The Brent Magazine issue 107 October 2010

Natural wonderExhibition celebrates Welsh Harp

ISSUE NO.107 FREE FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE AND WORK IN BRENT OCTOBER 2010ISSUE NO.107 FREE FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE AND WORK IN BRENT OCTOBER 2010

Brent – Our Future

“Our absolute commitment to making the lives of local people better…”

A day for DiwaliCelebrate in Brent

Welcome to TheBrent MagazineWelcome to the October issue of The Brent Magazine.

Brent Diwali is the biggestcelebration of the religious festivaloutside of India and it will be hereagain at the end of the month. Theevent is an amazing visual andcultural display in the heart ofWembley, which is enjoyed by all ofBrent’s people.

For those of you who prefer to dosomething a little more indoors thereare two new exhibitions opening atthe Brent Museum. One is about theWelsh Harp and the other is a displayof the textile designs of west Africa.They are not to be missed.

Finally, this is my last issue of TheBrent Magazine. It’s been a pleasureto produce so many copies of themagazine and I hope you willcontinue to read and enjoy it.

James DiamondEditor, The Brent Magazine

ContentsFeatures

13 Natural wonder Museum showcases 175 years of the Welsh Harp

14 A day for DiwaliYour guide to celebrating at Brent Diwali 2010

19 Material world at the Brent MuseumNew exhibition inspired by textiles from west Africa opens

21 Brent – Our FutureLooking ahead to the next four years

Regulars

4 Update

9 Brent people

11 All in a day’s work

27 Secret history

29 Competitions

30 Time out

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One Stop Service 020 8937 1200

www.brent.gov.uk

The Brent Magazine isavailable in large print and on audio tape. Please ring 020 8937 1106Cover image: A student at the College of North West London’sTechnology faculty.Photographer ISABELLE PLASSCHAERT

Issue No. 107 October 2010

The Brent Magazine contactsDistribution queries and editorial 020 8937 [email protected] Advertising 020 8937 1097 [email protected] by the London Borough of Brent, Town Hall, Forty Lane, Wembley Middlesex.

The London Borough of Brent does not accept responsibility for any goods or services offered by advertisers. Publication of an advertisement does not imply recommendation by the council of goods or services advertised.

Printed on 100% recycled paper. Please use your local paper bankwhen disposing of this and other paper.

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4 THE BRENT MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2010

Shoppers can enjoy authenticFrench markets when theyreturn to Wembley andWillesden in October.

Traders will be crossing theChannel to display their waresin Wembley High Road on 14and 15 October and inWillesden High Road on 16and 17 October. The open-airstalls sell produce such ascheeses, bread, patisseries,olives, dried fruits, wine andjewellery and are accompanied

by French flags, music and dancing.

Osita Udenson, WembleyTown Centre Manager, said:“They are delightful marketsbringing vitality, vibrancy anda cosmopolitan flair to thetown centres.”

There will be a competitionto win two hampers ofmarket goodies worth £75each. In order to be in therunning for it answer thefollowing question:

What is the French word for a town? Write down youranswer and contact details ona piece of paper; take it toeither Wembley or Willesdenmarkets and submit to theolive stall. Correct entries willbe drawn from a hat on 15October in Wembley and 17October in Willesden by 4pm.However, there is only oneentry per person and theymust be submitted in person,call 020 8937 5064 for more.

A new bus running betweenQueensbury and Brent CrossShopping Centre will start on 23 October.

The 324 route will start atStanmore Tube Station and runto Queensbury, Kingsbury, andColindeep Lane to Brent Cross.It will run every 20 minutes inthe day and every 30 minutes in the evening, seven days aweek, visit www.tfl.gov.ukfor timetables.

Church opensglorious garden A community garden has beenofficially opened after a run-downcar park next to a church wastransformed into a green space.

The garden at St Mark’sChurch in Kensal Green waslaunched by Mayor of BrentHarbhajan Singh in a ribbon cutting ceremony. Call 020 8960 3929 for more.

School meetingPlans for the proposed redevelopment of IslamiaPrimary School will be presented at the Kilburnand Kensal Area ConsultativeForum on 5 October. Peopleinvolved in the project willanswer questions. The meeting will be at QueensPark Community School,Aylestone Avenue, NW6starting at 7pm.

French markets return toBrent Town Centres

New bus route

Kronik rock the blockStreet dancers Kronik wowed residents at an event to celebrate the community spirit of South Kilburn.

They performed at Bloc Party, which was held at Masefield House and Chippenham Gardens, alongside youngsters showcasing their talents in music and the spoken word. It was funded by South Kilburn Partnership and run by Concrete Canvas Arts.

The 324, picture courtesyof Terry Wong Min

Dancers from Kronik

Councillor Singhopens the garden

UPdate

5OCTOBER 2010 THE BRENT MAGAZINE

Brent is celebrating its successat London in Bloom afterwinning six awards and acapital-wide award.

Four of the borough’sparks won individual awardsincluding gold standards forFryent Country Park in thecountry park category,Mapesbury Dell in the smallpark category andRoundwood Park in the largepublic garden category.Gladstone Park also pickedup a silver gilt award in thepublic garden category. Inaddition Brent won a silvergilt and was named the overall winner in the largecity category. London inBloom promotes gardening,horticulture and environmental sustainabilityacross all of London’sboroughs and is a regionalcampaign of the nationalBritain in Bloom.

Brent’s entry, organised byBrent Council’s Parks Service,

was heralded for promotingto the wider community thebenefits of gardening as ahealthy pastime for people ofall ages and experience. TheNW2 Residents’ Associationand Preston Primary ParkSchool were cited as examplesof communities and schoolsimproving their local environment. Leopold Primarywon a gold award in theschools’ garden competition.Councillor James Powney,Lead Member for

Environment and Culture,said: “I am delighted andproud of the results achievedby Brent, and in particularthe Parks Service, in the competition. Yet again Brentdemonstrated outstandinglevels of excellence in horticulture, whilst ensuringbest practice in the sustain-able ecological managementof Brent’s wonderful parks,gardens and open spaces.”

Turn to page 11 for moreon Brent’s parks.

Charity fund-raising walkA fund-raising walk for thePaul Daisley Trust and Mayorof Brent’s Charity Appeal istaking place on 17 October.

The 13-mile walk leavesBrent Town Hall at 10am andtakes in Wembley, Hendon,Hampstead, Highgate andends at Islington Town Hall.The route includes HampsteadGarden Suburb, HampsteadHeath, Kenwood House (forlunch) and Clissold Park inStoke Newington, email [email protected] or call020 8968 4340.

TuberculosiswarningNHS Brent is reminding residents about tuberculosis(TB), which is present in Brent,but completely curable.

It is urging people to coveryour nose and mouth when youcough or sneeze and not to spitin the street because the diseaseis spread by inhaling tinydroplets of saliva from thecoughs or sneezes of an infectedperson. Most children receive aTB vaccination before they startschool, but some older residentsmay not have had one.

If you have a persistentcough, night sweats, tiredness or weight loss and are worriedabout TB, make an appointmentto see your GP, visitwww.brentpct.nhs.uk

Harlesden showsway forwardDance and drama were performedat a special event for a Harlesdencommunity to celebrate itsachievements.

The event, called the WayForward, was held at the ChurchEnd and Roundwood UnityCentre and organised byFortunegate Community Housing.There was street dance, a children’scircus and presentations.

Blooming success forBrent gardeners

Join the reading rangersQueens Parks Rangers are leading a reading project atKingsbury Library Plus this month.

Kick into Reading includes funreading games at the library followed by sports in Roe GreenPark.The sessions are led byQPR’s community coaches andare for children aged from eightto 12. Children who attend twosessions will receive two ticketsfor a QPR home game.The sessions will be on 2, 9 and 16October from 11am-12noon atKingsbury Library Plus, 522-524Kingsbury Road NW9, call 020 8937 3520 to attend.

A footballer

Volunteer forVictim Support

Residents, Parks Service officers andCouncillor James Powney at Mapesbury Dell.

Victim Support volunteers and staff

Victim Support Brent needsvolunteers to help it supportpeople affected by anti-socialbehaviour.

The charity offers a drop-inand appointment service forresidents at its Stonebridgeoffice to offer information,advice and practical help.Email [email protected] call 020 8965 1141.

Zaz Zaffer and Ron Shillingford,picture by Colin Patterson

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Smruti and her design

A weekend of free sports activities to help challenge thestigma of mental illness is beingheld from 15-16 October.

Time to Get Moving is beingorganised by mental health charity Brent Mind in partner-ship with Brent Council’s SportService. It takes place on 15October from 12noon-6pm atCharteris Sports Centre andWillesden Sports Centre, and on16 October from 10am-4pm at

the Bridge Park CommunityLeisure Centre and at Vale FarmLeisure Centre.

Free group classes include theLatin dance exercise Zumba,body attack workout, yoga,belly-dancing, as well as swim-ming and other sports.Theleisure centres will have stalls, a‘living’ library, and informationabout mental health. It is part ofthe nationwide Time to GetMoving Week, which aims to

tackle mental health discrimination. Brent MindChief Executive DanielCartwright said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for peopleto get to know one another,break down the stigma aroundmental health and benefit fromphysical exercise.”

