the brent magazine issue 101 april 2010

ISSUE NO.101 FREE FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE AND WORK IN BRENT APRIL 2010ISSUE NO.101 FREE FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE AND WORK IN BRENT APRIL 2010

Open forbusinessLibrary is relaunched

Brent’s firmfavouritesBest bar contest starts

Open forbusinessLibrary is relaunched

Brent’s firmfavouritesBest bar contest starts

WIN!Ricky Gervais

tickets

WIN!Ricky Gervais

tickets

2 THE BRENT MAGAZINE APRIL 2010

You know your neighbours in

GREEN ZONES

Green Zones is Brent’s pioneering green network, where you lead the way.

To have a chat about becoming a Green Zones leader or to find out more visit www.brent.gov.uk/greenzonesor telephone 020 8937 5050.

Features

13 Teaching technologySchools take business into the classroom

19 Advice for you Library service gives guidance on work and training

20 Open for allNew Harlesden Library Plus is completed

23 Learning businessService users run small day centre project

24 Finance mattersYour guide to Brent Council’s budget

Regulars

4 Update

9 Brent people

11 All in a day’s work

27 Secret history

29 Competitions

30 Time out

BD

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One Stop Service 020 8937 1200

www.brent.gov.uk

The Brent Magazine isavailable in large print and on audio tape. Please ring 020 8937 1106Cover image: A reader atHarlesden Library PlusPhotographer ISABELLE PLASSCHAERT

ContentsWelcome to TheBrent MagazineThis month The Brent Magazine istaking a look at the world ofbusiness in Brent.

School pupils are learning abouteconomics and business throughpractical lessons in schools. AtBarham Primary and Kingsbury HighSchool youngsters have taken partin special days which teach themhow the principles of maths andeconomics operate in reality. AtStonebridge Day Centre they arelearning about business principlesfor different reasons. A tuck shopset up in the centre is giving serviceusers experience of work andhelping them take steps toachieving their own greaterindependence.

Libraries are giving people adviceabout work through theirinformation and guidance sessions.Finally, Harlesden Library Plus is openfor business. It will be welcomeresource for residents in the area.

James DiamondEditorThe Brent Magazine

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Issue No. 101 April 2010

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

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

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

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By George! Brent celebrates England’s day

Francis makesaward finalBrent Housing Partnershipwarden Francis Kabia hasbeen nominated for anaward along with theNeighbourhood WardenService.

They are short-listed for the2010 Housing Heroes Awards,which celebrate good work inthe social housing sector.Francis is up for InspirationalColleague of the Year, andthe service is in the FrontlineHousing Team of the Yearaward category.

Brent Housing Partnership’swarden service won thesame category at the awardslast year.

Brent Council is marking StGeorge’s Day with events to findout more about English cultureat its libraries.

On 23 April archivist MalcolmBarres-Baker is giving an illus-trated talk on King Henry V andthe Battle of Agincourt, seenfrom both the British andFrench perspectives. He will bespeaking from 11-12noon atKingsbury Library Plus, 522-524 Kingsbury Road, NW9

(call 020 8937 3520) andelevenses are also on offer.Youcan also join Malcolm for histalk and afternoon tea from2.15-3.15pm at Willesden GreenLibrary Centre, NW10, call 020 8937 3400.The library isalso holding a story performancefor children and familes from5.45-7pm that day.

On 24 April Brent Archives ishaving an open day. A display ofmedieval life and customs will be

open from 9-5pm, including thestory of how St George becameEngland’s patron saint in theMiddle Ages. From 10-4pmthere will be drop-in medievalcookery demonstrations in theEducation Room of the librarywith food historian MonicaAskay, giving you the chance totaste the food of medievalEngland, call 020 8937 3541 orvisit www.brent.gov.uk/librariesfor more.

Francis Kabia

Pupils pointout FairtradeChalkhill Primary pupils sampled chocolate, cerealsand orange juice to find outmore about FairtradeFortnight. The Year 3 children discovered moreabout trade, how ThirdWorld producers can be paida fair price for their produce,and which manufacturedgoods count as beingFairtrade products.

A 17-year-old is working forBrent Housing Partnership asa plumbing apprentice.

Arron Qureshi has securedthe post through the LondonApprenticeship Scheme and is

working for BHPcontractor,

Linbrooks,alongsidequalified

plumber Steve Howard. Hesaid: “My father is a plumber;I wanted to follow in his footsteps.Young people shouldsign up to apprenticeshipsbecause you have more of achance of being employedwith hands-on experience,

useful skills and a qualification as well.”

Visit www.londonapprenticeship.co.ukor call 020 7963 8548.

Tapping into new talent

Arron and Steve

Francis Kabia

The final edition of ‘LocataHome’ as a printed magazinewill be published on 21 Mayafter which it will be produced electronically.The free magazine,which is used by residents to bidfor social housing properties insix west London boroughs, willbe available online atwww.locata.org.uk and users willbe able to bid online. For thosewho do not have a home com-puter, Brent Council’s librariesoffer computer access. [email protected] more.

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New adviceservice forHarlesdenA financial advice service hasbeen set up by CommunityChurch Harlesden for localresidents.

Harlesden Money Advice isrun by church members, whohave been trained to giveadvice, and will look at billpayments, debts, credit cardcosts, and any other worries.

The service has offices inHarlesden, call 0800 612 7163for free confidentialadvice.

Locata movesonline only

THE BRENT MAGAZINE APRIL 2010

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5APRIL 2010 THE BRENT MAGAZINE

The hunt for Brent’s best-managed pubs, clubs and barshas opened with the launch ofthe Best Bar None Awards.

Best Bar None promotesresponsible management in theoperation of alcohol-licensedpremises. Award categoriesinclude Best Bar, Best Pub andBest Club. Gold, silver andbronze will be awarded in eachcategory and there will also bean overall winner.The awardsare in their fourth year and aresupported by Brent Police andBrent Council and werelaunched at Ace Café, whichwon overall and gold category in 2009.

Ace Café manager MarkWillsmore, which is off NorthCircular Road, said: “We werevery proud and privileged towin. It was a surprise and a thrillto receive such an accolade fromour professional peers and anachievement by everyone whoworks here.We will continue tomaintain high standards at Ace Café.”

Venues that enter are visitedby council and police licensingofficers to assess if they meetlicensing and trading laws. Pointsare given for preventing crimeand disorder; public safety;dealing with public nuisancesuch as noise, litter and waste;and for protecting children fromexposure to violence, strong language, inappropriate forms of entertainment and under-age drinking.

Brent Borough PoliceCommander Mark Toland said:“Best Bar None encourages barowners to their premises andreward those who offer a safeand enjoyable environment toall. It is about making yourplaces safer and is good business sense.”

The top five in each category go forward to thefinal, which will be held on30 September, visitwww.brent.gov.uk formore. For more on Best Bar None see All in a Day’sWork on page 11.

Orders open for Best Bar None 2010

Madness not to useDirect DebitPop legend Suggs is supporting the launch of ayearly £25,000 prize draw for people who pay counciltax by Direct Debit

He met Brent Council’sRevenue Client ManagerRichard Vallis at the launch of the prize. Residents in Brent and 19 other London boroughs will beautomatically entered for the draw when they pay thetax by Direct Debit. Thosewho do not pay by DirectDebit can register by 5pm on 15 July and will be in thedraw for this year and possibly win the £25,000prize. Visit www.brent.gov.ukor call 020 8937 1790 to join.

