December 2008 Archives

ENERGY efficiency expert Donnachadh McCarthy will be handing out advice at St Matthew's Church in Yiewsley.

Mr McCarthy has worked on BBC2 series, It's Not Easy Being Green, wrote bestseller, Saving the Planet without Costing the Earth, and writes an eco column for the Independent.

He will be advising residents on how to save money through being energy efficient at the Yiewsley High Street church at 7.30pm on January 23.

Contact Reverend Richard St Matthew's Church 01895 442093 or email vicar@stmatthews-yiewsley.org.uk

Wheelchair access is available on prior request.

ALMOST 100 employees are being made redundant from the John Guest manufacturing firm in West Drayton.

The company, in Horton Road, will lose 95 members of staff - the equivalent of just under 10 per cent of its work force - within the next few weeks.

The family-run business, which produces push-in fittings, pipe and plastic plumbing systems for automobile and domestic industries across the globe, has suffered financial losses as a result of the economic downturn.

Robert Guest, commercial director, said: "We are in the middle of an on-going process to make 95 members of staff redundant, which is expected to be finalised imminently.

"We, like many other companies, have been affected by the credit crunch and the effects of the economy, but the number of staff leaving is less than 10 per cent of our UK work force.

"We have also reduced staff numbers in our US work force, although I am not at liberty to comment further due to US law.

"We certainly hope the action we have taken will be sufficient to secure the company's future and, at this point in time, we believe no further action is necessary.

"However, the global economy is extremely volatile and because we manufacture a lot for the automotive industry, which has been hit very hard by the credit crisis, we in turn have also suffered as a company. Our priority is simply to do whatever is in the best interests of the company."

West Drayton Councillor John Horn said: "I think it's very sad that the company is shedding staff, especially as the area is already suffering from a high level of unemployment and social deprivation, and it can only be attributed to the credit crunch.

"Unfortunately, redundancies have a knock-on effect - those who are now unemployed will have less disposable income, which in turn means shop keepers will not be selling as much, and therefore not purchasing as much from manufacturers.

"It's like cannon in billiards and sadly there are no easy solutions, especially since, on a global economic scale, the UK seems to suffering more than most."

Post your comments on this story below.

UNSUNG heroes from Yiewsley are invited into the spotlight as the Gazette and Uxbridge College seek people who have made their mark in the community.

If you know anyone who deserves credit for what they have done in your area - or anywhere in the borough - put them forward now.

Entry is open to all people who live, volunteer, or work here.

Hillingdon's top hero will win £750 on top of the £250 which all category winners receive.
All you have to do is complete a coupon in The Gazette or Leader and return it to: Barbara Fisher, Local Heroes, Gazette, 28 Bakers Road, Uxbridge, UB8 1RG.

Alternatively email barbarafisher@trinitysouth.co.uk Entries must be received by January 23 and shortlisted candidates will be invited to a gala night on February 26.
For more information: phone Barbara Fisher on 01895 451020 Monday-Wednesday only.

Choose from these categories:

• *

Community Hero-someone who has helped the community, perhaps with a project or campaign.

• *

Fundraising Hero- any individual or group which has raised money for charity.

• *

Young Hero- a youngster aged 16 or under who deserves recognition in the community.

• *

Citizen of Courage-someone who has shown bravery in a difficult situation or achieved a goal against the odds.

• *

Carer Hero -anyone who has selflessly looked after others.

The overall title Hero of Hillingdon will be chosen from any of the above
category winners.

If you are e-mailing do not forget to name the category and give contact details for both nominee and the person who is nominating.

TWO police officers who were confronted by a violent man wielding a knife in a Hayes alleyway were commended for their teamwork in arresting him.

PC's Chris Hayward and Richard King attended a call at North Hyde Road, Hayes, and found a woman cowering in an alleyway and her boyfriend behaving agitatedly, holding a knife to his own throat.

He threatened the officers that if they came any closer to him he would seriously hurt himself, but they were able to overpower him by using two canisters of CS Gas to force him to release the knife.

PC Chris Hayward, said: "There was a lot going on at once and we wanted to ensure the female was alright, we both had to use our CS spray, which we'd only done before in training.

"I'm just glad that it was a safe result and nobody was hurt despite it being a dangerous situation.

"Our job is challenging but rewarding, it is an honour to receive these awards."

They received the award on Monday (8/12) at the Borough Commander's Awards ceremony held at Stockley Park.

A SECURITY guard was honoured for apprehending a burglar who had stolen a charity box from a cafe in Yiewsley.

Stewart Forshaw, was given a Borough Commander's Commendation along with fellow John Guest security guard Epeli Builciri, after tackling the burglar who they had spotted acting suspiciously even though he was armed with a knife.

Mr Forshaw, who has worked as a security guard at John Guest in Yiewsley for 13 years, said: "We noticed a window at Cabin Cafe had been smashed, and saw this guy who was up to no good, apparently he had just assaulted and robbed an OAP.

"So we grabbed him and restrained him until the police arrived."
Despite the burglar's protestations that he had a knife, the pair continued to hold him down and in the lead up to his apprehension made sure he was recognised on CCTV which helped lead to his conviction.

Mr Forshaw, who previously served in the Forces, was honoured at the Borough Commander's awards, held at GlaxoSmithKline, Stockley Park, on Monday (8/12).