the brent magazine issue 97 december 2009

Wishing all ourreaders a very

Happy Christmas

ISSUE NO.97 FREE FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE AND WORK IN BRENT DECEMBER 2009

Warm up for winter

Jonny Berliner’s hitheads for The Tricycle

Brent’sChristmas

eventsActivities to stopyou hibernating

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Local issuesWho’s got the answers?

For more information contact Brent Consultation TeamTel 020 8937 1055 Email [email protected]/consultation

BRENT ACFArea Consultative Forums

Have your say atone of Brent’s five areaconsultative meetings. Come and discussthe local issues which concern you, suchas environment, transport, planning,streetscene, health care and policing withcouncillors and local policy makers.

Brent Area Consultative Forums 2010:Harlesden ACF 12 January

Willesden ACF 13 January

Wembley ACF 26 January

Kilburn and Kensal ACF 27 January

Kingsbury and Kenton ACF 2 February

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Features

13 A well winterHow to stay healthy and safe

14 Christmas eventsYour guide to festive events in Brent

17 Warmly receivedWinter night shelters for homeless to open

19 Brent’s Civic CentreDiscover new local government building

21 Caring for caninesAdvice on dogs as presents

23 Firmly PledgedEnvironmental campaign is launched

25 Your views on BrentResults of latest Residents’ Attitude Survey

Regulars

4 Update

9 Brent people

11 All in a day’s work

26 Secret history

29 Competitions

30 Time out

BD

U 6

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11.0

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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: Jonny Berliner at the Tricycle Photographer SIMON HANNA

ContentsWelcome to TheBrent MagazineThe festive season is upon usagain and The Brent Magazine is helping you to celebrate.

We have details of Brent’sChanukah celebrations and aguide to all the different eventsgoing on for Christmas. This yeara Christmas lights switch on,lantern parades, bazaars, craftclasses, and even a vintageChristmas card exhibition are planned.

Other things going on thismonth are the launch of a winter shelter scheme by Brentchurches, and the start of anenvironmental pledge campaignby Brent Council.

For those of you who would like to be entertained in the nextmonth, Cricklewood’s JonnyBerliner tells us about his new show at The Tricycle.

James DiamondEditorThe Brent Magazine

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Issue No. 97 December 2009

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 Near Wood Free Stock (10-30% mill spoilage recycledcontent). Please use your local paper bank when disposing of this and other paper.

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Two more children’s centres haveopened to provide services and supportchildren and parents in Brent.

Children’s television presenter FloellaBenjamin opened Church LaneChildren’s Centre in the grounds ofFryent Primary School, while music anddance marked the official opening ofAlperton Children’s Centre alongsideAlperton Community School recently.The centres, which received £1 millionfrom Brent Council, run services such asfamily support classes, speech andlanguage therapy, citizens’ advicebureau, stay-and-play sessions,computer classes, childcare, storytelling,baby massage and fathers’ groups.In addition, the former RiverbankNursery in Crouch Road, Neasden, hasre-opened as the Riverbank Children’sCentre. Wembley, Alperton, Willesden,Neasden and Stonebridge now all havechildren’s centres. E-mail Brent Council’s

Children and Families InformationService at [email protected] or call 020 8937 3001.

Brent Housing Partnership has launched agreen energy scheme on Brentfield Estate.

The works programme is focusing onolder homes with poor insulation which aremore likely to suffer from damp. It willimprove the quality of the homes and boosttheir energy efficiency – helping to keepdown energy bills for the residents.

It will install external insulation cladding to114 homes with 84 of them also fitted withsolar electric tiles. Other energy efficiencymeasures include loft insulation, aluminiumdouble glazed windows and doors, and useof water butts to conserve water. Ecologicalroofs of special tiles are being installed, whichhelps to remove pollutants from the air.

Shaun Gillam, Head of Major Works atBrent Housing Partnership. said: “We are

very excited about the programme on theestate, and are keen to follow this up withother projects in Brent. It is investing in thefuture and making a positive impact on theenvironment. It will reduce residents’spending on energy and meet energyefficiency targets.We’re able to make a realdifference to the quality of our tenants’ lives.”

The work will be completed by January2010; contractors include Solarcentury andLakehouse.

• Joyce Baldy-Gray from St Raphael’s, KarinJaeger from Harlesden and Brentfield andDennis Woolcock from South Kilburn wererecently elected as new tenant members onto Brent Housing Partnership’s Board after a turnout in which 2,576 tenants voted inthe election.

Green energy upgrade for Brent estate

THE BRENT MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2009

Two more children’s centres open

Lakehouse’s MartinCoupe and Shaun Gillam

Library open into 2010Barham Park Library will now remain open until early2010 when work will start totransform it into a new libraryand children’s centre, for detailse-mail [email protected] or call 020 8937 3143.

New chair for BrAVAThe chief executive ofKilburn-based charity Centrefor Peaceful Solutions is thenew chair of Brent Associationfor Voluntary Action (BrAVA).

Maria Arpa was formerlychair of Mediation UK, hasalso worked in advertising,

and helped set up theDamilola Taylor Trust. Shewill help BrAVA, which is anumbrella organisation forBrent’s voluntary sector, tostrengthen its governance andhelp it provide more effectiveservices.

Floella opens Church Lane, left, a child at the Alperton opening, right.

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Brent’s blooming winnersThe winners of Brent in Bloom2009 have been presented withtheir awards by Mayor of BrentCouncillor Jim O’Sullivan.

The annual competitionapplauds gardening skills withjudges awarding marks forplant colour, design, andquality. It also helps to makeBrent more attractive, and thisyear the borough went on towin a Silver Gilt Award in theLondon in Bloom competition.The competition encouragescommunity involvement inamateur gardening andhorticulture.

“This year we askedeveryone for greater efforts toshow that Brent can be thebest in London. Our gardens

and green spaces, even ourwindow boxes and hangingbaskets make Brent a cleanerand greener place to live in,”said the Mayor Jim O’Sullivan.

The neighbourhoodcategory was introduced lastyear and was retained for thisyear’s competition and hasbeen won by the NW2Residents’ Association on bothoccasions.The awardencourages communities of allsizes to make positive andlasting changes by ‘greeningup’ local streets, gardens andopen green spaces in theirneighbourhood.

The winners in 2009 areNeighbourhood Award: (1stprize) NW2 Residents’

Association (2nd prize) RoeGreen Village Residents’Association; Front GardenSeasonal Planting: (1st prize)Edward Murphy (joint 2ndprize) Mr Conybeare and JohnQuinn (3rd prize) LenaJefferies; Front GardenPermanent Planting (1st prize)John Philippou (2nd prize)Robert Smith (3rd prize)Edward Murphy; ContainerPlanting (1st prize) JohnMcMahon (2nd prize) CarolNichols (3rd prize) PatrickRock; School Garden: (joint1st prize) Preston ParkPrimary School, LeopoldPrimary School (2nd prize)Newfield Primary School;Outstanding Achievement

Award: John Quinn, MargaretO Sullivan, Lena Jefferies;Business and Public Premises:(1st prize) BAPS ShriSwaminarayan MandirNeasden (2nd prize) TheCorrib Rest, (3rd prize) The Ox and Gate.

Take a twirl at Stuart‘s classesDance champion StuartBarrett is leading same-sexLatin and ballroom dancingclasses for lesbian, gay, bisexualand transgender (LGBT)youngsters.

The free beginner’s classesare organised by LGBT project

Mosaic for youngsters, 19 andunder in Brent and will runevery Saturday starting at12noon until April next year.

Stuart was the UK Same-SexShowdance Trophy championand an Outgames 2009 goldmedallist. “I have been dancing

all my life. I would like to getmore LGBT young peopledancing and bring more goldmedals back to the UK in yearsto come,” said Stuart.

Contact Lukasz Koniecka atMosaic on 0800 0 433 411 ortext 07931 336 668.

Group aims high for the disabledA support group has been setup especially for parents andcarers of disabled children andyoung people.

1 voice is run by parents, forparents and works inpartnership with Brent Councilto give families a say on issuesaffecting their children. It hasbeen founded by the AimingHigh for Disabled Childrenprogramme, which aims toimprove services and support.

The group meets from 10-12.30pm on Mondays (term-time only) at Hay Lane School,in Grove Park, Kingsbury, [email protected] or callKieran O’Donnell on 07985 195 939.

Four youngsters met top officersat Brent Council’s children’sservices to mark nationalTakeover Day on 6 November.

The national day encouragesorganisations to open theirdoors to young people to findout how decisions are made andis run by the Children’sCommissioner for England.

