What's On

Hundreds of children met Santa Claus in his grotto at the Centre in Feltham over the last two weekends.

Mayor of Hounslow Councillor Paul Lynch was on hand to help Santa with presents and pose for photos with families doing their Christmas shopping in the town.

Stilt-walkers dressed as 12ft reindeer also have been bringing the town to life and on Saturday December 19 there will be an acrobatic roller-skating elf and performances from the local community groups including the Oasis Church Choir and the Choral Society at the Centre.

Age Concern will be holding a Christmas bazaar at Feltham Lodge on Saturday November 28.

The charity will be holding the annual event at its home in Harlington Road West between 12.30pm and 2.30pm.

Anyone wishing to donate goods for sale can drop them in at Feltham Lodge or call 020 87515829.

An information day for disabled adults will take place at Hounslow Council civic centre on Friday September 11 between 11am and 3pm.

The council and representatives from the voluntary sector will be on hand to give advice about service that are available and to find out what services the people of Hounslow would like introduced.

For more information visit www.hounslow.gov.uk, email disabilitymatters@hounslow.gov.uk or call 020 8583 3164.

A record turnout was achieved at Bedfont Lakes Country Fair despite calls to boycott the event over the introduction of admission fees.

More than 5,500 people attended the 14th annual fair on Sunday July 26 - an increase of 1,500 on last year's showing.

Uproar had been caused by the decision by organisers John Laing to introduce an entrance fee of £2 per person but revellers packed into Bedfont Lakes Country Park to experience the displays and activities.

The 14th annual Bedfont Lakes Country Fair will take place at Bedfont Lakes Country Park on Sunday between noon and 5pm.

This year's fair will feature motorbike stunts, animals from Hounslow Urban Farm, a dog show, falconry displays, a horse show, morris dancers and performance from Titan - an 8ft dancing robot.

Entry to the event, which has regularly attracted more than 4,000 visitors, costs £2 per person.

Families and charities are being urged to boycott this year's Bedfont Country Fair in protest at a hike in prices.

Visitors will be charged for admission for the first time in the event's 15 year history, while charities are being put off holding stalls by £25 charges.

John Laing - the company which runs Hounslow's leisure services on behalf of the council - said the charges of £2 per person and £25 per charity stall are needed to stop the event making a loss.

Churches, a fire station and a farm will be among the properties opening their doors to the public for Feltham and Bedfont Open House Day on Saturday June 20.

The Feltham History Group have organised the day, which will see 10 premises open for inspection from 10.30am.

A sword made in Bedfont in the 17th Century has gone on sale for more than £2,000.
The 'Hounslow Hanger', which is thought to have been used in the English Civil War, is going for a song on auction website eBay for US$3,399 (£2,107.84).

It was made at the Hounslow Sword Mill - which was set up by Charles I in 1630 on what is now The Duke of Northumberland's River - but is now being sold by an American collector and dealer.

Pupils at Bedfont Junior and Infant schools will be giving parents road safety lessons as part of an event at the schools on Friday.

Police officers and their team of Junior Road Safety officers at the schools will be talking to parents about the dangers of parking across driveways, speeding and using mobile phones when they drop their children off at school.

Confusing times at Hounslow Urban Farm this week where two sheep bypassed Christmas and provided a distinctly Easter mood by giving birth to three healthy lambs.

Twins Holly and Noel arrived on Saturday, to four-year-old mum Delilah.