Natalie Ergatides, who works at healthy eating stall Precious Bite, teamed up with her mum Androulla, to take part in Restaurant In Our Living Room, in which culinary couples go head to head to create the ultimate dining experience in their own homes.
]]> While making the show, a Virgin 1 camera crew filmed Natalie in action at Maida Hill Market, at the junction of Fernhead Road and Harrow Road, and the competing couples met with show producers at the William IV pub, in Harrow Road.The aim of the show is to pit two pairs of food fanatics against each other to create the best restaurant in their living room.
In the eight-week series, each episode follows two couples as they open their homes to complete strangers and guests only have to pay what they think their meal is worth.
The winning couple is the one which takes the most money on the night.
That couple then gains the ultimate foodie prize, a meal anywhere in the world at one of the globe's finest restaurants.
Ms Ergatides said: "It was an amazing experience as I'd never done anything like that before.
"It was all a bit nerve-wracking but really exciting, and an important factor for me was to promote the market.
"There was a lot of hard work involved but we had a lot of fun along the way."
Find out if Natalie and her mum take the prize by watching the show on Virgin 1, on Thursday at 9pm.
]]>The chat show host and comedian will light up Praed Street at 5.30pm on December 1, followed by mulled wine, mince pies and festive entertainment in Norfolk Square Gardens.
]]>The election is due to take place on December 10, to fill a vacancy in the ward after Cllr Mushtaq Qureshi died last month.
]]> Nominations for the post will close at noon on November 13.For more information see www.westminster.gov.uk
]]>Everyone aged 65 and over is offered the free jab, along with younger people who have long-term conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, kidney disease and liver disease.
]]> The vaccine must be given every year as it is altered to match the different seasonal flu strains in circulation.People in Westminster can get the jab from their general practice or from 40 pharmacies throughout the City.
Dr Margaret Guy, director of public health at NHS Westminster, added: "We're currently receiving delivery of the swine flu vaccine which will be very important in helping to protect vulnerable people in our community against swine flu.
"However, we must also remember the importance of the seasonal vaccine.
"It's safe to have both vaccinations on the same day - both swine flu and seasonal flu - as long as each vaccine is injected into a different limb."
For a list of pharmacies offering the vaccine in Westminster, see www.westminster.nhs.uk
]]>University of Westminster announced yesterday it would close its Luxborough Street nursery at the end of December.
]]> The facility offers around 20 places for the children of the university's students and staff, and is open to the wider community outside term time.Parent and staff member Elishba Zachariah was just one of the people to add her support to a 1,000-signature petition in support of the nursery.
She said: "Having a nursery on campus makes a huge difference to organising childcare.
"It means I can work longer hours and not worry about rushing to pick up my child."
The fate of the nursery was due to be sealed with a decision in late August, but the consultation period was extended by seven weeks and concluded on Friday.
University of Westminster agreed to the extension to allow the staff team to work with union UNISON on a new business plan for the nursery, and the university's other nursery site in Harrow.
The plan proposed a 20-25 per cent rise in fees, an increase in families from the surrounding community using the service, and contributions from the university's fundraising and marketing teams, which the university deemed "impracticable".
Carole Mainstone, registrar and secretary of the University of Westminster, said: "We know how important nurseries are to the families who use them.
"We have listened with sympathy to the opinions expressed during the consultation.
"This is a challenging time financially.
"Above all else the University's role is to provide higher education to adult students, and we must conclude with deep regret that we cannot afford to run our own nurseries - particularly as the number of students using the service is so low.
"The alternative business plan proposed does not stand a realistic chance of success, and we have respected the wishes of our staff not to pursue the option of outsourcing."
She added: "I want to pay tribute to the hard working staff, and thank them for their unerring professionalism during a challenging time for us all."
* What do you think? Let us know by writing a comment in the box below or send an email to julieteysenck@trinitysouth.co.uk
]]>A strong drain cleaning powder had corroded a plastic waste pipe in the third floor flat, in Queensway.
