ISSUE NO.118 • FREE FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE AND WORK IN BRENT • PUBLISHED BY BRENT COUNCIL • OCTOBER 2011
Recycle more Brent’s new and improved waste collection service
GreenPages Green ages INSIDE
Contents Features
13 14 19 21
Recycle more… now Your introduction to a new way of recycling
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Olympic memories
Welcome to the October issue of the Brent Magazine
‘Testimonies’ art exhibition
Next stop independence Improving independence for the vulnerable
Making the pennies count A look at the last year
Regulars
4 9 11 26 29 30
Update
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Brent people All in a day’s work
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Secret history Competitions Time out
Issue No. 118 October 2011 The Brent Magazine contacts Distribution queries and editorial 020 8937 1062 tbm@brent.gov.uk Advertising 020 8937 1097 advertising@brent.gov.uk Published by the London Borough of Brent, Town Hall, Forty Lane, Wembley Middlesex.
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. BDU 6512 9.11
It’s that time of year when the nights get longer and the days get colder, but that’s no excuse to stay indoors when there is so much going on in Brent. Instead, wrap up warm and get yourself down to your local library where you will find a month’s worth of fun activities going on as part of the ‘Word Up!’ celebrations, including a ghostly Halloween party. Turn to page 11 to find out more. Or, you could snuggle up at the cinema as Brent puts on a screening of a surprising locally produced film to celebrate ‘Brent’s Reel History’ read more on page 26. But before you venture into the cold, do take ten minutes to have a read of pages 21 to 25. These pages have been dedicated to telling you what the council has been doing to make Brent a better place to live and work. Until next month, Orla Sedze Editor, The Brent Magazine
One Stop Service 020 8937 1200 www.brent.gov.uk The Brent Magazine is available in large print and on audio tape. Please ring 020 8937 1106 Cover image: Brent residents Kanji and Danni Kerai (see page 13). Photograph by Kaori Ando.
UPdate
Race for a school place Families with children due to start at a Brent school in September 2012 are being urged to apply for a place as soon as possible to stand the best chance of getting the school they prefer. The deadline for secondary school applications is 31 October
this year while the deadline for primary and junior schools is 15 January 2012. All Brent families have to apply to Brent Council regardless of whether the school is in Brent or outside the borough. www.brent.gov.uk /admissions
South Kilburn celebrates What was supposed to be an end of year show turned into a celebration as the tenants and trainees of the South Kilburn Studios learned the scheme had been extended for another six months. The temporary studio, which was commissioned by Brent Council and South Kilburn Neighbourhood Trust, was set up back in April to provide free studio space for creative professionals in return for training up 13 young people
in their field of work. However the studios have proved to be so successful with the trainees and residents on the estate that it has been given additional councl funding that will see it open until 31 March 2012. This will mean the studios will continue to hold weekly workshops and monthly exhibitions for all Brent residents to get involved in. www.southkilburnstudios.org
Stadium event dates Wembley Stadium eventday listings are now featured in the Time Out section of The Brent Magazine. Turn to pages 30-31 for the listings under the heading of Stadium Events. You can also find dates for future events at www.wembleystadium.com /events
Courses for aspiring young Olympians Bridge Park Community Leisure Centre is running courses and taster sessions for aspiring young Olympians. The junior courses last from six to ten weeks and drop-in sessions are every week. Activities
include trampolining, street dance, football, hockey and more. Prices are £28 for ten weeks and drop-in sessions are £3.60, call the leisure centre on 020 8937 3730 or email bridgeparkclc@brent.gov.uk
Young people taking part in recent workshop
No vote no say Residents are being reminded to register to vote if they want to have their say in the London Mayor and Greater London Assembly elections in May 2012. Completion of the electoral registration forms that were sent out in August is a legal obligation and households who have not returned their forms
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will be receiving a visit from the council. Failure to re-register or return the completed form is an offence which could lead to a fine of up to £1,000. The new register is published on 1 December and forms will be accepted until 25 November, call 020 8937 1372 or email electoral.services@ brent.gov.uk
UPdate
Brent teacher now Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia A Brent teacher has given up his day job to take up office as the Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia after a plea from his government to return and help with difficulties in his homeland. Mohamed Ibrahim a resident of Harlesden and teacher at Newman Catholic
College took the call from his government over the summer holidays and has now moved back to Somalia to help deal with the humanitarian crisis. Mr Ibrahim is one of a number of Somalis living across the world who are heeding their government’s
Community cash Brent Council is introducing a charge on new developments which will help pay for services across the borough. The Community Infrastructure Levy will be in place from autumn 2012. The levy is a charge for new developments in the borough and is calculated per square metre. Resident’s will be able to spend some of the money raised from developments in their area on things like park improvements, safer road schemes, a new health
Mohamed Ibrahim
No need to ‘splash out’ to swim centre or sports facility. The council will be consulting on the initial charging rate throughout November 2011 and again in early 2012. More information will be available at upcoming Consultative Forums. Willesden Tuesday 11 October Wembley Wednesday 12 October Kingsbury and Kenton Tuesday 25 October. For venues turn to pages 30-31 or call 020 8937 5276.
Sport summit promotes health Brent Council and NHS Brent held a joint event to promote the benefits of sport and physical activity in the borough.
calls to rebuild it after decades of civil war. Headteacher Mr Richard Kolka said: “Mr Ibrahim deserves all the best of good fortune. He has always worked very hard to support our boys, and his efforts have been enormously appreciated.”
The Sport and Physical Activity Summit was held to inform and inspire health professionals, voluntary groups and businesses about improving Brent residents’ health and participation in sports and physical activities. The summit was part of Brent Council’s commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of residents by 2012 and beyond as a legacy to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Robert Gargrave from the YMCA
As part of the BBC and British Swimming Big Splash campaign to help people learn to swim ahead of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, London Swimming have launched www.swimmingoffers.org with the aim of getting 20,000 more Londoners swimming more regularly. The website will locate your nearest pool and provide you with a choice of discounted swimming offers, with up to four vouchers each, such as:
• • • • •
bring the family for free bring a friend for free workout in the water try a class in the pool adult swimming lessons. Log on to www.swimmingoffers.org to see the offers we have on in Brent at Vale Farm and Willesden Sports Centre.
Sculpture’s new angle on football A sculpture of a football which creates an optical illusion has been unveiled in Brent. The four-metre high piece of public art, called ‘Angled Ball’ sits in the grounds of IKEA in Neasden and celebrates nearby Wembley Stadium. When a viewer moves around the ‘Angled Ball’ an optical illusion is created as the squares, hexagons and pentagons merge to create a giant football visible from only two angles. It was created by artist James Hopkins and was funded by IKEA as part of its planning obligations. OCTOBER 2011
The ‘Angled Ball’ sculpture in Neasden
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UPdate
‘Bloomin’ marvellous winners Pupils from Preston Park Primary School are celebrating coming top in the schools category of this year’s Brent in Bloom gardening competition, after a summer spent pruning and preening their school grounds. They were among a number of worthy greenfingered winners from across Brent who took part in the competition to decide who had the best gardening skills
and the prettiest front garden, window box, hanging basket or balcony in the whole of the borough. The theme for this year's competition was ‘It's your Neighbourhood’ and there were awards in five entry categories up for grabs. Brent’s hawk-eyed judges awarded marks for colour, design, quality of plants and cleanliness as well as how bio-diverse each garden was. The first prize in the
A parting gift Brent’s Former Mayor, Councillor Harbhajan Singh, marked the end of his mayoral year by presenting his three chosen charities with cheques for money he had raised during his time
Neighbourhood Award category was won jointly by NW2 Residents Association and Campbell Gordon Way Residents Association, while the prize for Seasonal Planting went to Sudbury residents, Mr and Mrs Berry. www.brent.gov.uk/bloom
College wins top careers as Mayor. Over the course of the year, Councillor Singh managed to raise a whopping £31,560 for Asian People’s Disability Alliance, Shooting Stars CHASE and St Luke’s Hospice.
