July 2009 Archives

"Football is a simple game; 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end the Germans win." so once famously said Gary Lineker.

Well this year is the build up to the World Cup 2010- the sporting event which makes the Olympics look like a school sports day, and thankfully it could be a whopping 14 years since the Germans won a major international competition.

From August 5 I will be bringing you a daily insight into the beautiful game at all levels, from Manchester City's desperate bid to break into the 'Big Four' to Sven Goran-Eriksson's travails at lowly Notts County.

Will Michael Owen make it through Man United's pre-season injury free? Will Arsene Wenger ever get his chequebook out? and will Peter Crouch and Tottenham prove a perfect match?

As well as opinions and analysis on breaking news, transfers and results, I will be offering tips on how to beat your mates at online Fantasy Football, and Betting Tips to smash the bookies and earn yourself a few extra quid.

I will also be testing the best football brains in Hillingdon and beyond with some of the toughest football trivia known to man.

Feel free to get involved and leave comments, as well as sending suggestions for blog topics, which can be sent to dancoombs@trinitysouth.co.uk

Till then, take it easy, and ask yourself, what do Steven Gerrard and Barcelona have in common? - They both have the best defence in the world.

----Dan----

A MAN who died crossing a busy road on Friday evening has been named.

Surinder Singh, 43, who lives in Uxbridge, died from his injuries in hospital after he was in collision with a car on Uxbridge Road.

The accident happened at the Hillingdon end of Uxbridge Road near to the junction with Marlborough Road, Hillingdon on Friday at 9.05pm.

His next of kin identified his body at a post-mortem today (Tuesday) at Uxbridge Mortuary, and an inquest into his death has now been open.

The car Mr Singh was in collision with was a black Vauxhall Corsa, and the driver stopped at the scene and is assisting police with their enquiries.

The Collision Investigation Unit at Alperton Traffic Police are investigating and appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Anybody who can help should call on 0208 998 5319

A WOMAN had her purse snatched from her child's buggy while on a shopping trip in Uxbridge.

The theft happened on Friday (24) at 3.15pm at Shoezone, in The Mall Pavilions, Uxbridge.

The 34 year-old woman was shopping with her young children and had her handbag on the child's buggy, and only when she went to the counter to pay for some shoes she discovered it had been taken.

Anyone with information should call police on 0300 123 1212.

A HOMECOMING parade is being put on to welcome back troops returning from Afghanistan.

Residents can show their appreciation for our armed forces by coming along to the parade in Uxbridge on August 5.

Members of the public are urged to line up and bring children along to see the troops and show their appreciation for the way the soldiers put their lives on the line.

The parade is to welcome home the 63 Squadron RAF Regiment, the Queen's Colour Squadron, who have been on a six month tour of duty in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

The Army Air Corps band will lead the Squadron in a parade through Uxbridge town centre before attending a medal presentation ceremony at RAF Uxbridge.

It will begin near Uxbridge Magistrates' Court at the junction of High Street and Braybourne Close at 10.15am before marching through the town centre.

Shortly before the parade the bells of St Margaret's Church, in Windsor Street, will ring in honour of the troops and there will also be an address from the Mayor of Hillingdon, Councillor Shirley Harper-O'Neill, outside the Civic Centre.

The Squadron, who are based at RAF Uxbridge, will also be exercising their right of Freedom of Entry and will be marching with colours flying and carrying weapons with fixed bayonets.

Councillor Ray Puddifoot, Leader of the council, said: "It's an honour to be able to welcome these men and women home. They put their lives in danger to protect us and do a fantastic job serving our country."

A MAN who used every room in his house to grow cannabis and had to sleep on a mattress in the hallway has been jailed.

Thanh Duy Tran, 28, Waterloo Road, Uxbridge, was sentenced to two years imprisonment and faces deportation after being found guilty at Isleworth Crown Court.

The police obtained a warrant in June to raid the address, after it became clear to officers that a cannabis factory was being run at the house.

Plants were discovered by police in seven separate rooms, while Mr Tranh was caught red handed in one of the upstairs rooms attending to one of the plants.

Around 350 plants at various stages of production were seized and destroyed, and the electricity had also been tampered with, making the house unsafe.

Acting Police Sergeant Keith Hall, said: "We carried out this work during National Tackling Drugs Week and it is important to remember that cannabis is now a class B drug.

"When we were attending the property some local residents approached us and said they had been suspicious about the 'comings and goings' at this property.
"One lady told us that she had found a black bag which had dried plants in it placed next to her rubbish bag."

