July 2008 Archives

A car crashed into a garden wall on a Pinner road yesterday night (28).

Three fire engines were called to the accident involving a BMW coupe at Rickmansworth Road, Pinner, at 11.20pm.

An ambulance and fast response car also attended the scene and the driver of the vehicle was taken to Northwick Park Hospital, in Watford Road. His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

A free talk about the secrets of London from archaeologist Colin Oakes is being held by the Harrow National Trust Association.
The City of Secrets talk is from 8pm on August 7 at Harrow Arts Centre, in Uxbridge Road.
For information call 020 8866 9272.

Children are invited to a performance of Treasure Island.
The show about pistol-toting pirates is aimed at children between the ages of six and 12 and will take place at 2pm on September 29 at Harrow Arts Centre, in Uxbridge Road, Hatch End.
Tickets are £7, call 020 8416 8989 for details.

By Tara Brady

A prolific burglar from Pinner who terrorised the elderly by conning his way into their homes has been jailed for five years.
William Beggs, 37, from Cherry Court in Uxbridge Road, Pinner, preyed on the vulnerable before bluffing his way into their houses to steal their possessions.
One incident included Beggs knocking on the door of a 73-year-old man and asking for a piece of paper to leave a note for a neighbour who was allegedly in hospital.
Believing the caller was genuine the oblivious victim, who lives in Pinner, did not notice Beggs stealing his mobile phone and cheques which had been left in a bag in the hall.
Beggs, who pleaded not guilty to the offence which took place in April this year, was sentenced on Tuesday (July 15) last week at Harrow Crown Court.
He was also issued a five year Anti-Social Behaviour Order (Asbo) banning him from calling, knocking or telephoning any homes where the occupiers are unknown to him.
Beggs has 20 previous convictions including 14 convictions for burglary.
Detective Constable Figo Forouzan, officer in charge, said: "This was a despicable offence where an elderly victim was targeted. The length of the sentence reflects the seriousness of the crime."
In the past year alone there has been 48 distraction burglaries in the borough - approximately one a week.
Rachael Matthews, from Victim Support Harrow, said: "People are using all sorts of clever tricks to gain entry into people's houses. "It can be very distressing for the elderly who may feel like they are no longer safe in their own homes."
Distraction burglars often pose as being from a utility board, the council or police.
The elderly are being warned to be on guard and to install better security in their homes.
Avani Modasia, chief executive of Age Concern Harrow, said: "We are really trying to support the elderly to make sure their homes are safe and to encourage them to put in better security.
"They should not open the door to strangers and if they do they should always ask for ID. We have met victims of this crime and being burgled frightens them so much. Some never leave their homes again."
To find out more about installing security in your home ring Age Concern Harrow 020 8861 7980.

By Ian Proctor

Children and teenagers will be able to swim for free during the summer holidays, Harrow Council has announced.
Youngsters aged up to 16 (inclusive) can take a dip without paying at Harrow Leisure Centre, Christchurch Avenue, Wealdstone, or Hatch End Swimming Pool in Uxbridge Road, Hatch End, between Monday July 21 to Sunday August 31.
The scheme is valid from seven days a week from 10am to 7pm and to benefit children must register their name and address at the reception desk each time they visit. Under 8s must be accompanied by an adult.
Councillor Chris Mote (Conservative), portfolio holder for community and cultural services, said: "Harrow Council knows this is a difficult time for families with the rising cost of living.
"The summer can be particularly problematic with parents wondering how to amuse their children without resorting to expensive theme parks and outings to the cinema.
"Now children can get active instead of spending hours watching TV or playing computer games.
"By investing money not only in swimming but the Passport to Culture and Summer University scheme, we have laid on a range of exciting opportunities on our young people's doorstep.
"Long-term we are hoping that this summer of fun encourages young people to get active and experience new things."
Harrow Council's Passport to Culture scheme is a series of action-packed events and activities while Summer University Harrow is a programme of over 100 activities and courses for 11- to 21-year-olds (up to 25 years old with special needs) during the summer vacation.

