The Brent Magazine issue 123 May 2012 - Brent Council

ISSUE NO.123 FREE FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE AND WORK IN BRENT PUBLISHED BY BRENT COUNCIL MAY 2012 

WIN 

a weekend in 

Düsseldorf 

Pop up shops 

spring onto 

Willesden High Road 

Pack a picnic 

For Brent’s 

Jubilee party

Contents 

Features 

13 

15 

19 

20 

23 

24 

Local leaders wanted for the Games 

Take your place in Olympic history 

Brent’s right royal knees up 

Join the borough’s official street party 

Super foster mum 

Find out what it’s like to be a foster carer 

Queens Parade is open for business 

Corner of Willesden gets new lease of life 

New look council tax 

Proposals for new council tax system 

Brent on the box 

Council officers reveal what goes on behind the scenes 

Regulars 

4 Update 

9 Brent people 

11 

Secret history 27 

29 Competitions 

Time out 30 

All in a day’s work 

Issue No. 123 May 2012 BDU 6614 4.12 

The Brent Magazine contacts 

Distribution queries and editorial 020 8937 1076 

tbm@brent.gov.uk 

Advertising 020 8937 1097 advertising@brent.gov.uk 

Published by the London Borough of Brent, Town Hall, 

Forty Lane, Wembley Middlesex. 

27 

13 

15 

The London Borough of Brent does not accept responsibility 

for any goods or services offered by advertisers. Publication of 

an advertisement does not imply recommendation by the 

council of goods or services advertised. 

Printed on 100% recycled paper. 

Please use your local paper bank 

when disposing of this and other paper. 

Welcome to the 

May issue of the 

Brent Magazine 

Top of the bill is Brent’s official 

street party to celebrate the Queens 

Jubilee. This is the first of four 

borough wide events for 2012 that 

come under the new inclusive 

programme of events called Brent 

Celebrates. So grab a picnic and 

head down to Arena Square for 

what promises to be a fun filled 

day. Brent is keen that everyone 

gets involved so bring the kids, 

invite the family – heck ask your 

neighbour and let’s make this event 

one to remember – see page 15. 

Another place that’s definitely 

worth a visit is Willesden High 

Road. ‘Why?’ you ask, Well a range 

of temporary shops have just 

popped up as part of a fantastic 

Brent project to rejuvenate the high 

road and support new businesses. 

You can get anything from smelly 

soaps to freshly squeezed juice – 

more on page 20. 

And if you do make a visit to 

Willesden, pop into the Brent 

Museum which is holding an 

exhibition on the history of the 

high road – check out Secret 

History on page 27. 

Until next time, 

Orla Sedze 

Editor, The Brent Magazine 

Brent Customer Service Office 

020 8937 1200 

www.brent.gov.uk 

The Brent Magazine is available in 

large print and on audio tape. 

Please ring 020 8937 1106 

Cover image: Mike Massaro

UPdate 

Town centre scheme will put 

a new heart into Harlesden 

A multi-million pound scheme 

to improve Harlesden’s 

Town Centre has been 

approved by Brent Council. 

The Harlesden Town Centre 

scheme, designed by the 

council in partnership with 

the Harlesden Town Team, 

will improve the environment 

by reducing the effect of 

motor vehicles and improving 

conditions for pedestrians, 

cyclists and public transport 

users. It will include wider 

footways, more trees to 

brighten the streets and 

improve air quality, reduce 

street clutter by removing 

unnecessary signs and 

guard rails, provide new 

bicycle parking and more 

Weeds are being sprayed from 

mini-tractors and quad bikes 

around Brent this year rather 

than by the traditional method 

of spraying and extracting them 

on foot. Five Egholm 

2100 mini-tractors 

and two quad bikes 

accessible bus stops, change 

the Controlled Parking Zone 

boundaries and enforce 

parking offences using CCTV. 

The scheme will prohibit all 

though traffi c in High Street 

Harlesden, between the 

Jubilee Clock and Tavistock 

Road. Changes to the traffi c 

circulatory system will involve 

making parts of Manor 

Park Road and High Street 

Harlesden two-way and 

moving the Jubilee Clock a 

short distance onto a new 

public space with seating 

to provide a new ‘heart’ for 

Harlesden. Leroy Simpson, 

Chair of the Harlesden Town 

Team, said: “This is a major 

step towards realising the 

have been brought in by Brent 

Council’s contractor Veolia to 

speed up the weed clearance. 

The mini-tractors are fi tted 

with spray attachments 

aspirations of the Town 

Charter and making Harlesden 

a wonderful place to live, 

which concentrate the 

environmentally friendly 

herbicide on the desired spot 

rather than blanketing the 

pavement. Gullies will also 

be mopped up by quad-bike 

riders. The weed spraying 

operation will be done across 

the whole of the borough twice 

more this year. 

work and play.” Visit www. 

brent.gov.uk/harlesdentown 

for more about the scheme. 

Brent’s war on weeds steps up a gear Nominate now 

for Brent’s 

staff awards 

4 THE BRENT MAGAZINE MAY 2012 

Manager Dan Williams with 

spray operative Filip Rulc 

Improvements include 

changes to road layout 

Have you been impressed 

by a staff member at Brent 

Council or want to show 

your gratitude for a job well 

done by a council team? 

If so, you can nominate 

them for a Brent Council 

Staff Achievement Award. 

Any staff member or team 

employed by Brent Council, 

including some school staff, 

are eligible for the 2012 

awards. Nominations open 

on Monday 14 May, and 

will close on 13 July. To 

nominate, please visit www. 

brent.gov.uk from 14 May, 

or pick up a nomination 

form from your nearest 

library, Brent Customer 

Service or children’s centre.

A new project is offering 

support and mentoring 

to people looking for 

temporary space for social 

enterprises in Wembley. The 

Coming Soon Club, which 

has opened up shop at 5-7 

Wembley Hill Road, will 

be offering guidance to 

business, community, charity 

or art projects on fi nding 

empty shops, warehouses 

or other sites for shortterm 

stays. Whether you’ve 

got an idea for a pop-up 

café, a garden, a shortterm 

studio or something 

completely different the 

club want to hear from you. 

Coordinator Emily Berwyn 

said: “People think it’s hard 

to fi nd temporary spaces to 

run interesting projects 

in, but actually it’s easier 

than ever before. We aim 

to give people the help, 

support and encouragement 

they need to make their idea 

happen in Wembley.” 

Visit the club’s 

headquarters in Wembley 

Hill Road or 

www.comingsoonclub.co.uk 

Brent residents can be 

rewarded when they repair 

items, hire, or buy used or 

recycled products at shops 

which are part of new loyalty 

scheme the Re-ward Club. 

Shopping anywhere which 

has the pink Re-ward Club 

logo will earn you tokens 

with the Re-ward Club, 

which is being run by the 

West London Waste Authority. 

Collect ten tokens and 

you’ll receive a £5 voucher 

which can be spent at any 

participating outlet. You’ll 

receive one token when you 

spend over £4.50, two tokens 

UPdate 

New opportunities coming to Wembley 

Kilburn kids ‘bike it’ 

Top BMX cyclist Keelan 

Phillips amazed pupils with 

a display of stunt tricks at 

schools in Kilburn recently. 

He dropped by Kilburn Park 

Foundation School in South 

Kilburn as the primary and 

next door Carlton Vale Infant 

School both dedicated a 

whole day to cycling. Keelan 

demonstrated free-style tricks 

and did a question-and-answer 

Keelan and children at Kilburn Park school 

session with the children about 

cycling safety and ran skill 

sessions, showing them the 

basics of cycling. Kilburn Park 

Foundation School and Carlton 

Vale Infants are among the 

schools in Brent involved in the 

Bike It project, a partnership 

between schools, Brent Council, 

NHS Brent and cycling charity 

Sustrans to encourage more 

youngsters to cycle. 

