The Brent Magazine issue 131 April 2013

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ISSUE NO.131 • FREE FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE AND WORK IN BRENT

PUBLISHED BY BRENT COUNCIL • APRIL 2013

Time for toddlers More free childcare for two-year-olds

Don’t drown in debt Help is at hand

Library Pages Win £50 in Amazon vouchers

Competition on your side

Win sailing and wind-surfing lessons

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Childcare in Brent Now free for twos*

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Give your two year old an NEG egg Nursery Education Grants for some Brent parents could mean up to 15 hours free childcare per week * Conditions apply, see feature on page 10 for full details

Brent

Find out more at www.brent.gov.uk/neg2

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Contents 21

Features More time for toddlers Drowning in debt?

Good advice if you suffer from a credit crunch

A budget for tough times Help for motorists and council tax payers

Library pages Fun, free activities for Easter and more

Parking changes What residents in CPZs need to know

Pop in to the pop up!

It’s all happening at The Albert

The start of a new chapter?

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Temporary services if Willesden Green Library Centre closes

Regulars

4 9 25 27 29 31

Welcome

More free nursery spaces for two year olds

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

Issue No. 131 April 2013 BDU 6826 3.13 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 the London Borough of Brent, Town Hall, Forty Lane, Wembley Middlesex.

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© John Birdsall www.photofusion.org

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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.

Money makes the world go round, they say.

And with bills rising and wages stagnating, money - or the lack of it - is on the minds of even more local people than normal.

So in this issue we detail how Brent is doing it’s best to relieve a bit of the financial pressure many of us face.

There’s good advice on dealing with debt for people facing their own credit crunch (p12), good news when it comes to council tax and parking charges (p14) and good support for job-seekers worst hit by the benefits cuts (p25).

Parents of two year olds should also turn to page 10 to see if we can help them with nursery places.

This is all part of Brent’s commitment to be on your side in these tough times.

Meanwhile there’s also big changes at Willesden Green Library Centre (p22), The Albert popping up in South Kilburn (p21) and don’t forget our exciting competitions (p29).

Happy reading, Jason Grimsley, Guest editor*, The Brent Magazine *Orla Sedze is away

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 2700 Cover image: Childcare for two year olds. Photo Kit Oates

UPdate

Grand occasion for charity dinner This year’s Mayoral Charity Dinner to raise money for the Mayor of Brent’s charities will take place at the Hilton, Wembley, on 19 April.

The Grand Ballroom will host a champagne reception, followed by a threecourse meal with wine, live entertainment and a raffle, starting at 7pm.

“I am doing my utmost to raise as much money as possible, in partnership with local businesses and organisations for my chosen charities, and look forward to your support.

“I encourage all local businesses and associations to attend and be generous in supporting my chosen charities, which are all worthwhile organisations,” said Mayor of Brent, Councillor Michael Adeyeye.

This year, the Mayor is supporting The Brent Association of Disabled People, Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity - which grants wishes for seriously ill children aged 3-18 – and The Sickle Cell Society.

Tickets are £75 per person or £700 for a table of ten

Yasmin is best young musician Young pianist Yasmin Adewusi has been crowned 2013 BMS Junior Musician of the Year.

She impressed at the finals organised by council-run Brent Music Service at Claremont High School, with performances of Prelude with Fugue in Bb by JS Bach and the swing number King For A Day by the jazz pianist Dave Brubeck.

Yasmin, who is a Year 7 pupil at St Gregory’s High School, is a member of Brent Youth Concert Band.

Second place went to flautist Aashish Khimasia and cellist Ryan Ratnam was third.

The other finalists were pianist Masahiro Shiraishi, clarinettist Loshini Subendran and violinist Naiya Vekaria.

Yasmin’s prize includes a coveted solo slot at Junior Fest 2013 which takes place on 6 July.

people. To book, contact Eileen McQuaid, at mayor@brent.gov.uk or on 020 8937 1141.

Beat your money worries Get help with your money worries with two free advice sessions in April funded by Brent’s Ward Working, in partnership with Energy Solutions.

The Beat Your Money Worries sessions are: • 9 April, Harlesden Library Plus, Craven Park, Harlesden 10am to 3pm • 16 April, Brent Town Hall, Committee Rooms 1 and 2, 10am to 3pm.

Yasmin and fellow finalists

Visit www. sustainablebrent.org.uk.

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Mayor of Brent Cllr Michael Adeyeye

Youth club zeroes in on Wembley The recently opened Tokyngton Youth Club is offering young people more activities to do after school.

Based at Planet Zero, Wembley Retail Park, Engineers Way, Wembley, it offers activities such as street dance, pool, table football and board games. It is open on Tuesdays 6-8pm for youngsters aged 9 to 14 and Fridays 6-8pm aged 15 to 19.

The club has been set up with the support of Tokyngton Safer Neighbourhoods Team and Brent’s Ward Working Team.

Contact the youth club on wembley.tyc@gmail.com or 07916 286 342.

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UPdate

New vision for Barham Park Barham Park will be rejuvenated with new investment and a leading visual arts organisation letting the historic park buildings as part of proposals to revitalize it.

The Barham Park Trust Committee recently agreed to implement improvements to the open space in Sudbury.

The Association for Cultural Advancement through Visual Arts (ACAVA), which works with professional artists and promotes exhibitions and public art, has been selected

as the preferred bidder and could take up most of the ground-floor. Brent will be offered a lease for the remainder of the buildings for use as a children’s centre and Barham Park Veterans’ Club could also use some space.

The committee agreed plans for the trust’s 20-year vision for Barham Park, which will see £393,000 invested over the next two years.

The proposals now need to be agreed by the Charity Commission.

Easter fun at Brent Museum Brent Museum has free activities for families and children during the Easter holidays.

On 3 April you can celebrate the arrival of spring at the family workshop Brent Museum in Bloom! where you can decorate your own pot to take messy planting seeds home in. All aboard on 10 April for Brent Museum Goes Zoom! - make a ticket to ride and your very own train in this family craft workshop. Both events are free, run from 1-3pm, are suitable for children aged 3-12 years and are in the Museum Education Room, ground floor Willesden Green Library. Call 020 8937 3600.

Brent cyclist is onto a winner A cyclist who won a new bike in a Brent competition to encourage cycling and the greater use of cycle lanes has picked up a top-quality bike.

The council’s Deputy Leader Councillor Ruth Moher presented Aziz Jaffar, with the bike from Halfords in Colindale, after he entered a Brent’s Biking Borough competition.

If you live, work or study in Brent you can get two hours of professional cycling lessons for £5 (or free if you are unemployed or aged over 65).

6005.

Call 020 7231 6005

Cllr Ruth Moher and Aziz Jaffar

New deal for new tenants Brent is changing what it offers new tenants from 1 April - lifetime tenancies will be replaced by an introductory 12-month tenancy followed by a fixedterm five years.

It means that if there is a serious breach of tenancy, such as high rent arrears or anti-social behaviour, the council will now be able to act more easily by either extending the introductory period or, in serious cases, evicting the tenant.

It is expected that most fixed-term tenancies will be renewed at the end of the five years unless there has been a significant change in the household’s circumstances or serious breaches of the tenancy agreement that would have led to possession proceedings. Visit www. bhphousing.co.uk

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UPdate

Chance of a lifetime for youth Brent is now recruiting for participants and volunteers to take part in this year’s London Youth Games.

You have to be aged under 18 and live in the borough or attend a Brent school. Participants can compete in a range of different sports, from angling to boccia, in primary, secondary and disabled categories. Trials will begin in April 2013.

Volunteers are needed to help the games run smoothly, particularly in roles like team manager and assistant manager.

Sarah Hawken, Sports Development Manager for Brent, said: “The London Youth Games is a fantastic, fun event. If you are a talented young sportsperson, this is a great chance for you to take on the best of the rest of London. Volunteering is also very rewarding and will look great on your CV. This is the chance of a lifetime.”

