If the blooms in your garden are your pride and joy, why not enter them into one of the flower classes at the Slough Horticultural Show on 17 August.

There are many classes to choose from, and lots of different flowers can be entered from sunflowers to sweet peas, chrysanthemums to cactus!

And, if you have creative flair, there are classes for flower arranging and pot plants.

The classes are open to all levels of competitors including individuals, flower and garden clubs. Floral art is also a class in the junior section of the show.

Here are some useful tips to help you get the most out of your plants and flowers when preparing them for the show:

Before cutting
• 2 – 3 weeks prior to show, keep soil moist
• Remove any unwanted, weak sideshoots or buds to help develop the main flower
• If possible protect blooms from damage caused by rain and splashing from the soil

Cutting
• Check the show schedule for requirements of the class you are entering
• Cut for the show in the evening or early morning – when the flowers and foliage are cool
• Flower stems should be cut as long as possible
• Make a slanting cut at the end of the stalk as this will assist the uptake of water
• Avoid handling the flowers more than is necessary
• Carry the cut stems with the blooms facing downwards keeping the plant away from draughts or bright sunshine as much as possible
• Try to cut sufficient flowers to allow some choice in your final selection
• Remove unwanted undeveloped sideshoots, unopened buds and some of the lower leaves as these will divert water from the stem and flower
• The cut stems should be plunged upright, up to their necks in deep containers of clean, cold water – preferably overnight. Place in cool position away from light because stems are drawn to the light and can become curved.

Remember that a judge will evaluate the stem and foliage, the flower, the container, the arrangement and uniformity of the flowers.

Natasa Pantelic, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “We are committed to creating an attractive environment for residents and visitors. It’s fantastic to see so many residents grow their own plants and flowers to make the borough look bright. The flower classes are a key part of the show and I look forward to seeing what residents have been growing in their gardens.”

Haley Baldwin, from Slough Allotment Federation, said: “This is one of my favourite classes of the show. Last year’s entries brought an assortment of colours to the judging marquee and showcased some hidden talents and we hope to see more this year on 17 August.”

The Slough Horticultural Show takes place on 17 August in Lascelles Park from 11am to 5pm. For further information, email sloughhorticulturalshow@gardener.com or visit the Slough Horticultural Show website to submit an online entry form and read more about the classes available.

Landlords are being warned that tenants have more rights if they do not sign up to the new licensing scheme which came into effect this month.

Tenants can claim back all the rent they have paid and cannot legally be evicted from a property by an unlicensed landlord.

Every landlord of a house in multiple occupation (HMO) in the borough, around 3000 properties, needed the new licence from July 1.

Under the new scheme a landlord with any rental property within the designated area covering parts of Chalvey and Central wards, will also be required to apply for and obtain a licence.

The aim of the new licensing system brought in by Slough Borough Council is to improve the standards of the thousands of houses and bedsits, people’s homes, and make tenants safe.

Landlords have to provide evidence their property is safe and has a valid gas safe certificate. They will also be required to provide contact details so tenants can get problems fixed and for neighbours to address any concerns with the house in their neighbourhood.

The scheme became operational on July 1 with all qualifying landlords obliged to have a licence in place by October 1. After this time landlords will be committing an offence and can be prosecuted and could face fines of up to £30,000.

Slough has more than the national average of rental accommodation in the borough which currently stands at 33 per cent. In the Central and Chalvey wards 50 per cent of all homes are privately rented accommodation.

Cllr Mohammed Nazir, cabinet member for housing and community safety, said: “This is not a money making scheme for the council. The fees are being ring fenced for the sole purpose of bringing up standards of properties in Slough.

“Over the past few months we have issued fines of almost £60,000 to landlords who have breached HMO management regulations and we are taking one landlord to civil court.

“Those who are the landlords of a HMO anywhere in the borough, or those whose properties fall into the selective licensing scheme, will be prosecuted unless they comply.

“This is about making accommodation in Slough habitable for sometimes the most vulnerable members of society.”

“Ultimately tenants can ask to see their landlord’s licence and if their landlord does not have one, the tenant is perfectly within their rights to claim any rent they have paid from July 1. Eviction notices are also invalid if produced by a landlord without a licence. It is in both the tenants and the landlords, interest to get one by October 1.”

There is an early bird discount for landlords applying for the licences before the October 1 deadline.

In the Additional Licence scheme each HMO property of up to six rooms will attract a £450 licence. There will be an additional charge of £30 per extra room after the initial six.

Applications for the Selective Licensing Scheme, for all rental properties within a designated area, will be subject to a charge of just £200.

