Time for toddlers

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ISSUE NO.131 • FREE FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE AND WORK IN BRENT
PUBLISHED BY BRENT COUNCIL • APRIL 2013
Time for
toddlers
More free childcare
for two-year-olds
Don’t
drown
in debt
Help is
at hand
Library Pages
Win £50 in Amazon vouchers
Competition
on your side
Win sailing and wind-surfing lessons
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Childcare
in Brent
Now free
for twos*
Page 1
Give your
two year old
an NEG egg
Nursery Education Grants
for some Brent parents
could mean up to 15
hours free childcare
per week
* Conditions apply, see
feature on page 10
for full details
Brent
Find out more at
www.brent.gov.uk/neg2
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Contents
21
Features
More time for toddlers
Drowning in debt?
Good advice if you suffer from a credit crunch
A budget for tough times
Help for motorists and council tax payers
Library pages
Fun, free activities for Easter and more
Parking changes
What residents in CPZs need to know
Pop in to the pop up!
It’s all happening at The Albert
The start of a new chapter?
12
Temporary services if Willesden Green Library Centre closes
Regulars
4
9
25
27
29
31
Welcome
More free nursery spaces for two year olds
27
Update
Brent people
All in a day’s work
Secret history
Competitions
Time out
Issue No. 131 April 2013 BDU 6826 3.13
The Brent Magazine contacts
Distribution queries and editorial 020 8937 1062
[email protected]
Advertising 020 8937 1076 [email protected]
Published by the London Borough of Brent, Town Hall,
Forty Lane, Wembley Middlesex.
14
© John Birdsall www.photofusion.org
10
12
14
15
19
21
22
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 bank
when disposing of this and other paper.
Money makes the world go round,
they say.
And with bills rising and wages
stagnating, money - or the lack of
it - is on the minds of even more
local people than normal.
So in this issue we detail how
Brent is doing it’s best to relieve a
bit of the financial pressure many
of us face.
There’s good advice on dealing
with debt for people facing their
own credit crunch (p12), good
news when it comes to council tax
and parking charges (p14) and
good support for job-seekers worst
hit by the benefits cuts (p25).
Parents of two year olds should
also turn to page 10 to see if we
can help them with nursery places.
This is all part of Brent’s
commitment to be on your side in
these tough times.
Meanwhile there’s also big
changes at Willesden Green Library
Centre (p22), The Albert popping
up in South Kilburn (p21) and don’t
forget our exciting competitions
(p29).
Happy reading,
Jason Grimsley, Guest editor*,
The Brent Magazine
*Orla Sedze is away
Brent Customer Service Office
020 8937 1200
www.brent.gov.uk
The Brent Magazine is available in
large print and on audio tape.
Please ring 020 8937 2700
Cover image: Childcare for two
year olds. Photo Kit Oates
UPdate
Grand occasion for charity dinner
This year’s Mayoral Charity
Dinner to raise money for
the Mayor of Brent’s charities
will take place at the Hilton,
Wembley, on 19 April.
The Grand Ballroom will
host a champagne reception,
followed by a threecourse meal with wine, live
entertainment and a raffle,
starting at 7pm.
“I am doing my utmost
to raise as much money
as possible, in partnership
with local businesses and
organisations for my chosen
charities, and look forward to
your support.
“I encourage all local
businesses and associations
to attend and be generous
in supporting my chosen
charities, which are all
worthwhile organisations,”
said Mayor of Brent,
Councillor Michael Adeyeye.
This year, the Mayor
is supporting The Brent
Association of Disabled
People, Rays of Sunshine
Children’s Charity - which
grants wishes for seriously ill
children aged 3-18 – and The
Sickle Cell Society.
Tickets are £75 per person
or £700 for a table of ten
Yasmin is best young musician
Young pianist Yasmin Adewusi has been crowned 2013 BMS
Junior Musician of the Year.
She impressed at the finals organised by council-run Brent
Music Service at Claremont High School, with performances
of Prelude with Fugue in Bb by JS Bach and the swing
number King For A Day by the jazz pianist Dave Brubeck.
Yasmin, who is a Year 7 pupil at St Gregory’s High School, is
a member of Brent Youth Concert Band.
Second place went to flautist Aashish Khimasia and cellist
Ryan Ratnam was third.
The other finalists were pianist Masahiro Shiraishi,
clarinettist Loshini Subendran and violinist Naiya Vekaria.
Yasmin’s prize includes a coveted solo slot at Junior Fest
2013 which takes place on 6 July.
people. To book, contact
Eileen McQuaid, at
[email protected]
or on 020 8937 1141.
Beat your
money worries
Get help with your money
worries with two free advice
sessions in April funded by
Brent’s Ward Working, in
partnership with Energy
Solutions.
The Beat Your Money
Worries sessions are:
• 9 April, Harlesden
Library Plus, Craven Park,
Harlesden 10am to 3pm
• 16 April, Brent Town Hall,
Committee Rooms 1 and 2,
10am to 3pm.
Yasmin and
fellow finalists
Visit www.
sustainablebrent.org.uk.
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Mayor of Brent
Cllr Michael Adeyeye
Youth club
zeroes in on
Wembley
The recently opened Tokyngton
Youth Club is offering young
people more activities to do
after school.
Based at Planet Zero,
Wembley Retail Park, Engineers
Way, Wembley, it offers activities
such as street dance, pool, table
football and board games. It is
open on Tuesdays 6-8pm for
youngsters aged 9 to 14 and
Fridays 6-8pm aged 15 to 19.
The club has been set up with
the support of Tokyngton Safer
Neighbourhoods Team and
Brent’s Ward Working Team.
Contact the youth club on
[email protected]
or 07916 286 342.
APRIL 2013
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UPdate
New vision for Barham Park
Barham Park will be
rejuvenated with new
investment and a leading visual
arts organisation letting the
historic park buildings as part
of proposals to revitalize it.
The Barham Park Trust
Committee recently agreed to
implement improvements to
the open space in Sudbury.
The Association for Cultural
Advancement through Visual
Arts (ACAVA), which works
with professional artists and
promotes exhibitions and
public art, has been selected
as the preferred bidder and
could take up most of the
ground-floor. Brent will
be offered a lease for the
remainder of the buildings for
use as a children’s centre and
Barham Park Veterans’ Club
could also use some space.
The committee agreed
plans for the trust’s 20-year
vision for Barham Park, which
will see £393,000 invested
over the next two years.
The proposals now need to
be agreed by the Charity
Commission.
Easter fun at Brent Museum
Brent Museum has free activities for families and children
during the Easter holidays.
On 3 April you can celebrate the arrival of spring at the family
workshop Brent Museum in Bloom! where you can decorate
your own pot to take messy planting seeds home in. All aboard
on 10 April for Brent Museum Goes Zoom! - make a ticket to
ride and your very own train in this family craft workshop. Both
events are free, run from 1-3pm, are suitable for children aged
3-12 years and are in the Museum Education Room, ground
floor Willesden Green Library. Call 020 8937 3600.
Brent cyclist is
onto a winner
A cyclist who won a new
bike in a Brent competition
to encourage cycling and the
greater use of cycle lanes has
picked up a top-quality bike.
The council’s Deputy
Leader Councillor Ruth Moher
presented Aziz Jaffar, with the
bike from Halfords in Colindale,
after he entered a Brent’s Biking
Borough competition.
If you live, work or study in
Brent you can get two hours
of professional cycling lessons
for £5 (or free if you are
unemployed or aged over 65).
6005.
Call 020 7231 6005
Cllr Ruth Moher and Aziz Jaffar
New
deal
for new
tenants
Brent is changing what it
offers new tenants from 1
April - lifetime tenancies
will be replaced by an
introductory 12-month
tenancy followed by a fixedterm five years.
It means that if there is a
serious breach of tenancy,
such as high rent arrears or
anti-social behaviour, the
council will now be able to
act more easily by either
extending the introductory
period or, in serious cases,
evicting the tenant.
It is expected that most
fixed-term tenancies will
be renewed at the end of
the five years unless there
has been a significant
change in the household’s
circumstances or serious
breaches of the tenancy
agreement that would
have led to possession
proceedings. Visit www.
bhphousing.co.uk
APRIL 2013
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UPdate
Chance of a lifetime for youth
Brent is now recruiting for participants and volunteers to take
part in this year’s London Youth Games.
You have to be aged under 18 and live in the borough or
attend a Brent school. Participants can compete in a range of
different sports, from angling to boccia, in primary, secondary
and disabled categories. Trials will begin in April 2013.
Volunteers are needed to help the games run smoothly,
particularly in roles like team manager and assistant manager.
Sarah Hawken, Sports Development Manager for Brent, said:
“The London Youth Games is a fantastic, fun event. If you are
a talented young sportsperson, this is a great chance for you to
take on the best of the rest of London. Volunteering is also very
rewarding and will look great on your CV. This is the chance of
a lifetime.”
