Willesden Green Library Redevelopment

Local residents have set up a collaborative blog, Keep Willesden Green, in response to mounting concerns amongst residents about the regeneration plans for the area, in particular, redevelopment of Willesden Green Library Centre.

In a nutshell, the Council Executive of 16 January 2012 has already given the go-ahead for the modern Library Centre (fronted by the old Willesden Central Library pictured above) to be demolished and replaced by a new building, made viable only because the favoured contractor has been permitted to build residential housing on a substantial part of the land. I heard impassioned speeches against the project by local residents both at the Executive meeting and the subsequent Willesden area consultative forum of 18 January. At that forum, Leader Ann John dismissed appeals to save the historical old building, answering that it was right to have a "clear out" instead.

The decision is now to be examined by the Call-in and Overview Scrutiny Committee of Brent Council at the request of the Lib Dems. The meeting is on Wednesday February 1st (7.30pm Committee Room 1, Brent Town Hall). A detailed submission of criticisms against the original paper signed off by the Executive is available here.

Judging from past performance of this Council, the stronger the arguments the more likely they are to be ignored. Yet this submission comes from within the recall mechanism of the Council - maybe it has more leverage than impassioned speeches from members of the public?

Let's not resign ourselves to bad decision making in Brent Council. It does not have to be this way.

Willesden Green Wassail 2012: In pictures

On 22 January 2012, local residents converged on Willesden Green to perform the annual Wassail. Now in its third year of revivial in Willesden, this Anglo-Saxon tradition consists of chanting "good health" (literally "waes hael" in old English means "be well"). We were told by Rachel (pictured in green above, alongside Viv with loudhailer) that the plan was to extend the blessing beyond fruit trees to local shops on the Willesden High Road. We had our own song, and a couple of lines would be customised to take in the propreity names of the local shops and premises as we made our stops.
There was a great community spirit and as these few pictures attest, many came out in force, assisted by Transition Kensal to Kilburn in Willesden. I was particularly impressed by the political literacy of the slam poets in action (one pictured here).
Banner reads: "Willesden Green Wassail"
Gerry of Mapesbury Residents Association demonstrating a Wolf-Garten pole and basket for fruit-harvesting. I joked that he could have been the next Dyson.

Letter in Harrow Times: Holocaust Memorial Day

Letter by Shahrar Ali in Harrow Times, 26 Jan 2012 edition, "Perfect Example of Solidarity"

Commemoration of Holocaust Memorial Day in Brent: In words and in spirit

Rwandan survivor, Ndiho Sean Obedih addresses Brent Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration, Town Hall, 22 January 2012. (Chief executive, Gareth Daniel and borough Mayor, Cllr Aslam Choudry also on stage, l-r).

Performance of 'Viva La Libertad' by Kensal Rise Primary School Ethnic Contemporary Classical Orchestra.

Today's event was well attended and a huge success. I found the programme, put together by the Brent Multi Faith Forum, an excellent combination of historical overview, reflection and meditation, yet something to lift the spirit, too.

Ndiho Sean Obedih (pictured) spoke emotionally, yet eloquently, about the period in 1994 when he and his family escaped with their lives. He started by confiding in us that he hadn't "been able to open the vault of the bad memories" which he held. He punctuated his description of his eventual flight from the home where murderous gangs repeatedly visited and finally burnt to the ground with, "Had we been there [that day], I wouldn't be here today." Mr Obedih's insights were painfully authentic: "I could name a thousand names whose lives have been wasted because of hatred," and he spoke of how when first asked his tribe he did not know the answer, nor could it have been known, or important, amongst the friends he had made before then .. and still. I was impressed with Obedih's articulacy of the evil which men (and it is generally men) do: "No one is born a saviour or a murderer." He ended with a quote from Anne Frank, "I don't think of all the misery but the beauty that still remains."

The performance by the young orchestra from Kensal Rise Primary school was a fitting close to the proceeding, all of which was ably compered by Gareth Daniel. I did wonder whether somebody else might have wanted to perform that link role, but Daniel does have his own charms (describing himself self-effacingly at one point as a "front man")

We do not have enough opportunities in Brent for demonstration of community cohesion and solidarity, but at least this was one almost perfectly managed. Whilst enjoying, as a borough, the most diverse society in the country this was a perfect place to demonstrate the inclusive purpose of the Memorial Day, which has sometimes gotten unduly politicised elsewhere.

News story in Brent Times, "Hundreds pay tribute to genocide victims in Holocaust Memorial Day event in Brent", 23 Jan 2012.

Brent Commemerates Holocaust Memorial Day: 22 Jan 2012

Brent Council's Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration takes place at the Paul Daisley Hall, Brent Town Hall, on Sunday 22 January 2012 at 11am-12noon (following taken from Brent's invitation, also available here).

Holocaust Memorial Day is an opportunity to remember those who lost their lives during the Holocaust and those affected by genocide all over the world. It is an interfaith event which is open to all to attend. The national theme for this year is "Speak Up, Speak Out", and we will be encouraging our guests to reflect on the impact of genocide in the past and to consider how we can act to challenge acts of prejudice, persecution and genocide today.

Please find details of our programme below:

11.00am Welcome by The Worshipful Mayor of Brent, Councillor Aslam Choudry

11.05am Introduction by Gareth Daniel, Chief Executive, Brent Council

11.10am Lighting of the memorial candles by members of Brent Youth Parliament

11.15am Rwandan survivor, Ndiho Sean Obedih ‘Speaks Up’ about his experience during the Rwandan genocide

11.25am The London Cantorial Singers perform ‘Schoch'nei votei Chomer’

11.30am A performance poem by Adisa the verbaliser

11.35am A talk by Frank Dabba Smith. Ernst Leitz of Wetzlar: A German Industrialist Helps the Persecuted During the Holocaust

11.45am Memorial prayer in Hebrew and English led by Reverend Anthony Wolfson, accompanied by The London Cantorial Singers. Followed by a one minute silence

11.55am Performance of ‘Viva La Libertad’ by Kensal Rise Primary School Ethnic Contemporary Classical Orchestra

12-12.30pmTea & Coffee and viewing of exhibitions

All communities are welcome so please encourage your friends, family and colleagues to attend the service and support this very important cause.

Contact Louise Inder for more information.