March 2011 Archives

AN INSPIRATIONAL MBE award-winner has completed a half marathon in aid of a Northwood cancer charity which is treating one of his close friends.

Paul Wilgoss (left) entered the Liverpool Half Marathon to support John Hampton in raising funds for the Paul Strickland Scanner Centre, based at Mount Vernon Hospital in Rickmansworth Road.

So far, the pair have raised more than £1,000 for the independent charity, which provides state-of-the-art scanning services for the early diagnosis of cancer and other serious diseases.

INSPIRATIONAL people in the community are once again being asked to step into the spotlight, as the Uxbridge Gazette and Leader, together with Uxbridge College, launches the ninth Local Heroes awards.

Our annual competition, which began yesterday (30), recognises the incredible bravery, commitment and dedication shown by unsung heroes across the borough, who have triumphed against the odds or put others' needs before their own.

Anyone who lives, works or volunteers in Hillingdon can be nominated in the five following categories: Outstanding Young Person; Star Carer; Courageous Citizen; Fabulous Fundraiser and Community Champion.

A NORTHWOOD cancer charity is celebrating after receiving an award for providing high quality patient information.

The Lynda Jackson Macmillan Centre (LJMC), based at Mount Vernon Hospital in Rickmansworth Road, is one of the first organisations to receive the new Information Standard (IS) certificate.

The independent IS scheme, which is backed by the Department of Health, helps the public to identify reliable sources of health and social care information.

Students from Hillingdon and Northwood were invited to the House of Lords to present their fundraising efforts for children's charity, Wings of Hope, championed by Sir David Jason.

SIBA MATTI reports on the inspirational work and incredible sums of money generated by the kind-hearted pupils.

WHILE many teenagers are concerned with money-making schemes to line their own pockets, generous students from schools in Hillingdon and Northwood have focused their energies on a greater cause.

A MAN found dead in his car in Croxley Green has been identified.

Jan Podgorski, 46, was discovered by a member of the public in his silver Toyota Yaris in All Saints Lane at about 9am on Sunday, March 27.

He had been living in the road for about three months but had links to London and North West Yorkshire, where his family are based. They have been informed of his death.

HUNDREDS of parents will be forced to tighten their belts after plans to slash school transport costs were approved.

Driven by the need to reduce its £25million annual transport bill, Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) carried out a three month consultation to assess the amount spent on children travelling to and from school.

Cabinet members have now agreed free home to school transport will only be offered to pupils with a statutory entitlement, from September 2012.

A DECISION to eliminate possible locations for a new secondary school in Three Rivers has been blasted by a parents' protest group.

A public consultation on five potential sites ended in January, with two in Mill End / Maple Cross receiving overwhelming support compared with three in Croxley Green.

As reported in the Gazette, Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) earmarked £82.5million to increase school places where pupil numbers have risen, to plug a projected deficit of 259 places by 2016.

At a Three Rivers District Council (TRDC) executive committee meeting on Monday (28), councillors declared Froghall Farm and adjoining land in Mill End / Maple Cross as their preferred option, with land north-east of Baldwins Lane, Croxley Green as a contingency site.

PARENTS fear school children's lives are being put at risk by drivers speeding on a 'dangerous' stretch of road in Northwood.

A recent crash in Batchworth Lane - where three accidents happened within three months last summer - has fuelled fears that someone could be killed by motorists breaking the 30mph speed limit.

The busy main road is just minutes away from Eastbury Farm Primary School, in Bishops Avenue, and is also used by school buses to pick up and drop off pupils.

A FATHER-of-two is pounding the pavements to prepare for a marathon in aid of a breast cancer charity, after his sister-in-law was diagnosed with the disease.

James Soames, of Elgood Avenue, Northwood, has signed up for the Brighton Marathon in the hope of raising £2,000 for Breast Cancer Campaign.

The 40-year-old decided to take on the gruelling 26.2 mile run when his wife Nicole's sister, Ruth Swanton, learned she had an aggressive form of breast cancer last March.

Mr Soames told the Gazette: "Ruth went for a check up after finding a lump and within a week she was being operated on, it all happened so fast.

A MAN was found dead in his car in Croxley Green yesterday morning (27).

Police and the ambulance service were called just after 9am to All Saints Lane by member of the public.

The victim, who is believed to have links to the London and Yorkshire areas, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The road was closed until about 1pm.

A Hertfordshire Police spokesperson confirmed the death is not being treated as suspicious. The matter has now been passed to the county coroner.

Did you see anything? Do you know the victim? Call Gazette reporter Siba Matti on 07788567259 or email sibamatti@trinitysouth.co.uk