A CEREMONY to bless the first brick marked the start of construction work on a new lottery-funded community centre on Saturday last week. The Sangat Centre in Sancroft Road, Harrow, was awarded £270,858 in June by the Millennium Commission, which will
ARMED police officers who shot a 62-year-old man following a tense nine-hour siege in his home are now under investigation by police watchdogs. The man, Michael Malsbury, of Eastleigh Avenue, Rayners Lane, died less than an hour after he was shot on Wednesday
A Radio 1 DJ died after he was shot early on Tuesday (Nov 20) during a fight between 10 men. The 24-year-old victim, who has been identified as Horace Pinnock also known as DJ Village was taken to Central Middlesex Hospital where he was pronounced dead
The Department of Health aims to immunise 65 per cent of people over 65 against flu before December. Those at risk should visit their GP's surgery during October and November ready for the flu season.
One gardening query that I have been asked about quite a lot recently is 'what can I do about the waterlogging in my garden'? I have visited several gardens recently that have waterlogged lawns. In the past one way to deal with excess water in the garden
Bohemian artists from Oast House Adult Education Centre in Staines are inviting householders to fill their lives and homes with local art. The 25 artists from the Granary Group will hold their new show of more than 200 paintings at The Windsor Street
BUSINESS leaders have won their campaign for a replacement for a disintegrating multi-storey car park. In February, the top two storeys of the 257-space car park in The Broadway, Stanmore had to be closed when the building was declared unsafe. Now it
THE spirit of Diwali entered Northwick Park Hospital in the form of gifts of fruit, sweets and cards. Vice-chairman of service group, Sewa International, Arjan Sharma and fellow volunteers handed the offerings to the sick youngsters on Saturday last week
FEARFUL the borough could become a terrorist target, Labour party members met with international development secretary Clare Short MP on Tuesday. Prompted by resident concern, Spelthorne Labour group members, Stanwell councillors Pam and John Smith, cllr
EXPERTS will be on the move around the county to provide advice and answer queries on faulty goods, bad service or any other consumer concern. Surrey County Council's Trading Standards' mobile advice centre is touring Surrey to make sure residents know
There are enough attractions in Washington to spend up to a couple of weeks here. Its a city of monuments more like outdoor museums, really to great American figures such as George Washington, Franklin Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson among
Senior Andrew Hennessy was outshone by Under-15 Jack Taylor in the North of the Thames Championships at Kingsbury, as Taylor took gold in his event, to Hennessys silver, but Hennessy was recompensed as he led the team home in first place for overall gold
Brentford 1 (Nov 17) Morecambe 0 Following their win over non-league Morecambe, the Bees were handed a second home tie against Third Division Scunthorpe. A stunning 25-yard strike from Paul Gibbs separated the sides. But he admitted he was never confident
Swansea 4 (Nov 18) QPR 0 Rs fans trudging home after the long journey to Wales, having seen their side go out in the FA Cup First Round for the first time since 1966, will have agreed with every word of boss Ian Holloway's post-match analysis. "They were
YES it's that time of year again, when theatres echo to the rafters with boos, hisses, cheers and shouts of 'he's behind you'. The pantomime season is nearly here, and the Millfield Theatre in Silver Street, Edmonton, is preparing for action . This year
It was rather surprising to see that the secretary of the Spelthorne For Terminal 5 Action Group (STAG) now answers for Mr Wilshire in the press. For both STAG's and Mr Wilshire's information, BAA invested £60m on the Terminal 5 enquiry, which the government
The world-famous Great Kitchens at Hampton Court Palace are hosting a season of historic cookery demonstrations every weekend until December 16. This Saturday and Sunday (Nov 24 and 25) the talk and presentation is entitled Mutton and Parsley and is about
THE Grand Christmas Toyshow at Kempton Park Racecourse's Paddock Hall is to play host to author John Ramsay on Sunday. Mr Ramsay will be on hand to sign copies of his new book, 'British Diecast Model Toy Catalogue', alongside a selection of other toys
DRUNKEN thugs terrorising the town centre could become a problem of the past with police, the council and licensees launching a new initiative. Owners and managers of licensed premises in Spelthorne have signed an agreement to improve closed circuit television
RESIDENTS now have the chance to tell Surrey County Council what they think about the future housing needs of the county from the comfort of their own homes. By browsing the website, www.surreycc.gov.uk/talk, people living and working in Spelthorne can
'A majority of those I represent welcome this long overdue decision. It will help protect the future of Heathrow and my constituents, and give the British aviation a boost after the dreadful events of September 11. Hopefully, the obsessed knockers of
SPELTHORNE councillors welcomed the airport's expansion but promised to make BAA stick tightly to the Secretary of State for Transport's conditions. The council's director of community services, Richard Fairgrieve, said: "We are relieved to have a decision
TERMINAL 5 has finally been approved at Heathrow Airport, paving the way for an extra 25 million passengers a year. The decision, which comes as a massive blow to anti-T5 campaigners such as HACAN, was announced by Transport Secretary Stephen Byers on
Times Group resident historian JOHN HEATHFIELD has just launched a new book titled Finchley and Whetstone Past. In a specially-written column he uncovers the area's coaching inn heritage. The old Great North Road ran in an almost direct line from Highgate
You can catch 60s bands The Manfreds and The Blues Band together on stage at the Beck Theatre, Grange Road, Hayes on Monday (November 26) at 7.30pm. The bands, with no less than five original members left, will be performing some of their greatest hits
One gardening query that I have been asked about quite a lot recently is 'what can I do about the waterlogging in my garden'? I have visited several gardens recently that have waterlogged lawns. In the past one way to deal with excess water in the garden
Visitors to Brunel University's Beldam Gallery can view the work of some of the borough's most talented artists in the Applied Arts exhibition, which opened last Monday. The display comprises ceramics, glass, textiles and calligraphy such as the beautiful
There are enough attractions in Washington to spend up to a couple of weeks here. Its a city of monuments more like outdoor museums, really to great American figures such as George Washington, Franklin Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson among
Hillingdon Youth Arts (HYART) are presenting their first Youth Arts Week from Monday (Nov 26). HYART runs three youth theatre groups, 360 degree Youth Theatre for 16 to 19-year-olds, Magnetic North for 14 to 16-year-olds and Magnetic North Too for 12
There are enough attractions in Washington to spend up to a couple of weeks here. Its a city of monuments more like outdoor museums, really to great American figures such as George Washington, Franklin Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson among
The Spy Game (15) TOLD over the course of 24 hours of global intrigue with generous amounts of flashback from Vietnam to the end of the Cold War Tony Scott's Spy Game manages to take in as many of the late 20th century's political flashpoints as exotic
Middlesex, like my original home county of Essex, is underrated. Indeed, there are many people who believe that it no longer exists. In legal and administrative terms this might be true but as I travelled around the county to do the research for 'Tales
Swansea 4 QPR 0 (Nov 18) Rs fans trudging home after the long journey to Wales, having seen their side go out in the FA Cup First Round for the first time since 1966, will have agreed with every word of boss Ian Holloway's post-match analysis. "They were