Adoption group for 

birth parents 

Brent Council has set up 

a support group for birth 

parents who have lost their 

children through adoption. 

The group, which meets 

for two hours every month 

in Wembley, offers birth 

parents the opportunity 

to share their experiences 

of having a child adopted. 

Sign up now for the 

Re-ward Club 

They can meet others and 

talk about their experiences 

in a safe and confi dential 

environment. The group 

will help members to refl ect 

on their situation as well 

as offer information about 

other support groups. Call 

Shauna on 020 8937 4453 or 

Maria on 020 8937 4452. 

if you spend over £11, three 

if you spend over £21 and so 

on. Tokens can be collected 

at all sorts of places, such as 

charity shops, shoe repairers, 

second-hand furniture stores, 

or a hire shop. It could even 

include somewhere selling 

washable nappies, or selling 

art and jewellery made from 

recycled materials. For a full 

list or to join the Re-ward 

Club visit www.re-ward.me 

call 020 8150 9546 or email 

contact@re-ward.me 

MAY 2012 THE BRENT MAGAZINE 

5

UPdate 

Adult Learners’ Week 

Ever fancied trying 

something new and for free? 

You can from 12 to 18 May 

as Adult Learners’ Week 

– the UK’s largest annual 

festival of learning – starts 

in Brent’s libraries. From 

photography to gardening 

or making money on eBay 

to networking on LinkedIn 

there is something to suit 

everyone. If you are looking 

Residents can take part in the 

Pledge 2 Pedal Community 

Cycle Challenge on 20 May 

to raise funds for St Luke’s 

hospice in Kenton. The family 

friendly cycle event offers a 15 

or 30-mile circular route around 

Harrow and Brent. There will 

be plenty of fun activities going 

on throughout the day for 

both spectators and returning 

cyclists. Registration is £15 for 

adults, £5 for children (under 

16) and £35 for families (two 

adults and three children) 

to learn how to save money 

Martin Lewis, Money Saving 

Expert has made a short 

film just for Brent residents 

to show you how to do 

just that. There will also be 

workshops from the pennypinchers 

John and Irma 

Mustoe about living better 

for less. For more details of 

what’s on during the week 

visit www.brent.gov.uk/alw 

Get pedalling for St Luke’s 


and you are encouraged to 

raise sponsorship. St Luke’s 

looks after people with cancer 

and other serious progressive 

illnesses, such as motor neurone 

disease and heart, lung and 

kidney failure. The event is in 

Byron Recreation Ground, Peel 

Road, Wealdstone starting at 

10am, call Aneka on 

020 8382 8063. 

Money Saving Expert 

Martin Lewis 

Rubbish? Re-think 

it and recycle it 

A local man took to the sea and set 

sail across the Atlantic in a boat made 

of plastic bottles to mark Climate 

week in March and the importance 

of recycling. Stuart Thompson from 

Dollis Hill who volunteers for the 

Atlantic Whale Foundation sailed 27miles 

from Tenerife to La Gomera in 

the Canary Islands. He said: “Recycling 

doesn’t have to be dull or mundane 

– just ask yourself, ‘What else could 

I use this for?’ We can find some 

creative ways to reuse so many 

products and containers.” 

Warden powers his way 

into awards 

A warden at Brent Housing 

Partnership (BHP) has been 

successfully shortlisted for 

one of this year’s prestigious 

Housing Heroes Awards 2012. 

Neighbourhood warden 

James Power is up for 

Inspirational Colleague of the 

Year award after he risked his 

life to stop a woman being 

stabbed on a BHP managed 

estate. BHP’s Neighbourhood 

Warden Service, which 

aims to control anti-social 

behaviour, has also been 

shortlisted in the category for 

the Frontline Housing Team 

of the Year. 

James Power 

Stuart 

Thompson

Brent’s Civic Centre wins top award 

Brent Civic Centre has been 

awarded the highly esteemed 

Considerate Constructors 

Scheme National Site Silver 

Award for its exceptional 

standards of consideration 

for the local neighbourhood 

and public, its workforce and 

the wider environment. The 

Civic Centre was among 8,500 

eligible sites put forward for 

an award this year. Gareth 

Daniel, Chief Executive of 

Brent Council, said: “This is 

an impressive accolade which 

sums up the whole ethos of 

the Civic Centre project. 

Olympian competition inspires film-makers of the future 

A student who won a young 

film-makers’ competition 

has seen his script turned 

into a short movie starring 

veteran actor and star of 

Only Fools and Horses Paul 

Barber. Daniel Bailey, from 

Neasden, won Project 7 – a 

film-making competition 

supported by Brent Council 

and the London 2012 West 

London Partnership – for 

his script The Boxer. The 

competition was for young 

I would like to congratulate 

our construction partners, 

Skanska, whose management 

team and workers on 

the Civic Centre site have 

demonstrated exceptional 

care in the way the site is 

managed. Their intensive 

programme of activity and 

communication with the 

community has surpassed all 

expectations. We are now 

on the road to completion 

and I look forward to some 

very exciting times ahead for 

Brent.” www.brent.gov.uk/ 

civiccentre 

people in Brent aged 14 to 

25 and asked them to submit 

a film idea inspired by one 

of the seven Olympic and 

Paralympic values: respect, 

excellence, friendship, 

courage, determination, 

inspiration and equality. The 

competition was organised 

by the independent 

film company Scruffbag 

Productions who produced 

the film which was shown at 

the Lexi Cinema in April. 

Pierre Blair (left), Jonathan Nyati (right). Photo: Mike Massaro 

Artist’s impression of the Civic Centre 

Scruffbag’s Victoria Bavister, Henry Blake, actor Ashley Chin, 

Paul Barber, Kristin Mcilquham and Daniel Bailey. Picture by 

Graham Michael 

South Kilburn Studios is 

celebrating as one of its trainees 

has bagged a full time job as a 

video editor with production 

company Blue Sky Arts Media, 

leaving his position vacant for 

one lucky young Brent resident 

to fill. 

Pierre Blair, 19 from South 

Kilburn said: “South Kilburn 

Studios put me on the path to 

my dream job. I’ve learnt how 

UPdate 

Want a dream career? Apply here 

to take charge and use my own 

initiative.” In 2011 he joined 

as a trainee with film maker 

Jonathan Nyati. Trainees at 

South Kilburn Studios commit 

to one day a week for up to six 

months to develop a portfolio 

of work. 

To apply visit www. 

southkilburnstudios.org to 

download an application form 

or call 07769 694 733. 


7

8 THE BRENT MAGAZINE MAY 2012

Family Support Worker 

David Mullings set up a 

website dedicated to dads 

last year and since then, the 

34-year-old father of four 

has gone on to run courses 

and sessions for parents and 

dads across Brent. 

Why did you set up 

fatherfi gure.org.uk? 

I became a father when I was only 18 

and I went on to deal with the 

break-up of relationships 

and being a lone parent. 

My experiences have 

given me authority. If 

I hadn’t gone through 

the things I have, I 

wouldn’t be able to 

help others now. I 

don’t pretend to have 

all the answers but I 

want to help other fathers. 

Many fathers don’t realise the impact 

they have on a child. They have a lot of 

power but it can go amiss, be misused or 

not recognised. I want fathers to realise 

their strengths. 

What else do you do besides running 

the website? 