All licences last for five years.

After October 1 all licences will attract an additional enforcement fee of £300 per property.

Licences can be applied for here http://www.slough.gov.uk/business/licences-and-permits/property-licensing.aspx and there is a map online which shows which roads are included in the selective licensing scheme.

At the start of July a free support service for families bereaved by suicide was launched.

The service is being run by Victim Support (a specialist charity which provides practical and emotional support to vulnerable groups). The service has been commissioned by Slough Borough Council, Wokingham Borough Council, and Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BHFT).

This service will provide residents who are bereaved by suicide with a specialist case worker who will work closely with them to provide practical help and emotional support. Including support navigating the criminal justice system and Coroner’s Court, support with arranging funeral proceedings and accessing supportive funds if eligible, and support to help families cope with the psychological effects of trauma.

Natasa Pantelic, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “This excellent new service will help assist people who are suffering bereavement by suicide; the service will offer a listening ear and a helping hand at a very difficult time. We are extremely proud to be working with Victim Support, Wokingham Borough Council and BHFT on such an important project.”

This service forms part of the Berkshire-wide Suicide Prevention Plan and aims to improve the long-term outlook, resilience and wellbeing of people directly bereaved by suicide. The service is free, confidential and will be tailored to your needs.

To be referred to this service, please email: BBS.support@victimsupport.org.uk You can also call the free Victim Support line on: 0808 16 89 111, 24 hours a day, every day.

For more information visit: www.victimsupport.org.uk/bereaved-berkshire

The council’s public health team is partnering with Active Movement to deliver a programme across Slough which aims to educate everyone on the benefits of reducing sedentary behaviour and the lifetime benefits of being more active.

Recent evidence suggests 11.6% of deaths, 70,000 people, are caused by sitting too much.

The Active Movement programme is designed to educate and inspire individuals to reduce their sedentary behaviour and increase low-level activity as part of their daily working and home life.

Peter Savage, co-founder of Active Movement said “A sedentary lifestyle – one which involves a lot of time spent sitting – is now recognised as a separate health risk to inactivity. We all know we should exercise each week and if you go to the gym before work, that’s great. But sitting down for eight hours when you get to the office, sitting down to drive to work or at home when you’re eating and watching TV undoes all that good.

“All 10 children’s centres, 23 Slough primary schools and one secondary school are currently participating in the Active Movement initiative, with more Early Year settings and secondary schools set to join over the coming year. Now the programme is being rolled out to council staff.”

Councillor Natasa Pantelic, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Slough Borough Council is committed to the wellbeing of the community it serves and the Active Movement programme is a fantastic initiative that will help us raise fit and healthy people for every generation to come. The statistics are clear. Obesity and inactivity are on the rise, both in Slough and across the country. Now is the time for action.

“It is vital we do all we can to enable the people of Slough to lead physically and emotionally healthy lives. We’re starting by getting our own house in order, launching the Active Movement programme with our own staff, many of whom are Slough residents.

“What we want to see is a borough-wide movement – an active movement – involving all of the community. The work already undertaken by Active Movement in Slough across children’s centres, nurseries and schools has shown the value of the programme and participating schools have already seen excellent results. It’s amazing how such small and simple changes can alter habits and make children and adults more active and ultimately healthier individuals.”

Dr Mike Loosemore MBE, co-founder of Active Movement, added: “Active Movement has already made a significant difference in schools and early years settings where teachers have noted improved behaviour, concentration levels, motivation and an increased interest in keeping active and exercising.

“Data collected so far in Slough shows 43.6% of participants have increased physical activity levels outside of school, and overall there has been a 39.9% increase in physical activity levels of all pupils. In our children’s centres there was a contribution to an 8% increase in children showing an expected level of progress in physical development compared with previous years, when the data was fairly static, and a 5.2% increase in the number of children showing expected levels of development in managing their feelings and behaviour.”

Slough is the first town in the country to run a consolidated programme that will reach every setting from early years through to secondary schools and the workplace.

This ambitious initiative is part of the Slough Wellbeing Board’s commitment to making Slough Borough Council an exemplar authority, leading the way on health and wellbeing.

For further information about the Active Movement programme, please contact Tim Howells, Public Health Programme Officer – Physical Activity and Obesity on 01753 875144 or visit www.activemovement.co.uk

The owner of a restaurant and takeaway, where chefs had nowhere to wash their hands and food was not kept at the right temperature, has been fined a total of almost £42,000 by magistrates.

Santosh Ragalpavi Balasubramaniam, of The Courtyard, Maidenhead, was the owner operator of Mr Biryani in Park Street, Slough, and the company director of Virundhu Ltd, when food was being served to the public between July 2015 and October 2017.