T'was the night before Christmas, and all through the house, Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse . . . . . . except when the house in question is one of our esteemed local theatres, all of which are laying on a rip-roaring panto for your entertainment
The little boy I first met almost three years ago could barely even raise a smile. Olu Fadipe, who was just three when he first appeared in the Wimbledon Guardian, was so severely disfigured it was virtually physically impossible for him to change his
Town hall chiefs today stand accused of a "bureaucratic cop-out" after refusing to raise the Stars and Stripes over Hendon Town Hall. Tory councillor Brian Coleman wanted 'Old Glory' to fly alongside the Union Flag for the first time ever to celebrate
The Woman in Black is coming to Richmond Theatre, The Green from Tuesday (Nov 27) until Dec 1. It's the same chilling production, adapted from the novel by Susan Hill, that has been reducing audiences to jelly at the West End's Fortune Theatre for 12
A Barnet band is poised to take the UK's pop charts by storm after their new track was adopted as the official Pokemon song. Dusty Scales, 25, from Temple Fortune, said his nu-metal pop group 50.Grind got their lucky break when they were in Copenhagen
We go by car to supermarkets. No longer do we take the healthy option of walking down the road to the local shops and say hello to neighbours on the way. We send emails (most of us, but not me) to relatives abroad, not even giving them the pleasure of
I write, once again, in disappointment at the nature of last week's piece: 'Veterans demand names are added' (Hendon Times Group, November 15). That this issue is a highly sensitive one for many is not in doubt. That many closely involved feel frustrated
Reference is made to the photo and article which appeared in the November 8 issue of the Guardian referring to the Nelson Hospital League of Friends raising funds for the purchase of a bladder scan machine. The League of Friends is a very active organisation
My son recently had the most fantastic opportunity of attending the Hunting for Tigers golf day at World of Golf in New Malden, thanks to Danny Lubert. My son arrived at the event a lively 10 year old at 10am and when we collected him at 3pm he was a
David Robinsons letter about my recent speech in the House of Commons is misleading. Mr Robinson wrote that I had applauded Merton Council for transforming Mitcham and Morden into a Shangri-La of south-west London. Not so. If Mr Robinson had read my speech
I am writing regarding the proposed new stadium for Barnet FC. Are you aware that the consultation period on the proposed football stadium has been extended to December 7 no doubt due to the strength of local feeling aroused by it? The Green Belt that
TRANSPORT Secretary Stephen Byers' blessing for Terminal 5 on Tuesday imposed conditions to protect Heathrow's neighbours. He limited total flights per year to 480,000, up from 460,000 last year. He suggested that would see 90 million passengers using
A new radio station broadcasting to the Jewish community in Barnet is due to go on air in January next year from its Hendon studios, after being granted a 28-day licence this week. Shalom FM will be going live on 87.9FM on January 6 from its Egerton Gardens
We go by car to supermarkets. No longer do we take the healthy option of walking down the road to the local shops and say hello to neighbours on the way. We send emails (most of us, but not me) to relatives abroad, not even giving them the pleasure of
Up to 600 budding bards from all over the world entered this year's Barnet Borough Arts Council (BBAC) poetry competition. But the bulk of winners, announced at a ceremony earlier this month, came from the borough. Overall first prize was won by David
Thank you for Bill Montgomery's informative article on the demise of council homes in his Notebook of November 8 (see also: 'We need more than woolly assurances', Times Letters, November 15). As chairman of FACT (Flightways service users Action CommitTee
A Temple Fortune drummer has predicted his band will take the UK pop charts by storm after their new track has been adopted as the official Pokemon song. Dusty Scales, 25, of nu-metal pop group 50.Grind said the band got their lucky break with their new
A MARKET place to rival Portobello Road or Brick Lane is the only way to rescue an ailing town centre, according to residents. The plea was made at an Action Area Committee meeting on Wednesday last week where community leaders and councillors locked
The United Synagogue was said to have 'offended the very name of justice' by a crown court judge on Monday. The North Finchley-based organisation, which represents United and Orthodox synagogues throughout Britain was criticised by Judge George Bathurst-Norman
CHILDREN learnt about birds and their migration this week as they took part in The Birds of Paradise Week devised by park rangers. Two groups of pupils from Greenwood Primary School, Wood End Way, Northolt joined the educational programme on Tuesday (
Up to 600 budding bards from all over the world entered this year's Barnet Borough Arts Council (BBAC) poetry competition. But the bulk of winners, announced at a ceremony earlier this month, came from the borough. Overall first prize was won by David
FOUL-mouthed and rowdy students have been forced to sign a good behaviour agreement after passengers on a bus complained that travelling on the route had become 'a nightmare'. The E3 bus, serving Greenford, Hanwell, Northfields and Acton as well as Chiswick
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is among 57,000 people to call on Barnet Council to do its utmost to keep Barnet FC in the borough. The title-winning Frenchman from Totteridge was among football fans across the country, including Brentford chairman Ron
After seven days of questions over August's Ealing bomb, six suspected IRA terrorists faced their final day in custody today (Nov 22). The suspected Real IRA bombers arrested on Wednesday last week will hear today whether police will charge them under
It is possible that Mariah Carey may not be to blame for this heroically bad film, writes Andrew Richards. Here we have a project that panders to the soul diva, who has enough unit-shifting ability to pick and choose within a scheme too scared to defy
More than 500 people opposed to building work at a Wimbledon church have signed a petition condemning the scheme which has been likened to a DIYstore. They claim plans to erect a two-storey building to be used as a hall and meeting rooms behind the Grade
The Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents Association (RP & WBRA) is gearing up for a renewed battle against a major property developer wanting to build 98 flats close to a flood plain in Raynes Park. Barratt Homes has submitted an application
A woman is seeking six-figure damages at the High Court for the trauma she insists she is suffering after seeing a police motorcyclist die in a tragic road accident. Mother-of-two Elizabeth Fagan claims her back pain and post-traumatic stress disorder
An emotional appeal for help in tracking down the brutal killers of a hard-working Sri Lankan is being made by the woman he left behind. Kanthie Rathanapala, 43, spoke exclusively to the Guardian about her shock at hearing of her boyfriends murder and
A Wimbledon biker has overcome her fears after an accident to become the face of a biking booklet. Emma Tanner, 26, of Haynt Walk, who has been biking for two years, won the chance to don her helmet and leathers and pose for the cameras at the International
The mother of Sebastian Selo the little boy who hit the headlines when he travelled to Australia for a life-saving operation has triumphed over bureaucracy to get care for him. Mertons social services, placed on special measures following a damning Department
ONCE again Enfield Football Club has been shunned by local politicians. Despite the best efforts of club officials to meet the powers that be, MPs and councillors are digging their heels in by refusing to even hold talks with the homeless 108-year-old
Wimbledon brownies got in the swim recently to help raise cash for asthma sufferers. More than 20 brownies, from the 12th and 28th Wimbledon packs completed the sponsored swim in a bid to raise more than £500 for the National Asthma Campaign charity.