Call 020 8937 3707 or visit
www.brent.gov.uk/londonyouthgames
Children get Fit4Health
Around 70 children and parents found out more about diet,
food and health at a special day organised by Fit4Health at the
Vale Farm Leisure Centre in Wembley.
Activities included cooking workshops, nutrition games, prize
draws and sports activities.
Fit4Health supports parents to manage children’s weight by
making healthy lifestyle changes for the entire family. For more,
call Community Services Brent on 020 8795 6362.
Children find out more about a healthy diet at the event
Brent’s boys 2012 basketball team
No cash to park? Try RingGo
RingGo cashless parking is
now available to use anywhere
in Brent for on-street parking, meaning you don’t have to
carry around coins for pay and
display machines.
You just pay with a mobile
using your credit or debit card.
If you have an iPhone or an
Android you can use apps to
register and pay for parking.
Call 020 3046 0010 or visit
www.myRingGo.co.uk
Health services change hands
New public health responsibilities are being transferred from
NHS Brent to the council from 1 April.
Brent will now oversee health services such as
stopping smoking, alcohol
and drug misuse, school
nursing and tackling
obesity. A new director of
public health, with statutory
responsibilities for health
improvement, is being appointed.
The council and NHS Brent have
been working together for
some time to ensure local people
are not adversely affected.
Brent will be reviewing the services
it has taken on with the aim
of improving them.
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UPdate
Warning over
abandoned dogs
Almost 30 dogs were abandoned illegally in Brent in early 2013
including two left in a terrible condition, according to Brent’s
Animal Welfare Team.
A dog was found tied to a bench in Monks Park, Wembley,
covered in sores and emaciated. Another animal was found tethered
to a park bench in Queen’s Park with a note attached to him from
his owner saying he could no longer look after him.
The council-run Animal Welfare Team offers low cost
microchipping and the Mayhew Animal Home also does free
breed neutering for bull breeds or bull-breed crosses. Email ens.
[email protected] or call 020 8937 5256.
Help us stop benefits confusion
Adult Social Care on Twitter
Do you work with the public
and know of anyone who has
questions about changes to
the benefit system and how
they will be affected?
Perhaps you work at a GP
surgery, school, voluntary
group or day care centre and
know people who will be hit
by the cuts but don’t know
what to tell them. You can
now download a toolkit from
the council’s website filled
with information and advice
about the changes. It includes
Users of Brent’s Adult Social
Care services will be taking to
Twitter on 18 April for a 12hour Twitterthon.
Staff and Lead Member for
Adult Social Care Councillor
Krupesh Hirani will also be
tweeting throughout the
day. Tweeters will be able
to communicate with one
another via a special Brent
a poster, leaflet and flyers and
is free to download and use.
Around 21,000 people
will be affected by changes
to council tax benefit alone
from 1 April - you can help
us ensure these people know
where to go for advice.
Visit www.brent.gov.uk/
partnertoolkit or call
020 8937 1800
The
Act now!
Travel consultation thanks
Brent has thanked parents
and schools for taking part
in a travel consultation
that promotes greater
independence for children
and young people with special
educational needs (SEN). Over
100 responses about the draft
proposals were received.
If approved by the council’s
Twitter ‘forum’ and send
care requests.
Get regular updates
from Brent on Twitter
@Brent_Council
Brent Town Hall sold
Brent Town Hall has been sold to the French Education Property
Trust as the council prepares to relocate to the new Civic Centre in
Wembley in the summer of 2013.
The trust has said it will develop the Grade II listed Art Deco
building, which sits on a site of approximately 5.3 acres in Forty
Lane, as a school.
Executive on 23 April, the new
travel policy will continue to
provide transport assistance
for those pupils with medical
needs and others who cannot
travel independently, but
will also encourage more
able pupils to develop the
necessary skills needed to
travel independently.
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Change a child’s life
If you’ve been asking yourself if
fostering or adoption is for you,
why not talk to us?
Call, or come along to one of our information evenings:
Thursday 4 April, Thursday 2 May and Thursday 6 June
6.20pm start
The Unity Centre, 103 Church Road, NW10 9EG
020 8937 4538
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APRIL 2013
www.brent.gov.uk/fas
BRENTpeople
Sailing the
suburbs
The Welsh Harp Reservoir is a hive of
activity for yachties, windsurfers and
other nautical types. It even has its very
own harbour master, Brian Jefferies, who
keeps it looking ship shape.
Words NANCY LUDWIG. Photo KAORI ANDO
Self-confessed ‘sailing nut’ Brian is also commodore of the BTYC
Sailsports Club, one of the many watery clubs and associations based
at the reservoir nestled between the North Circular and Fryent Country
Park. Brian told us what floats his boat about the Welsh Harp.
How did you get into sailing?
It’s funny, I grew up by the sea in a little town in Essex called
Maldon, but I didn’t take up sailing till I moved to London in 1964.
Maybe I missed the water after taking it for granted as a kid.
What’s so good about it?
According to the Olympic Committee, sailing’s the most demanding
all-round sport but it’s also a sport you can do at any age. You need
agility, technical knowledge and also strategic skill, a bit like in chess.
So as long as you’re reasonably fit there’s nothing to stop you from,
literally, sailing into old age.
How can people get involved?
BTYC Sailsports and all the clubs down at the Welsh Harp work with
Brent’s Sports and Parks Service to try and get more people into water sports through taster sessions and open days. Not enough people
realise what a brilliant place the Welsh Harp is or that clubs like ours
exist. We’d love to see some more people coming down to have a go
at windsurfing or sailing.
Do you need any special equipment?
Not really. In winter you obviously need warm, waterproof clothes.
We supply the life jackets. In summer, anything goes. I would say
the most important equipment is a decent pair of trainers that you
can move around in easily – preferably old ones that you don’t mind
getting wet!
To find out more about BTYC Sailsports, visit www.btycsailsports.org.uk
For general information, contact Brent Sports and Parks service on
020 8937 3707 or email [email protected]
Turn
to page 29
for a chance
to win sailing
and
windsurfing
lessons
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on your side
“Now he goes to his childminder three mornings a week
which he really enjoys and I get a bit of time to get on
with the housework…” Brent mum Jaoine Lucia-Sanchez
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More time
for toddlers
A pilot Brent scheme to give two-year-olds from low income families a free 15 hours’
place at a nursery or registered childminder has been extended so that even more
tots will now be able to benefit. Words NANCY LUDWIG, photo KIT OATES.
The Nursery Education Grant 2
(NEG 2), which was launched in
Brent in December 2009, will now
become a mandatory scheme for all
local authorities.
Over 1,000 local two year olds will
be able to benefit from quality preschool care by September.
To take full advantage of the free
place for the maximum time,
parents should apply for NEG 2 as
soon as their child turns two. But to
be eligible, either mum or dad
should be in receipt of the following
welfare benefits:
• Income Support
• Job Seekers Allowance
• Income-related Employment
and Support Allowance
• Child Tax Credit and annual
income less than £16,190
• guaranteed state Pension Credit
• immigration and asylum
support.
Parents with two year olds, whose
older children get free school meals,
will also automatically be eligible
for NEG 2.
Checking if families qualify for
NEG 2 takes just a few minutes –
the parent’s National Insurance
number, date of birth and surname
are all that’s needed – and, in lots of
cases, the council can tell callers
over the phone.
Often a health visitor or family
support worker can fill out the
assessment form and during the
process assessors will be able to see
what other help the child or family
might be entitled to.
Once a child has their free 15 hour
place, the council will then pay the
provider directly. But if the
childcare setting can accommodate
it, parents can pay for any extra
hours above the free 15 themselves.
Two-and-a-half year old Andoni
Lucia-Sanchez has been going to a
childminder for 15 hours a week since
November 2012 through NEG 2.
Mum Jaione said: “Where Andoni
goes is perfect, his minder looks
after him on his own during the day
although she does take him to play
sessions so he meets other kids too.”
The council is now working with
childminders and nurseries to help
them improve their Ofsted ratings
and, if necessary, expand so they can
take in more young children in time
for September.
For further information on
eligibility and to find out which
nurseries and childminders are
participating in the scheme, contact
Brent’s Children’s and Families
Information Service (CFIS)
on 020 8937 2462
or email [email protected]
Childcare
in Brent
Now free
for twos*
*Conditions apply, see above.
Jaione and
Andoni’s story
Andoni Lucia-Sanchez goes to a
childminder for 15 hours a week
thanks to NEG 2. Mum Jaione
explains more:
“I asked my family support worker
to refer Andoni for NEG2. She then
did the referral and helped me
through the application process. I
really can’t thank her enough.
“Now he goes to his childminder
three mornings a week which he
really enjoys and I get a bit of time
to get on with the housework, do the
shopping and catch up with all the
other jobs I can’t do so easily when
he’s home.
“Andoni has brittle bones and an
immunoglobin deficiency so we have
to be careful with him. Last year he
had pneumonia twice and some other
infections which meant he was in and
out of hospital.
“He normally needs a lot of
specialist care and therapy, so it’s nice
for him to have a break from all that
three times a week.
