April/May 2007 - London Borough of Hillingdon

Council magazine of the year
www.hillingdon.gov.uk
News from your council
April/May 2007
Aqua Extreme
Making a splash with Olympic swimmer,
Stephen Parry
Council services
improving
Going smokefree
in Hillingdon
Could you be a
school governor?
Streets
Ahead
Getting to grips
with graffiti

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2 •
April/May 2007

April/May
contents
cover stories
7 Council services improving
10 Going smokefree in Hillingdon
14 Streets Ahead
15 Getting to grips with graffiti
17 Could you be a school govenor?
features
12 Making a splash
16 Lady Craig Court
18 Keeping up the good work
20 Make the most of Hillingdon’s green spaces
23 Hillingdon’s young people get involved
news
4 Celebrating success
5 New agreement for Uxbridge town centre
Making a splash with Olympic
swimmer Stephen Parry (Pg12)
PHOTOGRAPHY GRAHAM MULLET
We are splashing out
in this edition with
lots of information
on leisure, sports
and outdoorsy opportunities for
Hillingdon residents. Help is also on
hand to ensure that you can get a
breath of fresh air, with information
and advice on the new smokefree
legislation, which will come into
force on July 1.
On the more serious side of
things we fill you in on our High
Court asylum case and council tax
plans, let you know how inspectors
have rated council services and
update you on the continuing fight
against Heathrow expansion.
5 Targeting residents concerns
6 Freedom Pass safe
8 Council tax charges
regulars
27 Time on your hands?
Volunteer opportunities and freetime activities
29 Useful information
Who to call at the council and other useful numbers
31 What’s on?
Local arts and theatre listings from across the borough
After reading, please recycle this magazine
Editorial enquiries
Katie Williams
01895 277834
hillingdonpeople@hillingdon.gov.uk
Advertising enquiries
Lynette Jones
01895 250575
hpadverts@hillingdon.gov.uk
For a copy in
large print or
on tape call
01895 250530
Published by London Borough of Hillingdon © 2007
Design Phil Burton 01895 250670
Printed by The Print Factory
Hillingdon People, 3E/07 Civic Centre, High Street, Uxbridge, UB8 1UW.
Products and services advertised in this magazine are not necessarily endorsed by the council.
Hillingdon People is printed on environmentally friendly paper from managed forests.
April/May 2007 • 3

news
inbrief
Road crossings
for all
The council is on target
for making every one of
the borough’s controlled
pedestrian crossings
disabled-friendly by April
this year. Over the past
three years we’ve been
installing features such as
‘tactile paving’ (which has
small bumps in it to help
visually impaired people
know where to cross)
and lowered kerbs to
make life easier for
wheelchair users.
Caring for our
carers
Moving poems and short
stories performed by
young carers launched
the young carer's strategy
last month. The new
strategy, developed jointly
by Hillingdon Council,
Hillingdon Carers and the
PCT, aims to provide
better services and
increased opportunities
for the hundreds of
young people who care
for family members in the
borough.
Pounds for
playground
The council has made
£75,000 Chrysalis funding
available in 2007/08 for
upgrading the Hill Lane
Playground. The need for
an upgrade was identified
as a priority by the Safer
Neighbourhoods Team at
the West Ruislip
environmental visual audit
in May. In addition,
£30,000 funding from
Street Champions has
been granted in the
current financial year, for
general improvements
and park furniture.
Celebrating success
More than 250 students
celebrated their
achievements in a range
of subjects at an awards
ceremony held recently
by the council’s adult
education service.
The adult learners, all of
whom have varying degrees
of learning and physical
disabilities, had studied for
accreditation in a range
of subject areas, including
sports, art, computing and
other work-related
subjects, as well as those
designed to help the
learners live independently,
such as money and meal
preparation.
The courses are part of
a Towards Independence
programme, which
provides a framework of
learning activities to
develop personal, social
and independent living
skills.
Towards independence:
Student Daniel McCarthy
receives his certificate from
Jane Wood, head of adult
services
Signs for safety
Eleven new safety signs have gone up in
Cowley Road, Uxbridge in an effort to reduce
the number of road accidents and encourage
people to drive safely.
The signs, which alert drivers to the number
of people injured in accidents in that particular
road, are part of the council’s commitment to
tackling road safety issues and are designed to
make drivers think about their speed so that
they take extra care whilst driving.
Similar signs, which were put up in Victoria Road just over a year ago, have proved
to cut the number of casualty figures.The new road signs in Cowley Road if successful,
will be considered for other main roads in the borough.
The council welcomes ideas or suggestions that people may have related to road
safety. If you have a road safety issue you would like to tell us about please email
saferroads@ hillingdon.gov.uk or call 01895 556746.
New
partnership
manager
Hillingdon Partners, the
local strategic partnership
within the London
Borough of Hillingdon,
has appointed Ian Edwards
as its new manager. The
newly created post will
provide the partnership
with strategic leadership
and increased impetus into
the partnership’s aim of
joint working to improve
services for local people.
Cllr Douglas Mills,
Cabinet member for
partnerships said:“We are
delighted that Ian will be
joining the Hillingdon
Partners. The appointment
sends out a strong message
that Hillingdon wishes to
raise its game, especially
with the business and
voluntary sectors.
“By employing a strong
leader from outside the
local authority world, and
making the partnership
more central to our strategy,
we can achieve a leap in
service delivery so that
our residents can proudly
say, to friends and family: ‘I
like living here.’”
4 •
April/May 2007

New agreement for Uxbridge
town centre
The council has taken
action to stop shoppers in
Uxbridge being plagued
by charity collectors and
other organisations
following a petition of
6,000 signatures from
residents wanting
something to be done
about the amount of
charity collectors and
market researchers in the
town centre.
Thanks to a recently
uncovered by-law, an
agreement has been
made between Cllr Keith
Burrows (Cabinet
member for planning and
transportation), Uxbridge
Town centre management
and the charities’
representative organisation
which means that charity
organisations can only
use the High Street three
times a week. Additionally,
non-charities who stop
shoppers to get custom
could be prosecuted.
Police and council join forces
From April, police
community support
officers will be working
with the council to issue
fixed penalty notices (FPN)
for those who graffiti,
drop litter and fly post.
Kathy Sparks, deputy
director for environment
and consumer protection,
said:“ The way we see our
surroundings has a huge
impact on the community
and can influence
individuals’ behaviour. This
joint working will
Cllr Keith Burrows
commented: “This raft of
measures help us address
the set of problems
highlighted some time
ago by people using
Uxbridge. Coupled with
council enforcement
activity against illegal
street trading, and using
our partners where
necessary, we have a set
of tools that are making
Uxbridge town centre a
better place.”
encourage people to take
pride in their local
environment and catch
those who break the law.”
Graffiti and litter
clearance costs over one
million pounds a year and
this money could be
money better spent on
other council services.
Targeting residents’ concerns
Hillingdon Partners have signed a Local Area Agreement (LAA) to deliver improvements
to the things that local people want to see changed in their area.
inbrief
Picture perfect
The first ever Uxbridge
postcard has gone on
sale in Hillingdon libraries.
Designed by local lady
Sheena Rosser, the
postcard depicts several
well-loved sights in the
town, including Grand
Union Canal, Windsor
Street and St Margaret’s
Church. Other souvenirs
depicting local scenes are
also available. If the
postcards prove popular,
it is likely that the range
will be extended to
illustrate other towns in
the borough.
BikeAbility
Residents wanting to
become cycle trainers
can take part in new
national course called
BikeAbility. Jointly funded
by the Cycle Touring Club
(CTC) and Transport for
London (TFL), the council
is running the courses for
free.Those that complete
the course could join the
council’s team of trainers
to teach cycling skills to
school children. For
further information call
01895 250950 or email
afulton@hillingdon.gov.uk
Pond life
The newly restored duck
pond at Manor Farm,
Ruislip has been opened
after extensive
refurbishment, funded by
the council’s Chrysalis
program. Work on the
site began in October
2006 and included
replacing dead and old
plants with lush new
ones, and installing new
fencing, pathways and
seating around the pond.
news
Pictured (clockwise from bottom, left) Ian Edwards (head of partnerships, business and
community engagement), Cllr Douglas Mills (Cabinet member for partnerships), Hugh Dunnachie
(acting chief executive, LBH), Mick May (executive director, Groundworks Themes Valley) and
Detective Chief Superintendent Carl Bussey (Hillingdon borough commander).
April/May 2007 • 5