Call 020 8937 3707 or visit www.brent.gov.uk/londonyouthgames

Children get Fit4Health Around 70 children and parents found out more about diet, food and health at a special day organised by Fit4Health at the Vale Farm Leisure Centre in Wembley.

Activities included cooking workshops, nutrition games, prize draws and sports activities.

Fit4Health supports parents to manage children’s weight by making healthy lifestyle changes for the entire family. For more, call Community Services Brent on 020 8795 6362.

Children find out more about a healthy diet at the event

Brent’s boys 2012 basketball team

No cash to park? Try RingGo RingGo cashless parking is now available to use anywhere in Brent for on-street parking, meaning you don’t have to carry around coins for pay and display machines.

You just pay with a mobile using your credit or debit card.

If you have an iPhone or an Android you can use apps to register and pay for parking.

Call 020 3046 0010 or visit www.myRingGo.co.uk

Health services change hands New public health responsibilities are being transferred from NHS Brent to the council from 1 April.

Brent will now oversee health services such as stopping smoking, alcohol and drug misuse, school nursing and tackling obesity. A new director of public health, with statutory responsibilities for health improvement, is being appointed.

The council and NHS Brent have been working together for some time to ensure local people are not adversely affected.

Brent will be reviewing the services it has taken on with the aim of improving them.

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UPdate

Warning over abandoned dogs Almost 30 dogs were abandoned illegally in Brent in early 2013 including two left in a terrible condition, according to Brent’s Animal Welfare Team.

A dog was found tied to a bench in Monks Park, Wembley, covered in sores and emaciated. Another animal was found tethered to a park bench in Queen’s Park with a note attached to him from his owner saying he could no longer look after him.

The council-run Animal Welfare Team offers low cost microchipping and the Mayhew Animal Home also does free breed neutering for bull breeds or bull-breed crosses. Email ens. animalandpublichealth@brent.gov.uk or call 020 8937 5256.

Help us stop benefits confusion

Adult Social Care on Twitter

Do you work with the public and know of anyone who has questions about changes to the benefit system and how they will be affected?

Perhaps you work at a GP surgery, school, voluntary group or day care centre and know people who will be hit by the cuts but don’t know what to tell them. You can now download a toolkit from the council’s website filled with information and advice about the changes. It includes

Users of Brent’s Adult Social Care services will be taking to Twitter on 18 April for a 12hour Twitterthon.

Staff and Lead Member for Adult Social Care Councillor Krupesh Hirani will also be tweeting throughout the day. Tweeters will be able to communicate with one another via a special Brent

a poster, leaflet and flyers and is free to download and use.

Around 21,000 people will be affected by changes to council tax benefit alone from 1 April - you can help us ensure these people know where to go for advice.

Visit www.brent.gov.uk/ partnertoolkit or call 020 8937 1800

The Act now!

Travel consultation thanks

Brent has thanked parents and schools for taking part in a travel consultation that promotes greater independence for children and young people with special educational needs (SEN). Over 100 responses about the draft proposals were received.

If approved by the council’s

Twitter ‘forum’ and send care requests.

Get regular updates from Brent on Twitter @Brent_Council

Brent Town Hall sold Brent Town Hall has been sold to the French Education Property Trust as the council prepares to relocate to the new Civic Centre in Wembley in the summer of 2013.

The trust has said it will develop the Grade II listed Art Deco building, which sits on a site of approximately 5.3 acres in Forty Lane, as a school.

Executive on 23 April, the new travel policy will continue to provide transport assistance for those pupils with medical needs and others who cannot travel independently, but will also encourage more able pupils to develop the necessary skills needed to travel independently.

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Change a child’s life If you’ve been asking yourself if fostering or adoption is for you, why not talk to us?

Call, or come along to one of our information evenings: Thursday 4 April, Thursday 2 May and Thursday 6 June 6.20pm start The Unity Centre, 103 Church Road, NW10 9EG 020 8937 4538 8

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www.brent.gov.uk/fas

BRENTpeople

Sailing the suburbs The Welsh Harp Reservoir is a hive of activity for yachties, windsurfers and other nautical types. It even has its very own harbour master, Brian Jefferies, who keeps it looking ship shape.

Words NANCY LUDWIG. Photo KAORI ANDO Self-confessed ‘sailing nut’ Brian is also commodore of the BTYC Sailsports Club, one of the many watery clubs and associations based at the reservoir nestled between the North Circular and Fryent Country Park. Brian told us what floats his boat about the Welsh Harp.

How did you get into sailing?

It’s funny, I grew up by the sea in a little town in Essex called Maldon, but I didn’t take up sailing till I moved to London in 1964.

Maybe I missed the water after taking it for granted as a kid.

What’s so good about it?

According to the Olympic Committee, sailing’s the most demanding all-round sport but it’s also a sport you can do at any age. You need agility, technical knowledge and also strategic skill, a bit like in chess.

So as long as you’re reasonably fit there’s nothing to stop you from, literally, sailing into old age.

How can people get involved?

BTYC Sailsports and all the clubs down at the Welsh Harp work with Brent’s Sports and Parks Service to try and get more people into water sports through taster sessions and open days. Not enough people realise what a brilliant place the Welsh Harp is or that clubs like ours exist. We’d love to see some more people coming down to have a go at windsurfing or sailing.

Do you need any special equipment?

Not really. In winter you obviously need warm, waterproof clothes.

We supply the life jackets. In summer, anything goes. I would say the most important equipment is a decent pair of trainers that you can move around in easily – preferably old ones that you don’t mind getting wet!

To find out more about BTYC Sailsports, visit www.btycsailsports.org.uk For general information, contact Brent Sports and Parks service on 020 8937 3707 or email Sportsservice@brent.gov.uk

Turn to page 29 for a chance to win sailing and windsurfing lessons

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on your side

“Now he goes to his childminder three mornings a week which he really enjoys and I get a bit of time to get on with the housework…” Brent mum Jaoine Lucia-Sanchez

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More time for toddlers A pilot Brent scheme to give two-year-olds from low income families a free 15 hours’ place at a nursery or registered childminder has been extended so that even more tots will now be able to benefit. Words NANCY LUDWIG, photo KIT OATES. The Nursery Education Grant 2 (NEG 2), which was launched in Brent in December 2009, will now become a mandatory scheme for all local authorities.

Over 1,000 local two year olds will be able to benefit from quality preschool care by September.

To take full advantage of the free place for the maximum time, parents should apply for NEG 2 as soon as their child turns two. But to be eligible, either mum or dad should be in receipt of the following welfare benefits: • Income Support • Job Seekers Allowance • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance • Child Tax Credit and annual income less than £16,190 • guaranteed state Pension Credit • immigration and asylum support.

Parents with two year olds, whose older children get free school meals, will also automatically be eligible for NEG 2.

Checking if families qualify for NEG 2 takes just a few minutes – the parent’s National Insurance number, date of birth and surname are all that’s needed – and, in lots of cases, the council can tell callers over the phone.

Often a health visitor or family support worker can fill out the assessment form and during the process assessors will be able to see what other help the child or family might be entitled to.

Once a child has their free 15 hour place, the council will then pay the provider directly. But if the childcare setting can accommodate it, parents can pay for any extra hours above the free 15 themselves.

Two-and-a-half year old Andoni Lucia-Sanchez has been going to a childminder for 15 hours a week since November 2012 through NEG 2.

Mum Jaione said: “Where Andoni goes is perfect, his minder looks after him on his own during the day although she does take him to play sessions so he meets other kids too.”

The council is now working with childminders and nurseries to help them improve their Ofsted ratings and, if necessary, expand so they can take in more young children in time for September.

For further information on eligibility and to find out which nurseries and childminders are participating in the scheme, contact Brent’s Children’s and Families Information Service (CFIS) on 020 8937 2462 or email NEG@brent.gov.uk

Childcare in Brent Now free for twos* *Conditions apply, see above.

