On Thursday 1 October around twenty people from the local community gave researchers their views on young people and anti-social behaviour In Hayes Town. It was part of a study commissioned by the Government to explore how investment in youth activities can support stronger, safer communities.

A couple of months ago I learned from H4All that Hayes Town Ward was one of the areas specially selected for study and because of the vital importance of local youth provision we volunteered to assist in the research. It turned out that the National Lottery Community Fund and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport had previously allocated money for local groups and agencies to provide extra youth work in high antisocial behaviour areas across England. It was called The Million Hours Fund and a grant had been given to an organisation in Hayes Town.

There were two separate sessions, both aimed at adults, and those attending talked about life in Hayes Town, what makes Hayes special and the good and not so good things about young people in and around the Town Centre. There was a strong feeling from everybody that there is a need for more youth facilities. Not one person had heard of the Million Hours Fund and nobody knew that a grant had been given to the Global Academy. A few had heard of the award-winning work work done in the Teen Room at Botwell Green Library. You can read about it here.

The researchers have told me how impressed they were by the high quality of the discussion and the wide range of perspectives given by those taking part from a broad cross-section of the community. The next stage will be for them to write up a report and to produce recommendations for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. This will not produce any direct funding for Hayes but we hope that we will be able to use the report in pressing the case for more resources at a local and London level,

Just after returning from my cycle trip I heard the terrible news of the death of Idil Ali, founder and organiser of Hayat Lifeline Community Services. She had gone into hospital to have a baby but after the birth she suffered severe complications and despite the best efforts of the surgeons she tragically died. The baby survived.

Idil set up Hayat Life Line because lots of Somali women were not accessing services they needed. Working closely with Councillor Janet Gardner she arranged regular sessions for about 30 women who were able to engage with relevant staff on issues such as depression and domestic abuse. Only a few weeks ago there had been a meeting with officers of the Hayes Town Safer Neighbourhood Team.I know from my experience of the group that Hayat always struggled to obtain regular funding and Idil often paid for things out of her own pocket.

Janet tells me that she is absolutely devastated by what happened and feels as if she has lost a sister of her own. I have asked her to pass on my deepest condolences to her family and I am sure that sentiment will be echoed by everybody who knew her.

On Tuesday 6 October Hillingdon Council's Planning Committee will consider plans to demolish the former Hayes Tuition Centre in Coldharbour Lane (pictured) and replace it with 9 flats and a restaurant.

The Centre stopped providing classes at the start of the Covid pandemic and last year it became a centre of controversy while being used illegally for housing. The plans are for a four storey building and there will be no car parking provision. The original proposals included a basement level but this was later scrapped.

The application is being recommended by planners for approval because of the ongoing shortage of housing. Public consultation resulted in 15 objections, mainly from residents in Fairdale Gardens, and a petition containing 72 signatures. Lack of parking was one of the causes of complaint and, if approved, the applicants will have to sign a legal document which will prevent future occupiers from obtaining residents' parking permits. The full report to the Planning Committee is here.

Parents who read books with their kids find that it is a great way for them to learn. The Books Together programme is for children aged 2 to 5 years old and the next one starts on Tuesday 6 October at 10 30am at Yeading Library . There are three weekly sessions of an hour each and they are free to attend. As well as useful tips, ideas and resources for parents there will be story time, crafts and songs for the children.

The find out more use this link and to sign up for a place click here. Yeading Library is in Yeading Lane at the junction with Yeading Gardens and the postcode is UB4 0EW. For any more information send an email.

The volunteers from Cranford Park Friends will be opening the Secret Garden for the last time this year on Sunday 11 October from 10.30am to 1.30pm. It will be a chance to see the garden's historic well and other water features plus the grapevine and scarecrow. You will also be able to step inside the restored 18th century stables of Cranford House.

With Halloween approaching, the volunteers will also be happy to tell visitors about the Grey Lady and other reputed ghosts of the past. The Friends have a video about it on their website.

This link tells you how to get to the Park.

The Hillingdon Business Awards provide a brilliant opportunity for local companies to get recognition for their business - and they can also provide a real boost for your team if you run a business. The closing date is almost upon us. Monday 12 October at 11 59pm is the deadline.

There are lots of categories to cover a wide range of different businesses. Entries can be made by every business of every size based in or doing business in Hillingdon and you do not have to be a member of the Chamber of Commerce to take part. Use this link to find out more.

Repair and Reuse Day is a free community event taking place on Saturday17 October from 11am to 2pm at Botwell Green Sports and Leisure Centre. It will help residents learn practical repair skills, reduce waste by giving everyday items a longer life and save people money. Visitors can take part in a free clothes repair workshop run by TRAID or bring along a small electrical item for repair advice from Friends of the Earth Hillingdon or receive help to do basic bicycle checks and minor repairs through the Dr Bike service.

Residents can also donate unwanted textiles for reuse, recycle small electrical items that are beyond repair, and explore a range of stalls promoting sustainability. Organisations including Hillingdon Libraries, Hillingdon Museums and Heritage, Freegle and the council's recycling team will be on hand with information and advice. There will also be Adopt a Teddy and Book Reuse stalls, helping to give pre-loved items a second life and support waste reduction across the borough. For more informaiton about the event use this link.

Food waste is the number one contaminant of all other waste and that is why Hillingdon Council has launched a campaign to encourage more people to get involved in food waste recycling, Under the slogan "Be a winner - recycle your dinner" this video explains why this matters. . 

By signing up for food waste collections you will help improve the borough’s recycling rate and protect the environment. The Council will provide all you need to get started. As an added bonus your leftovers are turned into nutrient-rich compost and renewable energy for the national grid. Use this link to sign up.

Harlington Hospice provides help and support for those facing serious or terminal illness and their family and friends. It also assists anybody who has lost a loved one and part of the service is to offer friendly local cafes where people can go and meet others. Robins Cafe is in the Kate Fassnidge Community Hall in Uxbridge and is especially for ex-carers. It takes place every second Wednesday of the month and runs from 1 30pm to 3pm.

The Sunflower Cafe in Michael Sobell House at Mount Vernon Hospital in Northwood is open to anyone who is bereaved.

Besides a chance to chat with others there is the opportunity to get involved in activities organised by Creative Arts Coordinator Julia Chipperfield. The picture of the robin is one example of the work she encourages. To find out more use this link or send her an email or call her on 020 8106 9201.

The latest newsletter from Hillingdon Citizens Advice is now available and you can see it here.

They no longer have a universal individual advice service but they can help through the following specialist services:

• Employment rights advice project - free employment advice
• Macmillan Cancer welfare benefits project - support with welfare benefits
• Hillingdon Foodbank project - on-site advice.

The annual international celebration of the achievements and contributions of black individuals and communities, Black History Month, takes place each year in October. There is more about the 2026 event here.

There is a range of activities, exhibitions, talks and performances in various parts of London and details can be found from this link. I am not aware of anything being organised in Hillingdon.

Construction has begun on another data centre in Hayes - this time in Silverdale Road. It is not of the hyperscale variety being built by Ark and Colt and is reported to be for tape storage infrastructure for Amazon Web Services.

Planning permission has been given by Hillingdon Council and details of the scheme are shown from this link. The building is going to be two storeys high and the picture shows the early stage of the work.

Somebody has been busy painting the under-side of the Station Road canal bridge as shown in the picture. What do you think of the design? Is it graffiti or is it urban art?

The reason I ask is that I have been looking at a couple of sites in Hayes Town that are frequently subject to random tags and scribbles. The idea is that they could be converted into attractive features with well designed and well-painted images. I am in early discussions with Uxbridge College and I will keep you posted.