The College of North West London (CNWL) has won the prestigious Investor in Careers Quality Award. CNWL is one of only three colleges in the capital to gain the distinction which recognises excellence in the
way career support is provided to young people. Brent Connexions and CNWL work in partnership to provide one-to-one support that focuses on progression routes for students once they complete their course.
Brent schools score GCSE success Brent schools have achieved a fantastic six per cent rise in pupils getting five or more GCSEs at grades A* C this year. Pupils achieving five or more GCSEs or equivalent qualifications at grades
Light graffiti Young creative minds took centre stage last month when their art work was showcased at Brent Town Hall. The public exhibition was the conclusion of the LightGRAFFITI project that was held at venues across Wembley during the summer holidays. Funded through Ward Working, Brent Council worked with Waterman’s Art Centre to deliver a series of intensive workshops for young people
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to create their own light drawings and animations. Using creative digital photography, the young people learned about the science behind light drawings and the skills to tell stories through light and photography. The work is due to be displayed across the borough in the near future so keep a look out for more info! Search ‘lightGRAFFITI’ on Facebook.
OCTOBER 2011
Light graffiti created by Lutfullah Ziartgul
A*-C went up to 81 per cent from 75 per cent last year. There has also been a three per cent rise to 63 per cent, in pupils achieving five A*-C grades including English and maths.
UPdate
Green doctors prescribe energy saving help
Going for Gold at 50 Sports on offer are boccia, badminton, tennis, table tennis and archery and sessions are held weekly at a cost of £2. No booking is needed just turn up and play. To find out more contact Brent Sports Service on 020 8937 3722 or email sportsservice@brent.gov.uk
Can’t wait for the Olympics? Then why not come and try out some Olympic and Paralympic sports at venues across the borough. Inspired by the London 2012 Games, Going for Gold is a sports programme for people aged 50 and over looking to stay fit and active.
Bookstart Bear prowls into Brent libraries
Green Doctor visiting residents.
Welsh Harp ward residents are being offered a free home visit by specialist advisers to improve their homes’ energy efficiency, helping to lower their utility bills. The advisers, known as Green Doctors, will be available to visit 1,600 homes in the ward from October until late March next year by appointment. The scheme is coordinated by the environmental charity Groundwork London, funded by the London Development Agency and
supported by Brent Council. Green Doctors offer energy and water efficiency advice and survey a home’s heating and insulation. They can also install free energy and water-saving devices such as energysaving light bulbs, stand-by switches and a monitor to record electricity use. Residents should not admit a person who is without identification from Groundwork London. To arrange a visit from a Green Doctor, call 0300 365 3005.
Children can meet Bookstart Bear when he visits Brent’s libraries during Children’s Book Week, from 3-9 October. Youngsters can also join the Bookstart Bear Club, enjoy a craft session and have fun with stories and rhymes at the libraries. The bear is a mascot for the Bookstart scheme which offers free books to children under four and advice for parents about helping their child to
read. For dates of when you can bump into the Bookstart Bear turn to the Time Out pages or visit www.brent.gov.uk/wordup
Indoor Street party Brent Museum celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Festival of Britain recently with an indoor street party that featured 1950's inspired fashion made and modelled by local children, and entertainment from the ENCEE Indian dance troupe.
Olympic access for all Wembley Central station is set to receive a make-over as part of a £2.5million improvement scheme before the London 2012 Olympics. The upgrade will provide passengers with a step-free route between the station entrance and all
platforms. Two platforms will be extended to provide capacity for longer eightcar trains and there will be two new lifts and a stair lift installed. The toilets will also be refurbished. The works are expected to finish in June 2012.
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Apply for a 2012 primary school place If your child lives in Brent and will be starting primary school in September 2012, you must apply to Brent Council for a school place. You can apply easily online at www.brent.gov.uk/admissions You must apply by 15 January 2012 to have the best chance of getting the school you prefer. Apply if your child was born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2006 and even if the school you like is outside the borough.
Be reunited with your stolen goods at
Aladdin’s Cave Stolen property retrieved by the Metropolitan Police will be on display. Come and see if any of it belongs to you! Free property and bike marking to help trace your property if it’s stolen. Come and meet officers from Brent Council, the Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade and voluntary groups who can Saturday 22 October 2011 provide you with practical from 10am to 4pm advice on keeping your 2nd Floor, Brent Town Hall, valuables and property safe. Forty Lane, Wembley, Middlesex HA9 9HD For further information call 020 8937 2961 or email monica.roucou@brent.gov.uk
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For more information, contact Brent Council’s School Admissions Service on 020 8937 3110. Jeśli Pana/Pani dziecko mieszka na terenie Brent i w przyszłym roku pójdzie do szkoły podstawowej, musi Pan(i) złożyć do Samorządu Lokalnego Brent podanie o miejsce w szkole. Haddii ilmahaagu ku nool yahay Brent uu Dugsi Hoose galayo sanadka danbe,waa inaad ka dalbataa kawnsilka Dugsi uu meel ka helo.
BRENTpeople
Boxing clever ‘Believe and you can achieve’ is the motto which inspired Ashley ‘Treasure’ Theophane of Kilburn to take the British title from boxer Lenny Daws at Wembley earlier this year.
You’ve taken your boxing from Brent to Brooklyn and back – how did you get into the profession? I remember watching big boxing matches featuring Mike Tyson or Marvin Hagler with my dad from as young as four and knew from then that is what I wanted to do. I started boxing when I was eight years old and have been doing it more or less ever since.
Where do you train? I train in All Stars Gym in London and when I am preparing for a big match I go to Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn, USA.
You had a brief encounter with the law which you have said ‘focused’ you, what happened? I got caught up with the wrong crowd and ended up in prison on remand for six months when I was 19. I met so many talented young people in there – it was such a shame. Going to prison made me more determined. I vowed if I got out I wasn’t going to waste my life. I was found not guilty and by 22 I was a professional boxer.
So now you’re British Champion what’s next? In 2012 I will hopefully win the European title and then the world title. I’m also writing a novel called ‘Raised by the Hood’ which is about my life and experiences and will be out next year.
What would you say has got you to where you are today? Determination and self belief. No one thought I would get anywhere, the boxing establishment didn’t think I could compete. You go to school and no one expects anything of you. It can be easy for you to lose your way which is why it’s so important to believe in yourself.
Any advice for the young people of Brent? With hard work and perseverance you can achieve anything. Believe in yourself, put in the work and you can make anything happen. Follow Ashley on Twitter @AshleyTheophane
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ALL IN Aday’s
Word Up! A month of free activities will be held at Brent Libraries as part of literary programme ‘Word Up!’ which uses books and reading to celebrate a number of events in October including Black History Month, Diwali and Halloween.
work
The latest addition to the libraries piling stock of activities and events, Word Up!, coincides with national and local celebrations being held this month. Sarah Smith, Brent Council’s Libraries and Development Manager, is responsible for the service and the delivery of creative events and activities laid on by libraries. “We are striding into the 21st century and in order to ensure as many residents use and embrace our library service we need to show there is something here for everyone,” explained Sarah. “Part of our role is to find creative ways of promoting libraries and the services we offer. “We know libraries are about books, learning and reading, but people use them for different reasons and in different ways.You may be interested in the library for reading, to learn English, use the internet or to socialise. People’s needs constantly change and so does our service so creative promotion is essential. “We borrow a lot of our marketing ideas from big businesses and social media. We have regular promotions like our current ‘Banned Books’ season which looks at previously censored books and hold events like ‘Girls Night In’ which was attended by nearly 200 women and highlighted the many health and wellbeing books we stock. “We also hold several large scale events that we promote borough wide such as the recent circus-themed Summer Reading Challenge which encouraged children to read six books through fun and reading activities.” Word Up! promises to be an exciting event that should encourage residents to visit their library no matter what their interest - highlights include a: • visit from the queen of British Ska Pauline Black and a talk from the author of Rastamouse • relaxing therapeutic health event • talk from Asian authors, Bollywood dancing and pampering • Halloween party.
Pauline Black, left. Sarah Smith, libraries manager.