By Tara Brady

Developers hoping to build in Pinner may have a prickly problem on their hands.
Protesters campaigning against three large detached houses, valued at £1million each, being built in Eastglade, Pinner, believe a group of hedgehogs living nearby will be wiped out.
The campaigners are part of Save Pinner Gardens Action group, which says more and more hedgehogs are being found dead since the number of developments in the area increased.
Edwin Lucas, spokesman for Save Pinner Gardens, said: "We have seen at least three hedgehogs out at night in the house next to the proposed site.
"We are worried that if building work starts then it will disrupt their natural environment and they could be run over.
"Their numbers are in decline due to their loss of habitat and we believe developers shouldn't just walk in and destroy their natural environment."
Hedgehogs are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. They move around from garden to garden and can travel up to 2km each night.
The site's developer, Village Homes, previously applied to build four houses on the site but this was turned down by Harrow Council last year.
About 500 letters of objection were also sent to the council this year.
Howard Lamb of Marsh Road, Pinner, looks after hedgehogs in his back garden, which is next to another proposed development site.
He said: "It is fantastic news that residents in Eastglade have found hedgehogs. They are very at home in people's gardens.
"It is amazing that gardens can provide the special environment for creatures and animals to enjoy. Developers have got a different way of thinking but there are some things you just can't put a price on. We want to protect our green spaces and protect our wildlife."
A spokesman from Village Homes said: "Village Homes are fully aware of the requirements of relevant national and European legislation relating to protected species - we retain ecological experts to advise on such matters.
"Retaining habitat is not only ecologically beneficial but a strong marketing point that purchasers are increasingly keen to see on developments."

By Kavit Majithia

In July 1938, the Pinner Association released its first edition of The Villager, a community magazine outlining upcoming local events, and requests for donations to aid local hospitals.
This month, the publication reached issue number 211 - and its 70th anniversary.
The first issue was sold for 2d (less than a penny in today's money) while nowadays an annual subscription is a mere £3, with the magazine going out to loyal readers three times a year.
Editor Cynthia Wells, 70, of West End Lane, said the glossy A5 newsletter is still very much in demand: "We have five distribution leaders, each area distributing 500 copies each.
"If some copies go out late, I get calls from readers wondering why they haven't got their copy when their friends have."
The success and popularity of the magazine can be attributed to the way in which the magazine is run, through volunteers residing in the area, and the professional manner in which it is produced.
The magazine has certainly developed over the past 70 years because the first issue only had 32 pages, while the current issue contains 80.
It has also switched from four to three issues a year, but the size and style is very much the same.
Mrs Wells described older copies as being a lot 'simpler' but said it is still 'as in touch with the community as it ever was'.
Joanne Verden, chairwoman of the Pinner Association's environment committee, said: "Politics come and go, but The Villager has always stayed, even during the war we were publishing."
Mrs Verden has been involved with The Villager since the 1970s and does a lot of work around the community, in terms of tending to local parks and open spaces, and even helps to design the High Street and Peace Gardens.
She described The Villager as being 'the work of several decades, an archive of the district, a long-term memory for the community'.
All the local environmental work is reported by the magazine, and Mrs Verden, a long time veteran of the magazine, told the Observer of the importance of reporting news to the people.
She said: "It keeps people aware of what is actually happening in the village and I have found that interest in the magazine and the enviroment is increasing."
The first issue of The Villager reported on the demise of the parish hall, which was located at the bottom of High Street.
During the past seven decades, the building has been used for several projects including a library, a village hall and is currently being used for the High Street gardens.
Further stories included reports of day-to-day problems in the area, such as hazardous parking and the loss of footpaths due to estate buildings, and news regarding sports and leisure activities, in addition to advertising the Pinner Hill Golf Club's annual subscription for £3.13s.6d.
The current issue seems to share a lot of the same content and topics. Its stories concern the environment, quirky facts and features, and information regarding current events in Pinner, as well as advertising local businesses.
Mrs Wells found that the 'Talking Shops' section, which focuses on local businesses in the area and gives mini reviews on their products and services, is the most popular section in the magazine.
Over the past 70 years The Villager has covered countless local stories and community events, but Mrs Verden drew on a particular exhibition in 1995 that really sticks in her mind.
The event was held at West House, in Pinner Memorial Park, Chapel Lane, Pinner, to commemorate those who had died in the Second World War.
Visitors were able to sign books of remembrance, which were also used at the time of the war and shortly after it.
Mrs Verden said this was a perfect example of how The Villager 'communicates to a large range of people, who are able to learn all about their district'.
She added: "Whether you plant a tree or write a magazine, it's there for everybody. I, like many, are interested in the community and it is important to publicise what is popular."
Mrs Wells said The Villager has the potential to last for a very long time. It really depends on the new people moving in, but we have no problems filling The Villager - it can last forever."