The food and safety team visited Mr Biryani 10 times in just over two years where advice was given how to improve the standards. One inspection was conducted after a complaint was made by a customer who said they had been served undercooked chicken. On its final inspection it was given a zero food hygiene rating.

The restaurant also had to be told to throw out all their food and disinfect the premises after flooding in the basement kitchen which included sewage.

Mr Balasubramaniam, 37, admitted five offences and was sentenced at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Friday 28 July where he was fined £9,220, ordered to pay £3,253 costs and a £170 victim surcharge. The company he was director of Virundhu Ltd, was fined £24,000 and ordered to pay £8,470 costs and a £170 victim surcharge.

The five offences he admitted to were failing to provide a wash basin for hand cleaning in rooms where food was prepared, failing to keep food at a temperature to prevent the reproduction of harmful micro-organisms that might result in risk to health, failing to keep surfaces including walls, maintained and in sound condition, as well as failing to comply with two Hygiene Improvement Notices served on 9 August 2017 for the implementation of a food safety system and the training of food handlers.

Cllr Pavitar K. Mann, cabinet member for planning and regulation, said: “Food businesses which do not provide suitable standards of hygiene on their premises when preparing food for members of the public have no place in the borough.

“It is not acceptable that people who order food could be made ill by unhygienic practices.

“The food and safety team does not only investigate but also gives clear advice and support for those who want to improve the standards in their establishments.

“Residents take a lot of notice of the five star food ratings which are awarded to premises that demonstrate the highest standards and this should be the standard every food business strives for.”

Mr Biryani ceased trading in November 2017.

The council's quarterly magazine for residents, Citizen, has been published. You can read the online version at https://citizen.slough.gov.uk where you will also find a downloadable PDF copy of the full edition and a gallery of all Slough's councillors which you can save for future reference.

This edition includes:

• Details of the elected members of the council, following May’s local elections for one third of the council’s seats. (Thank you to everyone who used their democratic right and participated!)
• Information about what materials the council accepts into our red-bin recycling collection, as well as further information about our environmental services and recycling options.
• Plenty of information about outdoor events, our parks, cycling, the Canal Festival and Home Slough’s Festival; all helping make the most of summer!
• Details of the Business Improvement District for Slough Town Centre and new High Street market.
• Our other regular updates on council services, childminding, carers’ support, Active Slough and event programmes at The Curve and other local venues.

Do you know a young person in Slough whose contribution to the community inspires you and deserves recognition? Now’s the time to speak up.

The Slough Youth Awards are returning to The Curve on Friday 8 November to celebrate and recognise the massive contributions young people make to the Slough community.

Nominations opened on Monday 1 July for young people aged 11-19 (up to 25 with learning difficulties, disabilities or care leavers) who live in Slough. Groups can also be nominated in certain categories.

Young people can be nominated in one of six categories: young artist, young environmentalist, young inspiration, young entrepreneur, young sportsperson and Slough Council for Voluntary Service (SCVS) young volunteer of the year.

Councillor Shabnum Sadiq, cabinet member for children and schools, said: “We are so pleased to have this awards ceremony to honour and recognise our young people’s efforts. We are extremely lucky as a community to have so many engaged and focused young people; they are an inspiration to us all.”

This year’s awards are supported by the council’s young people’s service, Slough Youth Parliament and Slough CVS and arose from the youth parliament’s manifesto commitment to raise the profile of young people in a positive way by celebrating their many achievements. Platinum sponsors are Heathrow Airport, the Porter Building and Osborne Property Services.

The Slough Youth Awards will also include performances showcasing the amazing talent of local young people.

To find out more or to nominate a young person, visit www.slough.gov.uk/SYA Entry is free and the deadline for nominations is Friday 20 September at 5pm.

For general enquiries, please contact the young people’s service on 01753 875510
or email sloughforyouth@slough.gov.uk

Langley Park Road - The roundabout at the end of Wood Lane will be closed over the weekend of 6th/7th July for resurfacing work.

Expect chaos in the area!

Warnings have been sent to 5,253 registered keepers after their vehicle was caught in a bus lane in the two weeks before new enforcement cameras went live.

Registered keepers were sent a letter similar to a Penalty Charge Notice, stating when and where an approved device had captured the vehicle being driven in a bus lane.

At its peak during the two week warning period between 16 May and 30 May, there were as many as 700 cars a day using the bus lanes which were monitored by staff.

The bus lanes are located on London Road, Bath Road, Farnham Road. The High Street in Slough’s town centre is also set be included in the enforcement programme.