Sarah added: “Above all we want to provide a service that is appealing and accessible to all.” Telephone 020 8937 5619 or visit www.brent.gov.uk/wordup All events are free except where otherwise stated. OCTOBER 2011
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Local issues
Who’s got the answers? Harlesden ACF 20 September 2011 Kilburn and Kensal ACF 21 September 2011 Willesden ACF 11 October 2011 Wembley ACF 12 October 2011 Kingsbury and Kenton ACF 25 October 2011
Have your say at one of Brent’s five area consultative meetings. Come and discuss the local issues which concern you, such as environment, transport, planning, streetscene, health care and policing with councillors and local policy makers.
EMPTY PROPERTIES CAUSE PROBLEMS If you own an empty property ask about GRANTS to bring empty residential or commercial* property back in to use with potential rental income *
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For more information contact Brent Consultation Team Tel 020 8937 1055 Email consultation@brent.gov.uk www.brent.gov.uk/consultation
BRENT ACF Area Consultative Forums
DO YOU OWN OR KNOW OF AN EMPTY PROPERTY IN BRENT?
Why not convert an EMPTY PROPERTY into a HOME?
Contact Brent Council Empty Property Team Call 020 8937 2535/2539 Visit www.brent.gov.uk/emptyproperties Email empty.property@brent.gov.uk
Brent recycle more …now Brent resident Kanji Kerai is a committed recycler who lives in Kingsbury with his family – here he introduces Brent Council’s new recycling service starting this month. From 3 October we will have a new and improved waste and recycling service. It will let us recycle more materials in larger quantities than ever before. It’s about your household and mine recycling everything we can. The council will remove food waste and garden waste every week. So the green bin or the smaller food waste container will be collected weekly. On the same day either the dry recycling bin or landfill waste will be collected. Because the council will take more recycling there should be much less in our landfill waste bins. A collection calendar for your property, delivered with the new blue recycling bin, explains when your bins will be collected. If you didn’t get one you can request it by post or from the website. With the new recycling bin comes a detailed leaflet explaining the service; keep this somewhere safe. My family is supporting the new scheme. Good luck with using your new waste and recycling service and thank you for helping Brent to recycle more.
“It will let us recycle more materials in larger quantities than ever before. It’s about your household and mine recycling everything we can.”
The people who feature in Brent’s recycling campaign are all real residents who have generously given their time to promote the new service. If you would like to support recycling in Brent by helping to publicise the service, email recyclemore@brent.gov.uk, visit www.brent.gov.uk/recyclemore or call 020 8937 5050.
• check your collection calendar to make sure the correct bins are left out on the day of collection. Bank Holidays may interfere with the usual collection; this will be on your calendar
Some things to remember: • recycling in Brent is compulsory, the council will do everything it can to help us recycle properly but it is our responsibility • wrap food waste in newspaper; they cannot collect food waste contained in any type of plastic bags, including so-called biodegradable bags. Bins containing plastic bags will not be emptied • side waste (bags left beside the bins) is only acceptable for recycling, not for landfill waste (general rubbish)
• assisted collection is available for residents with reduced mobility or health issues.
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Olympic memories Past and future Olympic and Paralympic Games are the focus of an exhibition at the Brent Artists Resource (BAR) gallery. ‘Testimonies’ features local people’s stories about the 1948 Olympic Games and the upcoming London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Recordings of their thoughts and memories are played as part of the installation and local people can get involved on Facebook and Twitter. Brent is an ideal home for the exhibition as Wembley Stadium was an Olympic venue in 1948 and will be again next year. Malcolm Tappin, 73, is one of the participants in Testimonies. In 1948, aged ten, he hung around outside the stadium and was given tickets to many events which weren’t full. He said: “It was a big event, particularly after the austerity of the
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war. Life had been so very grey. “We were able to rub shoulders with the competitors.They were staying in local schools, on camp beds.We just stood around outside and chatted to them. “At the opening ceremony, we jumped over the wall and got their autographs. It was our first contact with foreign people; Mexicans, Egyptians. It was all very cosmopolitan.” Another participant, 23-year-old Liesa Bacchus, was inspired to run her first 5k race by the thought of 2012. She said: “It has pushed me to want to explore sports and be involved in sport. Most young people are into football and it stops there, but London 2012 is giving them a platform to explore sports like gymnastics and the
javelin. Hopefully it will get them more active physically.” The lead artist, Lorenzo Belenguer, said: “We wanted to compare the 1948 and 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and also make a connection between Londoners and the people attending the Games, so that people can hear the thoughts and aspirations of real Londoners. “It has been a once in a lifetime opportunity.” Lorenzo hopes the recordings will be broadcast at Wembley Arena Square and other sites during the Games. Testimonies is at BAR, in Willesden Green Library Centre, until 14 October and open daily from 2 to 6pm. www.LondonersTestimonies.com
www.brent.gov.uk/recyclemore
October 2011
Recycle more Do it now www.brent.gov.uk/recyclemore
Brent’s new and improved waste collection service starts this month – now we can all recycle more So let’s do it… At present Brent recycles only 34 per cent of its waste and has to spend your money paying an expensive landfill tax on everything that doesn’t get recycled. We have changed the way we collect your waste so that Brent can recycle more. If you live in a house or converted flat Dry Recycling We are no longer collecting recycling from the green box. The new bluetop recycling bin replaces the old green box. The new recycling bin gives you more capacity to recycle. New materials are now collected for recycling, as described in detail on the next page.
Organics
Collections
Your green bin will continue to be collected every week. Please use it for food waste, garden waste and organic waste. If you did not have a green bin, we gave you a green food waste container. We will collect this container every week. Please use it for food waste only. We also gave you a small kitchen caddy for internal storage of food waste.
Your collection day is likely to have changed with the introduction of the new waste collection service.
Landfill waste
We’re doing it… How about you?
Please use your landfill waste bin, normally grey, for anything that cannot be recycled or composted.
www.brent.gov.uk/recyclemore
We gave you a collection calendar when we delivered the blue top recycling bin. The calendar explains when your bins will be collected. If you do not have the collection calendar download it from the council’s website or request a copy to be sent to you by post. Your blue-top recycling bin and landfill waste bin will be collected on alternate weeks.
What goes in each bin? Blue-topped recycling bin
NEW
Newspaper Magazines Catalogues Telephone directories Junk mail Leaflets Envelopes
Green, brown and clear glass bottles and jars
Cardboard boxes Cereal boxes Egg boxes Greetings cards Kitchen and toilet roll tubes
Food and drinks cartons (eg Tetra Pak™)
NEW
Food tins and drink cans Aerosol cans Kitchen foil Foil cake trays Foil ready meal trays
NEW
Clothes Textiles Shoes
All household batteries
Car batteries
Used engine oil
Rigid plastic containers Margarine tubs Ice cream tubs Yoghurt pots Fruit punnets
All plastic bottles including: Shampoo Shower gel Washing-up liquid Water and drinks bottles
Bag it! Do not put these items in the blue top bin. Put these items in clear plastic bags or sacks, or in labelled plastic bags. Put the bags next to the recycling bin on your collection day.
Tel: 020 8937 5050
IMPORTANT DO NOT USE YOUR NEW BIN OR CONTAINERS UNTIL THE START DATE SHOWN ON THE CALENDAR
Green organics bin Vegetable and fruit waste Food scraps (cooked and uncooked) Bread Cheese Egg shells Tea bags Coffee grounds Pasta and rice
Grass and plant cuttings Leaves Twigs Hedge trimmings Weeds Garden prunings Plants Flowers Fallen fruit
We will no longer collect cardboard with the green organics bin. Cardboard will now be collected with the new recycling bin
Food waste container and kitchen caddy Vegetable and fruit waste Food scraps (cooked and uncooked)
Do you live in a block of flats? All blocks of flats will have communal recycling facilities by March 2012.
The new scheme will be mixed, therefore you will be able to use any recycling bins to recycle the following materials: paper, glass bottles and jars,
GreenPages
plastics bottles, tins and cans, aerosols and aluminium foil. For the first time you will be able to recycle cardboard, cartons and rigid plastic containers.
