Barry recently conducted a tour of parliament for students from the Wembley Learning Labs, which the children really enjoyed and the lead tutor described as an opportunity they would never forget.
Construction of the Aum Crematorium Project begins
For years the Hindu community has been trying to establish a purpose-built Hindu crematorium. So it was a particular joy for Barry to be asked to break the turf at the Bhumi Pooja Ceremony – ground breaking ceremony – on 15 July to mark the start of construction at the Aum Crematorium Project as part of the Anoopam Mission, Swaminarayan Temple. The photo shows Barry breaking the turf after offering prayers to mother earth.
Barry joins religious events in Brent North
Barry attended a major Hindu gathering on 22 June at the Kadwa Patidar Hall, examining the plight of Hindus globally and the increasing Hindu phobia experienced by the community.
He was also honoured to say a few words about the significance of the Gita when he attended a Katha (an exposition of the Bhagavad Gita) at the Maa Krupa Foundation at the Harrow Leisure Centre, on 2 July.
And it was a privilege for Barry to attend the opening of the Shiv Shakti Maa Meldi Temple on Wembley High Road on 3 July and then to attend a Mahayagna at the Neasden Mandir to celebrate the centenary of Pramukh Swami Maharaj. A mahayagna is a special service of prayers and rituals for peace, protection and global harmony.
Here are pictures of some of the events 🔽
Barry attends homecoming ceremony for bust of Rolling Stones legend Charlie Watts
Barry attended a Brent Council reception to receive the bronze bust of the late Rolling Stones drummer and Wembley lad Charlie Watts from a group of fans who commissioned the sculpture.
Barry was proud to have his picture taken with the “Wembley Whammer” and the artist Sissy Piana during the ceremony.
You can read more about the Charlie Watts bust here
Student-MP Climate Surgery
Barry marked the annual Globe Legislators Student-MP Climate Surgery, part of the London Schools Climate Summit week, with a trip to Alperton Community School.
He took part in a Q&A session with students and both they and staff members described it as an interesting and stimulating discussion about climate change and its impact on all our lives.
Find out more about the London Schools Climate Summit and London Climate Action Week.
Barry attends Brent local manifesto launch
Barry was in attendance for Brent Labour’s local manifesto launch at the weekend. The manifesto was launched at the Lexi Cinema and featured speeches from Barry, Tulip Siddiq, David Lammy and a virtual appearance from Brent Central’s very own Dawn Butler.
The local elections are on 5th May 2022 and you can read Brent Labour’s manifesto in full here
Barry to hold a special Afghanistan related surgery this Saturday
EMERGENCY AFGHANISTAN SURGERY THIS SATURDAY- Over the past week I have been contacted by hundreds of constituents who have family in Afghanistan and are desperately looking to bring them over to the UK. I have therefore decided to hold a special surgery so people can bring their cases to me in person. Please note that this is exclusively for cases related to Afghanistan and not general immigration queries. I will be resuming my regular advice surgeries in September.
The surgery will be held at Brent Civic Centre from 9am on Saturday 28th August. If you wish to attend please report to the reception area at Brent Civic Centre on the ground floor. Cases will be seen on a first come-first served basis. Please note that this is only for Brent North constituents and I will not be able to take cases on behalf of residents of other constituencies. To see which constituency you belong to please type your postcode here.
Please also bring with you relevant copies of documents pertaining to your case.
Barry submits letter in opposition to planning developments in Barham Park
Barry has submitted a letter objecting to a proposed planning application in Barham Park, Sudbury. The application seeks to demolish the former park keepers’ dwellings and erect a four storey residential building.
You can see his letter below.
Barry is privileged to take part in the Cycle to Save Lives at Neasden Temple
We have all seen the heart breaking scenes from India over the past few weeks, and Barry was greatly privileged to take part in a fundraising effort set up at the temple.
By the time Barry had left, BAPS had already raised over £500,000 — no thanks to his meagre efforts — but because of the incredible community spirit that Mahant Swami Maharaj has inspired. You can give to their JustGiving page below.
Barry participates in cladding meeting with leaseholders
Barry joined fellow Brent MP’s Dawn Butler and Tulip Siddiq as well as councillors and leaseholders in a meeting on the ongoing Leasehold scandal.
Barry would like to extend his thanks to all that attended, and especially Lucie Gutfreund of Brent and Camden Cladding Action Group for organising and hosting the meeting.
Barry outlines where he thinks the system is breaking down- at the level of building control. He provides the example of the Capitol Way developments in Brent North, and says the most important thing leaseholders can do is continue to make noise so the Government can recognise what is needed.