“I looked at a few nurseries before I
chose his childminder but they
weren’t really suitable because they
were open plan so we thought he was
more likely to fall and injure himself
in that sort of environment.
“His language skills have really
improved since he’s been there too.
I speak Basque, my husband is Italian
and we speak Spanish in the house.
His childminder speaks English to
him, so Andoni’s becoming quite
a linguist!”
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© John Birdsall www.photofusion.org
Drowning
People who face sinking
under the weight of their
debts are being thrown
a lifeline.
Debt is a serious issue for many in
the borough – Brent Citizens Advice
Bureau (CAB) deals with over 5,000
debt enquiries a year.
And there are fears many more
could face financial hardship
following the government’s shake
up of the benefit system.
Brent Council and Brent CAB are
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APRIL 2013
among those working hard to keep
people with money worries afloat.
Councillor James Denselow was
recently appointed the council’s
credit union champion and aims to
encourage more local people to join
them.
Cllr Denselow says that when the
loan sharks are circling, joining a
credit union is a much better option.
He said: “Many people are already
struggling and we are worried that
more and more people will get into
financial difficulties.
“Sometimes people go to loan
sharks or pay day loans for money to
tide them over. They charge high
rates of interest, and some people
can’t pay back the loans so get
further in debt. A credit union is a
much more affordable way of
borrowing money.”
Credit unions are legally regulated,
not for profit organisations, where
members can save and borrow. There
are several in Brent to choose from.
Credit Union Brent and Ealing
(Cube) has around 1,000 members.
Savers received a dividend of 1.5 per
cent last year – better than the
interest on most high street bank
current accounts. The monthly
interest on borrowing is two per cent
– cheaper than a loan shark or a pay
day loan company.
One of the directors of Cube,
Graham Tomlin, said: “We know
people better than the big banks and
we are not required to make a
profit, so we give the best service
possible. If you want to save
or take out a loan, we
are the best option.”
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in debt?
Becky’s top tips for
balancing your budget
• Write down a monthly budget and
see if you are spending too much.
• Visit www.uswitch.com or
www.moneysavingexpert.com
– you may be able to find a cheaper
supplier for fuel, mobile, home
phone, broadband etc.
• Energy charity
www.keepwarmandhealthy.org.uk
can help with heating costs if you
are on benefits.
• Put a bit of money aside every
month in case of an emergency.
Becky Ely helps local people address their money worries
“Many people are already
struggling and we are
worried that more and
more people will get into
difficulties.”
Cllr James Denselow,
Brent’s credit union champion
The council and Brent CAB have
also jointly funded a Brent CAB
Money Advisor to help people who
are being left out of pocket by the
benefits changes
Becky Ely is part of the council’s
Welfare Team, which aims to contact
people affected by the benefit
changes. Becky gives them money,
benefits and budgeting advice.
She said: “Many people who come
here are worried by all the different
changes to benefits. Some very
worried. Some can reduce their
spending and they will be okay.
Others need to find a job or move.
We give people all the options. The
advice really helps them.”
Specialist debt advisor at Brent
CAB, Adio Garbadeen, said that
around 90 per cent of debt problems
they dealt with were eventually
resolved.
He said: “If you are in trouble
because of debt, it is extremely
important that you seek help. Don’t
let it get out of hand. The sooner you
ask for help, the easier it is to resolve
your debt problems.”
• Check you are on all the right
benefits and see if there are any
grants available at
www.turn2us.org.uk
or call 0808 802 2000.
• If you have debts, get advice from
National Debtline on 0808 808 4000
or www.nationaldebtline.co.uk
• If you are struggling financially,
Brent CAB can help. Contact them
at 270 -272 High Road, Willesden,
0845 050 5250 or visit
www.brentcab.co.uk
Contacting a Brent
credit union
• CUBE 020 8756 3864
www.ealingcreditunion.org
• Brent Mutual 020 7624 4327
www.brentmutual.co.uk
• Brent Shrine 07092 985 319
www.bscu.co.uk
• Camden Plus 0207 482 3505
www.camdenplus.co.uk
on your side
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BUDGET 2013
A budget
for tough times
Local people will see Brent’s share of council tax frozen again
and parking charges reduced during 2013/14.
The measures were agreed as part of the
budget setting out how Brent will spend
around £284 million net in the new
financial year.
The new council tax rate for a band D
property set by Brent was fixed at
£1,058.94. Brent Council has now set the
same rate since 2009/10. If the proposed
Greater London Authority (GLA) precept
is agreed, overall council tax for a band
D property will be £1,361.94 in 2013/14.
For parking, the council will introduce
flat rate charges of 20p for stays of up to
15 minutes and will cut charges by 20
per cent for a one-hour stay.
The net expenditure also pays for local
authority services including two sports
centres, maintenance of around 22,000
streetlights, 13 million refuse collections
a year, street cleaning, a recycling and
waste service as well as adult social care
and customer services.
The council has tried to protect Brent’s
frontline services despite central
government funding being reduced by
Expenditure 2013-2014
Levies
£3.4m
Council housing £54.4m
Central Services £52.2m
Other budgets
£46.3m
Regeneration and
Major Projects
£369.5m
Schools
£281.1m
Environment and
Neighbourhood
£69.1m
Children
and Families
£57.5m
Adult Social
Services
£128.8m
more than a quarter in the four years up
to March 2015.
Brent recently backed the London
Living Wage – a pay-rate higher than the
minimum wage – and awarded around
£2 million via the Voluntary Sector
Initiative Fund for 2013/14.
Council tax pays for social care, such as the protection of vulnerable adults, as well as
a wide range of other local services.
The Leader’s view
Our budget is about making
Brent a fairer place, getting
more jobs and growth and
strengthening our community.
On fairness, we have frozen council tax
again – saving you money. We are also
cutting parking charges to 20p for the
first 15 minutes. We aim to pay a Living
Wage to increase wages in the borough
and are pushing local businesses to do
the same.
On jobs and growth we have a new
team to help residents get jobs and
support small businesses and are
transforming our adult learning
facilities to give people the right skills
to get well-paid jobs.
On community, we are giving over £2
million to the voluntary sector and have
a new strategy to put them at the heart
of our decision-making process. We are
also building more school places than
ever before, investing £47 million this
year alone in our children’s future.
It’s not all good news though. The
Government is dramatically cutting our
budget every year, we’ve lost over 28
per cent of our funding between 2010
and 2014. But you can be assured that I
am determined that we will continue to
be on your side, to help everyone get
through these tough times.
Cllr Muhammed Butt,
Leader of Brent Council
on your side
14
THE BRENT MAGAZINE
APRIL 2013
© John Birdsall www.photofusion.org
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Your quarterly guide to what’s on in Brent Libraries
London
calling
Discover Sebastian Faulks’
great novel for City Read 2013
at Brent Libraries
INSIDE
Brent Libraries on your side
Reader and staff book picks
Author talks in April
Easter activities for children
Reading and social groups
Library Spotlight: Ealing Road
Brent
Libraries
www.brent.gov.uk/libraries
Photo of Sebastian Faulks © Muir Vidler
Easter 2013
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Brent Libraries:
On your side
If you want to job search, polish up your CV or access information
and ebooks online for free then Brent’s libraries are here to help.
CV workshops
Brent Libraries Online
Create a winning CV with advisers
from the National Careers Service.
Book in advance with the library.
Town Hall Library 19 April 10am12noon, 17 May 10am -12noon
Ealing Road Library 23 April 10am 12noon, 21 May 10am -12noon
Town Hall and Willesden
Green libraries have free
online legal advice with
www.instant-law.co.uk. It
connects you to solicitors via
phone or video conferencing
on a special PC terminal.
Interview skills
Interested in family history?
Search census data, births,
marriages and deaths,
military records and photos
at www.ancestry.co.uk.
Library members can use it
for free on library computers.
Boost your confidence for interviews
and presentations at a free workshop
with performance poet Neal Zetter.
Funded by Ward Working.
Kingsbury Library Plus Tuesdays 16,
23, 30 April. 7, 14 May 2-3.30pm
English classes
Free classes to improve your English
for those with English as a second
language. Ealing Road Library
Wednesdays 12.30-1.30pm
Money advice day
Get advice on keeping your home
warm, negotiating lower energy bills,
replacing old boilers, and help on
benefits and saving money with
Energy Solutions. Harlesden Library
Plus 9 April 10am-3pm
Practice for the Driving
Theory Test or the
Citizenship Test online at
www.brent.gov.uk/libraries
All your information enquiries can be
answered with Enquire our 24 hour
online chat service.
Win £50 of Amazon vouchers
Download an ebook from 1 April to 1
June and you’ll go into a draw
for £50 of Amazon vouchers.
www.brent.gov.uk/libraries
has 1,800 free ebooks; up to 5
can be borrowed at one time.
Plus, all libraries have free WiFi
and computers for you to use.
IT for beginners
Adult Learners’ Week
18-24 May
21 May Confidence for interviews and
presentation skills 2-3.30pm
Kingsbury Library Plus
22 May Unfolding stories
Make home-made personal history
books with collage, poetry, drawing.
