking on your behalf, for example, if your son or daughter regularly visit you in your home, you can also register up to two nominated people to do this, which can be easily set up over the phone. To pay for the parking, you use ‘virtual’ credits. This is similar to using an Oyster card. You top up your account (you can do this over the phone or online) and then use your credits to pay for visitor parking. When you run out, you simply top up again.

Registering your visitor parking in this way means that there will be no need to physically display the voucher in your visitor’s vehicle, as we will be able to automatically check the vehicle’s number plates against those registered on our system. As this process is quicker for us to check, it will save substantial amounts of money, which would otherwise need to be cut from services. If you haven’t yet registered to do this, you can sign up at www.brent.gov.uk/ parking or by calling the number below.

HOW TO ARRANGE VISITOR PARKING

BUY IN ADVANCE

BUY ON THE DAY

Online at www.brent.gov.uk/parking Text VISIT BRENT and your visitor’s VRN* to 8001 Phone 020 8937 4972 (9am-5pm, Mon-Fri excl. bank holidays) * Vehicle Registration Number

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THE BRENT MAGAZINE

Get to know the c Which lead member loves talking to people on their doorstep and who is excited about implementing the Living Wage? Who loves mango and whose favourite ﬁlm is The Godfather? Get to know Brent Council’s cabinet and ﬁnd out all this and more…

Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council Most excited about: The schools agenda Biggest challenges in Brent: Housing and employment Why I love being a local councillor: Every single day is different Favourite food: Gajar ka halwa (carrot halwa) Role model: Nelson Mandela

Councillor James Denselow, Lead Member for Stronger Communities

Councillor Krupesh Hirani, Lead Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing

Most excited about: The diversity of Brent is exciting – there is so much potential and opportunity in this diversity

Most excited about: The council’s work on public health. This is a new responsibility for the council

Biggest challenges in Brent: The severity of government cuts on councils

Biggest challenges in Brent: The ageing population, which puts a huge strain on adult social care provision

Why I love being a local councillor: Meeting so many diverse and interesting people. I learn more and more about Brent every day, which I ﬁnd hugely stimulating Favourite food: Indian food, especially masala dosa Favourite ﬁlm: Apocalypse Now

Statue of Nelson Mandela

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AUTUMN 2014

Why I love being a local councillor: Being able to make a difference to people’s lives day-to-day Favourite ﬁlm: The Godfather Role model: Gandhi Mahatma Gandhi

Councillor Roxanne Mashari, Lead Member for Employment and Skills Most excited about: Working with local businesses to implement the Living Wage Biggest challenges in Brent: Making sure that growth and regeneration work for local people Why I love being a local councillor: You get to work with a lot of extraordinary people who often slip under the radar Favourite space in Brent: Welsh Harp Reservoir and Nature Reserve. The only site of special scientiﬁc interest in Brent Best piece of advice you’ve been given: Build bridges and reach out to people, no matter how difﬁcult that might seem

abinet Martin Luther King

Councillor Michael Pavey, Deputy Leader

Councillor Ruth Moher, Lead Member for Children and Young People

Most excited about: The creativity and enthusiasm of our residents

Most excited about: My portfolio – children and young people

Biggest challenges in Brent: Housing and employment Councillor Margaret McLennan, Lead Member for Regeneration and Housing Most excited about: Regenerating areas like Old Oak Common, Alperton and Park Royal Biggest challenges in Brent: Welfare reform

Why I love being a local councillor: I get to work with wonderful, inspirational members of the community

Councillor Keith Perrin, Lead Member for the Environment

Favourite food: West Indian, especially ackee and salt-ﬁsh and curried goat

Most excited about: Being able to change people’s lives in a positive way

Favourite space in Brent: Chalkhill Park

Biggest challenges in Brent: Making Brent as ‘green’ as possible

Why I love being a local councillor: I love that I have the opportunity to improve other people’s lives

Why I love being a local councillor: Talking to people on their doorsteps; it’s the contact with people I love the most

Role model: Hillary Clinton

Favourite food: Chips

Favourite food: Hard to choose one. I love Creole, Asian and Italian

Favourite ﬁlm: I’ve Loved You So Long (with Kristin Scott Thomas)

Biggest challenges in Brent: Ensuring families get all the help they need as early on as possible Why I love being a local councillor: The variety. I get to meet so many people from different walks of life Favourite food: I love fruit; my favourite is mango Role model: Martin Luther King

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THE BRENT MAGAZINE

advertisement feature

Your

fridge & freezer are

SUPERHEROES

at reducing food waste Have you taken a tour of your freezer lately?