Bus lanes only permit use by buses, taxis, motorbike and cyclists during restricted times.

The introduction of the Mass Rapid Transport scheme aims to give those who are using public transport a more reliable journey by keeping public transport lanes free at peak times.

Councillor Rob Anderson, cabinet member for transport and environmental services, said the warning period was now over, the cameras were live and motorists caught in the bus lanes when they were excluded would be fined.

He said: “The aim is to keep the lanes free to allow commuters choosing public transport to have a reliable journey which does not happen if the bus lane is blocked full of other vehicles.

“Whilst bus lanes will enable cyclists, taxis and motorcycles to use these lanes, it will also assist in changing behaviours and reduce cars on the network as we are promoting alternative sustainable modes of transport.”

The registered keeper of vehicles detected in the bus lanes during the restricted times will receive a Penalty Charge Notice through the post and it will include a picture of the vehicle in the bus lane.

Motorists will be fined £60 which will be discounted to £30 if it is paid within 14 days from the date of the notice. Representation can be made in writing with details on how this can be done is included on the penalty notice.

The cameras started to become operational from 31 May, 2019.

Over 11 million people watched England take on the United States in the first semi-final of the 2019 Women's World Cup last night. The Lionesses battled bravely, and played a good game, but ultimately their passing accuracy let them down as they lost 2-1 against the world number one side.

Still, it's the Olympics next year, and I suspect you would not get very good odds on an England v US final!

Have you been inspired by the Lionesses performance?
Well, at least if you live in the Slough area you are in luck.
There's more to Slough Town FC than its successful National League South (men's) side.

Slough Town Junior FC have several boys teams, and also U11 and U13 girls teams.
https://www.sloughtownfc.net/teams/juniors

The club has also been selected to offer an SSE Wildcats centre, to offer footballing opportunities to girls aged 5-11.
https://www.sloughtownfc.net/article/1781/Slough-Town-to-deliver-SSE-Wildcats-Centre

Last, but certainly by no means least, STFC are starting a ladies team for the 2019 -20 season
https://www.sloughtownfc.net/teams/ladies

Follow the links and contact the club directly if you are interested.

Crossing patrollers are needed to get children safely across Montem Lane, Slough, and Long Furlong Drive, Britwell.
Working at the beginning and end of the school day the successful applicant will get an all-weather uniform and a sign to stop traffic and help the youngsters on their way to Claycots Primary School and Lynch Hill School.
We are looking for two patrollers to start in September when children head back to school in the new academic year.
The salaried role is between £9.66 and £10.03 per hour, on a pro-rata basis (part time role, total 7.5 hrs per week, school starting and leaving times only). Full training will be given.
Applicants who are interested in applying must complete an application form, but in the first instance, for an informal discussion about the post please contact Ramandeep Gogna, Transport & Highways Department, 01753 875122.
This is an open advertisement and interviews will be held following the receipt and assessment of suitable applications.
Job information pack available below. If you have any questions, you can call our 24-hour information line on 01753 875074, quoting ref: SGW/11/1076 or email: recruitment@slough.gov.uk. Minicom service on 01753 875030.
Candidates invited to interview will be notified in writing
More about the role can be found here: https://www.slough.gov.uk/jobs/jobdetail.aspx?id=17864

Children who join a school’s new walking bus will be able to be safe and be seen after receiving bespoke high-vis vests.

Slough Borough Council’s sustainable transport team Better By provided the florescent yellow vests to St Mary’s Church of England Primary School in a bid to encourage more children, and more schools, to get on board.

The vests have the school’s emblem on the front, their name and the Better By logo on the back for children who are dropped off by parents at a designated location before being escorted the five minute journey to the school.

Rachel Cross, headteacher of the Yew Tree Road school, said action was being taken to reduce congestion around the school gate at the beginning of the school day making journeys active, sustainable and safer. The children were also encouraged to view walking to school as a positive choice.

Mrs Cross said: “We have two teachers who meet children at Hatfield car park and make the five minute walk to school with the children.

“It is not rushed and the children are encouraged to talk to one another which helps with their language and communication skills.”

Shazia Aamir (corr), the healthy schools team leader at the school, said the children will now be very visible on their route to school where they get to talk about their day ahead, what they did at home the night before and all before they get to the school’s gates.

She said: “They get to class ready to learn and parents don’t have to worry about trying to find a parking space, as there aren’t any around the school. It also means that they can build some activity into their morning which means they arrive at school alert and ready for a day’s learning”

Year 5 pupil Daniel, 10, said he parked and strides to school and said: “I like walking because I get fit just by getting to school.”

