Useful Info

RESIDENTS in Northwood Hills are looking forward to a brighter festive season this year, as the town unveils its first ever Christmas tree next Friday (26).

Located outside The Namaste Lounge, in Joel Street, the 12ft tree will be erected ahead of a grand lights switch-on on Saturday (27) by the Mayor of Hillingdon, Councillor David Yarrow, as part of the Northwood Hills Christmas fun day.

Andrew Riley, chairman of the Northwood Hills Residents Association (NHRA), which worked with the town's Chamber of Commerce on the project, said the new tree symbolised the strong links within the community.

CHILDREN across Three Rivers can send their Christmas present wishes to Santa Claus from a special post box in Rickmansworth.

The post box, which is a free to use, is located in the downstairs foyer at Watersmeet Theatre in the High Street. All letters will be personally answered by Santa himself.

Venue manager, Stuart Warren, said: "We thought this was a lovely service to offer the community.

"This festive holiday is all about children, they love coming here to see our annual panto and we hope this really captures their imagination."

AN INDULGENCE evening will take place at a Maple Cross school tomorrow (18).

The event, at Maple Cross JMI School, in Denham Way, will feature stalls with Christmas gifts and treats, including handmade wooden crafts, beauty products and items from the Body Shop @ Home range.

A number of pampering treatments will also be available, plus a raffle and refreshments.

A CONSULTATION has today (12) been launched asking residents for their views about five potential sites for a new secondary school in Three Rivers.

The Gazette reported in February how Hertfordshire County Council (HCC), which is responsible for education across the county, had earmarked £82.5million to increase school places where pupil numbers had risen.

Parents protest group, the WD3 School Action Group, has led an 18-month campaign for a new secondary school in Three Rivers, to plug a projected deficit of 259 places by 2014/2015.

HCC recently commissioned a report looking into the expansion of existing schools and a total of 30 possible sites for a new school.

ALMOST 2,000 people in Maple Cross were left without electricity after a power cut yesterday evening (11).

UK Power Networks (formerly EDF Energy Networks) confirmed that power had been interrupted by a fault on a high voltage underground cable in Hornhill Road, at about 9.27pm.

Maple Cross resident, Peter Collins, told the Gazette: "I was watching television at my mother's house in Pinchfield when all of a sudden, everything just blacked out at about 9.30pm.

"When we left to go to my home in Ladywalk, at about 10.30pm, the power still hadn't come back on, but it was fine when we arrived about 10 minutes later, although it was a massive inconvenience."

A PETITION calling for road safety improvements on a street where a teenager died in a car crash will be heard by Hillingdon Council.

Signed by 87 local residents from Cuckoo Hill, between Northwood and Eastcote, the petition raises concerns about speeding and heavy goods traffic.

On May 29 this year, 18-year-old passenger James Whybrow, from Pinner Green, died in a head-on collision there.

Lead petitioner Kate Gibson (pictured) said residents had been campaigning for new safety measures on Cuckoo Hill long before the fatal collision, but were now determined to get something done.

The CyberKnife, a state-of-the-art radiotherapy system which can treat cancers previously described as inoperable, has now arrived at Mount Vernon Hospital in Northwood. SIBA MATTI reports on how this revolutionary piece of equipment is transforming patients' lives for the better.

FEW medical treatments could be likened to visiting a spa, but that is exactly how one of the first cancer patients to go under the CyberKnife at Mount Vernon Hospital has described the experience.

SANTAS of all shapes and sizes will take to the streets of Northwood for a charity fun run in aid of a local hospice.

Hundreds of men and women are expected to take part in a Santa Dash organised to raise cash for Michael Sobell House (MSH), based at Mount Vernon Hospital, in Rickmansworth Road.

RESIDENTS can enjoy free mulled wine and mince pies at a Christmas fun day in Northwood Hills.

The event, to be held on Saturday, November 27 from 12.30pm, will see the lights on the town's Christmas tree, outside the Namaste Lounge in Joel Street, officially switched on by the Mayor of Hillingdon, Councillor David Yarrow, at 4pm.

There will also be music, dance and poetry performances, stalls, a children's funfair and face painting, plus refreshments will be served outside the William Jolle pub.

Everyone is welcome and Santa Claus has already confirmed his attendance.

RESIDENTS can voice their concerns about issues in the community at a local forum hosted by the Northwood Residents' Association.

The meeting will be attended by all three Northwood ward councillors and Police Chief Inspector Alison Dollery, who will give a speech. It is also hoped that Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner MP, Nick Hurd, will be present.

The forum takes place at 7.30pm next Tuesday (16) at Northwood Methodist Church in Oaklands Gate, Northwood. For further information visit www.northwoodresidents.co.uk