The four, who are members ofCare in Action and Brent YouthParliament, joined Rik Boxer,Assistant Director forAchievement and Inclusion, andGraham Genoni, AssistantDirector for Social Care, overlunch to discuss the council’ssupport for young people.

Another coup for Brent’s youngsters

Farrukh Chodhry, Alilyah Weekes, Amal Abdi, Kishan Parshotam, GrahamGenoni and Rik Boxer (back row) Renata Chavda, Youth ParticipationOfficer, Manveen Patwalia, Principal Youth Participation Manager andNatasha Thomson, Children in Care Participation Worker (front row).

DECEMBER 2009 THE BRENT MAGAZINE

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Brent Council will becelebrating the Jewish festival ofChanukah this month withmusic, drama and songs.

Chanukah is an importantJewish festival which celebratesthe revolt and victory against theancient Syrians around 2,300years ago, and is known as theFestival of Lights.

On 12 December you candiscover more about Jewishculture on a tour of WembleySynagogue in Forty Avenue,Wembley, from 5pm till6.30pm; on 15 December amusical performance by AvigdorHirsch Torah Temimah PrimarySchool in Dollis Hill will be heldin the Council Chamber at

Brent Town Hall from 6pm.The main event will be on 16

December at 5pm in the PaulDaisley Hall at Brent Town Hallfeaturing Brent-based beatboxer Daniel Brill, choirs fromthe North West London JewishDay School, and a Chanukahplay performed by pupils fromMicheal Sobell Sinai School,and attended by the Mayor of

Brent Councillor JimO’Sullivan.The LondonCantorial Singers – a group ofJewish choral singers – willperform in the CouncilChamber at Brent Town Hall on17 December at 8pm.

Eight candles will be held in amenorah at Brent Town Hallwith one candle lit every nightof the festival from the first untilthe eighth day. Residents cancreate their own menorah in afestive competition, visitwww.brent.gov.uk/whatson todownload the menorah templateto enter. For more on Brent’sChanukah celebrations [email protected] or call020 8937 3117.

Carers’ Rights Day event this month

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6 THE BRENT MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2009

An environmental educationcentre supported by BrentCouncil is running an archerycoaching qualification coursein December.

The Gordon Brown Centreis running the four-daycourse from 14-17 Decemberfor £125 a place, includingfood and accommodation. It is a Level 1 coaching qualification for adults fromthe Grand National ArcherySociety and is taught bymaster archer Colin Stopher.

The centre is inRotherwick, Hampshire, call Sophie Axford on 01256 762824.

Caroline Lawrence with librarians Heather Powell and Pamela Folie

A distinguished author whosework is inspired by classical civilisation opened the newlibrary at Claremont HighSchool.

Caroline Lawrence signedcopies of her books in Latin forpupils at the Kenton schoolafter the ceremony recently.

She won a prize from theClassical Association for herbooks ‘The Roman Mysteries’,which has been adapted bythe BBC into a TV series.

She congratulated theschool, pupils and teachers onthe new state-of-the-artlibrary.

Aim atarchery

Roman author hailsschool’s new library

Chanukah festival to light up Brent

Brent Housing Partnership residents’ satisfaction withNeighbourhood wardens and the work of the Anti SocialBehaviour Team is higher thanever, a survey has found.

The independent survey found84 per cent were happy with acase’s outcome; 95 per cent

would be happy to report a case,and 84 per cent with the overallservice.

Neighbourhood wardens detercrime and improve relations inthe community while the AntiSocial Behaviour Team deals withserious and persistent nuisance and harassment.

Take your cue from wardens

Warden Ducaale Mire with a young resident

Brent Council is markingCarers’ Rights Day by holding an information eventfor carers to find out about

rights, benefits and serviceson 3 December.The event will be from 10-3pm in Committee Rooms

1-3, Brent Town Hall, FortyLane, Wembley, [email protected] orcall on 020 8937 4051.

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A project using creative mediaactivities to boost pupils’achievement in key subjectshas been hailed a success.

SHINE is held on Saturdaysat the City Learning Centre inPreston Manor School forYear 6 and 7 pupils from

nine Wembley schools. Itfocuses on using multi-mediato help children to understandscience, maths, English andICT, and is now in its secondyear.

Its 60 students enjoyactivities from field trips tomusic making to ignite theirenthusiasm for learning. It is

run by Brent Council’sExtended Services Team

with schools includingBarham Primary,

OakingtonManorPrimary,

Preston ParkPrimary, StJoseph’s Primary,Sudbury Primary,Wembley

Primary, Alperton High,Preston Manor and WembleyHigh. “Its success is largelydown to the dedication andhard work of the staff andpeer mentors who give uptheir Saturdays to deliver suchan amazing learningexperience for all the studentstaking part. Equally itwouldn’t work so well withoutthe commitment of thosepupils and their parents towork hard with us and reallyfocus on raising theirattainment and striving forsuccess,” said SHINE ProjectManager Trish Madigan.

Classes are also held atWelsh Harp EnvironmentCentre. Sessions run from10am to 3pm every Saturday

during term-time.They learnwith hi-tech visual and audioequipment, together withmore traditional learningmethods, such as field tripsand classroom-based lessons.Activities are led by teachersand classroom assistants whoare passionate about theirsubject areas and improvingthe students’ performance.Projects involve sixth-formpeer mentors from otherschools. Although places arefull up at the moment, parentsshould contact their school ifthey are interested in enrollinga child, or email [email protected],visit www.brentclc.comor call Trish Madigan on 020 8385 4915.

Pupils shine at Saturday learning scheme

A contract valued at £220million a year has beensigned by Brent Council andfive other councils to jointlypurchase adult social careservices.

The West London Allianceboroughs of Brent, Ealing,

Hammersmith and Fulham,Harrow, Hillingdon

and Hounslow have been working together to developthe WLA Adult Social CareEfficiencies Programme.

The councils, which provideservices to more than 1.4million residents, have agreedto collaborate with eachother on the purchasing andcommissioning of adult socialcare services, which have an

estimated value of £220million per year.

To kick the programme off,the councils will be tenderingcontracts in autumn 2009 foradult social care with a totalvalue of approximately £220million per year. This isthought to be the largestvalue exercise of its type yetlaunched in the country.

Deaf basketball clubA deaf basketball club islooking for new members.

Deaf London Lions playin the London amateurleague and tournaments inEurope. They cater for deafand hearing-impaired menand women aged 14upwards.

Training takes place onFriday from 6.30-8.30pm atPreston Manor High School,Carlton Road East,Wembley, [email protected] call07932 225 818 or call BrentCouncil on 020 8937 3726.

Young musicians have until11 December to enter theBrent Musician of the Year2010.

For more information visitwww.brentmusicservice.comor call 020 8204 8096.

Music award

Brent Council signs £220 million care contractMake roomfor homelessHomeless youngsters will staya night in residents’ homesthanks to a scheme starting inDecember.

Depaul Nightstop Brentoffers a room in the homes ofvolunteers for young peopleaged from 16 to 25.Theproject, run by the charityDepaul UK, is supported byBrent Council and isappealing for people to offer aroom. Hosts will receivetraining, daily expenses, and24-hour support; you do notneed to be a home owner orhave previous experience,e-mail [email protected] or call 020 8459 7033.

Young Friends of Brent RiverPark marked its sixth year with abirthday party at the open space,including football, painting, facepainting, games, and stalls.

Party forthe park


Alana Hay celebrates.

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BRENTpeople

How did you start writing and performing?At university I wrote a musical, acted, and played in a band. I’dplayed the guitar, but never anything more. Then I started doingmore theatre and writing music and took plays up to theEdinburgh Festival. The Tricycle has an excellent youth theatregroup: it’s friendly and has a great atmosphere. I’d love moreyoungsters to join up.

What do you like about Brent?I’ve lived in Cricklewood for almost five years and I love the multi-cultural nature and mix of the area. I’ve even written a musicalabout Cricklewood Broadway, and did research for it at BrentArchive. I love Gladstone Park – it’s a great place. I lead the TricycleSingers – a singing group based at The Tricycle – and we performedin the park at the Gladstonbury Festival. I’ve been to Brent TownHall when the Singers performed at the former Mayor of BrentRalph Fox’s Cultural Celebration this year.

What else have you done apart from musicals?I set up a ‘choir of complaints’ at Queen’s Park Community School.The choirs are a new performance art where people sing abouttheir complaints; by singing about it they put their words into song,air a problem, and get their feelings out. The children sang aboutthings like homework and playtime. I worked with Janis Kelly, theopera singer, it was great fun. The choir had about 30 children andwe did a performance at Willesden Green Library Centre. Many oftheir parents and teachers came along. Apart from that I still alsoplay in a country and blues band called The Freewheelers.