Coffee grounds Pasta and rice
Want to find out more? Frequent updates about the new waste collection service will be posted on the website: www.brent.gov.uk/recyclemore
Watch out for future editions of the Green Pages for more information on improvements to recycling for flats.
Brent Council’s residents’ recycling newsletter is produced by Brent Council in association with Veolia. For further information visit www.brent.gov.uk/recyclemore email recyclemore@brent.gov.ukor call 020 8937 5050.
www.brent.gov.uk/recyclemore
09.11BDU6513
If you already have access to communal recycling facilities your new recycling service starts from 3 October 2011.
Bread Cheese Egg shells Tea bags
Next stop… independence Many vulnerable people who previously relied on council transport are now hopping on and off buses and enjoying the freedom and independence many of us take for granted.
Each year Brent Council spends £1.74 million providing subsidised transport for 450 vulnerable people, mostly to and from day care using council minibuses or taxis. It works out around £3,700 per person but in a recent consultation, with carers and people who use the service, it was made clear that many would like to travel themselves. To improve independence for many of its clients Brent is introducing independent travel training for vulnerable people and has appointed two full-time staff to deliver the programme, with a further nine staff providing training as part of their full-time role. Duncan Matthews, Brent Travel Training Co-ordinator, says: “Although people require assistance this should not always mean they’re stuck with minibuses and taxis. We can arrange for someone to go with them on public transport or on foot.
Also, Brent’s travel training helps to develop confidence, independence and life skills and is based on successful schemes already operating in other boroughs. “Existing arrangements do not always promote independence. The way it is set up goes back years and isn’t always the most efficient. Certain day care services provide transport to all clients rather than focusing on those who would really struggle on their own.” Over 750 carers and service users were invited to attend one of six consultation meetings over the summer. Concerns were expressed that people would not get the support they need but the idea that only those who need transport assistance should qualify was widely accepted. In future transportation will be based on an assessment of a person’s needs and their ability to use other transport such as buses and tubes. Duncan added: “With the proper support the new service is much fairer and more affordable, meaning that those who really need help are guaranteed to get it despite less money being available for local government services.” To find out more telephone 020 8937 6786 or talk to your support worker about travel training.
“Brent’s travel training helps to develop confidence, independence and life skills.”
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WEMBLEY WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD? YOU DECIDE Brent Council is currently producing the Wembley Area Action Plan, which will influence how Wembley changes over the next 15 years. We need your ideas on what you think should be in the plan.
YOU CAN HAVE YOUR SAY BY: • visiting the website www.brent.gov.uk/ldf • completing one of the questionnaires available from libraries and One Stop Service offices • contacting Brent’s Planning and Transport Strategy team on 020 8937 5230 or ldf@brent.gov.uk
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• attending the Wembley Area Consultative Forum at 7pm on Wednesday 12 October 2011 at Patidar House, London Road, Wembley HA9 7EX • all comments should be submitted by Monday 7 November 2011 to ensure they are considered.
Making the pennies count 2010 – 2011
www.brent.gov.uk
I am proud to introduce this review of our borough strategy, which is a testament to our ability to deliver for local people, despite incredibly challenging circumstances. Vast government cuts to our funding have meant taking very hard decisions. We have had to look at every aspect of our work in our determination to protect services while reducing spending. Despite the enormity of the challenge, this review shows that we can improve services, find smarter ways to work, and push for greater efficiency in everything we do. Our progress in the last year has truly improved the lives of local people, with hundreds of new homes built for local residents, our young people achieving record school results, and millions of pounds saved by our groundbreaking efficiency programme. This review also highlights Brent’s exciting future. Physical regeneration across the borough is transforming our area, improving the homes, environment and opportunities of local people. Ambitious recycling plans will see us become a much greener borough. We will build new schools, care facilities and a Civic Centre which will be the greenest public building in Europe and a focal point for the whole community. The challenges we face have not put us off our fundamental aim - to be the best place in London to live and work. This review shows we are getting there.
Cllr Ann John OBE Leader of the Council
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One Community
One Borough Driving economic opportunity and regeneration
Greater access to affordable housing
Brent is a diverse borough benefiting from excellent transport links and world renowned attractions making it an ideal place for businesses and investment. • Construction work for the Brent Civic Centre started on 30 November 2010. The centre, which will be the UK’s ‘greenest’ civic building is expected to be open in Summer 2013. • Plans are progressing to redevelop the Willesden Green Library Centre into a 21st century library service and cultural hub providing full access to council services for the south of the borough. • The South Kilburn regeneration includes; new housing, improved open spaces, a public art project and the opening of free studio spaces for creative start-up businesses in return for training young people.
Demand for housing is high in Brent and so are costs. We want to increase the provision of affordable housing in Brent. We aim to provide 4,500 new homes by 2014, with half being affordable housing. • Despite the economic climate over 800 affordable housing units were built between 2010 and now. • In May 2011 Cherry Close in Wembley was completed providing a 100 per cent affordable housing scheme with 33 homes; 16 social rented and 17 for shared ownership. • Housing laws are helping us meet targets that ensure developers build 25 per cent of all new homes to a size suitable for families. • Alperton Village has delivered 186 homes; 76 for social rent, 60 for private sales, 26 shared ownership and 24 rent-to-buy flats.
Protecting our environment In the past year the council has further strengthened its commitment to the environment by consulting on the Green Charter, a promise setting out what we will do to make Brent greener and more sustainable over the next three years. • In October the new waste and recycling service comes into effect. It will let people recycle more items than ever before. • Brent continues to bid for Fairtrade status, supporting sustainable farming and manufacturing worldwide. • Our social media experiment ‘Brent Going Green’, is helping to spread the message that Brent Council is committed to sustainable living by providing energy monitors to households free of charge.
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Increasing sports, leisure and culture facilities A range of projects to achieve the aims of the Sport and Physical Activity strategy, Cultural strategy and review of the library service has been delivered. • We have refurbished the tennis courts at Alperton Recreation Ground, Chelmsford Square and Eton Grove. • A programme of sports sessions for young people has been provided including kayaking and weightlifting. • The borough has been awarded eight Green Flags, recognising the excellent quality of Brent’s parks. • Harlesden Library has gone from strength to strength since refurbishment last year, usage is up 20 per cent. • The Greenhouse Project at Willesden Green Library Centre is helping local artists and performers to showcase their talent. • Brent Museum continues to run projects across the borough to widen access to the history of Brent. It also plays host to exciting exhibitions such as the recent Fabric of a Nation – a display of African textiles on loan from the British Museum.
A programme of sports sessions for young people including kayaking and weightlifting.
Reducing unemployment and low incomes • The percentage of Brent young people who were not in education, employment or training, measured over three months from November 2010 to January 2011 was just five per cent – better than our target figure of 5.7 per cent. • Brent’s employment service ‘Brent in2 Work’ continues to offer employment support to unemployed Brent residents. • Skanska, the main contractor for the new Civic Centre, is ensuring local businesses are a valued part of the projects supply chain and that job and training opportunities are provided for local residents. Currently 25 to 30 per cent of people working on site are from Brent and as of July this year this year over £930,000 will have been paid to Brent based companies/contracters. • Plans are in place to provide further opportunities for local people across other key regeneration areas.
Supporting children and families Brent is a young borough and the council will support and encourage young people to be successful while fulfilling their potential. • For the first time, educational attainment at Key Stage 2 rose above the national average for English and mathematics, while results at GCSE and A-Level in August 2010 were excellent - continuing to be well above the national average. • Proposals were announced for expansion work worth £15.2 million at three local schools, creating 840 extra primary places by September 2015. Brent also created 135 extra high quality temporary places in schools such as Ashley Gardens.
Enabling young people to thrive A number of projects have been organised for young people to participate in various activities following the economic recession. • Ward Working funded 50 projects for children and young people including football, art, homework clubs, healthy eating, mentoring and dance. • Many young people took part in a wide range of Olympic sports as part of a programme across the borough designed to encourage people to try new activities. • Swimming lessons were provided for local pupils and the community in a temporary swimming pool at Chalkhill primary school.
