Oliver Sacks; Made in Mapesbury

Want to remind you about our mini festival in September which we (mainly Jacqui Pelham, in fact; thanks for all your work on it) are organising as part of the Brent Borough of Culture. This is to celebrate the life of Oliver Sacks, the world famous neurologist and author (1933-2015). He was born at 37 Mapesbury Road and it was his London home for almost sixty years. Described as ‘the poet laureate of medicine', he wrote sixteen books including Awakenings and the Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat. He also wrote a memoir of his early life in Mapesbury, Uncle Tungsten, plus other pieces about the area. Warmly recommend these if you don’t know them.

The festival will be an online exploration of his life and work. There will be 3 separate online events at 6.30pm on 20, 23 and 27 September - reserve the dates and time! This will include the chance to be among the first in the UK to see the highly acclaimed documentary feature film by Ric Burns, made in the months before his death. More details and information about tickets later.
 

e-scooter injures police officer

A man has been arrested after a police officer suffered a broken leg as the result of a collision with an e-scooter. The incident happened in Willesden High Road at about 1pm last Saturday, 31 July during a pre-planned operation to target the illegal use of e-scooters. Officers had directed a man riding an e-scooter to stop but he failed to do so. The e-scooter then collided with a police officer, knocking him to the grrounf. The police officer was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital, where he has been treated for a broken leg and concussion. A 22-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of section 18 grievous bodily harm, assault on an emergency worker, obstructing a drugs search, failure to stop, dangerous driving, driving without a license or insurance, breaching the terms of a prison sentence and being unlawfully at large.

Inspector Martin Robbie, of North West BCU, said later: "Officers put themselves in the face of danger on a daily basis and an incident like this demonstrates this. I would like to remind the public that the use of e-scooters, unless subject to a government approved scheme, is prohibited and use upon public highways and spaces will be subject to enforcement and potential seizure of the e-scooter."

Police encounter Panels

In response to the Mayor's action plan, the police are setting up police encounter panels in each Police Borough Unit.The panel will review incidents and data and watch body worn video. They will give their views on what went well and what could be done better. They will be in addition to stop and search community monitoring groups in each borough. The police want members who represent local communities and are most affected by police powers, so particularly members from minority ethnic communities and people aged under 25. In particular, they would like people who have had interactions with the police and can give honest views. More information at: link; Further questions or application to: NWMailbox-.PESPs@met.police.uk

Unauthorised music events

Over the summer, Brent Council and the Metropolitan Police are joining forces to take enforcement action against unauthorised music events. “Raves” are illegal, can cause public nuisance and pose a safety risk to neighbouring residents as well as those who attend. The Council is funding a Party Patrol team to inspect the borough and respond to complaints. Where appropriate, they will engage with private landlords and housing associations and, if necessary, demand tenancy management interventions.  If you need to report noise nuisance or an unlicensed music event download the Noise App or go to their website.

B&Q site - decision meeting cancelled

Barnet’s Strategic Planning Committee meeting on Monday 26 July, which was to decide on the application for the redevelopment of the B&Q site in Cricklewood, was cancelled late on the Friday before. North West Two residents Association think that this was probably the challenge from Tepbrook, owners/developers of the Travelodge, Beacon Bingo, Depot Approach, the Galtymore site and more, with a long history in Cricklewood.

37 Lydford Road  Thank you to all those who heeded our appeal to write to planning inspectorate about the Council’s decision to require the building to be removed

Email address. . I have problems with my MapRA email so using this one for now.

Current local Planning applications
(For details search Brent Planning. New items in red)

• App: 21/2473  Garages & 1-30 Claire Court, Shoot Up Hill and 1-135 Watling Gardens, London, NW2. Comments by 12 August.

Other