January 2010 Archives

A MAN who has donated countless samples of his blood was himself given an award at a special ceremony.

Bernard Green, of Ryefield Avenue, Hillingdon, was among 43 dedicated blood donors honoured by the National Blood Service (NBS).

He received a crystal plate recognising the fact he had made over 75 donations.

DO Outer London schools still have a sense of community which keeps families returning for generations?

The answer at a school currently celebrating it's 50th birthday is certainly 'yes'. DAN COOMBS finds out why...

Pupils at Ryefield Primary launched balloons last Friday to mark a special anniversary in the history of their school.

The school, in Ryefield Avenue, Hillingdon, opened on June 4 1960, meeting the needs of the burgeoning community in North Hillingdon at the time.

But back then, the school was not a singular entity, but two separate schools, operating as an Infants and Junior School.

A MAN convicted over the hit and run death of Simmone Hedges has been jailed for just 16 weeks.

Rati Suladze, 37, of The Larches, Hillingdon, was sentenced at Hendon Magistrate's Court today (Monday).

He had previously been convicted of failing to stop at the scene of an accident and failing to report an accident.

Magistrates sentenced him to 16 weeks in jail for each offence, which will run concurrently.

Simmone, known to friends as 'Minnie', died in hospital of her injuries after being run over in The Larches by Mr Suladze on November 21 2008.

CONTROVERSIAL plans for a supermarket to be built on an old pub site in Hillingdon have been resubmitted.

In August, plans were put forward to build a superstore in place of the former Oak Tree Pub, in Ryefield Avenue, Hillingdon, which currently lies derelict.

A campaign was launched against the plans by shopkeepers worried about the effect it would have on their trade, and residents in the community, who felt the site could be put to a better use, with parking also a concern..

In September the plans were thrown out on a technicality by councillors, who agreed at a planning meeting that the drawings did not match up with the requirements.

However, a new plan has now been submitted, for the supermarket, and like before, for flats above it.

Residents have already told of plans to fight the new planning application, and are believed to be gathering signatures to a petition.

Constance Evans, 88, chair of the Oak Farm Residents Association, said: "We could have something better there, the pub site would be ideal as a leisure facility, for the elderly during the day and for youngsters in the evenings.

"A supermarket would adversely affect our local shops, once they go, they won't come back, we have fantastic shops round here including a butchers and an excellent hardware store."

What do you think of the plans? Are you opposed to a supermarket on Ryefield Avenue or are you in favour? Leave a comment below

IT HAS been revealed that a speed camera in Hillingdon which was felled, was in fact the result of a drunk driver crashing into it.

It was originally thought that the Gatso in Long Lane, Hillingdon, was lying prone on the side of the road after an act of vandalism by a disgruntled motorist, with Hillingdon police unable to provide information otherwise.

However, a witness to the crash, which took place on December 27, has revealed that a driver of a Land Rover in fact ploughed into the speed camera at high speed.

Nicki Couch, of nearby Windsor Avenue, Hillingdon, said: "The driver of the Land Rover had been driving under the influence of alcohol and had in fact collided into the speed camera, whilst managing to completely write off a silver Vauxhall Corsa belonging to an elderly resident of Long Lane.

"I actually called the police at the scene of the accident and my father and my sister's fiance had caught up with the driver down by Oak Farm Library and held him there until the police came.

"To see that someone had written to the Gazette saying that the speed camera's are not wanted there, to be honest, horrifies me and obviously it is needed following the event mentioned above.

"If someone had in fact been in that Corsa, I can assure you that they would not have survived."

The road stretches between Uxbridge and Ickenham, and has a speed camera near to the junction with Oak Farm Primary School.

Ms Couch added: "I think that the need for speed camera's along Long Lane and other busy roads is completely essential to ensure the safety of all road users and pedestrians, not forgetting the fact that this speed camera was directly opposite a popular primary school."

Swindon Council recently caused controversy by becoming the first local authority in England to axe speed cameras claiming they do not save lives, although Hillingdon Council, who have been running a hard hitting anti-speeding campaign over the past few months, indicated they have no plans to follow suit.

What do you think about speed cameras? Are they essential to cutting down on accidents? Leave a comment below

A SPEED camera in Hillingdon was ripped out from the ground by a disgruntled motorist.

The Gatso in Long Lane, Hillingdon, was ripped out presumably with the help of heavy machinery, and is lying prone on the side of the busy 30mph road.

Gazette photographer Toby van de Velde said: "It looks like somebody has just wrapped a chain around it and yanked it out."

The road stretches between Uxbridge and Ickenham, and has a speed camera near to the junction with Oak Farm Primary School.

Mukhtar Ali, from Iver, who uses the road daily, said: "The camera has been completely uprooted, it is very good news.

"I think it is a message for Hillingdon that speed cameras are not wanted here."

The camera is 50 yards from the shrine to Terry Hobson, the driver who died on the road on New Years' Eve 2008, who crashed into a tree while being followed by police.

Swindon Council recently caused controversy by becoming the first local authority in England to axe speed cameras claiming they do not save lives, although Hillingdon Council , who have been running a hard hitting anti-speeding campaign over the past few months, indicated they have no plans to follow suit.

Police are believed to be investigating the incident.

What do you think? Should speed cameras be axed?Leave a comment below...