SKPPRA Spring newsletter

N e w s l e t t e r S p r i n g 2 0 1 4

4Check your meters

4Carpe Diem

4Fundraisingfor St Luke’s

4Health Servicecomplaints

4Usefulcontacts

SKPPRASo

uth

Kent

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on P

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Resid

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Ass

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Again we have a great variety of articles

and information for you. The best news for

our Teasurer is that with the support of our

advertisers we can now have a 16-page

newsletter four times per year! So you

see how important it is that you always

check out our advertisers if you require a

service or need a job done.

A very interesting article on what you can

do when you have a Health Service

complaint and useful information on why it

is so important that you check your gas

and electricity meters.

At our AGM you will hear how SKPPRA

committee has dealt with the issues which

affect our area and what we has been

achieved. A table with information leaflets,

more about the “Members only Offer” and

Recycle4Charity envelopes (see page 3).

In this issue

For all the latest news visit

www.skppra.co.uk

Our AGM 20 May

7pm atThe Church

of TheAnnunciation

Minutes and

Nomination

form inside

Good news,information and

many tips - all inthis issue!

Special Offer for members

only to belaunched at

AGM

SKPPRA Summer Party6th July at The Windermere!

Free no obligation valuation of your home��

Fully qualified Estate Agents with technicalawards in residential sales

��Full double page colour advertising in the

area’s leading local newspapers��

Prominent high street location ensures vastamounts of walk-in clients

��Long opening hours

��We will not be beaten on fees��

188 Preston Road, Wembley HA9 8PA tel: 020 8904 8904 fax: 020 8904 8984

email: [email protected]

Bryan Maher& Co

ESTATE AGENTS & VALUERS

S K P P R A N e w s l e t t e r S p r i n g 2 0 1 4

Too good to be true?

I have been recycling my inkjet cartridges in the envelopes provided by

Recycle4Charity using envelopes which nominate St Luke’s as my charity. When I

received information from Recycle4Charity that they had raised £1463.23 via this

recycling method I was delighted. One resident, however, expressed doubt saying

that this was too good to be true. Quite right, I thought, because there are

companies who appear to raise money for charity which is not necessarily true.

Always look for a Registered Charity No.

To make sure I emailed Pam Russell, Director of Fundraising for St Luke’s. Below

is her answer.

Dear Trixi,

I can confirm that we have to date raised £1463.23 from Recycle4Charity (it has

gone up a bit since your enquiry!) We are really grateful to SKPPRA for helping us

to raise this amount which will make a real difference to our patients and their

families. Best wishes, Pam Russell,

Director of Fundraising and Community Relations St Luke’s Hospice

Look out at the AGM when you will be able to collect these recycling

envelopes.

3

HOPKINS ELECTRICAL SERVICES

t Complete rewiring t Garden lighting t Fault finding t Certification

t Extra points, sockets, lights, phone, aerial t Free Advice

Please call now for free quotation

Iain Hopkins 95 Bromfield Stanmore Middx HA7 1AG

Tel: 01923 591673 Mobile: 07905 205 124

e m a i l : i a i n h o p k i n s @ h o t m a i l . c o m

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. Sir Richard Steele (1672-1729)


4

Is your energy suppler overcharging you?Gas Meters

As a registered GasSAFE engineer I was consulted by a neighbour who had

recently changed suppliers and his new bill was approximately 3.5 times higher

than previously. After checking all his gas appliances for correct operation I

checked his gas meter and noted that it measured gas in cubic meters. Incorrectly

the new supplier had assumed that the meter measured in cubic feet. Where this

is the case the results of the calculation that suppliers use is multiplied by 3.6.

Hence the overcharge.

ACTION: Check whether your gas meter measures gas in cubic metres or

cubic feet and then check your gas bill.

Electric Meters

If you are on a dual rate tariff like normal daytime rate and economy 7 or

something similar, your electricity meter MUST show the correct time otherwise

you may be incorrectly charged on a daily basis for certain parts of your bill.

