Useful Info

WORK on a new £715,000 club house at Hillingdon Cycle Circuit got underway last week.

The club house, in Minet Country Park, Hayes, is due to be completed in May, in time for a scheduled National Youth Series bike meet at the track.

The project will pave the way for the creation of a major school use programme, will provide changing rooms and coaching space for the youngsters who use the track and who currently have to make the long walk to the facilities at the Goals Soccer Centre, in Springfield Road. Older members are to continue using these facilities.

A PRIZEWINNING racing pigeon taken in a ruthless raid on the coop of an world-renowned breeder has escaped the clutches of his captors and found his way home.

Charville Dan, winner of the prestigious Barcelona marathon race in 2007, was one of 120 prizewinning pigeons, said to be worth in the region of £200,000, taken in the burglary on a Hayes loft in the early hours of February 7.

The valued birds were bred and trained by Ken Hine, 77, of Charville Lane, who in the aftermath of the robbery said that he was "on the floor", also stating that the birds, his livelihood for over 50 years, were "irreplaceable".

THE Government has announced plans for a High Speed Rail London to Birmingham route, which will run through Ruislip.

The plans - which aim to revolutionise rail in the UK - were unveiled on Thursday by Transport Secretary Lord Adonis.

A 250mph rail route aims to reduce journey times between London and Birmingham to just 46 minutes.

The London base would be at London Euston station, with a Crossrail Interchange planned for Old Oak Station in Paddington.

A SIX-CAR pile up which left one woman with serious spinal injuries was one of three traffic accidents on Hayes' roads over the weekend.

Five people were taken to hospital with serious injuries following the three incidents which caused major tailbacks on the borough's main roads.

The multiple car crash happened on the Hayes Bypass at approximately 1.30pm on Saturday (March 6).

One responder car, four ambulance crews and a duty officer attended the scene and treated six people, three of which were taken to hospital for further treatment.

A 31-year-old woman with spinal injuries was taken as a priority to Hillingdon Hospital, and a 23 year-old woman was also taken to Hillingdon with back pain. A 20 year-old man was taken to Ealing Hopsital with spinal, neck and back pain.

An hour later, at approximately 2.30pm on Saturday, an ambulance crew was called to Uxbridge Road, Hayes, and treated a man in his twenties who was hit by a car. He was taken to Charing Cross Hospital with leg injuries.

At 5.40pm the following day (March 7), a responder and ambulance crew were called to Uxbridge Road and treated a woman believed to be in her twenties who was hit by a bus. She was whisked off to Hillingdon Hospital with back and neck injuries.

Did you see any of these accidents? Email jackgriffith@trinitysouth.co.uk

THIS year's Hayes Carnival is to take place on July 10, and residents are being asked to vote for the theme that will dominate the proceedings.

The annual summer party, staged in Barra Hall Park, will feature floats, food stalls serving local ethnic grub and comedy and musical performances on the big stage from Hillingdon-based talent.

The theme of the festivities is up for public vote and residents have a choice of five - 'Urban oasis', 'Diversity', 'All in the dance', 'Green futures' or 'Stardust'.

You can register your vote now on the council website, and the final votes will be taken on March 15. The most popular theme will be announced on March 17.

If you are interested in booking a stall or a float, or for more information, visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk.

A MOTHER affectionately known in Hayes as Mrs Christmas has lost her year-long battle with cancer, aged 50.

Androulla Vafiadis, of Wood End Green Road, Hayes, died peacefully last Monday, February 22, at Hayes Cottage Nursing Home in Grange Road.

AN AIR ambulance was called to take an injured pedestrian to hospital on Saturday night (20).

The helicopter touched down in Uxbridge Road, Hayes, at the scene of a road collision between a pedestrian and a black Mercedes at 11.40pm.

Emergency services arrived at 11.42pm and police closed off Uxbridge Road at the junction with Yeading Lane, and Church Road just after midnight.

The pedestrian, believed to be a man in his 30s, was airlifted to Charing Cross Hospital in central London. The road was opened at 3am.

Did you see what happened? Contact reporter Siba Matti at sibamatti@trinitysouth.co.uk

The newly refurbished Townfield Community Centre is to mark its grand opening this week with a community fun day.
Visitors will be able to enjoy guided tours of the brand new centre, located in Townfield Road, Hayes, which now has updated facilities that include training rooms with IT equipment, health and beauty areas and a cosy communal meeting space for visitors.
The centre also boasts strong green credentials, with a ground source pump that will heat the centre as well as eco-friendly lighting and water fittings.
On the day, children can enjoy a whole range of art activities, and Hayes FM will be lending their musical services. Visitors will be able to use the new internet services free of charge, and refreshments will be laid out.
The grand opening will take place on January 23 from 12pm until 4pm, and all are welcome to attend. For more information, call 020 8756 4390.

FIREFIGHTERS tackled a burst water main at the junction of Glencoe Road and Kingsash Drive, Yeading this morning (18).

A fire engine from Ruislip and two from Southall - totalling 15 fire fighters - rushed to the scene at 8.07am.

A high volume pump was used to drain water from a nearby subway. The fire teams left the scene at 10.40am.

A spokesperson for Veolia Water Three Valleys, which is responsible for water in Hillingdon, said: "We would like to apologise to customers for any inconvenience caused by a burst on an 18inch water main this morning at Glencoe Road.

"A team from Veolia Water Three Valleys are currently on site repairing the main which we are hoping to complete later this evening, subject to weather conditions."

Were you affected by the burst main? Contact Gazette reporter Siba Matti at sibamatti@trinitysouth.co.uk.

DRIVERS are being warned of the dangers of alcohol over the Christmas period in an initiative to prevent road deaths.

Hillingdon Council is supporting the national 'Think Campaign', which warns that drink driving has the potential to ruin lives.