Hillingdon People Jan/Feb 2012 (pdf 9Mb)

Transcription

January/February 2012
Learn
something
new –
special
pullout
Get back
into sport
200 years of
Ruislip Lido
advertisements
hillingdon contents
Hillingdon jobs
At the London Borough of Hillingdon we are dedicated to putting our residents first and our staff
play an key role in delivering on this commitment.
We are regularly looking for talented people to join us, so if you’re interested in working for one
of the largest employers in the borough please visit the dedicated jobs section on our website.
Here you’ll be able to see our current vacancies and you will be able to register for job alerts to
notify you of future positions you might be interested in.
For more information, please visit
www.hillingdon.gov.uk/jobs
www.hillingdon.gov.uk/jobs
Assembly for people
with disabilities
Monday 13 February 2012, 11am to 2pm
Registration from 10.30am
Middlesex Suite, Civic Centre, Uxbridge UB8 1UW
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Please come along – it’s your chance to
have a direct say and give your views
Olive Higgins
(left) and Pauline
Biggs (right)
Lives (HSL),
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previously known e, offers an
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in your home as
January/February
people
2012 hillingdon
magazine
Care Direct
contact Social or email
on 01895 556633
ct.gov.uk
socialcaredire
hillingdon people
magazine
January/February
15
2012
14
Activities in the
borough
Lunch will be
provided
www.hillingdon.gov.uk
2
D
espite the
fact that the
13 Front page feature
Government
Residents celebrate 200 years
has confirmed
of Ruislip Lido with fireworks
that the financial
spectacular
challenges being
placed on us as
09 Older People’s page
individuals, councils or indeed as a
Support and advice to help you
country, will probably continue until
manage your finances
at least 2017 in Hillingdon we are
continuing to buck the national trend.
By sound financial management and
10 Join the Jubilee celebrations
a hands-on approach to “putting
Council offers free services for
residents first” we can freeze council
Jubilee street parties in June
tax for a fourth year and there
will be no increase in many fees
14 Be inspired
and charges including parking.
Read about some of the borough’s
Many councils are cutting support
most inspiring people
to the voluntary sector but we are
increasing our financial commitment
by £400,000 to a total of £1.8m for next
16 New year, new you
year. We believe that this sector, which
Get back into sport this year – with
includes charities and voluntary
the upcoming Olympics, why not try
groups who do so much for our
something new?
residents, will need extra support in
the years ahead as more residents
19 Learn something new
come to need the assistance and
Information on courses available
advice that they provide. We continue
through Hillingdon Adult and
to invest in libraries, road resurfacing
Community Learning
and repairs, street cleaning and our
environment. We will also continue to
support our older residents through
23 We will remember them
schemes including free burglar
Honouring our fallen heroes
alarms, free swimming, brown
badges and the freedom pass.
25 Working hard to save you money
2012 promises to be a memorable
The work we do to make sure we give
year as we celebrate the Queen’s
you the best value for money
Diamond Jubilee. As a council,
amongst other things, we will be
Regulars
creating a Jubilee Wood and Jubilee
Garden and I hope that as many of you
Could you care?
4 News
Community
as wish to will join in the celebrations
stalwart
given first
dal
with your own street party or event.
Civic Me
36 What’s on?
As we did for the royal wedding, we
39 Hillingdon contact numbers
have made the process as simple Time Travellers give their time
as possible and will cover the cost
of public liability insurance and road
closures. Later in the summer, the
Deadline for advertising in the
Olympics are coming to London. In
Cover photo by
S t e wa r t T u r k i n g t o n
March/April edition is 30 January
Hillingdon we have invested in state
of the art sports and leisure facilities,
Editorial and advertising enquiries Published by London Borough of Hillingdon
not for the duration of the Olympics
© 2012
but for current and future generations
Design Phil Burton 01895 250670
Hannah
Collins
01895
250828
to enjoy. We will however be having
Printed by Warners Midlands PLC
hillingdonpeople@hillingdon.gov.uk
a number of Olympic related events.
Hillingdon People, 3E/07 Civic Centre,
Although the economic climate
High Street, Uxbridge, UB8 1UW.
remains challenging, we are
Products and
well prepared and continue to do
services advertised in
all we can to maintain services
this magazine are not
and facilities for our residents
necessarily endorsed
After
reading,
please
and keep Hillingdon a borough
by the council.
recycle this magazine
where people are proud to live.
January/February 2012 hillingdon people magazine
Cllr Ray Puddifoot
Leader of the Council
hillingdon people magazine
For a copy in large print or on tape,
call 01895 250828
3
hillingdon news
Thousands raised for the Legion
HS2
decision
delayed
At the time Hillingdon
People went to press,
the decision on the
Government’s plans for
a high speed rail link
connecting London
to Birmingham (HS2)
has been delayed.
It was expected that a
decision on HS2 would be
made before Christmas
but the new Transport
Secretary, Justine
Greening, decided more
work needs to be done to
investigate the possibility
of running an extra part of
the route through a tunnel.
Current plans for
the rail link would
run through parts of
Hillingdon, involving
demolishing houses and
adversely affecting the
countryside in the north
of the borough. The
council is part of the 51M
group of councils who
are opposed to the plans.
Cllr Ray Puddifoot,
Leader of the Council,
said: “This is just one small
aspect of a very ill thought
out and fundamentally
flawed proposal. It
perpetuates the lack of
joined up thinking on
judging this issue which
should be decided as part
of an integrated transport
strategy, taking into
account the economic case
and environmental impact.
“I appreciate that
the new Transport
Secretary is trying her
best but a sticking plaster
approach will not cure
this particular patient.”
Keep checking the
council website at www.
hillingdon.gov.uk/hs2 for
updates on the proposals.
4
A cheque for more than
£12,000 was presented
to the Royal British
Legion (RBL) by the
council at a special
event in December.
Cllr Ray Puddifoot,
presented Russell
Thompson, the RBL’s
Director of National
Events and Funding,
with a cheque for
£12,905. The money
was raised through
a summer of events
organised by the council
held across the borough
to celebrate the 90th
anniversary of the RBL.
Cllr Puddifoot said:
“As a local authority I
am proud that we have
supported the RBL and
helped to raise money to
show our appreciation
for the work that they
do to support the whole
Armed Forces Family serving, ex-service and
their dependants.”
Events included the
Ruislip Lido Fun Day and
Lido lap, a 27 mile Library
to Library sponsored walk,
street parties, tea dances
and coffee mornings.
Illegal buildings demolished
The council is
continuing to take action
against residents who
build unauthorised
developments and
breach planning laws.
Recent formal
enforcement actions
saw outbuildings at
Doghurst Drive, Sipson,
and Hamilton Road,
Hayes, demolished, and
the council was awarded
costs of £2,400.
Breaches of planning
control include the
unauthorised conversion
of properties into self-
Rogue
trader
sentenced
A rogue trader who
conned an elderly man out
of hundreds of pounds
has been sentenced
following an investigation
by the council’s Trading
Standards officers.
Steven Ball, 20, of
Egham, Surrey, pleaded
guilty to one count of
dishonestly making
contained flats, installing
non-porous surfaces
to the front of houses,
and outbuildings and
extensions which do
not have the correct
planning permission.
The owner of a
property in Colbrook
Avenue, Hayes, was
prosecuted for a second
time for failing to comply
with an enforcement
notice concerning the
unlawful use of an
outbuilding which has
been let out as a selfcontained flat. The
owner was again fined
and ordered to pay full
costs to the council.
Owners of properties
in Castle Avenue, West
Drayton, and Glamis
Crescent, Hayes have also
been prosecuted, fined
and ordered to pay costs
to the council after being
found guilty of failure
to comply with planning
enforcement notices.
You can report a
suspected planning
breach to the council’s
anti-social behaviour
team on 01895 250230.
financial gain and
another count of using
aggressive behaviour to
obtain money. He was
sentenced to six months
in detention, suspended
for two years and 100
hours unpaid work with a
three month curfew and
£3,000 costs. Ball must
wear an electronic tag.
Ball was caught on
CCTV trying to pressurise
an 84-year-old man
from Ickenham into
paying £500 extra when
a £300 payment had
already been made.
An expert employed by
the council checked the
drains where the work
was alleged to have been
done and confirmed the
covers had not been lifted
for some time and any
work carried out would
have been minimal.
The judge said only his
early guilty plea and young
age prevented him from
imposing an immediate
custodial sentence.
Council honours
special effects guru
An Academy Award
winning special effects
expert has become the
latest person honoured with
a Hillingdon blue plaque.
Michael John Stears
(1934-1999) was born
in Uxbridge and grew
up in Hoylake Crescent,
Ickenham. He went on
to become one of the
film industry’s top special
effects experts creating
gadgets for James Bond’s
‘Q’ and helping to create
Star Wars characters
C-3P0 and R2-D2.
The blue plaque was
unveiled by Mayor of
Hillingdon, Cllr Mary
O’Connor MBE, at a
ceremony attended by
members of Stears’ family.
The Hillingdon School
of Music performed
some well-known tunes
from the various films
he worked on during
his illustrious career.
Cllr Ray Puddifoot,
said: “John Stears has
helped bring enjoyment
to millions of people
across the world through
his outstanding work
in the film industry,
which generations to
come will continue to
enjoy. The council is
pleased to honour him,
for the contributions
he has made to the
borough’s heritage.”
In the early stages of
his career Stears created
the model boat for A
Night to Remember, a
film about the sinking of
the Titanic, which was
filmed at Ruislip Lido.
The blue plaque
scheme was launched in
February 2008 as part
of the council’s aim to
celebrate and remember
people of national or local
importance who have lived
in the borough. So far
seven plaques have been
unveiled. You can find
more information about
all of the people honoured
and the locations of the
plaques by visiting www.
hillingdon.gov.uk/blueplaques
The Leader of the Council and the Mayor of Hillingdon
with John Stears’ wife, Brenda, at the unveiling
inbrief
Sprucing up
Hillingdon
Council takes
back golf courses
New trees will soon
be springing up in the
borough as part of a
drive to increase the
number of trees in the
capital. The RE:LEAF
campaign will see 33
new trees for streets
in Yiewsley. For more
information on RE:LEAF
please visit www.london.
gov.uk/releaf-london
The council has taken
over the management
of three golf courses
previously managed by
an outside company.
Uxbridge, Ruislip
and Haste Hill golf
courses returned to
council management in
December. Maintenance
and improvement
works will be carried
out by the council’s
Green Spaces team, in
consultation with local
golf club associations
at all the courses.
Prices will remain the
same and current season
tickets will be honoured.
To find out more about
the courses, including
contact details, visit www.
hillingdon.gov.uk and
search ‘golf courses’.
Get bus info on
your phone
You can now get the latest
live bus information on
your mobile phone.
The new service,
provided by Transport for
London (TfL), provides live
bus information for all
services at all 19,500 bus
stops in the capital and
beyond on routes served by
London bus services. It will
provide you with real time
bus service information.
Visit www.tfl.gov.uk/
buses and enter your bus
stop code, or you can
search by route number,
street name or post
code and then select
the bus stop you need.
Celebrating
Dickens
A series of events are
being planned for April
to mark what would
have been Charles
Dickens’ 200th birthday.