ACTION: Check that the correct time is show on your electricity meter.

Payment of energy bills by direct debit.

Energy companies love you to pay for your energy at a rate they determine by

monthly direct debit. This has resulted in energy companies holding approximately

£4.7 million pounds of our money. With savers interest rates low at the moment it

does not matter so much. However when savers rates increase the interest gained

from your savings account may amount to more than the discount you are offered

by paying by direct debit.

ACTION: Most energy companies give a discount for early payment of bills if you

do not pay via a monthly direct debit. Using this method also means that it makes

life easier if you intend to move house or suppliers because you do not have to

chase money which belongs to you.

Frank Treviss, GasSAFE and WaterSAFE Engineer

Ennerdale rats take out travel insurance.

We also have rats in Logan Road. However, I never lay poison for them. This is

because if wildlife eat the rats they too will die. I prefer to trap them using peanut

butter. I then dead feed them to the fox at the end of my garden. Is this a

contribution to recycling? Frank OK, BUT HOW DO YOU KILL THEM??? Trixi

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6

Carpe Diem!Toward the end of the rains in February it was confidently forecast that Sunday17th would be mild and sunny. Carpe Diem - seize the day! So I took the train toShoreham-by-Sea to view the new pedestrian bridge across the River Adur toShoreham Beach. Opened on 13th November by the Duke of Gloucester, itreplaces the high-sided iron bridge, built shortly after the first world war, with anelegant glass-walled walkway soaring across the water. At this point the river isused mainly for recreational sailing and there is a colony of houseboats that canbe viewed more closely from a footpath.After taking a few photographs of the bridge and sitting awhile on the pebblebeach under a midday winter sun I decided to inspect the houseboats. A motleycollection! One of them has its number fixed to a WC pan lid; as if to show that theoccupants did not observe ordinary conventions. Then it was time to move on.The top deck of the 700 bus to Brighton allows a good view of the long ShorehamHarbour, with small vessels discharging their cargo. Stacks of timber and heaps ofaggregate. In past times when we obtained our gas from coal there was a gasworks here and the coal would come in by sea. My onward journey to Brighton andthen to Rottingdean was to photograph a winter-flowering plant that I have notseen locally and could not identify. It turns out to be a species of Spurge(Euphorbia), an evergreen about 1 metre tall with greenish yellow flowers. I wasgoing to suggest it for the newish winter garden in Battersea Park, designed byDan Pearson, but in fact it is plentiful in other parts of the park. In Rottingdean theplant is to be found in The Kipling Gardens, a cluster of walled spaces, including acroquet lawn, next to The Elms, the house where Rudyard Kipling wrote some ofhis best known stories. A tranquil spot and well cared for. (cont. page 13)

n Gas Central Heating Maintenance,

Installation & Repair

n Landlord’s Gas Safety Inspections

n All Plumbing Works undertaken

Free Estimates

83 Montpelier RiseWembley, Middlesex HA9 8RQTel: 020 8904 0265 Mobile 07956 651 044

EDWARDS GAS SERVICESEGS

D & H HantmanThe Optometrists

n'First for Eyecare in Preston Rd"

206 Preston RoadWembley HA9 8PA

fel: 420 8904 9214

email: [email protected]

Caring for the eyes ofSouth Kenton & Preston Road

for over thirty years

NHS Eye examinations - SpectaclesContact Lenses - Ghildren's Eyecare

Present

Michael Rushe (Chairman), Julia Mitchell (Treasurer), Sagar Patel (Chief Road

Steward), Trixi Leschinsky (Editor), David Merrigan (Website Manager), Noel Hehir

(Social Secretary); Alfred Tyndale and approximately 50 SKPPRA members.