The Spy Game (15) TOLD over the course of 24 hours of global intrigue with generous amounts of flashback from Vietnam to the end of the Cold War Tony Scott's Spy Game manages to take in as many of the late 20th century's political flashpoints as exotic
The Hyperactive Childrens Support Group in Wimbledon is holding a morning workshop entitled Strategies for Behavioural Management Including Dietary and Nutritional Intervention. It will be at the Red Cross Centre, 28 Worple Road, between 9.45am and 2pm
Alarm is spreading among Mertons cyclists that a decision to vastly reduce funding for cycle lanes could leave them on the road to nowhere. GLA quango Transport for London (TfL) is to cut funding for each boroughs cycle schemes from £7.5 million to just
Merton Council has green events in store as part of the 27th National Tree Week, which aims to increase young peoples involvement in tree-planting and related activities. Activities for Tree Week, which runs from now until December 2, include Save the
Wimbledon FC footballer Mark Williams paid a visit to the King Georges Playing Fields to present a cheque to the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust and Morden Little League. The money presented as two cheques for £1,144 was raised by three local football
POLICE are asking for help in catching a thief who finished off a box of fried chicken before robbing a cash delivery man. The Securicor driver was dropping off a large sum of money to cash points at the Tesco store in Leyton High Road when he was attacked
A MILKMAN was held up at gunpoint as he made a delivery to a nursery in the early hours of Monday morning. The 45-year-old man was taking milk to residents in Lemna Road, Leytonstone, and had stopped outside a nursery to make a delivery. Having left his
DRIVER Elvis Teddie Dobson jumped to his death from the 16th floor of St Fabian's Tower, Chingford, when emotionally unstable, an inquest heard last week.o Mr Dobson's father Dudley, of Cathall Road, Leytonstone, said: "I loved my son very much, and I
CALLS for reform of the 999 service by setting up a new 888 service for non-urgent problems has had the support of Walthamstow MP Neil Gerrard. The Labour MP said: "The response by the emergency services to 999 calls is being seriously affected by the
A FORMER aid worker has said that he has kept his ethics despite soaring success as a businessman. Gary Lancet, 40, of Manning Road, Walthamstow, has turned his company from a small supplier of bookholders into an international distributor, selling up
A COUNSELLING service tailored to young people's needs opened last week. Face 2 Face is based at Chestnuts House, Hoe Street, Walthamstow, where the launch was attended by Waltham Forest Mayor Midge Broadley and Redbridge Mayor Alan Weinburg. The service
A PLAQUE has been unveiled at the house where author Lena Kennedy lived for nearly half a century. Her novels of East End life and her historical stories are still popular 15 years after her death. The plaque was placed by the council on the house in
A BID to cut crime on buses has been launched by police. Operation Seneca, which is aimed at tackling any criminal activity on buses, will see uniformed and plain-clothed officers patrolling various routes. If the scheme works, it may be extended to Waltham
WELLINGTONS and boots were the order of the day when school children went for a long walk in the forest. A total of 25 pupils from Leytonstone School, gave up part of their weekend to trek through Epping Forest on Saturday, proving that acorns really
Mill Hill 13 Uxbridge 10 (Nov 17)Uxbridge failed to build on last week's win over Tring, just losing to Mill Hill away from home. Uxbridge went in at half time 10-3 in front, courtesy of a penalty kick and a try from fly half James Simpson, after good
FURTHER to our appeal as to the whereabouts of the Christie organ from the Empire cinema in Edmonton, reader Martin Palmer supplied us with the following: "Your picture in the Enfield Independent of the Christie organ at the Empire Edmonton, following
Hillingdon Borough became the first side this season to put three goals past London Colney, which should have been enough for victory, but in return conceded seven. Boro netted through Curtis King (2) and James O'Neill.
FURTHER to our appeal as to the whereabouts of the Christie organ from the Empire cinema in Edmonton, reader Martin Palmer supplied us with the following: "Your picture in the Enfield Independent of the Christie organ at the Empire Edmonton, following
TALES of Old Middlesex is a new book based on the county's past.o It is a collection of traditional stories involving kings, queens, heroes and villains by author Mike Hall. The old county of Middlesex stretches from Enfield in the north-east down to
TALES of Old Middlesex is a new book based on the county's past.o It is a collection of traditional stories involving kings, queens, heroes and villains by author Mike Hall. The old county of Middlesex stretches from Enfield in the north-east down to
Mill Hill 13 Uxbridge 10 Herts/Middlesex Division 1 Mill Hill, trailing 10-0 against the run of play, fought back well for a narrow win on Saturday. Hywel Gosling narrowed the deficit with a penalty before half-time, and kicked another early in the second
Householders can join discussions about two planning applications for 455 London Road at a meeting tonight (Nov 22) at St John's Hall, in St John's Road, Isleworth from 7pm.
POP sensations of yesteryear the Beverley Sisters are backing a campaign urging vulnerable people to have a flu jab. The singers and children's television presenter Kirstie O'Brien recommend anyone suffering asthma, bronchitis, diabetes, HIV/Aids, heart
SAFETY is being compromised by a shortfall of 16 police officers, according to recently published figures. A formula calculated by the number of incidents each month and the demand each incident places on police is used by the Greater London Assembly
Ann Keen MP is the new president of the Chiswick Royal British Legion after being voted to the prestigious position by members at last Friday's AGM.
