Saturday 25 July was World Drowning Prevention Day but sadly this came too late for the mother and daughter who died earlier in the week on the Essex coast. The theme for this year's campaign is "Unite to turn the tide" and Botwell Sports & Leisure Centre is already doing its part. They are holding short holiday swimming courses with a great saving of £15 if you book before Friday 31 July. The courses are for a 30 minute lesson each day for one week (Monday to Friday) and you can attend during August provided that you act before the deadline

Evidence shows that children progress much quicker with this type of course but adults benefit too. The cost saving is significant - the normal cost of £40 will reduce to £25 - so only £5 per lesson per day. You can book a place through Swim School Holiday Courses but note that you need to set up an account first. The code to use for the discount is GETSAFE15.

If you have any problems making a booking please send an email.

The London Marathon took place at the end of April and might seem like old news but last week I learnt about an incredible story of achievement that just has to be reported. Harlington resident Pritpal Kaur was one of the finishers and it was her first marathon at the age of 75. What is even more amazing is that she did it after recovering from blood cancer

She first attempted the 26 mile run in the 2023 marathon along with her daughter Minreet but had to give up after 17 miles because of severe cramp. After the race she suffered exhaustion and terrible back pain which never seemed to go away. After a long struggle to get a clear diagnosis she was eventually found to have myeloma - a form of cancer affecting the blood and bone marrow. Successful treatment means that she is now in remission and once she knew that she was determined to return to running and have another attempt at completing the marathon.

Inspired by her mother's resilience during her illness Minreet ran in the 2024 Marathon along with her father Rajinder to raise funds for Blood Cancer UK. She also set up an organisation called "Asian Women Run" to encourage more Asian women to get active. For the 2026 marathon Pritpal and Minreet have been raising money for this group and donations are still welcome to help them reach their target of £5000. Click on this link to make a donation,

To read Pritpal's full story click here Thanks are due to John McDonnell for making the introductions.

The intense summer heat is set to go on and in case you missed it there is now a hosepipe ban in force affecting the whole of the UB3 postcode. Until further notice it is unlawful to use a hosepipe for

• watering gardens,
• washing cars, patios, paths and driveways
• cleaning windows
• filling swimming or paddling pools

Full details can be found from this link

The London Fire Brigade has also declared an extreme risk of wildfires in London. Large areas of grass and woodlands are especially at risk but so are gardens and houses. It is not so many years ago when Lake Farm County Park suffered a severe fire.

The main causes of wildfires are discarded cigarettes and badly-managed barbecues. The Brigade has issued advice on how to reduce the chances of a fire and what to do if you spot one. . Click here to find out more.

This is a reminder that on Friday 31 July children and their families are invited to join the Imagination Station at Botwell Green Library. It is part of the Summer Reading Challenge and you are promised a fun-filled day of story times, sport, music, dance, crafts and an author workshop plus community stalls showcasing their services.

It lasts from 11am to 4pm and you can drop in at any time that suits you. Everything is free adn you are welcome to bring your own picnic.

Call 01895558633 or send an email for any queries

The most recent meeting of the Hayes Town Ward Safer Neighbourhood Panel heard concerns from community members about the dangers caused by e-bikes and e-scooters being ridden at speed on pavements. The Police said that they are seizing illegal bikes on a regular basis and have a stack of them at Hayes Police Station. The picture shows those taken off owners within the last few weeks.

On Saturday 25 July the Met announced that across London, officers have seized more than 2,500 illegal e-bikes and e-scooters in the first seven months of this year, surpassing the total number seized during the whole of 2025. The media release is here.

The Council has launched a new plan, Hillingdon Our Vision for Growth, setting out its long-term intention to transform the borough's economy and ensure the benefits are shared by every community.The plan identifies four growth areas and one of them is Hayes, Stockley Park and The Old Vinyl Factory (pictured) which will be developed as an innovative creative enterprise zone.

