'Man Shed - a safe place for men to come and talk opens in Willesden on May 15th

 

 

With issues around 'toxic masculinity' very much in the news and knowing that men often find it hard to talk about problems that they are experiencing, I was pleased to see that Willesden hair stylist, Michael Roberts, had taken a positive initiative in setting up a Men's Space.

Michel told Wembley Matters:

I have set up this non profit man shed in my salon in Willesden  for men to come and talk and have a safe place.

 

Why did I think of this?

 

I felt that men needed  a place like this and being from Brent and working in Brent, I know there are so many people with mental health and men going through  life issues  who  don't have a voice or a place to release.

 

Willesden Public Meeting with Police and Councillors - February 13th in person

 

Public, police and fire brigade mount rescue at Willesden High Road shop fire

Credit: Metropolitan Police

From Metropolitan Police

The bravery of two police officers, along with members of the public, has been lauded after they entered a burning building in Willesden High Road  to rescue occupants who were inside.

The incident unfolded at around 13:10hrs on Friday, 13 December after emergency services were called to reports of a fire in a three-storey building on High Road , NW10.

Officers were quickly on scene and immediately recognised the dangerous situation unfolding in front of them with smoke billowing from windows and reports of people still inside a flat on the first floor.

Two officers, along with members of the public, entered the building and made their way up to the first floor. They directed residents out of the building but were alerted to a man who was trapped in an upstairs flat. Utilising a ladder located in a courtyard area at the back of the building, a member of the public managed to break a window and help the man escape.

Thankfully no-one was seriously injured although three residents and one of the officers, who is aged in his 20s, were taken to hospital for treatment due to the effects of smoke inhalation. One officer remains in hospital and all are expected to make a full recovery.

The officers are being supported following the ordeal.

Commander Paul Trevers said: 

 

The actions of these officers exemplifies the qualities that runs through the core of our officers in the Met police – bravery, tenacity and above all a desire to keep the public safe when faced with danger.

Confronted with a terrifying situation and knowing that people were at risk they did not hesitate in going into that building to protect the lives of others. I am immensely proud of their actions as I’m sure all Londoners will be.

I would also like to praise the courage of the members of the public who, alongside our officers, helped ensure the safety of those inside the building.

 

Credit: London Fire Brigade

From London Fire Brigade

Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters tackled a fire at a shop with flats above on Willesden High Road. 

Part of the ground floor and a small part of the ceiling void between the ground and first floors were alight. Firefighters rescued two people from a roof using a short extension ladder. Five further people left the property before the Brigade arrived and were taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews.

The Brigade's 32-metre turntable ladder was used at the scene as an observation platform. 

Station Commander Chucks Abili, who was at the scene, said: 

Crews worked hard to access the voids and bring the fire under control.

The fire was producing heavy smoke, so we advised local residents keep their windows and doors closed.

Willesden High Road was closed between Bertie Road and Hawthorn Road and we encouraged people to avoid the area during the afternoon, particularly as rush hour approached.

The Brigade's Control Officers took the first of eight calls to the fire at 1308 and mobilised crews from West Hampstead, Park Royal, North Kensington, Kentish Town and Wembley fire stations to the scene. The fire was under control by 1521.

 

Willesden Neighbourhood Health and Wellbeing Workshop - June 29th from 1pm at Ashford Place Community Centre

 We would like to hear from you!

 

Join us for an interactive afternoon discussing care, wellbeing and health provision in Willesden Green, Cricklewood & Mapesbury, and Dollis Hill. This workshop is a key opportunity to share your thoughts and experiences on the current state of services in our neighbourhood, and work collaboratively to address and prevent health inequalities.

 

The event will take place on Thursday, June 29th, 2023 from 1 PM at Ashford Place Community Centre, 60 Ashford Road, London, NW2 6TU. We will start the event with half an hour of lunch and networking before beginning our discussions.

 

During the workshop we want to hear from you on a range of topics including the challenges faced by children, young people and their families today, what you want to see from the future of health and care in the Willesden neighbourhood, and potential solutions to improve the quality of wellbeing, health and care in our community.

 

This is a great opportunity to have your voice heard and contribute to the ongoing conversation about wellbeing, health and care in the Willesden neighbourhood. We look forward to seeing you there!

