News Queen’s Park Area Residents’ Association November 2019

QUEEN’S PARK CRIME CONCERNS QPARA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Janis Denselow Thursday 14th November, Inter Faith Centre, St Anne’s and St Andrew’s Urgent concerns about crime and policing Church, Salusbury Road, 7.30 pm refreshments, 8pm meeting begins in Queen’s Park were raised at a sometimes heated local meeting in September with the Virginia Brand, Chair, Queen’s Park Area Residents’ Association Deputy Mayor with responsibility for crime and policing, Sophie Linden. The Our AGM is a fantastic opportunity for meeting, chaired by our MP Tulip Siddiq, everyone in Queen’s Park to hear about the heard complaints about anti-social work of our association over the past year. behaviour and worries about the impact In 2019 we planted sixty new street trees. of a diminishing Safer Neighbourhood We organised another hugely successful Police Team. Queen’s Park Day in September, attracting Particular concerns were raised by residents a record 19,500 people. The Queen’s from Keslake Road with a catalogue of issues Park Book Festival in June hosted dozens of and frustrations over persistent anti-social notable writers, including two Booker Prize winners – there’s more on both events in behaviour by a small group of visitors/ this newsletter. residents who congregate at the benches and Here is Robert at work planters at the junction with Chamberlayne Big events like these are important, but Road. QPARA wants these concerns they are just the tip of the QPARA iceberg. If you are new to the area, do come to us addressed in the proposed plan to improve The hidden part is the enormous amount the ‘Chamberlayne Corridor’ (see p3). of work QPARA’s volunteers do to keep with your suggestions on how to improve our Queen’s Park the extraordinary place it is. very special green urban gem. If you are not We know that budget cuts mean fewer police. For example, the new planters at the police a QPARA member, do join us. New members But numbers are not the only issue – we also station corner are the work of QPARA join us all the time, thanks to our brilliant want police who stay for a while, put down volunteers led by Robert Budwig, Helen membership secretary Marika Szalanczi. roots, get to know our community and meet Durnford and Andra King, who maintain And there is no better way to get a flavour of us regularly to share information and listen to all the QPARA planters along Salusbury the year-round work we do than by coming our concerns. Road. Our committees work ceaselessly to our AGM. to protect our environment, improve our As I come towards the end of my period as policing, maintain high conservation Chair, I would like to thank everyone who standards, and co-operate with other local has made such an invaluable contribution to associations pressing for more effective the work we do in Queen’s Park. Long may action on air quality and pollution. QPARA continue to flourish!

QUEEN’S PARK DOCTORS IN MEGA MERGER Robin Sharp

From the start of December, Queen’s Park This 3-way merger is also the biggest will have the biggest traditional GP practice operation of its kind, as far as we know. It is in north west London. This will result from the shape of things to come in the NHS as the merger of Lonsdale, Blessing, and Park smaller practices, however much cherished One important message from the meeting is House practices to produce a patient list of by their patients, struggle to remain viable that every crime should be properly reported 23,600. In effect this means that Lonsdale is when older doctors retire. – not just shared with your neighbours. The absorbing the two smaller practices, though police resources we get for our ward depend the Blessing site in Kilburn Lane will remain Considering the speed with which it is being on crime statistics. Crime that doesn’t show in open for the time being. carried out, this merger would be challenging the stats doesn’t exist when decisions about at the best of times and the start date has resources are made. already been delayed because of ‘technical issues’. However, a new full-time manager, If a crime is happening there and then, Amanda Meehan has now been appointed. phone 999. Phone 101 for all other crimes As she has been a key advisor helping to or to share urgent information (apparently plan the merger, we can hope that she will 101 reporting has improved). Crime can ensure a smooth transition once the immediate also be reported online - search on Report problems have been sorted out. After that, a crime The Met - and the police will get there is a chance that we will have one of the back to you within 24 hours. most cutting-edge GP practices in London.

