The Brent Magazine - Spring 2015

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Your guide to staying active around Brent

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Spring 2015 s Issue 143

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Your magazine about life in Brent s Published by Brent Council

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

– Brent Council Leader, Cllr Muhammed Butt

Join thousands of Londoners who are signing up to get a better deal on their energy bills.

Reg by 1 ister 8M 2015 ay

The average saving in the most recent auction was £236 per year – with 98% of people who registered able to save. For more information and to register, visit www.brent.gov.uk/energyswitch – registration opens on 24 March.

Unable to access the internet? Call the offline registration number 0800 048 8439

In this issue Update

9

4

Hollywood glamour in Brent, a new vision for Wembley and The Library at Willesden Green reaches milestone

Borough Plan and budget update

9

How we are facing the challenges ahead

Brent People: George Vulkan 15 Holocaust survivor shares his story with a new generation

Spring into spring

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Your guide to keeping active around Brent

Rise to the challenge

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19

We have not one but two reading challenges for you this spring

Jubilee Clock returns

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An iconic sight returns to Harlesden

Win, win, win!

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You can win free tickets to one of the hottest Tricycle Theatre shows!

Elections

23

Your essential guide to making sure your vote is counted

Bigger Picture

25

25

See how Brent has changed on film

Let’s talk rubbish

27

All you need to know about waste collection changes

What’s on

28

Check out what’s going on in Brent

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

Please call 020 8937 2700

Issue No.143 Spring 2015 The Brent Magazine contacts: Distribution queries and editorial: 020 8937 1062 tbm@brent.gov.uk Advertising: advertising@brent.gov.uk Published by Brent Council, Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley HA9 0FJ Brent Council does not accept responsibility for any goods or services offered by advertisers. Publication of an advertisement does not imply recommendation by the council of goods or services advertised.

Printed on 100% recycled paper. Please use your local paper bank when disposing of this magazine and other paper. 7208 BDU 02/15 Cover photo: Leigh Quinnell

Planning ahead As the spring nights get lighter, people seem to take on a new lease of life with renewed energy and enthusiasm. The same can be said for the council. We’ve been affected by reductions in central government funding – saving £54million over the next two years – but following one of the most comprehensive consultations ever in Brent we’re ready to face these challenges head-on.

Based on what you told us matters most to you, we now have a plan to make Brent an even better place to live and work despite significantly reduced central government funding. We’ve managed to freeze the Brent element of Council Tax for the sixth year in a row. We’ve also become the first council in the country to offer local firms discounts of up to £5,000 on their business rates if they pay their employees the Living Wage. It’s a good start, but if we want to achieve everything in this plan, we’ll also need your help (see pages 9-12).

The way many local services are delivered will be changing so it’s more important than ever that we find new, low cost ways, of keeping residents up to date. If you’re not already receiving our new weekly e-newsletter, I encourage you to sign up.

‘YourBrent’, will arrive straight into your inbox with the latest news about services in Brent. Using online services gives you the information you want and helps us to keep costs low to ensure every pound we spend is being stretched as far as possible.

You’re now also able to register to vote online. The new online registration process means it’s no more difficult to register to vote than to do your shopping online; it’s a secure and convenient way of registering and takes as little as three minutes (see page 23).

The deadline for registering to vote in the 2015 General Election is midnight on Monday 20 April.

Spring is a time for looking forward and I truly believe we can all work together to make our Brent even better.

Councillor Muhammed Butt Leader of Brent Council

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update

© Universal Pictures

Vitality North London Half Marathon

Star role for Brent Town Hall A movie partly filmed at Brent Town Hall has gone on to win a series of awards.

The Theory of Everything, starring Oscar-winning Eddie Redmayne, tells the story of the relationship between famous theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, who has motor neurone disease, and Jane Wilde Hawking.

Filmed at Brent Council’s former HQ in October 2013, the film crew transformed the council chamber into a French hospital operating theatre and

Up to 7,000 people will run through Brent at the first Vitality North London Half Marathon on Sunday 15 March.

Double Olympic and World Champion Mo Farah will start the run at 9.30am at Allianz Park in Barnet.

Runners will reach Wembley Stadium and run the length of the pitch before heading back.

Local people are being encouraged to cheer on the runners. Drivers are being

the marriage room into hospital rehabilitation rooms.

The film and its stars have also won five Golden Globes and BAFTAs (awarded by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts).

Organised by the council’s Film Office, filming in the borough generates valuable income for council services.

Filming also helps the local economy, with many residents earning income using their homes as a location for TV shows or films.

Sudbury plan progresses

New cycle routes proposed Cyclists should keep their eyes peeled for a public exhibition in May about a pilot cycle route proposed for Brent.

The Regent’s Park to Gladstone Park Quietway is one of a network of new routes proposed in the Mayor of London’s ‘Vision for Cycling’.

Brent Council is working in partnership with

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advised that there will be some changes to usual traffic routes. For a limited period during the morning, road closures will be in place from 8am.

Drivers should allow extra time for journeys.

Roads along the route will be reopened as runners complete each section, and when it is safe and feasible to do so.

Visit the website www.northlondonhalf.com for more information.

Transport for London to deliver the section from Kilburn Station to Gladstone Park.

As well as the exhibition, there will be a consultation for businesses and residents.

Subject to feedback, construction work would start in late summer 2015.

For more information, email transportation @brent.gov.uk or call 020 8937 5600.

The draft Sudbury Town Neighbourhood Plan is to be submitted for examination by an independent examiner, following approval by full council. The plan has been produced by the Sudbury Town Residents Association in a bid to guide planning decisions in the area.

It is the first neighbourhood plan in Brent to progress to this stage and if given the go-ahead by the inspectorate, a local referendum will be held. www.stra.org.uk

update

New programme tackles heart risk

A new vision for Wembley Wembley is Brent’s largest regeneration area and has seen much investment in recent times with the opening of London Designer Outlet and Brent Civic Centre.

To guide future growth and to ensure Wembley is an attractive, vibrant and affordable place for everyone, Brent Council has adopted the

Wembley Area Action Plan and has also published a new tenyear vision for the area, named Wembley Calling.

It sets out how the council wants to see the area develop and the Wembley Area Action Plan sets out the planning policies which will inform planning decisions. Visit www.brent.gov.uk/Wembley

A successful project to help people who at are risk of developing diabetes has now been expanded so residents who could develop heart disease or a stroke can benefit.

Over the next year, around 600 patients aged between 4074 years old, who have had a free health check from their GP and been found to be at risk of either of the diseases will be referred to the Post Health Check Life-style Intervention programme.

The scheme, being funded

by Brent Council, offers participants ten free sessions of nutritional advice, 12 sessions of physical activity, three months of free gym

Health checks like these are free if you are over 40

membership and two comprehensive classes covering healthy cooking.

It builds on the success of a previous initiative aimed solely at pre-diabetics, as part of which two-thirds of participants became significantly healthier.

Contact your GP for further information.

Council team up for award Brushing with success

A Brent Council team has been shortlisted for a prestigious industry award.

The council’s Procurement Team has been shortlisted in the Best Service category at the National Government Opportunities (GO) Excellence Awards.