news
inbrief
Scores on doors
From June 2007 all
restaurants, takeaway
shops and other food
businesses will be
required to display their
food inspection ratings.
The London-wide pilot
will be based on a 5 star
rating system, with 5 stars
indicating very high
standards and no stars
highlighting a general
failure to comply with
legal requirements. If the
initiative is successful it
will be rolled out across
the country.
Ruislip High
opening
Ruislip High was officially
opened at the end of last
month.The ceremony
was performed by head
teacher John Goulborn
and RAF Northolt
Station Commander,
Group Captain John
Maas.The celebrations
also included a fly-by
from the RAF and the
unveiling of a circle of
bricks engraved with the
first students' names.
New contracts
The council has
appointed three new
contractors starting from
April 1. AccordMP will
now be carrying out all
of the highways
maintenance including
road surfacing, civil
engineering and street
lighting repairs in the
borough. Enterprise and
Connaught have both
been chosen for grounds
maintenance in all our
parks and open spaces.
National praise for council’s public
scrutiny
The Centre for Public
Scrutiny (CfPS) – the
national body for
improving the scrutiny of
public services – has
identified Hillingdon as a
national model of good
practice for the way it
gives local people a voice
in decisions taken that
may affect them.
The way Hillingdon
examined the borough’s
Local Strategic Partnership
(a partnership between
the council, police, health,
business and voluntary
Freedom Pass safe
There have recently been
some misleading reports
about the future of the
Freedom Travel Pass, which
offers free travel benefits to
London’s older residents
and those with disabilities.
The Freedom Pass is paid
for by London’s 32 councils,
including Hillingdon, and
we have been committed
to the scheme for the
last 23 years.
Cllr Ray Puddifoot,
Leader of the Council
and older persons’
champion said: “I want to
reassure all of our older
and disabled residents
who currently enjoy the
benefits of the Freedom
Pass that we are fully
committed to it and have
organisations that delivers
services in Hillingdon) is
one of only eight singled
out for praise.
The police, health, local
businesses, training
organisations and voluntary
groups all gave evidence
at "select committee" type
meetings on improving
the way we work together
for local people.
Cllr Douglas Mills,
Cabinet member for
partnerships said:“The way
that we developed the LSP
and the new activities of
the LSP are built on the
back of what the scrutiny
absolutely no intention of
making any changes to it.”
He added: “We will
defend the Freedom Pass
for our residents as it
makes a huge difference
the lives of its users.”
The Freedom Pass is
the most comprehensive
concessionary fares
scheme in the country.
For more information
on the Freedom Pass,
please contact your local
Post Office if you are 60
years and over, or the
council on 01895 250202
if you have disabilities.
From 1 April 2007
people with disabilities
will also be able to claim
their Freedom Pass from
the Post Office.
Single? Better read this…
Following a review of
residents in receipt of a
single person discount on
their council tax, the
council has written to
residents asking them to
confirm their circumstances
to ensure that residents
are receiving the correct
discounts.
Those who have not
responded have had their
discount stopped and will
have to pay the full council
tax and it is important
that residents inform the
council if their
circumstances have
changed.
Any abuses of council
tax single persons discount
can be reported to the
council anonymously by
calling the council’s
freephone fraud hotline
on 0800 389 8313.
committee suggested.
Cllr Anthony Way, who
chaired the all-party
committee that carried
out the scrutiny, said it
was successful because
the committee was “very
good at forgetting political
baggage”.
This is the second time
in six months that the
CfPS have given national
recognition to Hillingdon’s
scrutiny process, hghlighting
the way in which residents
are given a ‘local voice’ in
the decision-making
process of local
organisations.
Planning
prosecution
Hillingdon Council has
successfully prosecuted a
property owner who
built a single-storey rear
extension and a twostory
side extension
without planning
permission. Additionally,
the owner had made
internal alterations, which
changed the property
from a family dwelling to
a property with
individual residential units
(flats).
Jean Palmer, director of
planning and community
services said: “The
council is very pleased
that this unauthorised
action has been
recognised by the courts
as it is important that
people who flout the
planning regulations and
cause harm to others
amenities are punished.
Landowners must take
responsibility for ensuring
that they adhere to
planning regulations and
can contact us for advice
and information on doing
so.”
6 •
April/May 2007

Council services improving
Environment, education and housing singled out for
praise by inspectors
council
In the latest annual assessment of
all councils in the UK, Hillingdon has
been rated as ‘improving well’.
With an overall rating of two out
of four stars, the inspectors said
that ‘the council is well placed to
deliver improvements for local
people.’
The inspectors highlighted
improved performance in the
council’s priority areas of
environment (which is now rated
as a 3 out of 4 service), education
and customer access and in
particular, satisfaction with street
scene improvements.
The council’s rating for housing
services increased to ‘excellent’
(from 3 to 4), which follows the
rating for benefits which is already
rated as a 4. Hillingdon is now the
only council in London to be rated
as excellent for both housing and
benefits.
As well as the significant
improvements in the environment,
social care outcomes for children
and young people, housing and
educational attainment are rated as
good and improving and progress
against the decent homes standard
is rated highly.
The inspectors also took into
account the results of a residents’
survey, which took place at the end
of 2006. This shows that the
council has maintained the level of
overall residents’ satisfaction, despite
the fact that across London, councils
on average saw a drop of two per
cent in this area.
The survey showed that residents
in Hillingdon are now more satisfied
with the cleanliness of the borough
and less concerned about levels of
crime and anti-social behaviour –
The most dramatic being a
reduction in concern about
abandoned or burnt out vehicles
from 66 to 16 per cent.
Cllr Ray Puddifoot, Leader of the
Council said: “Inspections are
important for us to see how well
we are doing compared to other
London boroughs, but the real test
is what our residents think of the
services we provide. I am pleased
that our residents have told us that
we are improving the cleanliness of
the borough and are now feeling
safer in Hillingdon as these are both
two of our priorities.”
He added: “As well as our
residents telling us
we have
improved the
inspectors
have also
recognised the
significant
improvements
we have been
making across a
range of services,
such as those for
young people,
education and housing. We have
an ambitious improvement
programme to help ensure we
continue to make these
improvements, tackling
the things that our residents
tell us are important to
them.”
The inspectors also highlighted
that the council faces challenges in
relation to the services it provides
jointly with the PCT, which currently
has a significant budget deficit.
All of this means Hillingdon has
improved three quarters of its key
performance indicators, which is
above the national average.
The inspection gives councils an overall rating by assessing
individual services. The 2007 scores for Hillingdon are:
Corporate capacity to improve services 2
(How well the council is managed and our ability to improve)
Use of resources 3
(How effectively we spend money on services, value
for money and our financial strategy)
Environmental services 3
(Refuse collection, street cleaning, recycling services, (up from 2)
dealing with abandoned cars, graffiti removal)
Children and young people 2
(Education, youth services, fostering and adoption)
Adult social care arrangements 3
(Services for older people, people with disabilities)
Cultural services 2
(Libraries, arts, sports and leisure)
Housing services 4
(Quality of council housing, speed of repairs) (up from 3)
Housing and council tax benefits 4
(Payment of benefits to residents, level of fraud detection)
A score of 4 is an excellent rating – the highest rating possible
April/May 2007 • 7

council
Council tax –
Investing in your
priorities
Council tax bills have just dropped
through letterboxes and this year
they contain some good news for
the borough's older residents.
Hillingdon is the first London
borough (and only the second in
the UK) to give a reduction on the
amount of council tax for the over
65’s.The 2% discount has
automatically been applied and
should appear on your council tax
bill. As well as the discount for older
people, the council’s investing
significant amounts of extra money
in the things that you told us are
important to you, including the
environment, community safety, road
safety, the elderly, carers and youth.
At the same time, we have made
a number of internal efficiencies so
that we are providing value for
money for services.
This year, the council has had to
add 1% to council tax bills to pay
for the costs of supporting
unaccompanied asylum seekers
who have exhausted all appeals and
yet remain in the UK.
The council has been lobbying
the government for more than a
year and even took them to court
to claim the full costs of supporting
the children and young people who
come to Hillingdon through
Heathrow Airport.
Leader of the Council, Cllr Ray
Puddifoot said: "We have delivered
a local council tax increase of less
than 3% and invested significantly in
High Court result for Hillingdon
At the end of March, the High Court decided that the
Government had not acted unlawfully in changing the
amount of money Hillingdon gets to pay to support
unaccompanied asylum seekers.This means that
Hillingdon will have to continue to fund nearly £5m of
the costs of supporting unaccompanied asylum seekers,
as we do not receive full funding from government.
The council had brought the court case on the basis
that the government acted unlawfully by reducing the
amount of money we are given part-way through the
areas that our residents told us are
a priority.
By giving our older residents a
discount, it will make sure the
increase in council tax is likely to be
less than the increase they receive
in the state pension."
Cllr Puddifoot added: "However,
as we have to cover the shortfall in
funding for unaccompanied asylum
seeking children (UASC) we can no
longer afford the costs of
supporting UASC's who have
exhausted all appeals (EAA). We
have been open and honest about
this and will continue to press our
case for the Government to fully
fund all costs associated with the
national asylum seeking policy."
"Asylum seeking children and
young people are children first and
in a civilised society we have a
responsibility to ensure their
welfare is protected and their
needs are met. When we asked the
government if they would
reimburse the EAA costs, we were
told they should be paid from
money provided for social services
and education which I am not
prepared to do as it would impact
on the borough's children and our
most vulnerable residents."
The council tax rate in Hillingdon
for 2007/08 has been set at 3.75%*.
Over the last five years, Hillingdon
has had the lowest rate of council
tax increases of any of its West
London neighbours.
Over 65s council
tax discount –
your questions
answered
Q Who will receive the 2%
discount?
13,000 people in Hillingdon
have been identified as eligible
for the 2% discount.
Q I already receive council
tax benefit, will I also be
eligible to receive the 2%
discount?
If you already receive council
tax benefit you will not be
eligible for the discount.
Q Do I need to apply for the
discount?
You do not need to apply for
the discount as it will
automatically be taken off your
council tax bill.
Q What do I do if I believe I am
entitled to the discount but
it is not shown on my bill?
You should contact the council
on 01895 250000 and we will
look at your details to see if
you qualify for the discount.
Q What details will I need to
give?
You will only be asked for
your full name, address, council
tax account number and date
of birth.
Q What should I do if I have
any questions about the
over 65s council tax
discount?
Please contact 01895 250000
* The increase for a Band D
property is £39.05 a year.
Taken together with the increase
in the Greater London Authority
(GLA) precept of 5.3%, the
overall increase to taxpayers in
Hillingdon is 4.08%.
year.The council also made the case that by having the
World's busiest international airport in the borough
Hillingdon is unique and should be funded differently to
other councils.
Cllr Ray Puddifoot, Leader of the Council said: "We
are extremely disappointed at this judgement, as we
believe we have a strong case for us to receive the full
costs for supporting the national policy on
unaccompanied asylum seekers.
He added: "That Hillingdon has shoulder the burden
of this is scandalous and we will continue to press the
government for fair funding on this issue.
8 •
April/May 2007

