NEU members at The Village special school in Kingsbury to strike tomorrow after paid leave cut

 

The Village School, Kingsbury

 

From Brent National Education Union

 

NEU members at The Village School, Brent- part of the Compass Learning Partnership academy trust- walk out tomorrow, angry that they have lost pay protections for pregnant and disabled staff among others

 

Teachers and support staff at the school have reached out to the Trustees to try to resolve and issue that began last year when a school policy was changed without consultation and resulted in pay cuts for staff needing hospital appointments, ante-natal appointments and carers’ leave. Trustees have acted against their own processes by not negotiating with unions and staff have been left out of pocket.

 

Over 100 members of the NEU will be on strike tomorrow and the school will be closed to all pupils. Pupils at the school have a range of complex needs, disabilities and autism.

 

Jenny Cooper of the NEU national executive, who also teachers at the school, has stated:

 

We have reached out to the trust multiple times to try to resolve this issue- the last thing we wanted was to strike- but they are not engaging with us. The Trust has four executives on salaries over £100000 but refuse to pay our frontline staff when they need to attend vital appointments. The school cannot operate without us; they will need to negotiate sooner or later

.

 

Petition launched supporting historic listing of Bridge Park: 'A landmark of grassroots self-determination, and a vital part of Brent’s-and Britain’s-story'.

 Bridge Park Community Centre entrance

 

The Harlesden People’s Community Council (HPCC) has submitted an application to Historic England to grant Bridge Park listed status (Ref: 1493686). In support of this a petition has been launched calling for the protection and formal listing of Bridge Park Community Centre—a place of deep historical, architectural, and social significance in our borough.

 

Bridge Park is Europe’s first Black-led community enterprise centre, created in the early 1980s by young people from Harlesden and Stonebridge at a time of widespread racial tension and economic hardship. They transformed a disused bus depot into a thriving hub for training, culture, sport, and childcare. It’s a landmark of grassroots self-determination, and a vital part of Brent’s-and Britain’s-story.

 

This is the petition:  

 

We are calling on Historic England and the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to grant listed status to Bridge Park Community Centre (Application Ref: 1493686) to protect its historic and architectural significance and ensure its legacy is preserved for future generations.

 

Why is this important?

 

Bridge Park isn’t just part of Brent’s story—it’s part of Britain’s.

We, the undersigned residents and supporters of North West London, write to express our collective support for the listing of Bridge Park Community Centre (formerly Stonebridge Bus Depot) as a site of national historic and architectural significance.

Bridge Park is far more than a building. It is a powerful living testament to what can be achieved when communities are given the freedom to lead, build, and transform the environment around them. Born out of the Harlesden People’s Community Council (HPCC) in the early 1980s, Bridge Park is Europe’s largest Black-led community enterprise centre, developed in direct response to the 1981 uprisings. At a time of intense racial tension, poverty, and social unrest, a group of young Black Londoners took ownership of a disused bus garage and turned it into a centre for training, sports, cultural activity, and childcare—a model of hope and healing when it was most needed.

1. Historic Significance
   Bridge Park was a radical, community-led response to structural inequality. It reflects the lived experience of marginalised urban youth and the strength of grassroots leadership. The project stands as a rare example of sustained Black civic enterprise and self-determination, directly recognised by the (then) Prince of Wales in 1988, who called it “one of the most important developments I have seen in this country for a long time.”
   
   It offers a vital counternarrative to the dominant histories of decline and disorder. It shows a people-led vision of Britain’s urban and multicultural future.
2. Architectural Significance
   Bridge Park is a pioneering example of adaptive reuse. A former bus depot reimagined by local people into a multi-purpose civic space. Its design directly reflects the values and needs of the community that shaped it. It is a monument to democratic architecture—where vision was born from lived experience, and the building’s function served real social purpose.
3. Inclusion, Diversity, and Equality
   Listing Bridge Park would demonstrate Historic England’s commitment to its Strategy for Inclusion, Diversity, and Equality, especially Action 2: recognising more representative and diverse heritage. It would protect not just bricks and mortar, but the memory of a movement that redefined public space, ownership, and community agency—especially for those too often excluded from the official record.
4. A Call to Honour Our Shared Heritage
   Bridge Park’s story is not only Black history or Brent history—it is British history. A national story of resilience, creativity, and pride. To deny its listing would be to erase a critical chapter in the story of modern Britain. To grant it would be a courageous act of historical justice.

We respectfully call on Historic England and the Secretary of State to:

• Grant listed status to Bridge Park under application reference 1493686;
• Recognise its special historic and architectural interest;
• Acknowledge its critical role in shaping inclusive national heritage.

Bridge Park must be protected—not just for what it is, but for everything it represents.

