July 2008 Archives
By Ian Proctor
Children and teenagers will be able to swim for free during the summer holidays, Harrow Council has announced.
Youngsters aged up to 16 (inclusive) can take a dip without paying at Harrow Leisure Centre, Christchurch Avenue, Wealdstone, or Hatch End Swimming Pool in Uxbridge Road, Hatch End, between Monday July 21 to Sunday August 31.
The scheme is valid from seven days a week from 10am to 7pm and to benefit children must register their name and address at the reception desk each time they visit. Under 8s must be accompanied by an adult.
Councillor Chris Mote (Conservative), portfolio holder for community and cultural services, said: "Harrow Council knows this is a difficult time for families with the rising cost of living.
"The summer can be particularly problematic with parents wondering how to amuse their children without resorting to expensive theme parks and outings to the cinema.
"Now children can get active instead of spending hours watching TV or playing computer games.
"By investing money not only in swimming but the Passport to Culture and Summer University scheme, we have laid on a range of exciting opportunities on our young people's doorstep.
"Long-term we are hoping that this summer of fun encourages young people to get active and experience new things."
Harrow Council's Passport to Culture scheme is a series of action-packed events and activities while Summer University Harrow is a programme of over 100 activities and courses for 11- to 21-year-olds (up to 25 years old with special needs) during the summer vacation.
Children are invited to join a Christian holiday club this summer.
Youngsters are urged to register for the club, run by St Michael's and All Angels Church, on July 12 or July 19 between 10am and noon at the church in Bishop Ken Road, Harrow Weald.
The club will run between August 27-29. For more information call 020 8863 6131.
Vietnamese woman Nguyet Thi Pham has been jailed for 12 months following the discovery by police of a 434-plant cannabis factory in Kelvin Crescent, Harrow Weald, on April 21.
The 48-year-old was sentenced at Harrow Crown Court on June 20, having pleaded guilty to being concerned in the production by another of cannabis.
A hospice charity is looking for volunteers to help staff its shops and bring in much-needed funding.
Shop helpers are needed for St Luke's Hospice shops in Pinner, Harrow, Harrow Weald, South Harrow, Wembley, Kingsbury, Rayners Lane, Burnt Oak, Stanmore and North Harrow.
Volunteers only needs to commit to four hours, one shift per week, 9.30am to 1.15pm or 1.15pm to 5pm, Monday to Saturday.
Responsibilities include serving customers, sorting through donated items and steaming clothing, there is something for everyone.
The shops make a substantial contribution to meeting the costs of providing Hospice care at Kenton Grange.
Training will be provided and volunteers get a 10 per cent discount.
To find out more call 0750579275 or visit www.stlukes-hospice.org.
Harrow Borough Council
Tel: 020 8863 5611
Email: info@harrow.gov.uk
Harrow Council,
Civic Centre
PO Box 57
Station Road
Harrow
HA1 2XF
One Stop Shop open at the Civic Centre 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Shujaul Azam: I am the multi-media content manager for the Uxbridge Gazette, Harrow Observer, the Bucks Examiner and Buckinghamshire Advertiser newspapers and websites. I've been a journalist most of my working life and have covered areas as diverse as the rural idylls of Shropshire, to the gritty hard news areas of south London. My aim is to provide a comprehensive news service and ensure our news is relevant to the communities we serve. So, if you wish to discuss anything concerning the above titles please contact me on 01895 451000 or Email me
Ian Proctor: I am chief reporter for the Harrow Observer, Uxbridge Gazette and Bucks Advertiser and Examiner titles, and have been working on local newspapers for five years. I cover everything from politics, crime and health to education, entertainment and tales of human interest, so get in touch by e-mailing me or calling 07795 811230.
Tara Brady: I am the senior reporter for Wembley and Willsden. I've had many once-in-a-lifetime experiences in the job including sky-diving for charity, guns and drugs busts, working a night shift with paramedics, excavating an ancient burial site, and even interviewing an astronaut in space. I am lucky to cover one of the most culturally diverse parts of London which makes my job both exciting and rewarding. Email me your stories.
David Baker: I am a senior reporter for the Pinner/Hatch End area of Harrow. Although I look like a 12-year-old in my picture I am in fact an adult and have been at the Observer since leaving university, three years ago, where I read politics. Having always lived in the borough I have a strong affinity for the area and am keen to hear your stories. Email me or call 0779 5811756.
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