SKPPRA has obtained a grant from the Local Energy Assessment Fund (LEAF) to externally insulate a pair of semi-detached houses on the estate. Make sure you enter the draw to win.
Click the house for more details
A Touch of Burns
Saturday 11th Feb 19:30
A Save Preston Library Event
Ceilidh and Disco. Poetry, dancing and a tipple at the Preston Mall Community Centre
Preston Park Snow
Preston Park in the snow
Concert for Mencap
11th Feb 19:30 ~ 22:00
Irish Music gig for Harrow Mencap
An evening of traditional Irish and folk rock music. Seanachie Og, a fabulous band who have played extensively in Ireland , Estonia , the South of France and the USA , are donating their time for this great cause.
Time: 19.30 - 22.00
Price: £10. Available from the Box Office 020 8416 8989
Venue: Harrow Arts Centre, Uxbridge Road, Pinner, HA5 4EA
Over 100 People Attend Meeting to Save Preston Library
More than 100 people attended the Save Preston Library public meeting on 31st Jan. The decision from the Supreme Court as to whether an appeal will be heard is due very soon, but campaigning and fund raising is still going strong.
Hugh Thomson (1860 ~ 1920) who illustrated six of Jane Austen's novels between 1896-8 including "Pride and Prejudice" and "Emma" drew Preston and Kenton in 1909 while working on a travel guide called "Highways and Byways in Middlesex" (Hold mouse over picture to see Kenton)
Archives Open day
Wednesday 15th Feb 09:00 ~ 20:00
Join the team at Brent Archives on Wednesday, 15 February for a day of activities to introduce some of the unique and interesting material from the council's collections.
Archives Open Day, which runs from 9am to 8pm will focus on the evolution of the Brent area from rural farmland to planned urban centre and includes a small exhibition showcasing documents relating to the development of the borough.
There will also be opportunities throughout the day to explore original documents from the collection; including maps, photographs and plans.
No need to book
Brent Archives
Willesden Green Library Centre
95 High Road
Willesden Green
NW10 2SF
Mini Monster Road Show
Friday 17th February
Get close to an assortment of mini monsters this half term at St Anns Shopping Centre Harrow!
With special ‘natural wonder ‘shows at 11.30am, 1.00pm and 3.00pm, little lovers of creepy crawlies and reptiles can enjoy interactive sessions where they can learn more about some of the world’s wild life and see and hold a variety of creatures from tortoises, lizards and snakes to millipedes, cockroaches and stick insects.
Plus for 200 lucky children there will be animal themed giveaways !
Friday 17 February 2012
Shows at 11.30am, 1.00pm and 3.00pm lasting approximately 30 minutes each
Beware of Scams
It has come to our attention that a number of scams are in operation in our area.
One resident lost a large sum of money after being ripped off by some fake roofers. Others residents have been cold called by people wanting to inspect their houses and have said they have a connection with a product called "Texcote".
If you want to report a scam caller, please speak to our Safer Neighbourhood Team on 0300 123 1212.
Thirlmere Gardens, taken on 26th Jan 2012 by Amy Merrigan
Childrens Art on Display
Eye-catching artwork by schoolchildren that represents the borough’s many faiths will go on display in Harrow town centre this weekend.
Harrow is the most religiously diverse borough in the UK and this has been celebrated by local primary and secondary school pupils in a Harrow Council-run art project called Banners of Faith.
Working with an artist, pupils from 11 schools have created 32 two-metre high banners to be hung from streetlights along Station Road from Friday night. The project has been funded by money the Council won from the Mayor of London's Outer London Fund, to help revitalise and improve the look of Harrow Town Centre.
The Fight Goes On
The hoardings surrounding our library have come down, but the messages of support stay.
£15.60 to Spend a Penny
Brent council have issued a document showing where public toilets are in Brent, the only one near us is at Preston Road underground station which is useful if you're caught short while out shopping. But how much will it cost you?
As you'll be touching in and out with your Oyster card at the same station various charges apply.