Have you performed anywhere else in Brent?I played at the Brent Museum. It was for the opening of an exhibi-tion about objects collected from the Brazilian community in Brent.I wrote a Brazilian piece of music using guitar and samba drums,and sang live. A lot of the lyrics were inspired by interviews I didwith Brazilians in Brent and their experiences of coming to live here.

What is your upcoming show at The Tricycle about?‘Dude! Where’s My Teddy Bear?’ is a musical for children with rock-’n’roll anthems. I wrote it with Sheridan Humphreys. There are a lotof catchy songs and people are usually singing along to them by thesecond chorus. It tells the story of a young boy called Max whowakes up to find his teddy bear stolen. He’s helped to find the bearagain by a granny and a surfer, and during his adventures he meets arock’n’roll robot, whale and moon gerbils. It has a great pantomimefeel. Although it’s for young children, adults will enjoy it as well. Theshow has been performed at the Edinburgh Festival, and I noticedthere were quite a few 20 somethings coming in to see it!

Musicalmarvel


Visit www.jonnyberliner.com or for dates for ‘Dude Where’sMy Teddy Bear!’ at The Tricycle in December see Time Out onpages 30-31, visit www.tricycle.co.uk or call 020 7328 1000.

Cricklewood performer Jonny Berlineris taking his musical for children toThe Tricycle in Kilburn this month.Photograph by SIMON HANNA

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CEROC is a fusion of Jive and Salsa.

Great fun, easy to learn and you don’t need to bring a partner.

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Also at West Drayton and Uxbridge

Tel: 020 8933 4350 or 07860 250961Email: [email protected]: www.clubceroc.com

Cut out this voucher for free life membership and free admission for the first week and free DVD.(New members only)

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Brent Community TransportTransport for all

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minibuses available

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Tel: 020 8838 1353Email: [email protected]: www.brentct.org.ukRegistered charity No. 280698

BCT has been successfully providing transportservices to the community for over 32 years.

Call for a free quote Dom McGowan07931 550 242 • 020 8438 8827Email [email protected]

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11

Kelly Eaton is one of two Consumer AdviceOfficers at Brent and Harrow TradingStandards who offer advice and assistanceto consumers to resolve their problems.

Complaints can vary from a faultywashing machine to a terrible holiday or adefective car. Over the last six monthsthousands of pounds have been saved orrefunded to consumers in Brent as a resultof intervention work by the service.

Cases are referred from Consumer Direct– a government body – to Kelly. Each oneis assessed by Customer Services Officersand if it shows a breach of contract valuedover £400, or the consumer is classed asvulnerable and lives in Brent, then it ispassed to her. She examines the paper-work and contacts the trader, which is howmost cases are resolved.

However, where a trader does not replyand there has been a breach of civil lawthen she will assist the consumer to sue thetrader. “Court is a last resort, and it doesnot offer a complete guarantee that theconsumer will get their money back.

“Sometimes though the trader willrespond to a court summons when theyhave not replied before,” she says.

Kelly also writes articles for residents’newsletters and offers talks to any groupor association in Brent. “The great thingabout my job is that I get to meet and helpso many interesting people and my job isalways varied,” she says.

December is a time when peoplepurchase more gifts and Kelly advisesresidents to think carefully about theirpurchases. “There is no automatic rightto a refund if a person changes theirmind about an item they havebought,” says Kelly. “Your statutoryrights say that any goods youpurchase have to be asdescribed, of satisfactoryquality and fit for theirintended purpose andyou can only return

an item if it does not meet these require-ments. People should check individualstores’ policies for returning unwantedpresents and ask for a gift receipt.Additionally, be careful where you shopfor children’s presents as counterfeit toyscan be more likely to come apartor be unsafe with potentially dangerousconsequences.”

She warns that people also need to knowtheir rights when buying online. Consumershave seven days after the day you receivethe item, to send it back for any reason,unless the item has been personalised.Furthermore, if you don’t specify a deliverydate, anything bought online can legallytake up to 30 days to be sent to you.

“Make an early New Year’s resolution toknow your legal rights and responsibilitiesand become a confident consumer,”she added.

ALL IN Aday’s work

ConsumerchampionKelly Eaton is helping the borough’s consumers throughher work at Brent and Harrow Trading Standards.

Visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uke-mail [email protected] call Brent and Harrow TradingStandards on 020 8937 5555.

“Check individual stores’ policies

for returning unwanted presents

and ask for a gift receipt.”Kelly Eaton


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Keep warm and wellFor many older people the winter months herald freezing temperatures, bigger fuel billsand a greater chance of falling ill. Last year more than 25,000 people in England andWales died from cold-related illnesses that could possibly have been prevented. So it’snever been more important to keep warm and well. Here a few ways.

Save energy• Turn off lights when you’re

not using them.

• When cooking, put a lid ona saucepan and turn downthe heat.

• Only put as much water inthe kettle as you need.

Stay warm indoors• Stock up your cupboards in case the weather become so severe

you don’t want to leave the house.

• Have regular meals and hot drinks throughout the day.Thiscan help prevent hypothermia.

• Don’t sit in one place for a long period. Regularly stretch yourlegs by walking around the room or doing small chores aroundthe house.

Look out for othersAre your older neighbours keeping warm and well? Check their milk, post and newspapers are being collected.Curtains closed during the day or rubbish not being put outcould be a sign that something is wrong.

13DECEMBER 2009 THE BRENT MAGAZINE

Home Heat Helpline 0800 336 6999Help the Aged Free Winter Warmth Line 0800 289 404Energy Solutions 0800 169 5693Age Concern Information Line 0800 009 966

Don’t risk flu• Several thousand deaths each year are due to flu. Those

most at risk include the over 65s.

• Flu is much more serious than a cold. If you are at risk fromflu and over 65, ask your GP about a free flu jab which lastsfor 12 months.

• Take steps to reduce the spread of flu by covering yourmouth when you cough or sneeze and wash your hands toavoid picking up or spreading the virus.

• To find out more, talk to your GP, nurse or pharmacist,or visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk orwww.dh.gov.uk.For health advice callNHS Direct on 0845 4647.

Wrap up your home• Check your home is properly insulated by blocking any gaps in

doors or windows with draft excluders. Cover your hotwater tank with lagging to stop heat escaping.

• Lay insulation in the loft to reduce heat loss.

• Check your central heating is working properlyand is serviced once a year.Your supplier mayoffer a free safety check. If your system is oldand in need of replacing, you could qualify fora grant to help pay for the work

• Keep at least one room in your house at a constant 21˚C

• Never use a hot water bottle with an electric blanket as youmight get an electric shock.

• If you’re over 60 you could be eligible for a grant of up to£4,000 from the government’s Warm Front programme tohelp heat your home. Call 0800 316 6011 or text 0800 072 0156, 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday.

• Find out if you can claim a winter fuel payment. Call thehelpline on 0845 915 1515, 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.

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3 December Kilburn Winter Glow FestivalKilburn Square, Kilburn HighRoad 4pm Mayor of Camdenswitches on Christmas lights,4-7pm steel pan band, carols,Madame Santa, festive food,late-night [email protected] 7974 2271.

There are a lot ofevents in the boroughto celebrate Christmasthis year from lanternparades to festive artsand crafts and theBrent Christmas Festivalat Brent Town Hall.

10 DecemberQueen’s Park Winter GatheringSalusbury Road andChamberlayne Road, Queen’sPark; lantern procession at3.45pm and 4-7pm festiveentertainment, meet Santa,promotion in pubs andvenues [email protected] 694 733.


Brent’s festiv

1 December – 7 January 2010‘Bygone Christmases’exhibition at Brent Archives,seasonal cards and photographsfrom archives and BrentMuseum, 1st floor WillesdenGreen Library Centre,[email protected] 020 8937 3541.

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15DECEMBER 2009 THE BRENT MAGAZINE

12 DecemberFestive Arts and CraftsCricklewood Library in Olive Road11-1pm 020 8937 3540 Preston RoadLibrary 11 – 1pm 020 8937 3510,Ealing Road Library 2-4pm 020 8937 3560 and Kensal RiseLibrary in Bathurst Gardens 2-4pm020 8969 0942 All for children agedfive and over; maximum of two children per adult, booking required.