I run sessions and courses such as a parent 

programme at Fawood Children’s Centre, 

covering subjects like discipline and 

achieving positive behaviour. I’ve just won 

a contract from the council to support 

and develop work with dads at Brent’s 

children’s centres. 

Brent’s 

father 

fi gure 

Know an interesting Brent person? TBM@brent.gov.uk 

Things have really taken 

off for you in the last 

year, haven’t they? 

I am pleasantly surprised 

with how it’s gone but it’s 

not about me, it’s more 

about the opportunity for 

children and fathers. 

I’m looking forward to 

BRENTpeople 

the opportunity I’m going to have in Brent 

to support positive change. It’s always been 

a dream of mine to begin my journey here 

and that is what’s happening to me. 

You’re also involved in Action in the 

Community - what is that about? 

It is a locally-based self-funded 

community organisation. A group of us 

who lived in Brent or were connected with 

Brent set it up three years ago. 

We’ve worked to address issues in the 

borough such as gang culture and broken 

families and we are currently working with 

Brent Council to prevent children being 

excluded from school. 

We want to change things for the better, 

make the community a better place, a 

more positive environment. 

Contact Father Figure on 

07538 505 845 or at 

www.fatherfi gure.org.uk 

Image by Chiara Ceolin 

MAY 2012 THE BRENT MAGAZINE 9

NO STOPPING 

OR PARKING 

ON THE MARKING 

Stick to the rules or get fined £120. 

Brent Council and its partners are 

working to keep children safe. 

Play your part by following road 

safety rules. 

For more information visit 

www.brent.gov.uk/bsr 

Brent Safer Roads 

www.brent.gov.uk/bsr 

• Do not park on the markings 

outside schools. 

• Make sure you and all passengers 

wear seatbelts. 

• It is against the law to use a mobile 

phone while driving.

Three Trees 

children ‘veg out’ 

Three Trees’ Children’s Centre is one place where children don’t get told off for 

playing with their food! 

In fact, Early Years Worker Swati Mehta encourages the toddlers 

taking part in a healthy stay and play session to dip bits of vegetable 

into paint and use them to make colourful artwork. 

Swati said: “This play is designed to raise awareness of healthy 

food and nutrition. Children can smell, touch and taste the food, 

to get an idea of what vegetables are. They use all their senses! 

“People don’t realise, when children are making a big mess, 

that this is one of the ways they learn.” 

Swati’s role is to plan, manage and deliver a wide range of 

activities involving parents of children aged up to fi ve, sometimes 

with the help of Early Years Advisory Teacher Andrea Gray. 

Over 150 children and adults attend her sessions every week 

at Three Trees and the Hope Children’s Centre, which are 

both in Kilburn. 

A typical day for Swati could be organising or 

delivering morning and afternoon sessions of 

healthy stay and play, ‘Busy Feet’ physical activity, 

fun with food, healthy cooking or messy play. 

There is also story time stay and play, speech 

and language sessions and baby sessions with a 

health visitor. 

Families learn about issues like healthy 

eating and cooking and the importance of 

play in helping children learn and parents 

can get advice on how to help children 

overcome speech and language problems. 

Everyone has fun and families benefi t from 

a social network. 

Swati said: “There are a lot of parents 

who need this support if they are going to 

give their children the best start in life. This 

is like a second home. When they need to 

leave the house, they get a welcome here. 

“It is a great job. If I smile, I can see the 

children smile. On a small scale, I’m trying 

to make a difference to the community.” 

www.brent.gov.uk/childrenscentres 

ALL IN Aday’s work 

“People don’t realise, 

when children are 

making a big mess, 

that this is one of the 

ways they learn.” 


11

Local Leaders wanted 

for the Games 

The London Organising Committee of the 

Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and 

Brent Council are encouraging local people, 

groups and schools to get involved in the 

Games by signing up to be a Local Leader. 

Local Leaders will bring families and 

friends together to make the most of the 

London 2012 Games by creating local 

celebrations around key Olympic events. 

These include the Olympic and Paralympic 

Torch Relays, the 12 week London 2012 

festival and Super Saturday on August 4, the 

day when the most medals will be awarded 

during the Olympics. 

Local Leaders will receive access to London 

2012 branding, posters and toolkits, advice 

on how to make their celebration one to 

remember and get their event listed on the 

‘London 2012 Join In’ website. 

Gillian Spry, Brent Manager for London 

2012 said: “The last time the Games were 

held in London was in Wembley in 1948 – 

that’s over 50 years ago! 

“We want people to celebrate this once in 

a lifetime event by rounding up local people 

to host sport quizzes, plant golden marigolds 

in their gardens and decorate their houses in 

bunting. 

“Most importantly we want Local Leaders 

to encourage the community to line the 

streets when the Olympic Torch comes to 

Brent on 25 July.” 

To sign up to become a Local Leader visit 

www.london2012.com/localleaders 

Unable to run like Usain 

Bolt, swim like Rebecca 

Adlington or high jump 

like Robbie Grabarz? 

Well, that doesn’t mean 

you can’t participate in 

this year’s Olympics. 

Ideas to get you started 

Garden for the Games 

Visit the London 2012 website to get 

hints and tips from gardening experts 

like Blue Peter Presenter Chris Collins on 

how to turn your garden into an Olympic 

wonderland. Ideas include running 

window boxes down your street in red, 

white and blue, growing the colours 

of the Olympic rings and celebrating 

the Torch Relay by planting golden 

marigolds. 

Line the streets 

When the Olympic Torch Relay visits 

Brent on 25 July cheer on your local 

inspirational torchbearers by lining the 

streets, flying your flag, wearing golden 

clothes – or even going in fancy dress. 

Local Leaders will play an active part 

in preparing Brent for international 

attention when the Olympic Torch 

arrives in the borough. 

MAY 2012 THE BRENT MAGAZINE 13


BRENT 

CELEBRATES 

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Jubilee 

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Having a street party? 

Send us your pictures! 



17

Advertise on Brent buses 

There are over 90 

vehicles available in Brent 

for advertising. This is a great opportunity to promote your 

products or services and receive unparalleled local coverage and frequency. 

Rates start at only £120 per bus for a six week campaign 

(minimum of ten buses to be ordered). Call 020 8937 1097 or email advertising@brent.gov.uk, 


Advertise in The Brent Magazine 

The Brent Magazine is distributed to over 99, 000 households in the 

borough and is also available in Brent libraries, One Stop Services 

and on the homepage of the council’s website 

Competitive advantages of advertising include: 

• it’s free for all residents and businesses in Brent 

• print run of 103,000; highest circulation of any local publication 

• available online at www.brent.gov.uk. 

Rates start from £275 for one issue. For more information, call 020 8937 1076 or email advertising@brent.gov.uk

Super foster mum 

Most parents with a couple of children think they are a handful – Patrice Thomas on the 

other hand has looked after around 130 young people and wants more. 

“I absolutely love fostering and I love 

encouraging people to get into fostering. 

Anybody can do it. You just need a little 

extra to give someone else.” 

The warm-heated Kingsbury resident 

has been a Brent Council foster parent 

since 1984, mostly for boys aged from 

16 -18. 

She said: “It’s an amazing, amazing 

experience, it teaches you so much. 

You have to nurture that child and 

the reward you get is seeing them 

reach their potential. 

“I have encouraged them, I have 

supported them and a lot of them 

stay in contact and still call me ‘mum’. 

I have been very lucky.” 

Brent Council will be trying to 

recruit more carers like Patrice to 

mark Foster Care Fortnight, 

which starts on May 14. 

Foster parents offer 

a temporary home to 

children whose families 

are facing diffi culties, 

such as alcoholism or 

domestic violence, or 

when parents die, are 

too ill to look after 

their children or are 

sent to prison. 