Ace Café’s Mark Willsmore

Suggs andRichard Vallis

Pop talent?Join the bAnd Brent Music Service is forming a pop group foryoung singers, drummers and guitarists.

The bAnd will be run byprofessional musicians andwill perform rock, soul, hiphop and rock with tuitionavailable to members.Youngsters aged 14 to 19 wholive or go to school in Brentcan apply; the closing date is 9April with auditions for thegroup in May.The bAnd willbe performing at a Brentmusic event at WembleyArena in July. Eric Angus,Deputy Head of Brent MusicService, said: “This will be agreat outlet for the talents ofyoung musicians.”

To apply visit www.BrentMusicService.com/thebAndand download a form.

Shoppers can enjoy authentic French marketswhen they return to Wembleyand Willesden in April.

Traders will be crossing theChannel to display their waresin Wembley High Road on 22and 23 April 2010 and inWillesden High Road on 24and 25 April. The open-airstalls sell produce such ascheeses, bread, patisseries,olives, dried fruits, wine and jewellery accompaniedby French flags, music and dancing.

Osita Udenson, WembleyTown Centre Manager, said:“The French Market has beenhugely successful and is visitedby many people, some ofwhom make a special trip tosee what it has to offer. It is adelightful market sellingsome gorgeous products,bringing vitality, vibrancy anda cosmopolitan flair to the town centre.”

This year there is a competi-tion to win two hampers ofmarket goodies market worth £75 each. In order to be in

the running for it answer thefollowing question:

What is the French word forpancake?

Write down your answer andcontact details on a piece ofpaper; take it either Wembleyor Willesden markets, andsubmit to the crepe stall.Correct entries will be drawnfrom a hat on 23 April inWembley and 25 April inWillesden. However, there isonly one entry per person,call 020 8937 5064.

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French markets return to Brent town centres

Free nurseryplaces for children A scheme started in Brent to give two year olds from low-wagefamilies free hours at a nursery,children’s centre or with a registered childminder still hasplaces left.

There are 156 places for eligible children on the NurseryEducation Grant 2 scheme; sofar 76 two year olds have alreadyfound nursery care for up 15hours a week.To ensure thosefree places are of the higheststandard possible, only providerswith ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’Ofsted reports have been invitedto participate in the project.

The scheme aims to provideearly years care to 232 childrenfrom children who are from eligible families by December.Tobe eligible, families must meetcriteria related to income andemployment. [email protected] call 020 8937 3279.

Jackie brings the house downMarshall House in South Kilburn has been torn down to allownew homes to be built on the site.

Two blocks of 153 affordable flats and maisonettes will be builtin its place, featuring communal gardens, children’s play areas andother green spaces. It is the latest part of the SouthKilburn Masterplan, devisedby Brent Council to regenerate the area.

Demolition of the five-storey blocks in AlbertRoad was watched by representatives from BrentCouncil, South KilburnPartnership, L&Q HousingAssociation and others.The housing associationis Brent Council’s partner for the MarshallHouse project; its tenants were movedinto the Granville NewHomes developmentduring last year.

Jackie Sadek Chair ofSouth Kilburn Partnershipjoins the demolition

A dance troupe from Brentwill perform in Europe afterwinning a dance competition.

Hypnotick Juniors won thisyear’s British Street DanceChampionship in the undertens category, qualifying them for the Europeanchampionship in France nextyear. The team were sistersOlivia, Emma and TaraBlissett, Rafaela Darbi, MichaPhillips Davis, Blaine Scott-Shuffler, Kai Broomes andSian Cooke. Email [email protected] or callTekla Galova 07950 544 564.

Brent’s street dance champs


Brent Council is urging localpeople to join Walk to Work Weekfrom 26 to 30 April.

The national event run bycharity Living Streets aims to getemployees to walk more as partof their commute and workingday.The theme this year is ‘get

fit without the hassle’ and peoplecan earn rewards, and be enteredinto prize draws by walking.Walking to work is healthy andbetter for the environment.

Visit www.walkingworks.org.uk/walk-to-work-weekfor more.

Proud winners Hypnotickpose with their trophy

In step for walking to work week

7APRIL 2010 THE BRENT MAGAZINE 7

Illegal paan spitting on thestreets of Wembley is being targeted by a new campaign tocontrol the problem.

Brent Council has joined withNHS Brent,Wembley SaferNeighbourhoods Team andWembley Town CentrePartnership after a big rise intobacco paan spitting. Spattobacco paan creates dark redstains and is costly to removebecause it requires specialistcleaning equipment. However, itis not the same as sweet paan,

which does not contain tobacco,is not harmful and is not thetype being spat in Wembley.

The campaign has bannersand posters in Wembley HighRoad and Ealing Road; counciland police officers will be out toraise awareness. Paan is not illegal,but spitting paan is classed ascriminal damage and a fixed fineof £80 can be issued.

Tobacco paan is mostlychewed by the South Asiancommunity; is highly addictiveand can increase the risk of oral

cancer by almost ten times.Experts say youngsters arebecoming hooked and tobaccopaan is wrongly seen as healthierthan cigarettes.

A conference including residents, community and faithleaders, police, health expertsand businesses attended a conference late last year to discuss the problem; the paancampaign is being funded byBrent Council’s NeighbourhoodWorking Team.

Trading Standards are

working with paan sellers inWembley to ensure that tobaccoproducts are correctly labelled,contain the right health warningsand are not sold to under 18s.Test purchases and fines ontraders who broke the law havetaken place.Visitwww.brent.gov.uk/dontspitpaan for more.

Brent Council has gone one better than Sir Alan Sugar by takingon eight young apprentices.

They are now training for jobs in education welfare,horticulture, regeneration and transportation, and will study fora qualification at the College of North West London. The initiative will tackle youth unemployment and increase the proportion of young people working for the council. Althoughunemployment among 16-18 year olds in Brent is below theLondon average, Brent Council wants to improve opportunities.

Boxing club gets cashStonebridge Boxing Club has received £3,500 to set up a boxingring and buy gloves and bags. The club is using the money,awarded by Brent Council’s Neighbourhood Working Team, toexpand its activities. Call Aamir Ali on 07951 425 804 or SharonBennett on 07985 652 507 for more.

Twenty young people havesigned up to be Brent’s firstsmoke free ambassadors.

Each youngster will betrained to advise smokersabout quitting and will spreadan anti-smoking message inBrent. The ambassadors are

from Friends of Brent River Park, Brent YouthParliament and Brent YouthVolunteers. The project is funded by Brent Council’sNeighbourhood Working and was launched at Wembley Stadium.

Ambassadors for better healthExpress yourself with BrAVAYoung people can debate policing and justice at an event on 14 April held by Brent Association for Voluntary Action. Its youthcommittee Strength in Numbers has set up the Xpress Yourselfdebate to look at causes and solutions to youth crime. It will beat Sattavis Patidar Centre, Forty Avenue, Wembley Park, from 6-9.30pm, call 020 8438 1520.

Apprentices are Basirat Uthman, Vogue Wildman, Karina Bennett,Jamie Jones, Nikit Shah, Madeeha Khawaja and Samiul Khan.

Brent tackles illegal paan spitting on streets

They’re hired! Apprentices start

The young ambassadors.

www.brent.gov.uk/jobs

Brent Council job adverts are now onlineVisit www.brent.gov.uk/jobs to search foravailable vacancies.