Two men armed with a handgun and sawn-off shotgun terrorised pub staff on Sunday before making off with the day's takings. Disguised with rubber 'old man' masks, the thieves robbed the Hobgoblin Public House in London Road, Twickenham at 11.45pm. The
HOMELESS dogs are being scientifically matched to their perfect owner using an innovative personality test created by a Brunel University researcher. Rebecca Ledger, an animal behaviourist at Brunel University, designed psychometric tests for the RSPCA
ROWDY youngsters have been forced to sign good behaviour agreements after passengers on a bus complained that the route has become 'a nightmare'. The E3 bus, serving Chiswick, Greenford, Hanwell, Northfields and Acton, has become a no-go for many users
EIGHT millennium babies celebrated their first birthday in style on Saturday afternoon when their mums threw a big birthday bash. More than 70 guests joined one-year-olds Zachary, Harry, Jack, Raffy, Millie, Amy and Lara, all born between November and
AUTHOR Jim Lewis celebrated the release of a new book about the Lea Valley area earlier this month. The new book, entitled More Secrets Revealed, follows his very popular London's Lea Valley: Britain's Best Kept Secret. The publication was launched at
CHILDCARE groups in the most deprived parts of the borough are being urged to bid for their share of a £1.3 million fund before the money is lost. The government grant aims to help unemployed parents wishing to work and working parents in Hanworth, Heston
A HUSBAND and wife team have put their parenting skills to good use by setting up a special website. Peter Osborne, 37, was delighted when his wife Michelle, 35, gave birth to a beautiful bouncing baby girl in May. Despite doting on Megan, the pair from
Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers Lucy Elliott and Dominic Bannister both achieved top-ten places in the Reebok cross-country running meeting at Margate on Sunday, but both narrowly missed out on selection for the European Championships in Switzerland next
Football: Merton Women got back to winning ways with a 4-2 away win away over Panthers in theThird Division, West London League Division Three on Sunday. Two goals each from Vicky Morrison and Sarah Marsh kept the pressure on league leaders Camberley.
Hercules Wimbledon Athletic Clubs youngsters competed in the second Sweat Shop Surrey Cross Country League Division Two meeting in Richmond Park. Mike Deane won the U13 race, covering the 2.5 mile course in 16 mins 34 secs to finish more than a minute
Despite a perfect pitch and ideal playing conditions, Wimbledon struggled to see off Old Mid-Whigitians in their London League Two South Division clash on Saturday. The Dons experimental back line wasted almost all the good ball won and the Midwives pacey
Wimbledon face title-chasing Wolves at Selhurst Park this Saturday and will be looking to improve on their performances against Barnsley and Walsall. Kevin Coopers goal, four minutes from time, rescued a point for Terry Burtons men last Saturday after
A MAN was seriously assaulted last week in Bourne Hill. Police say that the man was beaten up by the occupant of a white K-registration Renault Clio car. There may have also been people involved who were driving a white Peugeot 206. The victim sustained
ENFIELD welcomed some new borns to the New River a few days ago when a mother duck hatched ten ducklings. The ducklings, which are swimming happily with their parents on the river, should ideally have been born in April but the unseasonably warm weather
Two Bromley borough beauties are set to do vocal battle this Saturday when they go head-to-head on ITV's Pop Idol show. Crofton's Davina Perera and Penge teen-sensation Tania Foster will be take on eight other hopefuls including the infamous Darius, who
ENFIELD Football Club is in mourning after the club secretary died after suffering a heart attack in the dressing room just minutes before Saturday's fixture.o Keith Hughes, 67, from Cuffley, was talking to E's manager Tom Loizou prior to kick-off at
HOUNSLOW Council slammed the decision to approve the new terminal. Despite recognising the financial benefits of the decision, the council claimed that its residents will bear the brunt of the scheme's problems. It also claims that allowing an additional
THE Independent can exclusively reveal this spectacular blueprint which will change the face of Edmonton Green.o The multi-million pound scheme, drawn up by shopping centre owners St Modwen Developments, includes shops, food outlets, plush apartments
"This time I have written a work that is all clarity and vivacity, full of colour and melody. It will be entertaining," wrote George Bizet in 1873 when he finished the music for Carmen writes Linda Kirby. From the first rise of the baton from conductor
Sorry, I Love You is a sparkling, new comedy by John Goodrum. A passionate love affair, a host of comic characters and a soundtrack assembled from the best in classic and contemporary pop, all combines to provide a romantic evening of feel-good theatre
NIGEL Cooper, chief executive officer of the North West London Chamber of Commerce, said: "Many people are understandably concerned about the negative effects of noise pollution, but when it is operational Terminal 5 will indisputably bring further prosperity
The International Playwriting Festival will be held at the Warehouse Theatre, Dingwall Road, Croydon, this weekend. This year celebrates 16 years of successfully discovering and promoting the work of new playwrights. From a record number of entries, the
Nils Lofgren, when he came on stage at the Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon on Thursday night, seemed more diminutive than ever writes Christine van Emst. He is a small man, but when he picks up a guitar he becomes a giant of a man. A big talent linked with
TRANSPORT Secretary Stephen Byers' blessing for Terminal 5 on Tuesday imposed conditions to protect Heathrow's neighbours. Mr Byers told the House of Commons that he agreed with the inspector's report that the terminal would have wider benefits for London
TERMINAL 5 has finally been approved at Heathrow Airport, paving the way for an extra 25 million passengers a year. The decision, which comes as a blow to anti-T5 campaigners such as HACAN, was announced by Transport Secretary Stephen Byers on Tuesday
Despite the fact that jazz outfit Sonarfly is still relatively unknown, the band has managed to build up a surprisingly loyal fan base writes Kerry McQueeney. The Braithewaite Hall at the Croydon Clocktower was packed with painfully pretentious students
Surrey Sinfonietta's annual Family Christmas Spectacular this year is on Sunday, December 2, at the Ashcroft theatre, Croydon. The concert will be conducted and compered by Jonathan Butcher, and will include music from the movies including James Bond
On Saturday, November 24, at 7pm in the Stanley Halls, South Norwood Hill the question can men really become Promise Keepers' is asked in a play written and directed by Pastor Nigel Graham David Snr. He was inspired to create this work while studying
Exit Stage Left are bringing you Tim Kelly's adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Hound of the Baskervilles on November 28,29 and 30. Exit Stage Left fringe theatre company will be celebrating its tenth birthday by performing the Sherlock Holmes mystery
I know that one can drive oneself to one's wit's end dealing with the eccentricities of public transport, particularly if you get the feeling they might not know where they're going. Thank you to Iris Parfitt for pointing out in your letters pages the
Mr Bramson's blanket statement that "bombing is the most cowardly way of fighting" is an insult to the aircrews who carry out bombing raids in the face of fierce opposition. Just take the RAF and USAF aircrews who flew bombers over Europe during World