Parents of children aged six months and over are taking part in a pilot project to help improve the oral health of young people in Brent.

The aim of ‘Now You Have Teeth’, which is led by Health Education North West London, NHS England and Public Health England in partnership with Brent Council, is to get children from teething age into the routine of visiting a

dentist regularly, so that the oral health of local youngsters improves in the years to come.

Adriano Leong (pictured above left) brought his 14month-old daughter Avelina along for a free consultation at Wembley Children’s Centre.

He said: “I think the scheme is a good idea as it reminds you not only to brush properly but that it is important to have a good diet as well and to avoid sugary drinks and foods.”

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update

Save energy, save money Residents can now save money on fuel bills by borrowing energy monitors from Wembley, Kilburn and Kingsbury libraries.

The monitors proved a huge success when hundreds of local people visited energy-saving roadshows which took place across the borough earlier this year.

The roadshow visited Brent Connects forums, high streets and the civic centre, telling visitors how

to save money on energy bills and how to reduce their carbon footprint by making their property more energy efficient.

For more information, visit www.brent.gov.uk/ saveenergy

Making a difference to diabetes Fifteen Brent residents have completed training to become the borough’s first ‘Diabetes Champions’.

Currently more than 23,000 Brent residents live with diabetes, more than any other London borough.

The initiative, run by Diabetes UK in partnership with Brent Council, will raise awareness of the condition and help prevent people developing Type 2 diabetes.

Manjula Daley said: “Being a Diabetes Champion means that I can help make other

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people more aware of what diabetes is and what contributes to it, so that they look after themselves better and make healthier life choices.”

Eleven of the fifteen volunteers are pictured above with Cllr Krupesh Hirani, Brent Council's Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing and Brent Council Healthy Lifestyles Officer Anne Airebamen (both front row above).

Council Leader, Cllr Butt with Andrew Sims, MD of Linden Homes and Paul Ison, Operations Director for Galliford Try

Library hits the top A milestone has been reached in the construction of The Library at Willesden Green – and the occasion was marked with a ‘topping out’ ceremony.

Leader of Brent Council, Cllr Muhammed Butt went on to lay a brick on the roof to mark the building reaching its highest point.

The Library at Willesden Green will feature a wide range of services such as a children's library, self-service customer facilities and museum and archives. It is also being built at no cost to

the council and local people.

Cllr Butt said: “This milestone in Brent Council's project to build The Library at Willesden Green is very exciting as it means that the building is on track to open its doors to the community this summer.

“Once open, it really will be a library fit for the 21st century, with a better experience for visitors who wish to access services and information.”

Visit www.brent.gov.uk/lwg for more information.

Sleeping rough Children from a Willesden school slept in their school hall and ate soup and bread to raise awareness about homelessness.

The pupils, from St Mary’s Primary aged between eight and ten years old, also took part in activities focusing on the issue of rough sleepers and homelessness.

update School places 2015

Loads on at libraries

If you’ve got children starting primary school in Brent this September, remember the date Monday 16 April.

This is when you’ll be notified of your child’s place by email.

Meanwhile parents of children starting secondary this year will now have been told where their child has a place.

A record 3,346 applications were made for secondary places, marking a fourth successive year-on-year rise.

There’s still time to catch Harlesden Library’s very own Poet in Da House.

Throughout March, poet and spoken word artist Jared Louche is holding a series of workshops with children and young people exploring the power, magic and fun of words.

Other upcoming events for children in Brent’s libraries include fun Easter-themed craft workshops over the Easter break. Youngsters can make a basket, bonnet or colourful Easter mask.

Brent’s libraries have lots to offer adults too. The Library Press Festival workshops in March and April cover creative writing, making books from scratch and getting into e-publishing.

And celebrate World Book Night on 23 April with a comical performance of Bram Stoker’s Dracula and a fun quiz. Events are free.

For more information, visit www.brent.gov.uk/libraries or drop into your local library.

Empty property?

Don’t lose it, use it!

Landlords with an average two-bedroom property which currently stands empty could receive a grant of up to £26,000, along with a guaranteed rental income of up to £14,500 per year.

This is thanks to one of the number of schemes run by Brent Council to help bring empty properties back into use.

If you’re a landlord with one or more vacant homes, call the council’s Empty Properties Team 020 8937 2539/2535 to find out more.

Sign up to YourBrent Get the latest council news, events and service updates – straight to your inbox!

• Latest news from the council and our partners • Local consultations, including planning and regeneration • What’s on in Brent, from local markets and events to school holiday activities

• Service updates, from bin collections and recycling to libraries and schools • Information on online services, including paying bills and reporting problems

Sign up now at www.brent.gov.uk/yourbrent SPRING 2015

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THE CARE ACT Care and support in Brent is changing for the better The law relating to the care and support adults get is changing. The Care Act will help people plan for the future and put them in control of the help they receive.

What changes in April 2015?

• Increased support through meaningful information and advice.

• A focus on promoting wellbeing and preventing care and support needs.

• A national and consistent standard of eligibility for care and support across England.

• An entitlement for carers to be assessed to see if they are eligible for support.

What changes in April 2016?

• A cap on care costs will limit how much someone has to pay for care and support in their lifetime.

How can I find out more?

Visit www.brent.gov.uk/thecareact call 020 8937 4300 or email customer.services@brent.gov.uk

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Borough Plan and budget update

Brent – just better Last year we at Partners for Brent carried out one of the largest consultations ever seen in our borough where we listened to thousands of residents about what matters most to them.

Although we are facing a significant reduction in our budgets, we still want the best for the people of Brent and want an ambitious plan for the future of our borough.

The Borough Plan is based on what you told us were your priorities. It sets out what we intend to achieve and how we will go about building a better Brent together. It’s led by the Council working with our partners in Brent .

We can’t fit the whole plan here, but we have summarised the key points for you.

We want Brent to be a better place to live and work by doing things differently, working together and ensuring equality and fairness.

We will have to find new ways of doing things, stop doing some things altogether to enable us to concentrate on others and work much more in partnership with you and other organisations which will mean that you, the people who work and live in the borough, also doing your bit to help. Much of this will mean doing things that you already do, such as helping to keep the streets clean and litter free, recycling, using cars less, being considerate to neighbours, helping out when people are in need, parking sensibly and reporting antisocial behaviour.

Read the whole plan at www.brent.gov.uk/boroughplan or pick up a copy from any Brent library

Building a better Brent together

Some of the challenges…

Brent is now the

OUR POPULATION Number of under five-year olds has increased by 37%

18

Domestic violence and gang activity has increased

TH

%

37%

OUR SAFETY

OUR FINANCES

most densely populated area in the country

Population increased over the past ten years, to 312,000

TH

OUR ENVIRONMENT

largest of the London boroughs

OUR ECONOMY

Supporting local businesses to grow, identifying opportunities and developing local supply chains is vital

More safe walking and cycling routes needed

Need to be even more environmentally friendly and encourage others to be too

OUR HOUSING

One in every three children in the borough is living in poverty OUR SCHOOLS

A rapidly rising population has put pressure on school places

5 Brent has the fifth highest private rent levels in London

Public services face significant cuts in funding from central government

OUR HEALTH & WELL-BEING Obesity is a growing concern

Rise in mental health problems bedroom properties are not affordable for many on average earnings

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Borough Plan and budget update

A plan for the future By listening to what you told us mattered most to you, we have split the plan into three priorities: Better Lives, Better Place and Better Locally.

