Larkspur Rovers Celebrates Funding Boost

Larkspur Rovers FC are celebrating its investment in a £50,000 project to help improve its natural grass football pitches in Northolt. The project which has involved the purchase of a new tractor and grounds keeping machinery, will greatly aid the club’s maintenance efforts throughout the year.

SUEZ Communities Trust, the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund, which is delivered by the Football Foundation, and the London Borough of Ealing provided crucial financial support without which the project would not have been possible.

Joining Larkspur were its equipment suppliers (Campey Turfcare Systems, Ernest Doe & Sons Ltd and RTM/SISIS) and the Institute of Grounsmanship (IoG) who introduced the club’s groundskeepers to the new machinery and its operation.

Graham Bartlett, the Larkspur Rovers FC’s Project Coordinator, said: “The project is a major step towards creating and maintaining an improved playing surface which has always been identified as an important factor in developing the skills of our players.”

Cllr Bassam Mahfouz, Ealing Council’s cabinet member for environment, transport and leisure, commented: “This support allows Larkspur Rovers to become more self-sufficient in maintaining the grass pitches and create even further opportunities for young people, both male and female.”

Marianne Ivin of SUEZ Communities Trust, added: “SUEZ is delighted to have been able to support the enthusiastic team at Larkspur Rovers FC with their project. SUEZ Communities Trust provides grants through the Landfill Communities Fund. This important source of funding has been available since 1997 and has provided worthy projects with more than £1.4 billion of support.”

Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “I am delighted that a grant from the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund has enabled Larkspur Rovers FC to improve the maintenance of its pitches which will provide a real boost to football in the local area and the playing experience of those that take part.”

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Northolt to become home of Middlesex FA with new all-weather pitches

Cllr Bassam Mahfouz is joined by Cllr Julian Bell, John Taylor (Middlesex FA Chairman), Kelly Simmons MBE (FA Director) & Peter Clayton (Chief Exec, Middlesex FA) at the groundbreaking at Rectory Park, Northolt

An ambitious project to develop top quality sports leisure and recreational facilities at Northolt’s Rectory Park is now underway.

Set for completion in February 2018, the project will see The Football Association (FA) and Middlesex County Football Association working in partnership with Ealing Council to develop the facilities for the benefit of the local community.

The council has secured more than £4.88 million in funding from The FA , Middlesex FA, The London Marathon Charitable Trust and Sport England to develop the new facilities at Rectory Park as part of its commitment to providing opportunities for residents to stay healthy and active through sports.

The project, part of The FA’s Parklife grassroots football scheme, officially got underway on Tuesday, 18 April. Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, the council’s cabinet member for transport, environment and leisure, and council leader, Councillor Julian Bell, joined Kelly Simmons, director of participation and development at The FA, and guests to mark the breaking of the ground at the site in Rectory Park.

When finished, the facilities will boast two full-size, floodlit 3G artificial pitches, which can be used all year round, changing facilities, two community rooms and a pavilion.

Councillor Mahfouz said: “I’m delighted to see this exciting development in Rectory Park get started. These all-weather pitches, sports and community facilities will bring much needed and long-awaited phenomenal facilities to Northolt and the borough.

“This development will also mean Northolt is the official home of Middlesex FA. Through the council’s commitment and work with our partners, these new, high quality sports and leisure facilities will be open to the community, ensuring we get more people in Northolt active and engaged in sports.”

Kelly Simmons from The FA said: “This signifies an important next step in our national Parklife programme and an exciting chapter in the history of Middlesex FA, who will now become custodians of the centre for the benefit of thousands of people right across the area.

“In a year when The FA is dedicated to doubling the number of participants in the women’s game as well as growing the recreational game for all sectors of the community, this will provide a catalyst as well as focal point for football and sport lovers locally.

“We hope this is the first of more similar football ‘hubs’ in the capital, working closely with our partners at the Premier League, Sport England and the Mayor of London’s Office, and would like to commend the work of Ealing Council in making this vision a reality.”

Middlesex FA Chairman John Taylor added “We are delighted to be working with Ealing Council and The Football Association to deliver the Rectory Park project. As Kelly Simmons has said, this is a very exciting time for Middlesex FA. In addition to providing the association with a new purpose built headquarters building, Rectory Park will place us at the heart of the community. The excellent facilities will provide playing opportunities for football participants at all levels of the game in our area.”

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On your marks for the Ealing Sports Awards

Do you know an outstanding sportsperson who deserves the plaudits? How about a great coach or sports club making a real difference in the community? Well now is the time to help recognise sporting achievements across the borough and give our local champions the credit they deserve.

You could win yourself a year’s free leisure membership just by nominating (from 20 February) someone for the new Ealing Sports Awards, which has been created by Ealing Council and local leisure provider Everyone Active. The inaugural event gives residents the opportunity to celebrate the hard work and dedication of local people playing and coaching sport across the borough.