Jaione and Andoni’s story Andoni Lucia-Sanchez goes to a childminder for 15 hours a week thanks to NEG 2. Mum Jaione explains more: “I asked my family support worker to refer Andoni for NEG2. She then did the referral and helped me through the application process. I really can’t thank her enough.

“Now he goes to his childminder three mornings a week which he really enjoys and I get a bit of time to get on with the housework, do the shopping and catch up with all the other jobs I can’t do so easily when he’s home.

“Andoni has brittle bones and an immunoglobin deficiency so we have to be careful with him. Last year he had pneumonia twice and some other infections which meant he was in and out of hospital.

“He normally needs a lot of specialist care and therapy, so it’s nice for him to have a break from all that three times a week.

“I looked at a few nurseries before I chose his childminder but they weren’t really suitable because they were open plan so we thought he was more likely to fall and injure himself in that sort of environment.

“His language skills have really improved since he’s been there too.

I speak Basque, my husband is Italian and we speak Spanish in the house.

His childminder speaks English to him, so Andoni’s becoming quite a linguist!”

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© John Birdsall www.photofusion.org

Drowning People who face sinking under the weight of their debts are being thrown a lifeline.

Debt is a serious issue for many in the borough – Brent Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) deals with over 5,000 debt enquiries a year.

And there are fears many more could face financial hardship following the government’s shake up of the benefit system.

Brent Council and Brent CAB are

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among those working hard to keep people with money worries afloat.

Councillor James Denselow was recently appointed the council’s credit union champion and aims to encourage more local people to join them.

Cllr Denselow says that when the loan sharks are circling, joining a credit union is a much better option.

He said: “Many people are already struggling and we are worried that more and more people will get into financial difficulties.

“Sometimes people go to loan sharks or pay day loans for money to tide them over. They charge high rates of interest, and some people can’t pay back the loans so get further in debt. A credit union is a much more affordable way of borrowing money.”

Credit unions are legally regulated, not for profit organisations, where members can save and borrow. There are several in Brent to choose from.

Credit Union Brent and Ealing (Cube) has around 1,000 members.

Savers received a dividend of 1.5 per cent last year – better than the interest on most high street bank current accounts. The monthly interest on borrowing is two per cent – cheaper than a loan shark or a pay day loan company.

One of the directors of Cube, Graham Tomlin, said: “We know people better than the big banks and we are not required to make a profit, so we give the best service possible. If you want to save or take out a loan, we are the best option.”

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in debt?

Becky’s top tips for balancing your budget • Write down a monthly budget and see if you are spending too much.

• Visit www.uswitch.com or www.moneysavingexpert.com – you may be able to find a cheaper supplier for fuel, mobile, home phone, broadband etc.

• Energy charity www.keepwarmandhealthy.org.uk can help with heating costs if you are on benefits.

• Put a bit of money aside every month in case of an emergency.

Becky Ely helps local people address their money worries

“Many people are already struggling and we are worried that more and more people will get into difficulties.”

Cllr James Denselow, Brent’s credit union champion

The council and Brent CAB have also jointly funded a Brent CAB Money Advisor to help people who are being left out of pocket by the benefits changes Becky Ely is part of the council’s Welfare Team, which aims to contact people affected by the benefit changes. Becky gives them money, benefits and budgeting advice.

She said: “Many people who come here are worried by all the different changes to benefits. Some very worried. Some can reduce their spending and they will be okay.

Others need to find a job or move.

We give people all the options. The advice really helps them.”

Specialist debt advisor at Brent CAB, Adio Garbadeen, said that around 90 per cent of debt problems they dealt with were eventually resolved.

He said: “If you are in trouble because of debt, it is extremely important that you seek help. Don’t let it get out of hand. The sooner you ask for help, the easier it is to resolve your debt problems.”

• Check you are on all the right benefits and see if there are any grants available at www.turn2us.org.uk or call 0808 802 2000.

• If you have debts, get advice from National Debtline on 0808 808 4000 or www.nationaldebtline.co.uk • If you are struggling financially, Brent CAB can help. Contact them at 270 -272 High Road, Willesden, 0845 050 5250 or visit www.brentcab.co.uk

Contacting a Brent credit union • CUBE 020 8756 3864 www.ealingcreditunion.org • Brent Mutual 020 7624 4327 www.brentmutual.co.uk • Brent Shrine 07092 985 319 www.bscu.co.uk • Camden Plus 0207 482 3505 www.camdenplus.co.uk

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BUDGET 2013

A budget for tough times Local people will see Brent’s share of council tax frozen again and parking charges reduced during 2013/14.

The measures were agreed as part of the budget setting out how Brent will spend around £284 million net in the new financial year.

The new council tax rate for a band D property set by Brent was fixed at £1,058.94. Brent Council has now set the same rate since 2009/10. If the proposed Greater London Authority (GLA) precept is agreed, overall council tax for a band D property will be £1,361.94 in 2013/14.

For parking, the council will introduce flat rate charges of 20p for stays of up to 15 minutes and will cut charges by 20 per cent for a one-hour stay.

The net expenditure also pays for local authority services including two sports centres, maintenance of around 22,000 streetlights, 13 million refuse collections a year, street cleaning, a recycling and waste service as well as adult social care and customer services.

The council has tried to protect Brent’s frontline services despite central government funding being reduced by

Expenditure 2013-2014

Levies £3.4m

Council housing £54.4m Central Services £52.2m Other budgets £46.3m

Regeneration and Major Projects £369.5m

Schools £281.1m

Environment and Neighbourhood £69.1m Children and Families £57.5m

Adult Social Services £128.8m

more than a quarter in the four years up to March 2015.

Brent recently backed the London Living Wage – a pay-rate higher than the minimum wage – and awarded around £2 million via the Voluntary Sector Initiative Fund for 2013/14.

Council tax pays for social care, such as the protection of vulnerable adults, as well as a wide range of other local services.

The Leader’s view Our budget is about making Brent a fairer place, getting more jobs and growth and strengthening our community.

On fairness, we have frozen council tax again – saving you money. We are also cutting parking charges to 20p for the first 15 minutes. We aim to pay a Living Wage to increase wages in the borough and are pushing local businesses to do the same.

On jobs and growth we have a new team to help residents get jobs and support small businesses and are transforming our adult learning facilities to give people the right skills to get well-paid jobs.

On community, we are giving over £2 million to the voluntary sector and have a new strategy to put them at the heart of our decision-making process. We are also building more school places than ever before, investing £47 million this year alone in our children’s future.

It’s not all good news though. The Government is dramatically cutting our budget every year, we’ve lost over 28 per cent of our funding between 2010 and 2014. But you can be assured that I am determined that we will continue to be on your side, to help everyone get through these tough times.

Cllr Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council

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Your quarterly guide to what’s on in Brent Libraries

London calling Discover Sebastian Faulks’ great novel for City Read 2013 at Brent Libraries INSIDE Brent Libraries on your side Reader and staff book picks Author talks in April Easter activities for children Reading and social groups Library Spotlight: Ealing Road

Brent Libraries www.brent.gov.uk/libraries Photo of Sebastian Faulks © Muir Vidler

Easter 2013

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Brent Libraries: On your side If you want to job search, polish up your CV or access information and ebooks online for free then Brent’s libraries are here to help.

CV workshops

Brent Libraries Online

Create a winning CV with advisers from the National Careers Service.

Book in advance with the library.

Town Hall Library 19 April 10am12noon, 17 May 10am -12noon Ealing Road Library 23 April 10am 12noon, 21 May 10am -12noon

Town Hall and Willesden Green libraries have free online legal advice with www.instant-law.co.uk. It connects you to solicitors via phone or video conferencing on a special PC terminal.

Interview skills

Interested in family history?

Search census data, births, marriages and deaths, military records and photos at www.ancestry.co.uk.

Library members can use it for free on library computers.

Boost your confidence for interviews and presentations at a free workshop with performance poet Neal Zetter.

Funded by Ward Working.