UPdate

Where do I find out more about enrolling?

Stonebridge Centre tel: 020 8838 28821 Morland Gardens, Stonebridge, London, NW10 8DY

Madison House tel: 020 8795 397724-28 London Road, Wembley, Middlesex, HA9 7HD

Carlton Centre tel: 020 7644 9460Carlton Vale, London, NW6 5RA

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

Get on course for your future

Fancy trying your hand at somethingfresh in the spring?

– Taking learning into the community

Brent Adult & CommunityEducation Service (BACES)

Case StudyFamily Learning

Lotus Tay and her children

Finlay (4) and Raya (2) really

enjoy learning together.

After attending a Family First

Aid class Lotus said `I was

interested both for the kids and to be able to help

others if necessary. Family Learning is really good

because it gives you a chance to get out, do things

with your children, meet other people and learn new

skills. It gives you ideas for what to study when the

kids are both at school. I could be busy with things

every single day, without spending a fortune on it’.

Brent Adult and Community Education Service (BACES) is BrentCouncil’s direct provider of education and training, funded by theLearning and Skills Council. Our mission is “to broaden minds,create opportunities and change the lives of individuals andcommunities in Brent”

BACES offers a wide range of courses that cater for a diverserange of people with a variety of educational needs. There areaccredited and non-accredited courses at a variety of levels andstudents can choose to progress at their own pace.

Enrol on a BACES course now and choose from a huge range ofexciting opportunities. Courses cost just a few pounds per session– or you may even qualify to study at a concessionary rate.Sixteen to 19-year-olds who are not in full time education havefree access to accredited courses.

Visit our website

www.brent.gov.uk/baces

Look out for the BACES coursesbeginning in April 2010.

BRENTpeople

What does the forum do?The forum is designed to promotesport, culture and learning in Brent.It is made up of 14 organisations suchas Tricycle Theatre,Wembley Stadium,The College of North West London,The Plaza Hotel, Brent Council, ParkRoyal Partnership,Wembley Arena andthe Federation of Patidar Associations.Its aim is to bring private, voluntaryand public sector organisations togetherwith the local authority to think aboutBrent’s cultural offer and how it can bedeveloped, improved and promoted.

Why did you join?I am assistant site manager at FountainTelevision Studios in Wembley. It’s theUK’s largest independent purpose builttelevision studios, making shows suchas ‘X Factor’ and ‘Britain’s Got Talent’and is an important cultural institutionin Brent. I’ve worked at the studios forover four years and became the forum’schair last year. Culture, sport andlearning have shaped my life personallyand professionally and I want them tobe open to all.

What does Brent have culturally?There is so much! There are wonderfulparks, cultural buildings such asNeasden Temple or cultural events suchas the Diwali Festival which is afantastic public celebration.There areexcellent sports facilities such asWembley Stadium or Willesden SportsCentre, which are an asset to theborough.There are also 86 listedbuildings in Brent such as Old StAndrew’s Church – a Grade I listedbuilding – and the Stables Art Gallery.Brent also has new cultural institutionssuch as The Lexi in Kensal rise – awonderful independent cinema. Brentneeds to promote what it is good at andwe also need to promote Brent a littlemore.You don’t need to go into the WestEnd for first-class music, television orsporting venues; we have it all!

Why does the forum matter?Culture is one of the elementsneeded to create a vibrant andconfident borough. I see it asimportant in its own right;however, it has other benefits. Itcan assist learning or developthe local economy by creatingjobs and opportunities andimprove the quality of life.I would like to see morepeople participate in cultureand sport. Excitingopportunities such as theDivine Cat Exhibition atBrent Museum whichattracted thousands to see a wonderful object fromantiquity are free andaccessible.

What is the strategyfor culture?It sets out our vision for2010 to 2015. Eightprinciples have beenidentified as key to it, suchas encouraging more youngpeople to take part anddeveloping public spaces,and some action points.There will be a lot ofgreat things happeningwith the build-up to the2012 London Olympicsand beyond. In thewords of the strategy,it’s yours so join in!

Leading lightRachel Evans is chair of the Brent Culture, Sport and Learning Forumand has helped launch its new strategy. Picture by ISABELLE PLASSCHAERT.

Visit www.brent.gov.uk/arts for more about Brent’s cultural strategy.

Above: the newCultural Strategy

APRIL 2010 THE BRENT MAGAZINE 9

Name:

Address:

Postcode:

Please choose the size and ticka box:

Regular (220 litre)(Height 90 cm, Diameter 74cm)

Large (330 litre)(Height 100 cm, Diameter 80cm)

I enclose a cheque for £5 made payableto London Borough of Brent Streetcare

Send order to:StreetCare, home composter offer, Brent House, 349-357 High Road,Wembley HA9 6BZ

Please allow up to 35 days for delivery

Subsequent bins are charged at £13 for 220L and £16 for 330L

There will be no change to your waste and recycling collection days this Easter Holiday. Please put yourcompulsory green box, green organic bin and grey waste bins out on the normal day of collection.

Keeping it green this Easter

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

Recycling iseasier than you think!

Fruit and vegetablepeelings, grass cuttingsand leaves can all beturned into compost.

You’ll be reducing theamount of waste sent

to landfill whilecreating a naturalnutrient-rich foodfor your garden.

Brentresidents can buy acompost binfor only *£5(including delivery and afree composting guide).Compost bins areavailable in two sizes:220 litre and 330 litre.

Order your compost bintoday by completingand returning the order form opposite, or apply online.

*The offer is only for the first compost bin per household.Subsequent bins are £13 for 220L and £16 the 330L.Composters are not refundable or exchangeable.

Compost is free, easy to make and even easier to use.

Please send me a composter

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2003 THE BRENT MAGAZINE

ALL IN Aday’s work

Visit www.brent.gov.uk/licensing for moreinformation.

Inn safe keepingSusana Moura is ensuring businesses in Brent meet the demands of the licensing laws.

She is regularly in Brent’s pubs, clubs andnightclubs but perhaps not as a customer.

It is Susana’s duties as a Brent CouncilLicensing Officer which takes her intothose premises. She is part of the ten-strong Licensing Team, based at BrentHouse in Wembley, which enforces andmonitors thousands of licences issued inthe borough.

“The 2003 Licensing Act saw a bigchange in licensing laws,” she explains.“The Act transferred responsibility forlicensing pubs, clubs and other premisesselling alcohol from the magistrates’ courtsto local authorities. It also includednightclubs, cinemas, theatres, off-licences,restaurants, hotels, guest houses, and shopsselling alcohol.”

Premises and personal licenceapplications are processed by the council.Depending on the licence type, it will beconsidered by Trading Standards, police,or NHS Brent. However, it is Susana’s jobto ensure conditions on particular licencesare respected.

“I have my own patch of Brent,” sheadds. “It is not just bars and pubs, but I also look after street traders, betting shops, and even dog breeders and petshops. A standard licence is agreed for a pub, but it might have specific

conditions of opening hours, CCTV, orhaving Security Industry Authority staff onthe door. I have to check all of that.”

That means visiting the premisesunannounced. “I go in without any priorwarning to check. Sometimes, customers

are awkward, but I have good workingrelationships with the landlords.The bestapproach is to explain and reason withthem first. Legal action is a last resort, butfines of £2,000 have been issued by thecourts. Licensing Officers are here toensure the premises are preventing crime,do not put children in harm’s way, ensurepublic safety, and are not a nuisance to thepublic. Sometimes, licences are removedalthough that can only be done by theLicensing Committee.”