Have you tried freezing

Take a look after reading this and see what you can find! In the UK 800,000 tonnes of food, valued at £2 billion on shop shelves, is thrown away from homes because it is not used in time – and that’s where your fridge and freezer can save the day. The average household has enough food in their freezer to make main meals for 11 days, in fact it’s estimated that UK homes have an enormous £860 million worth of food in them. We could all do one more thing to use our fridge freezers to keep food fresher for longer, here are a few ideas to try.

r Check your fridge is below 5oC. If it is, your chicken and salad will last three days longer

fruits on a baking tray so they freeze quickly and then pack them in portions into labelled containers or bags

r Wrap food well and expel air before

Eggs Cheese Bread Chopped bananas Cakes

freezing, this prevents freezer burn which causes dry, grey patches on frozen food

r Freeze your uneaten veg, it’s easy - cook for 2 minutes in boiling water then plunge in to very cold water (blanching) and freeze

r Bread in the fridge goes stale 6 times faster, if you know you

r Ice cube trays aren’t just for freezing water, they’re great for

won’t eat a whole loaf before the mould moves in, freeze part of the loaf and defrost or toast when you need it

tomato puree, pesto, chopped fresh herbs and cup-of-teasized milk portions too

r Keep a shelf in your fridge for items that will go past their use by date in the next few days. Having them all at eye level makes them harder to forget. Food can be frozen up to the use by date so freeze it instead of throwing it out

r Split big packets of food into smaller portions and freeze what you’re not going to eat in the next couple of days – small portions are quicker to defrost too

r Place individual items such as part boiled potatoes or soft

Plan ahead Recycle what you can’t eat

You may be surprised to learn that almost Buy what you need

How to reduce food waste Eat it all or store leftovers for later Cook the right amount

30% of the rubbish in black bags and wheeled bins in west London

is actually food . Store correctly

A lot of that could have been eaten, follow these six steps to keep the food you throw in the bin to a minimum.

r Label everything you put in the freezer to avoid having an unidentified frozen object (UFO), put a date on it too. Keeping a list of your freezer content on the door will make it quicker and easier to plan your meals

r Anything you freeze now will taste great in December; it will be perfect to use in the busy run up to Christmas when a meal from the freezer may be just what you need Get more tips, ideas and information on our website.

The Rubbish Diet has come to Brent Ever get confused about what can be recycled? Not enough space to sort your waste? Just hate wasting things? The Rubbish Diet Challenge can help you sort out your rubbish once and for all. Together with your family, your friends or your street see how slim you can get your bins. Visit www.therubbishdiet.org.uk for details.

Love Your Clothes Use clothes, accessories and shoes you no longer wear as currency to get items you really want in your wardrobe at a Swish. Our website has more information.

www.westlondonwaste.gov.uk

Changes to your recycling and waste services from spring 2015 If you live in a house, or a residence converted into flats, your recycling and waste services will be changing in spring next year. Below are the key things you need to know. Your recycling service will be improved, as your blue top recycling bin will be collected weekly rather than every other week. Your collection day will remain the same. Garden waste – such as grass and twigs – and food waste will be collected in separate containers. From spring 2015, you will no longer be able to put food and garden waste in the same bin. We will provide you with a free 23 litre container for your food waste and we will collect this weekly.

Improved blue top recycling with weekly collections. A new free 23 litre food waste container collected weekly.

If you want your garden waste collected, you can subscribe to the new garden waste collection service. This will cost £40 per year and your bin will be collected every other week in summer and once a month in winter. Full details of how to subscribe to the garden waste service will be provided soon. If you do not want your garden waste collected, you can purchase a subsidised compost bin and compost garden waste at home. Or take it to the Reuse and Recycling Centre on Abbey Road, NW10 7TJ for free.

Buy a subsidised compost bin for garden waste.

Do not put food or garden waste into your general waste bin. We will continue to collect your general waste bin every other week.

You do not need to do anything now. We will provide you with more information on the above service changes before spring 2015. If you live in a block of flats these changes will not affect you. However, you will soon be receiving a new food waste collection service. More information on this improvement for residents in blocks of flats will be provided shortly. Brent Council is working for a safer, greener, cleaner borough which is sustainable and fit for future generations. For more information on what materials you can recycle, please visit www.brent.gov.uk/recycling

AUTUMN 2014

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Make sure you are registered to vote for the General Election on 7 May 2015 The way you register to vote has changed. If you are already registered to vote, Brent Council has written to you to explain the changes. You may have received a registration form which you should ďŹ ll in and return as soon as possible. If you are not registered to vote, go to www.gov.uk/registertovote or contact Electoral Services.

020 8937 1372 electoral.services@brent.gov.uk XX

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AUTUMN 2014

Brent

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“It’s a wonderful place. I encourage all my friends to go.” Councillor James Denselow (centre). with a Brent libraries reading group.