Activities are free but must be booked in advance, visitwww.brentmind.org.uk or call020 7604 5177.

Rememberto registerThe council is remindingresidents who have not yetregistered to vote to do so.

Electoral registration formswere sent to households inAugust, but only 36 per centof people have replied.

The council is now sendingout reminders and will visithouseholds who still fail torespond.

Returning the form meansyou can vote and it is a legalrequirement to complete theform. The maximum fine fornot doing so is £1,000.

The new register is publishedon 1 December. Forms will beaccepted until 23 November.

Call 020 8937 1372 or [email protected]. Alternatively, visitwww.brent.gov.uk/democracy

Brent Summer University (BSU)ended in style with a showcase ofyoung people’s talents.

The event featured cheerleaders, dance groups, DJsand taekwondo by more than

160 youngsters. BSU, run byBrent Council’s Youth andConnexions Service, wasattended by more than 600people who learned new skillsover the summer months.

Get moving for freesports weekend

Road closureEast Lane in Wembley is shuttingto traffic during a weekend inOctober for works at NorthWembley Station.The closurestarts at 8pm on 16 October until6am on 19 October. Closuresigns will beplaced atjunctionson WatfordRoad andEast Lane.

A £7.1 million scheme torefurbish and expand SudburyPrimary School, in WatfordRoad, is now underway.

Work has started to create anew classroom block, library,music room, group learningareas, a hall and, by February2011, a children’s centre.

A two-storey extension willaccommodate a new hall,changing rooms, learning

spaces for ICT, science, arttherapy, meeting rooms andoffices, while a striking circular building will houseeight classrooms with an openlearning area in the centre.

The work will increase pupil numbers at the schoolby an extra class in each year.Visit www.brent.gov.uk/schoolimprovementschemesfor more information.

Time to get moving

Sudbury Primary gets facelift

Great Brent talent

THE BRENT MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2010

Leroy’s teamfor Harlesden

Harlesden Town Team haselected a team of people

to lead redevelopmentplans for the area.Leroy Simpson is now

chair of the team with LizCarter vice-chair, RupertMikely is serving as secretaryand Angela Clarke is vice-secretary. The TownTeam are volunteers whohave been working with anurban design firm to writethe Harlesden Town CentreCharter, which sets out howHarlesden town centre canbe redeveloped andimproved by Brent Council.

Leroy Simpson

Taekwondodemonstration

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Brent Council is celebratingBlack History Month this monthwith 60 events including talks,films and appearances bycelebrities.

The programme runs from 2-30 October with events in Brentlibraries, Brent Museum andother venues in the borough.Events include storytelling,music, history talks, poetry, exhi-bitions and children’s activities.Highlights this year includeformer England footballerLuther Blissett in conversation,readings by authors PreciousWilliams and Monique Roffey,

and appearances by ‘The RealMcCoy’ star Felix Dexter andMalcolm Frederick of 1980scomedy ‘No Problem’.Therewill also be talks about reggaelegend Bob Marley and WalterTull – a black Army officer and footballer.The exhibition at Brent Museum‘Fabric of a Nation’ opens inOctober and BANG FM will behosting live shows hosted bySherry Dixon with guests such asactor RudolphWalker OBE(Patrick in EastEnders).Visitwww.brent.gov.uk/blackhistorymonth

New voice for BrentA newly formedchoir of Wembley residents has given its first ever live performance.

Brent Mixed Voices sangacapella renditions of ‘Letit Be’, ‘Every Breath YouTake’ and a traditionalAfrican song at a centre inWembley Park.

The group is rehearsingat Chalkhill CommunityCentre on Mondays from7pm-8.30pm, call 020 8976 1099.

Communityadvice dayAn information and adviceday for members of Brent’sblack and ethnic minoritycommunities is on 30 October.

The event at WillesdenGreen Library Centre, from11am-4pm, includes drop-in and advice sessions from11am-2pm from BrentCouncil’s CommunitySafety Team, education,legal and youth advisersand others.

There will also be information from theAfrican CaribbeanLeukaemia Trust.

TrusteeswantedNew trustees are neededto help run the ChalkhillCommunity Centre inWembley.

Trustee meetings areheld on the secondWednesday of a monthfrom 5.30-7.30pm andpeople with legal, financial,business knowledge andcomputer skills are especially needed, [email protected] orcall 020 8385 1836.

Celebrities shine at BlackHistory Month

Mayor takesthe green challengeMayor of Brent HarbhajanSingh has joined a project tohelp the environment byreducing his energy use.

He joined Brent GoingGreen Challenge in whichresidents check their energyuse as well as share energysaving tips through socialmedia such as Twitter. He now has a device at hishome in Kenton to help him monitor how much electricityhe is using.

Visit www.brent.gov.uk/brentgoinggreen or [email protected]


Mandir inspires Team EnglandTeam England was welcomed atShri Swaminarayan Mandir asthe athletes prepare for theCommonwealth Games in India.

The athletes, who arecompeting in the Games in NewDelhi this month, had a tour andlearned about the sporting activities promoted at the

traditional Hindu temple.Tomark its 15th anniversary theNeasden temple has also heldcommunity open days.

Gold medallist ChristineOhuruogu said: “I saw someamazing monuments in Chinabut the temple is the most beautiful building I have seen.”

Athletes at the temple

The mayor andenergy monitor

New dancecompanyA new dance company hasbeen set up by Brent Councilto bring together disabledand able-bodied dancers.Brent Rising will dance atcelebrations for theLondon 2012 Olympic andParalympic Games. [email protected] call Jennifer Irons on020 7704 6845.


BE SAFE NOT SORRY! NO DOGS. NO PERSONAL FIREWORKS

SATURDAY 6 NOVEMBER*, ROUNDWOOD PARK,HARLESDEN ROAD, NW10. GATES OPEN AT 6.45PMDISPLAY 8PM SHARP. CLOSE 9PM*SUNDAY 7 NOVEMBER if original event cancelled

ENJOY: CHANNEL ONE SOUND SYSTEM, HOT DOGSAND ICE-CREAM ON SALE AND CHILDREN’S RIDES

LEAVE THE CAR AT HOME – THERE IS NO CAR PARKNEAREST TUBE STATIONS: NEASDEN, DOLLIS HILL,WILLESDEN GREEN & WILLESDEN JUNCTIONBUSES: 52 98 206 226 297

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT BRENT COUNCIL’SPARKS SERVICE ON 020 8937 5619 OR VISITOUR WEB SITE ON WWW.BRENT.GOV.UK/PARKS

FREEFIREWORKS DISPLAY

BRENT COUNCIL PRESENTS A SPECTACULAR

BE SAFE NOT SORRY! NO DOGS. NO PERSONAL FIREWORKS

What were you like at school?I grew up on Furness Road in Harlesden from about eight onwards. I enjoyed school for what it was there for - learning. My parents were always very keen that we did our best at school. But the most enjoyable part for me was definitely the sport; all the running, jumping and other physical stuff, like football. From where we lived you could hear the crowd from Wembley Stadium. When someone scored we would all run out into the street and celebrate.

How did you get involved with Watford Football Club?I was still at school when I first got involved with Watford. I was in the fifth form at Willesden High School when a former Watford player, Paul Kitson, came back to the school one afternoon. He was chatting in the common room and told us about the open coaching session they were holding at RAF Stanmore. Seven or eight of us went down there, and that’s when it really started for me with Watford.

Did you always want to be a professional footballer?It was a dream. Having seen the likes of George Best play turned me into a Manchester United supporter. I thought ‘I would like to do that as a job’. My mum was very supportive and always made sure I had football boots.

What would you have done if you hadn’t become a footballer?I’m pretty certain I would have been a mechanic. I’ve always liked cars and across from Willesden High was a garage where I was lined-up to be an apprentice.

What was it like to score a hat-trick at Wembley on your first England start?Playing for England was something very special and it was special because it was at Wembley. I have great memories of the place. As a child I used to go andwatch the hurling there with Irish friends; that’s one of my first memories of thestadium. That night when I ended up scoring a hat-trick against Luxembourgwas very special. It was never anything that I thought would happen. I never sawit coming for me. There were a few milestones crossed that night, as I becamethe first black player to score for England. But I wasn’t aware of any of that; all Iwanted to do was play football. It was just a blessing for me.

Blissett on BrentFootball legend Luther Blissett made hisname at Watford FC before becoming thefirst black footballer to score for England.He is appearing at Black History Month in Brent. RACHEL GARDNER speaks to him.

