Andrew Rosindell MP 10th Anniversary

Last evening I was a guest at Andrew's 10th anniversary bash at the Trafalgar Tavern in Greenwich.  The Rt. Hon. William Hague MP, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs was guest of honour.

It was a great, fun evening with entertainment by the Romford British Legion Band.

I think I may have had too much wine.

Communities working together for a healthier city

7th June 2011

Well London　-　Be Creative Be Well 　 ‘This is a wonderful experience for me. I have discovered that I have talent and abilities I never knew I had. I have learnt from the teachers to take a risk and go for it.’ Participant, South Acton Community Play Over the past three years Well London’s Be Creative Be Well project, developed and led by the Arts Council England, has commissioned over 100 creative projects in 20 of London’s most disadvantaged areas. The project tapped into the strong cultural traditions in each area as a way of promoting health and well-being and ensured that creativity was incorporated across the Well London programme. Over 3,300 residents took part in activities that included dance, community plays and choirs, poetry, wii music composition, story-telling, drawing and crafts making it Artists worked collaboratively with residents, sometimes physically transforming spaces.　 Others uncovered "hidden" histories; for example folk dancing in Canning Town, and challenged negative perceptions of the areas. All the projects helped people develop confidence and new skills, and promoted community cohesion by bringing people together to have fun and build new social networks. Our community development approach meant that local residents played a key role in activities. Some discovered latent or unused creative skills, and worked alongside professionals to deliver activities and encourage other local people to take part. Wherever possible projects built in training opportunities for personal development and sustainability e.g. Green Shoes Arts in Barking & Dagenham trained young local people as dance instructors so they could take their skills into the local community. The Arts Council learnt a huge amount about engaging with people in very disadvantaged areas and will now look at how they can pass this learning onto other arts institutions. Project delivery finished at the end of March 2011 and the focus of the Well London programme is now on evaluation and securing a second stage of delivery. For more information about this contact Alison Pearce at 　 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 one of the largest grass-roots arts programmes in this country. Alison.Pearce@london.gov.uk

@london.gov.uk | www.london.gov.uk/welllondon . 　 Email:　simone.boothe

Maintenance of Shrub Beds

Revised procedure as follows:   StreetCare officers and the Contractor have inspected several sites to determine the level of intervention required, and have devised the following plan which will be rolled out across the borough:

1. Initial prune of shrubs to aid sight line issues, combined with an initial weed spray.　 Priority will be given in the first instance to shrub beds on busy roads, before moving onto the minor residential roads.

2. Second prune of the shrubs, with work starting to individualise the shrubs rather than just having a low hedge, and a second weed spray

3. Third prune and continue pruning individually, with another weed spray

4. Fourth prune where needed, and a fourth weed spray.

The shrub beds will be dressed with chippings once the weed growth is under control, with the chippings recycled from the shrub cuttings.　 Both the Contractor and StreetCare have modified their vehicles and depots to accommodate the chippings.

When devising this programme, this approach was agreed in order to ensure that all shrub beds are being maintained, rather than concentrate on a particular area.

Officers are also working to produce a schedule of works agreed with the Contractor according to priority. Officers aim to have this ready within the next few weeks.

Summer Programme: Expressions of Diversity

 'A Contemporary Introduction to Muslim Cultures', jointly offered by the Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations, London, U.K. and Simon Fraser University, Canada.

The Programme is being held  once again this year in London, with a focus on regional Islams, law, gender, development and the revolution of MENA.  The 2011 edition will be hosted in vibrant London at the Aga Khan University , Institute for the Study of Muslim Cultures. 

We would be delighted if you could share the details below and attached of this year's course with your friends, colleagues and networks.  I have included the web link below with full details, and attached the brochure.  Registration ends 1 July 2011,  for participants who do not require visa.  

Also we are offering a  Intensive Summer Course for Arabic from 25 July – 19 August, 2011 which focuses on Standard Arabic, including both the informal spoken and the formal written versions, used by the media and academic and literary communities.

The deadline for applications is 4 July. More information and the application details can be found on our homepage: http://www.aku.edu/ismc/shortcourses/acourse-2011.shtml

New Hylands Primary School opening

New Hylands Primary Opening　
　Practical completion was achieved at the new Hylands Primary school on Friday 3rd June as planned. Sign off of the building by Building Control and Fire officers was also achieved last week. The school building is effectively handed over. Some external works surfacing and land scaping are still to be completed but can be safely undertaken whilst building is in occupation as agreed with Head.
School has deferred opening from this Monday the 6th as was planned to Wed 8th to allow staff to further assimilate into the new building and new working environments. This is a decision made by Head and schools governors.

Will the Olympics legacy be Victims of HumanTrafficking

I am attending.

CWO Forum: Will the Olympics legacy be Victims of Human Trafficking?

Location: The Houses Of Parliament

Time: Tuesday, 21 June 2011 18:00

Father's Day at the Queens

Father's Day is fast approaching! online at www.queens-theatre.co.uk www.queens-theatre.co.uk Is your Dad a sports fan? Have you got him a present for Father's Day yet? (it's Sunday 19 June) Well, look no further! IN THE BOX features an all-star line-up from the exciting world of cricket. Read on for more details. In the Box Wednesday 22 June at 7.30pmTickets cost £19, £17.50 concessions and are available from the Box Office on 01708 443333 or Featuring Mike Gatting, Geoff Miller, Ralph Dellor and Jonathan Agnew! Following England's stunning success Down Under, Ralph Dellor hosts a hilarious evening of anecdotes with Test Match Special commentators and cricketing legends. Get into the summer spirit as cricket legends Mike Gatting, Geoff Miller and Jonathan Agnew bring you an unforgettable show as they recall favourite stories from life In the Box. Hosted by celebrated commentator Ralph Dellor, this special night will be packed with memories and laughs - from sporting achievements and blunders to the challenges of growing older. In the Box is the perfect starter to get your Dad in the mood for a glorious summer of sport - he'll be bowled over by this all-star line-up!