This newsletter is produced and delivered to all households and places of business in the area, free of charge, by the Queen’s Park Area Residents’ Association. QPARA is a non-sectarian, non-political, non-profit making community organisation established to promote a better quality of life in the Queen’s Park area. www.qpark.org.uk queensparkresidents @Qparkres CELEBRATING SALUSBURY WORLD’S FIRST 20 YEARS Duncan McAusland QUEEN’S PARK BOOK FESTIVAL ‘OASIS OF SANITY’ Susan Pym

Salusbury World, our local refugee agency Glorious weather and an exciting line-up of based in Salusbury Primary School, was writers drew big crowds to the Queen’s Park launched in 1999. Its mission is to support Book Festival in June. Booker Prize winner Howard Jacobson captured the atmosphere and empower refugee and migrant children, in his New Statesman diary: ‘it retains the young people and families, to overcome charm of a garden fête… writers sign their obstacles, realise their rights and potential books in the bandstand… everything is so and participate fully in society. lovely... this is an oasis of sanity.’ To celebrate its 20th anniversary it launched an intriguing multimedia arts Howard Jacobson reads from his latest novel and heritage project called 20:20, based on the experiences of twenty of the first The Community Tent showcased Brent families helped. writers including Yvonne Bailey-Smith, Catching up with some of the children (now Steve Crabb, Chrys Salt and Marina in their 20s and 30s) and their parents, Cantacuzino. Queen’s Park resident, interviews have been recorded of their paediatrician Anthony Costello, discussed recollections of flight, landing in the UK and his book The Social Edge and his work their reflections over the years of becoming with mothers and newborn children in proud Londoners. developing countries. Nationally known writers included the latest Booker winner The show was first seen at the Victoria & Bernadine Evaristo plus John Lanchester, Albert Museum. Now, in collaboration Misha Glenny, Simon Mayo, Jonathan with the London College of Communication Coe, Sadie Jones and many others. and other organisations, a series of artistic Two pupils from Malorees School were pieces has been created by students, presented with the first Queen’s Park Book based on the first ten of these stories. Penny Faith and Yvonne Bailey Smith answer Festival Young Writers’ award. We’re The exhibition of recordings, photos and questions in the Community tent already planning next year’s festival – artworks is now at Library until keep the last weekend in June free! 15th January, along with a programme of poetry readings, theatre and music. Come along and be amazed. www.salusburyworld.org.uk/2020project PARK UPDATE You too can help change a life – volunteers Richard Gentry, Park Manager are always welcome at Salusbury World. The park café has a temporary tenant - Hoxton Beach. They previously ran the café on a short-term arrangement in 2017 and they will now manage it while a tendering process is carried out between November and January 2020 to find a long term Keeper Callum feeds the goats in the Children’s Farm tenant. More information can be found about the process by emailing queens. The remodelled children’s farm is a great [email protected]. We look success and new residents this year – the forward to welcoming a long-term tenant for goats Dougal, Gilly and Gus, names given this important park amenity. by local children – have settled in well. The City of London has placed a hold on The tennis courts have been repainted capital projects, which has affected plans and marked and are looking excellent. for redeveloping the sandpit and park Bookings can be made through www.playtenniscityoflondon.com toilets. Local parents have raised concerns . about failing equipment and the condition The park staff are pleased with their of the sandpit, and the park manager has achievement of receiving a London in met them to discuss its redevelopment. Bloom Gold Standard Award as well as A workshop will be set up to support the Green Flag and the Green Heritage fundraising opportunities and involve the Award. Queen’s Park is one of only a community more directly in the improvement handful of parks to win the Green Flag of this much-loved area. In the meantime the Award every year since its inception existing equipment will be repaired. in 1997.

