August 2008 Archives

By Ian Proctor

Government minister Hazel Blears is to have the final say on whether to approve controversial plans to build tower-blocks in Gayton Road, Harrow.

The news will bring renewed hope to opponents of the scheme who were angered by the scale, bulk and height of the development on the site of the former Gayton Road Library and pay-and-display car park in the centre of town.

Harrow council's strategic planning committee approved the proposal - submitted by developers Fairview New Homes and Mount Anvil - in May.

A teenager has been banned from entering Harrow for three years after committing more than 800 crimes.

Matthew O'Brien, 19, spent nine months in prison for carrying out the offences between September 2005 and April 2007 but was released on Tuesday (11).

The crimes were mostly thefts from motor vehicles.

A dietitian will be hosting talks with her top tips on staying healthy during Ramadan.

Community dietitian Salma Mehar from Northwick Park Hospital, in Watford Road, will be hosting talks at Harrow Central Mosque on August 22 and 29 after Juma prayer with the final talk will be in Urdu.

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.

Other Useful contacts:

Steve Bax, websites contact
Paul Bishop, Sports Editor
Chris Berry, Photographic

Family and friends of a little boy who suffers with a serious heart condition have raised more than £1,000 for the hospital which saved his life.

Anthony Gregory, who is 18 months old, was diagnosed with a complex heart disease before he was born and under-went three major operations during the first three months of his life.

A 17-year-old from Harrow was spared jail this week but must pay the dental costs of the policeman he assaulted.

The officer was left with two chipped teeth when the thug attacked him outside the Royal Oak, in St Ann's Road, after staff at the Harrow town centre pub called for help on May 12.

A 60-year-old female customer chased a would-be thief from Abbey National in St Ann's Road, Harrow,on July 31 at 3.45pm, but still lost £50.

One crook, who spoke a foreign language, flapped a fan of envelopes at the woman and tried to steal her bankcard while she was using an internal cash machine, but when she drove him away and returned to the ATM an accomplice had grabbed the money.

A 35-year-old woman was knocked down when a car's handbrake failed and the vehicle rolled back into her.

The incident happened in the car park of St George's Shopping Centre in St Ann's Road, Harrow, yesterday (Wednesday) at 4.30pm.