Communities - Isleworth

Awards for Isleworth students

2009-07-01T15:15:54Z

Outstanding students were recognised at West Thames College's annual Student Awards Ceremony.

Identifying not only those that achieve academic excellence, the awards which were held at the Hounslow Civic Centre last Thursday, also recognised students who have overcome difficulties in order to succeed, or gone out of their way to help others.

]]> James Narh, a former student of the Isleworth college and now a street dance impresario who discovered Britain's Got Talent's winning dance troupe Diversity, gave a speech at the event.

"I am extremely honoured to be amongst such talented and hard working students," he said.

"I want to encourage you all to continue to follow your dreams and visions."

Three students were chosen from the award winners to be the overall Students of the Tear 2009.

The winners were Sally Crouch from Brentford who received the Academic Achievement Award, Cedric Liseo from Isleworth for the Contribution to the College Award and Prakash Navaratnarajah from Southall for the Determination Award.

Wind in the Willows

2009-04-15T10:35:27Z

Isleworth Actors Company have released tickets for their latest performance.
The group are to be performing a new adaptation of The Wind In The Willows to celebrate the famous book's centenary.
Showings will be at Isleworth Public Hall in South Street at 7.30pm on April 29 & 30 and May 1 - 9.
Previous successful productions by the group include The Tempest, A Taste of Honey, Happy as a Sandbag and Twelfth Night.
To book tickets phone, 020 8948 6403 or email, enquiries@isleworthactors.info

Heritage Guided Walks

2009-04-04T19:37:03Z

This seasons's guided heritage walks start Bank Holiday Monday, 25th May 2009 with a one-off tour of Hidden Isleworth, including a visit to St. Bridget's Roman Catholic Church in its centenary year.

Meet 2.30 p.m. at the War Memorial, junction South Street/Twickenham Road, Isleworth, cost £2 (children free). Teas available afterwards in the church to round things off in a convivial way.

For further information about this and regular walks at Brentford, Riverside Isleworth, Heston and Chiswick, call Brian on 020 8230 8583 or Janet 020 8560 3718 or visit www.hounslow-heritage.org.uk

Landscape Artist Turner in the local area

2009-04-04T19:37:03Z

The Isleworth Society meets Monday 27th April, 2009, 7.30 p.m. at Isleworth Public Hall, South Street. Highlight of the evening is a truly inspired illustrated talk "Landscape Artist Turner and his local connections" by Catherine Parry-Wingfield, art historian and Chairman of the Friends of Turner's House.

An event not to be missed arranged by this vibrant Society which holds many varied events - come along and find out more, or visit www.isleworthsociety.ik.com

For further information, call, the Secretary, Christine Diwell on 020 8744 0663

Changing the quality of the conversation.

2009-03-31T19:54:37Z

The Bishop of London, the Rt. Rev. Richard Chartres met priests, ministers and spiritual heads from Chiswick to Feltham on Monday 30th March and advised them to 'be convinced, be humble, be joyful and look cheerful in your faith'.

]]> Opening his remarks on 'Living together in a multi-faith society' Bishop Richard noted that when he was appointed in 1995 there was little thought about contacts between peoples of different faiths. Now guests from other traditions are regularly invited to share in major faith events such as the recent installation of the new Bishop of Kensington, the bishop for the local area. However although inter faith meetings and consultations are more common there is still the tendency for the same 'usual suspects' as he put it, to meet and stay at the level of polite platitudes. People of different faiths do have many things in common in terms of creativity and moral values. There are also many areas where faiths disagree and we should be unapologetic about this. Speaking to someone from another faith 'changes the quality of the conversation' said the Bishop. 'See differences as an advantage, not a problem'.

Answering a question on how to involve young people Bishop Richard noted that there is always a problem of communication between the generations. He added that faith leaders should listen deeply and be prepared to adapt services and procedures.

Referring to the present economic situation he commented that people are aware of the spiritual dimension, but don't know how to put it into words. We must learn to develop a language and must not forget the poor.