Kingsbury Library Plus Tuesdays 16, 23, 30 April. 7, 14 May 2-3.30pm

English classes Free classes to improve your English for those with English as a second language. Ealing Road Library Wednesdays 12.30-1.30pm

Money advice day Get advice on keeping your home warm, negotiating lower energy bills, replacing old boilers, and help on benefits and saving money with Energy Solutions. Harlesden Library Plus 9 April 10am-3pm

Practice for the Driving Theory Test or the Citizenship Test online at www.brent.gov.uk/libraries All your information enquiries can be answered with Enquire our 24 hour online chat service.

Win £50 of Amazon vouchers Download an ebook from 1 April to 1 June and you’ll go into a draw for £50 of Amazon vouchers. www.brent.gov.uk/libraries has 1,800 free ebooks; up to 5 can be borrowed at one time.

Plus, all libraries have free WiFi and computers for you to use.

IT for beginners

Adult Learners’ Week 18-24 May 21 May Confidence for interviews and presentation skills 2-3.30pm Kingsbury Library Plus 22 May Unfolding stories Make home-made personal history books with collage, poetry, drawing.

11am-12.30pm Kingbury Library Plus Adult Learners’ Week also offers courses in crochet, art, film and more.

Pick up a programme in your local Brent library.

Ealing Road Library, Mondays 2pm-3.30pm*; Kingsbury Library Plus Tuesdays 11am-12noon, Saturdays 11am-12noon*, Sundays 12.30pm-1.30pm*; Willesden Green Library Mondays 10.30am-12noon, Tuesdays 3pm-4.30pm, Saturdays 10.30am-11.30am, Sundays 12.05pm1.05pm. Town Hall Library Fridays 10.30am-12noon*; Harlesden Library Plus 11am-12.30pm. * Please book.

Emagazines www.brent.gov.uk/libraries has 41 top magazines to read for free. It’s compatible with an iPhone, iPad, Windows and other new tablets.

“Tracy is such a funny, feisty girl…”

MAYA’S BOOK PICK Maya Mitchell Willesden Green Library member Starring Tracy Beaker – Jacqueline Wilson “I really enjoyed reading this book. In the story Tracy gets a lead role in a play and she is desperate for her mum to watch her.

I really liked the character because Tracy is such a funny, feisty girl and she gets a good ending! I would definitely recommend this book.”

STAFF EBOOK PICK Jalpa Patel Ealing Road Library Checkout: A Life on the Tills – Anna Sam “It’s a very enjoyable read about a woman’s life working on supermarket tills. It’s got short humorous chapters in the form of an autobiography. It first appealed to me as I was browsing the ebooks because of the eye-catching colours on the cover page.”

“A very enjoyable read…”

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CELEBRATE CITY READ 2013 Douglas Kennedy New York writer Douglas Kennedy discusses and reads from his latest book Five Days – a love story about a woman and her family set in New England in America. Douglas has published more than ten books and writes for newspapers both here and in the USA. Willesden Green Library 11 April 7- 8pm

www.cityreadlondon.org.uk

The Marquis: a Victorian fraud?

World Book Night

Brent Archives invites you to join Dick Weindling and Marianne Colloms, writers of the new book about The Marquis de Leuville. Find out about the life-long secret of the man reputed to be the greatest charlatan of his age and his connection to Kilburn.

Brent Museum Education Room, Willesden Green Library 18 April 6.30-8pm

Join Brent Libraries in a global celebration of books and the written word. Enjoy a fantastic evening of books, music and entertainment.

Town Hall Library 23 April 6-8pm

Badger ham and stewed sparrows What tickled the tastebuds of your ancestors?

Brent Archives invites you to join Dr Peter Ross from the London Guildhall Library in this illustrated talk on the history of curious food, compiled from a vast collection of historical cookery books.

Kilburn Library 25 April 6.30-7.45pm

3 Idiots Sit back, relax and enjoy a free screening of this classic Indian comedy by Rajkumar Hirani. Ealing Road Library 13 April 1-4.30pm

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES 30 March

3 April

9 April

Decorate an Easter card 11-12noon Kilburn Library; 2.15-3pm Town Hall Library; 3-4pm Willesden Green Library Make an Easter card 2-3pm Kingsbury Library Plus and 31 March 3-4pm Kingsbury Library Plus

Make an Easter basket 2-3pm Willesden Green Library, 2.303.30pm Town Hall Library; 4 April 2.30-3.30pm Ealing Road Library Let’s go on the fun bus!

2.30-3.30pm Harlesden Library Plus Family learning art and craft fun 11-1pm Ealing Road Library 2.30-4.30pm Willesden Green Library

The Hungry Caterpillar Story and craft fun with Mary Dickinson 11.15am-12.15pm Ealing Road Library; 10 April 10.30-11.30am Town Hall Library; 11 April 10.3011.30am Harlesden Library Plus. (under 5s)

2 April Zoo… boo… who? (under 5s) Mary Dickinson’s stories and craft fun.

11.15am-12.15pm Ealing Road; 3 April 10.30-11.30am Town Hall; 4 April 10.30-11.30am Harlesden Library Plus.

Decorate an Easter egg (under 5s) 11am-12noon Willesden Green Library, 2.15-3pm Town Hall Library; 3 April 2.15-3pm Kingsbury Library Plus; 4 April 11.15am-12noon Ealing Road Make an Easter bunny 2.30-3.30pm Kilburn Library Plus; 4 April 2.30-3.30pm Kingsbury Library Plus; 7 April 3-4pm Harlesden Library Family learning art and craft fun 11am-1pm Kingsbury Library Plus; 2.30-4.30pm Harlesden Library Plus

4 April Let’s go on the fun bus!

2.30-4pm Willesden Green Library Family learning art and craft fun 2.30-4.30pm Town Hall Library; 10 April 11am-1pm Ealing Road Library, 2.30-4.30pm Kilburn Library Make an Easter card 2.30-3.30pm Harlesden Library Plus

13 April Comic workshop Class with Karen Rubbins (8-12 years) 2.30-4pm Kingsbury Library Plus

16 April Choo choo… here comes the train!

Mary Dickinson’s stories and craft fun. (under 5s) 11.15am-12.15pm Ealing Road Library; 17 April 10.30-11.30am Town Hall Library; 18 April 10.3011.30am Harlesden Library Plus

6 April

23 April

Make a butterfly wand 2-3pm Kingsbury Library Plus and 7 April 3-4pm Kingsbury Library Plus

My favourite friends (under 5s) Mary Dickinson’s stories and craft fun.

11.15am-12.15pm Ealing Road Library; 24 April 10.30-11.30am Town Hall Library; 25 April 10.30-11.30am Harlesden Library Plus

*Family learning is organised by BACES. Children must be over 5 and with an adult. Book one week ahead.

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Try something new at your Brent library Reading groups are an exciting and sociable way to discover more about books and get to know more people.

Kilburn Library Reading Group 3rd Thursday of month 6.45-7.45pm Kingsbury Library Plus Reading Group 2nd Friday of month 11am-12noon Town Hall Library Reading Group Last Thursday of month 6.30-7.30pm Harlesden Library Plus Black Identity Zone Reading Group Last Thursday of month 6.30-7.45pm BACES reading class Tuesdays 1-2pm Willesden Green Library Book Circle Reading Group Last Tuesday of month 6.30-7.45pm Gujarati Reading Group First Saturday of month 2.30-4.30pm Tamil Reading Group Last Saturday of month 2.30-4.30pm Willesden Green Reading Group Second Sunday of month 2.30-4pm

SOCIAL GROUPS Silver Surfers IT for older people Willesden Green Library Mondays 3-5pm Harlesden Library Plus Fridays 11am-12.30pm

SPOTLIGHT: EALING ROAD LIBRARY Ealing Road Library is near to Wembley town centre. It was recently refurbished and now offers 26 study spaces, free Wi-Fi access throughout the building as well as free computers.