19 DecemberChristmas craftsMake a Christmas hat, KilburnLibrary 2.30-4pm 020 89373530 Make 3D Christmas TreesEaling Road Library 2.30-3.30pm 020 8937 3560, andBarham Park Library 2.30-3.30pm 020 8937 3550, 3D TagsTokyngton Library 2.30-3.30pm020 8937 3590 Christmas

Crafts, Preston Road Library 11-12noon 020 8937 3510, and2.30-3.30pm Kingsbury LibraryPlus 020 8937 3520 WillesdenGreen Library Centre 020 8937 3400 Neasden LibraryPlus 020 8937 3580 childrenaged five and over; childrenunder eight years must beaccompanied by a parent orcarer; no booking required.

17 DecemberBrent Christmas FestivalPaul Daisley Hall, Brent TownHall, Forty Lane, Wembley.Brent Christmas Bazaar from5-8pm featuring gift stalls,tombola and recycled cardmaking, 5.45pm ‘Snow Whiteand the Messy Dwarves’

pantomime puppets andsongs for children, 6.30pmcarols, a Christmas play byDrama Workhouse, Brent’sYouth Circus Group perform,music by Brent Junior Choirand Brent Youth Orchestra 020 8937 [email protected]

Throughout DecemberBrent Christmas LanternsLanterns made by youngpeople from recycled materi-als decorated with a 2012Olympics theme displayed atBrent Town Hall andWillesden Green Library

Centre. To create your ownlantern download a templatefrom www.brent.gov.uk/whatson and try it at home.For more on any events visitwww.brent.gov.uk/whatsonemail [email protected] call 020 8937 3144.

ve calendar

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The five cold and tired men stepped intoAll Souls Church in Harlesden on a freezingnight last January.They were welcomed andfed by volunteers and slept over in thechurch.That night marked the beginning ofa new project to assist Brent’s homeless.

The Route 18 Brent Winter NightShelter project offers a place to stay forhomeless men and women in the coldestwinter nights. It ran from last January for11 weeks.This month it returns again fromearly December until late March 2010.

It was set up by seven churches in partnership with Cricklewood HomelessConcern (CHC). Importantly, the initiativedraws on the support of hundreds of volunteers from church congregations,voluntary groups, and charities.The homeless stay for a night a week in one ofthe churches where the volunteers providefood, warmth, and company for them. Eachperson, who has been referred and riskassessed by CHC, is also offered furtheradvice and guidance by CHC and BrentCouncil to help them into housing.

“The people we helped last year includedprofessionals, workmen, and people fromevery ethnic group and religion in Brent,”explains Marlon Nelson, a communityworker in South Brent Deanery and projectorganiser. “I know they appreciated thewarmth and hospitality they were offered,and often helped to support each other.”

The initiative, supported by BrentCouncil funded Neighbourhood Working,is named after the bus route which thechurches sit along.They include All SoulsChurch in Harlesden, St Michael’s inTokyngton, St Luke’s in West Kilburn, StMark’s in Kensal Rise, Church of God ofProphecy in Tubbs Road, Harlesden, theSeventh Day Adventist Church inWillesden, and Community ChurchHarlesden in Kensal Rise. Last year at least49 people were helped; churches ran 1,100bed spaces, offered 2,200 meals and at least

238 volunteers helped out in the shelters.“Last year it achieved so much. I

remember there was snow on the groundfor some of the evenings when we wereable to offer a place for the night. I wasproud to see the shelters opening and somany volunteers turning up to offer food,comfort and friendship,” added Marlon.

This year the organisers hope to helpmore people, and in future extend it to thenorth of the borough with the help of theBrent Multi-Faith Forum. CouncillorJames Allie, Brent Council’s Lead Memberfor Housing and Customer Services, said:“Religious groups are often keen to play a role and help tackle homelessness. We are grateful to all the support they offer the Brent community and are happy to support them again.”

Winter wonder

For referrals to the project contact CHC on020 8208 8590 or email [email protected], to get involved email Marlonat [email protected] orcall 020 8960 3929 / 07985 382 507.

Charlotte Curran of Cricklewood HomelessConcern, Reverend Phil Stone and MarlonNelson at St Mark’s Church, Kensal Green.Photograph by Isabelle Plasschaert

DECEMBER 2009 THE BRENT MAGAZINE 17

As the winter begins seven churches in Brent will be sheltering the homeless every night.

“I know they appreciated

the warmth and hospitality.”

6120TBM97p17 18/11/09 12:41 Page 1

Brent’s newCivic Centre


Community centrepiece for local people in the heart of the borough

Based in the heart of Wembley, oppositeWembley Stadium and Arena Square, thenew Civic Centre will be designed byaward-winning Hopkins Architects, andwill be a building for the whole communityto enjoy.Located in the middle of a future shoppingarea, and with excellent public transportlinks, the nine-storey landmark building willaccommodate 2,000 staff and councillors.Around half of the building will be used toprovide facilities for use by Brent’s residents.These will include a multi-purpose foyerwith grand civic steps, a flexible communityhall that can hold events for up to 1,000people, a winter garden and a smaller CivicHall with an external terrace and a café. Itwill also house a new library and learningcentre with space for young people, andthere will be a bigger Registrars Servicewith a wedding suite and wedding garden.The building will become a new community centrepiece with key festivalsand events in the Brent calendar being celebrated in the public areasthroughout the year.

The council will continue to work withlocal people to help shape these publicspaces.We want to make sure the newbuilding becomes a place of which thewhole of Brent can be proud.

For the first time ever, all council serviceswill be delivered from one building.Thiswill save around £2 million a year overallas the council vacates lots of buildings thatit currently occupies across the borough.This means there will be more money tospend on delivering frontline services forlocal people. And, services will vastlyimprove as the council will be able to workmuch more effectively from one place,and with partners.

The new Civic Centre will help the councilto do its bit to help save the planet, aswe’re aiming for the building to be one ofthe greenest, most eco-friendly public service buildings in the country.The latestrenewable technologies will be used toreduce both the costs of running the building and its carbon emissions. Someexamples of the measures will include waterconservation, reducing and recycling wasteand using environmentally friendly materials throughout.

Councillor Paul Lorber, Leader of BrentCouncil, said: “The new Civic Centre presents a host of opportunities for the bor-ough. As well as being an environmentallyfriendly building, it will provide fantasticnew facilities for residents when finishedand local jobs during construction andoperation phases. Moving all our services toone building will allow us to save around£2 million per year.We will also be able todeliver more efficient, better value servicesto Brent's residents from one place – at the

heart of the most excitingregeneration area in

the country.”

“It will provide new facilities for

residents when finished and

local jobs during construction”

An artist’s impression of Brent’s new Civic Centre

A planning application will be availablefor viewing from December 2009.Copies and supporting documents will be available to view at: Brent HouseOne-Stop-Shop, 349-357 High Road,Wembley or on Brent Council's website:www.brent.gov.uk/planning. Any comments should be sent in writing to the Chief Planner, Brent House by 31 January 2010.

6120TBM97p19A 19/11/09 16:56 Page 1


We are here to help you with any council enquiry. If you need a council service, information or you want tocomplain or make a suggestion, phone or email us first:

One Stop onlinewww.brent.gov.uk/oss [email protected]

One Stop telephones

020 8937 1200*General customer service enquiries

020 8937 4300Adult and Children Social Services

020 8937 1234Switchboard and Emergency Out of Hours

020 8937 5050*StreetCare

020 8937 1790*Council Tax

020 8937 5252*Environmental Health

020 8937 1800*Housing and Council Tax Benefit

020 8937 1993*For people with a hearing impairment

• Town Hall • Brent House • Harlesden • Willesden

One Stop local offices

*Telephone us Monday to Friday

from 8am-8pm andSaturdays 9am-1pm

Calls may be monitored and we may telephone you to help us improve services.

Brent Council One Stop Customer Services

Photos: www.JohnBirdsall.co.uk


Brent Council is urging people to think carefullyif they are considering buying a dog at Christmas.

As Christmas Day approaches our thoughts turn towards what presents to buy forothers. However, Brent Council’s Animal Welfare Service is asking residents to notget a dog or puppy without thinking first about what owning a dog really means.

The service’s appeal is partly in response to rising numbers of stray dogsabandoned on Brent’s streets. In September and October it dealt with 60 strayor unwanted dogs – nearly one a day. In September, 11 of the 23 dogs wereStaffordshire Bull Terrier-types. Five went back to their owners and six werenot claimed. In October, there were 37 stray dogs: 21 were Staffordshire BullTerrier-types and 15 were not reclaimed.

“The dogs have been dumped, unwanted and unloved and left for the councilto pick up the cost and the care,” says Craig Johnstone, Brent Council’s PestControl and Animal Welfare Manager. A dog can bring years of happiness andcompanionship. But a dog should not be bought on a whim from a friend orsomeone in the street. “With improvements in diets, dogs can now live up to20 years so there is a lot to think about: expense, dog food, vets bills,kennelling fees. Then there is the time, patience and commitment – ayoung dog will need socialising, toilet training. Think: are you preparedfor dog mess in the house? Will you be at work during the day?”

