Read the latest newsletter
22 May 13
Chelsea Fringe comes to Salusbury Road! Local GroupTransition Kensal to Kilburn have worked with local shops and businesses to turn Salusbury Road into an “Edible High Street” as part of the Chelsea Fringe. Spot fruit trees outside participating businesses. See more of Jonathon Goldberg’s great photos on Transition Kensal to Kilburn’s website.
21 May 13
The Lexi Cinema presents The Nomad : A glorious outdoor cinema screening at Willesden Sports Centre
Announcing a new Summer fixture: in addition to their regular local open air screenings, on Friday August 30th the Lexi Cinema will also be popping up at Willesden Sport Centre. Bring a picnic and share some movie magic with your neighbours!
Take 30 seconds to vote online for the film you’d like us to screen – on the racetrack, under the stars – and be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets and a Lexi Cinema membership.
12 April 13
Birkbeck, University of London will be at Kilburn Library on Tuesday 30 April, 12:00 – 3:00pm Come along and meet one of the Birkbeck, University of London Outreach Team to find out about their evening university courses in central London and Stratford
11 April 13
Monthly meeting today. All welcome. Refreshments from 7.45pm, meeting starting 8pm. St Anne’s church, Salusbury Road. Agenda includes Police Report, Focused discussion on: Transport – 20mph Zone
Main topics for forthcoming monthly meetings.
Open Meeting on The Future of Kilburn High Road – Wed 17th April 7 pm at the Gaumont State Theatre 197-199 Kilburn High Road NW6 7HY. This is a joint Brent and Camden Forum Meeting.
1 April 13
Queen’s Park Day stalls application forms now available to download here.
31 March 13
Tree Walk in Queen’s Park on Sunday 7th April. Meet at the cafe at 10am. Walk led by City of London expert Jonathon Meeres based at Highgate Wood, who has responsibility for all trees in the City’s North London Open Spaces (which include Queen’s Park).
19 March 13
Local group Transition Kensal to Kilburn to bring Chelsea Fringe to Salusbury Road in May.
“One of last year’s standout successes [of the Chelsea Fringe] was the edible high road in Chiswick, in which fruit, vegetable and seed-producing plants lined the streets. This year it’s expanding to different areas, including Queen’s Park, in north-west London.
“There will be trees in tubs outside the shops on either side of Salusbury Road,” explains Michael Stuart, part of Transition Kensal to Kilburn, which is helping to organise the event.”
“We ask them if they want to sponsor a tree – and then they have an option to keep it or give it away to a school or park or community growing space. Around 25 shops have agreed in principle. Estate agents were the easiest.
“The Fringe is more democratic and innovative than the formal Chelsea Flower Show, and there’s such a range of things going on.”
Read the rest of the article from the Daily Telegraph
18 March 13
The last time a Lord Mayor visited Queens Park was for the Park’s Centenary Celebrations 26 Years ago! The visit was to acknowledge and celebrate the value that Queens Park brings to the local community and the shared pride and partnership that both the City and the Council have for the park.
QPARA was represented by Richard Brindley (Chair), Janis Deneslow (Secretary) and John Blandy (Park Liaison). QPARA was praised for its long standing active engagement and contribution to the Park (such as Queens Park Day events and £10,000 contribution to the play equipment) which the Mayors considered unique compared with all the other parks and open spaces that Brent and the City Corporation are responsible for.
The Park Staff were also rightfully praised for the excellent work they do in the upkeep and development of the park as well as their involvement with the local community
24 February 13
Exciting news from the Park – 3 pieces of equipment for the next phase of the playground re-development have been ordered – hexagonal tyre swing, cradle nest swing and a rotating disc. Funding from Brent’s Ward Working scheme contributed to the cost.
Park manager Richard Gentry plans a volunteer work weekend in March to plant hornbeam hedging at the top of the playground. More details here shortly.