Greater personal choice and independence for adults Adult social care has undergone big changes over the past year, with a focus on providing personalised services. • In the 12 months from April 2010 to March 2011 use of personal budgets more than doubled, increasing from 958 to 1,967 users, equivalent to 32 per cent of those receiving financial support.
A number of projects have been organised for young people to participate in various activities.
One Council Engaging with residents
Address health inequalities We continue to work with partners such as NHS Brent to reduce the health inequalities between affluent and deprived areas in the borough. • Working with NHS Brent, we encouraged healthy eating for families with educational tours at ASDA, the Kids’ Cookery School and the MEND programme. • Significant increases in the numbers of people using Brent’s stop smoking service (Brent has recorded the 2nd highest number of quits in London in 2010/11) and increases in the numbers of people screened for Chlamydia. • The role out of the NHS Health Checks (for adults aged 40-74) across Brent in 2011/12 will help the lower the risk of four common but preventable diseases – heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease.
Reducing crime and the fear of crime The council’s commitment to community safety and combating anti-social behaviour remains strong. • People who had been burgled were invited to the Aladdin’s Cave event to view recovered property. • Brent Community Safety Partnership developed services to help women exiting prostitution and trafficking • Residents affected by anti social behaviour can now receive specialist help from Victim Support. So far 350 people were assisted, including support during court proceedings. • Working with the police, we implemented five dispersal zones in Brent following anti-social behaviour complaints from residents.
Keeping residents informed and getting them involved in council projects is a continuing priority for all departments and over the last 12 months: • The Brent Magazine was commended by LG Communications for best practice of a regular council publication that informs residents. To make savings we have reduced the numbers of editions from 12 to ten a year. • There were 28 councillor walkabouts and a total of £412,470 awarded to 167 ward-based projects with £140,255 allocated to activities for young people. • Residents, voluntary group and partners were invited to the ‘One Community Many Voices’ event in September 2010 to contribute to the development of the Overview and Scrutiny Work programme. It contributed to the council’s local democracy week. • The Preventing Youth Offending task group visited a number of initiatives including Right Track, an education project for pupils with fixed-term exclusions. Members of the task group were guests on Brent Youth Radio and were interviewed by the stations young presenters.
The council’s efficiency programme is helping us make savings of at least £96 million.
Improving efficiency and services The council’s efficiency programme is helping us reduce waste and duplication, and make savings of at least £96 million. • We have made significant reductions to our workforce and management while protecting the delivery of essential frontline services. • We have reviewed all our procurement procedures to squeeze maximum efficiency out of the way we purchase our supplies. • We have speeded up the way we make decisions on eligibility for adult social care and have helped many of our more vulnerable clients gain more independence. A similar process is being applied to our housing service.
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It all adds up! 2010-2011 Brent Council is committed to delivering excellent services for the local community which represent value for money. In March 2011 we sent a leaflet with your council tax bill letting you know what we plan to spend in the year ahead and how we plan to pay for it. We are now able to look back at the last financial year (1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011) and tell you how much we spent, how it was paid for and how much your council is worth. Councils provide a huge range of services to their residents but these can be summarised as; services for residents of the borough, council housing, maintaining assets such as schools, highways and other buildings. Council tax income £101.0m
What we spent on services to residents in 2010/11
Formula grant (which incorporates business rates) £164.5m
Sales, fees and charges £129.1m
Dedicated schools grant (DSG) £198.9m
Your council provides a vast range of services for residents such as providing education for your children, providing support for older people, or those with disabilities, administering a range of benefits, sweeping the streets and collecting rubbish, providing libraries, sports and arts facilities and providing parks you can walk in. Some of these services are provided by Brent Council and others through working with other organisations such as the Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade, the Health Service and the voluntary sector. In 2010/11, we spent £1,163 million on services for residents and paying housing and council tax benefits Housing services (inc. benefits payments) £367.4m
Planning & development £8.7m
Adult social care £122.4m
Central services £48.3m
Children’s social care £51.0m Cultural services £20.2m
Rent allowance & council tax subsidy £226.7m
Other grants and contributions £342.4m
What we spent on council housing in 2010/11 Council housing is important for many Brent residents. Last year, through Brent Housing Partnership (a company wholly owned by the council), we managed 9,131 homes and we spent £53.4 million. The money we spent on providing housing is paid for from rents and charges (about 89 per cent or £48.1 million) and central government subsidy and not from council tax. Total spending on council housing in 2010/11: £53.4 million
Other services £86.0m Highways & transport services £30.6m
Environment & neighbourhood services £33.5m
Education (inc. schools) £394.5m
These services were paid for with £1,163 million of income received from central government grants, from businesses through nondomestic rates, money generated by fees/charges and what you paid in council tax. Your council tax accounts for less than nine per cent of our income. Council tax also pays for services provided by the Greater London Authority (GLA) such as police, fire and transport. In 2010/11, the council collected £130.9 million in council tax, of which £29.9 million paid for GLA services.
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Interest payable & similar £15.0m
Increase in provision for debt £1.1m
Other £0.9m
Depreciation & debt repayment £12.8m
Repairs and maintenance £7.3m
Supervision & management £12.3m
Special services £4.0m
Spending on the borough’s assets The council spent £111.5 million on assets in 2010/11. We spent the money on assets such as schools, roads, council houses, parks and leisure centres
Of the £111.5 million spent, £35.1 million was paid for by borrowing and £64.1 million from government grants. The rest of the money came from selling assets, specific reserves and from other sources such as contributions.
Capital spending 2010/11 Regeneration projects & central items £29.5m
Environment & neighbourhood services £13m
Housing & adult care £20.0m
Useful contacts Customer services Switchboard
020 8937 1200
Anti-Social Behaviour Team
020 8733 3932
Brent Register Office
020 8937 1010
Committee meetings
020 8937 1366
Councillor surgeries
020 8937 1200
Council tax
020 8937 1790
Business rates
020 8937 1525
Emergencies (24 hour service)
020 8937 1234
Environment
Children & families including schools £49m
The council’s assets were worth £1.44 billion at 31 March 2011. £1,250.0m
Investment property
£3.0m
Intangible assets
£2.7m
The amount we hold in investments and stock
£42.3m
Amounts owed to us by other people / organisations
£91.6m
The amount we hold in cash and cash equivalents
020 8937 5252
Recycling and refuse collection
020 8937 5050
Abandoned vehicles
020 8937 5050
Noise service
020 8937 5252
Out of hours
020 8937 1234
Housing
What is the council worth? Property, plant and equipment
Pest control
Housing advice
020 8937 2772
Housing benefit
020 8937 1800
Libraries
020 8937 3400
Planning
020 8937 5210
Sports Service
020 8937 3707
£54.1m £1,443.7m
The council’s carbon footprint The council measures and improves its carbon footprint through its Carbon Management Strategy and Implementation Plan, which is currently being reviewed in order to achieve a target of a 25 per cent reduction in the council’s carbon dioxide emissions by March 2014. The 2009/10 baseline for this is 36,116 carbon tonnes. Provisional equivalent figures for 2010/11 suggest an increase which is mainly due more energy used in schools. The main emission sources in 2009/10 were schools (47 per cent), council buildings (31 per cent), street lighting (19 per cent) and transport (three per cent).
The council is driving energy efficiency upgrades in its buildings, building the new civic centre and encouraging energy savings in schools. In addition there are a number of behaviour change projects for staff including the Green Champions Network. The council has a number of services that operate under the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System. The council is taking part in the mandatory Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficient Scheme (CRC) which means making a payment to the government that is based on overall energy used.
