Martene Carroll

What a start to the new year! 

Activities and events have focussed on sport, health, heritage, and happiness with music and dancing! There has certainly been something for everyone.

From inspiring players and developing grassroots coaches with Peter Augustine from The FA’s Coach Development Team to the Caribbean Walking Football Team winning their first game this year.

Pupils at John Lyon’s School were treated with a visit from our latest ‘Empower to Achieve’ Women of Sport & Heritage, Yamilé Aldama for a Q&A and an impromptu long jump competition.

We launched our new Healthy Hub for adults and the first participants warmed up with some training exercises before receiving health checks and nutrition advice.

The month finished off on a high with our elderly neighbours and those living with Dementia enjoying a social get-together with a ‘name that tune’ quiz before taking to the dance floor to relive dance moves from their youth.

Our youth Media man Marley has captured it all here on this short video: https://vimeo.com/1054466071

24^th January 2024

Last Friday saw the return of the Memory café element of the popular ‘Empower to Achieve’ Heritage programme funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, made possible by money raised by National Lottery players.

The new addition to the existing quartet of Heritage women central to the project is Yamilé Aldama, a Cuban-born triple jumper, four-time Olympian and gold medallist at the 2012 World Indoor Championships.

Yamilé was back in Brent visiting Lyon Park School, having previously lived in the borough some time ago.

Following research, the students who make up the school’s Sports Council, fielded interesting questions to their Olympian guest including asking about her childhood in Cuba, and why she chose to represent three different Nations in the World Championships.

Following the Memory Café the students enjoyed some outdoor activities and were treated to a firsthand masterclass in the triple jump.

After an hour of warm-ups and training, the school hosted an Olympic style competition and three competitors took to the podium to receive their gold, silver, and bronze medals.

The students received signed photographs of Yamilé but were disappointed not to have their school shirts signed!

Nevertheless, everyone agreed it was a fantastic day where sports heritage and education met.

The JRF Team are delighted to share this Video montage from our Youth Media Man – Marley, of the exciting activities, events, and celebrations we enjoyed with our local community, partners, staff, and volunteers throughout December.

What a month, and what a year it has been!

We’re looking ahead to what’s in store over the next twelve months as we head into our eighteenth year since launching in 2007.

There’s lots to look forward to and we hope you will all be a part of it.

In the meantime, from the JRF Family to yours, we wish you a very happy, healthy, and hopeful New Year.

With all good wishes and many thanks for your continued support.

We couldn’t do it without you.

The JRF Team

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Saturday 7th December 2024 

Eight young people who regularly attend JRF activities and events had the opportunity to visit Bakkavor Meals London Park Royal factory for a careers day learning about manufacturing and the food industry.

The day started with ice breakers and an introduction to the Bakkavor team, as well as a discussion about how the relationship between Bakkavor Meals London and the JRF has built up over the years, leading to an annual Cricket and sport fun day to raise funds for the Foundation.

A tour of the premises followed with an exercise looking at ingredients and the production line, and the young visitors found out about the apprenticeship schemes and Graduates’ schemes that Bakkavor offer.

The group went on to make their own JRF themed pizzas inspired by the Foundation’s logo. The results of the pizza making and branding of the pizza boxes were fabulous, and the young people came away with giveaways and food goodies, enthused and inspired by a food manufacturer that has community at their heart.

JRF has recently been awarded £16,000 by the Bakkavor Meals London team following another successful community and family fun day which included a Cricket tournament, sports, games, and activities for all the family, and raffle.

This fourth event was bigger than previous years with other Bakkavor factories and staff taking part in a wonderful day of sport, health, and community spirit.

Otis Roberts, CEO of JRF said; “We are so thankful for the great relationship that has developed over the years with Bakkavor Meals London. The funding they raise supports our work in the community, and we greatly appreciate their continued support.”

JRF initiate a return to school for twelve former students in Harlesden.

Wednesday 30^th October 2024

Last Wednesday the boys were back in town as the class of 1963 met the class of 2024 at Newman Catholic College (formerly Cardinal Hinsley) for a long-awaited visit to their former school some 55-years on.

The Cardinal Hinsley dozen who attended school in the 60s travelled from far and wide to have a tour of Harlesden and were then shown around their former school by young students. The group also revisited some of their old haunts in Roundwood Park and Harlesden high street.

Some turned up with their old schoolbooks wearing their school scarves with an enthusiastic skip in their step as though it was the first day all over again.

Amazingly they have kept in touch all this time meeting for monthly afternoon tea on more than 150 occasions, creating bond that is unbreakable.

A nostalgic afternoon was spent in previous classrooms, the woodwork room, and playground for the former students who have forged successful careers in banking, the arts, consultancy, construction and notably Oscar winning sound producer Chris Munro who hails from Church Road.

Head teacher Andy Dunne and Assistant Head Susan Grace were instrumental in ensuring that the current group of student hosts shared stories and ideas with their elders and provided great insight into the school and future plans, with the successful development going forward.

The day ended with discussion, laughter, and memories on the journey back for those who call Brent and Harlesden home.

Kenelm Robert one of the driving forces behind the groups longevity said,

“Thank you for inviting me to list the names and careers of my Cardinal Hinsley school chums who meet for monthly afternoon tea since our phased retirement since 2012. You will remember that we all met, aged 11, at the renamed Newman Academy from 5th September 1963. The school had been opened for just five years and, in the desire to create an exemplary institute of learning, many seemingly quaint and unusual practises were adopted and was the usual criteria.

For instance, the prefects wore boaters and carried short sticks to mete summarily justice to younger pupils who had transgressed. School caps were always worn and, if a teacher was not shown the respect by “capping”, (raising the headgear to acknowledge a master), punishment, usually three strikes of the cane,  could be administered at the next morning’s assembly.

Despite these challenges all my friends agree that these were amongst the happiest times of our lives and our afternoon teas are spent reminiscing and reflecting ‘a la recherché du temps perdu!

Our years at Cardinal Hinsley were, educationally and emotionally, the most significant of our lives and the friendships we shared will never be forgotten.”