Britain blanketed by snow again

Snow storms across Britain have caused severe transport problems, school closures, and power cuts. Warnings were given last night and remain for east and southeast England, the East Midlands and Yorkshire and Humber.

With up to 20cm snow falling in some areas,  many major roads are experiencing heavy congestion. The heavy snowfall comes only 10 months after similar weather brought Britain to a standstill.

The Highways Agency has warned against travelling unless the journey is essential. They also advise checking local and national weather forecasts before setting out, taking warm clothes, water, boots, a torch and spade with.

Despite the inconvenience caused, many have been playing in the snow, with many hoping for a white Christmas.

By Ave Tampere

Author: Ave Tampere

Christmas and religion

Credit crunch Christmas

Fake booze scandal

Bogus bottles of alcohol could be on sale in Harrow shops over the Christmas period.

It is feared that Eastern European gangs are flooding into parts of London with thousands of bottles of fake vodka, intending to sell them in Harrow.

The bottles of booze are said to cause extreme sickness and blindness, posing a real threat to the community.

Harrow shoppers feeling festive

With Christmas just round the corner, the town of Harrow has been griped withexcitement and anticipation of the festive season. Many shoppers have flocked in their droves in an attempt to do all their shopping before a last minute rush.

Elaine McLeod a mother of two said “Last year was a nightmare I left everything to the last minute and ended up getting my children the wrong presents because all of their toys had been sold out by the time I started”.

Another shopper Terry Smith said “ I usually am very relaxed when it comes to Christmas but after last year when I couldn’t buy a Christmas turkey, I said to myself I am not going to go through this again, especially after the wife gave me a bit of a telling off”.

However it is not just the shopping aspect which has captured the festive spirit in the city. From the moment you hear the Christmas carols ringing out around St George’s centre you can just feel the sense of Christmas. Christmas is about communities and families coming together at this time of year and sharing with one another. And although we remain in the mist of the recession, there is no doubt that the town of Harrow has engaged in the spirit of Christmas.

By Maynard Baynes

‘A Christmas Carol’ review

With so many different versions of A Christmas Carol the Disney version was one production in a long list of other. Many Londoners have been exposed to it since the end of October when the Christmas lights started going up on Oxford Steet. Subconscious advertising really was working.

The beginning of the film is instantly recognisable as a Disney production. The opening scene is synonymous of many Disney films with the storybook opening as an introduction to what the film is about.

Motivation is the best start

Gayton Library in St. Johns Road offers children a good start in education life. Every Tuesday afternoon (2.15pm-3.15pm) is: STORY TIME. This is a program for two to four year-old children where a member of staff reads from different books.

“We try to encourage children as early as possible to read books,” says Anne Altaner (47), senior assistance. “Besides that most parents don’t know what to read with their kids,” she goes on. Anne explains that reading from one book brings people together and helps to share.

“Story time is an interactive way to enhance children’s attention. They listen to the stories, they sing songs and paint,” says Suman Bellare (33), mother of two.

Review: Where the Wild Things Are

The story centres on Max (Max Records), a small boy full of big fantasy, which he uses to escape from reality because there he feels mainly irritated, lonely and misunderstood. After an argument with his mother (Catherine Keener) Max flees to an imaginative island where he meets the ‘wild things’. This is when Max’ unique adventure begins.

The six monster-like creatures seem very scary to the boy at the beginning but then they turn out to be friendly and nice. They are just looking for happiness and harmony. After realising that Max starts to like them and he becomes their king. This is where the wild things are…

Expense scandal hits Brent

A Brent MP has become another victim of the ongoing expenses scandal.

Barry Gardiner has been accused of costing the taxpayers £11,500 when he moved into a flat in Wembley in May and making a large profit on his previous home.

It was claimed that Gardiner made a £200,000 profit on taxpayers’ money when he sold his home in Pimlico. However, he has since responded that the profit made was from investment he had put directly into the flat, not money from the general public.

The £11,500 that was spent on the Labour MP’s new home in Wembley included £7,800 on stamp duty and nearly £2,700 on redecorating. Gardiner has again responded to this allegation stating that although he did claim these expenses, they were later paid back in full with an added £3,700. He also states that full details were published on his website when the expenses were claimed in May.

Gardiner has been criticised by Lib Dem councillor, Paul Lorber. Lorber, another Brent MP, has said he was ‘appalled’ at the actions of the Labour politician.

By Lynne Sloggett

Santa dash raises money for charity

On Sunday 6^th December, a bell rang as 130 Santa’s left the Red Brick Café in Wealdstone in order to raise money for St Luke’s Hospice.

St Luke’s cares for terminally ill patients young and old, providing medical care, and on-call doctors and nurses. The race was to raise money for the general requirements of the Harrow based Hospice.