You can nominate one of the many sports clubs, inspirational volunteers and sporting individuals for the awards, and the winners will be announced at a ceremony to be held on 13 July. All nine of the award categories are inclusive, and are open to any club, organisation, group, association, partnership or individual based in the borough.

The categories are:

• Junior Club of the Year
• Sports Club of the Year
• Coach of the Year
• Adult Volunteer of the Year
• Junior Volunteer of the Year
• Outstanding Contribution to Sport Award
• Inclusive and Active Award
• Adult Sports Person of the Year
• Junior Sports Person of the Year.

By making a nomination, your name will automatically be entered into a prize draw for a chance of winning a year’s free Everyone Active membership.

The Ealing Sports Awards ceremony will also include the hugely popular London Youth Games Reception which celebrates Team Ealing’s performance at the annual London-wide sports event, where young people have the opportunity to represent the borough in a wide range of different sports competitions.

Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, the council’s cabinet member for transport, environment and leisure, said: “We are blessed across the borough with exceptional and inspirational people helping people get active and involved through sports.

“The inaugural Ealing Sports Awards are all about recognising those in our local community that show dedication to the sports they love, and those that help others play, learn and discover sport.

“Ealing is one of the very best places in the capital to get involved with sport. With phenomenal individuals, clubs and facilities that engage people of all ages and backgrounds that are helping people of the borough lead healthier, happier, longer lives.

“Residents have a great opportunity to honour the athletes, coaches, clubs and organisations that really deserve acclaim and I encourage everyone to get their nominations in as soon possible.”

How do I nominate or find out more?

Nominations open on 20 February and close at midnight on 31 May and all short-listed nominees will be contacted by 9 June. For further information and to nominate someone for the Ealing Sports Awards, visit www.everyoneactive.com/EalingSportsAwards

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Gold for Ealing

London in Bloom Gold: Walpole Park

For the third year in a row Ealing has won gold in the London in Bloom Borough of the Year Awards.

It was given the honour in the Large City category for the overall impact of its horticulture and environmental management and for community participation.

As well as gold for the borough, four Ealing parks won individual awards. Walpole Park and Acton Park won gold in the Large Park (above 25 acres) of the Year category; Litten Nature Reserve won gold in the Common of the Year category, and Southall Park won a Silver Gilt award in the Large Park of the Year category.

Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, Ealing Council’s cabinet member for transport, environment and leisure, said: “It’s great to receive more prestigious Gold awards for our parks and open spaces. A huge thank you to all the hard work of our park rangers and community volunteers who help keep our parks looking stunning. Gold standard parks and green spaces are one of the reasons Ealing is such a great place to live, work and play.”

The borough was awarded almost perfect marks for elements such as promoting sustainability, developing local heritage including natural heritage, its achievements in conservation and biodiversity and increasing community awareness and involvement in Bloom initiatives.

The London in Bloom judges said: “There is no doubt about the continuous development and enthusiasm in maintaining and developing the parks and greenspaces in Ealing with depreciated resources but also facing the challenges that the modern local authority faces.”

The success in London in Bloom follows Ealing being awarded a record 18 green flags for its parks and open spaces this summer.

Additionally, Ealing will find out how it faired in the prestigious 2016 Britain in Bloom Awards competition at the award ceremony in October.

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Ealing gears up for National Bike Week

Ealing Council will be celebrating National Bike Week by encouraging residents and its staff to cycle more.

During Bike Week from Saturday, 11 to Sunday, 19 June, the council will be offering free cycle maintenance checks with Dr Bike, holding guided social bike rides and reminding people about the free cycle training provided by the council.

Dr Bike cycle checks will be held at various locations from 4-7pm:
• 13 June at Greenford Town Centre on the corner of Oldfield Lane and Ruislip Road.
• 14 June at Melbourne Avenue, West Ealing,
• Wednesday 15 June at Hanwell Clock Tower,
• Thursday 16 June at Acton Market, outside Morrisons,
• Friday 17 June at Southall Square, outside Lidl
• Sunday June 19 at Haven Green, by the cycle hub from 2-5pm.

Our monthly Dr Bike outside the library at West Ealing will take place as normal from 2-5pm on Saturday, 18 June.

On Wednesday, 15 June Ealing Cycling Campaign will lead cyclists on its Sunset Ride to Richmond Hill. They will take a quiet route on back streets and will stop outside the Roebuck pub in Richmond. To join the ride, meet in front of the Town Hall at 7pm.

Council staff are encouraged to cycle to work and there is an interest free cycle loan scheme for employees. Folding bikes are also available to borrow by staff who need to travel on business. During Bike Week there will be guided cycle rides for staff in their lunch breaks.

Ealing has also launched a campaign to encourage more women to cycle as part of its new Women on Wheels campaign or Ealing WOW as it is also known.
Activities over the summer will include women-only cycle rides, cycle maintenance classes and cycle training. The campaign features women who live and work in the borough who love to cycle.

