July 2008 Archives

By David Baker

Blast victim John Pearson appeared in court today (Thursday) accused of causing the Rayners Lane explosion which left him with severe burns.

The 35-year-old, who is recuperating with his father and step-mother in St Albans, Herts, appear before Harrow Magistrates' Court charged with arson recklessly endangering life.

By Elaine Okyere

A park in Harrow will be transformed into a beach in a bid to help neighbours get to know each other.

Harrow Council's community and cultural services department will be throwing a beach and street party over the next few months to improve community relations.

By Ian Proctor

Blast victim John Pearson has been formally accused of causing the Rayners Lane explosion which left him with severe burns.

The 35-year-old, who is recuperating with his father and step-mother in St Albans, Herts, is scheduled to appear before Harrow Magistrates' Court on Thursday (31) charged with arson recklessly endangering life.

By Ian Proctor

Long-awaited approval for the second half of a beleaguered £100m regeneration scheme for Rayners Lane Estate has finally been granted.

Housing association Home was given permission by Harrow Council's strategic planning committee to construct 162 houses and 177 flats as part of a staged overhaul of the entire estate in South Harrow started in 2003.

A WOMAN was trapped in her car after a collison with a pole overturned the vehicle on a South Harrow road this morning (July 25).
Two fire engines and a fire rescue unit helped free the 22-year-old woman from her Peugeot 206 at around 1am on Pinner Road.
An ambulance and fast response unit attended the scene and the driver was taken to Northwick Park Hospital, in Watford Road, to be treated for stomach injuries.

A summer sale is being held in aid of St Luke's hospice.
The event starts from 10.30am-12pm on Saturday (19) at the South Harrow Baptist church, in Northolt Road, South Harrow.
There will be greeting cards, preserves, gifts and book stalls and entry is free.

By David Baker

Rayner's Lane's Herbert Crossman has failed in his bid to win the controversial Haltemprice and Howden by-election - recording just 11 votes.
The election, which was called by the sitting MP David Davies in a stand against the governments 42 day terror laws, descended in to farce as a record number of candidates stood for the seat.
Davies comfortably won the seat again claiming 72 per cent of the vote - with 17,113 votes of the 23,911 cast.
His nearest rival was the Green Party's Shan Oakes who claimed 1,758 but incredibly 23 of the 26 candidates lost their deposits after failing to attract 5 per cent of the vote. .
Turnout however, was down from the 70.2 per cent who turned out in 2005 to a meagre 34 per cent.
Mr Crossman did not receive the least amount of votes however, as two other independents recorded just eight each.

A hospice charity is looking for volunteers to help staff its shops and bring in much-needed funding.
Shop helpers are needed for St Luke's Hospice shops in Pinner, Harrow, Harrow Weald, South Harrow, Wembley, Kingsbury, Rayners Lane, Burnt Oak, Stanmore and North Harrow.
Volunteers only needs to commit to four hours, one shift per week, 9.30am to 1.15pm or 1.15pm to 5pm, Monday to Saturday.
Responsibilities include serving customers, sorting through donated items and steaming clothing, there is something for everyone.
The shops make a substantial contribution to meeting the costs of providing Hospice care at Kenton Grange.
Training will be provided and volunteers get a 10 per cent discount.
To find out more call 0750579275 or visit www.stlukes-hospice.org.

A fire broke out in a home on the Racecourse Estate on the borders of the boroughs of Harrow and Ealing yesterday (Tuesday) evening.
One man, believed to be in his 40s, escaped from the blaze at his flat on the ground floor of a block of apartments in Dabbs Hill Lane, Northolt.
The fire began at 5.30pm in his living room at the rear of the ground floor property and spread to his kitchen, leaving both burned out and the rest of the flat smoke damaged.
The man was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation by paramedics from the London Ambulance Service while 20 firefighters from two stations, Northolt and Wembley, extinguished the flames.
A member of London Fire Brigade's Fire Investigation Unit, based in New Cross, south-east London, is probing the cause of the blaze.
It is not yet known if the incident is being treated as accidental or suspicious.

By Ian Proctor

The Roxeth Show - South Harrow's annual community fair - celebrates its 30th anniversary this weekend.
It will also bring to 10 the number of years that the popular event has been run by Harrow and Pinner Lions, a voluntary charitable organisation.
The attractions include a funfair, a dog agility show, a Wild West show, five-a-side football, a circus skills workshops, classic cars, charity and trade stalls and a bar.
For the fifth year, HA2CANDO, a carnival parade comprising children in fancy dress from South Harrow's primary schools, will parade through the streets before entering the show ground for the finale.
New for 2008 is Sunday's fun dog show - including categories such as most handsome hound, waggiest tail and pooch with the most appealing eyes - that costs £1 to enter. All the proceeds will go to Hearing Dogs for the Deaf.
The Roxeth Show takes place between 11am and 6pm on Saturday (12) and 11am and 5pm on Sunday (13) at Roxeth Recreation Ground off Eastcote Road, South Harrow.
On both days there is a free shuttle bus service from outside Bovis Homes, Northolt Road, South Harrow.