 

TICKETS

Brent Xtra International Reggae Day Day UK 2023 Friday June 30th - events across Willesden and Harlesden

 I am honoured to have been asked to take part in this event. See you there!

Come join in us, as we usher in International Reggae Day Brent stylee!! From a walk, to talks, performances, community stalls, prostate cancer awareness and fund-raiser, to a DJ set marking "the Global Influence of 80s and 90s Dancehall" IRD 2023 theme: 

 

FRIDAY JUNE 30 2023

 

1. 4.00-5.00pm The Brent Black Music History Walk

 

Starts from Willesden Bus Garage, Pound Lane, London NW10 2HW (full details provided upon booking). The walk is led by Brent resident and author of 'Brent Black Music History Project book and DVD Kwaku BBM. Discover some of the hidden music histories along the route to Harlesden, the heart of black music and reggae in Britain. £5 adult; £10 2 adults (plus 2 youths under 18 years).

 

2. 5.15-6.15pm Gathering Around The Reggae Tree

 

Join The Reggae Tree Ambassador Diane Shrouder Johnson and local dignitaries by The Reggae Tree in front of the Hawkeye record shop (2 Craven Park Road, London NW10 4AB). We will have a short chat about the environment by Wembley Matters blogger Martin Francis to underpin International Reggae Day's Plant A Tree environmental remit. There will be performances by the likes of local singer-songwriter Owen Deacon and others. £Free

 

3. 6.15-9.15pm Talks, Presentations, Screenings, Performances And Community Stalls

DJ Pascoe will welcome attendees to Windrush Hall in Tavistock Hall, 25 High Street, Harlesden, London NW10 4ND (use Tavistock Road entrance; parking by Burger King/Tesco) with a British reggae set.

 

Engagement with local community organisations, with stalls available to book at £15, performances by Music4Causes ft. Kimba (repeating the reggae performance from the same stage last year), singer-songwriter Owen Deacon, plus performance and talk by Sparky Rugged via video, music history presentation by Kwaku BBM, and prostate cancer awareness presentations by prostate cancer advocate Keith Gussy Young and a Cancer Black Care representative.

 

Starts with video featuring artists from Brent, and a preview of the Brent Reggae Album Covers presentation.

 

We will auction off a reggae themed drawing by Mike Hawthorne as part of raising funds for Brent-based charity Cancer Black Care. 

 

We'll end the evening with the Vinyl Xposure of DJ Lady Juicy's lovers rock, whilst DJ Pascoe's selections speak to the International Reggae Day 2023 theme: "From Brukins to Bogle: The Global Influence of 80s and 90s Dancehall".

 

Stalls £15; African Caribbean meal £5 - vegetarian, rice and peas with either fish or chicken can be bought on the day or pre-booked.

 

+Vinyl Xposure

+Videos

+Stalls

+Discussions

+Networking

+Performances

+Photographic Exhibition

+Prostate Cancer Awareness

+African-Caribbean Food on sale

+SURPRISE

 

A family-friendly event organised by BBM/BMC (BritishBlackMusicMusic.com/Black Music Congress) and BTWSC/African Histories Revisited, with support from Serene One and Sparky Rugged.

 

TICKETS

Exhibition next week on major redevelopment between Dudden Hill Lane and Willesden High Road

 

Website link (live after Exhibitions)

Plans for the residential led redevelopment of the current light industrial/commercial site between 54-68 Dudden Hill Lane NW10 1DG and 370 Willesden High Road NW10 2EA will go on public exhibition at Mencap 379-381 High Road, Willesden, NW10 2JR on Tuesday January 17th 4pm - 8pm and Thursday 19th January 4pm to 8pm.

The development website will not go live until after the exhibitions. Purple pin below marks  54-68 Dudden Hill Lane and red pin 370 High Road.

 54-68 Dudden Hill Lane (Google Streetview)
 

370 High Road (Google Streetview)

New Boundary Commission proposals cast Harlesden adrift from Willesden. Comment by December 5th

The Boundary Commission for England has published new revised proposals for parliamentary constituencies across the country and opens a final month-long consultation, giving the public a last opportunity to send in their views.

The Commission has taken into consideration over 45,000 comments sent in by the public during the previous two stages of public consultation, and has changed nearly half of its initial proposals based on this feedback. A third and final consultation on the new map of revised constituency proposals is open now until 5 December. The public are invited to view and comment on the new map at bcereviews.org.uk.

