July 2008 Archives

By Tara Brady

The removal of an antique looking lamp-post has provoked rage among Harrow on the Hill residents.

The Victorian style post and lantern which use to stand in West Street was taken down by Harrow Council after a car smashed into it.

Multi-faith prayers in condolence of the terrorists blasts which rocked India this past weekend are being organised in Harrow tonight (Monday).
The service will take place at the Sangat Centre, Sancroft Road, Harrow, at 7pm.
At least 49 people were killed when 16 explosions tore through the city of Ahmedabad, the capital of the western state of Guaraj, on Saturday.
A group calling itself the Indian Mujahideen claimed responsibility.
Harrow Labour councillor Navin Shah, who was born in a village on the outskirts of Ahmedabad and whose brother and family still live there, urged people from different religions to attend.
He said: "A lot of Harrow's community have origins in that part of India."

By Tara Brady

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

By Tara Brady

Burglaries in Harrow have shot up by 17 per cent since last year, according to latest figures.
The area with the biggest rise in burglaries was Harrow on the Hill, followed by Hatch End and Greenhill.
Between March 2007 and March 2008 there were 2,295 break-ins across the borough.
However, reported crime in Harrow has dropped by 11 per cent.
Ross Simpson, chairman of Harrow Crime Prevention Panel, said: "Being burgled can be the most distressing thing to happen someone. It is alarming to know burglaries are on the rise.
"The problem with figures is that nobody believes them any more. I don't think they reflect the true picture of crime.
"Hopefully more officers will be patrolling the streets and tackling the culprits rather than being bogged down in the bureaucratic chores police officers have to carry out."
The annual figures, released on Thursday (17) last week by Metropolitan Police, places Harrow as the fourth safest borough in London.
Richmond-Upon-Thames, Kingston-Upon-Thames and Sutton all recorded fewer offences.
Robberies fell from 769 to 528, an overall drop of 31 per cent. Violent crime was down by 10 per cent and gun crime fell from 16 per cent.

Vandals broke into a clubhouse and emptied beer barrels for the second time this year.
Harrow St Mary's Sports Club was broken into between 10pm on July 3 and 9.15am the next day.
Intruders gained entry through the loft of the clubhouse in Harrow Recreation Ground in Roxborough Road, Harrow.
Once inside they broke into the locked bar and turned on the taps of the beer barrels.No items were stolen but a similar act was carried out on the building in March.

Harrow Borough Council

Tel: 020 8863 5611

Email: info@harrow.gov.uk

Harrow Council,
Civic Centre
PO Box 57
Station Road
Harrow
HA1 2XF

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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

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