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BRENTpeople

Luther Blissett will be in conversation with Alex Pascall on 27 October from 7-9pm at Willesden Green Library Centreas part of Black History Month, visitwww.brent.gov.uk/blackhistorymonth

OCTOBER 2010 THE BRENT MAGAZINE

photograph courtesy of Alan Cozzi

Applying for a Primary orSecondary School placePrimary/Junior School • Closing date 15 January 2011 – apply online now

Secondary school• Closing date 31 October 2010 – apply online now

Visit www.brent.gov.uk/admissions

• It’s quick and easy

• See the result of your application earlier

• Instant acknowledgement of receipt, for your peace of mind

• Ability to check and change details up to the closing date

• Secure and confidential

• Access the internet at your local library

Parents requiring a paper form should contact Brent School Admissions Service on 020 8937 3110. If your child needs to startreception class, transfer to a junior school or transfer from Year 6 to a secondary school for September 2011, now is the timeto apply. If you live in Brent, you need to apply to Brent Council regardless of whether the school is located in Brent or else-where. You can apply online or on a paper form. Some schools also require a supplementary information form (SIF). You canget a SIF directly from the school or download one from the school’s entry at www.brent.gov.uk/schools. Please check witheach school whether a SIF is required. All SIFs must be returned directly to the school before the application deadline.

There will be two parent information sessions, where members of the Brent Council admissions team will help you complete forms and answer any questions you may have:

Primary/Junior School admissions• Willesden Green Library Centre

6 January 2011, 5pm-7pm

• Brent Town Hall 7 January 2011, 5pm-7pm

Secondary School admissions • Willesden Green Library Centre

21 October 2010, 5pm-7pm

• Brent Town Hall22 October 2010, 5pm-7pm

Brent has 100 parks and open spaces. They vary in size from small urban pocket ‘handkerchief’ parks to the grand splendourof Fryent Country park of 250 acres.

Andy, who is an Area Manager, is one ofthe team at Parks Services who helps tomanage and maintain Brent’s green spaces.He has more than 26 years’ experiencehaving joined Brent Council as a traineegardener in 1984. The first place he workedin was Church Lane Recreation Ground inKingsbury, during which time he studiedamenity horticulture at Norwood Hall inSouthall to City and Guilds standard, andhas since worked his way up the council.

“It is a wonderful job,” he says. “Eachpark has a different character. My area isthe east of Brent and it has Victorian parks,recreation grounds and small open spaces.They all provide contact with nature and aplace for sport and recreation outdoors.”

As a manager Andy is proactive in his

contact with local residents, friends’ groupsfor parks and others, but is still involved inday-to-day works maintaining the parks. “Ioversee the design and installation ofBrent’s prize-winning spring and summerbedding displays. There are particularlygood ones in Gladstone Park’s walledgarden, next to the Stables Gallery. Theform, colour and design have to bethought about. I try to make one areamirror another.”

He worked with residents on a projectwhich transformed a run-down children’splayground in 2000 into today’s MapesburyDell near Cricklewood Broadway. “It is oneof the places I’m most proud of. The dell isan outstanding green space which hasrightly won national recognition. Residentswere involved from the start to say whatthey wanted and how it should look. We’veworked with them ever since.” TheMapesbury Dell Trust now has about 350

members and they help to maintain it.Andrew and Parks Service is celebrating a

successful year for Brent. The borough nowhas seven parks with a Green Flag. Theawards are a national scheme and aregiven to open spaces which can show thehighest environmental and horticulturalstandards. Secondly, Brent also did verywell at this year’s London in Bloom awards.The borough won six awards, including theoverall winner in the large city category.

“The judging is done by experienced professionals so the standards are high. Wehave made a lot of progress and a lot ofour success was down to the support of theresidents’ groups, tenants’ associations, voluntary groups, business and others.”

Blooming marvellousAward-winning parks and open spaces are blooming thanks to Andy Atkins and Brent Council’s Parks Service.


ALL IN Aday’s work

For more information about parksvisit www.brent.gov.uk/parks


Advertise on Brent buses

There are over 90 vehiclesavailable in Brent for advertising.This is a great opportunity to promote your products or services and receive unparalleled local coverage and frequency.

Rates start at only £70 per bus for a six week campaign.Call 020 8937 1097 or email [email protected]

DON’T BLOCK THE BOX

From 1 January2011. Stick tothe rules or getfined £120.

Brent Safer Roadswww.brent.gov.uk


This year the Welsh Harp is 175 years old. To mark its special anniversary a newexhibition has opened at Brent Museum.

The show ‘175 Years of the Welsh Harp’ includes bird specimens from theNatural History Museum, fascinatingobjects, photographs and facts about the open space.

The exhibition has been curated byHendon’s Church Farmhouse Museum and has taken pride of place in BrentMuseum’s Community Gallery since itopened in September. It runs until theend of March 2011 at the museum inWillesden Green Library Centre, NW10.The antique bird specimens, including a heron, kingfisher and reed warbler, are from the Natural History Museum.

There are also aerial photographs from the Canal Museum and objects from Brent Council’s very own Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre, which is based right in the heart of the open space.

Brent Reservoir was built from 1834 to 1835 to provide water for the GrandUnion Canal and Regent’s Canal and was known as the Kingsbury Reservoir.The area, which has around 340 acres of open water, marshes and grasslandaround it, was later renamed the WelshHarp after an old coaching inn whichonce stood near to it. In the 1960s it was designated a Site of Special ScientificInterest because of its importance for wildlife.

The free exhibition aims to show not onlythe history of the Welsh Harp as a reservoirbut also its importance as a sanctuary forwildlife, a venue for canoeing and sailingenthusiasts and a popular destination forwalkers and picnickers alike.

“It’s extremely exciting to have a loanfrom a national museum coming to BrentMuseum; we're very honoured,” explainsBrent Museum’s Exhibition Officer, BrionyBenge-Abbott. “I think visitors will love theWelsh Harp display, it paints a picture of theentire area and includes a few surprisingfacts that people may or may not know.”

For more about the exhibition, visit www.brent.gov.uk/archivescall 020 8937 3600 or [email protected]

Natural wonderBrent Museum is celebrating a specialanniversary of the Welsh Harp in a newexhibition which captures its history and natural environment.

Welsh harp has around 340

acres of open water, marshes

and grassland and has been

designated a Site of Special

Scientific Interest because of

its importance for wildlife.

Brent Council and the local communityare joining forces again for the amazingspectacle of Brent Diwali, the Festival ofLights, on 30 October.

Brent Diwali marks the start of the traditional New Year for the Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities, but the festival attracts people from all faiths and backgrounds. Diwali is one of themost important celebrations for thosefaith groups, celebrating the triumph oflight over darkness and good over evil.

Attracting in excess of 50,000 people,Brent’s Diwali celebrations is one of thelargest outside India. Diwali translates as‘row of light’ and this festival incorporatesthe theme of light to treat audiences toone of the most visually spectacularparades in the UK.

“We are honoured to work with a rangeof community groups who produce thefantastic floats and performers for theparade,” says Brent Council’s FestivalsManager Vashti Waite. “The Diwali paradeis a stage for Brent’s community to presenta breathtaking show, which tells the storyof Diwali in an artistic and cultural way.”

Celebrations start in the afternoon at theShri Sanatan Hindu Mandir in Ealing Road,Wembley, and it will host a competition oftraditional Indian dance during the day.Artworks of the stunning Indian art formRangoli will also be on display. This will be a fantastic opportunity for the publicto get a close up view of the temple,which has taken more than ten years to complete and is made of richly carvedstone from India.

The magnificent parade with beautifullylit floats, costumed dancers and musicianswill make its way through the streets.Revellers will able to sample the delightsof Ealing Road, home to some of the bestIndian cuisine in London and even takepleasure visiting the stunning sari shops.

The parade will culminate at the award-winning Barham Park with a funfair and awe-inspiring fireworks and lasershows lighting up the night sky.

Brent Council is working with Asda andour principal sponsor Lebara Mobile todeliver Brent Diwali 2010 on 30 October.

Visit www.brent.gov.uk/diwali for more on Brent Diwali 2010.

Lights onOne of the largest Diwalifestivals outside India willbe dazzling Brent thismonth and all are welcometo celebrate.

Below: Revellers at last year’s Diwali celebrations.


Rubbish orresource?

Have your say about the futureof waste and recycling in Brent.

Brent Council – working for a cleaner, greener Brent

GreenPagesWWW.BRENT.GOV.UK/RECYCLING OCTOBER 2010

for Brent

020 8937 5050 www.brent.gov.uk/waste

The council has invested heavily in recycling and composting in recent years.The recycling and composting rate has

risen from 6 per cent in 2003/04 toover 28 per cent in 2009/10.

In 2009/10 Brent residents generated nearly 106,000 tonnesof waste of which 75,000 tonnesended up in landfill, costing thetax payer nearly £9million. Thewaste that we send to landfill istaxed. This tax currently costs£48 per tonne and is set to

reach £80 per tonne by 2014/15.We cannot continue to meet this cost.We must make better use of our waste.This draft household waste collectionstrategy 2010-15 sets ambitious targets

for the council. The targets in this strat-egy can be met but only if everyoneunderstands that waste is a resourceand that waste management is ashared responsibility between thecouncil and residents.

The council is consulting on plans toimprove household waste manage-ment. You are invited to take part inthe consultation by completing thisquestionnaire. The questionnaire isalso available online atwww.brent.gov.uk/consultation. Fulldetails on the consultation and thestrategy documents are available at www.brent.gov.uk/waste. or [email protected] or by phone on the number below.