11am-12.30pm
Kingbury Library Plus
Adult Learners’ Week also offers
courses in crochet, art, film and more.
Pick up a programme in your local
Brent library.
Ealing Road Library, Mondays
2pm-3.30pm*; Kingsbury Library
Plus Tuesdays 11am-12noon,
Saturdays 11am-12noon*, Sundays
12.30pm-1.30pm*; Willesden Green
Library Mondays 10.30am-12noon,
Tuesdays 3pm-4.30pm, Saturdays
10.30am-11.30am, Sundays 12.05pm1.05pm. Town Hall Library Fridays
10.30am-12noon*; Harlesden Library
Plus 11am-12.30pm. * Please book.
Emagazines
www.brent.gov.uk/libraries has 41
top magazines to read for free. It’s
compatible with an iPhone, iPad,
Windows and other new tablets.
“Tracy is
such a
funny,
feisty
girl…”
MAYA’S BOOK
PICK
Maya Mitchell
Willesden Green
Library member
Starring Tracy Beaker
– Jacqueline Wilson
“I really enjoyed reading
this book. In the story Tracy gets a
lead role in a play and she is
desperate for her mum to watch her.
I really liked the character because
Tracy is such a funny, feisty girl and
she gets a good ending! I would
definitely recommend this book.”
STAFF EBOOK PICK
Jalpa Patel
Ealing Road Library
Checkout:
A Life on the Tills
– Anna Sam
“It’s a very enjoyable read
about a woman’s life
working on supermarket
tills. It’s got short
humorous chapters in
the form of an
autobiography. It first
appealed to me as I
was browsing the
ebooks because of
the eye-catching
colours on the
cover page.”
“A very
enjoyable
read…”
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CELEBRATE
CITY READ 2013
Douglas Kennedy
New York writer
Douglas Kennedy
discusses and reads
from his latest book
Five Days – a love story about
a woman and her family set in New
England in America. Douglas has
published more than ten books and
writes for newspapers
both here and in the USA.
Willesden Green
Library
11 April 7- 8pm
www.cityreadlondon.org.uk
The Marquis: a Victorian fraud?
World Book Night
Brent Archives invites you to join Dick
Weindling and Marianne Colloms,
writers of the new book about The
Marquis de Leuville. Find out about the
life-long secret of the man reputed to be
the greatest charlatan of his age and his
connection to Kilburn.
Brent Museum Education Room,
Willesden Green Library
18 April 6.30-8pm
Join Brent Libraries in a
global celebration of
books and the written
word. Enjoy a fantastic
evening of books, music
and entertainment.
Town Hall Library
23 April 6-8pm
Badger ham and
stewed sparrows
What tickled the tastebuds of your ancestors?
Brent Archives invites
you to join Dr Peter Ross
from the London
Guildhall Library in this
illustrated talk on the history of curious
food, compiled from a vast collection of
historical cookery books.
Kilburn Library
25 April 6.30-7.45pm
3 Idiots
Sit back, relax and
enjoy a free
screening of this
classic Indian
comedy by Rajkumar
Hirani. Ealing Road
Library 13 April
1-4.30pm
CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES
30 March
3 April
9 April
Decorate an Easter card
11-12noon Kilburn Library; 2.15-3pm
Town Hall Library; 3-4pm Willesden
Green Library
Make an Easter card
2-3pm Kingsbury Library Plus and 31
March 3-4pm Kingsbury Library Plus
Make an Easter basket
2-3pm Willesden Green Library, 2.303.30pm Town Hall Library; 4 April
2.30-3.30pm Ealing Road Library
Let’s go on the fun bus!
2.30-3.30pm Harlesden Library Plus
Family learning art and craft fun
11-1pm Ealing Road Library
2.30-4.30pm Willesden Green Library
The Hungry Caterpillar
Story and craft fun with Mary
Dickinson 11.15am-12.15pm Ealing
Road Library; 10 April 10.30-11.30am
Town Hall Library; 11 April 10.3011.30am Harlesden Library Plus.
(under 5s)
2 April
Zoo… boo… who? (under 5s)
Mary Dickinson’s stories and craft fun.
11.15am-12.15pm Ealing Road; 3 April
10.30-11.30am Town Hall; 4 April
10.30-11.30am Harlesden Library Plus.
Decorate an Easter egg (under 5s)
11am-12noon Willesden Green Library,
2.15-3pm Town Hall Library; 3 April
2.15-3pm Kingsbury Library Plus;
4 April 11.15am-12noon Ealing Road
Make an Easter bunny
2.30-3.30pm Kilburn Library Plus;
4 April 2.30-3.30pm Kingsbury Library
Plus; 7 April 3-4pm Harlesden Library
Family learning art and craft fun
11am-1pm Kingsbury Library Plus;
2.30-4.30pm Harlesden Library Plus
4 April
Let’s go on the fun bus!
2.30-4pm Willesden Green Library
Family learning art and craft fun
2.30-4.30pm Town Hall Library; 10
April 11am-1pm Ealing Road Library,
2.30-4.30pm Kilburn Library
Make an Easter card
2.30-3.30pm Harlesden Library Plus
13 April
Comic workshop
Class with Karen Rubbins (8-12 years)
2.30-4pm Kingsbury Library Plus
16 April
Choo choo… here comes the train!
Mary Dickinson’s stories and craft fun.
(under 5s) 11.15am-12.15pm Ealing
Road Library; 17 April 10.30-11.30am
Town Hall Library; 18 April 10.3011.30am Harlesden Library Plus
6 April
23 April
Make a butterfly wand
2-3pm Kingsbury Library Plus and
7 April 3-4pm Kingsbury Library Plus
My favourite friends (under 5s)
Mary Dickinson’s stories and craft fun.
11.15am-12.15pm Ealing Road Library;
24 April 10.30-11.30am Town Hall
Library; 25 April 10.30-11.30am
Harlesden Library Plus
*Family learning is organised by
BACES. Children must be over 5 and
with an adult. Book one week ahead.
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Try something new at your Brent library
Reading groups are an exciting and
sociable way to discover more about
books and get to know more people.
Kilburn Library Reading Group
3rd Thursday of month 6.45-7.45pm
Kingsbury Library Plus
Reading Group
2nd Friday of month 11am-12noon
Town Hall Library Reading Group
Last Thursday of month 6.30-7.30pm
Harlesden Library Plus
Black Identity Zone Reading Group
Last Thursday of month 6.30-7.45pm
BACES reading class
Tuesdays 1-2pm
Willesden Green Library
Book Circle Reading Group
Last Tuesday of month 6.30-7.45pm
Gujarati Reading Group
First Saturday of month 2.30-4.30pm
Tamil Reading Group
Last Saturday of month 2.30-4.30pm
Willesden Green Reading Group
Second Sunday of month 2.30-4pm
SOCIAL GROUPS
Silver Surfers
IT for older people
Willesden Green Library
Mondays 3-5pm
Harlesden Library Plus
Fridays 11am-12.30pm
SPOTLIGHT:
EALING ROAD
LIBRARY
Ealing Road Library is near to Wembley
town centre. It was recently refurbished
and now offers 26 study spaces, free
Wi-Fi access throughout the building as
well as free computers.
Renew items: 0115 929 3388
Enquiries:
020 8937 3560
Opening Hours:
Monday-Thursday
10am-8pm
Friday 10am-6pm
Saturday
10am-5pm
Sunday
12noon-5pm
English Conversation Classes
Homework clubs
Ealing Road Library
Wednesdays & Fridays 10.30am-12.30pm
Kingsbury Library Plus
Mondays & Thursdays 10.30am-12.30pm
Kilburn Library
Fridays 10.30am-12.30pm
Town Hall Library
Mondays 10.30am-12.30pm
Willesden Green Library
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
10.30am-12.30pm, Fridays 12.30-2.30pm
Homework clubs are for children in Brent
aged 8 to 14 years. They are free and you
don’t need to book. Children and parents
can turn up on the day. Term-time only.
Town Hall Library
Mondays 3.30-5.30pm
Kilburn Library Tuesdays 3.30-5:30pm
Kingsbury Library Plus
Wednesdays 3.30-5.30pm
Willesden Green Library
Thursdays 3.30-5.30pm (ages 4-6)
3.30-5.30pm (7+)
Harlesden Library Plus
Fridays 3.30-5.30pm (ages 4-6)
3.30-5.30pm (7+)
Ealing Road Library
Saturdays 10.30am-12.30pm
Teen Fun Club
Sociable club for teenagers
Willesden Green Library
Wednesdays 3.30-5pm,
Fridays 3.30-5.30pm,
Saturdays 11am-12.30pm
Libraries at Home
Go Green
Workshops
Turn beautiful scraps into textile pictures
or story quilts using sewing, embroidery
and collage. Funded by Ward Working.
Wednesdays 17, 24 April
11am-12.30pm Kingsbury
Library Plus
Social media classes
Learning to use social
media such as Facebook
and Twitter is a fantastic
way to stay in contact and
to get to know other people.