It all adds up! 2010 – 2011 Was this finance section useful? Was there any information that we didn’t include that you would like to see, or something that we said that you didn’t think was important? If so, Clive Heaphy, Director of Finance and Corporate Resources, would like to know. You can contact him at clive.heaphy@brent.gov.uk or write to him at Brent Town Hall, Forty Lane, Wembley, Middlesex HA9 9HD. If you want to know more a copy of the council’s full accounts is available in your local library, through the One Stop Service or at www.brent.gov.uk/accounts
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Brent’s re This autumn, anyone with an interest in the past will be able to connect with archive films through a landmark BBC series which coincides with a celebration of Brent’s own impressive collection of film heritage as part of the ‘Word Up!’ festivities.
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SECREThistory
Background: Still from ‘These Can Be Yours’ (1949), and, above and below opposite, from ‘Coronation Celebrations’ (1953). All courtesy Brent Archives (Copyright London Borough of Brent).
el history In BBC 2’s Reel History of Britain series, Melvyn Bragg travels the UK, exploring the changing face of Britain through film footage from the British Film Institute (BFI) and regional archive collections. The BFI collection, based in London, is an internationally significant moving-image collection, holding films dating from the 19th century to the present. But you can also find films in smaller collections, in regional film archives and local authority collections like Brent’s. From home-recordings to local public information films, they offer a unique glimpse into the social history of Britain, recording the
changing face of your local area. A new online catalogue, launched in September, allows you to find out more about the films held in public collections across London.You can search the listings for all contributing collections at once, at www.londonsscreenarchives.org.uk as well as searching the records of all public film archives in England with one click allowing you access to Britain’s rich screen heritage. The LSA project has also funded the recent digitisation of some of Brent Archives’ own films, helping to preserve them, despite deterioration of the original acetate cine-films, and
making them more accessible to you. To celebrate ‘Brent’s Reel History’ we will be screening ‘These Can Be Yours’, a surprising local film from Brent Archives’ own collections alongside footage from the BFI, followed by a discussion session at the cinema at Willesden Green Library Centre, on 11 October from 11am-1pm. You can also view some of our recently digitised footage at the LSA Youtube channel www.youtube.com/user/ LondonsScreenArchive Contact Brent Archives for more information on 020 8937 3677 or email archives@brent.gov.uk OCTOBER 2011
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Advertise here from only ÂŁ275 and reach 99,000 households. For further information email VenilalVaghela@aol.com or call 07940 466204
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advertising@brent.gov.uk OR CALL 020 8937 1097
COMPETITIONS
Win a Go Glow® Clock The Brent Magazine has teamed up with Worlds Apart to give away five Go Glow® Clock Bedtime Trainers. The invention allows little ones to have fun learning their bedtime and morning routines with fun scenes incorporating their favourite characters including Lightening McQueen, Disney Princess, Winnie the Pooh or Thomas the Tank Engine. A useful 2-in-1 product, parents are able to set the bed time and wake up time to help their children follow a good bedtime routine as the friendly image magically transforms between night and day scenes. The Bedtime Trainer also doubles as a comforting night light that glows softly until morning. For your chance to win, answer the following question and state which design you like most.
What famous train character features in a cartoon? • Thomas • Ted • Troy
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). The deadline for all competitions is Friday 17 October 2011. Last month’s winners: Bridget Judge, Regina Mankefor, Sian Griffiths
Win tickets to see The Railway Children The Brent Magazine is offering five lucky readers a pair of tickets to see the award-winning and critically acclaimed Railway Children at the Waterloo Station theatre This theatrical event will be staged at the former Eurostar terminal where a 1,000 seat venue has been built around the railway tracks with audiences seated either side. The production features the amazing Stirling Single, a beautiful 60 tonne steam locomotive. Don’t miss your chance to join Bobby, Peter and Phyllis as they tell the story of how they became The Railway Children. To be in with a chance to win, simply answer the following question:
At what station is The Railway Children being shown?
Terms and conditions Tickets are valid until 30 November, excluding Saturday and Sunday matinees and 24 – 28 October, school and public holidays. Tickets are non-refundable, non-transferable and not for re-sale.
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TIMEout
What’s going on… The essential guide to music, drama, sport, workshops and much more. Find out what’s going on in Brent during October 2011. To get your event listed email tbm@brent.gov.uk or telephone 020 8937 1098. CHILDREN MINI PICASSOS Studio 21 Great Western Studios 65 Alfred Road W2 07903 638 817 FRESH ARTS THEATRE SCHOOL Drama, dance and singing for children aged 3-16. Newman Catholic College, NW10 0845 269 9529 www.fresh-arts.co.uk BOOKSTART BEAR 3 Oct Harlesden Library Plus 10.30-11.15am and Preston Road Library 2.15-3pm, 4 Oct Neasden Library Plus 11.30am-12.15pm and Town Hall Library 2.153pm, 5 Oct Willesden Green Library 10.15am12.00pm and Kingsbury Plus Library 2.15-3pm, 6 Oct Ealing Road Library 11.15am-12.00pm and Kensal Rise Library 22.45pm, 7 Oct Kilburn Library 10.30-11.15am, 8 Oct Barham Park Library 11.00-11.45am, 9 Oct Willesden Green Library Centre 3.15-4pm, www.brent.gov.uk /wordup SATURDAY SUPPLEMENTARY GREEK SCHOOL 10am-1pm, Language and traditional dancing Kingsbury High School, NW9 07967 810 210
DOWN SYNDROME TIGER CUBS Football coaching run by QPR. Thurs 5-6pm, Woodfield School Genwood Avenue, NW9 020 8740 2585 07815 670 806 4TH BRONDESBURY BROWNIES AND GUIDES Thurs Brownies 6.308pm, Guides 7pm8.30pm 07981 174 634 MUM AND TODDLER Thurs 10am-12pm Preston Mall Community Centre, Kenton, £2, 020 8204 1148 NOAH'S ARK Tues 10.30am-12.30pm, Thurs 1.30-3.30pm St John's Church, Wembley, £1 per family, 07768 453 931 PARENT TODDLER GROUP Thurs 9am-10.30am 50p Barham Primary, Wembley 020 8902 3706 SING AND SIGN CLASSES Mon-Fri, for babies 6 -18 months, Willesden Green and Kensal Rise 07790 955 576 SOCCER TRAINING Fri 6-8pm, for children, first session free Capital City Academy NW10 mdipaola@cyworks.co.uk 3RD WEMBLEY SCOUTS Fris Cubs 7-8.30pm, Scouts 7pm-9pm Clivedon Hall Clifton Way, Alperton 020 8997 0951 020 8902 6902 WILLESDEN DISTRICT SCOUTS Groups throughout Willesden for young people aged 6 -18, adult volunteers needed 020 8459 3737 enquiries@willesden scouts.org.uk 4TH NEASDEN BROWNIES Tues 6 -7.30pm, girls aged 7-10 only, St Mary's and St Andrew's Church Hall, Dollis Hill lane, NW2. 07794 018 819