If you're really quick and get in and out within 2 minutes you'll be charged for one incomplete journey which is £7.80.
If you're between 2 and 30 minutes, its much cheaper
as the charge is for the minium fare from the station, £1.50 peak or £1.40 off peak.
The biggest sting comes if you're more than 30 minutes, which if you've got small children in tow is more than likely. The Oyster system will assume you've made two incomplete journeys and charge you a massive £15.60!
Learn to Swim at Preston Park
Following the success of a temporary swimming pool in 2009, it has once again been created in the school hall at Preston Park School
The pool will be in place for a full term from January to Easter 2012 and will provide swimming lessons for local school pupils during curriculum time. In the evenings and Saturday mornings, learn to swim sessions will be held for all children, adults as well as sessions for parents and toddlers, females only sessions, mini polo sessions and much more.
For example, on Tuesdays from 4.30pm there are children's beginners swimming lessons, child improver lessons, women only aquafit and women only swimming lessons. The sessions run from now until Easter and places need to be booked in advance. Sessions are just £2 each, with a minimum of three sessions to be booked at a time.
All sessions must be pre-booked and paid for in advance before attending.
Intriguing short film made just down the railway line at Willesden Junction. Anyone fancy making a South Kenton version!!! Read the full story of this magnificent Harlesden Happening here
Preston Road Parking "Goes Live"
The parking meters along Preston Road, went live on the 3rd January 2012.
The charges are as follows:
Up to 20mins - 60p
Up to 40mins - £1.50
Up to 1hr - £2.40
Up to 2 hrs - £6
Up to 4 hrs - £9
Council Clearout Library
Brent council cleared out some of the books and equipment from Preston library on 29th Dec, despite the efforts of protesters and local residents to stop them.
The Chewing Gum Factory
Just on the corner of our area (the end of Strathcona road, corner of Windermere and Carlton Ave East), is a building with a sticky history
Built in 1926 and opened in 1927, The Wrigley factory was the first chewing gum factory in the UK.
Designed by Wallis Gilbert, who later went on to design the famous Hoover building in Perivale.
These buildings now regarded as "Art Deco", but at the time described as "Fancy" were
made to look more like contemporary cinemas, rather than dull factories and proved very popular with
the public.
Wrigley's moved to a bigger site in Plymouth in 1970
where they still make the UK's chewing gum.
On this day in history
On the 4th January 2009, Woolworths in Preston Road shut down.
Planning permission was originally granted for 20 shops and a cinema in June 1949, but the application was amended in 1955 to build just 15 shops. Once built, Woolworths was opened and remained popular until its closure.
Brent Libraries Court Appeal Rejected
Court appeal rejected, but the fight goes on. Click here
Festive Cheer on Wall of Shame
Go and see the beautiful Christmas tree, painted on the library "Wall of Shame", you never know someone might add some decorations or presents! See the whole wall Click Here
Due to the Olympics, Brent have agreed to restrict roadworks on key routes between March 2012 and September 2012.
As a result of these restrictions, there could be an increase of roadworks in Brent before March 2012 to ensure essential upgrade works are completed by utility and council companies.
The Great Wall Of Shame
Click the photo for a fully zoomable wall of shame
New Dog Rules Introduced
Brent Council Executive will be introducing new Dog Control Orders. Dogs will be banned from the playground and tennis courts in Preston Park and must be on a lead by the cricket wicket. Walkers will also be limited to six dogs per person. Click here
Brent Borough Commander
A message from the Brent Borough Police Commander, Click Here
Preston Park Children Remember
The children of Preston Park Primary School held their annual remembrance service on the 11th Nov. It was attended by Barry Gardiner and our two local councillors, plus a number of people who attended the school during the wartime years.They had friends and relatives who were members of skppra, as committee members and road stewards. The service was also shown on BBC London news.
Remembrance Service
Demonstration Walk
Saturday 5th Nov
The Save Preston Library Campaign and Friends of Preston Library gather at South Kenton for their protest walk to Kingbury library to demonstrate how far people would have to travel if Preston library is permanently closed.