Learn how at Brent
Libraries.
Harlesden Library Plus
Thursdays 11am-12.30pm.
SPECIAL EALING ROAD EVENTS
Funded by Ward Working
Chaired Based-Exercise for Adults
Delivered in partnership with Brent’s
sports service. Fridays 1.30-2.30pm
Teen Film Club
Teenagers are invited to suggest a film
for the first screening. The teen who
selects the film chosen for screening will
receive a £10 gift voucher.
Starts 24 April, last
Wednesday of each
month, 5-7.30pm.
The Comic
Bookworm:
Cartoon Workshops
Ages 11+
Saturdays from 20
April 2.30-4pm.
Do you or a loved one have difficulty
getting out and cannot visit a library?
Brent Libraries will deliver books, CDs
and DVDs to your door every month!
Call 020 8937 3566 for more information.
BRENT’S LIBRARIES
Brent’s six libraries are open seven
days a week. For exact opening times,
please visit
www.brent.gov.uk/libraries
Ealing Road Library
Coronet Parade, Ealing Road,
Wembley, HA0 4BA
Tel: 020 8937 3560
Harlesden Library Plus
Craven Park Road, Harlesden,
NW10 8SE Tel: 020 8937 3570
Kilburn Library
42 Salusbury Road, Kilburn NW6 6NN
Tel: 020 8937 3530
Kingsbury Library Plus
522 - 524 Kingsbury Road, Kingsbury,
NW9 9HE Tel: 020 8937 3520
Brent Town Hall Library
King’s Drive Entrance, Forty Lane,
Wembley, HA9 9HU
Tel: 020 8937 3500
Willesden Green Library
95 High Road, Willesden NW10 2SF
Tel: 020 8937 3400
Brent
Libraries
www.brent.gov.uk/libraries
www.twitter.com/brentlibraries
03.13BDU6821
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Save time:
ark Online
If you live in a controlled parking
zone (CPZ) you can now go online to
make sure your visitor is OK to park
– it’s quicker than queuing up in a
parking shop.
Instead of waiting around in a parking shop to buy
scratchcards, residents in CPZs can make sure
visitors are authorised to park quickly with the
system Park Online.
It replaces paper scratchcards with visitor vouchers
you buy online, saving you time. All you need to do is
set up a Park Online account then, when your visitor
arrives, notify the system of the date and vehicle
registration number. You can do it on the day or in
advance. The credit for online visitor vouchers can
also be bought in advance and easily topped up.
Account holders can add a second named contact
such as another householder who can then arrange
his or her own visitor parking vouchers.
Park Online also allows you to apply for and renew
existing parking permits and pay a Penalty Control
Notice (PCN). Park Online will automatically check
if live in Brent, so there’s no need for most residents
to supply any documentation when buying visitor
vouchers, renewing permits or paying PCNs.
Scratchcards can be used until 31 October 2013.
However, residents will be able to exchange unused
scratchcards for credit with the online system.
And there’s another good reason to use Park
Online rather than buy scratchcards. Brent’s parking
shop in Wembley has closed and the parking shop in
Walm Lane, Willesden, will close in early summer.
Councillor Jim Moher, Brent’s Lead Member for
Highways and Transportation, said: “Park Online is
instant and secure and it means you no longer have
to visit or queue up. For those who are concerned
about the loss of paper scratchcards I’d like to
reassure you that parking attendants’ systems
will tell them that your visitor’s vehicle is authorised
to park.”
To set up a Park Online account visit
www.brent.gov.uk/parking
“Park Online is instant and secure
and it means you no longer have
to visit or queue up.”
Cllr Jim Moher, Lead Member for
Highways and Transportation
Brent’s parking shop
in Wembley has
closed and the
parking shop in
Walm Lane,
Willesden, will close
in early summer.
No computer or
internet?
Don’t worry!
You can set up a
secure account on
020 8937 4972
APRIL 2013
THE BRENT MAGAZINE
19
Ward Working
matters to me
During 2012-13 Brent Council’s Ward Working funds supported over 200
initiatives across the borough. This year we have renewed our commitment
to improving your neighbourhood and want to hear what matters to you.
Contact us and tell us how we should spend £30,000 in your area.
•
•
•
•
visit: www.brent.gov.uk/wardworking
email: [email protected]
call: 020 8937 1976
or meet us at the next Brent Connects Forum held across the borough.
For dates visit www.brent.gov.uk/consultation
Last year Ward Working
supported Willesden Constantine
Football Club to provide more
than 80 young people from
Alperton and Wembley Central
with a chance to kick start their
career in football and coaching.
Harris Zubair, 16, said: “It has
given me such a huge confidence
boost that I now hope to
become a football coach in the
future working with kids from
the area.”
In autumn 2012 Ward Working
and ABi Associates helped 45
young people harness their
creative and entrepreneurial
skills through business
workshops. Sophia Wright, 23,
said: “The enterprise start-up
workshop was really useful
and fun. I hope to use the
learning so that I can start my
own clothing business in the
near future.”
www.brent.gov.uk/wardworking
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Performance art
Pop in to
the pop up
The Albert, Brent’s newest community venue for arts and
performance, offers visitors the chance to get involved
and address the theme of wellbeing in a creative and
innovative way. Photos by SARA HIBBERT
Locals enjoying
the launch
Food, glorious food
Based on Albert Road, south Kilburn, it is
the latest of Brent’s innovative pop up
projects using empty and underused
space in the borough.
Visitors can take part in a host of
workshops and events, covering activities
such as carpentry, drawing, photography
and clay workshops to gardening.
There are also live performances and
music, sporting activities such as tennis,
football, yoga and netball and, for anyone
who has worked up an appetite, there is
freshly made food and drink on sale daily.
Brent Council commissioned What If
Projects to manage The Albert and
curate the programme of free and low
cost activities. A huge range of artists,
sportspeople, performers and cooks are
involved.
Visitors got the chance to see just
what The Albert has to offer at the
launch event – here are a selection of
photos from the day.
Doodling
on your idol
Ulrike Steven, of What If Projects and
Director of The Albert, said: “We hope
The Albert will become a hub for the
local community, where people pop in
for a drink in the café, or take the time
to sign up and enjoy a free class from
some of the UK's finest emerging
talent.”
Cllr George Crane, Brent’s Lead
Member for Regeneration and Major
Projects, said: “This is a fantastic
opportunity to give local people the
chance to try new activities which
promote health and wellbeing at low or
no cost, on their doorstep.
“The Albert is one of a number of
similar projects across Brent which help
our residents to make the most of the
opportunities our borough and its
communities have to offer.”
Brent is committed to using its assets
to enhance the creative, social and
cultural capital of South Kilburn. The
council turns empty sites that detract
from the area into places where the
local community and creative individuals
and organisations come together to try
something new, do something different
and enjoy new experiences.
Visit www.thealbert.org.uk or pop in
and say hello.
Getting creative
with clay
Art
installations
Let’s
dance
APRIL 2013
THE BRENT MAGAZINE
21
Book borrowers and history enthusiasts in
the south of the borough may soon find
themselves in new surroundings if plans to
redevelop Willesden Green Library Centre
(WGLC) get the final go ahead.
At the time of going to print (early March) Brent Council’s
Temporary library at
the Lewinson Centre
165 -167 High Road Willesden
n
London, NW10 2SG
Opening hours
Mon: 10am – 8pm
Tue – Thur: 9am – 8pm
Fri: 9am – 6pm
Sat: 9am – 5pm
planning committee agreed to the redevelopment of the centre
and developers Galliford Try were waiting to see if planning
permission would also be granted by the London Mayor’s Office
and the Secretary of State.
High Road
Brent is on the brink of a bright new chapter in the future of its
preparing now for the possible temporary closure. If the proposals
Library Centre and on the High Road from April onwards.
ad
get the green light you will begin to see changes at Willesden Green
The council has prepared a detailed schedule of closures and
Co
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granted, WGLC will soon close for redevelopment.
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library, museum, archives and customer services and, if permission is
relocations to ensure core services are maintained.
If the development goes ahead, two temporary libraries will open,
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both minutes from Willesden Green library. These will remain open
throughout construction. Customers will also be able to access the full
collection of 7 million books with an improved reservation service.
Further online services have already been introduced including
extra e-books, a new virtual enquiry service, additional reference
resources, brand new online courses and more virtual reading groups.
If agreed by the Mayor and Secretary of State, the redevelopment
will provide residents with a state of the art library and cultural
centre that will act as the main hub for council services and
community activity in the south of the borough.
Temporary library at
George Furness House
2-12 Grange Road, Willesden,
London, NW10 2QY
Opening hours
Mon: 10am – 8pm
Tue –Thur: 9am – 8pm
Fri: 9am – 6pm
Sat: 9am – 5pm
Sun: 12 noon – 5pm
Brent Archives
A temporary search room in
the library at George Furness
House, Grange Road will be
available, by appointment only,
on Wednesdays 9am-8pm and
Saturdays 9am-5pm. The
Archives’ catalogues are at
www.brent.gov.uk/archives or
email [email protected]
It would be a high-quality public facility, providing modern and
efficient services built at no net capital cost to the council.