Renew items: 0115 929 3388 Enquiries: 020 8937 3560 Opening Hours: Monday-Thursday 10am-8pm Friday 10am-6pm Saturday 10am-5pm Sunday 12noon-5pm

English Conversation Classes

Homework clubs

Ealing Road Library Wednesdays & Fridays 10.30am-12.30pm Kingsbury Library Plus Mondays & Thursdays 10.30am-12.30pm Kilburn Library Fridays 10.30am-12.30pm Town Hall Library Mondays 10.30am-12.30pm Willesden Green Library Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays 10.30am-12.30pm, Fridays 12.30-2.30pm

Homework clubs are for children in Brent aged 8 to 14 years. They are free and you don’t need to book. Children and parents can turn up on the day. Term-time only.

Town Hall Library Mondays 3.30-5.30pm Kilburn Library Tuesdays 3.30-5:30pm Kingsbury Library Plus Wednesdays 3.30-5.30pm Willesden Green Library Thursdays 3.30-5.30pm (ages 4-6) 3.30-5.30pm (7+) Harlesden Library Plus Fridays 3.30-5.30pm (ages 4-6) 3.30-5.30pm (7+) Ealing Road Library Saturdays 10.30am-12.30pm

Teen Fun Club Sociable club for teenagers Willesden Green Library Wednesdays 3.30-5pm, Fridays 3.30-5.30pm, Saturdays 11am-12.30pm

Libraries at Home

Go Green Workshops Turn beautiful scraps into textile pictures or story quilts using sewing, embroidery and collage. Funded by Ward Working.

Wednesdays 17, 24 April 11am-12.30pm Kingsbury Library Plus

Social media classes Learning to use social media such as Facebook and Twitter is a fantastic way to stay in contact and to get to know other people.

Learn how at Brent Libraries.

Harlesden Library Plus Thursdays 11am-12.30pm.

SPECIAL EALING ROAD EVENTS Funded by Ward Working Chaired Based-Exercise for Adults Delivered in partnership with Brent’s sports service. Fridays 1.30-2.30pm Teen Film Club Teenagers are invited to suggest a film for the first screening. The teen who selects the film chosen for screening will receive a £10 gift voucher.

Starts 24 April, last Wednesday of each month, 5-7.30pm.

The Comic Bookworm: Cartoon Workshops Ages 11+ Saturdays from 20 April 2.30-4pm.

Do you or a loved one have difficulty getting out and cannot visit a library?

Brent Libraries will deliver books, CDs and DVDs to your door every month!

Call 020 8937 3566 for more information.

BRENT’S LIBRARIES Brent’s six libraries are open seven days a week. For exact opening times, please visit www.brent.gov.uk/libraries Ealing Road Library Coronet Parade, Ealing Road, Wembley, HA0 4BA Tel: 020 8937 3560 Harlesden Library Plus Craven Park Road, Harlesden, NW10 8SE Tel: 020 8937 3570 Kilburn Library 42 Salusbury Road, Kilburn NW6 6NN Tel: 020 8937 3530 Kingsbury Library Plus 522 - 524 Kingsbury Road, Kingsbury, NW9 9HE Tel: 020 8937 3520 Brent Town Hall Library King’s Drive Entrance, Forty Lane, Wembley, HA9 9HU Tel: 020 8937 3500 Willesden Green Library 95 High Road, Willesden NW10 2SF Tel: 020 8937 3400

Brent Libraries www.brent.gov.uk/libraries www.twitter.com/brentlibraries

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Save time: ark Online If you live in a controlled parking zone (CPZ) you can now go online to make sure your visitor is OK to park – it’s quicker than queuing up in a parking shop.

Instead of waiting around in a parking shop to buy scratchcards, residents in CPZs can make sure visitors are authorised to park quickly with the system Park Online.

It replaces paper scratchcards with visitor vouchers you buy online, saving you time. All you need to do is set up a Park Online account then, when your visitor arrives, notify the system of the date and vehicle registration number. You can do it on the day or in advance. The credit for online visitor vouchers can also be bought in advance and easily topped up.

Account holders can add a second named contact such as another householder who can then arrange his or her own visitor parking vouchers.

Park Online also allows you to apply for and renew existing parking permits and pay a Penalty Control Notice (PCN). Park Online will automatically check if live in Brent, so there’s no need for most residents to supply any documentation when buying visitor vouchers, renewing permits or paying PCNs. Scratchcards can be used until 31 October 2013.

However, residents will be able to exchange unused scratchcards for credit with the online system.

And there’s another good reason to use Park Online rather than buy scratchcards. Brent’s parking shop in Wembley has closed and the parking shop in Walm Lane, Willesden, will close in early summer.

Councillor Jim Moher, Brent’s Lead Member for Highways and Transportation, said: “Park Online is instant and secure and it means you no longer have to visit or queue up. For those who are concerned about the loss of paper scratchcards I’d like to reassure you that parking attendants’ systems will tell them that your visitor’s vehicle is authorised to park.”

To set up a Park Online account visit www.brent.gov.uk/parking

“Park Online is instant and secure and it means you no longer have to visit or queue up.”

Cllr Jim Moher, Lead Member for Highways and Transportation

Brent’s parking shop in Wembley has closed and the parking shop in Walm Lane, Willesden, will close in early summer.

No computer or internet?

Don’t worry!

You can set up a secure account on 020 8937 4972 APRIL 2013

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Ward Working matters to me During 2012-13 Brent Council’s Ward Working funds supported over 200 initiatives across the borough. This year we have renewed our commitment to improving your neighbourhood and want to hear what matters to you.

Contact us and tell us how we should spend £30,000 in your area.

• • • •

visit: www.brent.gov.uk/wardworking email: ward.working@brent.gov.uk call: 020 8937 1976 or meet us at the next Brent Connects Forum held across the borough.

For dates visit www.brent.gov.uk/consultation Last year Ward Working supported Willesden Constantine Football Club to provide more than 80 young people from Alperton and Wembley Central with a chance to kick start their career in football and coaching.

Harris Zubair, 16, said: “It has given me such a huge confidence boost that I now hope to become a football coach in the future working with kids from the area.”

In autumn 2012 Ward Working and ABi Associates helped 45 young people harness their creative and entrepreneurial skills through business workshops. Sophia Wright, 23, said: “The enterprise start-up workshop was really useful and fun. I hope to use the learning so that I can start my own clothing business in the near future.”

www.brent.gov.uk/wardworking

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Performance art

Pop in to the pop up The Albert, Brent’s newest community venue for arts and performance, offers visitors the chance to get involved and address the theme of wellbeing in a creative and innovative way. Photos by SARA HIBBERT

Locals enjoying the launch

Food, glorious food

Based on Albert Road, south Kilburn, it is the latest of Brent’s innovative pop up projects using empty and underused space in the borough.

Visitors can take part in a host of workshops and events, covering activities such as carpentry, drawing, photography and clay workshops to gardening.

There are also live performances and music, sporting activities such as tennis, football, yoga and netball and, for anyone who has worked up an appetite, there is freshly made food and drink on sale daily.

Brent Council commissioned What If Projects to manage The Albert and curate the programme of free and low cost activities. A huge range of artists, sportspeople, performers and cooks are involved.

Visitors got the chance to see just what The Albert has to offer at the launch event – here are a selection of photos from the day.

Doodling on your idol

Ulrike Steven, of What If Projects and Director of The Albert, said: “We hope The Albert will become a hub for the local community, where people pop in for a drink in the café, or take the time to sign up and enjoy a free class from some of the UK's finest emerging talent.”

Cllr George Crane, Brent’s Lead Member for Regeneration and Major Projects, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to give local people the chance to try new activities which promote health and wellbeing at low or no cost, on their doorstep.

“The Albert is one of a number of similar projects across Brent which help our residents to make the most of the opportunities our borough and its communities have to offer.”

