December 2008 Archives

A TRUCK caught on fire in Harefield last night (Tues).

The fire brigade were called to Hill End Road at about midnight after the Mazda pickup truck caught on fire.

One fire engine with five fire fighters were sent and the fire was under control within minutes.

The cause of the fire is unknown.

ANOTHER date for the New year diary is the next meeting of Harefield History Society on January 26.

The guest speaker will be well-known local historian and author Eileen Bowlt who will be talking about Breakspear House which is currently being modernised and converted into private apartments.

Mrs Bowlt will describe what it was like in its fascinating historical past. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available after the talk ,which is at Park Lane Village Centre.

A curry and quiz evening is planned at St Mary's Church Hall in the High Street on January 31. The food will be provided but take your own drink.

Quiz teams will be eight-strong but you will be placed with others if you have a smaller group.

Tickets are £8 from Brenda on 01895 822058.

RESIDENTS in Harefield were partly reassured by a speaker representing Hillingdon Homes last night (18/12) after worries their association could be changed out of all recognition.

Members of the 40-year-old Harefield Tenants' and Residents' Association (HTRA) were concerned that a review of tenants' and residents' associations by Hillingdon Homes, which pays the groups annual grants, would have excluded stalwarts like chairwoman Pauline Crawley.

New rules have proposed limiting positions of authority to tenants and leaseholders only.
Sarah Laing, head of services development at Hillingdon Homes said, at the meeting at Park Lane Village Centre, the responses from residents' and tenants' groups were still being looked at and more concrete proposals would eventually be given to them for their consideration.

She explained the tighter rules were aimed at those groups that, unlike HTRA, were not run well and needed tighter constraints, particularly where the funding was concerned.

However, Ms Laing said exceptions could be made to any new rules and that people like Mrs Crawley who have given exemplary service to a well-run, long standing group, would be able to continue if voted back into office by members.

She said: "We are not trying to screen people out, but trying to get new people in.The money that goes to residents' and tenants' associations comes from rent and service charges so we have a responsibility to see it is spent properly.

"I really want to hear any comments about our proposals. I am listening."

Mrs Crawley, who has chaired HTRA for 10 years, said she had felt hurt by the proposals,which would have excluded people like herself from being eligible to stand for office again.

She said it was completely different to being voted out of office, if someone else wished to stand.

HTRA will still discuss at their annual meeting in March whether to forsake the grant and go independent by returning to members' subscription.

A Neighbourhood Watch and police consultative meeting is planned in Harefield for January 7 and co-ordinator Paul Stone is anxious that regular attendees are aware of this.

The Harefield NW meeting is at Barden Court, Hall Drive, beginning at 7.30pm. All are welcome - not just regulars.

AROUND 80 Harefield residents enjoyed a Christmas tea and entertainment at the village's brand new school on Monday (15/12).

Staff and pupils at Harefield Academy in Northwood Way joined the guests for tea followed by carol singing, drama, a samba band and a Mozart Bassoon Concerto played by Meave McHugh.

Year 11 pupil Sarah Owen sang, All I want for Christmas, the gym display team performed and they also managed to fit in a game of bingo.

The High Tea was prepared and served by the school's catering students and hampers were handed out at the end of the day.

Guests took home mince pies, biscuits, cakes, jam and sweets supplied by students of the academy and gifts from Waitrose in Northwood and Ruislip, and Sainsbury's, Ruislip and Tesco in Watford.

STAFF at Harefield Hospital's heart attack centre have been commended in a London-wide award which recognises innovation and excellent team work.

The awards, organised by NHS London in association with the King's Fund and the Evening Standard, were announced at the inaugural London Health 2008 conference at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London.

Harefield's heart attack centre received a special judges' mention.

The heart attack centre was commended for its primary angioplasty service, where staff rapidly treat patients using a thin tube, called a catheter, and tiny balloon to unblock the coronary arteries.

A rigid metal support, called a stent, is left in place to restore blood flow. Speed is vital as the sooner the patient receives treatment,the less damage occurs to the heart.

Harefield Hospital has the shortest door to balloon time in the UK at just 23 minutes compared to a national average of 56 minutes.

Commenting on the team's commendation, Dr Miles Dalby,consultant cardiologist at Harefield Hospital said: "We're incredibly proud of Harefield's leading heart attack centre and delighted that we've been officially praised as a centre of excellence which delivers the fastest primary angioplasty treatment in the country. "

No-one needs to be on their own on Christmas day in Harefield as a community lunch is being held at Harefield Baptist Church in Rickmansworth Road. Contact the Reverend Ian Hewes on 01895 824095 if you are interested in joining in the fun.

An important meeting on December 18 could decide the future of the village's long-standing Harefield Tenants' and Residents' Association (HTRA) which feels its independence is under threat.

Members do not usually meet in December but it was thought the question mark over the future of the association was important enough to arrange a question and answer session with Sarah Laing, head of services development at Hillingdon Homes, which manages Hillingdon Council's social housing, and is proposing to restructure tenants' and residents' groups.

The continuing saga of Tesco's efforts to build an express store and flats on the Kings Arms site in Rickmansworth Road will also be under discussion at the meeting which starts at 8pm, as new plans have been submitted.

These can be viewed at the Civic Centre, High Street, Uxbridge, between 8.45am and 5.15pm Monday-Friday. Any responses need to be made by December 31.

Anyone who lives in Harefield is welcome to the important meeting at Park Lane village centre, which begins at 8pm. A Christmas drink and nibbles will round the meeting off.

UNSUNG heroes from Harefield are invited into the spotlight as the Gazette and Uxbridge College seek people who have made their mark in the community.

If you know anyone who deserves credit for what they have done in your area - or anywhere in the borough - put them forward now. Entry is open to all people who live, volunteer, or work here.

Hillingdon's top hero will win £750 on top of the £250 which all category winners receive.

All you have to do is complete a coupon in The Gazette or Leader and return it to: Barbara Fisher, Local Heroes, Gazette, 28 Bakers Road, Uxbridge, UB8 1RG. Alternatively email barbarafisher@trinitysouth.co.uk Entries must be received by January 23 and shortlisted candidates will be invited to a gala night on February 26.

For more information: phone Barbara Fisher on 01895 451020 Monday-Wednesday only.

Choose from these categories:

• *

Community Hero-someone who has helped the community, perhaps with a
project or campaign.

• *

Fundraising Hero- any individual or group which has raised money for
charity.

• *

Young Hero- a youngster aged 16 or under who deserves recognition in the
community.

• *

Citizen of Courage-someone who has shown bravery in a difficult situation
or achieved a goal against the odds.

• *

Carer Hero -anyone who has selflessly looked after others.

The overall title Hero of Hillingdon will be chosen from any of the above
category winners.

If you are e-mailing do not forget to name the category and give contact
details for both nominee and the person who is nominating.

A PARTY dance on December 17 should pave the way to Christmas for members of Harefield Community Association or anyone interested in a fun evening.

Open to all, the party dance American supper will include line, sequence and ballroom dancing from 8-11pm,at the Community Centre in Priory Avenue.

It costs £2 entrance fee, but please take a plate of food - this time it should have an American theme.

The dancing club is held every Wednesday from 8-10.30pm, and there is also an end of the month session on the final Saturday of the month.

On Wednesdays a dance lesson can be enjoyed from 8-8.30pm with the help of members, though it is stressed they are not professional teachers.
Impressively,the January 31 dinner dance is already sold out.