September 2009 Archives

THE families of two friends who tragically died on a cycling tour of the world have paid tribute to the 'talented' and 'popular' pair.

Karen Puddifoot, 27, from Northwood, and Tim Roney, 21, from Sarratt in Rickmansworth, Herts, died last Thursday (24) when the boat they were travelling on sank in the South China Sea.

The friends had been taking part in a round the world trip to raise money for the British Lung Foundation.

Karen attended the Wimbledon School of Art, where she achieved a 2.1 degree, before later working in the film industry, where she was involved in the making of The New World, Golden Age and Batman, as well as theatre and television work.

She is survived by mother, Mei, father, Michael, and brother and sister, Chris and Catherine.

In a statement, the family said: "Losing Karen has left a deep hole in our family.

"Karen was extremely popular and had a lot of friends. She was talented, hard working, independent, strong willed and brave.

"She will be deeply, deeply missed by us, her grandparents and her friends."

Tim, who grew up in Northwood and attended Rickmansworth School, leaves behind his mother, Karen, father Alan, stepfather Martyn and brother, Simon.

The family said: "We cannot believe what has happened, there are no words to describe what we are going through.

"Tim meant so much to us and we will miss him so much."

Tim, a keen sportsman who enjoyed playing tennis and golf, was a qualified ski instructor and had spent time teaching in Canada.

He travelled to Ethiopia three years ago to climb the country's highest mountain in aid of the Youth Hostel Association.

His family added: Tim was extremely sociable, talented and adventurous and always had a smile on his face. We are sure he would have planned similar trips in the future.

"We would like to thank all our family and friends who have been so supportive since hearing the news."

Did you know Karen or Tim? Post your tributes at here or email sibamatti@trinitysouth.co.uk.

A DRIVER who ran down and killed an elderly man at a busy junction has been found guilty of causing death by careless driving.

William Henry Cox, known as Bill, was on his way to the doctors when he was hit by a Mercedes crossing Eastbury Road, Northwood, just after 9am on September 15 last year.

The 87-year-old scuba diving instructor of Leaf Close, Northwood, was rushed to hospital but died later that day, just months after his wife passed away.

Yogini Amin, 42, of Sandy Lane, Northwood, was arrested and charged with causing death by careless driving.

She appeared at Isleworth Crown Court on Monday (21) for the first day of the trial after pleading not guilty at an earlier hearing, but today (24) the jury found her guilty.

She is due to be sentenced on October 23.

PLANS to build a path across a recreation ground have been turned down following a petition opposing it.

Councillor Sandra Jenkins, cabinet member for environment for Hillingdon Council, decided against plans to build the tarmac path across Northwood Recreation Ground, in Highland Road, Northwood Hills.

The decision was taken at a petition meeting on Tuesday (22) after a 43-signature petition opposing the plans was submitted to the council by residents.

TRIBUTES have been paid to a promising cricketer who died unexpectedly aged just 29.

Raj 'Reggie' Latchman, a member of Northwood Cricket Club since birth, died in his sleep in the early hours of Sunday, September 13.

Following a game played the day before, Raj stayed overnight at the club to avoid the long journey back to his home in Leytonstone, east London. He was found by club staff in the morning and after an ambulance was called, paramedics confirmed he died in his sleep.

Raj's funeral took place on Monday (21) at Holy Trinity Church in Gateway Close, Northwood, with more than 300 mourners attending.

His uncle, Ranjit Latchman, of Croxley Green, said: "Raj was a mad keen cricketer and a team player with a real passion for the sport. Most of the moments we shared together revolved around cricket - it was his life.

"He was very popular and had so many friends, plus his younger brother and sister, Rohan and Laura, really looked up to him. We are devastated by his loss."

Nigel Hussey, of Northwood Cricket Club, said: "Everyone is in shock about the loss of
our number one spinner.

"Reggie was a great character and one of the nicest people you could ever meet. He was widely loved and will be very, very sorely missed."

Nick Nicholson, another club member, added: "He was the most caring, thoughtful and genuine person I have ever met, and a really fantastic friend."

A post mortem failed to confirm the cause of Raj's death and the family are awaiting further tests.

Did you know Raj? Leave your tributes here or visit www.uxbridgegazette.co.uk.

A CHURCH is holding an annual bazaar to raise money fir charity.

Holy Trinity Church, in Gateway Close, Northwood, are putting on the autumn bazaar to support charities, which will be nominated shortly and detailed next month.

The event is being held in the church hall on October 31.

A FLOWER arranging demonstration entitled 'All that Glitters' is being held.

Ruislip Northwood Flower Arrangement Society will present the demonstration by national demonstrator, Tan Strong.

It is being held at Northwood College, in Maxwell Road, Northwood, on October 6 at 7.30pm.

A DRIVER who ran down and killed an elderly man at a busy junction claimed she had not seen him because she was looking at another car, a jury has heard.

William Henry Cox, known as Bill, was on his way to the doctors when he was hit by a Mercedes crossing Eastbury Road, Northwood, just after 9am on September 15 last year.

The 87-year-old scuba diving instructor of Leaf Close, Northwood, was rushed to hospital but died later that day, just months after his wife passed away.