Year 2 pupil Sasha, 7, who walks to school with her mum said she loved the bright vests.

Cllr Rob Anderson, cabinet member of transport and environmental services said: “It is great to see schools giving alternatives to parents for their children to get to the gates safely.

“The council’s Better By team are here at the council to talk to schools about how they can help with alternative ways to get children to and from school sustainably.”

Email Betterby@slough.gov.uk to contact the team for more advice.

More then 300 people attended a day of activities, performances and celebration of the Windrush generation.

The day focused around the Caribbean community with the objective to celebrate, commemorate and educate about the contribution of the Windrush generation has made to Slough and the UK.

The event was organised in partnership with Christina Brooks-Abraham, Slough Borough Council and Slough’s Caribbean community organisations Anguilla Community Group, AXA UK, Slough Dominican Association, and SANAS (St Kitts and Nevis Association Slough).

There was a Zumba-thon led by Tanya Brooks-Carty of RAW Ladies, performances from the Upfront Band and Boss and The Horsepower Band from Anguilla, the Youth Soul Choir and the Community Soul Choir led by Rebecca Richardson. Resource Productions screened a trailer of the film made at the Windrush Elders Dinner held the week before and Animation Expressions screened the two animations on the topic of Windrush.

Aik Saath & Empoword launched the Words of Windrush project in the Gallery which is a Work and Opportunities for Women was an Arts Council England funded project, which saw young people interview members of the Slough Windrush generation and turn those stories into spoken word, all collected in an anthology.

There was Caribbean food provided by SANAS. Business workshops were held for anyone who wanted to explore a business idea as well as wide range of health partners including Public Health, Solutions4Health, Diabetes UK focusing on health issues the Caribbean community are often more susceptible to.

Event organiser Christina Brooks- Abraham, said: “Despite no central government funding the event was a huge success and a positive expression of Caribbean culture. It was fantastic to see the community coming together and other communities be uplifted by experiencing our culture. “The community have spoken by the numbers who attended and clearly stating they want to see events like this regularly”.

Tan Dhesi, MP for Slough, said: “It is very important that we as a town come together to celebrate the immense contribution of the Windrush Generation for the development and prosperity of Slough and the country. While we continue to celebrate we must also fight the injustices of the Windrush scandal, whereby hard working people of Caribbean heritage and their descendants are now being devalued. I will continue with other like minded MPs to raise this in Parliament. Well done to the Caribbean community organisations and Slough Borough Council for organising a wonderful event.”

Rochdale Alexis, Chair of Slough Dominica Association: “A big thank you to the staff at the Curve and Slough Borough Council for giving us this opportunity to showcase and celebrate our culture. Thank you to the community for coming to celebrate and commemorate Windrush Day”.

Anita Herbert, Chair of SANAS,: “It was absolutely awesome to see all the communities coming together, happy people, lots of activities, we sold all our food, it was such a buzz! We have to do this again!”

“Eldora Richardson, Caribbean community elder, said: “Today was beautiful, thoroughly enjoyed the day, lovely to see everyone enjoy themselves. Had a Zumba dance I did and loved it!”

Slough Mayor Cllr Avtar Kaur Cheema, said: “The legacy of those who made the long journey from their Caribbean homelands has lived on in their children and grandchildren and the communities they have built across the country. Events like this bring people together to celebrate this vital part of our countries’ shared histories and heritage.

“I am so pleased that the community and the council have worked together to celebrate this special occasion.”

Hundreds of people joined friends and neighbours at Slough’s Great Get Together.

The beautiful oasis of Herschel Park was turned into a hive of free activities and fun as well as a place for people to share picnics, to celebrate kindness, respect and all we have in common.

The ‘Great Get Together’ was created after the murder of Jo Cox MP and inspired by her inaugural speech in Parliament in 2015 where she stated “we are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us.”

Catherine Anderson, CEO of the Jo Cox Foundation, attended the Slough event on Saturday and wants to work with Slough again in the future.

The fun-filled event included activities such as face painting, balloon modelling, arts and crafts, cricket, dance workshops and a visit from a popular cartoon character.

Others tried their hand at Virtual Reality cricket, football, volleyball and orienteering.

The council’s sustainable transport team Better by were also there to get children pedalling on a static bike to create fruit smoothies.

The Slough Breaking Boundaries project was showcased. It aims to bring young people, their families and communities together through cricket.

The fully inclusive three-year long project encourages people to get involved, no matter their age, gender, ethnicity or ability, building community cohesion and demonstrating how much more we have in common than we might first think.

