Communities - Northwood

Hot food takeaway to open in Joel Street

2009-07-17T13:30:43Z

A HOT food takeaway is to replace an old car parts shop in Northwood Hills.

The application to open the takeaway at 78 Joel Street was approved at the north planning committee yesterday (16).

Another application was also approved to expand and reconfigure the timber fence enclosed compound at St John's School, in Potter Street Hill, Northwood Hills.

This is to accommodate an existing shed, a new water storage tank and booster pump and a recyclable waste store.

Houses and flats applications get refused

2009-07-17T13:30:43Z

APPLICATIONS to build houses and flats in Northwood have been refused.

An application to build three, two-bedroom terraced houses behind St Matthews Church, in Forge Lane, Northwood, was turned down at the north planning committee yesterday (16).

Another application to build two, two storey buildings each comprising of two, two-bedroom maisonette flats behind 81-93 Hilliard Road, Northwood Hills, was also refused.

Toliets are a relief for Northwood Hills shoppers

2009-07-17T10:21:32Z

PUBLIC toilets are finally being installed in Northwood Hills 10 years after the previous ones closed.

Councillor David Bishop has been campaigning to get toilets in Joel Street for the past three years and they are finally being installed at the old site on the bridge tomorrow (18).

He said: "I don't think we would have got the toilets if we hadn't fought for them. It's been a massive campaign to get them and it's a great relief to the residents of Northwood Hills.
"In a shopping parade it adds to the viability."

Resident Sharon Pink, of Tolcarne Drive, said: "There were no toilets, there's no bank and there's no car park so we were running out of reasons why people would come to Northwood Hills.

"Since Nationwide closed last year even less people shop here. That's why I'm trying to get a French market to come here."

Careless driver disqualified for crash

2009-07-16T14:26:43Z

A DRIVER who crashed into another car, a garage door and a hedge has been disqualified from driving for five years.

Damien Eugene Charlesworth, 47, of Iveagh Close, Jacketts Lane, Northwood, was charged with causing damage to a Citreon C2, a garage door and a perimeter hedge in West End Road, Ruislip, on February 26 and failing to stop.

He was also charged with driving without due care and attention and without insurance and for not reporting the accident.

As well as being disqualified from driving he was also given a four month curfew order and ordered to pay £70 court costs at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court today (16).

First self-help book published by aspiring author

2009-07-15T14:43:58Z

AN ACCOUTANT who became involved with spiritualist organisations has had her first book published about how to achieve long-term happiness.

Rita Hemraj, 28, of Addison Way, Northwood Hills, decided to write the self-help book, Mind Secrets, after attending Hindu organisations and speaking to spiritual masters.

She said: "I was surprised how open these masters were about their spiritual journey, and by talking to them they helped encourage and progress my own journey.

"They say in the Eastern tradition that when you are ready, the knowledge will come. I feel it was a mixture of my incessant questions to these masters as well as certain aspects of spiritual knowledge that fell in my lap. I have been lucky enough to be involved in many spiritual based organisations, some of which engage in hair-splitting sessions where we scrutinised ancient scriptures to try to understand how spirituality can be used in everyday life.

"For all those 'hair-splitting' sessions, I am thankful in the way that they have expanded my mind to see things I would not have ordinarily seen.

"I decided to write the book to make the teachings accessible to everyone and it's the first time I have done something completely different like this.

"What is offered in the book is a way to access permanent happiness so that it does not escape us the moment we get it, by using a happiness framework.

"Happiness is something that has been unlearned, and all we need to do is relearn it to experience it.

"I would love to continue writing because it's a passion of mine. It's just about expanding the mind."

The book was published last month by New Generation Publishers, a not-for-profit company, and it can be bought from www.amazon.co.uk for £6.99.

All the proceeds will go to the organisations that Mrs Hemraj has been involved in.

Tube station enters Underground in Bloom competition

2009-07-09T16:11:54Z

STAFF at a tube station are taking on a challenge to brighten up their station for a London-wife competition after just missing out on the top spot last year.

Northwood Hills tube station, in Joel Street, has entered this year's Underground in Bloom competition after coming second in last year's overall best garden category.

The aim of the gardening competition is to give recognition to staff who have added to their station by growing flowers and plants and in some cases even fruit and vegetables within a completely urban landscape.

It helps to improve the local environment, encourages flora and fauna and makes travelling more pleasant for passengers.

This year is the biggest ever competition with almost a quarter of stations, train depots and service control rooms across the network entering.

There are eight categories in the competition - best newcomer, cultivated garden, hanging baskets - the John Knight award, trains and service control, tubs, the Dennis Sanger special award, best overall garden and gardens in bloom an art category.

Judging will start on July 27 and finish on August 7.

Hairdresser takes on mountain challenge for charity

2009-07-08T16:09:02Z

A HARDWORKING hairdresser has shared and made use of his expertise in a quest to raise money for a charity climb.