However, it is a job which she finds veryrewarding. “It is a great team here. I get tomeet a great variety of people and there isalways something interesting going on.

“We have just launched Best Bar Nonefor 2010.The awards are held every yearand organised with the police to recognisegood practice by premises selling alcohol. Iand the other Licensing Officers will bevisiting each place which enters the awardto judge them. Last year, 45 out of around200 eligible premises entered; many weregreat entries. I’m looking forward to seeingsome well-managed places again.”


Main picture: Susana Moura, and inset: Susana Moura with MarkWillsmore from Ace Café for launch of Best Bar None awards.

“It is a great team here. I get to meet a great variety of people and there is always

something interesting going on.”


Brent Community Safety Partnership has new minimum standards for tackling anti-social behaviour

ACCEPT NOTHING LESSEXPECT EVEN MORE

We will:

� take all possible action to stop anti-social behaviour

� respond quickly to all complaintsof anti-social behaviour

� record and investigate all casesof anti-social behaviour

� provide support to victimsand witnesses

� inform you regularly aboutwhat action is being taken

To find out more about our new minimum standards you can visitwww.brent.gov.uk/communitysafetywww.met.police.uk/brentor contact Brent Community SafetyPartnership Unit by phone 020 8937 1058 or [email protected]

To report anti-social behaviour call0300 123 1212

They are days to discover commerce andtrade rather than geography or English.

At Barham Primary School,Year 6 tookpart in a Young Enterprise Day recently tohelp teach pupils more about economicsand business.The school teamed up withthe enterprise education charity,YoungEnterprise, and Wembley High TechnologyCollege to organise the day, which usedgames and activities to teach the subjects.

“It was the first time we’ve held anythinglike this,” said Barham teacher WillFastiggi. “Both the staff and students werereally excited about it. It was great workingin partnership with Wembley High andYoung Enterprise to bring it together and I am pleased to say it was interesting,informative, lively and most importantly,a fun day.”

The children took part in team activities to explore how the national andinternational economies are organised bytrade, commerce and production.Theywere joined on the day by 15 sixth-formers

from Wembley High School whovolunteered to help run the special eventand had received special training fromstaff at Young Enterprise. It followed coreteaching about economics and business inthe National Curriculum.

It is the second time the school inDanethorpe Road,Wembley, has beenhighlighted for its business teaching. Lastyear Barham’s head teacher Karen Gileswas named a winner at the regionalTeaching Awards when she won the Awardfor Enterprise.

At Kingsbury High School around 160 students from Year 9 and Year 10 took partin a day, simulating real-life trading, usingmaths, enterprise and team-building skills.

The fast-paced students traded oil,reacted to market news and managedbudgets in six trading rounds, which testedtheir teamwork and understanding ofeconomics.

The trade gave students the opportunityto see how maths and mathematical modelswork in the real world of trade. At the end,the winning trading team was announced.Jeremy Waxman, who recently started asKingsbury High School headteacher, said:“It was a great session in which thestudents worked well together in teams toutilise their mathematical abilities in thepursuit of business success.”

Pupils are discovering businessand economics thanks to innovative teaching events.

“It was a great session in whichthe students worked well

together in teams to utilise theirmathematical abilities in thepursuit of business success.”

Flair trade

Kingsbury High School headteacher JeremyWaxman with pupils, contributed picture

Visit www.young-enterprise.org.uk formore about Young Enterprise.

Pupils and volunteers at BarhamPrimary, pictures by Nadia Attura.



Free sports activities at ourOpen Weekend!

Free

activities

in Brent

Try sporting activities for free at our B.Active promotional weekend. Buying a B.Activediscount card can save you up to 40 per cent on activities at Brent’s sports centres.

[email protected] 8937 3707www.brent.gov.uk/bactive

Saturday 24 April

Vale Farm Sports Centre020 8908 6545Watford Road, North Wembley HA0 3HG

Bridge Park CLC020 8937 3730Brentfield, Harrow Road, NW10 0RG

Sunday 25 April

Willesden Sports Centre020 8955 1120Donnington Road, Willesden, NW10 3QX

Charteris Sports Centre020 8937 3644Charteris Road, Kilburn, NW6 7ET

For more information and to book your place, contact the sports centres or Brent Council’s Sports Service.

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

GreenPagesWWW.BRENT.GOV.UK/RECYCLING APRIL 2010

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

Yourcleaner,greenerhomeHaving a clearout?Here are a few suggestions on how you can clean and be green?

Books and toysDonate old books and toys to family or friends. You can also take them to your local charityshop or check if your local community centre needs them. If the toys still in their original packaging and in good condition, you may be able to sell them at auction.

FurnitureWhy not sell furniture at garagesales or in auctions or you couldalso donate usable furniture tocharity shops, schools, communitycentres, friends or neighbours. Youcould save money by mending orreupholstering furniture instead of buying new.

Mobile phonesGive your old mobile phone awayor use one of the many recyclingschemes available such as TheRecycling Appeal. Put your oldmobile in a freepost envelope andmoney raised is given to a charity.visit www.recycleappeal.co.uk or

call 08451 302 010.

Brent Council – working for a cleaner, greener Brent

ClothesPut your old clothes in a plastic bag and place in the green recycling box or take them to a recycling bank. You can also donate old clothes to charity shops or take them to a jumble sale.

Newspapers and magazinesYou can put all these in thegreen box, place in a paperrecycling bank or take it toThe Re-use and RecyclingCentre.You can also donatemagazines to your local charity shop.

Electrical items / batteriesThe Re-use and Recycling Centreaccepts electrical items and

batteries. Put household batteriesin a clear plastic bag beforeplacing in your green box.

Some manufacturers also takeback old electrical items. Check

with them for more details.

You can recycle over 25 different materials at Brent’sRe-use and Recycling Centre.

The centre is open seven days from 8am until 4pmexcept Christmas Day, BoxingDay and New Year’s Day.

Visit our website or contactus to find out more.

And when you’ve eaten your Easter eggs, don’t forget you can recycle thecardboard box in your greenorganics bin and the foilwrapping in your green recycling box.

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9 B

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Brent Council – working for a cleaner, greener Brent

Take it to Abbey Road

GreenPages Brent Council’s quarterly residents’recycling newsletter produced by Brent Council in association with Veolia.

For further information please visitwww.brent.gov.uk/recyclingor call 020 8937 5050

NO VANS

Please remember the centreonly takes household wasteand has a no-van policy.


Stepping into a library can lead todiscovering books, music, or even acareer path.

Six Brent libraries are now offeringinformation, advice and guidancesessions for residents.They are free,face-to-face sessions with a trainedadviser who will help you withinterview skills, training, jobapplications and searches and CV help.Every week people are improving theirjob or training opportunities byattending a session.

“Advice is impartial andconfidential,” says Monna Rizvi,Coordinator of Reading and LearningServices at Brent Library Service.“The advisers sit down for up to 45minutes with each person.They discussany concerns and help them to makeinformed decisions about jobs, careersor training. It helps to boost yourconfidence and focus on your future.”

Monna says information can beprovided in Braille, large print orcassette and extra support can beprovided at the advice sessions if aperson has a learning disability.Advisers also have prospectuses for

colleges and universities, job andemployment agency listings,directories of grants and sponsorships;even childminder listings. Besides theinformation, advice and guidancesessions are focused sessions for CVadvice.They look at all facets of CVwriting and updating.