The new library, museum, archives, community spaces and
customer services centre would open early in 2015.
Visit www.brent.gov.uk/regeneration for more.
22
THE BRENT MAGAZINE
6826 TBM 131 p22-23 new chapter.indd 2
APRIL 2013
13/3/13 12:51:09
Brent Museum
During the redevelopment,
Brent Museum will be on
the move!
As work on creating an
exciting new museum gets
underway, residents can look
forward to visits from museum
staff at different schools,
groups and organisations.
If you’d like to find out more
about ‘museum on the move’
or be involved, email
[email protected]
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The Customer
Service Centre
This moved to Harlesden Job
Centre Plus in February. The
two services compliment
each other and are now
easier for residents to access
under one roof.
Harlesden House,
161 – 163 High St, NW10 4TL
Opening hours
Mon – Wed & Friday 9am-5pm
Thur 10am–5pm
Study facilities
Temporary study spaces are
being planned on Willesden
High Road and the opening of
the new Wembley Library in
the Civic Centre in the summer
will also add 50 spaces.
Study facilities are already
available at nearby libraries,
Vale Farm and Bridge Park
Sports Centre and at least 50
extra spaces with PCs and WiFi will be available for use on
a daily basis, including:
• 10 spaces at the temporary
Grange Road library
Willesden Green
market space
Electric House
and Queens Parade
Improvements are being
proposed to Poplars
Avenue so markets could
take place here.
Funding for this successful
project finished in March
2013 but the council is
looking at new short term
uses for these properties.
• 20 at the Lewinson Centre
• 10 at Kilburn Library
• 10 at Ealing Road Library
• 10 at Brent Town Hall Library
• 7 at Harlesden Library.
APRIL 2013
6826 TBM 131 p22-23 new chapter.indd 3
THE BRENT MAGAZINE
23
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Brent connects
Brent Connects Wembley
Brent Connects Harlesden
Covering Alperton, Northwick Park, Preston,
Sudbury, Tokyngton and Wembley Central wards.
Covering Harlesden, Kensal Green
and Stonebridge wards.
Tuesday, 16 April 2013 at 7pm
Patidar House, 22 London Road,
Wembley, Middlesex HA9 7EX
Wednesday, 24 April 2013 at 7pm
All Souls Church, (next to Lloyds TSB),
Station Road, Harlesden, London NW10 4UJ
Brent Connects Kilburn & Kensal
Brent Connects Willesden
(Joint Brent and Camden forum)
Covering Dollis Hill, Dudden Hill,
Welsh Harp and Willesden Green wards.
Covering Brondesbury Park, Kilburn,
Mapesbury and Queens Park wards.
Wednesday, 17 April 2013 at 7pm
Gaumont State Kilburn,
197-199 Kilburn High Road,
Kilburn, London NW6 7HY
Brent Connects Kingsbury & Kenton
Covering Barnhill, Fryent, Kenton
and Queensbury wards.
Tuesday, 23 April 2013 at 7pm
Kingsbury High School, Princes Avenue,
Kingsbury, London NW9 9JR
24
THE BRENT MAGAZINE
APRIL 2013
Tuesday, 30 April 2013 at 7pm
College of North West London,
Denzil Road, Willesden, London NW10 2XD
For more information or to join
Brent Citizens’ Panel contact:
Brent Consultation Team
Tel: 020 8937 1055
Email: [email protected]
www.brent.gov./consultation
ALL IN Aday’s
Guiding
you into
work
Kamini, Clare
and Daniel
with fellow
Navigators
work
Changes to the benefit
system are affecting many
Brent residents, but for some
who face complex challenges
to employment a new service
has been introduced offering
one to one support.
The Navigator Service is a council outreach
team which is bridging the gap between
households most affected by the benefit
changes and the often confusing collection
of services available to help them.
The Brent Magazine met with Navigator
Manager Kamini Sanghani and two of the
Navigators, Clare Ford and Daniel Quirke,
to find out more.
“I am very excited to be involved in this
new approach to supporting people into
employment,” says Kamini. “These are
tough times for many Brent residents.
For most people getting a job is the best
way to manage those changes but for
some there can be many constraints to
employment which means the impact will
be even harder.
“We aim to work directly with 300
identified households, who face many
problems, including mental and physical
health conditions, domestic violence, low
skills, language, childcare needs, as well as
on going long-term unemployment.
“We will guide them to get the best
out of council and other services so that
they can find work and make positive,
long-lasting changes in their lives.
“It is very much a two-way relationship
between us and the resident,” says Clare.
“We help them understand what is being
offered and how it can be accessed, and
continue to work with them for as long
as they need.”
“Ultimately we want to help people
who maybe feel that they are unlikely to
ever work, to gain employment and still be
in work six months, a year, and further into
the future,” says Daniel. “Most of those
we will be working with will be people
who already use many services, but if you
think you might benefit from our support
do contact us. If our help isn’t right for
you we will point you in the direction that
is right.”
To find out more, visit
www.brent.gov.uk/navigators email
[email protected] or
call 020 8937 1060.
APRIL 2013 THE BRENT MAGAZINE
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SECREThistory
John Lynch ‘Jack’
Naimaster was a local art
dealer whose interest in
paintings and drawings was
the direct result of using
Willesden Green Library.
Brent in
the frame
Some of the pictures collected by Jack Naimaster.
Over 100 of the impressive selection of
prints and drawings of the area housed
in Brent Archives came from him. These
range from watercolours of St Mary’s,
Willesden, through lithographs, prints and
architects’ drawings to a few newspaper
cuttings and old postcards.
Among the best of these are three
watercolours by Elizabeth Walpole of
Petersham (1759-1842), all dated 1807, one
depicting a mother and a group of children
on a stile next to Willesden churchyard, and
a striking view of Willesden Lane in the rain
by William Luker Jnr. (1867-1948).
b
JJack was born in Staverton Road, Brondesbury
Park, on 23 May 1905. He was the first child
P
tto be born in the newly-built street. Between
1919 and 1923 Jack was a pupil at St Paul’s
1
SSchool, Hammersmith.
The young Jack used to visit Willesden
Green Library and was impressed by the
G
ccollection of drawings and engravings
hanging on the stairs. These had been
h
ccollected by Stanley W Ball, clerk to
Willesden Urban District Council, and
W
are also now in the Archives.
a
Decades later Jack recalled how, following
librarian and friend Frank Chennell’s advice,
he built up a collection of prints, drawings,
sketches and newscuttings of Willesden and
Kingsbury. In those days, he wrote: “For
a few pence one could find a small
engraving of St Mary’s Church from
one-man book and curio shops. I was
able then to buy interesting little prints
and drawings, the like of which cannot be
found today at almost any price.”
Jack Naimaster became an acknowledged
specialist in English watercolours. From
1924-1962 he worked at Walker’s Galleries,
New Bond Street, before moving to the Fine
Art Society, where he became chairman and
managing director. In 1977 he became a
drawings consultant to Sotheby’s. He was
also elected an honorary member of what
was then the Royal Society of Painters in
Watercolours for his contribution to the
scholarship of the art.
Jack Naimaster died on 6 January 1980,
aged 75.
APRIL 2013 THE BRENT MAGAZINE
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Page 2
Advertise in The Brent Magazine
The Brent Magazine is distributed to over 99, 000 households in the
borough and is also available in Brent libraries, One Stop Services
and on the homepage of the council’s website
Competitive advantages of advertising include:
•
•
•
it’s distributed free for all residents in Brent
print run of 103,000; highest circulation of any local publication
available online at www.brent.gov.uk.
Rates start from £275 for one issue. For more information, call 020 8937 1076 or email [email protected]
28
THE BRENT MAGAZINE
APRIL 2013
COMPETITIONS
All aboard! Sailing and
windsurfing for free
If this month’s nautical Brent People has whetted your
appetite for water sports, enter our competition to win
either a free one-to-one sailing course − worth £120 − or one,
free introductory sailing or windsurfing lesson on the Welsh
Harp Reservoir, courtesy of the Welsh Harp Sailing Association.
We’ve got an entire free sailing course for one lucky winner;
plus six, two-hour long taster sessions with a qualified instructor
who will teach you the basics of sailing or windsurfing.
All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is
answer the following question correctly:
The Welsh Harp crosses Brent and which other London borough?
A. Harrow
B. Barnet
C. Camden
Prize value worth £120 for a course or £40 (per taster session). Days
and times to be arranged with the Welsh Harp Sailing Association.
Send your entries on a postcard with your name, address and daytime telephone number to: (Name of competition),
The Brent Magazine, Room 9, Brent Town Hall, Forty Lane, Wembley HA9 9HD or email [email protected] (add name of competition to subject line).
Competition deadline is Friday 26 April 2013
Win tickets to
Grand Designs
Live London 2013
Property and design guru Kevin McCloud is heading back to London
this spring to host the ninth consecutive Grand Designs Live show.