Olympic Torch Relay
The 2012 Olympic Torch relay will be in our area on 25th July, on day 68 of its trip around the country.
Want to be a TV Star?
A television company is looking for local residents to star in a new TV show!
Two hugh gates from the old Wembley Stadium were sold at auction at Sotheby's on the 8th November. The wooden Royal Tunnel gates measure 16ft by 16ft and date from 1923. They sold for £5875. Also sold was a door panel from the stadium's royal retiring room (£2350) and a window from the same room (£1175).
More Met Trains
Transport for London, have announced that all off peak fast Metroplitan trains will soon be stopping at Wembley Park, Preston Road and Northwick Park stations. They will also be running two more peak time trains and introducing more new S stock tubes with air-conditioning.
A Wembley Cliff
Something a bit different for Wembley, an unusual planning application received by the council in 2011 Click Here
Preston Library: judge fast-tracks appeal
Lord Justice Elias has granted an appeal, after the high court decision that Brent council's actions were lawful. The appeal should be heard on two days in November.
Residents have been holding a vigil outside the library to stop the council removing books and equipment, so please go along and help out.
A Virtual Tour: New Brent Civic Centre
DYKT
Did You Know That, the Wealdstone Brook once ran through South Kenton and Preston Park (see the 1936 and 1940 maps on this page). It's still there, but in pipes underground.
It was once described as 'One of the perfect little streams anywhere, abounding in dace and roach' Wealdstone Brook with footbridge at Carlton Avenue East c1945
1940 Map of Preston Road
Click the map to view a zoomable 1940 map of Preston Road
New Statue for Wembley
Rugby League’s historic role in the rich and colourful story of Wembley is to be recognised by the unveiling of a new statue at the national stadium.
The plans are at a very early stage but they intend to consult with all stakeholders, including the public, before deciding how they commemorate the very special relationship between Rugby League and Wembley.
1936 Map of South Kenton
Click the map to view a zoomable 1936 map of South Kenton
223 bus to be re-routed from Sat 15th Oct
The 223 bus is to be re-routed between Bridge Road and Wembley Central via Empire Way rather than Park Lane. This will give better access to Wembley Stadium and the surrounding complex.
The dates for Olympic football events at Wembley Stadium have been announced.
They are 29th and 31st Jul, 1st, 4th, 6th, 7th, 9th and 11th Aug 2012.
Other Wembley Olympic event dates are still to be confirmed.
Former PPPS pupil meets PM
Dirujan Sabesan, a former Preston Park Primary School pupil, has been nominated for the Achievement through Media award for his work promoting young people in the community. He started a company called Creative Nerds and last week met the Prime Minister at Downing Street.
Dirujan Sabesan (far left)
Blue Bins
Our new Blue Bins have arrived! In addition to our old range of paper, metal, glass and plastic bottle recycling we can now also recycle juice and milk cartons as well as household plastic packaging. Cardboard and cartons no longer go in the green bin, but in the new blue bin! Let's make it a real success and starve our grey landfill bins. This also makes the green box redundant. Any good ideas on how to reuse them? Suggestions welcome!
Boundary changes
The boundary commission have proposed changes to Brent wards.
Brent North would be renamed Wembley and Perivale and include Tokynton and Perivale from the old Ealing North Constituency.
Kenton ward would join a new Harrow constituency, Fryent and Queensbury would join a new Stanmore and Brondesbury would join a new Willesden.
So with new
Wembley and Perivale
Willesden
Stanmore
Hampstead and Kilburn
Harrow
"Brent" would disappear from the parliamentary political landscape.
New SKPPRA committee
We are delighted to report that the special meeting on 6th September was very successful, thanks to many residents giving their support to our Residents Association.
We now have a new SKPPRA Committee.