Also present: Pam Russell, Trustee, St. Luke’s Hospice, Metropolitan Police:

PCSOs Leah Armstrong, Mark Martin, Brent Council: Richard Hay, Neighbourhood

Coordinator, Ken Hullock, Planning Policy, Neil McClellan Planning (Development

Control), Cllrs P. Harrison, J Hossain, H. Patel.

Apologies for absence were received from Residents Elizabeth Patkai, Donald

Leon Soon, Samantha Warrington, Clare Stringfellow, Jane Rickman, Devbai

Bhanji, Jim Perrin, Gary Murphy, Senior Planning Officer, Brent Council.

Agenda and Minutes of the 2012 AGM and Treasurer’s Report were handed out to

the members.

The chairman opened the meeting at 7pm welcoming the residents and guests.

Minutes of AGM 2012

The Chairman advised a change to the minutes under Pam Russell’s report to

read: … funding arrangements for the hospice are 30% NHS and 70% donations.

Acceptance of the minutes was proposed by Sagar Patel, seconded by Noel Hehir.

Motion carried.

Matters Arising None.

Reports from Guests

The chairman presented a cheque for £200 to Pam Russell, Trustee, St. Luke’s

Hospice. Pam thanked SKPPRA for their continuing support. Pam reminded us of

the many different services they provide at the Hospice. These range from day

care, hospice and home care to complimentary therapy, bereavement and spiritual

support. She also was pleased to announce that St Luke’s had won the “Student

Placement of the Year” Award.

Cllrs P. Harrison and J. Hossain updated residents on the various causes they had

responded to, be it rubbish clearance, broken pavements or resolving issues via

the MP. Cllr H. Patel announced the opening of the new Civic Centre on 3rd June;

the new library will open 17th June. The recent National Census showed the

number of Brent residents up by 18% to 311,000, with an ethnic breakdown of 33%

Asian, 19% Black, 36% White residents.

8

Minutes of the SKPPRA Annual General Meeting held on 23 May 2013

AGM Minutes 2013 page 2

PCSO Leah Armstrong said that she and Mark Martin were delighted to meet the

residents. She was pleased to say that there is little crime in our area. They had

received Ward Working funds for crime prevention equipment. They will give

SKPPRA the dates for the Street Briefings. These are opportunities to talk to the

PCSOs direct and find out or tell them what is happening in our streets.

Jeanine Leon Soon who is our liaison with the SNT (Safer Neighbourhood

Team) explained that they meet quarterly, discuss local issues and concerns, and

pass relevant information to the Police and PCSOs.

Ken Hullock explained in detail what groups have to do to achieve

Neighbourhood Forum status so they can apply for up to £7,000 to implement what

they want to achieve for their area.

Neil McClellan explained the relaxation of planning permission restrictions on

June 13th (temporary for three years). In response to concerns he explained that

whilst they have not got the resources to check effects of every application,

residents can contact the Council who will act on complaints.

Richard Hay who holds the Ward Working purse string explained that £30,000

is available to spend this year. Welfare reform: they are trying to help, especially

young people. Cricket clubs for youngsters, tree planting, Smart Water has

reduced crime by 85%. It is up to local areas how they want to spend the money.

Chairman’s Report

Michael updated the residents on some of the committee’s work over the past 12

months. We have taken the initiative on local planning matters and written to the

local authority to be designated as the Neighbourhood Forum for the area. We

enjoy good co-operation with other residents associations. In 2012 we also

monitored the refurbished houses in Logan Road which were externally insulated

by the Resident’s Association with a grant from the Department of Energy and

Climate Change (DEC). Much committee time has been spent on the planning

applications for a proposed Mosque at 128 Windermere Avenue. This application

raises issues over parking, traffic congestion, the viability of the adjacent shops,

and the condition of the building. We are also monitoring the plans to expand

Preston Park Primary School. The membership cards were well received. The

summer and Christmas parties had been a great success and will be repeated this

year. Particular thanks are due to Noel – landlord of The Windermere for hosting

all of these events. Michael praised the work the Road Stewards do and added

that Special Awards for long-service had been given to four Road Stewards.