SALUSBURY SCHOOL NEWS AL-KHOEI FOUNDATION IN MY OPINION Mike Cantor Stephanie Armstrong, Deputy Headteacher Aliya Azam In my road there are parked two cars. One Salusbury Primary School has made Al Sadiq and Al Zahra is a Ford Ka, the other is a Mercedes E320. a fantastic start to the new academic schools, which used to be Both cars pay the same £90 yearly parking charge. But the Ford occupies 3.62 metres year. We welcomed our new Early Years run as a single school have now become of parking space while the Mercedes takes families who have settled in and enjoyed a two separate schools, still on the same up 4.85 metres - a third more space. wonderful afternoon tea in the Greenspace. Chevening Road site. It would surely be fairer if the charge International Week and the European On Thursday 7th November Al Zahra reflected the amount of parking space a Day of Languages were celebrated with car takes up. Exceptions could be made for displays, performances, music and a school choir will perform at the launch of the National Emergencies Trust at St-Martin- social need – say, a bigger car to transport tempting selection of international cuisine. disability equipment. Such a move might In October, Black History Month focused on in-the-Fields. The Trust brings together many encourage residents to buy smaller cars Great Black Britons with a competition for UK charities to provide a single collective and would be better for the roads and the children to create art, poems or write about response to major domestic emergencies. It environment. What do you think? Email an inspirational black British person. was set up in the wake of the Grenfell fire. [email protected]. WHAT’S IN A NAME? Steve Crabb THE SUNNIEST, THE BUSIEST QUEEN’S PARK DAY Salusbury, Harvist, Chamberlayne…we tend to take our street names for granted, seldom asking why they were chosen or if SEPTEMBER they’ve ever changed. But dig a little and you find some surprises. For example, I only discovered recently that Chevening Road was not always called Chevening Road – at least, not all of it. One end started life as 2019 Idstone Terrace, but by 1901, with fewer 15 than 30 houses completed, Idstone Terrace had been erased from the maps. Many local street names are the legacy of the builder Solomon Barnett, who constructed many roads in the Queen’s Park area. Solomon named many of the roads after his wife’s favourite places (Torbay, Honiton, Lynton) and poets (Tennyson). Religion features in many names. Chamberlayne is named after Richard de Camera (‘Richard of the Chamber’), a priest of St Paul’s in the 1200s. Kempe is named after one of his 19th century successors. St Laurence’s Close, off Chevening Road, commemorates the church that stood here. Salusbury is not a misspelling of Salisbury but named after a Welsh family who once owned manor house. Harvist commemorates a 17th Century London brewer Edward Harvist, who set up a charitable trust that still supports local good causes. There’s one mystery I haven’t solved – why Solomon Barnett gave the roads between Photos Gabriel Simon and John Morrison Salusbury and the park their current names. If any readers can help with that challenge, NEW LOOK FOR DOUBTS OVER STATION SITE I would be forever grateful! CHAMBERLAYNE ROAD DEVELOPMENT QPARA Transport and Streetscape Group QPARA Transport and Streetscape Group

Planned improvements for Chamberlayne There are yet more question marks Road should soon get the go-ahead. Brent surrounding the proposed redevelopment consulted in July on fine details of design of the big site by Queen’s Park Station. This and, if approved, work will start early next takes in the carpark plus Keniston Press year at the southern end of Chamberlayne (already demolished), Premier House, the MAGICAL MADCAP MAYHEM (called Kilburn Lane there) and work up road itself (called Premier Corner), the Falcon Sue Fletcher, Executive Producer to Kensal Rise station area. Two boroughs pub and Cullen House flats. A drag-queen-inspired Puck, resplendent are involved. Westminster will remodel Planning permission was given seven years in scarlet sequinned leggings, a grumpy the Harrow Road/Kilburn Lane junction, ago for 137 new homes, plus offices and Northern fairy and a cowardly