The many unaccompanied children 

who arrive in the UK from countries 

such as Iraq and Afghanistan also 

need foster homes. 

Patrice thinks that ‘having a lot of 

people around all the time’ as she 

grew up in Grenada made her a 

natural carer. 

She believes giving her young 

people clear boundaries but not being 

too rigid is the key to success. 

“Although you have to have rules, 

sometimes you have to relax a bit – 

but for a reason. It is rare that it goes 

completely smoothly but if a child 

likes living with you, they will try to 

change.” 

A spare room is needed and 

parents whose children have grown 

up are best. The council provides a 

lot of support and training. 

Patrice recommends you check it 

out if you have an interest and meet 

the criteria. 

She said: “I absolutely love 

fostering and I love encouraging 

people to get into fostering. Anybody 

can do it. You just need a little extra to 

give someone else.” 

Find out more by visiting the red 

double-decker fostering bus parked 

at Tesco Supermarket, Brent Park 

(next to IKEA) on Monday 14 

May and Sainsbury’s in 

Alperton on Friday 

18 May (both in the 

afternoon). 

Visit www.brent.gov.uk/fostering 

or phone 020 8937 4538. 


19

20 

Queens 

Parade 

opens for 

business 

A corner of Willesden has been given a new lease of 

life, with 13 creative start-up businesses and projects 

staging a takeover of a former textiles building. 

Words by SHARON DONOVAN. Photographs BY MIKE MASSARO 

Bringing a creative flavour to Willesden 

Green, the new shops are housed in a 

parade of retail units called ‘Queens 

Parade,’ and include an art gallery, a 

vintage clothes emporium, a juice bar 

and an interior design pop up shop. 

Queens Parade, situated at the corner of 

Willesden Lane and Walm Lane, is part of 

the New Windows on Willesden project, 

Brent Council’s vision to regenerate 

Willesden High Road, help start-up 

businesses and improve local skills. 

The launch, on 29 March was a royal 

success with unit 8 – shared by The Wise 

Owl Venue and Punch and Juicy – 

packed to the rafters. 

Eight empty units, unused for five 

years, were secured in March and after a 

Dragons Den style bidding process, 13 

creative businesses and projects were 

selected. 

Jane Harrison, Brent Council’s 

regeneration officer said: “We wanted 

businesses that enhanced the offer of 

THE BRENT MAGAZINE MAY 2012 

Willesden High Road. One of the key 

concerns residents voiced was that 

Willesden was a lovely place to work and 

live – but there wasn’t much to do in the 

evenings. 

“This is why we chose The Wise Owl 

Venue as one of our final 13. The venue 

will be hosting regular cultural events 

including cult cinema, live music and talks. 

“Another key aspect of Queens Parade 

is community give-back – with shops 

sharing their skills and knowledge with 

the community via free workshops, talks 

and work experience opportunities.” 

The project is funded by the Mayor’s 

Outer London Fund and is being delivered 

by The Architecture Foundation, 

Meanwhile Space and Blue Consulting for 

Brent Council and Design for London. 

Visit the project at Queens Parade, 

Willesden Lane, NW2 5HT. 

For more information visit 

www.willesdenwindows.com or follow 

@queensparade on twitter. 

Syreeta Johnson, 34, who 

lives in Willesden is the 

owner of indikidual 

“I design children’s wear under the 

label 'indikidual' and this is my first 

collection. 

When I had my daughter I noticed a 

gap in the market for cool, unisex, 

organic clothes so decided to design a 

capsule collection that could be mixed 

and matched, tailored more towards 

having fun and being a kid rather 

than being a mini adult. 

I have always wanted a shop, and 

the chance to tie in indikidual’s playful 

and creative values with the craft 

workshops has been fantastic so far. If 

it wasn't for this project I don’t think I 

would have been able to afford a 

shop, but mostly I don't think I would 

have had the guts to go for it. 

The shop is going really well; and 

we get a huge number of parents 

saying it’s great to have something on 

their door step instead of having to 

go further afield for children's 

activities.” 

www.indikidual.com 

The Wise Owl Venue 

Cult cinema, live music and talks 

Lazy Sunday Cinema at 

The Wise Owl Venue 

Sunday 6 May The History Boys 

Sunday 13 May Sideways 

Sunday 20 May Life Aquatic 

Sunday 27 May Win Win 

Reserve tickets by emailing 

thewiseowlvenue@gmail.com visit 

www.thewiseowlvenue.blogspot.com 

or follow @thewiseowlvenue on Twitter

Who’s who on Queens Parade 

Art Lobby 

Audio-visual art gallery and artist events 

Ariane Prin 

Product design from local upcycled waste 

My Pop Up Design Shop 

Designed goods and interior design 

Jardins D’EDEN 

Hand-made natural bath and 

beauty products 

Roses and String 

Hand-made homeware, gifts 

and accessories 

Punch and Juicy 

Healthy liquid and whole food bar 

Paint Mine 

Website design, training, 

and accessories 

Vintage Green 

Vintage fashion and photography 

The Unlimited Printshop 

Screenprinting social enterprise, 

workshops, studio and retail 


21


Need translation 

of a legal document? 

• Birth certificate 

• Marriage licence 

• Divorce certificate 

Brent Language Shop offer certified 

translations of documents that are 

accepted by the Home Office, councils 

and other government offices. 

Charge £60 minimum - dependent 

on word count and language. 

For more information 

tel 020 8937 1071/1072 

email language.shop@brent.gov.uk

New look 

Council Tax 

The Government is abolishing the current Council Tax 

Benefit scheme and is asking councils to replace it with 

their own locally run service called Council Tax Support. 

To ensure we have a scheme that suits our borough Brent 

is consulting with residents on its proposals. 

‘To create a system that is as fair as possible, 

Brent Council has put together a proposal for 

a new system for Council Tax Support.’ 

The benefit system is facing a radical 

overhaul which was kick started back in 

2011 with changes to Housing Benefit. 

For the most part reform has meant the 

amount of money available to councils 

has been reduced. 

At the same time, the Government has 

introduced the Localism Bill. Much of 

this bill involves the government 

handing over control of budgets and 

decision making powers to local councils. 

One of the many benefits to be 

affected by these changes is the national 

Council Tax Benefit scheme which will be 

replaced by local Council Tax Support in 

April 2013. 

As well as having to create a local 

scheme that is suitable for Brent, the 

council will also have to work within a 

budget that has been reduced by ten 

per cent. 

Early estimates suggest this represents 

an initial reduction of at least £3.5 

million, but this gap will increase if 

the number of people claiming benefit 

goes up, which already appears to be 

the trend. 

This shortage in funding means we 

have to make some difficult decisions 

about who gets financial support and 

how much. 

To create a system that is as fair as 

possible and in line with the needs of 

the community, Brent Council has put 

together a proposal for a new system 

and is consulting with residents to 

see how you feel this would work in 

our borough. 

As we will have less money, the 

changes could result in some people 

getting less financial support – or 

the council having to make cuts in a 

range of other services. 

This is where you come in. 

We want you to take a look at our 

proposals and give us your feedback 

and comments. 

You may have views about how the 

scheme will work in practice, or about 

whether it will incentivise people to 

work, or how it will protect the most 

vulnerable in our community. 

Whatever your thoughts let us know. 

Consultation starts this month and 

ends in July. A decision – taking account 

of resident feedback for a localised 

version of the scheme – will be made 

later in the year. 