Chairman – Michael Rushe
Honorary Secretary – Stuart Fenn
Treasurer – Julia Mitchell
Minutes Secretary – Clare Stringfellow
Chief Road Steward – Sagar and Roopal Patel
Website manager – David Merrigan
Editor – Trixi Leschinsky
Social Secretary – Noel Hehir
Committee Members – Iris Fenn, Linda Green, Alfred Tyndale, Samantha Warrington
Accounts Scrutineer – Donald Leon Soon
We are very pleased to welcome the above to the Association and look forward to seeing SKPPRA continue its good work in the future. Here’s to the next 75 years!
Big changes, for Wembley retail
Wembley retail park, which at the moment houses stores that sell large items such as white goods will soon be redeveloped to became a high street fashion area.
Quintain estates wants the 212,000ft² park to become the Wembley City, Designer Outlet, with lots of smaller retail units.
Brent in Bloom
Pupils from Preston Park Primary School are celebrating coming tops in the schools category of this year's Brent in Bloom gardening competition after a summer spent busily pruning and preening their school grounds.
School Garden
1st Prize - Preston Park Primary School
Joint 2nd Prize - Salusbury Primary School and Leopold Primary School
3rd - Byron Primary School
DYKT
Did You Know That, The Who, played a gig in June 1963 at the GEC pavillion, right next to some of our residents.
Barbara Pokorny
Barbara passed away on 25th August after a brave fight against cancer. She received wonderful care from Macmillan nurses. Her family would be very grateful for any donations that would allow others to benefit from this amazing service.
Tribute page, where donations can be made to Macmillian Cancer Support.
How long until the 223 arrives
Transport for London are testing a new system that gives you live bus positioning info. It is only in test mode so there maybe some issues, but its worth a look.
Every bus stop has a five digit code on it, the 223 bus stops at South Kenton are 76644 towards Harrow and 47393 towards Wembley , enter the numbers at this website to see how long you'll have to wait.
Wembley Central station upgrade
Station improvements to make travelling by train easier on one of London's main Olympic rail routes started this week.
Work is to be carried out at Wembley Central station to make it more accessible and to provide a step-free route between the station entrance and platforms for the first time.
Platform extensions will provide capacity for eight-car trains at two platforms as well as installation of new lifts, a stair lift and the refurbishment of the toilets.
Work should be completed in summer 2012.
DYKT
Did you know that, Thirlmere Gardens was originally called Bloomfield Road
Radio Northwick Park
Radio Northwick Park, our local hospital radio station broadcasting 24 hours a day, is 40 years old this September. They are a charity run by volunteers and rely on grants, donations and fundraising, visit their website here or listen live here. (Downloads a clickable file)
Harrow Shed
15th September 10 - 25th July 12
Harrow Shed is an inclusive theatre group for young people, and outreach project of Chicken Shed theatre company. We welcome young people 7-16 from all backgrounds, abilities and disabilities.
Time: 5.30 - 9.00
Price: £10 per term
Venue: Hatch End High School
Harrow Shed runs two "workshop" sessions on Wednesday evenings.
The Children's Theatre group for children aged 7-11 runs from 5.30-7.00pm.
The second session is for the Youth Theatre for children aged 11-16 and runs from 7.30-9.00pm.
Sessions are run at Hatch End High Schools New Performing Arts Theatre during term time.
Cost is £10 per term.
Contact c\o: Hatch End High School, Headstone Lane, Harrow, Middx, HA3 6NR
Telephone: 07939-142545
Message from Brent Safer Neighbourhood Team
Police message about the recent trouble in London. Click here
Preston Road Parking Charges
Letter from SKPPRA Chairman, Jeanine, regarding parking charges on Preston Road. Click here
Forum now open
The SKPPRA forum is now open, click the forum button at the top of the page or here
Brent’s stations battling it out in this year’s Underground in Bloom competition are:
Neasden - Best Newcomer, Fruit and Veg, Hanging Baskets, Tubs
Willesden Green - Cultivated Garden
Dollis Hill - Tubs
Kilburn - Best Newcomer, Fruit and Veg, Tubs
Sudbury Town - Cultivated Garden
Preston Road - Cultivated Garden, Tubs
Planning for Islamic Centre
A second planning application has been submitted for an Islamic centre at 128 Windermere Avenue. Click here for details. Any objections should be emailed to gary.murphy@brent.gov.uk A decision will be made after 28th July.