Historically, we have relied

on landfill as the main means

of disposing of our waste. In

future sending waste to landfill

should be the last resort.

What’s our waste

worth?

2 To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements on the new recycling service for blocks of flats?

The new recycling service will reduce the time and effort required to recycle as one bin will accept all the materialsthat I can recycle

The introduction of new materials for recycling will allow me to send less waste to landfill

The introduction of the new food waste collection scheme for suitableblocks of flats will improve my local area

Kerbside recycling schemeThe council is committed to providinga weekly collection service with different types of waste collected on different frequencies.

The council is proposing to introduce a new and improved kerbside recyclingscheme to deliver better coordinated services on the ground and higher recycling and composting rates.

• The existing green box will be replacedwith a new and bigger container.Additional materials will also be collectedfor recycling such as: cardboard, mixedplastic containers and Tetra Pak.

• The existing organic waste service will be maintained and remaininghouseholds currently not served by thisscheme will receive a new container toseparate food waste.

• Residents will continue to use theirgrey bin for any remaining waste that cannot be recycled.

Stronglyagree

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Neither

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1 To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the proposed waste collection service?

The new and bigger recycling bin andthe new food waste collection schemewill help me reduce the amount ofwaste that I send to landfill

In order to reduce the amount ofwaste that ends up in landfill, only the waste that fits in the grey binshould be taken

The council should explore opportunitiesto reward residents who recycle regularly and without contamination

Stronglyagree

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Flats• The council is proposing to extend

the existing flats recycling schemeby introducing a new and moreconvenient mixed recycling service.The new recycling service isdesigned to encourage residentsto recycle more materials moreoften. In addition new materialswill also be accepted for recycling,such as mixed plastics and Tetra Pak. Suitable blocks of flatswill also receive a new communalfood waste collection service.There will be no change to thecollection arrangements for wastethat cannot be recycled.


5 Are you…? � Male� Female

What is your age group? � Under 18� 18-24� 25-34� 35-44� 45-54� 55-64� 65-74� 75+

Which one of these groups do you feel you belong to?� Asian Indian� Asian Pakistani� Asian Bangladeshi� Asian Other� Black African� Black Caribbean� Black Other� Chinese� Mixed White and Asian� Mixed White and Black African� Mixed White and Black Caribbean� Mixed Other� White British� White Irish� White Other� Other Ethnic Group

3 Can you think of any good examples of reducing waste that the council should consider?

4 Your comments

604B

DU

09.

10


Waste minimisation• The council intends increasing

waste minimisation opportunitiesfor residents. Reducing theamount of waste that we send to landfill is the council’smain priority.

The Waste Collection Strategy • Please use this space for other

comments you may have on thewaste strategy.

About you • To ensure we are meeting the

needs of all our residents, weare asking questions about youbecause we want to ensure weare welcoming all members of our diversecommunity. You do not have toanswer these questions but wehope you will. It will help usimprove our services. All information will be keptstrictly confidential. This information helps us to providebetter services.

GreenPagesBrent Council’s quarterly residents’ recycling newsletterproduced by Brent Council in association with Veolia.For further information please visitwww.brent.gov.uk/recycling or call 020 8937 5050

A vibrant exhibition which has touredaround the country arrives in the boroughthis month.

Fabric of a Nation explores the use of printed cloths and their designs asexpressions of cultural, social and politicalidentity in modern Ghana. The exhibition is made up of textiles from the BritishMuseum where it first opened in 2007 to mark the 50th anniversary of the westAfrican country’s establishment and its independence.

The beautiful printed textiles are important to daily life in Ghana. Printedcloths are worn by people of all ages andthey are sometimes used to put across messages, for example around health campaigns, or carry a Ghanian proverb such as ‘Weni behu naaso w’ano enntuminnnka’ or ‘Your eyes can see, but your mouth cannot say’.

The exhibition explores the origins and techniques used in their production and importanceto the economy, which underpins trade, commerce and retail networks.

Typically, the cloths areprinted by using wax and dye to form the patterns,designs and shapes. Othercloths are printed with a different technique known as‘fancy prints’ in which theyare printed on one sideengraved by rollers orprintings screens.

To complement thenew exhibition, BrentMuseum ran communityworkshops which exploredthe lives of people from theAfrican community living in

Brent. They collected objects and stories andwere involved in creating a fabric artworkwith the artist Seiwa Cunningham using traditional and contemporary printing methods. This work will also be on displayand will be added to the museum’s collections as a way of celebrating the life ofpeople of African descent in today’s Brent.

Brent Museum will host the exhibitionfrom 21 October until 27 February 2011.There will be a family launch from 4.30-5.30pm on 20 October at Brent Museum in Willesden Green Library Centre with children’s craft and art activities and anofficial launch from 6-8pm that day. To attend the opening events call 020 8937 3600 [email protected] or visit www.brent .gov.uk/museumfor more on the exhibition.

19

To complement the

exhibition, Brent Museum ran

community workshops which

explored the lives of people

from the African community

living in Brent.


The brilliant textiledesigns of west Africa go on display in Octoberat a special exhibition atBrent Museum.


BrentOur Future2010 – 2014

It is with immense pride and excitement that Iintroduce the summary of our borough strategy,Brent – Our Future, 2010-2014. During the electioncampaign we promised that our administrationwould be ambitious, responsible, prudent and fair.This strategy encapsulates that approach.

Despite the extraordinary nature of the times andthe unprecedented cuts in public funding weremain true to our ambitions, to our fundamentalbelief in the value of public service, our absolutecommitment to making the lives of local peoplebetter and to concentrating our services to protectthe poorest and most vulnerable.

This strategy commits the council and its partnersto an unashamedly reforming agenda for theservices we provide, taking bold and decisive actionto improve and renew our service offer and effectmajor improvements to the physical environment.We will remain true to green beliefs using ourtenure in office to make real and lasting changewhich benefit future generations.

We know that over the next four years we aregoing to have to deliver council services in a muchsmarter fashion, taking cost out of how we dothings and make efficiencies to protect the taxpayer.

However, everything we set out to do is clearlyset in the context of improvement of what we donow and providing us with a secure platform forsuccess when the financial circumstances improve.

This strategy combines the practical with thedaring, and solid delivery with hope. We aim to bethe very best place in London to live and work.This strategy is aimed at getting us there.

Cllr Ann JohnLeader of the Council

Our absolute commitment

to making the lives of

local people better and

to concentrating our

services to protect the

poorest and most

vulnerable…

www.brent.gov.uk

14 THE BRENT MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2009

Driving economic opportunityand regeneration

Brent has great potential for economicregeneration and investment, and weare ideally placed to promote Brent asa business and investment destination.We will:� develop the new Civic Centre, providing

a unique public access building� improve Willesden Green Library Centre,

providing more community facilities� create three further multi-use contact

points across the borough� work with the private sector to create

opportunities for retail, environmentalbusiness, and housing improvements inSouth Kilburn and Harlesden

� work with residents to redesign localhousing and make better use of openspaces along the North Circular Road.

Protecting our environment

Our regeneration plans are within areasthat have good public transport accessand can accommodate growth, whileprotecting the quality of our environmentfor the future. We will:� increase recycling and composting

to 60 per cent by 2014� collect bulky waste free of charge and

encourage reuse and recycling of items� support drivers who choose cars with

lower emission levels� improve the wardens service

and develop new sports andphysical activities

� reduce our CO2 emissions by25 per cent by 2014.

Greater access toaffordable housing

We know housing in Brent is in shortsupply and costs well above the Londonaverage, making it hard for many toafford suitable homes. We will:� provide 4,500 new homes by 2014,

with half being affordable housing� ensure that 25 per cent of all new build

properties are suitable for families� reduce the numbers in temporary

accommodation� work with private landlords to improve

rented accommodation and bringunused property back into use.

Increasing sports, leisureand culture facilities

Many are unable to enjoy the health andwellbeing benefits of an active life styledue to the lack of local facilities. We will:� promote the aims of our Sports and

Physical Activity Strategy to increase thenumbers taking regular exercise

� review our library service, to createa network of modern libraries

� work to provide a third swimming poolin the north of Brent and to improvethe centre at Bridge Park

� use the Cultural Strategy to providebetter venues and attract more fundingfor cultural activities.


One Borough One Community

Our challenge is to supportthose children that find it mostdifficult to succeed educationally,either because they need extraassistance with learning orbecause the circumstancesof their lives are difficult.

Reducing unemploymentand low incomes

Brent is one of the country’s most deprived areas,with many individuals and families financiallyvulnerable or living in poverty. We will:� focus on those who have been out of work

longest, providing the right skills and experienceto gain employment, and provide specialistsupport to those with a disability

� aim to reduce the numbers claiming out of workbenefits while raising income levels.

Supporting children and families

Our young people are now among the capital’s topperformers and their achievements have improveddramatically in the past decade. We will:� support children who find it most difficult to

succeed educationally� work with looked after children, and those with

special educational needs or disabilities, to helpthem achieve their potential

� aim to build at least one new high schooland one new primary school, while expandingexisting capacity

� invest in early years services and increaseaccess to childcare.