Ruth Hollis, the incoming CEO of the charity Spirit 2012, which funded the Breaking Boundaries project along with the England and Wales Cricket Board, also came to Slough’s Great Get Together.

Cllr Natasa Pantelic, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, attended and said: “We had a fantastic Great Get Together in Herschel Park with hundreds of people turning out to socialise, play cricket and have some fun! It was a pleasure to also welcome the CEO of the Jo Cox Foundation, Catherine Anderson, to our wonderful community and tell her more about Slough.

“We have so much to be proud of in our town and more in common with each other than we think sometimes. This event gives us a chance to celebrate this and use it to build new relationships and strengthen existing ones.”

The Mayor, Cllr Avtar Kaur Cheema, opened the event and said on Saturday: “Across the UK today and tomorrow, people will be organising or attending events in memory of Jo Cox MP.

“The best way to honour her memory is by continuing to promote the values she believed in so passionately and to remember some words from her maiden speech in the House of Commons in 2015 when she said she believed that “We are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us”.

“Here in Slough we wholeheartedly endorse her values and we are here today to support this fantastic project set up in her memory – The Great Get Together.

“A wonderful afternoon of entertainment and activities has been put together so a big thank you to everyone involved in the planning and organising, to the sponsors and council’s partners and to all of you for attending and supporting this community event.”

The family of a teenager who drowned in the Jubilee River has warned people to stay out of the water as the weather warms up.

Dajarn Daly was just 17 years old when he went into the shallows of the weir at the river to cool off on a searing hot day in July last year. However, he lost his footing and was dragged into deeper and very cold water and lost his life.

Slough Borough Council has worked with the guardian of the Jubilee River, the Environment Agency, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service and Thames Valley Police to discourage people from getting into the river, to prevent another life being lost.

Fences have been extended in places to physically prevent people getting to the river bank and new information and warning information boards will be put up at strategic points to make people aware of the dangers.

Dajarn’s mother Shantel and grandmother Denise, both of Wexham Lea, welcomed the efforts to warn people how dangerous the man-made river is - especially as the warmer weather arrives.

Shantel said: “On Dajarn’s 18th birthday we had a barbecue to remember him but he should have been celebrating.”

Denise said: “No one should go in the water there. It is really dangerous. The weir is shallow and looks inviting but Dajarn was swept away into deep and cold water.

“We had spoken to him about swimming there and he said he was ok and that the water only went up to his waist, but he was taken by the current into deeper colder water.

“No other families should have to go through what we did that day, Dajarn hadn’t come home which was unusual for him and we heard someone had drowned in the river. We knew it was him, we went to the police station and they told us.

“We live without him every day.

“Parents tell your children about the dangers, it is never too early to warn them of the dangers, and adults don’t go into the water as children could follow.”

Natasa Pantelic, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said because the river is man-made the sides are steep and the water is deep and very cold which can lead to people going into cold water shock very quickly.

“We want people to stay safe as the weather gets warmer and that means not getting into the water at all,” said Cllr Pantelic.

“I would like to thank Dajarn’s family for sharing their tragedy to try and prevent another young person losing their life.

“The river is a large expanse of water which is extremely cold even in the hottest of days. It does not matter if people think they can swim, the temperature of the water affects the heart and breathing within seconds.

“The weir looks shallow and looks like people would be able to paddle or cross from one side to the other. But the river level and flow can change at any time because it is a flood relief rather than a natural river.”

Three weeks after Dajarn’s death a 22-year-old man also drowned after going into the Jubilee River to swim. Three years earlier Michael Scaife, 20, died while swimming in the river in Datchet.

The Berkshire Coroner ruled at an inquest earlier this year Dajarn’s death was accidental.

On average more than two people die every day and more than 700 drown every year in the UK and Ireland according to the Royal Life Saving Society UK which aims to reduce that number.

Of the deaths 52 per cent of accidental drownings happen in open water with 80 per cent being male. A third of deaths happen in the summer with the highest proportion of drownings occurring in people who are aged between 20 and 29 years old.

The advice is to stop and think and look for the dangers and always take heed of nearby warning signs. In an emergency others should call 999 and those in the water are encouraged to float on your back or someone should throw in an object which is buoyant. It is also important that safety devices are left in their rightful place along the river bank and not vandalised for when they are actually needed.

Slough Borough Council is also providing school children with bespoke safety information about all the potential dangers of Slough’s waterways.

For safe swimming use The Centre, Farnham Road, or Langley Leisure Centre, Parlaunt Rd.

A man has been jailed for vandalising the Tommy statue in the town centre.

