Nightmare on Shepherds Close!

Residents of Shepherds Close have been requesting information on the intense Police activity that took place around the flats at the top of your road, on Saturday 19th December 2009. It transpires that from within one of the properties, were found; documents on how to make bombs, and chemicals such as Hydro Peroxide, Chloroform and sulphuric acid. 20 litres of the suspect liquid chemicals were found.

The resident also had a samurai sword and fireworks in his residence.

The resident has been refused bail, while his case is being heard at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

More details can be found by (Clicking here) - look up Chemist facing bomb charges.

BPCA Peace Rally in London

Wilson Chowdhry with Baroness Cox - addressing gathered protesters

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On the 19th December 2009 over 120 people form all faiths including, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Jews, Atheists and Christians marched for equality, justice and peace in Pakistan. The event was organised by the British Pakistani Christian Association in the wake of Taliban led attacks on Christian communities in Pakistan. The event also had the honour of being attended by Green Party MEP Jean Lambert and Baroness Cox.

Wilson Chowdhry is the Vice Chairman of the BPCA and is pleased to announce that since the Peace rally took place - the High Commissioner of Pakistan has agreed to meet an all faith/no faith delegation on the 8th January 2010, to discuss the persecution felt by minority faith groups in Pakistan Inter Alia; Ahmadi Muslims, Shi'ite Muslims, Hindus, Christians and Sikhs. Wilson said:

"We hope to arrange a meeting with the Interior Minister of Pakistan as a sequel to our initial delegation, he is soon due to visit the UK. The BPCA believe these actions will be early steps towards a free Pakistan, with an end to the existing second class citizenship felt by many. This is the biggest Christmas present we could give to the persecuted minorities in Pakistan, and is a stepping stone, to a more stable economic and social environment in Pakistan."

Many people in the UK have questioned why the BPCA is asking the British Government to get involved with what outwardly seems to be an international issue outside of their remit. Wilson responded:

"The British Government are allies with Pakistan and have regular and more convivial dialogue with the Country, than most nations. The war on terror that has been instigated by the British Government in union with the USA has caused an increase in the intensity and frequency of the attacks on Christian communities in Pakistan. In the last 4 months 3 cities have been burned to the ground in violent mob attacks that have left the poor Christian communities destitute and they are still being threatened by the perpetrators. Our government is providing resources and funding to the Pakistan government to support the war on terror, yet the popularity of the Taliban seem to have increased. If we are to win this war on terror and reduce our overall fiscal costs and resource outlay, surely it would be wiser to channel some of these funds into increasing the level of literacy in Pakistan. The Taliban brainwash the illiterate masses in Pakistan, and recruit from the Poverty stricken areas."

The BPCA believe that while there are people that need others to make their decisions for them, due to a lack of discernment - the Taliban will always be a popular outfit. Their group wishes to challenge the American Government and the British Government into provoking internal change in Pakistan. Equal rights should not be a preserve of the social elite and parity of opportunity is a must. More often than not, minority groups live in the most squalid conditions and undertake the most menial roles. Moreover, only 7% of individuals for minority groups are literate (admittedly over 50% of all Pakistanis are illiterate). Pakistan has signed up to the Human Rights Act and is a member of the UN, as such the blasphemy law which exists in their country is illegal and requires immediate reform. the BPCA believes the UN and the European Union should be involved in addressing change to a law that espouses first and second class citizenship, placing one race in a superior position.

What benefits would such engagement give to western nations you may ask - Wilson has an answer to this question:

"Better education would reduce the support for the Taliban, with the recent more direct attack by the western agencies against the Taliban, this could result in a more expedient and long term eradication of their militia group. It is proven that attacks to Christians and other minority faith groups are undertaken by the lower tier members of the Taliban, and other local fractious groups vying for power - almost always these are illiterate pawns, who have nothing to lose as they are in a social and economic quagmire. Better education and learning provides a more moderate social climate and more efficient economy. We believe this would reduce Asylum seekers based on religious persecution and reciprocally immigrants due to favourable conditions at home. In the long term this would mean more jobs for indigenous British people, less strain on our benefits system and a return of our service men, which reciprocally would lower the overall budget for our war on terror.