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J^[ Xehek]^Ĥi b_XhWh_[i Wh[ X[_d] [d`eo[Z Xo ceh[ WdZ ceh[ f[efb[ m_j^ h[YehZ dkcX[hi l_i_j_d] M[cXb[o B_XhWho$ Over one million people have now visited the busy community space to meet, study and borrow since it opened last year – making it one of the busiest libraries in London. The move from the former Brent Town Hall to the high-tech Brent Civic Centre was a key part of the plan to transform the borough’s libraries and to meet the diverse needs of residents. Five libraries have been modernised so far, while study space has been increased and opening hours extended. The opening of the exciting new Library at Willesden Green next summer, featuring a large, modern library, new museum and archives, café, performance space and art gallery, will complete the picture.

All of Brent’s libraries are now open seven days a week and there’s so much more to borrow – including free loans of millions of books ranging from best selling ﬁction to practical guides and children’s books. If you can’t visit in person, the home library and community delivery services will come to you. Investment in new technology has made Brent’s libraries really easy for customers to use. New self-service machines have been installed and there’s a lot you can do easily online now. Library members can read reference material and mainstream magazines and newspapers, do training courses, borrow eBooks and study their family history – all online, either in a library or from home, for free.

Computers are also free to use and all libraries have free Wi-Fi. There’s a lot more going on in Brent’s libraries too, including English conversation classes, knitting clubs, book clubs and author readings. There are hugely popular events for young children and their parents such as talks, workshops and dance. Shivali Kulkarni and her daughter visit Wembley Library two to three times a week. She said: “It’s a wonderful place. I encourage all my friends to go.” Councillor James Denselow, Brent’s Lead Member for Stronger Communities, said: “This is beyond our expectations. We planned Wembley Library to be good and people have voted with their feet.”www.brent.gov.uk/libraries

AUTUMN 2014

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Licensing for private sector landlords

Are you a private landlord renting out a house or ﬂat in Brent? From 1 November 2014 you will be able to apply for a licence before it becomes law on 1 January 2015.

If you are a private sector landlord who: s lets any tenanted flat or house in Harlesden, Willesden Green or Wembley Central s lets a home in multiple occupation, of any size, anywhere within the borough of Brent you will be required to have a licence. Rogue landlords are not welcome here! Brent Council wants to work with good landlords and drive out the minority of bad landlords. After 1 January 2015, any landlords that the council finds running an unlicensed property will pay an extra £300 finder’s fee on top of the licence fee, so don’t delay in making your application.

www.brent.gov.uk/prslicensing or email prs.licensing@brent.gov.uk

Want to save money on your gas and electricity bills?

“I know times are hard for many families in Brent. That’s why I’m supporting this scheme. Register today and tell your friends and family about it.” – Brent Council leader Muhammed Butt .

For the last auction in June 2014 London residents who switched saved an average £224 per year on their fuel bills. Sign up for the October auction and you could be in with a chance to win one year’s energy for free.

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AUTUMN 2014

Leroy Simpson and Harlesden Town Team member Colin George

A thriving Harlesden high street Your new look Harlesden town centre is nearing completion.

By early next year the transformation will be ﬁnished.The landmark Jubilee Clock will be back in action and the town will be a more attractive and easier-to-use shopping destination for residents and visitors, helping the local economy to thrive. A £5 million investment will have created a high quality shopping destination, which will be safer and easier to travel through and nicer to relax in with new seats and planting. Wider and better pavements will enable cafés and restaurants to spill out on to the street. More space will also encourage new and specialised markets into Harlesden. The project has been developed by volunteers from Harlesden Town Team, in partnership with Brent Council and Transport for London. Changes can already be seen along Manor Park Road,Tavistock Road, Craven Park Road and parts of the high street.

The next phase will be to change the parking and trafﬁc systems over the next few months, including: O a new semi-pedestrianised high street between the clock and Tavistock Road O changes to the road layout including the creation of a new two-way system O changes to the Controlled Parking Zone boundaries O the introduction of dedicated pay and display parking O dedicated permit holder only parking O new loading bays for businesses O bus diversions during the works

Leroy Simpson, Chairperson of Harlesden Town Team, said: “The team has spent over four years in consultation with local residents and businesses and we are almost at the end of this part of the project. I personally am looking forward to all of the beneﬁts to the Harlesden community.” For more, contact the Town Team on 020 8937 5181, email harlesden. towncentre@brent.gov.uk or go to www.brent.gov.uk/regeneration

“This is a very exciting project which will result in a cleaner, safer and thriving high street, beneﬁtting both businesses and residents alike.” Cllr Keith Perrin, the council’s Lead Member for the Environment AUTUMN 2014

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What is

Are you, or someone you know, looking after someone elseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s child for more than a month? If so, you could be fostering privately! Brent Council must ensure that all children in Brent are being cared for properly and that carers are supported. If you know of, or are caring for a child who is being privately fostered please let us know.

