July 2008 Archives

By Elaine Okyere

Neighbours are being encouraged to get to know each other at a street party planned for Edgware.

Harrow Council's community and cultural services department will be throwing a beach and street party over the next few months to improve community relations.

Stanmore library is hosting a quiz and activities day for children aged between seven to 11 years.
The afternoon is called Terry Deary's Awful Olympics and will take place at Stanmore library, in Stanmore Hill, between 2.30-3.30pm on July 24.
To book a place at this event call 020 8954 9955.

A Stanmore based charity will be hosting a celebrity cricket match to raise funds.
Aspire, the spinal cord injury charity, will be holding a cricket match between the Bunbury Celebrity XI and Aspire Saracens XI from 2pm on August 3 at Totteridge Millhillians Cricket Club, Totteridge Green.
Players will include McFly's Harry Judd and former model and singer Samantha Fox.
Tickets are 5 for adults and 1 for children. For more information call 020 8420 6705.

Batman and Robin swapped their bat mobile for bicycles as part of a bike ride for a Stanmore-based charity.
Luke Peace and John Cheasman, who both work for the spinal injury charity Aspire, based in Wood Lane, took part in the organisation's annual cycle ride last Sunday (July 20).
The two men, who tackled the course on a tandem bike dressed as Batman and Robin, have raised more than £1,000 for the charity.
It was the first time the swim-school coordinator and lifeguard had taken part in the 52-mile challenge around St Albans and Harpenden.
Mr Peace said: "it took us four hours and 47 minutes and we only stopped for two water breaks.
"The weather held out, which was good. It was a bit restrictive in fancy dress the Lycra was quite tight, but fancy dress and the tandem bike was a great way of raising money."
Aspire's Andrew Ogierman, who co-ordinated the event, said: "The second Aspire summer cycle was a great success.
"All those taking part had a fantastic day. We are well on course to raise over £10,000 from the event."
Anyone wanting to donate money should contact Andrew on 020 8420 8951 or email andrew.ogierman@aspire.org.uk.

By Tara Brady

Two landmark buildings dating from the 18th Century have been successfully restored to their former glory.
The property previously known as the Kings Head Hotel in Harrow on the Hill and the walls of George V Memorial Garden in Canons Park were taken off English Heritage's At Risk Register this week.
English Heritage, the national body which preserves historical monuments, warned last year that 10 dilapidated properties in Harrow were in need of repair or complete restoration.
The Kings Head, which dates back to the 1720s, once served as an inn but by the 20th Century was falling into disrepair.
Harrow Council oversaw the project and made sure the building was restored using the same lime render and timber windows that had been used in its original construction.
Baj Mathur, retired architect, town planner and executive member of Harrow Heritage Trust, said: "Unfortunately, buildings do become dilapidated and their owners let them fall into disrepair. But with the help of English Heritage, the council and people who are interested in these buildings they can be saved.
"Harrow Heritage Trust commended both projects and so it is great news to hear that they have been carried out."
Using a grant of £917,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the council also worked with Friends of Canons Park and successfully restored the vast parkland which runs between Stanmore and Edgware, including its buildings.
As part of the restoration programme the walls of George V Memorial Garden were also removed from the register.
Sharon Graham, of Friends of Canons Park, said: "We are over the moon. The garden looks beautiful and the wall has been restored to its former glory. It has taken a couple of years but we are all so pleased. It is now up to the council to make sure it stays like this but we a park keeper so we know it will be looked after."
Eight buildings are still classified as being at risk. They include the Garden Temple in Canons Park, Canons Farm Barn in Pinner and East End Farm Barns, also Pinner.
Councillor Marilyn Ashton (Conservative), responsible for planning, development and enterprise, said: "The At Risk Register is an important asset in our understanding of the threat posed to protected sites in Harrow.
"There are more than 300 listed buildings in Harrow and the limited number of entries on the register reflects the council's commitment to protecting the borough's heritage.
"We are delighted the former King's Head Hotel and the walls of the George V Memorial Garden have come off the register and are confident in 2009 other buildings will follow."

