News

MYSTERY OF THE MISSING POSTERS

It was something of a shock to discover on a stroll down to the Village one Sunday morning to find the railings over the Pinn devoid of posters – like seeing a beloved old friend without any clothes on!

One had to admit that the street scene looked far tidier without the plethora of posters and associated bits of string and plastic ties.  But, who had removed them?  The Council deny having done the deed, and it certainly was not the Pinner Association.

Indeed, it was the Pinner Association that persuaded the Council, many years ago, to turn a blind eye to the posters.  We thought that posters on the railings were a useful community facility, allowing charities and other non-profit-making organisations to advertise their events and activities.  And so it has proved over the years.

However, I have to admit that recently it has got out of hand.  The facility is abused.  The railings are plastered with posters for ‘meetings every Thursday’ and adverts for lessons and commercial services, which, being ‘perpetual’ are never taken down. And even posters for one-off events are sometimes put up far too long in advance and then all too often not removed after the event has taken place.  The result is no room for others.

Could we Villagers who value the facility have an unwritten rule that we will not leave our posters up for more than two weeks and take them down- including the bits of string and ties – after that or as soon as our event is over if earlier?  Perhaps we should date our posters so everyone can see we are sticking to the rules.  This way, everyone would have a chance of displaying their events and the bridge would not look so untidy.
If you have views, contact the Pinner Association on www.pinnerassociation.co.uk, email [email protected] or via Facebook at ‘Pinner Village Friends’.

 

Over the week-end of 2-3rd March there was amost impressive display of the artistic talent of the pupils of Nower Hill High School some examples of which are shown below:

 

On 27th February a blue plaque in honour of Sir Ambrose Heal was unveiled on the Fives Court in Moss Lane, Pinner by his grandson Oliver Heal.  Sir Ambrose was the Founder of the Furniture Store in Tottenham Court Road, and built the Fives Court where he lived from 1901 to 1917.
In addition to the current owners, Mr & Mrs Martin Verden, Sir Christopher Frayling, a former Chairman of the Arts Council attended the unveiling together with officials from English Heritage and the Chairman of Heal’s, Mr. Will Hobhouse.

 

 

 

 

Nothing new in Pinner:

HORSEFLESH FOR SALE 

Extract from the February 1942 Villager (issue no.14)

Horseflesh for sale, ostensibly for human consumption, at 120 Marsh Road was, to say the least, an unpleasing sight which detracted from the amenities of the district.  Definitely and emphatically there is neither necessity nor demand for such an establishment in this neighbourhood.  Immediately the place was opened the Pinner Association sent a vigorous protest to the local Food Control Committee.

 Extract from the June 1942 Villager (issue 15)

Horseflesh for sale. Regarding the paragraph in our last issue dealing with this matter, we have been informed that the premises at 120 Marsh Road were scrupulously clean, and that the meat was passed by the proper authority.

St. John’s Pinner looking resplendant with nearly all the scaffolding removed.

 

NEW PINNER WALK FOR BEGINNERS Look out for a new “beginners” walk that will start in Pinner on January 10th 2013. This is a short, slower paced walk on mainly flat ground around the beautiful Pinner Memorial Park. The route includes benches and toilets and will use paths and grassy areas that can be slippery when wet, so appropriate footwear should be worn. This walk is great for those new to walking or those who aren’t quite ready to participate in the regular, 60 minute Pinner walk. It will be a great way for new walkers who want to try to live up to their New Year resolution to get healthier/fitter. The 30 minute walks will start from the Daisy’s in the Park cafe, in the Pinner memorial park at 9:15am each Thursday
For further information on this and other walks visit:
www.harrowhealthwalks.org

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.]

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 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

 

On a sunny but chill Sunday the inhabitants of Pinner and the surrounds turned out in their hundreds to mark Remembrance Day which actually fell on the 11 November.

 

 

Just double Click to enlarge the pictures.