To celebrate its return, The Brent Magazine is offering ten lucky
readers the chance to win a pair of tickets to this award-winning
contemporary home show.
Grand Designs Live 2013 will play host to over 500 exhibitors at
London’s ExCeL Centre from the 4 – 12 May 2013 and is the perfect
show for those seeking inspiration and expert advice on home
redecoration, renovations or even full scale self-build projects.
Visitors can try their hand at sustainable build techniques, get
FREE consultations as well as shop from 100s of unique products that
can’t be found on the high street.
To be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets tell us:
What anniversary is GDL celebrating at the Excel this year?
A. Sixth
B. Ninth
C. Thirteenth
For those not lucky enough to win, you can book two for one tickets by
quoting GDL241 online at www.granddesignslive.com or call the Ticket
Hotline on 0844 854 1348. Kids go free (Terms and conditions apply)
This offer is only open to UK residents. Tickets are non transferable –
one pair of tickets per winner only. Complimentary tickets obtained
through this offer may not be duplicated.
APRIL 2013 THE BRENT MAGAZINE
6826 TBM 131 p29 Competition.indd 1
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13/3/13 12:58:21
timeout
What’s going on…
Your guide to what’s on in Brent during April 2013.
CHILDREN
HILLSIDE PERFORMING
ARTS
Free street dance classes
for 8-16 yr olds every Sat
1-2pm. Children’s piano
lessons available.
Hillside Hub NW10 8LE.
Cherrelle
07506 198 999 www.
hillsideperformingarts.
com
SING SPANISH
Spanish classes for
children 3-8 yrs. NW6/
NW10. 07976 050 977
www.espanaviva.biz
LGBT YOUTH CLUB
Lesbian, gay, bi and
unsure under 19s youth
club every Weds, Kilburn.
07931 336 668 www.
mosaicyouth.org.uk
THE 2ND WEMBLEY
BOYS’ BRIGADE AND
GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION
Anchors 5-8 yrs, juniors
8-11 yrs. Meet 6.157.30pm Thurs. Company
section meet 7.15-9pm.
Park Lane Methodist
Church Wembley www.
parklanemethodist.
org.uk
DRAMA WORKHOUSE
Sat crew workshop for
children 1-2pm 7-9 yrs;
2-4pm 10-12 yrs; 4-6pm
13-18 yrs; under 10s.
£25 a term, over 10s £40.
Dudden Hill Centre, 19
Dudden Hill Lane, NW10.
Adults; Mon 8-10pm
£9.50 Tricycle Theatre,
NW6 07958 653 725
TODDLER PICASSOS
Painting, water play, play
dough and songs. 15
mths - 3 yrs. First class
free. 8 Station Terrace,
Kensal Rise, London
NW10 5RT. Phone to book
07903 638 817
www.minipicassos.co.uk
FRESH ARTS
THEATRE SCHOOL
Drama, dance and singing
taught by industry pros
for children aged 3-16.
Newman Catholic College,
Harlesden Road, NW10
3RN. Saturday, 10am-1pm
08452 699 529
www.fresh-arts.co.uk
DOWN SYNDROME
TIGER CUBS
Thurs 5-6pm football
coaching run by QPR.
Woodfield School,
Genwood Avenue, NW9
020 8740 2585
07815 670 806
4TH BRONDESBURY
BROWNIES/GUIDES
Senior section, girls only.
Thurs, Willesden Green
Brownies 7-10 yrs 6.308pm, 07961 315 153.
Guides 10-14 yrs 78.30 pm, 07981 174 634
senior section 14-25 yrs
7-8.30pm, 07739 016 985
4TH NEASDEN
BROWNIES
Girls aged 7-10 only, Tues
6 -7.30pm. St Mary’s and
St Andrew’s Church Hall,
Dollis Hill Lane, NW2
07794018 819
SING AND SIGN
CLASSES
Brent Connects
Kingsbury and Kenton
Classes in Queens Park,
Kensal Rise and Willesden
Green. Versha
07790 955 576
www.singandsign.co.uk
Covering Barnhill, Fryent,
Kenton and Queensbury.
Tues, 23 April, 7pm
Kingsbury High School,
Kingsbury, Princes Avenue,
NW9 9JR.
COMMUNITY
OVER 50S
DISCUSSION GROUP
Tues 11am-12.30pm. The
Gallery, Willesden Green
Library. 020 8452 8739
Brent and
Harrow National
Organisation of the
Widowed
23 April 7.30pm AGM.
Venue to be confirmed.
Rhona 0208 969 3198
NORTH WEST LONDON
WOMEN’S INSTITUTE
1st Thurs of the month,
7.30pm. Upstairs North
London Tavern, Kilburn
High Road NW6
[email protected]
NORTH WEST
LONDON LESBIAN AND
GAY GROUP
Mons 8.30pm, Tenterden
Sports Centre, Preston
Road, Wembley.
07941 707 884
Wembley and
District Centre of
National Trust
3rd Thursday every month
(if Friday is a bank holiday,
then 2nd Thurs) 8pm,
Sudbury Neighbourhood
Centre, 809 Harrow
Road, Sudbury. Interesting
speakers, welcoming
atmosphere, bring
and buy, books table,
refreshments.
Brent Connects
Wembley
Covering Alperton,
Northwick Park, Preston,
Sudbury, Tokyngton and
Wembley Central. Tues,
16 April, 7pm, Patidar
House, 22 London Road,
Wembley, HA9 7EX.
Brent Connects
Kilburn and Kensal
Rapology
See: Music
30
THE BRENT MAGAZINE
6826TBM131p30-31.indd 2
First joint Brent/Camden
forum, covering
Brondesbury Park, Kilburn,
Mapesbury and Queens
Park. Weds, 17 April,
7pm, Gaumont Kilburn
State 197-199 Kilburn
High Road, NW6 7HY.
To get your event listed for free email us using
the subject heading ‘Whats on.’ Describe your
event in no more than 50 words, tell us what
section you want your ad to appear, include a
pic and a title and email [email protected] or
telephone 020 8937 1062.
Brent Connects
Harlesden
Covering Harlesden,
Kensal Green and
Stonebridge. Weds,
24 April 7pm, All Souls
Church (next to Lloyds
TSB). Station Road,
Harlesden, NW10 4UJ.
Brent Connects
Willesden
Covering Dollis Hill,
Dudden Hill, Welsh Harp
and Willesden Green.
Tues, 30 April, 7pm,
College of North West
London, Denzil Road,
Willesden, NW10 2XD.
WILLESDEN LOCAL
HISTORY SOCIETY.
Talk by Signe Hoffos;
Charles Dickens, the
Kensal Green Cemetery
connections, Wed April
17, 7.30 pm. Talk by Cliff
Wadsworth. Lost Railways
of Willesden and Environs,
Wed, May 15 7.30pm.
Members free, visitors £1.
Both at St Mungo’s,115
pound Lane, NW10.
DANCE
CEROC DANCING
Modern jive classes,
Tues 8-11pm. Beginners
welcome, great fun and
sociable – you don’t
need to bring a partner.
Brent Town Hall, Forty
Lane, Wembley HA9 9HD.
07860 250 961 www.
clubceroc.com
Ceroc
See: Dance
STREET DANCE CLASSES
LEARNING
For adults, every other
Sunday, 2-3pm. Wembley
High Road, Fitness First.
Cher 07506 198 999
ART CLASSES
BALLROOM AND LATIN
Mon 7.30-11pm, Brent
Town Hall, Forty Lane,
Wembley 020 8855 6868
DRAMA
MADHATTERS
THEATRE CLUB
Small, friendly theatre
group looking for new
members interested in
community drama. No
experience needed!
Meets in Willesden Weds.
020 8452 5239 www.
madhatterstheatre.
org.uk
KINGSBURY AMATEUR
OPERATIC SOCIETY
(KAOS)
New members onstage
and backstage always
welcome. Two shows a
year. Rehearsals, Mon
8pm at Queensbury
Methodist Church,
Beverley Drive,
Queensbury, HAQ 5ND.
020 8959 7468 visit
www.kaosonline.org
Tricycle Theatre, 269
Kilburn High Rd, NW2,
Tuesdays 7-9pm, £30
concessions, £35 full
for five weeks. Mary
call pm 020 8141 6367
[email protected]
WORKERS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Thurs, 10am, coffee
lounge, St John’s Church,
Wembley, entrance via
gate in Harrow Road.
020 8904 5940
FRENCH TUITION
By fully-qualified
native speaker. Exam
preparation a speciality.