Among them is Erika Severini who works in Ealing who has cycled for more than 20 years and even rode her bike to hospital to have her first baby. Now a mother of two, Erika and her husband take the children on family cycle rides. She said: “The perception around cycling is that it’s unsafe especially for children to be on the roads and this is stopping families from getting out and about on their bikes. However with all the support available including, free cycle training sessions including ones specifically for families, social rides, it makes it much easier. Give it a try.”

On Sunday, 26 June Ealing will be holding its annual Ticket to Ride event from 10am to 3pm. This will be a series of two-hour guided bike rides led at a leisurely pace by cycle marshals along towpaths and quieter streets through Greenford, Hanwell and Southall. Families, groups and nervous cyclists are particularly welcome. Rides are less than 10 miles and set off from either Northala Fields or the bandstand in Churchfield Recreation Ground every hour, on the hour, sign up for a ride at www.ealing.gov.uk/cycleride or just turn up on the day.

Cabinet member for transport, environment and leisure, Councillor Bassam Mahfouz said: “I cycle to work most days and as a council we are committed to supporting more people to cycle. That’s why we are taking part in Bike Week but we have activities and training throughout the year so I would encourage people to look at our website to find out more.

“I would also like to thank our Ealing Women on Wheels role models who are sharing their experiences of cycling to encourage other women get on their bikes. We know that a lot of women are reluctant to cycle because they worry about safety or feel they don’t have the time. That’s why we are reminding everyone about our free cycle training whether a woman wants to feel more confident commuting or wants to cycle more for pleasure.”

For more information on cycle training and Dr Bike checks, please visit www.ealing.gov.uk/cycling and www.ealing.gov.uk/wow

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Council plans for redevelopment of Gurnell Leisure Centre

Ealing Council is inviting residents to attend a series of public consultation meetings outlining plans to build a brand new leisure centre at the Gurnell site.

A number of different aspects of the project will be discussed including the design of the new centre, indoor and outdoor sports facilities, housing and transport links to the site.

The meetings will take place on Thursday, 19 May, 9 June and 14 July starting at 6.30pm at Hathaway Primary School, Hathaway Gardens, Ealing, W13 ODH.

Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for transport, environment and leisure, said: “We are investing £33million to build a fantastic flagship sports facility in Ealing and these meetings will be a great opportunity for people to come along and find out more. This is a really exciting project which will put Gurnell on the national map of professional sports facilities as well as offering local people an exciting modern new sports centre.”

The sessions are open to everyone, but space is limited and will be offered on a first come first serve basis.

The meetings will be hosted by Councillor Bassam Mahfouz and council officers working on the project.

For more information visit the council’s website www.ealing.gov.uk/Gurnell

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Ealing Council announces the 2016 dates for Ealing Summer Festivals

Ealing Council will transform Ealing’s green spaces again this summer filling the calendar with a jam-packed schedule of laughs, music, carnival festivities and culinary delights.

The first weekend of July sees Ealing Common become a giant smorgasbord of gastronomic delights with the first ever Eat, Drink, Ealing event, a thrilling, new addition to the programme.

West London’s largest comedy, jazz and blues festivals will be back in Walpole Park in July delivering another year of top-tier acts, with performances from festival veterans and untapped local talent.

Greenford and Acton carnivals return with their celebration of the vibrant local communities from which they emerged.  A procession will be heading towards Acton Park on Saturday, 9 July and is set to be bursting with glittering handmade costumes, electrifying tunes and contagious vibes.

The council’s cabinet member for transport, environment and leisure, Councillor Bassam Mahfouz said: “These dates are definitely ones for the diary. There will be great events taking place all over the borough, bringing a top class line up of musicians, comedians and artists to Ealing. Make sure you’re following Ealing Summer Festivals on all the usual social media channels to be the first to hear about special offers and who will be headlining.”

There will be child-friendly areas at all the events and The Events Umbrella will continue its commitment to putting on eco-friendly festivals and the preservation of the borough’s revered green areas.

Dates for Ealing Summer festivals 2016:
Greenford Carnival – Saturday 18 June, Ravenor Park, UB6
Eat, Drink, Ealing  – Saturday 2 July and Sunday 3 July, Ealing Common, W5
CAMRA’s Ealing Beer Festival – Wednesday 6 to Saturday 9 July, Walpole Park, W5
Acton Carnival – Saturday 9 July, Acton Park, W3
Comedy – Thursday 14 and Friday 15 and Wednesday 20 July to Friday 22 July, Walpole Park, W5
Blues – Saturday 16 July and Sunday 17 July, Walpole Park, W5
Jazz – Saturday 23 July and Sunday 24 July, Walpole Park, W5

Follow Ealing Summer @Ealing_Summer on Twitter, ealing_summer on Instagram and like us at https://www.facebook.com/ealingsummer on Facebook. You can also find more information on the website at www.ealingsummerfestivals.com and check out the festival guide, artist details and schedules.

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