Shoeib Sharifi, 41, of Blair Road, Slough, admitted criminal damage of the statue when he appeared before Justices of the Peace.

He was given a four week sentence for damaging beyond repair the town’s memorial to commemorate 100 years since the end of World War I.

The silhouette of a Tommy was put up on a plinth in the High Street in November 2018 at a ceremony presided over by The Mayor, as part of the ‘There but not there’ campaign to remember soldiers killed in the First World War as the 100 years mark was reached.

The metal outline of the soldier, complete with back pack and rifle, was bent and twisted by Sharifi who reached up and grabbed the sculpture, dragged it down and pulled it out of shape leaving it at a right angle to the ground.

The warped metal was left in such a dangerous position which could have hurt a pedestrian; it had to be cut from the five foot high stone plinth which now stands empty.

The vandalism was caught on CCTV at 3.24am on Thursday 21 March and reported to Thames Valley Police.

Slough Borough Council released an image of a man who was seen near the statue around the time of the incident and he was identified because of the CCTV footage, as Sharifi.

Councillor Martin Carter, cabinet member for inclusive growth and skills, said: “We will not tolerate vandals destroying poignant memorials in our town and will pursue prosecutions.

“This was a disgraceful act of vandalism on something which was there to commemorate those soldiers who died and had their lives changed by the First World War.
“We thank Thames Valley Police for investigating this case which has ultimately led to a successful prosecution.”

At an earlier hearing at Slough Magistrates’ Court prosecutor Tina Flannery said Sharifi had been in an amusement arcade in the High Street before leaving with another man.

She said: “He was intoxicated on alcohol and cannabis at the time of the offence.

“This incident is very sensitive by the very nature of the statue and caused a lot of disquiet in the locality afterwards.”

His defence solicitor said he had no recollection of committing the vandalism.

Sharifi was given a total of 16 weeks in jail on Wednesday 19 June after he admitted other offences of which four weeks was apportioned by the magistrates specifically for the criminal damage of the Tommy statue. No order was made for compensation.

There is a second Tommy silhouette which stands in The Curve. There are no plans to replace the damaged Tommy.

A Windrush Elders’ Dinner was held to celebrate the contribution of the Windrush generations to Slough. There is also a celebratory event at The Curve on Saturday 22 June, from 12noon-5pm for the public, with entertainment and stalls.
More than 90 people attended the dinner including: the leader of the council, Councillor James Swindlehurst, Councillor Natasa Pantelic, Lydia Simmons OBE, former Mayor of Slough, Councillor Avtar Kaur Cheema ,current mayor, Janet Charles, Acting High Commissioner Dominica, and Elsa G Wilkin-Armbrister, Minister Counsellor St Kitts & Nevis High Commission.

The guests represented various Caribbean islanders who had moved to Slough between 1948 and 1971 to support British industry, the NHS, and the armed forces. Many of the attendees present found work on Slough’s trading estate and have made Slough the vibrant and diverse community it is today. The community organisers were honoured to have Lydia Simmons OBE at the evening, who was the first black lady Mayor in the UK and Slough’s Mayor from 1984 – 1985.

Guests were treated to a dinner cooked by head chef Sandra Heywood who volunteered her time and served traditional Caribbean dishes - baked chicken, jerk chicken, curried mutton, kweyol fish, and rice and peas. She said: “It was a pleasure to work with Carol, Janice, Cheryl and Lennox in the kitchen and see the seniors really enjoying themselves. My mum and aunty were recruited from Slough in Antigua and worked in NHS for over forty years, my mum as a psychiatric nurse and my aunty as a midwife. My dad worked at Mars on the trading estate. Because of them I went to catering college and became a chef. This dinner is my way of honouring not just them but all our seniors.”

Cllr Natasa Pantelic, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “I was privileged to attend this dinner celebrating the Windrush generation who have contributed so much to Slough. We were treated to traditional Caribbean cuisine and entertainment and a great time was had by everyone. It’s fantastic so many community groups came together to make this event possible and we will work to make sure it’s an annual event.”

Rochdale Alexis, chair of Slough Dominica Association, said: “I would like to say a big thank you to all the Caribbean community groups in Slough who got together and put our money, efforts and talent into making this event a success. We had the support of the community development team within Slough Borough Council who helped us by providing the office space to meet, and the venue to hold our dinner for our elders, and I am grateful to them for allowing us the opportunity to show we can work together to make things happen.

A big thank you to Slough Outreach for donating supplies to us to put a smile on the face of our elders, who if they had not agreed to board Windrush, we would not be in Slough today. I salute the elders of Slough, thank you.”