Here is a summary of some of the key points contained in each section.

BETTER LIVES Supporting local enterprise, generating jobs for local people, helping people into work and promoting fair pay

Making sure that our children and young people have access to the best education and training to achieve their potential and have the best start in life

By 2019 we will have:

By 2019:

s 3IGNIl CANTLY INCREASED INVESTMENT AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN THE BOROUGH s %MPLOYMENT RATES FOR ADULTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE AT LEAST AS HIGH AS THE ,ONDON AVERAGE s ! PROPORTION OF LOCAL PEOPLE EARNING THE ,ONDON ,IVING 7AGE AT LEAST AS HIGH AS THE ,ONDON AVERAGE

s !LL LOCAL CHILDREN WILL HAVE APPROPRIATE SCHOOL PLACES s !LL "RENT SCHOOLS WILL BE RATED AS GOOD OR OUTSTANDING s !TTAINMENT LEVELS WILL BE AMONGST THE BEST IN ,ONDON FOR ALL AGE GROUPS s 4HE PROPORTION OF YOUNG PEOPLE NOT IN EMPLOYMENT EDUCATION OR TRAINING WILL BE AMONGST THE LOWEST IN ,ONDON

BETTER PLACE Making sure that Brent is an attractive place to live, with a pleasant, sustainable environment, clean streets and wellcared for parks and green spaces

Continuing to reduce crime, especially violent crime, and making people feel safer

By 2019 we will have:

By 2019 we will have:

s ,EVELS OF CRIME AND THE FEAR OF CRIME AMONGST THE LOWEST IN ,ONDON s 3IGNIl CANT REDUCTIONS IN VIOLENT CRIME

INCLUDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE s .O WARDS FEATURING AMONGST THE PER CENT OF NEIGHBOURHOODS EXPERIENCING THE HIGHEST CRIME LEVELS NATIONALLY

s -ADE SURE THAT STREET CLEANLINESS WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RECYCLING ARE AMONGST THE BEST IN ,ONDON s -ADE SURE THAT THE CLEANLINESS AND APPEARANCE OF THE BOROUGH S STREETS PARKS AND GREEN SPACES ARE AMONGST THE BEST IN ,ONDON

BETTER LOCALLY Building community resilience and promoting citizenship

By 2019: s 4HE PROPORTION OF PEOPLE WHO SAY THAT @"RENT IS A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS GET ON WELL TOGETHER WILL BE AMONGST THE HIGHEST IN ,ONDON s !T LEAST ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS REGISTERED ACROSS THE BOROUGH s 0ERFORMANCE ON EQUALITIES PRIORITIES WILL BE AMONGST THE BEST IN ,ONDON WITH SIGNIl CANTLY MORE EXAMPLES OF COMMUNITIES TAKING ACTION FOR THEMSELVES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THEIR NEIGHBOURHOODS

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Making sure that everyone in the borough is able to participate in local democracy, has a fair say in the way that services are delivered, and is listened to and taken seriously

By 2019 we will have: s %LECTION TURNOUTS AMONGST THE HIGHEST IN ,ONDON s 4HRIVING "RENT #ONNECTS &ORUMS WITH HIGHER PARTICIPATION RATES YEAR ON YEAR s 3IGNIl CANTLY MORE YOUNG PEOPLE PARTICIPATING IN LOCAL DEMOCRACY EVENTS AND PROCESSES LIKE THE 9OUTH 0ARLIAMENT s ! SIGNIl CANT NUMBER OF LOCAL SERVICES BEING MATERIALLY INm UENCED BY USER VIEWS

Building a better Brent together

Enabling people to live healthier lives and reducing health inequalities

Supporting vulnerable people and families when they need it

By 2019 we will have:

s 3AFEGUARDING PROCEDURES AND OUTCOMES FOR VULNERABLE CHILDREN

YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULTS WILL BE JUDGED AS AMONGST THE BEST IN ,ONDON s &OSTERING AND ADOPTION PERFORMANCE AMONGST THE BEST IN ,ONDON s /UR SUPPORT FOR THOSE IDENTIl ED AS VULNERABLE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WILL BE AMONGST THE BEST IN ,ONDON

s ,OCAL HEALTH SERVICES n INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES n AMONGST THE BEST IN ,ONDON s #HILDHOOD OBESITY RATES THAT ARE AMONGST THE LOWEST IN ,ONDON s (EALTH INEQUALITIES INCLUDING THOSE RELATED TO SMOKING DIABETES HEART DISEASE AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE REDUCED TO AT LEAST THE ,ONDON AVERAGE

Increasing the supply of affordable, good quality housing

By 2019: s !LL SOCIAL HOUSING IN THE BOROUGH WILL REACH THE DECENT HOMES STANDARD

Providing good quality, accessible arts and leisure facilities

By 2019 we will have: s 0ARTICIPATION RATES IN SPORT

PHYSICAL RECREATION AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES AMONGST THE HIGHEST IN ,ONDON

By 2019:

“Focus priorities on those areas that improve the quality of life”

“Better education and employment”

“Involve residents more in decision making”

Read the whole plan at www.brent.gov.uk/boroughplan or pick up a copy from any Brent library

Working with partners to find new ways of providing services that are more finely tailored to individual, community and local needs

By 2019 we will have: s $EVELOPED SHARED SERVICES AND COLLABORATIVE COMMISSIONING WITH OUR PARTNERS SO THAT SERVICES ARE DELIVERED MORE EFl CIENTLY s $EVELOPED AND PROMOTED LOCAL DATA AND INFORMATION SO THAT RESIDENTS HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT S HAPPENING IN THEIR AREA AND WHAT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO THEM s #ONTINUED TO BUILD A CULTURE OF CUSTOMER FOCUSED AND TRANSPARENT SERVICES

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Borough Plan and budget update

Paying for the plan

Building a better Brent together

HOW THE COUNCIL IS CURRENTLY FUNDED

ÂŁ19m

By 2018 funding from central government is expected to reduce by up to 50%

HOW THE COUNCIL’S BUDGET WILL BE SPENT IN 2015/2016

ÂŁ8m

4% from other funding

What will the cuts mean for the council?

The council has a set amount of funding and the Borough Plan, which is based on what you told us, has helped us to decide where we allocate money. Read more about these priorities in the Council Leader’s column on page 3.

Public health 35%

31%

from central govenment

from council tax

Cleaning and looking after streets

ÂŁ86m

30% from business rates

Adult social care

ÂŁ15 m

How can residents help?

We know most people have busy lives and not everyone has the time to be ‘involved in the community’ – they just want things to run smoothly. Even so, most people also understand that things won’t run smoothly unless we all do our bit as part of our daily routine.

Most Brent residents already do this most of the time, but if we really want Brent to be an even better place to live, perhaps there is more that can be done.

It’s encouraging that, in the December 2014 residents’ attitude survey, 41 per cent of people said they would volunteer to support local services.

