Faith

The Hindu Council of Brent present 'Cultural Show 2009' with a variety programme of Indian Dances including Classic, Modern and Folk Lore at Brent Town Hall on Saturday 7th November.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall celebrated the Hindu festival of Holi at a Brent school.

The royal couple visited The Swaminarayan School in Neasden to watch youngsters perform in white robes before throwing coloured dyes and water on each other while traditional Indian music was played.

Hindu's celebrate Holi to mark the arrival of spring and the change of seasons by spraying colour.

However the couple were spared being covered in dye and instead threw flower petals over the children once they'd stained themselves in vibrant colours.

His Royal Highness and the Duchess of Cornwall were taken on a tour of the school which was founded in 1991 by Shri Pramukh Swami Maharaj, a spiritual guru of an international Hindu organisation known as BAPS (Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha).

The school is a non-profit making independent school for children aged from two-and-a-half to 18.

Parishioners at a church in north Wembley are celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

Earlier this month more than 300 people attended a special service led by the Bishop of Willesden.

Photos capturing the church's five-decade history were also displayed reviving memories among the congregation.

Reverend Fraser McDermott, vicar of St Cuthbert's, said: "It was a wonderful occasion celebrating the ongoing success and worship on the Sudbury Court Estate."

Cara Lovell, parishioner, was also at the service. She said: "Since it opened 50 years ago St Cuthbert's Church has been a pivotal part of the local community.

"Fun days, toddlers' groups, youth clubs and much more have been enjoyed by people across the Sudbury Court Estate.

"The church family continues to grow, participates in lots of lively activities throughout the week and enjoys an international flavour with 23 nations represented among the congregation."

Throughout 2009 there will be more events planned to celebrate the church's anniversary year including quiz nights, jazz evenings, children's parties and treasure hunts.

For more details visit or call the church office on 020 8904 8599.

All of the borough's diverse communities are invited to come together for Brent Holocaust Memorial Day.

Brent is marking the nationally recognised event at its town hall in Forty Lane, Wembley, between 2.30pm and 4pm on Sunday.

There will be talks by representatives of the Anne Frank Trust, anti-facism magazine Searchlight and the anti-racism football campaign Kick it Out.

Brent Junior Choir will also perform throughout the afternoon along with pupils from Claremont High School, who will read poems.

Reverend Anthony Wolfson, Wembley United Synagogue, will lead a memorial prayer in Hebrew and English followed by a one minute silence to close the commemoration ceremony.

Brent's leading school for Hindus has been described as outstanding by independent school assessors.
The Swaminarayan School, in Brentfield Road, Neasden, was commended in a recent inspection and judged to provide all of its pupils with a " well-rounded educational experience of high quality."
In summing up the school, officers from the Independent Schools Inspectorate, said: "Academic standards are high overall when compared to those found nationally and the quality of pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding.
"The leadership of the school is outstanding and its management at each level and in both schools is very effective. It is very well supported by a highly qualified body of teaching staff who in turn are ably assisted by a committed team of administrative and ancillary staff."
The school was founded in 1992 and provides mainstream education while reinforcing Hindu culture and tradition for children aged two and a half to eighteen years. It was the first Hindu-only school in the UK.
The Head teacher Mahendra Savjani said, "Although we know that we are an excellent school with high standards and brilliant examination results, I am delighted to have the endorsement from a team of ten highly experienced inspectors who spent a week in the school.
"The credit for this success goes to our teamwork - committed and dedicated staff supported by governors, hardworking pupils and parents who recognise the value of education."

ST Andrew's churchgoers have begun their 'Journey to Bethlehem' by sheltering the baby Jesus from their Christmas crib in their own homes.
Each night the Christ Child will be carried around the homes of the parish in Sudbury on a symbolic journey to celebrate Advent.
"As Christmas approaches the idea is to reflect on the journeys we have made so far in our own lives and the journey we continue to make towards the birth of Christ in the stable 2000 years ago and in our hearts every day," said the Rev'd Felicity Scroggie.
"Maybe we are journeying from a place of fear to a place of trust, from unbelief belief, from a place of dispossesion to one of belonging, or from exile to somewhere we know as home."
St Andrew's, in Harrow Road, is open all day from 9am-7pm for prayer in the build-up to Christmas and there is a huge labyrinth laid out on the floor for people to journey around.
Advent discussion groups are beging held on Tuesday nights and Wednesday mornings. On December 17 churchgoers will be singing in the nearby Black Horse pub and also around the streets of Sudbury on December 21.

A church celebrated its 75th anniversary with a colourful flower festival.

Congregation members from St Michael the Archangel, in St Michael's Avenue,Wembley, joined dignitaries at special events throughout the week to mark the anniversary of church's consecration and opening in 1933.

By Tom Lawrence

A popular church celebrated its 75th anniversary with a colourful flower festival, at the end of last month.
Congregation members from St Michael the Archangel, in St Michael's Avenue, Wembley, joined dignitaries for a week of special events to mark the consecration and opening of the place of worship.
The deputy Mayor of Brent, Councillor Jim O'Sullivan opened the festivities and Dawn Butler, MP for Brent South also showed her support for the church, which has been a pillar of the Brent community since 1933.
Church-goers decorated the building with swathes of colourful bouquets and a flower covered 75 was placed above the entrance.
As part of the birthday celebrations revellers were also treated to a classical music concert.

Anglican churches St Augustine's, Wembley Park and the Annuncation, South Kenton, are holding a joint Summer Fair this year on Saturday July 12, between noon-5pm.
The fair will take place at St Augustine's Church, on the corner of Forty Avenue and Wembley Hill Road, and stalls will include homemade Caribbean food, BBQ, raffle, bric-a-brac, handmade cards, homemade cakes, books, ice cream and many more activities.
Entrance is 50p for adults and free for children.
The performance area at the fair will include a salsa lesson and dancing, keep fit classes, Wembley Operatic Society and Irish dancing.
Funds raised support local churches and last year some 300 people attended the fair which raised £3,000. Everyone from the local community is welcome and warmly invited.
For more information see st-augustines-web.com/.

A Beijing Olympics-themed summer fair will take place at St Andrew's Church, in Harrow Road, Sudbury, on Saturday (21) from 1pm-4pm.
Entry is free and youngsters can take part in races. Medals will be given to the winners. Refreshments will include Chinese food and a beer tent and there will also be other activities and stalls.