15SEPTEMBER 2009 THE BRENT MAGAZINE

Engaging with residents

We recognise the importance of engaging,consulting and involving our residents inall aspects of what we do. We will:� continue to distribute The Brent Magazine

to households monthly� focus on councillors working in their

communities through Ward Working� put more services onto our website so

residents can get the response they needat a time convenient to them

� encourage residents to take part inoverview and scrutiny panels.

Improving efficiency and services

We have introduced our One Councilprogramme to reduce council operating costsand deliver savings while minimising the impacton front line services. We will:� redesign our customer contact arrangements

to resolve more enquiries and requests onfirst contact

� work with our public and voluntary sectorpartners to identify how we can make bestuse of public spending

� set a target for 90 per cent of residents tobe satisfied with their area as a place to liveand 85 per cent to be happy with how thecouncil works

� become a smaller but more effectiveorganisation, focused on respondingto residents’ needs.


One Council

By ensuring that their involvementcan make a difference to the placethey live we aim to encourageresidents to participate in thedemocratic life of Brent.

Enabling young people to thrive

Brent has a young population with 23 per centunder 19. They have been badly affected by theeconomic recession and we areworking to redress this. We will:� develop neighbourhood projects that tackle a

lack of activities for young people� review our youth service provision to ensure

that relevant and engaging activities takeplace across the whole borough

� work with young people to improve ourdedicated website, Bmyvoice.

Greater personal choice andindependence for adults

Many will require some kind of additionalcare during their lives. We will:� encourage more of our social care clients

to use direct payments� improve buildings and facilities for our

day care and residential homes� review our charging policy

to ensure it is fair� streamline our assessment process� work with the health sector to reduce

the number where transfers fromhospital are delayed.

Address health inequalities

Due to inequalities in health and wellbe-ing in our most deprived areas, people

who live in Northwick Park canexpect to live 11 years longer thansomeone in Harlesden. We will:� focus on improving the widerissues that impact on healthwhile supporting people toadopt a healthier life style� plan and design policies that

will make it easier to includeexercise in daily life

� aim to reduce smoking throughpractical help and advice

� encourage residents to take up free routinescreening and immunisation.

Reducing crime andthe fear of crime

Protecting the public from crime is one of ourhighest priorities. We have achieved an overalldecrease in crime by 20 per cent in recent years,but there are parts of the borough where crimeis a concern. We will:� engage with communities to reduce

gun crime� work with the police on preventative

programmes in schools� support domestic violence victims to

escape from violent situations� work with Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs)

to reduce residential burglary� lobby local newspapers to stop the

advertising of sex services and promotecharities that help women leaveprostitution.

24

As a council we strive to deliver excellent services for thelocal community which represent value for money. In March2010 we sent a leaflet with your council tax bill letting youknow what we plan to spend in the year ahead and how weplan to pay for it. Now we are able to look back at the lastfinancial year (1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010) and tell youhow much we spent, how it was paid for and how muchthe council is worth.

Last year the council spent money acrossthree broad areas:

� a wide range of services for residents of the borough� providing council housing� undertaking works to assets such as schools,

highways and other buildings.

What we spent on services to residents in 2009/10

We provide a range of services for residents from sweeping the streetsand collecting your rubbish, to making sure there are libraries, a parkyou can walk your dog in, and support for older people or those withdisabilities. Some of these services are provided on our own and othersthrough partnerships with other organisations such as the MetropolitanPolice, London Fire Brigade, the Health Service and the voluntary sector.

Last year we spent £470.392 million on services for residents.

Paying for the Greater London Authority

Your council tax also pays for services provided by the Greater LondonAuthority (GLA) such as police, fire and transport. In 2009/10 thecouncil collected £131.857 million in council tax, of which £29.519million paid for GLA services.

What we spent on council housing

Council housing is important for many Brent residents. Last year:

� we managed 9,238 homes� we spent £55.156m on providing council housing.

The money we spent on providing housing is paid for from rents andcharges (about 82 per cent or £45 million) and central governmentsubsidy, not from council tax.

These services were paid for with £470.392 million of income receivedfrom what you paid in council tax, money paid by businesses and fromcentral government grants.


Environmental£29.198m

Adult social care£87.040m

Money we set aside for the declinein the value of homes £7.623m

Dedicated School’s Grant£189.555m

National non domestic rates£131.697m

General government grant £30.397m(money from the government)

Children’s socialservices £41.129m

Other£40.395m

Central services£37.046m

Education services£165.426m

Supervision & management£14.721m

Interest on the money borrowedto build homes £20.220m

Housing £22.144m(not council housing)

Highways, roads &transport £16.930m

Cultural services£21.612m

Council taxincome£102.338m

Repairs and maintenance£9.247m

Rent & rates£3.345m

Area based grants£16.405m

Planning &Development£9.472m

Total 2009/10 Net Spending£470.392m

Total 2009/10 Net Funding: £470.392m

Total 2009/10 Spending on Council Housing £55.156m

Making the pennies count2009 – 2010

25

Spending on the borough’s assets

The council spent £134.573 million on assetsin 2009/10. We spent the money on thecouncil’s own assets such as schools, roads,council houses, parks and leisure centres.

Of the £134.573 million spent, about£13.697 million was paid for by borrowingand £47.568 million from government grants.The rest of the money came from sellingcouncil assets, specific reserves and fromother sources such as contributions bydevelopers. The main services to benefit fromcapital works were:

The council’s carbon footprint

The council measures and improves its carbonfootprint through its Carbon ManagementStrategy and Implementation Plan which wasreviewed and re-adopted by the Executive inOctober 2009. The council’s carbon dioxideemissions totalled 39,222 tonnes in 2008/09with the main emission sources being schools(47 per cent), council buildings (22 per cent)and street lighting (17 per cent).

The council is driving energy efficiencyupgrades in its buildings, the newcivic centre and in schools. There arealso a number of behaviour

change projects for staff including the GreenChampions Network and the 10:10 Campaign.

From April 2009 the government introduceda new national performance indicator for

carbon dioxide reductions from localauthority operations. The councilhas measured its baseline and willmonitor its performance against

this. The council is also taking partin the government’s mandatory Carbon

Reduction Commitment, which could seelocal authorities council financially rewardedor penalised, based on performance.

Useful contactsCustomer servicesswitchboard 020 8937 1200

Anti-Social Behaviour Team 020 8733 3932

Brent Register Office 020 8937 1010

Committee meetings 020 8937 1366

Councillor surgeries 020 8937 1200

Council tax 020 8937 1790

Business rates 020 8937 1525

Emergencies 020 8937 1234(24 hour service)

Environment

Pest control 020 8937 5252

Recycling and refuse collection 020 8937 5050

Abandoned vehicles 020 8937 5050

Noise service 020 8937 5252

out of hours 020 8937 1234

Housing

Eviction advice 020 8937 2772

Housing advice 020 8937 2787

Housing benefit 020 8937 1800

Libraries 020 8937 3144

Planning 020 8937 5210

Sports Service 020 8937 3707

Recycling and refuse collection 020 8937 5050

Housing & Adult Care£36.647m Environment & Culture £23.292m

Regeneration projectsand central items £15.885m

Children and Families£58.749m


What is the council worth?

The council’s assets were worth £1,633.5 million at 31 March 2010.

Total 2009/10 capital expenditureby service area £134.573m

Was this finance section useful?Was there any information that wedidn’t include that you would like tosee, or something that we said that youdidn’t think was important?

If so, Clive Heaphy, Director of Financeand Corporate Resources, would like toknow. You can contact him [email protected] or write tohim at Brent Town Hall, Forty Lane,Wembley, Middlesex HA9 9HD.

If you want to know more a copy ofthe council’s full accounts is available inyour local library, through the One StopService or at www.brent.gov.uk/accounts

Making thepennies count2009 – 2010

What the council owns or is owed (assets)

FIXED ASSETS

Council dwellings £717.9m

Other land and buildings £545.1m

Vehicles, plants, furnitureand equipment £24.9m

Infrastructure and intangible assets £142.9m

Non operational assets £30.5m

Amount owed to us byother people/organisations £76.4m

The amount we hold in investments £68.9m

Other assets we hold such as stock £26.9m

Total we own and are owed £1,633.5m

TO LET

GoldenProperties

TO LETBRENT PROPERTIES

TO LETORANGE PROPERTIES

TO LETCORNWALL

PROPERTIES

TO LETHINGIS &

PARTNERS

TO LETBRENT PROPERTIES

SHADOW PROPERTIESTO LET

TO LET

G&KPROPERTIES


Calling all landlords!!!We want your one, two or three bedroom properties to let.

Contact 020 8937 2777Visit www.brent.gov.uk/rwb

Benefits include:• we find a tenant for you• incentive payments• free membership of Brent Landlord Group• deposit / rent guarantee scheme available

DO YOU OWNAN EMPTY PROPERTY IN BRENT? Why not

CONVERT your empty property into ££££?

Call 020 8937 2535/2539/2777Visit www.brent.gov.uk/emptyproperties

Email [email protected]

Ask about GRANTSto bring your empty property back in to use and how you can receive generous rental income.