Fight against Heathrow
expansion continues
feature
The council has joined forces with 11 other
local authorities* to continue the fight against
expansion at Heathrow. Called the 2M Group,
the alliance aims to represent the 2 million
people whose quality of life affected by the
airport.
Campaign group HACAN
ClearSkies has already praised the
organisation for publishing the maps
highlighting the likely flight paths to
and from Heathrow if a third
runway goes ahead and a new
petition on the Downing Street
website is urging people to show
their support to the campaign.
Hillingdon Council Leader, Cllr
Ray Puddifoot said: "The council is
working as part of the 2M group to
help bring attention to the massive
objections to expansion at
Heathrow.
The detrimental effects of a third
runway at Heathrow are immense.
Our residents already deal with the
environmental impacts of having
Heathrow on their doorstep, for
example pollution levels in the
villages around the airport currently
exceed EU guidelines.
We appreciate that the airport is
a large regional employer and has
international status but if you
include the environmental costs of
aviation, the ‘economic benefit’ soon
turns to deficit. This expansion
could wipe out whole villages and
we will continue to fight it at every
opportunity.”
More information at
www.2MGroup.org.uk
* The 2M Group comprises the
London Boroughs of Ealing,
Hammersmith and Fulham,
Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kensington
and Chelsea, Richmond and
Wandsworth. Authorities outside
London include Slough, South Bucks,
Spelthorne and Windsor and
Maidenhead.
On the bench
Hillingdon People met with John to
find out a bit more about his role
and how Hillingdon magistrates are
helping community safety.
What experience or qualifications do
you need to become a magistrate?
Anyone over 18 and under 65
can apply to be a magistrate. No
special qualifications are required
and interviewers look for common
sense, integrity, and a commitment
to serving the community.
Magistrates receive full training as
well as guidance from the higher
courts.
www.first-avenue.co.uk
Bench Chairman, Richard Bristow JP is one
of the faces of justice in Hillingdon. A former
Hillingdon pupil and magistrate for over
twenty years, John is one of 110 magistrates
working at Uxbridge Magistrates Court.
Do you get a salary?
No, we are unpaid although some
expenses are paid and there may
be help with childcare costs where
applicable.
Why is it so important that judges
are independent of government?
In a democracy it is a vital
protection for the citizen that an
impartial and independent judiciary
administers the law.This protection
goes right back to Magna Carta.
How many cases are dealt with by
the magistrates’ courts, rather than
the crown courts?
Around 95 per cent of criminal
cases start and are completed in
the magistrates’ court.
What sort of cases have you dealt
with?
We see a huge range of cases
from simple motoring offences to
assault, theft, environmental
offences, drugs offences, and a large
number of customs cases from
Heathrow Airport, most of them
involving the importation of drugs.
What would you say to people who
think that the courts are too lenient?
Sentencing is an enormously
complex subject and no two cases
are alike. In some cases a fine is
appropriate, in others a community
sentence can punish people while
making them pay back something
to society-community penalties
these days are onerous (up to 300
hours unpaid work for example).
They can be combined with other
initiatives, like drug treatment to get
to the root cause of someone’s
offending behaviour.
What would you say to anyone
interested in local justice?
Being a magistrate is fascinating
and I feel privileged to be doing the
job. We’re always interested in
talking to people interested in
applying to join the bench.
April/May 2007 • 9

feature
Going smokefree in
This year’s No Smoking Day signalled the countdown to
Smokefree England when smoking will be banned in virtuallly all
enclosed public places and workplaces.
On Sunday July 2007, it
will be against the law
to smoke indoors in
places such as pubs,
bars, nightclubs, cafes, restaurants,
lunch rooms, membership clubs and
shopping centres. For workers,
smoking inside will become a thing
of the past, and indoor smoking
rooms will no longer be allowed.
Public transport and work vehicles
(including company cars) used by
more than one person must also
be smokefree.
In November 2004, the
government published a white
paper called
“Choosing Health:
Making healthy
choices easier.”
The paper set out
recommendations
for making
workplaces
smokefree. In
February 2006, MPs voted to
prohibit smoking in all public places
in England and in December 2006
the new law was announced.
As Caroline Flint, minister of
state for public health pointed out:
“This is one of the most significant
pieces of public health legislation of
the last 50 years.Thousands of lives
will be saved every year and many
thousands more will be spared the
misery of watching friends and
family die prematurely. It will create
the single biggest improvement in
public health for a generation.”
Smoking is the single
biggest cause of
preventable death
accounting for 106,000
deaths a year.
England is following the examples
of countries such as Sweden,
Ireland, Norway, New Zealand,
Malta and Italy who have already
gone smokefree
successfully.
Scotland was the
first in the UK to
introduce the
smoking legislation
on 26 March 2006 and will be
followed by Wales on 2 April this
year.
Kathy Sparks, deputy director of
environment and consumer
protection, said: “As a first step
and before the
restrictions
come into force,
the council will
be providing
support and
guidance to
smokers,
residents and
businesses to raise awareness and
ensure that the new law is
understood.”
Definition of
‘enclosed’
‘Premises will be
considered to be
enclosed if they
have a ceiling or
roof and, except
for doors,
windows and
A smokefree England
will ensure a healthier
environment.
At least one thousand
people are estimated
to die each year in the
UK as the result of
exposure to other
people’s tobacco smoke.
passageways, are wholly enclosed,
whether on a permanent or
temporary basis.’
Penalties
Each local council
will identify
enforcement
officers, who will
be authorised to
issue the following penalties:
• Failure to display a no smoking
signs: up to £1000 or a fixed
penalty notice of £200. (A5 signs
are required at every public
entrance, main entrance to a
building, staff/service entrances
will require smaller no smoking
signs).
• Smoking in a no-smoking place:
up to £200 or a penalty notice of
£50
• Failing to prevent smoking in a
smokefree place: up to £2500
The final penalty amount will be
decided by the courts rather that
the council.
Get ready for Smokefree
England, make
a fresh start
On No Smoking
Day, 14 March, we
challenged
residents to give
up the cigarettes
and make a fresh
start. A fresh
start means no
longer smelling of smoke, having
smoker’s breath or watching your
hard earned cash go up in smoke!
10 •
April/May 2007

Hillingdon
feature
And with England
going smokefree
from 1 July, there’s
no better time to
make a fresh start
that lasts forever.
Giving up
smoking is the single best thing that
smokers can do for their health. It
also protects our children and loved
ones from the dangers of passive
smoking, and shows consideration
for the many people who have to
work in smoky environments. It helps
us to live longer,
healthier lives
untainted by
smoky clothes and
breath, nicotine
tinged fingers and
CASE STUDY
Barry Mullock, age 59 from
Ruislip was offered group “quit
smoking” support through his
employer, Wrights Machinery,
South Ruislip. He is part of a
group of eight who have
stopped smoking and are doing
well. Here is Barry’s story:
“I was smoking 40 a day over the
Christmas break. When Wrights
offered us the quit smoking
programme, I knew I had to do it,
especially since my body could
start repairing itself from the day
I gave up. I had a stroke during
an operation for vascular disease
which left me blind in one eye – I
should have given up then.
I gave up on January 16, one
day before the rest of the group.
It was hard at first but it’s getting
much easier now. I still have a
few cravings but I haven’t lapsed
75% of the population
does not smoke and of
those that do, 70%
want to give up.
83% of Londoners
support smokefree
legislation.
overflowing
ashtrays.
Many services are
available to help
smokers quit
forever. The
Hillingdon Stop
Smoking Service offers treatment
services to smokers which can
double their chances of making a
successful attempt to quit, they
have an amazing 67% success rate!
This free service is available to all
smokers in Hillingdon.
Healthy
Hillingdon, the
PCT, Brunel and
Hillingdon Council
carried out
displays, events
at all. The weekly sessions are
helpful, we share our struggles
and tips, and I get free nicotine
patches too. I’m working my way
through the NHS leaflets as well. I
took some of the leaflets’ advice
and it’s been helpful, like not
drinking for the first two weeks
so I wouldn’t be tempted. I’ve
changed other habits too, like my
morning routine. I’ve been
reducing the strength of my
patches – next week I’ll be on
the lowest dose.
I’m really pleased I’ve given up
and I won’t be going back to it. I
feel like I‘m doing well, so I’m not
going to go back to smoking now.
I’m trying to convince my son,
David to give up too, although
he’s only a social smoker. Still,
that’s how I started.”
and outreach with a range of
businesses and organisations
including supermarkets, RAF bases,
leisure centres, schools and libraries.
Cllr Philip Corthorne, Hillingdon
Council’s Cabinet member for
adult social care health and
housing, said, “Giving up smoking
remains the best thing that any
smoker can do for their health.
With lots of free support available,
there’s no reason not to make a
fresh start.”
Secondhand smoke is
known to cause lung
cancer and heart
disease in humans.
Contacts
For advice or information on the
smokefree legislation:
Visit:
www.smokefreehillingdon.gov.uk
Email: smokefree@hillingdon.co.uk
Call: the smokefree information
line on 0800 169 169 7
Anyone wanting information about
what their business needs to do
to comply with the new legislation
can contact Hillingdon Council’s
environmental health team on
01895 250 190.
In the lead up to 1 July, many
smokers may think about stopping.
To find out more about
Hillingdon’s stop smoking services:
Visit: www.hillingdon.nhs.uk/
stopsmoking
Email: stopsmoking@hillingdon.nhs.uk
Call: 0800 1697541
or ask your local GP practice,
pharmacy or hospital.
Alternatively call the NHS Smoking
Helpline free on 0800 169 0 169,
Visit: www.gosmokefree.co.uk or
Text:‘GIVE UP’ and your postcode
to 88088.
April/May 2007 • 11

leisure
Making a splash
A trip to the local
pool just got a
whole lot more
adventurous for
Hillingdon’s 10 to
14 year olds...
Swimming is easily one of the most
popular sports for children, with
girls rating it as their favourite.*
(No prizes for guessing what’s
number one for boys). So Hillingdon
and five other west London councils
recently decided to tap into this
enthusiasm, and have teamed up
with the government agency, Sport
England, to offer children some
aquatic activities with a difference.
Over the next year, local children
will have the chance to take part in
Aqua Extreme events, organised by
the sporty partnership, Pro-Active
West London. The first morning of
fun took place at Hayes Pool during
February half term, when children
were lucky enough to be joined in
the water by former Olympic
swimmer, Stephen Parry.
Under Stephen’s watchful eye
and egged on by his Scouse sense
of humour, 40 water-loving
youngsters took turns trying out
kayaking, diving, mini water polo and
‘aquafit’ – an excellent form of
exercise for people of all ages.
Later, during a short break from the
exertion, the children sat down on
the poolside for an inspiring talk by
the former Olympic team captain,
on how he became involved in
competitive swimming and his
subsequent journey to the top.
Other activities that will be
offered over the next year include
synchronized swimming and life
guarding skills, so there really will be
something for everyone.
"Aqua Extreme is about showing
children just how many different
types of aquatic sports there are,”
Cllr Henry Higgins joins Stephen Parry at the poolside.
says Stephen, who won a bronze
medal in the 200m Butterfly at
Athens in 2004. “Now I’m retired
from competitive swimming,
getting more people involved in
water sports is something I’m
passionate about.
“Part of this involves finding and
nurturing talented young swimmers,
but I also want to show all kids
what great fun there is to be had in
the water.”
Hillingdon’s Cabinet member for
culture, sport and leisure, Henry
Higgins, was also at Hayes Pool
although sensibly, he chose to keep
dry and watch from the sides. “Our
aim is for children to enjoy sports
that they wouldn’t otherwise get to
experience,” he said, “and judging by
the enthusiasm I’ve seen today, I
think we certainly achieved that!"
Future Aqua Extreme events will
take place during half term breaks
and school holidays, in the boroughs
of Hillingdon, Brent, Ealing, Harrow,
Hammersmith & Fulham and
Hounslow. For more information
or to book a place for your child,
call Hillingdon Council sports
development on 01895 250453.
*Office of National Statistics report -
Participation in selected sports by young people
outside lessons: by sex, 2002: Social Trends 34
12 •
April/May 2007