It’s not just residents that we are asking to do more.

Public services need to cut their costs and be more efďŹ cient as well.

Please keep recycling – in fact recycle more, as much as you can Put your rubbish out on the right days at the right time Be considerate to your neighbours – could you look in on your elderly neighbour occasionally?

Drive carefully and park sensibly – you know how irritating it is when others don’t Do your best to live a healthy lifestyle – eat sensibly, exercise regularly and use health services thoughtfully

Read the whole plan at www.brent.gov.uk/boroughplan

Support services

ÂŁ23m Creating jobs and transforming Brent

ÂŁ3m Maintaining parks and open spaces

ÂŁ3m Making Brent safer

ÂŁ39m* ÂŁ26m Investing in the borough e.g. school places

ÂŁ12m

Children, families and schools

ÂŁ16m Collecting, recycling & disposing of rubbish

Libraries, leisure centres and customer services

4HE AMOUNT SPENT ON SCHOOLS WELFARE BENEl TS AND COUNCIL HOUSING IS @RING FENCED BY THE GOVERNMENT 4HIS MEANS THE COUNCIL HAS LITTLE POWER OVER HOW THIS MONEY IS SPENT

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Leisure Discount Card

Up to

40% of f!

• No membership required • No monthly fees • Just great savings Get a B.Active card and receive up to 40% off on a range of sport and leisure activities at Brent’s sports centres.

Brent Council Sports and Parks Service

020 8937 3707 www.brent.gov.uk/bactive

Brent

Licensing for private sector landlords

Are you a Brent private landlord?

If so, you probably need a licence.

APPLY NOW TO AVOID PROSECUTION.

operties Landlords running unlicensed pr to £20,000. could be prosecuted and fined up

Apply at www.brent.gov.uk/prslicensing

We Need Home, loving parent(s) & TLC for our children.

Good rewards offered

foster Brent 14

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You can change a child’s life www.brent.gov.uk/fostering

Fostering information evenings at 5.45pm at Brent Civic Centre.

First Thursday of the month.

Call on 020 8937 4538 or email fostering@brent.gov.uk to book your place

Brent people

Pupils learn Holocaust survivor’s lesson As a Jewish schoolboy, George Vulkan was eight years old when Germany annexed Austria and Nazi troops marched into his hometown of Vienna.

Of the 63,500 Jews who were still in Austria when the Second WorldWar started, only 1,800 survived. Altogether an estimated total of six million European Jews died in the Holocaust.

George is now aged 85 and lives near Preston Road. He regularly visits schools across the country and tells his life-story to pupils.

He toldTBM about those days inVienna: “Suddenly life changed. Jewish pupils weren’t allowed to play with the other children. My father’s business was taken.

Our comfortable middle-class existence was destroyed in days.

“Later, we were attacked in the street by the HitlerYouth every day.We weren’t allowed to go to parks, playgrounds or the swimming pool.What had been a normal, happy childhood was restricted. I was totally bewildered. “ When George’s parents received a phone call warning them that his father would be

arrested the next day, they fled in the early hours with two small suitcases.They made it to London but around half of his extended family couldn’t escape and died at the hands of the Nazis.

He said: “My parents must have suffered terribly leaving their loved ones behind. But we were among the luckiest ones.”

George spoke at this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day at Brent Civic Centre. He has been speaking to pupils about his and his family’s experiences for about 20 years.Visits are arranged by the Holocaust EducationTrust and he has been invited to schools all over the country: “The pupils are very attentive and relate to it because I talk about experiencing it as a child.

“The Holocaust must never be forgotten.

It is the biggest crime in history. Citizens were murdered because they were of a different religion.They took Gypsies, gay people, political opponents and people with disabilities too.

“Nobody should be persecuted simply because they are of a different colour, race, religion or anything else.We hope to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Muhammed Butt opened this year’s event on the theme ‘Keeping the Memory Alive’

More than 300 people visited Brent Civic Centre to show their respect for all victims of genocide

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No matter what age you are, being active is more important than you might think

o t n i g Sprin It will help prevent lifestyle diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, it will help prevent mental health diseases such as depression and ensure that your body stays supple and agile as you get older.

Being active is even easier this spring with a number of sporty initiatives, many of which are free in Brent.

Free swimming lessons Try free swimming lessons at Vale Farm or Willesden Sports Centres.

The range of free offerings include parent and child sessions, over 60s sessions, stroke technique workshops, aqua Zumba and aqua circuits, among others. For the full timetable, go to www.brent.gov.uk/freeswimming

Outdoor gyms There are six outdoor gyms in Brent that can be used free of charge, seven days a week and are suitable for anyone aged 12 and over. The outdoor gyms have a wide variety of equipment to help you improve your fitness, muscle strength, muscle tone and flexibility. Each piece of equipment has instructions on how to use it, as well as QR codes you can scan with your smartphone to access videos of how it works. Some outdoor gyms have weekly exercise sessions led by qualified instructors if you want that little bit more motivation or enjoy a bit of group exercise.

For more information, go to www.brent.gov.uk/outdoorgyms

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Our parks Enjoy free group exercise classes in some of the borough’s parks with classes to suit all ages, abilities and interests. Go to www.ourparks.org.uk to register, browse classes and book.

! g n i r p s Zumba Created in the 1990s, Zumba is an aerobic fitness programme inspired

by Latin American dance music.

It’s thought approximately 15 million people take weekly Zumba classes in more than 185 countries. There are many Zumba classes to choose from across Brent, and it’s becoming increasingly popular among older residents.

Queensbury resident James Arnold, 86 (above), goes to sessions for Age UK members every Thursday in Kingsbury.

“I would describe Zumba as doing exercise to disco” says James. “Our instructor Maggie is a very bubbly person. If someone says to you, ‘put your arms up’ and ‘put them down’ then that can get really boring, but Maggie makes it really fun for everyone.

We all dance and exercise together.”

Brent Libraries sports voucher This is a reward scheme for library customers. Take two books out in one visit and receive a voucher for a range of discounts, including a free off-peak zumba class, a free off-peak sauna or steam session, £2 off a swim session and 10% off a children’s activity camp.

The vouchers can be used at Vale Farm Sports Centre, Willesden Sports Centre and Bridge Park Community Leisure Centre.

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Take the plunge for FREE this spring

O Do you want to become a better swimmer but can’t afford lessons?

O Are you a parent who wants to enjoy swimming with your child but aren’t confident?

O Are you aged over 60 and never learnt to swim?

O Or 13-16 years old and want to get fit while having fun in the pool?

r althie e h d an fitter l e e f e and g n e l l a ew ch n a f l urse Set yo

for it.

Brent Council is offering a wide range of FREE classes and courses for beginners and improvers at our two local swimming pools from April 2015.

Visit the website address below or call Vale Farm Sports Centre (Wembley) on 020 8908 6545 or Willesden Sports Centre on 020 8955 1120.

Brent www.brent.gov.uk/freeswimming

Rise to the challenge This spring, Brent Libraries are celebrating reading for fun with two different challenges The first, the Six Book Challenge, aims to encourage more people to read for pleasure and is also perfect for anyone who wants to improve their reading skills.