Brent is committed to using its assets to enhance the creative, social and cultural capital of South Kilburn. The council turns empty sites that detract from the area into places where the local community and creative individuals and organisations come together to try something new, do something different and enjoy new experiences.

Visit www.thealbert.org.uk or pop in and say hello.

Getting creative with clay

Art installations

Let’s dance

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Book borrowers and history enthusiasts in the south of the borough may soon find themselves in new surroundings if plans to redevelop Willesden Green Library Centre (WGLC) get the final go ahead.

At the time of going to print (early March) Brent Council’s

Temporary library at the Lewinson Centre 165 -167 High Road Willesden n London, NW10 2SG Opening hours Mon: 10am – 8pm Tue – Thur: 9am – 8pm Fri: 9am – 6pm Sat: 9am – 5pm

planning committee agreed to the redevelopment of the centre and developers Galliford Try were waiting to see if planning permission would also be granted by the London Mayor’s Office and the Secretary of State.

High Road

Brent is on the brink of a bright new chapter in the future of its

preparing now for the possible temporary closure. If the proposals Library Centre and on the High Road from April onwards.

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get the green light you will begin to see changes at Willesden Green The council has prepared a detailed schedule of closures and

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In order to minimise disruption to customers it is necessary to start

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granted, WGLC will soon close for redevelopment.

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library, museum, archives and customer services and, if permission is

relocations to ensure core services are maintained.

If the development goes ahead, two temporary libraries will open,

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both minutes from Willesden Green library. These will remain open throughout construction. Customers will also be able to access the full collection of 7 million books with an improved reservation service.

Further online services have already been introduced including extra e-books, a new virtual enquiry service, additional reference resources, brand new online courses and more virtual reading groups.

If agreed by the Mayor and Secretary of State, the redevelopment will provide residents with a state of the art library and cultural centre that will act as the main hub for council services and community activity in the south of the borough.

Temporary library at George Furness House 2-12 Grange Road, Willesden, London, NW10 2QY Opening hours Mon: 10am – 8pm Tue –Thur: 9am – 8pm Fri: 9am – 6pm Sat: 9am – 5pm Sun: 12 noon – 5pm

Brent Archives A temporary search room in the library at George Furness House, Grange Road will be available, by appointment only, on Wednesdays 9am-8pm and Saturdays 9am-5pm. The Archives’ catalogues are at www.brent.gov.uk/archives or email archives@brent.gov.uk

It would be a high-quality public facility, providing modern and efficient services built at no net capital cost to the council.

The new library, museum, archives, community spaces and customer services centre would open early in 2015.

Visit www.brent.gov.uk/regeneration for more.

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Brent Museum During the redevelopment, Brent Museum will be on the move!

As work on creating an exciting new museum gets underway, residents can look forward to visits from museum staff at different schools, groups and organisations.

If you’d like to find out more about ‘museum on the move’ or be involved, email museum@brent.gov.uk

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The Customer Service Centre This moved to Harlesden Job Centre Plus in February. The two services compliment each other and are now easier for residents to access under one roof.

Harlesden House, 161 – 163 High St, NW10 4TL Opening hours Mon – Wed & Friday 9am-5pm Thur 10am–5pm

Study facilities Temporary study spaces are being planned on Willesden High Road and the opening of the new Wembley Library in the Civic Centre in the summer will also add 50 spaces.

Study facilities are already available at nearby libraries, Vale Farm and Bridge Park Sports Centre and at least 50 extra spaces with PCs and WiFi will be available for use on a daily basis, including: • 10 spaces at the temporary Grange Road library

Willesden Green market space

Electric House and Queens Parade

Improvements are being proposed to Poplars Avenue so markets could take place here.

Funding for this successful project finished in March 2013 but the council is looking at new short term uses for these properties.

• 20 at the Lewinson Centre • 10 at Kilburn Library • 10 at Ealing Road Library • 10 at Brent Town Hall Library • 7 at Harlesden Library.

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Brent connects Brent Connects Wembley

Brent Connects Harlesden

Covering Alperton, Northwick Park, Preston, Sudbury, Tokyngton and Wembley Central wards.

Covering Harlesden, Kensal Green and Stonebridge wards.

Tuesday, 16 April 2013 at 7pm Patidar House, 22 London Road, Wembley, Middlesex HA9 7EX

Wednesday, 24 April 2013 at 7pm All Souls Church, (next to Lloyds TSB), Station Road, Harlesden, London NW10 4UJ

Brent Connects Kilburn & Kensal

Brent Connects Willesden

(Joint Brent and Camden forum)

Covering Dollis Hill, Dudden Hill, Welsh Harp and Willesden Green wards.

Covering Brondesbury Park, Kilburn, Mapesbury and Queens Park wards.

Wednesday, 17 April 2013 at 7pm Gaumont State Kilburn, 197-199 Kilburn High Road, Kilburn, London NW6 7HY

Brent Connects Kingsbury & Kenton Covering Barnhill, Fryent, Kenton and Queensbury wards.

Tuesday, 23 April 2013 at 7pm Kingsbury High School, Princes Avenue, Kingsbury, London NW9 9JR

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Tuesday, 30 April 2013 at 7pm College of North West London, Denzil Road, Willesden, London NW10 2XD For more information or to join Brent Citizens’ Panel contact: Brent Consultation Team Tel: 020 8937 1055 Email: consultation@brent.gov.uk www.brent.gov./consultation

ALL IN Aday’s

Guiding you into work

Kamini, Clare and Daniel with fellow Navigators

work

Changes to the benefit system are affecting many Brent residents, but for some who face complex challenges to employment a new service has been introduced offering one to one support.

The Navigator Service is a council outreach team which is bridging the gap between households most affected by the benefit changes and the often confusing collection of services available to help them.

The Brent Magazine met with Navigator Manager Kamini Sanghani and two of the Navigators, Clare Ford and Daniel Quirke, to find out more.

“I am very excited to be involved in this new approach to supporting people into employment,” says Kamini. “These are tough times for many Brent residents.

For most people getting a job is the best way to manage those changes but for some there can be many constraints to employment which means the impact will be even harder.

“We aim to work directly with 300 identified households, who face many problems, including mental and physical health conditions, domestic violence, low skills, language, childcare needs, as well as on going long-term unemployment.

“We will guide them to get the best out of council and other services so that they can find work and make positive, long-lasting changes in their lives.

“It is very much a two-way relationship between us and the resident,” says Clare.

“We help them understand what is being offered and how it can be accessed, and continue to work with them for as long as they need.”

“Ultimately we want to help people who maybe feel that they are unlikely to ever work, to gain employment and still be in work six months, a year, and further into the future,” says Daniel. “Most of those we will be working with will be people who already use many services, but if you think you might benefit from our support do contact us. If our help isn’t right for you we will point you in the direction that is right.”

To find out more, visit www.brent.gov.uk/navigators email navigator.service@brent.gov.uk or call 020 8937 1060.

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SECREThistory John Lynch ‘Jack’ Naimaster was a local art dealer whose interest in paintings and drawings was the direct result of using Willesden Green Library.

Brent in the frame

Some of the pictures collected by Jack Naimaster.

Over 100 of the impressive selection of prints and drawings of the area housed in Brent Archives came from him. These range from watercolours of St Mary’s, Willesden, through lithographs, prints and architects’ drawings to a few newspaper cuttings and old postcards.

Among the best of these are three watercolours by Elizabeth Walpole of Petersham (1759-1842), all dated 1807, one depicting a mother and a group of children on a stile next to Willesden churchyard, and a striking view of Willesden Lane in the rain

by William Luker Jnr. (1867-1948). b JJack was born in Staverton Road, Brondesbury Park, on 23 May 1905. He was the first child P tto be born in the newly-built street. Between 1919 and 1923 Jack was a pupil at St Paul’s 1 SSchool, Hammersmith.