Unfortunately, as is often the way with virtual meetings there was a technical issue which affected the end of Barry’s speech. You can watch the whole zoom meeting here and Barry’s contribution below.
Barry visits Alperton Food Market
The Brent Surplus Food Market is open EVERY Saturday from 11am-1pm. They operate at Alperton Baptist Church and provide food to anyone that needs it. The market relies on the generosity of the community and the incredible work of Sewa volunteers.
Barry visited and recorded this message.
Barry visits students at Kingsbury High School
Barry visited Kingsbury High School where he was taken on a tour of the Lower School and introduced to KHS’s new Article 28 project. He was shown around the classrooms that will become the home for those students needing the extra support.
Barry then met a group of student school council speakers, who did a number of presentations for him (whilst always maintaining appropriate social distance, as you can see in the above picture). These included an introduction to UNICEF Rights Respecting School, their students’ travel plans and the importance of their safety while doing so, as well as talking to Barry about what lockdown meant for them.”
The visit was concluded by a Q&A where Barry took on questions from the students.
Barry attends VJ Day's 75th Anniversary
Barry attended the commemoration of VJ Day’s 75th Anniversary in which it passed with what he described as dignity and solemnity at Brent’s Barham Park.
Barry attended the commemoration with the Deputy Lord Lieutenant, the Mayor, the Royal British Legion and the Gurkhas — the Bravest of the Brave.
Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman
Today our community came together in an act of grief, of tribute and of unity.
We gathered at the top of Gotfords Hill in Fryent Country Park. For many of the 200 or so people who attended, this was the first time they had felt able to visit the park since the ghastly murder of the two sisters, Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman.
Their mother Wilhelmina, had written a moving tribute to her two beautiful and talented daughters and gave even those of us who did not know them, a window into the joy of their lives. Prayers, cleansing and reclaiming the park, were led by the Bishop of Willesden, Pete Broadbent. The local vicar Natasha Woodward, who had convened the event, conducted the service; and I spoke of the way that the murders had defiled two full and love-filled lives, the Smallman family, and our whole community. And as we laid our flowers in silent tribute, all of us there expressed our solidarity with the family against the evil that has struck them and our determination not to let the horror of the murders infect our love of that ancient and beautiful space at the heart of our Borough.
The family members themselves had come to visit the park two days earlier to pay their respects and they had specifically asked that the Park should not be remembered as a place of horror, but as a place of peace and beauty.
There are serious concerns about the initial police response and the ghoulish release of photographs which I have raised with the Borough Commander and these are now subject to separate investigation by the Independent Office of Police Conduct. Today was not the occasion to dwell upon those. But all of us present felt a real sense of relief that a man had earlier been arrested in connection with the murders.
We pray that justice is served and that Bibaa and Nicole may rest in peace.
Barry visits the Alperton Covid Relief Kitchen
Cannot praise the Alperton COVID Relief Kitchen highly enough. Everyone involved is a hero. Over 130,000 meals already distributed with support from SEWA, Desi Dhaba restaurant, Jalaram Sweet Mart, St James Church & Shree Jalaram Temple. A great visit with Cllr Trupti & Mr Mayor
Barry takes part in Thai Pongal celebrations
Last week Barry took part in the Tamil Harvest Festival of Thai Pongal both locally and in Parliament with colleagues. Barry joined local Tamils in traditional celebrations involving musical performances, speeches and generous servings of sweet pongal
Speaking at the parliamentary reception Barry said
“It is a great occasion to come together to celebrate but also remember the injustice that has been done.”
Barry taking part in Holocaust Memorial Day
This week Barry Stood Together as part of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust with his constituent Vera Schaufeld — who came aged 9 on the Kindertransport. She is still campaigning for refugee children 80 years later. Vera’s moving story is available to read at the following link https://www.hmd.org.uk/resource/hmd-2016-vera-schaufeld/
Barry is re-elected as Member of Parliament for Brent North
On an immensely disappointing night nationally for the party, Barry was returned as the Member of Parliament for Brent North with a majority of 8,079.
Barry outlined the cause for concern the national result would have for many vulnerable people across the country and how devastating a result it was for those wishing to find somewhere to live and for those hoping for a brighter future.
Barry added that it was an immense honour to represent the community he lives in and loves.
Barry meets parents and children at Kingsbury Green Primary School
Barry received a great response from parents and children alike at Kingsbury Green Primary School, lots of parents are happy to hear of how our childcare policies will benefit them and their families and of course there was a lot of love for our Barry Gardiner balloons and stickers!
Barry canvassing in Wembley Central and Preston
Barry was in Preston Park yesterday afternoon and Wembley Central this morning. Both with such warm welcomes in the cold weather and a great reception to Labour’s ideas for a fairer society from both young and old.