To view the proposal and have your 

say visit your local Brent Customer 

Service Office or www.brent.gov.uk/ 

LocalCouncilTaxSupport 


23

UPdate 

Brent 

Blue Badge 

abusers busted 

on the 

The sting took place in 

Council’s Audit and 

Wembley town centre 

Investigation team, which 

following high levels of Blue organized the sting, said: 

Badge use in London Road “Intelligence showed that 

and Ealing Road, Wembley these roads were rammed 

by drivers suspected of not with cars displaying disabled 

being entitled to park in badges – a higher number 

box 

disabled bays. 

than we would expect. 

Of the 18 badges seized, “We organised the 

three are suspected of being operation to crack down on 

lost, stolen or counterfeit. misuse.” 

Most were the relatives of a Council investigation 

genuine badge holder who officers – with the support of 

had borrowed the permit to parking enforcement and 

make parking easier and free. Brent Police - stopped anyone 

But their selfish actions meant using a Blue Badge to check if 

Audit and Investigations 

they Brent’s were Benefit blocking Fraud spaces Team 

and were making featured it difficult twice in for season 

legitimate two of the disabled BBC show drivers Saintsto 

find and Scroungers. a space. The first 

episode Simon focused Lane, Head on the of Brent work 

of the team led by head of 

audit and investigations, 

Simon Lane (below), into a 

scam by a Brent woman using 

multiple The sting identities took place to gain in 

nearly Wembley £200,000 town in centre benefits. 

The following second high episode levels looked of Blue at 

a Badge case involving use in London a family Road of 

and Ealing Road, Wembley 

by drivers suspected of not 

being entitled to park in 

disabled bays. 

Of the 18 badges seized, 

three are suspected of being 

lost, stolen or counterfeit. 

Most were the relatives of a 

genuine badge holder who 

had borrowed the permit to 

make parking easier and 

free. But their selfish actions 

meant they were blocking 

spaces and making it difficult 

for legitimate disabled 

drivers to find a space. 

Simon Lane, Head of Brent 

Council’s Audit and 

Investigation team, which 

organized the sting, said: 

“Intelligence showed that 

these roads were rammed 

with cars displaying disabled 

24 2 THE BRENT MAGAZINE XXXXXXXXXXXXXX MAY 2012 2011 

they eight were convicted the official for a variety holder. 

They of charges were relating able to check to the 

photo fraudulently on the obtaining badge, orover 

details £168,000 they in Housing had about and the 

rightful Council Tax holder, benefits with despite the 

being property owners who 

drove Mercedes, BMW and 

Porsche cars. 

If you know or suspect 

someone badges – a is higher committing number 

benefit than we fraud would please expect. call 

the “We benefit organised fraud the team on 

020 operation 8937 1279. to crack down 

on misuse.” 

Council investigation 

officers – with the support of 

parking enforcement and 

Brent Police - stopped 

anyone using a Blue Badge 

to check if they were the 

official holder. They were 

able to check the photo on 

the badge, or details they 

had about the rightful 

holder, with the individual 

using it. 

Anyone caught using a 

badge that did not belong 

to them had the permit 

confiscated, were issued 

with a parking ticket and 

told to attend the town 

hall for a formal interview 

under caution. 

Simon said: “The badge 

holder must be present in 

Blue Badge abusers busted 

Registration and Nationality 

Mark Rimmer, head of 

registration and nationality 

(below), has become a 

respected voice on sham 

marriages and is regularly 

asked by the media to be a 

spokesperson on the issue. 

For the Panorama 

documentary ‘My Big Fat Fake 

Wedding’, a suspected sham 

wedding taking place at 

Locations across Brent are 

regularly used as backdrops 

to many television programmes 

and adverts including private 

homes, our parks and Brent 

Town Hall which was recently 

used to stage a courtroom 

scene for the BBC show Silent 

Witness. Words RYAN FALCON-HAY 

In the past 12 months council officers have 

also graced our screens and allowed film 

crews behind the scenes, taking part in 

documentaries highlighting not only the work 

they do in Brent but the challenges they face. 

Brent Town Hall was filmed 

and Mark spoke about the 

consequences of relaxing laws 

that were put in place to 

prevent them. 

Anyone who suspects 

immigration abuse should 

contact Crimestoppers 

anonymously on 

0800 555 111 or visit 

www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Highways Operations 

Graffiti is a major problem 

in the borough and can cost 

the council up to £250,000 a 

year to clean. In season two 

of Filthy Rotten Scoundrels, 

the graffiti removal team, 

led by highways operations 

manager Simon Finney (see 

below), set up a covert 

operation with hidden 

cameras and night-time 

surveillance. The operation 

was highly successful as the 

team caught one of Brent’s 

most prolific graffiti vandals. 

To report illegal graffiti or 

request its removal, please call 

the council on 020 8937 5050. 

Trading Standards 

In March this year, officers from 

Brent and Harrow Trading 

Standards featured in two 

episodes of Food Inspectors on 

BBC One. In the first episode, 

Bootleg Booze, enforcement 

officers Jon Ashby and Andy 

Faulkner (above) visited shops 

in the borough suspected of 

stocking counterfeit alcohol. 

Jon and Andy have just 

finished filming for Fake 

Britain so watch out for that 

in the near future. 

UPdate 

Episode four focused on 

the work of food inspector 

Andreas Kirschner (below) 

who discovered a rodent and 

cockroach infestation at a 

kebab takeaway in Willesden 

Green and poor food hygiene 

and handling at a takeaway 

in Harlesden. 

If you are concerned a shop 

is selling counterfeit alcohol 

or is not complying with 

food safety standards call 

020 8937 5555. 

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX MAY 2012 2011 THE BRENT MAGAZINE 25 3


Willesden: past, 

present and pop 

SECREThistory 

The modern day phenomenon that is ‘pop up’ shops have now sprung on to Willesden 

High Road making it the perfect time for Brent Archives to host an exhibition that charts 

the history of the high street from past to present. 

The name Willesden probably comes from the Anglo-Saxon 

word ‘Wellesdune’, meaning ‘hill of the spring’, though in 1086 

the Domesday Book records the area as ‘Wellesdone’. 

The earliest development in the area was the conversion of 

the mainly marshy land into arable farmland. 

By the mid-18th century a village settlement had developed 

with its own pub, The Spotted Dog. The Twyford family, 

who ran The Spotted Dog in Willesden through much of the 

Victorian era, also ran a pub of the same name in Neasden. 

By the early 20th century, the small selection of shops along 

Willesden High Road, which served the 

growing late Victorian population, had 

developed into a popular and busy high 

road with a wide variety of shops. 

One of the larger stores was Steers & 

Sons, which opened in 1893 and sold ‘all 

clothing a gentleman in the city would 

need.’ 

One of the greater, but fortunately 

temporary, changes Willesden High Road 

went through was during the Second 

World War. 

The fi rst bomb fell on Willesden on 24 

August 1940. Although 5,000 Anderson 

shelters were delivered to homes in 

Willesden there were also communal brick 

street shelters which extended from the 

kerbside into the road – providing refuge 

View along Willsden High Road, circa 1907. 

for people caught in the street during an air raid, however 

these shelters also proved hazardous to negotiate during the 

black-out. 

To fi nd out how the residents of Willesden managed during 

a black-out or how Willesden evolved after the war visit the 

Brent Museum exhibition – Willesden High Road: Past, Present 

and Future – on display until 31 July. 

There is also an accompanying free programme of adult and 

family events. 

www.brent.gov.uk/museum 

View of Willesden High Road, looking towards Dudden Hill Lane. 1960. 


27

Bumper London Olympics 

edition of The Brent 

Magazine coming in July! 