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GRANVILLE PLUS YOUTH ARTS CENTRE Mon: guitar (intermediate) 5.307pm,Taekwondo 6-8pm, vocal training (20min private, lessons) 69pm,guitar (beginners) 78.30pm, song writing 79pm, street dance 79pm, Tues: Brent Youth Circus Company 6-8pm, online drama project 69pm, fashion as a business 6-9pm, discipline dance 7-9pm. 80 Granville Road, Kilburn, NW6 for youngsters aged 1125yrs. 020 8937 3612
COMMUNITY KINGSBURY HORTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION The Pavillion, Old Kenton Lane Allotments, Kingsbury, NW9 flower arranging every Weds 8pm -9.15pm 020 8205 3457 BRENT AND HARROW NATIONAL ORGANISATION OF THE WIDOWED 76 Marlborough Hill, HA1 call Rhona 020 8969 3198 BOOK CLUB New group in Wembley Park meeting one evening a month, discussing novels nominated for literary prizes wpbookclub@ btinternet.com WEMBLEY HISTORY SOCIETY 21 Oct 7.30pm 'Some Forgotten Short Films of World War II’ talk by David Hughes.St Andrew's Church Hall, Church Lane (opp. Tudor Gdns), Kingsbury NW9 philgrant69@aol.com BRENT COUNCIL AREA CONSULTATIVE FORUMS 11 Oct 7pm Willesden ACF, College of North West London, Denzil Road, NW10; 12 Oct 7pm. Wembley ACF Patidar Centre 22 London Road, Wembley, 25 Oct 7pm Kingsbury and Kenton, Kingsbury High School, Princes Avenue, NW9 www.brent.gov.uk /consultation
BRENT PENSIONERS' FORUM 5 Oct 10am-12pm Brent Town Hall 020 8795 3151 BRENT MUSEUM 6 Oct 6.30pm 'Louis Wain in the 21st Century' panel of speakers discuss Wain's work to mark World Mental Health Day; 25 Oct 1pm-4pm a Big Draw Event inspired by Louis Wain, Willesden Green Library Centre, NW10 020 8937 3600 museum@brent.gov.uk COFFEE MORNING Weds 10.30am-12noon Kingsbury Baptist Church, Slough Lane, Kingsbury, NW9. NORTH WEST LONDON WOMEN'S INSTITUTE First Thursday of the month 7.30pm upstairs at the North London Tavern Kilburn High Road NW6 nwlwi@hotmail.co.uk OVER 50S DISCUSSION GROUP Tues 11am-12.30pm The Gallery, Willesden Green Library 020 8452 8739
DANCE DA SALSA ROOM Mons 7.30 -8.30pm beginners £7; 8.30pm9.30pm bridge the gap classes £10; 9:4511.30pm, club and free styling night Heritage Inn Caribbean Rhum Bar & Restaurant, 301 Cricklewood Broadway, London, NW2 CLUB CEROC Tues 8-11pm, entry £8 plus £2 lifetime membership and a free beginner's guide DVD, Brent Town Hall, Forty Lane, Wembley, HA9 020 8933 4350 www.clubceroc.com ADULT STREET DANCE Tues, 7.30-8.30pm, £5.15 Bridge Park Leisure Centre, Stonebridge 020 8937 3730 BALLROOM AND LATIN Mons 7.30-11pm Brent Town Hall, Forty Lane Wembley 020 8855 6868
BELLY DANCING Mons 7.30pm-8.30pm beginners, 8.30pm9.30pm improvers £48 for 6 weeks £8 drop-in Fitness First 492-498 High Rd, Wembley, 07855 362 849 www.hayaam.com SALSA Mons, 7.30-8.30pm Mambo City salsa £6 St Joseph's Social Club, Empire Way, Wembley salsa@mambocity.co.uk Fri 7.30-8.30pm Willesden Sports Centre Thurs 8.15-9.30pm £4.50 07961 281 989 Mons 6.30-7.30pm Salsasize dance and exercise £4 Chalkhill Community Centre, 113 Chalkhill Road, Wembley 020 8385 1836 SELF EXPRESSIVE DANCE Tues 8-9.30pm, £7.50, Holy Innocents Church Hall, Bacon Lane 020 8205 6751 TEA DANCE Mons, Weds 1.304.30pm £4 Brent Town Hall, Forty Lane Wembley 020 8937 6206. Fri 24.30 pm Chalkhill Community Centre, 113 Chalkhill Road, Wembley 020 8385 1836 DANCE AT THE TRICYCLE We'll Meet Again. Free activity group for the over 60s, including Drama, Art, Dance and Tai Chi. 020 7372 6611
DRAMA EAST LANE THEATRE CLUB 'Secondary Cause of Death' by Peter Gordon 10-12 Nov and 16-19 Nov 7.45pm tickets £9 in advance box office 07762 622 215 KINGSBURY AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY 20-23 Oct comic operetta 'Victrix Patience' Kingsbury High School, NW9. tickets £13 0845 020 4240 www.kaosonline.org
CHAMELEONS Mons and Thurs 8pm, amateur dramatics Neasden Methodist Church, NW10 07968 965 038 DRAMA WORKHOUSE Saturday Crew workshop for children 1-2pm 7-9 years; 2-4pm 10-12 years; 4pm-6pm 13-18 years; under 10s £25 a term, Over 10s £40 a term; Dudden Hill Centre, 19 Dudden Hill Lane, NW10; Mons adult classes 8-10pm £9.50 Tricycle Theatre, NW6 07958 653 725
ENVIRONMENT KINGSBURY WALKERS Weds 1.55pm, Meet Bush Farm, Slough Lane and Salmon Street junction, 020 8907 2836 BARN HILL CONSERVATION GROUP Sun Fryent Country Park; Tues, Thurs, Sat Roe Green Walled Garden 020 8206 0492 www.bhcg.btck.co.uk
LEARNING COMPUTER TRAINING Free computer training with OCR qualifications for Brent residents aged 14-24 year old, Middlesex ITeC on 020 8900 0505 FRENCH TUITION Native speaker in Kensal Rise, all levels 07762 254 845 BRENT ADULT AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION SERVICE Courses for adults from accounts to yoga 020 8937 3990 www.brent.gov.uk /adulteducation SPANISH TUITION Native Spanish teacher 07531 640 199 VIOLIN LESSONS Qualified violin teacher in Kingsbury, grades 1-8, music theory grades 1-5, free trial lesson silvia7142@yahoo.com
TIMEout WORKERS' EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION Thurs 10am classes held in coffee lounge at St John's Church Wembley, entrance via gate in Harrow Road 020 8904 5940
MUSIC ACE CAFE 5 Oct 6-11pm Hot Rod Night with DJ, free entry; 12 Oct 8-11pm Brit Bike Night with Rockabilly trio, free entry; 15 Oct 9pm-2am Billy Fury Tribute Night with DJ Big Beat Kris stalls, raffle, entry £10; no under 18s; 22 Oct 8pm-11pm Northern Soul Night, free entry; 29 Oct 7-11pm Halloween Party, Free entry www.ace-cafelondon.com MANOR AND PHILBEACH SINGERS Tues 7.30 -10pm Goodwill Hall, Chichester Rd, Kilburn Park. No singing experience needed, no auditions 020 8455 8865 SINGING LESSONS Sat-Wed contemporary singing lessons and music theory, beginners to intermediate levels, Neasden Lane 07796 372 499 e_chinners@yahoo.com SOPRANO AND PIANO RECITAL 9 Oct 3pm, All Saints Queensbury Church, Waltham Drive; Tickets £5 on the door WILLESDEN GREEN CHOIR Mon 8-10pm. Songs from all over the world, no auditions, first session free Willesden Green Library Centre, Space 2, NW10 2SF www. vocalitysinging.co.uk
SPORTS & LEISURE JUDO Mons and Weds Chalkhill Community Centre. First session free 8-12yrs Mons 7-8pm, Weds 6.30-7.30pm. 12+ Mons 8-9pm, Weds 7.30-8.30pm. £3 per session. Lionel Hibbert, 0798 533 6181. SEA URCHINS Thurs 8pm, swimming club for young people and adults with learning difficulties Willesden Sports Centre, NW10, free, call Jean 020 8452 6912