Get set – go!
leisure
PE lessons have long been a
highlight of the school day for
children, but sporty pupils at five
Hillingdon schools will be looking
forward to them even more, since
the council secured a generous
grant from the Big Lottery Fund
which has lead to some impressive
new sports facilities.
School children aren’t the only
ones to benefit though. Local
communities are also reaping the
benefits of new floodlit tennis and
netball courts, grass pitches, hard
multi-sport areas and more.
Cllr Henry Higgins, the council’s
Cabinet member for culture, sport
and leisure, is particularly excited
about what the improvements will
mean. "The new school facilities are
excellent”, he said.“As well as
improving health and raising
standards in education, they could
offer opportunities for many socially
disadvantaged young people.
“We hope the local community
will take full advantage, Cllr Higgins
continued. “Not only will the new
facilities help to build links between
schools and local sports clubs, they
should also make it easier for young
people to stay active and involved
in sports after they’ve left school."
Following the council’s successful
bid for lottery cash, schools were
chosen that were most in need of
better sporting provisions, and since
it was crucial that local
communities could make use of
them too, locations of the schools
were also key. Dr Triplett’s CE
Primary School was one of the
lucky ones to benefit. As well as
having a new pavilion and multi-play
area, the school now has a tennis
academy in its grounds. Head
teacher Brian Paul has high hopes
for children now. “Participation in a
range of sports is a vital part of
every child's education”, he said.
“Children at Dr Triplett’s now have
opportunities they didn’t have
before – one or two may even be
the tennis stars of the future!”
Dr Triplett’s CE Primary School
A community tennis centre and home for the Hillingdon Academy of
Tennis has been created in the old school playing field.
Mellow Lane School
A floodlit synthetic football and hockey pitch has replaced an old floodprone
pitch. Local clubs are already making full use of this and the brand
new changing rooms.
Bishopshalt School
A redundant playground has been transformed into six floodlit
tennis/netball courts and a mutli-games area which now hosts boroughwide
matches and competitions.
The Douay Martryrs School
A new multi-use hard games area has enabled a packed programme of
sports for both the school and wider community.
Holy Trinity CE Primary
A new natural turf pitch will bring an end to the inconvenient journeys
children had to make to pitches based in other parts of the borough, and
the Northwood community are welcome to make use of it too.
A goal for the south of the borough
Five-a-side football is increasingly popular for people of all ages, and a new
sports development in Hayes should be enough to coax even armchair
footballers back into their trainers.The all-weather, floodlit Goals Soccer
Centre in Minet Country Park will be complete by the summer and the
complex will include a health and fitness suite as well as 12 courts, and
free use for voluntary and social groups.
April/May 2007 • 13

community
Hillingdon is...
Following a successful pilot in Townfield,
a new initiative aimed at improving local
areas is being rolled out across the borough.
Focussing on engagement, education
and enforcement the Streets Ahead
initiative is being led by the council
and involves a range of partners –
including the Metropolitan Police,
Safer Neighbourhoods Teams,
London Fire Brigade, Hillingdon
Homes, Driver and Vehicle Operator
Services agency (VOSA), Probation
Service, Department of Work and
Pensions, and the DVLA (Driver
and Vehicle Licensing Agency).
Over 30 council teams took part
in the activities completed as part
of the Townfield pilot, which
included truancy sweeps, graffiti
removal, community litter picks, car
park and street cleansing, bulky
waste removal, advice on claiming
benefits, how to fireproof your home
and safer neighbourhood teams
advice surgeries.There were also
vehicle inspections, food outlet and
health and safety inspections,
highways and utilities enforcement,
park patrols and much much more.
Cllr Sandra Jenkins, Cabinet
member for environment, said: “The
day was a huge success and I would
like to thank everyone who took
part. I was very impressed with the
way a wide range of agencies
worked closely together to improve
the quality of life for residents in
Townfield.This is an excellent
initiative and will make Hillingdon a
cleaner, greener and safer place for
people to live.”
Some of the actions that took place in Townfield on the
first Streets Ahead day:
• Large scale graffiti removed from 42 locations
• Over 300 tonnes of waste removed, 95% of which was bulky
household waste.
• 3 untaxed and 1 abandoned vehicles removed.
• The council’s environmental health team visited 29 premises on the
day. One catering food business closed down and one retail food
business volunteered to close due to the discovery of heavy
infestation of pests.
• Trading standards visited 17 premises and all 17 were served with
corrective notices to make improvements in relation to weighing
equipment and pricing.
• During truancy checks eight children thought to be truants were
stopped by school welfare officers. Letters will be sent to schools
and parents informed – which the council will be following up.
• Three dog owners were giving dog fouling warnings and two other
owners were asked to put their dogs on leads.
• The DVLA stopped approximately 46 untaxed vehicles.
Contacts
For more information on Streets
Ahead visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/
streetsahead or email
streetsahead@hillingdon.gov.uk
14 •
April/May 2007

Getting to grips
with graffiti
feature
Most view graffiti tags as
eyesores that blight
communities. This view is
reflected in the sheer volume
of reports that the council’s
graffiti removal team receives
from residents. But Hillingdon
is a step closer to winning the
battle against this unsightly
criminal damage following
the appointment of
dedicated anti-graffiti
officer, PC Barry Cilia.
PC Cilia will coordinate the
borough’s graffiti action plan, working
with local residents and the council,
who fund his post.The council is
determined to crack down on
prolific taggers and hopes PC Cilia’s
appointment will mean better use of
intelligence and more prosecutions.
He will also develop a database of
graffiti hotspots, help to secure
warrants for more arrests of taggers
and their ‘crews’, and work with
schools as a preventative approach.
PC Cilia has worked for the
metropolitan police for 12 years, and
was most recently on the Uxbridge
Safer Neighbourhoods team.“I’m
thoroughly committed to tackling
the problem of graffiti in the
borough, so am very much looking
forward to starting my new role”, he
says.“There is already a lot of
information and intelligence on the
problem – what is needed now is
somebody to convert it into hard
evidence, and this is where I come in.”
Cllr Sandra Jenkins, Cabinet
member for environment, is just as
PC Cilia’s first day at work
coincided with the first ever
Streets Ahead in Townfield, where
he spent the day handing out the
council’s new free graffiti removal
kits.
optimistic. “Dealing with graffiti is a
high priority for the council, as
removing it costs us a huge amount
of money,” she says. “The police’s
safer neighbourhoods initiative has
made a noticeable difference in
many parts of the borough, but we
really want to toughen up on
enforcement now and are looking
forward to what PC Cilia will help
us to achieve.”
What can you do?
The council is offering free graffiti
removal kits to Neighbourhood
Watch groups and street champions.
They are designed to deal with small
areas of graffiti that don’t need highpressure
washing. If you have use for
one of the kits, call the council on
01895 556 247 and enquire about
becoming a street champion.
PC Cilia’s top tips for keeping areas graffiti-free:
• Plant a hedge or a hanging or climbing plant in front of the fence or wall.
• Install a trellis to create an uneven surface.
• Increase visibility at night by installing a light – ones with sensors are
good as they only activate if somebody approaches.
• Protect exposed walls and fences with a graffiti protection product.
Check the Yellow Pages for suppliers.
• Paint walls or fences in dark colours such as brown or green. Any
graffiti will be much easier to cover using just one coat of paint than if
the surface is a lighter colour than the graffiti.
• If you have a brick wall that is being tagged, consider painting it. A
painted wall will be easier to keep graffiti-free because tags can simply
be painted over.
• Always remove or report graffiti as soon as possible, preferably within
24 hours, because one tag often attracts others.
April/May 2007 • 15

housing
Lady Craig Court – new, high quality apartments
for older people
A new £4.8m council housing development
for older people will be ready for its first
residents at the end of April.
Called Lady Craig Court, the 30,
two-bedroom apartments have
been designed to meet the needs
of people aged 60 and over, and
free up larger council homes, after
the council consulted with older
residents on Hillingdon’s housing
register.
Views were given on a number of
issues concerning the development
as it progressed, including the
detailed design of the homes,
building security, heating, design of
the communal garden and interior
finishes. From this, the ‘lifetime
homes’ were designed to provide
suitable accommodation for people
as they get older, with larger living
areas and doorways that could
accommodate wheelchairs*, private
balconies or patios and access to
communal gardens.
The development, which is located
in Harlington Road, has good
transport links and amenities nearby
and will be managed by Hillingdon
Homes.To ensure that the
development remains dedicated to
the needs of older people, the
apartments will be exclusively for
those aged 60 or over and all
tenants will live independently –
although some may receive support
in their homes or day centres.
Cllr Philip Corthorne, Hillingdon
Council’s Cabinet member for
adult social care health and housing
said: “The demand for apartments
at Lady Craig Court has been
testament to this project’s success.
We will be looking at the many
features that have made this project
truly successful, such as quality,
location and consultation, to build a
template for other new housing
projects for older people in
Hillingdon.”
The Lady Craig Court development
has been built through the council’s
housing revenue account building
program, which has included
projects to utilise previously unused
council land which had been targets
for anti-social behaviour, such as old
garage sites.
* each property would still need to
be adapted to suit a disabled
tenant’s particular needs
16 •
April/May 2007