 

SIGN THE PETITION HERE

Long weekend of Wembley Stadium events coming up - road closures, parking restrictions and bus route disruption

 From Brent Council

 

Wembley Stadium will be hosting the following football play-off finals on below dates:

- Championship Play-Off Final on Saturday 24 May.

- Sky Bet League One Play-Off Final on Sunday 25 May.

- League Two Play-Off Final on Monday 26 May 2025.

Please read below to see how this might affect you:

Timings

· Championship Play-Off Final on Saturday 24 May Kick off is at 3.00pm and road closures will be in place from 11am.

· Sky Bet League One Play-Off Final on Sunday 25 May Kick off is at 1.00pm and road closures will be in place from 9am.

· League Two Play-Off Final on Monday 26 May 2025 Kick off is at 3pm and road closures will be in place from 11am.

We expect the area around Wembley Stadium to be very busy before and after this event so please avoid the area if you can unless you have a ticket.

Join the Golden Memories Dementia Cafe at The Grange, Neasden Lane, for fun activities - every Wednesday 12-2pm

 

Brent Cabinet approves recommendations on statutory process to consult on Islamia Primary move to Brentfield Road site.

A report to Brent Cabinet this morning set out the statutory consultation process that the Governing Board of Islamia Primary School would need to follow to undertake consultation on a proposal to relocate to the Gwenneth Rickus site in 2027.

Officers recommended that Cabinet:

·      notes the historical context and background set out in this report.

·      notes that the Yusuf Islam Foundation (YIF) has issued eviction notices to its Voluntary Aided Islamia Primary School and that the future options for the school are for the school to either relocate or close.

·      notes the proposal to relocate Islamia Primary School to the Gwenneth Rickus site as a 2FE school, subject to statutory consultation.

·      notes that the Governing Board would be responsible for making this proposal through statutory consultation, with Cabinet the final decision-maker.

·      notes that if the school relocated to the Gwenneth Rickus site, the site could be transferred into the name of the YIF, who would be required to hold the site for the benefit of the Islamia Primary School. Further details in terms of ownership would be set out in a Trust Deed. This would ensure that the primary school would be protected from eviction in future.

The proposed site in Brentfield Road, near the Swaminarayan Mandir, is currently occupied by Leopold Primary School, which is based on two sites, Harlesden and Brentfield Road. The latter is due to close with all children to be accommodated on the Harlesden site. Previously the site was used by Brent Teachers Centre and before that, Sladebrook School.

As set out above, the site would no longer belong to Brent Council.

Cllr Gwen Grahl, Lead Member, said the proposal was the only alternative to closure for this popular and effective school. It was a 'realistic and viable' option that would protect the school from eviction threats.

The school's sibling policy and borough wide catchment would remain in place.

Cllr Muhammed Butt, Leader of the Council, said that since he began as a councillor in 2006, there had been issues with Islamia because it existed on two sites with pupils having to cross a busy road during the school day, 'Now they will have a place that they can call home.'

 A legal paper on the proposal was withheld from publication.

The Cabinet Paper is available HERE

Cabinet agree £5m towards step free access and other improvements at Alperton Station. Lib Dems claim campaigning success.

Brent Cabinet this morning agreed a £5m payment towards the cost of step free access to to Alperton Station,  mainly funded by Transport for London.  The proposals are for lifts to the platforms rather than bringing the hidden escalator back into use. Other improvements include the toilets. The proposal will involve the loss of the barber shop at on the left of the station forecourt.

The Cabinet were told that the improvements were necessary because of the new building in the Alperton Growth Area  increasing the densification of the area. Cllr Muhammed Butt claimed this was a good use of Strategic CIL contributed by developers to improve infrastucture in areas of development..

The Cabinet Report gives details:

The station has a disused escalator currently hidden from view which accesses the main ticket hall and formerly served the east bound platform. TfL is proposing to use this space to provide one of the platform lifts. Additional space made available on the east bound platform will include some updated waiting facilities.

Delivery of the lift for the west bound platform is more complicated, due to the limited public access only currently provided from the main ticket hall under the underground lines. This, which provides access to the stairs, cannot be modified to incorporate access to a lift. Creating an additional adjacent tunnel under the lines will be prohibitively expensive due to the made ground nature of the structure above. It would also be very disruptive possibly requiring line or station closure. So, TfL will instead use a tunnel structure that currently is made inaccessible on the eastern side by the commercial unit (barbers) currently visible on the station frontage. This commercial unit will need to be removed, and access provided through it from the main ticket hall to a lift. TfL will conduct appropriate negotiations with the current tenant. The shopfront feature will be retained.

In addition to these changes, to address current passenger flow capacity issues at peak times, the number of barrier gates will also be increased. Off the main ticket hall three toilets will also be provided, one of which will be of accessible design, and all of which will incorporate baby changing facilities.

