August 2008 Archives

ALL too often I find out about children's activities that are free or only available to those people on benefits.

How pleased I was when I discovered that the Hillingdon Surestart children's centres had a full calendar of events lined up for the summer holidays that were open to all and free for all - irrespective of income.

As a working mum currently on maternity leave and with a three year old son, a clear plan of activities is essential and being able to find such a range of organised activities that are FREE is fantastic.

The activity days were held across the borough, giving everyone the opportunity to attend.

I attended five of the activity days with my three year old son and five month old daughter. Each of the events was extremely well organised - at one my son was able to handle a Boa Constrictor, another be taken into the world of Captain Clueless with an excellent storyteller and jump around with Amanda's Action Kids and staff from Gymboree. On top of this each event had arts and crafts for the kids to get involved in, facepainting and soft play areas for the little ones.

It was clear that a lot of thought and planning had gone into making the summer fantastic for the kids of Hillingdon and I would like to say a big thank you to all of the organisers and say keep them coming....

Helen Dickens

FOUR teenagers were stabbed after a brawl in Hillingdon .

A 17-year-old was in a serious but not life-threatening condition after the fight between two gangs of teenagers in Uxbridge Road near the junction with Lees Road, Hillingdon, on Wednesday, August 20.

At 10.50pm around 10 teenagers boarded a 427 bus near the Civic Centre, Uxbridge, travelling towards Hayes

Shortly after the bus passed RAF Uxbridge another group of teens boarded and an argument broke out.

The groups began fighting after leaving the bus near the Blue Dragon cleaners.

Two teenagers aged 15 and one 16 year-old also suffered stab wounds.

DC Kate McDuff said: "This incident occurred on a busy main road and there must be people who were in the area at the time and have seen the incident. We are very keen to identify anyone involved and are appealing for witnesses who have information that could assist us with our enquires to come forward."

No weapons have been recovered.

Contact DC MCDuff on 0208 246 1447 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.