As part of the event,
the council, working with
City Read London, is
encouraging all residents
to get involved and read
Oliver Twist. Extra copies
of the book are being
bought by the borough’s
libraries to cater for the
increased demand.
As Hillingdon People
went to print, details of
events were still being
confirmed. Check the
libraries section of the
website and future editions
of Hillingdon People for
more information.
Let us know about
your events!
If you or your community
group are holding an
event, let us know and
we can publicise it on
the new and improved
What’s on pages on
the council website.
The pages were
revamped last year and
listing your event is now
even quicker thanks to
an automated system.
All you need to do is
visit www.hillingdon.
gov.uk/whatson, click
‘submit your event’
and fill out the simple
form with the relevant
information. The details
are then automatically
added to the appropriate
section of the page and
also emailed directly to
Hillingdon People to be
considered for inclusion
on the What’s On pages.
In November, the first
month the new system
was used, 48 events
were submitted.
Remember, the latest
events are available
online by visiting www.
hillingdon.gov.uk/whatson
5
hillingdon news
Thousands enjoy bigger and better ice rink
Footballers get a taste of glory
The council’s bigger
and better ice rink has
once again proved to
be a hit with residents,
with thousands of
you donning your
skates and doing
your best to emulate
Torvill and Dean.
The rink was open
outside the Civic Centre
in Uxbridge over the
Christmas period.
Professional skaters from
Slough Ice Rink Arena
opened the rink, with
competition winners,
Father Christmas and
the council’s road safety
mascot Fred the Penguin
taking to the ice.
Young footballers from
Hillingdon got the chance
to visit Premier League
club QPR as part of a
new training programme.
The council has
joined forces with the
club to run the football
development scheme,
which is held at the
award-winning Botwell
Green Leisure Centre in
Hayes. The future stars,
aged six to 12, are put
through their paces by
QPR coaches in training
sessions. If they are good
enough, they could end
up playing professionally.
Cllr Henry Higgins,
Cabinet Member for
Sport and Leisure, said:
“Hillingdon Council has
some of the finest sporting
facilities in London and
I am pleased that we are
able to offer our young
residents a clear pathway
to becoming a professional
footballer and to be
trained by Premiership
coaches. The sessions are
great value and I am sure
that a lot of young people
will get great enjoyment
from taking part.
“The initial interest
we have received has
been very positive and
we are now considering
offering the scheme at
some our other sports
and leisure centres, parks
Get
involved
with local
wildlife
If you want to get
involved in wildlife and
enjoy the borough’s
natural habitat, a project
being run by Herts
and Middlesex Wildlife
Trust in partnership
with the council,
Groundwork Thames
Valley and London
New
cancer
service
available
Uxbridge Library
is now offering a
new information
service for anyone
affected by cancer.
Working in partnership
with the Community
Cancer Centre (CCC),
drop-in sessions are
being held, providing
support for people to
access personalised,
quality health
6
hillingdon news
Wildlife Trust could be
just what you need.
The project is focused
on the Colne Valley
which runs from
Rickmansworth through
Hillingdon to Staines,
and is encouraging
people to connect with
their local wildlife and
the wider countryside.
Jennifer Gilbert, Colne
Valley Living Landscape
Officer for Herts and
Middlesex Wildlife Trust,
is leading the project
which will provide
opportunities for people
to take part in guided
walks and family events to
enjoy wildlife and nature
reserves in the area as
well as get involved
with volunteering.
Contact Jen to find
out more about the
project, upcoming
events and how to get
involved with practical
conservation work
and wildlife surveying
in the Colne Valley wildlifetrust@hillingdon.
gov.uk or 07909 914962.
information using the
NHS Choices website.
Trained volunteers from
the CCC in Yiewsley will
be on hand to provide
assistance and visitors
will be able to take
away free information.
You can go along to the
sessions on the first Friday
of the month from 10am
to noon at Uxbridge
Library in Uxbridge
High Street. The library
also has a new specialist
collection of books
about cancer available
to borrow. The titles
have been recommended
by Macmillan
Cancer Support.
This service will be
offered in collaboration
with the North West
London Cancer Network
and Macmillan Cancer
support. Please contact
Alison Beer for more
information on 01895
250712 or email
communityliaison@
hillingdon.gov.uk.
The borough’s
libraries are also
running events to
mark Heart Month in
February, including
taster sessions and
activities. You can find
out more by visiting
the website at www.
hillingdon.gov.uk/libraries
inbrief
New RRICHHly
rewarding
experiences
await you
Would you like to help
residents in a care home
environment? Could you
work closely with them
and assist them to sort
out their problems?
An exciting new
project has been
launched with the aim
of placing volunteers
into residential and care
homes throughout the
borough so they can help
and support residents
who have problems.
RRICHH – the Relatives
of Residents In Care
Homes in Hillingdon – is
a voluntary organisation
that is supported by
Age UK Hillingdon
and Hillingdon Carers.
Its aim is to improve
the quality of life for
residents in care.
You would be working
as part of a small
and dedicated team.
Training and support
will be given. Why not
get RRICHH quick?
Contact Neil on 020 8589
0071 to find out more.
Easier
access to
equipment
Residents can now
access ‘prescriptions’ for
equipment to aid mobility
thanks to a council and
NHS Transforming
Community Equipment
Services (TCES) scheme.
Older, vulnerable
and disabled residents
can now access a range
of equipment from
inbrief
Changes to
Blue Badges
and open spaces, schools
and sports clubs.”
Regular term-time
sessions will run throughout
the week at a cost of £3
each. During the holidays
there will be extra classes
costing £15 a day, or £12
if booked in advance.
QPR Manager, Neil
Warnock, said: “This
is yet another fantastic
example of the splendid
work that our club does
in the local community.
“In the age of
computer games and
mobile phones, this is
a great opportunity for
kids to get out, keep
fit and play football.
“The sessions will be
led by trained coaches
from QPR and I can
only advise parents to get
their children involved
in this programme.”
For more information
visit www.hillingdon.
gov.uk/leisure
From the start of
January, changes have
been made to the
national Blue Badge
disabled persons’
parking scheme.
In Hillingdon, the
application form has
been changed along
with the design of the
badge which will make
it harder to tamper
with, copy or forge,
and to make it easier
to enforce the correct
use of the badges.
However, whilst
the new national
regulations allow for
the fee to be increased
to £10, Hillingdon has
decided to maintain the
existing charge at £2,
in line with its policy of
putting residents first.
You will also be able to
apply for a badge through
the Direct.gov website,
but you can continue to
apply in writing directly
to the council. If you do
not meet the automatic
eligibility criteria, you may
be invited to undergo a
mobility assessment.
about the Blue Badge
disabled persons’
parking scheme
and the reform
recommendations
please visit www.direct.
gov.uk or www.dft.gov.uk
registered providers,
in the same way as
they might collect
a prescription, as
part of TCES.
Items costing up to
£100 will be prescribed
by occupational therapists,
nurses and social workers
who will decide what
equipment would provide
the most benefit.
Cllr Philip
Corthorne, Cabinet
Member for Social
Care, Health and
Housing, said: “TCES
will give residents more
choice and control by
allowing them to choose
what equipment will
best suit their lifestyle.
“In Hillingdon we are
committed to supporting
our older and disabled
residents to be as
independent as possible –
something they have told
us is important to them.”
There will be a number
of accredited retailers
across Hillingdon. Each
outlet has been checked
to ensure it offers a range
of equipment with trained
staff on site who can
advise on fitting and use.
Carers and relatives can
also collect equipment
on behalf of a resident if
they are not able to visit
a retailer themselves.
A collection service
for equipment that is
no longer required is
available to registered
disabled residents and
those aged over 60.
visit www.hillingdon.gov.
uk/communityequipment
One of the young footballers
with Spark, the QPR mascot
7
hillingdon news
hillingdon older people
TV chef offers food
waste advice
Hillingdon’s Mayor gets some top tips
Teachers
win regional
award
Staff from Uxbridge
High School are
celebrating after winning
regional teaching awards.
The Uxbridge High
School Guidance
and Inclusion team
was also shortlisted
for the National
Teaching Awards..
Peter Lang,
Headteacher of the
school, was shortlisted
in the Headteacher of
the Year category and
was highly commended.
He attended a reception
at the Houses of
Parliament hosted by
Baroness Shirley Williams
earlier in the year.
inbrief
Roadworks to be
‘permitted’
All roadworks within the
borough now have to be
licenced, giving the council
greater control over utility
companies, such as water
and gas, and highway
authority roadworks taking
place in the borough.
Utility companies that
wish to carry out works
on a road or street, must
8
obtain a permit from
the council. This permit
allows companies to
carry out works at a
specific location and to
be completed between
the agreed dates once
approved by the council.
Conditions to permits
may also be attached. The
council has introduced the
new arrangements to help
reduce the inconvenience of
roadworks in the borough.
A television chef has
visited the borough to
give advice and tips
on how to reduce food
waste and turn leftovers
into tasty dishes.
Richard Fox was
in Uxbridge town
centre offering cookery
demonstrations, a
question and answer
session and there was
food available to try.
The council collects
nearly 15,000 tonnes
of food waste from
residents each year and
is encouraging residents
to reduce this amount.
Cllr Keith Burrows,
Cabinet Member
for Planning,
Transportation and
Recycling, said: “We
throw away far too much
food, often there is not
even anything wrong
with it. That is not only
wasting people’s money,
but is contributing to the
costs of waste disposal
and landfill. The event
in Uxbridge helped
inform Hillingdon
residents about how
they can cut down on
their food waste and
live a greener and more
sustainable lifestyle.”
The Love Food
Hate Waste event has
been organised by the
West London Waste
Authority as part of
European Week for
Waste Reduction to help
residents save up to £50 a
month on their food bill.
For more food recipes,
tips and information visit
www.westlondonwaste.
gov.uk/lovefood
Have you
spotted our
QR codes?
If you’ve spotted a series
of strange-looking black
and white boxes on
council posters around
the borough, you’ve
seen our QR codes.
A QR code (abbreviated
from quick response
code) is a type of twodimensional code that can
be read by smartphones
with an inbuilt camera.
Recently we have started
including these on various
council publications,
including posters,
bookmarks and so on.
To read any of our
QR codes, follow the
instructions below:
1.Download any
QR code reader
application (there are
lots of free ones)
2.Open up the QR code
reader on your phone
and scan the code
3.Each code will direct
your mobile browser
to relevant content
or display text
4.No more typing,
sending or searching
and say hello to
quick and easy access
delivered straight to
your smartphone!
The QR code above will
take you straight to the
Hillingdon People section
of the council website
– where you can access
the magazine online.
Once there, you can
bookmark the website
for easy access in the
future. And don’t forget,
you can also access the
council website through
your smartphone, so
you can renew your
library books and report
any potholes while
you’re on the move.
Get a financial ‘health
check’ with Age UK
I
n the current economic
climate, many older people
may be finding it hard to
cope with increasing day-today living costs. Over the last
few years, the council has put
in place a number of initiatives
to support the borough’s older
people such as the winter heater
loan scheme, freezing council tax
and keeping any increase in fees
and charges to a minimum.