Aeron Beckett, 42, ran a three hour workshop in which he taught clients how to style their own hair at his mother's salon, Earthhair.com, in Pinner Road, Northwood.

He also held a raffle and saved money he earned from voluntarily working on Sundays.
He started fundraising three months ago for the Mount Kilimanjaro climb in September and will be donating the funds to the Children's Variety Club Charity.

Mr Beckett, of Alandale Drive, Northwood Hills, said: "It's great to do the climb for charity and for the children. Raising the money has been part of the fun.

"I've been creative and thought of different ideas about how to raise the money and I've really enjoyed that side of it. I'd definitely encourage others to take on this experience.

"In this climate it's difficult to raise money but people have been incredibly supportive.

The clients have been incredible, coming to fundraising days that I have run on Sundays.

"Even people I've never met before, I've done their hair once and they have left me generous tips of £20 to go towards my climb."

He has further plans for fundraising, including a spiritualist themed day at the salon in August where people can come in and have their palms read.

Mr Beckett said: "I was inspired to do the climb when I went to a charity event about seven years ago and entered a raffle. One of the raffle prizes was a Mount Kilimanjaro climb. Unfortunately I didn't get it but I saw pictures and a short clip of the mountain at the event and loved the idea of doing the climb. It looked incredible and since then it's always been something I'd love to do."

The target amount he hopes to give to the charity is £3,250 and he has so far raised £2,000.

He is taking on the challenge with a friend and he has also been on a 16 week fitness program which involves going to the gym, training, cycling and walking to prepare for the eight day climb.

Go to www.justgiving.com/aeronbeckett to sponsor him.

Man charged with cannabis production

2009-07-02T14:04:44Z

A MAN has been charged with the production of cannabis.

Lewis Davis was charged with the production of 19 cannabis plants at a house in Green Lane, Northwood, on May 11.

The 26-year-old from Northolt was also charged with possession of 12 grammes of cannabis.

He is due to appear at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on July 16.

Eastbury residents oppose Hillingdon First card

2009-06-29T14:42:23Z

A PETITION containing almost 1,000 signatures has been handed into Hillingdon Council opposing a scheme that gives privileges to the borough's residents.

Residents of Eastbury, an area in Three Rivers next to Northwood, presented the 920-signature petition to the council on Monday (29).

They are against the Hillingdon First card scheme because they are being excluded from it, even though they shop in Northwood.

It means they now have to pay twice the amount to park in the borough and they do not get discount being offered by some shops.

Elizabeth Willetts, chairman of Eastbury Residents' Association, said: "When we started the petition we didn't know about the discount in shops, so we have just asked the council to get rid of the extra parking charges."

Go to http://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/hillingdonfirst to find out more about the scheme.

Pupils win national spelling competition

2009-06-29T14:42:23Z

A TALENTED group of master spellers from a boys' school have proved they are the best in the country by winning a national competition.

Four pupils from St Martin's School, in Moor Park Road, Northwood, beat off more than 780 schools to win The Times Spelling Bee championship.

After winning their first heat back in April and sailing through the semi-finals in May the team went on to win the title at the Grand Final, held at the Odeon in Leicester Square last Tuesday.

The team was made up of 12-year-olds Jonah Surkes, Prahalad Prasasd, Dylan Amin and Gordon Hao and they were assisted by their English teachers Linda Crook and Linda Dannenberg.

Jonah said: "We would like to thank The Times for giving us such a brilliant opportunity, as well as our English teachers for giving up their time to support us.

"We are over the moon at winning the Spelling Bee. We never expected to get into the finals, let alone to win the whole competition."

Mrs Crook said: "The whole school supported our Spelling Bee team and all of our Year 7 watched the competition. We are very proud of the boys. They loved every moment of the Spelling Bee and we have enjoyed working with them.

"They enjoyed a very busy day yesterday (Wednesday) when they were interviewed by The Times, BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio Five Live, Asian Network and The One Show."

The team won trophies, dictionaries and the chance to edit the Young Times section of The Times.

They gained a massive 115 points to win the title spelling words like cannonade, fluorescent, accretion and contemporaneous correctly to win.

The runners-up were a school from Wiltshire who managed to get 98 points.

Youth fined for spitting in tube station

2009-06-23T13:33:47Z

A DISRESPECTFUL teenager who spat at a ticket booth and threatened a tube worker has been fined.

The 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct after spitting and threatening a staff member at Eastcote tube station.

Aidan Harris, manager of London Underground's Workplace Violence Unit, said: "The youngster asked for a child rate travel card but did not have any form of identification and was advised he would have to purchase an adult ticket.

"He then became abusive and left the station, only to return shortly afterwards to threaten the ticket seller and spit at the window of the ticket booth."

The youth from Northwood was tracked down through DNA following the incident on March 11 this year.