Advertising space is limited – 

contact us now for rates and info! 

advertising@brent.gov.uk 

OR CALL 020 8937 1076 


Win a limited edition art print 

The Brent Magazine has teamed up with local artist Shiri Achu to 

give away a framed limited edition art print - ‘Maasai tone’ 

The original painting was donated to The RedLight Children’s 

Campaign in New York in 2009. Grammy award winning singer 

Faith Evans has a copy in her art collection. 

For a chance to win just answer this question: 

What is the name of the limited edition print? 

www.shiriachuart.com 

COMPETITIONS 

Send your entries on a postcard with your name, address and daytime telephone number to: (Name of Competition), The Brent Magazine, 

Room 9, Brent Town Hall, Forty Lane, Wembley HA9 9HD or email competition@brent.gov.uk (add name of competition to subject line). 

Competition deadline is Friday 11 May 

Airberlin, Germany’s second largest airline, is offering you 

the chance to win two return flights from London Stansted to 

Düsseldorf and a weekend stay with bed and breakfast at 

Maritim Hotel Düsseldorf. 

Winners can explore the metropolis by taking a stroll along 

the banks of the River Rhine during the day, visiting the parade 

of designer shops in Königsallee or immersing themselves in 

culture by visiting one of Düsseldorf’s many museums. Come 

nightfall, visitors can enjoy the cities colourful nightlife. 

For a chance to win tell us: 

Is airberlin the first, second or third largest airline in Germany? 

For more information visit airberlin.com or www.maritim.com/en/ 

hotels/germany/hotel-duesseldorf 

Terms and Conditions: The prize covers two people and comprises of two 

return flights and a two night weekend break at Maritim Hotel Düsseldorf. 

The prize is subject to availability and the trip must be completed within six 

months of notification of winning. The winner and their companion are 

responsible for payment of all additional and incidental items not included in 

the prize. The prize is non-transferable, cannot be exchanged, and no cash 

alternative will be offered. Please make your reservation at least 30 days 

prior to your selected dates to avoid disappointment. 

Win ‘Mushroom’ a limited 

edition self portrait 

The Brent Magazine has teamed up with local artist Joanna Steele 

to giveaway a framed limited edition digital print – ‘Mushroom’. 

‘Mushroom’ is a self portrait using a sense of sculpture that 

continues to draw in the eye, and bring life to the framed image. 

Joanna has trained at the renowned Central Saint Martins 

College of Art and Design in sculpture. 

For a chance to win just answer this question: 

Where did Joanna train? 

Win a break for two to Düsseldorf 

www.joannasteele.blogspot.com 


29

TIMEout 

What’s going on… 

The essential guide to music, drama, sport, workshops and much more. 

Find out what’s going on in Brent during May 2012. 

To get your event listed email tbm@brent.gov.uk or telephone 020 8937 1062. 

CHILDREN 

GRANVILLE PLUS 

YOUTH ARTS CENTRE. 

Free creative learning 

activities for young people 

aged 11-25yrs. Mons: 

Guitar (intermediate): 

5.30-7pm. Taekwondo: 

6-8pm. Vocal Training 

(20min private lessons): 

6-9pm. Guitar (beginners): 

7-8.30pm. Magazine 

/ Journalism Project 

7-9pm. Tues: Street 

Dance: 6-8pm. Online 

Drama Project: 6-9pm. 

Fashion as a Business: 

6-9pm. Art/Illustration: 

6-9pm. 80 Granville Road, 

Kilburn, NW6 5RA. tina. 

ramdeen@brent.gov.uk 

020 8937 3612 

HILLSIDE 

PERFORMING ARTS 

Free street dance classes 

for 8-16 year olds every 

Saturday from 1-2pm / 

children’s piano lessons 

also available at the 

Hillside Hub NW10 8LE 

with Hillside Performing 

Arts call Cherrelle 

07506 198 999 www. 

hillsideperformingarts. 

com. 


SOCCER TRAINING 

Fri 6-8pm, for children, 

first session free. Capital 

City Academy NW10. 

mdipaola@cyworks.co.uk 

SING SPANISH 

Spanish classes for 

children aged 3-8. NW6/ 

NW10. 07976 050 977 

www.espanaviva.biz 

PIANO TUITION 

Call Sasha Newton 

07506 198 999 

THE 2ND WEMBLEY 

BOYS’ BRIGADE & 

GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION 

Anchors 5-8 juniors 8-11 

meet 6.15-7.30pm on 

Thurs. Company section 

meet at 7.15-9pm. 

Park Lane Methodist 

Church Wembley. www. 

parklanemethodist. 

org.uk 

STREET/COMMERCIAL 

DANCE CLASSES 

With Anna-Lynn Gregoire 

Thursdays 7:30 - 8:30pm 

Aged 11+ Kings Hall 

Community Centre, 115 

Harlesden Rd, Willesden 

Green £5 call 

07889 869 900 annalynn. 

dance@gmail.com 

Anna-Lynn teaches Street 

Dance. See: Children 

TODDLER PICASSOS 

Painting, water play, 

play dough & songs. 15 

months to 3 years phone 

to book. First class free. 

8 Station Terrace, Kensal 

Rise, London NW10 5RT. 

07903 638 817 

www.minipicassos.co.uk 

SATURDAY 

SUPPLEMENTARY 

GREEK SCHOOL 

10am-1pm, Language 

and traditional dancing 

Kingsbury High School, 

NW9 07967 810 210 

PRIDE JUDO CLUB 

Mons, Weds 8 -12yrs, 

Mons 7-8pm, Weds 

6.30-7.30pm, 12+ Mons 

8-9pm, Weds 7.30 

-8.30pm £3. Chalkhill 

Community Centre 

07985 336 181 

DOWN SYNDROME 

TIGER CUBS 

Thurs 5-6pm football 

coaching run by QPR, 

Woodfield School 

Genwood Avenue, NW9 

020 8740 2585 

07815 670 806 

4TH BRONDESBURY 

BROWNIES AND GUIDES 

Thurs, Willesden Green 

Brownies 6.30-8pm 

07738 205 562. Guides 

7-8.30pm 07981 174 634 

SING AND SIGN CLASSES 

Mon -Fri, for babies 6-18 

months. Willesden Green 

and Kensal Rise 

07790 955 576 

4TH NEASDEN 

BROWNIES 

girls aged 7-10 only. Tues 

6-7.30pm. St Mary’s and 

St Andrew’s Church Hall, 

Dollis Hill lane, NW2 

07794 018 819 

NORTH WEST LONDON 

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE 

First Thursday of the 

month 7.30pm upstairs at 

the North London Tavern 

Kilburn High Road NW6 

nwlwi@hotmail.co.uk 

OVER 50S 

DISCUSSION GROUP 

Tues 11am-12.30pm. The 

Gallery, Willesden Green 

Library. 020 8452 8739 

CLUB HOUSE FOR 50+ 

Crochet class- 10.30am- 

12pm Tues. Basic French- 

1-2.15 pm Tues. Spanish 

conversation (must have 

some basic knowledge) 

2.30 -3.45pm Tues. 

Movement to music. 6 

weeks. 4.45 -5.45pm 

Tues from April 17. Quiz 

afternoon with prizes. 

2-3.30pm Weds April 

18. Club House at 181 

Mortimer Road, Kensal 

Green, NW10 5TN. 