As part of the overall support
provided to the borough’s
older residents, the council has
been working with Age UK
Hillingdon to offer a free financial
outreach service and support to
residents aged 65 and over.
The ‘First Stop Outreach’
service enables residents to access
free private and confidential
advice on a variety of subjects
including benefit entitlements,
winter fuel payments and energy
and utility bills. Residents can also
get a ‘financial health check’.
The service is delivered by
a dedicated Age UK outreach
worker at regular weekly and
monthly sessions held at a number
of locations across the borough
including libraries, sheltered
housing schemes and community
lunch clubs. For older people who
need further support or who are
less able to attend one of the local
advice sessions, arrangements can
be made for a home visit. Last year
157 home visits were made by the
outreach worker; providing oneto-one financial advice, support
and advocacy. This resulted in:
•£120,130.40 awarded in
Attendance Allowance annually
•£10,293.40 awarded in
Carers Allowance
•£5,579.60 awarded in Serve
Disability Premium benefit
•£1,144.00 awarded in
Housing Benefit
With a combined total of
more than £137,000 awarded in
benefits to Hillingdon residents
age 65 and over in 2010-11, it is
estimated that for every £1 spent
on the service approximately £7
has been generated in unclaimed
benefits for local older people.
Leader of the Council and
Older People’s Champion, Cllr
Ray Puddifoot, said: “Winter
can be a particularly difficult
time for our older residents and
working with Age UK Hillingdon
and other partners in the borough
we are doing all we can to offer
them what support we can to
ease some of the worried that
older people may have.”
contacts
To find out about your nearest
advice session or how to
book a home visit please
contact Age UK Hillingdon
on 020 8756 3050 and ask to
speak to Debbie Goode, the
First Stop Outreach Worker.
The ‘First Stop Outreach’ service
also offers advice on fuel payments,
energy tariffs, free bus passes, Blue
Badges, eye tests and ‘flu’ jabs.
To enable older people to access
further support measures during
the winter, the outreach worker will
also point them to other schemes
including Age UK Hillingdon’s ‘Get
Ready for Winter Campaign’ and
the council’s Heater Loan Scheme
inbrief
Swim for free
As part of the council’s support for
older residents, if you are over-65,
you can swim for free in all the
council-owned swimming pools
in the borough, including the two
new facilities at Botwell Green
Sports Centre and Hillingdon
Sports and Leisure Complex.
To swim for free, you simply
need to provide proof of age,
using a Leisure Link card; bus
pass (freedom pass); passport;
driving licence (paper copies
accepted) or citizen card.
You can swim whenever the
pool has an open public session.
For more information visit www.
hillingdon.gov.uk/freeswim
9
hillingdon community
Get into the Jubilee
Party spirit
To help you celebrate the Queen’s
Diamond Jubilee later this year,
the council is once again offering
an easy to use application service
for residents who want to mark the
occasion by having a street party.
R
Homeless
shelter
opens in
revamped
hostel
An empty Grade II listed building
has been rescued and turned into a
permanent hostel for homeless people
thanks to a council joint project.
esidents wishing to organise
a party over the Diamond
Jubilee Weekend of Saturday
2 to Tuesday 5 June will be able
to apply to the council for free
public liability insurance, road
closures, public notices, and
traffic management services.
Cul-de-sacs, quiet roads that are
not ‘through roads’, and roads not
on bus routes are likely to be the
easiest to arrange parties in but don’t
despair if you happen to live on a
more major road as the council may
still be able to assist by suggesting
alternative locations including
open or green spaces nearby.
Cllr Ray Puddifoot, Leader
of the Council, said: “We offered
this service to residents who wanted
to celebrate the Royal Wedding
last year, and we had more than 40
street parties within the borough.
Street parties are a great way to
bring local communities together.
“I hope that the free service we
are offering will encourage everyone
who enjoyed them last year to
get involved again and that it will
also motivate others to join in and
celebrate this very special occasion.”
The deadline for applications is
16 April. Online guides and forms
can be found on the council’s
website at www.hillingdon.gov.uk/
jubilee but if you wish to discuss
any details before applying then
please contact Lyn or Glenda in
the council’s Special Events Team
by emailing jubileestreetparties@
hillingdon.gov.uk or by calling
01895 556640 or 01895 556072.
10
T
he Cedars in Uxbridge
High Street, was falling into
disrepair before the council
joined forces with freeholders
Fassnidge Property Trust and local
charity, Trinity Homeless Projects,
to develop the site into a hostel.
The building has been carefully
refurbished and re-fitted to make
it suitable for housing nine single
homeless people at a total cost
of £115,000 funded through an
empty property grant from the
West London Housing Partnership.
Trinity Homeless Projects, who
will be running the site, have also
worked with IKEA to provide
furniture for the property.
Cllr Philip Corthorne,
Cabinet Member for Social
Care, Health and Housing,
said: “The conversion of this
building into a homeless hostel
is one that will benefit some of
our most vulnerable residents.
This is a prime example of how
Hillingdon is using what would
otherwise be an empty property to
house residents in need and help
them get back on their feet.”
Steve Hedley, Chief Executive
of Trinity Homeless Projects,
said: “Trinity have been supporting
people suffering the effects of
homelessness and exclusion in
Hillingdon for over 23 years. We
are immensely proud to be at the
forefront of this wonderful initiative
that will not only transform this
empty building, but will also
provide stability and positive
change in the lives of vulnerable
people in our community.”
Damian Gbinige, 41, one of
the first people to move into
the hostel, said: “Trinity has
really helped me turn a corner
in my life with their support
over the last 18 months, I have
undertaken training, education
and finally full time employment.
This accommodation will give
me the happiness and security to
make more changes in my life,
moreover it gives me a platform
from which to plan my future.”
Night shelter for homeless
men to open
The council is once again
opening a winter night shelter
for homeless men during the
coldest nights of the year.
The shelter, which is a result of
close collaboration and joint working
with some of the council’s key
external partners and local church
groups, will run from 16 January
– 26 February. Rough sleepers
will be provided with a bed and
advice and support to help them
find alternative accommodation
once the shelter closes.
Donations for the shelter,
including clothing and shopping
vouchers, to help provide meals,
would be gratefully received. The
shelter is also looking for volunteers.
Now in its sixth year, the winter
night shelter will be staffed by
experienced managers working
alongside a team of volunteers who
will help by either supplying an
evening meal, assist with various
roles in the evening or provide night
cover as back up to the manager.
contacts
If you would like to volunteer
for any of these roles
or think you can make a
donation, please contact
housingoptions@hillingdon.
gov.uk or phone 01895 250147.
11
hillingdon environment
Blooming good
news for Hillingdon
Hillingdon will be one
of only two London
boroughs representing
the capital at Britain
In Bloom 2012.
hillingdon cover feature
Fireworks
extravaganza
marks Lido bicentenary
F
ollowing the borough’s success
at the London In Bloom
awards last year, when the
borough scooped the prestigious
silver-gilt award in the Large
City category for the third year
running, Hillingdon will now go
forward to Britain in Bloom.
Britain In Bloom is organised
by the Royal Horticultural Society
and is one of Europe’s largest
horticultural competitions. More
than 1,100 cities, towns and
villages participate each year
to show off their achievements
in environmental responsibility,
community participation and
horticultural achievement.
It was first held in 1963,
initiated by the British Tourist
Board and has been organised
by the Royal Horticultural
Society (RHS) since 2002.
Cllr Jonathan Bianco,
Cabinet Member for Finance,
Property and Business
Services, said: “This is a huge
triumph for the borough. We have
done very well at London In Bloom
over the last few years but have
clearly gone that extra mile this
year to reach this level. I would like
to congratulate our staff and all
our residents who have put in an
awful lot of hard graft to make the
borough so green and inviting.”
Judging will take place in the summer.
Hillingdon in Bloom
Clockwise from top:
Norman Leddy Memorial Gardens, Hayes;
Winner of Best First Time Entry,
Hillingdon In Bloom 2011;
Southlands Gardens, West Drayton;
Harefield Common;
Winner of Best Residential Street,
Hillingdon In Bloom 2011
12
T
contacts
For more information on the
borough’s parks and open
spaces go to www.hillingdon.
gov.uk/greenspaces
housands of local people enjoyed
a free fireworks display to mark
the bicentenary of Ruislip
Lido. Ruislip Lido Reservoir was first
declared open by the famous engineer,
John Rennie, on 5 December 1811
as a feeder for the Grand Junction
(now the Grand Union) Canal.
As part of the very special 200
year celebrations, the Deputy Mayor,
Cllr Michael Markham, presented
Roger Davis, the President of the
Ruislip Lido Railway Society with
commemorative plaques to be placed
on their ‘John Rennie’ engine.
of the Council, said: “It was
great to see so many residents of
all ages enjoying themselves at
the event to celebrate the 200th
birthday of Ruislip Lido. The
lido is a wonderful place for the
people of Hillingdon to visit and
our plans to enhance and improve
the lido facilities will hopefully
see future generations continue
to enjoy this great asset.”
The fireworks came from local
company Allstar Fireworks.
Above and inset - Fireworks
light up Ruislip Lido
Right – Children enjoy
the free rides on offer
Below – Deputy Mayor, Cllr
Michael Markham, and
the Leader of the Council
present a commemorative
plaque to Ruislip Lido
Railway volunteers
13
Be inspired
hillingdon inspiration
hillingdon inspiration
Many of our residents do some amazing things to help others.
Hillingdon People has spoken to some of the borough’s most
inspiring people, from carers to volunteers, who go out of their
way to put other residents first. Here are some of their stories.
Could you care?
fact file
• The scheme has been running
for 24 years. We have provided
placements for all the service
user groups. Client groups
include learning disabilities,
physical disabilities and
clients recovering from
mental health illnesses.
• Placements can be long/short
term, respite or emergency. We
have placed clients who have
benefited from rehabilitation to
enable them to return to living
independently in the community.
Time Travellers give their time
Time Travellers are a group of
volunteers, over 55, who offer their
time to borough schools, supporting
teachers, teaching assistants
and children in a range of roles,
including gardening, listening to
readers and craft work. The scheme
is run by Age UK Hillingdon.
Sally Puleston started
volunteering as a Time Traveller
two years ago, and works with St
Andrews C of E School in Uxbridge.
“I remember my first visit and
the warm feeling I experienced
as I walked into the school.
There was a real buzz about
the place with lots and lots
of very small people enjoying
themselves in the playground and
colourful artwork everywhere.
“When I first introduced myself
I told them I was a Time Traveller
and before I could explain further
a little boy asked me if I was
like Doctor Who. It took some
explaining I can tell you.
“The great joy for me with the
reading is to watch the children
develop. The attempts at using
14
expression whilst reading out
loud is a real leap for them
and the struggles with longer
words and their meaning has
me on my toes all the time.
“On my last visit of the school
year I felt a small hand clasp
mine. It was a pupil who is the
sibling of one of the children I have
been working with. With great
confidence he said ‘I’ve got you in
September’ laughed and ran off.