The Commission is undertaking an independent review of all constituencies in England as requested by Parliament. The number of electors within each constituency currently varies widely due to population changes since the last boundary review. The 2023 Boundary Review will rebalance the number of electors each MP represents, resulting in significant change to the existing constituency map. As part of the review, the number of constituencies in England will increase from 533 to 543.

After this final consultation has closed on 5 December, the Commission will analyse the responses and form its final recommendations. These will be submitted to Parliament by 1 July 2023.

Submit a comment HERE

For Brent the change means there will be three constituencies: Wembley, Willesden  and Queens Park and Little Venice. Harlesden will be in the latter constituency, separated from Willesden.

You can zoom in to your area on an interactive map  that includes the wards by inserting your postcode HERE

Proposed Wembley Constituency

 

 

Proposed Willesden Constituency 

 

Proposed Queens Park and Little Venice Constituency

Letter: More great local history opportunities from “Being Brent”

 Dear Editor,

 

In a letter last month I wrote about “Flying from Brent”, and some of the other Heritage and Wellbeing projects being facilitated by Brent Museum and Archives as part of their “Being Brent” programme. There are now more “gems” from this project that your readers might like to know about, and take part in, so I’m writing to share the details with them. 

 

Brent Heritage Tours – Willesden logo

 

After a number of popular guided walks during the autumn, Brent Heritage Tours are going “online” for January 2022, with three free illustrated talks on Friday evenings. Tickets can be booked via their Eventbrite pages here:

 

"Queen's Park - Past and Present":  Friday 14 January at 7pm (to 8.30pm):
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/queens-park-past-and-present-tickets-180818451857?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

 

 

"Willesden - Past and Present":  Friday 21 January at 7pm:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/willesden-past-and-present-tickets-180847889907?aff=ebdsoporgprofile 

 

 

 

Postcard of the High Road, Willesden Green, c.1900.

 

 

"Welsh Harp - Past and Present":  Friday 28 January at 7pm:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/welsh-harp-past-and-present-tickets-180984247757?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

They will be back with free “live” guided walks from February (numbers on each walk are limited so book early if you are interested), and also have self-guided trails that you can download to explore in your own time. More details on their website at: https://brent-heritage.co.uk/

 

I hope that readers enjoyed my series of articles last month about Ram Singh Nehra and his family. The story of Brent’s multiracial and mixed-race community is one area of our social history which has not received much attention, but another “Being Brent” project is hoping to shine more light on it, with a digital exhibition planned for March 2022. 

 

 

The curators of “By the Cut of Their Cloth”, local artist Warren Reilly and director of The Mixed Museum, Chamion Caballero, need your help to collect as wide a range of memories and photos as possible, to make a permanent record celebrating our community’s rich history of migration and mixing. They are holding two online “open days”, on Saturday 15 January (10am to 4pm) and Sunday 16 January (12noon to 4pm). If you have stories you would like to share, you can find more information, and “book" a private zoom meeting with them, at:

 

https://mixedmuseum.org.uk/news/btcotc-open-days-booking-now-live/   and,

 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/by-the-cut-of-their-cloth-open-day-tickets-231641404677

 

I hope you will take, and enjoy, these opportunities. For more about “Being Brent”, and links to the videos already produced from a variety of projects, you can find details on their website. Best wishes,

Philip Grant.

WELLesden Garden Open Day - Friday 13 August 1pm-7pm at Mencap, High Road, Willesden

 

UPDATE: Man charged with murder after fatal stabbing of Michael Fadayomi in Willesden High Road

 From Metropolitan Police

UPDATE SUNDAY

A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of Michael Fadayomi in Willesden earlier this week.

Police were called to High Road, NW10 at 17:11hrs on Thursday, 29 April following reports that a man had been stabbed.

Officers attended with the London Ambulance Service. 40-year-old Michael was found with serious injuries.

Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, he was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.

A post-mortem examination has since found that the cause of his death was incised wounds to the neck.

Marcus Griffiths, 42 (02.04.79), of Hoveden Road, NW2 was arrested later the same day.

On Saturday, 1 May, he appeared at Willesden Magistrates’ Court charged with Michael’s murder. He is also charged with being in possession of a bladed article.