A WHOPPING £1,800 was raised for a lifesaving charity by a group keen to show their support.

The chief executive of the London Air Ambulance, Andrew Cameron, came down to Uxbridge Conservative Club, in Harefield Road, last Wednesday to collect a giant cheque.

Georgina Baile, the events co-ordinator, said: "The money was raised by ticket sales to guess the name of a large cuddly tiger, twice as he was re-donated to raise more for the charity, also a well supported Charity Night was held with an auction, video horse race, request a record, raffle and lots of fun games.

"All the auction items were donated and the whole event was run by volunteers from the club."

The air ambulance is regularly sighted over Hillingdon, as it strives to reach those who may only be minutes from death, and transports them to London hospitals.

The service is part privately funded and for the rest of its operating costs it relies on charitable donations.

A MAN in his forties has died after a car collided with him in Uxbridge on Friday evening (24 July).

The accident happened at the junction of Uxbridge Road, and Marlborough Road, Uxbridge at 9.07pm when a black Vauxhall Corsa collided with the pedestrian.

He was taken to Hillingdon Hospital in Pield Heath Road where he died shortly afterwards due to the injuries he sustained.

A post-mortem will take place but no details have so far been released.

No arrests have been made by Alperton Traffic Police are investigating and appealing for witnesses to the accident to come forward.

Anybody who can assist police should call 0208 9985319.

Did you see the accident? Leave a comment below.

The West London Floating Classroom will be running public trips on Saturdays throughout the summer from Cowley Lock and the Waters Edge Pub.

Come on board the amazing electrically powered Elsdale II to get a ducks eye view of the canal, its colourful boats and watery wildlife as it cruises quietly along.

Elsdale is normally seen running school education trips along the Grand Union Canal but now schools out for summer there's an opportunity for everyone to get a ride on this unique boat.

The boat has been specially designed to run on electricity rather than diesel so no exhaust fumes and very little noise make a great way to chill out on the beautiful setting of the Grand Union at Cowley.

Elsdale is ideal for families who want to take to the water, having been designed with children in mind.

She also has disabled access with lots of room inside in case of bad weather and a large outdoor viewing area for sunny days.

Rides start from 12pm. Passengers can buy tickets on the day and board at Cowley Recreation Ground below Cowley lock or treat yourself and buy a lunch and ride ticket from the Waters Edge Pub.

Ride only tickets cost £4 adults £3 OAPs £2 children or £10 family ticket. Call Vicky on 01895 42425

For a lunch ticket call Dean at the Waters Edge Pub on 01895 440550

----

A BOWLING green is to benefit from a council investment of £45,000 which aims to bring it up to scratch with others in the area.

The green at Hillingdon Court Park, in Parkway, Uxbridge, has suffered from uneven surface levels and poor drainage which has rendered it unusable in recent times.

Now following a cabinet meeting, and as part of long-term plans to get the park recognised with Green Flag status, which many of the borough's parks have, the council have made a firm commitment to upgrading the park.

A consultant looked into the feasibility of an improved maintenance regime but it was concluded that the only option to allow the green to be re-opened on a permanent basis would be a complete remodelling.

It is envisaged that a new green at Hillingdon Court Park will create an opportunity for the Bowls Club to contact schools in the area to offer their facilities to add to the school curriculum.

Officers at the council estimate the refurbishment project could be completed by the beginning of the new playing season next year.

The improvements follow similar work to upgrade to bowling green in Fassnidge Park, Uxbridge, which already has Green Flag status.

A BOWLING green is to benefit from a council investment of £45,000 which aims to bring it up to scratch with others in the area.

The green at Hillingdon Court Park, in Parkway, Uxbridge, has suffered from uneven surface levels and poor drainage which has rendered it unusable in recent times.

Now following a cabinet meeting, and as part of long-term plans to get the park recognised with Green Flag status, which many of the borough's parks have, the council have made a firm commitment to upgrading the park.

A consultant looked into the feasibility of an improved maintenance regime but it was concluded that the only option to allow the green to be re-opened on a permanent basis would be a complete remodelling.

It is envisaged that a new green at Hillingdon Court Park will create an opportunity for the Bowls Club to contact schools in the area to offer their facilities to add to the school curriculum.

Officers at the council estimate the refurbishment project could be completed by the beginning of the new playing season next year.

The improvements follow similar work to upgrade to bowling green in Fassnidge Park, Uxbridge, which already has Green Flag status.