The Animal Welfare Service, which deals with stray dogs, barkingdogs, dog fouling, and animal cruelty, gives advice on pet ownership.It has two other Animal Welfare Officers – Angela Moruzziand Rebekah Fearon – an important part of their work ispromoting responsible animal ownership throughBrent Action for Responsible K9s (BARK) – which isa joint partnership with Brent Police, RSPCA, andThe Mayhew Animal Home. The team was recentlyawarded a RSPCA Stray Dogs Gold Footprintfor its work with strays. The BARK projecthas also won an RSCPA Innovator Award.

“People need to think what willhappen to the dog if they go awayfor a weekend,” added Rebekahwho adopted her dog Sandy afterit was found on Brent’s streets.“Who will look after it, andis your home big enough tocope with the size of the dog?Some dogs require moreexercise than others.There are also differencesbetween female and maledogs. Consider if you havetime to exercise your dog atleast twice a day, and areyou prepared to clean upyour dog mess from the parksand paths, it’s the law!”

Canine caring

Rebekah Fearon with herdogs Sandy and Joey.


Visit www.brent.gov.uk/animalwelfare [email protected] or call 020 8937 5252.

6120TBM97p21.qxp 18/11/09 10:23 Page 1

Collection days for your rubbish, green recyclingboxes and green organicsbins over the festive period: Normal Revisedcollection collection

December

Thursday 24 � Normal collection

Friday 25 � Monday 28

Monday 28 � Tuesday 29

Tuesday 29 � Wednesday 30

Wednesday 30 � Thursday 31

Thursday 31 � Saturday 2

January

Friday 1 � Sunday 3

Monday 4 � Normal collection

Is your green recycling box overflowing?

Do you want to recycle more but the box is too small for everything?

Do you share a box with a neighbour?

During the festive season, there will be lots more you can recycle.

Order an extra green recycling box and get into the habit of recycling more.

You can recycle more than you think!

Make this year agreen boxing day

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


As the world prepares for the United Nations conference in Copenhagen,our borough will be unveiling its own Brent Climate Change Pledge.

The pledge, to be launched on 2 December at a conference to mark thestart of the council’s Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, is forresidents to do their bit now to limit climate change in the future.It has five main categories: to use less energy; cycle, walk or use public

transport more; reduce and recycle rubbish; waste less water; eat foodwhich is in season. Although there are lots of steps people can take.Residents who sign up are asked to get their friends and family to join,and for those who cannot be at the event, they can join online.

“Climate change is going to have a big impact on local people, theborough and London,” says Brent Council Leader Councillor Paul Lorber,who will be speaking at the event. “As well as being informative, theconference will debate how we should respond locally. We all have to starttaking our impact on the environment into account in everything we do.But if we all make small changes, it can add up to a big difference.”

The strategy is the joint work of Brent Council and the Local StrategicPartnership and is believed to be the first borough-wide community basedstrategy in London. The plan warns of the potential environmental impacton Brent if climate change is not controlled. It says the borough could behit by transport disruption, higher temperatures, water shortages and flooddamage to local businesses and homes by 2050. Apart from the plan theconference will feature a screening of ‘The Age of Stupid’ – the acclaimedfilm from director Franny Armstrong and starring Oscar-nominated actorPete Postlethwaite, which was partly filmed in Brent, followed by a discussionon what Brent should do. Speakers on the day include Dr Penny Bramwell,Head of Sustainable Development Unit at Government Office for London,

Tom Cumberlege, public sector manager at the Carbon Trust. A theatregroup will also entertain and inform with audience participation.

Pledgingchange


Brent Council is urging people to pledge support tocontrolling climate change at a special event thismonth. It is a small step, but one which could addup to a big change if done by enough people.

23

The climate pledge is atwww.brent.gov.uk/climatechangeThe conference on2 December runs from10 - 4.15pm at the SattavisPatidar Centre in FortyAvenue, Wembley. [email protected] call 020 8762 0354for more information.

Brentclimatechangestrategy

The photomontage shown here, ofthe possible consequences of climatechange, is based on a photographtaken of homes in Kensal Rise whichwere hit by a mini-tornado inDecember 2006.

6120TBM97p023.qxp 18/11/09 11:49 Page 1

Brent Council are inviting applications from communityrepresentatives for an exciting opportunity to undertake a

leadership role representing the wider Muslim Communitieson the Building Stronger Communities Board.

The board oversees a wide range of community based projectsserving the borough’s diverse Muslim communities. This rolewould suit applications from leaders who would like to activelyparticipate in encouraging engagement and strengtheningcommunity cohesion by representing the Muslim Community.

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 23 December 2009.

For an application pack please contact:Misbah Javed on 020 8937 1023

or email [email protected]

For further information or an informal chatplease contact: Elizabeth Bryan on 020 8937 1190or email [email protected]

Represent yourcommunity and be a

voice of the people



Our survey said…Every three years Brent Council faces one ofits biggest tests of public opinion – theResidents’ Attitude Survey.

It is carried out by polling organisationIpsos MORI and includes questions on crime,litter, community relations and local authorityservices. The survey is to help Brent Councilgauge residents’ perceptions and views of theborough in which they live, and this year2,243 residents were interviewed face-to-facefor the study. The 2009 survey has shown thatsatisfaction with Brent as a place to live ishigher than ever.

“Satisfaction is up in almost every area inthis year's survey including services that thecouncil provides, as well as wider issuessuch as 'sense of community' and 'fear ofcrime',” said Councillor Paul Lorber Leaderof Brent Council. “However, we are notcomplacent and we remain committed todelivering a more efficient council and acleaner, greener and safer borough.”

In 2009, 65 per cent said they were satisfied with the way Brent Council runsthings compared to 48 per cent in the survey published in 2006; 83 per cent were satisfied

with their local area as a place to live in2009. Twenty-five per cent of people feltthat their area had got better, and 51 percent that it had a strong sense of community– up by 14 per cent since the previous survey.When asked if their area is a place wherepeople from different backgrounds get onwell, 74 per cent of people agreed.

In addition, respondents were asked abouttheir top five things that affect what makesan area a good place to live. Crime level istop with 52 per cent of the people surveyedidentifying it; clean streets scored 41 per cent;health services 32 per cent; and shoppingfacilities was picked by 31 per cent of people

who took part in the survey. However, perceptions of low-level crime haveimproved with a smaller proportion sayingthat they feel threatened by crime and anincrease in those saying that they feel safe intheir local area. The number of respondentswho said the council should spend moremoney on fighting crime fell from 30 percent in 2005 to 16 per cent this year.

Satisfaction with 24 out of 28 council services has risen. The highest was refuse collection (86 per cent saying they are satisfied), parks (82 per cent), recycling (81per cent). The largest increases in satisfactionare in sports facilities (up 18 per cent), streetsweeping (16 per cent), and parks (14 per cent).

The recent survey's results also had somepositive findings about your monthly TheBrent Magazine. Fifty-six per cent of peopleidentified the magazine as a good way offinding out about council services; up from54 per cent in 2005. Of those of you whohave seen a copy, 42 per cent said you readall or most of it – a six per cent increasefrom 2005. About seven in ten respondentssaid The Brent Magazine contains a lot ofuseful information, and like the way it waspresented, again both higher than the 2005residents' survey.

For more visit www.brent.gov.uk/ras2009or call 020 8937 1057.

When residents are asked what they think of life in Brent, the results prove to be encouraging.

25

“Satisfaction is up in almost

every area in this year's survey

including services that the

council provides, as well as

wider issues such as 'sense of

community' and 'fear of crime'.”


The council is delivering efficient services.

Satisfaction is up with

refuse collection.

6120TBM97p25 18/11/09 12:34 Page 1


A place to gatherThe history of a community association is being rediscoveredafter its archive turned up again after many years.

6120TBM97p26-27 18/11/09 12:19 Page 2

27

SECREThistory

The three books lay forgotten for years ina cupboard behind the stage at the backof the King’s Hall.

Then Jackie Baines, who had justbecome secretary of the King’s HallCommunity Association, started having aclear-up. Jackie said. “Among the years ofdust we found the three separate books.They had obviously been there for sometime, but when I opened them it was awonderful surprise.”

The books contain photographs, letters,leaflets, and newsletters from the 1940s tothe late 1980s and capture the history ofthe King’s Hall Community Association. The association has since 1947 been theumbrella organisation for societies, clubsand others to meet and run events based at King’s Hall in Harlesden Road, Willesden Green.