Saturday March 16th 12-3pm SPRING BIG DIG in the Park at Transition Kensal to Kilburn’s vegetable plot (behind the cafe) with FREE refreshments (kindly provided by the park cafe) followed by a shared lunch at the end of the session). Lots to do and learn including composting, bee hotel construction, pea, bean and flower seed planting, path repair and mulching. Read more on TT K to K’s website
There’s lots going on at the re-opened Charteris Sports Centre (evenings and weekends) – see the website for details
23 February 13
Fairtrade Fortnight Event at The Library Lab, Willesden Green library March 9, 2013 from 2pm to 5pm organised by Brent Fairtrade Network.
“Exercise your natural creativity and help build an installation with this free activity. All materials are provided and children must be accompanied by an adult”
6 January 13
Kilburn Library Artist in Residence
Anya Beaumont, Kilburn Library’s first Artist in Residence spent October to December developing her own artistic work in the Library and engaging with library users and local residents. An exhibition of work created by Anya during her residency is now on display in Kilburn Library along with work produced by young people from Granville Plus Youth Arts Centre and residents of St Mungo’s. You can see the exhibition until the end of February.
4 January 13
Next Kensal and Kilburn “Brent Connects” Forum, 7pm Tuesday 8 January, Kensal Rise Primary School (corner of Harvist and Chamberlain Roads). See Agenda which includes a Policing update and “Housing- are we pricing the poor out of Brent?”
Next QPARA monthly meeting Thursday 10 January. Refreshments from 7.45pm, meeting starting 8pm. St Anne’s church, Salusbury Road. Agenda includes update from Brent’s Lead Member for Transport, Jim Moher, on transport strategies and the proposed 20mph zone and from a Brent Parking Officer on the new online/phone system for visitor parking permits and the phasing out of scratchcards.
14 December 12
CAROL SINGING – Queens Park Singers will be taking to the streets for the 26th year in aid of a local registered charity. West side of the park on Sunday 16th December (to sing/ help collect donations meet at 7.30pm outside 7 Kempe Road with Carols for Choirs Book I). East side Tuesday 18th December (meet at the corner of Summerfield/Kingswood at 7.30pm equipped with the book). Or stay at home and listen out for the singers and have a donation ready.
10 December 12
All welcome to this Thursday’s largely social QPARA monthly meeting on 13th December which will be another good chance to meet your neighbours and catch up on local news. Refreshments from 7.45pm, meeting starting 8pm. St Anne’s church, Salusbury Road.
Say goodbye to Kilburn Library’s Artist in Residence Anya Beaumont on Monday 17th December 6-8pm at Kilburn Library. Anya has been based at the library for 9 weeks and has produced work with local residents during that time. At 6.30pm Anya will talk about her work and experiences. Drinks and “festive treats” provided.
Also at the library, on Sunday 16th December “join our Sunday Fun Club between 12.30 and 1.30pm for ages 5+ to make Christmas decorations to display in the library. No need to book”.
And on Wednesday 19th December Father Christmas himself will be dropping in to the library between 10.30 and 11am. Does the library still have a chimney after the renovation works? Will Santa need a Residents’ Permit for his sleigh?
27 November 12
Two chances to hear Queen’s Park Singers’ Venetian Christmas Concert. 6.30pm Sunday 2nd December at St Anne’s Church, 125 Salusbury Road and 7.30pm Sunday 9th December at St Augustine’s church, Kilburn Park Road. Read more
26 November 12
Great to see so many members at the AGM earlier this month. The next meeting on Thursday 13th December will be another good chance to meet your neighbours and catch up on local news. Refreshments from 7.45pm, meeting starting 8pm. St Anne’s church, Salusbury Road.
6 November 12
QPARA AGM this Thursday 8th November. All welcome at 8pm St Anne’s Church, Salusbury Road, refreshments from 7.30pm. Agenda includes Chair’s report,Treasurer’s report and accounts, Membership Secretary’s report, Election of Officers, of Liaison Group members, of Street Reps and of Action Committee members. See Agenda here.
1 November 12
Planned garden workday tomorrow Saturday 3rd November in front playground Salusbury School. All welcome. Bring garden tools if available. If not just turn up and lend a hand.
19 October 12
Message from our local Safer Neighbourhoods Team to beware of “bogus builders” preying on older residents by turning up uninvited and offering to do unnecessary roofing work, or saying they need access to the loft in relation to work next door. Please warn your neighbours and call the police if you are suspicious of a caller.