Could you be a school governor?
With more than 1,200 school
governor posts in Hillingdon
and 170 of these posts
currently vacant, we need
you.
You don’t need to be a parent, know about
education, or be a particular type of person to be
a school governor. If you’re over 18 and want to
help children receive the best possible standard of
education, you can get involved.
But what does a school governor
do? Hillingdon People met a school
governor to find out.
Sean Boyce is chair of governors
at Hillside Infants in Northwood.
He works full time as a Sky TV
presenter, presenting shows including
At the Races and Sky Poker.
What made you decide to
become a school governor?
First and foremost I wanted to find
out more about the whole
education system. I felt as though
the changes that had taken place
since I was at school had left me
with a pretty poor understanding of
what lay ahead for my kids now
that they had started school.
I’d also been very impressed with
the head and the staff at Hillside
Infants School where our eldest
two had just begun their school
lives and was happy to help any
way I could. I had no idea what was
involved or what I would get out of
it when I set out but I’m very glad I
gave it a go. I’ve learned a huge
amount in a small space of time,
and for relatively little input in
terms of time and commitment. I
now have a hand in the
achievements and successes of a
great school.
How long have you been a
school governor?
Not long at all, not much more
than a year in fact. I’ve been able to
pick up an awful lot in that time by
asking lots of questions at meetings
(I’ve no shame at all about
appearing stupid!) and by attending
the training sessions laid on by
Hillingdon Council. They’ve been a
Sky TV Presenter,
Sean Boyce
“It’s one of the most
rewarding things I’ve
ever done.”
huge help and have given me the
confidence to go back and ask even
more questions!
Do you live locally to the
school where you are a
governor?
Yes, we’re lucky enough to live
within a few minutes walk of the
school.
What sort of things have you
been involved in since you’ve
been a governor?
Hillside Infants is a really happy,
thriving school with a well
established team of teaching staff so
I think perhaps I’ve been pretty
lucky in terms of what I’ve had to
deal with so far.
Our intake is very mixed in terms
of culture, nationality, language and
social background but the whole
ethos of the school is very inclusive
and supportive so all sorts of kids
from all kinds of backgrounds do
well. Our last lot of results were
outstanding and well above average
both nationally and locally.
There are still plenty of challenges
though – managing a tight budget
and making tough decisions isn’t
easy. I’m also very keen that we do
a better job in future of involving
our children, our parents and our
staff in telling the whole story of
the school to the wider community.
Some great stuff happens at our
school – as it does at every school
– and now that I’m involved I want
others to know what it’s all about
and what goes on there.
What is the most rewarding
thing you’ve found about
being a school governor?
Easily the most rewarding aspect is
the chance to lend a helping hand
to the team of professionals who
have the huge responsibility of
teaching our kids.They have such
an important job and by becoming
a governor I’ve learned much more
about what they do, and in a small
way have been able to contribute I
hope.
What would you say to
anyone thinking about
becoming a school governor?
Go for it.You’ve nothing to lose but
a few hours of your time. In return
you get to take part in the education
of our children.You can learn about
what goes on in the school and be
a part of shaping the school’s future
success.
There’s no money in it, of course,
but the other rewards you just
can’t get anywhere else. It’s one of
the most rewarding things I’ve ever
done.
Contacts
Email:
schoolgovernor@hillingdon.gov.uk
Tel: 01895 277349
Web: www.hillingdon.gov.uk/
schoolgovernor
School governors one-stop-shop:
www.sgoss.org.uk
education
April/May 2007 • 17

environment
Keeping up the good work
Since we added glass to our kerbside
recycling scheme back in December 2006,
the amount of dry recycling collected has
increased by 28%.
This has helped towards achieving an overall borough recycling rate of
approximately 30% for 2006/07.
Information about what can and can’t be recycled can sometimes be
confusing.To help make life easier, Hillingdon Council regularly updates the
table on its website showing exactly what materials can be recycled, which
should be placed into the white garden waste bags and which should still go
in the refuse sacks. For ease of reference, waste types are listed alphabetically.
www.hillingdon.gov.uk/environment/waste
Type of waste
Aerosol cans (do not pierce or squash them –
only put out empty aerosols)
Books (hard or plastic covers should be
removed and disposed of as waste)
Butter (and margarine) tubs
Cardboard
Cartons (made from paper and cardboard only)
Catalogues
Dead flowers
Directories
Disposable nappies
Drinks cans
Envelopes (remove any plastic windows)
Flower pots
Foil 1 (e.g. trays, containers)
Food cans
Food waste (e.g. kitchen scraps, peelings, etc)
Glass bottles and jars
Grass cuttings
Hedge clippings
Junk mail (remove any plastic windows)
Leaves
Magazines
Metal bottle tops and jar lids (put in loose)
Newspapers
Paper (i.e. office papers)
Plastic bags
Plastic bottles (includes milk bottles/yogurt bottles
such as Probiotic, Actimel/empty ‘make-up’ bottles etc)
Plastic bottle tops
Plastic trays
Polystyrene
Prunings
Shredded paper 2
Tetra packs (cartons with wax covers and
foil linings)
Twigs
Weeds
Wrapping papers
Yogurt pots
Clear White Refuse
recycling garden sacks
sacks waste (collected
(collected bags weekly)
weekly) (fortnightly)
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Free recycling
for charities
Charities and non profit organisations
are entitled to free recycling.
Items that can be recycled are the
same as in a domestic collection;
with frequency depending on the
size of the charity and the amount
of recycling produced. Any charity
wanting to use the service should
contact Hillingdon Council, and any
charity which has paid for recycling
since the start of the new year is
entitled to claim money back.
Contacts
Lynn Lewis on 01895 250815 or
llewis@hillingdon.gov.uk to
register.
1 Foil trays and other containers have
a much lower smelting point than
food and drinks cans which results in
the foil evaporating during the
recycling process.
2 Shredded paper acts like a textile
binding itself around the sorting
machinery resulting in additional
downtime and maintenance which is
why we do not want it in the
recycling bags.
This guide is continually developed
with the help and feedback from
Hillingdon residents. If you have a
specific query about a type of waste
not shown in the table then email
the council’s waste division at
dmjones@hillingdon.gov.uk You will
get a personal response and the
answer will also be used to update
the table.
18 •
April/May 2007

environment
A breath of
fresh air
Although most of us will be relieved that summer is just around
the corner, warmer weather often means smog and poor air
quality, a real problem for those suffering from asthma or other
respiratory problems. But the council’s free air pollution alert
service could make life a lot easier, and even save lives.
Those who are most vulnerable to
pollution can now register to
receive airTEXT alerts – advance
warnings of local air pollution levels,
on their mobile phone, via voicemail
or by email. People who sign up can
choose which part of London to
receive alerts for, as well as when to
receive the warning – either the
evening before, or on the morning
of a predicted high pollution day.
Philomena Bach, director of
environment and consumer
protection, said: “We hope this new
service will help to improve the
quality of life of those affected by
pollution and help them to better
manage their condition.”
An estimated 24,000 deaths
associated with air pollution occur
in the UK each year, with just as
many hospital admissions. AirTEXT
is being offered throughout
London, one of the most polluted
parts of the country, so the service
should help to reduce emergency
hospital admissions.The prior
warning of high pollution will mean
Londoners can take the necessary
precautions to protect their health,
such as taking a higher dose of
medication, staying indoors or
avoiding exercise outdoors.
To sign up to the airTEXT
scheme or go to
www.hillingdon.gov.uk/ airtext email
airtext@hillingdon.gov.uk or call
01895 250155.
April/May 2007 • 19

outdoors
Make the most of Hill
Six of the borough’s green open
spaces have received prestigious green
flag awards
Norman Leddy Memorial Gardens off
Grange Road, is a tranquil spot close
to Hayes town centre
Ruislip Woods National Nature reserve
was awarded the Green Flag Award for
the first time last year
Harefield Village Green was
awarded the Green Flag Award
for the second year running
Ruislip Woods
National Nature
Reserve
The largest block of ancient, seminatural
woodland in Greater
London, Ruislip Woods, includes
one of the most extensive
oak/hornbeam coppice woods in
southeast England. The site is
situated in northwest Middlesex,
and covers 726 acres, offering a
quiet haven for recreation activities
including walking and horse riding.
Fassnidge Park
A vibrant, welcoming park situated
in the centre of Uxbridge, that
offers something for everyone,
including a bowling green, tennis
courts, a children’s playground,
skateboard facility and a number of
horticultural features.
Harefield Village
Green
This historic village green located in
the heart of Harefield village
conservation area is a registered
common dating back to 1813.
There is a small children’s
playground, a village pond and a
war memorial. Events and
celebrations have taken place here
for many years and it continues to
be enjoyed by the people of
Harefield today and helps create
and sustain a real sense of
community in the village.
20 •
April/May 2007