]]> After inspecting the affected area and evacuating the four storey block of flats, the firefighters removed the chemical.The brigade was called at 5.49pm last night, and the incident was over by 7.18pm.
Four fire engines and around 20 firefighters from Paddington, Euston, North Kensington and Kensington fire stations attended the scene.
]]>A number of complaints were made about the Yaa Asantewa Arts Centre, in Chippenham Mews, including some neighbours who said the steel band practice was so loud they could not even talk in their own homes.
]]> Those living right next door bore the full brunt of several steel drums playing in unison.Despite pleading guilty in a previous court appearance for the same offences committed in 2007, the centre continued to ignore the plight of neighbours, causing Westminster Council to start legal proceedings once again in August last year.
At City of Westminster Magistrates' Court on October 19, the centre was fined £2,000 after being found guilty of two counts of statutory noise nuisance.
Westminster Council's cabinet member for community safety Cllr Daniel Astaire said: "Community centres are meant to benefit their local area, not blight it.
"It is unacceptable to make life intolerable for local residents and over a two year period, the poor residents have endured countless disturbed days and nights.
"We all have a right to live in peace in our own home, and we have tried our hardest to negotiate with Yaa Asantewa but they have ignored our wishes and ridden roughshod over the wishes of their neighbours.
"We're happy to assist the steel bands who have been using it to find suitable alternative venues, and we would urge our residents that they do not need to suffer in silence if noisy neighbours are making their life hell."
Westminster Council offers a 24-year, seven-days-a-week noise team, which deals with more than 18,000 calls a year.
Residents or businesses can report problems with noise to the team on 020 7641 2000.
]]>Cllr Mushtaq Qureshi, who served the Queen's Park ward as as Labour councillor since 1994 and was the first Bangladeshi councillor to be elected to Westminster Council, passed away at the age of 76 following a short illness.
]]> He leaves behind his son Murad Qureshi, who followed him onto the council for the Church Street ward in 1998 before being elected to the Greater London Authority in 2004 and 2008, and his daughter Papya Qureshi, who was elected a councillor for the borough's Westbourne ward in 2006.Cllr Qureshi's family was with him when he died, and are making arrangements to transport his body to Bangladesh as it was his last wish to be buried next to his mother.
Cllr Paul Dimoldenberg, leader of the Labour Group, said: "Mushtaq's death is such a sad loss to his family, to the Bangladeshi community and to his constituents in Queen's Park.
"His commitment to social justice was at the heart of his politics.
"He was a fighter for those in housing need and for people who needed help and assistance.
"He will be sadly missed by the very many people who knew and respected him.
"We have all lost a true friend."
Cllr Qureshi came to England in 1956 and originally settled in Manchester, where he ran a number of restaurants and began a lifelong support for Manchester United football club.
He continued in the restaurant business when he and his family later moved to London.
Before he was elected to Westminster Council, Cllr Qureshi worked at the Paddington Citizens Advice Bureau, in Harrow Road, Queen's Park, where he helped many families with housing, legal and benefits problems.
His family and politics were at the centre of Cllr Qureshi's life, both in Westminster and Bangladesh where he had many friends in the Government.
Westminster mayor Cllr Duncan Sandys also paid tribute to the popular councillor.
He said: "Mushtaq was a hard-working, well-liked and respected councillor who devoted his time and energy to improving the lives of residents and making Westminster a better place to live.
"In his 15 years as a councillor, he did a tremendous amount of good work to improve his ward of Queen's Park.
"Mushtaq will be sorely missed and we offer our sincerest condolences to his family and friends."
Did you know Cllr Mushtaq Qureshi? If you want to offer your own tribute, please email reporter Juliet Eysenck at julieteysenck@trinitysouth.co.uk or leave a comment below.
]]>The 25-year-old postie was driving a Royal Mail van along Portnall Road and pulled into Kilburn Lane at around 6.30pm last night.
]]> Four white men, wearing grey hooded tops, approached the van from behind.Two further suspects, both black and also wearing grey hooded tops, went up to the van, smashing the windows using metal bars.
