This is "Know Your Numbers Week", and on Wednesday 9 September Botwell Green Library will be linking up with the NHS to allow local people to find out if they have high blood pressure.

Around a third of people in the UK have this condition but most don’t know it. There are generally no obvious symptoms but left undiagnosed it can result in a stroke or heart attack. It is also linked to diabetes. Hayes has the highest incidences of heart disease and diabetes in the Borough and so this is a great opportunity for locals to learn more about the subject and what to do to have a healthy heart

The session will run from 10am to 12 noon and will include information on the risks of heart disease, myths and facts to look out for and ways to healthy eating. To reserve a place call the Library on 01895 558633 or send an email.

There will be repeat events on 7 October, 11 November and 9 December. and details can be found here. If you cannot make any of these dates you can find out how to measure your blood pressure at home by using this link.

Following the devastating flash flood in Nepal and Tibet and the report in last week's Hayes Town News about the impact on the Gurkha community in Hayes. staff at Central & North West London NHS Foundation Trust leapt into action. Within a couple of days they put together a package of information on the local health and care services that people can turn to in order to help deal with shock and depression. This was sent along with their heartfelt condolences to the Gurkha Centre and the Hillingdon Gurkha Nepali Community. Well done to all concerned

The annual London Open House Festival begins on Saturday 12 September and this is a reminder that it includes places in Hayes and the rest of Hillingdon. You can even go on a tour of the Civic Centre by clicking on this link.

On Sunday 13 September (11am to 3pm): the Secret Garden and historic stable of the former Cranford House at Cranford Park will be open, with grapes to harvest as well. Members of the Cranford Park Friends will be on hand to tell you more about the park's history, with its tales of a secret tunnel and a ghost. At 12 noon, there will be a guided tour of the park which will last around about an hour or you can take a 'do-it-yourself' easy-to-use audio trail app, QR code provided. It will also be the last chance to see the herd of young Aberdeen Angus cattle that have been spending summer at the Park. There's no need to book. 

The Great Barn at Harmondsworth will be open on a number of days for the Open House Festival and to celebrate its 600th anniversary. Details are here.

Walking is a good way of keeping a healthy heart. Walking, learning and meeting other people is even better. On Sunday 13 September there will be a chance to do all these things when architect and urban design expert Anka Boeme will lead a guided tour of the home of vinyl record-making, where the first record was pressed on 3 June 1908, and where, at its peak, 64,000 records were pressed daily, including those by The Beatles and Pink Floyd

Some key landmarks on the tour will include The Gramophone building, also known as Enterprise House (pictured). It was built in 1912 and designed by Sir E. Owen Williams when he was just 22 years old. Ahead of its time in both construction, using the Kahn reinforced concrete system, and design, it earned the nickname "Little Chicago". Built for HMV, it features an unusual design, including a high-level water tank, and remains an important local landmark. The building is among the earliest surviving examples of reinforced concrete and steel construction in England.

There is a charge of £5. If you would like to take part please click here.

Finally, on the local history front, the Council has opened an exhibition at Uxbridge Library to showcase the first-hand recollections of local people recorded during its ‘Reminiscence Roadshows’, held last year to mark the borough’s Diamond Jubilee since it was formed in 1965. 

Excerpts from more than 30 of those recordings form a snapshot of the borough’s past, through the voices of people who lived it, and explore themes of everyday life, work, community and change, while celebrating a shared sense of identity and belonging.  A number of those interviewed were from or associated with Hayes..

Visitors will be able to hear residents recount key memories of Hillingdon’s past, bringing the borough vividly to life, by listening to them via a sound cup styled in the shape of a vintage replica telephone.  The museum opening hours are here.

Age UK Hillingdon, Harrow & Brent has partnered with Wealdstone Football Club through its GIMME£5! Community Ticket Scheme. For every eligible adult ticket sold, £5 is donated to Age UK HHB, helping the charity continue to provide vital support and services for local older people.