07762 254 845
Maths Tuition
Saturday maths tuition
for children aged 7-11
in small groups. £10
per hour. We also teach
children in secondary
school and on a one-toone basis. 07974 225342
[email protected]
or www.sites.google.
com/site/mathsden
TRICYCLE THEATRE
Streetdance, 8-12 years,
Fri 5.15-6.15pm. Singing,
rapping, rhyming and
writing - a new musical
group,10-15 years, Tues
5.15-6.15pm. Tricycle
Theatre, 020 7625 0134
SELF-EXPRESSIVE DANCE
Creative dance/
movement and verbal
sharing for personal
development. De-stress,
build self-confidence and
assertiveness. Groups or
individuals. Weds and
Sat, Kingsbury NW9.
rmussi01@googlemail.
com 07985 137 682
Over 50s discussion group
See: Community
APRIL 2013
13/3/13 14:23:00
timeout
ENVIRONMENT
BARN HILL
CONSERVATION GROUP
Fryent Country Park, Sun.
Roe Green Walled Garden,
Tues, Thurs, Sat.
020 8206 0492
www.bhcg.btck.co.uk
MUSIC
ACE CAFÉ APRIL MUSIC
- ALL FREE ENTRY
Hot Rod Night with
Rockin’ DJ Jimmy Guntrip,
Wed 3, 6-11pm.
Mod n’ Mini Night
with The Sha La La’s
and The High-S, Thu 4,
6-11pm. Sixteen and
The Sidewinders, Sat 6,
7-11pm. Eddie Cochran
Tribute Night with DJ
Flat Top Dave, Sat 13,
7-11pm. Ska, reggae and
rocksteady with DJ Little
Diane, Sat 20 7-11pm.
Rhythm n’ Cruise Record
Hop with DJ Mr Jinx, Sat
27, 7pm-11pm.
yoga
Mons-Sun. Special Yoga
Centre, 2a Wrentham
Ave, Kensal Rise. |
020 8968 1900
www.specialyoga.
org.uk
Mons 6.30-7.30pm,
Thurs 7-8pm, Sun 11am12noon, 12 sessions £40,
drop-in £10, Gladstone
Community Centre, 162
Anson Road
07901 650 763
Bhakti yoga free classes.
Wed 10.30am-12.30pm,
Dudden Hill Community
Centre, 19 Dudden Hill
Lane, NW10.
07913 897 406
Laughter Yoga. Children
free, refreshments
provided. Tue 9.2010.30am, Roundwood
Park Cafe, NW10.
YOGA FOR LADIES
Mon, Tues, Weds.
07570 118 229 parking in
yard and street.
GENTLE EXERCISE
CLASS FOR OLDER
PEOPLE
Age UK Brent’s new
exercise class. An hour’s
gentle exercise. Neasden,
Fri afternoons. SPA
London Centre, 519 North
Circular Road, Neasden,
NW2 7QG. Ken
020 8965 7711
GET ACTIVE WITH SALSA!
Heritage Inn, Caribbean
Rhum Bar and Restaurant,
301 Cricklewood
Broadway, London, NW2
6PG. Mon, beginners:
7.30-8.30pm, improvers
and intermediate 8.45
- 9.45pm. £7 or £10
for two classes. www.
cubanvibes.com or call
07961 281 989
BRONDESBURY
BOWLING CLUB
Evenings and daytime
including free tuition.
Chatsworth Road,
020 8438 0302
Venues
­ RENT MUSEUM
B
High Road, NW10
020 8937 3600
Soccer
See: Sports & Leisure
WEMBLEY BOWLS CLUB
Aikido classes
Tuition offered. Weds
3pm. King Edward VII
Park, Park Lane Wembley.
WOODCOCK PARK
BOWLS CLUB
Weds 8-10pm. St
Andrews Church Scout
Hall, Church Gardens,
Harrow Road, Sudbury.
Steve 07775 588 343
Bowls, open days and
fetes. Kenton.
020 8907 9076
TAI CHI
JUDO CLUB AT VALE
FARM SPORTS CENTRE
Pride Judo Club. Juniors;
5 to 12 yrs, Mon/Weds
5pm -6:30pm, £3.50 per
session. Seniors; 13 yrs
and above, Weds 6:308pm, £4.50 per session.
Lionel 07985 336 181
[email protected]
SOCCER
For boys and girls, 5-17
yrs. Classes Sun mornings
Wembley, Mon evenings
Kenton, Thurs evenings
Neasden. First session
FREE. 07793 447 227
www.superskillssoccer.
com
SELF DEVELOPMENT
Phoenix Tai Chi. Tues 1pm,
Vale Farm, Wembley.
Eddie Ong 07900 687 498
www.taichi-london.com
07404 039 087
WU SHU KWAN
Chinese kickboxing. Sat
3-5pm, Willesden Sports
Centre, NW10.
07835 244 398
www.wushukwan.com
INNER SPACE WEMBLEY
Meditation, positive
thinking, overcoming
anger etc. Inner Space,
528 High Road, Wembley,
HA9 7BS. 020 8903 1911
www.innerspace.org/
wembley
Tai Chi
See: Self
Development
Interested in making
your own music? Do
you have lyrics that you
want to lay down on a
track? London Urban Arts
is offering workshops
and accreditations
in music production.
Places are limited! Tues
6.30-8.30pm, Chalkhill
Community Centre.
www.londonurbanarts
artsacademy.org/enrolfor-free
MANOR AND
PHILBEACH SINGERS
No singing experience
needed, no auditions.
Tues 7.30 -10pm,
Goodwill Hall, Chichester
Rd, Kilburn Park.
020 8450 8802
SPORTS & LEISURE
RAGGAROBICS
Tuesday 8-9pm and
Thursday 8.30 -9.30pm
at Bridge Park, £7. Jason
07557 123 760
YOGA IN DAILY LIFE
Classes Mon - Sat, day
and eve, 133 Salusbury
Road, Queens Park.
020 7328 7163 www.
yogaindailylife.org.uk
MEDITATION
Open class, led by former
Buddhist monk Karuna
Priya, Sun 11.30am12.30pm, FREE 1st class
then £24 for 4 classes, £7/
day. Gracelands Yard, 102
Liddell Gardens, Kensal
Rise, London, NW10 3QE.
Karuna 07784 436 783
Active with Brent
Return to Football. Just
turn up. Tue, 7-8pm, £2.
Ark Academy, Bridge
Road, Wembley. 50+
gentle aerobics. Just turn
up. Brent Town Hall, Tue,
10-11am, £2. 50+ gentle
aerobics. Kingsbury Fitness
First, Tue,1.30-2.30pm.
020 8937 3722. Healthy
Walks Programme.
www.brent.gov.uk/
sports
ZUMBA!
LIBRARIES
Ealing Road Library
Coronet Parade, Ealing Road,
Wembley HA0 4BA,
020 8937 3560
[email protected]
Harlesden Library
Craven Park Road,
Harlesden, NW10 8SE
020 8937 3570
[email protected]
Kilburn Library
42 Salusbury Road,
Kilburn NW6 6NN
020 8937 3530
[email protected]
Kingsbury Library Plus
Kingsbury Road,
Kingsbury NW9 9HE
020 8937 3520
[email protected]
Town Hall Library
Brent Town Hall,
King’s Drive, Forty Lane, Wembley
HA9 9HU,
020 8937 3500
[email protected]
WEMBLEY STADIUM EVENTS
Mon 8.15-9.15pm, Sat
10-11am, St Mary and
St Andrews Church Hall,
Dollis Hill Lane, NW2
6HE. Wed 8-9pm, Raw
Spice, West Hendon,
NW9 7BP. Thur 8-9pm,
Newman Catholic College,
Harlesden, NW10. No
need to book. £5 per
class. Parking at all venues.
All times TBC
Football League Trophy Final- 7 April
The FA Cup Semi Finals- 13 and 14
April
The FA Carlsberg Vase Final- 4 May
Conference Premier Play off- 5 May
The FA Cup Final- 11 May
Subject to change
HOCKEY
Senior sessions, Weds
8-10pm. Juniors (u9u16), Sun 10am. Jewish
Free School, The Mall,
Kingsbury HA3 9TE.
Gary Thompson
07946 576 968
www.harrowhc.co.uk
PRESTON PARK
BOWLS CLUB
Free coaching and loan
of bowls. Preston Park
Recreation Ground,
Carlton Avenue East
020 8933 9358
All events are
selected at the
editor’s discretion
APRIL 2013
6826TBM131p30-31.indd 3
PAUL DAISLEY HALL
Forty Lane, Wembley,
Middx HA9 Box Office
020 8937 6206/6203
Willesden Green Library
95 High Road,
Willesden NW10 2SF
020 8937 3400
[email protected]
Conservation group
See: Environment
Rapology!
BRENT ARCHIVES
Ist Floor, Willesden Green
Library Centre, NW10
020 8937 3541
[email protected]
THE BRENT MAGAZINE
31
13/3/13 14:23:01
Want to save
money on
your gas and
electricity
bills?
“I know times are hard for many families in Brent. That’s why
I’m supporting this scheme, which could save you up to £200
a year. Register today and tell your friends and family about it.”
– Brent Council leader Muhammed Butt
Join thousands of Londoners who are
signing up to the Big London Energy Switch
to get a better deal on their energy bills.
Reg
ister
by
14 A
pril
www.biglondonenergyswitch.org.uk
0845 208 0237
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