TRANSPORT Secretary Stephen Byers' blessing for Terminal 5 on Tuesday imposed conditions to protect Heathrow's neighbours. He limited total flights per year to 480,000, up from 460,000 last year. He suggested that would see 90 million passengers using
Croydon has so far managed to avoid the effects of the global economic downturn since the US terror attacks but figures released last week showed rising unemployment in the UK for the first time in a decade. The number of people out of work and claiming
POLITICIANS are divided over the benefits of Terminal 5 with many expressing concern for its impact on the environment. John McDonnell, MP for Hayes and Harlington, described the go-ahead as 'an environmental nightmare for London' and predicted that it
South Croydon Day Centre for the over-60s celebrated 20 years of relieving hundreds of pensioners of their loneliness this week. Bingo, cards, music and talks provide the entertainment five days a week from 10am-4pm, with Wednesday's focusing on the hard
Mayday Hospital's human resources director Caron Hitchin and medical director Syamala Thomas sampled some of the services on offer to patients from ethnic communities last week. A halal menu included keema peas and red kidney beans and poached haddock
Mill Hill 13 Uxbridge 10 Herts/Middlesex Division 1 Mill Hill, trailing 10-0 against the run of play, fought back well for a narrow win on Saturday. Hywel Gosling narrowed the deficit with a penalty before half-time, and kicked another early in the second
A motorcyclist who travelled around America on his Harley Davidson has made a heartfelt plea to the burglars who stole his beloved bike. The West Wickham man, who does not want to be identified for fear of retribution, is appealing for the culprits to
An attack on controversial plans for Public Private Partnership for the London Underground is to be debated by Bromley councillors. At a meeting of the environmental services committee, a motion suggesting the council formally oppose the Government's
A long-serving Croydon police officer has been awarded a top accolade by the Mayor, Councillor Peter Hopson. Divisional officer Peter Griffiths MBE was presented with the Mayor's citation on November 11 for his outstanding work in the community for the
Unbeaten Finchley super bantamweight James Yelland is seeking to score his sixth win in seven bouts at Potters Bar-based promoter Jess Harding's show at York Hall, in Bethnal Green, on Wednesday. Yelland learnt his trade as an amateur with Finchley and
A HIGH-TECH caf will be spreading festive cheer with a fundraising fair. The Com Dot Caf's Christmas Fair, on December 1 from 10am to 1pm, is intended to raise money for new equipment at the community centre. Fine crafts such as crystal jewellery and
Pupils in Lewisham and Greenwich have been taking part in a £250,000 London-wide campaign targeting racial and cultural bullying. Thomas Tallis Secondary School, Kidbrooke Park Road, is already using the material distributed last week in its art classes
Shouldn't Claire Raynor keep calm and think of her health? I saw her on a recent episode of Question Time and she was ever so excitable. Almost as excitable as those 12-year-old 'angels' I happen to travel with on the 182 bus route. God help us if we
Barnet Saracens Elizabethans 24 Harpenden 6 London League Division 3 (North-West) "Thou shall not pass" was the motto for Barnet Saracens Elizabethans at home on Saturday as they restricted a poor Harpenden side to little real possession and, in turn,
This problem of fireworks arises year in year out during Halloween, Guy Fawkes Day and Diwali, but no remedy is found to alleviate the suffering of little children, elders and pets. There should be a strict time limit from 6-9pm imposed on noisy fireworks
Budding young actors and actresses are being invited to audition for a street pantomime and parade taking place in Surrey Street market on Saturday December 8. The panto, Beauty and the Beast, will be the highlight of a Christmas fun-day organised in
On December 3, the International Day of Disabled People will be observed throughout the world. More than half a billion people are disabled as a result of mental, physical or sensory impairment, and no matter which part of the world they are in, their
As Croydon's retailers prepare for a busy Christmas season, they are being warned about the threat of credit card fraud which has cost them nearly £2.5 million in 2001. A record £900,000 was spent in the borough by counterfeiters in the year ending August
AN HISTORIC document may help campaigners in their battle to stop a secondary school being built on a playing field. For the past year, South Ruislip residents have fought a plan to erect a new school in Sidmouth Drive playing field. They say the area
So Heather Davies wants Mrs Thatcher's bottom back in power in Downing Street to put the great back into Britain ( 'Come back Mrs Thatcher' Times, November 15). Has she forgotten about what happened when she was last in power? Michael Joyce Vaughan Road
ARMED robbers pointed a gun at a mother and her seven-year-old child during a raid on a curtain shop. Two men burst into Needles and Pins curtain shop in Uxbridge Road, Hayes at 4pm on Monday (Nov 19) and aimed the one-and-a-half inch barrell gun at the
Transport for London Street Management is asking Croydon's shopkeepers and other businesses to support a new campaign to clear unauthorised obstructions from the footway to ensure a safe path for those with sight or mobility difficulties, who are frail
Have you been a victim of burglary or robbery in which something special was stolen? Then a new innovative Website launched this week by the Met may help you retrieve it. Jewellery worth £2million was retrieved during Operation Castillion which was led
THE poor performances of Whipps Cross Hospital and King George Hospitals have been condemned by councillors While praising the hard work and dedication of staff, councillors at Thursday's full Redbridge Council meeting blamed a lack of staff for many
Dartford: A Dartford man has been shot and injured in what police believe could be an attempted gangland slaying. But officers hunting the two men seen escaping the scene admit they will have a difficult job tracking them down. The incident occured early
ABOUT 200 people have so far joined the campaign to save the Sir James Hawkey Hall from closure. A petition was handed in to Redbridge Council's full council meeting by cllr Richard Hoskins on Thursday. Mr Hoskins said that he was continuing to receive
Croydon North MP Malcolm Wicks saw exactly how jobseekers in Thornton Heath are working to improve their situation when he visited the area's Jobcentre last week. Mr Wicks was given a demonstration on how the Jobpoints system works when he visited the
CHRISTMAS can be a lonely time for many people but St Barnabas Church aims to bring a bit of festive cheer to Woodford Green. Book now for your free turkey dinner with all the trimmings with a generous portion of post-lunch entertainment. Call Canon Alan
A 36-year old man was threatened with a screwdriver outside McKenzies pub in Thornton Heath on Sunday, November 18, and police are appealing for witnesses to come forward. The man had been drinking in McKenzies pub and had just walked outside onto Woodville
The Croydon Epilepsy Society have announced they will be holding their New Year party on January 17 in the town centre. The event starts 7.30pm at Elmwood Road in Croydon. For details call 020 8665 1255. November 21, 2001 16:00
Voluntary groups working with adults and elderly people in Croydon are being invited to apply for funding to support their work. Croydon Council's social services department would like to hear from anyone working in that sector before the bid deadline
