Census day was Sunday 21 March but it is still not too late to make a return. The data collected is vital for ensuring that Hayes gets a fair deal when it comes to allocating resources for education, health, fire and policing to name but a few. Past experience shows that the south of Hillingdon Borough is not so good at filling in official forms but if you have not down so already you can take part by clicking here. Failure to respond can result in a fine of up to £1000.

Doctors of the World have done a great job getting coronavirus and vaccination messages translated into the languages spoken by many people in our diverse communities in London and now they have produced a Quiz as a fun way to test what we all know about vaccines. The latest blog from the ZOE Covid Symptom Study being carried out by Kings College London also has some interesting information on the risks of catching the virus, whether you are vaccinated or not.

In a move to reach out to people aged over 45 who do not have a GP or NHS number the NHS has teamed up with Ealing Council and the Park Avenue Gurdwara in Southall to provide a mobile vaccination centre on Friday 30 April between 10am and 3pm. This will help people who move from place to place without registering or who are undocumented. The post code is UB1 3AG.

As part of the Hayes Town Centre improvement works the Council's contractors will be resurfacing Station Road, between its junction with North Hyde Road to the zebra crossing outside Hayes & Harlington Station. This work will commence from Friday 30 April until Monday 10 May and will take place at night. There will be road closures and diversions in place. Letters will be distributed to local residents and advance warning signs provided on the approaches to the Town Centre.

Hundreds of people who paid for secure off-airport parking while abroad were conned by a fraudster who left their vehicles in Council and hotel car parks and other unsecured locations. As a result of action by Hillingdon Council Trading Standards Muhammad Tahir Zaman, owner of the now defunct Connect Parking Ltd, has been jailed for 8 months for defrauding people of at least half a million pounds. One driver even found that his car had been driven more than 300 miles while he was away. Click here to read the full story

The Hayes Muslim Centre in Pump Lane is very concerned about the number of households who are struggling to provide basic food to feed their families. It has launched a Community Support Project and is seeking donations of money and non-perishable food. To find out more call the Centre on 0208 561 7149 or see their web site.

A local resident has drawn attention to the plight of a swan in Shackles Dock whose regular nesting spot is under threat because of a new builder's yard that is opening in the adjoining industrial estate in Silverdale Road. He is concerned that the water is becoming polluted and the swan is being caused stress as it is surrounded by new hoardings, The swan is the white speck in the picture. I have sent details to the owners of the site and am awaiting a response.

The Children's Commissioner for England, Rachel de Souza, has the job of standing up for the rights of children and she has just launched the biggest ever survey of children and young people. It is called 'The Big Ask' and the aim is to make sure that people in power listen to what children need and want. It is open to anybody aged between 4 and 17. The survey takes between 5 and 10 minutes to complete. To take part click here.

Talking of children and young people I discovered recently that the Council is running something called The Universal Youth Service. The fact I had never heard of it could, of course,be something to do with my age. The Service provides online information, activities and fun for everyone between school years 1 and 13. Topics include arts & crafts, cooking, dance, sport & fitness, quizzes, games and competitions. Click here to find out more.

Anybody who has followed the Windrush scandal might be surprised to learn that it is still unresolved. Thousands of people who came to this country from the West Indies as children in the 1950s and 1960s on the 'Empire Windrush' boat had their lives turned upside down in 2018 when they were misclassified as illegal immigrants. Some were detained, some were deported and a number died while they were waiting for justice. As a result of the uproar the Government set up a compensation fund but so far only just under 2000 people have benefited and there are thought to be up to 10,000 who are still eligible. According to a press report a number of leading law firms are now offering free legal support for claimants. If you know anybody who ought to be claiming you can see how to apply by clicking here.and contact the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants to find out how to seek free legal advice by clicking here.

The cycle lane along the Hayes side of the Uxbridge Road has just been resurfaced by the Council and a Hayes Town News reader has asked if this can be publicised. It was previously in such a poor state that few cyclists used it and chose to risk their safety cycling along a busy road. Once the resurfacing was almost complete it started being used by pedestrians. Now the cycle logos have been painted (as pictured) there is a really good safe route for cyclists. Let's hope that they use it and the pedestrians stick to the pavements.

On Wednesday 21 April the Police Safer Neighbourhood Teams for Hayes had a day of action in Barnhill, Botwell and Charville Wards. One knife was found (in Barnhill) plus some cannabis and in Hayes Town Centre two Community Protection Warnings were issued - one to a beggar and the other to an individual for drinking/being drunk in a public place. Two E-scooters were also seized