“The information we give isaccurate and up-to-date,” she adds.“All the advisers are trained and havepassed or are working towards aspecial qualification in this area.Theycan’t, however, represent you to otherorganisations or process a CV or aletter for you, but all 12 libraries havefree access to computers which canbe used to word process coveringletters and CVs or search and applyfor jobs online.”

The service is open to all, but is

primarily for people aged 20 or overwith no or few qualifications. Sessionsare at Ealing Road Library, Mondays6-8pm,Thursday, 4-6pm (020 89373560); Harlesden Library Plus,Tuesdays and Thursdays 2-4pm (0208965 7132); Kilburn Library, Saturdays10-12noon (020 8937 3530); PrestonRoad Library,Tuesday 3.30-5.30pm(020 8937 3510); Brent Town HallLibrary,Thursdays 10.30-12.30pm (020 8937 3500);Willesden GreenLibrary Centre, Monday 5-8pm, Friday1.30-3.30pm, Saturdays 10am- 1pm(020 8937 3400).

“Sessions are there to help youachieve your potential in learning andwork,” adds Monna. “Phone and makean appointment; many libraries are onyour doorstep.”

Residents who want one-to-oneadvice about jobs and trainingneed only go to a library in Brent.Picture by COLIN PATTERSON.

“All the advisers are trained and have passed or are

working towards a special qualification in this area.”

Futurefocus

Advance booking is required, formore visitwww.brent.gov.uk/libraries [email protected] or call 020 8937 3144.

Resident Lonie Smithtalks with adviserMonna Rizvi at BrentTown Hall Library.

20

Harlesden Library Plus opened in earlyMarch and with greatly enhanced facilitiesunder one roof; it has already proved to be acommunity resource for all residents.

The refurbishment of the Victorianbuilding in Craven Park Road began in2008 and is now complete. Residents andcommunity groups marked the reopeningwith a celebration event in mid-March.Thebuilding, which was always a popularlibrary, is now also offering customerservices and adult education to residents inits premises.

Its floor area has been greatly expandedby the addition of mezzanine levels withinthe building’s original architecture.Thebuilding has been modernised, but retainedmany of the old original features. It has fiveteaching rooms on two floors, including adedicated computer and IT suite,providing spacious new accommodation

for adult learning courses from BACES(Brent Adult and Community EducationService).The courses scheduled to start inlate April include literacy, numeracy andEnglish as a second language classes. Lateron Information Technology, childcare andfamily learning will be taught there.

The £2.4 million refurbishment hascreated a completely revamped ground-floor library with a dedicated children’sarea and a £100,000 stock of new booksand DVDs.The library also has a BlackIdentity Zone which offers books, filmsand music, exploring black culture and wasdeveloped with the help of a specialresidents’ steering group. It also offers extracomputing facilities, informal seating andstudy space.There is free internet access,friendly help with accessing services andlonger opening hours.

The building has Wi-Fi coverage, threeplasma screens and self-service machines.For readers there is comfortable furniture,and a reading area on the ground floor.

Brent Customer Contact Point on theground floor has facilities for handing incouncil documents and interview rooms for

Harlesden’s

“It has five teaching rooms on

two floors, including a dedicated

computer and IT suite.”

The stairway inthe library.

The children’slibrary

A reader in the blackidentity section

The mainlibrary area


newest

Harlesden Library Plus is offering modernised library, education and customer services inits redesigned building. Pictures by ISABELLE PLASSCHAERT

pre-arranged appointments, along with self-service, touch-screen computers for freecouncil information and advice.There isalso access to phones to contact councilstaff.The contact point has been developedafter Harlesden Customer Service One StopLocal Office in the High Street closed.

The outside of the building has newglazing and planting, providing an invitingstreet level image to customers and a generalimprovement to the local street scene.Accessibility has been improved by new lifts,which give disabled access to most floors.

Harlesden Library Plus is at 53 Craven Park Road, Harlesden, for more visit www.brent.gov.uk/libraries or call 020 8937 3570.

The CustomerContact Point

BACES classroomsupstairs.

The reading room

A young reader enjoyingthe children’s library


chapter


William McGowan Lettings Ltd, 300 Neasden Lane, NW10 0AD

Fees applicable. Please call us on

020 8450 0845

LANDLORDS!We have tenants waiting

to occupy your property immediately!

TENANTS!We have properties

available for immediate occupancy!

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

People with learning disabilities arelearning new skills and getting businessexperience, which they hope may lead to ajob in the community.

Enterprising students at StonebridgeDay Centre, which is part of BrentLearning Disability Partnership, havetaken over a tuck shop to visit and buytreats but more importantly gain valuableretail experience.

The shop was occasionally opened bystaff but the student council wanted to runit themselves, and by linking up with theCollege of North West London studentscan learn shop keeping skills as well as gainpractical experience.

“Running the tuck shop is a very goodway to gain experience in a retail setting,”says Centre Manager Ethel Samkange.“The students were eager to use the shopand wanted to run it themselves. It givesthem a real sense of pride that they are ableto organise it and run it.”

As well as running the tuck shop threetimes a week, seven students at the centreare attending a retail course run by theCollege of North West London.

Nittin Hiran is developing his maths andEnglish skills and learning how to handlemoney. He said: “I like working in the shoppart time. And the course is teaching mehow to add up and give change. I work

behind the counter, take the money andcount it out.”

His colleague Rodney Wackett, is also part of the retail project. He said:“We are learning how to serve and benice to customers and to give them whatthey want.”

“People with learning disabilities likedoing all the same things that we do,” addsEthel. “The shop and the course is givingthem valuable experience, self esteem,confidence and helping them gain new skillsthat will hopefully lead to employment.”


A sweet successA tuck shop is helping to give people with learning disabilities experience of work. Words ANNA MACARTHUR. Pictures EMMA HARPIN.

Visit www.brent.gov.uk for more aboutBrent Learning Disability Partnership.

The 2010-11 budget set by Brent Councilin March means that residents will see noincrease in their council tax bill this year.

A lot of the money that the council willspend in the next year is from central government grants, but a significant amount– around £100 million – will be raised bycouncil tax. A further amount of £30 million of council tax pays for services provided by the Greater London Authority.

A budget for BrentEvery year Brent Council sets out its budget for the next financial year, including spendingin the different service areas the local authority provides.


Council revenues 2009-10

1. Council tax £101.0m2. Business rates £143.6m3. Revenue support grant £20.9m

Total £265.5m

1

2

3

1

2

3

45

76

Revenue budget by BrentCouncil department

1. Children and Families £60.1m2. Environment and Culture £48.9m3. Housing and

Community Care £116.0m4. Business Transformation £10.4m5. Corporate Units £8.7m6. Finance and Corporate

Resources £6.6m7. Central Budgets £14.8m

Total £265.5m


Your council tax bill should have landed on your doormat thismonth.TBM answers some common questions.

What does my council tax pay for?It is used to pay for a wide range of local services provided by thecouncil, the Greater London Authority, as well as the police and fireauthorities.These include:

How has the council’s spending changed? Council spending has increased by £3.7 million (1.4 per cent)from £261.8 million in 2009/10 to £265.5 million in 2010/11.Increases in spending include the cost of salaries and also priceinflation, which will add £1.9 million to spending.