Discussion afterwards focussed further on education and how faith group members can help bring religion to life by offering to visit schools as well as invite schools to visit places of worship. It was hoped teachers could be trained to learn about different faiths.

In addition to being the third most senior Anglican bishop in England, the Bishop of London is involved with ecumenical and inter faith bodies. He referred to his work founding St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace in the City of London church destroyed by an IRA bomb. He invited Hounslow Friends of Faith members to visit the centre and consider how to carry out similar work locally.

The meeting was the second to be organised by Hounslow Friends of Faith following up on a similar successful occasion in 2008.

Isleworth school seeks new sport coach volunteers

2009-03-11T12:39:11Z

Isleworth & Syon School for Boys are appealing for sports coach volunteers to come forward to help teach pupils.

The Sports College in Ridgeway Road, Isleworth aim to develop a team of high quality, specialist coaches in seven sports, including athletics, badminton, basketball, cricket, football, rugby union and table tennis.

]]> They are asking for anyone interested in either initiating, developing or enhancing their coaching experience with young people, to apply to become members of the new scheme.

Simon Fisher, deputy head and director of specialism, said: "We wish to liaise with and support - with training, a range of volunteer sports coaches to help with the expansion of both our elite and recreational sports programmes.

"These programmes take place before and after school, as well as over weekends and during school holiday periods.

"For inexperienced and enthusiastic coaches we are committed to providing CRB checks, with subsidised costs to gain nationally recognised coaching awards.

"For experienced coaches, and as part of our commitment to develop sports leaders in the local area, there will be the opportunity to lead a team of local specialist coaches.

"Committed and qualified coaches will then be guided towards opportunities that might involve hourly coaching payments through community coaching schemes such as Sport Unlimited."

Parents / carers of current and past students are also encouraged to apply.

Fancy Dress fun at Snakes and ladders

2009-02-04T15:01:40Z

Young superheroes and fairies are invited to Syon Park's Snakes and Ladders for a day of magical fancy dress fun.

On Saturday February 7 children are invited to enter a fancy dress competetion starting at noon and enjoy fantasy puzzles and quizzes from 11am.

]]> A spokesman for Snakes and Ladders said: "We are looking forward to welcoming a whole host of mini spidermen, supermen, bat girls and Tinker Bells on Saturday. It's going to be fun."

Call 020 8847 0946 for more information.

Sikhism, a way of life

2009-01-24T21:08:32Z

Sikhs have been living in the borough for over 35 years and the gleaming towers of the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha are now a well-known part of the skyline of Hounslow.

On Thursday 5th February there is a chance to hear about the history, principles and every day practices of Sikhism at the Gurdwara in Alice Way, Hounslow TW3 3UA.

]]> The event, part of a series of talks arranged by Hounslow Friends of Faith, (HFOF) starts at 6.30 with a vegetarian meal. The talks by members of the Sikh community follow at 7.15. There will be an opportunity for questions and to see round the building.

President of the Gurdwara Jagjiwan Singh said; "Sikhs have a tradition of service and hospitality and we are very pleased to welcome everyone to this event."

HFOF Secretary Bessie White added: "This is a wonderful opportunity for people from all parts of the borough to meet their neighbours and get to know them."

For more information contact see www.hounslowfriendsoffaith.org or ring 020 8560 5887. Hounslow Friends of Faith is a network of individuals from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds whose aim is to promote understanding and harmony among cultures and faiths in the borough.

Sludge spill at Mogden stinks up Hounslow

2009-01-23T17:10:38Z

A pong has been tormenting the people of Hounslow for over a week now after a sludge spill at Mogden Sewage Treatment Works.

On January 10 there was a "minor sludge spill" at the pasteurisation plant located in the South West Corner of the works.

]]> And although staff claim it was cleaned up on the same day, whiffed-off residents complain that the smell lingered for much longer.