“Lastly a friend asked me who
got the most out of my volunteer
work and I had to admit that
the balance was probably with
me but I hope it is also with
the children. All I know is that
on Wednesday I wake up with a
glad to be alive feeling knowing
that at 10.30 I will be with the
teachers and pupils of year 3.”
contacts
To find out more about the
Time Traveller scheme, please
call Sarah Millen on 020
8756 3056, or email smillen@
ageukhillingdon.org.uk
Olive Higgins
(left) and Pauline
Biggs (right)
Hillingdon Shared Lives (HSL),
previously known as the Hillingdon
Adult Care Scheme, offers an
alternative to residential care.
HSL carers welcome vulnerable
adults into their homes and where
appropriate help them move
onto more independent living.
Olive Higgins is an HSL carer;
she has been registered with the
scheme since April 2007. Pauline
Biggs has lived with Olive in a long
term placement for four years.
Olive said: “I had space and
thought I’d like a lodger, so I did that,
but then I thought that I’d like to
have someone here who I really cared
about. I’m one of eight children,
and the only girl, so since I was
nine I was caring for my brothers.
“You’ve got to have a rapport, a
good relationship with the person
you’re caring for. They come and live
in your home as part of your family.
• Hillingdon Shared Lives offers
care to vulnerable adults
from the age of 18 upwards.
If you are thinking about signing
up, you should talk to your family
about it; it’s a big change in their
life too. But it’s very worthwhile.”
Pauline said: “I like living with
Olive, I have my own bedroom
– Olive helped me pick my own
furniture. I can have visitors
whenever I want, I know all of
Olive’s family, they’re all very nice.
Olive is a very helpful person. Now
I live with her I can go out to clubs,
and I go to Uxbridge every Friday.
I also go out with Olive on trips.”
Community
stalwart
given first
Civic Medal
Connie Evans has become the first
recipient of the London Borough
of Hillingdon Civic Medal.
Connie, who has lived in
Hillingdon, since 1935, has
also served the community as
chairwoman of the Oak Farm
Residents’ Association and member
of the Older Persons’ Assembly
and is often the first port for call
for local people looking for advice.
She successfully campaigned
against the building on green
belt, parks and allotments sites
in North Hillingdon and was
active in the campaign to keep
Mount Vernon Hospital open.
She was awarded the medal
by Mayor of Hillingdon Cllr Mary
O’Connor MBE at a surprise
event to mark her 90th birthday in
November. Along with the Mayor,
contacts
If Olive and Pauline’s story
has inspired you, please call
01895 277025. If you want to
refer a vulnerable adult please
contact Social Care Direct
on 01895 556633 or email
socialcaredirect.gov.uk
family, friends, ward councillors
and the Leader of the Council,
Cllr Ray Puddifoot, gathered to
thank Connie for her tireless
contribution to the community
and tackling of local issues.
Connie, who was in the Auxillary
Territorial Service Royal Artillery
during World War II, said: “The
secret was so well kept all
participants should be working for
MI5 or 6. It was a great surprise
to be escorted into her parlour
by Cllr Mary O’Connor, Mayor of
Hillingdon, and see so many friends
awaiting me. To be the first person
to receive the Civic Award Medal
and scroll is a great honour. I
shall wear the medal with pride.
“I now realise how much I am
valued by my family, friends and
the wider community. Thank you
all who worked so hard to make
my 90th birthday so memorable.”
Leader of the Council, Cllr Ray
Puddifoot, added: “Connie is a
truly inspirational woman who for
decades has served this borough
tirelessly and with a tremendous
amount of passion - what Connie
doesn’t know or remember isn’t
worth knowing. Her tenacious
attitude has led to many local
improvements as well as her
becoming someone others can
turn to for advice and I hope this
medal goes some way to showing
our gratitude for all she has done.”
Civic Medal nominees must
live or take part in an activity, for
which they have been nominated
for, in the borough. Nominations
can be submitted by cabinet
members and are considered by
the Leader and Chief Executive.
15
hillingdon sport
hillingdon sport
Sport for life not just for New Year
2012 is the year of the London Olympics
but sport doesn’t have to be all about
competition, high level achievements
and medal winning. It can be about
having a great time with people who
enjoy the same things as you.
H
illingdon’s Back to Sport
programme for adults can
help you find sessions near
you that are fun, all about refreshing
old skills or starting beginners off
and are great value for money.
The benefit of sport
Sport has so many benefits, weight
loss is just one. It can also lower
the risk of heart disease, helps
fight cancer and reduces the risk
of contracting it in the first place.
It even works on improving your
mood, reducing anxiety and stress,
whilst also building confidence and
self-esteem. It’s a great opportunity
to meet like-minded people and
build a strong circle of friends, even
better if your friends join in as well.
Treat yourself to
some me time
Everyone is working harder than
ever and it’s so easy to forget to
take time to unwind and relax.
So whether it’s fitting something
Back to Sport Courses
around the family, the job or the
household work, back to sport has
an activity that suits your lifestyle.
Our No Strings Badminton,
Back to Netball, Jog it off jogging
and Park Tennis sessions have
daytime options and take place
across Hillingdon in community
locations as well as sports centres.
Come and join us
Value for money
Our badminton, netball, jogging,
ladies’ basketball, back to rugby
and masters swimming are all pay
and play, which means you don’t
pay unless you attend. They’re all
run by coaches who know how to
unlock old skills and encourage new
members back into regular activity.
You don’t need a partner to play as
the coach will join in and partner
you with other similar players.
Some of our activities are
more course-led with fencing and
tennis running 10 week courses
designed to get you up to speed
and playing with new partners
or learning something new.
All the activities work out at between
£2 and £4 a week. For that you get
a qualified coach to lead the session,
great facilities exclusively for your
session and where possible equipment
to borrow to get you started.
Adults – Get
outdoors and active
A number of Jog It Off sessions
are available across Hillingdon.
These activities are ideal to jog off
the stress of a busy schedule and
explore your local surroundings.
Led by experienced runners,
these adult jog sessions for
beginners are free-of-charge.
Where
Badminton
Wednesdays,
10am to 11am
Fridays,
6pm to 7pm
Botwell Green
£2 a session
Sports and Leisure
Centre, Hayes
Ladies’
Basketball
Fridays,
6pm to 8pm
Uxbridge College
£2 a session
Fencing – adult Fridays,
beginners
7pm to 9pm
courses and
open club
Uxbridge College
£50 for a 10
week course
Football –
5-a-side
league
Thursdays,
7pm to 9pm
Botwell Green
£45 a team
Sports and Leisure
Centre, Hayes
Netball
Mondays,
10am to 11am
Tuesdays,
Wednesdays
and Thursdays,
7pm to 8pm
Various across
Hillingdon
£3 a session
Rugby
Tuesdays and
Thursdays,
7pm to 8.30pm
Uxbridge
Rugby Club
TBC
Swimming
Mondays and
Thursdays,
8pm to 9pm
Hillingdon Sport
£32 for 8
and Leisure
sessions (as
Complex, Uxbridge attended)
Hillingdon Athletics Stadium,
Gatting Way Uxbridge, UB8 1ES
Wednesdays, 12.30pm
Back steps of the Civic
Centre, Cricketfield Road,
Uxbridge, UB8 1UW
Saturdays, 11am
Hayes Cricket Club, Wood
End Road, Hayes, UB3 2RJ
Sundays, 10am
STARTS JANUARY 2012
Hillingdon Athletics Club House,
206 Bury Street, Ruislip, HA4 7TJ
If walking is more your thing, then
why not try an organised fitness
walk or perhaps even a Buggy
Fit session starting in January at
Hillingdon Athletics Stadium.
For more information on these
and other activities, visit www.
hillingdon.gov.uk/back2 or contact
the Sports Team on 01895 250453.
If you’re 11-18 you can also get
involved and try your hand at a new
sport this year, covering archery
through to football and dance.
Streetgames happens in the
south of the borough and you
pay for the sessions you play.
The activities all happen in
local community buildings and
outside spaces. If you live in
the north of the borough there
are dodgeball and swimming
pay and play sessions.
When
Tuesdays, 5.45pm
Sports Unlimited
16
Sport
Various locations
Tennis – Indoor Mondays,
and Outdoor
12pm to 2pm
courses
Tuesdays,
7pm to 8pm
Fridays,
7pm to 9pm
Saturdays,
11am to 12pm
Sundays,
4pm to 5.30pm
5.30pm to 7.30pm
For 2012, the council has been
given funding to promote girls’
sports so there are a number
of activities available just for
girls, in rugby, cricket, judo,
archery and swimming. For the
boys, there are mixed sessions
including climbing and triathlon.
Cllr Henry Higgins, Cabinet
Member for Culture, Sport
and Leisure, said: “In Hillingdon
we have some fantastic new
sporting facilities for our residents
to enjoy, with Hillingdon Sports
and Leisure Complex and
Botwell Green Leisure Centre.
Cost
All Courses:
£60 for 10 weeks
£25 for 10 weeks
£60 for 10 weeks
£25 for 10 weeks
£25 for 10 weeks
£60 for 10 weeks
If you want to try a new sport
for the new year, remember to
take along your HillingdonFirst
card to take advantage of our
reduced rates for residents.”
contacts
For more information visit
www.hillingdon.gov.uk/
back2 or you can contact the
sports development team at
01895 250453 or sportdev@
hillingdon.gov.uk. For more
on sport for young people
visit young.hillingdon.gov.uk
17
hillingdon fraud
Fraud team keeps
catching fraudsters
Following the broadcast of a Panorama programme that
featured the council’s Fraud team, Hillingdon People tells
you more about what we’re doing to tackle fraud.
London Borough of Hillingdon
Pullout Adult and Community Learning
section
Courses 2012
NEW Learning Opportunities
for January 2012
T
he council’s Fraud team
was featured on the BBC’s
Panorama in November,
in a programme about people
claiming benefits and services
they are not entitled to. The
programme focussed on the
work we are doing to catch those
using blue badges fraudulently,
and on people using fake or
multiple identities to claim more
benefit that they are entitled to.
Garry Coote, Corporate
Fraud Manager, said: “We
were proud to be featured in this
programme. It was the perfect
opportunity to showcase the
great work we do to ensure that
residents’ money is not being spent
on people who do not deserve it.
“We will continue this work, but
we also need your help to ensure
that anyone claiming benefit
illegally is caught and prosecuted.”
The team has recently secured
the prosecution of an actor
who starred in pantomimes.
Paul Couchman, Yiewsley was
given a 26-week prison sentence
suspended for two years, along
with an electronic tag and an
overnight curfew from 7pm to
7am for four weeks. He was also
ordered to pay £450 in costs.
He had applied for Incapacity
Benefit, Income Support, Housing
and Council Tax Benefit as he
was unable to work. Enquiries
conducted by investigators showed
that Mr Couchman had been
working as an actor under the stage
name of Peter Goode for The
Derek Grant Organisation and
Rainbow Theatre Productions since
2005. Mr Couchman had failed to
declare his self-employed income
when he completed review forms
for the council. Mr Couchman was
18
Above: Ashour
Sherfi, who was
given a two-year
prison sentence
for committing
benefit fraud;
Right: Stills
from the BBC’s
Panorama
programme
which featured
the council’s
Fraud team and
the work they do
to catch people
committing
benefit fraud in
the borough.
jointly interviewed under caution
by officers from the Department of
Work and Pensions and the council.