Christina Brooks-Abraham, community organiser, said: “It was an honour for the Caribbean groups of Slough to pull together to host and watch the seniors enjoy an afternoon where they were celebrated. The youngsters served them with pride and to witness them socialise with their peers from other Caribbean islands, dance, and have fun, was a blessing to all of us.”

The event was organised by Slough Dominica Association, AXA UK, and 5 Directions,
with support from Slough Borough Council, Anguilla Community Group and SANAS and Slough Outreach.

After dinner the guests were entertained by performances by Boss and the Horsepower Band touring from Anguilla and Lennox Carty Dub poet. Resource Productions filmed and captured some of the event for a documentary, a short clip will be shown at Windrush Day at The Curve this Saturday 22 June from 12noon-5pm. With the longer documentary shown during Black History Month.

The Slough Horticultural Show is back for its second year and there is a wide variety of junior classes to enter, including horticulture, floral art, cookery, arts and crafts and photography.

The Slough Allotment Federation is also calling all schools, nurseries, children’s centres and youth groups to get involved by creating a scarecrow that depicts a child’s film or book character.

The scarecrow can be made using any materials and should be brought along to the show on August 17 for judging at Lascelles Park.

To download a full schedule, go to www.slough.gov.uk/sloughshow

And, to get children in the gardening mood, the council has been giving out free cress seeds. To get your free seeds, email communications@slough.gov.uk.

Cllr Natasa Pantelic, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “I can’t wait to see the entries for this years competition, there is something for everyone to enter at the Slough Horticultural Show.

“It’s fantastic that our young people are being encouraged to get involved and I'm looking forward to seeing all the scarecrow entries.”

Haley Baldwin, Slough Allotment Federation, said: “We have a great variety of classes to choose from in the junior section.

“All child entries are free and they could also win a prize, and I’m really looking forward to seeing fairy cakes and scones, and decorated gingerbread men and creative miniature garden in a seed tray.”

Morning neighbours!
Just a quick hello to announce we are here. We will be posting our usual selection of news and events and commenting where we can on things we can help with.
Hope to also encourage others to join in - we love a good online chat with people!
Best wishes
SBC

Inspired by posts in the Save the Planet Scooploop group giving recipes for sustainable cleaning products...
...I would like to buy some white (also known as clear or 'distilled') vinegar!

Most supermarkets sell copious quantities of malt (brown) vinegar.

Sainsbury's only sell distilled vinegar in small-ish bottles, and I am looking for a more economical supply.

Of course I could buy it online, but diving for Amazon does not help the local community!

Any suggestions?

Hello!
Just wanting to let you know there's a Scooploop group for everyone who lives in or around Slough.
Please see below:

Slough and Langley Community links
https://www.scooploop.com/groups/slough-and-langley-community-links/

"A friendly group for people in the Slough and surrounding areas to chat about local issues, ask for advice or find out any info locally"

You will be most welcome to join us.

Free Lunchtime Concerts

St.Mary's Parish Church, Church Street, Slough, SL1 1PJ

Every Saturday at 12 noon - 12.30
with refreshments available after each concert.

Concerts for June 2019:
22nd --- Songs from the Shows 9
- - - Charley Brighton, euphonium with Malcolm Stowell, piano & organ
29th --- tba

Concerts for July 2019:
6th --- Chorate Chamber Choir, conductor Nigel Wills
13th --- David Oldfield, organ
20th --- Waltham Madrigals, conductor Simon Shaw
27th --- Jonathan Rowe, piano

This concert series started in 1990 and has featured all manner of instruments and local musicians over the years.

Organ concerts feature St Mary's church organ, built by Norman & Beard in 1912, which has over 2400 speaking pipes, and a console with three manuals plus pedals.* (It's very big!)

The concerts are free, but a donation is requested towards the upkeep of the large Victorian church.

The full programme of concerts may be found here:
http://euphoniumcollective.co.uk/Stmarys.htm

* [Technical description of organ: http://euphoniumcollective.co.uk/Stmarys.htm#organ ]

Flood alert in force now: Slough Watercourses

Flooding is possible - be prepared

Property flooding is not currently expected. River levels have been high as a result of heavy rainfall. Further light rainfall is forecast throughout the day. We are closely monitoring the situation. Please remain safe and aware of your local surroundings. This message will be updated this afternoon, (11/06/19), or as the situation changes.

This information was last updated at 10:09am Tuesday 11 June 2019

Further details:
https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/target-area/061WAF23Slough

Hello, this is my first post. I hope I do it right. I would like to take my grandchildren to a farmer's market. Can any recommend one close by? Thank you, Linda