Northwood

DEMENTIA sufferers' families have expressed their dismay after a Northwood day centre for the elderly was abruptly closed, amid 'serious health and safety concerns'.

Eastbury Road Day Centre (pictured), in Eastbury Road, was permanently shut on Friday (26), after Hillingdon Council cabinet members decided just one week earlier that the building was 'not fit for purpose, due to unacceptable safety risks in the event of a fire'.

A BROTHER and sister from Northwood who tragically died just months apart will be honoured in a new courtyard garden at their former primary school.

The Gazette reported last September how Karen Puddifoot, 27, drowned during a round-the-world cycling tour in aid of the British Lung Foundation, when the boat she and friend, Tim Roney, 21, were travelling on capsized off the coast of Vietnam.

Karen's brother, Chris, 22, who joined them for part of their journey, was killed in a car crash just two months later.

The pair, who both lived in Grove Farm Park, will be remembered with a special hand-carved wooden chair, taking pride of place in the new garden at Eastbury Farm Primary School, in Bishops Avenue.

PLANS to transform an empty store into a Chinese takeaway restaurant in Northwood have been approved.

The shop, in High Street, situated within an Area of Special Local Character, has been vacant for the past 18 months.

But despite the disused store being described as an 'eyesore', a petition with 35 signatures was submitted against the scheme, arguing it would have a 'negative effect on the area' and 'bring down the standard of the High Street'.

A SCHOOL in Northwood has been judged as 'outstanding' by Ofsted inspectors.

Eastbury Farm Primary School, in Bishops Avenue, was one of 14 schools across Hertfordshire to be recognised for providing an excellent service in the past year.

Headmistress Patricia Young said: "We are absolutely delighted. It has been a real team effort but it is also the result of our genuine love for the children.

MEMBERS of Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue were among thousands across the country who did a good deed as part of Mitzvah Day.

The Jewish-led initiative encourages others to get their hands dirty by volunteering their time, instead of cash, for good causes.

Kind-hearted representatives from the synagogue, in Oaklands Gate, Northwood, joined Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner MP, Nick Hurd, to deliver toys and children's books to Jake's Place, a children's ward at Northwick Park hospital.

BUDDING artists at a Northwood school hosted a special exhibition to raise more than £1,000 for Children in Need.

Junior school pupils at Northwood College, in Maxwell Road, created artwork based on a garden theme.

THE composer who penned the theme tune for one of Britain's best loved soap operas gave a music masterclass to pupils at a Northwood school.

Composer Simon May, the brains behind the iconic Eastenders' theme song, visited St Martin's School on November 11 to offer advice to more than 70 pupils and answer questions about his career.

TWO men appeared in crown court this morning (16) after being accused of committing grievous bodily harm with intent in Northwood.

The Gazette reported how Kevin Teahan (pictured), 53, was found unconscious with severe head injuries in Hallowell Road, at about 11.45pm on September 6.

Mr Teahan, who is believed to live in Northwood, left the Misty Moon pub in Green Lane at about 11.20pm, and was walking towards Northwood Tube station.

A CANCER sufferer has blasted a Northwood hospital for forcing patients to queue outside a blood-sample clinic, whatever the weather.

Jeremy Banks, who has multiple bone marrow cancer, says patients who arrive early at the clinic, based at Mount Vernon Hospital, are denied access by staff, despite their being a 'perfectly adequate' waiting room inside.

The 57-year-old, of Pinner, said: "I have been visiting the clinic for the past three years and have no complaints about the treatment I have received.

"But I don't think its reasonable to expect patients, who may have significant medical and/or surgical conditions, to be left standing outside, whatever the weather, when there is seating inside.

A CARER from Northwood has been jailed for neglecting a vulnerable 90-year-old woman and lying about when she had visited her.

Ratana Charvey, 59, of Green Lane, admitted six counts of fraud by false representation after police made the discovery.

An officer from the local safer neighbourhood team visited the pensioner, who lives in the Ruislip area, and noticed Charvey had falsely written in the care log that she had attended while he had been present.