By Elaine Okyere

It was lights, camera and action at Stanmore church as filming took place for two upcoming programmes.
St Lawrence church, in Little Stanmore, was visited by crews from the BBC to film the church's organ, which was once played by world-famous composer George Handel.
Comedian Alexander Armstrong, of Armstrong and Miller fame, came to the Anglican church to film a documentary on the composer on July 9. Only a week before Charles Hazlewood from Radio two arrived to catch a glimpse of the historic building for a show on the birth of British classical music.
Father Paul Reece, who has been at the St Lawrence 16 years, said: "It is the only place that Handel played on the organ and it has been restored. Lots of people from around the world come to see the church.
"It is a real joy to worship in the building and it adds to the church experience."
The continental baroque church was rebuilt by James Brydges, first Duke of Chandos after he bought the Cannons estate in Little Stanmore in 1715.
The church's interior was crafted by 18th century artists including Antonio Bellucci and Louis Laguerre. Master woodcarver Grinling Gibbons created Handel's organ case in 1717, but the original instrument has since lost a lot of its character due to rebuilding work. However specialist organ builders recently restored it to how Handel would have known it.
Handel was composer in residence at the Cannons Estate from 1717-18 during this time he lived on the estate and composed The Chandos Anthems and what is often regarded as the first English oratorio, Esther.
For more information on the church visit www.little-stanmore.org.

By Elaine Okyere

Face-painting and a Punch and Judy show kept children and adults amused at a Stanmore nursery's fete.
More than 100 people visited the RAF Stanmore Park Nursery School, in Elliot Road, for a summer fete to raise money for the nursery last Saturday (19).
The day also featured arts and crafts stalls, a tombola, pin a tail on the donkey games, and a football competition.
The manager Caroline Ryder said: "It was a really good day and the weather held out for us. The children liked the Punch and Judy Show and they obviously loved having their faces painted.
The school, which has 26 pupils, was previously sponsored by the RAF Bentley Priory, before it closed in May. The fete raised more than £400 for essential equipment and administration charges at the nursery.
Ms Ryder said: "We still have a lot of military families in the area and around 90 per cent of our parents are in the military."
"People get posted off around the world and it is a really strong community and we all support each other."
The nursery's parents' committee organised the event with staff member Vanessa Eames.

A child was airlifted to hospital after a car was in collision with a bicycle in Harrow.
The smash between a blue Ford Fiesta and push bike on Courtenay Avenue at 3.55pm yesterday (17) closed three roads in the area.
Air ambulance took a 10-year-old boy to Royal Free Hospital, in London, to be treated for a suspected broken leg.
Traffic came to a standstill in the area and Long Elmes and Pinner Park Avenue were both closed off whilst medics and police were at the scene.

By Elaine Okyere

A crunch decision is close on whether more than 100 homes should occupy the former RAF Bentley Priory site.
Harrow Council's strategic planning meeting will meet on Wednesday (23) to consider an application by VSM Estates to construct a total of 103 homes on the former landmark military estate in The Common, Stanmore.
The Harrow Observer's long-running Save Bentley Priory campaign successfully fought to preserve the Grade II* mansion house, which served as the command centre for the Battle of Britain.
If the plans are given the green light, part of the building will be turned into a museum and educational centre and the remainder of the historic premises converted into luxury apartments.
Upmarket family homes will be constructed in clusters on specific areas elsewhere across the 23-hectare site.
Tony Raymond, of the Stanmore Society, said: "Broadly speaking, we're happy with the plans. There have been concerns passed to us from some residents in Herriot's Close that one of the areas proposed for the houses is too close to their perimeter.
"There is also some criticism of the design of the planned crescent of homes. The main thing is that the priory has been saved."
Nicky Ferraz, a member of the Bentley Way Residents' Association, felt the development would put strain on local services and increase the risk of flooding in the area.
She said: "They say there will be 103 homes but I think they will build more. There are no amenities for these homes. We have a doctor's surgery in Stanmore Park and we have to wait a week for a doctor's appointment. It is all very worrying.
"I have written to Harrow Council to ask why the area can't be made into a park. "
The Environment Agency, meanwhile, has objected to the application because it remains unconvinced by the proposed drainage scheme and the developers' measures to combat flooding. The agency also has concerns over the protection of the biodiversity in the area.
Erica Ferguson, of The Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Trust, which will run the museum, said: "It is our vision to have this museum and as long as the promises in the planning application are delivered it will put Stanmore and Bentley Priory on the map."
RAF Bentley Priory closed in May and ownership of the building was transferred to VSM Estates, which plans to build the homes and museum by 2011.

By Elaine Okyere

A nursery is celebrating its 40th birthday with a summer fair.
A special event with stalls, games and an entertainer is taking place from 12-2.30pm at the Honeypot Lane Pre-School, in The Scouts Hut, Marsh Lane, today (15).