May 2008 Archives

By Jamal Moghe

Struggling with gun and knife culture while trying to be a good citizen is being explored in a Somali youth group stage production.
Dayah, the Somali Youth Voluntary organisation established more than five years ago, is based in Empire House, in Wembley park, Brent.
Members are putting on a theatre production named Two Tunnels of Life, a story based on a young person who come from his homeland (Somalia) to the UK while trying to make a living here.
The Name Two Tunnels of Life represents the tunnel a young person takes in life whether is going into gang life or the good life, which is studying and being a good citizen.
The play portrays the struggle most youths, especially Somalis in London, go through at some point in their journey to becoming an adult. Obstacles they face include everything from housing and local authorities to peer pressure, drugs, gun & knife culture.
The story was written by Somali youths and adapted to a theatre play by young Somali leaders aged between 17-24.
The main purpose of Two Tunnels of Life is to break the stereotype of Somali youths and create an awareness of the issues that are currently going on in society.
The show is being held at the Bloomsbury Theatre, Gordon Street, London, on June 3 at 5.30pm.
For tickets contact Dayah on 02089702112 or 07949047267 or email dayax04@hotmail.com.

By James White

A voluntary organisation has celebrated a quarter of a century of helping elderly people with a day-long party.
Members and staff from Brent Age Concern attended Brent Town Hall's Paul Daisley Hall, to listen to speakers and musical perfromances on Thursday (29).
Among those paying tribute to the hard work of the local charity was Barry Gardiner, MP for Brent North (Labour).
He said: "Twenty-five years have past but Age Concern is absolutely as important now as it was then.
"Older people have given service, have cared for others and were even prepared to fight and die for our country, so they deserve respect in their old age."
The charity in Brent began in 1983 from just one desk in Craven Park Road in Harlesden and the site is still used today as a charity shop.

Pupils from Alperton Community School will hit the dance floor next week to learn a special routine for this year's Brent Respect Festival.

Around 30 youngsters will take part in a three-day workshop and then perform the steps at the free annual event.

The festival will take place at Roundwood Park, in Harlesden, from 1-8pm on July 6. For more information visit www.brent.gov.uk/respect.

Pupils from Alperton Community School will hit the dance floor next week to learn a special routine for this year's Brent Respect Festival.

Around 30 youngsters will take part in a three-day workshop and then perform the steps at the free annual event.

The festival will take place at Roundwood Park, in Harlesden, from 1-8pm on July 6. For more information visit www.brent.gov.uk/respect.

By Tom Lawrence

A mother who went missing from her Sunderland home with her five young daughters may be hiding out in the Harlesden area, police believe.
Natalie Bracht went on the run with the youngsters on May 17 and has been evading the authorities by moving between various locations in the capital.
Investigators believe the mother, who hails from Dusseldorf, Germany, has radically changed her appearance a number of times and have growing concerns regarding her emotional well-being.
The 34-year-old left the north-east and travelled by taxi, to the Haymarket area of Newcastle, where she was seen at 1pm.
It is believed the family then travelled to Kings Cross by train.
DCI Roger Ford, from Northumbria Police, said: "The latest information we have places Natalie in the Harlesden area of London, a long way from her home in the North East and a long way from her daughters friends and school.
"So far her decision to change her appearance and avoid identification by moving away from her home shows a high degree of planning and a great deal of effort which further raises my concerns about her emotional well-being and the safety of her children.
"If Natalie is reading this I would like her to stop and think about what she is doing and whether it is in the best interests of her daughters to move them from place to place and keep them from their friends, school and education.
"I would also ask that any estate agents, landlords, hoteliers or B and B owners who may have been approached by Natalie to come forward."
Officers believe it is possible that Natalie may have moved on to another part of London with her daughters, who are aged between five and 13, but are urging the people of Brent to keep a look out.
She speaks good English, with a heavy German accent, but does not have access to much money or any family connections in the London area.
The father of three of the girls has travelled over from Germany to help with the investigation.
Anyone with information about Natalie or her children, is asked to call Northumbria Police, on 03456 043 043.

Visitors will be searching for a moment of stillness in crisis at a free spiritual event.
Founding member of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (BKWSU) Dadi Janki,92, will be speaking at the Advait Cultural Centre, Forty Avenue, Wembley, on Tuesday (03).
Ms Janki will be interviewed by Anwaar Ayub Raja about the spiritual tools needed to face changes caused by globalisation, environmental issues and natural disasters.
The event, which runs between 7-8.30pm, will also feature performances by a poet and several musicians.
More about the BKWSU can be found here.

By James White

The funeral of a murdered father-of-one has taken place, just a short walk from the spot where he died.

Michael Mann, 43, was stabbed to death on May 2 at a bus stop in Willesden High Road.

Today hundreds of mourners filled St Andrew's Church in the same busy street to pay their last respects to Mr Mann, who was described as a gentleman and a male role model during the service.

Father Scott Anderson paid tribute to Mr Mann, who lived with his girlfriend and six-month-old son Jamalie in Sandringham Road, Willesden.

He told mourners: "This is the man people will remember with respect because he has made life better during his time in the world.

"It is right that we should pray for justice for him."

Do you want to learn how to recycle? And are you interested in starring in the Observer and Brent Magazine? If so you have a chance to become one of Brent's green stars. Brent Council is looking for local people who do not recycle, or want to recycle more, to take part in promotional work.
For more information about the project, contact Jason Grimsley at Brent Council on 0208 937 5430 or email Jason.grimsley@brent.gov.uk.

Budding thespians are being encouraged to get involved in a Gladstone Park arts festival this summer.

The free event, organised by Brent Arts Council, will take place at the Dollis Hill beauty spot on July 5 and 6 and have a maritime theme. Attractions include theatrical productions, art exhibitions and musical and dance performances.

Any actors, producers or stage hands interested in taking part should send a CV to Helen Shewry at the Stables Art Gallery or email it to stablesgallery@msn.com.

By choir memberClaire Palmer

Jubilate choir participates in a number of regional competitions, and has just had a successful weekend at the Cheltenham Festival of Performing Arts Saturday May 17, coming first in our class (with a score of 89 per cent) and taking home a cup! We regularly perform in and around Harrow, at Christmas and summer time, and hold fundraising concerts for St Luke's Hospice in Kenton. We are planning to record a CD soon.
Jubilate started as the Kingsbury School choir in the 1980s. It won many competitions, including the prestigious Llangollen Eisteddfod. Other Achievements included reaching the semi-finals of Sainsbury's Choir of the Year and appearing on Opportunity Knocks.
The choir now has around 40 members. Some of the original members even remain in the ranks, and with Sarah Stroh as our Musical Director we have gone from strength to strength. Sarah studied at the Royal Academy of Music and sings professionally - she has appeared as a soloist at the Royal Albert Hall and the Belfast Waterfront Hall and toured France, Bulgaria and Macedonia.