London faced a housing crisis in 1945. Thedestruction of World War Two had leftmany waiting for a home.

The government’s answer was prefabricated housing or ‘prefabs’. Theprefabs were factory made buildings. By1949, more than 156,000 had been builtacross the country. Locally, prefabs went upacross what is today Brent, and WillesdenDistrict Council and Wembley DistrictCouncil – the predecessors to Brent Council – placed people in them from their growing housing waiting lists.

Two of those people were Jean Thomasand Eileen Evans who were young marriedwomen with children. In 1946 they wereoffered prefabs in Kendal Road,Cricklewood, next to Gladstone Park. Eileenmoved into number 37 and Jean to 52.

“The prefabs were built by Italian POWsright after the war,” said Eileen. “I’d hadmy name down on the list for a while.You’d go to Willesden Town Hall in DyneRoad to see Mrs Evans in the HousingDepartment and she’d say how far up the waiting list you were. Prefabs werefantastic. They had a garden, coal fire andtwo bedrooms.”

“The kitchen had a cooker, boiler and afridge, which was a luxury for manypeople then,” Jean said. “They had onefloor but were very warm and cosy.”

Their prefabs were maintained by thecouncil. “The council rent collector was a MrPalmer,” said Eileen. “The weekly rent was14 shillings and he came on a Wednesday.”

In 1959 the prefabs were torn down toreturn the area to the park. Jean and Eileenmoved to the council’s Summit Court inCricklewood. “The views were lovely, butyou were high up”, said Jean. “My childrenliked the flats but for me and my husband it took a little time to get used to.”

Eileen and Jean still live in SummitCourt. The homes are run by BrentHousing Partnership, set up by BrentCouncil in 2003 to manage its housing.This year the flats were refurbished.

Brent Archives is recording the history of prefab homes in the borough, if youhave memories you want to share call 020 8937 3541.

People’s housing

From prefabs to modernflats, some residents havebeen living in council housing for almost 70 years.

27

SECREThistory

Prefabs in Pilgrim’s Way Estate, Wembley. Picture from BrentArchives. Below, Eileen and Jean.

Brent Black and Minority Ethnic Consultative Forum

You can make a difference The Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Consultative Forum gives you the chance to have your say.

This is an opportunity for you to meet with your councillors and discuss the things that are important to you. You will also hear from experts on a range of topics.

The BME Consultative Forum will be covering the following topics infuture meetings:

Tuesday 30 November 2010 The Olympics: opportunities for Brent’s BME community

Wednesday 16 February 2011Young people and the criminal justice system

Wednesday 2 March 2011Health and wellbeing for Brent’s BME community (TBC)

(Please note that these dates are subject to confirmation,so do confirm the dates when you book)

The meetings are open to all and will be held in

Committee Rooms 1,2 & 3, Brent Town Hall,Forty Lane, Wembley, HA9 9HD

7.30pm until 9.30pm (Registration begins at 7pm)

For more information contact Jennifer Laurent-Smart on 020 8937 1623.

Would you like to join the steering group?The BME steering group consists of representativesfrom the community. They are responsible for settingForum meetings agenda, raising and/or respondingto issues and concerns, and making representationsand recommendations to Council Committees con-cerning the needs of BME communities.

If you would like to become involved contact Jennifer Laurent-Smart as above.

Phot

o: J

ohn

Bird

sall

/ PA

Pho

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COMPETITIONS

An escorted tour of Wembley Stadium makes an exciting day out for the whole family. Stroll into the player's dressing room and walk through the tunnel towards the hallowed turf, then climb 107 steps, standing triumphantly in front of the royal box and see the FA Cup. For Brent residents, we have four pairs of tickets for the WembleyStadium tour. For a chance to win, send in the correct answer to the following question:

Who are England playing at Wembley on 12 October?

Send or email your answers to Wembley Stadium competition at the address below. For information onevent times visit: www.wembleystadium.com/events

Win your 90 minutes at Wembley Stadium

This events calendar is correct at the time of going to print and is subject to changeand updates. More events are expected to be booked for 2010 – these will be addedto the calendar as and when confirmed. Please visitwww.wembleystadium.com/events for the very latest information.

Competition Terms and Conditions• Only one entry per person allowed • Prizes/tours must be redeemed within 12months of receiving confirmation • Children under 16 must be accompanied on theStadium Tour by an adult and have consent of their parent/guardian • No cash alter-natives for any prize will be offered • Employees of Wembley Stadium and theirfamilies are not eligible to enter. Prize winners must adhere to Wembley StadiumTour’s terms and conditions, available at www.wembleystadium.com/tours • Allprizes/tours are subject to availability and pre-booking is required.

OCTOBER 2010 THE BRENT MAGAZINE 29

Wembley Stadium Event Calendar Event starts

12 October Euro 2012 Qualifier: England v Montenegro TBC

16 October Heineken Cup Saracens v Leinster 5.45pm

31 October NFL Denver Broncos v San Francisco 49ers 5pm

17 November England v France 8pm

26 December AVIVA Premiership Saracens v Wasps 3pm

Send your entries on a postcard with your name, address and daytime telephone number to: (Name of Competition), The Brent Magazine, Room 9, Brent Town Hall, Forty Lane, Wembley HA9 9HD or email [email protected] (add name of competition to subject line). The deadline for all competitions is Friday 15 October.

Last month’s winners Wembley Stadium: Vit Bruza, Cynthia Chellar, Marie Comerford, Gunjan Aneja

Jon Scott: Yousuf Ali, Mrs O Perren, Gayatri Manek, Tesse Akpeki, Vyvien Baker

Win tickets for theTricycle’s great new playIt’s midsummer’s weekend in Edinburgh. It’s raining. Two thirtysomethingsare sitting in a bar in New Town in Edinburgh waiting for something toturn up. He’s a failing car salesman; she’s a high-powered divorce lawyer,they absolutely should not sleep together, ever, ever, which is why they do.‘Midsummer’ (a play with songs) by David Greig and Gordon McIntyre hasbeen called “exhilarating” by The Guardian and it will be on at the TricycleTheatre in Kilburn from 29 November to 29 January 2011.

The Brent Magazine has teamed up with the Tricycle to offer two pairs oftickets to this exhilarating new play. To be in with a chance of winning,answer this question:

Which area in Edinburgh is the play Midsummer set in?

If you are not lucky enough to win, read more about the play and performances at www.tricycle.co.uk

Picture by Euan Myles

BLACK HISTORY MONTHBRENT COUNCILThroughout Oct storytelling, poetry, music,history exhibitions andchildren’s activities atBrent’s libraries featuringFelix Dexter, MoniqueRoffey, Precious Williams,Larry Achike and others 020 8937 3144

PARK LANE METHODIST CHURCH23 Oct 3pm-8.30pm worship, guest speakers,gospel choir, food; adults£5.00 under 16s £2.50Park Lane, Wembley 020 8902 1426 www.parklanemethodist.org.uk

CHILDREN AIR CADETSMon and Thurs 7pm 406Squadron Willesden 020 8451 0406

ARTALIKESats 10am term-time; Sats10am-noon ARTTEEN 7-14 £5, Kensal Rise 07946 755 847

ART CLASSES Mini Picassos for childrenaged 4-6 yrs and 7-11yrs;toddler Picassos 15months-3 yrs, GracelandsCafe, Kensal Green

07903638817

DOWN SYNDROME TIGER CUBSThurs 5pm-6pm footballcoaching run by QPR,Woodfield SchoolGenwood Avenue, NW9020 8740 2585 07815 670 806

DANIEL’S DENMons 1pm-3pm, Thurs9.30am-11am, 11.30am-1pm, Tues 10am-noon StMIchael and All AngelsChurch, Hillside,StonebrIdge, Fris 9.30am-11am, 11.30am-1pm StMichael’s Church Hall, StMichael’s Ave, TokyngtonTues, 1pm-3pm,Gladstone Park PrimarySchool, Dollis Hillwww.danielsden.org.uk

11TH BRONDESBURYGUIDESTues, 6pm for girls aged10-14 in Willesden 07810 653 225

FRENCH CLASSESWeds, Thurs after-schoolin Kensal Rise ages 5-11;07753 693 720

GIRLS’ BRIGADEWeds 5.15pm-8.30pm for five-year-olds andupwards, QueensburyMethodist Church,Beverley Drive 07961 321 237

LONDON IRISH MUSIC SCHOOLSats, traditional Irishmusic for under 14s;Oliver Goldsmith Primary,Kenton www.londonirishmusicschool.co.uk020 8205 7231

MAINLY MUSICWeds 9.45am-11am£2.50 music, dancing andinstruments with socialmorning tea and playtimefor parents, carers andchildren under fiveWembley Christian CentreCarlton Ave East, FortyAvenue corner 07900 460 875 [email protected]

MINI-SOCCERSuns Year 3 9.45am-10.45am Year 4-Year 610.45am-12noonUxendon Manor School,

Vista Way, Kenton, 6weeks £30, call

GeorgeLappas07957 229 518

MONKEY MUSICThurs children aged 3months - 3 years; StJames’s Church Centre,Stanley Avenue, Alpertonwww.monkeymusic.co.uk 01895 674 587