The council also needs to spend more to improve priority ser-vices including:

• £2.3 million more on children’s social care• £1.0 million on adults with learning disabilities• £0.3 million on supporting the rebuilding or major

redevelopment of Brent’s secondary schools• £1.0 million because of loss of income for parking and

land charges• £0.8 million more on housing benefits costs• £0.7 million on accommodation for families who would

otherwise be homeless• £1.5 milion on Freedom Pass scheme growth• £0.1 million on increasing library stock.

There are some pressures on the budget that the council cannotavoid.The cost of disposing of rubbish will increase by £1.0 million in 2010/11.This is paid in the levy to the West LondonWaste Authority.The additional costs faced by the council amountto £13.1 million.The council has been able to offset them bymaking £9.4 million efficiency and other savings which is why netspending is only £3.7 million higher in 2010/11 than in 2009/10.

How can I pay?There are a number of ways. By direct debit is the easiest.• by direct debit on either the 1st, 12th, 17th or 28th of each

month. Set it up over the phone by calling 020 8937 1790• credit or debit card by 1st of each month. Call 020 8937 1717

for more information• secure online payment facility on the internet at

www.brent.gov.uk, by 1st of each month• pay point at any shops displaying the pay point

symbol by 1st of each month

• no need to remember instalment dates• you can choose an instalment date that suits you• you won’t need a reminder• you won’t be sent a summons, which could mean more costs

to you• it’s error free; you are covered by the direct debit guarantee.

I am struggling to pay, what can I do?If you have fallen into arrears, contact the council tax departmentto discuss repayments on 020 8937 1790.We will do our best to help.

I am on a low income and have little savings, can I get any help?You may qualify for help if you are on a low income or if someonelives with you but is not working. Call us on 020 8937 1800 to findout if the amount of council tax you have to pay can be reduced bygetting benefit.

Is there help for pensioners?If you are a pensioner with less than £16,000 in savings, you maybe entitled to a council tax rebate.Your income can be over £300per week and you may still get some help.

Call us on 020 8937 1800 to find out if the amount of council taxyou have to pay can be reduced by getting benefit.

What other assistance is available?You may qualify for a single person discount on your council tax ifyou live alone. If you are disabled or have had your home adapted to meet your needs, you may be eligible for a disabled band reduction.Visit www.brent.gov.uk or call us on 020 8937 1790 formore information.

What happens if I don’t pay?We always try to help people who are having real difficulty butthere remain a small number who refuse to pay.We will take themto court and if necessary:

• instruct bailiffs to remove and sell their possessions• make deductions from their salaries• sell their homes, and even• send them to prison.

Council tax- your questions answered

• 81 schools• 505 kilometres of roads and

pavements• 100 parks and open spaces• 12 libraries• four sports centres• 9,250 council houses• 43,500 Freedom Passes

• temporary accommodationfor 3,200 families

• 860,000 hours of home care• 136,000 meals on wheels.• collecting rubbish from

105,000 households andrecycling 30,000 tonnes of waste

Fresh Flower Mandaps & Stages For Hire

Please visit our website for more information

E: [email protected]

W: www.themandapcompany.co.uk

T: 07956 828525/07903 524897

Brent Community TransportTransport for all

• Hire of coaches and accessible

minibuses available

• We offer competitive tailored quotes

• Hire us for daytrips, educational trips,

weddings, airport journeys and self-drive

Tel: 020 3114 7022Email: [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]

LOCAL BUILDERS established 25 years• loft conversions • extensions • roofing • bathrooms • refurbishments • plumbing boilers• power flushing • electrical rewires • locksmith • and much more

SECREThistory


It has stood on the corner ofHarlesden Road and Parkfield Roadfor 100 years.

In 1905 the land for 82 HarlesdenRoad was leased by George JamesFurness, the son of George Furness, totwo builders: George ConquestFreeman and Arthur Samuel Barberof Cricklewood.They signed with a MrGeorge Alexander Bradshaw, who rana baker’s there until it was taken overby a Mr Frederick Bournhill in 1909.However, two years later it changedhands again; this time to a Mr AlfredWills who then ran it as a grocer’s until1939. By then Willesden had grownconsiderably in population, and it wasto change hands again in the war

years. However, in 1947 differentowners took

over the grocer’s shop and a new erabegan.

“It was known as Wheeler’s and runby my parents Bert and Doris,” saystheir daughter Brenda Wheeler.“Wheeler’s was a very well-knowngrocer’s in Willesden in the days beforesupermarkets.They both knew thegrocery trade inside out and had manyloyal customers.”

The family lived next door and olderson Brian joined the business and latermanaged another Wheeler’s at 2Harlesden Road; Brenda worked therein her school holidays. At its zenith, ithad three order boys working after

school and at weekends todeliver customers’ goods.

“Mum and dad would serve thecustomers from behind thecounter,” added Brenda. “Therewas lovely display of fruit andvegetables on the forecourt. Inside

they displayed huge 40lb cheddarcheeses and sides of bacon which werecut into rashers, hocks and gammon.My father cooked the gammons andhe was renowned in the area for hiswonderful ham.The sugar, tea andother dry commodities came in sacksand were bagged up into paper bags.

Customers included the 1950s singerRobert Earl and Clodagh Rogers whorepresented the UK at Eurovision in1971.The shop was updated in 1957and went ‘self-service’ in 1967. But theshop could not hold out againstchanges in the grocery trade. Bert andDoris retired in the early 1980s, and hehas now passed away. Brian ran 2Harlesden Road until the early 1990s.

The premises became a buildingbusiness and then the Organic Shop in2000. However, in 2009 the shop wasvacant. Artist Naomi Harrison, wholives in Willesden, saw its potential andreopened it as artisan – a studio andart gallery. “It is very much part oflocal history and everyone knows itsquirky appearance,” said Naomi.“Whether it’s a grocer’s or art gallery.”

Artisan at 82 Harlesden Road is open Wednesday to Saturday from 11-4pm, visit www.artisan80.com email [email protected] or call 020 8451 5235.

Artisan today

From grocery to gallery,a shop premises inWillesden has beenhome to well-knownlocal businesses.

Doris and Brian Wheeler, with Bert at theham cutter, picture courtesy of Brian Wheeler,below: A display in Wheeler’s window.

“It is very much part of local history and everyone knows its

quirky appearance.”


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COMPETITIONS

An escorted tour of Wembley Stadium makes an exciting day out for the whole family. Stroll into the player's dressing room and walk through 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:

On what day is the FA Cup final this year?

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.

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 anddaytime 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 competitions is Friday 12 March.

Stadium competition winners: Norma Levy, Anken Price, Carmelo Mifsud, Brenda Sordillo.

Win tickets for Ricky Gervais

Wembley Stadium Event Calendar Event starts

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 3pm

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

10 and 11 Sept Muse TBC

9 October Potential England Euro 2012 qualifier TBC

13 October Potential England Euro 2012 qualifier TBC

31 October NFL - Broncos vs 49ers 3pm

Following last year’s sellout UK tour of Ricky Gervais’ new stand-up show ‘Science’, he is at last coming to London. So for those ofyou who could not get your hands on some of the hottest ticketsof 2009, Ricky Gervais will be performing at Wembley Arena onthe 26, 27 and 28 April 2010. The BrentMagazine has teamed up with WembleyArena to offer one lucky reader a pair oftickets for the 27 April performance.