In another recent case, an
Algerian asylum seeker was
given a two-year prison sentence
after defrauding the council
out of more than £7,000.
Ashour Sherfi was convicted
by the jury at Harrow Crown
Court following a trial which
lasted a week. He used fake
French passports and claimed
housing benefits from the council
between 2002 and 2005 before
disappearing without a trace.
But following the arrest and
conviction of his wife Khadija
Benbourkhmis earlier this year,
for using fake French passports,
council investigators worked with
UK Border Agency to trace Mr
Sherfi. He was arrested in July and
interviewed by Hillingdon and the
Department for Work and Pensions.
During the course of the
investigation, officers found he
had been previously convicted in
2005 at Isleworth Crown Court
for trying to obtain a National
Insurance Number using a fake
Dutch passport and claiming to
be to be someone else, going by
the name of Ibrahim Yousif.
contacts
If you suspect that someone
is committing benefit fraud,
please let us know – we need
your help to catch these
people who are stealing
your money. You can call
the council in confidence
on 0800 389 8313 or email
fraud@hillingdon.gov.uk
Read inside for
details of our
new courses
and open day.
hillingdon adult and community learning
Getting a foot on the
employment ladder
Calling all
entrepreneurs!
Life and Employment Skills
The council’s Hillingdon Adult and Community
Learning is offering a range of free
workshops, one-to-one guidance, course
open days and entrepreneurial advice to help
residents maximise their job opportunities
for 2012. From young to old, whether you’re
looking for a career change or to learn a new
skill, there is something for everyone.
Hillingdon Adult and Community Learning
is launching an Enterprise Club where you
can get advice and support about being
self-employed. This FREE Enterprise Club
will give people in Hillingdon the chance to
meet others interested in setting up their
own business, build new contacts, share
experiences and get advice on creative ideas
and business plans. For more information
please call 01895 671969.
The following courses are available:
Calling all jobseekers!
Helping your children with homework
Drop in to the Job Shop
Come along to one of our FREE workshops!
Whether you’re searching for jobs, need
help updating your CV or want to gain some
confidence in your interview technique,
Hillingdon Adult and Community Learning
is setting up a monthly rolling programme
in conjunction with Next Step to give you
professional support and guidance. Taking place
at adult learning centres and libraries across the
borough, you can gain the personal skills you
need to increase your employability. For more
information please call 020 8569 1613/1638.
Could you boost your confidence by brushing up your English and Maths skills?
Life Skills
Course
Reading skills
Writing skills
English for Speakers of Other Languages
CLASSES
Functional English
GCSE English
Speaking and Listening skills
Adult Literacy
Conversation Classes
General English
Hillingdon Adult and Community Learning is
launching a Work Club where jobseekers can
get advice and support on finding work. This
FREE Work Club will give people in Hillingdon
the chance to meet others looking for
work, build new contacts, share job hunting
experiences and get advice on interview
techniques, CVs and even volunteering
opportunities. For more information please
call 020 8569 1613/1638.
Prepare for Childcare
Brush up your grammar
Maintain your English
General maths
Money management
Adult Numeracy
CLASSES
Functional maths
Managing on a budget
Numeracy for ESOL
Working with numbers
GCSE Maths
Helping your children with maths
Fast-track (1–2 week) courses to achieve
national qualifications in English and/or
Maths to support your job application.
Taster sessions
Maintain your maths
Adult Literacy
CLASSES
Adult Numeracy
CLASSES
During Adult Learners’ Week
w w w. i s t o c k p h o t o.c o m
Course levels range from Entry 1 – Level 2
More than 1,000 courses to choose from including Arts, Crafts, Languages, Family Learning,
Children, Horticulture, Floristry, Access to Higher Education. See our website for more information.
Initial assessment is required, please call 020 8569 1613 to book an assessment date.
Eligibility criteria applies and fees may be applicable on some courses.
Open day: Saturday, 7 January, 10am to 2pm
Brookfield ALC
Visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk or call 01895 254766 for more details.
hillingdon heroes
Early Years, Children
and Young People
Floristry and
Horticulture
NEW FOR 2012
NEW FOR 2012
Learn new skills!
Develop your knowledge!
Make a difference to children’s lives!
Get those green fingers
ready, we are bringing
back horticulture!
Working with children and young people can be
rewarding as well as exciting and challenging.
Hillingdon Adult and Community Learning has
a wide range of brand new courses which can
support you to develop your knowledge and
skills; build on your experiences and gain a
qualification and professional role. You could
be working in a range of different settings
such as schools, pre-schools, day care,
nursery, crèches, playwork, home-based care,
children’s centres and support services.
Let us help you find
the right course for you!
Come and see us at one of our open days.
Your childcare career starts here!
Level 2
Certificate and Level 3: Diploma for the
Children and Young People’s Workforce
Hillingdon Adult and Community Learning is
introducing a wide range of courses to suit
your every need, whether it is gardening for
fun, or you are looking to gain a qualification
in horticulture, we will have something that
you will be interested in.
Have you always had a flair for floristry
and want to build a career out of doing
something you enjoy? Come and talk to us
at one of open days about one of our high
quality floristry courses.
We offer a wide range of courses from
recreational flower arranging right through
to the NPTC Level 5 Master Diploma in
Floristry. If you think a career in floristry
might be for you then please give us a call on
01895 464079 or attend one of our open days
to secure your place.
Level 4
Leadership and Management in Children and
Young People’s Settings (CYPOP3)
Why not become a registered Childminder?
We have a programme set up across
Hillingdon to help you do this called:
“Setting up a home-based childcare service”
CYPOP5
Are you are interested in working in
Health and Social Care?
If so, we have a brand new course:
Introduction to working with Children and
Young People!
Open day: Saturday, 7 January, 10am to 2pm
Brookfield ALC
Visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk or call 01895 254766 for more details.
We will remember them
At 11am on 11
November, the
borough fell silent
to remember the
nation’s war dead.
T
he Mayor of Hillingdon, Cllr
Mary O’Connor MBE, joined
the Representative Deputy
Lieutenant, Civic and Military
Leaders and representatives of
the local branches of the Royal
British Legion for a short act of
remembrance. They were joined
by council staff and residents
for the service. Maroons went
off at 11 sites across Hillingdon
to mark the start of the two
minute silence and they were
fired again to signal the end.
On 13 November, services
and ceremonies were held to
mark the day with wreaths being
laid in churches and on war
memorials across the borough.
At All Saints Church in North
Hillingdon, as part of the Choral
Evensong for Remembrance
Sunday, a new War Memorial
gifted by the council, was unveiled
in memory of Sgt. (Pilot) Colin
William Hebron Davie, Chaplain
4th Class, The Rev. Henry Thurlow
Wagg and Gunner Jack Sach
who all died in the service of this
country in the Second World
War. The service was conducted
by Father Desmond Banister, the
Parish Priest, and the Solemn
Dedication of the War Memorial
officiated by Bishop Michael
Marshall, Honorary Assistant
Bishop in the Diocese of London.
Cllr Ray Puddifoot,
Leader of the Council, said:
“We are very proud of our
heritage in Hillingdon and
it was an honour for me to
attend the dedication service
for this new war memorial.
“These young men did so
much for us and our freedom
and we should never forget their
dedication to their country and
the ultimate sacrifice they paid.”
Colin Davie
died on Operational
Service in
November 1942 at
the age of 21 while
he and his crew
were flying their
twin-engine Anson
in Northern Ireland.
His brother Peter,
who contacted
the council to ask if his brother’s
name could be added to a local war
memorial, attended the dedication
service with their sister Dorothy as
well as other members of the family.
Peter Davie, said: “It was great
that my brother was honoured, I
know my parents would have been
very proud. I would like to thank
the church and the council for
organising the plaque, great service
and honouring my brother and the
other two men of north Hillingdon.”
The Rev. Henry
Thurlow Wagg
was the Assistant
Curate at All
Saints Church
between 1934
and 1936. He
was called up in
the autumn of
1943 and went
to train to be
a forces Chaplain. Father Wagg
was killed in Normandy during
Operation Goodwood in July
1944, leaving a wife, Kathleen,
and son, Michael aged two.
Michael now lives in South
Africa and was sorry that he
was not able to travel to the
UK to see the War Memorial
in person however; the
family was represented by
Michael’s daughter, Harriet
and her husband Dorian.
Jack Sach
was a member
of the choir at All
Saints Church
and attended
Sunday School
there. He served
as a Gunner
in the 8 Field
Regiment of the
Royal Artillery and
was killed in action in Egypt
on the 17 June 1941 aged 20.
Jack’s nieces, Gill Mayer
and Janice Aedy who still live
locally, attended the service
on behalf of the family.
contacts
There is a full list of war
memorials in the borough
available through the council’s
website at www.hillingdon.
gov.uk/warmemorials
23
hillingdon democracy
Managing our
money to save
you money
Make sure your
voice gets heard
With elections for the
London Mayor and London
Assembly on 3 May later this
year, you need to be on the
electoral register to make
sure you have your say.
T
Am I eligible
to vote?
You can vote if you are aged 18
or over on 3 May and your name
is on the electoral register. You
must be a British, Commonwealth
or European Union citizen.
Three ways to vote
T
he deadline for making sure
you are on the electoral register
is 18 April, so if you don’t
think you’re on it, have recently
moved into Hillingdon or have just
turned 18, please let us know.
You can also register for
a postal vote. The deadline
for this is also 18 April.
What does
London’s Mayor do?
The Mayor sets out plans for
London’s transport, policing, fire
and emergency planning services,
as well as policies on urban
regeneration, the environment,
arts and culture. The Mayor
has no power over local services
such as council housing, schools,
hospitals. While council tax is set
by the council and not the Mayor
it includes a contribution to the
running of the Greater London
Authority determined by something
called ‘the Mayor’s precept’.
24
The London
Assembly
There are 25 members of the
London Assembly, 14 constituency
members and 11 London-wide
members. Voters may cast two
votes, one for a Constituency
Assembly Member who will
represent Hillingdon and Ealing
boroughs and one for either
an independent candidate or
political party you would like to
see represented in the Assembly
on a London-wide basis.
What does
the London
Assembly do?
It independently monitors
the Mayor’s performance and
compiles reports of its findings.
Almost all Assembly meetings
are held in public and are held at
City Hall. For more information
visit www.london.gov.uk
1.In person at a polling station
between 7am and 10pm on
3 May. You will receive a
poll card before the election
telling you where to vote;
2.By proxy if you want someone
to vote on your behalf because
you are unable to vote in person
or by post. The deadline for
applications is 5pm on 25 April.
3.By post if you want your ballot
papers to be sent to your home
or another address, you must
apply to us by 18 April. The
ballot will be sent out from
19 April onwards and must
be returned to us by 10pm
on the day of the election.
Voting for
the Mayor
Voters may cast two votes for
the Mayor; a first and then
a second preference vote.
contacts
If you need a form to register
to vote, please contact
us on 01895 558250.
he council, like all residents,
is careful with its spending,
making sure that we get the
best deals out of all our suppliers
and contractors. This is done by
the council’s Procurement Team.
The team works with each
of the council’s departments
whenever we buy goods or services,
whether it is large amounts of
money involved in building
a new sports centre, or small
amounts like buying stationery.