This challenge invites you to choose six reads (for example a book, magazine or play) and review them online; doing this enters you into a prize draw.

There are a selection of books called ‘quick reads’ (designed especially for the Six Book Challenge) which are short books written by famous authors with less confident readers in mind.These books are available in Brent’s libraries, but remember you can read anything you like to complete the challenge.

The second challenge, Cityread London 2015, invites all Londoners to read the same book during April. It’s like a huge book club! This year’s choice is the crime/ fantasy novel Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch. It’s the first of a series of

novels following the adventures of police officer-turned-apprentice wizard, Peter Grant, who has to negotiate police bureaucracy while coping with supernatural mayhem all around him!

Join your friends, neighbours and colleagues in reading this book in April.

To coincide with Cityread London, Brent Libraries are holding special events at Kilburn Library. On Monday 20 April you can meet the author Ben Aaronovitch and find out what inspires him.Thursday 23 April isWorld Book Night and you can test your knowledge of Rivers of London, as well as other fantasy and sci-fi, at our fun quiz. Finally, on Thursday 30 April, Kilburn Library is hosting a Rivers of London-themed art workshop.

If you would like to come to these events or take part in either one of the challenges, ask one of the Brent Libraries team or go to www.brent.gov.uk/libraries.

Come to Kilburn Library to meet author Ben Aaronovitch

Rediscover your love of reading this spring by taking one or both reading challenges

SPRING 2015

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19

The UK’s No.1 Independent Tyre and Autocare Retailer is

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Offers valid until 30/04/15 subject to availability (while stocks last). Prices apply to private motorists only and include VAT. Offers correct at time of going to print and we reserve the right to amend prices without prior notification. Discounts only available in centre and apply to standard forecourt prices. MOT offer: Normal DVSA test fee (Class 4 vehicles) £54.85. Does not apply to re-tests. Tyre offers apply to selected sizes and we recommend that valves are fitted to tubeless tyres and that the wheels are balanced; a charge will be made for this service. Offers valid in National Tyres and Autocare’s Wembley branch only. *Price promise: claims valid against written quotations from any similar retailer excluding trade, internet or wholesale operations or products already on promotion. Claims must relate to the same product, part and manufacturer (including guarantees).

Jubilee Clock returns to Harlesden A jubilant celebration took place in Harlesden on Saturday 14 February to welcome home the much loved Jubilee Clock As part of the £4.5 million regeneration of HarlesdenTown Centre, the Jubilee Clock was taken away for careful refurbishment and has now returned to its rightful home.

Crowds gathered in the high street on Valentine’s Day to see the newly refurbished clock and to enjoy the entertainment which included a steel band, parade and speeches.

The event was organised by the Harlesden Town Team and was attended by local business owners, residents, councillors and those who have played a role in delivering the town centre improvement works.

Cllr Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council said: “The Jubilee Clock looks fantastic now that it has been refurbished in its original colours.

“Its return represents a significant milestone in the final phase of the

regeneration of Harlesden which has been carried out to create a more attractive and appealing shopping experience for visitors.”

The plans for the regeneration of Harlesden Town Centre were drawn up in 2010 in partnership between the Harlesden Town Team and Brent Council.

The main changes include: • A new semi-pedestrianised area along the high street between the Jubilee Clock and Tavistock Road • Changes to parking arrangements to better serve shoppers • A new two-way traffic system to ease traffic flow • Public realm improvements including new trees and seating • A refurbished Jubilee Clock, with new seating around it.

Hundreds of people turned out to see the Jubilee Clock’s homecoming

For more information about the Harlesden Town Centre and other regeneration projects, visit www.brent.gov.uk/regeneration

SPRING 2015

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21

competition

Tricycle Takeover: WIN tickets to new show The Dissidents This March sees the return of the Tricycle Takeover 2015 in which the members of the Tricycle Theatre Young Company aged 11-25 put on a series of performances, as well as take on key roles backstage, in producing and marketing. For eight days (22-29 March), they will perform across the building, utilising the theatre, cinema, studio spaces and front of house.

We are offering you the chance to win two tickets for the Takeover’s headline production, The Dissidents, a new play specially commissioned for the Tricycle Theatre Young Company and written by exciting new playwright Shamser Sinha.

In The Dissidents, when siblings Juan and Selena face a family tragedy, the home they’ve known all their lives is under threat and their futures are in jeopardy.

In a London where house prices are out of reach, jobs are scarce and the welfare state seems on the brink of collapse, these two young people must fight to make sure their voices are heard and to keep the roof over their heads.

In addition to the range of new theatre, Takeover 2015 will feature a series of one-off performances by young artists and local groups, panel discussions with writers and actors, as well as workshops covering topics such as lighting design, improvisation and poetry.

Tickets for Tricycle Takeover events can be booked via the Tricycle Theatre Box Office on 020 7328 1000 or go to www.tricycle.co.uk.

The Brent Magazine has two tickets to The Dissidents on Friday 27 March to give away. Just answer this simple question:

How old are the youngest members of the Tricycle Theatre Young Company? a. b. c.

11 13 15

Send your entries on a postcard with your name, address and daytime telephone number to: Tricycle Takeover Competition, The Brent Magazine, 4th Floor, Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley HA9 0FJ or email your details to competition@brent.gov.uk with Tricycle Takeover competition in subject line. The competition closes at 11.59pm on Sunday 22 March. The two tickets are for the Friday 27 March performance of The Dissidents and are non-transferable. Brent Council provides regular e-mail alerts about our services and news and information from across the borough. By providing your email address, you will be added to our distribution list. If you do not wish to be added, please specify this in your email.

You can also unsubscribe at any time.

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THE BRENT MAGAZINE

SPRING 2015

Get the X factor The 2015 General Election takes place on Thursday 7 May – make sure you’re ready to vote General Elections take place once every five years. So, if you don’t want to miss the chance to have your say you’ll need to prepare for the big day.

First, registration.Take time to check – are you eligible to vote in a UK parliamentary election, and if so are you registered? If not, it can be done simply online but don’t leave it too late.

“I’d urge anyone who is not already registered, to register as soon as possible,” says Seán O’Sullivan, Brent Council’s Electoral Services Manager.

“That means don’t leave it until a day or so before the deadline (see below) because the process can take longer than you may realise.”

Next, your vote. If you want a postal vote or someone else to vote on your behalf (a proxy vote) then there are

YOUR 7 MAY CHECKLIST Check I’m eligible to vote If so, check I’m registered to vote Leave time to apply by the deadline if not registered Decide if I need a postal vote Picture courtesy of the Electoral Commission

Decide if I need a proxy vote Leave time to apply by the deadline if I need a postal vote Leave time to apply by the deadline if I need a proxy vote Find out my constituency Find out my polling station from my poll card Leave time to vote at my polling station on 7 May

other deadlines you’ll need to consider.

Everyone in Brent lives in one of three parliamentary areas, or constituencies, and each area is represented by a Member of Parliament.The three areas are Brent Central, Brent North and Hampstead & Kilburn. If you’re unsure which one you live in, please check at www.brent.gov.uk/constituencies-map.