The postman locked his door but the men tried to drag him through the window and take the keys out of the ignition.
They then repeatedly hit him over the head with metal bars.
The gang fled after people began gathering at the scene, leaving the area in two cars which were parked in Portnall Road.
The postman had cuts to his head, which required five stiches.
He was discharged from hospital last night.
Three of the white men and one of the black suspects were described as being around 18 years old.
Detectives from Westminster Robbery Squad, who are investigating the attack, are treating this incident as an attempted robbery.
Witnesses should call the Robbery Squad on 020 7321 6719 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
]]>The assault took place in the early hours of Friday, April 10, outside Edgware Road's Bakerloo line station, near the junction of Edgware Road and Marylebone Road.
]]> Anyone with information is asked to call DC Buchanan at Westminster CID on 020 7321 9692 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.* A 45-year old man has been charged in connection with this incident.
]]>From tomorrow until Saturday, the market, at the corner of Harrow Road and Elgin Avenue, plays host to a series of pumpkin workshops with Thomas Watt.
]]> Turn up from 10am to 3.30pm to buy a pumpkin and be guided through transforming it into a scary lantern.Mr Watt said: "I start by cutting the lid open and loosening the insides.
"After that children can roll up their sleeves and scoop out their pumpkin, then design a face and begin carving.
"To finish we usually attach string so the pumpkins can be carried like lanterns with a candle inside.
"It's a great way to have some messy fun, without the mess being at home."
On Wednesday, from noon to 4pm, the market is holding a free art workshop with artist Dalia Zermon, who will inspire participants to put pen or paintbrush to paper, or the pavement!
Friday is Halloween day at the market, with themed stalls, arts and crafts and spooky face painting on offer from noon to 4pm.
The events are organised by Harrow Road Neighbourhood Partnership.
]]>On November 5, a tour guide will explore the 'Bad and the Wayward', including highwaymen and heroes, who have passed through the area over the years.
]]> The free walk leaves from the Brunel statue on platform one of Paddington station, at 12.30pm, and lasts around an hour.To book a place or for more information, call 020 3145 1200.
]]>Shoe designer Joanne Stoker, and womenswear fashionista Julia Smith, have received a rent and rates-free shop in Porchester Place for six months.
]]> A panel of top judges in the First into Fashion competition, run by the Church Commissioners and London College of Fashion, selected the two from four shortlisted entries.The prize also consists of a contribution towards fitting out the shop and mentoring from renowned shoe designer Jimmy Choo, who will be on hand to provide business advice at regular intervals over the six-month occupancy.
The judges were impressed with the pair's detailed business proposals, which demonstrated their ability to run an independent shop.
The entrants were also asked to submit a portfolio of their collection, showcasing creative and original designs.
Joanne and Julia now take their place in Porchester Place, part of the Connaught Village shopping district.
Rob Lines of the Church Commissioners said: "We've very excited to introduce the winning graduates of the First into Fashion competition in Connaught Village. This is a fantastic opportunity for Joanne and Julia to start their business careers.
"We also believe that their unique and beautifully designed collections and their combined ideas for a contemporary shop-fit, will prove to be an exciting addition to the existing range of shops, restaurants and cafes in the Village."
The boutique, at 4 Porchester Place, will be officially opened on Wednesday, November 4.
]]>Stories by authors including Angela Carter and Mick Jackson will be told inside the tent, with guests sitting on sheep skin rugs.
]]> Performances take place at 4pm and 6.30pm on both October 31 and November 1.Tickets, which cost £7 when bought through www.royalparks.org.uk/spokenink, include a free Bloody Mary cocktail.
The event is organised by The Royal Parks and Spoken Ink, an online story site.
]]>Artist Polly Brannan will run the free session, which starts at 2pm, at Paddington Arts, in Woodfield Road.
]]> There will also be the chance to get creative, by making 'Guys' from second-hand clothes, which can then be chucked on the Westway Development Trust bonfire, on November 5.For more information or to book a place, call the Kensington and Chelsea Arts Service on 020 7361 2062.
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