Alperton Liberal Demcrats put out a press release claiming the decision was a win for their campaigning:

The Liberal Democrats are celebrating a major win for Alperton as Brent Council has finally approved a long-overdue upgrade to Alperton Underground Station.

Thanks to years of persistent campaigning— by Liberal Democrat Councillors in Brent and Lib Dem London Assembly Member Hina Bokhari — Alperton Station is now set for a transformational refurbishment including:

●      Step-free access to make the station fully accessible for everyone, including those with mobility issues, parents with buggies, and older passengers.

●      Increased number of ticket gates to ease overcrowding and reduce daily congestion at peak times.

●      Upgraded, fully accessible toilet facilities for a safer, more dignified experience for all passengers

The works are projected to start in 2026, and be completed in 2027. Current plans assume the station will be able to remain open. 

Alperton councillor, Charlie Clinton said:

This is a huge win for local residents who’ve been ignored for too long.  Alperton has been the site of hundreds of new flats, and while we do need more homes, this has strained local services to the limit. These upgrades are way past due.

But it is not yet enough.  Brent Liberal Democrats will continue to fight for the investment Alperton deserves - including more Tubes running through the station, a new Health Centre, revamped roads and pavements, and real action to clean up our streets.    

Tragic death of young man in Kingsbury Green altercation in the early hours of Sunday morning. Murder investigation underway.

 Kingsbury Road was closed off between Uphill Drive and Chuch Lane

 

Locals speculated this morning when they found the 83, 302 and SL10  buses were diverted in Kingsbury, and they saw the  Kingsbury Green  open space was sealed off by blue police tape.

The police have now issued the following statement about the incident which, sadly, includes a fatality:

A murder investigation is under way following the fatal stabbing of a man in Kingsbury, North West London.

Police were called to reports of an altercation in Kingsbury Road, NW9 at 03:31hrs on Sunday, 18 May. A 26-year-old man was later confirmed to have been taken to hospital with a stab wound. Shortly after, despite the best efforts of medical staff, he was sadly pronounced dead.

His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.

Formal identification and a post-mortem examination will take place in due course.

Detective Chief Inspector Allam Bhangoo, who is leading the investigation, said:

Our team of detectives and forensic specialists are working at pace to establish the full circumstances that led to the tragic death of a young man.

We understand this incident will cause concern within the Kingsbury community, and we’re grateful for their continued patience and co-operation. Residents can expect to see an increased police presence in the area, along with a crime scene, as we carry out the early stages of our investigation.

We urge anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has any information that could assist us, to come forward as soon as possible.

Anyone who can help is asked to call police on 101, quoting reference: 1052/18May. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Kinsgsbury Road, between Uphill Drive and Church Lane, remains closed at this stage. Please avoid the area where possible.

No arrests have been made at this stage.

First view of new sculpture celebrating the revival of the Welsh Harp

 

The sculpture on the Kingsbury bank of the Welsh Harp (Photo:Philip Grant)

I took an hour off from cultivating my Birchen Grove allotment yesterday to cross over to the Welsh Harp Sailing Club to see a sculpture commissioned by the Canal and River Trust to mark the de-watering and refilling of the Brent Reservoir, popularly known as the Welsh Harp.

Phil Neale, the sculptor, aims to inspire as well as educate, and worked with pupils from Preston Manor High School and Wykeham Primary School  using their drawings as a basis for the cut-outs on the sail. 

The works involved the replacement of the wheels and chains that were part of the original equipment to operate the sluice gates and were retained for Phil Neale who likes to work with recycled material and large scale metal work pieces. The Post Code Lottery provided funding.

 

Phil Neale and boat

 

 Phil explains:

My initial inspiration for the design of this sculpture came from a short video showing very primitive powerboat racing on the reservoir in the early 1930s. I wished to combine this element of the history of the reservoir with the traditional name ‘Welsh Harp’ as well as highlighting the amazing flora and fauna that this Site of Special Scientific interest supports.

 

 

Although the powerboats didn’t have sails, the current boats certainly do, so it seemed a golden opportunity to fabricate a ‘sail’ in the shape of a harp and utilise this form to create a condensed artwork that the local schools could help design, as well as informing the students and local community about the local wildlife on their doorstep. The heritage ironwork lent itself to representing waves and water and was luckily a material that could be welded to the sculpture and powder coated all in one, giving a uniform finish and long-lasting protection from the elements.

 

 Nature's colours through the cut-outs

 

Fish on the prow of the boat

 

The recycled pulleys and chains

The sculpture is destined for pride of place in Neasden Recreation Ground on the North Circular Road bank of the Harp and the site is currently being prepared.