Showing Unity in the Community

By Taz Virdee

Community spirit triumphed over the weather as nearly 200 local residents got involved and celebrated our Queen’s 90th Birthday at the Brabazon Community Centre. In partnership with the Brabazon Estate Residents Association (BERA) we had Asha Creative Hearts provide the wonderful face painting and henna – which (once again) proved to be a blockbuster hit! We also had royally inspired art activities, clay modeling, an interactive magic and tricks show, bike workshop, tasty hot food and our Royal Cake! Local community groups and charities also attended to promote opportunities for our residents to volunteer and learn about various activities happening across the area.
 
We captured the day on film – please click on the video above to watch our short film highlighting all the fun and excitement from the event.

‘Wonderful day for the residents’

Young volunteer Juhi who is involved with our Life Skills programme said: “I believe the event was a great way to get people in the community to socialise and take part in entertaining activities.”
 
Another young volunteer and Life Skills participant Simran added: “I found this event very fun. It was very interesting and it brought the whole community together.”

‘Showing unity in the community’

Bringing local people together (of all ages, races and backgrounds) and making a real and lasting difference to our community is what we are all about.
 
Committee member Zeenat Patel said: “Truly a wonderful afternoon. Was nice to see how the local community came together to celebrate the Queen’s Birthday with lots of fun activities and tasty food.”
 
Event helper Debbie Noad added: “What a wonderful day for the residents to celebrate with their families and enjoy delicious cakes and entertainment.”

Abbie who presented our event promotional film said: “It was great seeing lots of people from around the area come together and show the unity in community despite the weather.”

‘Celebrating a fantastic first year’

Alan Fraser our Chairperson for the Heston West Community Partnership (HWCP) and Deputy Head at Cranford Community College said:
 
“It was great to see so many people at the Big Local party for the Queen’s 90th birthday.  Indeed it was a double celebration as Heston West Community Partnership was also celebrating a fantastic first year.  The fact that nearly 200 people turned out on a wet Sunday is testament to both the Queen and HWCP.”

From all of us at HWCP and Brabazon Estate Residents Association, we would like to wish the Queen a very Happy 90th Birthday!

We would also like to say a massive thank you to our dedicated committee members, young volunteers from Cranford Community College, Blaise Singh at MADE TV, Asha Creative Hearts, London Bike Hub, Feltham Arts, Volunteering Hounslow, One You Hounslow, QPR Trust, Captain Fantastic, Sunshine of Hounslow, London Play, Rectory Farm, Diabetes UK Hounslow, Paul Upward Photography, Manju Malhi Catering, Shan Baker, Champa’s Cakes (for the delicious Queen’s Birthday cake - see below) and to all our residents for coming along and supporting our Big Local. We look forward to see you all soon.

Click here for our event pictures.

Are you a local resident? Would you like to get involved with the Heston West Big Local – if you got a few hours to spare each month and would like to make a difference – please contact Taz on taz.virdee@groundwork.org.uk - we also would love to hear YOUR community project ideas!