ingdon’s green spaces
Green Spaces Greenstat Survey
outdoors
Fassnidge Park has facilities for all
the family including an amazing
children’s playground
Norman Leddy
Memorial Gardens
This formal garden contains a wide
range of trees, shrubs, herbaceous
perennials and bulbs, providing
colour and interest throughout the
year.The peaceful and tranquil
nature of this site has made it a
popular location for the planting of
commemorative trees and shrubs.
There is a well-used network of
paths most of which form part of
the borough’s Access Trails, walks
for disabled people.
Lake Farm
Country Park
This innovative country park close
to Hayes town centre combines
wildlife habitats with sports facilities
and formal recreation areas.The
park’s facilities include children’s
playgrounds, a BMX racetrack, skate
park, bridleway, trim trail and a
network of paths allowing people
of all abilities to explore the area.
Cranford
Countryside Park
An attractive 53 hectare former
country estate retaining much of its
charm and tranquillity. An excellent
example of nature conservation, the
woodlands, wildflower meadows
and wetlands support a wide range
of wildlife. Facilities include guided
walks, wildlife and historic displays,
wildlife garden, classroom,
orienteering course, nature and
historic trail, playground, community
orchard and horse riding.
A big thank you from Hillingdon
Council’s green spaces team to
everyone who took part in the
borough’s first “Greenstat” survey, a
new web based tool that helps
local people to give their views on
the borough’s green spaces.
Below are some of the most
frequently asked questions by
residents who took part in the
survey, and the council’s responses.
Responses to all points raised can
be found at www.hillingdon.gov.uk/
greenspaces
Q1 – How can I find out
information on all parks in
the borough?
There is a leaflet showing all the
parks and green spaces in
Hillingdon, including main facilities
and attractions at each site. We can
send you a copy of this if you
provide your contact details on the
survey form. Alternatively you can
call the customer contact centre on
01895 556000 for a copy.
Q2 – Shrubs should be
pruned according to their
flowering period, not all
beheaded simultaneously in
autumn, can you resolve
this please?
Yes, this is one of the issues that
the council will be addressing
through the change to our grounds
maintenance contracts, which start
on 1 April.
Q3 – The questionnaire is a
great idea to get public
opinion, but what timescales
can we expect before
improvements are made?
The key findings from the survey
have been fed into the council’s
green spaces team action plan for
the coming year (April 2007 to
March 2008).
Q4 – As a local resident I
would like to be involved in
the improvements being
made to my local park.Will
you be taking a proactive
approach to making
improvements?
Suggestions for improvements will
be used in 2007/08, where
possible. Green spaces officers will
respond directly to residents by
the end of April.
We are now starting the spring
survey so if you would like to take
part visit the ‘have your say’ section
of the council website.
This online survey is open to all
Hillingdon residents and is
accessible from the “have your say”
page of the council web site –
www.hillingdon.gov.uk. 2000 paper
copies of the Greenstat survey
forms have also been sent to all
libraries throughout the borough
and country park visitor centres at
Ruislip Woods, Minet Country Park
and Cranford Park.
We welcome anyone who would
like to help care for their local park
or even organise a healthy, positive
community event in a green space.
For more information please provide
your contact details when completing
the questionnaire and indicate you
are happy for us to contact you.
Contacts
For further information about any
of Hillingdon’s green spaces, call
the green spaces team on
01895 250635, email greenspaces
adminteam@hillingdon.gov.uk
For all other issues relating to
green spaces:
visit: www.hillingdon.gov.uk/
greenspaces
email: contactcentre1@
hillingdon.gov.uk
call the customer contact centre
on 01895 556 000
April/May 2007 • 21

Have you made a will?
The Will Group
(established 1991)
offer a comprehensive service
Single will £55 (inc VAT)
Pair of wills £70 (inc VAT)
Home visits at any time
included in the fee.
We also offer:
• Will storage with free updating
• Inheritance tax planning
• Tenancy in common
• Enduring Powers of Attorney
Telephone for a free
brochure or appointment
01895 635490
WillGroupMiddx@aol.com
Low Cost Counselling
and Life Skills Training
Do you want
new opportunities
for exploration
and growth?
Counselling
can do just that!
Call Michael Dolphin on
t: 01923 610748
m: 07947 589605
Enhancing the quality of life and self esteem
of individuals and local communities
e: Support@lowcostcounselling.co.uk
w: www.lowcostcounselling.co.uk
Advertisements
Do you have unwanted
furniture in good condition?
By donating furniture to the Yeldall Shop
you can help local disadvantaged people
gain new skills and get a job.
Our social enterprise sells good quality
unwanted furniture and electricals, providing
paid employment and training to disadvantaged
people and bargain prices to the public.
For free and friendly collections:
020 8797 9505
shop@yeldall.org
Visit us at 5–7 Willowtree Lane, Hayes, UB4 9BB
Open 6 days a week.
The Yeldall shop based in Yeading was established in 1999.We are
members of the Furniture Refuse Network, an “Investor in
People” and a Registered Charity No. 1075692 and Company
No. 3683014.
For more information visit our website www.yeldall.org
Private
Chiropodist
Home visits for the
treatment of:
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Is your body experiencing toxic overload?
Do you suffer from:
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• Bloating? • Difficulty losing weight?
You deserve to experience outstanding
health, vitality and energy again!
You could have up to 20lbs of impacted matter
in your system! If too many toxins build up in
the colon,they can be reabsorbed back into the
body and can cause health problems.
LAG Cosmetics & Therapy
020 8797 1966
We are a member of International Association
of Colon Hydrotherapy
(Single Opportunity Lodgings scheme)
run by Frays Charitable Housing Association Ltd
Accommodation wanted
Do you have a spare room in your house?
Professional
teeth whitening
at a fantastic affordable price
* from £149
LAG Cosmetic & Therapy
020 8797 1966
Your satisfaction
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A beautiful smile in under
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Would you like to earn up to £81.73 per week, tax free?
We need lodgings NOW for our list of clients
We offer personal advice, care and support - FREE!
All clients are interviewed and matched to your
requirements.
For further information contact Teresa Simmonds
on 01895 678026
Hillingdon Primary Care Trust Board Meetings
Hillingdon Primary Care
Trust Board Meetings
17 April 2007 Kirk House
15 May 2007 Kirk House
19 June 2007 Kirk House
17 July 2007 Kirk House
Kirk House, 97-109 High Street,
West Drayton, Middlesex UB7 7HJ
All PCT board meetings start at 2pm
and end at 4pm and are held in public.
22 •
April/May 2007

Hillingdon’s young
people get involved
youth
Having their say
Hillingdon’s young people got involved in issues that affect them at the
council’s youth conference in February. Children, aged 11 to 17, joined
together to address a range of subjects -– from the environment, crime and
the law, to education and emotional health.
New members of the UK Youth Parliament were also elected on the day
after presenting their manifestos. Martin Baker and Gbenga Adelana
(pictured left to right) were voted members of the youth parliament for the
coming year.
More than 250 young people from around the country attend the UK
Youth Parliament as elected members (known as MYPs), representing their
peers views to national and local government, providers of youth services
and other agencies with an interest in young people.
MYPS meet the Mayor, Cllr David Rowtledge. Photo
courtesy of Gazette Newspaper
Making a difference
A project aimed at giving young
people the opportunity to learn
new skills and challenge the popular
stereotype that all young people
are anti-social was crowned winner
at a youth challenge event in
Feburary, organised by the council.
The project, established and run by
a group of young people called
‘Team Talent’, offers workshops in
urban drumming, street dance, break
dance, lyric writing and basketball
skills.
Competing against the winning
team was 27 other youth projects,
developed and run by young
people, who received more than
£350,000 in 2006/07 thanks to the
Youth opportunities:Team Talent
government’s youth matters funding
and the same amount is now
available for 2007/08.
Hillingdon Council distributed the
youth opportunity and youth
capital funding for projects that give
young people aged 13 to 19 more
things to do and places to go.The
28 successful projects were chosen
from 45 bids for the funding and
were judged by Hillingdons youth
opportunities panel, made up of
young people.
The winner,Team Talent, received
a prize of £1,500 and will compete
in the national competition on
March 29, where they have been
shortlisted in the top 30 youth
matters projects from across the
UK.The competition, organised by
the National Youth Agency and
funded by the Department for
Education and Skills (DfES) gives
the team the chance to win up to
£40,000.
Cabinet member for education
and children’s services, Cllr David
Simmonds, said: “This is a fantastic
example of young people who are
really making a difference and we’re
proud of their achievements. We’re
delighted that money is available
again this year so why not get
invovled?”
The council is now inviting young
people to bid for the youth matters
funding for 2007/08.Young people,
either individually or part of a group,
aged 13 to 19 who have a great idea
that will benefit the local community
and other young people can apply
for the funds. Contact Jenny Glen
or Janet Jennings on 01895 277816
for more information and an
application pack.
Big achievers
The sixth annual young achievers
awards will take place on May 10 at
the Beck Theatre in Hayes.Young
people from Hillingdon, aged 13 to
25, will be rewarded for a variety of
achievements, from community
participation and volunteering work
to sporting accomplishments and
significant personal development.
Look out for the winners in the next
issue of.
April/May 2007 • 23

First Aid at Work and
Paediatric First Aid
courses for 2007
+Hillingdon Council’s Safety Services
now offer First Aid at Work courses
one day a week, on Saturdays or in
the evenings.
We also offer evening and weekend
courses in Paediatric First Aid.
Information and booking details for
these or our other courses, can be
found at: www.hillingdon.gov.uk
(under Business/health & safety).
For times and dates
please contact
the training team
on 01895 250866
Advertisements
C
an you
ycle Safely?
Your local road
safety team offers
free cycle
training to all
children living
or attending
school in the borough.
For more information, visit
www.hillingdon.gov.uk
(type in ‘cycling’ in the A-Z
section)
Telephone 01895 250950
Casual
Cycle trainers
wanted
Keen on cycling?
Earn good money at hours to
suit you
Make a contribution to the
community and become a
cycle trainer
Trainers are needed for:
- Term time
- School holidays
- On Saturdays
- Weekdays and twilight sessions
You should have your own bike
and plenty of enthusiasm.
To apply call the council’s road safety
officer on 01895 250950 or email
afulton@hillingdon.gov.uk
Hillingdon Community Furniture Store & 1st MoveAbility
have now moved to new larger premises at
Trimfleet House,Arundel Road, Uxbridge.
This means that we will be able to take more donations
of household furniture including ‘white goods’, giving a
wider selection of items to our customers.
It’s a great way to re-use good quality, unwanted
furniture and help other residents in need.
For more information ring: 01895 256655
For removal enquiries ring: 01895 810151
Fully Insured.
1stmobility@fsbdial.co.uk
www.1stmoveability.co.uk
Important notice for
people with disabilities
As from 1 April 2007 the Post Office will be
taking over the issue of Freedom Passes for
people with disabilities who live in Hillingdon.
At this stage, if you already have a Freedom Pass,
you do not need to do anything.
After the 1 April 2007, and if your Freedom Pass is
stolen, damaged or lost, you will still need to come
to the Civic Centre or your Community Mental
Health Team for a letter of authorisation for the
Post Office to replace your pass.
If you are a new applicant for the Disabled Freedom
Pass, you should firstly apply at the Civic Centre,
Uxbridge, or your local community mental health
team to see if you are eligible for a Freedom Pass,
and then we will tell you what to do next.
If you have any questions about this change, please
call 01895 250202.
Which date
will you choose?
Paying by direct debit is the easiest and most
convenient way to pay your council tax
• Choose from four payment dates
• Your bill is paid automatically
• There’s no paperwork
• One call is all it takes
Interested?
Tel: 01895 250000
(9am to 5pm)
24 •
April/May 2007

