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Local Girl's winning Xmas card design & Happy Credit Crunch Christmas!

Nine year-old schoolgirl Emilola from Willesden got the chance to meet The Prime Minister recently.

It was after she won a 'Design My Christmas Card' competiition organised by Brent South MP Dawn Butler.

Each Christmas the MP invites local schoolchildren in her area to design a card which she will use as her Christmas card to send out to constituents.

This year's theme was 'A Sporting Christmas' and was judged by Olympic Boxing Champion James De Gale and Willesden and Brent Times Editor Tim Cole amongst others.

Emilola's picture shows Father Christmas enjoying a game of football - clearly something he does in his spare time to keep fit!

Her win led her to be asked to come along with her family to meet Gordon Brown. Emi said 'It was really exciting and special to get to meet The Prime Minister.' Dawn Butler also hosted a special reception in Emi and the runner ups honour attended by The Mayor Brent Cllr Ralph Fox at The House of Commons on December 11th.

And with other goodies including a family tour of Wembley Stadium and a meal out for Emi and her family at a local restaurant Emi is very proud of her design.

And so am I  - afterall- she's my daughter!

So - if you recieve one of Dawn Butlers' cards - you'll know the story behind it.

Have a Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.

And - to get you on a good financial footing for 2009 - in this Credit Crunch era - make sure you don't miss out on a new Community Discount Card. It means a range of discounts in shops, restaurants and stores in and around Harlesden.

Call 0800 567 7011 to get yours.

Enjoy!

Abi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Previous colunms from The Editor...

 

 

 

Since the beginning of November my walk has changed. I’m walking that bit taller. My back is that bit straighter. My head held up that bit higher. And I can’t stop beaming.

 

It’s at this time of the year that the word ‘multiculturalism’ really comes into its own. And never more so than in our neck of the woods in NW10. The vibrant and diverse nature of the communities who live within this post-code is beautifully brought to life in festivals like Eid and Diwali, not forgetting of course Guy Fawkes Night and Halloween.
Different and diverse, all these festival and celebrations tell us a little bit more about our culture and communities. About all our cultures and all our communities.

Whether it’s breaking your Ramadan fast with a date, having your hand decorated in henna for Eid, seeing the sparkle in your child’s eyes as they hold their first sparkler, wearing new clothes for Diwali, or adjusting your daughter’s witches hat for Halloween – all these rituals form part of the fabric of our life here.

Traditions and tales, race and religion, fasting and feasting – all are beautifully blended in our colourful mixing pot here in Willesden, Harlesden, Neasden and the Kensals.

Yes there are differences, too right there should be differences, sometimes there are difficulties, but always there is tolerance and understanding.

Whatever you’re celebrating at this time of year.

 

  

 

Enjoy!