He was remanded in custody to appear at the Crown Court on a date to be determined.

 

SATURDAY'S POST

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a fatal stabbing in Willesden, Brent.

Police were called by London Ambulance Service at 17:11hrs on Thursday, 29 April to a report of a man suffering from stab wounds on High Road, NW10. Officers attended.

Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, the victim, aged 40, was pronounced dead at the scene shortly afterwards. His next of kin are aware.

Formal identification awaits. A post-mortem examination will be scheduled in due course.

A 42-year-old man was arrested following the incident at his home address in Willesden. He remains in custody. Police are not searching for anyone else in connection with this incident.

A crime scene remains in place and the public can expect to see an increased police presence in the area.

While enquiries continue, the incident is being treated as isolated and is not thought to be gang-related. The victim and suspect are not thought to have been known to each other.

Detectives from Specialist Crime are leading the investigation, led by DCI Claire Hine.

She said: 

 "Foremost in our thoughts are the victim and his family, who are coming to terms with his very sudden and violent loss. My specialist officers are providing them with support at this very sad time.

"At this early stage in our investigation we believe the incident started on a Route 260 bus. It continued out onto the High Road and into a fast food shop in front of a number of horrified onlookers in the street, and on the bus.

"I know there are videos circulating on social media that feature some incredibly distressing images and I ask that people please refrain from sharing these to avoid causing the victim's family any more trauma.

"We've spoken to a number of people who have told us what they saw, but there are others who have yet to make contact. I would ask those witnesses to call us, so that we can fully establish the chain of events that has led to a man losing his life in such a horrific way.

"I'd also like to acknowledge that this incident would no doubt have caused incredible panic and alarm to the people who saw it. There are resources available via Victim Support (https://www.victimsupport.org.uk) that can help you if you need to speak to someone."

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD 5109/29Apr. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A Crown Court judge has ordered a landlord to pay back a record £739,264 in illicit earnings made from overcrowded properties in Willesden

 Press release from Brent Council

A Crown court judge has ordered a landlord to pay back £739,263.58 in illicit earnings made from overcrowded properties in Willesden. It is believed to be the largest such order for a planning breach made anywhere in the country so far this year.

The enormous order was made against Mohammed Mehdi Ali of High Road Willesden, following a prosecution brought by Brent council's legal team.

HHJ Wood, sitting at Harrow Crown Court, made the order against Mr Ali on Friday 12 February. He was told by the court that he would face a prison term of 5 years and 9 months if he did not pay the order in full within three months.

Mr Ali was found guilty of failing to comply with planning enforcement notices in April 2018 at Willesden Magistrates Court, after investigations by Brent's planning enforcement team.  The case was then referred to Harrow Crown Court for confiscation proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. Brent was represented in the crown court by Edmund Robb of Prospect Law.

Detailed investigations carried out by Brent's financial investigators and Brent's planning enforcement officers revealed the extent of the number of illegal dwellings created and the illicit earnings made by illegally renting out the properties, which were owned by Mr Ali and his father. The properties were used as houses in multiple occupation and as undersized flats.

Mr Ali was also ordered to pay Brent council £30,000.00 to cover its legal costs in the long-running case.

Cllr Shama Tatler, Lead Member for Regeneration, Property & Planning, said:

This is another huge win for Brent. The council will take robust action to prevent the creation of poor quality housing. This penalty sends a clear message that rogue landlords will not be allowed to get away with ignoring planning laws. The accommodation provided was some of the worst residential accommodation that officers have ever come across. Brent will not tolerate this type of behaviour, landlords providing such horrible conditions. Brent residents deserve better.

Sentencing for the enforcement notice breaches is adjourned until 1 March 2021.

 

Brent Planning Officers recommend refusal of major Willesden development application

 

In a move that is quite unusual in Brent, planning officers are recommending that the Planning Committee refuse the application for a major development on an industrial site that lies between Dudden Hill Lane and Willesden High Road.

Adjacent sites are also earmarked for development and other nearby developments are a major housing project at the College of North West London  and flats on the Learie Constantine Community Centre site. This application would form part of a Masterplan for the area.