Spring is in the air
events
A packed programme of Easter and spring activities being offered
by the council will ensure youngsters don’t get bored and might
even pick up a new skill or two!
Multi
sport
camp
Do you want the
peace of mind
that your child is
a safe, happy,
and making
friends? The
multi sport
camp for
eight to
eleven year-olds,
taking place at
brand new
facilities at Dr
Triplett’s primary
school will ensure all of these and more, as kids will get
fit and learn new sports too. The camp is run by fully
qualified coaches and will include tennis, netball, tag
rugby, football, basketball and rounders.
When: 16–17 April, 10am–4pm
Where: Dr Triplett’s Primary School, Arcacia Ave, Hayes
Information: For children aged 8–11 years, £12 per day
www.first-avenue.co.uk www.first-avenue.co.uk
On your
bike
Cycling, coaching
and a ride along
the canal in the
morning will be
followed by an
opportunity to try
out Hawks BMX
track in the
afternoon.The
track is one of the
top regional
standards tracks in
the London Area!
The steep start hill with a newly constructed first
straight is thought to be one of the most challenging in
the South of England.This shouldn’t put off novice
cyclists though as the day will be suitable for all abilities.
When: 11 April, 10.00am–3.00pm
Where: Hillingdon Cycle Circuit, Springfield Road, Hayes
& Hawks BMX Track Dawley Road, Hayes
Information: For children aged 8–12 years. £10
So much
more than
just a kickabout…
A four-day
soccer
course based on the Brazilian philosophy of
developing technical competence will offer 8 to 12
year-olds the chance to learn Pele and Ronaldo’s
legendary tricks.The course will also include plenty of
opportunities to put newfound skills to the test, during
game practice.
When: 10, 11, 12 and 13 April, 10am–12pm
Where: GOALS Soccer Centre,Victoria Road, South
Ruislip
Information: For children aged 8–12 years. £16
Get crafty
Barnyard Babies sessions in all libraries this spring offer
stories, rhymes and craft activities for under-fives, who
must be accompanied by a parent or carer. Sessions run
on different days in different libraries until the middle of
April, and a special family craft session at Yeading library
on 16 April at 2pm will get everyone making bunny
ears, animal masks and sunny paper daffodils.
Information: For more details visit
www.hillingdon.gov.uk/kidsweb.
Parks R
Cool
11–19 year-olds
will have the
chance to discover
their hidden
talents as ‘Parks R
Cool’ comes to
Hillingdon Court
Park.The youth bus 'The Point' will be onsite for people
to try out music production and DJ skills on the CD
decks. Other free activities will include football coaching,
basketball, street dance, arts & crafts, cookery and much
more.
When: 10–14 April, 11am–5pm
Where: Hillingdon Court Park, Park Way, Hillingdon
Information: FREE!
April/May 2007 • 25

Council advertisement
Does your voluntary group
work with young people?
Is your group based
in Hillingdon?
Do you work mainly
with young people
resident in
Hillingdon?
If yes, you may be eligible for affiliation to Hillingdon Council’s
youth service.
Affiliation benefits include eligibility for capacity building assistance to help you
to increase your membership and contact with young people, help with premises
hire for special events and training assistance for your organisers and leaders.
Hillingdon Council’s youth service is now accepting applications for affiliation for 2007.
To apply, you can download an application form and further information from the
Hillingdon Council website www.hillingdon.gov.uk/communityandliving/youthservice
Existing 2006 affiliated groups can apply for capacity assistance now. Application forms
and further information can be downloaded from the website.
Alternatively, call Hillingdon Council’s youth service on telephone number
01895 277252 to request forms to be posted to you.
Please note: organisations affiliated to Hillingdon Council’s youth service for 2006 must
re-apply for affiliation in 2007.
Youth Opportunities Fund and Youth Capital Fund
Hillingdon Council has money available to be spent on projects that are initiated by
young people for the benefit of the community or for the benefit of young people.
Application forms and guidance notes are available from
the council’s website
www.hillingdon.gov.uk/communityandliving/youthservice
or alternatively call Hillingdon Council’s youth service on
01895 277252 to request forms to be posted to you.
26 •
April/May 2007

Time on your hands?
volunteers
Temporary admin
and office assistant
The Red Cross in
Uxbridge are looking for
a bright, honest person
willing to help in their
busy office two weeks
before, during and for
two weeks after the Red
Cross Appeal Week,
which run from 6 May
2007.
The Red Cross aim to
give comfort and
independence to the sick
and people with disabilities
through the short-term
loan of a wide variety of
medical equipment.
You will be required to
help organise the loan of
equipment as well as help
in the office answering
phones, meeting members
of the public, collating and
distributing information
and counting money.
Training will be given.
Are you ‘Green
Fingered’?
Mead House Day Service
in Hayes works with
people experiencing severe
and enduring mental
health problems, aiming
to promote recovery and
social inclusion within the
community.
They are looking for an
enthusiastic ‘green fingered’
volunteer to work with
staff and mental health
service users in their
gardening group. Share
your Ideas, knowledge and
skills and watch the garden
and the service users grow
and develop.
The volunteer will need
to have a knowledge of
gardening, including
planting, pruning, looking
after plants and general
garden maintenance as
well as an understanding
of mental health
problems. Support will be
given to the volunteer.
Charity fundraiser
Iver Nature Study Centre
is a wildlife garden in Iver
where individuals and
community groups
irrespective of their age,
ability or background can
come and take part in
organised activities for
educational, environmental
or therapeutic purposes.
It is a partnership project
managed by the
environmental charity,
Groundwork Thames
Valley on behalf of National
Grid and Hillingdon
Primary Care Trust.
The centre is looking
for a volunteer fundraiser
to work with the centre
manager to seek out
fundraising and
sponsorship
opportunities.You will
need fundraising and
grant writing experience.
Translators and
interpreters
Refugees in Effective and
Active Partnership
(REAP) is an independent
organisation with the
main aim of empowering
refugees and asylum
For more information on these appeals call the
Volunteer Centre Hillingdon on 01895 442730
seekers to reach their full
potential and to enable
them to rebuild their lives
within the UK.
They are looking for a
community Interpreter
with basic to
intermediate level
interpreting and
translation skills for
people from refugee and
asylum seeking
communities.You will
need to be bilingual with
English plus one or more
other languages.
Extensive training and
the chance to gain a
qualification are available.
Shopping assistant
Volunteers are needed to
help out for a few hours
on a Wednesday from 10
to 1pm to supervise
Be bowled over
young adults with
learning disabilities whilst
they run a home
shopping delivery service
for the elderly and house
bound.
This is a great
opportunity to train
these adults to become
independent and to
support a much needed
service for the elderly
and house bound.You
would be required to
assist with taking the
shopping over to a
sheltered housing area
close to Uxbridge town
centre, walking through
Tesco and M&S while
they select the shopping,
assist with the exchange
of money and ensuring
that our clients had
brought the correct
items.
As the weather starts to improve, why not take the
opportunity to exercise outdoors and give bowling a
try? You don’t have to be of a certain age to get
involved and many clubs will offer free taster sessions
for beginners.
Bowling is a sociable way to get healthy and you don’t
even need to pay for expensive kits – just turn up in
comfortable clothes and flat shoes give it a go…the
gym can wait for another day!
Free open days are being held at Ruislip Bowls Club
in May and June. For more information contact them on
01895 630592.
www.first-avenue.co.uk
free time
April/May 2007 • 27

picture posed by models
Could you
Foster or Adopt
a child for Hillingdon?
We need people like you to help make
a real difference to a child or young
person’s life.
Council advertisements
Hillingdon Council’s fostering and adoption
service would love to hear from you if you feel
you have time in your life to give a child or
young person real hope for the future.
Currently we are looking for:
Short and long term
foster carers
to provide safe homes for children of all ages
who cannot live with their birth families
Respite carers
able to help out a family of a child with disability
Adoptive families
wanting to make a family come true especially
for older children and sibling groups
Call us now on freephone
0800 783 1298
www.hillingdon.gov.uk/fostering
www.hillingdon.gov.uk/adoption
How can we help people with disabilities
become more independent?
Hillingdon Council and Hillingdon Primary Care Trust are working
with people with disabilities to review services that may be provided
through a new Independent Living Centre.
We need your views on whether you would find the following services useful:
· opportunities to try out mobility equipment and aids to help daily living
· self-assessment or assessment by a qualified professional Please help us
Tell us what you think by completing
· options to buy equipment directly
the survey at: www.hillingdon.gov.uk/consultation
· help to get a Blue Badge or Freedom Pass
· information from other people with disabilities
· an internet café with links to benefits and other useful information
· work schemes to help you gain new skills or qualifications
· help and support to apply for Direct Payments
· finding and training personal assistants
· rehabilitation and re-enablement
For help completing the survey please
telephone 020 7330 9170
28 •
April/May 2007

