AN ASPIRING barrister who spontaneously entered a beauty pageant has made it through to the semi-final stage.

Fran Millman, of Hawthorne Avenue, Eastcote, was at the Clothes Show in London in May with her friend when they saw a stall for the Teen Queen UK competition.

She said: "My friend decided to write her name down and she told me to do it as well.

They took our photo and then a couple of weeks later I got a call saying I had got through to the next round.

"I had to go and have my photo taken with 100 other people and then I got picked to be in the top 50 for heat 11 of the competition.

"So now I just need to get everyone I know to vote for me because the top three in each heat make it through to the final next month."

The 17-year-old is currently studying for her A levels in law, psychology, media studies and sociology at Haydon School, in Wiltshire Lane, Eastcote, and is hoping to become a barrister.

She said: "I've never entered a beauty pageant before and I didn't even think I would get through to the first round because I've always thought of myself as being average looking. I don't see myself as anything special.

"I am doing my A levels at the moment so I'm trying to concentrate on them but if I got through to the finals it would be quite flattering and it would be amazing if I won."

To vote for Fran call 0901 656 1515 and press 33 or text her full name to 84205. Voting closes on July 31.

For more information go to www.missteenqueenuk.com.

A TEENAGER has been charged with attacking a man outside a pizza shop.

Sam Chapman, 18, of Dulverton Road, Ruislip, was charged with assaulting Sarbjeet Singh Shina, causing actual bodily harm (ABH), outside Village Pizza, in Field End Road, Eastcote, on May 9.

He is due at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on August 18.

AN ELECTRO pop duo have been crowned runners-up in a national music competition

Me and the Beast beat 13 other professional acts but just missed out to the winners at the National Grand Final of Live and Unsigned 2009.

The duo came second to The Loaded Dice in the Indie/Pop Rock Bands category in the final held at the Portsmouth Guildhall on Saturday (27).

Carly Cunningham, 25, of Woodlands Avenue, Eastcote, is the lead singer of the band and Ashley Bull, from Maidenhead, is the producer/song writer.

From an initial entry of more than 10,000, the final acts showcased their talent in front of thousands of audience members and a judging panel that included former manager of the Sex Pistols and musical icon Malcolm McLaren.

Auditions for Future Music's new national competition for solo singers 'Open Mic UK' start in August and the Live and Unsigned 2010 auditions begin in January next year.

For more information go to www.meandthebeast.com or www.liveandunsigned.uk.com.

MEMBERS of a successful after-school cycle club invited pupils from other schools to take part in a fun afternoon of cycling.

The Year 6 Fun Cycle Club at Field End Junior School, in Field End Road, Eastcote, hosted an inter-school cycling event yesterday (Tues).

Pupils from Moorcroft School, in Bramble Close, Hillingdon, and Coteford Junior School, in Fore Street, Eastcote, also took part in the event.

The cycle club started at the school in September 2007 with the aim of providing an environment where children can have fun while learning cycling skills and basic safety techniques.

It takes place after school every Tuesday and is now seen as a leading example of how cycling can be promoted within junior schools in the borough.

This is the second year the inter-school event has been held and this year it highlighted that cycling can be available to the majority of people regardless of disability.

Sheila Pikulski, headteacher at Field End, said: " We are very proud of our Fun Cycle Club and this year's event was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate difference and to further promote the school's vision for inclusion.

"We are really grateful to everyone who was involved in making it a day to remember for all taking part - not least the pupils and students from the schools represented on the day."

A DISRESPECTFUL teenager who spat at a ticket booth and threatened a tube worker has been fined.

The 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct after spitting and threatening a staff member at Eastcote tube station.

Aidan Harris, manager of London Underground's Workplace Violence Unit, said: "The youngster asked for a child rate travel card but did not have any form of identification and was advised he would have to purchase an adult ticket.

"He then became abusive and left the station, only to return shortly afterwards to threaten the ticket seller and spit at the window of the ticket booth."

The youth from Northwood was tracked down through DNA following the incident on March 11 this year.

Staff used a DNA spit kit available at the station to collect the spittle and contacted the British Transport Police (BTP) who sent it for forensic testing. Results showed a DNA match and the teenager was arrested.

He was fined £50 at Harrow Youth Court on June 9 and ordered to pay £23 compensation to his victim.

Mr Harris said: "Hopefully this fine will make this youngster reconsider his actions in the future, especially as spitting is a foul habit and not something we will tolerate towards our staff."

PC Andrew Williams, of British Transport Police, said: "The fact that the member of staff retained the evidence, despite what had just happened, was crucial since the youth's DNA on the tissue allowed us to place him at the crime scene.

"Why he felt he had the right to spit at a member of staff who was simply doing his job is inconceivable. I hope that his conviction and sentencing sends out the clearest possible message that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated."

VOLUNTEERS who are working to maintain a well-loved part of Eastcote have received a grant of £23,000.

Groundwork UK have given the grant to The Friends of Eastcote House Gardens on behalf of the Big Lottery Fund to restore the 16th Century walled garden.

