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A creative approach “Tom brings a creative approach to environmental projects. He involves others and shares his experience freely and engagingly and is an important part of helping the area become greener.” nick marti, poplar harca Big name winners Winners of the European Diversity Awards include Baroness Doreen Lawrence and rugby player Ben Cohen. News Dogs sniff out £21,000 of contraband tobacco BY POPPY TURNER SPECIALLY trained dogs helped seize smuggled and counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco worth an estimated £21,000 from retailers across the borough. The council’s trading standards staff led a team of Metropolitan Police and HM Revenue and Customs officers – and the tobacco-detection dogs – on visits to seven shops. They found more than 90,000 cigarettes, 183 packs of rolling tobacco and 3kg of shisha tobacco at five of the premises. The seizures were part of Operation Henry, a crackdown by local authorities on the supply of illicit tobacco across nine regions in England, funded by the Department of Health. Mayor Lutfur Rahman said: “The large amount of tobacco products seized by Operation Henry proves the importance of joint initiatives like this one. “We hope the success of this will act as a deterrent to those who feel they can operate above the law.” Trading standards and licensing manager John McCrohan with the seized tobacco None of the tobacco seized during the operation displayed the health warnings required by the Consumer Protection Act 1987 and duty was not paid, contrary to the Customs and Excise Management Act. C a b i n e t m e m b e r f o r community safety Cllr Ohid Ahmed said: “Operation Henry has shown the extent of the problem of illicit tobacco sales in the borough. “The lengths that retailers go to hide these products demonstrates the importance of detection dogs and this is a tactic we hope to continue using.” Information about smuggled tobacco can be reported, anonymously, to trading standards on 7364 5008 or by emailing trading.standards@ towerhamlets.gov.uk A CABINET member at the council has been shortlisted for an international award for her work in the community and wider society. Cllr Rabina Khan (pictured) is among the finalists for Hero of the Year in the 2014 European Diversity Awards. Judges praised her support for government regeneration initiatives, such as Bethnal Green City Challenge, and her management of education and empowerment projects for women and young girls from ethnic minorities. The award ceremony is on October 2. Cllr Khan, the cabinet member for housing and regeneration who represents Shadwell ward, said: “I am delighted to have been shortlisted for this prestigious award. “I will continue to work with all of our diverse communities and do all I can to ensure that our residents have access to the resources they need to prosper.” Green Tom up for award A LIFELONG Poplar tenant who helped create a community garden on his estate has reached the finals of a national competition recognising environmental work. Tom Gleed is in the running for ‘green tenant of the year’ at the national Sustainable Housing Awards. His green credentials include building a palatial chicken coop from reclaimed materials which now houses ten rescued exbattery farm chickens. Tom helped other residents build their raised beds to a height that suits them, built an Tom with the chickens enclosed area for beehives and created a pond. He is currently making a traditional Vietnamese cooking stove from reused materials. And it’s all been good for Tom’s health. “It’s very relaxing. My blood pressure was sky high when I retired, but after coming to the garden the doctor has reduced my tablets from four to two a day,” said Tom, who is a Poplar Harca tenant. Nick Marti, from Harca, said: “From his stunningly colourful floral balcony to his grand chicken coop, Tom brings a creative and passionate approach to the environmental projects he takes on.” The public vote and closes on September 7. To vote, go to http://tinyurl.com/n542x8w News in brief Volunteers needed THE Epilepsy Society is looking for people willing to be trained as volunteers to run information stands at local events. E p i l e p s y i s t h e m o s t common serious neurological condition and affects more than half a million people in the UK. Knowledge of epilepsy is not required as all volunteers will attend a two-day training programme. You just need to be a good listener, keen to help, enjoy meeting people, be happy to learn new skills and can commit to helping for at least a few hours a month. For more details or an application pack, call 07880 035842 or email soraya. bowen@epilepsysociety. org.uk Help music project A NEW scheme, which aims to bring communities together through music, is looking to recruit and train four specialist volunteers to work in fundraising, marketing, volunteer management and community music roles. National arts provider Superact is recruiting the volunteers for the Our Big Gig EXTRA project. Applications must be received by September 15. To download a description of the role and an application form visit http://bit.ly/1q2LRP7 PUBLIC EXHIBITION 1 Bank Street, Canary Wharf EXHIBITIO ON Stree t C Wh h f harf tion rd The exhibition will be held at: Strafford Street Friendship Club 40 Strafford Street London E14 8LT Dates and times: Thursday 4th September 15.00 – 20.00 Saturday 6th September 10.00 – 14.00 For further information, please contact consultation@ canarywharf.com E 1 B k St et,You are invited to an exhibition hibition to to view the design proposals proposa als for an an RI¿FHGHYHORSPHQWDW RI¿FHGHYHORSPHQWDW 1 Bank Street, Canary Wharf. Street Site location of 1 Bank September exh W exhibit S Straffor 8LT Dates and 4 20 6 14 inf .00 .00 formation,@1 – 7 SEPTEMBER 2014 N E W S F R O M T OWER HAMLETS COUNCIL AND YOUR COMMUNITY 7


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