In this issue of Think Local Harrow

📣 Pinner's Historic Queen's Head Pub Unveils Stunning £140K Garden Makeover

👷‍♂️ Community Rallies to Support Rebuilding of Harrow's Smokey Friday Exclusive

🥶 Heating Outage in Eastman Village Spurs MP Gareth Thomas to Demand Action

❓ Answer To Trivia Question

🍪 National Cookie Day

December 4th

Twinkle Trail - Headstone Manor & Museum
Food Distribution - South Harrow Methodist Church
Christmas Tree Festival - All Saints' Church, Harrow Weald

December 5th

Twinkle Trail - Headstone Manor & Museum
Christmas Tree Festival - All Saints' Church, Harrow Weald

December 6th

Twinkle Trail - Headstone Manor & Museum
Christmas Tree Festival - All Saints' Church, Harrow Weald

December 7th

Twinkle Trail - Headstone Manor & Museum
Christmas Tree Festival - All Saints' Church, Harrow Weald

December 8th

Acoustic Night with Nick Bird - 2 South Hill Ave, South Harrow HA2 0NQ
Uhr + Laurie Wright + Dog Food Band + Conor Myles - Trinity Bar
Twinkle Trail - Headstone Manor & Museum
Christmas Tree Festival - All Saints' Church, Harrow Weald

December 9th

Harrow Christmas Fair - North Harrow
Reindeer Visit - Harrow Town Centre
🎄❄️GSN Winter Wonderland ❄️🎄 - Growing Stars Nursery
Skankin Time - The George, Harrow
A Gleeful Christmas! - St Andrew’s Church, Roxbourne
Harrow Hockey Club Christmas Party - Harrow Hockey Club
Twinkle Trail - Headstone Manor & Museum
Christmas Tree Festival - All Saints' Church, Harrow Weald

December 10th

Carols at the Clubhouse - Harrow St Marys Youth Football
Twinkle Trail - Headstone Manor & Museum
Christmas Tree Festival - All Saints' Church, Harrow Weald
Tribute to Muhammad Rafi Charity Concert 

Pinner's Historic Queen's Head Pub Unveils Stunning £140K Garden Makeover

The Queen's Head, a historic pub in Pinner, has recently undergone a significant transformation with the completion of a £140,000 garden renovation. The project, funded by Greene King, the pub owner, has turned a portion of the pub's large car park into an attractive, fully enclosed outdoor space. This renovation includes a new walled garden, a stylish pergola in the patio area, and a raised patio that facilitates year-round use.

Local resident and leaseholder of The Queen's Head for over a decade, Sean White, has been at the forefront of this transformation. The pub, known as the oldest Inn in Pinner, has been a central community hub, famed for its extensive beer selection and freshly made pizzas. The new garden features an attractive entrance gate, enhanced external lighting, lush foliage, and comfortable, new furniture, increasing the pub's capacity, especially in the summer.

Phil Venables, Business Development Manager for Greene King Pub Partners, commended Sean White's efforts and expressed delight at seeing the investment come to fruition, enhancing the pub's appeal. The Queen’s Head has a rich history dating back to 1540, with its cellars from the 12th century, and it continues to be a cherished landmark in Pinner.

Community Rallies to Support Rebuilding of Harrow's Smokey Friday Exclusive

In Harrow Town Centre, a devastating fire on Friday night resulted in the total destruction of Smokey Friday Exclusive, a popular, family-run Jamaican food hut. The fire, which occurred shortly before midnight at Greenhill Place Market, near St John's Road and opposite the former Debenhams building, completely incinerated the establishment.

Smokey Friday Exclusive was renowned for cooking fresh Jamaican cuisine daily for the Harrow community. The fire brigade responded to the emergency call but was unable to save the structure. Following the incident, the police and fire department have initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.

In response to the tragedy, the Harrow residents have set up a GoFundMe page to support the Smokey Fridays team's recovery efforts. Donations are encouraged to help the business rebuild and return to serving the community. The London Fire Brigade reported that upon their arrival, they had to establish a 25-metre safety cordon and cool several cylinders as a precaution against potential explosions. The fire, which drew 14 emergency calls, was completely extinguished within approximately half an hour of the brigade's arrival.

Heating Outage in Eastman Village Spurs MP Gareth Thomas to Demand Action

Eastman Village in Harrow is experiencing a heating and hot water outage affecting many residents, a recurring issue over the past four years. Barratt London, the developer, is addressing the problem and plans to open a new energy centre soon as a long-term solution.

In the meantime, they are providing temporary measures like portable heaters and accommodation, and have offered past compensation. MP Gareth Thomas is actively involved, seeking urgent responses and planning public meetings for affected residents.

Answer To Trivia Question

In the history of Harrow, London, which significant event is associated with the junction of Grove Hill and Lowlands Road?

1. The site of the first public library in Harrow

2. The location of Harrow's oldest surviving building

3. The scene of Britain's first fatal car accident

4. The original site of the Harrow School

Answer: 3) The scene of Britain's first fatal car accident. In 1899, the junction of Grove Hill and Lowlands Road in Harrow was the site of Britain's first fatal car accident, commemorated by a plaque at the top of Grove Hill​

National Cookie Day

National Cookie Day, observed globally, is a delightful celebration dedicated to the universally beloved treat: cookies. This sweet holiday honors the rich variety and history of cookies, from their humble origins to their current status as a staple in many cultures.

The Origin of Cookies and National Cookie Day:

The history of cookies dates back to the 7th century AD, where it is believed that Persians were among the first to cultivate sugar cane, eventually leading to the creation of baked goods.

Cookies made their way to Europe by the 14th century, influenced by trade and war, and became popular there.

European settlers brought their cookie recipes to the Americas, where unique varieties like the Chocolate Chip Cookie emerged.

National Cookie Day was officially established in 1987 by Matt Nader of the Blue Chip Cookie Company in San Francisco. He envisioned it as a fun holiday, akin to National Secretaries Day.

The Cookie Monster from Sesame Street, a well-known character, has been an enthusiastic promoter of this holiday, aligning with his love for cookies.

The celebration gained global recognition, partly thanks to its mention in Random House’s The Sesame Street Dictionary in the 1980s.