Hillingdon People spoke to the
team and found out a bit more
about how they are helping to
save the council money and,
in turn, local residents.
Libraries
By combining purchasing power
with other councils across London,
we have been able to increase the
discount we receive on book stock
for libraries, generating savings
of £89,000. By reinvesting the
savings into the library service
we can continue investing in the
modernisation programme. If
the savings were put back into
books it would be equivalent
to 11,500 books a year.
Housing for
young people
The local YMCA, based out of St
Andrews, Uxbridge, was successful
in bidding for the contract to provide
housing support for accommodation
based and floating support for young
people and young people leaving
care. As the YMCA were successful
in bidding for multiple contracts
it will save money in contract
management and provide a better
overall level of service. There was a
saving of almost £300,000 – nearly
20 per cent of the contract value.
Matthew Kelly, Acting Head
of Procurement, said: “Like
all our residents, we are being
extra careful with our money in
the current economic climate,
and the Procurement team is
hillingdon finance
doing a fantastic job of getting
the best value for money out of
our contracts and suppliers.
“If you are a local business,
I would encourage you to get
involved and tender for council
contracts as we want to keep
businesses in Hillingdon doing well
and will do what we can to help.
“Alongside the initial costsavings, good procurement can
lead to other savings that can
then be re-invested to provide a
better service to our residents.”
If you are a local business and are
interested in what we do and working
with us, please visit www.hillingdon.
gov.uk and search for ‘tenders’.
The council uses the e-tendering
platform Procure4London
when issuing tenders. Please
register your details free at
www.procure4london.com
Local links
The council worked in partnership
with one of our major contractors
at a recent ‘meet the buyer’ event.
The council’s Procurement team
works to encourage contractors
to use local suppliers wherever
possible, and met with more
than 70 businesses over the two
day event. Following the event,
there are real opportunities to
work with more Hillingdon
based businesses in the future.
25
hillingdon finance
Working to help you
reduce your bills
T
erence Carty is a Green
Doctor™ from Groundwork
working on the RE:NEW
scheme. He visits up to four
properties a day, spending time
with residents to understand how
they can reduce their bills.
Terence checks over the home and
fits the devices that will make the
most difference to the household,
making sure they understand
how each one works and what
the devices can do to cut costs.
He checks to see if they need
insulation, help with heating systems
or a check to make sure they are
receiving the right levels of benefit
and refers the resident for further help
where possible. Terence has already
helped lots of residents of all ages,
making sure residents take advantage
of all the possibilities available to them.
Tap aerators
Mixes air in with
water, which reduces
the amount of water
and energy used.
Terence said: “It’s a pleasure
to be working on the RE:NEW
programme and seeing the immediate
effects of our service in people’s
homes. There is so much we can do
to help people reduce their energy
spend and help them with other
social issues. This is the Groundwork
philosophy, to improve people’s
lives through the environment,
and the RE:NEW programme is
the perfect vehicle to do that.”
Steven Bastien, of Hayes, said:
“It’s a fantastic scheme. The person
who came to my home was very
polite, he talked my wife through
everything he was doing – he did a
calculation to see how much we could
save. We are really seeing a difference.
The unit that shows us how much
we’re using is great – we see it as a
challenge to reduce what we’re using.”
Reflective
radiator panels
Fitted behind your
radiators to reflect the
heat back into your
home and not into
your outside walls.
Terrence Carty, Green Doctor
Terence and his team of Green
Doctors™ are on call 9am to
5pm Monday to Friday but can
accommodate weekend or evening
visits if required. If you would
like to book an appointment
please call: 0300 365 3005.
Energy monitor
To show you how
much electricity you
are using in real time.
Is your home
too
or too small
big?
Is your home is too big now your family has
moved out, or too small for your expanding
family? The council is here to help you
move to a property that is right for you.
D
ownsizing can help you
save money by reducing
bills and enable you to
manage your property easier.
You will also be helping an
overcrowded family to move into
more suitable accommodation.
Information on exchanges
between over crowded and under
occupied households will soon be
included on the council website,
and you can register on www.
homeswapper.co.uk for local and
national mutual exchanges to
further increase the number
of swaps available to you.
Case studies
Mrs Smith was living in a two bedroom
house in Hillingdon on her own after
her daughter had moved out and into
her own property. Mrs X was struggling
to manage the bills and the upkeep
of the property. We were able to assist
this resident to downsize to a one
bedroom ground floor property with a
garden. This was essential as she had
a dog and would not move without him.
A single gentleman and his son
were able to get full benefit of
the property and now no longer
have to share a bedroom. This
has made a real difference to
their lifestyle and the son can
now have friends round to play.
Mr and Mrs Jones were looking
for a two bedroom bungalow as it
was becoming increasingly difficult
to get up and down stairs and the
upkeep of their three bedroom
house was becoming too much.
However, there is a shortage of two
bedroom bungalows within the
borough and we asked if they had
considered moving to a different
borough and explained about mutual
exchanges and how they worked
and they decided to put their details
onto the Homeswapper website.
Within a few months they moved to
Buckinghamshire and had a property
that they had always dreamed of.
Are you an
overcrowded council
or housing association
tenant?
Many of our tenants who are
overcrowded and registered on Locata
and Homeswapper and have been
unable to move are now considering
moving to the private rented sector. If
you are in band C and are looking for a
three or four bedroom house the wait
can be more than 10 years. A move
could happen within months rather than
years if you moved to the private rented
sector. We have a number of schemes
that are available to tenants to enable
them to move to a property that meets
their needs, in an area of their choice. If
you are interested, please get in touch.
26
hillingdon housing
contacts
Visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk
and search ‘room to move’.
27
hillingdon winter
Are you prepared
for winter?
A
Council increases
support for voluntary
organisations
contacts
Don’t forget that if the cold
weather has caused potholes,
you can report these online by
visiting www.hillingdon.gov.uk/
roads and following the link.
You can find out more
about the seven main
gritting routes by visiting
roads, along with reporting
potholes and checking out
where there are roadworks
in the borough. More on
how to prepare yourself for
winter is available at www.
hillingdon.gov.uk/winter
Switchover
advice van
back
T
he council has announced
it will be providing an
additional £400,000
to support voluntary groups
across the borough.
The money will be provided in
the 2012/13 financial year and
means the council will be increasing
the budget available for supporting
the borough’s voluntary sector
to more than £1.8m a year.
Additional support will be made
to several voluntary groups in
Hillingdon including Age UK
Hillingdon and Homestart. In
deciding which groups will receive
extra funding, the council has
prioritised those organisations which
deliver services directly to residents.
Additional support has also been set
aside to support victims of domestic
violence and dementia sufferers.
In addition to the extra funding
that will go directly to organisations
delivering services to Hillingdon
28
residents, the council is also setting
up a new small grants fund of up
to £50,000. This is money that
will be made available to local
voluntary groups and charities
which may need small amounts
of money at short notice.
of the Council, said: “At a
time when councils are cutting
the amount of money they
provide to the voluntary sector,
in Hillingdon we see such work
as vital to support our residents.
This extra money will boost the
budgets of several of Hillingdon’s
voluntary organisations who
provide valued services to some of
our most vulnerable residents.”
The funding proposals will be
discussed by the council’s Cabinet
at their meeting in January and
by the full Council as part of the
council’s overall budget plan for
the 2012/13 financial year.
w w w. i s t o c k p h o t o.c o m
s Hillingdon People went to
print in mid-December, we
were still waiting for the
snow to fall, but the forecasters
keep predicting it is coming.
While it hasn’t happened yet, the
council has been working to reduce
the risks and to try to keep the
borough moving when it does.
Since the end of October,
we have been receiving regular
weather reports which allow
us to grit the borough’s roads
when the temperatures get low
to help keep everyone moving.
We still have plenty of salt to
get us through the rest of the
winter, and will continue to grit
as and when the weather forecast
suggests it will be necessary.
Digital television is coming to
Hillingdon in April. Are you 75
or over or have a disability?
If are and you don’t know
what you need to do to keep
watching television after the
switchover, the digital switchover
mobile unit is what you need.
The van will be outside the
Civic Centre on Tuesday 17 and
Wednesday 18 January. Staff will be
able to answer your questions and
offer advice and support on what
you need to do before the switchover.
You can find out more about
the switchover by visiting www.
digitaluk.co.uk or call Digital
UK on 08456 50 50 50.
29
hillingdon proud
hillingdon proud
Ward budgets
of Hillingdon
Hillingdon is one of the greenest boroughs in London, with
some unique parks and open spaces for everyone to enjoy.
Working with our residents, we want to ensure you can enjoy
your local area to its full potential. This is all part of our drive
to encourage you to feel PROUD of the area where you live.
Chrysalis
This programme funds
environmental and community
safety improvements, with all
the projects being suggested by
residents. In the ten years since
the programme was started, more
than 800 projects have been
funded, ranging from community
centre improvements to to new
playgrounds, helping residents
across the borough to enjoy their
local area to its full potential.
Ahmet and Rachel Moustafa,
who live in Yeading, have benefited
from Chrysalis funding at Warren
Park, where improvements
have led to a reduction in antisocial behaviour there.
Ahmet, who is a member
of Warren Park Residents
Association, said: “If you live in
an area where people are friendly
and helpful you want to participate
and develop the area in which
you live in. We’re very fortunate
to work with good councillors
and the council which are both
very responsive in helping us.”
Every year there is £1m
available to be spent on Chrysalis
projects across the borough.
30
Alleygating
The scheme assists local residents
by contributing up to 90 per cent
of the funding to secure privately
owned alleyways against intrusion.
By installing lockable gates the
quality of life for residents and
businesses can be dramatically
improved. The gates can reduce
the likelihood of burglars gaining
access to the back of homes; protect
the alley from fly-tipping and other
anti-social behaviour. This year
approximately 18 schemes have
been installed across the borough.
Cllr Douglas Mills, Cabinet
Member for Improvement,
Partnerships and Community
This year, each of the borough’s
22 wards has £15,000 to spend on
projects to benefit their residents.
The money will be spent on projects
suggested by you and can be on
things as varied as new football
kit for a youth team to a dinner
for an older people’s group.
When the scheme ran in
2009/10, the money was used to
refurbish community centres,
buy a village Christmas tree,
plant trees, print local group
newsletters and day trips.
If you have any suggestions for
what the ward budget in your area
could be spent on, please contact
your ward councillor to apply.
So far, the suggestions for this
year have included: playground
equipment at Yeading Infant School
in Barnhill; a contribution to
extend a Kickz Project in Harefield
which provides support and
educational provision for young
people; a grant to fund a Jubilee
celebration in Northwood; a grant
to fund four portable lights and
four goals for the West Drayton
Explorers Football Club.
Safety, said: “We welcome
all suggestions from residents
about how we can help
improve their local area as
we want Hillingdon to be
somewhere you are proud
to live and work in. Please
get in touch and let us know
how we can help you.”
Your Place:
Your Priorities
The latest event took place in
November, with residents from
Ickenham, West Ruislip, South
Ruislip, Cavendish and Manor
wards, talking to their ward
councillors and council staff about
a range of issues. The topics
covered included: Road Safety
and Highways issues, Green
Spaces and anti-social behaviour.
contacts
all these projects by visiting
proud. You can also watch a
video of Ahmet and Rachel
talking about why they are
PROUD to live in Hillingdon.