Call 020 8937 2749 www.brent.gov.uk/privatefostering

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AUTUMN 2014

Stars in your eyes Each autumn Brent Council recognises staff who have given exceptional public service during the previous year. Do you know a Brent Council team or individual who has gone the extra mile? Nominate them for a Brent Staff Achievement Community Award 2014. Nominate online on Brentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website or pick up a form from Customer Services at Brent Civic Centre. The deadline for nominations is 17 October 2014.

www.brent.gov.uk/staffawards AUTUMN 2014

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Remembering a local hero Brent

Remembers

Doug Garforth remembers the heroism of his grandfather, which has been marked by a ceremony in Willesden Green. “It’s exactly 100 years ago that my grandfather, Corporal Charles Garforth, under heavy ﬁre, volunteered to cut wire, allowing his squadron to escape,” he said. This act of bravery, along with several other actions during the FirstWorldWar, earned him a prestigiousVictoria Cross, the highest military honour, which is awarded for valour ‘in the face of the enemy’. Charles Garforth was born inWillesden Green in 1891. He has just been remembered in a ceremony which saw the placing of a commemorative paving stone in Lechmere Road (near his place of birth) in Willesden Green. Every courageous recipient of aVictoria Cross in the FirstWorldWar is being remembered with a commemorative paving stone as part of a national scheme.

Far left, Doug Garforth at the ceremony. Left and above, Corporal Charles Garforth

Brent Remembers Five Lives: Brent and the First World War Brent Civic Centre, behind the main stairs, October 2014-March 2015. Open during normal civic centre hours. Featuring Corporal Garforth and other local people who contributed in different ways in the First World War. Tanks and Dazzle Camouﬂage Brent Civic Centre, 29 October, 11.30am-4pm. There’s something for all ages at our Family Arts Festival Extravaganza. Come along and make a model tank, boat or poppies and listen to Terry Deary’s The War Game.

Pictured rear row right, Corporal Garforth in the British Army

Corporal Garforth was a 22-year-old in the 15th (The Kings) Hussar regiment when he earned the medal. Soon after his first act of bravery, he rescued a sergeant trapped under his dead horse, carrying him to safety while under constant fire. The next day, the corporal drew enemy fire so another comrade whose horse had been killed could escape. Corporal Garforth was taken prisoner in 1914 and repatriated in 1918. He died in July 1973, aged 81, from natural causes. HisVictoria Cross is on display at the Imperial War Museum. Doug Garforth said: “I have two particularly vivid memories of his bravery, both involving animals! When I was about eight, we had gone for a country walk and a horse had escaped from a field into the road. The horse was running wild and I was scared. My grandfather didn’t hesitate to run after the horse and grab its tongue to bring it to a standstill. Obviously his experience with horses in the cavalry stood him in good stead.The horse was twice his size but that didn’t faze him one bit. “The second incident involved our family dog, a little Corgi called Ben, who was let off the lead and ended up in a fight with a bulldog. My grandfather’s immediate instinct was to protect Ben so he raced up to the bulldog and squeezed his collar until he released our dog. Most people would have been terrified of the bulldog but it didn’t scare him.

“I guess you could call him brave – or stupid,” he laughs. “I think he would act without any thought for his own safety. “People often ask me what sort of character he was. I remember him being a man of few words. He came from a humble background and wasn’t highly educated. He was a very calm and collected person. I’m particularly proud that he wasn’t bothered by status. He was there to serve his fellow man as much as serving ‘King and Country’.” You can ﬁnd out more about Brent in the FirstWorldWar as part of a series of free events in October and November, detailed right. Further information www.brent.gov.uk/ﬁrstworldwar www.facebook.com/brentmuseumandarchives

Film screenings at Brent Civic Centre 29 October, 1.45pm: The Imperial War Museum presents Whose Remembrance? 2.30pm and 3.30pm: Brent Remembers. Created as part of the National Digital War Memorial Project. Remembrance Day centenary event Barham Park, Sunday 9 November, 2pm. A ceremonial service will be held to mark the solemnity of the occasion and honour the service and sacriﬁce of all those involved in wars and conﬂict. Contribute to the war archive Brent Museum and Archives is collecting stories, photos and objects from Brent residents whose family members were involved in the First World War. If you can contribute, please email museum@brent.gov.uk

Above left: the commemorative paving stone laid in Willesden Green Worn with pride: the medals awarded to Charles Garforth for his heroic service (below)

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THE BRENT MAGAZINE

Brent Clinical Commissioning Group

Save the date – Wednesday 19 November 2014

The Brent Health Partners Forum Do you want to talk about health services in Brent? Would you like to hear how the NHS is changing in the borough? Then save the date and attend the next health partners forum. The forum brings together members of the local community with representatives from the NHS, the local authority and voluntary sector to discuss health and social care issues in Brent. The event is organised by NHS Brent Clinical Commissioning Group which is responsible for planning and designing many health services in the borough.

