An additional “drop-in” meeting to allow people to find out more about the proposals to close some of Harrow’s Libraries is to be held on Wednesday 7th January from 6.30pm to 8.00pm at Pinner Library, Marsh Road.
Be prepared for Power Cuts should they come your way!
It seems that the powers that be have at last realised that the wind may not blow at times of peak electricity demandand that all these expensive wind turbnies will be able to contribute and are therefore contemplating power cuts. One of our members has already suffered and offers the following suggestions for being prepared in the event of others becoming victims:
- Keep a supply of candles, candlesticks and matches together and remember where they are kept
- Make sure you always top up the battery on your mobile phone as some landlines only function through an electrical power point
- Remember that when the power goes down, WiFi is lost, but a well charged mobile can connect to the internet via 3G or 4G.
- Call UK Power Networks who are the “governing body” for all electrical supplies throughout the UK. They are easy to get through to and they are able to give you information on a continuous basis, with updates of when to expect the power to return. They send texts.
- Their numbers are: 0800 31 63 105 or from a mobile 0333 323 2105.
- Keep their numbers in your list of contacts on your mobile.
- Register for updates at http://www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/internet/en/our-services/
- Follows UKpowernetworks on Twitter as they respond very quickly to tweets if you have had a power cut https://twitter.com/ukpnnews ; they will direct message you back or even phone you.
Santa a great hit at West House
Santa’s Grotto at West House, Pinner attracted over 150 children on Saturday 13th December. The event, sponsored by Alexander Watson Estate Agents, has taken place for many years and is organised by the Friends of West House.
Lucy Patten, organiser, praised Santa’s Elves who had staffed the stalls and ensured that Santa saw a regular stream of excited children. ‘Everyone pulled together and made sure the children had a wonderful time. As well as thanking our regular volunteers, I should like to welcome Niamh McEnery and the HAWI who were helping for the first time.’ The favourite stall was ‘Hook a Duck’; others included Spin the Needle and Bauble Decoration.
Commenting on the event, Niamh McEnery said, ‘I really enjoyed it and I believe the others did too.’ One parent posted on Facebook, ‘Who knew FC has a steam powered computer, I learnt something! He was a brilliant FC and no queues or ridiculous attempts to flog over-priced merchandise. Win win!!’ Other parents praised the warm and friendly atmosphere and quality of Santa’s presents.
As well as providing a local Grotto for families, the Friends of West House were raising money for the Heath Robinson Museum, due to open in the park in 2016.
Closure of Harrow Libraries
The planned closures of some libraries in Harrow was publicised in an article in the Harrow Times. Many local residents went to Pinner Library 9th December to a ‘Consultation’. The chief hatchet woman whose job is to close libraries was there.
The meeting was very well attended, including some pupils from West Lodge School with their teacher. Due to popular demand a proper meeting was held, rather than a one to one “drop in style” meeting. From Harrow Council two senior officers were present, Marianne Locke, Divisional Director for Community and Cultural, and Tim Bryan, Service Manager, Libraries, Sport and Leisure, but no elected representatives. Questions ranged from the reason for the need for Harrow Council to make such severe budget cuts and how the Council could save money on their own administration, to why Libraries were so important as centres for information and contact with the Council, and how much Libraries are valued by school pupils.
It was agreed that another meeting would be arranged at Pinner Library after Christmas, to held in the evening when a wider cross section of Library users may be able to attend, and that a senior elected representative from the Labour Party (in administration on Harrow Council) would be at that meeting to answer questions.
Arts & Crafts come to West House
Whether or not you have Christmas in mind, the Exhibition of Arts & Crafts by Local craftsmen warrants a visit before it closes at 4 pm tomorrow, Sunday 7 December. 
And next Week end, on Saturday 13 December, West House hosts Santa’s Grotto from 11am to 3.45pm.
Pinner Park Farm – What Consultation?