The young Jack used to visit Willesden Green Library and was impressed by the G ccollection of drawings and engravings hanging on the stairs. These had been h ccollected by Stanley W Ball, clerk to Willesden Urban District Council, and W are also now in the Archives. a Decades later Jack recalled how, following librarian and friend Frank Chennell’s advice, he built up a collection of prints, drawings, sketches and newscuttings of Willesden and Kingsbury. In those days, he wrote: “For a few pence one could find a small engraving of St Mary’s Church from one-man book and curio shops. I was able then to buy interesting little prints and drawings, the like of which cannot be found today at almost any price.”

Jack Naimaster became an acknowledged specialist in English watercolours. From 1924-1962 he worked at Walker’s Galleries, New Bond Street, before moving to the Fine Art Society, where he became chairman and managing director. In 1977 he became a drawings consultant to Sotheby’s. He was also elected an honorary member of what was then the Royal Society of Painters in Watercolours for his contribution to the scholarship of the art.

Jack Naimaster died on 6 January 1980, aged 75.

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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 distributed free for all residents 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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COMPETITIONS

All aboard! Sailing and windsurfing for free If this month’s nautical Brent People has whetted your appetite for water sports, enter our competition to win either a free one-to-one sailing course − worth £120 − or one, free introductory sailing or windsurfing lesson on the Welsh Harp Reservoir, courtesy of the Welsh Harp Sailing Association.

We’ve got an entire free sailing course for one lucky winner; plus six, two-hour long taster sessions with a qualified instructor who will teach you the basics of sailing or windsurfing.

All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is answer the following question correctly: The Welsh Harp crosses Brent and which other London borough?

A. Harrow

B. Barnet

C. Camden

Prize value worth £120 for a course or £40 (per taster session). Days and times to be arranged with the Welsh Harp Sailing Association.

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 26 April 2013

Win tickets to Grand Designs Live London 2013 Property and design guru Kevin McCloud is heading back to London this spring to host the ninth consecutive Grand Designs Live show.

To celebrate its return, The Brent Magazine is offering ten lucky readers the chance to win a pair of tickets to this award-winning contemporary home show.

Grand Designs Live 2013 will play host to over 500 exhibitors at London’s ExCeL Centre from the 4 – 12 May 2013 and is the perfect show for those seeking inspiration and expert advice on home redecoration, renovations or even full scale self-build projects.

Visitors can try their hand at sustainable build techniques, get FREE consultations as well as shop from 100s of unique products that can’t be found on the high street.

To be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets tell us: What anniversary is GDL celebrating at the Excel this year?

A. Sixth

B. Ninth

C. Thirteenth

For those not lucky enough to win, you can book two for one tickets by quoting GDL241 online at www.granddesignslive.com or call the Ticket Hotline on 0844 854 1348. Kids go free (Terms and conditions apply) This offer is only open to UK residents. Tickets are non transferable – one pair of tickets per winner only. Complimentary tickets obtained through this offer may not be duplicated.

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timeout

What’s going on…

Your guide to what’s on in Brent during April 2013.

CHILDREN HILLSIDE PERFORMING ARTS Free street dance classes for 8-16 yr olds every Sat 1-2pm. Children’s piano lessons available.

Hillside Hub NW10 8LE. Cherrelle 07506 198 999 www. hillsideperformingarts. com

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

LGBT YOUTH CLUB Lesbian, gay, bi and unsure under 19s youth club every Weds, Kilburn.

07931 336 668 www. mosaicyouth.org.uk

THE 2ND WEMBLEY BOYS’ BRIGADE AND GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION Anchors 5-8 yrs, juniors 8-11 yrs. Meet 6.157.30pm Thurs. Company section meet 7.15-9pm.

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

DRAMA WORKHOUSE Sat crew workshop for children 1-2pm 7-9 yrs; 2-4pm 10-12 yrs; 4-6pm 13-18 yrs; under 10s. £25 a term, over 10s £40.

Dudden Hill Centre, 19 Dudden Hill Lane, NW10.

Adults; Mon 8-10pm £9.50 Tricycle Theatre, NW6 07958 653 725

TODDLER PICASSOS Painting, water play, play dough and songs. 15 mths - 3 yrs. First class free. 8 Station Terrace, Kensal Rise, London NW10 5RT. Phone to book 07903 638 817 www.minipicassos.co.uk

FRESH ARTS THEATRE SCHOOL Drama, dance and singing taught by industry pros for children aged 3-16.

Newman Catholic College, Harlesden Road, NW10 3RN. Saturday, 10am-1pm 08452 699 529 www.fresh-arts.co.uk

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/GUIDES Senior section, girls only.

Thurs, Willesden Green Brownies 7-10 yrs 6.308pm, 07961 315 153.

Guides 10-14 yrs 78.30 pm, 07981 174 634 senior section 14-25 yrs 7-8.30pm, 07739 016 985

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 07794018 819

SING AND SIGN CLASSES

Brent Connects Kingsbury and Kenton

Classes in Queens Park, Kensal Rise and Willesden Green. Versha 07790 955 576 www.singandsign.co.uk

Covering Barnhill, Fryent, Kenton and Queensbury.

Tues, 23 April, 7pm Kingsbury High School, Kingsbury, Princes Avenue, NW9 9JR.

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

Brent and Harrow National Organisation of the Widowed 23 April 7.30pm AGM. Venue to be confirmed.

Rhona 0208 969 3198

NORTH WEST LONDON WOMEN’S INSTITUTE 1st Thurs of the month, 7.30pm. Upstairs North London Tavern, Kilburn High Road NW6 nwlwi@hotmail.co.uk

NORTH WEST LONDON LESBIAN AND GAY GROUP Mons 8.30pm, Tenterden Sports Centre, Preston Road, Wembley.

07941 707 884

Wembley and District Centre of National Trust 3rd Thursday every month (if Friday is a bank holiday, then 2nd Thurs) 8pm, Sudbury Neighbourhood Centre, 809 Harrow Road, Sudbury. Interesting speakers, welcoming atmosphere, bring and buy, books table, refreshments.

Brent Connects Wembley Covering Alperton, Northwick Park, Preston, Sudbury, Tokyngton and Wembley Central. Tues, 16 April, 7pm, Patidar House, 22 London Road, Wembley, HA9 7EX.

Brent Connects Kilburn and Kensal

Rapology See: Music

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First joint Brent/Camden forum, covering Brondesbury Park, Kilburn, Mapesbury and Queens Park. Weds, 17 April, 7pm, Gaumont Kilburn State 197-199 Kilburn High Road, NW6 7HY.

To get your event listed for free email us using the subject heading ‘Whats 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.

Brent Connects Harlesden Covering Harlesden, Kensal Green and Stonebridge. Weds, 24 April 7pm, All Souls Church (next to Lloyds TSB). Station Road, Harlesden, NW10 4UJ.

Brent Connects Willesden Covering Dollis Hill, Dudden Hill, Welsh Harp and Willesden Green.

Tues, 30 April, 7pm, College of North West London, Denzil Road, Willesden, NW10 2XD.

WILLESDEN LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY. Talk by Signe Hoffos; Charles Dickens, the Kensal Green Cemetery connections, Wed April 17, 7.30 pm. Talk by Cliff Wadsworth. Lost Railways of Willesden and Environs, Wed, May 15 7.30pm.

Members free, visitors £1.

Both at St Mungo’s,115 pound Lane, NW10.

DANCE CEROC DANCING Modern jive classes, Tues 8-11pm. Beginners welcome, great fun and sociable – you don’t need to bring a partner.

Brent Town Hall, Forty Lane, Wembley HA9 9HD. 07860 250 961 www. clubceroc.com

Ceroc See: Dance

STREET DANCE CLASSES

LEARNING

For adults, every other Sunday, 2-3pm. Wembley High Road, Fitness First.

Cher 07506 198 999

ART CLASSES

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

DRAMA MADHATTERS THEATRE CLUB Small, friendly theatre group looking for new members interested in community drama. No experience needed!

Meets in Willesden Weds.