020 8206 7513 to book 

COMMUNITY 

BRENTS OFFICIAL 

STREET PARTY 

Sunday 3 June 

from12noon to 4pm, 

Wembley Arena Square 

To find out more about 

Brent’s Diamond Jubilee 

celebrations and how you 

can get involved, contact 


JUBILEE GAMES 

CELEBRATION 

Sun 3rd June, 11:30am- 

3:00pm, fun and games 

for all the family including 

puppet shows, Willesden 

Seventh-day Adventist 

Church, Corner Glebe 

Road/Pound Lane, NW10 

2JD, entrance - 50p, call 

07904 906 204 www. 

kingdomcome-unity.co.uk 

PARTY IN THE PARK 

Free entry to the parade 

and Party in the Park/ 

Bank Holiday Tues 5 

June. Parade start time 

12 o’clock at St George’s 

Church, Harrow Road. 

Party in the Park at 

Barham Park opens 11am 

CREATIVE 

CRICKLEWOOD 

We are a group of writers, 

artists of all kinds, and 

supporters of creative 

endeavour who live and/ 

or work in Cricklewood. 

We run, attend and 

publicise arts, music and 

performance events in our 

area. We get together at 

8.30pm on the first Thurs 

of every month at the 

Crown Moran Hotel for 

open mic, creative salon 

and social connection. 

COFFEE MORNING 

Weds 10.30am-12noon. 

Kingsbury Baptist Church, 

Slough Lane, Kingsbury, 

NW9. 

DANCE 

BALLROOM AND LATIN 

Mons 7.30-11pm Brent 

Town Hall, Forty Lane 

Wembley 020 8855 6868 

STREET DANCE CLASSES 

Wembley Fitness First 

every Friday from 

6.45- 7.45pm £5 for nonmembers 

£3 for members. 

For more info contact 

Sasha on 07506 198 999 

TEA DANCE 

Mons, Weds 1.30-4.30pm 

£4 Brent Town Hall, 

020 8937 6206 Fri 

2-4.30 pm Chalkhill 


Chalkhill Road, Wembley 

020 8385 1836. Mon & 

Thurs 2-4pm, King’s hall 


Harlesden Road, Willesden 

Green, £1.50 

DANCE AT THE TRICYCLE 

We’ll Meet Again. Free 

activity group for the over 

60s, including drama, art, 

dance and T’ai Chi 

020 7372 6611 

DRAMA WORKHOUSE 

Saturday crew workshop 

for children 1-2pm 7-9 

years; 2-4pm 10-12 years; 

4-6pm 13-18 years; under 

10s £25 a term, over 10s 

£40 a term; Dudden Hill 

Centre, 19 Dudden Hill 

Lane, NW10; Mons adult 

classes 8-10pm £9.50 

Tricycle Theatre, NW6 

07958 653 725 

Improve your 

language skills 

ENVIRONMENT 

KINGSBURY WALKERS 

Weds 1.55pm, Meet Bush 

Farm, Slough Lane and 

Salmon Street junction. 

020 8907 2836 

BARN HILL 

CONSERVATION GROUP 

Suns Fryent Country Park; 

Tues, Thurs, Sats Roe 

Green Walled Garden 

020 8206 0492 

www.bhcg.btck.co.uk 

LEARNING 

VIOLIN AND PIANO 

LESSONS 

All ages and levels, at your 

home, call Dave (AGSM, 

crb-cleared) 

07740 702 761 

GERMAN CONVERSATION 

NEAR PRESTON PARK 

Keep on top of current 

affairs and practice your 

Deutsch call 

020 8452 5239 

ART CLASSES 

At the Tricycle Theatre 

Kilburn 269 Kilburn High 

Rd NW2 Tuesdays 7-9pm, 

£30 concessions £35 full 

for five weeks, for info 

email Mary call (pm) 

020 8141 6367 

mstreherne@gn.apc.org 

SPANISH TUITION 

Native Spanish teacher. All 

levels. 07531 640 199 

sabelanv@gmail.com 

ENGLISH TUITION 

one-one, groups, adults, 

children, all levels. CELTA 

qualified teacher, £15 p/h 

in Kilburn. 

eflkilburn@yahoo.co.uk

PIANO LESSONS 

Preston Road, All ages 

and levels welcome, 

07550 722 538. 

mariatchetverikova@ 

gmail.com 

BRENT ADULT AND 

COMMUNITY 

EDUCATION SERVICE 

Courses for adults from 

accounts to yoga, 

020 8937 3990 

www.brent.gov.uk/ 

adulteducation 

SPANISH CLASSES 

Mon eves, Fri morn, NW6/ 

NW10, 07976 050 977 

www.espanaviva.biz 

COMPUTER TRAINING 

Free computer training 

with OCR qualifications 

for Brent residents aged 

14-24 year old Middlesex 

ITeC on 020 8900 0505 

WORKERS’ EDUCATIONAL 

ASSOCIATION 

Thurs 10am classes held 

in coffee lounge at St 

John’s Church Wembley, 

entrance via gate in 

Harrow Road 

020 8904 5940 

MUSIC 

MANOR AND 

PHILBEACH SINGERS 

Tues 7.30 -10pm Goodwill 

Hall, Chichester Rd, 

Kilburn Park. No singing 

experience needed, no 

auditions 020 8455 8865 

WILLESDEN GREEN 

CHOIR 

Mons 8-10pm. Songs 

from all over the world, 

no auditions, first session 

free Willesden Green 

Library Centre, Space 

2, NW10 2SF www. 

vocalitysinging.co.uk 

SPORTS & LEISURE 

GET ACTIVE WITH SALSA! 

Mons at the Heritage 

Inn, Caribbean Rhum 

Bar & Restaurant,301 

Cricklewood Broadway, 

London, NW2 6PG. Beg 

classes 7.30-8.30pm, Imp 

& Inter classes 8.45 to 

9.45pm. Price £7 or £10 

for two classes. For more 

information visit www. 

cubanvibes.com or call 

07961 281 989. 

MEDITATION 

Open class, Sundays 

11.30am-12.30pm, 

everyone welcome led by 

Karuna Priya, a former 

Buddhist monk for 15 

years. First Class FREE! 

Thereafter, £24 for 4 

classes or £7 paid on day 

held at Gracelands Yard, 

102 Liddell Gardens, 

Kensal Rise, London, 

NW10 3QE, call Karuna 

07784 436 783 

BEAUTY AT HOME 

Get pampered in the 

comfort of your own 

home, fully qualified 

therapist, range of 

treatments available and 

group bookings for girlie 

nights in! Call Christina on 

07505 102 127 

ZUMBA, STREETDANCE 

& FITNESS CLASSES 

For children(3+) & adults. 

Fun filled classes with a 

fully qualified instructors 

Info@sdfdance.com 

07903 971 125 

Join the Diamond 

Jubilee celebrations. 

See: Community 

ZUMBA! 

Monday 8.15-9.15pm 

Saturday 10am-11am 

St Mary & St Andrews 

Church Hall, Dollis 

Hill Lane, NW2 6HE. 

Thursdays 8pm-9pm 

Newman Catholic College, 

Harlesden, NW10. £5 per 

class, no need to book. 

donnasheehan@sky.com 

07957 458 537 

PILATES CLASSES 

Beginners Monday, 7pm, 

General Thursday, 7pm. 

233 Willesden Lane, NW2 

5RP. Call Monika to book 

07976 768 034 www. 

functionalpilates.com 

MARTIAL ARTS & SELF- 

DEFENCE FOR KIDS 

Mon and Wed 5-6pm, 

Holy Innocent Church Hall 

Bacon Lane, Kingsbury 

NW9 9AF 07950 647 993 

phoenixkarate@ 

hotmail.co.uk 

SELF DEVELOPMENT 

Free courses and seminars: 

Meditation, Positive 

Thinking, Overcoming 

Anger etc. Inner Space, 

528 High Road, Wembley, 

HA9 7BS. 020 8903 1911 

www.innerspace.org/ 

wembley 

TAI CHI 

Phoenix Tai Chi. Tues 1pm 

at Vale Farm, Wembley, 

Eddie Ong 07900 687 498 

www.taichi-london.com 

MIXED KATEDA SELF 

DEFENCE CLASS 

Sun 10.30-12.30pm, 

Women Only Kateda Self 

Defence Class. taught by 

a female instructor. Sun 

10.30am-12.30pm. Ark 

Academy, HA9 9JP. 

