November 27 saw the usual crowds in Pinner to mark the beginning of the Christmas season. Here are photos of some of the wonderful shop displays etc. [Thanks to Ruth Boff for taking all these photos in my absence. Ed.]

The Pinner Association
– The Voice of our Community
Over the last couple of weeks instances of Bogus Builders have increased – specifically with regards to Roofing scams in the north of Hillingdon Borough.
Bogus Builders or Rogue Traders are people who turn up unannounced with the intention of tricking people either by high pressure selling or using false ID’s. They may offer to inspect the structure of your building and come to you with an initial problem quoting a reasonable cost for repair and when you have entered an agreement, the cost then increases considerably.
If someone calls at your door and offers to do repairs to your home or asks to come in you should do the following:
Lock the door – Think are you expecting anybody – Put your chain on the door to prevent them using force to gain entry – Ask for ID and official headed paperwork with head office contact details on it so you can make you on enquiries.
Ask the caller to make an appointment to come back later when you have some else in the house and also to give you time to check their details to establish if they are a legitimate company.�
The elderly and people living in isolation are often targeted by these unscrupulous practices of one sort or another:
– Paying an exorbitant price for house repairs and garden maintenance;
– Having to pay cash in full before the job is completed;
– Being left with an incomplete job or substandard work;
– Refusal from the trader to finish the job or undertake necessary repairs;
– Insufficient contact details to get the job finished. You may only be given a mobile telephone number and when contact is attempted you are unable to get through;
– Having possessions stolen.
Never pay for anything before the agreed work is completed and to your satisfaction. If you think work needs to be done then get quotes from other local companies and ask friends and relatives for recommendations. Never agree to have work done by someone who is just passing or take their word that work needs to be done.
If you encounter any such problems contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Team. Details can be found on www.met.police.uk and the Crime Prevention Officer Stuart Read who can be contacted on 0208 246 1822
Just double Click to enlarge the pictures.
Our President, Martin Verden, backed up by the Merrydowners, was honoured to be selected as the equerry to HRH the Duke of Edinburgh on the recent royal visit to Harrow, here at the Krishna-Avanti Primary School on 29th March. The visit was to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty’s accession to the throne.
Advice from the Met Police. See: http://www.met.police.uk/fraudalert/internet_advertising_auction.htm
Three parks in Harrow have been awarded a gold medal, in an awards scheme held by the Mayor of London.
The 2012 Safer Park Awards, aims to recognise the anti-crime measures that councils, police and the public have taken to increase safety in Harrow’s parks and green spaces.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, announced yesterday that Harrow Recreation Ground, Hindes Road, Kenton Recreation Ground, Carlton Avenue and Pinner Memorial Park, Chapel Lane, were three parks in Harrow to be awarded a gold medal.
The application for extending the licensing hours at the Village Wine Bar in Pinner High Street has been refused. The application was opposed by the Police, local residents and the Pinner Association.
The police report a total of 11 burglaries in the Harrow borough on 16th January. Most of them took place between 6 pm and 8 pm.
Please ensure that your doors and windows are securely locked and that you leave some lights and a radio on to make your home look occupied.
If you see someone acting suspiciously please call 999. In non-emergencies call 101.