The BPCA will continue to fight for justice, peace and equality in Pakistan and would like anyone who supports the notion to sign the on-line petitions below:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Stop-the-persecution/

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Save-lives/

Wilson Chowdhry with Jean Lambert Green Party MEP for London and EU Delegate to for South Asia to the European Union

Save King George Hospital

The Chadwell Green Party have organised a demonstration against the potential closure of A&E at King George Hospital for the 9th January 2009.

The protest will take place from 12:00 - 14:00 and will be located outside Ilford Town Hall, High Road, Ilford.

Today the Ilford Recorder reported on the success of our on-line petition which has attracted support from existing and retired doctors. Please do sign it, if you have not already done so.

Ilford Recorder article (click here)

King George petition (click here)

Merry Christmas to one and all.

Shepherds Close Development

You will remember in August I sent a flurry of letters to homes in Fields park Close and Shepherds Close, regrading the potential development of the unused car park ,at the top of Shepherds Close, near the large flats. I can confirm no-one responded to my request for any potential objections and so I did not challenge the Planning Application.

the planning application has now been approved and I include further details, Click!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

The recent snow and cold weather has created mixed fortunes for local people. The treacherously icy roads and pavements have created a safety hazard for all people, especially the more vulnerable older and younger members of our community.

I have reported the terrible state of Havering Gardens and Shepherds Close to the Highways Team and will pass on details of other roads requiring attention - so please do tell.

I hope you like the snowman, my nephews, nieces, daughters and I made it outside my mothers house. See the snow can be useful!  Although even in this instance same children described above, decided to pelt me with snowballs! Don't worry though, I got them back! Heh heh!

Video of the BPCA peace rally and protest against persecution in Pakistan

In Urdu and English so please continue to view the whole video.

Response to recent comments on my Crime update post.

We received some comments on my recent crime update post and asked our Local Sergeant to respond to them. Here is his response which is rather positive - he has also provide some Christmas Burglary prevention advice:

"In relation to burglaries, yes we do inform victims of attempts when we are aware of the addresses. Attempts are also recorded as Burglaries. We always advise residents not to leave vehicle keys on display, and we are currently distributing the attached leaflet."

Click here for burglary advice.

And 6 advice sheets issued by Barkingside Crime Prevention Office, via Barkingside 21, added by Weggis.

Be Safe, not sorry this Christmas
Bogus Callers
Cash Point Security
Internet Crime
Steer Clear of Car Crime
Street Wise


Ps 52 JI LOWRIE Chadwell SNT

14 Wangey Road

Romford

Essex.

Tel; 02087212562

E-Mail; chadwell.snt@met.police.uk

Grove Farm Estate - Forward Planning

A group of mothers have united to combat the poor performance of management agents Winchester Properties on your estate. We have challenged them on several occasions with regard to their rather lax level of service and with some help from London & Quadrant have managed to induce some minor repairs to your area;some weeding, replacement of non-weed stones in green areas (unfortunately they opted for larger more dangerous stones rather than our suggestion of woodchip).

This has served both the flats and house on the estate. We have also obtained road signs, encouraged graffiti and bulky waste removed by the council (it was not Winchesters) and championed a number of Antisocial Behaviour contracts that have improved local quality of life

We channeled the impetus of the mothers into a newspaper article and Winchesters have now publicly registered a date for reinstatement of the Birch Court communal foyers . We can use this promise for debate, if they now fail to adhere to their commitment (they have offered several dates throughout the year in my previous letters to you).

We are now also pursuing the Planning Department for immediate repairs to bicycle and waste collection units (a complaint with respect to original planning consent has been submitted).

Here is a Link to the Ilford Recorder article.

Please thank the brave mothers if you see them....

Crime update its grim reading but you need to know!