Date: Wednesday 19 November 2014 Time: 6.00pm – 8.00pm (Registration open and refreshments served from 5.15pm) Venue: To be conﬁrmed

For more information please email: brentccg.engagement@nhs.net or call 020 8795 6107/6122

Attention all landlords

Properties wanted Since 1968 Shepherds Bush Housing Association has been a trusted part of the local community, now managing more than 5,000 homes. For 25 years, we’ve been managing, maintaining and guaranteeing rents for landlords. We are looking for properties in all areas on GUARANTEED or MARKET rent. Cash incentives offered. GUARANTEED RENT SCHEME We can take on ‘hard to let’ or large properties including HMOs s Advance monthly rent even if your property is empty s No management fee or commission – we pay what we quote s s Grants funding advice s No void works if the property becomes empty within lease (exceptions apply)

The home of guaranteed rents

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AUTUMN 2014

MARKET RENT SCHEME s Yearly contracts s Free rent guarantee s Tenant referencing for your chosen tenant s Free photo inventory s 24/7 repairs service and furniture supply s Full Management or Rent Collection

Contact us to discuss your options and to arrange a no obligation visit Landlords hotline: 020 8996 4271 psateam.sbha@sbhg.co.uk www.sbhg.co.uk/landlords

competitions

Win One Year’s Free Energy Since its launch in April 2013, the Big London Energy Switch has helped thousands of Londoners save money on their fuel bills, with an average saving of £224 per year for the June 2014 switch. Supported by Brent Council, the Big London Energy Switch uses consumer power to help negotiate a better deal for your gas and electricity, reducing your bills and helping you to keep your home warm over the winter. If you register for the Big London Energy Switch, then get ﬁve other people to register with you and make

the switch, you will be entered into a draw to win one year’s free energy – worth up to £1,200 (with VAT). Registration for the next Big London Energy Switch closes on 13 October 2014 and it only takes a few minutes. Energy companies will then offer their best price in an auction.

To register, visit www.brent.gov.uk/ energyswitch If you are a Brent resident and can’t use the internet, you can register by calling 0800 048 8439.

There is no obligation to accept but if you choose to make the switch you could make considerable savings on your fuel bill.

Win tickets for England v Slovenia With the UEFA 2016 European Championship qualiﬁcation campaign well underway we’re teaming up with The FA to give lucky fans the chance to watch the Three Lions’ qualiﬁcation game against Slovenia on Saturday November 15 at Wembley Stadium. To be in with a chance of winning one of four pairs of tickets, please answer the following question: Roy Hodgson recently named which player as his new England captain? A. Joe Hart

B. Wayne Rooney

C. Gary Cahill

We will notify the winners on October 13. Terms and conditions apply.

JOIN THE ENGLAND SUPPORTERS CLUB – THE OFFICIAL WAY TO SUPPORT ENGLAND Membership of England Supporters Club is free and members will receive priority access to tickets for England home games, while at the same time earning rewards for their loyal and valued support. For more information please visit www.englandsupportersclub.com For the football tickets competition ONLY, send your answer and your name, address and telephone number by email to competition@brent.gov.uk or on a postcard to The Brent Magazine, Communications Team, 4th Floor, Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley, HA9 0FJ by FRIDAY OCTOBER 10.

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THE BRENT MAGAZINE

what’s on

Your guide to… what’s on in Brent during September, October and November CHILDREN ACTIVE START FOR LITTLE STARS; MULTI-SPORTS FOR CHILDREN UNDER FIVE Sat 10-10.50am at Charteris Sports Centre NW6 7ET for fun sports and active games. Sessions are run by coaches; sports on rotation include football, basketball, athletics, hockey, tennis and cricket. Cost: £2. hello@ sportattheheart.org www.sportattheheart. org. Call 07857 992 633

KIDS BOXING CLASSES (EIGHT YEARS +) In a safe environment, our fun (non-contact) boxing classes help kids to develop and improve their technical boxing abilities, physical ﬁtness and self-defence. FIRST CLASS FREE. For more information call 07572 433 412

MINI-TENNIS FOR EIGHT AND UNDER Join the buzzing minitennis programmes at Willesden Sports Centre for children aged eight and under. Multiple sessions per week. Visit www.uplaytennis. com, email info@ uplaytennis.com or call 020 8922 0122. £49 for a seven-week term.