Taken together the developments will change the face of this part of Willesden and continue the proliferation of high rise developments in Brent. Although the maximum height of these blocks is less than half of those around Wembley Stadium they would still make a major impact on the local streetscape as can be seen from the images above. The two storey terraced houses on Colin Road would be dwarfed by this development and experience a significant loss of light.

 

The proposal

Demolition of existing buildings and erection of 5 mixed use blocks ranging from 4 to 10 storeys plus basement levels, comprising; 245 residential units at 1st to 9th floors, and light industrial floorspace (Class B1c), food retail floorspace (supermarket) (Class A1), gym (Class D2), nursery (Class D1), commercial units (units 7 and 9) (flexible use for Class A1, A2, A3, D1 and/or B1c) and HA office (Class B1a) at basement, ground and part 1st floors, together with associated vehicular access, car and cycle parking spaces, bin stores, plant room, substations, landscaping and amenity space (Amended description)

Housing

Given the current controversies over the short-comings of shared ownership it is noteworthy that the officers' report states that  95% of those in affordable housing need cannot afford intermediate products such as shared ownership. There has been considerable dialogue between the developer and the council over the housing provision and compliance with policy:

The Brent Strategic Housing Market Assessment 2018 identified a need for 42,000 additional homes between 2016-2041. Using a limit of 33% of gross household incomes to be spent on rent/mortgages, affordable housing comprises 52% of that need. Of the affordable need identified 85% was for social rent (council house type rents) and 10% was for London Living Rent-LAR (pegged at a percentage of median incomes). Just 5% was for people able afford to between that and 80% of median local rents (typically these people might seek to buy shared ownership units). Whilst the headline figure provided by the applicant, being 66% affordable housing, is well in excess of the 50% overall target set out in DMP 15 and emerging policy BH5 , this figure is weighted heavily in favour of intermediate product (shared ownership units) and therefore the proposal is not in accordance with this policy. As stated above, the SHMA identifies that intermediate products are essentially unaffordable to 95% of those in affordable housing need and are more likely to be occupied by people who have a choice within the market for alternative accommodation e.g. market rent.

The final offer presented by the applicant shows that even with 100% affordable workspace and on a policy compliant tenure split the development could reasonably deliver 13 additional London Affordable Rented homes which would help the most specific needs of the borough. Whilst this would be at the expense of a large proportion of intermediate units, there is far less need for this type of housing.

Given that primary need in the borough is for LAR homes (as reflected in adopted and emerging policy) the overprovision of Intermediate Housing and other benefits of the scheme are not considered to be of sufficient benefit to outweigh the harm associated with the under-provision of affordable rented homes to meet local need.

Comments on the planning consultation portal were fairly evenly split between those in favour and against.  The provision of a supermarket (named as Lidl in the drawings) was seen as positive as was a nursery, but the impact on traffic and parking in the are was a negative factor, as well as the loss of daylight to the local two storey terraced houses in Colin Road.

Officers' recommendation

Whilst the proposed development would undoubtedly bring forward significant benefits, largely in the form of modern affordable workspace and the provision of a large number of homes to meet borough housing targets, including a high overall number of Affordable homes, the development would also fall short in a number of policy areas. In particular, the proposal fails to deliver the maximum reasonable amount of Affordable housing on a policy compliant tenure split. Whilst the headline affordable housing figure is high, this is not considered sufficient to justify the number of London Affordable Rented homes, which are proposed at less than the maximum reasonable number. There is a significant need within the borough for the lower cost Affordable Homes (Social or London Affordable Rent) which look to cater for those most in need in accordance with adopted and emerging policy. 

 

 Furthermore, at the scale proposed the development would result in significant daylight impacts to a number of neighbouring properties. The benefits of the scheme are not considered to outweigh the harm identified to these properties. 

 

Finally, the development would provide parking for the supermarket well in excess of standards without an appropriate parking price regime to encourage non-car access and would therefore encourage additional unnecessary car journeys to and from the site and from the area in general. Again whilst policy deviations can be accepted when having regard to a wider planning balance, in the case, the benefits of the scheme are not considered significant enough to outweigh the harm associated with the failure to provide adequate means to encourage non-car access to the supermarket. 

 

To conclude, the development is contrary to policy, and would fail to deliver the degree of benefit necessary to outweigh the harm associated with the proposal.

The statement on shared ownership will be significant for future planning applications in the borough.