by Admin | 29 Sep 2024 | FRONT PAGE NEWS, latest, volunteering
Imagine stepping into the cosy, aromatic haven of a community café nestled within the heart of Cricklewood. The scent of freshly ground coffee beans mingles with the sweet and spicy cakey aroomas, creating an irresistible invitation that beckons you to come closer. Now, picture yourself not just as a visitor, but as a volunteer barista, crafting these delightful experiences for your neighbours.
You might be seeking new ways to fill your days with purpose and joy. Volunteering as a barista offers the perfect blend of satisfaction and new skill development. Every cup of coffee you prepare becomes an opportunity to learn and grow, from mastering the art of creating the perfect espresso shot to frothing milk into a creamy, cloud-like consistency. The process is as rewarding as it is enjoyable, with each step providing a tangible sense of accomplishment.
But it’s not just about the coffee. It’s about the community. The café, located conveniently in the library, serves as a vibrant hub for Cricklewood’s residents. Here, you’ll meet people from all walks of life, each with their own story to share. You’ll find yourself building connections, one smile and one conversation at a time. The camaraderie among fellow volunteers and patrons alike fosters a sense of belonging and support that is truly heartwarming.
Imagine the satisfaction of seeing a regular’s face light up when you remember their favourite order, or the joy of a newcomer discovering their new go-to drink, thanks to your recommendation. These small moments of connection can brighten anyone’s day, including your own.
Full training will be given, and you can do this at your own pace. Please ask any barista for more details – they’ll be happy to advise, and to share what volunteering means to them. Alternatively, complete the volunteering form here and I’ll be in touch to discuss.
by Library Admin | 17 Apr 2024 | advice, FRONT PAGE NEWS, latest
On Thursday 2 May 2024 there will be elections for the Mayor of London and the 25 Members of the London Assembly. I am required by law to send this booklet to all registered voters who are eligible to vote in these elections. It includes mini-manifestos from the Mayoral candidates who have chosen to have one, and the names of all candidates standing for the London Assembly. Changes to this year’s elections Photo ID: If you are voting in a polling station, you must now bring photo identification. You can find out what forms of ID are acceptable here. The good news is that lots of documents are accepted as forms of ID, including, but not limited to:
International travel
Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country (including an Irish Passport Card)
Driving and parking
Driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (this includes a provisional driving licence)
A Blue Badge
Local travel
Older Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
Disabled Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
Oyster 60+ Card funded by the UK Government
Freedom Pass
Scottish National Entitlement Card issued for the purpose of concessionary travel (including a 60+, disabled or under 22s bus pass)
60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
War Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
Proof of age
Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
Other government issued documents
Biometric immigration document
National identity card issued by an EEA state
Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland
Voter Authority Certificate
Anonymous Elector’s Document
If you don’t have an accepted form of photo ID
You can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate, if:
you don’t have an accepted form of photo ID
you’re not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you
you’re worried about using an existing form of ID for any other reason, such as the use of a gender marker
You need to register to vote before applying for a Voter Authority Certificate.
Once you are registered to vote, apply for a Voter Authority Certificate.
How we vote: The way we elect the Mayor of London has changed. There will only be one vote for the Mayor, when in the past there has been a first and second choice. There are two types of London Assembly Member. Constituency Assembly Members represent the 14 London Assembly constituencies, and 11 Assembly Members represent the whole of London. As in previous elections you have one vote for each. You can find out more about how to vote and how we work out the results here.
by Admin | 9 Jun 2023 | latest
Doors 1900, music starts 1930. Seats are not reserved, so come early!
Barbershop comes to Cricklewood! Experience the sublime close harmonies of the Peridot Quartet.
Peridot is Héctor, Aurélie, Duncan and Matthew, who hail from Spain, France, Australia and Britain respectively, and came together as a quartet in March last year. They sing a capella – that is, with no instrumental accompaniment, and usually without amplification – representing music in its oldest and primeval form. They have more years of chorus and quartet singing experience between us than they care to add up, and share a small but treasured haul of gold, silver and bronze medals from a number of chorus contests.