07717 784 585 

katedaclasses@yahoo.com 

WOODCOCK PARK 

BOWLS CLUB 

Bowls, open days and 

fetes, Kenton 

020 8907 9076 

SEATED EXERCISE 

CLASSES 

Spend an hour in gentle 

exercise with your friends, 

£2.00 per session. Mons 

11.30am-12.30pm 

28 Fortunegate Road 

Harlesden NW10 9RE. 

Weds 10.30-11.30am 

Harrod Court Stag Lane 

NW9 9AD, call Age UK 

Brent 020 8965 7711 

WALKING GROUP 

Thur, 2-3pm, Willesden 

Sports Centre, Donnington 

Road, NW10 3QX. Free. 

Call Age UK Brent 

020 8965 7711 

RAGGAROBICS 

Circuits every Wednesday 

at Bridge Park 8-9pm, £5 

Get fit. Call Jason 

07557 123 760 

HOCKEY 

Senior sessions. Weds 

8-10pm; juniors (U9-U16) 

Suns 10am. Jewish Free 

School, Kingsbury (The 

Mall, HA3 9TE). Gary 

Thompson on 

07946 576 968 

www.harrowhc.co.uk 

KINGBURY 

BOWLS CLUB 

New members welcome, 

free coaching and loan of 

bowls, Eton Grove Open 

Space. 07505 337 501 

SEA URCHINS 

Thurs 8pm, swimming 

club for young people 

and adults with learning 

difficulties. Willesden 

Sports Centre, NW10, 

free, call Jean 

020 8452 6912 

BRONDESBURY 

BOWLING CLUB 

Evenings and daytime 

including free tuition, 

Chatsworth Road 

020 8438 0302 

CENTURY BOWLS CLUB 

Indoor and outdoor bowls, 

free coaching available, 

social activities, Logan 

Road, Wembley 

020 8904 3261 

PRESTON PARK 

BOWLS CLUB 

Free coaching and loan 

of bowls Preston Park 

Recreation Ground, 

Carlton Avenue East 

020 8933 9358 

STREET DANCE 

Street dance yourself 

fit class at Fitness First 

Wembley High, £5 non 

members £3 for members. 

Call Cher 07506 198 999. 

SHORINJI KEMPO 

MARTIAL ART 

Tues 8-9.30pm Church of 

Ascension, The Avenue, 

Wembley; Fri 7.30-9pm 

at St Erconwald’s Church 

Hall, 112 Carlton Avenue 

East, Wembley 

07404 039 087 

WU SHU KWAN 

Chinese kickboxing Sat 

3-5pm, Willesden Sports 

Centre, NW10. 

07835 244 398 

www.wushukwan.com 

WEMBLEY CRICKET CLUB 

Sats 10-11am cricket 

teams and coaching 

for girls and boys at 

Oakington Manor School, 

Wembley 020 8902 6096 

WEMBLEY BOWLS CLUB 

Weds 3pm tuition offered 

King Edward VII Park, Park 

Lane Wembley 

020 8907 8626 

TAEKWONDO 

Tues 6-9pm, Thurs 

6-7.30pm, Ealing Road 

Methodist Church 

07832 447 763. Mons 

6.30-8pm, Weds 6.30- 

8pm, Cardinal Hinsley 

School NW10 

07832 447 763 

YOGA 

Mons-Suns Special Yoga 

Centre 2a Wrentham Ave, 

Kensal Rise, 

020 8968 1900 www. 

specialyoga.org.uk 

Mons 6.30-7.30pm, 

Thurs 7-8pm, Sun 11am- 

12noon, 12 sessions £40, 

drop-in £10, Gladstone 


Anson Road 

07901 650 763 

Weds 10.30am-12.30pm 

Dudden Hill Community 

Centre, 19 Dudden Hill 

Lane, NW10. bhakti yoga 

free classes 

07913 897 406 

Tues 9.20-10.30am 

Laughter Yoga, 

Roundwood Park Cafe, 

NW10. Children free, 

refreshments provided. 

Thurs 7.15–8.30pm 

Evening Laughter Yoga, 

Nest Cafe, Willesden 

Green Station, NW2 4QT. 

£10/£8 www.lifebulb.org 

Private yoga lessons, 

Consessions £5 first lesson 

£5. Contact Maria on 

07990 506 609 

Yoga classes, Mon-Sat, 

133 Salusbury Road, 

Queens Park, 

020 7328 7163 www. 

yogaindailylife.org.uk 

Willesden Library (room 2) 

Thurs 7-8pm, Gladstone 

Park Community Center 

Suns 11am-12noon. 

Mixed Ability Classes £10 

www.yogatherapy.me 

07901 650 763 

ALL EVENTS ARE 

SELECTED AT THE 

EDITOR’S DISCRETION 

TIMEout 

VENUES 

BRENT MUSEUM 

High Road, NW10 

020 8937 3600 

BRENT ARCHIVES 

Ist Floor, Willesden Green 

Library Centre, NW10 

020 8937 3541 

archives@brent.gov.uk 

PAUL DAISLEY HALL 

Forty Lane, Wembley, 

Middx HA9 Box Office 

020 8937 6206/6203 

LIBRARIES 

EALING ROAD LIBRARY 

Coronet Parade, Ealing Road, 

Wembley HA0 4BA, 

020 8937 3560 

ealingroadlibrary@brent.gov.uk 

HARLESDEN LIBRARY 

Craven Park Road, 

Harlesden, NW10 8SE 

020 8937 3570 

harlesdenlibrary@brent.gov.uk 

KILBURN LIBRARY 

42 Salusbury Road, 

Kilburn NW6 6NN 

020 8937 3530 

kilburnlibrary@brent.gov.uk 

KINGSBURY LIBRARY PLUS 

Kingsbury Road, 

Kingsbury NW9 9HE 

020 8937 3520 

kingsburylibrary@brent.gov.uk 

TOWN HALL LIBRARY 

Brent Town Hall, 

King’s Drive, Forty Lane, Wembley 

HA9 9HU, 

020 8937 3500 

townhalllibrary@brent.gov.uk 

WILLESDEN GREEN LIBRARY 

95 High Road, 

Willesden NW10 2SF 

020 8937 3400 

willesdengreenlibrary@brent.gov.uk 

WEMBLEY STADIUM EVENTS 

The FA Cup Final 5 May, time 5.15pm 

The FA Trophy Final, 12 May, time TBC 

The FA Vase Final 13 May, time TBC 

Championship Play-off Final, 

19 May, time TBC 

Blue Square bet promotion Final 

20 May, 3pm 

League 1 Play-off Final, 


League 2 Play- off Final 


England V Belgium 2 June, 5.15pm 

Capital Summer Time Ball, 

9 June, time TBC 

Turandot, 23 June, time TBC 

Olympic Football 29 July, time 5pm 

Men’s preliminaries (two matches) 

29 July, 5pm 

Women’s preliminaries (one match) 

31 July, 7.45pm 

Future dates online 

0844 980 8001 

www.wembleystadium.com 


31

The Brent Magazine issue 123 May 2012 - Brent Council

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