THE 2ND WEMBLEY BOYS’ BRIGADE AND GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION

LGBT YOUTH CLUB Lesbian, gay, bi and unsure under 19s youth club every Wednesday in Kilburn. www. mosaicyouth.org.uk or call 07931 336 668

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Held the ﬁrst Wednesday of every month 10am-12noon at Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley. Includes a variety of knowledgeable guest speakers, pensioners’ issues discussed, etc. Everyone welcome. Call Vi Steele on 020 8795 3151 or email violetmsteele@ yahoo.co.uk

NORTH WEST LONDON NCT, THE CHARITY FOR PARENTS

COMMUNITY LITERARY CRITICISM Tricycle Theatre. Start the week with a wordy workout! Monday 10.30am-12noon from 22 September. Short stories and poetry run by local novelist Shyama Perera, Tricycle Readers is open to all. Maximum 12 people. For more information visit www. tricyclereaders.com or book at tricyclereaders @gmail.com

NORTH WEST LONDON LESBIAN AND GAY GROUP Mondays 8.30pm, Tenterden Sports Centre, Preston Road, Wembley. Call 07941 707 884

PATIDAR HOUSE ACTIVITIES A Burmese dancer. Hear a talk on ‘the Jewel of Wembley’ at Wembley History Society

WEMBLEY HISTORY SOCIETY

THIRD CRICKLEWOOD FESTIVAL

Fri 17 October – The Jewel of Wembley, an illustrated talk on Burma at the British Empire Exhibition in 1924. Fri 21 November – Stories of Famous Songs, music and humour with Terry Lomas and Alan Richardson. Meetings 7.30pm at English Martyrs’ Hall, Chalkhill Road (top of Blackbird Hill), Wembley HA9. For info email philgrant69@aol.com

The annual Cricklewood Festival will be held on Saturday 20 September 1-6pm. The free open-air festival includes music, dance, culture and stalls and will be held in the new public space in Cricklewood Lane NW2. For information visit www.cricklewood.net

CAR BOOT SALE

A group for parents of autistic kids to talk, share ideas, tips, experience and care. Second Wednesday of the month. 8.15-9.15pm. £2 donation. Cake welcome! Gracelands Yard, Liddell Road NW10 3QE.

St Cuthbert’s Church, North Wembley HA0 3QY. Saturday 20 Sept 10am-3pm. Tables available from £5-£10. Entry fee 50p for children and £1 for adults. Call 020 8904 8599 or email admin@stcuths.org

SINCLAIR ARTS ACADEMY – BALLET Sat 10-11am, ages three and a half to seven at The Ark Academy School, Dance Studio, Bridge Road, Wembley Park. Call 07917 313 579 or visit www.sinclairarts academy.com

BRENT PENSIONERS’ FORUM

Anchors 5-8, juniors 8-11 meet 6.15-7.30pm Thurs. Company section meet 7.15-9pm. Park Lane Methodist Church, Wembley. www. parklanemethodist. org.uk

Weekly meetups for pregnant women and new parents each week in Brent – make friends and get information and support. We also organise sales of baby clothes and equipment. New volunteers to help run our group are always welcome. www.nct.org. uk/branches/northwest-london

AUTISM PARENTS SUPPORT GROUP NW10

DIWALI LIVE SPECTACULAR Saturday 25 October from 6.30pm at the Brent Indian Association, Ealing Road HA0 4TH. Vegetarian buffet and music by Raksha Vyas and Rajni Gor. Tickets £17pp and must be purchased in advance. Call Dee on 07793 564 962 or Renu on 07840 491 142

AUTUMN 2014

To get your event listed for free, email us using the subject heading ‘What’s On’. Describe your event, in no more than 50 words, tell us what section you want your ad to appear, include a pic and a title and email TBM@brent.gov.uk or telephone 020 8937 1062. Pictures need to be at 500kb or 1mb.

St Cuthbert’s Church car boot sale

Encee Academy of Performing Arts runs a range of Indian dance classes along with classes in vocal music and instruments. Active senior citizens’ group with regular activities such as yoga and cookery. For more information and prices, visit www.patidars.org

WILLESDEN GREEN WRITER’S GROUP We meet on the ﬁrst and third Thurs of every month from 7.30-9.30pm. Everyone is welcome and it’s only £3 per session attended, no need to book, just turn up! At Brent Artists Resource, 4 Queen’s Parade, Willesden. Just three minutes from Willesden Green tube (Jubilee Line). www.willesdengreen writers.com

THE WEMBLEY AND DISTRICT CENTRE A local group of the National Trust meet on the third Thurs of the month 8-10pm – Sudbury Neighbourhood Centre, 809 Harrow Road, Wembley, behind the Sudbury Methodist Church. We have a great variety of speakers booked for 2014. For more info call 020 8902 1324

WEMBLEY ART SOCIETY Fri 10am-12noon at The Church of the Ascension, The Avenue, Wembley Park HA9 9QL. £30 per annum or £2 per morning. Call Jean 020 8205 5734 or Madeleine 020 8423 2223

