A CAR was set on fire just metres from families' homes in Ash Grove.

On Thursday last week, the fire brigade and police were called at about 4.40am to a vehicle that was alight in the middle of the green.

The blaze was quickly put out and now police are trying to find out who was responsible.

THE developer of Royal Quay says it has listened to local people before putting in its final plans.

Ashill Developments wants to create 29 apartments next to the Grand Union Canal near Coppermill Lock, and turn the locally listed Long Room and the Grade II listed Watermill buildings into offices.

The village Neighbourhood Watch held its last meeting on Wednesday last week after the group failed to find a replacement chairman.

Paul Stone, who is also chairman of Harefield Tenants' and Residents' Association (HTRA), stepped down from the position officially last week. He plans to look at police business alongside Harefield Safer Neighbourhoods Team during the monthly HTRA meetings.

Focus on speeding

Bad drivers were targeted in a police clampdown on May 2 following a number of complaints about heavy goods vehicles speeding and braking heavily in Harvil Road.

During the morning, four skip drivers were stopped and fined for offences such as speeding - some were travelling up to 50mph - or not wearing a seatbelt.

A van driver stopped after being clocked doing 50mph in a 30mph zone already had nine points on his licence.

Police officers also issued a number of verbal warnings.

MUSLIMS and Christians have joined forces to unite the village in peace and understanding.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK and St Mary's Church are hosting a Peace Symposium on Saturday evening in the church hall, in High Street, Harefield.

THE chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing visited Harefield Hospital last week and praised staff on their enthusiasm for their jobs.

Dr Peter Carter said: "I am really impressed. I visit lots of hospitals so I get a chance to benchmark.

THE giant Harefield 'compost heap' could get bigger, if smells can be kept in check.

West London Composting (WLC), of Newyears Green Lane, processes 50,000 tonnes of waste per year, but aims to increase this to 75,000 tonnes.

The company takes green waste from Hillingdon and Harrow boroughs, as well as food, paper and card from Brent, Watford and the Three Rivers Council areas.

A GROUP of horticulture students at The Harefield Academy were presented with their City and Guilds level one certificates by staff from the Institute of Groundsmanship recently.

They also had assessments for their level two award, part of which includes building an area to plant and grow vegetables and flower beds, which they have tended over the past few months.

A HAREFIELD teen has made it through to the semi-finals of a national singing competition and is just a song away from performing at London's O2 arena.

Thomas McKenna, or Mossy to his friends, 15, sang at the regional finals of TeenStar at Dingwalls, in Camden, on April 21, when he impressed judges.

FOLLOWING the success of Harefield Amateur Dramatic Society's (HADS) performance of Calendar Girls, the group is now selling their own version of the cheeky calendar in the village to raise money for charity.

The 2014 Pirelli-style calendar, which features the cast, including Dawn Davies, the vicar's wife, is now available from Village Framing, 14 High Street, Harefield, for just £5.