Lion including much needed pedestrian lights. shops. These plans were put on hold when were just some of the ingredients of Tatty Brent will do the rest. HS2 earmarked part of the land for a huge Hennessy’s inspired production of A The work includes widening pavements vent shaft, but that plan was dropped and Midsummer Night’s Dream – Shakespeare on Chamberlayne’s west side; planting hopes rose that the regeneration work could in the Squares’ fourth appearance in the finally begin in earnest. But Brent is now new trees; and moving parking/loading to beautiful Quiet Garden in Queen’s Park, reviewing plans again for the site as there looking its very best thanks to the efforts of designated bays. The main roadway will are unresolved issues within the partnership Richard Gentry and his team. be narrower, but it’s hoped that by shifting with preferred developer (London & parking, traffic – especially buses – will The sun shone, Wolfpack dispensed their Newcastle) including ownership of the wares and the ten children from Salusbury move more smoothly. Station Terrace will be empty Falcon pub. remodelled too. Primary School who enjoyed complimentary tickets from the company added to the sense Consultation issues raised by residents MORE THAN JUST BOOKS Janis Denselow of joyful celebration. include cycling and air quality - QPARA See you same time next year? continues to highlight problems with air The library on Salusbury Road has a lot quality right across our area. more to offer than just books, newspapers, The design stage also enabled Keslake Road DVDs and audio books. It also hosts many residents to add their ideas on how the free activities. The latest is a coffee morning planters and benches at their road end could with a twist. On the first Wednesday of be reshaped to help combat the anti-social each month at 11am you can listen, learn behaviour problems there (see the front page and discuss a variety of stimulating topics. report). QPARA volunteer and plant expert Coming up are the poetry of Keats & Pam Anderson Wood has provided and Wordsworth on 6th November and on 4th tended the planting there for many years, December Rachel Dedman from the V&A and our September meeting thanked her for hosts a session on ‘Palestinian Embroidery: Cast of Midsummer Night’s Dream her sterling efforts. Poetry, Politics and Resistance’. DONATIONS FROM QPARA new builds DIARY DATES 2019/2020 TO LOCAL GROUPS Mike Cantor renovations

QPARA MONTHLY MEETINGS If QPARA has a surplus at the end of the All welcome, 14th Nov – AGM, then 12th Dec, financial year in March 2020, this surplus 9th Jan and second Thurs of every month except can be returned to charities/not for profit April when the meeting will be on 16th April and organisations operating for the benefit of the in Aug when there is no meeting. We meet at the local community. Donations of up to £1000 Inter Faith Centre, St Anne’s, Salusbury Rd. Do can be made. join us! 7.30pm tea/coffee, 8pm meeting starts. We will know at the QPARA AGM in risedesignstudio.co.uk BRENT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA November whether there will be a surplus Saturday performances at St Martin’s Church, Mortimer Rd. and, if so, whether any surplus can be used BOXING FITNESS Autumn Concert, 9th Nov 7.30pm. to support local groups. ACADEMY Family Christmas Concert,14th Dec 6pm. If you would like further information, contact Introduction to Classical Music Concert,14th The Bandstand Mar 7.30pm. [email protected]. Learn basic SATURDAYS 10-11.30am Charity Concert, 13th Jun, 7.30pm. skills and brentso.org.uk techniques of Bendera BRENT 2020, LONDON’S BOROUGH boxing for your ABA Boxing Coach SALUSBURY PRIMARY SCHOOL ultimate health Dig Days Sun 3rd Nov,1st Dec in the OF CULTURE Mike Cantor and fitness. Tel: 07881 634 126 FIRST SESSION FREE www.ppacademy.org.uk Greenspace, 10.30 – 12.30 Brent 2020 means lots of lively projects Christmas Fair, Sat 7th Dec 11am – 3pm across the borough, representing Brent’s ST ANNE’S CHURCH rich cultural mix. You can be a participant Act of Remembrance, Mon 11th Nov 11am, or a spectator. On Saturday 18th January ST ANNE’S Paddington Old Cemetery. Sat 7th Dec at the Opening Event a community cast BRONDESBURY Wreath making