9

10

AGM Minutes 2013 page 3

Unfortunately Samantha Warrington had to resign so we are not only losing a

valuable committee member but also a Road Steward. Michael appealed to the

residents to come forward to take on a road in their area. They will be given every

support as their help plays a vital part in SKPPRA’s success. We are still looking

for a Hon. Secretary to join the committee. In the coming year we intend to explore

ways where younger members of the community can participate in doing

something for the area by, for example, collecting litter in areas outside the public

highway. Residents put separate questions to Michael and these were noted and

will be discussed and acted upon. Acceptance of the report was proposed by

Jeanine Leon Soon, seconded by David Pearson. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report

The financial report had been distributed to all present. Julia explained the figures

in detail. The good news is that at the end of the financial year SKPPRA has £600

in hand to use for the benefit of residents. Acceptance of the report was proposed

by Jeanine Leon Soon, seconded by Michael Rushe. Motion carried

Election of Officers

As there were no nominations received the current committee was voted nem con

by the members.

Elected Officers and Committee Members for 2013/2014 are:

Chairman Michael Rushe

Treasurer Julia Mitchel

Chief Road Stewards Sagar and Roopal Patel

Minute Secretary Clare Stringfellow

Social Secretary Noel Hehir

Website Manager David Merrigan

Editor Trixi Leschinsky

Committee Members Linda Green, Alfred Tyndale

Any Other Business

Michael Maurice explained that the traffic congestion around College Road,

Grasmere Avenue and Carlton Avenue East made life very difficult for residents in

that area, as well as the 223 bus service. A solution must to be found.

Christine Coates informed the meeting that the Preston Library Campaign was

still very active and the new lead at Brent Council gives a glimmer of hope.

The meeting closed at 8.20pm.


11

AGM 20th May 2014 at 7pmAn important event for the purpose of talking to your committee, making decisions for our

area and attending to the business of running SKPPRA for the benefit of all residents.

Please stay afterwards for our social get-together, a chat over a cup of tea or coffee

and biscuits or perhaps a glass of wine.

Please try to be there about 10 minutes before 7pm so that you can be seated

and we all are ready for the AGM to start on time.

Notice is hereby given that the AGM 2014 for the South Kenton and

Preston Park Residents Association will take place at

The Church of the Annunciation, Windermere Avenue

on Tuesday, 20th May at 7pm

Nominations are requested for the posts of Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary,

Minutes Secretary, Website Manager, Newsletter Editor, Chief Road Steward,

Social Secretary, Committee Members and Honorary Auditors. Please use the

form below to send your nomination(s) to

Trixi Leschinsky, Editor, 9 Allonby Gardens, Wembley HA9 8QX

by 12th May 2014

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

South Kenton and Preston Park Residents Association

Nominations for Officers/Committee 2014/15

I hereby nominate (name and address of the person you are nominating) ...........................

................................................................................................................................

for the position of ................................................................................................

Proposed by (your name and address) ........................................................................

................................................................................................................................

Seconded by (name and address of the person who supports your nomination) ......................

................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................

Signature of person nominated (to indicate consent) ...............................................


A Rough Guide to Health Service Complaints

Let the person knowIn the first instance it’s generally best to go back to the person who treated you.

Most good professionals will welcome the feedback and the chance to put things

right. Be polite, tell them what you were expecting and what you think has gone

wrong. Dentists and Doctors surgeries usually have practice managers who will

deal with complaints. In a larger NHS trust you can contact the Patient Advice and

Liaison service. They act as a go between for the patient and healthcare provider.