Useful information
Contacting the council
www.hillingdon.gov.uk
Civic Centre switchboard & out of hours 01895 250111
Library information desk 01895 250600
To report problems
www.hillingdon.gov.uk/services_online
Advice and support
To report housing benefit fraud and other frauduent
claims including the unauthorised occupation of
council housing 0800 389 8313
Anti-social behaviour 01895 556611
Children’s Information Service 0800 073 4800
Citizens’ advice 0870 126 4021
Hayes One Stop Shop 01895 556004
hayesonestop@hillingdon.gov.uk
Industrial or commercial noise 01895 250155
Racial harassment 0800 694 0240
Care services
www.hillingdon.gov.uk/care
To request social services for people aged over 65 years
or for younger people who have physical or sensory
disabilities. 01895 556633
Careline 01895 250380
Adoption and fostering 01895 277850
Drugs or sexual health for
young people up to 21 years 01895 257285
Community information
Hillingdon Age Concern 01895 431331
Hillingdon Racial Equality Council 020 8848 1380
London Fire Brigade (Hillingdon team) 020 7587 4402
NoTrag 020 8759 1677
Samaritans 01895 253355
Social Security (Benefits Agency) 020 8426 3000
Three Valley Water 0800 376 5325
Council tax
General enquiries & payments 01895 250000
Council tax benefits 01895 556666
Environment and street scene
To report abandoned cars, flytipping, graffiti, flooding,
grass cutting, parks and open spaces, potholes and
pavements, recycling, refuse collection, trees, street
lighting, parking appeals and request special collections.
01895 556000
Housing
www.hillingdon.gov.uk/housing
housingadvice&options@hillingdon.gov.uk
For enquiries for people facing homelessness, those who
need advice on housing rights and options, benefits,
Locata, temporary accommodation, energy grants and
private sector housing and to report domestic violence.
01895 556666
Empty properties helpline 01895 277438
Noise 01895 556666
Pest control 01895 250184 / 2772
Learning
www.hillingdon.gov.uk/learning
Advice and guidance (young people) 01895 257855
Enquiries about free school meals, travel,
uniform grants and school admission 01895 556644
Truancy hotline 01895 250858
Leisure
www.hillingdon.gov.uk/leisure
General leisure enquiries 01895 250453
sportsdev@hillingdon.gov.uk
Hayes Pool 020 8573 2785
Hayes Stadium 020 8573 0093
Highgrove Pool, Ruislip 01895 630753
Queensmead Sports Centre, Sth Ruislip 020 8845 6010
Local democracy
www.hillingdon.gov.uk/central/democracy
Councillors’ names, addresses and advice surgeries
01895 250600
Council meeting dates and agendas 01895 250636
Conservative group office 01895 250316/250728
Electoral registration 01895 250251
electoralservices@hillingdon.gov.uk
Labour group office 01895 250780/250271
Liberal Democrats group office 01895 277821
Mayor’s Parlour 01895 250764
Planning applications
www.hillingdon.gov.uk/environment/planning
Aviation applications 01895 277580
Building control enquiries, inspection
requests and dangerous structures 01895 250804
/05/06/07/08
Dangerous structures (out of hours) 01895 250111
Domestic planning applications 01895 250400/250401
Land charges enquiries 01895 250689
Major applications 01895 250404
Planning enforcement 01895 250604
Planning policy and environmental assessment 01895 250844
Planning reception 01895 250574/250834
Registration and fee enquiries 01895 250568
Telecoms applications 01895 250610
Transportation policy and projects 01895 277206
Hospitals
Harefield Hospital 01895 823737
Hillingdon Hospital 01895 238282
Mount Vernon Hospital 01923 826111
Northwick Park Hospital 020 8864 3232
Watford General Hospital 01923 244366
NHS Direct advice line 0845 4647
Police
Hayes 020 8569 1212
Ruislip 01895 271212
Uxbridge 01895 251212
West Drayton 01895 437212
hillingdon.enquiries@met.police.uk
Hillingdon Police Community Advice Line (for non urgent
matters), 10am to 5pm, Mon to Sat 020 8246 1860
section useful information
April/May 2007 • 29

30 •
April/May 2007
Advertisement

arts events in Hillingdon
children’s events
Rainbow Live!
Wed 11 April, 2pm
Stars of the top children’s
television programme Rainbow
take to the stage in a brand
new theatre show. Come and
join TV legends Zippy, George
and Bungle as they get up to all
kinds of fun and frolics in a
non-stop live show full of zip!
Tickets £8.50
The Beck Theatre
Nature Explorers
Organised by A Rocha UK
Sat 14 April, 10am – 12pm
A fun nature-oriented outing
for children and their parents
and carers. Activities will
include wild animal films,
exploration of the country
park, animal stories and crafts.
Suitable for children aged 5 to
11 with accompanying adult.
Free event
Minet Country Park
Art in the Park
Organised by A Rocha UK
Sat 14 April, 1pm – 3pm
Make you own painted vases
and paper flowers.
Free event
Minet Country Park
The Happy Prince
Sat 28 April, 11am
This classic story is retold using
puppets and large animated
sculptures, and contrasts the
harsh realities of a city in
winter with breathtaking scenes
of a warm Egyptian paradise.
A magical experience for
children and adults alike.
Suitable for children ages 5 plus.
Tickets: £5.50
Compass Theatre
crafts
Flower arranging
Presented by Ruislip
Northwood Flower
Arrangement Society
Tue 1 May, 7.30pm
A demonstration by Pat
Trunkfield entitled “Going for a
Song”
£5 entrance fee for visitors
Contact: 01923 822026.
Northwood College
dance
Authentic 50’s Rock ‘n’ Roll
By Live2Jive
Every Thur, 8pm – 11.30pm
Learn and dance the original
1950s jive with classes starting
at 8.15pm.
£5 including classes and club
Contact Live2Jive: 020 8866 9093
Ruislip Manor Sports
and Social Club
Viva Salsa!
Every Wed evening,
7.30pm – midnight
Learn and dance this popular
dance with classes.
£6 for club and classes, £4 club
only after 9.15pm
Contact: 020 8866 9093
Middlesex Suite, Civic Centre
Cultural Dance Day
Sat 26 May
Beginners taster workshops for
Flamenco, Ballroom and Line
dancing
Longmead Adult Learning Centre
music
Remember Delilah
Presented by the
Rotary Club of Pinner
Fri 11 May, 7.30pm
A charity event featuring Barry
Mason with all profits going to
Diabetes UK.
Tickets: £12
Box Office: 020 8866 7634
Winston Churchill Hall
Hits from the Blitz
Presented by Duggie Chapman
Thur 31 May, 2.30pm
We’ll meet again. A show full of
songs and stories from the
wartime era. With tunes made
famous by Vera Lynn, Gracie
Fields and many more.
Tickets £9 - £11
Box office: 020 8561 8371
Beck Theatre
outdoor events
Green Team Wednesday
Organised by A Rocha UK
Wed 11 April, 10am – 12.30pm
Come and help do some odd
jobs around the park.
Free event
Minet Country Park
Go Green Ruislip Woods
Festival
Presented by Ruislip Woods
Trust and Hillingdon Council
Sun 13 May, 12pm – 4pm
Come and celebrate Ruislip
Woods 10th anniversary of
becoming a National Nature
Reserve, and find out what you
can do to halt climate change.
Fun for all the family
Free event
Ruislip Woods, between the lido’s
railway station and the Water’s
Edge pub
poetry
Poetry Readings
Sun 15 April, 7pm
An hour of informal readings
by local people – not too
serious!
Admission free.
St Martin’s Church, Ruislip
theatre
Humble Boy
Presented by Proscenium
Wed 25 – Sat 28 April, 7.45pm
A comedy by Charlotte Jones
about broken vows, failed hopes
and the joys of bee-keeping!
Tickets: £8.50
Proscenium box office:
020 8866 7075
Compass box office:
01895 673 200
Compass Theatre
Terry Pratchett’s Wyrd Sisters
The Purple Theatre Company’s
10th anniversary show
Wed 9 – Sat 12 May, 7.30pm
Terry Pratchett takes
Shakespeare, and turns it up till
the knob comes off. It’s all
here: a wicked usurper and his
pushy wife, the ghost of the
murdered king, a loyal fool, a
rightful heir returned to meet
his destiny, dim soldiers, rude
venues
Compass Theatre
Glebe Avenue, Ickenham
Box office: 01895 673200
Winston Churchill Hall
Pinn Way, Ruislip
01895 678800
Beck Theatre
Grange Road, Hayes
Box office 020 8561 8371
Northwood College
Maxwell Road, Northwood
01923 822026
Longmead Adult
Learning Centre
Laurel Lane, West Drayton
01895 671962
mechanicals, strolling players, a
play-within-a-play, murder,
revenge, magic, storms, a
kingdom in peril, divers
alarums... and not to mention
three witches...
Tickets £10 (£7.50 opening night)
Compass Theatre
Adapted for stage
by Stephen Briggs
Compass Theatre
Wednesday 9th to
Saturday 12th May
2007, 7.30pm
Tickets: £10 (£750
opening night)
This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Samuel French
www.purpletheatre.org.uk
The Anniversary
Presented by the Argosy Players
Wed 23 – Sat 26 May, 7.30p,
Sat matinee at 2.30pm
A black comedy by Bill
Mcilwraith.
Tickets £10
Bookings: 0845 838 9058 or
01895 673200
Compass Theatre
young people
Why Sci
Organised by A Rocha UK
Tue 10 April, 3pm – 5pm
GCSE pupils - need help with
your project? A Level students
- planning on studying sciences
at university? Get help at WHY
SCI with professional scientist
Dr Beth Losiewicz.
Free event
Minet Country Park
Ruislip Manor Sports
and Social Club
Grosvenor Vale, Ruislip Manor
Minet Country Park
Springfield Road, Hayes
020 8573 0761
www.arocha.org
Middlesex Suite, Civic Centre
High Street, Uxbridge
St Martin’s Church,
Eastcote Road, Ruislip
Ruislip Woods
Between the lido’s railway station
and the Water’s Edge pub
If you wish to publicise an event, please email details by to hillingdonpeople@hillingdon.gov.uk September 1to hillingdonpeople@hillingdon.gov.uk or send to Hillingdon or send to
Hillingon People, 3E/07 People, Civic 3E/07 Centre, Civic High Centre, Street, High Uxbridge, Street, Uxbridge, UB8 1UW. UB8 Events 1UW. are Events selected are at selected the editor’s at the discretion. editor’s discretion.
April/May 2007 31
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