A Croydon Council tenant who won a sign-post right-to-buy court ruling in April this year now faces new legal moves to strip her of her victory. Following a five year legal ping-pong match over the finer points of housing law, the Environment Secretary
Over 4,000 tonnes of rock salt for roads has been ordered from the Salt Union salt mines in Cheshire to replenish supply of Croydon council's salt barn at Factory Lane. November 21, 2001 15:30
A self-defence class exclusively for women will be taking place in Croydon over the weekend. React Personal Safety Training (PST), who are based in Croydon, will be at the Royal Russell School in Coombe Lane on Sunday (November 25) from 10am to 2pm. To
The Croydon Table Tennis League introduced a different league format at the start of the present season, creating four divisions, one more than in previous seasons, comprising of six teams in each division. At the end of the first half of the season in
A Shirley shop assistant screamed for her husband's help when a man held a gun to her head and demanded cash on Friday, November 16. The 46 year-old first spotted her attacker in the store at 1.15pm and watched as he left the store after admitting he
Addiscombe 4 bt Surrey University 1 Addiscombe travelled to Guildford to face Surrey University on Saturday and came away with three points to remain top of Surrey Men's Divison Two. Addiscombe started slowly and after 15 minutes Surrey took advantage
A 21 year-old woman was indecently assaulted on her way home by a man who jumped out in front of her on Friday, November 16. The woman sustained no injuries after the attack which happened at 10.45pm at Sanderstead Road near the junction of Brighton Road
It was rather surprising to see that the secretary of the Spelthorne For Terminal 5 Action Group (STAG) now answers for Mr Wilshire in the press. For both STAG's and Mr Wilshire's information, BAA invested £60m on the Terminal 5 enquiry, which the government
Staff at Mill Hill's British Forces Post Office (BFPO) really pushed the boat out for Children in Need last week. Dedicated volunteers, including John Bint and organiser Grant Sutherland, rowed 250,000 for the appeal between 7am and 3.30pm on Friday last
T'was the night before Christmas, and all through the house, Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse . . . . . . except when the house in question is one of our esteemed local theatres, all of which are laying on a rip-roaring panto for your entertainment
A have-a-go hero who recovered a hand-bag after cornering the thief, has told the Guardian about the dramatic chase through the streets of Croydon last week. Robert Ratcliffe, 27, a plumber from South Croydon, chased the bag-snatcher through the streets
by Tonia Echeumuna. Next class R.E Needed - hilarity Colin suggested Joke well projected In walks Miss Lynch Fat Tracey to clinch Stamp on said joke Up went the smoke Vi hyperventilated Amanda just fainted This bomb had stink I rushed out sick Who is
Wimbledon 21 bt OMW 18 After a demoralising defeat last week, the Mids showed excellent character to rebound with a performance that merited a win. The match was gifted to WImbledon by a woeful display of refereeing which handed them 12 points in dubious
The three lucky winners of the Guardian's competition were presented with their prizes at the Christmas Switch On event. The Guardian's Kelly Morris presented the first prize, £500 worth of Marks & Spencer vouchers to Vicky Hersey, 25, a bank
by N Williams. I got myself an autocat I wind it by its tail It's good to have a clockwork puss cos batteries always fail and if my moggy's naughty I wait until it rains and I throw him in the water while I plug him in the mains Pesky autocat November
Crystal Palace 4 bt Crewe Alexandra 1 A superb first-half display by Crystal Palace helped bury the bitter memory of Steve Bruce's departure at Selhurst Park on Saturday, as the Eagles put a disappointing Crewe side to the sword. A four-goal 20-minute
COUNCILLORS unanimously added their support to more than 1,000 residents' calls to scrap plans for a 30-storey tower complex on Monday. Plans to build a complex of high rise flats, offices, cafes, a hotel and a token medical centre in Chiswick High Road
Steve Kember walked out of the Selhurst Park tunnel on Saturday as manager of the Crystal Palace for the first time since 1982, and despite his caretaker role, he is fully committed to making this spell in charge a success. Kember and coach Terry Bullivant
Robert Powell and Liza Goddard will head a sparkling cast in Murder by Misadventure at Richmond Theatre from December 3. It's about a pair of TV thriller writers, one of whom is getting unhappy with the association and concocts a plan inspired by his
chelsea football club click here for kick-by-kick analysis of burnley v palace, oct 23, 2001 click here for kick-by-kick analysis of palace v crewe, nov 17, 2001 click here for kick-by-kick analysis of palace v norwich, oct 28, 2001 click here for kick-by-kick
Heart bypass patients in Barnet face a lottery for treatment according to new figures. Patients in the borough are more than twice as likely to die at some NHS heart units than at others according to The Hospital Guide published by healthcare specialists
Former acting Prime Minister of Afghanistan, Ahmadshah Ahamdzai, is hoping to leave his new home in the borough to play a role in the reconstruction of his country. Mr Ahmadzai, who lives in Finchley, was running Afghanistan just three months before the
Bexley: A multi-national company could destroy an important area of Dartford Fresh Marshes by building 42,500 square metres of office space on it. The marsh is one of the last remaining unprotected wetlands in England and is a Site of Nature Conservation
MANY thanks for your article, on Curtis House (Independent November 9). I hope that this will help us to get our cameras. All we are asking for is a safe, clean environment that we can invite friends and family to without having to worry what we are going
Bromley: Ramblers and landowners could be locking horns on plans to open up the countryside. As the Government takes the first steps on the path to providing a new framework for access to open land, ramblers look forward to "a complete right to roam".
Staff at Mill Hill's British Forces Post Office (BFPO) really pushed the boat out for Children in Need last week. Dedicated volunteers, including John Bint and organiser Grant Sutherland, rowed 250,000 for the appeal between 7am and 3.30pm on Friday last
Bexley: A pensioner is facing jail after being convicted of 11 charges of indecency against two young girls. Joseph Tolfree, aged 74, of Riverside Road, Sidcup, had pleaded not guilty at Maidstone Crown Court, to all the charges some of which dated back
AS domestic flooding and overflowing drains have been featured locally and nationally, may I share my recent experience with Enfield residents? My property houses the 'inspection chamber' previously termed a 'manhole' for four houses which were built
One gardening query that I have been asked about quite a lot recently is 'what can I do about the waterlogging in my garden'? I have visited several gardens recently that have waterlogged lawns. In the past one way to deal with excess water in the garden
HAVING read the planning application from Enfield Council in relation to the proposed building of a home for young offenders, I am appalled at the lack of democracy between the council and the, quite justified protesters (The Green Edmonton Action Group
AS more and more people live longer, healthier lives, a 65th birthday should not be considered a 'best before date.' Yet every day, older people are being discriminated against in areas including employment and health and other services and products.