Then, it’s where to vote.Your polling card will be posted to you and will state where your polling station is. If you’re not a postal voter, you can only vote there so don’t turn up at the wrong polling station.

Most of all, remember to vote.

Polling stations open at 7am and close at 10pm on Thursday 7 May. If you miss out on voting, you could be waiting another five years…

DATES TO REMEMBER 20 April Deadline for voter registration 21 April Deadline for postal vote application (5pm) 28 April Deadline for proxy vote application (5pm) 7 May Polling stations open (7am-10pm)

NEED TO KNOW MORE? Register at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote Read voter information and results at www.brent.gov.uk/elections2015 Contact Brent Electoral Services at electoral.services@brent.gov.uk or 020 8937 1372

YOUR VOTE MATTERS MAKE SURE YOU’RE IN SPRING 2015

THE BRENT MAGAZINE

23

Adoption information evenings at 5.45pm at Brent Civic Centre.

We are

First Thursday of the month.

Call 020 8937 4525 or email adoption@brent.gov.uk to book your place

Family Come on everybody and see

You can change a child’s life call 020 8937 4525 www.brent.gov.uk/adoption

adopt Brent

Attention all landlords

Properties wanted Since 1968 Shepherds Bush Housing Association has been a trusted part of the local community, now managing more than 5,000 homes. For 25 years, we’ve been managing, maintaining and guaranteeing rents for landlords.

We are looking for properties in all areas on GUARANTEED or MARKET rent. Cash incentives offered.

GUARANTEED RENT SCHEME We can take on ‘hard to let’ or large properties including HMOs s Advance monthly rent even if your property is empty s No management fee or commission – we pay what we quote s s Grants funding advice s No void works if the property becomes empty within lease (exceptions apply)

The home of guaranteed rents

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THE BRENT MAGAZINE

SPRING 2015

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

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

secret history

Take a look at the Bigger Picture You might not know it, but there might be a piece of Brent history lurking somewhere in your house – in film form A new project wants to share your old home videos and cine films with other Londoners as part of London: A Bigger Picture. The project, coordinated by Film London and Brent Council’s Arts and Heritage Team, is looking for donations of films or videos to be archived and preserved for future generations.

Footage already donated – some of it not seen for 80 years – will be screened at a free event at the Lexi Cinema in Kensal Green this April.

Emma Traherne from the Arts and Heritage team told TBM: “The footage can be old home movies, community events or even company films. Even things that might not seem interesting on the surface could be extremely valuable to our archives. For example, an old home movie can gives us a really good snapshot of things like fashions, transport, architecture, or how Brent used to look.”

We can see for ourselves what has already been unearthed at a special free screening of old Brent footage at The Lexi cinema in Kensal Green on Friday 17 April.

The screening includes footage from the British Empire Exhibition held in Wembley from 1924-1925, as well as fascinating film of the coronation celebrations in Wembley from June 1953.

The archives are also going on the road. A travelling cinema-ina-van – the ‘Kino Van’ – is touring Brent schools, town centres and even car parks showing home movies, classic newsreels and old public information films. The Bigger Picture team also want suggestions for places in Brent that the Kino Van can visit.

If you have any film that ou would like to donate, email archives@brent.gov.uk

Above: film stills of coronation celebrations in Wembley from June 1953 and archive stills of historic Brent

For more information about the Bigger Picture project and the Kino Van, go to www.filmlondon.org.uk/lsa For information about the screening at The Lexi on 17 April, go to www.thelexicinema.co.uk to book your free ticket

SPRING 2015

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NEED HOUSING DISREPAIR ADVICE? Are you worried that your home is: • damp?

• in poor structural repair?

• infested with vermin?

• not leak free?

• not wired safely?

• heated with a boiler that is not in good working order?

All tenants have a right to a safe home and a legal right to expect certain minimum living conditions. If this is not the case, you need to act – you may be entitled to compensation. David Long Solicitors can remove the worry and risk. We can offer legal aid and no win no fee assistance. Our track record values our clients’ needs – and we always seek to get the best results. If you need legal advice: don’t delay, call us today!

David Long Solicitors Tel: 020 3188 4120 Visit our website davidlongsolicitors.com What is

Are you, or someone you know, looking after someone else’s child for more than a month?

If so, you could be fostering privately!

Brent Council must ensure that all children in Brent are being cared for properly and that carers are supported.

If you know of, or are caring for a child who is being privately fostered please let us know.

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

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SPRING 2015

Brent office 119 Neasden Lane, London NW10 1PH

David Long Solicitors

Let’s talk rubbish Your recycling and waste service is changing from April 2015. The council is providing new containers for food waste, as well as collecting your recycling bin and food waste container every week. We are also introducing a charge for garden waste collection.

So what do you need to know?

GARDEN WASTE

FORTNIGHTLY

£40

pe yearr

If you opt in for this service, garden waste should be placed in your green bin. From April 2015, collections will take place every two weeks until the end of November and once a month from December to February.

The annual fee will be £40. A 20 per cent discount is available if you are receiving certain income-related benefits.

If you want your garden waste collected, you can sign up online at www.brent.gov.uk/gardenwaste or call 020 8937 5050 and select ‘Option 1’.

FOOD WASTE

WEEKLY

THESE CHANGES WILL: •

help reduce the amount of household waste that is sent to landfill

•

allow us to extend the food waste collection service to all street level properties

•

allow us to increase the frequency of recycling collections to every week

•

help the council deliver savings

FREE

This must be placed in your new green 23 litre food waste containers that have recently been delivered to houses and maisonettes.Your food waste will be collected every week. From April, food waste must not be placed in the green bin, which is only for garden waste.

COMPOSTING

FREE

If you don’t want to sign up to the garden waste service, why not compost your garden waste at home? Subsidised compost bins start at £19.98 plus £5.49 delivery from www.getcomposting.com (0800 316 4454).

You can take also garden waste to the Reuse and Recycling Centre at Abbey Road, London NW10 7JT.

DRY RECYCLING

WEEKLY

FREE

You can continue to put your cans, tins, plastic bottles, food trays, cartons, glass bottles and jars, paper and cardboard in your blue topped bin. From April, this will be collected weekly instead of fortnightly.

GENERAL WASTE FORTNIGHTLY

FREE

This is collected in the grey bin.There is no change to how often this is collected. Please do not put garden waste into this bin.

All of these changes will take place from April 2015 and will be carried out by the council’s contractor, Veolia.

If there is a neighbour or relative in Brent who you may think might not know about these changes, please do let them know.

To find out your collection day, particularly around Easter, please check your collection calendar, or visit: www.brent.gov.uk/recycling.

SPRING 2015

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27

what’s on

What’s going on…

Your guide to what’s on in Brent during Spring 2015 Get creative with Wembley Art Society

COMMUNITY NORTH WEST LONDON NCT, THE CHARITY FOR PARENTS Weekly meet ups for pregnant women and new parents in Brent. www.nct.org.uk

CAR BOOT SALE

ARTS WEMBLEY ART SOCIETY The Church of the Ascension, The Avenue, Wembley Park HA9 9QL on Fridays, 10am-12noon. £2 per morning or £30 per year. Contact Jean 020 8205 5734 or Madeleine 020 8423 2223

WILLESDEN GREEN WRITERS’ GROUP Brent Artists Resource, 4 Queen’s Parade, Willesden on first and third Thursday of the month, 7.30-9.30pm. £3. www.willesdengreen writers.com

KNITTING CLUB Sudbury Neighbourhood Centre, Harrow Road, HA0 2LP on Thursdays, 11.15am-12.15pm.