If you want to make an
application for Chrysalis or
alleygating funding, please
contact the Localities
team on 01895 277040.
31
hillingdon community safety
A day in the life of the
Anti-Social Behaviour
Investigations team
I
f you’ve ever suffered abuse from
a neighbour, complained about a
noisy party or found you cannot
move safely along a pavement,
you may have been a victim of
anti-social behaviour (ASB). The
council’s ASB Investigations Team
(ASBIT) is responsible for dealing
with issues as wide-ranging as
racial harassment to street trading,
and also provides an out-of-hours
night and weekend service from
Thursday to Sunday nights and is
available for residents to call if they
are experiencing a noise nuisance.
Hillingdon People found out
more about the service and
what they do in a typical day.
One of the first jobs in the
morning is to conduct visits to sites
where ASB has been reported to
the council, for example, visiting
32
a house with an overgrown
garden that could be encouraging
rodents and inspecting building
materials which have been left
on a road without permission.
While they are out on visits, if
the council staff spot anything
else they will deal with it –
including street traders operating
without a licence or someone
handing out leaflets without
permission. In such cases, they
issue a fixed penalty notice. They
also attach a notice to a vehicle
which had not moved for a month
and could have been abandoned.
The notices requires the owner to
contact the council or
the vehicle may
be removed.
Later in
the day, staff
met a council
tenant who is
not complying
with the terms
of their
tenancy and
is attracting
complaints.
Next on
the agenda
is meeting the
local police Safer
Neighbourhood Team
to discuss the closure of a
premises which is causing persistent
nuisance, due to noise, drug
and alcohol abuse, and constant
comings and goings at all
hours day and night.
Working into the
evening, some of the
team travel around the
borough answering
calls about noisy
or rowdy parties.
As well as ASB, the
team investigates
reports of breaches
of planning
control (“planning
enforcement”). Staff
check that buildings
haven’t been built without
planning permission or are
being used in a way which
is not authorised, for example
a garden building being used
as a residence or a business
being run from a building
which should be residential.
The team also works with various
council departments and external
bodies, including the Police Safer
Neighbourhood Teams and officers
at Brunel University, to resolve some
of the problems reported to them.
ASBIT Manager, Ed Shaylor,
said: “The team the council
created in April can now deal
with a wide variety of community
issues, which means we save time
by only having to send one officer
to inspect, and have more powers
available because we can resolve a
problem in the most suitable way
using a wide range of legislation.
“The team also links into Police
operations. There has been a
recent rise in metal thefts across
the country due to the current
value of metal and the team has
worked with the police to clamp
down on unlicensed waste carriers.
The police work to check for
insurance and any stolen metal
and the council staff check the
carriers have the correct waste
carrier licences. This also reduces
the possibility of fly tipping by
unauthorised waste carriers.
Staff have removed unauthorised
signs attached to lamp posts
advertising scrap cars wanted.”
Cllr Douglas Mills, Cabinet
Member for Community
Safety, said: “We recognise that
reducing ASB is a priority for our
residents, and we are working
hard to ensure that Hillingdon
is a safe place to live and work.
Hillingdon has some of the lowest
levels of ASB in London and
levels have fallen significantly
over the last five years.”
hillingdon community safety
Since April, the
team has:
• Received more than
5,000 reports of ASB.
• Served 125 notices
requiring the recipient
to take action to
remedy a problem.
• Served 22 fixed
penalty notices for
mismanagement
of waste and street
trading offences.
• Served 51 Noise
Abatement Notices.
• Seized two sets of
hi-fi equipment and a
car with a faulty and
persistently noisy alarm.
• Served nine notices
seeking possession of
council flats or houses.
• Secured two evictions
through the courts.
• Worked with the Police
to close a council-owned
house because the
tenant was causing a
persistent nuisance.
• Through the litter
enforcement team,
served more than 1,200
fixed penalty notices
since September 2011
contacts
You can report ASB online and
track your reports by visiting
reportit. You can also report
it by calling 01895 556000.
ASB through the website
www.hillingdon.gov.uk/asb
33
hillingdon people
keeping
you informed
Thank you to all our residents who
completed the Hillingdon People
survey. This is what you told us.
Y
ou sent us your comments
on everything from the
stories we feature in the
magazine to the online version and
delivery. We will use your answers
to ensure the magazine includes
the information you want, in the
way you want to find out about it.
Hillingdon People remains your
favourite way to get information
about the council and the results
show that the most popular
stories in Hillingdon People are:
•council news, such as
new initiatives (82%);
•What’s on (80%);
•Contact numbers (72%);
•Environment (71%).
You told us that many of you are
not reading the online version
of the magazine, so we will be
looking at ways we can improve
this, using social media to promote
the site to our younger readers.
The magazine is uploaded to our
website as the printed version
starts distribution, so if you want
an early peek at the magazine,
or your paper copy is delayed
for any reason, you can always
access the information online.
Some of you also told us
that you are having problems
with regular distribution of the
magazine. This is something we
are working with our distribution
company on. If you don’t receive
regular copies of the magazine,
please get in touch so we can
work to get this resolved.
The magazine is one of
the most cost-effective ways
to get information to
our residents and,
as the survey results
show, 81 per cent of
you feel informed
about the council.
We will be working on
some improvements to the
design of the magazine
over the coming editions,
so keep your eyes open to
see what we change, and let
us know what you think.
While the survey is now
closed, you are still able to
let us have your suggestions
for improvements and
other ideas. Please
get in touch. You can
email hillingdonpeople@
hillingdon.gov.uk or
write to Hillingdon
People, Corporate
Communications, 3E/07
Civic Centre, High Street,
Uxbridge, UB8 1UW.
Winner!
Congratulations to Mrs
Pfeffer, of Eastcote, who was
selected as the winner of
the £25 Chimes vouchers.
35
Now the New Year is here, if you’re
stuck for something to do, there are
plenty of events happening across
Hillingdon, from pantomimes to keep
fit classes. And remember, more upto-date information is available at
www.hillingdon.gov.uk/whatson.
Cinderella – presented
by Argosy Players
Argosy Players are back with a cast of more than 30, a
live band and more magic, sparkle and jokes than you
can throw a pumpkin at. Cheer Buttons, boo the Ugly
Sisters and help Cinders leave the ball by midnight, a
new script, incredible special effects, tonnes of audience
participation will make this another spectacular
pantomime for boys and girls of all ages from three to 93!
When: Thursday 19 to Sunday 22
January, various times
Where: Winston Churchill Hall, Ruislip
Contact: For more information and to book
online, visit www.argosyplayers.org.uk, or you
can call the Argosy Box Office on 0845 838 9058
The Moscow State Circus
Inspired by the Legend of the Twelve Chairs, this new
show is an incredible journey with a mammoth cast
of Russia’s greatest and most talented circus artistes.
Babushkin Sekret includes the beautiful queen of Russian
circus, Yana Alievia on a revolving ariel chandelier,
the Whirlwind Rubsovs Troupe who acrobatically
catapult themselves at breakneck speed across the
stage, the gyrating and juggling Sherbakovs, and the
Doktrov, who will be flying and spiralling in the apex
of the auditorium with grace, beauty and elegance.
When: Thursday 1 to Saturday
3 March, various times
Where: Beck Theatre, Grange Road, Hayes
Cost: Various, between £17 and £25
Contact: Book online at www.becktheatre.org.
uk or call the Box Office on 020 8561 8371
The Importance of Being Earnest
– A Magic Hat Production
In 1890s England, Algernon and his friend Jack
are a spirited pair of London dandies who are
keen to win the hands of the women they love.
Their chosen brides, Cecily and Gwendolen, are
their perfect women - except that they have a
particular disliking to any name but Ernest. Mistaken
identities, concealing the truth, farcical comedy and
wit are all present in this Oscar Wilde classic.
When: Wednesday 21 to Saturday 24 March,
7.30pm and 2.30pm on Saturday
Where: Watersmeet, High Street,
Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 1EH.
Cost: Full Price: £13; Concession: £11
(Senior Citizens, Under 12s and students)
Contact: Box Office: 01923 711063 or www.watersmeet.
co.uk, or visit www.magichat-productions.com
36
Leisure
Fitness League classes
Tuesdays, 7.30pm
Fun exercise and
dance for women.
Contact: Call 01628
776838 or visit www.
thefitnessleague.com
Vyners School
Jan’s Dance and Fitness
Various day and times
Classes include bums and
tums (Tuesdays 6.30pm
to 7.30pm at St Paul’s
Church), tap dancing
(Tuesdays 8pm to 9.30pm
at St Martin’s Church)
and nifty fifty active senior
fitness (Wednesdays
1.45pm to 2.45pm at Ruislip
Methodist Church)
Contact: 07979 952277
or visit www.
jansdanceandfitness.com
Zumba Gold
Various dates and times
Latin-inspired, low-impact
dance fitness class for
senior active adults and
beginners to exercise,
lasting 45 minutes.
Classes in Northwood and
Ickenham. Zumba fitness
classes also available.
Cost: £4.
Contact: Please see
www.zumbawithtrisha.
co.uk or email trisha@
zumbawithtrisha.co.uk
for further details
Jog it off!
Saturdays, 10.30am
registration for 11am start
Hillingdon Mums! Come
and join our walk/jog
sessions for beginners
and experienced alike
on a Saturday morning,
through the Active for
Life Scheme, run by the
council and funded by
Hillingdon Community
Trust. Come out and explore
your local surroundings
while staying active.
Contact: Lauren on lauren.
emanuel@brunel.ac.uk
or call 07920 870802
Hayes Cricket Club
Duck Pond Markets
First Sunday of the
month (Farmers Market);
third Sunday of the
month (Artisan Food
and Craft Market)
Two different markets,
the farmers market offers
local produce and the
artisan food and craft
markets showcases the
best crafts around.
Contact: Visit www.
duckpondmarket.co.uk
or the Facebook page
www.facebook.com/
loveduckpondmarkets
to find out more.
Great Barn,
Manor Farm Site
Morning Mums
Come along and take part
in dance style aerobics after
the school run. A crèche
is available if you pre-book
spaces, costing £2.05.
Contact: Lauren on Lauren.
emanuel@brunel.ac.uk
or call 07920 870802. To
book a place at the crèche,
please call 020 8561 0956.
Cost: £1 per session
Botwell Green Sports
and Leisure Centre
Yoga
Every Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday and Thursday,
morning and evening
Ten different classes to
choose from to cater
for all abilities.
Contact: Jackie on 01895
675426 or visit www.
yogawithjackie.co.uk
Cavendish Pavilion
and The Fairway,
Ruislip Golf Club
Ballroom, Latin and
salsa dance lessons
for beginners.
Thursdays, 8pm
Contact: Pam for
more information
on 01895 634207
All Saints Hall
Friday 27 January, 3pm to 4pm
Drop in and chat to a
member of Ickenham Safer
Neighbourhood Team for
information and advice.
Contact: Ickenham SNT
on 020 8721 2543
Ickenham Library
Friday 27 January, 7.30pm
This performance is
experimental/investigational.