Lots more Queen’s Park Day Competition photos now available for viewing
16 October 12
Public Meeting 4:45pm-7pm today organised by Brent LINk to discuss the Brent Draft Health & Wellbeing Strategy. Contact Jacky Darly Main office: 020 8965 0309 Mobile: 07794 502447.
11 October 12
Salusbury School pupil wins prestigious scholarship from Mayor’s Fund for Young Musicians. Well done Tahya Lawrence on the clarinet.
Time Capsule competition. Brent council seek ideas for objects to be placed in a time capsule to go in the foundations of the new civic centre. The capsule measures 45x 15 x12cm and items should “reflect life in Brent and commemorate what was going on as the centre was constructed”. Send ideas to civiccentre@brent.gov.uk by Friday October 26.
10 October 12
Brent Connects is the new name for the Area Consultative Forums and the next one for Kensal and Kilburn is next Tuesday, 16 October, at 7pm at Granville Plus Community Centre
80 Granville Road, Kilburn NW6 5RA. On the Agenda:
“Will the Olympics leave a legacy of good health? How do we broaden the range of Olympic and Paralympic sports available to Brent residents?” The second half of the meeting will be devoted to a ‘Question Time’ style session on Olympic Legacy: Sports and Health. Other items: “Equalities – new duties and monitoring” and “Reaching out and empowering hard to reach/disadvantaged communities”
9 October 12
QPARA meeting this Thursday 11th October at 8pm St Anne’s Church, Salusbury Road, refreshments from 7.45pm. All welcome. Agenda includes review of 2012, plans for 2013 and preparation for the AGM (November).
Kilburn Library has an Artist in Residence from Thursday 11th October until Thursday 29th November. Anya Beaumont “will be developing her work with cut paper, creating intricate, layered pieces. The work will highlight features of the library and the surrounding area, combining photography, cut work and collage – ustilising any waste paper tht the library produces or visitors care to donate. Art produced by Anya and by workshop participants will go on display in the Library.” See Anya’s blog
19 September 12
URGENT – if you were at the meeting last Thursday please read the Draft QPARA response to the NHS NW London consultation document “Shaping a Healthier Future”. Any comments to Robin Sharp please by 27th September robisharp@googlemail.com. Thanks to Robin for drafting this.
17 September 12
Queen’s Park Day was a fantastic event (probably the Best Ever). Thanks to Queen’s Park for hosting, and the Park staff for cheerful hard work from Friday and continuing today, our amazingly dedicated team of QPARA volunteers, all the local groups which took part and everyone who came and enjoyed the day. If you didn’t have time to come and sign up as a member yesterday, you can do it on-line here. Jonathon Goldberg’s excellent photos here over the next few days.
15 September 12
Read about the NHS Developments affecting our area (Agenda item at the QPARA meeting last thursday) including how to comment on the proposals.
14 September 12
The portaloos have been delivered, the stalls pitches marked out, the hired tables and chairs have arrived as the Queen’s Park Day Team prepare for the best ever Queen’s Park Day on Sunday
If you didn’t enter one of our competitions before why not have a go? From chutney or pickle to Best Dressed Buggy, from banana bread to Children’s Fancy Dress, from the dog show to the Pushiest Daddy, and our favourite – the children’s Edible Monster competition. Read more
11 September 12
Monthly QPARA meeting this Thursday 13th September at 8pm St Anne’s Church, Salusbury Road, refreshments from 7.45pm. All welcome. Agenda includes item on National Health Service issues including proposed changes in North West London (developments in primary care, new patient participation arrangements, and consultation on reshaping hospital services)
Hampstead and Kilburn Labour Party are holding a meeting at 7.30pm on Wednesday 12th September in the Salusbury rooms, Salusbury Primary School “about how we can Save Our NHS”. Speakers include Shadow Health Minister Andrew Gwynne MP, and a member of Brent Council’s Health Committee.