020 8908 1220

LONDON: A BIGGER PICTURE Take a tour of Brent on film across the last century as an insight into how the borough has changed (see page 25).

The Lexi Cinema. Friday 17 April, 2-4pm. www. thelexicinema.co.uk

CHILDREN THE 2ND WEMBLEY BOYS’ BRIGADE & GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION Park Lane Methodist Church on Thursdays. www.parklane methodist.org.uk

BABY&CHILDREN’S MARKET Thousands of new and nearly-new high quality kids’ items (designer clothing, high chairs, walkers, toys, books and much more) entertainers, cakes and refreshments at Salusbury Primary School,

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Queen’s Park, NW6 6RG. 22 March, 10.30am1.30pm. ingrid@ babyandchildrens market.co.uk, 07905 658 065

Islamia Primary School, Salusbury Road on Sundays, 10am-4pm.

Contact Marion 07548 735 592 or Alan 07857 416 268

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

07941 707 884

ROE GREEN WALLED GARDEN OPEN DAY Baby and Children’s market

AUTISM PARENTS SUPPORT GROUP A group for parents of autistic kids to talk, share ideas, tips, experience and care at Gracelands Yard, Liddell Road, NW10 3QE. Every second Wednesday of the month, 8.15-9.15pm.

LGBT YOUTH CLUB Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transgender and unsure under 19s youth club in Kilburn. Wednesdays. www.mosaicyouth.org. uk, 07931 336 668

CBEEBIES LIVE! PRESENTS JUSTIN AND FRIENDS An afternoon of fun with the kids’ telly favourite at The SSE Arena. Saturday 4 April. £16-£30. www.ssearena.co.uk

MOTHER AND BABY YOGA Four week courses at Bridge Park Community Leisure Centre, NW10 2HH on Saturdays, 10-11.30am. £15 per course.

07957 992 633

Volunteers from the Barn Hill Conservation Group welcome visitors to enjoy the gardens, refreshments and a bric-a-brac sale. Roe Green Park, Kingsbury on Saturday 18 April and Saturday 13 June, 11am4pm. Free admission. www.bhcg.btck.co.uk

THE YOUNG PEOPLES THEATRE COMPANY (TYPTC) STREET DANCE Learn urban dance moves to the latest dance tunes, taught by industry pros who regularly feature in popular music videos.

Kingsgate Community Centre, Kingsgate Road, NW6 2JH, Wednesdays from 4.30pm. www.theyoungpeoples theatre.co.uk, 07572 929 168

STREETDANCE FOR AGES 5 TO 13 Learn urban dance moves to the latest dance tunes, taught by industry pros.

Kingsgate Community Centre, Kingsgate Road, NW6 2JH. Wednesday evenings. Free trial. www.theyoungpeoples theatre.co.uk, 07572 929 168

KATHAK DANCE CLASSES Run by the Encee Academy at Patidar House, 22 London Road, Wembley. Saturdays and Sundays. encee@patidars.org, 020 8795 1648

DANCE FREE DANCE CLASSES

BHARATNATYAM DANCE CLASSES

Dance for all levels at 214 Carlton Avenue West, HA0 4UY. Fridays, 4-5.30pm. Free. www.elanarts.org.uk, 07875 933 660

Run by the Encee Academy at Patidar House, 22 London Road, Wembley.

Tuesdays and Saturdays. encee@patidars.org, 020 8795 1648

TEA DANCE AT BRENT CIVIC CENTRE

BOLLYWOOD DANCE CLASSES

Ballroom dancing at The Grand Hall, Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley from 12.30pm. £5. 020 8937 4340

Run by the Encee Academy at Patidar House, 22 London Road, Wembley.

Wednesdays and Fridays. encee@patidars.org, 020 8795 1648

Tea dancing at Brent Civic Centre

To get your event listed for free on this page, email tbm@brent.gov.uk with ‘What’s On’ in the subject box. In no more than 50 words, tell us what your event is, where and when it takes place and if there is a cost or not. Please also include a picture or your event if you can (maximum file size 1Mb).

MODERN JIVE

GCSE TUITION CLASSES

Classes and freestyle dancing at Oakington School Hall, Manor Drive, Wembley. Tuesday evenings. £7 per person.

Contact Uri 07427 113 227

Maths, Science and English. £17 per hour.

020 8900 0505

BALLET FOR AGES 3 TO 7 The Ark Academy School, Dance Studio, Bridge Rd, Wembley Park.

Saturdays, 10-11am. www.sinclairarts academy.com, 07917 313 579

STREET DANCE CLASSES The Pavilion Stonebridge Recreation Ground.

Saturdays, 1-2pm. Contact Cherrelle 07903 814 084

CAPOEIRA CLASSES Dance, music and martial arts from Brazil for children and adults.

Willesden Sports Centre, London, NW10.

Contact Topera 07403 085 918

DANCE AFRIQUE LONDON A concert to celebrate the rich diversity of African culture at The SSE Arena.

28 March. £24-56. www.ssearena.co.uk

DRAMA WILLESDEN DRAMA GROUP New members wanted for friendly Madhatters drama group in Willesden.

Wednesday evenings. www.madhatters theatre.org.uk, 020 8452 5239

THEATRE SCHOOL FOR AGES 3 TO 14 Drama, dance and singing classes for children in Harlesden and Wembley. www.fresh-arts.co.uk, 07506 363 585

LEARNING

PREGNANCY YOGA

AUTISM SUPPORT WITH SCHOOL OF ACADEMIC & BEHAVIOURAL INTERVENTIONS

Six women to a group at Chaim Centre, Willesden Green on Mondays, 6-7pm. £85 for six weeks. www.serendipityloves. com/pre-post-natal

We provide useful strategies and approaches for the management of autism in everyday life. www.schoolofabi.com, 07985 290 316

SPRING 2015

TUITION CLASSES Experienced tuition teacher in Willesden.

Rates from £10 an hour.

Contact Shaktiga 07472 889 371

GROUP PIANO CLASSES Hillside Hub Stonebridge Centre. £6 per class.

Contact Cherrelle 07903 814 084

MUSIC MANOR AND PHILBEACH SINGERS Friendly amateur singing group. Goodwill Hall, Chichester Rd, Kilburn Park. Tuesdays, 7.30-10pm.

020 8455 8865

PARKLIFE SINGERS A community choir for Brent. Salusbury School, Queen’s Park.

Mondays, 8-10pm. First session is free. www. parklifesingers.co.uk

HOT ROD NIGHT WITH DJ KINX JOINT Live Music at Ace Café London, Ace Corner, North Circular Road, Stonebridge Park, NW10 7UD. Wednesday 1 April, 6pm.

Free entry.

020 8961 1000

EDDIE COCHRAN TRIBUTE NIGHT WITH DJ FLATTOP DAVE Ace Café London, address above. Saturday 11 April, 7pm. Free entry.