Council report about Parking on Preston Road
Brent council have issued a report about parking charges on Preston Road. Click here
SKPPRA area best educated in Britain
A study by the University and College Union has found the SKPPRA area has Britains most qualified people. See story.
It says "The country's best-educated population, by this measure, is Brent North, in the Wembley area of north-west London, where more than 98% of adults have a qualification."
High Tech recycling comes to Wembley
A new recycling system installed in Wembley. Click here
On this day in history
On the 4th December 2005, a time capsule was buried under the pitch of the new Wembley Stadium. Items in the capsule include, a signed England shirt, 2012 Olympic bid memorabilia, part of the old stadium's twin towers, old photographs and line drawings plus a tribute to George Best who died the week before.
On this day in history
On the 22nd November 1931, Preston Road Station opened. It was moved to its present site after first opening as a halt to serve the shooting events, held locally, for the 1908 Olympic Games.
On this day in history
On the 11th November 2008 a massive crack ripped through four floors of Wembley Stadium. Panicked workers told how the building trembled as it was lashed by storms and a 1.5in wide split appeared. One employee said: "The ground shook. There were people in the lifts and they were terrified.
A Wembley spokeswoman said: "The movement was caused by the high winds and caused expansion cracks as the building's joints flexed. "As with all large structures, the stadium has been designed with movement tolerance factored in and it remains fully operational."
On this day in history
On the 17th Oct 1975, The episode of Fawlty Towers,Gourmet Nights, was first shown on television. Basil (John Cleese) visits "Andres" restaurant which was filmed at "Wings" in Preston Road.
On this day in history
On the 8th Oct, 1952, three trains crashed at Harrow & Wealdstone station, killing 112 people and becoming the UK's worst peacetime rail accident. But some good came from it, click here
On this day in history
On the 30th September 2002
The demolition of the old Wembley Stadium began.
On this day in history
On the 14th Aug 1948.The Olympic closing ceremony took place at Wembley Stadium.
On this day in history
On the 2nd Aug 1880: Metropolitan Railway passes through the Preston area en route to Harrow for the first time, although a station wasn't built until 1931, trains did stop at a halt used for the 1908 Olympics shooting near by.
On this day in history
On the 29th July 1948.The Olympic opening ceremony took place at Wembley Stadium.
On this day in history
On the 26th July 1898. A steam train derailed and its boiler exploded, killing one and injuring another at Preston Road halt.
Plans for Wembley during the Olympics
Click to view the plans for Wembley during the London 2012 Olympics
We hope by arranging open surgeries in the local area we will be providing residents with the opportunity to meet the team and address any issues of concern. We are happy to speak with any members of the public who wish to attend, however if you cannot attend one of the scheduled meetings please contact us on any of the details listed below and we will try to arrange to visit you directly.
Preston SNT
Mobile 07920233753
Email Preston.snt@met.police.uk
Flypast over South Kenton
To mark the Queens birthday a flypast took place on Sat, 11th June. 25 planes flew over Buckingham Palace at 1pm. The planes then split with the Battle of Britain Memorial flight heading towards Hendon and the rest of the planes flying over Northolt. The planes could be seen in the distance at 13.05 over the Harrow area, but at 13:10 the Red Arrows flew directly over South Kenton. Photos in the Gallery.
Fun Day at Northwick Park
Sudbury Court Estate fun day was a great success, with hundreds of people enjoying the entertainment. Photo in the Gallery
Volunteers Needed in shop
St Lukes Hospice has now opened a shop in Preston Road. They need volunteers to serve customers, work behind the scenes to sort and prepare donated goods or stack items for display.
Can you spare 4 hours a week?
No experience necessary, training will be given and you could obtain an NVQ in customer care while volunteering in the shop.