Secretary of anti-Mogden group Mrag, Steve Taylor, said: "Residents are quite astounded and appalled that Thames Water is apologising for 'any increase in odour that residents may have experienced', when it was quite obvious all around the site, that the spill had a major environmental impact on both Hounslow and Richmond boroughs."

Last week MRAG forwarded 40 complaints to the Isleworth water works complaining about the stink.

A Spokeswoman for Thames Water, said: "A safety overflow at our pasteurisation plant caused a minor sludge spill into a drain.

"This is a normal safety process for this piece of equipment and we carried out a clean up of the area immediately.

"We would like to apologise to any residents who may have experienced any odour as a result of this."

Cheeky charity pantomine

2009-01-20T17:49:20Z

Over £1200 was raised for charity by an Isleworth pub's naughty adults only pantomine.

The Red Lion Pub in Linkfield Road, gathered locals and customers as a cast to put on two performances of Dick Whittington over the weekend, however the group cheekily changed the name to Whip Dickington.

]]> Entertainment manager of the pub, Beverley Turnage, said: "The £5 tickets were sold out in advance of the show, which is great.

"We also had a scene with slave boys and girls who we later auctioned off to the highest bidder, who got to have a picture taken with the slave of their choice, it was great fun."

The money raised will go to charity Whizz Kids, which helps get disabled children mobile and the Isleworth Scouts, which had two leaders performing in the play.

First "men only" slimming club

2009-01-07T13:01:07Z

Weight Watchers have launched their first "men only" club in Osterley

The chosen venue for the new Men Only slimming club, is Grasshoppers Rugby Football Club, in Macfarlane Lane off Syon Lane, at 6pm every Tuesday.

]]> Leader of the group, Philip Newton lost his own weight with Weight Watchers and is now able to share his expereiences with people in the same position as him.

West Mid kick start careers

2008-12-30T13:26:20Z

A scheme which helps local pupils kick start their career in healthcare has been awarded a prestigious prize.

West Middlesex Hospital received the Jubilee Cup for Excellence in Partnership Working from the Hounslow chamber of commerce after being nominated by three schools.

]]> The scheme sees West Mid provide £500 each, to five local students to help pay for their training in their chosen healthcare related course. In return for this the students will spend a proportion of their holidays working at the hospital obtaining experience.

Safian Younas, who went to The Heathland School in Hounslow and who is now studying medicine at Cambridge, said: "Being involved in this project has been a real eye opener.

"It is so unique and has given me the opportunity to understand all the processes that come with working at a hospital."

Another two students from The Heathland School, one from The Green School and one from Gumley House are the five interns who have been chosen this year.

Les Robinson, executive committe member of the Hounslow chamber of commerce, said: "There was a lot of stiff competition for this prize and it was a closely fought decision but we have awarded the Jubilee Cup this year to West Mid because of the continued involvement with students throughout the project."

West Mid's Christmas star

2008-12-29T17:25:57Z

West Middlesex hospital handed over a cheque for £500 to their employee of the year just in time for the festive season.

Joseph Mashado, a care support worker on the Osterley 1 ward was put forward for the award after winning employee of the month back in June.

]]> The panel chose Joseph as they felt he exemplifies the new "West Mid way" i.e someone that gives 101 per cent, is willing to go the extra distance to help others, has outstanding customer care skills and is committed to providing the best queality service to patients.

Jospeh who has worked at the hospital for five years, said: "I would liek to thank my managers.

"I Plan to keep up the same high standard of care and hope my example will encourage colleagues to give patients the best care that they possibly can."

2008-12-24T12:15:40Z

Merry Christmas from everyone at www.hounslowchronicle.co.uk

Isleworth schoolchildren are nativity stars

2008-12-19T13:47:47Z

These furry festive friends lit up the stage at the Blue School in Isleworth for their nativity play.

The school was one of many that held a festive show this year. See our gallery of the pick of our nativity photographs.