Taking it National

If you can’t agree on a solution with your health care professional there are various

national bodies that can help. The National Health Service Ombudsman can

investigate complaints about NHS treatment if you remain unhappy with the

outcome of your complaint. If your complaint is against an individual provider you

could try the regulatory body. Bear in mind that these bodies exist to protect the

public from unsafe healthcare professionals and cannot intervene in financial

disputes. The General Medical Council regulate doctors including all specialists.

The General Dental council regulate Dentists and other dental professionals such

as Dental technicians and hygienists. The GDC also have a related body called the

Dental Complaints Service, this is for private dental patients who want to seek

redress from their dental professional. There is also the Nursing and Midwifery

Council, The General Pharmaceutical Council and the Healthcare Professions

Council which deals with a range of professionals such as Chiropodists,

Paramedics, Physiotherapists and more. This is not an exhaustive list of

regulators. Regulators all have websites now and will have telephone listings too.

A relatively new body is the Care Quality Commission they have powers of

inspection and regularly inspect premises where healthcare services are being

provided. You may wish to contact them for concerns problems such as unhygienic

premises.

Clinical Negligence

Where you have suffered loss or injury as a result of healthcare treatment that’s

gone wrong, you may wish to look at bringing a clinical negligence case. You will

need to instruct a lawyer. The Law Society can help you find a suitably experienced

solicitor in your area. There are some lawyers out there who can take on cases on

no win no fee basis. Be sure to act quickly as there are time limits. CS

12


13

Obituary

Philip Tanner January 2014

It is with sadness that we have to report that Philip Tammer of 7 Fernleigh

Court has died in Northwick Park Hospital after a fall at home. He was 98

years old, and still lived on his own. Though physically a little frail, he was

mentally as bright as a button still. Everyone who knew him is very upset.

Peter Cain

Carpe Diem - cont. from page 6

Rottingdean village itself is well worth a visit. It is built in a gap between the cliffs.

The High Street has very narrow pavements. A helpful signboard describes the

various places to see, including the museum in The Grange. Naturally there is a

selection of restaurants and cafés. On this occasion my favourite coffee shop, a

place of unusual character called Beyond Design, was closed for refurbishment,

but I found another, the Open Art Café.

There are frequent buses to and from Brighton. My suggestion would be to take

the sea front bus, destined for Eastbourne or Saltdean, and return by the hilly

route; bus 2 or 2A. This bus winds its way up through Woodingdean, finally

emerging at the top of the hill with panoramic views before passing by the

racecourse. This is not at all like the Brighton we think we know. DMP 2/3/14

Preston Park Bowls Club opens on 26th April at 2.00pm. Come and try

Bowls. Free coaching and the use of equipment is available.

Contact Stella 020 8933 9358 or Richard 020 8204 1223.

Wembley Art Society meet Fridays from 10am-12 in the Church of The

Ascension Hall, The Avenue, Wembley Park HA9 9QL. Car park plus street

parking on non-Event days. Visitors £2.00 per session.

For details contact Pam Edkins on 020 8904 7574.

On the 26th March the first meeting of a new branch of the U3A (University

of the Third Age) in Kenton took place. For further information about the

U3A go to http://www.u3a.org.uk/u3a-movement.html


Brent Council contacts*

* Please note that the description regarding pavements, roads, etc. are mine because these

are the people who replied to my email enquiries. If in doubt, send your question to the

department you find on the council website, www.brent.gov.uk. Trixi

Dangerous Pavements

Ziggy Gaca, Principal Contract Maintenance Engineer

Environment and Neighbourhood Services, Tel: +44(0)20 8937 5183

Road Layouts, Design, Traffic

Chris Durban, Team Leader – Design Team

Highway and Transport Delivery, Mob: 07920 378698, Tel: 0208 937 5293

Principal Trading Standards Officer, email [email protected]

Citizens Advice Bureau, 08444 111 444 for doorstep crime or any consumer

protection related complaints and advice.

Preston SNT, Wembley Police Station , 603 Harrow Road, Wembley HA0 2HH

email: [email protected].