Art installation “Nowhere Less Now” by artist Lindsay Seers in Kilburn’s amazing 19th C Tin Tabernacle on Thursday to Sunday until October 21st. Read more and book tickets
10 September 12
Kilburn Library has re-opened today. Books borrowed before it closed for repair and refurbishment need to be returned by Monday 17th September. Celebrate the reopening with a day of fun and activities from 10.30am to 4pm on Saturday 15 September, the day before Queen’s Park Day. The Mayor will launch proceedings, author Adele Parks and author and illustrator Salvatore Rubbino are guest speakers. There will be art and craft activities, face painting and storytelling for children and families. Read more on Brent’s website
Two more new competitions announced for Queen’s Park Day – Best Dressed Buggy 2.45 at the Bandstand and Pushy Daddy Challenge – a multi-tasking obstacle course for dads at 3.15 in the Arena. Read more. See the full timetables
7 September 12
If you can’t wait for Queen’s Park Day and feel like a festival this weekend head up to Gladstone Park from 12 to 7.30pm on Sunday (9th September). Read more about “Brent celebrates a Golden Summer”
Read novelist Zadie Smith’s local recommendations in today’s Evening Standard magazine
It looks like being perfect weather for Nomad cinema’s outdoor screening of the Graduate in Queen’s Park tomorrow evening (Saturday 8th September) at 8pm Read more and book tickets
6 September 12
If you made a pledge to Save Kensal Rise Library after reading about the campaign here, thank you. Pledges now at £70,101 one day before the deadline. Fingers firmly crossed that All Souls College Oxford accepts the campaigners’ proposal to take over the library.
£73,351 at 11.30am. Message from Margaret Bailey “Oh, you wonderful, wonderful people! We have together done it.
Raised over 70k!!!!!!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Kensal Green, Kensal Rise and the rest of the world.”
5 September 12
All stalls have now been allocated for this year’s Queen’s Park Day and there is no space for any more! It’s not worth contacting us to ask if there is a last minute space as we already have a waiting list.
Sorry if you were disappointed, but please come and enjoy the day, enter the competitions and plan for next year. Read more about Queen’s Park Day
The Save Kensal Rise Library campaign now stands at £60,244 (at 10.30am), so less than £10,000 to go over the next couple of days. Find out how to make a pledge and read a thank you message from Margaret Bailey written earlier today.
And at 12.30pm pledges have reached £64,119. They won’t mind if they exceed £70,000
4 September 12
Nomad cinema screening of the Graduate in Queen’s Park on Saturday 8th September at 8pm. Read more and book tickets
New local choir Vocality meeting at St. Anne’s Inter Faith Centre, Salusbury Road on Monday evenings 8-10pm from 10th September. Make new friends and increase your wellbeing by singing uplifting songs from around the world. No auditions or sheet music. Free taster session. Find out more
3 September 12
Final week to pledge to Save Kensal Rise Library. If you love libraries and want to help Kensal Rise residents in the final stage of their campaign to re-open their library read more here £20 will sponsor a book, for £300 you can name a shelf, or pledge any other amount you wish. You only make the donation if the campaign to re-open the library succeeds.
Thanks to local resident Jonah Rees for sharing his excellent photos of the Paralympic Torch passing down Salusbury Road on Wednesday 29th August
25 August 12
Just announced for this year’s Queen’s Park Day – a Community Performance Area for boxing, cheer-leading, swing dance, tumbling and Irish dancing- in addition to all the other attractions
22 August 12
Perfect weather for Nomad’s screening in the park of The Goonies last Saturday. 1,200 people enjoyed it. Next up – The Graduate on Saturday 8th September.
NEW COMPETITION at Queen’s Park Day this year – chutney or pickle (as well as the baking competition – banana bread). Entries to the QPARA tent by 1pm latest.
Calling all early birds. Between 8am and 8.10am on Wednesday 29th August the Paralympic torch relay will pass down Brondesbury Park and Salusbury Road, heading south to Carlton Vale. Local people are encouraged to line the route, bearing in mind that “times are approximate and subject to change”.
