October 2008 Archives

SHOEBOXES packed with items like crayons, toys and sweets are being requested for by a Hayes car dealership so it can provide Christmas gifts for children in orphanages and hospitals.

Dagenham Motors in Dawley Road, Hayes, are taking part in the event to support the Samaritan's Purse Charity which last year collected 1.3m boxes from various organisations across England to help youngsters in developing countries.

For more information contact 0208 561 8888 or visit www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk

A FIREWORKS display will be held by a Hayes sports club.

The event will take place at the Hayes Cricket Club in The Green, Wood End, Hayes, on November 5, gates will open at 6.30pm and the display will start at 8pm.

It will include rides for children, a variety of stalls as well as food and drinks.

Tickets are £6 for adults and £4 for children under 16 accompanied by parents.
Family tickets for two adults and two children cost £15. Nearby parking is limited.

For more information contact 020 8573 4115.

AN ELDERLY resident has complained of being kept up all night by never ending fireworks in Hayes.

The resident of Church Road, Hayes, who asked not to be named, said: "Some people need reminding that we have a law in this country which says no fireworks after 11.30pm.

"They were still going on last night (Wednesday) in Hayes town centre at quarter to one.

"It wasn't just one or two either, it was a real galaxy of fireworks, coming from the east of me, from the direction of Central Avenue."

A FORMER gangster is using his past experiences to help launch a charity project which aims to tackle social issues affecting young people.

Dave Courtney, who is best known for organising the security at gangster Ronnie Kray's funeral in 1995, visited Hayes this week to help promote the charity project, Free Spirit.

The project was launched at the home of the Mos family - a well respected Muslim family in the community - who live in Halsway.

The director of the charity, Pepe Kaur, accompanied Dave to their home to launch the project which has already been very successful in an area of Kent where it was first set up in October last year.

The ex police officer said: "The project aims to get kids off the street and discover their hidden talents.

"We believe this is a different form of policing and we have challenged issues such as gun crime, racism, domestic violence and diversity.

"With the police there are communication barriers, but with Free Spirit there isn't.

"I am looking to do an arts project and a music project in Hayes early next year.

"It is a good area to start in because we already have the support from the Mos family, but I am hoping to take it everywhere."

Dave, 49, said: "I became a patron of Free Spirit because there's nothing more rewarding than being able to talk to a child and change something in him for the better. I am a pretty good spokesperson for the bad guy and I am proof crime doesn't pay.

"They listen to me because they know I have been in their position and I genuinely feel I have an impact.

"The project is an alternative to crime. You have to force feed them to make them do it but once they see a couple of success stories they will go."

Saif Ullah, 37, a member of the Mos family, said: "We see young children hanging around on street corners not doing anything constructive with their time.

"Instead of them throwing bricks at people's houses and cars they should be doing something they're good at.

"We will help the charity as best as we possibly can."

Go to www.myspace.com/freespirithiddentalent to find out more.

A ONE-year-old boy who had his trike stolen from outside his Hayes home two weeks ago has been given a new one as a gesture of goodwill from a shopping centre.

Jenny Donnelly, 37 of Goshawk Gardens, Hayes, set up a group on the social networking site Facebook to express her anger after her son Reggie had his first birthday present stolen. After reading the story staff at The Mall Pavilions shopping centre, in High Street, Uxbridge, got together with The Entertainer toy shop to get a new trike which was given to Reggie on October 20.

Annemarie Collier, marketing manager at The Mall Pavilions, said: "It was great to see the family happy with the new trike, it took their breath away as it was a gesture of goodwill and it means Reggie won't have to wait till Christmas for his new trike."

Jenny said: "It was a wonderful surprise to get the call from the Pavilions. He loves his new trike, and I'll be using it when I pick the boys up from school this afternoon."

A PUNJABI dance group have competed against thousands for a place in the semi finals of Britains Got Talent, a national competition which is shown on ITV.

Amandeep Gahla 21, of Brookside Road, Hayes, Amandeep Bhamra 19, of Marlborough Road, Hillingdon, Jagjeet Sangoo, 20 and brothers Lucky Dhaliwal 20 and Harmeet Dhaliwal, 21 have been practising together for the last three years in their band, Nachde Punjabi Dancers (NPD) which is a bhangra dance group.

The auditions took place on October 17 in Holborn, London, and the band will find out if they have got through in December. If successful the group would get to perform in front of celebrity Simon Cowell which would be televised and shown on ITV in April of next year.

Amandeep Ghala said: "Everyone enjoys the energy, it's very entertaining, and we're not just a traditional bhangra group because our dances are infused with an urban and modern vibe."

NPD are hoping to follow the footsteps of Signature, a band which got through to the finals of the show last year and where one of the members Madhu Singh is from Hayes.

AN EIGHT-year-old golfer from Hayes has beaten adults more than double his age after coming second in a national golfing tournament.

Golfers were left stunned as little Aadam Syed of Crane Gardens, Hayes, beat 35 adults in a game which took place at the Brabazon in Birmingham, one of the Belfry golf courses. The game also included 12 contestants under 18.

Aadam has since had the chance to meet professional golfers at Frilford Heath in Oxford and the event is set to appear on Channel 4 news on Friday, October 24 at 12pm.

The tournament was held by Power Play Golf which offers an alternative to traditional golf with a different points scoring system and a shorter game with nine holes instead of 18.

Aadam said: "I think it's a great achievement and I hope to play as a professional when I grow up. I just like golf because it's relaxing and no one can stop you from winning like they can in football.

"I think I'm good because I practice a lot and because I want to win."

Aadam has been practising since the age of five and does an average of 10 hours a week and last year won 15 junior tournaments.

VOLUNTARY drivers are being sought by a Hayes dining group which serves the elderly community.

The Hayes Dining Club which has moved from the Harlington Baptist Church to St Peter and St Paul's Church in Waltham Avenue now requires drivers who can take people from their homes to the church.

The dining club is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 10.30 and 3pm.

For more information please contact Margaret Eyre on 0208 561 3323.

People are invited to jattend the annual general meeting for The Hayes and Harlington Welfare Community.
The event will be held at the Hayes Library in Golden Crescent, Hayes, on October 29 at 7.30pm.

For more information please contact Margaret Eyre on 0208 561 3323.

CHILDREN can enjoy spooky Halloween games and face painting as a charity puts on a fundraising event to mark the occasion in Harlington.

People can also buy pumpkins and take part in a raffle to help support Harlington Hospice.

The event will take place at the Scout's Hut, Harlington High Street on October 25 between 12pm to 4pm.
For more information contact 0208 759 0453.