THE refurbishment of the Grade II listed Highgrove House in Ruislip is set to drag on for another three years, after developers were given extra time to complete the project.

Permission to convert the 19th century property, in Eastcote Road, by demolishing the stable building and replacing it with 16 new homes, was originally granted in January 2007.

THE headteacher and staff at Bishop Ramsey C of E School in Ruislip have been chosen for a top role supporting schools in challenging circumstances.

Andrew Wilcock has become one of 75 headteachers across the country to be selected as a National Leader of Education (NLE).

NLEs use their success and professionalism as school leaders, together with staff at the school - designated a National Support School - to provide assistance in struggling schools.

AN AUTHOR who had her first UK book published last year is now in talks to have the novel made into a Hollywood movie.

Ruislip author Victoria Connelly's book 'Molly's Millions' is about a lottery winner who gives all her money away.

Hollywood actress Hilary Swank, whose company adapted the book 'PS I Love You' and turned it into a film, has expressed an interest in the tome.

A WOMAN was treated for smoke inhalation after a blaze at a two-storey Ruislip house last night (Feb 1).

Four fire engines and around 20 firefighters from the Northolt, Wembley and Harrow fire stations were called to an address in Royal Crescent, South Ruislip, just before 11pm, and they brought the fire under control shortly after midnight.

Part of the first floor of the house was damaged in the blaze. Two fast response vehicles and an ambulance crew arrived at the scene and tended to a woman who escaped from the building before the fire services arrived. She was taken to Hillingdon Hospital and treated for smoke inhalation.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Did you see the fire? email editorialuxbridge@trinitysouth.co.uk

A FIREFIGHTER based in Ruislip has received a long service award in recognition for three selfless decades saving others.

Graham Owen, 49, of Robert's Ride, Hazlemere, was presented with his London Fire Brigade Long Service Award at a special ceremony held at the Brigade's training centre in Southwark last week.

Graham, 49, joined the Brigade in 1979, and after passing out was posted to Heston fire station where he served for 13 years.

AMBITIOUS plans to give Ruislip Lido a £1.5million facelift could cause a rise in anti-social behaviour, neighbours fear.

Tempers flared at a public meeting last Wednesday (20) after residents accused Hillingdon Council of 'trying to turn the Lido into Disneyland'.

The council has unveiled a five-year project to bring the Lido, in Reservoir Road, 'back to its former glory'.

Proposals include a new boating lake and fishing facilities, an outdoor swimming pool, refurbishment of the miniature railway and better toilets.

But residents complained the new and improved Lido would bring an influx of newcomers, potentially causing a increase in graffiti, street drinking and littering.

BOTH number plates were stolen from a car on Friday night.

The theft took place in Sunningdale Avenue, Ruislip, between 10pm on Friday 22 at 7am on Saturday.

The registration plates were stolen from a blue Nissan Micra, believed to be around seven years old.

Stolen registration plates are often used in petrol forecourt burglaries or by gangs operating more serious crimes.

THREE Bishop Ramsey C of E School pupils have high hopes of securing places at prestigious Oxbridge universities, having received conditional offers.

So long as they achieve the required grades, Patrick Jull, 17 and Sami Shannon, 18, will read medicine and English at Oxford, while Naomi Arnold, 18, will read natural sciences at Cambridge.

And a team of year nine pupils from the school, in Hume Way, Ruislip, also have reason to celebrate after coming first in a regional science competition for the second year running.

Target Mars, held at Brunel University, saw six schools across the borough compete in science-based challenges to prove they were the best team capable of colonising the red planet.

Tasks included building a landing probe and creating a dune buggy to move around on Mars' surface.

Pupil Kelsey Allen, 14, said: "This competition has definitely encouraged me to think about working in space technology."

A RETIRED children's charity worker celebrated her 100th birthday at a Ruislip care home on Sunday (17).

Great aunt Elsie Newbury was born in Isleworth, west London, and spent most of her working life as a carer at a Dr Barnado's children's home in Eastbourne.

Mrs Newbury, who has outlived her three siblings, has been a member of Salem Baptist Church in Uxbridge Road, Uxbridge for several years. She was once captain of the girls brigade at the church and taught in the Sunday school, as well as singing in the choir.

A WOMAN who strained her neck after slipping on black ice fears Hillingdon Council is failing to protect people in the adverse weather conditions.

Joan O'Shea, 41, fell outside the Windmill Apartments in Pembroke Road, Ruislip Manor, on Saturday, January 2, after a leak underneath boards surrounding the complex froze, proving to be invisible after dark.

Mrs O'Shea, who lives in Ruislip Manor, said: "It was 6pm so I could not see the leak at all.

"I was very shaken up and my neck is really stiff, especially in the mornings, but I'm really lucky I didn't break something.