Lord Walter Citrine of Wembley 1887-1983

Some readers may have heard of him, though most will not. So, I gave a talk about this remarkable famous long-time resident of Wembley Park (from 1935 to 1973 at 63 Kingsway) to  the Wembley History Society at St Andrew's Church on Church Lane (marvellous but bitter cold).

Famous for what? He was the leader of the Trades Union Congress from 1926 to 1946, but he was much more than a run-of-mill union leader. He built up the authority and influence of the TUC with the unions, the government and the business community following the debacle of the General Strike of 1926, and together with another great union leader, Ernest Bevin, used it to great effect.  He became the one Prime Ministers turned to when they wished to know what ordinary people thought of the big issues - the Abdication crisis 1936-7; the Nazi threat and rearmament; the war effort and especially the bombing of London. Four PMs - especially Winston Churchill, sought his advice. He was knighted in 1935, became a Privy Councillor in 1940 and chose the title Lord Citrine of Wembley in the County of Middlesex in 1946.

He retired from the TUC then, aged 59, but changed careers to become a leading figure in the new nationalised industries and he became Chair of the National Electricity Council (he had been an electrician - left school at 12).  He travelled the world in various capacities with his wife, Doris (who died in 1973, after which he went to live in Devon). A truly remarkable man, he lived to be 95.  He should be better known locally, but longevity sometimes dims the memory of  remarkable people.

Cllr Jim Moher

The leaves are almost down, but...the tennis courts are up

As trailed for a bit, delighted to report that the tennis courts on Roe Green Park are practically now in  operation and some youngsters are already using them. They go well with the Multi-User Games Area nearby, which we had installed some years back. This sports complex seems a far more appropriate use of the park than to allow some developer to sprawl all over with a swimming pool etc, especially with all the traffic it would have entailed.

We trust that as many residents as possible will dig out their tennis raquets and brush up their game, if only for the excellent exercise tennis involves. The front of the courts near the road will be fully landscaped in the Spring. We are assured that not even the strongest hit balls will reach the road, but we will keep that under review. Let us know if there are any teething problems. Enjoy.

Commercial Coaches parking on Kingsbury High Road

On a less cheerful but important topic, residents will be glad to know that we are now getting the Council highway officers and police to take firm action to move the weekend mainly coaches on, who have been using Kingsbury Road as a station. Signs will go up shortly banning 5 Tonne or more vehicles from parking there Mon-Fri, midnight-7am, 8pm-midnight or at any time Sat & Sun.
This ban will be enforced vigorously by the police. It will be for the coaching companies to find alternative commercial arrangements elsewhere. Enough is enough.

Starbucks, Amazon and Google - avoid corporation tax.

Every now and then I have a rant about large multinational companies avoiding tax, it's perfectly legal but socially immoral. Starbucks, Amazon and Google are now in the frame and join the ranks of Vodafone, (see blog June 2012). 

I read with interest calls for boycotts of the 3 companies and have some sympathy with this approach. I have already stopped using Starbucks. Somehow I don`t think it will have much impact on coffee drinkers, internet searchers and book buyers.

The real question must be what are the Government doing to make sure companies pay more corporation tax on profits earned in the UK? Why can`t they stop multinationals just shifting profits around the world to avoid tax?  John Lewis recently called for action to put everyone on a level playing field. At the very least the Government should publish who pays and who avoids, or who are the most creative. I think we have the right to know.

I was going to Café Nero but just heard on the radio that they are tainted to, so I am off to Costa for a coffee..

Cllr George Crane

Mason`s Field - Fryent Country Park

Brent Council Executive has agreed to declare Masons Field a local nature reserve. Situated at the bottom of Larkspur Close, the old London Transport Sports ground was partly developed for Housing in the 1990`s. The remaining land was to be used as open space. and leased to Brent Council.

Mason’s Field has been assessed as being an important site for nature conservation by the London Wildlife Trust and it will now form part of the Fryent Country Park.

With Heritage Lottery funding and some Sect 106 money it is proposed to improve access, plant hedgerows and restore field habitat. Sign boards will be situated around the area to inform visitors about the site. It will also contribute towards the objectives of Brent’s Green Charter. Nature England has welcomed the proposals and improvements.

Cllr Ruth Moher, Deputy Leader of Brent Council and Fryent Councillor said:

 “We are delighted with this decision and the opportunity this gives for continued enjoyment and recreation and education in Fryent. I would also like to thank the Barn Hill conservation group volunteers for their help in undertaking a lot of the site survey work.”

Fryent Councillors.