Clubs/societies

SPRING may have finally sprung as children gathered to spot the year's first frogspawn in Brent.
Pupils from Chalkhill Primary School, in Barnhill Road, Wembley, were amazed to see the hardy and healthy frogs spawning on Tuesday (March 2) last week in the school pond.
Martin Francis, of Brent School Without Walls, who works with the children on developing their nature garden, said: "Experts were expecting spring to be three to four weeks late this year after the cold winter, but there must be something special about our frogs because they are only a week later than last year.
"The pond is in an unpromising position between a tarmac playground and the Metropolitan railway line but it hosts frogs, newts and toads and many invertebrates. It shows how important it is to provide habitats to conserve nature."
Frogspawn is a particularly good indicator of spring because frogs are cold-bloodied and sensitive to temperature, so warmer weather encourages them to start laying their eggs earlier.
Martin still expects the main spawning to happen in a few weeks' time when the weather is warmer. He said: "We are a little worried that this spawn will fall victim to the current freezing nights and we will be watching anxiously for the first tadpoles to emerge."
The first frog spawn in Brent was observed on February 24 last year at Chalkhill's pond and on February 26, 2008 at Roe Green Walled Garden pond.

The Brent Jazz Orchestra are appearing for the first time at Freddy's (190 Station Road, Harrow, Middx, HA12RH) on Wednesday 4th November from 7.30pm.

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 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.

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.

The Chameleons Amateur Dramatic Society is holding open auditions for this year's Christmas pantomime - Beauty and the Beast.

The Brent-based group is looking for around 20 talented children between the ages of nine and 15 to star in the chorus.

By Peter Sutton

A team of sailors from Brent will be taking on treacherous seas and towering mountains in a race to raise urgently needed funds.
Five dinghy sailors from the Seahorse Sailing Club on the Welsh Harp - Brent Reservoir - will be setting off on the June 28 for a long distance challenge.
The team will be racing their boat the length of the Irish Sea and stopping along the way to run up the three highest mountains in the United Kingdom.
They are hoping to raise urgently needed funds for a replacement safety boat for use on the reservoir and for clubhouse development .
The PowerBar Three Peaks Yacht Race begins in Barmouth in North Wales and entails racing through the treacherous seas and tidal streams off the coasts of North Wales, the North West Coast of England and Scotland, stopping briefly along the way to race on foot up and down Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis.
Sailing in Skipper Graham Gibson's boat, which is usually based in St Mawes Cornwall, the Seahorse Team has already had to sail for a week to get the boat to Barmouth in North Wales in time for the start.
The race itself will take up to another week and following a rest in Scotland teams from Seahorse will move the boat back from Fort William In Scotland to Cornwall via the east coast of Ireland.
During the race itself the team will sail 389 nautical miles, risking sandbanks, rocks and fierce tides.
The sailors aboard will get little rest as the race is continuous, and the two runners in the team must complete 72 miles and 14,000 feet of climbing to reach the summits of Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis. No easy task when you may have to run at night, unsteady on your feet due to seasickness.
Seahorse Sailing Club invite people of all ages and abilities to learn to sail with them and to join in with regular dinghy racing and social activities on the Welsh Harp Reservoir.
The club is run entirely by unpaid volunteers and is accredited by the Royal Yachting Association as an approved training centre. For more information see www.seahorsesc.co.uk or phone: 07855207476.

By Neena Kent

Shadow Warriors, a Wembley based Marshall Arts club run by Shihan Raja Badhwal celebrated a double success this Sunday (01).
Fighters from 6th Dan, Waqas Rashid, 21, of Wembley, and Masood Yousef, 32, of Slough, won two of the British Open Kickboxing titles.
The fight took place at the Bracknell Leisure centre and was organised by the World Kickboxing and Martial Association and British International Kickboxing & Martial Association.
Waqas has been training under Shihan Raja for the past three years and has gone from strength to strength, he was totally overjoyed to take the title of 71-75kg Middleweight British Open kickboxing title.
He said: "I'm really happy to win this fight, all the hard work and training has paid off. I'm now going to focus on going for the next fight. Respect and thanks to my coach Shihan Raja and all my sparring partners at Shadow Warriors Kickboxing Club."
Masood was equally delighted with his 81-91kg Heavyweight British Open kickboxing title.
He said: "I have been training with Shihan Raja for 4 years now and am proud to say that I have worked and trained very, very hard for this and have done my trainer and Club proud. Watch out for me next year!"
Shihan Raja said: "All my students are dedicated and train hard, I am very proud of them all. Marshall Arts allows young people to channel their energy in a positive way; it keeps them off the streets and teaches them self discipline and respect for others. Shadow Warriors Club is delighted to take home the two trophies."
Shadow Warriors Club can be contacted on 07903 767775.

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.

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.