The Club's ground is in Ruislip but it has supporters from across the Brough. By attending a match, you would not only be supporting local football — but also helping to make a real difference to older people in the community.

Anyone who buys a ticket through the scheme will also receive a free soft drink, such as water, juice or soda, from the main bar on match day. For more information and fixtures use this link.

Talking of Age UK, they are doing a national survey about the impact of bank closures on older people. They want a change in the law to protect face-to-face banking services. Older readers can help make this happen by telling how these closures affect you.

An analysis by consumer organisation Which? found that almost 6900 brnaches nave closed since 2015 and that includes several in Hayes Town. Do you remember what the Barclays branch looked like before it was taken over as a gaming centre?

Age UK believe that receiving banking support in person can be so important for older people when managing their money. Maybe they have suffered a difficult life event, and need a friendly face to guide them through the financial processes linked to this. Sometimes they just want to speak face to face with a person to get the answers they need.

The Government is reviewing face-to-face banking services across the UK and this is an opportunity to make the case. To take part in the survey click here,.

The London Community Micro Grant Fund is open for applications of up to £2000 for community groups with an annual turnover of less than £200,000.

The money can be used to fund existing activities and services for mental wellbeing, community connection and social inclusion plus arts, culture and creative activities. This link gives details of what can be funded and who is eligible to make an application. The deadline is 10am on Monday 21 September.

Home-Start Hillingdon, the local charity that supports families with young children who are facing challenges in their day-to-day lives is looking to recruit some extra volunteers.

The fantastic work they do for families in Hillingdon was reported in last week's edition of Hayes Town News with 98% of parents saying that they were coping better as a result of the help received.

Volunteers are given full training and ongoing support. Many are parents, grandparents, or community-minded individuals who want to support families through difficult times. By volunteering with Home-Start, they can help reduce isolation, build confidence, and provide practical and emotional support to families who need it most. Every volunteer helps ensure that local children have the best possible start in life and that parents feel supported, valued, and less alone.

The next training course will start on Thursday 8 October. There will be six sessions over subsequent weeks and each runs from 9 30am to 2pm. To find out more and to make an application click here.

Hillingdon Council's counter fraud team has notched up another success in nabbing someone who was misusing a blue badge. On Tuesday 25 August Jason McKenzie of Kenley Place Uxbridge was fined £595 by Uxbridge Magistrates Court. Along with a victim surcharge of £238 and £1000 towards the legal costs he now faces a total bill of £1833.

Kenley works for Kearns Estate Agents in Ruislip and according to a report from a member of the public he used the badge to park the company's vehicle for free as he toured around the district. Investigations by the counter fraud team showed that it had been issued to a woman in Rutland in the Midlands but had not been reported lost or stolen. Their detective work resulted in evidence of a clear instance of misuse.

I have heard a couple of stories of misuse of blue badges in Hayes. If any readers are aware that this is going on please use this link to inform the Council or let me know and I will do it on your behalf. This is a mean-minded type of crime and it needs stamping out.

Hayes Councillor Jagjit Singh is well-known as a marathon runner, usually raising funds for charity. On Friday 2 October he will be running in support of the Mayor's Charity and he is not just going the extra mile but an extra 26 miles. He will be doing two marathons in 24 hours. As somebody who ran in the first London Marathon and a few more I find this absolutely amazing.

The Mayor's Charity this year is devoted to Hillingdon Autistic Care & Support (HACS) who are based in Pinkwell Lane in Harlington. To sponsor Jagjit's great effort click here.

Hayes Town News reported in July that at the recent Council meeting there was a total of 12 different questions put to Cabinet members by the public. There were three each from Ruislip and West Drayton with one from Eastcote, Northwood, Uxbridge and Yeading - but none from Hayes Town.

A reader has kindly pointed out that the deadline for the next Council meeting is fast approaching. Questions must be received at the Civic Centre by noon on Tuesday 15 September. If you or any organisation you belong to would like to ask a question click here.