To be in with a chance of winning,simply answer this question:

The Brent Magazine has teamed up with Benefit Cosmetics, themake-up shop for grown-ups to offer one lucky reader the chanceto win £150 worth of luxury cosmetics. Two runners up will receivea £50 goodie bag of Benefit’s fake-its range (pictured).

Benefit Cosmetics first boutique appeared in a San Francisco in1976. Three decades on, Benefit Cosmetics has 2,000 counters inmore than 30 countries.

On which dates in April thisyear is Ricky Gervais live atWembley Arena?

Win Benefit goodies!

To be in with a chance to winanswer the question below:

In which city did the first Benefit Cosmeticsboutique appear?

A. New YorkB. San FranciscoC. Basildon

For your nearest Benefit stockist simply visit www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk

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 competitions is Friday 16 April.

Stadium competition winners: Asma Busin, Padma Jain, Ann Roberts, Laura Gaul.

Lexi Cinema competition winners: Kath Keogh, Michael Kearney, Sylvia Briscoe.

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

ARTALIKESats 10am term-time; Sats10-noon ARTTEEN 7-14£5, Kensal Rise call Wildaon 07946 755 847

ART CLASSES Mini Picassos for childrenaged 4-6 yrs and 7-11yrs;toddler Picassos 15months-3 yrs, GracelandsCafe, 118 College RoadKensal Green,07903638817

CARERS AND BABIES FILM SCREENINGSMons 11am films, tea and coffee, muffins andsympathy, tickets £5 LexiCinema, ChamberlayneRoad, Kensal Risewww.thelexicinema.co.uk0871 704 2069

DANIEL’S DENMons 1-3pm, Thurs 9.30-11am, 11.30-1pm, Tues10-noon St MIchael andAll Angels Church,Hillside, StonebrIdge, Fris9.30-11am, 11.30-1pm St Michael’s Church Hall,St Michael’s Ave,Tokyngton Tues, 1-3pm,Gladstone Park PrimarySchool, Dollis Hillwww.danielsden.org.uk

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

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

FRENCH CLASSESWeds, Thurs after-schoolin Kensal Rise ages 5-11;07753 639 720

LEXI CINEMA KIDS’ CLUBSats 11.15am, craft activities, games, films (all U certificate) tickets£5, Lexi CinemaChamberlayne Road,Kensal Rise www.thelexicinema.co.uk0871 704 2069

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

LONDON IRISH MUSIC SCHOOLSats, traditional Irish musical instruments forchildren up to 15; OliverGoldsmith Primary School,Kenton www.londonirishmusicschool.co.uk020 8205 7231

MINI-SOCCERSuns Year 3 9.45-10.45am Year 4-Year 6 10.45-12noonUxendon Manor 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

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

SEA TRAINING CORPSThurs 7.15-9.15pm SeaPirates 7-9 yrs; Thurs7.15-9.15pm juniors;Mons and Fris 7.15-9.30pm Sea Cadets;Mons and Fris 7.15-9.30pm Marine Cadets;youth group for boys andgirls, Cool Oak Lane,NW9 020 8205 4492www.seacadet.org

7TH BRONDES-BURY BROWNIESTues, 6pm forgirls aged 7-10 in Willesden 07810 653 225

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

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

COMMUNITYBRENT PENSIONERSFORUM7 Apr 10-12noon BrentTown Hall 020 8998 0564

BRENT HEART SUPPORT GROUP12 Apr 10am-12noonmonthly meeting offeringadvice and support toheart disease sufferersand their carers; WembleyHospital, Chaplin Road,Wembley; group alsoholding a fund-raisingwalk around Tower ofLondon on 5 May, call Mr Tomalinson 020 8961 1708www.bhf.org.uk

BRENT AND HARROWNATIONAL ASSOCIATIONOF WIDOWS13 April 8pm talk by JeanLinwood on London, 27April 8pm annual generalmeeting call Rhona, 76Marlborough Hill, Harrow020 8969 3198

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

CHALKHILL COMMUNITYCENTREMons women’s keep fit10-11am £3, toddlergroup 11-2pm, over 50skeep fit 2-3pm £1.50,karate 6-7pm £1.50, genesis 5-7pm; TuesSomali group 10-1pm,toddler group 10-2pm,taekwondo 4.30-6.30pm,groundworks 5.30-7.30pm; Weds 50s keepfit 10-11 £1.50, play-group 11-1pm, salsa6.30-7.30pm £3; Thurswomen’s keep fit 10-11am £3, pensioners’group 1-3pm, table tennis5-7pm, keep fit 7-8pm£1.50; Fris Muslimwomen coffee morning9.30-11am, archery 5-6pm, line dancing 6.15-7.15pm £3, WICC church7.15-9.15pm; Sats taekwondo 9-11am,Somali group 10-2pm,WICC learning club 10-2pm; Suns Somali group 10-2pm, WICC churchand learning club 10-2pm, 113 Chalkhill Road,Wembley, 020 8385 [email protected]

CINEMA GEMS FILM CLUB28 Apr 1.30pm, enjoyrarely seen cinema gemsover coffee; film notesand post-film discussion;no film knowledgerequired, tickets £5 LexiCinema, ChamberlayneRoad, Kensal Risewww.thelexicinema.co.uk 0871 704 2069

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

NORTH WEST LONDONLESBIAN AND GAY GROUPMons 8.30pm,

Tenterden SportsCentre, Preston

Road, Wembley 07941

707884

IMAGES OF BLACKWOMEN FILM FESTIVAL

9 Apr 9.30-11pm ‘Say MyName’ by Nirit Peled; 10Apr 1-3pm ‘My Secret Sky’3.15-5.15pm Forum foremerging film-makers,short films including ‘20Questions’ by RunganoNyoni; ‘Hexagrame 27- Yi’by Sylvie Bayonne; HiddenHerstories: Women ofChange’ by the OctaviaFoundation; ‘KillerNakeclace’ by JudyKibinge; 6-8pm ‘FemmeInvisible’ by Pascale Obolo,‘Black Business’ by OsvaldeLawat; 8.30pm network-ing drink; 11 Apr 3-5pm‘My Nappy Roots: AJourney through BlackHair-itage’ by ReginaKimbell; 5.50-7.45pm‘Rain’ by Maria Govan,The Tricycle, Kilburn HighRoad www.tricycle.co.ukbox office 020 7328 1000

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

ST LUKE’S HOSPICE1 Apr Starbuck’s April Fool’squiz night St George’sShopping Centre, Harrow,8pm quiz start tickets £10(includes Starbuck’s tea,coffee and cakes) contactMita 020 8382 [email protected]

24 Apr Indian mela,Claremont High School,Kenton, themed stallsincluding food, henna,jewellery, saris, Bollywooddance and more, £2doors open at 11am. Call Kate 020 8382 [email protected]

WOMEN’S INSTITUTENORTH WEST LONDON1 Apr 7.30pm upstairsNorth London Tavern, 375Kilburn High Road [email protected]

WEMBLEY NATIONALTRUST15 Apr 7.30pm St John’sChurch, CrawfordAvenue, Wembley 020 8904 5940

CRAFTBRENT MUSEUM13 Apr 2-4pm ‘TrobridgeStreetscapes’ drawingtechniques to create a 3Dstreet; 14-16 Apr 10-12noon ‘Story Houses’make up stories aboutTrobridge’s houses to makea concertina book; free,family workshops; bookingessential, Education Room,Willesden Green LibraryCentre 020 8937 [email protected]

KNITTING GROUPMons 6pm LewisCrescent, Neasden, call 07775 984 316

WEMBLEY QUILTERS2nd and 4th Fris, 7.30-9.30pm, Perivale CommunityCentre, Horsenden Lane020 8902 9934

DANCEADULT BEGINNERS BALLET COURSEWeds 6.30-7.30pm 21April-14 July £120The Corrib Rest, 76-80Salusbury Rd, NW6 6PA 07956 260108www.balletforyou.co.uk

ADULT 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

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

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

Thurs 8pm-midnight,salsa and social dancingwith Latin Flavors at PeriPeri Sports Bar, £5Wembley Park [email protected]

TIMEout

30

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


‘Funism Movement’ at The Wall@TheGallery,see Exhibitions.

