March 2009 Archives

A team of disabled youngsters have earned praise for the way they competed in a sports competition- bringing back a haul of medals along the way.

THIS morning (Wednesday) the Gazette's newsdesk has been deluged with calls from victims of the credit card cloning scam which has swept Hillingdon.

Shoppers have been shocked by phonecalls from their banks asking them if they were attempting to withdraw money in areas as far reaching as Malaysia, Canada, and Uganda.

The card-cloning is believed to have originated at the Somerfield's and Texaco petrol garage, in Lees Road, Hillingdon, but residents are now claiming it could also have spread to further afield.

Sharon Howard, of Woodcroft Crescent, Hillingdon, said: "I got a phonecall asking if I was in Malaysia, it makes me worried.

"The bank stopped any money being withdrawn, I won't use credit cards at that store in future."

Debra Spender, of Cherry Grove, Hillingdon, said: "My card was used in Uganda, they tried to take £80 but the bank stopped it, I may shop there again but I won't pay on my card."

Kate Wilson, who works as a communications advisor at Hillingdon Hospital, said: "My mum, my father-in-law and myself have all been victims of this too and I couldn't work out what the connection was and it was Somerfields ATM.

"Luckily all our banks were fantastic and stopped the cards immediately and didn't let them take any money in Canada or Columbia.

Shoppers have also contacted the Gazette indicating that the cashpoint is not the only problem at the store, as they claim the card skimming is taking place inside the store.

One woman who asked to remain anonymous, who lives on Long Lane, said: 'I only used my card inside and my card was used in Malaysia twice, fortunately the bank stopped it.

"I won't go there no more, I'll pay the extra to go across the road to Marks and Spencer and I'll only use cash."

Have you been affected? Contact the newsdesk on 01895 451030 or leave a comment below

ONE of the two girls who tackled Kilamanjaro has been recounting her experience to the Gazette.

Hannah Birch, 19, from Pole Hill Road, Hillingdon, who flew out to climb the 19,000 foot plus peak along with best friend Lynsay Kilbane, was struck by illness and left unable to complete the trek, leaving Lynsay to go it alone.

She said: "The hardest part was not knowing, I was stuck at the bottom of the mountain, and I did not know how Lynsay was getting on, if she was in trouble, or if she made it alright.

"Happily she did us proud, we always said if one of us could not continue for any reason then the other would carry on.

"I am glad to be back now although it was really fun, it was so hot."

She even added she may be tempted to take on the challenge again, to complete her unfinished business.

"A couple of my friends want to do it as well so I may do it with them, although it won't be for at least another year."

TRADERS who complained their custom was being driven away by parking outside their shops will meet the council to discuss their problems.

Oruc Gocluer, the owner of Cafe Delight, in New Broadway, off the Uxbridge Road, Hillingdon, claims that commuters leave their cars outside his cafe all day, leaving little space for customers.

He will meet with the council's cabinet member for planning and transportation Keith Burrows on Wednesday (18/3) at 8.30pm to discuss the problem.

He said: "I hope they will do something, it is good we have got this meeting, you never know what will happen though."

TWO girls who set off to climb Mount Kilamanjaro have returned successful from their mammoth adventure.

Lynsay Kilbane, 19, and best friend Hannah Birch, also 19, from Pole Hill Road, Hillingdon, spent two weeks tackling the challenge of a lifetime and celebrating my going on safari.

Lynsay said: "I made it to the top no problem, unfortunately Hannah became very ill and had to descend early on in the trek which was a huge shame.

"I didnt really know what to expect, but what I experienced was amazing. After hallucinating on the final leg I made it to the top in time to watch the sunrise and I had the most amazing feeling.

"I didnt find it that hard until the sixth day, when you have to leave at midnight and trek for eight hours to the top, in a snowstorm.

"I dont know why the celebs are making such a fuss about it all, I think the celebs went up the day after i went down so we missed them"

The girls raised over £1,100 for Breast Cancer Care, to donate money visit justgiving.com/kilamanjarointhepink

BUDDING student entrepreneurs who travelled to Belgium with a cookbook they produced have won a prestigious award at a trade fair.

The youngsters from at Bishopshalt School, Royal Lane, Hillingdon, beat off competition from around Europe to land the coveted Best International Company prize.

The book, Flavour Raver, consists of healthy easy-to-cook recipes and has already made the students hundreds of pounds after successful trade fairs in The Chimes Shopping Centre and Brunel University.

Pav Badesha, 16, one of the students involved with the book, said: "We are already looking at producing a second edition based on the feedback we have received. It was great to go to Belgium, it was our efforts to cater for foreigners with different languages which helped us stand out."

The awards have not ended there, at the Inter City Entrepreneur awards in central London the students won recognition for the successful way in which they had marketed the book.

If you are interested in getting a copy of the cookbook visit <>www.getsomeflavour.co.uk<>

OLYMPIC gold medallist and arguably Hillingdon's most famous sportsman, Chris Finnegan, died in Hillingdon Hospital on Monday morning after a short illness. He was 64.

The Hayes Amateur Boxing Club member shot to world fame when he won the middleweight title at the 1968 Mexico Olympics and went on to enjoy a fine professional career, even challenging legendary American champion Bob Foster for the World Light-Heavyweight Championship in 1970.

After being counted out in the 14th round it was a performance described by Harry Carpenter as the greatest display he had ever witnessed by a British fighter in a world title fight.

Finnegan spent his early years in Uxbridge before moving to Iver and more recently to Ickenham.

His younger brother, Kevin, himself a former British and European Middleweight champion, sadly passed away only four months ago. He lived in Hillingdon at the time of his death.

Post your tributes to Chris below.