DANCE FREE DANCE CLASSES Fri 4-5.30pm at 214 Carlton Avenue West, HA0 4UY for all levels so no previous dance experience needed. We are also looking for serious dancers to be part of the Élan performance group as Élan Arts Director/ Choreographer. www.elanarts.org.uk. Call 07875 933 660

TEA DANCE AT BRENT CIVIC CENTRE Mon (not bank holidays) at The Grand Hall, Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley. Doors open 12.30, Tea Dance from 1.30-4.30pm. £5 per person. Licensed bar and refreshments available. Call 020 8937 4340

THE YOUNG PEOPLES THEATRE COMPANY (TYPTC) STREET DANCE 5-8 years, Wednesday 4.30-5.30pm. 9-13 years Wednesday 5.30-6.30pm. Learn urban dance moves to the latest dance tunes, taught by industry professionals who regularly feature in popular music videos. Kingsgate Community Centre, Kingsgate Road NW6 2JH. To enrol or to book a free trial. www.theyoungpeoples theatre.co.uk or call 07572 929 168

MODERN JIVE+ Tues at 7.30pm class or freestyle at 8.3010.30pm at Oakington School Hall, Manor Drive, Wembley, Middlesex. No need to bring a partner, free parking, £7 per person (ﬁrst promotional entry for £5 per person). Contact Uri on 07427 113 227

what’s on DRAMA MADHATTERS THEATRE New members wanted for friendly drama group meeting in Willesden on Wednesday evenings. Performances scheduled for late autumn. All welcome – actors, set builders, publicity people. Call 020 8452 5239 www.madhatters theatre.org.uk

FRESH ARTS THEATRE SCHOOL Drama, dance and singing classes for children aged 3-14 at Newman Catholic College, Harlesden and Ark Academy, Wembley. Call us on 07506 363 585/0845 269 9529 for more info or visit www.fresh-arts.co.uk

LEARNING MATHS DEN Saturday maths tuition for children aged 7-11 in small groups. £10 per hour. We also teach children in secondary school – please ring for prices. Call 07974 225 342, email mathsden @yahoo.com or visit www.sites.google. com/site/mathsden

IMPROVE YOUR SPANISH Learn quickly with this immersion programme. The assessment is absolutely free and the learning plan is tailored to your needs. £15 per hour. 10% discount when pre-booking ten sessions. blablando@outlook. com. Call Alexandra on 07533 143 784

IT CLASSES FOR THE OVER 60S Age UK Brent run computer and internet classes in Harlesden and Kingsbury. Call 020 8965 771 for more details.

ENVIRONMENT BARN HILL CONSERVATION GROUP Sun, Fryent Country Park; Tues, Thurs, Sat Roe Green Walled Garden. Call 020 8206 0492 or visit www.bhcg.btck.co.uk

MUSIC ACE CAFÉ MUSIC October– free entry unless otherwise stated. Wednesday 1, 6-11pm – Hot Rod Night with DJ Jimmy Guntrip. Saturday 11, 9pm-2am – Billy Fury Tribute Night with Pete Hutton & The Beyonders + DJ. Flat Top Dave – Entry £10. Sorry no under 18s. Saturday 18, 7-11pm – Soul Night Out on the Floor with DJ Little Diane. Saturday 25, 7-11pm – Rhythm n’ Cruise Rockin’ Record Hop with DJ Jinx Joint.

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

PARKLIFE SINGERS A community choir for Brent. Open to all – no auditions, no need to read music. Monday 8-10pm, Salusbury School, Queen’s Park. Your ﬁrst session is FREE! Visit www. parklifesingers.co.uk

The Yoga Loft offers classes for everyone, from beginners to experienced practitioners

Yoga will help you to stay ﬁt, strong and energised throughout your pregnancy, connect with your baby, build awareness of your body and embrace the changes it is going through. Max six women in class, £85/six weeks. Monday 6-7pm at Chaim Centre, Willesden Green. More on www. serendipityloves.com/ pre-post-natal

BACK TO NETBALL 10-12 week re-introduction for adult females of all ages. Sessions at Bridge Park Mon 5.30-6.30pm, £3 per session. Contact Adele Burnett for more information on 07872 407 212, email adele. burnett@englandnetball. co.uk or visit www. englandnetball.co.uk/ my-game/back-tonetball

Live music at Ace Café in October

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

YOGALOFT This boutique studio offers yoga classes for everyone from complete beginners to experienced practitioners. Their amazing value introductory offer is available to all new customers – £40 for 30 days. See the full range of classes at yogaloftlondon.com/ timetable. Call 020 7625 2645. 3 Lonsdale Road NW6 6RA.

