I received an email from the MapRA Network advising me of some local Open Gardens in the National Garden Scheme. In this scheme, private gardens of national interest are opened to the public, in aid of charity. Here is a map of the local open gardens.

View Larger Map

For more information on the NGS visit www.ngs.org.uk The main charities supported are: Macmillan Cancer Support; Marie Curie Cancer Care; Help the Hospices.

The Government and The Post Office last year announced plans to close around 2,500 Post Offices in the UK, of which up to 169 offices in London are shortlisted. All this was announced in October last year. Now the Post Office has begun a six-week consultation on plans for the capital’s post offices… not that they are making a big thing about it on the website… you’ll find it in small text on the right hand side under ‘network changes’… Ken wants to get the consultation period doubled up to twelve. Brent Lib Dems say that if the proposed closures go ahead Brent will be left with just 24 Post Offices, compared with 40 when Labour came to power.

The Lib Dems are campaigning – I presume that means they will be making representations to the consultation panel on behalf of the citizens of Brent – and have an e-petition that Brent residents can complete in support of local Post Offices and against the Govt. & Post Office Ltd’s proposed cuts.

For Cricklewood and Mapesbury people concerned about the loss of Walm Lane Post Office – click and complete the e-petition.

Remember folks, although Dawn Butler (MP Brent South) may ”call for a rethink”, she ”support[s] the Government’s approach of allowing Royal Mail the freedom to respond to future commercial challenges and opportunities, and in particular enabling Post Office Limited to determine the future shape of the network within clear Government rules governing criteria for local access” (Opposition Day Jan 10 2007, Public Whip)

Barry Gardiner (MP Brent North) was previously Minister for Competitiveness at the Department of Trade & Industry and met with Post Watch back in 2006 to discuss Post Office closures. He also voted with the Govt for the euphemistic motion cited above.

What we will see over the coming weeks is a flood of photo opportunities in front of Post Offices… All you need to remember is that Dawn and Barry vote with the Govt on ‘national issues’ then campaign against the Govt on ‘local issues’, even when they are the same issue.

I spend a lot of time in Gladstone Park and I’ve recently taken an interest in the state of Dollis Hill House. I think that the kindest word to describe the building is ‘wreak’. There are plans (there are always plans) to restore the house from the Dollis Hill House Trust in partnership with Training For Life. I’m not sure what they are in detail… but the appear to involve getting a whole bunch of money together to renovate the building into a venue of some kind – better than flats… no worse than demolition.

I’m interested to know more details about the project, how it will be a ‘social enterprise’, how it will fund its self &tc… more to come, I’m sure…

Cllr Chris Leaman writes

“The rumour and subsequent petition started after a report which recommended library closures was released into the public domain. This report was based on a strategy to libraries that was agreed under the previous Labour administration.

The current executive have rejected this plan and asked for a new strategy to be written. I understand that the new strategy will not recommend library closures. The new draft library strategy should be published in the next few weeks.”

And Sue McKenzie, Head of Libraries, Arts and Heritage for Brent Council adds:

“The rumours are unfounded. We have no plans to close Cricklewood Library. It is unfortunate that the petition is being circulated as it adds credibility to the rumour. “

I’ll certainly be correcting the local rumour mill and be asking the local store to withdraw the petition.

I have heard rumors locally about the closure of Cricklewood library and today signed a petition, organised by Friends of Cricklewood Library to keep it open.

I’ve emailed Brent Council and the Lib Dem Councillors to try and discover more truth or otherwise about this rumor.