When developers consulted on the plans to turn the former EMI site into The Old Vinyl Factory one of the proposals that grabbed local attention was the promise of a cinema. Hayes Town has not had a cinema for over 50 years and there was real enthusiasm for the idea. After the overall project got the go-ahead a contract was awarded in 2018 to a company called the Really Local Group to convert the old Pressing Plant into a multi-media centre to be called The Gramophone. A sign appeared as shown in the picture but since then nothing has happened on the ground.

People are regularly asking when work is to start and the question has been made more urgent by a report in The Guardian newspaper that the Really Local Group is opening a cinema complex in Ealing Broadway. The answer to the question is that because of the uncertainty caused by the pandemic the company has struggled to raise the amount of funding needed for the conversion works. It is still trying and the Hayes Town Partnership is also seeking fresh discussions with the developers U and I plus their new owners Land Securities and Hillingdon Council. The message will be that this is what people were promised and the promise should be kept.

Many local charities and community groups struggle to recruit Trustees with the skills they need to survive and thrive in the current difficult circumstances. To address this challenge, H4All, the consortium of local care service providers, has arranged a free training course on Tuesday 17 May to give you practical, proven tricks and tips on how to recruit and retain Trustees.

The session will be delivered by trustee recruitment charity, Getting on Board, and is particularly aimed at the trustees, staff or volunteers of small to medium sized charities who are responsible for trustee recruitment. The workshop will be delivered online and run from 2pm to 4pm. Click here to book a place.

This week is the annual Dementia Action Week and the Alzheimer's Society will be having an information stall at the Gold Disc in Station Road on Tuesday 17 May between 12 noon and 4pm. This is one of a number of events being organised during the week and you can see the whole programme from this link.

The Alzheimer's Society is concerned that because of the pandemic many people with dementia have not come forward for diagnosis and help. Their publicity is saying that 'Asking the same question over and over again is not called getting old, it's called getting ill'. 

Everybody has a right to feel safe and that is why Uxbridge Police have organised a series of free self-defence sessions. They are open to women and men and held once a month at Simply Gym in Uxbridge. The next one will be on Saturday 25 June between 10 30am and 12 noon. To see all the dates for the rest of the year click on this link. Places are limited to 30 and it is essential to book in advance by calling 01895 236518 or by email.

The Police have confirmed that people from Hayes can take advantage of this offer but we have also asked if there is any chance of having sessions in Hayes itself

During the first coronavirus lockdown Rajinder Singh started doing exercise classes on You Tube to encourage people to skip. He did it so well that he was featured on the BBC and in 2021 he was awarded an MBE for his services to health and fitness.

He and his wife Pritpal are both in their 70s and are now providing skipping and hula hoop classes in a school in Slough (as pictured). They live in Hayes and are keen to help schools in any part of the Borough to get children to become more active. To follow up on this please email their daughter Minreet.

The start of June will see the Platinum Jubilee celebrations to mark the Queen's 70 years of public service. There are lots of events being organised and first off the mark is Uxbridge College who are inviting local residents to join them at the Coldharbour Lane Hayes Campus on Thursday 26 May any time between 10 30am and 3 30pm.  

Other events are also being planned and they will be featured in next week's edition of Hayes Town News. Let me know if you want something included

Local jazz and music theatre drummer Scott Chapman (pictured) will be giving a talk at Botwell Green Library on Thursday 26 May about his life as a musician. He will also be providing some musical interludes. It begins at 5 30pm and runs until 6 30pm. To book a ticket call 01895 558633 or send an email.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has launched a new Cost of Living Hub for Londoners facing financial hardship, as a result of spiralling inflation, increases in National Insurance and the lifting of the energy price cap. The hub helps Londoners access information, support and advice about claiming benefits, dealing with debt, financial management and mental health support. Use this link to find out more.

Plans are now being finalised for the return of the very popular Hayes Canal Festival after a gap of three years. It will take place on Sunday 29 May between 12 noon and 5pm on and next to the Grand Union Canal at High Point Village in Station Road. Organised by the Canal & River Trust the Festival aims to provide something for everyone. There will be free boat trips for families, canoe sessions and paddle-boarding. Visitors will also have a chance to try their hand at fishing. For those who prefer to stay on land, there will be a variety of activities, including face painting, community and craft stalls, and a climbing wall for children. There will also be entertainment throughout the day.

Volunteer helpers are still needed and to find out more send an email.

Brunel University is keen to develop its connections with the local community and on Tuesday 31 May it will be hosting an External Engagement Day at the campus in Uxbridge. It will run between 10am and 2pm and includes lunch. This free event is open to community groups, businesses and other local organisations. The aim will be to discuss how Brunel can best engage with the local community. Staff will also be giving information on their latest community initiatives. This is the local university for people in Hayes and the event is a great chance to find out what it has to offer. Click here to see the programme and use this link to register. 

The Brunel Research Festival is also continuing for the rest of May and there are some fascinating events that are open to the public. Click here to see the programme and to book tickets,

The latest monthly newsletter from London Sport has just been published and once again it is full of useful information on grants and other support for groups wanting to have sporting activities. Click on this link to read about what is available.

London Sport Consultancy can also help with writing funding strategies and making effective funding applications.Use this link to see more. 

Mr A S Puar, Chairman of the Hayes Town Business Forum and I were delighted to be invited to the Hayes Muslim Centre last week to receive a hamper from the Trustees for the work that we do for the community in Hayes. Ramadan and Eid are traditionally times to give thanks and it was a real honour for us to receive this gift. We are pictured with long-serving Trustee Tahir Awan on the left and the person taking the picture was Centre Manager Ijaz Khan.