Brent Archives George Furness House 2-12 Grange Road, Willesden NW10 2QY 020 8937 3541 archives@brent.gov.uk

ZUMBA

Tricycle Theatre Cinema and Gallery 269 Kilburn High Road, London NW6 7JR, Theatre box ofﬁce 020 7328 1000 Cinema 020 7328 1900 Disabled access to auditorium and café, induction loop in auditorium Minicom 020 7625 5105

OUTDOOR GYM-LED SESSIONS Tues 9-10am at Tiverton Playing Fields; Tues 11am-12noon at Gibbons Recreation Ground. Wed 9-10am at Roe Green Park; Wed 2-3pm King Edward VII Park; Thurs 2-3pm at Chalkhill Park; Sat 2-3pm at Gladstone Park. Run by qualiﬁed instructors on a weekly basis for those who require assistance in using the equipment. Sessions are free and there is no need to book. Call 020 8937 3707 or email sportsservice@ brent.gov.uk

EXERCISE CLASSES FOR OLDER PEOPLE

SPORTS AND LEISURE

Venues

Sat 3-5pm, Willesden Sports Centre, Donnington Road, NW10. Call 07835 244 398. Sat 10am-12noon, St Augustine’s Church Hall, Wembley Hill Road HA9. Call 07958 908 892 or visit www. wushukwan.com Zumba classes for all levels with Donna Sheehan, a fully qualiﬁed ETM level 2 and Zumba instructor. St Mary and St Andrew’s Parish Hall, Dollis Hill Lane NW2 6HE. Saturday 10am and Monday 8.15pm. Wed 8pm at Raw, Cinnamon Suite, West Hendon NW9 7BP. All welcome.

Wu Shu Kwan, Chinese kick boxing

PREGNANCY YOGA

WU SHU KWAN CHINESE KICKBOXING

Age UK Brent run exercise classes for older people in Fortune gate Road, Harlesden (Wed 10.30am) and at Harrod Court, Stag Lane, Kingsbury (Thursdays at 10.30am). £2 per session. Call 020 8965 7711 for more details.

OVER 50S FITNESS Sociable exercise class for over 50s aiming to push you towards better fitness whatever your level of fitness in a mixed ability group. Men and women welcome to come to our graded fitness session, which caters for high to low-level needs. Fri 6.15-8pm Charteris Sports Centre, 24-30 Charteris Road NW6 7ET. Just turn up or get information by email lloyd@charterissports. org or text 07984 579 011. Free session.

The Drum Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley HA9 0FJ 020 8937 4340

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

SELF-DEVELOPMENT SOUND MEDITATION One hour’s relaxing sound meditation on the third Thursday of every month in Willesden NW10 4EL. Cost £10. Call Sandira 07940 804 098 or email info@chisoundhealing. co.uk

INNER SPACE WEMBLEY Free courses and seminars: meditation, positive thinking, overcoming anger etc. Inner Space, 528 High Road, Wembley HA9 7BS. Call 020 8903 1911 or visit www.innerspace. org/wembley

MEDITATION/ COMBAT STRESS Authentic mindfulness meditation techniques on a weekly basis in groups or one to one coaching. Suitable for all levels. Led by Karuna, a former Buddhist monk. Visit www.akanista. com/meditationclasses, email info@ akanista.com or call 07784 436 783

ALL EVENTS ARE SELECTED AT THE EDITOR’S DISCRETION

AUTUMN 2014

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 Wembley Library Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley HA9 0FJ 020 8937 3500 townhalllibrary@brent.gov.uk Willesden Green Library The service is temporarily based at two buildings: George Furness House 2-12 Grange Road Willesden NW10 2QY 020 8937 3403 The Lewinson Centre 165-167 High Road Willesden NW10 2SG 020 8937 3405 willesdengreenlibrary @brent.gov.uk

Wembley Stadium All times to be conﬁrmed and may be changed. 28 Sep

Dolphins v Raiders

9 Oct

England v San Marino

26 Oct

Lions v Falcons

9 Nov

Cowboys v Jaguars

15 Nov

England v Slovenia

Subject to change www.wembleystadium.com/events

THE BRENT MAGAZINE

New Primary School at Wembley High Following on from Wembley High Technology College’s success as one of the highest achieving schools in Brent, we are delighted to announce that a brand new Lower School is planned to open in September 2015. Places will be available for Reception age children.

There will be: • Places for 4 to 5 year olds (90 places are available) • A brand new school with state-of-the art buildings, equipment and facilities • The highest quality teaching and learning • A strong focus on core skills of Literacy and Numeracy as well as developing pupils’ skills across the seven areas of learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage • A supportive and caring environment for pupils to thrive in, pastorally and academically • Smooth secondary transfer as students will continue into Year 7 at Wembley High Technology College.

For more information about the school and our admissions policy, contact the school for a Prospectus or visit our website at www.whtc.co.uk