King’s Hall was built in 1905 by thePlymouth Brethren and used by membersof the Protestant evangelical body as aplace for their assemblies from 1907 to1947. But its numbers in Willesdendeclined and the hall was taken over byMiddlesex County Council, which in turnhanded it to King’s Hall CommunityAssociation in May 1947. Its first chairmanCEP Taylor told a local paper that it wouldbe ‘a place where people can gather andlearn something about life which madelife really worth living’.

The archive books capture the post-waryears when the association had more than1,000 members, and myriad clubs. Photosinclude women’s darts teams, cricket clubannual dinners, variety shows, and eventhe Cactus and Succulent Society. “In those

days everybody in this area of Willesdenwould have been a member,” explainsJackie. “Annual subs were £1, quite a lotthen, but there were clubs for everything.”

The books also record important eventsin the association’s history such as winningthe annual Willesden Carnival in 1950 and1960; damage from the Great Storm of1987, and a visit by 21-year-old BrendaWheeler who won Miss Evening NewsOffice Girl in 1970. They have copies of theassociation’s newsletter ‘The King’s Herald’

from the 1950s up until the mid-1970s,press cuttings, and the lyrics of a dittycalled ‘Forward Together’, written by hallwarden Harry Edwards, which was themotto of the London Borough of Brentfounded in 1965.

“Sadly, nothing was added after the late1980s. By then numbers of people goingto the clubs had declined quite sharply,”added Jackie. “However, recently, manyhave experienced a revival and we alwayswelcome new members.” Today groupswhich meet weekly at the hall include the25th Willesden Cubs and Scouts, sequencedance, play group, bingo club, Greekgroup, senior citizens, children’s ballroomdancing, a Pentecostal church, and a lotmore. “The ‘Mother Goose’ pantomime on17 December has sold out, and theChristmas Fair will hopefully be wellattended,” said Jackie. “The hall hasalways been important to the communitylife of Willesden and I would love morepeople to join and get involved. Thebooks will be on show at the ChristmasFair for visitors to look through and see ifthey recognize any of their families!”

“A place where people

can gather and learn something

about life which made life

really worth living.”

Far left: One of the books showing oldtimes at King’s Hall, right, the women’sdarts team and, below, the hall today.

The King’s Hall Christmas Fair will be on 12 December from 1.30-4.30pm and includes craft and gift stalls, raffle, tombola, and Father Christmas in his Grotto.For more information on the association,e-mail [email protected] 020 8459 3487 or visit www.kingshallcommunitycentre.co.uk.Brent Archives has documents of the hallgoing back 30 years, call 020 8937 3541.


Picture by Caroline Miller

6120TBM97p26-27 18/11/09 12:19 Page 3


Smallworkgrants

UP TO £5000

Brent Council provides homeowners with grants of up to£5,000 to carry out essentialrepairs to their homes? Thisincludes repairs to windows,roofs, boilers, electrics and more.

To qualify you need to be ahomeowner who is over 60and receiving pension credit,or under 60 with children andon income support for morethan a year.

To find out if you are eligible contact Brent Council on020 8937 2383or email [email protected]

Would you like a grant tohelp you make essentialrepairs to your home?


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 thetunnel 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:

What competition is being played atWembley Stadium on 28 February?

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

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

Wembley Stadium Event Calendar Event starts

13 Feb 2010 Saracens v Worcester Warriors TBC

28 Feb 2010 Carling Cup Final TBC

3 Mar 2010 England Friendly TBC

28 Mar 2010 Johnstone’s Paint Trophy TBC

10 and 11 Apr 2010 FA Cup Semi Finals TBC

17 April Saracens v Harlequins 3pm

8 or 9 May 2010 FA Trophy / Vase TBC

15 May 2010 FA Cup Final TBC

16 May 2010 Conference Play Off TBC

22 May 2010 Championship Play Off TBC

29 May 2010 League 1 Play Off TBC

30 May 2010 League 2 Play Off TBC

19 June Green Day TBC

Date tbc The FA Community Shield TBC

28 August 2010 Rugby League Challange Cup Final TBC

4 September Potential England Euro 2012 qualifier TBC

8 September Potential England Euro 2012 qualifier TBC

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.

Send your entries on a postcard with your name, address and daytime telephone number to: 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 11 December 2009.

Last month’s winners: Stadium competition: GB Khatri, Dermot Sullivan, M Mentore, M Bevan

Griot’s Tale competition: S Watkins, M O’Mahony, S Moore, JM D’Cruz, Jasper Graham.

NOVEMBER 2009 THE BRENT MAGAZINE 29

Tricycle Cinema Club competition The Tricycle is offering annual membership of its TricycleCinema Club to two lucky winners. The Tricycle’s cinema hasbeen described as ‘Britain’s most beautiful film venue’ byVogue magazine. It is the perfect prize for film lovers withtwo free tickets for one screening, a £1.50 discount perticket every time you visit, and priority booking for Q&Aswith actors, directors and writers. Stars from the world offilm who have recently visited the cinema club at theKilburn venue include Colin Firth, Sam Mendes, EmmaThompson, and Alan Rickman.

For a chance to win, send in the correct answer to the following question:

Which actress was a recent visitor at the Tricycle Cinema Club?

6120TBM97p29.qxp 18/11/09 12:21 Page 1

CHILDRENAIR CADETSMon and Thurs 7pm 406Squadron Willesden 020 8451 0406

ARTALIKE22 Dec 1.30-3.30pm artworkshop inspired by film‘Where the Wild ThingsAre’ £13 showing from11.30-1.30pm £5, LexiCinema, 194Chamberlayne Road,Kensal Rise. Call Wilda07946 755 847Sats 10am term-time; Sats 10-noon ARTTEEN 7-14 £5, Lexi Cinema07946 755 847

ART CLASSESMons, 10-11am, Thurs,10-11am, ToddlerPicassos, aged 15 monthsto 3 Mons, 4-6pm, JuniorPicassos, aged 7-11Weds, 4.15-5pm, MiniPicassos, Station Terrace,NW10 07903 638 817

BRENT YOUTH MATTERS 21 Dec 6pm Bridge ParkComplex, Hillside, NW10020 8937 3680

CHURCH LANE CHILDREN’S CENTREMons 9.30-11.30amtwins club, 2-4pm babyclub; Tues 1.30-3pmcooking. 9.30-noon citizens’ advice byappointment; Weds 9.15-10.45am and 11-12.30pm stay and play,dietician; Thurs 9.30-11.30am family workshopwith crèche; Friday 9.30-10.30am rhyme time and speech therapy by appointment, 9.30-noon citizens’ adviceby appointment,Fryent PrimarySchool, ChurchLane, Kingsbury 020 8937 3890

DANIEL’S DENMons 1-3pm, Thurs 9.30-11am, 11.30-1pm, Fris9.30-11am, 11.30-1pmSt Michael’s Church Hall, St Michael’s Ave,Tokyngton Tues, 1-3pm,Gladstone Park PrimarySchool, Dollis Hillwww.danielsden.org.uk

DRAMA WORKSHOPSSats 7-16 yrs DuddenhillCentre, NW10 07958 653 725

FAWOOD CHILDREN’S CENTREMons, Tues & Fris 9.30-11.30am under 5s pop inand play, Weds 9.30-11.30am childminder’snetwork, Fawood AvenueNW10 020 8965 9334

GIRLS’ BRIGADEWeds 5.15-8.30pm forfive-year-olds and upwards,Queensbury MethodistChurch, Beverley Drive 07961 321 237

GOALKEEPING SCHOOLMons 6-7pm 7-11 yrs,7.15-8.15pm 12-18yrsJFS, The Mall, Kenton£5.75 07931 359 323

HATHA YOGA Mons 5-8yrs 5pm, 12 weeks £42, WillesdenGreen Library07764 159 318

LITTLE BEEPS MUSIC AND MOVEMENTMons 10.30am WillesdenCommunity Hospital,Weds 10.30am SalvationArmy Harlesden, Fris10.30am dad-led sessionat Willesden CommunityHospital 07976 379 520

MINI PICASSOSTues 9.30-10.30am tod-dlers – 3 yrs £7 drop in,Tues 4-4.45pm 4 yrs-6 yrs£7, £8 drop in, Tues 5-6pm 7yrs-11yrs £8 or £9drop in Gracelands Cafe118 College Rd NW10;Mini Picassos Art at TheirNibs, Chamberlayne RdNW10 7yrs-11yrs Mons 4-5pm £8, £9 drop in

