October 2009 Archives

UNSUNG heroes are invited to step into the spotlight as the Uxbridge Gazette and Leader series, together with Uxbridge College, is once again seeking inspirational people who have made an outstanding contribution to the community.

The eighth annual Local Heroes awards, which launches today (28), acknowledges the hard work, dedication and courage shown by ordinary people from Hillingdon borough who have put others first or overcome adversity.

There are five categories in this year's awards: Outstanding Young Person, Star Carer, Community Champion, Courageous Citizen and Fabulous Fundraiser.

Entry is open to anyone who lives, works or volunteers in the borough, so if you know someone who deserves credit for doing a good deed, nominate them now!

The closing date for entries is Monday, December 14, and the judging panel will make its decision on the following day.

Short listed nominees are invited to attend a gala awards night with music from Perry Parsons MBE and The Vyners Swing Band, held on Thursday, January 28 at Hayes Community Campus in Coldharbour Lane, Hayes.

Category winners will each receive a trophy and £250 cash, and the person named overall Hero of Hillingdon will pick up an extra £500. Runners up will each receive £50.

Last year's awards saw Multiple Sclerosis sufferer, Nimira Patel, crowned a Hero of Hillingdon, after voluntarily running Little Angels playgroup at Harlington Baptist Church in High Street, Harlington.

She was also recognised for her efforts to support others in the community by offering a listening ear and giving helpful advice, as well as looking after people's children and making sure they get something to eat.

Choose from the following categories:

Outstanding Young Person: Anyone aged 16 or under who has made an outstanding achievement or impressive effort, supported others or enthusiastically taken part in sports or an event.

Star Carer: Someone who has selflessly looked after a friend, relative, neighbour, or others.

Community Champion: An individual, group or organisation which has helped or supported the community.

Courageous Citizen: Someone who has triumphed over adversity, achieved something against the odds, or shown courage or determination.

Fabulous Fundraiser: An individual, group, organisation or business which has raised money for a deserving cause.

Email Gazette reporter Siba Matti at sibamatti@trinitysouth.co.uk with the name of the category and contact details for both the nominee and the person who is nominating. Alternatively, see the Gazette each week for a nomination form.

*Please note that, under competition rules, staff from the Uxbridge Gazette and Leader series, and students and staff from Uxbridge College, cannot be nominated.

DELIGHTED residents are celebrating after planning permission to build nine three- and four-bedroom homes on a Grade I listed nature conservation site was refused.

More than 700 residents signed a petition opposing the development, on land west of Woodfield Terrace and Dovedale Close, Harefield, which is made up of dense woodland surrounded by the Green Belt, allotment gardens, a public footpath and the village
conservation area.

The site's fate was sealed yesterday (Tuesday) at a Hillingdon Council planning meeting, when the committee expressed concerns about destroying open land and access to the proposed development.

If successful, the developer had intended to create a new road leading from an existing private driveway between 69c and 69d Dovedale Close.

But the committee, along with petitioners, said there would also be insufficient space for two-way traffic and for refuse vehicles to turn around, which would result in a 'people versus vehicles situation'.

They also said that, as the site is also on a steep slope, it could cause potential problems for elderly and disabled residents.

Melissa Loosemore, of Dovedale Close, attended the meeting to speak on behalf of the petitioners.

She said it was important that the wildlife in the area was preserved: "The development would be at the bottom of my garden and the area surrounding it has a high population of bats, badgers, grass snakes and stag beetles.

"We are in a world of consumerism and greed and this is an opportunity to ensure this land is protected for future generations.

"The development also goes against government policies on sustainability and preservation of ecology."

After the result was announced, she added: "I am absolutely thrilled. The application was never suitable for the area and this shows that the voice of Harefield residents has been heard."

Members of Harefield Residents and Tenants Association, Harefield Village Conservation Panel and Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust were also against the development.

Pauline Crawley, chair of the Harefield Residents and Tenants Association, said: "This is brilliant news although I was confident the application would be refused, because it was a completely inappropriate development.

"Obviously the Greenbelt and the wildlife needed to be protected, and that is a victory in itself, but the access to the site was totally unacceptable, and I'm glad the committee agreed."

A 12 year old boy from Harefield has been arrested in connection with a fire in Denham.

He was arrested on Sunday afternoon (11/10) after the fire which took place on the edge of a BMX track and public footpath on Denham Green on September 30.

THE monthly meeting of the Harefield Tenants and Residents Association will take place tomorrow.

The residents group will meet at 8pm at Harefield Library, in Park Lane, Harefield.

The meeting is expected to last until 10pm, and will discuss all planning, and social and disorder issues affecting the village.

THE latest instalment of a hit television show is to be filmed at a pub on the edge of the village.

The latest episode of Only Fools and Horses, set in the sixties when Del Boy was in his teens, is being filmed at the moment.

Today (Wednesday), the show is being filmed at The Oaks pub, located a short walk from the Coppermil Quay on Old Uxbridge Road.

For pictures see next week's Gazette.

AN ART exhibition will take place on Friday to raise funds for Harefield Hospital.

Some of the world's leading contemporary artists will see their work auctioned off, to raise funds for the famous heart hospital on Hill End Road, Harefield.

AN annual quiz will take place tonight (14/10) for the green fingered vegetable growers.

A LANDLORD is demanding an end to mystery gas leaks which is blighting his business and creating havoc in the village.

A gas pipe burst last Tuesday on the edge of the High Street, and engineers have been repairing to repair the pipes ever since.

YOUNGSTERS at Harefield Academy had a surprise guest this morning (Wednesday) who knows what it is like to have the X Factor.

Marvin Humes, one member of popular boyband JLS, was at the Academy in Northwood Way to promote his chosen charity, Childline.

A MAN who asked youths not to sit on the war memorial was smashed over the head with a bottle of whisky.

The horrific assault took place on Friday night around 11.45pm and the man was rushed to hospital.