For this event, Peridot is looking forward to explaining to you how four-part vocal harmony works and demonstrating lock and ring, overtones (and possibly some undertones), illustrated by songs from the quartet’s repertoire, ranging from barbershop settings of popular songs from the 30s up to arrangements of chart toppers from this millennium. And there’ll be an opportunity to learn a “tag” (tags are short phrase of music sung by barbershoppers all over the world) – audience participation not compulsory, but encouraged!
by Admin | 13 Mar 2023 | latest
Trio Taliesin take their name from Celtic mythology: Taliesin was a renowned bard who entertained at the courts of the Brythonic kings. The trio formed in 2017 with the aim of engaging audiences in piano trio repertoire through collaborative performances and programming that link works with an underlying narrative. They have given concerts in London, Oxford, Sedbergh and Llanidloes, collaborated on performances with actress Holly Walters, and performed Beethoven’s Triple Concerto with the Cobweb Orchestra.
Many of you will recognise pianist Tara Clifford from her performance with cellist Clare Graham at our Winter Piano and Cello Concert in December. This time Tara is joined by cellist Alice Jones, and violinist
Alice Jones studied Music at Dartington College of Arts, graduating in 2006 with a 1st class honours degree. She went on to study at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance on Pearson and TCM scholarships, graduating with a Music Performance Masters in 2011.
Alice has played recital concerts and concerti around the UK and abroad. She has worked extensively with the Cobweb Orchestra covering repertoire such as Dvořák’s Cello Concerto (Sage, Gateshead, 2013), Haydn’s Cello Concerto in C (Tuscany 2014) and Elgar’s Cello Concerto (Alnwick 2010 & Sedbergh 2018). In 2013-14 she performed and recorded a Cello Concertino written for her by the composer, John Hawkes. In addition to her work as a soloist, Alice has performed with various ensembles including the English Fayre Quartet (around the UK, Norway and Iceland) and the Evelina De Lain Trio (UK and the Maldives).
Alice teaches a wide range of cello students privately and in schools around London. She is a cello and Early Years music teacher at Junior Trinity. In 2017 she qualified as a Dalcroze practitioner.
Kirsten Wilson started playing violin at the age of 7. She was a music scholar at Headington girls’ school, and attended the Royal College of Music Junior Department, before winning a scholarship to the Royal Northern College of Music, where she studied with Yossi Zivoni and Ben Holland. She then went back to the Royal College of Music for her post-graduate studies, studying with Rodney Friend. Kirsten has played in many professional orchestras including the BBC Philharmonic and orchestras for various film soundtracks. In addition to her orchestral playing she regularly performs with the Barber String Quartet. As well as her busy performing schedule she teaches at Sutton high school and Fulham Prep School. She has also taught at the Royal Academy of Music Junior Department.
To book tickets go here.
by Admin | 16 Jan 2023 | activities, events, latest
Jazz in November was great – what will Jazz in January be like? You’ll have to come along and see!
The Brent Jazz Orchestra Quartet are back. We can’t fit the full 17 piece orchestra in the library, but a hand picked quartet of musicians will perform a lively and entertaining set of swing, latin and bebop numbers. The perfect way to ease into your weekend. Those who saw them in November at the library will know they’re not to be missed!
There will be a donations bar, and pizzas can be ordered in advance. If you don’t see the pizza you like on offer, requests are accepted. We order from Basilico. Pizza sales end the day before the concert to give us time to place the order.
Brent Jazz Orchestra on Facebook
When placing your order, you will get a confirmation email – please check your spam for this as these often go astray. Rest assured that if your payment is successfully taken, you’ll be on the door list on the night.
by Library Admin | 7 Jan 2023 | latest
From Wednesday 1 February, a group of people, one of them a trained Reader Leader, reads a great novel, short story or poem aloud. We stop and talk about what we have read. There is no need for group members to read aloud or speak – it’s fine to just listen. The idea is to create a space where people feel at ease.
Reading the literature aloud in real-time, means that everyone is involved in a shared, live experience. Group members are encouraged by the Reader Leader to respond personally, sharing feelings, thoughts and memories provoked by the reading.
Everyone experiences the text in their own way, but the literature provides a shared language that can help us to understand ourselves – and others – better.
Shared Reading helps us to understand our individual and collective inner lives, round the same table, at the same time.