Lesley Crowcroft, one of the volunteers, said: "The grant will be used for new planting, especially the herb beds which were originally planted in 1977 to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee, and to put up boards giving the the history of the site.

"The Eastcote Garden Volunteers will be running the project and at the planting stage we will be involving the local schools and young people groups.

"We thought that we had a good chance of receiving the grant because so many residents and local groups are supportive of the gardens. They are unique, being the only publicly owned 16th Century walled garden in Hillingdon.

"The scope for involving schools and young people is tremendous, giving our young people a chance to become involved in their heritage.

"To keep these gardens in tip top order takes a vast amount of money, so it was considered that trying to gain sponsorship was a good idea so as not to syphon funds away from from other parks in the area."

To become a volunteer go to the walled garden on the third Thursday of each month at 9.30am or call Mrs Crowcroft on 020 8866 8436.

The car park entrance to the walled garden is off of High Road, Eastcote, and there are pedestrians entrances on St Lawrence Drive and next to the High Road/Field End Road roundabout.

A CAR dealership is offering free music to customers who test drive their new models.

WLMG Nissan, in Field End Road, Eastcote, is offering local motorists the musical drive of a lifetime in conjunction with Island Records.

The special promotion, which also marks the record label's 50th birthday, offers customers visiting the dealership to test drive the new models a special access code to download exclusive tracks by Island Records artists.

The access code will enable music fans to download up to 25 tracks of their choice from the Island Records back catalogue including artists such as Bob Marley, Lionel Richie, Paul Weller and U2.

To book a test drive in the new QASHQAI n-tec contact WLMG Nissan on 0208 429 2727.

The incentive runs until June 30.

A SECOND World War veteran was joined by family and friends from across Europe to celebrate his 100th birthday.

Wladyslaw Lapot, of Copthall Road West, Ickenham, marked his centenarian with a lunch at The Barn Hotel, in West End Road, Ruislip, on Saturday (6).

The Polish veteran survived 30 bombing missions during the war and was even awarded with the Virtuti Militari - the highest Polish honour.

After the war ended he decided to stay in the UK to work for BOAC (now British Airways) for 15 years before retiring in 1959.

However, he went on to open Marinka coffee bar in Field End Road, Eastcote, where he worked for 13 years.

Other jobs followed, including a stint as a night watchman with Securicor before he officially retired 30 years ago to look after his wife Alicia.

The grandfather-of-two was treated to a celebratory lunch with his family and friends, some coming from as far as Holland, Poland and Italy.

His daughter, Alexandra Lapot, said: "He had a really lovely time and someone from the Polish embassy brought him a letter from the ambassador, which he was delighted by."

Mr Lapot lived in Ickenham Road, Ruislip, for 54 years before moving to his current home.

A WELL-loved community shop is closing after 70 years as a newsagent.

Staff and customers were left distraught when they were told News Express - known as Stars - in Field End Road, Eastcote, would be closing on June 13.

Pam Routledge, who has worked at the shop for 11 years, said: "It was a bit of a shock when we were told. We're all very sad about it and we've already had a few tears from customers. They just can't believe it because it has always been here.

"Even the kids are upset about it. One little girl almost burst into tears when we told her."

The Midcounties Co-operative bought the shop two years ago with the intention of selling because it was not making enough money and the lease had finished.

The customers gathered about 1,500 signatures on a petition requesting that it remained as a newsagent, but, the Co-op have been unable to find a buyer and have therefore taken the decision to close it.

The shop, which was called Stars for 22 years before the name was changed to News Express this year, has been open for about 70 years as a newsagent.

Ava Scuderi, who has been the manager of the shop for 21 years, said: "There's been a lot of interest in the shop but none of the sales went through and the Co-op didn't want to renew the lease for another five years on a shop that is losing money, although only slightly.

"I think all the empty shops in Eastcote has stopped a lot of people from coming here.

"The rents are going up all the time so unless you own the building you are working from it's getting harder and harder.

"We just want to thank all our customers for their support over the years. Hopefully they have enjoyed our company as much as we have enjoyed theirs."

Ava has written a poem dedicated to the customers:

The End of an Era

I've written this verse
Just to let you know
That we'll miss you all
And we're sorry to go.

We've seen children grow up and have babies of their own,
While others have aged or departed.
We've shared happiness and tears in our numerous years
Serving people who are mostly kind-hearted.

There's the happy, the sad, the good and the bad,
The jokers who make us all roar,
Those who come here for a sympathetic ear
And others who give us what for!

I'd love to lost you all by name
And give each a special mention
But if I start, when will I stop?
I'll be drawing my old-age pension!

So please accept these heartfelt thanks
From all of us to all of you.
We couldn't wish for better customers -
Well, maybe one or two!!

13th of June 2009 is a date we won't forget.
It's end end of an era, a sign of the times, another shop up for let.
And, as you pass by, on foot or in cars
Will you fondly remember us as STARS?

POLICE were called to a residential address in Eastcote after someone was firing pellets out of a window.

Three police cars and riot police were sent to Field End Road near the junction with Rodwell Close at about 10.15pm on Sunday (31).

No one was injured and the person responsible for firing the pellets was arrested and let off with a caution.