If you can help, apply online or phone 0208 382 8000
Steam Train
The Earl of Mount Edgcumbe steam engine passed through South Kenton on the 21st May. Photo in the Gallery
Save Preston Library
Your SKPPRA committee and numerous local residents mounted a vigorous campaign to stop the closure of our library. If you attended the big public meeting at Preston Park School you will have realished the passion everybody feels for saving our library. We are still collecting signatures to support the petition. The more signatures, that is the more people want to make their opinion heard, the more chance of getting the fight beyond our area and into the Government. The people who wanted to save our Woodland achieved a rethink, so why not us?
Brent Archives
South Kenton and Preston Park Residents Association was established in 1937 and we have copies of our SKPPRA magazine dating back to September of that year. We are delighted to tell you that Brent Archives have agreed to store our old copies! They are dedicated to preserving the local history and as many of you know, the SKPPRA magazine has always been covering and discussing local events.
Helping St Lukes Hospice
We have a long history of supporting St Lukes Hospice. So here are some ideas how you can help:
The good old-fashioned method of cutting out postage stamps, collecting and giving them to the hospice has the potential of raising lots of money.
They have a shop in Harrow Weald, 437 High Road, close to the bus garage, where you can donate electrical items, they also accept laser printer toner caridges.
Join the 15:1 walk around Harrow on the Hill, a circular walk of 1.5 miles and you can do the circuit as many times as you can manage.
Police Warning
We would like to make you aware of incidents occurring in the vicinity of PRESTON ROAD WEMBLEY HA9. We hope that by raising awareness around this issue we can reduce the number of offences.
In the past 3 months we have seen a rise in street robbery and snatches around PRESTON ROAD HA9. Hot spot areas include GRASMERE AVENUE, CARLTON AVENUE EAST, CHAMBERLAYNE AVENUE and ELMSTEAD AVENUE. Most of the offences have targeted females and suspects have most frequently made attempts to snatch gold necklaces worn by the victim however mobile phones have also been targeted.
Peak times for the offences are between 1pm and 5 pm throughout the afternoon.
Suspect descriptions have varied although most victims have reported that they have been targeted by 1 white male and 1 black male, aged between 18 and 25 years of age. One male distracts the victim while the other attempts to snatch property from behind. The last offence which occurred on 06/05/2011 the suspect a white male approximately 6 foot tall was wearing a very distinctive pair of orange Nike trainers. Suspects are often on bicycles.
We have been trying to raise awareness around this issue over recent weeks and have spent time on Preston Road speaking with the local community, providing crime prevention advice, property registration services and personal attack alarms to those who are at risk or vulnerable. As the local Policing Team we have also been directing patrols to the effected areas.
Please ensure that all offences are reported at the soonest opportunity by dialling999 the earlier Police are aware the greater the opportunity there is to apprehend suspects. We are happy to make visits to any individuals who feel vulnerable to provide further advice. We also offer property registration services and we also still have a limited quantity of attack alarms available. Please contact us for more information.
If you have any information relating to this issue or another issues you want to make Police aware of please contact us on our ward mobile 079202 337 53. If the team are off duty leave a message and we will respond at the earliest opportunity.
What weeks my
Blue/ Green/ Grey
bin being collected?
Select Your Street
----------------------------------------
Click the bus to see how
long until the 223 arrives
--------------------------------------
Next SKPPRA committee meeting
To be confirmed
~~~
SKPPRA AGM
22nd May 19:00
The Annunciation
Church Hall
----------------------------------------
Preston Safer Neighbourhood Team
Sgt Michael How
PC Paul McCauley
PC Nicky Phillips
PCSO Tom Houlihan
PCSO Michael Willcox
In an emergency always dial999, or you can also report non urgent crime on:
0300 123 1212
---------------------------------------
Wembley Event Day Parking
26th Feb
29th Feb
31st Mar
2nd Jun
29th Jul
31st Jul
1st Aug
4th Aug
6th Aug
7th Aug
9th Aug
11th Aug
.JPG)