A man was beaten to the ground and robbed of his car after stopping at traffic lights in Hatch End.
Police are appealing for witnesses to a car jacking that took place in the Uxbridge Road, Hatch End on July 8 at 11.15pm
A 59-year-old man was robbed of his grey BMW M3 by as many as three men.
As he sat in his car at the temporary traffic lights before the King George V roundabout, the man felt a shunt from behind and got out of his car to assess the damage.
A white man, 5ft 6in tall, wearing a white ski mask, got out of a small car.
The victim became suspicious and began to run away. He was followed and hit and fell to the ground. The man's keys were grabbed from his hand and his car was driven off.
The victim suffered a fractured forearm and was taken to hospital.
Anyone with information on this crime should call Harrow Crime Squad on 020 8733 5407 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

By Tara Brady

A mother from Hatch End has helped raise more than £300 for a special school her autistic son attends.
Monique Lauder, 46, from Hallam Gardens, organised staff and children from Jigsaw Nursery School in Uxbridge Road, Hatch End, to pay a pound to wear brightly coloured clothes instead of their uniforms last month.
All money was donated to Sunfield School in Worcestershire, where her son Zachary, 15, is a pupil and provides full time care for students with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and other severe and complex learning difficulties.
His younger brother, Jacob, eight, also managed to persuade his cub pack, 9th Pinner Cub Scouts and 9th Pinner Rainbows to ditch their woggles and neck scarfs to raise money for the school.
Monique, who is a supervisor at the Hatch End nursery, said: "I am so grateful to Jigsaw Nursery for supporting Sunfield in this way along with cubs, rainbows and brownie packs and I am delighted the local community is getting behind our efforts to support my son in this way.
"I am looking forward to sending a large cheque to Sunfield to support their appeal to improve facilities at the school."
It is hoped enough money will be raised to build a new wing of the school which will be specially designed to meet the specific needs of the pupils.
Monique said: "Because of their very specific learning needs the students at Sunfield simply could not be educated in mainstream schools. The new building will be such a boost to these children."

A hospice charity is looking for volunteers to help staff its shops and bring in much-needed funding.
Shop helpers are needed for St Luke's Hospice shops in Pinner, Harrow, Harrow Weald, South Harrow, Wembley, Kingsbury, Rayners Lane, Burnt Oak, Stanmore and North Harrow.
Volunteers only needs to commit to four hours, one shift per week, 9.30am to 1.15pm or 1.15pm to 5pm, Monday to Saturday.
Responsibilities include serving customers, sorting through donated items and steaming clothing, there is something for everyone.
The shops make a substantial contribution to meeting the costs of providing Hospice care at Kenton Grange.
Training will be provided and volunteers get a 10 per cent discount.
To find out more call 0750579275 or visit www.stlukes-hospice.org.