We go by car to supermarkets. No longer do we take the healthy option of walking down the road to the local shops and say hello to neighbours on the way. We send emails (most of us, but not me) to relatives abroad, not even giving them the pleasure of
JAZZ Week at Middlesex University starts on Monday and to celebrate Enfield residents are invited to take part in a range of free activities. Some of London's best teachers, students and professional jazz practitioners will be leading workshops, master
Thank you for Bill Montgomery's informative article on the demise of council homes in his Notebook of November 8 (see also: 'We need more than woolly assurances', Times Letters, November 15). As chairman of FACT (Flightways service users Action CommitTee
It was rather surprising to see that the secretary of the Spelthorne For Terminal 5 Action Group (STAG) now answers for Mr Wilshire in the press. For both STAG's and Mr Wilshire's information, BAA invested £60m on the Terminal 5 enquiry, which the government
I write, once again, in disappointment at the nature of last week's piece: 'Veterans demand names are added' (Hendon Times Group, November 15). That this issue is a highly sensitive one for many is not in doubt. That many closely involved feel frustrated
As an avid cricket fan who has followed club cricket for many years, my memories of watching Barnet CC seem to consist of 'crowds' of around 15, primarily players' wives, girlfriends and children. This can scarcely compare with the 1,800 who regularly
The Spy Game (15) TOLD over the course of 24 hours of global intrigue with generous amounts of flashback from Vietnam to the end of the Cold War Tony Scott's Spy Game manages to take in as many of the late 20th century's political flashpoints as exotic
I am writing regarding the proposed new stadium for Barnet FC. Are you aware that the consultation period on the proposed football stadium has been extended to December 7 no doubt due to the strength of local feeling aroused by it? The Green Belt that
T'was the night before Christmas, and all through the house, Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse . . . . . . except when the house in question is one of our esteemed local theatres, all of which are laying on a rip-roaring panto for your entertainment
TRY telling Harry Preston, 5, and Calvin Evans, 7, (pictured) they're no Eddy Irvine after they competed in Saturday's World Rally Car Championships, the model variety, at St George's shopping centre. The scaled down race track and cars attracted a flood
STRAWBERRY the clown will be entertaining children with his daredevil tricks at Barnet's Bull theatre on Sunday afternoon. Giggles are guaranteed as Strawberry sprinkles his magic on his young audience with music, singing and dance. The crazy clown has
Swansea 4 QPR 0 (Nov 18) Rs fans trudging home after the long journey to Wales, having seen their side go out in the FA Cup First Round for the first time since 1966, will have agreed with every word of boss Ian Holloway's post-match analysis. "They were
CHILD sex graffiti scrawled inside a notorious public toilet block is the final straw for residents who want the building a haunt for drug users and vandals pulled down. Conservative councillors are now backing the fight to pull down the dilapidated toilets
VOLUNTEERS are needed to present radio programmes for hospital patients. Radio Northwick Park is looking for over-16s with spare time on their hands to visit patients, present and produce request shows. If interested in joining the team or for more information
YES it's that time of year again, when theatres echo to the rafters with boos, hisses, cheers and shouts of 'he's behind you'. The pantomime season is nearly here, and the Millfield Theatre in Silver Street, Edmonton, is preparing for action . This year
More than 100 students from Royal Holloway University joined a march on central London on Saturday last week to campaign against tuition fees. The protesters were calling for the government to scrap fees and reinstate maintenance grants.
Young volunteers at a youth project in Waddon attracted special attention recently when the minister with responsibility for local government visited the centre. Nick Raynsford MP came to Waddon Youth Centre on Friday, November 9, to see the variety of
It is perhaps not too difficult to understand why the general public feel a certain amount of contempt for the way in which law and order is enforced by the Metropolitan Police. I was recently stopped by police officers for contravening code 340 (driving
PARENTS have until the end of this year to have their say on changes being proposed to current high school admissions arrangements. Harrow Council has revealed that while the vast majority of parents and children obtain their preferred school place, some
YELLOW buses could soon spell the end of cars piled high with kids on the morning and evening school runs. Schoolchildren in Runnymede are due to be amongst the first in the country to undergo an American makeover in the new year as yellow buses are introduced
FUTURE financial wizards will be showing their worth when they take on the role of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee in the 'Target 2 Point 5' interest rate challenge The 16 to 18-year-old brain boxes from Cranford Community College will
STRODE'S College students walked London's cobblestones in a journey back in time to join barrel makers from their benefactors, the Coopers Guild. Clad in heavy leather aprons, students joined members of barrel makers guild the Coopers Company, along with
A MAN who slaughtered his young family with a shotgun before committing suicide had his gun licence application okayed by his GP despite a history of mental illness. Fourteen years after receiving the go-ahead to possess a shotgun, suicidal Peter Denyer
THE annual Restoration Award is being given by Surrey Historic Building Trust to the best restoration project in the county. It can be any sort of building, from a private house to a village hall, and the competition is open to private and commercial
Thursday November 22 BAZAAR Royal British Legion Women's Section bazaar at Southbourne Gardens, Eastcote from 6pm. Admission 20p. EXHIBITION Pot Pourri, an exhibition of paintings and culture by Cygnets art group at the Cow Byre Gallery, Ruislip until
STREET crime has rocketed as officers called to 'anti-terrorist' duty in central London leave the borough vulnerable. Recent figures have shown that Harrow has suffered the biggest rise in muggings in the capital as the number of offences surged by 161
A COUNTY-WIDE programme to get Surrey's schoolchildren healthy has received the official stamp of approval. Three members of Surrey's Healthy Schools team visited the House of Lords yesterday (Nov 21) to receive official accreditation following a successful
Trojans v Hounslow and Ealing 1st Score 0-0 November 17 A trip to the south coast proved fruitful for H & E after they took a point away from their tricky encounter with Trojans. Despite not creating many scoring chances, they will be happy with
ARTISTS are opening their doors to the public as the Surrey Artists' Open Studios event enters its third year. The aim of the event, which will run from June 8-16 next year, is to bring artists and craftspeople together with their audiences for a few
TAKING their lives in their hands in the name of charity, members of Royal Holloway's fencing club came up with a novel use of all their skills to raise cash for Children in Need. Although many of the region's fundraisers set aside Friday for mad charity
A DIVORCED father of three has been jailed for life for the murder of 14-year-old Roy Tutill, whose abused and strangled body was discovered over 33 years ago. Brian Lunn Field pleaded guilty to the murder at the Old Bailey on Thursday last week (Nov
The Spy Game (15) TOLD over the course of 24 hours of global intrigue with generous amounts of flashback from Vietnam to the end of the Cold War Tony Scott's Spy Game manages to take in as many of the late 20th century's political flashpoints as exotic
