August 2008 Archives

A CARING pet will be enjoying a night at a hotel after beating hundreds of other dogs in a national competition

Ellie who is a Tibetan spaniel was entered into the contest by staff at the Harefield Nursing Centre in Hill End because she attends the home every week giving comfort to many of the patients there.

The event is run by a national charity called Pets of Therapy which invited people across the country to vote for pets that have helped other people.

Ellie and her owner Cheryl Vials from Northwood have already received publicity in Yours magazine and will now be one of six lucky families to get to stay at the Palace Hotel in Buxton in Derbyshire in November.

Gwen Owen, activities manager at the nursing home, said: "Ellie is a very small dog which is good because it means we can put her on a bed or on someone's lap if the person is in a wheelchair.

"She helped one lady who has now passed away, but in her last few days we put Ellie on her bed and even though she couldn't move her body it would bring a smile on her face.

"I would really want Ellie to win, she has been wonderful and brought so much happiness to people here, they all ask if Ellie is coming in to see them on Wednesdays when she usually comes in to see us."

A VAN flipped over and landed on its roof in a hedge yesterday (Wednesday, August 27) following a crash in Northwood.

The van overturned after a crash with a car on Dene Road at the junction with Rickmansworth Road.

An ambulance and a fast response car were sent to the crash at 3.35pm and three people were treated at the scene, but no one was taken to hospital.

A FEMALE vicar is being appointed to lead a church in Northwood.

Eastbury Church in Farm Way, Northwood, is holding a licensing service for their new associate vicar, The Rev Helen Wilkinson.

Rev Wilkinson will be the first woman to lead the church since it was set up 10 years ago.

All are welcome to attend the licensing on September 4 at 7.30pm held at Eastbury Farm School, Bishops Avenue, Northwood.

A FORMER Hillingdon councillor - and groom-to-be - has admitted to receiving oral sex from an older man in a public toilet two months ago.

Robert Benson, 41, of Stanmore, pleaded guilty yesterday (Wednesday) at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court to engaging in sexual activity in a Rayners Lane public toilets in South Harrow with a 56-year-old from South Woodford, Essex.

The 41-year-old divorcee, who represented Northwood ward from 1998 to 2002 before moving to Harrow Council in 2006, was fined £205 and ordered to pay court costs by the magistrates.

He is due to marry Lisa Miller, a 36-year-old administrator from Borehamwood, Herts, at a synagogue in Stanmore, after submitting his wedding bands to Harrow Register Office on February 6, on which his occupation was listed as company director.

The 41-year-old was arrested by Rayners Lane Safer Neighbourhood Team on suspicion of gross indecency at 3.45pm on Wednesday June 25 in Rayners Lane public toilets, along with the 56-year-old.

Both men were given police bail to return to a north London police station on July 8. When they did, the Essex man was cautioned and Mr Benson was charged - leading to yesterday's court case.

NORTHWOOD councillor, Ian Oakley, has pleaded guilty to all seven charges put against him in relation to a hate campaign against rival politicians.

Oakley, 31, former Conservative parliamentary candidate for Watford, pleaded guilty to two counts of harassment and five counts of criminal damage at St Albans' Magistrates Court today.

The offences included harassment of a Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, the slashing of tyres, smashing of headlights and spray painting of walls.

Oakley also asked for a further 68 similar offences to be taken into consideration.