July 2008 Archives

SIKHS travelled from all over the world to visit a school for a religious event which attracted more than 20,000 people.

The celebrations marked the 300th anniversary since the holy Sikh book Guru Granth Sahib was established.

The event took place at Guru Nanak Sikh School in Springfield Road, Hayes over July 18 to July 20 and also included other events such as archery, clay pigeon shooting and a historical exhibition of Sikh kings and queens.

Sarabjeet Sidhu, project officer at the school, said: "It was a huge success and we had people coming from the U.S.A, Canada and from all over Europe.

"The celebrations are a very important day in the Sikh calendar because it's when Guru Gobind Singh Ji decided to put everything about the faith into a book instead of passing the knowledge from one successor to another.

"The book was read over the three days whilst there were also other events taking place at the school. We had a major drama production which was about the importance of believing in one God.

"We also had the police there who were doing an excellent job and telling people how about recruitment."

He added that the event helped raise £10,000 towards Nanaksar which is the school's charity and helps to provide free or affordable education to poor children in India.

YOUNG people in Hillingdon are being encouraged to try their luck with extreme sports this summer.
Hillingdon Council are putting on a high energy summer programme of activities for 10-14 year-olds.

There will be opportunities to go diving, kayaking and to play mini polo at Highgrove and Hayes pools, and there will be an Olympic Day at Brunel University.

Also available are cheerleading and trampoling classes, and Brazilian soccer schools which will run at different leisure centres and schools in the borough.

Prices range from £2.50 for an Aqua Extreme session and £45 for a week of Brazilian Soccer and QPR football camp.

For more information visit the Leisure and Culture pages on the council website.

A COUPLE attended the Royal Garden Party after a committed employee was nominated for not having taken a day off work in 38 years.

Mohinder Samrai, 57, of Oakington Avenue, Hayes, and his wife Kanta visited Buckingham Palace and enjoyed the event along with more than 5,000 people.

Mr Samrai works for British Airways in Heathrow as a Cargo Liaison officer and says he has never wanted to take a day off sick because he loves his job.

He said: "It was an excellent day and we saw the Queen, Prince Philip and Princess Anne. It was a real privilege to be invited because people come from all around the world to see Buckingham Palace and we were only a few feet away from the Queen.

"I think I was chosen because I have worked with the company for so long and my record has been excellent. I think it's also because I help others out if I can and I'm glad that management have seen that part.

"I think it's important to have a good attendance because you have to be reliable at work and I love what I do so I never feel like taking a day off. I also have to thank my family for being supportive when I have been a little ill and making it possible for me to go to work."

MORE than 500 parents attended an evening which awarded children for their outstanding achievements.

The event took place at Harlington Community School in Pinkwell Lane, Hayes and the Mayor of Hillingdon, Councillor Brian Crowe attended.

Sian Statters, deputy head at the school, said: "The awards are given to students for their academic progress or for helping other students in their class. It was a really vibrant evening and it's a very important event at the school because it is a way of recognising the efforts of pupils and giving them a boost of confidence.

"We combined the evening with our A-level photography and textiles exhibition, one student did a really good exhibition about the Southall community with pictures of shopkeepers standing near stalls which caught the cultural atmosphere within the area.

"Another project was of faces and it was created from strips of faces from people of different races which was quite startling and also a really interesting combination."

Mr Neil Sherman, head teacher, said: "It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening for both students, staff and visitors and a well deserved acknowledgement of the hard work, dedication and excellent progress that all these students have made in the past year.

"They are being rewarded not only for their individual commitment to personal learning but as an outstanding example of an exemplary Harlington student."

LIVE broadcasts were made by students and their parents after a radio station paid a visit to their school.
Presenters from Panjab Radio met children at Yeading Infant School in Carlyon Road, Yeading, and the students went on air shortly after school finished at 3.30pm.

The event was organised as part of an Information Technology week at the school which ran from July 14 to July 18 and aimed to encourage children to learn more about the subject.

Morag Blair, IT co-ordinator at the school, said: "The children just loved the whole idea that people somewhere were listening to them, which they thought was pretty cool.

"We also had bhangra music later on in the afternoon, we decided to give the event an Asian theme because there are a high proportion of Asian children at our school and we thought that this would be something they would enjoy."

She explained that the school were also running the ICT week to celebrate their new website which will be launched in September and will give parents the chance to access information about the school and allow children to find out about homework and useful links.

A local Band, based in Hayes, are headlining at The Clapham Grand, after performing there on July 10. The Grand, a venue that Oasis performed at back in May 2005, were so impressed with the set, 9thEra, performed, that they asked them back to headline straight away.

9thEra who are a five piece, Indie inspired band who write all there own material, have been on the London pub and club scene for a while now.

They are; Robert Hennessey, Martin Rowles, Lukie Kang, Trevor Jackson and Joe Shiner and are looking forward to headlining at Water Rats at Kings Cross, Rock at Ramus, a two day festival in Kent and of course they are looking forward to performing again at The Grand, this time as a headline act.

Check out this up and coming local band at www.myspace.com/9thera
CD's are available from this address.

The picture of the fox cubs was taken about three weeks ago in my back garden in
Spencer Avenue, Hayes. We are in a housing estate surrounded by roads.
Don Goldberg

CHILDREN enjoyed stroking goats and holding chickens as farm animals visited Willow Special School in Stipularis Drive in Hayes which supports pupils with emotional and social difficulties.

Sally Wyeth, school administrator, said: "The children got to see lots of animals including sheep, donkeys and geese and it was a great opportunity for them because it would be hard for us to organise a day out to the farm.

"It was a very calming experience for the children as well because they got to touch and hold the animals which is something children don't get the chance to do even if they do get to visit a farm.

"They were also very interested in learning about the animals and finding out what they eat.

The animals came from a mobile farm called Millers Ark which is based in Hampshire.

Local motorists in need of repairs to their vehicles can be assured that their cars are
officially in good hands.

Two employees from Solus Hayes have reached the finals
for Painter and Young Painter of the Year at the prestigious Bodyshop Magazine
Industry Event Awards ceremony.

Martin Byfield is a finalist in the Painter category, and Zak McLaughlan is a finalist for
Young Painter of the Year.

Vehicle painting demands a huge amount of skill and, as a discipline, it requires a
thorough understanding of the latest technology and careful attention to detail.

Customer satisfaction is vital and the quality of work in the bodyshop makes a huge
difference to a bodyshop's success, Martin and Zak are valuable assets to Solus
Hayes.

As part of the competition process, Martin and Zak, along with five other semi-finalists
in each category were required to take part in a tough assessment at the
Motor Insurance Industry Research Institute at Thatcham to prove they could do their
job accurately and under pressure. Technicians also underwent ATA (Automotive
Technician Accreditation) testing, which enables them to receive ATA accreditation if
the pass.

"I'm really pleased to be here," said Martin, "it's going to be a good day!" Zak was
also enthusiastic about the competition, and said, "You have to do your best and feel
proud to be here."

The finalists have been invited to a glittering black tie event in September for a Gala
Awards Dinner, where the winner will be announced.