PLANS to relocate the Wolvercote paedophile clinic to Silverlands is still on the Home Office agenda, community campaigners insist. Fearful of government intentions to pacify residents, Silverlands Action Campaign this week issued a statement claiming
TELESCOPES and designer sunglasses were stolen when the door of an opticians was forced open. Police believe there may have been a number of witnesses to the break-in at McAteers, on the corner of Shepperton High Street, on Saturday, November 10, just
JUNIOR schoolchildren will have their say next week when a delegation of 36 outspoken youngsters visit Knowle Green to push for more leisure facilities. The delegates from the area's 18 schools, all aged between seven and 11 years, will tell Spelthorne
A SCHEME to improve Local Education Authority (LEA) services to schools across the county has been given the thumbs up. On Monday last week, Surrey County Council's policy-making executive gave the go-ahead for the council to seek tenders from external
GREEN groups have condemned the Government's intentions to press on with Terminal Five. John Stewart, chairman of HACAN Clearskies, said: "We are very disappointed on behalf of residents who live under the flightpath as they now face more noise and pollution
Middlesex, like my original home county of Essex, is underrated. Indeed, there are many people who believe that it no longer exists. In legal and administrative terms this might be true but as I travelled around the county to do the research for 'Tales
BUSINESS leaders welcomed approval of Heathrow's Terminal 5 and the jobs and transport links which will follow. The Chamber of Commerce stated that while residents' quality of life must be a priority, transport links from Staines to the new terminal will
TRANSPORT Secretary Stephen Byers' blessing for Terminal 5 on Tuesday imposed conditions to protect Heathrow's neighbours. Mr Byers told the House of Commons he agreed with the inspector's report that the terminal would have wider benefits for London
T'was the night before Christmas, and all through the house, Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse . . . . . . except when the house in question is one of our esteemed local theatres, all of which are laying on a rip-roaring panto for your entertainment
One gardening query that I have been asked about quite a lot recently is 'what can I do about the waterlogging in my garden'? I have visited several gardens recently that have waterlogged lawns. In the past one way to deal with excess water in the garden
The Spy Game (15) TOLD over the course of 24 hours of global intrigue with generous amounts of flashback from Vietnam to the end of the Cold War Tony Scott's Spy Game manages to take in as many of the late 20th century's political flashpoints as exotic
Thursday November 22 EXHIBITION The work of Martin Bright and Jean Aust will be on display in the Mansion Spaces of the South Hill Park Arts Centre, Ringmead, Bracknell until January 6. Call 01344 484123 for details. JAZZ The Peter Hurt Duo will be performing
Middlesex, like my original home county of Essex, is underrated. Indeed, there are many people who believe that it no longer exists. In legal and administrative terms this might be true but as I travelled around the county to do the research for 'Tales
Mick Harris of Ashford will be taking on the likes of Colin McRae and Richard Burns in the Network Q Rally Of Great Britain from November 22-25. The 38-year-old will be teaming up with Paul Newman, 29, from Hanworth for honours in the amateur 'privateer
T'was the night before Christmas, and all through the house, Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse . . . . . . except when the house in question is one of our esteemed local theatres, all of which are laying on a rip-roaring panto for your entertainment
Speaking before the win over Morecambe, Steve Coppell bemoaned the declining status of the FA Cup. "I am concerned about the future of the competition in many ways as Wembley has now disappeared and is increasingly looking as if it won't be replaced.
Brentford 1 (Nov 17) Morecambe 0 Following their tentative victory over non-league Morecambe on Saturday, the Bees were handed a second home tie against Third Division Scunthorpe. As is often the case in the FA Cup, the underdogs rose to the occasion
Up to 600 budding bards from all over the world entered this year's Barnet Borough Arts Council (BBAC) poetry competition. But the bulk of winners, announced at a ceremony earlier this month, came from the borough. Overall first prize was won by David
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is among 57,000 people to call on Barnet Council to do its utmost to keep Barnet FC in the borough. The title-winning Frenchman from Totteridge was among football fans across the country, including Brentford chairman Ron
Today's publication of school performance tables kicks off the annual row over league tables. Education Correspondent MATTHEW NIXSON reports. Government performance tables published today see a handful of borough schools among the best in the country.
Robert Powell and Liza Goddard will head a sparkling cast in Murder by Misadventure at Richmond Theatre from December 3. It's about a pair of TV thriller writers, one of whom is getting unhappy with the association and concocts a plan inspired by his
An article in the Hendon Times on November 15 quoted: "The 50th anniversary of the death of pianist and composer Nicolas Medtner who lived for 16 years in Golders Green passed without notice on Wednesday." Well, not if you happened to be listening to
Thank you for Bill Montgomery's informative article on the demise of council homes in his Notebook of November 8 (see also: 'We need more than woolly assurances', Times Letters, November 15). As chairman of FACT (Flightways service users Action CommitTee
As an avid cricket fan who has followed club cricket for many years, my memories of watching Barnet CC seem to consist of 'crowds' of around 15, primarily players' wives, girlfriends and children. This can scarcely compare with the 1,800 who regularly
My family and I would like to thank everybody for their kindness and support since the death of my son, Joe Smith. I would like to thank the many, many people who turned up for Joes funeral on November 2, especially to all of Joes friends, some of whom
Flying high: eight-year-old Ciaran Redmond was among pupils releasing environmentally friendly balloons at Whitings Hill School in Whitings Road, Barnet, on Friday. The school is hoping the great balloon race will help raise hundreds of pounds towards
Conservatives have accused Barnet's Labour-led administration of failing pupils at some of the borough's poorest-performing schools. Tory education spokeswoman Councillor Vanessa Gearson, used today's publication of school performance tables to accuse
An article in the Hendon Times on November 15 quoted: "The 50th anniversary of the death of pianist and composer Nicolas Medtner who lived for 16 years in Golders Green passed without notice on Wednesday." Well, not if you happened to be listening to
Town hall chiefs today stand accused of a "bureaucratic cop-out" after refusing to raise the Stars and Stripes over Hendon Town Hall. Tory councillor Brian Coleman wanted 'Old Glory' to fly alongside the Union Flag for the first time ever to celebrate
I write, once again, in disappointment at the nature of last week's piece: 'Veterans demand names are added' (Hendon Times Group, November 15). That this issue is a highly sensitive one for many is not in doubt. That many closely involved feel frustrated
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is among 57,000 people to call on Barnet Council to do its utmost to keep Barnet FC in the borough. The title-winning Frenchman from Totteridge was among football fans across the country, including Brentford chairman Ron