020 8452 5239 www. madhatterstheatre. org.uk

KINGSBURY AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY (KAOS) New members onstage and backstage always welcome. Two shows a year. Rehearsals, Mon 8pm at Queensbury Methodist Church, Beverley Drive, Queensbury, HAQ 5ND. 020 8959 7468 visit www.kaosonline.org

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

WORKERS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION Thurs, 10am, coffee lounge, St John’s Church, Wembley, entrance via gate in Harrow Road.

020 8904 5940

FRENCH TUITION By fully-qualified native speaker. Exam preparation a speciality.

07762 254 845

Maths Tuition Saturday maths tuition for children aged 7-11 in small groups. £10 per hour. We also teach children in secondary school and on a one-toone basis. 07974 225342 mathsden@yahoo.com or www.sites.google. com/site/mathsden

TRICYCLE THEATRE Streetdance, 8-12 years, Fri 5.15-6.15pm. Singing, rapping, rhyming and writing - a new musical group,10-15 years, Tues 5.15-6.15pm. Tricycle Theatre, 020 7625 0134

SELF-EXPRESSIVE DANCE Creative dance/ movement and verbal sharing for personal development. De-stress, build self-confidence and assertiveness. Groups or individuals. Weds and Sat, Kingsbury NW9. rmussi01@googlemail. com 07985 137 682

Over 50s discussion group See: Community

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

MUSIC ACE CAFÉ APRIL MUSIC - ALL FREE ENTRY Hot Rod Night with Rockin’ DJ Jimmy Guntrip, Wed 3, 6-11pm.

Mod n’ Mini Night with The Sha La La’s and The High-S, Thu 4, 6-11pm. Sixteen and The Sidewinders, Sat 6, 7-11pm. Eddie Cochran Tribute Night with DJ Flat Top Dave, Sat 13, 7-11pm. Ska, reggae and rocksteady with DJ Little Diane, Sat 20 7-11pm.

Rhythm n’ Cruise Record Hop with DJ Mr Jinx, Sat 27, 7pm-11pm.

yoga Mons-Sun. 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 Bhakti yoga free classes.

Wed 10.30am-12.30pm, Dudden Hill Community Centre, 19 Dudden Hill Lane, NW10.

07913 897 406 Laughter Yoga. Children free, refreshments provided. Tue 9.2010.30am, Roundwood Park Cafe, NW10.

YOGA FOR LADIES Mon, Tues, Weds.

07570 118 229 parking in yard and street.

GENTLE EXERCISE CLASS FOR OLDER PEOPLE Age UK Brent’s new exercise class. An hour’s gentle exercise. Neasden, Fri afternoons. SPA London Centre, 519 North Circular Road, Neasden, NW2 7QG. Ken 020 8965 7711

GET ACTIVE WITH SALSA! Heritage Inn, Caribbean Rhum Bar and Restaurant, 301 Cricklewood Broadway, London, NW2 6PG. Mon, beginners: 7.30-8.30pm, improvers and intermediate 8.45 - 9.45pm. £7 or £10 for two classes. www. cubanvibes.com or call 07961 281 989

BRONDESBURY BOWLING CLUB Evenings and daytime including free tuition.

Chatsworth Road, 020 8438 0302

Venues ­ RENT MUSEUM B High Road, NW10 020 8937 3600

Soccer See: Sports & Leisure

WEMBLEY BOWLS CLUB

Aikido classes

Tuition offered. Weds 3pm. King Edward VII Park, Park Lane Wembley.

WOODCOCK PARK BOWLS CLUB

Weds 8-10pm. St Andrews Church Scout Hall, Church Gardens, Harrow Road, Sudbury.

Steve 07775 588 343

Bowls, open days and fetes. Kenton.

020 8907 9076

TAI CHI

JUDO CLUB AT VALE FARM SPORTS CENTRE Pride Judo Club. Juniors; 5 to 12 yrs, Mon/Weds 5pm -6:30pm, £3.50 per session. Seniors; 13 yrs and above, Weds 6:308pm, £4.50 per session.

Lionel 07985 336 181 pridejudo@onsport.com

SOCCER For boys and girls, 5-17 yrs. Classes Sun mornings Wembley, Mon evenings Kenton, Thurs evenings Neasden. First session FREE. 07793 447 227 www.superskillssoccer. com

SELF DEVELOPMENT Phoenix Tai Chi. Tues 1pm, Vale Farm, Wembley.

Eddie Ong 07900 687 498 www.taichi-london.com 07404 039 087

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

07835 244 398 www.wushukwan.com

INNER SPACE WEMBLEY Meditation, positive thinking, overcoming anger etc. Inner Space, 528 High Road, Wembley, HA9 7BS. 020 8903 1911 www.innerspace.org/ wembley

Tai Chi See: Self Development

Interested in making your own music? Do you have lyrics that you want to lay down on a track? London Urban Arts is offering workshops and accreditations in music production.

Places are limited! Tues 6.30-8.30pm, Chalkhill Community Centre. www.londonurbanarts artsacademy.org/enrolfor-free

MANOR AND PHILBEACH SINGERS No singing experience needed, no auditions.

Tues 7.30 -10pm, Goodwill Hall, Chichester Rd, Kilburn Park.

020 8450 8802

SPORTS & LEISURE RAGGAROBICS Tuesday 8-9pm and Thursday 8.30 -9.30pm at Bridge Park, £7. Jason 07557 123 760

YOGA IN DAILY LIFE Classes Mon - Sat, day and eve, 133 Salusbury Road, Queens Park.

020 7328 7163 www. yogaindailylife.org.uk

MEDITATION Open class, led by former Buddhist monk Karuna Priya, Sun 11.30am12.30pm, FREE 1st class then £24 for 4 classes, £7/ day. Gracelands Yard, 102 Liddell Gardens, Kensal Rise, London, NW10 3QE. Karuna 07784 436 783

Active with Brent Return to Football. Just turn up. Tue, 7-8pm, £2.

Ark Academy, Bridge Road, Wembley. 50+ gentle aerobics. Just turn up. Brent Town Hall, Tue, 10-11am, £2. 50+ gentle aerobics. Kingsbury Fitness First, Tue,1.30-2.30pm.

020 8937 3722. Healthy Walks Programme. www.brent.gov.uk/ sports

ZUMBA!

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

WEMBLEY STADIUM EVENTS

Mon 8.15-9.15pm, Sat 10-11am, St Mary and St Andrews Church Hall, Dollis Hill Lane, NW2 6HE. Wed 8-9pm, Raw Spice, West Hendon, NW9 7BP. Thur 8-9pm, Newman Catholic College, Harlesden, NW10. No need to book. £5 per class. Parking at all venues.

All times TBC Football League Trophy Final- 7 April The FA Cup Semi Finals- 13 and 14 April The FA Carlsberg Vase Final- 4 May Conference Premier Play off- 5 May The FA Cup Final- 11 May Subject to change

HOCKEY Senior sessions, Weds 8-10pm. Juniors (u9u16), Sun 10am. Jewish Free School, The Mall, Kingsbury HA3 9TE. Gary Thompson 07946 576 968 www.harrowhc.co.uk

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

All events are selected at the editor’s discretion

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PAUL DAISLEY HALL Forty Lane, Wembley, Middx HA9 Box Office 020 8937 6206/6203

Willesden Green Library 95 High Road, Willesden NW10 2SF 020 8937 3400 willesdengreenlibrary@brent.gov.uk

Conservation group See: Environment

Rapology!

BRENT ARCHIVES Ist Floor, Willesden Green Library Centre, NW10 020 8937 3541 archives@brent.gov.uk

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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, which could save you up to £200 a year. Register today and tell your friends and family about it.”

– Brent Council leader Muhammed Butt

Join thousands of Londoners who are signing up to the Big London Energy Switch to get a better deal on their energy bills.

Reg ister by 14 A pril

www.biglondonenergyswitch.org.uk 0845 208 0237 0000TBM131p20.indd 2

13/3/13 14:21:32