NEWS IN BRIEF

COUNCIL SLAMS STRIP SHOW
A saucy South Harrow pub, the Fornax and Firkin, will be hosting a male striptease show, despite disapproval by Harrow Council. Councillors have “deplored the promotion of striptease entertainment” and called for the event to be stopped. The pub is undeterred by the Council’s reaction and insists that the first show, on 21 March at 8pm, could be the first of many.

TEXTERCISES FOR SAFE TEXT
Mobile phone text senders are at risk of repetitive strain injury and should do daily “textercises” to avoid long term injury, according to medical experts. Textaholics have been advised to take heed of the “Safe Text Guide” produced by Virgin Mobile to prevent finger strain. The guide has been welcomed by the RSI Association and British Chiropractic Association, and includes tensing the fist three times to increase blood flow and strengthen muscles.

STINGEY STIFFS DON’T DONATE
The number of organs donated by Harrow and Brent people after their deaths is one of the lowest in the country. A Department of Health report shows only 2.2 organs per million people are donated by local people – more than five times lower than the national average of 12.4. The phenomenon has been put down to the traditionally low levels of organ donation from ethnic communities.

RADIO SOCIETY OPEN DAY
Radio enthusiasts can try Morse code and exchange messages with radio amateurs at the Radio Society of Harrow open day. Equipment from the Radio Society of Great Britain will be available to keep in with the theme “Three Centuries of Radio”. The day will be held as part of Science Week 2002 in Harrow Arts Centre, Uxbridge Road, Hatch End on 16 March, 1-4pm.

POLICE ALERT RESIDENTS ABOUT LOCAL SNATCH
Harrow police have urged caution after an unusual mugging. A woman walking with her 10-year-old granddaughter had her bag snatched in King’s Road, South Harrow at 3.30pm on Friday 22 February. A police spokesperson said: “We should like to warn people in South Harrow to be careful because it is quite unusual to get bag snatches in residential areas.”

DEATH TRAP BUILDINGS DROP MASONRY
Derelict buildings in Harrow have become death traps, according to local residents. Lumps of masonry have fallen from the buildings on Northolt Road and neighbours said it is “only a matter of time before a serious accident occurs”. Neighbours are waiting for action after presenting a 75 name petition to the council last month.

OUTDOOR SEX WINS AWARD
A poem about sex outdoors has won a local man a poetry competition. Graham High of Witham Road, Isleworth won the Middlesex Poetry Champion of the Year competition with his sexy ode called Unspoken. It is based on the bearded 52 year-old’s personal experience. He has now been chosen to represent Middlesex in the National Poetry Anthology 2002.

FAKE FRUIT FINES
The suppliers of “danger fruit”, sold in a Harrow shop, were fined over £1,000 for supplying fake fruit that looked too realistic. The two companies pleaded guilty and were told that their fruit shaped ice cubes and imitation grapes were too realistic to be sold to the public. Sugarman International Ltd, Stanmore, was fined £600 and Universal Cane Co Ltd, Edmonton, was ordered to pay £500 at Harrow Magistrates court in February.

A MORNING FRY CAN DO YOU GOOD
Students who skip breakfast are putting their health at risk, according to a scientific study of student lifestyles by Cardiff University released on Wednesday. Findings show that eating a hearty breakfast could be enough to keep colds and flu at bay. However, people who smoke and drink excessively increase their chances of catching a cold.

FILM EDUCATION COURSES ATTACKED
University film courses have been criticised by the executive director of the London Film Academy for being expensive and not practical enough. Chris Bullmore said that most courses are film education rather than film training and concentrate too much on theory. He said that there is a danger that film making will become a preserve of the rich, with institutions such as the National Film School charging £30,000 for a two year course.