MUM AND TODDLERThurs 10am-12noon,Preston Mall CommunityCentre, Kenton £2 020 8204 1148

NOAH’S ARKTues 10.30am-12.30pm,Thurs 1.30pm-3.30pm St John’s Church, HarrowRoad, Wembley community playgroup £1per family per session07768 453 931

PARENT TODDLER GROUPThurs 9am-10.30am 50pBarham Primary Wembley020 8902 3706

PIONEER EXPLORER SCOUTSWeds 7.30-9.30pm for14-18 years, StemberHall, Leighton Gardens,NW10 01582 703121

SEA TRAINING CORPSThurs 7.15pm-9.15pmSea Pirates 7-9 yrs; Thurs 7.15pm-9.15pmjuniors; Mons and Fris7.15pm-9.30pm Sea Cadets; Mons and Fris 7.15pm-9.30pmMarine Cadets; youthgroup for boys and girls,Cool Oak Lane, NW9 020 8205 4492www.seacadet.org

7TH BRONDESBURYBROWNIESTues 6pm for girls aged 7-10 in Willesden 07810 653 225

SING AND SIGN CLASSESMon-Fri, for babies 6-18months. Willesden Green & Kensal Rise 07790 955 576

SOCCER TRAININGFris 6pm-8pm, for chil-dren, first session freeCapital City AcademyNW10 [email protected]

SPLASH FOOTBALLSats 10am-12pm, ages 5-15. ClaremontHigh School, ClaremontAvenue, Kenton, £30 for 5 weeks 07863 165 737

3RD WEMBLEY SCOUTSFris Cubs 7pm-8.30pm,Scouts 7pm-9pmClivedon Hall Clifton Way, Alperton callAndrew Stevenson 020 8997 0951 020 8902 6902

WILLESDEN DISTRICT SCOUTSGroups throughoutWillesden for youngpeople aged 6-18, adultvolunteers needed0208 459 [email protected]

COMMUNITYBRENT AND HARROWNATIONAL ASSOCIATIONOF WIDOWS12 Oct 7.30pm meal outat Barracuda restaurant inHarrow; 26 Oct 8pm dis-cussion about yourfavourite books, callRhona 76 MarlboroughHill, Harrow 020 8969 3198

BRENT PENSIONERS FORUM6 Oct 10am-12noonBrent Town Hall

HOLY INNOCENTS CHURCH6 Nov 7.30pm an eveningof ‘Rhapsody’, open toparish members and thelocal community; proceedsto be shared between thechurch and BrentSamaritans. Tickets £7,including drinks, HolyInnocents Church,Kingsbury 020 8204 7531

MOSAICMosaicYouth.org.ukweekly youth club for lesbian, gay and biteenagers 08000 433 411

NORTH WEST LONDONLESBIAN AND GAY GROUPMons 8.30pm, TenterdenSports Centre, PrestonRoad, Wembley 07941 707884

WOMEN’S POETRY 1 Oct 4pm Poetry andEmpowerment HarlesdenLibrary Plus, High Street,NW10; 20 Oct 7pmpoetry group led byUrsula Troche The Hub,All Souls Church Hall,Station Road, Harlesden07896 366 485 [email protected]

OVER 50S DISCUSSION GROUPTues 11am-12.30pm TheGallery, Willesden GreenLibrary 020 8452 8739

ST LUKE’S HOSPICE2 Oct 7pm St Luke’s Starstalent show featuringballet, Bollywood dancing,young musicians, jazzband £9 adults £6 under16s, Claremont HighSchool, Kenton; 8 Oct7pm charity auctionsigned England football,Liverpool and Spurs topsand more to be auctioned;Peaches Bar Kenton Road; 020 8907 7518www.peachesbar.com16 Oct 7pm murder mys-tery night at MarlboroughMiddle School, HarrowWeald. £12.50; 28 Oct7.45pm StarbucksHalloween quiz night £10and includes Starbucks’tea, coffee and cakes 020 8382 [email protected]

WEMBLEY NATIONAL TRUST3rd Thurs of month, 8pm-10pm SudburyNeighbourhood Centre809 Harrow Road,Wembley 020 8904 5940

WILLESDEN GREEN WRITERS GROUPThurs 8pm-10pmWillesden Green LibraryCentre ww.willesdengreenwriters.com

WOMEN’S INSTITUTENORTH WEST LONDON7 Oct 7.30pm upstairsNorth London Tavern, 375Kilburn High Road [email protected]

DANCEADULT BEGINNERS BALLET COURSEUntil 8 Dec (no class 27Oct) Weds 6.30pm-7.30pm level 1, 7.30pm-8.30pm level 2 The CorribRest, 76-80 Salusbury Rd,NW6 6PA 07956 260 108 www.balletforyou.co.uk

ADULT STREET DANCETues, 7.30pm-8.30pm,£5.15 New Bridge ParkCentre, Stonebridge 020 8937 3730

BALLROOM AND LATIN Mons 7.30pm-11pmBrent Town Hall, FortyLane Wembley 020 8855 6868

BELLY DANCING Mons 7.30pm-8.30pm(beginners), 8.30pm-9.30pm (improvers) £48for 6 weeks £8 drop-inFitness First 492-498 High Rd, Wembley, www.hayaam.com 07855 362 849Tues 8.30pm-10pm NYPilates Studio, LonsdaleRd NW6 020 7372 3490Sats 2pm-3pm 105Salusbury Road NW6, £7per lesson or £50 for 8sessions to be used within3 months [email protected]

BOLLYWOOD AND SEMI-CLASSICAL INDIANSuns 11.15am-12.15pmFitness First 197 AlpertonRoad 07930 593 [email protected]

CLUB CEROCTues 8pm-11pm entry £8 plus £3 lifetime membership and a freebeginner’s DVD BrentTown Hall, Forty Lane,Wembley HA9,www.clubceroc.com 020 8933 4350

LINE DANCINGFris 7pm-9pm £5 beginners, ChalkhillCommunity Centre, 113Chalkhill Road, Wembley020 8385 1836

SALSAMons, 7.30pm-8.30pmMambo City salsa £6 St Joseph’s Social Club,Empire Way, [email protected] 7.30pm-8.30pmWillesden Sports CentreThurs 8.15-9.30pm£4.50 07961 281 989Mons 6.30pm-7.30pmSalsasize dance and exercise £4 ChalkhillCommunity Centre, 113 Chalkhill Road,Wembley 020 8385 1836

SELF EXPRESSIVE DANCETues 8pm-9.30pm, £7.50,Holy Innocents ChurchHall, Bacon Lane 020 8205 6751

SEQUENCE AND TEA DANCINGMons 2pm-4pm sequencedance Thurs 2pm-4pmtea dance £1.50 all ageswelcome King’s HallCommunity Centre 155Harlesden Road,Willesden 020 8459 3487

TEA DANCEMons, Weds 1.30pm-4.30pm £4 Brent TownHall, Forty Lane Wembley020 8937 6206Fris 2pm-4.30 pmChalkhill CommunityCentre, 113 ChalkhillRoad, Wembley 020 8385 1836

TIMEout

What’s going on…The essential guide to music, drama, sport, workshops and much more. Find out what’s going on in Brent during October 2010. To get your event listed [email protected] or telephone 020 8937 1068.


Felix DexterSee: BlackHistory Month

BRENT MUSEUM BRENT MUSEUMHigh Road, NW10020 8937 3600BRENT ARCHIVESIst Floor, Willesden Green Library Centre, NW10020 8937 3541 [email protected] PAUL DAISLEY HALLForty Lane, Wembley, Middx HA9Box Office 020 8937 6206/6203STABLES GALLERY ARTS CENTREGladstone Park, Dollis Hill Lane, London NW2 020 8452 8655Thursday – Sunday 11am-6pm TRICYCLE THEATRE CINEMA AND GALLERY269 Kilburn High Road,London NW6Theatre Box Office 020 7328 1000Cinema Box Office 020 7328 1900Disabled access to auditorium andcafe induction loop in auditorium Minicom 020 7625 5105WEMBLEY ARENABox Office 0870 060 0870www.livenation.co.uk/wembley

Barham Park Library Harrow Road, Sudbury, Middx 020 8937 [email protected] Library 152 Olive Road NW2 020 8937 [email protected] Road Library Ealing Road, Wembley, Middx 020 8937 [email protected] LibraryCraven Park Road, Harlesden,London NW10 020 8937 [email protected] Rise Library Bathurst Gardens, NW10 020 8937 [email protected] LibrarySalusbury Road, London NW6 020 8937 [email protected] Library PlusKingsbury Road, Kingsbury,London NW9 020 8937 [email protected] Library 277 Neasden Lane, London NW1020 8937 [email protected] Road Library Carlton Avenue East, Wembley, Middx 020 8937 [email protected] Library Monks Park, Wembley, Middx 020 8937 [email protected] Hall LibraryBrent Town Hall, Forty Lane, Wembley, Middx 020 8937 [email protected] Green LibraryHigh Road, Willesden, London NW10 020 8937 [email protected]

