We’ve had a great month of achievements and successes that stir up pride inside anyone that feels a part of Harrow. Locally we unveiled the new Hatch End Park Estates sign that had been created with residents to replicate the old, historic sign that had stood in place for decades but sadly was falling apart. The new sign looks incredible, a fitting replica of the old one, and will stand proudly for many years to come.
Our high streets have been in full bloom with the recent hot weather, not only thanks to the new hanging baskets that we have introduced in our town centres across the borough but also many of the wonderful flower displays we have. In Hatch End, we have supported our resident association as well as the Hatch End Horticultural Society’s Annual Summer Flower Show so together we brighten up our wonderful area.
Our borough is looking cleaner, with fly-tipping down 33%, enforcement up and more residents taking advantage of the free bulky waste collection, tip and the council’s new ‘Drop and Go’ sessions each month, where residents can dispose of bulky waste closer to home, rather than booking a visit or collection.
In Hatch End, our local litter picking sessions have gathered dozens of bags from the local area, helping to keep our high streets look clean and smart and fly-tipping hotspots have remained clean and tidy after our intervention and Community Clean Up last year (touch wood!)
Then there are the small things that you may not have noticed, like the new road signs, the silent work of our rapid response pothole squad, major resurfacing works and the PotholePro patching works as we finally start to turn things around and invest and improve our local highways right across Harrow.
The nice weather has provided plenty of reasons to celebrate and get the community together, VE Day, the King’s Birthday, new high street businesses opening like EggHolic, the Hatch End Tennis Club Centenary and, in Hillview Road, Hatch End, the annual street party that has continued every year (except during Covid) since 1977. Incredible!
All around us there are things going on that stir up emotion and make you feel proud to live in Harrow. As a local councillor, the best part of the job is going around learning, listening and celebrating with residents. This is home. Having been born and grow up in Harrow I’d like to think now is my way of giving back, celebrating the best in Harrow, the unsung heroes and all those that help restore some pride in our borough.
You can follow Cllr Matthew Goodwin-Freeman on Facebook, Instagram, TwitterX, Nextdoor, TikTok, and join his monthly e-newsletter and take part in his campaigns via www.matthewgoodwinfreeman.uk
