November 2008 Archives

Former Mastermind champion Shaun Wallace is well on his way to another prestigious title.

Barrister, Mr Wallace, 48, from Wembley, who won the popular BBC quiz in 2004, has qualified for the quarter-finals of BBC series Find A New Egghead.

The occasional radio presenter had a tough battle in his second round heat but just managed to hold out to clinch a 5-4 victory over English quiz team member Olav Bjortomt.

A MARTIAL arts club is is offering free self-defence classes for school children in Brent as part of National Anti Bullying week.
Wembley Choi Kwang Do is encouraging youngsters to attend the sessions where they will be taught the ancient art of Choi Kwang Do and learn how to stop a fight before it begins.
Orgainser Keith Banfield said: "Students are taught techniques which they can always intelligently use to avoid conflict and peaceful methods to resolve conflict."
In a recent survey, 69 per cent of all school children said that they were bullied in the last year half said they were physically attacked and hurt by a bully.
If you would like to register for the classes visit www.wembleyckd.co.uk or you can contact 0208 900 9643.

A WEMBLEY martial arts club is is offering free self-defence classes for school children as part of National Anti Bullying week.
Wembley Choi Kwang Do is encouraging youngsters to attend the sessions where they will be taught the ancient art of Choi Kwang Do and learn how to stop a fight before it begins.
Orgainser Keith Banfield said: "Students are taught techniques which they can always intelligently use to avoid conflict and peaceful methods to resolve conflict."
In a recent survey, 69 per cent of all school children said that they were bullied in the last year half said they were physically attacked and hurt by a bully.
If you would like to register for the classes visit www.wembleyckd.co.uk or you can contact 0208 900 9643.

A conceptual artist and his team have left art on borough streets in a generous one-off art happening.

Adam Neate claimed the streets of London as his gallery as dusk fell last night, leaving 1,000 artworks scattered across the city, visiting all 32 London boroughs.

Find out more at

Were you lucky enough to find one of the pieces? Tell us what you found and where you found it and send your videos and pictures to http://www.harrowobserver.co.uk/west-london-videos-pics/

Much-loved Wembley resident Adrian Benjamin Page died last Thursday.

The 86-year-old, of Lonsdale Avenue, Wembley, worked in the railway industry for more than 30-years and was always a well-known figure in the community.

Mr Page was born in Jamaica but moved to Brent as a young man.

He leaves behind his beloved wife Delmire Page and godchildren Tony, Marcia, Errol, Chantell and other loved ones.

Relative Adrienne Christie said: "He was a lovely, warm, supportive person, who was well known in the community and always showed kindness to others.

"He warmed towards people in the community and has had many tributes since passing away."

Mr Page's funeral will take place at The Church of God of Prophecy, in Alperton, next week.

KINGSBURY territorials from 131 Independent Commando Squadron, based in Honeypot Lane are back at their day jobs after taking part in the City of London's most prestigious event, The Lord Mayor's Show.

The spectacular, annual procession celebrated the new Lord Mayor taking office and showcased the Capital's heritage, business, culture and communities.

A total of 600 Reservists drawn from seventeen units across Greater London took part in the event on Saturday (8).

Each year, London's Volunteer Reservists and Cadets play an integral role in the procession and this year was no exception.

Sapper Michael Harding, 20, a vehicle mechanic for the Royal Mail, has been a member of the TA for 3 years.

He said "This is the first time I've been to the Lord Mayor's Show and I am proud and privileged to represent the Regiment and the British Army at this prestigious event, especially with it being the Centenary of the Territorial Army."

In total, more than 6,000 people in 220 vehicles and 60 floats travelled from Mansion House to the Royal Courts of Justice and back to Mansion House via Victoria Embankment entertaining the crowds.

The show, which started at 11am was marked by a flypast from four RAF Harriers, and formally concluded with a spectacular fireworks display on the River Thames between Blackfriars and Waterloo Bridges.

The new Lord Mayor is Alderman Ian Luder. He will hold the title for the next twelve months and is an international ambassador for the City who is elected annually and heads the City of London Corporation, the organisation providing local government services for the City.

NHS Brent, Brent Council and the Health Protection Agency have teamed up to roll out a borough-wide awareness campaign to highlight the worrying fact that measles is spreading in the borough.

Brent has the highest level of confirmed measles cases in the North West London. From January to September 2008 a total of 87 cases within the eight boroughs of the North West London sector were confirmed. Forty five of these children were from Brent.

Low levels of immunisation uptake over the last decade have led to a significant increase in the number of children who are not protected against measles. The more children that are not protected, the more rapidly measles will spread.

Dollis Hill, Harlesden, Kensal Green and Willesden Green had the highest number of cases for this totally preventable disease in Brent. A report on this year's measles cases also found that the Eastern European, Somali, and Afro Caribbean communities were worse affected.

About one in every 15 children with measles will develop more serious complications. These can include diarrhoea, pneumonia, fits, encephalitis (infection of the brain, and brain damage). In some cases measles can kill.

The safest way to protect children against measles is by getting two doses of the MMR vaccine, available at all GPs throughout the borough.

Dr Deepti Kumar, Consultant in communicable disease control from the North West London Health Protection Unit said: "Measles is a very serious infection as it can lead to pneumonia and encephalitis. It is not possible to tell who will be seriously affected by measles. This is why it's incredibly important to continue to remind parents about the benefits of having their child vaccinated with two doses of MMR for optimum protection. It is never too late to get vaccinated."

A series of posters, leaflets and adverts will be hitting the streets of Brent during this six week campaign which started on Monday November 3.

Residents are being encouraged to attend their local area forums to have their say on the issues affecting them and their neighbourhood.

The next Kilburn and Kensal Green Area forum will take place at Queens Park Community School, Aylestone Avenue, on November 11 at 7.30pm.

The main topic of discussion will be the South Kilburn Regeneration Programme.

The Wembley Area Forum will be held on November 12, at Patidar House, in London Road, Wembley, with hot topics including Wembley High Street and the Wembley Masterplan.

For more information call 0208 937 1055.