MINI-SOCCERSuns Year 3 9.45-10.45am Year 4-Year 610.45-12noon UxendonManor School, Vista Way,Kenton, 6 weeks £30, call George Lappas 07957 229 518

MUM AND TODDLERThurs 10-noon, PrestonMall Community Centre,Kenton £2 020 8204 1148

ONE VOICEMons 10-12.30pm (term-time only) support groupfor parents and carers ofdisabled children, Hay LaySchool, Kingsbury 07985 195 [email protected]

PARENT AND CARER TODDLER GROUPThurs 9-10.30am 50pBarham Primary,Danethorpe Road,Wembley 020 8902 3706

PARENT AND BABY WALKTues, 10.30amRoundwood Park, NW1007958 292 524

PIONEER EXPLORER SCOUTSWeds 8-10pm for 14-18years, Stember Hall,Leighton Gardens, NW10 01582 703121

SEA TRAINING CORPSThurs 7.15-9.15pm Sea

Pirates 7-9 yrs; Thurs 7.15-9.15pm juniors; Mons andFris 7.15-9.30pm SeaCadets; Mons and Fris

7.15-9.30pm MarineCadets; youth

group for boysand girls, CoolOak Lane,NW9 0208205 4492www.seacadet.org

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

SOCCER SCHOOLSats 10am-12pm, ages 5-14. Newfield PrimarySchool, Longstone Ave, Harlesden, £28 for 5weeks. 07863 165 737

SOCCER TRAININGFris, 6-8pm, for children,first session free CapitalCity Academy NW10 [email protected]

TREE TOPS CHILDREN’SCENTREMons 10-noon childminders’ network,2.15-4.15pm stay andplay; Tues 10-noonhealthy eaters, citizens’advice (appointmentonly) 1.30-4pm, underones’ club 2-4pm; Weds10-noon, 2-4pm stayand play, 10.30-11.30am parents’ workshops; Thurs 10-noon, stay and play withspeech therapist, noon-12.30pm one-to-onewith speech therapist,2.15-3.15pm music andmovement, 2-4pm stayand play; Fris 9.30-nooncitizens’ advice (appointment only), 10-noon and 2.30-4.30pm stay and play,10-noon meet the dietician, Kings Edward’sPark, Doyle GardensNW10 020 8838 3901

WILLESDEN SURE STARTCHILDREN’S CENTREMons 1.30-3.30pmdrop-in nutrition, Mons1.30-3.30pm Tues 10-noon and 1.30-3pmstay, play and learn,Weds 10.30-noon BaaBaa Babies, Thurs andFris 9.30-12.30am citizens’ advice bureau(appointment only) Fris10-noon parents’ talk.Willesden Centre forHealth and Care SureStart Children’s Centre,Robson Avenue NW100208 459 7256

COMMUNITYACE CAFÉ5 Dec 11-4pm NissanPrimera meet; 12 Dec 11-4pm Ford Pop meet; 19Dec 11-4pm MitsubishiLancer Register meet; 13Dec 10.30am Xmas ToyRun; Dec 22 6pm – SupraMeet www.ace-cafe-london.com

BRAHMA KUMARIS6 December, 6.30-7.30pm World MeditationHour 020 8727 3350; 12Dec 2-5.30pm Discoverthe Secrets of Karmawww.bkwsu.org/uk/whatson Pound Lane,NW10 020 8727 3418

BRENT MUSIC THERAPY PROJECTWeds 10-noon ChalkhillCommunity Centre 113Chalkhill Road, Wembley,07939443687www.brentmusictherapyproject.co.uk

BRENT PENSIONERSFORUM2 Dec 10-12noon BrentTown Hall 020 8998 0564

BRENT AND HARROWNATIONAL ASSOCIATIONOF WIDOWS1 Dec Christmas mealout, contact Rhona, 76Marlborough Hill, Harrow020 8969 3198

GALLERY IN THE PARKMon-Fri, 9-3pm café andtraining for people withlearning disabilities,Wembley, 07833 374 696

GLAD CLUBGreater LondonAssociation for theDisabled, all older and disabled people welcomeWembley Park UnitedReformed Church, East Lane, Wembley 020 8904 8668

GOSPEL NIGHT5 Dec 6.30-10.30pmfund-raising night forR&A Music school BethelCommunity Centre,Ealing Road, Alperton,tickets £6 020 8621 527307828 137 340

KING’S HALL COMMUNITYASSOCIATION12 Dec 1.30-4.30pmKing’s Hall ChristmasFair, gift and craft stalls,raffle, tombola, bric-a-brac, meet FatherChristmas, 155Harlesden Road,Willesden 020 8459 3487

MOSAICWeds, for lesbian, gay,bisexual and transgenderyoung people aged under19 07931 33668

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

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

TAMIL READING GROUP12 Dec 2.30-4pm BrentTown Hall Library

CRAFTFLOWER ARRANGINGWeds, 8pm KingsburyHorticulturalAssociation, ThePavilion, Old KentonLane Allotments 020 8205 3457

KNITTING GROUPMons, 6pm LewisCresent, Neasden 07775 984 316

WEMBLEY QUILTERS2nd and 4th Fris, 7.30-9.30pm, PerivaleCommunity Centre,Horsenden Lane 020 8902 9934

DANCEADULT AFRICAN DANCEWeds 7.30-8.30pm £5Willesden Sports Centre020 8955 1120

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

AMZAINA DANCESuns 1-2pm, Bollywood and streetstyle, Energie Health and Fitness, WembleyPoint Harrow Road07943 158 105

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What’s going on…The essential guide to music, drama, sport, workshops and much more. Find out what’s going on in Brent during December 2009. To get your event listed [email protected] or telephone 020 8937 1068.

THE BRENT MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2009

Xmas Toy Run at the ACE Cafe in Stonebridge – Prize forbest dressed bike and rider. 13 December. See: Community

Status Quo – 12 December at theWembley Arena. See: Music

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BRENT MUSEUM WILLESDEN GREEN LIBRARYHigh Road, NW10020 8937 3600THE BRENT ARCHIVEIst Floor, Willesden Green Library Centre, NW10020 8937 3541 [email protected] THE PAUL DAISLEY HALLForty Lane, Wembley, Middx HA9Box Office 020 8937 6206/6203THE STABLES 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] Library152 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

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ARGENTINEAN TANGO Thurs, 7.30-9pm, beginners, 9-11pm TheCricklewood Pub, NW2www.corrientessocialclub.co.uk

BELLY DANCE Tues 8.30-10pm NYPilates Studio, LonsdaleRd NW6 020 7372 3490

Mons 7.30-8.30pm,Fitness First Wembley, £8drop and £40 for 6 weeks07855 362 849www.hayaam.com

CLUB CEROCTues 8-11pm Brent TownHall, Wembleywww.clubceroc.com

LATIN STAMPWeds 7-9pm £6/£4 UnityCommunity CentreChurch Road, NW10, Fris7-10pm £6/£4 PrestonMall Community Centre,The Mall, Preston Hill,salsa, soca, reggaetonclasses 07779 591 086

LINE DANCINGFris 6.15-7.15pm, free,beginners, ChalkhillCommunity Centre, 113Chalkhill Road, Wembley020 8976 1099

MAMBO CITYMons, 7.30-8.30pmCuban Salsa £6 StJoseph’s Social Club,Empire Way, [email protected]

SALSAFris 7.30-8.30pmWillesden Sports CentreThurs 8.15-9.30pm£4.50, Vale Farm SportsCentre 07961 281 989

SALSA AND KAZOMBAThurs, 8pm class, 9pm-midnight dancing £5 ClubCasa Nossa, NW1007723 696 318

SCOTTISH COUNTRYDANCINGMons 8-10pm, £2 YouthCentre, Church of theAscension, Wembley 020 3078 0018

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

TEA DANCEMons & Weds, 1.30-4.30pm, £3, Brent TownHall, Wembley 020 8937 6206

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

DRAMA WORKHOUSETues & Weds 8-10pm,adult workshops, DuddenHill Centre, NW10 07958 653 725

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

TRICYCLE THEATRE5 Dec, 4 Dec 10.30am,1.30pm ‘Aladdin’ byLanternfish Theatre; 12Dec ‘Whingerella and theScary Godmother’ byMyths and Legwarmers;13 Dec 3.30pm, 14, 15Dec 10.30am, 1.30pm‘Bink and the Hairy Fairy’;19 Dec ‘The RainbowFish’ by BlunderbusTheatre; 29 Dec, 31 Dec12noon, 2pm, 2 Jan 201011.30am, 2pm ‘Dude!Where’s My Teddy Bear?’tickets: £7.50/6.50 conc,family ticket (2 adults, 2children) £25/24. Until 19Dec ‘Not Black andWhite’ season of plays byblack playwrights; includ-ing ‘Category B’ by RoyWilliams, ‘Seize the Dayby Kwame Kwei-Armah,‘Detaining Justice’ by BolaAgbaje; 020 7328 1000www.tricycle.co.uk