VENUES

LIBRARIES

DRAMACHAMELEONS Mons and Thurs 8pm,amateur dramaticsNeasden MethodistChurch, NW1007968 965 038

DRAMA WORKHOUSESats Saturday Crew work-shop for children 1pm-2pm 7-9 years; 2pm-3pm10-12 years; 4pm-6pm13-18 years; under 10s£25 a term, Over 10s £40a term; Tues adult classes8pm-10pm £9.50Dudden Hill Centre, 19Dudden Hill Lane, NW10www.dramaworkhouse.org.uk 07958 653 725

EAST LANE THEATRE CLUB4-6 10-13 Nov 7.45pm‘Laying the Ghost’ bySimon Williams East LaneTheatre in Vale Farm,Wembley £9 box sffice07762 622 215

MADHATTERSWeds 8pm amateur dra-matics, Stables ArtsCentre, Gladstone Park,Dollis Hill Lane. 020 8452 5239

ENVIRONMENTFRIENDS OF THE EARTH12 Oct 7.30pm WillesdenTrades and Labour Hall375 High Road WillesdenNW10 [email protected] 07793 244 408

KINGSBURY WALKERSWeds 1.55pm, Meet BushFarm, Slough Lane andSalmon Street junction.020 8907 2836

EXHIBITIONSARTISAN

6-30 Oct Tues-Sat 10am-5pm ‘Homeworks PopUp’ exhibition of hand-crafted items by fourwomen from Queen’sPark; 80 Harlesden Road,NW10 020 8451 6315

BRENT ARTISTS REGISTERUntil 15 Oct Mon-Sun2pm-6pm ‘Following aLime Tree’ solo show byacclaimed local artist JohnBlandy from 2,000 pastelpaintings exploringchange in nature;TheWall@The Gallery‘Colour Blind’ solo exhibition of paintings bylocal artist Pouka; 19 Oct-12 Nov paintingsby Gisela Schutt,Willesden Green LibraryCentre 020 8459 [email protected]

BRENT MUSEUMFrom 13 Sep ‘175 yearsof the Brent Reservoir’downstairs in theCommunity Gallery 1st floor Willesden GreenLibrary Centre, WillesdenHigh Road 020 8937 3600

INTERVENTION GALLERYUntil 24 Oct Sat-Sun10am-4pm Diana Taylor‘Climbing, Falling’ paintings. AnglicanChapel Kensal GreenCemetery, Harrow RoadW10 07903 524 968

LEARNINGMIDDLESEX ITECGCSE tuition in maths,English, science for 14-19years at Middlesex ITEC020 900 0505

READING GROUPTues 10.30am-12.30amfree weekly shared readinggroup, no homework or preparation needed, ledby novelist and writerShahrukh Husain andsupported by RoyalLiterary Fund; KilburnLibrary Salusbury Road,NW6 020 8451 [email protected]

TAMIL READING GROUPLast Sat of month2.30pm-4.30pm Tamil lit-erature, language andculture with guest speak-ers; Willesden GreenLibrary Centre NW10 020 8937 [email protected]

UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGECourses, talks and work-shops 020 8933 7558www.brentu3a.org.uk

WILLESDEN GREENLIBRARY CENTRE1 Oct 7pm-8pm BirkbeckCollege lecturer AnnaHartnell discusses ToniMorrison’s novel ‘Beloved’based on the true story of an escaped slave;Willesden Green LibraryCentre, NW10 020 8937 3420

WORKERS EDUCATIONALASSOCIATIONThurs 10am classes heldin coffee lounge at StJohn’s Church Wembley,entrance via gate inHarrow Road 020 8904 5940

LOCAL HISTORYWEMBLEY HISTORY SOCIETY15 Oct 7.30pm ‘Gilbertand Sullivan: Their Livesand Music’ a talk byRobert Lowe St Andrew’sChurch Hall, Church LaneNW9 020 8205 3263

WILLESDEN LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY20 Oct 7.30pm ‘Neasden’Len Snow discusses a fascinating area ofWillesden, Scout House,Strode Road NW10 020 8965 7230 [email protected]

MUSICGUITAR CLASS16 Oct 1.30pm-4.45pmCameron Pierre’s guitarmaster class; education,networking, question andanswers and music, £15Lexi Cinema NW10. Tobook call 0871 704 206or contact Tru Xperienceon 07404 191 687 [email protected]

KINGSBURY AMATEUROPERATIC SOCIETY 27-30 Oct ‘Act Your Age’a musical farce byChristopher WortleyKAOS Theatre, KingsburyHigh School NW9 boxoffice 0845 020 4240www.kaosonline.orgKAOS is always lookingfor new members,rehearsals are Mons atQueensbury MethodistChurch, Beverley Drivecall Mike Stevens 020 8959 7468

SINGING LESSONSSat-Wed contemporarysinging lessons and musictheory, beginners to intermediate levels,Neasden Lane 07796 372 499 [email protected]

VOCALITY WILLESDENCOMMUNITY CHOIRMons 8pm-10pm firstsession free, gospel,African, pop and more,Willesden Green LibraryCentre, Space 2 95 High Road, NW10 07985 094 322

WOS10-13 Nov ’42 Street’Winston ChurchillTheatre, Ruislip box office07983 103 444 [email protected]

MEETINGSBRENT COUNCIL AREACONSULTATIVE FORUMS5 Oct 7pm Kilburn andKensal, Queen’s ParkCommunity SchoolAylestone Avenue, NW6;19 Oct 7pm Kingsburyand Kenton KingsburyHigh School PrincesAvenue NW9; 20 Oct7pm WembleyPatidar House,Wembley 020 8937 [email protected]

SPORTS & LEISUREWU SHU KWANChinese kickboxing. Sats3-5pm, Willesden SportsCentre,Donnington Rd,NW10 07835 244 398www.wushukwan.com

BROTHERS PEARSE CAMOGIE CLUBLadies’ hurling club, alllevels welcome, call MaryCahill 07904 685 276

CENTURY BOWLS CLUBIndoor and outdoorbowls, free coachingavailable, social actitivities,Logan Road, Wembley020 8904 3261

FUN AND FITNESSTues 8pm-9pm ladies onlyall levels exercise class; £4Kingsbury Baptists Churchhall, Slough Lane, NW907944 523 260

LADIES KEEP FITWeds 7.30pm-8.30pmMandhata Centre, 20aRosemead Avenue,Wembley 07930 593 [email protected]

PILATESMons 7pm-8pm, Sats 10-11am Living Well HealthClub, Wembley PlazaHotel, Empire Way, £507903 937 909 Thurs 7.30pm beginner tointermediate, The LadyHouse, Hay LaneKingsbury, book inadvance Di Hurley 07958 140 003

PRESTON PARK BOWLS CLUBNew members welcome,free coaching and loan of bowls Preston ParkRecreation Ground,Carlton Avenue East 020 8933 9358 020 8427 1590

QUEENS PARK HARRIERSTues & Thurs 7pm-8pm,Willesden Sport Centrewww.queensparkharriers.org.uk

SHORINJI KEMPO MARTIAL ARTTues 8pm-9.30pm Churchof Ascension, TheAvenue, Wembley; Fris 7.30-9pm at StErconwald’s Church Hall,112 Carlton Avenue East,Wembley 07404 039 087

SUDBURY COURT BADMINTON CLUBThurs 8pm-10pm, The Mall, Kingsbury 020 8904 6698

SUDBURY COURT RUNNING CLUBTues 7.20pm, Thurs7.20pm (1st Tues ofmonth for beginners)meet at Wembley andSudbury Tennis andSquash Club, SylvesterRoad, Wembley; socialruns and group runswww.sudburycourt.org.uk 020 8904 8814

TAEKWONDOMons 7pm-9pm, Sat10am-11am HolyInnocents Church Hall,Bacon Lane Kingsbury07799 546 428

TAI CHITues 10am-11.30am alllevels 10-week course£40, concs £12.50 BACES3 Madison House 24-28London Road Wembley020 8795 3977Tues, 6.30pm-8pm begin-ners, 8.30pm-9pmadvanced, St Anne’s hall,125 Salusbury Rd, NW607939 043 580Weds, 1.30pm-2.30pm,£2 over 55s, beginners,gentle movements (healthquestionnaire must becompleted first) FitnessFirst, Kingsbury 07957 185 367

TAEKWONDOTues 6pm-9pm, Thurs 6-7.30pm, Ealing RoadMethodist Church 07832 447 763Mons 6.30pm-8pm, Weds6.30-8pm, CardinalHinsley School NW1007832 447 763

VISUAL ARTSART CLASSUntil 30 Nov with half-term 26 Oct 7pm-9pm;tuition in drawing andpainting in any water-basedmaterials, working fromobjects or organic still life,portrait drawing andpainting welcome £24concs or £28 full, all levelsfrom 16yrs students pro-vide own materials [email protected] 0208141 6367 (after 12 noon)

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TIMEout


Larry Achike (left)See: Black History Month

The Brent Magazine issue 107 October 2010

Documents

Transcript of The Brent Magazine issue 107 October 2010