Yogini Amin, 42, of Sandy Lane, Northwood, was arrested and charged with causing death by careless driving.

She appeared at Isleworth Crown Court yessterday (21) for the first day of the trial after pleading not guilty at an earlier hearing.

David Smith, prosecuting, said: "Mrs Amin was driving her car along Station Approach towards he junction with Green Lane.

"Mr Cox had just come out of the bookmakers and was on the zebra crossing. He then started to cross Eastbury Road and and got to the island in the middle of the road.

"Mrs Amin said she stopped to give way at the junction but in actual fact she didn't. She rolled out into the main road just as a car was approaching from her left.

"That car started to indicate to turn right into Station Approach and she obviously saw that as an opportunity to pull across the junction.

"As she moved towards the centre of Green Lane Mr Cox took a step out from the island and started to make his way across.

"Mrs Amin then accelerated and unfortunately caught him on the front of her vehicle. He fell on to the bonnet and then to the ground."

Mrs Amin was not travelling at more than 11mph but the jury was then told by witness John Taylor that Mrs Amin said she had not seen Mr Cox because she was looking at another car.

However, in police interview she said she had been looking into the road but did not see him until he suddenly appeared at the side of her car.

The trial is scheduled to finish either tomorrow (23) or Thursday (24).

Hillingdon Council have since agreed plans to install traffic lights at the junction following the death of Mr Cox.

A MAN in his 20s was taken to hospital after two cars crashed into each other and also into the railings of a car dealership.

The man was taken to Watford General Hospital following the crash at about 6.40am today (22) on the corner of Pinner Road and Chestnut Avenue in Northwood.

The two cars involved were a silver Toyota and a silver BMW convertible.

It is believed the man's injuries were not life threatening.

"Horrendous driving" led to a tour bus crash in Ecuador last year in which a former Northwood school pupil died along with four other Britons, a coroner has said.

The coach was said to have been going "really fast" when a lorry travelling on the wrong side of the road hit it in April 2008, a Macclesfield inquest heard last Wednesday (16).

Five British women died in the crash, including 19-year-old Emily Sadler, of Astons Road, Moor Park.

The Coroner, Nicholas Rheinberg, recorded a narrative verdict establishing that the cause of death was a road traffic accident.

The inquest was told that Emily, a former pupil of St Helen's School, in Eastbury Road, Northwood, died from multiple injuries.

Emily's mother, Kay Sadler, attended the inquest with Emily's father, Graham, and her older sister Annelisa.

She said: "I was very happy that it wasn't recorded as accidental death because it was quite clear that it was the lorry driver's fault.

"The road wasn't dangerous so there's absolutely no reason why it should have happened."

The tour guide, Sarah Howard, and the four gap year students were on their way from Quito, the capital, to Puerto Lopez with Warwick-based VentureCo to help build a library.

The inquest was told the lorry driver and coach driver fled the scene but while local investigations cleared the bus driver, the truck driver, Tulio Rudiger Velezvelez, has never been found.

An investigation in Ecuador found the lorry involved had driven into the bus's lane.

Mrs Sadler said: "It's a very corrupt country over there so the lorry driver has probably paid off the police, but we could pay to have him caught. There is some discussions going on with the other families as to whether we will do that.

"You can't really forget about it and if we don't do it we could potentially regret it in the future. None of us want revenge we just want justice.

"Also, if he isn't caught in five years he will be let off because that's the law out there."

The families of the victims have since set up a charity - BISEE Books - to widen access to books for children at schools in Ecuador.

The name of the charity is derived from the first initials of each of the five girls.

Mrs Sadler said: "Altogether the families have raised about £30,000 so far and that is going to buy a bus to take books to children in poor schools."

Emily's family also held a party on Sunday (20) with her friends to celebrate what would have been her 21st birthday on September 15.

For more information or to make a donation to the charity go to www.biseebooks.org.uk.

HUNDRES of people gathered to put their best foot forward to help raise for money for charity.

More than 300 people of all abilities and ages took part in the Michaell Sobell House (MSH) Hospice Sponsored Walk on Sunday (20), which is now in its 27th year.

The Mayor of Hillingdon, Councillor Shirley Harper-O'Neill, officially started the walk which began at the hospice at Mount Vernon Hospital, in Rickmansworth Road, Northwood and crossed the beautiful country and canal-sides of Northwood, Moor Park and Rickmansworth.

Walkers chose between three, seven and 12 mile routes and were rewarded with tea, coffee, cake and foot massages performed by volunteer therapists from the hospice to revitalise weary feet.

One walker said: "This is the first time I have taken part in the walk and it has been absolutely fantastic. There's a real sense of camaraderie, everyone is so lovely.

"I just wish I could have walked the long route".

The sponsorship is still coming in and being counted but the fundraising team hope to beat the £17,000 raised at last year.

MSH provides palliative care to terminally ill patients.

Any women who missed out on the chance to take part in the walk can put June 4 next year n their diaries, when MSH's first ever Ladies In The Night walk will take place.

For more information visit www.michaelsobellhouse.co.uk or call 01923 844 152.