Barley Lane:

Two shopkeepers bravely refused to give up their takings at knife point. A man and a woman were threatened at knife point, behind the till, at SSS Food and Wine Barley Lane. This incident occurred on Tuesday 7th December at 7pm. If anyone has information on the incident do please call Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Burglars caught on Grove Road and Mayesford Road:

Burglars were caught trying to break into properties at Grove Road around two weeks ago (by our famed Chadwell Safer Neighbourhood Team) and two were also caught trying to break into a home on Mayesford Road 3 weeks earlier in a separate incident. Both crimes were reported by neighbours in areas in which Isla Martin and I Have initiated new Neighbourhood Watches.

Havering Burglars Thwarted:

Two burglars were also thwarted by a resident who heard noises in his home on Havering Gardens on November 30th at around 4.30am. They ran off along Somerville Road after being interrupted, however they had already removed a pane of glass -leaving the property vulnerable. Police are warning residents not to leave Christmas presents near windows, as this attracts opportunistic crime of this nature.

Kinked George Hospital

Picture from our initial demonstration on the 21st November 2009

Many of you have asked how we intend to continue the campaign to save A&E facility at King George Hospital. We have been working hard behind the scenes and have invited all political parties and a number of groups to a public demonstration at Ilford Town Centre on the 9th January to the fore of Ilford Town Hall. MP Lee Scott has already confirmed attendance.

Please do join us!

In addition to this we have now initiated and on-line petition, that we hope, as many local residents as possible will sign:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Save-King-George-Hospital/

Please pass on this petition to any local people or groups within your network.

Protecting the Vulnerable!

Picture taken from Barkinside 21 blogsite

Doorstep crime is on the increase in the borough, reports of bogus callers dominates the local media and the RNWA faced with an ever increasing list of this type of crime sanctioned a No-bogus callers training day. This was held on the 4th Of December and one of the most esteemed guests was Richard Binder the Borough Commander for our Fire service. Ilsa Martin one of your Green Activists for Chadwell is the Treasurer for the RNWA which has recently secured close to £10,000 from the home office, funding this project and others.

The event went well although due to a restrictive timetable the dates were a little rushed resulting in a smaller than expected turnout. However, all those that attended received indicated that thy had gained from the session. It would be great to see more NHW Coordinators in the next training course we hope to hold sometime in February - so please do get in contact.

The RNWA as part of the training also funded a number of training CDs which have been distributed to all participants. They will now use the 15 minute Training DVD to teach elderly people in the borough safer door strategies and housekeeping skills that should reduce incidents of this type of crime.

The Aims of the course were as follows:

1. A stark warning not to employ cold callers whatsoever!
2. Improve Doorstep skills
3. Not to keep money at home!

Useful learning included:

- Promotion of the Buy with Confidence Scheme and approved subcontractor database of companies vetted by LBR Trading Standards and the Police.
-Notification of the utility company password scheme - Individual passwords allocated to subscribers now used by all utility companies. Staff visiting from any company are required to quote password before entering a premises.
-Information on the Redbridge Handy Van Scheme (Free crime prevention devices fitted at home provided by Help the Aged)

The course advised us that the average victim of bogus callers are white females between the ages of 71 - 78. This is much due to the unscrupulous perpetrators targeting the more vulnerable groups in society, who generally suffer social isolation and are limited by a physical or cognitive disadvantage.

The average age of death for women is 82 and that of men around 78.

UK Statistical data on health problems included:

16% of people of 75yrs+ have sight difficulties
50% of people 80Yrs+ have a hearing difficulty
6% of people 6%yrs + suffer from dementia
25% of People 85 -89yrs suffer from dementia

Advice provided for presenting the training to elderly people was to ensure that you give no credence to criminals. Many of the people visited will already have been victims. They may use the trainers as a listening post for disclosure.

Trainers will also have to face a much higher set of morals such as:

"I have never been a burden on anyone"
"I always pay for everything by cash - I was taught to spend only what I have earned"
"I was taught always to keep money for a rainy day"

However, it is imperative to explain to the elderly generation that we live in a time of changing if not evaporating morals, It is a disgusting and distorted world we live in and we need to alter the way we live to fit the circumstances.