TAI CHI Phoenix Tai Chi, Tues 1pm at Vale Farm, Wembley 07900 687 498 WOODCOCK PARK BOWLS CLUB Bowls, open days and fetes, Kenton 020 8907 9076 OLDER PERSONS' WALKING GROUP Thurs, 2-3pm Willesden Sports Centre, NW10, run by Age UK Brent 020 8965 7711 OCTOBER FOOTBALL AND SPORTS ACADEMY 24-28 Oct 8am-6pm 516 year olds, £55 for week or 11am-3pm £40 for week; Tues regular Mini Soccer sessions 3-5 year olds 10-11:30am 12:30pm £1:50 Tokyngton Community Centre, St Michael's Ave, Wembley 020 8903 9553 www.tokyngtonfc.co.uk
NIA Wed, 9.15am workout combing yoga and Alexander Technique, Roundwood Park Café £5, Gita: 07507 850 688 www.nialondon.com PILATES Mon 7-8pm, Sats 1011am, Living Well Health Club, Wembley Plaza Hotel, Empire Way £5 BRONDESBURY BOWLING CLUB Evenings and daytime including free tuition, Chatsworth Road 020 8438 0302 BROTHERS PEARSE CAMOGIE CLUB Ladies' hurling club, all levels welcome, call Mary Cahill 07904 685 276 CENTURY BOWLS CLUB Indoor and outdoor bowls, free coaching available, social activities, Logan Road, Wembley 020 8904 3261
ZUMBA Mon 7pm and Wed 6.15pm £5 Chalkhill Community Centre, 113 Chalkhill Road, HA9 07930 340 300 rupalragha@aol.co.uk
LADIES KEEP FIT Wed 7.30-8.30pm Mandhata Centre, 20a Rosemead Avenue, Wembley 07930 593 988 rupal@classiccreations.info
KINGBURY BOWLS CLUB New members welcome, free coaching and loan of bowls, Eton Grove Open Space 07505 337 501
PILATES Mon 7-8pm, Sats 1011am Living Well Health Club, Wembley Plaza Hotel, Empire Way, £5 07903 937 909, Thurs 7.30pm beginner to intermediate, feel strengthened, lengthened and relaxed. The Lady House, Hay Lane Kingsbury, book in advance Di Hurley 07958 140 003
RAGGAROBICS Tues 8-9pm, Bridge Park Community Leisure Centre, £5 Jason 07557 123 760 50'S TAI CHI-QIGONG Wed, 1.30-2.30pm, £2.50 beginners health questionnaire must be completed before attending Fitness First, Kingsbury 07957 185 367 TAI CHI Tues 10-11.30am suitable for all, £4 dropin or £30 for 10 classes, Chalk Hill Community Centre, 113 Chalkhill Road, Wembley 020 8385 1836 ROUNDWOOD PARK BOWLS CLUB New members wanted, membership £40 free coaching Longstone Ave entrance of park 020 8965 2800 MUM'S DAYTIME KEEP-FIT Wed, Thur & Fri 9.3010.30am Real Fitness London 162 Anson Road, NW2 £5 020 8205 3155 realfitness@hotmail.co.uk
PRESTON PARK BOWLS CLUB Free coaching and loan of bowls Preston Park Recreation Ground, Carlton Avenue East 020 8933 9358 QUEENS PARK HARRIERS Tue & Thur 7-8pm, Willesden Sport Centre www.queenspark harriers.org.uk SHORINJI KEMPO MARTIAL ART Tue 8-9.30pm Church of Ascension, The Avenue, Wembley; Fri 7.30-9pm at St Erconwald's. Church Hall, 112 Carlton Avenue East, Wembley 07404 039 087
SUDBURY COURT RUNNING CLUB Tue and Thurs 7.20pm, (1st Tues of the month for beginners) meet at Wembley and Sudbury Tennis and Squash Club, Sylvester Road, 020 8904 8814 www. sudburycourt.org.uk WU SHU KWAN Chinese kickboxing, Sat 3-5pm, Willesden Sports Centre, NW10 07835 244 398 www.wushukwan.com TAEKWONDO Mon 7-9pm, Sat 1011am Holy Innocents Church Hall, Bacon Lane Kingsbury 07799 546 428. Tue, 6.30-8pm beginners, 8.30-9pm advanced, St Anne's Hall, 125 Salusbury Rd, NW6 07939 043 580 Wed, 1.30-2.30pm, £2 over 55s, beginners, gentle movements (health questionnaire must be completed first) Fitness First, Kingsbury 07957 185 36 Tue 6-9pm, Thurs 67.30pm, Ealing Road Methodist Church 07832 447 763. Mon 6.30-8pm, Wed 6.308pm, Cardinal Hinsley School NW10 07832 447 763 KIXA CENTRAL POWER AND SELF-DEFENCE Mon 7.30-9pm Dudden Hill Community Centre, Dudden Hill Lane, NW10 Thur 7.30pm-9.30pm St Mathews Church Hall, St Mary's Road, Harlesden, NW10 07717 784 585 WEMBLEY BOWLS CLUB Wed 3pm tuition offered King Edward VII Park, Park Lane Wembley 020 8907 8626
WEMBLEY CRICKET CLUB Sat 10-11am cricket teams and coaching for girls and boys at Oakington Manor School, Wembley 020 8902 6096 YOGA Mon-Sun Special Yoga Centre 2a Wrentham Ave, Kensal Rise, 020 8968 1900 www.specialyoga.org.uk Mon 6.30-7.30pm, Thur 7-8pm, Sun 11am-12pm, £40 for 12 sessions, drop-in £10, Gladstone Community Centre, 162 Anson Road 07901 650 763. Wed 10.30am-12.30pm Dudden Hill Community Centre, 19 Dudden Hill Lane, NW10. bhakti yoga free classes 07913 897 406. Tue 9.20-10.30am Laughter Yoga, Roundwood Park Cafe, NW10. Children free, refreshments provided www. lifebulb.org. Thur 7.15pm–8.30pm Evening Laughter Yoga, Nest Cafe, Willesden Green Station, NW2 4QT. £10/£8 www.lifebulb.org COLES GREEN TENNIS CLUB Social and competitive tennis, concessions available, Coles Green Road, NW2 07590 8304 229 tennisnwlondon@live.c o.uk
WEMBLEY STADIUM EVENTS Sun 23 October NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers v Chicago Bears 6pm. Sat 5 November 2011 Gillette Four Nations Rugby 1pm. Future dates online. 0844 980 8001 www.wembley stadium.com
VENUES BRENT MUSEUM High Road, NW10 020 8937 3600 BRENT ARCHIVES Ist Floor, Willesden Green Library Centre, NW10 020 8937 3541 archives@brent.gov.uk PAUL DAISLEY HALL Forty Lane, Wembley, Middx HA9 Box Office 020 8937 6206/6203 TRICYCLE THEATRE CINEMA AND GALLERY 269 Kilburn High Road, London NW6 Box Office Theatre 020 7328 1000 Cinema 020 7328 1900 Disabled access to auditorium and cafe, induction loop in auditorium Minicom 020 7625 5105 WEMBLEY ARENA Box Office 0870 060 0870 www.livenation.co.uk/wembley
LIBRARIES BARHAM PARK LIBRARY Harrow Road, Sudbury, Middx 020 8937 3550 barhamparklibrary@brent.gov.uk CRICKLEWOOD LIBRARY 152 Olive Road NW2 020 8937 3540 cricklewoodlibrary@brent.gov.uk EALING ROAD LIBRARY Ealing Road, Wembley, Middx 020 8937 3560 ealingroadlibrary@brent.gov.uk HARLESDEN LIBRARY Craven Park Road, Harlesden, London NW10 020 8937 3570 harlesdenlibrary@brent.gov.uk KENSAL RISE LIBRARY Bathurst Gardens, NW10 020 8937 3660 kensalriselibrary@brent.gov.uk KILBURN LIBRARY Salusbury Road, London NW6 020 8937 3530 kilburnlibrary@brent.gov.uk KINGSBURY LIBRARY PLUS Kingsbury Road, Kingsbury, London NW9 020 8937 3520 kingsburylibrary@brent.gov.uk NEASDEN LIBRARY 277 Neasden Lane, London NW1 020 8937 3580 neasdenlibrary@brent.gov.uk PRESTON ROAD LIBRARY Carlton Avenue East, Wembley, Middx 020 8937 3510 prestonlibrary@brent.gov.uk
Yoga See:Sports & Leisure
SUDBURY COURT BADMINTON CLUB Thurs 8-10pm, The Mall, Kingsbury 020 8904 6698
TOKYNGTON LIBRARY Monks Park, Wembley, Middx 020 8937 3590 tokyngtonlibrary@brent.gov.uk TOWN HALL LIBRARY Brent Town Hall, Forty Lane, Wembley, Middx 020 8937 3500 townhalllibrary@brent.gov.uk WILLESDEN GREEN LIBRARY High Road, Willesden, London NW10 020 8937 3400 willesdengreenlibrary@brent.gov.uk
OCTOBER 2011
THE BRENT MAGAZINE
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