There are no guaranteed
or certain results and the
show is for the purposes of
amusement/entertainment.
With countless hours of spirit
contact, one-to-one readings,
numerous TV appearances
and twenty years of live
stage shows, Derek Acorah
is unquestionably one of the
most time-honoured and
respected Spirit Mediums
in the UK today. His friendly
and sincere delivery, downto-earth charm and obvious
dedication to his work have
endeared Derek to thousands
of people, including those
who regularly join him in the
audience at his live stage
shows. Derek’s readings
have brought comfort and
understanding to many.
Cost: £18.50, Premiere
Cardholders get 10 per cent off
Contact: Book online
at www.becktheatre.
org.uk or call the Box
Office on 020 8561 8371
Beck Theatre
Tuesday 7 February and
6 March, doors open at
7pm for a 7.30pm start
The February meeting will
feature Shirley Perkins
demonstrating ‘Pairs’,
while the March meeting
will be Mig Kimpton
‘Olympic Collection’.
Cost: Visitors £3
– tickets may be
purchased at the door
Contact: 01923 829621
Northwood College
Half-term holiday fun
Saturday 11 February to
Saturday 25 February,
various times and days
The Compass Theatre
is hosting a range of fun
activities for five to 11 year olds,
focussing on the classic tales
of Hans Christian Andersen.
There will be theatre
productions and workshops.
Costs: Varies
Contact: Visit www.
compasstheatre.org.
uk for more information
and for details on the
specific events
Compass Theatre
Singing 4 Fun
Drop in surgery with
Ickenham SNT
An Evening with
Derek Acorah
Ruislip-Northwood
Flower Arrangement
Society
Every Thursday
7.45pm to 9.45pm
Singing 4 Fun is a club set
up for adults who love to
sing. No auditions. Sing the
songs you want to sing, help
and advice from experienced
singers, take part in group
numbers, work on singing
techniques and performance
skills and perform in shows.
Your first session is free, so
please do take advantage
and come and say hello
and see what we do.
Next term: 5 January
– 22 March 2012.
Cost: Pay up front – £53
for the term. Pay as you
go – £6 per session.
Contact: www.singing4fun.com
email info@singing4fun.com
Long room, Compass Theatre
Theatre
Mark’s Back!
Sunday 5 February, 1pm
Starring Mark Jones, Beck
Theatre panto favourite,
in a brand new show and
never been seen before
routines. The performance
is suitable for children and
the young at heart. Come
along to find out all about
invisible babies, Mark’s first
computer and Little Red
Riding Hood’s real name.
Cost: £10, premiere card
holders get 10 per cent off
Contact: Book online at
www.becktheatre.org.
uk or call 020 8561 8371
Beck Theatre
Oliver!
Tuesday 13 to Saturday
17 March, 7.30pm with
2.30pm on Saturday
KLOS Musical Theatre
presents Oliver!, the Lionel
Bart musical based on
Charles Dickens’ Oliver
Twist. Many great songs
and colourful characters.
Cost: £13, concessions £11
Contact: Visit www.klos.
art.officelive.com or
call 020 8868 4096
Winston Churchill Hall
who raise funds to restore
both Ickenham Hall and the
Compass building and fittings.
Cost: £10, Compass
Club members £8
Contact: www.
ickenhamhall.org.uk and
www.frankgriffith.co.uk
Compass Theatre
Spring Concert
Classic Concerts
at St. Edmund’s
Saturday 11 February, 7.30pm
The programme, presented
by Hillingdon Philharmonic
Orchestra, will include
Debussy – Prélude à l’Aprèsmidi d’un Faune, Poulenc
– Organ Concerto in G minor
(Soloist: Richard Hobson),
Fauré – Pavane and RimskyKorsakov – Scheherazade.
Cost: £10 for adults, £8
concessions, £5 children,
under 11 are free of charge
Contact: Tickets
available from: Pro Music
International, 19 Swakeleys
Road, Ickenham, or call:
01895 674223, or visit www.
hillingdonphil.btck.co.uk.
St. Andrew’s Church
Jazz Night
Classic Concerts
at St. Edmund’s
Music
Sunday 29 January, 3.30 pm
Mozart Birthday Concert
Performed by The
Johannes Piano Quartet.
Leader - Catherine Riley
Cost: Tickets £6 to
include refreshments
Contact: Can be bought on
the door, or on 01923 821869
St. Edmund’s Church
Saturday 11 February, 7.30pm
Presented by Friends of
Ickenham Hall. The Brunel
Jazzbridge play a mixture of
classic Big Band repertoire
along with exciting Latin Jazz
arrangements from the pen
of Frank Griffith. Profits from
this concert will benefit The
Friends of Ickenham Hall,
Venues
All Saints Hall
Long Lane,
Hillingdon, UB10 9BT
Beck Theatre
Grange Way,
Hayes, UB3 2UE
Sunday 4 March, 3.30pm
Music for Flute, Piano and
Organ. Mark Hammond
- Organ, Piano and
Michael Wood - Flute
Cost: Tickets £6 to
include refreshments,
Contact: Can be bought on
the door, or on 01923 821869
Northwood College
Maxwell Road,
Northwood, HA6 2YE
Ruislip Methodist Church
Ickenham Road,
Ruislip, HA4 7BZ
St. Andrew’s Church
Hillingdon Road,
Uxbridge, UB10 0AE
and Leisure Centre
Cavendish Pavilion
St Martin’s Church
Compass Theatre
St Paul’s Church Hall
Hayes Cricket Club
The Fairway,
Ruislip Golf Club
East Avenue,
Hayes, UB3 2HW
Field End Road,
Eastcote, HA4 9PG
Glebe Avenue,
Ickenham, UB10 8PD
Wood End,
Hayes, UB3 2RJ
Ickenham Library
Community Close,
Ickenham, UB10 8RE
Manor Farm site
Pinn Way,
Ruislip, HA4 7SU
Pinner Road,
Northwood Hills, HA6 1QS
Eastcote Road,
Ruislip, HA4 8DG
Tiverton Road,
Ruislip Manor, HA4 0BP
Ickenham Road,
West Ruislip, HA4 7DQ
Vyners School
Warren Road,
Ickenham, UB10 8AB
Winston Churchill Hall
Pinn Way,
Ruislip, HA4 7QL
If you wish to publicise an event, please email details to
hillingdonpeople@hillingdon.gov.uk or send to Hillingdon
People, 3E/07 Civic Centre, High Street, Uxbridge, UB8 1UW.
Events are selected at the editor’s discretion.
37
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RRICHH
Relatives of Residents In
Care Homes in Hillingdon
Bert Needs Help
Bert is in his late 70’s and lives in a care home in
Hillingdon. Recently he has received a letter from his
mobile phone provider. Bert is having diﬃculty
understanding the new contract being oﬀered to him.
He is growing more concerned and worried that he
may lose his main means of contact with his friends.
Could you help him and others like him in varying
situations?
RRICHH is a voluntary support group working with
Age UK Hillingdon and Hillingdon Carers.
Do it online 24/7 at
www.hillingdon.gov.uk
Environment and
Street Scene
01895 556000
Mon – Fri, 8am to 6pm
Council Tax
01895 250000
Housing
01895 556666
School Admissions,
Childcare and
Early Years
01895 556644
Families’ Information
Service
0800 073 4800
Council Main
Switchboard and
out-of-hour service
01895 250111
Mon – Fri,
8am to 6pm
Planning, trees
and landscapes
01895 250230
Fraud Hotline
0800 389 8313
Hillingdon Social
Care Direct
01895 556633
HillingdonFirst
01895 556677
Electoral Services
and Registrars
01895 558250
Community
information
Hillingdon Fire Station
Uxbridge Road, Hillingdon,
Middlesex UB10 0PH
020 8555 1200 ext 38228
hillingdongroup@
london-fire.gov.uk
Samaritans
01895 253355
Social Security
(Benefits Agency)
020 8426 3000
Three Valley Water
0845 782 3333
For RRICHHly rewarding experiences try volunteering.
Contact Neil Jackson on:
020 8589 0071
email njackson@ageukhillingdon.org.uk
38
Golden numbers
Learning
Library information desk
01895 250600
Advice and guidance
(young people)
01895 257855
Enquiries about
school transport
01895 250008
Truancy hotline
01895 250858
Advice and
support
Age UK Hillingdon
020 8756 3040
Consumer advice
08454 040506
Citizens’ advice Bureau
0844 848 7903
Hayes One Stop Shop
01895 556004
hayesonestop@
hillingdon.gov.uk
Hillingdon Action
Group for Addiction
Management (HAGAM)
01895 207 788
www.hagam.com
Hillingdon Autistic
Care and Support
020 8606 6780
enquiries@hacs.org.uk
www.hacs.org.uk
9am to 5pm
Hillingdon Independent
Domestic Violence
Advocacy Service
020 8246 1745
Hillingdon
Women’s Centre
01895 259578
NHS Wellbeing Centre
Boots, High Street,
Uxbridge
020 3214 5699
P3 Jobshop –
Employment Services
020 8581 1056
P3 Navigator Hayes
Housing Advice and
Support Centre
020 8581 1054/5
navigatorhousing@
p3charity.org
P3 Navigator Yiewsley
Housing Advice and
Support Centre
01895 462074/5
Victim Support Hillingdon
01895 421200
Care services
Adoption and fostering
01895 277850
Drugs or sexual health
advice for young
people up to 21 years
01895 257285
Planning
Building control
enquiries, inspection
requests and
dangerous structures
01895 250804
/05/06/07/08
Dangerous structures
(out of hours)
01895 250111
Land charges enquiries
01895 250689
Local democracy
Councillors’ names,
addresses and
advice surgeries
01895 250600
Council meeting
dates and agendas
01895 250636
Conservative
group office
01895 250316/250728
Electoral registration
01895 250251
electoralservices@
hillingdon.gov.uk
Labour group office
01895 250780/250271
Mayor’s Office
01895 250763
Leisure
sportsdev@
hillingdon.gov.uk
and Leisure Centre
020 8561 0956
Hillingdon Sports
and Leisure
Complex, Uxbridge
0845 130 7324
Highgrove Pool, Ruislip
01895 630753
Queensmead Sports
Centre, South Ruislip
020 8845 6010
Active Lifestyles
Gym, Minet
020 8573 2956
Environment
and street scene
Current and proposed
roadworks in Hillingdon
roadworks
Environmental
Protection Unit
01895 277406
Food, Health and Safety
01895 250190
Noise Team and
animal welfare
01895 250155
Pest Control
01895 250184 / 277417
Ranger Patrol
Safety issues in parks
01895 239241
Trading Standards
01895 250164
Hospitals
Harefield Hospital
01895 823737
Hillingdon Hospital
01895 238282
Mount Vernon Hospital
01923 826111
Northwick Park
Hospital
020 8864 3232
Watford General
Hospital
01923 244366
NHS Direct advice line
0845 4647
Police
Metropolitan Police nonemergency number.
101
Textphone
18001 101
hillingdon.enquiries@
met.police.uk
Community Safety Unit
(to report race crime)
020 8246 1766
39

Hillingdon People Jan/Feb 2012 (pdf 9Mb)

Transcription

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