From: Friendsof Pinnerparkfarm [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: 26 November 2014 14:58
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: Council’s proposals to go with ‘Option 1’
Dear Friends,
I have been interviewed by a Journalist from the local press who rang me to say that the Council will be making an announcement tomorrow (Thursday) that they will be going ahead with ‘Option 1’ for the farm.
They are selling it (the idea) as “A brand new public park for Harrow” and say that “these proposals remove inappropriate industrial units from this historic site”.
NB: Just to add to that that there is one (1) industrial unit and it’s had planning permission since (2006/2007).
I was stunned, I was angry and I was a bit overwhelmed with all the various emotions running around my head so I am not actually sure exactly what I said to the reporter. I was saying things like ‘nobody wants this’, ‘they are just pushing an agenda and it doesn’t matter what anyone says’ and I think ‘there are dark forces at work within the council’ was another. You may not be impressed with this response but I am only human and it came as a complete shock to me.
The reason for my extreme reaction to this news is really because I know this is utterly wrong. We have other associations in Harrow who have commented on the proposals, sending a strong message that they don’t think the consultation plans are a good idea. We have heard reports from people who attended the ‘consultation’ at the Harrow Arts Centre who say they felt they had been misled into thinking the farmers did not want to continue at the site. There has been submitted a comprehensive complaint against various aspects of the way the consultation was presented too. I have personally uncovered that documents, that were released as part of a Freedom of Information Request, contain inaccuracies within them and as such have probably mislead those who have read these in to a false sense of the actual history of the farm.
Something the reporter did say was that Cllr Keith Ferry (Portfolio Holder for Planning) had talked about building properties around the perimeter of the land in order to help fund the work that would be done in the area of the farm where the existing buildings are and that apparently you can do that sort of limited development on green belt land. This is, of course, all second hand information and so we would have to look into what exactly was meant by that.
I am going to end this communication here, until I am able to compose myself a bit and get my thinking together. We will need to work very hard over the next year in order to stop whoever it is that is driving these proposals through. I know from talking to so many people in the past six months that local people want farming to continue on that site but are also keen to see the site improved and be more accessible to our community e.g. Schools, and I for one am certainly not going to sit down and let them push through something that the people of Harrow neither asked for or indeed want!
Yours sincerely,
Georgia Weston (Cllr)
The Friends of Pinner Park Farm
020 8428 2635 Cllr Georgi– a Weston
@PinnerParkFarm
Security – Moss Lane Area
“Over the past few weeks there have been several burglaries and attempted burglaries in the Moss Lane area. These have occurred during the day and in the evening, and at the weekend, often when the residents are at home. The would be burglars have been brazen enough to return and again attempt a break in only 10 minutes after the Police had left having searched a property following the miscreants’ first try to get into an occupied house.
Please be particularly vigilant about home security and ‘phone the Police emergency number (999) immediately if you hear or see anything suspicious on your own, or your neighbours’, property.”
Mail Scam
Panto Evening Success
On 27 November good Seasonal weather – dry and not cold – attracted a vast crowd to see the Christmas lights being switched on and to enjoy all the fun of the evening from side shows, decorated shops – windows and staff -, school choirs, Morris Dancing etc. The evening closed with a spectacular firework display.
Jack & the Beanstalk – Winner of the Window Displays
The future use of Pinner Park Farm
The Council want to make you aware that on Thursday 27 November 2014 the Council will publish its report on Pinner Park Farm following the public consultation. The consultation can be accessed from this date on the Pinner Park Farm page of the Council website from the following link:
http://www.harrow.gov.uk/info/200143/public_notices/1255/pinner_park_farm_consultation
The Council has considered this report carefully and based on the responses we have commissioned Bidwells to work on a proposal to create a new open park. The park will allow residents across the borough to benefit from a new park bigger than Greenwich Park providing much needed access to natural green space. The proposals will also allow the Council to protect and restore the historic buildings on the site.
Philip Loveland-Cooper
Head of Service Corporate Estate
Tel: 0208 424 1877
Mobile: 07714 719876
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