Using banks and Cash Cards is favourable to the use of badly designed covert money boxes, stashing money under mattresses and in cupboards in the bedroom. Moreover keeping house well maintained will reduce the opportunistic criminals from recognising that an elderly person is living at particular homes.

As Chairman of the RNWA I would like to invite other residents or NHW Coordinators to enter the next course. Please contact us should you wish to be included. I can also advise that our budget will extend to purchasing signage like that in the picture, which we hope to introduce to your areas.

King George Hospital must stay!

Redbridge PCT are trying to build up a secure case for the eradication of A& E Facility at King George Hospital. They claim that doctors are- in favour yet evidence arising from a recent public meeting at the Holiday Inn, Newbury Park, suggested that such support was correct only to directly employed NHS doctors and that the wider practitioners disagree with closure.

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Read (here) to learn how 94% of Doctors are against proposals.

Read (here) about the PCT claim that the decision is not financially based.

Your Seven Kings and Chadwell Greens will continue the campaign for continued existing services at King George hospital. With this in mind we have organised a Public demonstration to be held in front of Ilford Town Hall on the 9th January 2009. We have already invited all political parties and a large number of groups. MP Lee Scott of the Conservatives has accepted our invitation and we hope that members of other political parties will follow suit.

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Whatever transpires it seems to me that evidence supporting closure of A&E is rigged and contrived. Moreover, statements that heart patients will not suffer with longer emergency travel are ludicrous and bizarre. We must galvanise together as a community just as we did two years ago to prevent an exceptional miscarriage of authority from threatening the future of our health. Personally, I would rather see the removal of some of the top and middle management - people who have made our local services so shambolic, rather than an essential A&E facility.

Please join us at our demonstration whatever your political or non political bias. Our lives could depend on your support.

GREENS MARCH FOR ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE

Ashley Gunstock, Stephen Lambert, Jean Lambert, Mark Dawes and Wilson Chowdhry - campaigning against Climate Change.

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Members of Waltham Forest and Redbridge Green Party marched from Hyde Park Corner to Parliament to call for action on climate change last Saturday, December 5th. The march had over 50,000 people and as well as the Green Party was supported by organizations such as Oxfam, Christian Aid, World Development Movement, Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, WWF, RSPB, UNICEF, Campaign against Climate Change, VIVA, UNISON and numerous others.

There is now a scientific consensus that climate change is happening and it is the result of human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and the farming of animals for meat and dairy products. In fact, it is happening at a faster rate than previously thought. Unless action is taken now, the planet will experience extreme weather, food shortages, mass extinction of species and escalating wars over resources.

The protesters demanded tough action on climate change from the Government and world leaders at the Copenhagen summit next week and for a fair international deal to stop global warming exceeding the critical threshold of 2C. The Greens are calling for the European Union to commit to at least 40 per cent emissions reductions by 2020. The UK, in particular, has vast amounts of untapped renewable energy like wind, tidal and solar power that could be exploited far more with the right investment and support for development. Green industry could also provide a large number of new jobs at all skill levels.

Wilson Chowdhry, Green Party candidate for Chadwell Ward, said "It was great to see so many people united for what is an extremely important issue. We hear to often about the scepticism from rogue scientists disputing the need for mankind to reduce their own personal carbon footprint and to exercise better holistic carbon reduction programmes. On the day a group of 6 people held their own counter protest, which I found rather distasteful and they did receive a number of vitriolic jeers. The fact remains, that if we do not put in the effort now, to convince World Governments to impose stricter and more comprehensive guidelines on emissions and waste policy, there will be few recognisable living things left on the destitute earth we will create for posterity."

In May next year use your vote to secure carbon reduction!

Stop Persecution

Picture of a protest in India after a recent attack in Orissa.