17 August 12
QPARA’s £10,000 contribution to the new playground equipment in Queen’s Park is a news item in today’s Kilburn Times (page 5). Rush to the newsagent while copies are still available, or read the e-edition of the paper here
Ramadan Parking Changes – the yellow signs are back in some streets saying that on Sunday 19th and Monday 20th August, Residents’ Parking restrictions will apply between 8.30am and 10pm in those streets.
9 August 12
You may have noticed some small aluminium boxes, fixed recently to streetlamps in our area. These are discreetly marked FOREST RESEARCH. A bit of research by an eagle-eyed QPARA member has revealed that they are moth traps, part of a survey to see how far the Oak processionary Moth has spread from its initial presence in the Surrey area. It is a serious defoliator of oak trees and can cause allergic reactions in animals and humans.Read more
31 July 12
Ramadan Parking Changes – confusing yellow signs have now been placed in the streets affected. They seem to be saying that on 7th, 9th and 11th August, Residents’ Parking restrictions will apply between 8.30am and 10pm in those streets. This has now been confirmed by letter.
30 July 12
Free City of London Nature themed Family Events in Queen’s Park. Every Monday in August between 12 and 4pm. 6th August – Wild and Wacky Olympics, 13th August- Wild Play Day, 20th August – Brilliant Bugs and Butterflies, 27th August – Para-Nature Challenge 2012.
Nomad Summer Film Screenings in Queen’s Park. Saturday 18th August – The Goonies, Saturday 8th September – the Graduate and Saturday 22nd September – The Big Lebowski. Read more and book tickets
23 July 12
New planting scheme in the park’s Quiet Garden, with explanatory information boards. Have a look next time you’re there. A welcome move to more sustainable (but still very attractive) planting, with benefits for insects.
21 July 12
Ramadan 2012 parking arrangements
Although Ramadan has now begun, changes to Residents’ Parking will only apply between 6th – 11th August and 18th- 20th August, and will apply to fewer streets than before. Read more
19 July 12
Read about a local swarm of bees, quickly collected by a local beekeeper thanks to our network of members – here
17 July 12
Event at Queen’s Park Books today. Long-term peace and environment activist and editor of Resurgence Magazine since 1973, Satish Kumar. “Join us here at Queen’s Park Books on Tuesday 17 July from 7pm to hear Satish in conversation with Polly Higgins, barrister, environmental lawyer and author of Eradicating Ecocide.
No charge – drinks and nibbles provided.”
Read a write-up of the event here
FREE YOGA IN THE PARK with local yoga teacher Divya
To celebrate the start of London 2012 Olympics
where: Queens Park, London NW6
when: Friday 27th July 2012
time: 6.15 – 7.15pm (please arrive in the park before 6.15pm to find your spot)
what: I will be leading a fun session of yoga stretches to get us in the mood for the start of the world’s greatest sporting event taking place on our doorstep.
who: anyone & everyone invited!
bring: a towel (or yoga mat if you have one)
weather: rain will not stop play
14 July 12
Great progress with the playground work in the park. Once ROSPA have done their safety check the new equipment will be open for use.
QPARA chairman Richard Brindley giving Queen’s Park manager Richard Gentry a cheque for £10,000 which is QPARA’s contribution towards the redevelopment of the playground.
12 July 12
QPARA monthly meeting tonight. Andy Bates from Brent’s Planning Department is attending. All welcome. 7.30 pm refreshments – meeting begins at 8pm. St Anne’s Church, Salusbury Road
27 June 12
Kilburn History Festival. Four walks and four talks all in July
7.30pm, Wednesday 4th July – Kilburn’s 2000 year history – St Mary’s Parish Church, Abbey Road, Kilburn
7.30pm, Wednesday 11th July – The Gaumont State cinema and theatre – St Mary’s Parish Church, Abbey Road, Kilburn
11am, Sunday 15th July – History Walk up the Kilburn High Road – meet at Kilburn Park tube (Bakerloo)
2pm, Sunday 15th July – History Walk down the Kilburn High Road – meet at Kilburn tube (Jubilee)
7.30pm, Wednesday 18th July – Kilburn Priory, where was it and what do we know – St Mary’s Parish Church, Abbey Road, Kilburn
11am, Sunday 22nd July – History Walk up the Kilburn High Road – meet at Kilburn Park tube (Bakerloo)
2pm, Sunday 22nd July – History Walk down the Kilburn High Road – meet at Kilburn tube (Jubilee)
7.30pm, Wednesday 25th July – Lived here and Loved it (Famous of Kilburn) – St Mary’s Parish Church, Abbey Road, Kilburn
Read more on Ed Fordham’s website
25 June 12
Have you received your starter roll of caddy-bags for use with food waste? These corn starch bags will easily break down into compost and are designed to line the food caddy and make the whole process of recycling food waste less messy. But if you are happy using newspaper to wrap food waste then carry on with that system. Get more bags from www.caddyliners.com or by phoning 0844 472 1871. If you don’t have a caddy you can collect one from the Abbey Road Reuse and Recycling Centre while stocks last.