020 8961 1000

SKA, REGGAE AND ROCKSTEADY WITH DJ LITTLE DIANE Ace Café London, address above. Saturday 18 April, 7pm. Free entry.

020 8961 1000

ST GEORGE’S NIGHT SPECIAL WITH MEMPHIS STONE AND THE ELEVATORS Ace Café London, address above. Thursday 23 April, 7pm. Free entry.

020 8961 1000

what’s on Parklife Singers

Yogaloft in Queen’s Park

SEA URCHINS Swimming club for young people and adults with learning difficulties.

Willesden Sports Centre, NW10. Thursdays, 8pm.

Free. Contact Jean 020 8452 6912

RHYTHM N’ CRUISE ROCKIN’ HOP WITH DJ JIMMY GUNTRIP Ace Café London, address above. Saturday 25 April, 7pm. Free entry.

020 8961 1000

SYSTEM OF A DOWN The US rockers play their first indoor UK show in ten years at the SSE Arena, Wembley.

Friday 10 April. £44. www.ssearena.co.uk

CIRCUIT TRAINING FOR OVER 50S Charteris Sports Centre, Kilburn, NW6 7ET. Free. www.charterissports.org

EXERCISE CLASSES FOR OLDER PEOPLE Harrod Court, Stag Lane, Kingsbury. Thursdays, 10.30am. £2.

020 8965 7711

FOOT CARE FOR OVER 50s Cutting toe nails, hard skin removal, short massage in Edgware, Kenton and Kingsbury. £15.

020 8204 6644

BRENT PENSIONERS’ FORUM Open discussion of pensioners’ issues at Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley. First Wednesday of each month, 10am-12noon.

Free. Contact Vi Steel 020 8795 3151

SENIOR CITIZEN YOGA Run by the Encee Academy at Patidar House, 22 London Road, Wembley. Fridays. encee@patidars.org, 020 8795 1648

SOUND MEDITATION

Karate, martial arts, basketball and parties at Charteris Sports Centre, Kilburn NW6 7ET. www.charterissports.org

One hour relaxing sound meditation session in Willesden, NW10 4EL. Third Thursday of the month. £10. Contact Sandira 07940 804 098

PILATES CLASSES

Zumba classes for all levels at St Mary & St. Andrews Parish Hall, Dollis Hill Lane, NW2 6HE. Saturdays at 10am and Mondays at 8.15pm.

Dudden Hill Community Centre, 19 Dudden Hill Lane, NW10 2ET. First class £2. www.pilatescircle.co.uk

INNER SPACE WEMBLEY

SPORTS FOR AGES 2 TO 4

BAKING CLUB

Sports fun and games at Charteris Sports Centre, NW6 7ET. Saturdays, 10-10.50am. £2.

07857 992 633

Sudbury Neighbourhood Centre, Harrow Road, HA0 2LP. Tuesdays 2-3pm.

020 8908 1220

ACTIVE START FOR LITTLE STARS

OVER 50s

SPORTS FOR KIDS

ZUMBA

SPORTS

Meditation sessions.

528 High Road, Wembley, HA9 7BS. 020 8903 1911

Sports fun and games at Bridge Park Leisure Centre, NW10 0RG. Tuesdays, 10-11am and Saturdays 12noon-1pm. £2.

07857 992 633

KEEP FIT CLASSES

KIDS BOXING CLASSES

CHINESE KICKBOXING

Non-contact boxing classes help kids to develop and improve their technical boxing abilities, physical fitness and self-defence. Real Fitness, Willesden.

First class free.

07572 433 412

Willesden and Wembley.

Saturdays. 07835 244 398, 07958 908 892

FOOTBALL COACHING SCHOOL For boys and girls aged 5 to 12 at Ark Academy, Forty Avenue, Wembley, HA9 9JR. Saturdays, 1-2.30pm.

Contact Keith Young 07951 472 065

Get ‘Back to Netball’ on Monday evenings

Sudbury Neighbourhood Centre, Harrow Road, HA0 2LP. Tuesdays 11am12noon. 020 8908 1220

Sudbury Neighbourhood Centre, Harrow Road, HA0 2LP. Mondays 1.15-2.15pm.

020 8908 1220

LADIES HATHA YOGA Wembley. £8 per person.

Contact Dahlia 07956 220 271

SELF-DEVELOPMENT

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

Libraries

ART CLASSES SPORTS FOR AGES 2 TO 4

Multi-sports for children under 5, including football, basketball, athletics, hockey, tennis and cricket. Charteris Sports Centre, NW6 7ET. Saturdays, 1010.50am. £2. www. sportattheheart.org, 07857 992 633

Brent Archives George Furness House 2-12 Grange Road, Willesden NW10 2QY 020 8937 3541 archives@brent.gov.uk The Drum Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley HA9 0FJ 020 8937 4340

BACK TO NETBALL 10 to 12 week reintroduction for women of all ages at Bridge Park.

Mondays, 5.30-6.30pm. £3 per session.

Contact Adele Burnet 07872 407 212

Venues

Sound meditation

TAI CHI CLASSES Sudbury Neighbourhood Centre, Harrow Road, HA0 2LP. Mondays and Fridays, 11.15am12.15pm. 020 8908 1220

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 522-524 Kingsbury Road, Kingsbury NW9 9HE 020 8937 3520 kingsburylibrary@brent.gov.uk Wembley Library Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley HA9 0FJ 020 8937 3500 wembleylibrary@brent.gov.uk Willesden Green Library The service is temporarily based at two buildings: George Furness House 2-12 Grange Road, Willesden NW10 2QY The Lewinson Centre 165-167 High Road Willesden NW10 2SG 020 8937 3400 willesdengreenlibrary@brent.gov.uk

YOGALOFT Yoga classes for everyone from complete beginners to experienced practitioners. 3 Lonsdale Road NW6 6RA. £40 for 30 days. 020 7625 2645

Wembley Stadium Sunday 15 March

Saturday 9 May

Vitality North London Half Marathon

FA Vase Final

Sunday 22 March Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final

Saturday 23, Sunday 24, Monday 25 May

Friday 27 March

Football League Play Off Finals

England vs Lithuania

Saturday 30 May

Saturday 28 March

FA Cup Final

Saracens vs Harlequins

Saturday 18/Sunday 19 April FA Cup Semi-Finals ALL EVENTS ARE SELECTED AT THE EDITOR’S DISCRETION

Future dates are online www.wembleystadium.com 0844 980 8001

SPRING 2015

THE BRENT MAGAZINE

29

O Unrivalled views of Wembley Stadium O Licensed for up to 1,000 guests O 800 conference

Wembley’s newest events venue

www.mehulshahphotography.com Alpesh Rabadia Photography

O 350 banqueting

020 8937 4340 www.thedrumatwembley.com

events@thedrumwembley.com

REGISTER TO VOTE BY 20 APRIL Don’t leave it to – the deadline register today!

It’s quick and easy to register online www.gov.uk/register-to-vote electoral.services@brent.gov.uk

020 8937 1372 YOUR VOTE MATTERS MAKE SURE YOU’RE IN

0215BDY7222

2015 GENERAL ELECTION