Staff used a DNA spit kit available at the station to collect the spittle and contacted the British Transport Police (BTP) who sent it for forensic testing. Results showed a DNA match and the teenager was arrested.

He was fined £50 at Harrow Youth Court on June 9 and ordered to pay £23 compensation to his victim.

Mr Harris said: "Hopefully this fine will make this youngster reconsider his actions in the future, especially as spitting is a foul habit and not something we will tolerate towards our staff."

PC Andrew Williams, of British Transport Police, said: "The fact that the member of staff retained the evidence, despite what had just happened, was crucial since the youth's DNA on the tissue allowed us to place him at the crime scene.

"Why he felt he had the right to spit at a member of staff who was simply doing his job is inconceivable. I hope that his conviction and sentencing sends out the clearest possible message that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated."

Music students to perform at Emmanuel Church

2009-06-23T13:33:47Z

BANDS and music groups from a girls' school are putting on a concert at a church.

Students from St Helen's School, in Eastbury Road, Northwood, will perform at Emmanuel Church, in High Street, Northwood, on July 2 at 7pm.

A number of groups, including the jazz and concert bands, the saxophone quartet, flute groups, the wind band and the St Helen's Singers will all be performing in the concert.

Robert Crowley, director of music at the school, said: "We have a lively and thriving music department at St Helen's and this is a great opportunity to come along and hear some excellent, varied performances. The girls are rehearsing hard in preparation for the concert and are looking forward to the evening.

"This is just one of a series of concerts outside school that we are organising, giving the girls the opportunity to perform in front of a wider audience. Our next performances will be in October when we will be touring Holland, playing in a number of venues in the country."

The audience will be treated to a variety of styles of music at the concert on July 2 and all are welcome to attend.

Entry is free with a retirement collection in aid of Montgomery Heights Orphanage in Zimbabwe.

People with mental health problems receive help through books

2009-06-23T13:33:47Z

A BOOK scheme has been launched to help people with mental health issues.

Hillingdon Council has teamed up with Hillingdon PCT to launch the Better with Books scheme which aims to help residents with mild to moderate mental health issues.

The scheme offers General Practitioners (GPs) the opportunity to prescribe self-help guides, available from the borough's libraries, to their patients.

Many people are reluctant to use medication for emotional problems and the project was put together to offer an alternative treatment for people where medication would usually be the only form of help available.

The scheme is based on 40 books which have been chosen by clinical psychologists and cover subjects such as depression, anxiety, phobias, eating disorders and stress.

The scheme was launched at Mountwood Surgery, in Rickmansworth Road, Northwood, in partnership with Northwood Hills and Oaklands Gate libraries and after the initial pilot it will be rolled out across the borough.

Dr Sabby Kant, a GP at the Mountwood Surgery, said: "Mental health problems can have a huge impact both on the sufferer as well as their close family and friends.

"Although medicines can play a key part, there is no doubt in my mind that what works best is tackling the problem through a variety of strategies such as family support, counselling and other talking therapies.

"The Better with Books scheme adds another powerful strategy for the sufferer and their family. I am hoping that for many it will open up a whole new world of increased knowledge, confidence and self-empowerment."

Councillor Philip Corthorne, cabinet member for adult social care, health and housing, said: "It is hoped that by referring patients to books, residents will be able to begin to understand their thoughts and make sense of their problems at their own pace rather than having to rely on medication."

Floating orb explanations from residents

2009-06-22T16:23:30Z

PHOTOS of glowing orbs published in the Gazette last week have prompted residents to phone in with suggestions of what they think they were.

The photo was sent in by Loraine Wiley after she spotted them near her home in Beechwood Avenue, Ruislip, on May 31.

Maggie Daly, of Chichester Avenue, Ruislip, also saw three lights in the sky on Saturday night (20).

She said: "I reckon they are Chinese lanterns. I spoke to a Chinese couple who live near me and they said they fit the bill."

Martin Holland, of Cranbourne Road, Northwood Hills, confirmed this theory.

He said: "The floating orbs was a Chinese lantern. It must have been because I let one go on the same night at at about 10pm and it went towards Ruislip Woods.

"Someone gave it to my wife a few months ago and we were waiting for a warm evening to let it go."

Hubert Ross, a 98-year-old scientist from Ickenham, first thought they were helicopter search lights.

He said: "I watched the news and now I believe they were fragments from space because two satellites collided.

"I don't think people should make up stories about UFOs because it frightens children unnecessarily."

Flower arranging demonstration at St John's Church

2009-06-22T16:23:30Z

A FLOWER show with a summer theme is being held in Northwood.

Ruislip Northwood Flower Arrangement Society is presenting a demonstration of flower arranging by area demonstrator, Jackie Watson, entitled 'Summer in the Garden' on July 7.

It is being held at St John's Church Hall, in Hallowell Road, Northwood, at 7.30pm.
Call 01923 829 621 for more information.