ENTERTAINMENTCATWEAZLE CLUBTues, 8pm live performance of music,poetry, song; Paradise,19 Kilburn Lane £5 www.catweazleclub.org

ENVIRONMENTBARN HILL CONSERVATIONGROUP6 Dec 10am tree plan-ning, meet at Bush farm;13 Dec grassland conser-vation at Saltcroft Glade,meet at Fryent Way carpark 020 8206 0589

BRENT FRIENDS OF THE EARTH8 Dec 7.30pm, Labourand Trades Hall, 375 High Road, NW10 07793 244 408

FARMERS’ MARKETSuns, 10-2pm, SalusburyRoad, School, QueensPark www.lfm.org.uk

KENSAL RISE MARKET Sats, 10-5pm, outsideMinkie’s Deli,Chamberlayne Road,NW10 07807 057 808

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

ROE GREEN WALLEDGARDENTues, Thurs, Sats 10-2.30pm gardening andwildlife work in thegarden, organised by BarnHill Conservation Group020 8206 0589

WEMBLEY NATIONAL TRUST3rd Thurs in month,7.30pm St John’s Church,Crawford Avenue,Wembley 020 8904 5940

WELSH HARP CONSERVATION GROUP13 Dec 10am winter birdswalk, see scarce ducksand marsh birds 020 8447 1810

EXHIBITIONSBRENT ARTISTS RESOURCEUntil 17 Dec BrentAffordable Art Fair 2-6pm, buy work by emerging artists for less than £100 WillesdenGreen Library Centre,High Road 020 8459 1421www.brentartistsresource.org.uk

BRENT MUSEUMUntil 3 Jan 2010‘UnderstandingContemporary Art’modern art explainedwith works from southAsia, Brent Museum, first floor gallery; 8 Decexhibition tour with JanaManuelpillai, director ofNoble Sage GalleryCentre, 95 High Road,NW10 020 8937 3600www.brent.gov.uk/museum

STABLES GALLERYUntil 6 Dec Brent CameraClub members’ workGladstone Park, Dollis HillLane, 020 8452 8655

LOCAL HISTORYWEMBLEY HISTORY SOCIETY11 Dec 7.30pm Christmasparty, quiz and raffle, fullbuffet and wine £7, StAndrew’s, Church Lane,Kingsbury 020 8205 3263

WILLESDEN HISTORY SOCIETY9 Dec 7.30pm Christmasevent, please book inadvance, Scout House,Strode Road NW10 020 8965 7230 [email protected]

MUSICACE CAFÉ20 Dec 7pm carol service;31 Dec 9-2am New Year’sEve Party with Slim Slip &The Sliders and DJs £20(includes a meal), over18s only www.ace-café-london.com

GUITAR LESSONSMon-Thurs, Kensal Risecontact Udi 07528 016 583www.udiguitar.com

JAZZSuns 8-10pm, Hugo’s,Lonsdale Road, Queen’sPark www.jazz7.co.uk020 7372 1232

PIANO LESSONSMon-Sun, all grades frombeginner to advanced,£20 per hour,Cricklewood, call EdgardoPlasencia 020 8450 1067

WEMBLEY ARENA4, 5, 6 Dec 8pm EddieIzzard; 7 Dec 7.30pmSimple Minds; 9 Dec7.30pm Abba The Show;12 Dec 8pm Status Quo;13 Dec 8pm RussellHoward: Big Rooms andBelly Laughs ArenaSquare, Engineers Way, Wembley www.livenation.co.uk

SPORTS & LEISUREAEROBICSWeds, 8-9pm, £4 FatherO’Callaghan Centre, HayLane, Kingsbury 07861 377 214

ATLANTIS SWIMMING CLUBWeds, Wykeham PrimarySchool, Thurs, Grove ParkSchool, adults & children07958 422 660

BRENT DOLPHINSTues, Weds, Fris, Suns,Willesden Sports Centre,Mons, Thurs, Suns, ValeFarm Sports Centre, children’s swimming club07805 611 [email protected]

BRENT PARK WALKSGroup walks aroundparks to keep fit, callSports Service 020 8937 3707

BRIDGEFris pm Dennis JacksonCentre, London Road 020 8902 5331

BRONDESBURY BOWLING CLUBEvenings and daytimeincluding free tuition,Chatsworth Road 0208 438 0302

BROTHERS PEARSE CAMOGIE CLUBLadies hurling club, beginners and experiencedplayers welcome, contactMary Cahill 07904 685 276www.brospearsecamogielondon.com

CENTURY BOWLS CLUBDaily indoor and outdoorbowls, new memberswelcome free coachingavailable, all-weathergreen, social activities,Logan Road, Wembley020 8904 3261

CHINESE KICKBOXINGSats, 3-5pm, WillesdenSports Centre,Donnington Road, 07835 244 398www.wushukwan.com

CREATIVE MEDITATIONFris 7-8pm free, BrahmaKumaris, Pound Lane,NW10 020 8727 3350

WOMEN’S FUN FITNESS CLASSTues 8-9pm KingsburyBaptist Church hall,Slough Lane, NW9 £407944 523 260

GEMINI SWIMMING CLUBFor adults and childrenwith disabilities. GeminiPool, Kingsbury. Call Jeanon 020 8452 6912.

HI AND LO AEROBICSTues, 10am & 11amChalkhill CommunityCentre, 113 ChalkhillRoad, Wembley 07900 594 39

KEEP FITThurs, 7-8pm keep fit topop, R&B, house music,£1.50 ChalkhillCommunity Centre,Wembley 07947 451 525

KEEP FIT WHILE U SITMons 1.30-3.30pm.Improve joint mobility,muscle strength and flexibility, £4, first visitfree. QueensburyMethodist Church,Beverley Drive. 020 8537 0229

LADIES FITNESSMons, Thurs 10-11am £3Chalkhill CommunityCentre, Wembley [email protected]

PRESTON PARK BOWLSCLUBNew members welcome,free coaching and loan ofbowls Preston ParkRecreation Ground,Carlton Avenue East 020 8933 9358 or 020 8427 1590

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

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

TAEKWONDOTues 6-9pm, Thurs 6-7.30pm, Ealing RoadMethodist Church 07832 447 763

TAG RUGBYSuns 11am, training for7-11yrs, boys & girls,Gladstone Park, KendalRoad entrance KilburnCosmos RFC 07971 475 240


Dude where’s myteddy bear

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Where do I find out more about enrolling?

Stonebridge Centre tel: 020 8838 2882Madison House tel: 020 8795 3977Carlton Centre tel: 020 7644 9460

Or pick up a brochure at a Brent library or Brent One Stop Service.

Get on course for your future

New Year, newlearning, new youFancy trying your hand at something fresh in the New Year?

– Taking learning into the community

Brent Adult & CommunityEducation Service (BACES)

Case StudyMaxwell Antwi picked up a

BACES brochure and found that

the ECDL (European Computer

Driving License) courses were

just the thing he needed. He had already taught

himself ICT (information and communication

technology) but felt he needed to brush up his skills

and fill the gaps in his knowledge. His overall aim is

to work in ICT support and training, so he plans to

further his knowledge by studying the ECDL

advanced course next year.

Some people love to learn just for the joy of it and there are plentyof courses on offer to stretch your mind and help you extend yourskills, from working with children and event planning, to cakedecorating and car maintainance.

For other people, learning is a way of improving theiremployment chances and there are many courses thatlead to nationally recognised qualifications. New thisyear is the Progression Pathway which is a package oflearning that helps you develop the skills you need tomove on to a level 2 vocational course. As part of thispackage, you will gain a vocational qualificationalongside qualifications in ICT, numeracy, English andpersonal and social development if you need them.

Enrol on a BACES course now and choose from a hugerange of exciting opportunities. Courses cost just a few pounds persession – or you may even qualify to study at a concessionary rate.Sixteen to 19-year-olds who are not in full time education have freeaccess to accredited courses.

Visit our website

www.brent.gov.uk/baces

Look out for the BACES coursebrochure 2009/10 for coursesbeginning in January 2010


the brent magazine issue 97 december 2009

Documents

london borough of brent

brent magazine isavailable

brent area consultative

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harlesden acf

januarywembley acf

willesden acf

kenton acf