September 2008 Archives

My dear mate is a councillor for Brent and lives two houses before the edge of a local conservation area. His windows are wooden and two houses away, theirs have been replaced with upvc (polyvinyl chloride) material and have been double glazed.

Their windows look better, will last forever and certainly allow the occupants to be warmer in winter and cooler in summer. They also will never need scraping down and repainting. Thus the 'carbon footprint' of his near neighbours is considerably less than his own.

"I can't see why rotting old wooden window frames covered with enough paint to hold the wood together, can be any more good for the area than the newer products, but I was refused permission to replace mine because I live in this conservation area." he grumbled at me over a pint in the Windermere pub.

Even thought he is a councillor, he couldn't sway the decision. But also, because he is a councillor, he won't disobey the order. I certainly would, but I've always been considered a bit of a rebel - even if I am balding!

Upon further questioning, I discovered that although he is in one of those confounded conservation zones, the making of water pipes out of lead as they were in days of yore is forbidden, as is the use of asbestos to make things fireproof.

Seems somebody in the upvc business must have upset a bunch of Brent councillors. Maybe it was that bunch of double glazing salesmen I saw a few years ago!

Brent's most eye-catching buildings will open their doors to the public next weekend in a celebration of design excellence.

Thirteen architectural gems will be on show as part of Open House London - a capital-wide initiative that will see Londoners visit more than 700 attractions for free.

Two young children watched in horror as their mother was beaten over the head by a masked attacker - in broad daylight.

The sickening incident took place in Barn Way, Wembley, on August 30, leaving the injured 34-year-old woman in hospital.

In 1905 Einstein published his theories on relativity, the first Russian revolution began and Wembley resident Seraphine Andrews was born.

The centenarian, who still enjoys a puff on a cigarette, turns an incredible 103-years-old tomorrow (Wednesday) and is due to celebrate the special occasion with friends and family at her home of 60 years in Oakington Manor Drive, Wembley.

By Tara Brady

England's up and coming football talent are giving the nation something to shout about after they beat Portugal 2-0 at Wembley on Saturday.

Despite the torrential rain more than 27,000 football fans descended upon Wembley Stadium to watch Stuart Pearce's side ensure a place in the play offs for the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

Depressing isn't it? Between my house and the railway station there about 60 houses on each side of the road. At last count, there were only six front gardens.

I've got one, which my brother kindly tends and it is so pleasing to hear people who pass, compliment me on the sight. All of us have back gardens, but at the front of our home we have hedges, trees, bushes, flowers and even the odd bit of wildlife. I spotted a squirrel, dashing across the lawn to scuttle over the garage towards the back of the house yesterday morning.

All the front lawns about our place have turned into parking spaces. Alright, I know we are within the restricted parking area for the stadium, but even so, the house on one side of me has six cars plus two wheelie bins on the concrete apron out front. On the other side there are four cars. However across the road every house has only one car, but they are all parked almost in their front doors.

During the last council elections, I spent much of my free time delivering leaflets, in and around the Wembley area. Some streets have absolutely no street parking available so they all have paved their front gardens in order to park assorted vehicles, varying from massive 'Chelsea Tractors' down to tiny cars not much larger than my mother's shoes.

This saddens me. When I was a lad, not only did I enjoy the sight and smell of the flowers along the road but also I would admire the butterflies and birds which would dance around me on my way to school. Nowadays there are more gardens in the TV soaps than there are in real life and there aren't many in Coronation Street!

A teenager is being treated for head injuries after he was hit by a lorry in Wembley.

The 14-year-old was airlifted to hospital after the accident in Salmon Street at 7.45am.

By Tara Brady

While growing up in Brent aspiring music producer Jason Hirrell was no stranger to gun and knife crime.

The father-of-three remembers when friends were regularly attacked on the borough's streets.

But now after a spate of knife killings which has ripped through the capital this year Jason has teamed up with two rappers to produce a song urging youngsters to put their weapons down.

A football project designed to entertain bored youngsters in Wembley has been launched.

Sessions will take place every Wednesday from 5-7pm, at Vale Farm Sports Centre.

Brent should not be renamed the London Borough of Wembley, according to 67 per cent of residents who recently voted on an online poll.

Town hall chiefs have been pondering the notion of capitalising on the world renowned Wembley brand by changing the name of the borough - but the idea is clearly not a big hit with the public.

Thirty-three per cent of people who cast their vote on community website Brent Brain, were in favour of a name change.