Northwick Park SNT - 0208 7333163, [email protected]

You are all invited to add to this list.

14

SKPPRA Committee for 2013/14 - Officers

Chairman, Michael 020 8904 1750, [email protected]

Treasurer, Julia 020 8908 0094, [email protected]

Chief Road Steward, Sagar 020 3371 0259, [email protected]

Newsletter Editor, Trixi 020 8904 4795, [email protected]

Website Manager, David 020 8904 2387, [email protected]

Minutes Secretary, Clare, 020 8904 9699, [email protected]

Social Secretary, Noel 07791 620219, [email protected]

Committee members Linda Green, 020 8908 0173, [email protected]

Sean Mendis (co-opted), [email protected]

Alfred Tyndale, 07984 160588, 020 8904 3264

S K P P R A R o a d S t e w a r d s S p r i n g 2 0 1 4

15

1. Allonby Gdns 1 - 16

2. Ambleside Gdns 1 - 47

3. Ambleside Gdns 2 - 48

4. Arnside Gdns 1 - 28

5. Carlton Ave East 131 - 173, 160 - 200

6. Carlton Ave East 175 - 213, 202 - 252

7. Carlton Ave East 215 - 233, 254 - 314

8. College Rd 1 - 22

9. College Rd 23 - 64

10. Coniston Gdns 1 - 25, 2 - 26

11. Coniston Gdns 27 - 51, 28 - 56

12. Conway Gdns 1 - 35

13. Derwent Gdns 1 - 39

14. Ennerdale Gdns 1 - 27

15. Fernleigh Court 1 - 10

16. First Avenue 1 - 32

17. Glendale Gdns 39 - 69, 44 - 56

18. Glendale Gdns 1 - 37, 2 - 42

19. Grasmere Ave 1 - 37, 2 - 50

20. Grasmere Ave 39 - 67, 52 - 100

21. Grasmere Ave 69 - 111, 102 - 140

22. Grasmere Ave 129 -137, 212 - 284

23. Grasmere Ave 113 -127, 142 - 210

24. Logan Rd 1 - 67

25. Logan Rd 2 - 56

26. Longfield Ave 1 - 18

27. Lulworth Ave 1 - 24

28. Montpelier Rise 1 - 21, 2 - 22

29. Montpelier Rise 23 - 47, 24 - 36

30. Montpelier Rise 38 - 92, 49 - 85

31. Rydal Gdns 1 - 37, 2 - 42

32. Rydal Gdns 39 - 69, 50 - 74

33. Second Avenue 1 - 23

34. Third Avenue 1 - 31, 2 - 40

35. Thirlmere Gdns 1 - 41, 2 - 40

36. Thirlmere Gdns 41 - 63, 42 -100A

37. Thirlmere Gdns 65 - 101, 102 - 136

38. Warren Close 1 - 4

39. Windermere Ave 1 - 27, 2 - 52

40. Windermere Ave 54 - 102

41. Windermere Ave 29 - 67, 146 - 194

42. Windermere Ave Flats & Shops

43. Windermere Ct 1 - 24, 25 - 48

44. Woodford Place 1 - 30

CHIEF ROAD STEWARD

8904 1748

8904 5482

8904 5482

07854 150609

8908 0586

02033710259

07712006962

8904 3571

8904 7840

8904 1344

8904 2627

8904 5778

8930 0727

8933 9169

8904 7076

8723 6420

07725 859804

8248 3645

8904 7047

8904 4795

07984 160588

8904 8056

8904 3656

8930 2103

8908 0442

07791 620219

8908 0094

8930 2103

8930 2103

8930 2103

8904 7047

8908 6303

8908 6993

8908 6303

8904 1748

8908 6993

8908 0546

02033710259

SKPPRA Spring newsletter

Documents

e t t e r s p r i n

n e w s

i n h o p

aerial t free adviceplease

t certificationt extra

useful information

information leaflets

ireceived information