Knitting circle,see Craft.

BRENT MUSEUM BRENT MUSEUMHigh Road, NW10020 8937 3600THE BRENT ARCHIVESIst 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

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

Tues 8.30-10pm NYPilates Studio, LonsdaleRd NW6 020 7372 3490Sats 2-3pm 105 SalusburyRoad NW6, £7 per lessonor £50 for 8 sessions tobe used within 3 [email protected] www.bellydancinglondon.com

CLUB CEROCTues 8-11pm entry £7 plus£3 lifetime membershipand a free beginner’s DVDwhen you join; a fusionbetween jive and salsadancing; suitable forbeginners – a partnerdance but you don’t needto bring a partner – greatfun, sociable and goodexercise; Brent Town Hall,Forty Lane, Wembley HA9,www.clubceroc.com020 8933 4350

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, BrentTown Hall, 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

EAST LANE THEATRE CLUB 29, 30 Apr 1,5,6,7,8 May7.45pm ‘The Heiress’ byRuth and Augustus Goetztickets £9 in advance;Vale Farm in Wembleybox office 07762 622 215

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

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

BARN HILL CONSERVATION GROUP4 April 10am fruit trees atroadside mounds, meet atBush Farm; 11 Apr 10ampond visit to check plantlife, meet at Bush Farm; 18Apr 10am acid grassland,meet in Barn Hill Road; 25Apr bluebell survey andorchard, meet Bush Farm020 8206 0589

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

WELSH HARP CONSERVATION GROUP18 April 10am bird walktaking in the springmigrants, first swallowsand warblers arrivingfrom the south 020 8447 1810

EXHIBITIONSARTISANUntil 10 April; Weds-Sat11-4pm ‘Fancy Pidgeons’a solo exhibition by photographer RichardBailey, 80 HarlesdenRoad, Willesden 020 8451 5235 www.artisan80.com

BRENT ARTISTS REGISTERUntil 9 Apr, ‘Water Works’daily 2-6pm photographyby Constantine Gras froma project involving olderBrent residents, exploringtheir experience of water;‘Funism Movement’ atThe Wall@TheGallery, anexhibition to make youlaugh, not over-intellectualized art,photographs, installations,technology and othermedia, Willesden GreenLibrary Centre 020 8459 [email protected]

STABLES GALLERYUntil 15 April, MatthewCasserly’s paintings andsculpture of landscapeand still life GladstonePark, Dollis Hill Lane 020 8452 8655

LOCAL HISTORYBRENT MUSEUM22 Apr 6.30pm ‘Neo-Tudor and itsEnemies’ architecturalhistorian Gavin Stampdefends traditionalsuburban architectureEducation Room,Willesden Green LibraryCentre 020 8937 3600

WEMBLEY HISTORY SOCIETY16 Apr 7.30pm annualgeneral meeting and shorttalk by guest speaker, StAndrew’s Church Hall,Church Lane, Kingsbury020 8205 3263

WILLESDEN LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY21 Apr 7.30pm ‘ShowbizBrent’ Terry Lomas’s talkon showbusiness celebrities associated withWillesden, Scout House,Strode Road NW10 020 8965 7230 [email protected]

MUSICGUITAR LESSONSMon-Sun, Kensal Rise alllevels welcome, £25 perhour. Contact Udi 07528 016 583,www.udiguitar.comMon-Sun Kilburn andQueens Park, all levelswelcome, electric andacoustic guitar, musictheory; £20 per lesson,call Irene 07948 430 282

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

KINGSBURY AMATEUROPERATIC SOCIETY28 Apr – 1 May 7.30pm,2.30pm Sat matinee ‘AFunny Thing Happenedon the Way to the Prom’music and lyrics byStephen Sondheim, KAOSTheatre, Kingsbury HighSchool, box office 0845 020 4240www.kaosonline.org

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

SUFI DRUMMINGSats 11.30-1.30pm £5,eight years and above,Chalkhill CommunityCentre 07954 601 372www.silkroads.co.uk

WEMBLEY ARENA11 Apr ‘Bad Company’;26, 27, 28 Apr RickyGervais in Science, ArenaSquare, Engineers Way,Wembley www.livenation.co.uk

SPORTS & LEISUREBRENT 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

BRENT HEART SUPPORT GROUPThurs, 10-11am BridgePark Community Centre;Tues, Suns 10-11am ValeFarm Sports Centre keepfit sessions, please seekmedical advice first, call Mr Tomalinson 020 8961 1708

BROTHERS PEARSE CAMOGIE CLUBLadies hurling club,beginners andexperienced playerswelcome, contact MaryCahill 07904 685 276www.brospearsecamogielondon.com

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

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

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

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

SHORINJI KEMPO MARTIAL ARTTues 8-9.30pm AbbeyDojo classes on Church ofAscension, The Avenue,Wembley; Fris 7.30-9pmat St Erconwald’s ChurchHall, 112 Carlton AvenueEast, Wembley; all agesand abilities, first classfree call Graham 07404 039 087

SOUTH HAMPSTEADTENNIS CLUBMon-Sun experiencedplayers welcome; lookingfor players to play in topdivisions of MiddlesexLeague and Cup, fivefloodlight all-weathercourts, Milverton RoadBrondesbury, NW6 [email protected] call CynthiaFelix 07540 609 641

TAI CHITues, 6.30-8pm beginners,8.30-9pm advanced, StAnne’s hall, 125 SalusburyRd, NW6 07939 043 580Weds, 1.30-2.30pm, £2over 55s, beginners,gentle movements (healthquestionnaire must becompleted first) FitnessFirst, Kingsbury 07957 185 367

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

WEMBLEY AND SUDBURY TENNIS ANDSQUASH CLUBSocial and competitiveplay; active juniors,Sylvester Road, offHarrowdene Road. For tennis call Brian 020 8998 3677; for squash call Dave 020 8902 8098

WEMBLEY CRICKET CLUBMen’s, boys’ and girls’cricket teams, coachingfor girls and boys Sats 10-11am at OakingtonManor School, Wembley020 8902 6096

WOODCOCK PARK BOWLING CLUB

Weds 6pm for new andseasoned bowlers, freecoaching, Woodcock Park,Kenton 020 8907 2701

TALKSFRIENDS OF CRICKLE-WOOD LIBRARY15 Apr 7pm ‘A Day in theLife of the Borough PoliceCommander’ a talk bypolice commander MarkToland, CricklewoodLibrary Olive Road, NW2020 8452 4072


TIMEout

A Matthew Casserly painting, see Exhibitions.

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Download a registration form atwww.brent.gov.uk/elections

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VOTE 6 MAY

the brent magazine issue 101 april 2010

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