Leader of Hillingdon Council, Councillor Steve Tuckwell, said: “Hillingdon is very much open for business, and we're committed to creating an environment where businesses of all sizes can thrive, ensuring the borough's global connectivity translates into local prosperity.

To read more about the Council plan use this link.

Hayes has the highest levels of heart disease and related illnesses in the whole Borough and local GPs are dermined to do something about it. The Hillingdon Federation, made up of 42 of the Borough's GP surgeries, has appointed Philomena Shiels as a coordinator to get things under way. She says

"We're launching a cardiovascular disease prevention programme across Southeast Hillingdon. Hypertension (high blood pressure) is one of the biggest preventable and modifiable causes of stroke, heart disease, and kidney problems, yet a significant number of people in our area are currently living with it undiagnosed. Our aim is simple: find more people with high blood pressure, get them diagnosed faster, and help them manage their condition well over the long term. This aims to prevent strokes, TIA’s (mini strokes) and heart attacks".

She is very keen to work in the places people already trust and gather - community centres, faith venues and at local events - rather than only through GP surgeries. I have provided her with my list of local contacts and written on her behalf to those which do not have publicly available email addresses. If you are in a group that has not yet been contacted and would like to find out more please send her an email

Don't say that you never get anything for nothing. The Council has got 10 tonnes of free soil improver to give away in Hayes on Saturday 8 August, thanks to a donation from Envar Composting, which processes the borough’s garden waste. 

The soil improver is the end product of recycled garden waste collections. Pop along to Lake Farm Country Park car park in Botwell Common Road any time between 10am to 1pm and bring your own bags and a shovel to fill them. Collections will be limited to two bags per household, on a first-come, first-served basis. 

You’ will be asked to show proof that you live in Hillingdon. 

What would you do if you saw somebody being harassed on a bus, in a train or on the street? The Metropolitan Police have teamed up with the Suzy Lamplugh Trust on how to intervene without putting your own safety at risk. It's called "Bystander training" and a special session has been arranged for Tuesday 11 August for local residents, employees and businesses within Hillingdon, Hounslow and Ealing boroughs.

The event starts at 12 noon and lasts only half an hour. I have done the course previously and got some good tips. Use this link to sign up for a place.

The Hayes One Stop and the Hayes Citizens Advice Bureau closed down years ago but as a result of a joint initiative by the CAB and Botwell Green Library they will be in the library for two days in August - Thursday 13th and Thursday 20th between 10am and 2pm.

Expert advisors will be on hand to talk about residents' concerns including benefits, consumer issues, debt, employment, energy & utilities, family & relationships and housing.

There will be free confidential and independent advice and there is no need to make an appointment. The CAB's website also has lots of useful information if you are unable to make these dates.

Members of the Hayes Town Ward Safer Neighbourhood Team have been out and about talking with residents and delivering leaflets on what to look out for if they suspect a cannabis farm. Telltale signs include longstanding empty properties, covered windows, strange smells, excessive condensation, or suspicious comings and goings of unfamiliar people.

Intelligence from the public plays a vital role in helping police identify and disrupt this type of criminality. Not only is it illegal but tampering with electricity supplies can also cause fires with danger to neighbouring properties and any house used for growing cannabis is one fewer for families to live in

If you notice anything suspicious in your area, please report it to police via 101 or online or through Crimestoppers if you do not want to give your name. Always call 999 in an emergency.

The Team's next community session will be on Tuesday 4 August at 3pm at Botwell Green Library.

The annual Hayes Canal Festival took place on Sunday 26 July and, as usual, provided a wide range of information and entertainment. There were boat rides, kayaks and paddle boards on the canal and attractions on the land included a miniature climbing wall.

The music programme was especially popular a group of amazing Indian dancers were undoubtedly the stars of the day.

Run each year by the Canal & River Trust with the support of the Hayes Town Partnership and the Business Forum the event provides a great opportunity for service providers and local organisations to engage with the diverse community of Hayes.