21 June 12
Another Brent library has been stripped of its books and fittings – it was Cricklewood’s turn this time. Brent council claim that the books from the six closed libraries will be shared among the remaining libraries. Read more in the Kilburn Times
Meanwhile Brent is trying to revive its “Valued Customer Panels” for libraries. These will “Help shape the future of your library service. We value the opinions of all our customers. To help us make sure you get the services you need we are looking for library members to join our Valued Customer Panel”. If you want to try to influence the future of Brent’s library service the Kilburn Panel’s meeting dates are 20 September (6-7pm), 14 November (4-5pm), 14 Feb 2013 (6-7pm). Join by speaking to a staff member (once the library re-opens on 10th September or by calling 0208 937 5350. Read more on Brent’s website
While the library is shut you can always download an e-book
18 June 12
Yesterday’s Open Gardens and Studios Day was a great success. Thanks to the visitors, the gardeners and artists, the QPARA volunteers, the Tea Garden Team, the cake-bakers, the ticket sellers, the sponsors (particularly Brondesbury Estates), Richard Gentry and the City of London, the Children’s Activities organisers, the singers and musicians, the plant sellers, the bees and the weather.
Read the Kilburn Times report of the day.
15 June 12
Open Gardens and Studios Day is on Sunday! The gardeners and artists are ready, so please support this great event even if there’s a risk of the odd shower. Save money by getting your ticket in advance from Queen’s Park Flowers, Worldly Wicked and Wise or Brondesbury Estates on Salusbury Road, or Scarlet and Violet on Chamberlayne Road. Read more
Book Fest photos uploaded (many more to come) and a really great short film
And read about the event in the Kilburn Times
10 June 12
Sara Raeburn and John MacAulay selling Open Gardens and Studios tickets at the Farmers’ Market today and providing information.
Work has started on phase one of the re-design of the older children’s playground in Queen’s Park.
4 June 12
Open Gardens and Studios Day 12-6pm Sunday 17th June
Tickets now available at Brondesbury Estates, Queen’s Park Flowers and Worldly, Wicked and Wise, all on Salusbury Road. Also Scarlet and Violet, Chamberlayne Road. In advance adults £5, children £1 (5-12 years old), concs £3.
On the day tickets available at the Reception Garden 155 Chevening Road, Brondesbury Estates and Queen’s Park Farmers’ Market (10am-2pm only). Adults £6, children £2, concs £3.50.
Ticket gives entry to all gardens and studios and includes tea and homemade cake in the Tea Garden (a highlight of the event!). Read more
3 June 12
CORRECTION the Lexi’s free screening of the King’s Speech on Saturday went ahead in spite of wet and blustery weathe, and a hardy audience enjoyed it. Street parties also went ahead under QPARA tents and included coconut shies, mini cars and bikes for children, cardboard cut outs of the Queen, and Jubilee themed food
1 June 12
Friends of Kensal Rise Library will be hosting a fund raising poetry night on Sunday 1st July at The Paradise – by way of Kensal Green.
Tamsin Greig, Haydn Gwynn, Ben Miles and many other local talented actors will be reading from their favourite poems then taking questions in aid of the Kensal Rise Library Campaign.
Tickets can be bought for £7 from the usual outlets: L’Angolos, Minkies and Queens Park Books.