workshop, 10am Confidently sharing the love of Christ Tea and Chat Christmas Party, Fri 13th Dec of hundreds will tell the story of Brent at St Anne’s, your local Church of Church 2.30pm. Park in front of . Every Sunday at 9.30am Carols by Candlelight with Queen’s Park On 11th July before the final of the UEFA Singers, Sun 15th Dec 4.30pm, in the church. My Move Playgroup 9.30 – 11.30am Friday Cup at Wembley, a mile of Kilburn High Tea and Chat 2.30pm Friday QUEEN’S PARK SINGERS AND Road will be closed for a gigantic street 125 Salusbury Road NW6 6RG 020 7372 6864 QUEEN’S PARK JUNIOR SINGERS party. Volunteers are welcomed for these www.st-annes-brondesbury.org.uk [email protected] Concert incl Bach, Fauré and Maurice Duruflé’s and other events. requiem, Sun 24th Nov 6.30pm, St Mark’s Church Hamilton Terrace, NW8. Brent 2020 also brings opportunities for Carol singing in the streets around the park, Fri Queen’s Park’s creative artists. A £500,000 13th Dec, meet 7.30pm corner of Kingswood fund has been set up to give local people and Summerfield Avenue. Tues 17th Dec, meet the chance to lead their own cultural 7.30pm outside 7 Kempe Rd, Singing ends at activities, with grants of up to £3,000 9.30pm. Anyone who would like to join us will be warmly welcomed. for individuals and £10,000 for groups. St John Passion Sun 22nd Mar 6.30pm, St Applications for the third round of bids open Martin’s Church, Mortimer Rd. on 16th January 2020. Search online for queensparksingers.org.uk ‘brent2020’ to find out more. ALL SING! HARROW RD COMMUNITY CHOIR Carol Singing Sat 30th Nov 3pm, Maida Hill Market allsingchoir.wordpress.com. QUEEN’S PARK OPEN GARDENS CAKES by PARKLIFE SINGERS & STUDIOS 2020 Singing at turning on of Willesden festive Sunday 14th June 1–6pm SAMANTHA LEIGH lights, Sat 7th Dec 6pm by Willesden Library. John Blandy Cakes to order for all occasions Christmas Concert, Mon 9th Dec 8pm, from sweet & simple to lavish creations Christchurch with St Laurence (corner This lively neighbourhood event, first Christchurch Ave & Willesden Lane) organised in 1998 and every two years Refreshments, concert free, donations to 07889 686 360 Laurence’s Larder. since, is a celebration of the quieter Gluten & dairy free plus organic versions available Festive Songs, Sun 16th Dec Mapesbury Dell, moments, inviting one to explore a mixture Local icing classes instagram.com/swissybuns parklifesingers.weebly.com. of local gardens and studios, with tea and Please text your requirements for a swift reply QUEEN’S PARK music. Pitch and Putt is open from 11am over the We are looking for gardeners and artists QPARA MEMBERSHIP winter months, For details and for other who would like to take part in this event To join, please send your subscription to the events look in the park and at Membership Secretary, cityoflondon.gov.uk/queenspark. which is presently pencilled in for 14th June 2020. Marika Szalanczi at 92 Chevening Road, BRENT CONNECTS – KILBURN NW6 6DY. [email protected] If you would like more information please Brent Council local consultative forum, open to Annual £10 (£5 concessions) Wed 8th Jan Mon 30th Mar contact John: [email protected]. all, , 7pm – 9pm, Annual standing order brent.gov.uk. £8 (£4 concs) Life membership £100 (£50 concs) BRENT BOROUGH OF CULTURE 2020 Cheques to Outdoor Opening event with local community cast Sat 18th Jan, Queen’s Park Area Residents’ Association All day street party, Sat 11th July Kilburn High Please include your name, address, email Road see brent2020.co.uk. QUEEN’ PARK YOGA address and phone number. SHAKESPEARE IN THE SQUARES Yoga • Pilates • therapies • café Standing Orders Fantastic teachers, beautiful studios, classes Contact Marika Szalanczi for details. Next year’s Shakespeare performance, June, to suit all levels, 7 days a week. Queen’s Park, shakespeareinthesquares.co.uk. 30 DAYS OF YOGA FOR £40 QUEEN’S PARK BOOK FESTIVAL 2020 Comments and contributions to: 3 Lonsdale Road 020 7625 2645 27th and 28th June, qpbookfest.com. 27 Beethoven Street 020 3904 0445 [email protected] QUEEN’S PARK DAY 2020 yogaloftlondon.com Advertising to: [email protected] 13th Sep, 12 – 5.30pm. Newsletter artwork by RCR Graphics - Tel: 07870 322713. Printing by QP Printing - Tel: 07593 025013