Over the past few months there have been reports of attacks on Christians and their properties in Pakistan. Additionally there have been reports of a number of abduction, rape and forced marriage of female Christians, and false allegations of blasphemy against innocent victims over the past year. These events are not meted out singularly towards Christians, in fact, there are many notable incidents to other minority faith groups such as Hindu's and Sikhs. It would appear that the Blasphemy Law in Pakistan is being used as a tool for settling personal vendettas and is causing much strife to minority communities.

To address these issues in Pakistan the British Pakistani Christian Association has organised a peaceful demonstration on the 19th December 2009. The protest march will leave from the Pakistani Embassy at 12:00 and should arrive at 10 Downing Street at approximately 14:00. Petitions will be submitted to both the Pakistani Embassy and 10 Downing Street.

It is hoped that the march will have a number of benefits for those victims who now find themselves displaced, destitute and under constant threat:

• It is intended to pressure the Pakistani Government to move swiftly and decisively to bring to justice the perpetrators, inciters and collaborators of these unjust activities
• To pressure the Pakistani Government to reform the Police Service in Pakistan.
• To pressure the Pakistani Government to make sure the rule of law is enforced for all its citizens regardless of their religion or ethnic background.
• To pressure the Pakistani Government to repeal the Blasphemy Law, or add other amendments to the Blasphemy Law and enforce those amendments that have already been put into place.
• To reinforce the British Government’s criticism of these incidents and encourage further international pressure on the Pakistani Government to act in accordance with the above bullet points.

We would like to encourage people of any faith or no faith to come and join us on this protest for justice, peace and equality for all.

Speaking at the event will be:

Cllr Alan Craig Peoples Christian Party (Newham)
MEP Jean Lambert
Dr Rai Sikh Human Rights Group
Alex Chowdhry British Pakistani Christian Association
Wilson Chowdhry British Pakistani Christian Association
Pastor Jimmy Robinson Potters House Christian Fellowship Romfod
Dr Peter David Gateway TV
And many more.....

For further information regarding the British Pakistani Christian Association, and the ongoing problems in Pakistan please feel free to visit our blog at:

http://britishpakistanichristian.blogspot.com/

PS I attach a link the Pakistani High Commission in London's website which has directions to the High Commission:

http://www.phclondon.org/HC/ContactUs.asp

Kind regards

Wilson Chowdhry
Vice Chairman
British Pakistani Christian Association

Kinked George Hospital - Overspill parking solution

The Highways department have responded to a request, for Parking solutions to be implemented at near King George Hospital , in the wake of the recent dubious decision to charge staff for Parking. The issue was raised by a local resident and Wilson, at a very early Area 5 meeting this year. When it as raised your existing Councillors were not even aware of the issue. So we are a little perturbed and disappointed that the Liberal Focus has painted a picture that this work, was somehow, a result of their efforts.

Below we include images of the detailed plans for the proposed road changes

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

If you would like to comment on the proposal please do complete the consultation document below and send it to the Highways department. If you can please send me a copy of your completed form, or let me know about any apprehension - so that we might champion any worthy alterations you may wish for.

Consultation Document

Grove Farm Development

Great news! Rajeshri Chouhan (our Seven Kings Activist) read my report on why it would not be suitable for the Grove Farm development to proceed - at the recent Planning regulatory Committee (Tuesday). The Councillors thanked her for the information and then proceeded to argue in their usual manner.

The plan has been refused due to the lack of local amenities and inappropriate design and appearance.

All the arguments that we used, fueled a health debate and we ensured that we did not just focus on lack of school provision. The judging was a close decision as all 3 Labour Councillor's Cllr Maravalla (Loxford), Cllr Tewari (Clementswood) and Cllr Javed (Loxford) all voted in favour of the diabolical project. Common sense won out on this occasion - only just! Trust Labour to let the side down again....

I am sure we will be faced with a similar project in the near future so do let me know if you hear of any proposals.

The Liberal Focus stated that the site could not be used for any council projects as it had been sold to East Thames Housing. This might be a good opportunity for them to buy back the land at cut price. They repurchased Fairlop Waters after much community action. If you think this is a good idea why not let me know....